In-vitro fertilization: donor egg sharing for premature ovarian failure.

Premature ovarian failure may be a consequence of gonadotoxic cytotoxic chemotherapy or radiation therapy for malignant or systemic disease often resulting in major quality of life concerns. This is the first reported case in the English-speaking Caribbean using in-vitro fertilization (IVF) donor egg sharing in a patient who experienced premature ovarian failure following chemotherapy and radiation for Hodgkin's disease. The donor's indication was tubal factor infertility. Both patients delivered healthy infants.

Who is at high risk? A comparison of the seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus in pregnant women and a high risk group

To compare the seroprevalence of HIV in Jamaican pregnant women with that in substance abusers, two groups of antenatal patients were studied, one (A) attending a public hospital clinic and the other (B) attending private clinics. The HIV seroprevalence in the antenatal patients was compared with that in the substance abusers, group C, in 1996 and five years later in 2001. HIV antibody was determined by enzyme immunoassay. The HIV seroprevalence in group A more than doubled (1.6-3.8) in five-years, 1996-2001. There were no seropositives in group B. In group C, the seroprevalence rose from 2.08 in 1996 to 5.76 in 2001. There was indication that group A might no longer be considered [quot ]low risk[quot ], as there was no significant difference from group C in HIV seroprevalence in 1996 and 2001. The trend seen in this study is worthy of further investigation

Who is at high risk? A comparison of the seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus in pregnant women and a high risk group.

To compare the seroprevalence of HIV in Jamaican pregnant women with that in substance abusers, two groups of antenatal patients were studied, one (A) attending a public hospital clinic and the other (B) attending private clinics. The HIV seroprevalence in the antenatal patients was compared with that in the substance abusers, group C, in 1996 and five years later in 2001. HIV antibody was determined by enzyme immunoassay. The HIV seroprevalence in group A more than doubled (1.6%-3.8%) in five-years, 1996-2001. There were no seropositives in group B. In group C, the seroprevalence rose from 2.08% in 1996 to 5.76% in 2001. There was indication that group A might no longer be considered "low risk", as there was no significant difference from group C in HIV seroprevalence in 1996 and 2001. The trend seen in this study is worthy of further investigation.

Laparoscopic retrieval of perforated intrauterine devices at University Hospital, Jamaica.

Four intraabdominal, copper, T-shaped intrauterine devices (IUDs) were retrieved laparoscopically after the rare complication of complete perforation of the uterine wall. After the IUDs were located by ultrasound and radiographs, laparoscopy was performed under general anesthesia. The devices were easily located and all procedures were uncomplicated. In two cases anterior wall perforations with adhesion formation around the device were seen in the region of the uterovesical fold. Two IUDs were found adjacent to bowel, one in pararectal fat. Three surgeries were performed as day cases; the fourth patient, a diabetic, was kept for observation for 1 day.

Comparison of testing saliva and serum for detection of antibody to human immunodeficiency virus in Jamaica, West Indies.

BACKGROUND: In Jamaica the reported incidence of AIDS increased from 0.1/100000 in 1985 to 20.2/100000 in 1995. Here there is great reluctance to have voluntary blood testing and, indeed, any blood testing. Since only enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA) was available for screening serum HIV-1 and 2 antibody, it was considered that a non-invasive saliva screening EIA could be an advantageous alternative. OBJECTIVE: this study was designed to evaluate the OraScreen HIV Rapid Test, a new, simple saliva screening EIA for anti-HIV-1&2 and to compare its sensitivity and specificity with a standard serum anti-HIV screening EIA in current use in Jamaica. STUDY DESIGN: specificity and sensitivity of HIV antibody assays were compared in matched serum and saliva samples obtained from 257 volunteers from a family planning clinic and from visa applicants, representing a low risk population (Group I), and from 52 volunteers known to be HIV infected (Group II). RESULTS: in Group I, 257 volunteers of unknown HIV status, one was positive for anti-HIV-1 in both serum and saliva. One other was seropositive but negative on saliva testing; confirmatory Western Blot (WB) testing on this serum was negative and this subject was tabulated as blood HIV negative. Fifty-one of the known seropositive volunteers (Group II) were saliva antibody positive. One saliva sample was inadequate and this individual was excluded from the study. Serum samples from three others in Group II were grossly haemolysed but their saliva samples were antibody positive. CONCLUSION: With the exclusion of one subject whose saliva sample was inadequate, the OraScreen HIV Rapid Test showed 100% specificity identifying 256/256 HIV antibody negative individuals, and 100% sensitivity by identifying 52/52 infected individuals as HIV antibody positive.

Rubella susceptibility in Jamaican women, 1996.

The 1995 rubella outbreak in Jamaica indicated a need to survey the susceptibility rate in Jamaican antenatal women at risk. In this 1996 study, 389 women in the reproductive age group were investigated for rubella antibodies. In the public sector urban group (A), rubella susceptibility was 20.2%, while in a private sector urban clinic (B) practising routine rubella surveillance and recommending postpartum immunization in seronegatives, the susceptibility rate was 13.8%. The latter rate was significantly lower than that in the rural group (C) (35.9%; p < 0.001). The overall susceptibility rate was 21.3%. Rubella susceptibility has improved overall in women of childbearing age compared with levels in the prevaccine year of 1968. A significant thrust in rubella prevention will still be required before the next rubella epidemic in order to reduce the risk of congenital rubella syndrome.

Rubella susceptibility in Jamaican women, 1996

The 1995 rubella outbreak in Jamaica indicated a need to survey the susceptibility rate in Jamaican antenatal women at risk. In this 1996 study, 389 women in the reproductive age group were investigated for rubella antibodies. In the public sector urban group (A), rubella susceptibility was 20.2, while in a private sector urban clinic (B) practising routine rubella surveillance and recommending postpartum immunization in seronegatives, the susceptibility rate was 13.8. The latter rate was significantly lower than that in the rural group (C) (35.9; p < 0.001). The overall susceptibility rate was 21.3. Rubella susceptibility has improved overall in women of childbearing age compared with levels in the prevaccine year of 1968. A significant thrust in rubella prevention will still be required before the next rubella epidemic in order to reduce the risk of congenital rubella syndrome.