Outreach

AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa

At the University of Georgia, we recently completed a four-year study of the potential for medical devices (endoscopes) to transmit hepatitis C (HCV) patient-to-patient in Egypt. The virus reached epidemic proportions in Egypt after non-sterilized needles were widely used in the 1950's to treat the population for schistosomiasis, which is caused by a waterborne parasite. Now, approximately 20% of the population is HCV-infected and high rates of liver cancer and other serious diseases are developing. We are currently preparing the results of this study, which was done in collaboration with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and WHO Hepatitis C Project in Egypt, for publication. Several corporations, including Pentax Corporation in Japan and Boston Scientific and Vision Sciences in New York, donated equipment, supplies, and funds enabling the Egyptian Liver Institute to meet international infection-control standards and participate in the study.

We are currently working to initiate a follow-up study of HIV transmission in areas of sub-Saharan Africa. As part of that effort, we hope to obtain federal funding to help with food and education programs for children orphaned by war and the AIDS pandemic. As this project develops, we will provide updates.