Module Natural evolution

Discussion: factors influencing the natural evolution

Background

There are several factors that have been thought to influence the natural disease progression in HIV patients.

Research is ongoing, and ideas change every day. Therefore, we need to stay uptodate by following the literature.

One factorthat is correlated with disease progression is malnutrition. It is well known that deficiencies in some vitamins and minerals, and protein malnutrition can worsen immune function. Malabsorption, diarrhea and poor intake of calories and proteins probably contribute to worsening HIV disease.

It is anyway not clear if micronutrient deficiency leads to faster disease progression or whether progression in disease leads to micronutrient deficiency.

It is beyond doubt that treating malnutrition will have an influence on the life expectancy of adults and children, whether HIV infected or not.

Problem

Your medical coordinator in one of the HIV projects makes a big order of vitamine A, and he explains you that he wants to use it as a supplement for all HIV positive patients.

You are wondering whether this is something you have to promote in all your projects.

The question you would like to answer, based on evidence, is:

Does routine vitamin A supplementation have an impact on the natural evolution of HIV in adults and in children?

Activity

Work in groups (groups see below). Discuss with your colleagues by chat or email this question and find an agreement how to answer the question. Post this answer in the discussion forum of eSCART, latest until 15 June.Try to formulate a short answer (one for each group), however, make sure to underscore your statement with relevant references from the literature.

This activity has to be done until 15 June!

Group 1
Abdulrahman Isiaka (group leader) / Nigerian /
Achoki Tom / Kenyan /
Agwella Emmanuel Oryem Lino / Sudanese /
Ajala Olasunkanmi Tayo / Nigerian /
Ustero Pilar / Spanish /
Victor Lucio / Filipino /
Vu Thuy Phuong / Vietnamese /
Group 2
Amatya Sumi / Nepali /
Ayoson Emmanuel / Nigerian /
Bhatt Nilesh Balbhadra / Mozambican /
Chrun Vannak / Cambodian /
Samo Gudo Eduardo / Mozambican /
Seid Endris Mohammed / Ethiopian /
Twagirumukiza Marc (group leader) / Rwandan /
Group 3
Chu Stephen / Filipino /
Ekeh Peter / Nigerian /
Ewu Godwin Adamba / Nigerian /
Ginting S Alexander K / Indonesian /
Phan Vichet (group leader) / Cambodian /
Rampanjato / Malagsy /
Riera Montes Margarita / Spanish /
Group 4
Hardy Yasmine / Sierra Leonean /
Hing Kim / Cambodian /
Htun Myint Zu / Myanmar /
Jama Abubakar Ahmed / Somali /
Mulugeta Amente / Ethiopian /
Ogunbowale Folaranmi.A / Nigerian /
Okpe Andrew Agada (group leader) / Nigerian /
Group 5
John Collins / Nigerian /
Kerr Anne / British /
Khun Peng An / Cambodian /
Kabuye Geoffrey / Ugandan /

Mengistu Ghion Tirsite / Ethiopian /
Minja Anase Nelson / Tanzanian /
Miyakawa Masami (group leader) / Japanese /
Mubiala Ekwala / Congolese /
Group 6
Kitinya Wilson / Tanzanian /
Krumbach Ursula / German /
Kyser Sayad / Indian /

Lay Phirum / Cambodian /
Limonta Daniel (group leader) / Cuban /
Maung U Aye / Bangladeshi /
Muhemedi Saleh / Congolese /