AIDS
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Comparative Study
Cross-sectional study of the susceptibility of Candida isolates to antifungal drugs and in vitro-in vivo correlation in HIV-infected patients.
To investigate (1) the frequency of clinical resistance to oral polyenes or azole treatment for oral candidiasis, (2) the frequency of resistant in vitro Candida strains, (3) the relationship between the susceptibilities of in vitro Candida species and in vivo status in HIV patients. ⋯ Oral candidiasis and fluconazole-resistant Candida isolates are more frequently found in IVDU. Treatments using azoles select non-albicans strains and are associated with decreased susceptibilities of C. albicans strains to fluconazole in particular. These findings show that prolonged azole treatment in severely immunocompromised patients should be avoided.
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To estimate the effects of the HIV-1 epidemic on mortality in children under 5 years of age in urban and rural populations in eastern and central, and southern Africa. ⋯ There are likely to be substantial increases in child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa as a result of HIV-1 infection. The main determinant of childhood infection is the scale of the epidemic among adults. Increases in mortality will depend on local adult seroprevalence but are hard to predict precisely because of possible variation in death rates among HIV-1-infected children. In rural areas with low seroprevalence other diseases will remain the main cause of mortality. However, in urban areas families and health services will have to face considerably increased demands from ill and dying children.
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To identify ways to improve the operation of blood-screening programs and to decrease the inappropriate use of blood by evaluating blood-transfusion practices and blood-banking services in a Kenyan hospital. ⋯ Improved laboratory services, reduction of unnecessary transfusions, and increased recruitment of volunteer donors are critical for improving the appropriate and timely use of blood and reducing transfusion-associated HIV transmission.