Assessing alcoholism as a risk factor for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is characterized by a range of risk factors that determine susceptibility to HIV and the clinical expression of the disease. These include sexual practices, intravenous drug use, and blood exchange. Appropriate preventive measures have been formulated for these risk factors. This paper reviews alcohol abuse as a prominent feature of the homosexual experience, and suggests that it may merit consideration as a risk factor in relation to AIDS. The presumably high prevalence of alcohol abuse among homosexuals and the damaging effects of alcohol on the immune system are discussed as a basis for linking alcoholism, homosexuality, and AIDS. The implications of the potentiating effects of alcohol misuse as the human immunodeficiency virus infiltrates the heterosexual population are presented in terms of high risk populations and the need for additional preventive measures.     

Cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in infancy]

The authors report about two cases of AIDS in infancy. Both infants were Rumanian citizen brought to Hungary for examinations. Hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy and recurrent upper respiratory tract infections respectively were the main clinical symptoms. The infections seemed to have nosocomical origin. Patients coming from Rumania are belonging to the high risk group as to the carrier state. Regular screening before or during hospital admission is advised therefore.     

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS): Memorandum from a WHO Meeting

An International Conference on Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), sponsored by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization, was held in Atlanta on 15-17 April 1985. More than 3000 participants from 50 countries attended. This conference was followed by a meeting organized by WHO on 18-19 April where the participants reviewed the information presented at the conference and assessed its international health implications, which are described in this Memorandum.     

Disseminated cryptococcosis and fluconazole resistant oral candidiasis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Disseminated cryptococcosis and recurrent oral candidiasis was presented in a-heterosexual AIDS patient. Candida tropicalis (C.tropicalis) was isolated from the oral pseudomembranous plaques and Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans) was isolated from maculopapular lesions on body parts (face, hands and chest) and body fluids (urine, expectorated sputum, and cerebrospinal fluid). In vitro drug susceptibility testing on the yeast isolates demonstrated resistance to fluconazole acquired by C. tropicalis which was a suggestive possible root cause of recurrent oral candidiasis in this patient.     

Alcohol measuring scales may influence conclusions about the role of alcohol in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk and progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

In an effort to clarify the role of alcohol in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk and progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the author reviewed the method of measuring alcohol consumption across 10 studies published from 1986 through 1990. When the reports in which the association between alcohol and HIV has been evaluated in at-risk groups are compared, the role of alcohol remains unclear. Although there are fewer reports available for analysis, the role of alcohol in the progression of the disease to AIDS has been consistent in indicating that there is no effect of alcohol use. However, the research in both of these areas has utilized different methods to measure alcohol use. There are data relevant to the association between alcohol and HIV that indicate that the estimate of alcohol use is at least partially dependent on the type of measuring instrument used. The application of different measures of alcohol use may have led to different conclusions regarding the role of alcohol in HIV. With regard to the role of alcohol in the progression of the disease to AIDS, even in the consistent findings that alcohol does not lead to progression of the disease to AIDS, a more sensitive measure of alcohol use might yield different results.     

深圳市婚前男女人群艾滋病相关知识调查

目的了解深圳市婚前男女人群对艾滋病相关知识的掌握程度，探讨针对该人群有效的艾滋病宣传教育方式。方法采用不记名问卷方式，对2005年10月1日至2006年9月30日在深圳市妇幼保健院、盐田区、福田区等共7所妇幼保健院进行婚前检查的1556名青年男女进行艾滋病相关知识调查。结果调查对象中，98．0％（1525／1556）的人听说过艾滋病，对艾滋病血液传播，性传播和母婴传播知晓率分别为93．1％（1448／1556），92．7％（1442／1556），87．2％（1357／1556）。文化程度越高对艾滋病传播途径的知晓率越高；对蚊虫、共同办公、共同进餐及握手拥抱是否会引起感染的问题看法上，文化程度较高人群误解率明显低于文化程度较低人群，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．0001）；91．8％（1428／1556）的人认为艾滋病是可以预防的，文化程度高者艾滋病预防知识知晓率明显高于低文化程度人群，差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．0001）。调查对象获取艾滋病知识的主要来源于电视公益广告、报刊杂志及艾滋病专题报道，分别占71．5％（1113／1556）、67．6％（1052／1556）、55．5％（864／1556）。结论深圳市青年男女婚前对艾滋病传播的知晓率较高，但婚前艾滋病相关知识宣传教育仍然是必要的，特别是要加强对低文化层次人群进行艾滋病相关知识宣传教育。以减少艾滋病在青壮年中的传播及母婴传播。     

Declining rates of amebiasis in Los Angeles County: a sentinel for decreasing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) incidence?

In Los Angeles County from 1983-1988, rates of amebiasis declined 65 percent among White males 15-44 years. No such decline occurred among White females 15-44 years or White males less than 15. Reported acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases in the district of highest AIDS incidence has followed the initial decline in amebiasis by four years. Amebiasis trends may be a useful predictor of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission and future rates of AIDS among gay men.