[38] However, the definition of a suspicious node was unclear Al

[38] However, the definition of a suspicious node was unclear. Also, identification of suspicious lymph nodes without fully opening the retroperitoneal spaces and without palpation (not possible with the minimally invasive approach) is limited and unreliable. Like every effort aimed at decreasing the amount

of surgery and the morbidity of EC treatment, we look at the experimental results on the use of SLN sampling with great interest. Ideally, SLN biopsy could be an effective alternative to CP-868596 clinical trial systematic lymphadenectomy. However, available data are still insufficient to define its role in clinical practice. Patients undergoing systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy experience longer operative times and are exposed to greater risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications than patients who have hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy alone.[6] While some investigations showed that lymph node dissection did not significantly influence complication rates among EC patients,[42, 43] at Mayo Clinic, we observed that retroperitoneal staging,

including para-aortic lymphadenectomy, Pexidartinib price increases morbidity in patients with EC.[44] Similarly, results from the ASTEC trial and the Italian collaborative trial indicated that women who underwent lymphadenectomy had a significantly higher risk of surgically related morbidity and lymphatic complications than those who had hysterectomy plus bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy alone (relative risk [RR], 3.72; 95% CI, 1.04–13.27; and RR, 8.39; 95% CI, 4.06–17.33, for risk of surgical and lymphatic complications, respectively).[6, 7, 45] However, it is important to note that the introduction of minimally invasive lymph node dissection may have reduced the complication rate of lymphadenectomy.[46-48] The impact of lymphadenectomy on long-term QOL in EC patients is not clear.

Recently, a Dutch population-based analysis[49] evaluated the health-related QOL and symptoms following pelvic lymphadenectomy and radiation therapy (alone or in combination) Interleukin-2 receptor versus no adjuvant therapy in patients with FIGO stage I and II EC. Lymphedema, gastrointestinal tract symptoms, diarrhea, back and pelvic pain, and muscular joint pain were the most commonly reported symptoms. The authors showed that, despite different symptom patterns, in patients who had pelvic lymphadenectomy (e.g. lymphedema), radiotherapy (e.g. diarrhea) or both, no clinical differences in overall QOL were observed compared with women not receiving adjuvant therapy, lymphadenectomy or both.[49] At Mayo Clinic, we analyzed the related surgical costs of lymphadenectomy in our low-risk EC population and reported that lymphadenectomy increased the median 30-day cost of care by approximately $US 4500 per patient.

[38] However, the definition of a suspicious node was unclear Al

[38] However, the definition of a suspicious node was unclear. Also, identification of suspicious lymph nodes without fully opening the retroperitoneal spaces and without palpation (not possible with the minimally invasive approach) is limited and unreliable. Like every effort aimed at decreasing the amount

of surgery and the morbidity of EC treatment, we look at the experimental results on the use of SLN sampling with great interest. Ideally, SLN biopsy could be an effective alternative to Idasanutlin systematic lymphadenectomy. However, available data are still insufficient to define its role in clinical practice. Patients undergoing systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy experience longer operative times and are exposed to greater risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications than patients who have hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy alone.[6] While some investigations showed that lymph node dissection did not significantly influence complication rates among EC patients,[42, 43] at Mayo Clinic, we observed that retroperitoneal staging,

including para-aortic lymphadenectomy, Ulixertinib order increases morbidity in patients with EC.[44] Similarly, results from the ASTEC trial and the Italian collaborative trial indicated that women who underwent lymphadenectomy had a significantly higher risk of surgically related morbidity and lymphatic complications than those who had hysterectomy plus bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy alone (relative risk [RR], 3.72; 95% CI, 1.04–13.27; and RR, 8.39; 95% CI, 4.06–17.33, for risk of surgical and lymphatic complications, respectively).[6, 7, 45] However, it is important to note that the introduction of minimally invasive lymph node dissection may have reduced the complication rate of lymphadenectomy.[46-48] The impact of lymphadenectomy on long-term QOL in EC patients is not clear.

