ISSN:
1573-7284
Keywords:
Sexually transmitted diseases
;
Hepatitis B
;
HTLV-III infection
;
Heterosexual transmission
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract A seroepidemiological study was performed on HTLV-III, T. pallidum, C. trachomatis and Hepatitis B virus (HBV), in Butare, Rwanda, among 33 female prostitutes, 25 male customers of prostitutes, and 60 male and female controls. As compared with female controls the prostitutes had a higher prevalence of antibodies to HTLV-III (29/33 versus 4/33, p〈0.001), T. pallidunz (TPHA: 27/33 versus 6/33, p〈0.001; RPR: 19/33 versus 2′33, p〈0.001; FTA-Abs: 27/33 versus 5/33, p〈0:001) and C. trachomatis (IgG IF: 31/33 versus 13/33, p〈0.001). HBV serological markers were more often detected in the prostitutes than in the female controls (31/33 versus 18/33, p〈0.001) although HBs antigen carriage rate was similar in both groups. As compared with male controls, the male customers of prostitutes had more frequently detectable antibodies to HTLV-III (7/25 versus 2/27, p = 0.05), and a positive RPR (10/25 versus 1/27, p〈0.01). Among the 118 individuals studied, odds ratios and trend analysis disclosed a significant association between HTLV-III seropositivity and a positive TPHA, RPR, FTA-Abs, Chlamvdia IgG IF test and serological markers to HBV. No association was found between HTLV-III seropositivity and IIBs Ag carriage. This study suggests that HTLV-III has to be considered as an infectious agent transmitted among promiscuous Central African heterosexuals by sexual contact and/or parenteral contact with unsterile needles used for STD treatments.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00145066
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