Serwadda, D.; Mugerwa, R. D.; Sewankambo, N. K.; Lwegaba, A.; Carswell, J. W.; Kirya, G. B.; Bayley, A. C.; Downing, R. G.; Tedder, R. S.; Clayden, S. A.

Slim disease: a new disease in Uganda and its association with HTLV-III infection
1985, Lancet, N*deg;2, 8460, p. 849-52

Keywords : AIDS Prevalence; Antibodies; Behavior; Biology; Cancer; Communicable Diseases; Control Groups; Diseases; Examinations and Diagnoses; hematologic Tests; HIV Infections; Immune System; Immunity; Immunologic Factors; Infections; Laboratory Examinations and Diagnoses; Laboratory Procedures; Measurement; Neoplasms; Physical Examinations and Diagnoses; Physiology; Research Methodology; Sex behavior; Signs and symptoms; Viral Diseases
Countries : Africa; Developing Countries; Subsaharan Africa; Tanzania; Uganda

Abstract : A new disease has recently been recognized in rural Uganda. Because the major symtoms are weight loss and diarrhea, it is known locally as slim disease. It is strongly associated with HTLV-III infection (63 of 71 patients) and affects females nearly as frequently as males. The clinical features are similar to those of enteropathic acquired immunodeficiency syndrome as seen in neighboring Zaire. However, the syndrome is rarely associated with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), although KS is endemic in this area of Uganda, Slim disease occurs predominantly in the heterosexually promiscuous population and there is no clear evidence to implicate other possible means of transmission, such as by insect vectors or reused injection needles. The site and timing of the 1st reported cases suggest that the disease arose in Tanzania. (author's)

Notes : English

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