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Biomedical subjects

S Maayan

Publications and source records attributed to S Maayan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Exposure to hepatitis B and C and to HTLV-1 and 2 among Israeli drug abusers in Jerusalem.

The incidence of exposure to hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses and to that of HTLV 1 and 2 were investigated in a group of 181 illicit drug users attending a drug rehabilitation centre in Jerusalem. In this predominantly male group, 28% were intravenous drug abusers (IVDAs) and 72% non-IVDAs; 92% of the individuals were of Middle Eastern descent (of which 40% were of a Moroccan descent). Antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) were found in 54% of the IVDAs compared with 4.5% in the non-IVDAs (p < 0.001), indicating the presence of a significant reservoir of HCV among this IVDA group. Evidence for previous hepatitis B (HBV) infection was found in 26% of the IVDAs and 33% of the non-IVDAs (p = NS) with no HbSAg positivity. The similar prevalence of previous HBV infection in both drug abuser groups, which was also observed when the groups were analysed according to their ethnic origin, suggests that a vertical transmission of HBV rather than an exclusive association with intravenous drug abuse may have been the source of exposure to HBV. HTLV-1 rates were 2% among IVDAs and 0% among non-IVDAs (p = NS). No serologic evidence for HTLV-2 was detected in this cohort. The present study supports previous observations in other countries and indicates the exceptionally high prevalence of HCV infection among Israeli i.v. drug abusers. It also suggests that using HBV seropositivity as an indicator for needle exchange among drug abusers may be of limited value in geographic areas where vertical transmission of HBV is common. HCV antibodies might become more suitable markers for this purpose.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Sexual behavior of homosexual and bisexual men attending an HIV testing clinic in Jerusalem 1986/7-1990.

We investigated whether the sexual practices of homosexual and bisexual men attending the Jerusalem AIDS Clinic had changed between 1986/7 and 1990. The responses of a group of 79 homosexual and bisexual men to a questionnaire in 1986/7 were compared to the responses of a group of 37 homosexuals/bisexuals in 1990. Consistent yet statistically insignificant differences in sexual behavior between the 1990 and 1986/7 groups were observed: More individuals were using condoms (53% vs 36% respectively), and at an earlier age. The practice of anal sex was less common (48% vs 67% respectively) and that of oral sex more common (46% vs 27% respectively). These differences were not confounded by the level of education between the two groups. Analyzed separately for homosexuals and bisexuals, the increase in condom use was more noticeable among homosexuals compared with bisexuals, while the decrease in anal sex was greater in bisexuals compared with homosexuals. These results may indicate a trend towards safer sexual behavior in this at risk population, but further studies are needed to support or refute these observations.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1993

Clinical, epidemiological and natural history study of HIV-1 infection among seropositive homo/bisexuals in Israel, 1986-92. A collaborative study in three medical centers.

The clinical and epidemiological aspects of HIV-1 seropositive homo/bisexuals at three AIDS screening clinics in Israel were analyzed retrospectively for the 4-year period 1986-92. Of 1,526 individuals who attended the clinics a total of 238 (15.5%) were found to be HIV-1 seropositive; 182 seropositives were followed for a mean of 3.3 (+/- 2.6) person-years. The incidence of AIDS in this cohort was 33% over 4 years, a rate of 9.8/100 person-years. Half of all HIV-1 seropositives are estimated to have been infected outside Israel. On initial presentation 144 (62%) were asymptomatic and 94 (38%) were symptomatic. CD4 levels were > 500 ml3 in 87 (36%), 200-500 ml3 in 66 (28%) and < 200 ml3 in 45 (19%) individuals. The pattern of clinical presentations was similar to that seen in the West, but mycobacterial infections were rare. A cohort of 86 homo/bisexuals with full-blown AIDS was followed for a mean of 2.2 person-years. The mortality rate in this group was 53.5% over 4 years, a rate of 26/100 person-years. Thus, HIV infection among Israeli homosexuals ceased to be a rarity as it took the pattern of AIDS in the West, with some special features such as the late presentation of patients for medical treatment and the paucity of mycobacterial diseases complicating the disease.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1993

Sexual behavior of heterosexual men and women attending an HIV testing clinic.