Recently, a Dutch population-based analysis[49] evaluated the health-related QOL and symptoms following pelvic lymphadenectomy and radiation therapy (alone or in combination) Tenofovir versus no adjuvant therapy in patients with FIGO stage I and II EC. Lymphedema, gastrointestinal tract symptoms, diarrhea, back and pelvic pain, and muscular joint pain were the most commonly reported symptoms. The authors showed that, despite different symptom patterns, in patients who had pelvic lymphadenectomy (e.g. lymphedema), radiotherapy (e.g. diarrhea) or both, no clinical differences in overall QOL were observed compared with women not receiving adjuvant therapy, lymphadenectomy or both.[49] At Mayo Clinic, we analyzed the related surgical costs of lymphadenectomy in our low-risk EC population and reported that lymphadenectomy increased the median 30-day cost of care by approximately $US 4500 per patient.

[10-13,

17] The annual worldwide incidence rate of BCC is

[10-13,

17] The annual worldwide incidence rate of BCC is anticipated to increase in annual prevalence as the world population ages.[17] BCCs usually occur as nonhealing ulcers or papulonodules on sun-exposed areas, especially on the head and neck that rarely metastasize. The SCCs begin in the uppermost layer of the skin, account for approximately 15% of all skin cancers, and have a 10-fold greater risk for metastasis and death than BCCs.[10-13] SCCs usually occur on sun-exposed areas of the head, face, neck, and hands, and may be heralded by AK.[9-12, 19] Cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) GSK458 nmr accounts for approximately 5% of skin cancers worldwide and has the highest case fatality rates. CMM is now the most commonly increasing malignant disease with an estimated annual incidence rate of 3% to 7%.[11] The World Health Organization has estimated that 132,000 new cases of melanoma will occur each year worldwide.[11] Melanomas are more common in fair-skinned people with light-colored eyes and blond or red hair. Besides skin type and family history, the greatest risk factors for melanomas include three or more blistering sunburns before age 18 years, congenital nevi (moles), large numbers of moles, and long-term phototherapy for eczema or psoriasis with psoralens and UVA (PUVA).[6, 7, 10, 11] Melanomas arise from melanocytes, are usually darkly pigmented, and can occur anywhere, but

occur more commonly on the trunk in men and on the legs in women.[10, 11] The characteristic physical features of melanomas, often described as the ABCDs of melanomas include: (1) asymmetric GSK3235025 purchase shape, (2) border irregularity, (3) combination of colors, and (4) diameters larger than a pencil eraser (6 mm). Although an association between UVB overexposures and SCCs has been well established, the exact UV wavelengths

associated with BCCs and CMMs are not clearly defined. Ezzedine and colleagues have studied sun exposure behaviors in large subcohorts of survey-responding travelers, nontravelers, and expatriates nested in a larger cohort of 12,741 French adult volunteers enrolled in the SU.VI.MAX cohort and observed the following results.[20] (1) Women travelers reported more frequent sun TCL exposures over the past year, sunbathed in high UV-index areas daily for more than 2 hours, and experienced more intensive sun exposures than nontravelers. (2) Although the usage of sun protection products was similar in all travelers and nontravelers, women used sunscreens with higher sun protection factors (SPFs) more often and more regularly than men. In a similarly designed study, the same investigators sent sun exposure and sun protection behavior surveys twice to all subjects in the SU.VI.MAX cohort, with 1,694 respondents reporting travel to a tropical or high UV-index country during their lifetimes for more than three consecutive months (expatriates).[21] The investigators described the following results.

The model of logistic regression for MHS explained 881% of the i

The model of logistic regression for MHS explained 88.1% of the index variability (P<0.001) and revealed that protective variables against poor MHS were ‘no depression’ and ‘not being diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C’ (Table

4 and Fig. 2). The principal aim of this study was to evaluate HRQL in our HIV-infected population and the diverse factors related to HRQL in order to establish a predictive model of HRQL. Our patients were not selected for particular characteristics; their profile reflects that of the Spanish National Registry of AIDS Cases [24], which suggests that our sample was representative. Regarding external validity of our data referred to national and international studies, it is corroborated by series of large number of individuals Veliparib purchase with profiles that vary between 69.1% of males in Murri et al. [25], 71.2% in Préau et al. [26] Bortezomib ic50 and 73%

