Fulminant epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma (EKS): hallmark of AIDS in Zimbabwe (Meeting abstract).

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1997. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Fulminant epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma (EKS): hallmark of AIDS in Zimbabwe (Meeting abstract).

Proc Annu Meet Am Soc Clin Oncol; 15:A849 1996. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/97635849
Borok M; Gudza I; Kiire C; Levy L; Otim-Oyet D; Olweny C; Clinch J; Schipper H; University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe

Abstract: A 10-fold increase in the incidence of AIDS associated epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma (EKS) has been observed in Harare, Zimbabwe since 1987. EKS differs from the endemic variety in many ways. It affects a younger age group (mean age 36 years versus 46 years); more females (M:F 4.6:1 versus 13:1) than the endemic variety and its clinical course is more fulminant than both the endemic form and North American EKS. The clinical data of 130 patients, accrued in an on-going randomized study designed to determine the most pragmatic approach, revealed that most patients with EKS in Zimbabwe (96.2%) presented with advanced Stage IV disease and 65.4% had systemic symptoms of fever, weight loss and diaphoresis. Mean symptom duration was only 20 weeks at presentation. The most common symptoms included painful leg swelling (41.5%), cough (38.5%), dyspnoea (15.4%), hemoptysis (4.6%) and chest pain (3.8%). Other less common symptoms included puffy face and painful oral lesions. The most common signs included generalized lymphadenopathy (100%), rare in endemic form except in children and cutaneous lesions (94.6%). Chest roentgenograms revealed bilateral pulmonary infiltrate (51.5%), hilar adenopathy (7.7%) and pleural effusion (7.7%). Common infections included recurrent STDs (16.2%), pulmonary tuberculosis (14.6%) and H zoster (7.7%). Thus African EKS differs from endemic KS and to a lesser extent from North American EKS in its fulminant nature, advanced stage at presentation, high frequency of systemic symptoms and pulmonary tuberculosis. In North America patients present with isolated skin lesions and their clinical course is indolent and protracted.

Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*COMPLICATIONS/EPIDEMIOLOGY Adult Female Human Male Middle Age Sarcoma, Kaposi's/*COMPLICATIONS Zimbabwe/EPIDEMIOLOGY ABSTRACT
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