HIV, THE UK, AND WEST AFRICA

The number of people infected with HIV in West Africa and diagnosed in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland has increased in recent years, and evidence exists of heterosexual transmission within the UK from people infected in West Africa. From 1985 to 2003, 1324 people were diagnosed or reported with HIV had probably been infected in West Africa. Most (917) were HIV-1 infected, and the proportion of HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections varied by country of infection. A further 130 people were infected by heterosexual intercourse within the UK by a partner probably infected in West Africa. (

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BRONCHIECTASIS TOO HIGH DOWN UNDER

The incidence of bronchiectasis is high in New Zealand children, and varies substantially between ethnicities. For two years, researchers surveyed all New Zealand paediatricians monthly for new cases of bronchiectasis, and confirmed cases were issued a postal questionnaire one year later. An overall incidence of 3.7 per 100 000 under 15 year old children per year was estimated, of which children of Pacific ethnicity had an incidence of 17.8 compared with 4.8 …