in Ruiz Pérez et al. [13] Mean scores for PHS and MHS and the 11 domains of the MOS-HIV questionnaire obtained in our study are in general agreement with the data obtained by other research groups, both national and international [13,27–30]. Living together as a couple could be an influential factor in HRQL, as various authors have suggested [13,15,29]. In the present study, we found that single patients, those who lived alone and those who did not have children presented significantly better scores in General Health Perceptions, while Ruiz Pérez et al. [13] describe a positive relationship between living as a couple and PHS and MHS. There is great disagreement regarding the immunological state of patients studied, given that different groups have not found a significant relationship between immunological markers (CD4 cell count and viral load) and HRQL domains [25,26], as was

also the case in the present study. Nevertheless, other groups have found a positive relationship between HRQL and CD4 cell count, and a negative one between HRQL and viral load [13,15,17,28]. In our opinion, this uncertainty may indicate a need for more accurate determination of the correlation between viral load parameters and immunological status. However, in this study, patients with AIDS had higher scores in Mental Health, Energy, Cognitive Functioning, Quality of Life BCKDHA and MHS; a result that runs contrary to findings in the literature [13,17,28]. This could be attributable to stability reached in the illness evolution over the years, which has resulted in improvements in immunological status and long-term maintenance of patients in CDC category C. In evaluating the health status of our patients, we found a strong relationship between HRQL domains and symptoms associated with HIV infection, with asymptomatic patients having higher scores in all domains, and a greater number of symptoms resulting in a lower score, a relationship that has also been found in previous studies [17,25,29,31,32].

Grading: 1C The choice of third agent should be based on safety,

Grading: 1C The choice of third agent should be based on safety, tolerability and efficacy in pregnancy. Based on

non-pregnant adults, BHIVA guidelines for the treatment of HIV-1 positive adults with antiretroviral therapy 2012 (www.bhiva.org/PublishedandApproved.aspx) recommended an NNRTI, with efavirenz preferred to nevirapine, or a boosted PI of which lopinavir or atazanavir have been most widely prescribed. For the pregnant woman, there is more experience with nevirapine as efavirenz has until recently been avoided in pregnancy. The Writing Group consider there to be insufficient evidence to recommend the learn more avoidance of efavirenz in the first trimester of pregnancy, and include efavirenz in the list of compounds that may be initiated during pregnancy. Despite the well-documented cutaneous, mucosal and hepatotoxicity with nevirapine at higher CD4 T-lymphocyte counts, nevirapine remains an option for women with a CD4 T-lymphocyte count <250 cells/μL. Nevirapine is well tolerated in pregnancy, with several studies suggesting this to be the case even above the stated ICG-001 ic50 CD4 cell count cut-off [68-71]; has favourable pharmacokinetics in pregnancy [72-74] and has been shown to reduce the risk of MTCT even when given as a single dose in labour, alone or supplementing zidovudine monotherapy or dual therapy [75-77]. Despite some concerns regarding diabetes, PTD (see below)

and pharmacokinetics during the third trimester (discussed separately) several ritonavir-boosted PIs have been shown to be effective as the third agent in HAART in pregnancy (lopinavir [66],[78], atazanavir [79], saquinavir [80],[81]). In the European Collaborative Study, time to undetectable VL was longer in women initiating PI-based HAART; however, in this study 80% of these women were taking nelfinavir [82]. In a more recent study, treatment with a boosted PI resulted in more rapid viral suppression (to <50 HIV RNA copies/mL) than nevirapine, except in the highest

VL quartile [83]. In another multicentre study nevirapine-based HAART reduced VL more rapidly during the first 2 weeks of therapy than PI-based HAART with nelfinavir, Methocarbamol atazanavir or lopinavir, but time to undetectable was influenced by baseline VL rather than choice of HAART [84]. The role of newer PIs (e.g. darunavir), integrase inhibitors and entry inhibitors in the treatment-naïve pregnant patient has yet to be determined; therefore other, more established, options should preferentially be initiated. The data on the association of HAART and PTD are conflicting. Some studies implicate boosted PIs, others do not. The data are summarized below. The association between HAART and PTD was first reported by the Swiss Cohort in 1998 [60],[85], and subsequently by a number of other European studies, including three analyses from the ECS [60],[86-88]. Analysis of the NSHPC UK and Ireland data in 2007 found there to be a 1.5-fold increased risk of PTD when comparing women on HAART with those on mono- or dual therapy [89].

