Combining a Frailty Index Based on Laboratory Data and Pneumonia Severity Assessments to Predict In-Hospital Outcomes in Older Adults with Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

OBJECTIVES: Due to the increased morbidity, mortality, and cost of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in older people, strategies directed at improving disease evaluation and prevention are imperative. We independently compared the 30-day in-hospital mortality prediction ability of a frailty index based on laboratory data (FI-Lab) with that of the CURB-65 and the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) and then proposed combining them to further improve prediction efficiency. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged ≥ 65 years (n = 2039) with CAP who were admitted to Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine from January 2019 to June 2022. MEASURES: The 29-item FI-Lab, PSI and, CURB-65 were administered at admission. We defined frailty by the cut-off value of the FI-Lab score (> 0.43). Multivariable logistic regression analysis, together with the calculation of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC), was conducted to identify stratified risks and relationships between the three indices and 30-day mortality. Participants were divided into the following three groups based on age: 65-74 years, 75-84 years, and ≥ 85 years. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for mortality due to frailty were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 495 participants ranging from 65 to 100 years of age were ultimately included and divided into age groups (65-74 years, n = 190, 38.4%; 75-84 years, n = 183, 37.0%; ≥ 85 years, n = 122, 24.6%). A total of 142 (28.7%) of the 495 patients were defined as having frailty. All three scores tested in this study were significantly associated with 30-day mortality in the total sample. The ORs were as follows: 1.06 (95% CI: 1.03-1.09, P < 0.001) and 2.33 (95% CI: 1.26-4.31, P = 0.007) for the FI-Lab when the score was treated as a continuous and categorical variable, respectively; 1.04 (95% CI: 1.02-1.05, P < 0.001) for the PSI; and 3.70 (95% CI: 2.48-5.50, P < 0.001) for the CURB-65. In the total sample, the ROC-AUCs were 0.783 (95% CI: 0.744-0.819) for the FI-Lab, 0.812 (95% CI: 0.775-0.845) for the PSI, and 0.799 (95% CI: 0.761-0.834) for the CURB-65 (P < 0.001). The ROC-AUC slightly improved when the FI-Lab was added to the PSI (AUC 0.850, 95% CI: 0.809-0.892, P = 0.031) and to the CURB-65 (AUC 0.839, 95% CI: 0.794-0.885, P = 0.002). Older patients with frailty showed a higher risk of in-hospital mortality, with an HR of 2.25 (95% CI: 1.14-3.58, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The FI-Lab seems to generate simple and readily available data, suggesting that it could be a useful complement to the CURB-65 and the PSI as effective predictors of 30-day mortality due to CAP in older populations.

HLA-DPA1 gene polymorphism in primary glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DPA1 gene polymorphism and primary glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in 51 patients and 51 healthy controls through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The possible association between HLA-DPA1 gene mutation and primary glaucoma was detected using the t-test and the Chi-square test. RESULTS: Rs1676486 genotype had a significant genetic correlation. Rs3753841 and rs12138977 genotypes had a higher minor-allele frequency in control group. The CT + CC genotype frequency of rs12138977 showed a significant genetic correlation in both case group and control group. Moreover, the rs12138977 polymorphism and corneal thickness had little influence on the occurrence of primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). Also, the main risk factors for PACG were intraocular hypertension and short axial length. CONCLUSIONS: The HLA-DPA1 gene polymorphism may be related to the severity of PACG.

[Clinical efficacy of tonsillectomy in renal transplant patients with recurrent IgA nephropathy].

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of tonsillectomy for patients with recurrence of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) after kidney transplantation. Methods: From May 2014, tonsillectomy was performed in 11 renal transplant patients with biopsy-proved recurrent IgAN. In a median follow-up of 14 (4-38) months, data of proteinuria, hematuria, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and serum levels of IgA in these patients were compared before and after tonsillectomy.Patient's survival and renal graft survival were also summarized. Results: A remission of proteinuria was observed in 8 patients after tonsillectomy, and this status maintained well in the subsequent follow-up.Three patients had no or minimal reduction of proteinuria after tonsillectomy and returned to dialysis within 1 year after tonsillectomy.Possible causes could be severe primary IgAN of crescentric glomerulonephritis, IgAN recurrence in kidney retransplantation, and late tonsillectomy after IgAN recurrence.Serum levels of IgA significant decreased and no patients developed acute rejection or infection after tonsillectomy.In the 1-year follow-up, no patients died and grafts survived well in 8 out of 11 patients. Conclusions: Tonsillectomy may represent an effective and reliable way to treat recurrence IgAN after kidney transplantation, and may be applied widely in the future clinical management. However, early intervention is critical and effects may depend on the pathological features of primary IgAN.

