Knowledge, attitudes and practices on childhood TB among healthcare workers.

BACKGROUND: Increasing childhood TB case detection requires the deployment of diagnostic services at peripheral healthcare level. Capacity and readiness of healthcare workers (HCWs) are key to the delivery of innovative approaches.METHODS: In 2019, HCWs from five district hospitals (DHs) and 20 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) in Cambodia, Cameroon, Cote d´Ivoire, Sierra Leone and Uganda completed a self-administered knowledge-attitudes-practices (KAP) questionnaire on childhood TB. We computed knowledge and attitudes as scores and identified HCW characteristics associated with knowledge scores using linear regression.RESULT: Of 636 eligible HCWs, 497 (78%) participated. Median knowledge scores per country ranged between 7.4 and 12.1 (/18). Median attitude scores ranged between 2.8 and 3.3 (/4). Between 13.3% and 34.4% of HCWs reported diagnosing childhood with (presumptive) TB few times a week. Practising at PHC level, being female, being involved in indirect TB care, having a non-permanent position, having no previous research experience and working in Cambodia, Cameroon, Cote d´Ivoire and Sierra Leone as compared to Uganda were associated with a lower knowledge score.CONCLUSION: HCWs had overall limited knowledge, favourable attitudes and little practice of childhood TB diagnosis. Increasing HCW awareness, capacity and skills, and improving access to effective diagnosis are urgently needed.

Malnutrition: prevalence and risk factors among the children younger than five years in a semi-urban area of Abidjan.

INTRODUCTION: In Côte d'Ivoire, the prevalence of malnutrition among children younger than 5 years exceeded 5% in 2011 and was thus considered serious. This overall prevalence may nonetheless mask differences and specificities between regions and municipalities. This study sought to determine the prevalence and risk factors of malnutrition among children in this age group in a semi-urban area of Abidjan. METHODS: This exhaustive, descriptive, cross-sectional survey took place from May 6 to July 31, 2010. The children's nutritional status was determined according to the WHO criteria. Univariate and multivariate analysis of factors associated with malnutrition (social and demographic characteristics, immunization status, children's eating practices, and household characteristics) were studied. RESULTS: We visited 668 households and recruited 809 children. The prevalence of malnutrition was 22.5%. Multivariate analysis showed that the introduction of porridge after 6 months halved the risk of malnutrition. Risk tripled for children whose father's occupation did not guarantee a regular income. CONCLUSION: Among the factors highlighted by this study, dietary practices seem the most amenable to corrective action. For example, the adoption of outreach programs by the Maternal and Child Protection services could improve nutritional practices in households.

Rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in sputum Samples using PURE TB-LAMP assay.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Lack of rapid and accurate diagnostic testing is a critical obstacle to global tuberculosis (TB) control. Sensitivity of sputum smear microscopy (SSM) is not optimal; however, it remains the most prevalent tool for TB confirmation in poor countries. As a part of passive case finding of TB detection, this study was conducted to determine the clinical performance of PURE TB-LAMP assay using liquid culture medium as the gold standard. METHODS: Centre Antituberculeux de Yopougon is one of the 17 intermediate Tuberculosis centers in Côte d'Ivoire. A standardized questionnaire was submitted to patients with signs and symptoms consistent with tuberculosis by a trained caregiver. After obtaining signed consent forms, sputum samples were collected according to National TB Control Programme guidelines (spot-morning). SSM after Ziehl-Neelsen staining and TB-LAMP assay were blindly performed on the first sample. Samples transported to Institut Pasteur de Côte d'Ivoire were decontaminated according to the N-acetyl-L-Cystein method. In Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT), 500mL of pellets were inoculated and incubated in the MGIT 960 system. MPT64 antigen was detected in positive cultures. RESULTS: Of the 500 patients enrolled, 469 (232men and 239 women) patients were included. The mean ages of men and women were 36.9 (15-86) and 37.3 (15-37.3) years, respectively. There were 56 (12.2%) HIV-infected patients, including 14 women. Clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis complex were detected for 157 (33.5%) patients. Compared with culturing, the overall sensitivity and specificity of SSM were 86% (95% confidence interval [CI]=81-91) and 96% (95% CI=94-98), respectively. The overall sensitivity and specificity for TB-LAMP was 92% (95% CI=0.88-0.96) and 94% (95% CI=0.91-0.97), respectively. Positive likelihood ratios for TB-LAMP and SSM were 15.3 and 21.5, respectively, and negative likelihood ratios for TB-LAMP and SSM were 0.09 and 0.15, respectively. Among the 469 patients, active tuberculosis was detected using TB-LAMP assay and SSM in 162 (34.5%) and 147 (31.3%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: For accurate diagnostic of pulmonary TB, TB-LAMP could be used as a tool of the first intention.