The prevalence of high risk sexual behaviors was assessed among heterosexual men (n = 154) and women (n = 109) voluntarily attending an HIV testing clinic in Jerusalem. Men were found to be involved more frequently than women in nonmonogamous relationships (66% vs. 45% respectively, P < 0.001), to have more casual partners (21% vs. 11% had three or more casual partners, P < 0.01), and to report passive oral sex (71% vs. 50%, P < 0.01) and anal sex (23% vs. 12%, P < 0.05). Condom use was not a very common practice, and was higher among men than among women (57% vs. 47% in vaginal sex, and 30% vs. 19% in oral sex respectively, NS). Appropriate counselling for this population attending the clinic is advised and urgently needed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

HIV/AIDS among Palestinian Arabs.

We studied 24 HIV-positive Palestinians who presented for medical care in the West Bank, Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip between 1987 and 1992. Three individuals, all males, were detected by blood bank screening. An additional 21 individuals (12 males, 7 females, 2 infants) were diagnosed as having HIV infection. Fifteen of 24 had full-blown AIDS--11/24 (46%) were expatriates; there were 4 heterosexuals, 5 transfusion recipients and 6 homosexuals, together comprising 79% of the individuals whose risk group was known. As compared with Israelis, Palestinians presented for medical treatment at a later stage of HIV infection. We also studied the incidence of HIV infection among Palestinian blood donors between 1987 and 1992. The incidence analysis was based on HIV screening at seven blood banks of major hospitals in the West Bank, at the Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem, at Hadassah University Hospital (Palestinian blood donors only) and at two blood banks in the Gaza Strip. Demographic features were derived from the health department of the West Bank and from the AIDS clinic at Hadassah Hospital. Approximately 50,000 Palestinians were screened at the blood banks. Only three, all males, were detected as HIV seropositive, giving an HIV overall cumulative incidence of 0.006%. This figure was similar to the incidence among 500,000 Israeli donors (0.008%; NS) during that period. Although the low HIV incidence at the blood banks is encouraging, the negligible number of HIV seropositives and the presentation at a late clinical stage points to a deficiency in AIDS tracing and in access to specialized AIDS care in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The small overall number of cases precludes any definite conclusion as to trends in the epidemiology of AIDS in the West Bank and Gaza. However, the receipt of contaminated transfusions and the return of infected expatriates seem to be important features of AIDS in the West Bank and Gaza.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

HTLV among Israeli intravenous drug abusers.

Since human T lymphotropic virus (HTLV) infection was recently described in Israel and other Middle Eastern countries, we have investigated the presence of HTLV type 1 and type 2 in a group of 299 intravenous (IV) drug abusers who were seen at a large methadone clinic in the Tel Aviv area in 1986-1987. We found that 1.3% were seropositive to HTLV. Further testing revealed that HTLV1 was the only HTLV serotype. In addition, no coinfection HIV1/HTLV1 and no HIV2 infection were detected. Since all HTLV seropositives were born in Middle Eastern countries, did not travel outside Israel and were not infected by HIV1 or by HTLV type 2, it is possible that the source of HTLV1 infection in that group was in an endemic reservoir of HTLV1 in Israel. The detection of HTLV1 among IV drug abusers and among other groups in Israel necessitates more extensive HTLV testing in at-risk populations.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Nail pigmentation associated with zidovudine: a review and report of a case.

Zidovudine has become the standard therapy for patients with AIDS and for asymptomatic HIV infected patients with low helper-T-cell levels. As experience with the drug has grown, knowledge of the range of side effects has increased. We describe progressive pigmentation of finger and toe nails in a white patient due to zidovudine therapy, a phenomenon not often described. Nail pigmentation occurs primarily in black patients. It appears to be reversible and relatively dose dependent. The mechanism responsible for the discoloration is unknown. It is important to alert patients to this side effect and to prevent unnecessary investigations and treatment for other diagnoses, such as cyanosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Tuberculosis and AIDS.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

Legionellosis at Hadassah University Hospital: a 1-year survey.

