Cervical cytological changes in HIV-infected patients attending care and treatment clinic at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Background: Tanzania is among Sub-Saharan countries mostly affected by the HIV and AIDS pandemic, females being more vulnerable than males. HIV infected women appear to have a higher rate of persistent infection by high risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) strongly associated with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and invasive cervical carcinoma. Furthermore, although HIV infection and cervical cancer are major public health problems, the frequency and HIV/HPV association of cervical cancer and HSIL is not well documented in Tanzania, thus limiting the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Cervical pre-malignant lesions in HIV infected women attending Care and Treatment Centre in a tertiary hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The aims of this study was to determine proportion of HIV infected women with cervical pre-malignant lesions; and compare the use of Visual Inspection of the cervix after application of Acetic acid (VIA) and Papanicolau (Pap) smear in screening for cervical premalignant lesions in HIV positive women attending Care and Treatment Centre (CTC) at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A total of 316 women aged 18-70 years had a Pap smear taken for cytology, followed by spraying onto the cervix with 4% acetic acid and then inspecting it. Cytology was considered negative when there was no Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) lesion reported from the Pap smear taken, and positive if CIN lesion 1, 2 or 3 was reported.

Evaluation and histological maturation characteristics of fibrous dysplasia and ossifying fibroma: a case series.

Background: Fibrous dysplasia (FD) and ossifying fibroma (OF) are benign fibro-osseous lesions (FOLS) that are generally considered to be separate entities distinguishable by histologic and radiographic features. The histological maturation of these lesions involves an initial fibrous state, an intermediate mixed and a final mineralised stage.

Objective: To correlate the mineralisation of OF and FD with the duration of the lesion.

High frequency of human papillomavirus 6/11, 16, and 18 infections in precancerous lesions and squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva in subtropical Tanzania.

Dysplastic lesions and epithelial neoplasms of the conjunctiva account for approximately 2% of all malignant tumors in subtropical Tanzania. We examined the pathophysiologic role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the development of conjunctival carcinoma in subtropical Tanzania, which has a high HPV prevalence. Tissue samples from 14 patients were obtained from the cancer registry archives at the medical center of the university in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Risk factors for cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions among HIV-1 seropositive women in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) among HIV-infected women in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Methods: Between July 1996 and December 1997 we interviewed 691 HIV-infected women to obtain information about risk factors for SIL. Cervical smears and samples for lymphocyte subsets and sexually transmitted diseases (STD) diagnosis were collected.