[Multidrug resistant tuberculosis among health personnel in Côte d'Ivoire]. / Tuberculose multirésistante chez le personnel de santé en Côte d'Ivoire.

UNLABELLED: Multidrug resistance tuberculosis (MDR-TB) of health workers raises the question of hospital-borne transmission of infection. OBSERVATIONS: We report 4 cases of MDR-TB confirmed at the health workers over a period of 8 years (January, 2005 to December 2012), in the 2 services of pulmonology from Abidjan to Côte d'Ivoire). It was about young grown-up patients (aged between 28 and 39 years), all HIV negatives, in a no-win situation of antituberculosis treatment (3 patients/4). The most concerned staffs were the male nurses (2/4). Two agents worked in general hospital and the only one in a pulmonology department at the time of the diagnosis. The tuberculosis was of lung seat with bilateral radiographic hurt (3/4) and multiples excavations (4/4). The case index, when it was identified (2/2), was a family case. Among 3 agents who benefited from a second line treatment, 1 died further to an extensive drug resistance and 2 are declared to be cured. The fourth died before the beginning of the treatment. These cases of cure were in touch with a premature care. CONCLUSION: Multidrug resistant tuberculosis at the health workers could have a negative impact on the antituberculosis fight imposing rigorous measures of infection control and better implication of the occupational medicine.

Erratum.

[This corrects the article on p. 166 in vol. 4, PMID: 25215193.].

Assessment of the genotype MTBDRplus assay for rifampin and isoniazid resistance detection on sputum samples in Cote d'Ivoire.

We conducted an evaluation study on the GenoType MTBDRplus assay's ability to detect mutations conferring resistance to rifampin and isoniazid directly from sputum taken from 120 smear positive pulmonary patients from tuberculosis (TB) centers in Cote d'Ivoire. The sputum was decontaminated by N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NALC) and comparatively analyzed with the MTBDRplus assay version 2.0 and the mycobacterial growth indicator tube (MGIT) 960 automated drug susceptibility testing (MGIT-DST). The Gene-Xpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)/rifampicin (RIF) assay was performed for 21 sputa with absence of hybridization for at least one rpoB wild-type probes. Four and seven, respectively, discordant and concordant results were also analyzed. The mutations in the rpoB gene were 21 (17.5%), 20 (16.7%), 7 (5.8%), and 10 (8.3%), respectively, for D516V, H526Y, H526D, and S531L. S315T mutation in katG gene associated or not with mutation in promoter of inhA was detected in 76 (63.3%) of the sputum. Compared to MGIT-DST, the sensitivity and specificity of the MTBDRplus for rifampin resistance detection were 100% (75-100%) and 73.2% (61.3-84%), respectively. For isoniazid resistance detection, the sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 95% (90-|99) and 95.1% (88.5-100%). Interpretation of 16 sputa without hybridization of rpoB wild-type probe 8 compared to those obtained with MGIT-DST and GeneXpert MTB/RIF was discordant and concordant, respectively, for 11 and 5.

Tuberculosis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children starting antiretroviral therapy in Côte d'Ivoire.

SETTING: In Côte d'Ivoire, more than 2000 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected children aged <15 years were started on antiretroviral therapy (ART) during 2004-2008. OBJECTIVES: To estimate tuberculosis (TB) incidence and determinants among ART enrollees. DESIGN: A nationally representative retrospective cohort study among 2110 children starting ART during 2004-2008 at 29 facilities. RESULTS: At ART initiation, the median age was 5.1 years; 82% had World Health Organization Stage III/IV, median CD4% was 11%, 42% were severely undernourished (weight-for-age Z-score [WAZ] <-3), and 150 (7%) were taking anti-tuberculosis treatment. Documentation of TB screening before ART declined from 63% to 46% during 2004-2008. Children taking anti-tuberculosis treatment at ART enrollment had a lower median CD4% (9.0% vs. 11.0%, P = 0.037) and a higher prevalence of WAZ <-3 (59% vs. 40%, P < 0.001). Among children considered TB-free at ART enrollment, TB incidence was 6.28/100 child-years during days 0-90 of ART, declining to 0.56/100 child-years after 180 days. Children with one unit higher WAZ at ART enrollment had 13% lower TB incidence (adjusted HR 0.87, 95%CI 0.77-1.00, P= 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Ensuring clinician compliance with TB screening before ART and ensuring earlier ART initiation before children suffer from advanced HIV disease and nutritional compromise might reduce TB morbidity during ART.

Use of rapid molecular test for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis detection among relapse cases in Cote d'Ivoire.

