Electrodiagnostic consultations in Zambia: Referral characteristics and neuromuscular disorders.

Introduction: Research on neuromuscular disorders in sub-Saharan Africa is scarce. We aimed to delineate referral characteristics and the neuromuscular disorders observed among electrodiagnostic (EDX) consultations in a tertiary care setting in Zambia.

Methods: EDX records were reviewed for all specialist-performed studies after the establishment of the laboratory.

Factors associated with distal symmetric polyneuropathies in adult Zambians: A cross-sectional, observational study of the role of HIV, non-antiretroviral medication exposures, and nutrition.

Background: Non-antiretroviral (ART) drug exposures and poor nutrition may be important modifiable risk factors for distal symmetric polyneuropathies (DSP) in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of DSP prevalence and factors associated with DSP among clinic attendees in urban and rural Zambia. All participants underwent neurologist-performed examination.

Increased systemic inflammation is associated with cardiac and vascular dysfunction over the first 12 weeks of antiretroviral therapy among undernourished, HIV-infected adults in Southern Africa.

Introduction: Persistent systemic inflammation is associated with mortality among undernourished, HIV-infected adults starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa, but the etiology of these deaths is not well understood. We hypothesized that greater systemic inflammation is accompanied by cardiovascular dysfunction over the first 12 weeks of ART.

Methods: In a prospective cohort of 33 undernourished (body mass index <18.

A 12 week longitudinal study of microbial translocation and systemic inflammation in undernourished HIV-infected Zambians initiating antiretroviral therapy.

Background: Undernourished, HIV-infected adults in sub-Saharan Africa have high levels of systemic inflammation, which is a risk factor for mortality and other adverse health outcomes. We hypothesized that microbial translocation, due to the deleterious effects of HIV and poor nutrition on intestinal defenses and mucosal integrity, contributes to heightened systemic inflammation in this population, and reductions in inflammation on antiretroviral therapy (ART) accompany reductions in translocation.

Methods: HIV-infected, Zambian adults with a body mass index <18.