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Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is now considered a chronic infection manageable on antiretroviral therapy. If trained in HIV care, primary care physicians would be well suited to work in consultation with infectious disease specialists to provide care for HIV patients., Methods: Human immunodeficiency virus training was incorporated into our internal medicine residency program. All residents were given an internally developed preprogram survey about HIV infection to establish a baseline level of HIV knowledge; at the end of 1 year, a postprogram survey was distributed. These results were compared. Human immunodeficiency virus didactic lectures were mandatory for attendance. Human immunodeficiency virus training included methods of testing, treatment including all classes of antiretroviral therapy, and prevention methods. Additional, mandatory online training modules were used. All program year-2 residents were assigned to an outpatient HIV clinical rotation., Results: Eighty-three residents participated. Residents received either 1 or 2 years of training. Results of preprogram scores and postprogram scores were calculated for each resident. Year 1-test scores preprogram were 52.2% vs postprogram 87.1%; year 2-test scores preprogram were 56.3% vs postprogram 89.8% (both P < .0001). There was no difference in posttest scores among residents who attended a clinical rotation., Conclusions: Residents showed significant improvement in HIV knowledge between preprogram and postprogram test scores. Postgraduate surveys showed among those who completed the survey, and most found the program helpful to in their current practice.

Background/aim: H. pylori infection and vitamin B12 (vB12) deficiency have high prevalence rates among Palestinians. It was observed that most people who suffered from vB12 deficiency were positive for H. pylori., Materials and Methods: The correlation between H. pylori infection and vB12 deficiency was investigated in a representative segment of the Palestinian population. ELISA was used to determine levels of vitamin B12 (vB12) and anti-H. pylori IgA in sera from 238 participants from Al-Khalil district (Hebron), Palestine., Results: There was a strong negative Pearson's correlation coefficient (r = -0.45; P = 0.00001) between levels of anti-H. pylori IgA and vB12 levels in sera drawn from 238 participants (133 patients and 105 control subjects). Two important contaminating variables were identified in this study: healthy control subjects with elevated anti-H. pylori IgA titers and vB12-deficient patients testing negative for anti-H. pylori IgA antibodies. The exclusion of the sources of contamination resulted in a stronger negative correlation; r = -0.58 (P = 0.00001)., Conclusion: The study provided a good screening system that may predict vB12 deficiency before its actual manifestation. If not treated, asymptomatic subjects showing increased anti-H.pylori IgA titers (> 15 NTU/mL) are likely to be at risk of developing vB12 deficiency.