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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
agricultural and biological sciences
Melanin and HIV in sub-Saharan Africa
Journal of Theoretical Biology, Volume 223, No. 1, Year 2003
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Description
HIV is common in sub-Saharan Africa. Sexually transmitted bacterial and fungal infections increase the chance of HIV infection. Melanin can prevent the penetration of skin and mucus membranes by microorganisms, and soluble melanin can inhibit HIV replication. We suggest that melanin may reduce the incidence of HIV infection through venereally acquired skin lesions, thus reducing the risk of sero-conversion and slow the progress to AIDS. Indigenous sub-Saharan peoples are highly melanized, but there is pigment variation between populations. We show that skin reflectance, a negative correlate of melanin, is positively associated with adult rate of HIV in sub-Saharan countries. There is no such relationship in populations outside sub-Saharan Africa. We suggest that melanin concentration in black people may correlate with resistance to HIV infection. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Authors & Co-Authors
Manning, John T.
United Kingdom, Liverpool
University of Liverpool
United Kingdom, Preston
University of Central Lancashire
Bundred, Peter E.
United Kingdom, Liverpool
University of Liverpool
Henzi, S. Peter
South Africa, Durban
University of Kwazulu-natal
United Kingdom, Bolton
University of Bolton
Statistics
Citations: 30
Authors: 3
Affiliations: 4
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/S0022-5193(03)00070-5
ISSN:
00225193
Research Areas
Infectious Diseases
Study Design
Cohort Study