As travel medicine is highly protocolized, with clear quality cri

As travel medicine is highly protocolized, with clear quality criteria, supplementary prescribing by nurses seems appropriate. The nation’s foremost travel health nursing organization favors implementation of the 2011 ruling. However, the opinion of the individual travel health nurse has not been investigated. We conducted a questionnaire survey among all Dutch travel health nurses to assess whether they aspire and feel competent to prescribe, and whether they have related educational needs. In October 2011, we attempted to reach all Dutch travel health nurses with a questionnaire, to be completed anonymously. Designed using NetQ®

Vorinostat concentration (NetQuestionnaires Nederland BV, Utrecht, The Netherlands), the questionnaire was directed to 382 LCR-registered travel health nurses and also to 93 travel health nurses who are not registered but subscribed to LCR services. These 475 nurses were invited to participate through an email including a link to the questionnaire. In addition, to optimize overall response and to reach nurses without LCR registration or subscription, invitations including a link to the questionnaire were sent by post to all Dutch travel clinics. Reminders Selleck BIBW2992 were sent twice, only by email. The deadline for participation was December 1, 2011. The questionnaire consisted of three different sections with

a maximum of 31 questions, depending on the answers provided. The first section addressed the demographics of individual participants, eg, length of experience as travel health nurses, LCR registered or not, and type of employer organization. This section also questioned their current practice of travel care, eg, number of patients who were given travel health advice (which includes vaccinations, malaria chemoprophylaxis, and pertinent advice). Tick boxes were included to indicate responses. The second section focused on adherence to LCR quality criteria and examined current practice within an employer organization and the daily routines

Depsipeptide concerning prescribing medication, eg, method of checking accuracy of prescriptions and advice, availability of consulting physician, and average monthly number of patients given malaria chemoprophylaxis. To limit the size of the questionnaire, the questions concerning prescribing medication focused on prescriptions for malaria chemoprophylaxis rather than vaccinations, as vaccines are usually administered without a prescription and therefore seldom cause prescribing difficulties. In this section also, tick boxes were supplied to indicate response. If a response deviated from current LCR quality criteria, an open field and/or another question followed to motivate the response. The final section asked whether and why nurses aspire to prescribe, feel competent to prescribe, and whether they perceive educational needs. Open fields were used for the aspiration and competence question. A list with seven fixed and three open-ended answers was used to indicate educational needs.

Clinical examination revealed grade III mobile 71 and 81, with mi

Clinical examination revealed grade III mobile 71 and 81, with minimal

gingival inflammation and plaque deposits. There were no other dental findings and no significant medical history. Tooth numbers 71 and 81 exfoliated prematurely with no evidence of root resorption, shortly after presentation. Y-27632 in vivo Haematological and urinary investigations showed no abnormalities. Histological examination showed a complete absence of cementum. A diagnosis of OHP was made. After 10 months of dental follow-up, no further teeth have increased mobility. Conclusion.  Odontohypophosphatasia should be included as a differential diagnosis in children presenting with early loss of primary teeth. The dentist may be the first health care professional to whom the patient presents. “
“International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2013; 23: 32–38 Background  Salivary levels of Bifidobacteria have been shown to be significantly correlated with caries experience in adults but not as yet in children. Hypothesis.  Salivary levels of Bifidobacteria are

positively associated with caries experience in children. Aim.  To compare the salivary concentrations of Bifidobacteria of caries-free and caries-active children. Design.  Saliva was collected using the tongue-loop method from 38 caries-active children and from 22 clinically caries-free children, and the numbers of Bifidobacteria, mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and yeasts were determined. Additionally, the age and gender of the children, a plaque index, sugar amount in diet, sugar frequency in diet, hygiene practice and fluoride toothpaste usage were recorded. Results.  Bifidobacteria buy I-BET-762 were isolated from 95% of the caries-active children and from only 9% of the caries-free children (P < 0.001). Salivary levels of Bifidobacteria Reverse transcriptase were significantly correlated with amount of sugar in the diet, frequency of sugar consumption and oral hygiene practice. The significant variables that discriminated between the caries-free and caries-active subjects were salivary levels of Bifidobacteria, salivary levels of mutans streptococci

and oral hygiene practice (χ2 = 72.57, P < 0.001) and overall 90.0% of cases were correctly classified. Conclusions.  Salivary levels of Bifidobacteria are significantly associated with caries experience in children. The salivary levels of this genus may be a useful marker of caries risk. "
“This study aims to identify the determinants of caries prevention-oriented practice for children among final-year dental students in Nigeria. A questionnaire was distributed to 179 final-year dental students in six dental schools in Nigeria. It requested information on age, gender, knowledge of caries prevention measures, self-perceived competency in providing caries-preventive care for children, and caries prevention-oriented practice for two hypothetical cases with high and low risk of caries.

