1.   Peer Reviewed Title: Establishment of a large semi-field system for experimental study of African malaria vector ecology and control in Tanzania. Author: Ferguson HM; Ng'habi KR; Walder T; Kadungula D; Moore SJ Source: Malaria Journal. 2008;7:158. Abstract: BACKGROUND: Medical entomologists increasingly recognize that the ability to make inferences between laboratory experiments of vector biology and epidemiological trends observed in the field is hindered by a conceptual and methodological gap occurring between these approaches which prevents hypothesis-driven empirical research from being conducted on relatively large and environmentally realistic scales. The development of Semi-Field Systems (SFS) has been proposed as the best mechanism for bridging this gap. Semi-field systems are defined as enclosed environments, ideally situated within the natural ecosystem of a target disease vector and exposed to ambient environmental conditions, in which all features necessary for its life cycle completion are present. Although the value of SFS as a research tool for malaria vector biology is gaining recognition, only a few such facilities exist worldwide and are relatively small in size (< 100 m2). METHODS: The establishment of a 625 m2 state-of-the-art SFS for large-scale experimentation on anopheline mosquito ecology and control within a rural area of southern Tanzania, where malaria transmission intensities are amongst the highest ever recorded, is described. RESULTS: A greenhouse frame with walls of mosquito netting and a polyethylene roof was mounted on a raised concrete platform at the Ifakara Health Institute. The interior of the SFS was divided into four separate work areas that have been set up for a variety of research activities including mass-rearing for African malaria vectors under natural conditions, high throughput evaluation of novel mosquito control and trapping techniques, short-term assays of host-seeking behaviour and olfaction, and longer-term experimental investigation of anopheline population dynamics and gene flow within a contained environment that simulates a local village domestic setting. CONCLUSION: The SFS at Ifakara was completed and ready for use in under two years. Preliminary observations indicate that realistic and repeatable observations of anopheline behaviour are obtainable within the SFS, and that habitat and climatic features representative of field conditions can be simulated within it. As work begins in the SFS in Ifakara and others around the world, the major opportunities and challenges to the successful application of this tool for malaria vector research and control are discussed. Language: English Keywords: TANZANIA | RESEARCH REPORT | RURAL AREAS | EPIDEMIOLOGY | VECTOR CONTROL | PARASITES | MOSQUITO CONTROL | BIOLOGY | Africa, Eastern | Africa, Sub Saharan | Africa | Developing Countries | Geographic Factors | Population | Public Health | Health | Disease Transmission Control | Prevention and Control | Diseases Document Number: 328807 |
| 2. Title: New tuberculosis drug development: Targeting shikimate pathway. Author: Kapnick SM; Zhang Y Source: Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery. 2008 May;3(5):565-577. Abstract: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, yet no new drugs have been developed in the last 40 years. The exceedingly lengthy TB chemotherapy and the increasing emergence of drug resistance complicated by HIV co-infection call for the development of new TB drugs. These problems are further compounded by a poor understanding of the biology of persister bacteria. New molecular tools have offered insights into potential new drug targets, particularly the enzymes of the shikimate pathway, which is the focus of this review. Skikimate pathway enzymes, especially shikimate kinase, may offer attractive targets for new TB drug and vaccine development. (author's) Language: English Keywords: GLOBAL | CRITIQUE | RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT | TUBERCULOSIS | PREVENTION AND CONTROL | DRUGS | DRUG RESISTANCE | ENZYMES AND ENZYME INHIBITORS | BIOLOGY | VACCINES | Technology | Economic Factors | Infections | Diseases | Treatment | Medical Procedures | Medicine | Health Services | Delivery of Health Care | Health | Physiology Document Number: 326466 |
| 3. Title: Pediatric oncology: Looking ahead [editorial] Source: Journal of Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons. 2007 Jul-Sep;12(3):107-108. Abstract: Over the past ten to fifteen years, a silent revolution in pediatric surgical oncology has been altering the clinical practice, and in the near future, it will alter the way we diagnose and treat pediatric tumors. Ever since van Leuwenhoek has looked through his single lens microscope in the late seventeenth century and noted .animalcules. in a drop of water, this form has been regarded as a surrogate for function. Since 1680, this view has prevailed and has formed the basis for anatomical pathology and that for our current classification of neoplastic diseases. (excerpt) Language: English Keywords: GLOBAL | CRITIQUE | NEOPLASMS | RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT | LABORATORY PROCEDURES | CYTOLOGY | HISTOLOGY | IMMUNOLOGIC FACTORS | BIOLOGY | Diseases | Technology | Economic Factors | Laboratory Examinations and Diagnoses | Examinations and Diagnoses | Medical Procedures | Medicine | Health Services | Delivery of Health Care | Health | Immunity | Immune System | Physiology Document Number: 320865 |
| 4. Title: Demography of the tribal groups of Rajasthan: 1. Population structure. Author: Bhasin MK; Nag S Source: Anthropologist. 2007 Jan;9(1):1-37. Abstract: This paper presents the population composition and details of the economic, socio-cultural, physical environmental attributes of the households of the major Scheduled Tribes of Rajasthan, namely, Sahariya, Mina, Bhil, Kathodi, Damor and Garasia belonging to five districts, namely, Baran, Sawai Madhopur, Udaipur, Dungarpur and Sirohi in Rajasthan. All the measures of population composition indicate the demographic backwardness of the Scheduled Tribes, in general. Individually speaking, however, the position of Minas, a land owning economically well-off Scheduled Tribe, appears relatively better. The paper also includes some comparisons of the findings with the estimates of the 1991 census. (author's) Language: English Keywords: INDIA | RESEARCH REPORT | COMPARATIVE STUDIES | CENSUS | TRIBES | DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION | POPULATION DYNAMICS | SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS | ECOLOGY | BIOLOGY | POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS | Developing Countries | Asia, Southern | Asia | Studies | Research Methodology | Population Statistics | Cultural Background | Demographic Factors | Population | Economic Factors | Environment Document Number: 320530 |
