Acquired immune deficiency syndrome in Belgium and its relation to Central Africa.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1985. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome in Belgium and its relation to Central Africa.

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1984;437:264-9. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/85197359
Clumeck N; Sonnet J; Taelman H; Cran S; Henrivaux P

Abstract: During the years from 1979 until 1983, 40 cases of CDC-defined AIDS were seen in Belgium. Only two patients were Belgian male homosexuals. The other patients were Central Africans who lived in Belgium or who had travelled to Belgium for medical care. There was no evidence of an underlying immunosuppressive disease, and no history of homosexuality or intravenous drug abuse. The male:female ratio was 1.5. All patients had opportunistic infections. Five of them also had Kaposi's sarcoma. All patients tested had immunologic features of severe T-cell depression. The overall mortality was 42.5 percent. It is likely that AIDS is endemic now in Central Africa, and that the cases seen in Belgium represent only the tip of the iceberg.

Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/COMPLICATIONS/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/ IMMUNOLOGY Adult Africa, Central/ETHNOLOGY Belgium Communicable Diseases/COMPLICATIONS Epidemiologic Methods Female Fluorescent Antibody Technique Human Infant Leukocyte Count Lymphocyte Transformation Lymphocytes Male Middle Age Sarcoma, Kaposi's/COMPLICATIONS Sex Factors JOURNAL ARTICLE

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M8580138

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