Risk factors associated with necrotizing fasciitis of the lower limbs: A multicenter case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this case-control study was to identify risk factors associated with necrotizing fasciitis (NF) of the lower limbs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective case-control study in hospital dermatology departments in 5 sub-Saharan African countries over a 2-year period (April 2017 to July 2019). The cases were patients with NF of the lower limbs and the controls were patients with leg erysipelas. Each case was matched with two controls for age (±5 years) and sex. We analyzed local and general factors. RESULTS: During the study period, 159 cases (73 females, 86 males) were matched with 318 controls. The mean age was 48.5±15.8 years for cases and 46.5±16.2 years for controls (P=0.24). The main local signs of NF were cutaneous necrosis (83.7%), pain (75.5%) and induration (42.1%). Multivariate analysis showed the following to be independent risk factors associated with NF of the lower limbs: obesity (odds ratio [OR]=2.10; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21-3.42), diabetes (OR=3.97; 95% CI: 1.95-6.13), nicotine addiction (OR=5.07; 95% CI: 2.20-11.70), use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (OR=7.85; 95% CI 4.60-14.21) and voluntary cosmetic depigmentation (OR=2.29; 95% CI: 1.19-3.73). CONCLUSION: Our study documents the role of NSAID use at the onset of symptoms as a risk factor for NF of the lower limbs. However, the originality of our study consists in the identification of voluntary cosmetic depigmentation as a risk factor for NF of the lower limbs in sub-Saharan Africa patients. Our results also identified typical overarching factors such as diabetes, obesity and nicotine addiction. Knowing these factors and taking them into account will enable optimization of management strategies for these conditions.

Validation of the Patient-Oriented SCORing for Atopic Dermatitis tool for black skin.

BACKGROUND: SCORing for Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) is a tool developed by the European Task Force on Atopic Dermatitis (AD) which is used by physicians to assess AD severity during consultations with their patients. Patient-Oriented SCORAD (PO-SCORAD) is a self-assessment tool for use by patients which has been validated in a study performed in European countries. However, there is currently no adapted tool for evaluating AD severity in black skin. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of the version of the PO-SCORAD specifically adapted for black skin patients (children and adults) with AD. METHODS: In this multicenter, cross-sectional and non-interventional study, children and adults with AD were recruited during regular consultations. This international study was performed in seven sub-Saharan countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Mali and Senegal). During the consultation, AD severity was assessed by the physician using SCORAD score and by the patients or parents using PO-SCORAD. RESULTS: One hundred and thirteen patients were included, 72 children and 41 adults, mainly females (61.6%). SCORAD assessed by physicians and PO-SCORAD assessed by patients/parents were well correlated (r = 0.66, P < 0.0001). Correlation coefficients for SCORAD and PO-SCORAD subscale scores were also good, except for symptom intensity criteria. CONCLUSION: Altogether, these data indicate that PO-SCORAD for black skin correlates well with SCORAD and is therefore a valuable tool, which requires no specific level of education, for use by black skin patients with AD.

Angiomas at the university hospital of Yalgado Ouedraogo in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: Epidemiological and clinical profile.

Angiomas are vascular abnormalities that affect less than 1% of the world's population. Data on these disorders in Africa are limited. The purpose of our work was to study the epidemiological and clinical aspects of angiomas in the Dermatology-Venerology Department of the University Hospital of Yalgado Ouedraogo in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) to contribute to improving knowledge of this group of pathologies in our region. This cross-sectional descriptive, retrospective, and prospective study covers cases from 1998 through 2014. We identified 61 patients with angioma, 67.2% of them younger than 30 months. The sex ratio was 0.56. Vascular tumors (hemangiomas) accounted for 43 cases (70.5%) and vascular malformations 18 (29.5%). Lesions appeared between 0 and 15 days of life in 57.4% of cases. Their size ranged from 1 to 3 cm in 49.2% of cases. They were most frequently located on the head (49.2%). The most frequent clinical forms were cutaneous hemangiomas (tuberous) (36 cases), followed by the nevus flammeus (8 cases), and mixed hemangiomas (7 cases). Only one complex forms was observed: one case of Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. Superficial vascular abnormalities are rare in our dark skin type context including infantile hemangiomas. The clinical peculiarities of the angiomas observed in this African series in Ouagadougou seem quite similar to the characteristics described in European and American series.