| 5. Title: Cyclosporiasis: An emerging public health concern around the world and in Africa. Author: Karanja RM; Gatei W; Wamae N Source: African Health Sciences. 2007 Jun;7(2):62-67. Abstract: Cyclosporiasis is an emerging gastro-enteric disease caused by the coccidia protozoan Cydospora cayetanensis. It is associated with diarrhoea among children in developing countries, in the Americas where C. cayetanensis is endemic, traveller's diarrhoea and/or food and waterborne outbreaks in the developed countries. The aim of this review is to highlight cyclosporiasis and its relevance to public health in East Africa and Africa at large. All literature on Cydospora, C. cayetanensis, cyclosporiasis in Africa, and endemic cyclosporiasis was searched from libraries, colleagues and internet but only literature on its history, clinical presentation, epidemiology in endemic settings, and occurrence in Africa were scrutinised. In Sub Saharan Africa, cyclosporiasis has been reported in at least 3 countries, including Tanzania, in East Africa, occurring in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Zoonotic species of Cyclospora have also been identified in East African primates, indicating likely endemicity of this little reported disease in the region. This can be attributed to lack of awareness in the public and medical profession concerning the disease, and therefore not routinely checked at the health centres. Cyclosporiasis is characterized by intermittent diarrhoea, and secondary conditions or sequelae such as reactive arthritis syndrome (Reiter's syndrome), have been associated with progression of the disease. Its management is based on antibiotics, an unusual scenario for a protoxoa. Although many aspects of this disease and its transmission remain an enigma, the situation has been rapidly changing since the disease first came to medical attention in the 1970s. (author's) Language: English Keywords: AFRICA | RESEARCH REPORT | LITERATURE REVIEW | EPIDEMIOLOGY | TRAVELERS | GASTROINTESTINAL EFFECTS | DIARRHEA | BACTERIAL AND FUNGAL DISEASES | INFECTIONS | FOOD AND BEVERAGE | BIOLOGY | DRUGS | EXAMINATIONS AND DIAGNOSES | Developing Countries | Public Health | Health | Travel and Tourism | Behavior | Physiology | Diseases | Nutrition | Treatment | Medical Procedures | Medicine | Health Services | Delivery of Health Care Document Number: 308779 |
| 6. Title: Sex, gender and health: Developments in research. Author: Lagro-Janssen T Source: European Journal of Women’s Studies. 2007;14(1):9-20. Abstract: The feminist movement was from its start in the 19th century involved in the struggle for better health care for women. The first feminists aimed at better information on birth control and sexuality. The second feminist wave focused on the unequal division of power roles between men and women. A lot of the problems women experienced could be seen as a consequence of their subordinate role in society. At the end of the 1980s and in the 1990s, the discipline women and health or women and medicine was developed. In this introduction to the theme, the developments in this discipline are described. The starting points of the new discipline followed the principles of 'women's health care'. These principles can be summarized as the emphasis on control and autonomy by the patient, demedicalization, the importance of the psychosocial context of complaints, empowerment of women and good information and communication. The central issue of the article is: what is the actual scientific state of the art and what important changes have been made on the subject gender and health? The article ends with ideas for future research. (author's) Language: English Keywords: EUROPE | RESEARCH REPORT | WOMEN | FEMINISM | WOMEN'S RIGHTS | WOMEN'S HEALTH | POWER | FEMALE ROLE | MALE ROLE | EMPLOYMENT | WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT | INFORMATION | COMMUNICATION | SOCIAL CHANGE | BIOLOGY | REPRODUCTION | MEDICINE | GENDER ISSUES | RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT | Developed Countries | Demographic Factors | Population | Sociocultural Factors | Human Rights | Political Factors | Health | Social Behavior | Behavior | Macroeconomic Factors | Economic Factors | Women's Status | Socioeconomic Factors | Health Services | Delivery of Health Care | Technology Document Number: 322414 |
| 7. Peer Reviewed Title: A simple and inexpensive container for the transport of biological specimens in limited resource situations. Author: Blacksell SD; Khounsy S; Phetsouvanh R; Newton PN Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 2006 Nov;100(11):1084-1086. Abstract: We describe a diagnostic specimen transport container that is appropriate for limited resource or emergency settings. The transport container is constructed from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plumbing pipe, which is readily available and inexpensive (US$1--2, depending on size) and has wide flexibility of size due to the range of PVC pipe dimensions available. The PVC transporters are durable, water-resistant and may be easily decontaminated. They have been adapted for the transport of blood culture bottles from provincial hospitals in Laos, where, during a 2-year period, 380 PVC tubes containing blood culture bottles were transported without any leakage or breakage. We have found the PVC transporter to be a useful and cost-efficient durable alternative that meets IATA Packing Instruction 650 biological transport container requirements. (author's) Language: English Keywords: LAOS | RESEARCH REPORT | BIOLOGY | EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES | TRANSPORTATION | COST EFFECTIVENESS | SAFETY | Developing Countries | Asia, Southeastern | Asia | Medical Procedures | Medicine | Health Services | Delivery of Health Care | Health | Economic Factors | Evaluation Indexes | Quantitative Evaluation | Evaluation | Public Health Document Number: 305999 |
| 8. Title: Effect of perineal cleansing on contamination rate of mid-stream urine culture. Author: Blake DR; Doherty LF Source: Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. 2006 Feb;19(1):31-34. Abstract: Study Objective: Urinary tract infection (UTI) and chlamydial or gonococcal urethritis are the most common causes of female dysuria. While chlamydia and gonorrhea can be detected with a nucleic acid amplification test performed on an uncleansed first part voided urine sample urine cultures to test for UTI require a mid-stream clean caught sample. In order to determine whether collecting two sequential non-clean caught urine samples during the same void to test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and UTI is a reasonable approach, we assessed the degree to which perineal cleansing reduces bacterial contamination of mid-stream urine cultures. Design: Experimental study comparing mid-stream urine samples collected with (n = 25) and without (n = 25) perineal cleansing. Setting: A university-based adolescent clinic Participants: We recruited fifty 14-23-year-old (mean 18.5 yrs, SD 2.3) asymptomatic females. Main Outcome Measure: Perineal flora contamination rate of mid-stream urine cultures collected with and without perineal cleansing. Results: No culture grew >10(4) colonies of a pathogenic bacterium. Eleven (44%) of the experimental group samples and 9 (36%) of the control samples grew >10(4) colonies of perineal bacteria flora (X(2) = .33, P = 0.56). Participants' previous experience collecting mid-stream urine was not associated with less bacterial contamination. Conclusions: Among this small sample of asymptomatic young women, perineal cleansing did not significantly reduce perineal flora contamination of mid-stream urine cultures. If larger studies of symptomatic young women replicate these findings, young women could collect two sequential urine samples from the same void to test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and UTI. (author's) Language: English Keywords: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | RESEARCH REPORT | COMPARATIVE STUDIES | ADOLESCENTS, FEMALE | WOMEN | UROGENITAL EFFECTS | INFECTIONS | TESTING | BACTERIAL AND FUNGAL DISEASES | BIOLOGY | MEASUREMENT | Developed Countries | North America | Americas | Studies | Research Methodology | Adolescents | Youth | Age Factors | Population Characteristics | Demographic Factors | Population | Urogenital System | Physiology | Diseases Document Number: 297875 |
