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In 1990, a study was made in the district of Diré, North Mali in West Africa, to determine the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and HIV infections in general population. From 1,814 subjects tested, 1.1% (n = 20) have active pulmonary tuberculosis and 0.2% (n = 4) were seropositive with HIV1 or HIV1 + 2. No relation was made between the two diseases.

Results of a study about mother-infant transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) confirm the high degree of positivity of HBV markers in Bamako, Republic of Mali. Among 372 sera of mother-newborn pairs, seroprevalence of HBs Ag has been around 11% in mothers. The lack of anti HBc IgM in all sera agree probably with a relative old contamination. Pre-S2 epitope marker has been found in more than 70% of HBs Ag positive mothers and 50% of their children. Large discordance has been noted between the prevalence rate of this marker and the HBe Ag and viral DNA, other markers of HBV replication. Further studies are necessary for the clear understanding of HBV transmission systems in our country.

A new method for iodine deficiency disorders prevention is tested during one year in a rural area of Mali. Silicone and sodium iodide made diffusers are set up inside 2 villages' drillings. Their efficiency is compared with a placebo. Supervision criteria are evolution of goiter, rates of iodine in water and ioduria of the population, specially women and children. In the treated villages a decrease of goiters' size of the younger people is observed. Iodine rates in treated drillings water stay during 12 months between 150 and 300 micrograms/l with a minimum intake of 150 micrograms/day/person. The means of ioduria rates from less than 25 micrograms/l before treatment (severe deficiency) increase to more than 100 micrograms/l after six months of treatment (no deficiency).