[Ekbom syndrome or delusional parasitosis: Three cases in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)]. / Syndrome d'Ekbom ou parasitose délirante : trois cas à Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

INTRODUCTION: Ekbom syndrome is a rare disease characterized by a delusional conviction on the part of the patient of infestation with cutaneous parasites. It is rarely described in an African setting. Herein we report three cases observed in Ouagadougou. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Case 1: a 40-year-old housewife, living alone since her spouse left her, consulted for a feeling of insects under the skin and exulceration progressing over the previous year. A diagnosis was made of Ekbom syndrome in a depressed patient. Case 2: a 45-year-old bachelor, unemployed and with no children, consulted in dermatology for a sensation of continuous movement of insects under his skin, experienced over the previous six years. This sensation, which was worse in hair-covered areas, led to regular hair removal and untimely cleansing in a bid to dislodge them. Case 3: an 80-year-old patient, widowed for 3 years, consulted for a sensation of insects under her skin over the previous 2 years. This sensation was accompanied by intermittent pruritus and she removed the "insects" from her skin, which she brought to us in a sachet, but which in reality corresponded to debris of dead skin. We concluded on Ekbom syndrome in a depressive patient. CONCLUSION: These three cases of delusional parasitism observed in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, confirm the main clinical characteristics of Ekbom syndrome and underline the role of emotional and financial isolation, as well as pre-existing psychological difficulties, as potential triggers for this syndrome.

Management of necrotizing and non-necrotic bacterial erysipelas of the face in tropical areas: a series of four cases and a review of the literature.

The necrotizing and not necrotizing acute bacterial dermohypodermitis (DHD) are acute bacterial infections of tissues situated between the skin and the muscles. The localizations of the face are infrequent, and sometimes put diagnostic difficulties with other current facial dermatosis. We report in this article 4 cases of DHD of the face with skin source, hospitalized in the service of the Infectious and Tropical Diseases of the Teaching Hospital Yalgado Ouédraogo of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). The objective is to make a current situation of their etiologies and complications, and to look for the difficulties to take care of them in a country with limited resources. The patient's care journey for this disease is long while it constitutes a medical or medical-surgical emergency. Imaging, which is essential for the diagnosis of heart valve disease and the daunting complications of necrotizing fasciitis and mediastinitis, is generally available only in tertiary hospitals. Antibiotic therapy is most often inadequate or insufficient. Anti-inflammatories, widely used, according to several authors contribute to serious forms and excess mortality. Health workers in resource-limited settings need to be better educated and guidelines issued to recognize the signs of this condition in order to enable early referral of patients in specialized settings. In addition, education of the population and hygiene awareness of skin lesions should be a priority to reduce complications.

[Ecthyma gangrenosum of the eyelid after chickenpox]. / Ecthyma gangreneux de la paupière compliquant une varicelle.

BACKGROUND: Ecthyma gangrenosum is an acute ulcer necrotic skin infection frequently caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It is characterised by necrotic ulcerations circumscribed by an inflammatory halo. Lesions are normally found in the anal, genital and axillary regions. Ecthyma gangrenosum is most commonly seen in immunodepressed patients (cytotoxic chemotherapy, HIV infection, neutropenia or functional neutrophil deficiency, agammaglobulinemia). It is a rarely described complication in chicken pox. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Herein we report the case of a girl aged 2 ½ years presenting in our dermatology department with ecthyma gangrenosum on the right upper eyelid secondary to varicella. The disease course was marked by fibrous scarring of the inner canthus with ptosis of the right upper eyelid. The retractile scarring caused disability. DISCUSSION: There have been previous reports of the contribution of non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to the appearance of necrotic cutaneous super infections during the course of chickenpox. The occurrence of such complications on an eyelid may be harmful not only for the function of the eye but it can also cause extensive aesthetic impairment. Subsequent aesthetic and functional impairment may be improved by corrective surgery.

[Ichthyosis and social stigma in Burkina Faso]. / Ichtyose et stigmatisation sociale au Burkina Faso.

BACKGROUND: Through the story of two families presenting ichthyosis, we report the support and social integration difficulties inherent in these genetic diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Family No. 1: a 38-year-old shepherd and his wife of 25 years both had lamellar ichthyosis that had been present continually since childhood. They had had 2 stillborn infants as well as a live newborn that were all presenting lamellar ichthyosis. Family No. 2: a 45-year-old housewife was seen at our consultation with her 3 youngest children aged 8 years, 6 years and 18 months. According to the mother, at birth, all 3 children were covered with a membrane resembling plastic that crackled during movement, and they had red eyes. Examination of the 3 children revealed a clinical picture of lamellar ichthyosis with ectropion, malformed ears and brachydactyly. Although they presented delayed growth and weight development, psychomotor development was normal. There was no consanguinity between the parents. DISCUSSION: In both families, the visible nature of the dermatosis resulted in discrimination and ostracism. The precarious living conditions of the parents and the high cost of treatment in an African setting resulted in degradation of quality of life with exacerbation of the difficulties of social integration, resulting in a lack of schooling and a bleak future for these children.

