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Biomedical subjects

M Sobesky

Publications and source records attributed to M Sobesky.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

[The HIV infection in pregnant women in French Guiana].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to analyse the characteristics of HIV pregnant women in French Guiana then to evaluate the HIV mother to child transmission rate (MTCT) and determine the pronostic factors associated with MTCT. PATIENTS AND METHOD: An epidemiological study has been led including all deliveries in French Guiana from January 1998 to December 2000. For each case a standardized questionnaire has been gathered including epidemiological, clinical and biological data and an univariate analysis has been realized. A hundred and forty-eight women have been included in the study among 135 women came for delivery. RESULTS: The factors associated with increased MTCT in our study were no antiretroviral therapy before delivery, the lack of follow-up during pregnancy and no antiretroviral therapy in children. The HIV mother to child transmission rate was 6,5% despite the availability of antiretroviral therapies. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This rate may be explained by the difficulties of follow-up in HIV infected women. Much more needs to be done to improve access to care for women coming from foreign countries. This may be indispensable to reduce the HIV mother to child transmission rate in French Guiana.

Anti-HIV Agents↗
PubMed2003

Non-specific alert system for dengue epidemic outbreaks in areas of endemic malaria. A hospital-based evaluation in Cayenne (French Guiana).

The emergence of dengue haemorrhagic fever is a public health problem in Latin America and the Caribbean. This study, carried out in French Guiana where malaria is endemic, evaluated the value and the limitations of a non-specific alert system including all patients admitted to the emergency department of Cayenne Hospital, between 1 January 1996 and June 2001. Four indices were studied on a weekly basis: the emergency malaria negative index (EMN), the EMN thrombocytopenia index (EMNT), the dengue suspected index: EMNT/EMN ratio; and the number of hospitalized patients with dengue fever according to the Department of Medical Information. These indices were retrospectively compared with data from the Arbovirus Reference Centre at the Pasteur Institute in French Guiana. Using the non-specific indices, we were able to identify four clear epidemics, two of which were shown to be linked to dengue. Variations in the incidence of malaria had no marked effect on this alert system. We propose that this simple, cheap, sensitive and reactive alert system be used to improve the serological and virological monitoring of dengue and to facilitate adequate and timely vector control measures. It could be used in all regions at risk of dengue and malaria.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

HIV/AIDS epidemic in French Guiana: 1979-1997. Groupe d'Etude Clinique de l'Infection VIH en Guyane Française.

The incidence of AIDS in French Guiana remains one of the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean. The annual AIDS incidence rate increased continually from the start of the epidemic until 1995, when it reached 59.3/100,000 population declining thereafter to 26.6 in 1997. The prevalence of HIV in pregnant women was 0.9% in 1993, increasing to 1.3% in 1995, and that in individuals attending sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics was 2.1% in 1996. We included 224 patients in a study of survival after AIDS diagnosis. The principal AIDS-defining diagnosis was tuberculosis in 20.5% of reported cases. The median duration of survival was 10.2 months. Multivariate analysis showed that, patients > or = 45 years at entry progressed more rapidly to AIDS than younger patients. HIV prevention and access to health care should be developed in the various ethnic communities and adapted to cultural status. The progressive implementation of multiple antiretroviral therapies since 1996 may further reduce progression of the disease but early HIV diagnosis is required to improve the overall prognosis of HIV-infected patients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2000

[Coinfection with HIV and HTLV-I infection and survival in AIDS stage. French Guiana Study. GECVIG (Clinical HIV Study Group in Guiana)].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of HTLVI infection on survival in AIDS patients in French Guiana. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cohort of 151 adult patients with AIDS were followed from January 1992 through June 1996. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were established. Using the Cox model, multivariate analysis was performed to examine different factors affecting survival. RESULTS: The incidence of HTLVI infection in this cohort was 11.9% and 57.6% of the patients died during the study period. Multivariate analysis disclosed that older age at diagnosis of AIDS (over 45 years) and low CD4 count (< 100/mm3) were predictors of poor survival. HIV-HTLVI co-infection was strongly correlated with reduced survival (p = 0.02; RR = 2.2; CI = 1.1-4.5). CONCLUSION: In our region, all patients with HIV infection should be screened for HTLVI infection. In case of co-infection, early care should included adapted antiretroviral regimens.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2000

[Epidemiologic surveillance of dengue fever: non specific alert system in the hospital milieu in Cayenne].

A retrospective study was carried out in the General Hospital of Cayenne, the main city in French Guiana, where malaria is endemic and dengue fever constitutes a permanent threat. The aim of this study was to test an alert system for epidemic outbreaks of dengue fever. Patients attending the emergency ward and for whom a search of Plasmodium was prescribed were included. In 90% of cases, patients were febrile, presenting clinical symptoms compatible with malaria or dengue fever-like syndrome. The period of survey covered 39 months (January 1996 to March 1999). Three indices were studied; two non specific: EMN (Emergency Malaria Negative--UPN in French): number of negative malaria blood tests for patients having consulted the emergency ward; EMNT (Emergency Malaria Negative Thrombopenia--UPNT in French): UPN with platelets < 150.000; and one more specific; number of hospitalised dengue fever cases according to data from a hospital programme on medical systems information. EMN weekly follow-ups led to three epidemic alerts, two of which turned out to be crucial for dengue. Accounting for thrombopenia (EMNT) reinforced the specificity. This simple and reactive alert system should incite increased serological and virological surveillance and contribute to precocious antivectorial control measures in districts where several dengue fever cases are suspected.

Dengue↗
PubMed1998

Comparative prevalence, incidence and short-term prognosis of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions amongst HIV-positive and HIV-negative women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of HIV infection on the prevalence, incidence and short-term prognosis of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL), in a prospective study with 1-year follow-up. METHODS: Between 1993 and 1995, 271 HIV-positive and 171 HIV-negative women at high risk of HIV infection were recruited, 365 (82.6%) of whom completed the 1-year follow-up. The women underwent a Papanicolaou smear test at inclusion and at 6 and 12 months. Human papillomavirus (HPV) was detected at inclusion by Southern blot and PCR. RESULTS: The SIL prevalence ranged from 7.5% for HIV-negative to 31.3% for HIV-positive women with CD4 cell counts < 500 x 10(6)/l (P < 0.001). Other factors associated independently and significantly with SIL prevalence were HPV-16, 18, 33 and related types, HPV-31, -35, -39 and related types, lifetime number of partners, younger age, past history of SIL and lack of past cervical screening. The SIL incidence ranged from 4.9% in HIV-negative women to 27% in HIV-positive women with CD4 cells < 500 x 10(6)/l (P < 0.001). Progression from low- to high-grade SIL during follow-up was detected in 38.1% of HIV-positive women with CD4 cells < or = 500 x 10(6)/l but in no HIV-negative nor HIV-positive women with CD4 cells > 500 x 10(6)/l. HPV-16, 18, 33 and related types were also associated with higher incidence of SIL and progression from low- to high-grade SIL. CONCLUSION: HIV-induced immunodeficiency is associated with high prevalence, incidence and persistence/progression of SIL. A pejorative influence of HIV infection without marked immunodeficiency is less clear. HIV-positive women with SIL may thus benefit from early treatment when a useful immune response is still present.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Decision making system.

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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