Document 2364
 DOCN  M94A2364
 TI    Seroprevalence of M. penetrans in HIV-positive and HIV-negative
       individuals in Brazzaville (Congo).
 DT    9412
 AU    Grau O; Tuppin P; Slizewicz B; Delamare O; Samba-Lefebre MC; Gueguen M;
       Pambou M; M'Pele P; Montagnier L; Institut Pasteur, Paris.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):320 (abstract no. PC0211). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370211
 AB    OBJECTIVE: HIV epidemic has dramatically affected Central Africa. Recent
       developments suggest that mycoplasmas may play a role in the
       pathogenesis of AIDS and that Mycoplasma penetrans is associated with
       homosexuality in HIV-infected individuals. We have analyzed the
       seroprevalence of M. penetrans in HIV-positive and HIV-negative
       heterosexual Congoleans. METHODS: ELISA and western blot tests specific
       for M. penetrans were developed by using membrane associated antigens
       purified from M. penetrans by Triton X-114 selective extraction.
       RESULTS: Antibodies directed against M. penetrans were detected in 15.0%
       of HIV-positive (6/40) and in 4.4% of HIV negative (3/68) (p = 0.07).
       Patients with antibodies to M. penetrans were older (43.7 years) than
       those with no antibodies (34.5 years) (p = 0.02). DISCUSSION AND
       CONCLUSION: This result indicates that M. penetrans is present in
       Africa, and particularly in heterosexual subjects. Its presence is
       therefore not necessarily linked to homosexual practices.
 DE    Adult  Antibodies, Bacterial/ANALYSIS  Congo/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Human  *HIV
       Seronegativity  HIV Seropositivity/*MICROBIOLOGY  HIV Seroprevalence
       Mycoplasma/IMMUNOLOGY  Mycoplasma Infections/COMPLICATIONS/*EPIDEMIOLOGY
       Seroepidemiologic Methods  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).