HIV Infection as a Risk Factor for Shigellosis
Author Information
Author(s): Jefferson T. Baer, Duc J. Vugia, Arthur L. Reingold, Tomas Aragon, Frederick J. Angulo, Williamson Z. Bradford
Primary Institution: California Emerging Infections Program, San Francisco, California, USA
Hypothesis
Is HIV infection a significant risk factor for shigellosis in urban populations?
Conclusion
HIV infection is an important risk factor for shigellosis, particularly in San Francisco.
Supporting Evidence
- HIV-infected persons are at 20 times greater risk for Salmonella and 39 times greater risk for Campylobacter infections.
- San Francisco had a higher overall rate of shigellosis compared to Alameda and other FoodNet sites.
- 39% of shigellosis patients in San Francisco were HIV-infected compared to 7% in Alameda.
Takeaway
People with HIV are more likely to get sick from a germ called Shigella, especially in places like San Francisco.
Methodology
Active laboratory surveillance was conducted to identify cases of shigellosis in San Francisco and Alameda Counties during 1996.
Potential Biases
There may be bias in the likelihood of HIV-infected patients seeking medical attention compared to HIV-negative patients.
Limitations
Misclassification of HIV infection status and sexual orientation could have occurred, potentially affecting incidence rates.
Participant Demographics
The study included 228 cases in San Francisco and 140 in Alameda, with a higher proportion of males and adults in San Francisco.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 2.7-8.1
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
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