| 9. Title: Behaviour development in babies: its improvement in relation with ecological factors. Author: Dhanda B; Chhikara S Source: Journal of Human Ecology. 2006;19(3):215-219. Abstract: The infants' early interaction experiences are determined by a multitude of biological, cultural and environmental factors. If the performance of infants in a particular development is declining that may be improved by improving his home environment or enforcement by intervention programme. In view of these points present investigation was undertaken with a view to identify the developmental deficiencies in babies with reference to social skill development, to delineate the crucial ecological factors affecting this development, and to study the impact of intervention programme on social skill development. Present study was conducted at two locations, viz., Hisar city as urban and Rawalwas Klan and Siswal villages as rural. The purposes of selection of localities were easy accessibility and rapport with the respondents. A total of 400 babies during the age of 12-24 months were selected randomly for investigation. The sample was divided into four age groups, viz., 12-15, 15-18, 18-21 and 21-24 months, and over the localities and gender. Thus, there were 25 male and 25 female babies in each age group. Significant differences for all the age groups were observed for all the variables. This indicated that formation of different age groups at the interval of 3 months for these variables were appropriate. In social skill development, males, in general, were better than females. Interaction of age x gender also revealed that the boys learned social skills differently than girls over the different age groups. Comparison of urban and rural sample also revealed that urban babies, in general were better than rural in social skill development. Regarding associations with economic factors, it appeared that the babies from higher income group generally had better development in social skills under both urban and rural areas. Intervention proved highly effective for development of social skills in both urban and rural areas. (author's) Language: English Keywords: INDIA | RESEARCH REPORT | COMPARATIVE STUDIES | INFANT | MOTHERS | CHILD DEVELOPMENT | RURAL POPULATION | URBAN POPULATION | BIOLOGY | CULTURE | SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT | SOCIAL BEHAVIOR | SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS | Asia, Southern | Asia | Developing Countries | Studies | Research Methodology | Youth | Age Factors | Population Characteristics | Demographic Factors | Population | Parents | Family Relationships | Family Characteristics | Family and Household | Sociocultural Factors | Economic Factors | Behavior | Socioeconomic Factors Document Number: 304916 |
| 10. Title: Prevalence of placental pathology in low birthweight infants. Author: Kleebkaow P; Limdumrongchit W; Ratanasiri T; Komwilaisak R; Seejorn K Source: Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand. 2006;89(5):594-599. Abstract: The objective was to determine the prevalence of placental pathology among low birthweight infants delivered at Srinagarind Hospital. Descriptive study of 114 placentas from infants weighing between 500 and 2,499 grams delivered between June 2002 and June 2004 in the labour room, Srinagarind Hospital. Placentas from low birthweight infants were examined by a perinatal pathologist in the surgical pathology room, department of pathology, faculty of medicine, Khon Kaen University. The demographic data of the mothers, the gestational age of the infants by obstetric information and according to the Ballard score and placental examinations were collected and analyzed. The placental examinations included both macroscopic and microscopic studies. The prevalence of placental pathology in low birthweight infants was 80.7%. The four types of placental pathology were an increased placental to fetal weight ratio, infarction, vascular abnormalities of the decidua, and inflammation in 64.1, 30.4, 20.6 and 18.5 percent, respectively. All placentas of low birthweight infants should be studied for potential pathologies. (author's) Language: English Keywords: THAILAND | RESEARCH REPORT | INFANT | INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RETARDATION | LOW BIRTH WEIGHT | PREVALENCE | FETAL MEMBRANES | BIOLOGY | EXAMINATIONS AND DIAGNOSES | Asia, Southeastern | Asia | Developing Countries | Youth | Age Factors | Population Characteristics | Demographic Factors | Population | Congenital Abnormalities | Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities | Diseases | Birth Weight | Body Weight | Physiology | Measurement | Research Methodology | Fetus | Pregnancy | Reproduction | Medical Procedures | Medicine | Health Services | Delivery of Health Care | Health Document Number: 300013 |
| 11. Peer Reviewed Title: The origins and spread of antimalarial drug resistance: lessons for policy makers. Author: Anderson TJ; Roper C Source: Acta Tropica. 2005 Jun;94(3):269-280. Abstract: Understanding the frequency with which new resistance alleles arise and their subsequent patterns of spread is critical to our attempts to manage drug resistance in parasite populations. We review recent molecular evolutionary studies utilizing marker loci situated close to resistance loci on the Plasmodium falciparum genome that have given surprising insights into the origins and spread of drug resistance loci. We discuss possible reasons for the patterns observed, and highlight the implications of these results for resistance management. In particular, we show that many resistance mutations have rather few independent origins. De novo mutation appears to be less important than migration for introducing resistance alleles into parasite populations. Attempts to manage drug resistance will be of limited effectiveness unless this is taken into account. (author's) Language: English Keywords: GLOBAL | LITERATURE REVIEW | CRITIQUE | POPULATION AT RISK | MALARIA | DRUG RESISTANCE | PARASITES | BIOLOGY | Research Methodology | Parasitic Diseases | Diseases | Treatment Document Number: 287818 |
| 12. Title: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in India: an attempt to link biosocial determinants. Author: Atre SR; Mistry NF Source: Journal of Public Health Policy. 2005 Apr;26(1):96-114. Abstract: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) has emerged as a possible threat to global tuberculosis control efforts in recent years. It is a challenge not only from a public health point of view but also in the context of global economy, especially in the absence of treatment for MDR-TB at national-level programs in developing countries. Biological accounts are insufficient to understand the emergence and dynamics of drug resistance. This article focuses essentially on the need for a holistic perspective, linking biosocial determinants that would probably lead to better insights into MDR-TB control strategies. (author's) Language: English Keywords: INDIA | CRITIQUE | PHYSICIANS | CLIENTS | TUBERCULOSIS | DRUG RESISTANCE | BIOLOGY | SOCIAL BEHAVIOR | CULTURE | USER COMPLIANCE | PRIVATE SECTOR | Asia, Southern | Asia | Developing Countries | Health Personnel | Delivery of Health Care | Health | Program Activities | Programs | Organization and Administration | Infections | Diseases | Treatment | Behavior | Macroeconomic Factors | Economic Factors Document Number: 291656 |
