Contact allergens in African countries: A review of published patch test studies.

Only few studies on contact allergy in African countries have been published. The aim of the present study was to provide an overview of the most common contact allergens identified by the use of patch tests in African countries based on a review of the existing literature. A total of twenty-four publications from eight African countries were initially identified by search in PubMed.

Contributing Factors and Outcome after Cryotherapy of Molluscum Contagiosum among Patients Attending Tertiary Hospital, Northern Tanzania: A Descriptive Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a benign infection caused by a member of the Poxviridae family, molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV). The contributing factors for MCV infection are different in different populations and study areas. Few studies have been conducted to determine the effectiveness of cryotherapy in the treatment of MC.

Prurigo nodularis comparative treatment outcome in patients attending a tertiary hospital in northern Tanzania.

Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic, benign neurodermatitis of unclear etiology characterized by excoriated, intensely pruritic nodules secondary to an intense itch-scratch cycle. PN treatment is still a challenge, and it is frustrating for both dermatologists and patients. The evidence for the effectiveness of a readily available treatment like cryotherapy is limited.

Association between Chronic Urticaria and Infection among Patients Attending a Tertiary Hospital in Tanzania.

Background: Chronic urticaria (CU) is a common skin disease; however, its etiology is rarely recognized. Infection due to (. ) has been shown in some studies to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of CU.

Exploring the Role of IL-32 in HIV-Related Kaposi Sarcoma.

The intracellular proinflammatory mediator IL-32 is associated with tumor progression; however, the mechanisms remain unknown. We studied IL-32 mRNA expression as well as expression of other proinflammatory cytokines and mediators, including IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, the proangiogenic and antiapoptotic enzyme cyclooxygenase-2, the IL-8 receptor C-X-C chemokine receptor (CXCR) 1, and the intracellular kinase focal adhesion kinase-1. The interaction of IL-32 expression with expression of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-8, and cyclooxygenase-2 was also investigated.

Dermatology and HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Human immunodeficiency virus and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) have greatly complicated dermatologic disease and the required care in most regions of Africa. Opportunistic infections, ectoparasites, Kaposi sarcoma, and skin manifestations of systemic infections are exceedingly common in patients with HIV/AIDS. Dermatologists have contributed significantly to our knowledge base about HIV/AIDS and have played an important educational role regarding the clinical manifestations historically.

Sexual behavior, psychosocial and knowledge differences between consistent, inconsistent and non-users of condoms: a study of female bar and hotel workers in Moshi, Tanzania.

Understanding psychosocial, sexual behavior and knowledge differences between never, inconsistent and consistent condom users can improve interventions to increase condom use in resource-poor countries, but they have not been adequately studied. We examined these differences in a cohort of 961 female hotel and bar workers in Moshi, Tanzania. Forty-nine percent of women reported no condom use; 39% reported inconsistent use, and 12% reported consistent use.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 among bar and hotel workers in northern Tanzania: the role of alcohol, sexual behavior, and herpes simplex virus type 2.

Goals: We assessed baseline prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and other STDs, as well as behavioral and biologic risk factors for HIV-1 in a population of female bar/hotel workers in Moshi, Tanzania.

Study Design: Between 2002 and 2003, we enrolled 1042 female bar/hotel workers in an ongoing prospective cohort study. We analyzed data collected at baseline to assess the associations between alcohol, sexual behavior, STDs, and HIV-1 infection.

Herpes simplex virus type 2 infection among bar and hotel workers in northern Tanzania: prevalence and risk factors.

Background: Type-specific serological tests have allowed for a better understanding of the epidemiology of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection in Africa.

Goal: The goal was to determine risk factors for HSV-2 among bar and hotel workers in Moshi, Tanzania.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 515 workers in randomly selected bars and hotels in Moshi.

HIV-1 epidemic among female bar and hotel workers in northern Tanzania: risk factors and opportunities for prevention.

We conducted this study to determine the prevalence and risk factors for HIV-1 infection among women (N = 312) who were working in the bars and hotels in Moshi, a town in northern Tanzania. Study subjects were interviewed to obtain information about HIV-1 risk factors and examined to collect samples for the diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The prevalence of HIV-1 was 26.

Chlamydial infection in males and conseqences for their female sexual partners, an example from rural Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

The aim of this paper is to examine the reproductive health status for the wives of chlamydia-infected, but largely asymptomatic men. In a cross-sectional study in rural Tanzania 447 men and 393 women, aged 15-44 years, were screened for chlamydial infection. The prevalence was 9.