Missed opportunities for diagnosis of tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus co-infection in Moshi, Tanzania.

SETTING: A community-based voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) center in Moshi, Tanzania. OBJECTIVE: To compare rates of prior human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing among clients with and without previous tuberculosis (TB) treatment, and HIV seropositivity among those with and without current TB symptoms. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of consecutive clients presenting for initial testing; sociodemographic and clinical data were collected via a structured questionnaire. HIV status was compared among clients with or without three or more TB-related symptoms: weight loss, fever, cough, hemoptysis or night sweats. RESULTS: Overall, 225 (3%) of 6583 VCT clients who responded to questions on previous TB treatment reported a history of TB, but only 34 (15%) reported previous HIV testing. This rate of HIV testing was not different from the rate among those clients without a history of TB (OR 0.77, P = 0.175). One hundred thirty-five (61%) clients with a history of TB were HIV-infected at VCT, compared with 17% of all clients. Of the total 6592 first-time testers who responded, 372 (6%) had at least three symptoms suggestive of TB at VCT. These symptoms were strongly associated with HIV seropositivity (OR 16.30, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Missed opportunities for HIV diagnosis at the time of TB treatment appear frequent in this population, underscoring the need for integration of TB and HIV diagnostic services.

Current state of emergency medicine education in China.

In China the practice of emergency medicine includes patient management in the prehospital, emergency department and intensive care settings. In recent years, emergency medicine has emerged as an independent medical specialty in its own right, and has built up its own professional pool of clinicians, academicians and researchers. There is, however, still much room for improvement compared with developed countries, especially in the areas of clinical and prehospital care, teaching and scientific research. In this paper the current state of emergency medicine education in China is presented and further avenues for improvement are explored.

Morbidity and mortality among a cohort of HIV-infected adults in a programme for community home-based care, in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania (2003-2005).

Community home-based care (CHBC) plays an integral role in the care of HIV-infected patients living in resource-limited regions. A longitudinal cohort study has recently been conducted, in the Kilimanjaro Region of northern Tanzania, in order to identify the components of an effective CHBC programme. Structured questionnaires were administered to clients over two census rounds, one in October 2003-February 2004 and the other in January 2005-October 2005. In the second round, follow-up interviews were completed for 226 (87.9%) of the 257 clients included in the first round. The clients included in the first round had a median (range) age of 38 (20-66) years and 182 (75.2%) of them were female. Although only 27 (12.9%) of them were using antiretroviral therapy (ART) when first interviewed, 108 (44.6%) were taking trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT) prophylaxis. By the time of the follow-up interviews, 102 (45.1%) of the clients included in the first round had died, giving a mortality of 51/100 person-years of observation. The primary cause of death for 87 (85.3%) of the clients who had died was respiratory and/or gastro-intestinal infection, and the most common contributory causes of death were malnutrition (81.4%) and anaemia (42.2%). On bivariable analysis, the following first-round conditions were found to be significantly associated with death by the second census round: weakness for >1 month [odds ratio (OR)=2.64; P=0.008]; oral thrush (OR=2.31; P=0.015); painful swallowing (OR=2.02; P=0.036); staying in bed for part of the day over most of the previous month (OR=1.94; P=0.017); fever for >1 month (OR=1.95; P=0.016); and severe bacterial infections (OR=1.80; P=0.036). The high mortality was associated with advanced, symptomatic HIV disease for which antiretroviral therapy was indicated. Clients who were in the advanced stages of HIV disease (as defined by the World Health Organization's criteria) in the first census round were significantly more likely to have died by the time of the second round than the other clients investigated (log-rank chi(2)=8.115; P=0.044). The high level of morbidity observed in this study, and the causes of mortality that were identified, emphasise the need for CHBC programmes to provide HIV-infected patients with improved access to basic resources such as SXT and isoniazid prophylaxis, clean water, oral rehydration therapy, and micronutrient supplementation, in addition to increased access to ART.

