Zoonoses in the face of acquired immune deficiency syndrome

Gummow, B.;Cameron, D.A.

Abstract

South Africa is currently suffering from an AIDS epidemic which is resulting in an immunocompromised population. It is known that immunocompromised individuals are at greater risk of contracting zoonotic diseases. The question arises therefore as to whether South Africans can now expect an epidemic of zoonotic conditions, particularly those related to cellular immunity, and whether they will be correctly diagnosed. Zoonoses that have been shown to be increasing in prevalence in the presence of AIDS include toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis and tuberculosis. This paper discusses some of the general issues of zoonotic conditions in the light of an increasingly immunocompromised population. It concludes that many zoonotic conditions are difficult to diagnose clinically and are potentially misdiagnosed or go undiagnosed in South Africa today, that the possibility of contracting a zoonotic condition in South Africa is high and that an increase in the incidence of zoonotic diseases can be expected to occur in line with the AIDS epidemic.

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1015-8782

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Southern African Journal of Epidemiology and Infection

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