During 1985 in the Hadassah University Hospital we studied all hospitalized patients whose serum had been submitted for Legionella antibodies. Of 133 patients, 12 (9%) had legionellosis as diagnosed by serology, direct fluorescence, or culture. All Legionella cases appeared to be sporadic, nonseasonal, community-acquired pneumonia. There were no specific environmental co-factors or clustering. A significant predilection of the disease for immunosuppressed individuals was observed; the in-hospital mortality was high (5/12), especially if erythromycin therapy was delayed. L. pneumophila and L. bozemanii were the dominant etiological species. In Jerusalem, Legionella is not infrequently the etiological agent in community-acquired pneumonia in immunosuppressed patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Changes in the level of soluble CD-2 molecules in the serum of HIV-infected individuals.

It has been shown previously that the level of soluble CD-2 determinants (E-receptors) is elevated in the serum of patients with various immunodeficiency states. The aim of the present preliminary study was to determine the level of soluble CD-2 in the sera of individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), in order to assess the contribution of soluble CD-2 molecules to the immunological deterioration of these patients. The serum CD-2 concentration was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, using a monoclonal CD-2 antibody. Considerable levels of CD-2 were detected in the sera of 15.9% of 63 normal controls tested, with a mean absorbance at 492 nm of 0.154 +/- 0.033. In contrast, in none of the 13 asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals tested could soluble CD-2 be detected (mean absorbance of 0.00093 +/- 0.0048). Elevated concentrations of CD-2 were found in the sera of 3 of 12 patients tested who were suffering from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Thus, following HIV infection there is an initial phase of reduction of soluble CD-2, probably reflecting diminished T-cell activation. Thereafter, in some AIDS patients episodes of T-cell destruction seem to be correlated with the release of CD-2 molecules into the serum.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1989

Chronic tuboovarian abscess due to Staphylococcus aureus: a case report and literature review.

A 40-year-old woman presented with a right adnexal mass. Laparotomy revealed a large tuboovarian abscess due to Staphylococcus aureus. The only significant past medical history was a Cesarean section and bilateral tubal ligation 10 years prior to admission. The tuboovarian abscess, due to this unusual organism, may have developed insidiously over a 10 year period. The patient recovered completely after excision of the abscess and antibiotic treatment.

Abscess↗
PubMed1989

AIDS and oropharyngeal candidiasis.

Oropharyngeal candidiasis occurred in a previously healthy young Israeli homosexual male. Additional symptoms included persistent diarrhea, weight loss, fever, generalized lymphadenopathy and peripheral neuropathy. Immunologic studies revealed lymphopenia with reversed T-helper/T-suppressor cells ratio and antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus, all compatible with the diagnosis of subclinical AIDS. Repeated courses of antimonilial treatment failed to eradicate the oropharyngeal lesions. The clinical picture of AIDS, particularly its oral manifestations, is described. The diagnostic and prognostic implications of oropharyngeal candidiasis as a presenting sign of the disease are discussed. In addition, precautionary measures that should be taken when treating persons infected with HIV are described.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Epidemiological observations in the AIDS clinic at the Hadassah University Hospital in Jerusalem.

Of the first 395 attendees at the AIDS clinic in Jerusalem, 32% were homo/bisexuals, 4% i.v. drug abusers (IVDAs), 24% persons with minimal risk for AIDS and 38% were persons having no risk. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody rates were 7% for homosexuals, 29% for IVDAs, 1% for persons with minimal risk and 0% for persons at no risk. Israeli homosexuals had a significantly greater risk for HIV infection (9 of 35) if they had sexual contact with non-Israelis as compared with homosexuals who had contact with local partners only (0/91, P less than 0.001). The mean number of attendees per month increased by 431% during the 4 months following the first prime-time television program on AIDS. The largest mean increases occurred among persons at no risk (1 to 27.2), those with minimal risk (2.5 to 16.5), and among women (1.25 to 20.0). This report indicates that HIV infection among Israeli homosexuals has not yet reached U.S. proportions. It also shows that the TV program raised anxiety concerning AIDS among the general public, and probably encouraged the public to use HIV testing as part of a general health screening program.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