However, one study in

HIV-infected patients found that is

However, one study in

HIV-infected patients found that isolate sensitivity to empirical antibiotics was associated with clinical resolution after controlling for drainage procedures [27]. Several studies have reported the use Obeticholic Acid of combination antibiotics among HIV-infected patients [22, 24, 26, 29, 33, 34]. In a case series of HIV-infected men with SSTIs, it was noted that 83% were treated with combination regimens consisting of TMP-SMX/rifampin, TMP-SMX/doxycycline, or doxycycline/rifampin [30]; nevertheless, it is currently unknown whether combination therapy is more effective than single antibiotic treatment. Most HIV-infected persons with MRSA SSTIs recover without complications,

and mortality rates have been low [5, 22, 37]. Regarding invasive MRSA infections among HIV-infected patients, two early studies reported mortality rates of 22–34% [6, 23]; however, it is currently unknown whether mortality rates for these infections remain high. Whether HIV-infected patients have a higher mortality rate compared with HIV-uninfected persons is also unclear, but outcome is probably related to the Lapatinib supplier presence of underlying conditions and the level of immunosuppression [6, 23]. Studies in the general population and among HIV-infected patients have shown that MRSA bacteraemia is associated with increased length of hospitalization and mortality rates compared with methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) bacteraemia [23, 65]. Similarly, USA300 strains causing bacteraemia

may be associated with higher mortality rates [53]. Table 5 lists potential strategies for preventing MRSA infections [66]. Areas for additional research include the impact of avoiding high-risk sexual practices on reducing MRSA infections [32]. Regarding decolonization of MRSA carriage, only one study among HIV-infected persons in the HAART era was noted in our literature review – a study at a drug rehabilitation facility which found that mupirocin reduced the odds of S. aureus nasal colonization by 83% compared with placebo (P < 0.001); however, it found no significant difference in infection selleck products rates (hazard ratio 0.49; P = 0.29) [67]. Future studies on decolonization strategies among HIV-infected patients should be considered and include decolonization strategies aimed at additional body sites, including the perigenital regions [10]. Finally, HAART use and improved immunological status may be associated with a reduced incidence of MRSA infections [5, 20, 25, 31, 35, 38]; however, further research is needed. Recommended strategies CDC MRSA Prevention Guidelines* Practicing good hygiene Avoiding sharing of personal items (e.g.

In conclusion, we found that ZDV was able to inhibit and change t

In conclusion, we found that ZDV was able to inhibit and change the growth of gingival tissue when the drug was added at either day 0 or day 8 of raft growth. ZDV increased the expression of PCNA, cyclin A and cytokeratin 10. The expression of cytokeratins 5 and 6 and involucrin was decreased in ZDV-treated rafts. Together these results

indicate that ZDV deregulated the growth, differentiation and proliferation profiles in human gingival raft tissue. These results are consistent with the finding of oral complications in patients undergoing long-term HAART. Additional studies will be needed to determine the exact mechanism by which ZDV is exerting its effect. We thank Lynn Budgeon for technical assistance in preparing selleck chemical histological slides. This work was supported by NIDCR grant DE018305 to CM. “
“HIV status has commonly been found to affect the serum lipid profile. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of HIV infection on lipid metabolism; such information may be used to improve the management of HIV-infected patients. Samples were collected from December 2005 to May 2006 at Yaounde University Teaching Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon. Lipid parameters were obtained using colorimetric AZD6244 mw enzyme assays, while low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) values were calculated using the formula of Friedewald et al. (1972) and atherogenicity index by total cholesterol

(TC)/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and LDLC/HDLC ratios. HIV infection was most prevalent in subjects aged 31 to 49 years. Most of the HIV-positive patients belonged to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention categories

