[Socioeconomic aspects and management of chronic hepatitis B and C in Libreville, Gabon]. / Aspects socioéconomiques de la prise en charge des hépatites chroniques B et C à Libreville (Gabon).

INTRODUCTION: Viral hepatitis remains a major public health problem in the sub-Saharan region. Diagnosis is often made at an advanced stage after a long period with few or no symptoms. Late diagnosis impedes optimal management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients treated for documented chronic hepatitis B or C from January 2001 to December 2009 were identified and the cost of their treatment was estimated. Data examined included socioeconomic information, circumstances surrounding diagnosis, cost of work-up, cost of curative treatment (pegylated interferon + ribavirin for hepatitis C and lamivudine for hepatitis B), and overall cost of support. RESULTS: The study included 146 patients (65 women, 81 men) with a mean age of 34 years. Hepatitis was type B in 89 patients, type C in 51, and type B/C coinfection in 6 patients. The estimated cost of work-up was 483 USD for type B and 507 USD for type C. The cost of curative treatment was 1569 USD for type B and 7842 USD for type C. The estimated cost of support was 407 USD. The total cost of management was 2459 USD for type B and 8757 USD for type C. Only 9 patients received optimal treatment, and it resulted in curing 3 of the 4 with hepatitis B and 4 of the 5 with hepatitis C. During treatment, progression to cirrhosis occurred in two patients, one with hepatitis B and one with hepatitis C. CONCLUSION: Financial constraints frequently prevent patients in Gabon with hepatitis B and C from receiving optimal care. The creation of a national healthcare system in 2008 may lead to cost reductions and improve management of this disease in a predominantly young population.

[Purple extremities in black-skinned patients: blue toe syndrome as presenting sign of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome]. / Extrémités violettes sur peau noire: orteils pourpres révélateurs d'un syndrome des antiphospholipides.

Although acral ischemia can involve several underlying mechanisms, suspicion of lupus warrants testing for antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with blue toe syndrome.

[Castleman's disease: first case in Gabon]. / Maladie de Castleman: première observation au Gabon.

Castleman's disease is an atypical lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by hyperplasia of lymphoid structures with vascular proliferation. It has rarely been diagnosed in black African populations. The purpose of this report is to describe the first case in Gabon. The patient was a 47-year-old black African man. Outcome was fatal.

[Association myositis and hepatocellular carcinoma: one case and review of literature]. / Association myopathie inflammatoire et hépatocarcinome : à propos d'une observation et revue de la littérature.

Association inflammatory myopathies and tumors are not fortuitous but association with hepatocellular carcinoma is rarely reported in literature. We described a case of association polymyositis hepatocellular carcinoma in 37-year-old black African patient, with fatal issue.

[Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease in Gabon. Description of first 2 cases in Gabon]. / Maladie de Kikuchi-Fujimoto: 2 premiers cas au Gabon.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease is a rare disorder sometimes associated with systemic lupus. It has rarely been reported in the black African population. The purpose of this report is to describe the first two cases in Gabon. In patients presenting enlarged cervical lymph nodes, it is first necessary to rule out infectious disease. Histology can allow diagnosis by demonstrating necrotizing histiocyte lymphadenitis.

[Two cases of probable immune restoration syndrome under antiretroviral treatment in patients treated for tuberculosis in Gabon]. / Probables syndromes de restauration immunitaire lors de la mise sous traitement antirétroviral chez des patients traités pour tuberculose: à propos de deux observations au Gabon.

Tuberculosis can be reactivated under specific treatment, as immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), in HIV patients under antiretroviral treatment. We report two observations of tuberculosis exacerbation with extension to other territories (lymph node and pericarditis) occurring 3 weeks and 4 months after administration of tuberculosis treatment, with a favourable development, in absence of rehabilitation or addition of complementary therapy These observations show the necessity of increased surveillance on the short, medium and long term in patients with both treatment for tuberculosis and antiretroviral treatment.

[Evaluation of the cost of managing systemic lupus erythematosus in Gabon]. / Evaluation du coût de la prise en charge du lupus érythémateux disséminé au Gabon.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the cost of managing systemic lupus erythematosus in Gabon. Study was carried out from 01/2004 to 12/2007. All patients presenting at least 4 of the 11 diagnostic criteria of the American College of Rheumatology were included. The total cost was calculated for the first year and from the second year. A total of 25 patients (24 women, 1 man) with a mean age of 29.6 years (range: 18 and 45) were included in the study. Care was provided by the patient her/himself (n = 8), parents (n = 11), or jointly by other relatives (n = 6). The average cost of accommodation was euro 769.6. Diagnostic review and impact cost were euro 53.3 and euro 58.6 respectively. Overall the average cost of hospitalization was euro 972.7. The total cost for the first year following diagnosis was 1398.6 for patients with the cutaneous-articular form of systemic lupus erythematousus and euro 1500.7 for patients with visceral forms. From the second year on, the annual cost was euro 261 for patients with the cutaneous-articular form and euro 534.7 for patients with visceral forms. Sixteen of the 25 patients were regularly re-examined as outpatients. Nine patients were lost to follow-up including 5 during the first year, 3 during the second year, and 1 during the third year. Two deaths occurred due to chronic renal failure and septic shock. This study shows that long-term follow-up for systemic lupus erythematosus in Gabon is difficult due to patient dropout.