| 13. Title: Drug resistance in malaria: its population biology and implications for control [editorial] Author: Babiker HA; Mackinnon MJ Source: Acta Tropica. 2005 Jun;94(3):161-162. Abstract: Malaria remains a devastating scourge on the lives and livelihoods to the billions of global citizens living in the tropics. Recent estimates suggest at least 515 million clinical cases occur each year, resulting in over a million deaths annually. In Africa, where most of the burden lies, the situation is getting worse. The problem of drug resistance is a key obstacle to tackling the malaria problem. Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, with the species Plasmodium falciparum being responsible for the greatest number of deaths and clinical cases. In humans, this parasite multiplies asexually, and goes through obligatory sexual reproduction in the mosquito vector. Current measures to control P. falciparum involve drug treatment of clinical cases, prophylaxis of people at greater risk (younger children and pregnant women), and reduction of transmission by limiting mosquito population densities (using insecticides or biological control) or their contact with humans (e.g. using bednets). (excerpt) Language: English Keywords: ASIA, SOUTHEASTERN | AFRICA | CRITIQUE | POPULATION AT RISK | MALARIA | DRUG RESISTANCE | PARASITES | BIOLOGY | Asia | Developing Countries | Research Methodology | Parasitic Diseases | Diseases | Treatment Document Number: 287816 |
| 14. Peer Reviewed Title: Characterization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 from a previously unexplored region of South Africa with a high HIV prevalence. Author: Bessong PO; Obi CL; Cilliers T; Choge I; Phoswa M Source: AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses. 2005 Jan;21(1):103-109. Abstract: HIV prevalence in the Limpopo Province has increased rapidly within the past 10 years, as in other parts of South Africa. Little is known about the genetic and biological properties of HIV circulating in this region including the baseline drug resistance profiles. We therefore collected blood samples from 42 HIV-1-infected patients residing in this region for analysis. All samples were shown to belong to HIV-1 subtype C by env and gag heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA). Viral isolates from 14 of these patients were shown to use the CCR5 coreceptor exclusively and had gp120 V3 loop sequences consistent with this phenotype. Sequence analysis of both protease and reverse transcriptase genes showed that none of 13 isolates harbored primary resistance mutations. These data suggest that HIV-1 subtype C is the predominant subtype circulating in the Limpopo Province, and that viral strains from this region are indistinguishable from those found in other parts of South Africa. (author's) Language: English Keywords: SOUTH AFRICA | RESEARCH REPORT | CLINICAL RESEARCH | QUESTIONNAIRES | PERSONS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS | HIV INFECTIONS | PREVALENCE | LABORATORY PROCEDURES | GENETICS | BIOLOGY | DRUG RESISTANCE | Africa, Southern | Africa, Sub Saharan | Africa | Developing Countries | Research Methodology | Persons Living With HIV/AIDS | Viral Diseases | Diseases | Measurement | Laboratory Examinations and Diagnoses | Examinations and Diagnoses | Treatment Document Number: 291512 |
| 15. Title: HIV legal precedent useful for microbial forensics. Author: Budowie B; Harmon R Source: Croatian Medical Journal. 2005;46(4):514-521. Abstract: The field of microbial forensics was formalized because of the need for attribution in events where a bioweapon has been used. Microbial forensics has its origins in traditional forensics, microbiology, and epidemiology. Microbial forensics can be defined as a scientific discipline dedicated to analyzing evidence for attribution purposes from a bioterrorism act, biocrime, hoax, or inadvertent microorganism/ toxin release. This is a very challenging task, since there are myriad microorganisms that can pose a threat, and analytical methods need to be used reliably. The Scientific Working Group on Microbial Genetics and Forensics (SWGMGF) has addressed some quality assurance and control issues, and particularly validation criteria (focusing on preliminary validation) due to the dynamic nature of evolving investigations. Unique identification of a microorganism may never be possible. Yet, qualitative and/or quantitative assessments of the evidence can be made. One approach to provide direction on gaps in the microbial forensics effort is to perform an end-to-end retrospective analysis of past cases. As an example, the case of a gastroenterologist who was accused of second degree attempted murder of his paramour using HIV as the weapon was reviewed. The scientific evaluation involves epidemiology, molecular biology, phylogenetics, and legal deliberations. (author's) Language: English Keywords: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | CRITIQUE | GOVERNMENT | HIV INFECTIONS | HEPATITIS | CRIME | COURT DECISION | BIOLOGY | GENETICS | EPIDEMIOLOGY | TOXICITY | LABORATORY PROCEDURES | Developed Countries | North America | Americas | Political Factors | Sociocultural Factors | Viral Diseases | Diseases | Social Problems | Litigation | Public Health | Health | Physiology | Laboratory Examinations and Diagnoses | Examinations and Diagnoses | Medical Procedures | Medicine | Health Services | Delivery of Health Care Document Number: 294466 |
| 16. Title: Microbiology of systemic fungal infections. Author: Chakrabarti A Source: Journal of Postgraduate Medicine. 2005;51 Suppl 1:S16-S20. Abstract: The increased incidence of systemic fungal infections in the past two decades has been overwhelming. Earlier, it was pathogenic dimorphic fungi, which were know to cause systemic infections. However, starting from the 1960s, opportunistic fungi started causing more number of infections, especially in the immunocompromised host. More recently, newer and less common fungal agents are being increasingly associated with infection in immunosuppressed hosts. Amongst dimorphic fungi, infections due to Histoplasma capsulatum and Penicillium marneffei are increasingly reported in patients with AIDS in India. H. capsulatum is found country wide, but P. marneffei remains restricted to Manipur state. Although both varieties of C. neoformans, C, neoformans var. neoformans (serotypes A &D), and C. neoformans var. gattii (serotypes B & C) are reported in India, most of the cases reported are of serotype A. Increased incidence of cryptococcosis is reported from all centers with the emergence of AIDS. Systemic infection due to species under Candida, Aspergillus and zygomycetes is widely prevalent in nosocomial setting, and outbreaks due to unusual fungi are reported occasionally from tertiary care centers. This global change in systemic fungal infections has emphasized the need to develop good diagnostic mycology labs in this country and to recognize this increasingly large group of potential fungal pathogens. (author's) Language: English Keywords: INDIA | LITERATURE REVIEW | BACTERIAL AND FUNGAL DISEASES | INFECTIONS | INCIDENCE | PREVALENCE | BIOLOGY | Asia, Southern | Asia | Developing Countries | Diseases | Measurement | Research Methodology Document Number: 305023 |