[Multiple sites extrapodal actinomycetoma: Favorable outcome to treatment with a combination of cotrimoxazole and NSAI]. / Mycétome actinomycosique extrapodal plurifocal : bonne réponse au traitement par l'association cotrimoxazole et AINS.

Mycetoma is a bacteriological or fungal infectious disease affecting the skin and/or soft tissues, which can be complicated by bone involvement. The most common feature is a tumor of the foot, but extrapodal localizations have been described. We report one case of a 47-year-old man who presented with tumefaction of a leg with multiple skin fistulae. Histopathological examination permitted to confirm the diagnosis of actinomycetoma and TDM showed the degree of bone and soft tissues involvement. Our case was characterized by the very inflammatory aspect of the tumor, its localization to the leg without foot involvement, the modest functional signs compared to the importance of radiological bone involvements, the deep destruction of the fibula while the tibia was apparently intact and the good response to treatment. In spite of its characteristic features, diagnosis of mycetoma is still late in our country, often with bone and/or articular spread. Priority may be given to measures for reduction of mycetoma diagnosis lateness.

[Risk factors associated with leg erysipelas (cellulitis) in sub-Saharan Africa: A multicentre case-control study]. / Facteurs de risque associés à l'érysipèle de jambe en Afrique subsaharienne: étude multicentrique cas-témoins.

BACKGROUND: Acute bacterial cellulitis of the leg (erysipelas) is a common problem involving considerable morbidity in dermatology practice in Africa. Previous studies conducted in Europe and North Africa have highlighted lymphoedema and toe-web intertrigo as independent factors associated with leg erysipelas. The aim of this case-control study was to identify risk factors associated with leg erysipelas in sub-Saharan Africa, within a different socio-economic and culture context. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective case-control study in hospital dermatology departments in 8 sub-Saharan African countries over a 12-month period (October 2013 to September 2014). Each case of acute leg cellulitis was matched with 2 controls for age (±5 years) and sex. We analysed the general and local factors. RESULTS: During the study period, 364 cases (223 female, 141 male) were matched with 728 controls. The mean age was 42.15±15.15 years for patients and 42.11±36 years for controls. Multivariate analysis showed the following to be independent risk factors associated with leg erysipelas in our study: obesity (odds ratio [OR]=2.82 ; 95% confidence interval: 2.11-3.76), lymphoedema (OR=3.87, 95%CI: 2.17-6.89), voluntary cosmetic depigmentation (OR=4.29, 95%CI: 2.35-7.83), neglected traumatic wound (OR=37.2, 95%CI: 24.9-57.72) and toe-web intertrigo (OR=37.86, 95%CI: 22.27-64.5). CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirms the major role of local risk factors (toe-web intertrigo, lymphoedema) previously identified in other geographical settings. However, the originality of our study consists of the identification of voluntary cosmetic depigmentation as a risk factor for leg erysipelas in sub-Saharan Africa.

Disseminated histoplasmosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii in a non-HIV patient in Burkina Faso: Case report.

Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection due to Histoplasma capsulatum. The African form of this mycosis, caused by Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii, remains rare. We report a case of disseminated African histoplasmosis with skin, lymph nodes, bones and viscera localizations. The 22-year-old patient was HIV-seronegative and was considered immunocompetent. The presence of Histoplasma capsulatum var duboisii in ulcerations and a nodule pus aspiration was confirmed by direct microscopic examination and by culture. The medical treatment was based on fluconazole. Even though a regression of the symptoms was observed, the patient died. In disseminated African histoplasmosis, an early laboratory diagnosis must be carried out for accurate treatment.

[Epidemiological and etiological aspects of superficial fungal infections among prison inmates in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso]. / Aspects épidémiologiques et étiologiques des mycoses cutanéo-phanériennes chez les détenus de la maison d'arrêt et de correction de Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).

