A Serosurvey of Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, Human T Lymphotropic Virus Type-1 and Syphilis in HIV-1-Infected Patients in Jamaica

The seroprevalences of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human T lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) and syphilis were determined in 129 HIV-1-infected patients using commercially prepared reagents. The seroprevalences were HCV, 0% (0/129); HBV, 37% (48/129); HTLV-1, 5% (6/129) and syphilis, 20% (26/129). Fifteen per cent (19/129) of the patients had active/chronic HBV infection. The seroprevalence of HBV was statistically significantly higher in HIV-1 infected men (24/49, 50% versus 17/80, 21%; p = 0.005), while the seroprevalence of syphilis was statistically significantly increased in HIV-1 infected patients in the over-40 age group (10/31, 32% versus 6/53, 11%; p = 0.05). These findings throw the spotlight on HBV infection and syphilis and suggest that these two sexually transmitted infections should be carefully surveyed in patients with HIV/AIDS in Jamaica. It is essential for management protocols in Jamaica to include screening for evidence of these co-infections

Histoplasmosis in Australia: A report of a case with a review of the literature

Histoplasmosis is a rare but serious fungal infection commonly presenting as mucosal ulceration of the oral cavity. It is increasingly recognized in Australia but the source of infection remains obscure and it is likely to be under-diagnosed. We report a case of chronic mucosal ulceration which failed to fully respond to periodontal therapy. Histology and culture of a gingival biopsy was consistent with histoplasmosis, and the patient responded favourably to treatment with oral itraconazole. Histoplasmosis may present to general dental practitioners as chronic mucosal ulceration and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of such lesions. Diagnosis is best made by culture and histology of biopsy specimens