Medecine tropicale : revue du Corps de sante colonial最新文献

Lassa virus, the etiologic agent of Lassa hemorrhagic fever, infects 100,000 to 300,000 people every year in West Africa with an overall mortality rate ranging from 1 to 2%. It was discovered in 1969 and remains a significant public health risk in endemic areas. Because airborne transmission is possible and mortality can be high under certain conditions, Lassa virus has been classified as a category A bioterrorism agent. Early diagnosis is difficult due to insidious non-specific onset and to the great genetic divergence of the virus that makes RT-PCR assays unreliable. The lack of proper diagnostic tools promotes nosocomial infection and diminishes the efficacy of treatment. Recently, numerous advances have been made in the development of both diagnostic and vaccination techniques. The purpose of this review is to present an update on that research as well as the current epidemiology of Lassa virus.

Purpose: Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common chronic inflammatory joint disease in adults. In Senegal, where biotherapy is unavailable, treatment of RA relies on a combination of glucocorticoids and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD). Since DMARD, particularly methotrexate, induce hepatotoxicity pretreatment assays of serum transaminase and albumin levels, as well as serological tests for the hepatitis B and C viruses is recommended. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is endemic in Africa, particularly in Senegal. The purpose of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) for HBV in 258 patients with RA in Senegal as a basis for defining the least hepatotoxic DMARD for these patients and ensuring the most suitable monitoring.

Method: This retrospective study was based on a review of the medical records of patients examined between January 2005 and December 2009 at the rheumatology outpatient clinic of the Aristide Le Dantec Teaching Hospital in Dakar, Senegal. All patients met the American College of Rheumatology criteria for RA.

Results: A total of 258 patients were tested for HBsAg. Tests were positive in 6 for a seroprevalence of 2.3%. All 6 positive patients were women with a mean age of 48.7 years (range, 16-79 years). Transaminase levels were normal in 5 patients. In the remaining patient, ASAT level elevation were twice normal and ALAT was normal. No patients had clinical evidence of liver disease.

Conclusion: HBsAg seroprevalence in our population of patients with RA was lower than in the general population of Senegal: 2.3% versus 15%-18%. No evidence indicated that HBVinfection produced specific features in patients with RA. Based on these findings, widespread use of methotrexate in optimal dosages appears safe in patients with RA in Senegal. Treatment should be accompanied by careful attention to HBV prevention.

The purpose of this descriptive transverse study is to describe metabolic disorders and cardiovascular risk factors in HIV-infected patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy in the day-care unit of the University Hospital of Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso. A total of 100 patients (Burkinavi cohort) undergoing antiretroviral therapy with a minimum of 42-months of follow-up (October 2005 to Mars 2009) were included. There were 77 females and 33 males with a mean age of 37 years. Most patients, i.e., 95%, were positive for HIV1. Mean body mass index was 22 kg/m2. Mean CD4 count was 280/mm3. Viral load was undetectable in 66 of the 71 patients who underwent viral load testing. Retroviral therapy consisted of the TriomuneR combination (Stavudine + lamivudine + névirapine) at a fixed dose in 27 cases. Cardiovascular risk factors included family history of high arterial blood pressure in 5 patients, smoking in 4, and obesity in 8. During follow-up, seven patients presented hypertension. Metabolic disorders included hyperglycemia (4%), hypertriglyceridemia (17%) and hypercholesterolemia (14%). Lipodystrophia was noted for 6 patients. Despite the short follow-up period, metabolic disorders and cardiovascular risk factors were observed at our patients under antiretroviral therapy.

This longitudinal entomological survey was conducted between September 2008 and September 2009 in the villages of Abokro and Yaokoffikro located in an irrigated rice farming area of central Côte d'Ivoire. The purpose was to investigate the bio-ecological characteristics of Anopheles gambiae s.s. during the gonotrophic cycle. In both villages, adult mosquitoes were captured in 72 light traps, collected on humans subjects at a rate of 72 man-night from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., and knocked down using pyrethroid spray inside 60 sentinel houses in the early morning. A total of 10,312 adult mosquitoes were collected in Abokro and 7,662 in Yaokoffikro. Anopheles was the dominant genus at both locations. Light traps were three times more efficient in Abokro than in Yaokoffikro. In both places, An. gambiae s.s. biting rates increased gradually up to a peak observed between midnight and 1 a.m. In Abokro, most An. gambiae s.s. were collected inside sleeping rooms. The endophagic rate and indoor resting density was 67.4% (n = 4798) and 14.9 females per bedroom per night, respectively, in Abokro as compared to 49.3% (n = 6775) and 2.9 females per bedroom per day, respectively, in Yaokoffikro.

