Eye diseases in a high HIV-risk group; the Majengo commercial sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya
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Date
2007Author
Onyango, O. M.
Karimurio, J.
Gichuhi, S.
Type
ArticleLanguage
enMetadata
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Objective: To determine the prevalence and magnitude of eye disease in a group at high risk for HIV: the Majengo commercial sex worker (CSW) cohort and see how it differs from the general population.
Design: Cross sectional study
Setting: Commercial sex workers (CSW) clinic, Majengo slums, Nairobi in November and
December 2003.
Subjects: An open cohort of CSWs on follow-up by the department of Microbiology, University of Nairobi.
Results: There are over 600 CSWs on regular follow-up at the Majengo clinic. 151 aged
between 21 years and 56 years were examined. 107 were Kenyan, 40 Tanzanian, 3 Ugandan and 1 Rwandese. 72 were HIV +ve and 79 were HIV –ve. 13.9 % of the HIV+ve CSWs examined were on HAART. The prevalence of general eye disease in the HIV+ve and HIV negative subsets was 86.1% and 69.6% respectively. The prevalence of HIV related eye illnesses in the HIV+ve CSWs was 18.1% with choroidal lesions being the most common.
Profound immunodefi ciency characterized by a CD4 count less than 50 was observed in 4 CSWs. While 3 of these CSWs were assymptomatic, one had a retinal hemorrhage and tortuous blood vessels suggestive of HIV retinopathy.
Conclusion: In this C.S.W cohort HIV specifi c cytotoxic T-lymphocytes and genital mucosal antibodies may have caused the lower prevalence of ocular manifestations than that reported in studies in non-high risk groups (30-80%). Some members of this cohort have special immunity to HIV.
Citation
East African Journal of Ophthalmology November 2007Publisher
Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University Of Nairobi
Collections
- Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) [10377]