OBJECTIVE: The fight against fungal infections in prisons is within the overall framework of the fight against these diseases in the general population. To contribute to the fight against these diseases, we conducted this study among inmates of the big prison of Ouagadougou. It aimed to analyze the epidemiological and etiological aspects of superficial fungal infections among prison inmates in Ouagadougou. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a matter of an analytical descriptive study (December 2011-April 2012) that examined 212 selected using a stratified sampling detainees. It consisted firstly of a survey on risk factors. Secondly, samples were taken from prisoners with suspicious lesions of superficial mycoses. For each lesion, some fragments were examined directly between slide and coverslip in KOH (10% or 30%). The remaining fragments were cultured on Sabouraud-Chloramphenicol and Sabouraud-Chloramphenicol-Actidione. The media were then incubated at 27°C for 1 month before declaring any negativity. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of superficial fungal infections among prison inmates Ouagadougou was 25.5%. The recent prison inmates (≤24 months) were the most affected (89.8%). Dermatophytes (15.56%) were more isolated than non-dermatophytes (12.26%) Anthropophilic species predominated among dermatophytes: T. mentagrophytes (7.0%), T. rubrum (3.3%), M. langeronii (23%), E. floccosum (1.41%) and T. violaceum (0.94%). M. gypseum (0.47%) was the only land-based species encountered. Non-dermatophytes were Malassezia sp. (11.79%) and Candida sp. (0.47%). Polyparasitism was less represented (7.4% of infected prisoners). Several body sites were mostly infected by one fungal agent. Pityriasis versicolor was the most common fungal infection (37.31%). CONCLUSION: Considering the results, specific control measures are to be taken against the superficial fungal infections in prisons and in the general population.

[Connective tissue diseases in hospital practice in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)]. / Les connectivites en pratique hospitalière à Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).

To describe the semiological and immunological features of connective tissue diseases seen at the Yalgado Ouédraogo University Hospital in Ouagadougou. A retrospective study reviewed the records of patients seen in the hospital dermatology and internal medicine departments from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2009 and diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (ScS), dermatopolymyositis (DPM), primary Gougerot-Sjögren disease (GS), polymyositis (PM) or indeterminate connective tissue disease (ICTD) meeting the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. The study included 42 patients, 36 women and 6 men. Their mean age was 41.2 years ±11.97 (range: 15-75). SLE was the diagnosis for 10 patients, ScS for 14, DPM for 7, primary GS for 1, PM for 1, and ICTD for 9. Hematologic (93%), cutaneous (88%), and rheumatologic (81%) abnormalities were the most frequent manifestations. The specific auto-antibodies associated with SLE patients were: anti-native DNA (3/6), anti-Sm (3/6), anti-RNP (3/6), and anti-SSA (4/6); anti-Scl 70 antibodies were present in 5 patients with ScS. Connective tissue diseases seem to be rare in Africa, south of the Sahara. However, the very fragmentary studies and the weak healthcare coverage do not allow any definitive conclusions.

[Darier's disease: three cases of psychosocial difficulties in an African setting]. / Difficultés d'intégration sociale au cours de la maladie de Darier en Afrique : trois cas.

BACKGROUND: Darier's disease is a rare disease. Multiple clinical forms have been observed, but the psychosocial aspects in Africa are rarely described. We report three cases involving difficulties regarding social integration. OBSERVATIONS: Case no. 1: a 19-year-old woman consulted for hyperchromic, greyish, keratotic papules, grouped in small plaques scattered all over the body. She had trouble finding a husband and was rejected by her peers. Case no. 2: a 20-year-old woman presented generalized keratotic, vegetative lesions. She was rejected by her husband because of the lesions. Like patient no. 1, she was unable to purchase her prescribed treatment. Case no. 3: a 33-year-old blacksmith presented Darier's disease with lesions on the interscapular region and chest. He was epileptic and depressive and was partly rejected by his family. DISCUSSION: Darier's disease, diagnosed on the basis of anatomoclinical factors, had a major impact on the social integration of all three patients. These generalised disfiguring forms of the disease adversely affect the quality of life and their association with neuropsychiatric disorders is another major handicap. CONCLUSION: Difficulties concerning social integration and therapeutic problems must be considered in the management of Darier's disease in Africa.

[Diagnosis of a cutaneous endometriosis decidualised and fistualized during pregnancy]. / Diagnostic d'une endométriose cutanée, décidualisée et fistulisée au cours d'une grossesse.

A case of a decidualized and fistulized cutaneous endometriosis has been observed in the obstretrical and gynecological department of the Yalgado-Ouédraogo national hospital. The patient was a 3-year-old pregnant woman in her third pregnancy primipara, without any surviving child, who presented with a large scabby exulcerated plaque on an hyperpigmented lesion, associated with para umbilical. The patient underwent 12 years earlier a laparotomy for peritonitis worsened with parietal suppuration, then by rupture. The lesion has made the diagnosis difficult and the histologist concluded that it was a decidualised cutaneous endometriosis. Based on this observation, the first one until now, the authors have made a publication on the case.

