Seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in childhood malignancy in Zimbabwe.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the association between malignancy and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in children.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
The Paediatric Oncology Unit at Parirenyatwa Teaching Hospital.


METHODS
76 consecutive newly diagnosed cases of malignancy between May 15 and November 15 1997.


METHODS
HIV serostatus.


RESULTS
27 out of 64 children were HIV seropositive, giving a seroprevalance rate of 42.2% (95% CI 30.1 to 54.3%). The four commonest diagnosed malignancies were non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (22.4%), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (19.7%), Wilm's tumour (19.7%) and Kaposi's sarcoma (15.8%). These tumours accounted for 77.6% of all malignancies. Nine of a total of 17 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were HIV positive and all 12 patients with Kaposi's were also HIV positive. No cases of Burkitt's lymphoma were seen. Although there was increased incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) compared to previous years, there was no significant association with the HIV serostatus. A significant association between Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and HIV serostatus was observed (p < 0.001). Children with KS were more likely to be HIV seropositive. Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and Wilm's tumours (WT) were 83 and 88% less likely to be HIV seropositive, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
HIV has transformed the pattern of childhood malignancy in Zimbabwe. The two tumours mostly affected are NHL and KS.
Chitsike
I
I
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Zimbabwe Medical School, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Siziya
S
S
D017677:Age Distribution; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D015497:HIV-1; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000821:virology*; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000821:virology*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D009396:Wilms Tumor / Q000821:virology*; D015030:Zimbabwe