A clinical and pathological comparison of the WHO and CDC case definitions for AIDS in Kinshasa, Zaire: Is passive surveillance valid?

A. M. Nelson, J. H. Perriens, B. Kapita, L. Okonda, N. Lusamuno, M. R. Kalengayi, P. Angritt, T. C. Quinn, F. G. Mullick

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the specificity of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) case definitions for AIDS in autopsy cases from Zaire. Setting: Mama Yemo Hospital and University Hospital morgues in Kinshasa, and Karawa Hospital in Equateur Region, Zaire. Methods: Autopsy cases with a clinical diagnosis of AIDS on the death certificate or chart were studied. Evaluation included post-mortem HIV-1 serology, chart review for specific AIDS-related symptoms and signs, and application of WHO and CDC case criteria to the clinical and autopsy diagnoses. Results: Of the 68 diagnosed AIDS cases, 98% fulfilled WHO criteria for AIDS and 93% fulfilled both WHO and CDC criteria. All cases fulfilling both criteria were HIV-1-seropositive. Opportunistic infections accounted for 84% of CDC AIDS-defining conditions. Disseminated tuberculosis was the most frequent (41%) specific diagnosis; Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was rare (< 2%). Conclusions: There was good concordance between WHO and CDC case definitions. A diagnosis of AIDS on the chart or death certificate is adequate for surveillance purposes in this population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1241-1245
Number of pages5
JournalAIDS
Volume7
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 1993
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • AIDS
  • AIDS surveillance
  • Africa
  • Autopsy
  • Clinical case definition
  • Histopathology
  • Zaire

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A clinical and pathological comparison of the WHO and CDC case definitions for AIDS in Kinshasa, Zaire: Is passive surveillance valid?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this