UNLABELLED: Tuberculosis is explicitly recognized as a major global public health problem. In Côte d'Ivoire, relapse cases represent 66.5% of patients eligible for retreatment according to the National Tuberculosis Control Program. This study objective was to detect multidrug-resistance tuberculosis among relapse cases. Patients were recruited in tuberculosis centers in routine. A standardized questioning was administrated. Two sputum samples were collected and transported at Institut Pasteur. Sputum samples were decontaminated by NALC method. The DNA extraction was realized with 500µl of decontaminated sputum sample with smear-positive. MTBDRplus assay version 2.0 was performed according to the manufacturer's instruction. An internal quality control program with positive and negative controls was implemented for interpretation of results. In total 146 relapse cases with smear positive were studied. Out of selected patients, 130 had received the 2RHZE/4RH regimen and 16, the 2RHZES/1RHZE/5HRE. In group of relapse cases previously treated with 2RHZE/4RH regimen, 40 (31.3%, IC95%: [0.23; 0.39]) had punctual mutations at codon 526 in rpoB gene. Although, in patients under treated with 2RHZES/1RHZE/5HRE, a mutation in rpoB gene was identified in 12 of 16 sputum samples. Thirteen mutations conferring a resistance to Isoniazid were observed of which 9 in katG gene and 4 in katG and promoter region of inhA gene. The comparison (Chi-square with Yates correction) of resistance rates to Rifampin estimated showed a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: Use of a rapid method to detect drug-resistance in recurrent TB cases has permitted to identify patients eligible for first-line drugs or not.

[Effects of war on control of tuberculosis in Côte d'Ivoire from 2002 to 2007]. / Effets de la guerre sur le contrôle de la tuberculose en Côte d'Ivoire de 2002 à 2007.

OBJECTIVES: To specify consequences of armed conflict in Côte d'Ivoire from 2002 to 2007 on treatment outcomes of new cases of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB+) and retreatment cases. METHODOLOGY: Retrospective analysis of treatment outcomes and reprocessing notified to the National Program against Tuberculosis from 2001 to 2008. RESULTS: Totally, 7,4232 cases of TPM+ and 5094 cases of reprocessing had been declared during the war period in Côte d'Ivoire. The global average rate of therapeutic success was 72% with a lower average rate of success in retreatment in Center, Northern et Western (CNO) zone (54%) than in Southern zone (73%). The average rate of lost sight was higher in CNO zone than in the South with respectively 27% and 11%. The average rate of success in retreatment was 60% on the national level with a lower rate in CNO zone (48%) than in the South zone (62%) and the average rate of lost sight in retreatment was higher in CNO zone than in the South zone (28% versus 16%). CONCLUSION: Our results show that there was no early epidemic of tuberculosis during the armed conflict in Côte d'Ivoire which has although severely disrupted activities of tuberculosis management in ex-nongovernmental zone.

Effect of sildenafil on erectile dysfunction in spinal cord injured patients.

BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction is a preoccupying issue, just like motor and bladder disability, in spinal cord injured (SCI) patients. This is particularly so because of the increasing prevalence of paraplegic and tetraplegic subjects and the fact that these patients are younger, and sexually active. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of Sildenafil (Viagra((R))) on erectile dysfunction in SCI patients. METHODS: After medical ethics committee approval and informed patient consent, we conducted a prospective inquiry between January and March 2007 in 16 SCI patients who were under Sildenafil treatment for erectile dysfunction. An abridged version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire was completed the patients. RESULTS: The mean age (range) of the patients was 32.75 yrs (21-53 yrs). The mean duration of their disability was 47.75 months (4 yr). Trauma was the etiology in 87.5% of the cases (44% were road accidents). 12/16 patients were paraplegics (10 above T10) and 4 were tetraplegics (1 above C4 and 3 below C5). The mean duration of sildenafil treatment was 18.75 months (17 days-7 yr). 70% of the patients were satisfied with their erection after treatment. However, 10/16 patients had concomitant treatment with alprostadil. CONCLUSION: Sildenafil is a vasoactive drug which can be used as a simple, discrete and effective treatment for erectile dysfunction in SCI patients. This approach is compatible with the efforts to improve the quality of life and rehabilitation of these patients.

Laying performances, egg composition, and glucose tolerance of genetically lean or fat meat-type breeders.

Genetically fat and lean breeders were compared for laying performance and glucose tolerance. Laying females were fed ad libitum or restricted (85% ad libitum). Ad libitum-fed fat breeder hens (FL) were lighter and produced lighter eggs than lean hens (LL). However, the yolk percentage of the egg and yolk output were higher in FL. Differences in the glucose-insulin balance were consistently observed between lines in females at 203 and 326 days and in males at 203 days of age. The FL birds displayed lower plasma glucose and higher plasma insulin concentrations for a given plasma glucose level. Feed restriction reduced egg output, yolk output, yolk lipids, and plasma insulin levels during glucose tolerance in females at 326 days of age. Therefore, the glucose-insulin imbalance previously described in young FL birds persists in adults. The enhanced propensity of the FL to synthesize and deposit lipids also affects vitellogenesis. Insulin is also implicated in vitellogenesis.