The use of total lymphocyte count as a surrogate for low CD4+ T lymphocyte cell counts among HIV-1-infected women in Tanzania.

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection leads to a progressive decline in CD4+ T-lymphocyte (CD4) cells. Initiation of prophylaxis against Opportunistic infections in adults (CD4% used for children) and antiretroviral therapy is usually based on CD4 cell counts, but CD4 cell counts measurement is not affordable in most African countries.

Objective: To examine whether total lymphocyte counts (TLC) may be used as proxies for low CD4 cell counts.

Herpes simplex virus infection and genital ulcer disease among patients with sexually transmitted infections in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The relative importance of Haemophilus ducreyi and Treponema pallidum in genital ulcer disease in Africa has decreased recently, whereas that of herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2 has increased. We analysed 301 lesional specimens from Tanzanian patients with genital ulcer disease for the presence of H. ducreyi, T.

Antimicrobial resistance predicts death in Tanzanian children with bloodstream infections: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Bloodstream infection is a common cause of hospitalization, morbidity and death in children. The impact of antimicrobial resistance and HIV infection on outcome is not firmly established.

Methods: We assessed the incidence of bloodstream infection and risk factors for fatal outcome in a prospective cohort study of 1828 consecutive admissions of children aged zero to seven years with signs of systemic infection.

Demographic and behavioural factors in Tanzanian and Norwegian patients with sexually transmitted infections.

To evaluate whether differences in demographic or behavioural factors might explain differences in reported or diagnosed sexually transmitted infections (STI), we have compared data from 1097 Tanzanian and Norwegian STI patients. Most demographic data were similar, whereas some behavioural data differed. Norwegian patients reported significantly higher numbers of sexual partners than Tanzanian.

Evidence of a substantial decline in prevalence of HIV-1 infection among pregnant women: data from 1995 to 2003 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Objective: To determine the prevalence trends of HIV-1 infection among pregnant women seen between 1995 and 2003 at public antenatal clinics (ANC) in the city of Dar es Salaam.

Design And Settings: Cross-sectional studies among pregnant women at selected antenatal clinics who were offered HIV testing as part of research and service programmes to prevent vertical transmission of HIV infection and improve pregnancy outcomes.

Subjects And Methods: Consenting women gave blood for HIV antibody testing using a sequential ELISA protocol.