Aetiology and presentation of HIV/AIDS-associated pulmonary infections in patients presenting for bronchoscopy at a referral hospital in northern Tanzania.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the aetiological agents of pulmonary infections in HIV-infected Tanzanians and to correlate the causative agents with clinical, radiographic features, and mortality. DESIGN: A prospective study. SETTING: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC), Tanzania. SUBJECTS: Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) were obtained from 120 HIV infected patients with pulmonary infections. BAL for causative agents was analysed and correlated with clinical and radiographic features, and one-month outcome. RESULTS: Causative agents were identified in 71 (59.2%) patients and in 16 of these patients, multiple agents were found. Common bacteria were identified in 35 (29.2%) patients, Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 28 (23.3%), Human Herpes Virus 8 (HHV8) in 12 (10%), Pneumocystis jiroveci in nine (7.5%) and fungi in five (4.2%) patients. Median CD4 T cell count of the patients with identified causes was 47 cells/microl (IQR 14-91) and in the 49 patients with undetermined aetiology was 100 cells/ microl (IQR 36-188; p = 0.01). Micronodular chest radiographic lesions were associated with presence of M. tuberculosis (p = 0.002). The one-month mortality was 20 (16.7%). The highest mortality was associated with HHV8 (41.7%) and M. tuberculosis (32.1%). Mortality in patients with undetermined aetiology was 11.3%. No death occurred in patients with PCP. CONCLUSION: In this population of severely immunosuppressed HIV-infected patients with pulmonary infection a variety of causative agents was identified. Micronodular radiographic lesions were indicative of TB. High mortality was associated with M. tuberculosis or HHV8. No death occurred in patients with P. jiroveci infection.

The epidemiology of HIV-1 infection in northern Tanzania: results from a community-based study.

We conducted a community-based study to determine the predictors of HIV-1 among women aged 20-44 years (N = 1,418) and their regular male partners (N = 566) from randomly selected households in Moshi, Tanzania. The weighted prevalence of HIV-1 was 10.3% in women and 7% in men. The highest risk of HIV-1 was in subjects whose partners were HIV-1 seropositive in both women (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 26.63; 95% confidence interval (CI): 10.74-66.02) and men (AOR = 22.25; 95%CI: 7.06-70.15). Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and Mycoplasma genitalium were also significantly associated with HIV-1. Women with male partners >or=12 years older than themselves had increased risk of HIV-1 (AOR = 1.99; 95%CI: 1.01-7.85). Other predictors of HIV-1 were history of infertility and the number of sex partners in the last three years in women and the age at time of circumcision and history of past sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in male partners. These findings show that HIV-1/STDs were major public health problems among women and their long-term partners in this population. HIV-1 prevention efforts should include promotion of couple's HIV-1 counseling and testing services, control of HSV-2, promotion of safer sexual practices and strategies to reduce the age difference between women and their partners.

Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of clients presenting for HIV voluntary counselling and testing in Moshi, Tanzania.

HIV voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) reduces high-risk sexual behaviour. Factors associated with HIV infection in VCT clients have not been well characterized in northern Tanzania. We prospectively surveyed 813 VCT clients in Moshi, Tanzania. Clients were administered a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviour, and health status. Blood was taken for rapid HIV antibody testing. Factors associated with HIV seropositivity were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Of 813 clients, the seroprevalence was 16.7%. The strongest associations with seropositivity were reporting diarrhoea (odds ratio [OR] 10.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.6-29.9), an ill sexual partner (OR 6.3, 95% CI 3.0-12.9), or being a woman (OR 3.5, 95% CI 2.0-6.3). In a separate regression, the number of symptoms also predicted HIV infection (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.6-2.6). VCT clients who tested positive had more HIV-related symptoms suggesting presentation at a later stage of HIV infection.

Risk factors for bacterial vaginosis among bar and hotel workers in Northern Tanzania.

OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors for bacterial vaginosis (BV) among women working in the bars and hotels in Moshi, Northern Tanzania. RESULTS: Severe disturbances of vaginal flora or BV were detected in 70/268 (26.1%) women (95% confidence interval (CI): 20.8%-31.4%). In multivariate analyses, religion was the only socio-demographic characteristic that remained significantly associated with BV. Other independent predictors of BV were Trichomonas vaginalis (adjusted odds ratio (OR)=2.7, 95% CI: 1.4-5.3), Chlamydia trachomatis (adjusted OR=3.5, 95% CI: 1.2-10.6), syphilis (adjusted OR=7.1, 95% CI: 41.1-4.7) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection (adjusted OR=1.8, 95% CI: 1.0-3.3). CONCLUSION: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) was the common cause of genital symptoms in the study population. Since sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were strongly associated with BV, control of STDs and BV should be given the highest priority in this population.