| 17. Title: HIV testing technologies after two decades of evolution. Author: Constantine NT; Zink H Source: Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2005 Apr;121(4):519-538. Abstract: Over the past two decades, HIV diagnostics have been essential in detecting and monitoring infection, and continue to play a major role in saving lives throughout the world. As technology evolved, screening, confirmatory, and HIV monitoring assays have been improved and offer better alternatives to address blood screening, surveillance, diagnosis, and patient management. Molecular methods are critical in detecting early infection and for managing patients on anti retroviral therapy whose viral infection may become resistant to therapy. In addition, modifications to conventional methods have introduced new assays, such as sensitive/less sensitive (detuned) assays that can estimate when someone was infected, thereby providing a useful tool for epidemiologic incidence estimates and enrollment into specific intervention programmes for recently infected persons. Many of the newly evolving technologies are essential for use in resource-limited countries because they can address cost issues, limited infrastructure, and a lack of formally trained personnel. Newer rapid HIV kits can be stored in a wide range of temperatures (2-30ºC) to address cold- chain issues, can use easily-collected fingerstick blood and oral fluids, and have one-step procedures that are relatively foolproof. Manual CD4 lymphocyte count assays that require only a light microscope and haemacytometer and more simple assays to estimate viral load are appropriate for developing countries where sophisticated instrumentation cannot be supported. Technologic advances with HIV diagnostics continue to address outstanding and new issues associated with diagnosis and the monitoring of infection by providing more simplified, cost-effective, and accurate testing throughout the world. (author's) Language: English Keywords: GLOBAL | RESEARCH REPORT | HIV TESTING | TECHNOLOGY | BIOLOGY | LABORATORY PROCEDURES | IMMUNITY, CELLULAR | SCREENING | HIV PREVENTION | ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY | COST EFFECTIVENESS | Laboratory Examinations and Diagnoses | Examinations and Diagnoses | Economic Factors | Immunity | Immune System | Physiology | HIV Infections | Viral Diseases | Diseases | HIV | Evaluation Indexes | Quantitative Evaluation | Evaluation Document Number: 291536 |
| 18. Peer Reviewed Title: Explaining Asia's "missing women": a new look at the data. Author: Das Gupta M Source: Population and Development Review. 2005 Sep;31(3):529-535. Abstract: THE FACT THAT millions of women are “missing” in East Asia and South Asia has received attention from scholars, policymakers, and governments because of its profound human and social implications. Both India and China have banned the use of sex-selective technologies. Officials in both countries have spoken out against female infanticide, and both countries seek in various ways to encourage parents to view daughters as no less valuable than sons. Even a century ago, British colonial authorities in India were trying to redress the problem by imposing collective punishment on villages with highly imbalanced sex ratios among children, while in China clans were offering incentives to parents to raise daughters. The assumption underlying such policies is that a strong cultural preference for sons is driving the imbalance in sex ratios. The literature relates son preference to a variety of social and economic factors in these regions, which interact to make females less valuable to their families: people are pressured to bear sons while limiting the number of daughters in order to conserve scarce household resources. Households have variously resorted to female infanticide and postnatal withholding of health care; and since the mid-1980s, when technology permitting fairly low-cost determination of the sex of fetuses became available, there has been a shift toward prenatal sex selection by means of induced abortion. And because cases of female infanticide are often not reported as live births, they can be hard to distinguish from the consequences of prenatal sex selection in the reported sex ratio of births. (excerpt) Language: English Keywords: ASIA, EASTERN | ASIA, SOUTHERN | CHINA | INDIA | THEORETICAL STUDIES | DATA ANALYSIS | CHILD, FEMALE | SEX PRESELECTION | INFANTICIDE | SEX RATIO | CULTURE | SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS | GENDER ISSUES | BIOLOGY | Developing Countries | Asia | Research Methodology | Child | Youth | Age Factors | Population Characteristics | Demographic Factors | Population | Reproductive Technologies | Reproduction | Crime | Social Problems | Sex Distribution | Sex Factors | Economic Factors Document Number: 292317 |
| 19. Peer Reviewed Title: Biological Freudianism: lasting effects of early environmental influences. Author: Dubos R; Savage D; Schaedler R Source: International Journal of Epidemiology. 2005;34(1):5-12. Abstract: As commonly used, the phrase ‘early influences’ denotes the conditioning of behavior by the experiences of very early life. Early experiences, however, do more than conditioning behavioural patterns; they also affect profoundly and lastingly many biological characteristics of the adult. I shall show that, in animals, events occurring during the very first days of life determine the initial growth rate, the maximum adult size, the efficiency in utilization of food, and the resistance to infection, malnutrition, and other stressful stimuli. Early influences are, of course, at least [as] important in human life as they are in animal life. In fact, the experiments to be reported here were designed to provide experimental models for the study of socio-medical problems first recognized in human populations. (excerpt) Language: English Keywords: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | NEW YORK | RESEARCH REPORT | RESEARCH ACTIVITIES | LABORATORY ANIMALS | CHILD | ENVIRONMENT | PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS | NUTRITION | CHILD DEVELOPMENT | INFECTIONS | BIOLOGY | Developed Countries | North America | Americas | Research Methodology | Clinical Research | Youth | Age Factors | Population Characteristics | Demographic Factors | Population | Behavior | Health | Diseases Document Number: 281105 |
