[A prospective study of rheumatic symptoms in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients: 26 cases in the Congo]

A 12-month prospective study of the osteo-articular complaints in HIV-infected patients was undertaken at the Department of Rheumatology Brazzaville Congo. Positivity of HIV serology was systematically researched. The authors observed rheumatic disorders in 26 patients 12 male and 14 female with a mean age of 36 years (ranging from 13-78). These disorders included: those linked to HIV oligo or polyarthritis (18 cases); septic arthritis (3 cases); destructive spondylodiscitis (2 cases); bilateral sciatica with paralysis (3 cases); and tropical myositis (2 cases). Contamination was heterosexual in 23 patients iatrogenic in 3 others. HIV infection was at the CDC state II (7 patients) or IV (19 patients). The prevalence of these osteo-articular manifestations in HIV-infected patients admitted to the Brazzaville Congo hospital only comprised about 4%. (authors modified) (summaries in FRE ENG)