B (43.0%) and C (30.23%). Compared with control subjects, patients with CD4 counts<50 cells/μL had significantly lower TC (P<0.0001) and LDLC (P<0.0001) but significantly higher triglyceride (TG) values (P<0.001) and a higher atherogenicity index for TC/HDLC (P<0.01) and HDLC/LDLC (P=0.02); patients with CD4 counts of 50–199 cells/μL had significantly lower TC (P<0.001) and significantly higher TG values (P<0.001); patients with CD4 counts of 200–350 cells/μL had significantly higher TG (P=0.003) and a higher atherogenicity index for TC/HDLC (P<0.0002) and HDLC/LDLC (P=0.04); and those with CD4 counts >350 cells/μL had a higher atherogenicity index Ribose-5-phosphate isomerase for TC/HDLC (P<0.0001) and HDLC/LDLC (P<0.001). HDLC was significantly lower in HIV-positive patients irrespective of the CD4 cell count. Lipid parameters were also influenced by the presence of opportunistic infections (OIs). HIV infection is associated with dyslipidaemia, and becomes increasingly debilitating as immunodeficiency progresses. HDLC was found to be lower than in controls in the early stages of HIV infection, while TG and the atherogenicity index increased and TC and LDLC decreased in the advanced stages of immunodeficiency. HIV infection is a major public health problem worldwide. It affects 33.2 million people globally, of whom 24.5 million are in Africa [1].

In conclusion, we found that ZDV was able to inhibit and change t

In conclusion, we found that ZDV was able to inhibit and change the growth of gingival tissue when the drug was added at either day 0 or day 8 of raft growth. ZDV increased the expression of PCNA, cyclin A and cytokeratin 10. The expression of cytokeratins 5 and 6 and involucrin was decreased in ZDV-treated rafts. Together these results

indicate that ZDV deregulated the growth, differentiation and proliferation profiles in human gingival raft tissue. These results are consistent with the finding of oral complications in patients undergoing long-term HAART. Additional studies will be needed to determine the exact mechanism by which ZDV is exerting its effect. We thank Lynn Budgeon for technical assistance in preparing Erlotinib solubility dmso histological slides. This work was supported by NIDCR grant DE018305 to CM. “
“HIV status has commonly been found to affect the serum lipid profile. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of HIV infection on lipid metabolism; such information may be used to improve the management of HIV-infected patients. Samples were collected from December 2005 to May 2006 at Yaounde University Teaching Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon. Lipid parameters were obtained using colorimetric MK0683 purchase enzyme assays, while low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) values were calculated using the formula of Friedewald et al. (1972) and atherogenicity index by total cholesterol

(TC)/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and LDLC/HDLC ratios. HIV infection was most prevalent in subjects aged 31 to 49 years. Most of the HIV-positive patients belonged to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention categories

B (43.0%) and C (30.23%). Compared with control subjects, patients with CD4 counts<50 cells/μL had significantly lower TC (P<0.0001) and LDLC (P<0.0001) but significantly higher triglyceride (TG) values (P<0.001) and a higher atherogenicity index for TC/HDLC (P<0.01) and HDLC/LDLC (P=0.02); patients with CD4 counts of 50–199 cells/μL had significantly lower TC (P<0.001) and significantly higher TG values (P<0.001); patients with CD4 counts of 200–350 cells/μL had significantly higher TG (P=0.003) and a higher atherogenicity index for TC/HDLC (P<0.0002) and HDLC/LDLC (P=0.04); and those with CD4 counts >350 cells/μL had a higher atherogenicity index 2-hydroxyphytanoyl-CoA lyase for TC/HDLC (P<0.0001) and HDLC/LDLC (P<0.001). HDLC was significantly lower in HIV-positive patients irrespective of the CD4 cell count. Lipid parameters were also influenced by the presence of opportunistic infections (OIs). HIV infection is associated with dyslipidaemia, and becomes increasingly debilitating as immunodeficiency progresses. HDLC was found to be lower than in controls in the early stages of HIV infection, while TG and the atherogenicity index increased and TC and LDLC decreased in the advanced stages of immunodeficiency. HIV infection is a major public health problem worldwide. It affects 33.2 million people globally, of whom 24.5 million are in Africa [1].