First Molecular Characterization of Chronic Hepatitis B Carriers in Timbuktu, Mali.

In Mali, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third and sixth most common cancer in men and women, respectively. Mali comprises several distinct climato-ecological zones. Most studies to date have been conducted in the sub-Sahelian zone of southern Mali, including the capital city Bamako. In this part of the country, the main risk factors for HCC are chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriage and dietary exposure to aflatoxins, a well-known hepatocarcinogen. Data are scarce for other ecological zones, but our preliminary data from 721 blood donors in the area of Timbuktu, presented in this study, suggest that chronic HBV carriage is also endemic in the northern Saharan zone of Mali. For further study, 29 healthy HBV chronic carrier volunteers were recruited from the blood transfusion center in Timbuktu. Successful viral genotyping in 20 volunteers revealed HBV genotype E in 13 cases and D in 7 cases, suggesting that this geographical and anthropological transition zone may also represent a transition zone between HBV genotypes that dominate sub-Saharan and northern Africa, respectively. Sequencing of circulating cell-free plasma DNA (cfDNA) from donors did not reveal the presence of the TP53 R249S mutation in these donors, a marker of dietary exposure to aflatoxins in sub-Saharan Africa. These results suggest that the geo-epidemiological distribution of the risk factors for HCC is not uniform across Mali, but is dependent upon climatic, socioeconomic and anthropological factors that might have an impact on patterns of chronic liver disease and cancer.

[Epidemiological profile of COVID-19 in Tombouctou region in Mali]. / Profil epidemiologique de la COVID-19 dans la region de Tombouctou au Mali.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of our study was to establish the epidemiological profile of COVID-19 in Tombouctou. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of COVID-19 surveillance data from Tombouctou from April 3 to October 1, 2020. Our variables of interest were extracted from the surveillance database and analyzed with Excel 2013. The frequencies, rate, and ratio were computed. RESULTS: Overall, 1851 suspects from all districts of the region were screened by RT-PCR, including 572 confirmed, which indicate a positivity rate of 30.90%. The 15-34 age group was the most represented with 48% of the confirmed cases. The sex ratio (male / female) of confirmed cases was 2.67. The city of Tombouctou was the epicenter of COVID-19. The Tombouctou region had a detection rate of around 2‰ (1851/928,000) and peaked between weeks 22 and 23 with a case fatality of 2.8%. CONCLUSION: Young people and men were most likely to be infected with COVID-19. We recommend increasing awareness of compliance with barrier measures.

INTRODUCTION: L'objectif de notre étude était d'établir le profil épidémiologique de la COVID-19 à Tombouctou. MATÉRIEL ET MÉTHODES: Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale descriptive des données de surveillance de la COVID-19 de la Région de Tombouctou du 3 avril au 1er octobre 2020. Nos variables d'intérêts ont été extraites de la base de données de surveillance et analysées sur Excel 2013. Les fréquences, taux et ratio ont été calculés. RÉSULTATS: Au total 1851 cas suspects en provenance de tous les districts de la région ont été testés à la RT-PCR dont 572 confirmés soit un taux de positivité de 30,90%. La tranche d'âge de 15-34 ans était la plus représentée avec une proportion de 48% de l'effectif des confirmés. Le sex ratio (homme/femme) des cas confirmés était de 2,67. La ville de Tombouctou était l'épicentre de la COVID-19. La région de Tombouctou avait un taux de dépistage d'environ 2‰ (1851/928.000) et a connu son pic entre les semaines 22 et 23 avec une létalité de 2,8%. CONCLUSION: Les jeunes et les hommes seraient les plus susceptibles d'être infectés par la COVID-19. Nous recommandons le renforcement de la sensibilisation pour le respect des mesures barrières.

[Maternal and perinatal prognosis of eclampsia at the Timbuktu Hospital in Mali]. / Pronostic maternel et périnatal de l'éclampsie à l'hôpital de Tombouctou au Mali.

Eclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal death worldwide. The purpose of our study was to determine maternal and perinatal prognosis of eclampsia at the Timbuktu Hospital in Mali. We conducted a descriptive, retrospective study of patients with eclampsia during pregnancy or delivery at the Timbuktu Hospital from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2017. Out of 4.951 deliveries, 116 were marked by eclampsia, reflecting an overall rate of 2.3%. These patients were mainly women younger than 26 years (85.3%), primiparous (81%), admitted on average 8 hours after the first crisis. Cesarean section was performed in 77.6% of cases. Magnesium sulphate was used in 75% of cases. Maternal and perinatal mortality accounted for 4.3% and 21.5%, respectively. Poor maternal prognosis factor was Glasgow score ≤ 8 on admission (p: 0.004). Poor perinatal prognosis factors were to be resident outside the city of Timbuktu (p: 0.000), the absence of antenatal consultation (p: 0.020) and vaginal delivery (p: 0.012). Thus, improving maternal and perinatal prognosis requires proper monitoring of pregnancies and reduction of delays in accessing adequate care.

[Giant anal fibroepithelial polyp during pregnancy: a case study]. / Polype fibro-épithélial géant de l'anus sur grossesse: à propos d'un cas.

Anal fibroepithelial polyp is a benign tumor rarely reported during pregnancy. We here report a case of giant anal fibroepithelial polyp in a 31-year old multiparous woman. It developed progressively over the previous 3 years. Clinical examination showed firm sessile bud formation, at the anal margin. The patient had normal ongoing pregnancy (31 weeks of amenorrhea). Endoanal examination was normal. Surgical resection was preformed under spinal anesthesia. The specimen measured 21x12x7cm and was covered by the skin. Histological examination showed anal fibroepithelial polyp without signs of malignancy. The postoperative course was uneventful.