African Health Sciences Makerere University Medical School ISSN: 1680-6905 EISSN: 1729-0503 Vol. 7, Num. 3, 2007, pp. 123-123

African Health Sciences, Vol. 7, No. 3, June, 2007, pp. 123

EDITORIAL

From HIV AIDS,TB to H. pylori and other infections in Africa

James K Tumwine

Code Number: hs07024

In this issue we bring you very interesting papers on infectious diseases in Africa. Not that that is what is the bread and butter of medical practice in this continent but because the situation seems to be getting out of hand. Thus Damalie Nakanjako and coworkers from Uganda report a very disturbing trend. Half the presenting at the emergency medical ward in Mulago, Uganda' referral and teaching hospital tested positive for HIV. This is a country with national HIV sero-prevalence of between 6 and 10%. Seventy one percent of those testing positive for HIV WHO stage 3 and 4 and two thirds had not had any prior HIV testing.There is no need to continue this litany for it highlights the ever increasing need for care for those infected with HIV.You will find the results of this study disturbing but very revealing.

From Nigeria we bring you an innovative study by Forbi and Odetunde report a high prevalence of HTLV-1 among pregnant women and commercial sex workers. Why should we be concerned with HTLV-1 when there other pressing problems? Well, precisely because it has been associated with leukemia, lymphoma, tropical spastic paralysis and other syndromes. Also from Nigeria Aboderin and colleagues report that Helicobacter pylori isolates in Ile-Ife have developed resistance to the antibiotics commonly used to treat this infection that is associated with peptic ulcer disease. From Jinja in Uganda,Anguzu and Olila isolated bacterial from 58% of septic post operative wounds largely S.aureus and coliforms. Resistance to commonly used antibiotics was widespread!

From Cote d’Ivoire N’guessan and colleagues report antibacterial activity of a parasitic plant (Thonningia sanguinea) against Salmonellla enteritica. An important addition to the literature on the pharmacological value of African plants! Othe topics covered in this issue include honey, Burkitt's lymphoma, maternal mortality, lupus anticoagulant, the persistence of chloroquine and HIV among blood donors. Quite a menu that wets your appetite and truly sustains it! Finally a word of thanks and gratitude to our editorial team, reviewers, the authors and you the readers without whose effort African Health Sciences would not be reaching the height it has!

References

1. Damalie Nakanjako, Daniel J. Kyabayinze, Harriet Mayanja-Kizza, Elly Katabira, Moses R. Kamya. Eligibility for HIV/ AIDS treatment among adults in a medical emergency setting at an urban hospital in Uganda. African Health Sciences 2007; 7(3) 124-128
2. J.C. Forbi, A.B. Odetunde. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus in a population of pregnant women and commercial sex workers in South Western Nigeria. African Health Sciences 2007; 7(3): 129-132
3. Adamu G Bakari, Fatima Sani-Bello, Mohammed S Shehu, Ahmed Mai, Ibrahim S Aliyu, and Ibrahim I Lawal. Antiretroviral therapy induced diabetes in a Nigerian. African Health Sciences 2007; 7(3): 133-135
4. Norbert Anyama, Simon Sseguya, Alphonse Okwera, Wael A El-Naggar, Fred Mpagi, Erisa Owino.The challenge of re-treatment pulmonary tuberculosis at two teaching and referral hospitals in Uganda. African Health Sciences 2007; 7(3): 136-142.
5. Oladiipo A. Aboderin, Abdul R. Abdu, Babatunde ‘Wumi Odetoyin, Iruka N. Okeke, Oladejo O. Lawal, Dennis A. Ndububa, Augustine E. Agbakwuru and Adebayo Lamikanra. Antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori from patients in Ile-Ife, South-west, Nigeria. African Health Science 2007; 7(3):143-147
6. Anguzu, J. R, Olila,D. Drug sensitivity patterns of bacterial isolates from septic post-operative wounds in a regional referral hospital in Uganda. African Health Sciences 2007; 7(1): 148-154
7. N'guessan J D, Coulibaly A, Ramanou A A, Okou O C, Djaman A J, Guédé-Guina F. Antibacterial activity of Thonningia sanguinea against some multi-drug resistant strains of Salmonella enterica. African Health Sciences 2007; 7(3):155-158
8. Peter B. Olaitan, Olufemi E. Adeleke, Iyabo O.Ola. Honey: a reservoir for microorganisms and an inhibitory agent for microbes. African Health Sciences 2007; 7(3): 159-165
9. Jackson Orem, Edward Katongole Mbidde, Bo Lambert, Silvia de Sanjose, Elisabete Weiderpass. Burkitt’s lymphoma in Africa, a review of the epidemiology and aetiology. African Health Sciences 2007; 7(1): 166-175
10. Adetoro A. Adegoke, Taiwo O. Lawoyin, Martins O. Ogundeji, Ann M. Thomson. A community-based investigation of the avoidable factors of maternal mortality in Nigeria: The pilot experience. African Health Sciences 2007; 7(3): 176-181.
11. Edeghonghon E. Olayemi, Godwin N. Bazuaye. Presence of Lupus anticoagulant in an Asymptomatic Nigerian. African Health Sciences 2007; 7(3): 182-184
12. Ross G. Cooper,Tapiwanashe Magwere. Chloroquine has not disappeared. African Health Sciences 2007; 7(3): 185-186

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