An index of community ocular Chlamydia trachomatis load for control of trachoma.

Quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) technology has recently been applied to the measurement of ocular loads of Chlamydia trachomatis. We present an index called the community ocular C. trachomatis load (COCTL) which is similar to the community microfilarial load (CMFL) of onchocerciasis. Our index has the advantage of being scale-independent so that, for example, percentage changes are the same whether calculated per eye swab or per Q-PCR capillary. The COCTL for a population or subgroup is formed by adding the arbitrary concentration of 1 organism per ml to each individual Q-PCR quantification, calculating the geometric mean, and finally subtracting 1 per ml again. The use of the COCTL is illustrated in a study of trachoma in northern Tanzania. The COCTL is higher in people with clinical trachoma than those without (5.8 organisms per swab vs. 0.1), and in children aged six months to ten years than in the overall population (1.1 vs. 0.4). The COCTL index is potentially useful for sentinel sites, operational research and calibration of clinical measures of trachoma.

The household distribution of trachoma in a Tanzanian village: an application of GIS to the study of trachoma.

The distribution of active trachoma in Kahe Mpya, Tanzania, an endemic village of approximately 1000 people, was mapped spatially and analysed for associated risk factors and evidence of clustering. An association between distance to water source and active disease was demonstrated, although this was reduced after accounting for the lack of independence between cases in the same household. Significant clustering of active trachoma within households was demonstrated, adding support to the hypothesized importance of intra-familial transmission. The spatial distribution of trachoma was analysed using the spatial scan statistic, and evidence of clustering of active trachoma cases detected. Understanding the distribution of the disease has implications for understanding the dynamics of transmission and therefore appropriate control activities. The demonstrated spatial clustering suggests inter-familial as well as intra-familial transmission of infection may be common in this setting. The association between active trachoma and geographical information system (GIS) measured distance to water may be relevant for planning control measures.

HIV-associated morbidity, mortality and diagnostic testing opportunities among inpatients at a referral hospital in northern Tanzania.

Hospitalized patients with HIV infection are among the most likely to benefit from the expanding availability of anti-retroviral therapy in sub-Saharan Africa. Between 1990 and 2000, 3667 people known to be HIV-infected were admitted to Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in Moshi, northen Tanzania. The level of inpatient mortality among these patients varied from 15%-21%, and the proportion of the HIV-infected patients admitted who were female increased significantly, from 45% at the start of the study period to 52% at the end (P <0.001). When the medical records for 1683 of the HIV-infected patients who had been admitted between 1996 and 2001 were reviewed, the most prevalent diagnoses on admission were found to be pulmonary tuberculosis (21%), malaria (14%) and gastro-enteritis/diarrhoea (12%) among the adults, and non-tubercular pulmonary infection (21%), pulmonary tuberculosis (19%) and gastro-enteritis/diarrhoea (12%) among the children. The crude odds ratios (OR) for inpatient death were greatest for adults presenting with meningitis [OR=3.7; 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.1-6.7], septicaemia (OR=2.9; CI=1.2-7.3) or renal disease (OR=2.6; CI=1.2-5.7), and mortality was higher for men than for women (OR=1.4; CI=1.1-1.8). A single-day, point-prevalence survey in September 2001, among the KCMC's inpatients, identified HIV infection in 21% of those surveyed, many (44%) of the patients found positive being previously unaware of their infection. HIV infection remains a major cause of hospitalization and mortality in Moshi. A policy of routine testing would increase the number of HIV infections detected, allowing improvements in case management and in the prevention of infection.

Seroprevalence of viral hepatitis in Tanzanian adults.

In a cross-sectional study in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, we determined the seroprevalence of markers for hepatitis A, B, C and E viruses and examined associated risk markers. Among 403 healthy adults, the seroprevalence of antibodies to hepatitis A virus was 99.0% (95% confidence interval: 97.5-99.7). Prior exposure to hepatitis C and E viruses was rare (hepatitis C: 0.7% (0.2-2.1); hepatitis E: 0.2% (< 0.1-1.4)). The prevalence of all markers of hepatitis B was 70.7% (66.0-75.1). Hepatitis B surface antigen was identified in 6.0% (3.9-8.7) of subjects. Independent predictors of hepatitis B infection identified by logistic regression included older age, male gender, Muslim religion and type of abode. Given the high prevalence of hepatitis B and the low prevalence of hepatitis C, the majority of chronic viral hepatitis is likely to be associated with hepatitis B. Control efforts should focus primarily on hepatitis B.

Risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases among women attending family planning clinics in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Identification of risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) assists in development of treatment algorithms, which are potentially important components of STD control when microbiologic facilities are limited. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed to assess STD and HIV risk factors of 2285 women attending three family planning clinics in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania during 1991-92. Women were interviewed and examined for signs of STDs. Specimens were taken for laboratory diagnosis of HIV, other sexually transmitted organisms, and Candida albicans. RESULTS: The prevalence of gonorrhoea was found to be 4.2%, prevalence of trichomoniasis was 14.3%, and positive syphilis serology was found in 2.5% of women. Unmarried women were at increased risk of trichomoniasis (age-adjusted OR = 1.48 95% CI [1.12, 1.95]), gonorrhoea (age-adjusted OR = 1.81 95% CI [1.14, 2.86]) and syphilis (age-adjusted OR 1.5 [0.84, 2.68]). An increasing number of sexual partners in the past five years was associated with an increased risk of all STDs. Current use of the oral contraceptive pill was positively associated with gonorrhoea, multivariate OR = 1.75 95% CI [1.05, 2.93]. The prevalence of candidiasis was 11.5% and was not associated with any of the demographic or behavioural risk factors examined. Clinical diagnostic algorithms for STDs in this study population had relatively low sensitivity and low positive predictive value. CONCLUSION: Being unmarried and having a higher number of sexual partners were consistently associated with each STD, while the associations for other risk factors varied between STDs, emphasising the complexity of STD distribution. Further development of diagnostic algorithms and other methods for screening women for STDs are needed to reduce the impact of STDs and HIV in developing countries.

Predictors of AIDS knowledge, condom use and high-risk sexual behaviour among women in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

Reducing the number of sex partners and using condoms are the major means for individuals to protect themselves from STDs and AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. To identify predictors of having only one sex partner in the last year and to assess knowledge and use of condoms among women of reproductive age in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, we interviewed 2285 women at 3 representative family planning clinics between February 1991 and June 1992. After interview, blood and genital specimens were collected for laboratory diagnosis of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Although knowledge of sexual transmission of AIDS was very high, less than a half of the respondents (42.8%) mentioned use of condoms as an AIDS preventive measure. Younger and more educated women were more likely to mention use of condoms for AIDS prevention, however only 4.6% of women interviewed were regular users of condoms, while 19.8% were occasional users. The majority of women who had never used a condom (57.5%) reported not using condoms because 'men did not like them'. Condom use was positively associated with increasing level of education and increasing number of sexual partners. 14.8% of women reported having more than one sex partner in the last year; this behaviour was more likely among cohabiting women (increased by 210%); HIV-positives (increased by 120%); and among women with STDs (increased by 50%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

PIP: The authors interviewed 2285 women at three representative family planning clinics in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, between February 1991 and June 1992 to identify predictors of having only one sex partner in the preceding year and to assess levels of knowledge and use of condoms among women of reproductive age in the study area. Blood and genital specimens were collected for the laboratory diagnosis of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD). 37.5% of the women had abnormal vaginal discharge on examination and 26.1% had microbiological evidence of STD. 11.5% of the women were HIV-seropositive. 98.3% of the women mentioned sexual contact as a mode of HIV transmission, but only 42.8% cited condom use as a way to prevent HIV/AIDS infection. Younger and more educated women were more likely to mention condom use for the prevention of AIDS. Only 4.6%, however, reported using condoms on a regular basis, and 19.8% on an occasional basis. 57.5% of women who had never used a condom reported not using them because men did not like them. Condom use was positively associated with increasing level of education and increasing number of sex partners. 14.8% of women reported having more than one sex partner in the preceding year. Having sex with multiple partners increased by 210% among cohabiting women, 120% among HIV-seropositive women, and 50% among women with STDs. These findings indicate that AIDS prevention activities have been only partially successful in reaching at-risk women in this population. Even among these high-risk women, only a minority used condoms. Men's negative attitudes about condoms was identified as the major reason for low condom use. Interventions designed to increase condom use should therefore aim to change male attitudes.

