Aust N Z J Med. 1996 Dec;26(6):783-8. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
BACKGROUND: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection was first
detected in Papua New Guinea (PNG) in 1987. By August 1995 a total of
323 persons had been diagnosed as HIV antibody positive nationwide and
seroprevalence rates were climbing. This study was prompted by a lack of
data on the clinical syndromes associated with HIV infection in
Melanesian adults. AIMS: To describe the clinical and epidemiological
features of symptomatic HIV infection in adult Melanesians. METHODS: A
largely retrospective study of patients was admitted to the medical
wards of the Port Moresby general hospital between January 1990 and
September 1995. Clinical records of patients with antibody to HIV were
studied and clinical, laboratory and epidemiological data were recorded.
RESULTS: Seventy patients were studied and the majority were young,
urban dwelling adults from a variety of social groups. The sex
distribution was even. Common clinical syndromes associated with HIV
infection were chronic diarrhoea 47.8%), wasting (94.2%) and
oropharyngeal candidiasis (68.7%). Tuberculosis was suspected in 68.6%
and cryptococcal meningitis was detected in 8.6% including one patient
with Cryptococcus. neoformans var. gattii infection. There was a high
mortality 53%) in patients admitted to hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Patients
with HIV infection in PNG present to hospital late in their disease
course. Clinical syndromes are similar to those observed in Africa and
mortality on first admission is high. The major mode of transmission is
heterosexual and sexually transmitted diseases and promiscuity are
probably important factors in facilitating spread.
*HIV Infections/EPIDEMIOLOGY