HIV-1 associated Kaposi's sarcoma in an African population.

Eighty-seven patients with Kaposi's sarcoma were studied for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) status, age and gender pattern during a three year period from 1990 to 1992. The results of this prospective study were compared with other Tanzanian series. The mean age in males decreased from 44.9 to 37.2 years for the periods of 1980-82 and 1990-92 respectively (p = 0.0001). No significant change in mean age was observed in females. The gender distribution was altered significantly: the present study recorded a male-female ratio of 2.6:1 compared with that of the pre-AIDS era 1980-82 which was 4:1. The role of HIV-1 infection as a potential cofactor of KS is discussed.