Seroprevalence of human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) in countries of Southeast Asia compared to the USA, the Caribbean and Africa

Seroprevalence of HHV-8 has been studied in Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Trinidad, Jamaica and the USA, in both healthy individuals and those infected with HIV. Seroprevalence was found to be low in these countries. In contrast, the African countries of Ghana, Uganda and Zambia showed high seroprevalences in both healthy and HIV-infected populations. This suggests that human herpes virus-8 (HHV-8) may be either a recently introduced virus or one that has extremely low infectivity. Nasopharyngeal and oral carcinoma patients from Malaysia, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka who have very high EBV titres to show that only 3/82 (3.7 percent) have antibody to HHV-8, demonstrating that there is little, if any, cross-relativity between antibodies to these two gamma viruses. (AU)

Contrast study of the nasopharynx experience in Suriname

Describes a contrast study of the nasopharynx, which was studied in 24 cases. Benign lesions occurred in 8 cases, while all other cases suffered from malignant neoplasms. An attempt is made to discuss the incidence and epidemiology of nasopharyngeal neoplasms. All types of nasopharyngeal mass lesions, especially neoplasms, are covered. Two roentgenograms, a subments-vertical and one lateral, were taken from each subject. Different types of radiological pictures, characteristic for different histopathological lesions, are described. The prediction of the histopathological nature of the lesions was made possible by considering the typical filling defect in nasopharyngographic pictures. In combination with other methods of examination, the contrast study should be able to detect early nasopharyngeal cancer. A good correlation is possible between contrast examination and clinical and histopathological examination. Contrast study of the nasopharynx should be done routinely in the staging of Hodgkin's disease, but also at certain intervals, to evaluate radiography response in nasopharyngeal neoplasms

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: report of a case with unusual features

A case of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma in a 22-year-old male Negro is presented. The unusual clinical features were headache as the initial symptom, chemosis or conjunctival swelling and spontaneous epistaxis which proved fatal. It is suggested that the chemosis was due to blockage of the naso-lachrymal duct by tumour. It is emphasized that the isolated involvement of the lateral wall of the nasopharynx by tumour, as seen in this patient, is rather unusual. Other uncommon pathological features were the presence of smooth muscles fibres in a few of the vessel walls of the tumour and mucous glands in the connective tissue stroma. The latter feature feature has not been reported previously (AU)