| 20. Title: Dimensions, domains and principles of the new nutrition science. [Dimensiones, dominios y principios de la nueva ciencia de la nutrición] Author: Leitzmann C; Cannon G Source: Public Health Nutrition. 2005 Sep;8(6A):787-794. Abstract: Following the agreed principles, definition and dimensions of the new nutrition science, to elaborate its overall guiding principles, to propose some domains of its biological, social and environmental dimensions, and to propose a series of principles to govern and guide these dimensions and domains. This paper, part of The New Nutrition Science project, is initial work in progress towards a comprehensive typology of the science, and is designed to stimulate further work. A review that takes into account the discussions of the Giessen workshop on the new nutrition science, and in particular the workshop agreement as expressed in The Giessen Declaration. Three outlines of the evolutionary, historical and ecological general principles to guide the new nutrition science are given in boxed texts. The suggested specific principles, taken mostly from 14 associated papers and workshop discussion, are an informal supplement to the Declaration. They are presented as further work in progress, to be developed, revised and agreed at future meetings designed to develop the new nutrition science. An essential aspect of the theory and the practice of the new nutrition science – in common with any scientific discipline and indeed any ordered human activity – is a specification of its dimensions and their domains, with definitions; and also considered and agreed principles to govern and guide its work. (author's) Spanish Abstract: De acuerdo con los principios, la definición y las dimensiones acordadas de la nueva ciencia de la nutrición, este trabajo se propone elaborar sus principios rectores generales, proponer ciertos dominios de sus dimensiones biológicas, sociales y ambientales, y sugerir una serie de principios que rijan y guíen estas dimensiones y dominios. Este estudio, parte del proyecto La nueva ciencia de la nutrición, es un trabajo inicial en curso hacia una tipología integral de la ciencia y está diseñado para estimular futuros desarrollos. La reseña toma en cuenta los debates del taller realizado en Giessen sobre la nueva ciencia de la nutrición y en especial el acuerdo alcanzado como lo expresa la Declaración de Giessen. En cuadros de texto se presentan tres descripciones básicas de los principios generales evolutivos, históricos y ecológicos destinadas a orientar la incipiente ciencia. Los principios específicos sugeridos, extraídos en su mayor parte de 14 trabajos asociados y de debates realizados durante el taller, se adjuntan a la Declaración como suplemento informal. Se los presenta como un trabajo adicional en curso a desarrollar, reseñar y acordar en futuras reuniones celebradas para impulsar la nueva ciencia. Un aspecto esencial de la teoría y la práctica de la nueva ciencia de la nutrición (común a toda disciplina científica y, de hecho, a toda actividad humana organizada) es la especificación de sus dimensiones y dominios, con definiciones y la consideración de los principios acordados para regir y guiar su trabajo. (del autor) Language: English Keywords: GERMANY | BRAZIL | LITERATURE REVIEW | HISTORICAL REVIEW | POPULATION | NUTRITION | ETHICS | ENVIRONMENT | BIOLOGY | AGRICULTURE | Europe, Central | Europe | Developed Countries | South America, Eastern | South America | Latin America | Americas | Developing Countries | Health | Macroeconomic Factors | Economic Factors Document Number: 291407 |
| 21. Title: Passing into eternity: species loss and human recklessness [editorial] Author: Roberts J Source: Population Review. 2005;44(1):[3] p.. Abstract: It is extraordinarily odd that we humans spend millions of dollars in an attempt to detect any form of life on other celestial bodies, and yet we so easily and thoughtlessly condemn to the darkness of eternity life forms on planet earth that we have yet to even categorize. Living species, each a remarkable product of millions of years of evolution, are vanishing at an extraordinary rate. According to E.O. Wilson of Harvard University, perhaps the world’s leading expert on biodiversity loss, species are vanishing at a faster rate than at any other time in the past 65 million years. And the rate of extinction is accelerating with each passing year. Why should we humans care? Outside of the fact that we may be next in line, the loss of plant and animal species threatens the world’s food supply and the search for drugs useful to modern medicine. (excerpt) Language: English Keywords: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | LITERATURE REVIEW | BIOLOGY | ENVIRONMENT | BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS | PLANTS | WILDLIFE | GENETICS | ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT | North America | Americas | Developed Countries | Natural Resources Document Number: 292530 |
| 22. Title: Defining and addressing the nutritional needs of populations. [Definición y atención de las necesidades nutricionales de la población] Author: Uauy R Source: Public Health Nutrition. 2005 Sep;8(6A):773-780. Abstract: The objective was to examine the present methods used to define nutritional needs, and to analyse the intrinsic limitations of the reductionist chemical, biological and medical approaches to assess requirements. To establish the necessity to incorporate the complexities emerging from a broader understanding of the biological sciences as well as to include environmental and social dimensions in addressing nutritional needs. Examples of the limitations of current approaches and the implications of these in defining potential solutions and policy options to address present nutritional problems are presented and discussed. The chemical and biological sciences have provided a strong base for nutrition and have been essential in establishing nutrition as a science with public health relevance. However, these approaches are clearly insufficient to address the main challenges that confront nutrition science now in the twenty-first century. There is a pressing need to include the social, economic and human rights aspects in order to define future policies that will secure the right to safe and nutritious food for all. (author's) Spanish Abstract: El objetivo fue estudiar los métodos actuales utilizados para definir las necesidades nutricionales y analizar las limitaciones intrínsecas de los enfoques reduccionistas químico, biológico y médico para evaluar requisitos. Asimismo, otros objetivos abarcan el establecer la necesidad de incorporar las complejidades que surgen de una comprensión más exhaustiva de las ciencias biológicas y de incluir las dimensiones ambientales y sociales al tratar las necesidades nutricionales. Se presentan y analizan ejemplos de las limitaciones de los abordajes actuales y sus repercusiones en la definición de posibles soluciones y opciones de políticas para afrontar los problemas actuales de nutrición. La química y la biología han aportado una base firme para la nutrición y han sido fundamentales para establecerla como una ciencia relevante para la salud pública. Sin embargo estos enfoques son claramente insuficientes para abordar los principales desafíos que afronta la ciencia de la nutrición en el siglo XXI. Resulta apremiante incluir los aspectos sociales, económicos y de derechos humanos para definir políticas futuras que garanticen el derecho a alimentos seguros y nutritivos para todos. (del autor) Language: English Keywords: CHILE | UNITED KINGDOM | PHILOSOPHICAL OVERVIEW | POPULATION | NUTRITION | FOOD SUPPLY | DIET | FOOD SUPPLEMENTATION | BIOLOGY | SOCIAL POLICY | SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS | HUMAN RIGHTS | South America, Southern | South America | Latin America | Americas | Developing Countries | Developed Countries | Europe, Western | Europe | Health | Natural Resources | Environment | Nutrition Programs | Primary Health Care | Health Services | Delivery of Health Care | Policy | Economic Factors Document Number: 291408 |
