1614 blood samples from men and women in the Upper Nile region, Melut district (southern Sudan) were examined for HIV-antibodies. 109 samples were positive twice in the ELISA test, and 18 (1.1%) were confirmed by the IFT and Western Blot test.

In South Sudan, the Upper Nile region, approximately 5500 blood samples were collected in the districts of Melut, Gelhak, Tangveal, and others over the 1981-84 period. Various serological examinations for infections diseases were performed at the Hygiene Institute of Graz. The Institute began extensive testing for HIV antibodies in blood samples from many countries. The serum samples were taken at the Melut Hospital outpatient department from patients of both sexes and representing various age groups. Patients coming from surrounding villages undergoing treatment for different infectious diseases also were examined. The sera were not selected according to any Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) high risk groups, meaning the epidemiological studies cover a cross-section of the population. Both the ORGANON ELISA test and the IFT were used. The Western Blot was used as a confirmatory test. To date, 1614 sera from the Melut district of South Sudan have been examined. The sera were collected prior to a complete redistribution of the population because of a flood of refugees coming from the south. 109 sera were twice positive in the ELISA test. The sera were further tested with the Western Blot, and 18 showed a positive reaction. The results indicate the presence of HIV in the population of the Melut district, Upper Nile Region, South Sudan.

Institute of Hygiene of the University of Graz Austria