Risk factors for HIV infection among women in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

To identify risk factors for HIV infection among women not known to be members of high-risk groups in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, and assess associations between contraceptive use and HIV infection, we conducted a cross-sectional case-control study at three representative family planning clinics. Between February 1991 and June 1992, we enrolled 2,285 women; women were interviewed using a structured questionnaire, and specimens were collected for laboratory diagnosis of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The overall HIV prevalence was 11.5% (95% CI: 10.2-12.8). Other prevalent STDs included gonorrhea (4.2%), trichomoniasis (14.3%), candidiasis (11.5%), and syphilis (2.5%). HIV seroprevalence was significantly lower among younger women and women in nonpolygamous marriages. HIV risk increased with both women's education and male partner's education. Number of sex partners in the last 5 years was positively associated with HIV risk; however, among HIV-seropositive women, the median number of sexual partners was only two. For married women with only a single partner, their risk increased significantly if their husbands had other partners. The risk of HIV infection was higher among subjects with STDs, although only significantly so for gonorrhea (OR 1.95, 95% CI: 1.10-3.45). After controlling for known and potential risk factors, the risk of HIV infection was significantly increased among women who had ever used an intrauterine device (IUD) (OR 2.50, 95% CI: 1.35-4.64). Use of other contraceptives, including oral contraceptives, was not significantly associated with HIV infection. Our findings confirm that HIV and STDs are a major public health problem among women in Dar-es-Salaam.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of cimetidine on IL-2 and T suppressor cell function in rats with obstructive jaundice.

Susceptibility to infection in patients with obstructive jaundice is much more higher than non-jaundiced patients. The reasons for this are not completely understood. It is postulated that this may have some relation to changes of patients' immune function. This article reported the changes of splenocyte IL-2 production and T Suppressor cell activity in rats with obstructive jaundice. Meanwhile, we also investigated effects of cimetidine on immune function in rats with bile duct ligation. The results show that IL-2 production in obstructive jaundiced rats significantly decreased and T suppressor cell activity markably increased. Cimetidine could remarkably enhance IL-2 production and suppress T Suppressor cell activity. Abnormality of immune function may be one reason for high susceptibility to infection in patients with obstructive jaundice in perioperative period. Cimetidine, which could clearly improve immune function in rats with obstructive jaundice, might be a valuable agent for strengthening the capacity of fighting infection in patients with obstructive jaundice.

Effects of zaizhang-I, a traditional Chinese medicine, on immunologically mediated aplastic anemia in mice.

Immunologically mediated aplastic anemia in mice were used as animal models to study the the curative effect of Zaizhang-I in term of the changes of two pathogenetic aspects in aplastic mice, namely the deficiency of hematopoietic stem cells and the disturbance of immunology. Our results demonstrated that in aplastic mice, after treatment by Zaizhang-I, the loss of mature hematopoietic cells (WBC, RBC, Plt) were reduced, and marrow cellular cytosis, and their clinical findings were improved, indicating a partial remission. The present data show that its curative mechanism lies in the action of promoting the recovery of colony forming unit-spleen (CFU-S) and reversing immunologically-induced plasma colony forming unit granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM) inhibitory activity. Natural killer cells activity (Nka) and interleukin-2, tumor necrosis factors (TNF) were also so examined to further understand the mechanism by which Zaizhang-I reverse plasma hematopoietic activity.

Experimental study on anti-tumor effect of splenocytes induced by anti-CD3 McAb, PHA and IL-2.

The proliferation of splenocytes from healthy adults was induced by anti-CD3 McAb, PHA and IL-2. The proliferative capability and anti-tumor activity as well as phenotypes of the splenocytes cultured in different medium systems were studied. The results showed that anti-CD3 McAb and PHA not only enhanced the proliferation of splenocytes induced by IL-2, but also produced synergism if used simultaneously. The expressions of CD4 and Tac of cellular surface markers were increased after splenocytes were induced by anti-CD3 McAb and PHA. The results of anti-tumor activity of LAK cells suggested that PHA had the capability to promote anti-tumor activity of LAK cells by both direct and indirect pathways, but anti-CD3 McAb indirectly promoted anti-tumor activity of LAK cells by enhancing splenocyte proliferation.