| 23. Peer Reviewed Title: Commentary: The global relevance of 'biological Freudianism'. Author: Waterland RA Source: International Journal of Epidemiology. 2005;34(1):15-17. Abstract: For centuries, it has been recognized that during limited ontogenic periods, subtle environmental influences can alter the course of human development and thereby affect an individual throughout life. As Dubos pointed out in his 1966 article, such ‘early influences’ have most commonly been recognized to affect human behaviour. A huge body of work from the past 40 years, however, illustrates convincingly that in addition to conditioning behaviour, early environmental influences on developmental pathways help shape individual anatomy, physiology, metabolism, and gene expression. Dubos proposed that this area of research might develop into a new science called ‘biological Freudianism’. Considering the various connotations now associated with the term ‘Freudian’, it is probably a good thing that Dubos’ proposed terminology never caught on. Rather, the term ‘programming’ proposed by Alan Lucas is now widely associated with persistent structural or functional changes caused by a broad range of early environmental influences. Waterland and Garza more recently proposed the term ‘metabolic imprinting’ to encompass a subset of adaptive responses resulting specifically from early nutritional influences. (excerpt) Language: English Keywords: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | TEXAS | CRITIQUE | CHILD | LABORATORY ANIMALS | BIOLOGY | ENVIRONMENT | CHILD DEVELOPMENT | NUTRITION | Developed Countries | North America | Americas | Youth | Age Factors | Population Characteristics | Demographic Factors | Population | Clinical Research | Research Methodology | Health Document Number: 281106 |
| 24. Peer Reviewed Title: Quantification of Plasmodium malariae infection in mosquito vectors. Author: Collins KM; Hochberg LP; Ryan PR; Collins WE; Wirtz RA Source: Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology. 2004;98(5):469-472. Abstract: Plasmodium malariae occurs in various tropical regions throughout the world and causes low, yet significant, levels of morbidity in human populations. One means of studying the ecology and frequency of this parasite is by measuring sporozoite loads in the salivary glands of infected mosquitoes. An effective, species-specific test that can be used to detect the presence of sporozoites in mosquitoes is the circumsporozoite ELISA. The aim of the present study was to standardize the circumsporozoite ELISA for P. malariae, by setting quantification parameters using, as antigen, either a synthetic peptide or extracts of whole sporozoites. The standard quantification curves produced indicated that the assay had a lower threshold of sensitivity of 250 sporozoites in a 50-µl sample, equivalent to about 1250 sporozoites in a mosquito. (author's) Language: English Keywords: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | RESEARCH REPORT | CLINICAL RESEARCH | ANIMALS | MALARIA PREVENTION | MORBIDITY | PARASITE CONTROL | BIOLOGY | TESTING | ANTIGENS | CONTRACEPTIVE USE-EFFECTIVENESS | Developed Countries | North America | Americas | Research Methodology | Natural Resources | Environment | Malaria | Parasitic Diseases | Diseases | Public Health | Health | Measurement | Immunologic Factors | Immunity | Immune System | Physiology | Contraceptive Effectiveness | Contraception | Family Planning Document Number: 276440 |
| 25. Title: Rethinking medical ethics: a view from below. Author: Farmer P; Campos NG Source: Developing World Bioethics. 2004 May;4(1):17-41. Abstract: In this paper, we argue that lack of access to the fruits of modern medicine and the science that informs it is an important and neglected topic within bioethics and medical ethics. This is especially clear to those working in what are now termed 'resource-poor settings' -- to those working, in plain language, among populations living in dire poverty. We draw on our experience with infectious diseases in some of the poorest communities in the world to interrogate the central imperatives of bioethics and medical ethics. AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria are the three leading infectious killers of adults in the world today. Because each disease is treatable with already available therapies, the lack of access to medical care is widely perceived in heavily disease-burdened areas as constituting an ethical and moral dilemma. In settings in which research on these diseases are conducted but there is little in the way of therapy, there is much talk of first world diagnostics and third world therapeutics. Here we call for the 'resocialising' of ethics. To resocialise medical ethics will involve using the socialising disciplines to contextualise fully ethical dilemmas in settings of poverty and, a related gambit, the systematic participation of the destitute sick. Clinical research across steep gradients also needs to be linked with the interventions that are demanded by the poor and otherwise marginalised. We conclude that medical ethics must grapple more persistently with the growing problem posed by the yawning 'outcome gap' between rich and poor. (author's) Language: English Keywords: DEVELOPING COUNTRIES | PHILOSOPHICAL OVERVIEW | ETHICS | BIOLOGY | MEDICINE | AIDS | TUBERCULOSIS | MALARIA | TREATMENT | POVERTY | INEQUALITIES | DELIVERY OF HEALTH CARE | Sociocultural Factors | Health Services | Health | HIV Infections | Viral Diseases | Diseases | Infections | Parasitic Diseases | Medical Procedures | Socioeconomic Factors | Economic Factors Document Number: 306047 |
| 26. Title: The frequency of twin births in France. The triple influence of biology, medicine and family behaviour. Author: Pison G; Couvert N Source: Population-E. 2004;59(6):765-794. Abstract: The biology dimension may sometimes appear to be the determining--or even exclusive--factor underlying certain trends observed by demographers. In some cases, however, the influence of individual and social behaviour is decisive. In this article, Giles PISON and Nadege COUVERT make use of long data series to provide a clear demonstration of this fact. The proportion of twin births has varied continuously since the eighteenth century at least, due to changes in the age of childbearing, wars, voluntary birth control or, more recently, the advent of techniques to overcome fertility. To mention just one of the remarkable results presented here by the authors, two-thirds of the increase in the twinning rate--from 0.9% to 1.5% of births--observed over the last thirty years can be attributed to medical infertility treatments. (author's) Language: English Keywords: FRANCE | HISTORICAL REVIEW | POPULATION GENETICS | MULTIPLE BIRTH | INCIDENCE | REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOR | BIOLOGY | MEDICINE | INFERTILITY | FERTILITY AGENTS | CONTRACEPTIVE USAGE | AGE FACTORS | Developed Countries | Europe, Western | Europe | Genetics | Reproduction | Measurement | Research Methodology | Fertility | Population Dynamics | Demographic Factors | Population | Health Services | Delivery of Health Care | Health | Reproductive Control Agents | Family Planning | Contraception | Population Characteristics Document Number: 312257 |