Cryptococcal meningitis is the most common fatal central nervous system infection in AIDS patients in Sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of this prospective study conducted from March 2003 to February 2004 in the internal medicine and infectious diseases departments of the Point G University Hospital Center was to investigate the clinical, prognostic and epidemiological profile of Cryptococcus neoformans infection in patients hospitalized for brain and meningeale infection (BMI). Diagnosis of neuromeningeal cryptococcosis (NMC) was based on positive identification of Cryptococcus by direct exam of the cebrospinal fluid (CSF) after India ink staining and/or culture on Sabouraud medium without actidione. During the study period, a total of 569 patients were hospitalized including 235 (41.3%) with HIV infection. Overall C. neoformans was identified in 14 patients. Median patient age was 39 +/- 8 years. There was a male preponderance with a sex ratio of 1.8 (9 men/5 women). Patients with BMI were HIV-positive in 85.7% of cases (n=12) and HIV-negative in 14.3% (n=2). The overall and HIV-specific prevalence of BMI was 2.5% and 5.1% respectively. The CD4 lymphocyte count was between I and 49 cells/mm3 in 64.3% of cases. The main clinical symptoms were cephalea in 85.7% of cases, altered consciousness in 50% and nausea/vomiting in 35.7%. Neurological manifestations (hemiparesis and cranial nerve deficit) were noted in 14.3%. HIV infection is the main purveyor of NMC in Mali. The actual incidence of cryptococcosis is unclear due to the poor sensitivity of diagnostic techniques. This study highlights diagnostic difficulties related to clinical polymorphism and poor technical facilities. Agglutination testing of blood and CSF is recommended, but mortality remains.

Objective: The aim of our study was to describe current ultrasound and epidemiological features of ectopic pregnancy in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

Patients and methods: This prospective study was carried out over a 24-month period (February 2006 to January 2008) at Nanglé Medical Clinic, i.e., a private clinic located in Abidjan's Yopougon suburb.

Results: A total of 32 cases of ectopic pregnancy were discovered by suprapubic and/or endovaginal ultrasound scan. The estimated frequency of ectopic pregnancy was 1.7%. Mean patient age was 26.2 years. The main risk factors were prior history of abortion (32%) and adnexal infection (20%). Most patients (52.5%) were nulliparous. The most frequent indication for ultrasound scan was metrorrhagia. Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was made at the ruptured stage in 65.6% of cases and nonruptured stage in 34.4%. The presenting lesions was hematosalpinx in 40.6% of cases and embryonate ectopic gestational sac in 31.3%. Salpingectomy and salpingorrhaphy were successful in 65.6% and 34.4% of cases respectivlely.

Conclusion: In Abidjan, ectopic pregnancy involves young nulliparous women with a prior history of abortion and adnexal infection. Ultrasound allowed early diagnosis and, consequently, tube preservation in 34.4% of cases.

Cervicofacial cellulitis is still observed in Burkina Faso and can be severe. The aim of this study was to review diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with management of cericofacial cellulitis in our region where medical facilities are poor. A retrospective study of patients treated between January 1999 and December 2008 was performed. A total of 26 cases of cervicofacial cellulites were compiled. All patients underwent broad spectrum antibiotherapy associated imidazols. Surgical treatment was performed in 60% of the cases. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential for favorable outcome.

The purpose of this report is to describe a simple and reproducible technique for temporary vascular shunting. This technique is appropriate only for exceptional situations involving scant resource availability. It is not intended to replace conventional vascular shunting techniques.

This purpose of this study was to determine prevalences and risk factors associated with infection by human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B Virus, syphilis and bacillary pulmonary tuberculosis in prisons in Burkina Faso. From February 20 to March 20, 2009, 300 prisoners over 18 years of age held in Ouagadougou were selected to take part in this descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic data, confinement information (number, motive and prison time), medical history, substance addiction (alcohol, tobacco, drug), and the other risk behaviors (sexual relations, type of partners, sharing of toiletries or razor) were compiled for each prisoner. Serological tests were performed to detect anti-HIV antibodies, Hbs antigen, and anti-treponema antibody. In prisoners presenting signs of tuberculosis, BAAR detection was performed by direct examination of sputum. Men represented 95% of the study population. Median age was of 30.1 +/- 8.9 years (range, 18 and 63). The prevalences of HIV infection, Hbs antigen and positive syphilitic serology were 5%, 27.3% and 5.7% respectively. Four prisoners (1.3%) had bacillary pulmonary tuberculosis. Two prisoners reported homosexual intercourse and 44 reported drug abuse. Sharing of toiletries and razor blades was reported by 18.7% and 20% of the prisoners respectively. Immediate measures are needed reduce the spread of these infections in prisons in Africa.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate treatment adherence and its determinants in patients living with HIV followed up at the outpatient care and treatment center in Brazzaville, Congo.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included patients who attended the center from July to October 2009. Adherence was evaluated using a self-administered questionnaire, 5 distinct measurement tools, and global adherence index. Correlations between patient characteristics and adherence data were analyzed.

Results: A total of 214 patients were enrolled in the study. Mean patient age was 42 years. The female-to-male ratio was 2. There were 6 children. Most patients (92.5%) were receiving a first-line antiretroviral regimen; it consisted of a combination of zidovudine, lamivudine and nevirapine in 53.3% of cases. Adherence was estimated at 55.4-86.9% depending on the measurement tool. The global adherence index was significantly higher in patients who achieved their pre-defined life project (OR 4.33, p = 0.04) and in those who spoke lingala (OR 3.99, p = 0.01). After 6 months of antiretroviral therapy, mean weight gain was 4.8 kg; mean increase in CD4 was 104/mm3 (262 versus 158); and viral load was undetectable in 89.4% of patients.

Conclusion: This study in Brazzaville (Congo) confirms that antiretroviral treatment adherence is satisfactory in sub-Saharan Africa. Adherence was mainly correlated with structural factors, e.g. language and life project, and with the patient friendliness of the regime. Most patients had favourable responses based on clinical, immunological, and virological criteria.