| 27. Title: Malaria parasite interactions with the human host. Author: Pouniotis DS; Proudfoot O; Minigo G; Hanley JL; Plebanski M Source: Journal of Postgraduate Medicine. 2004 Jan-Mar;50(1):30-34. Abstract: The interaction between the malaria parasite and the human host involves a number of interactions that result in parasite evading the human immune system. Since the stages of the malaria lifecycle are complex, this allows the use of various immune evasion strategies by the malaria parasite and has major implications in the development of a vaccine for malaria endemic areas. The present review highlights key host: parasite interactions. Plasmodia puts selection pressure on human gene frequencies, and studies into host genetic factors such as the Duffy blood group and sickle cell anaemia offer insight into the host-parasite relationship. In addition, parasite interactions with the different effector arms of the immune system can result in altered peptide ligand (APL) antagonism which alters the immune response from a pro- to and anti-inflammatory T cell response. Recent insights into the interaction between professional antigen presenting cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and malaria parasites is discussed in detail. (author's) Language: English Keywords: AUSTRALIA | LITERATURE REVIEW | CLIENTS | IMMUNE SYSTEM | ANTIGENS | MALARIA | PARASITES | GENETICS | IMMUNOLOGICAL EFFECTS | BIOLOGY | VACCINES | RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT | Oceania | Developed Countries | Program Activities | Programs | Organization and Administration | Physiology | Immunologic Factors | Immunity | Parasitic Diseases | Diseases | Medical Procedures | Medicine | Health Services | Delivery of Health Care | Health | Technology | Economic Factors Document Number: 305018 |
| 28. Title: The distribution of biomedical research resources and international justice. Author: Resnik DB Source: Developing World Bioethics. 2004 May;4(1):42-57. Abstract: According to some estimates, less than 10% of the world's biomedical research funds are dedicated to addressing problems that are responsible for 90% of the world's burden of disease. This paper explains why this disparity exists and what should be done about it. It argues that the disparity exists because: 1) multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies do not regard research and development investments on the health problems of developing nations to be economically lucrative; and 2) governmental agencies that sponsor biomedical research face little political pressure to allocate funds for the problems of developing nations. This paper argues that developed nations have an obligation to address disparities related to biomedical research funding. To facilitate this effort, developed countries should establish a trust fund dedicated to research on the health problems of developing nations similar to the Global AIDS Fund. (author's) Language: English Keywords: DEVELOPING COUNTRIES | DEVELOPED COUNTRIES | PHILOSOPHICAL OVERVIEW | CRITIQUE | ETHICS | BIOLOGY | MEDICINE | RESOURCE ALLOCATION | RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT | ECONOMIC FACTORS | HEALTH POLICY | Sociocultural Factors | Health Services | Delivery of Health Care | Health | Financial Activities | Technology | Policy | Political Factors Document Number: 306048 |
| 29. Title: Are there characteristics of infectious diseases that raise special ethical issues? Author: Smith CB; Battin MP; Jacobson JA; Francis LP; Botkin JR Source: Developing World Bioethics. 2004 May;4(1):1-16. Abstract: This paper examines the characteristics of infectious diseases that raise special medical and social ethical issues, and explores ways of integrating both current bioethical and classical public health ethics concerns. Many of the ethical issues raised by infectious diseases are related to these diseases' powerful ability to engender fear in individuals and panic in populations. We address the association of some infectious diseases with high morbidity and mortality rates, the sense that infectious diseases are caused by invasion or attack on humans by foreign micro-organisms, the acute onset and rapid course of many infectious diseases, and, in particular, the communicability of infectious diseases. The individual fear and community panic associated with infectious diseases often leads to rapid, emotionally driven decision making about public health policies needed to protect the community that may be in conflict with current bioethical principles regarding the care of individual patients. The discussion includes recent examples where dialogue between public health practitioners and medical-ethicists has helped resolve ethical issues that require us to consider the infected patient as both a victim with individual needs and rights and as a potential vector of disease that is of concern to the community. (author's) Language: English Keywords: DEVELOPING COUNTRIES | PHILOSOPHICAL OVERVIEW | COMMUNICABLE DISEASES | ETHICS | BIOLOGY | PUBLIC HEALTH | DECISION MAKING | FEAR | EPIDEMIOLOGY | Infections | Diseases | Sociocultural Factors | Health | Behavior | Emotions | Psychological Factors Document Number: 306046 |
| 30. Title: Molecular epidemiology of HIV: tracking AIDS pandemic. Author: Takebe Y; Kusagawa S; Motomura K Source: Pediatrics International. 2004 Apr;46(2):236-244. Abstract: Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic is a global threat to maternal and child health, especially in developing countries. It is estimated that 800 000 children are infected and 580 000 children die of AIDS-related illnesses every year. Molecular epidemiology has bee a useful tool in analyzing the origin of HIV and tracking the course of global HIV spread. This article provides an overview of recent advances in the field of molecular epidemiology of HIV across the world and discuss the biological implications. Methods: Based on the near full-length or partial nucleotide sequence information, the phylogeny and recombinant structure of HIV strains are analyzed. Using genotype classification of HIV as a molecular marker, the origin and the genesis of HIV epidemic are investigated. Results: The HIV-1 group M, a major HIV group responsible for current AIDS pandemic, began its expansion in human population approximately 70 years ago and diversified rapidly over time, comprising a number of different subtypes and circulating recombinant forms (CRF). Of note, recent studies revealed that new recombinant strains are arising continually, becoming a powerful force in the spread of HIV-1 across the globe. Conclusion: Global dissemination of HIV is a dramatic and deadly example of recent genome emergence and expansion. Molecular epidemiological investigation is expected to provide information critical for prevention and future vaccine strategies. (author's) Language: English Keywords: DEVELOPING COUNTRIES | RESEARCH REPORT | PERSONS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS | BIOLOGY | EXAMINATIONS AND DIAGNOSES | HIV PREVENTION | EPIDEMIOLOGY | GENETICS | ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY | DRUG RESISTANCE | MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION | MATERNAL-CHILD HEALTH SERVICES | HIV Infections | Viral Diseases | Diseases | Public Health | Health | HIV | Treatment | Primary Health Care | Health Services | Delivery of Health Care Document Number: 278278 |
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