Impact of a modified directly administered antiretroviral treatment intervention on virological outcome in HIV-infected patients treated in Burkina Faso and Mali.

OBJECTIVE: This study explores whether viral load measurements can be used in resource-limited settings to target those in need of adherence assistance. It was hypothesized that high plasma viral loads (pVLs) (>/=500 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL) were the result of poor antiretroviral therapy adherence and amenable to improvement with adherence assistance. DESIGN: A single-arm, multicentre pilot study was conducted from November 2003 to March 2004 on 606 treatment-experienced patients who had initiated an antiretroviral regimen in Mali and Burkina Faso >/=6 months before study enrolment. In these patients, those whose pVL was >/=500 copies/mL were offered 1 month of modified directly administered antiretroviral treatment (mDAART) with weekly follow-up visits from pharmacists or adherence counsellors. METHODS: An adherence questionnaire was given to all cohort patients and viral load was used to screen for patients with >/=500 copies/mL. mDAART participants included cohort patients with >/=500 copies/mL, who completed the adherence questionnaire. Genotypic analyses were conducted on samples taken prior to and after the intervention. The intervention was considered effective when there was a decrease of >/=1 log(10) in pVL. RESULTS: mDAART was effective in over one-third of the intervention participants, while in two-thirds no decrease in pVL was observed. The majority of mDAART participants had major resistance mutations. CONCLUSIONS: pVL measurement was useful to identify patients who needed adherence assistance. However, because it was performed >/=6 months after starting treatment, mDAART came too late for most participants, as they had already developed important resistance mutations that might have been avoided with better laboratory monitoring.

[Cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania major involving the bone marrow in an AIDS patient in Burkina Faso]. / Leishmaniose cutanée à Leishmania major avec atteinte de la moelle osseuse chez un malade infecté par le VIH au Burkina Faso.

BACKGROUND: Leishmaniasis covers three well-individualized clinical variants, each due to individual species found in different geographic areas. Herein we report the first case of cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania major involving bone marrow in an AIDS patient in Burkina Faso. CASE REPORT: A 38-year-old HIV-positive man presented with generalized, copper-coloured, painless, infiltrated, itching, papulonodular lesions present over the previous 10 months. Skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis. The bone-marrow smear showed numerous leishmania. The culture was positive and L. major was identified. The patient was being treated with antiretroviral medication and a pentavalent antimonial compound. The disease progression consisted of attacks and remissions separated by an average of three weeks. DISCUSSION: L. major is the Leishmania species identified in Burkina Faso. It is responsible for typical cutaneous leishmaniasis but particular clinical forms have been described in immunodeficient patients, especially with diffuse cutaneous involvement. The spread of L. major infection to bone marrow could represent a public health problem in our country, where the HIV epidemic is still not under control, and particular vigilance is thus called for.

[Disseminated subcutaneous cysticercosis: a report of six cases in Burkina Faso]. / Cysticercose sous-cutanée généralisee : a propos de six cas au Burkina faso.

Cysticercosis is an infection resulting from the larval form of the pig tapeworm, Taenia solium. The subcutaneous localizations are frequent and can have serious consequences such as neurological attacks. We report six cases among whom five men and a woman, in order to point out the severity of the disease and its possible dissemination. The patients' age was ranging from 25 to 57 years old. Three of them had neurological complications as convulsions and headaches. The nodules were painful in one case. We recommend sanitary education to eradicate the affection and to sensitize patients in order to consult physicians at early stage.

Gender-related factors influencing HIV serostatus disclosure in patients receiving HAART in West Africa.

Disclosure of HIV serostatus remains an important tool for the prevention of new infections and early initiation of treatment for HIV-positive individuals' regular sexual partners. Our aim is to identify factors associated with disclosure to partner in patients taking antiretroviral treatment, with a gender- and sex-based approach. In this study conducted in Mali and Burkina Faso, men (154) and women (164) who reported being in a marital or cohabitating relationship were included. Sex-specific bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify determinants of disclosure. Disclosure to partner was 72.1% in men and 79.9% in women. Results of bivariate and multivariate analyses indicated that cohabiting with partner was strongly associated with disclosure in both men and women. In men only, older age, literacy and having good communication with the treating doctor were significantly associated with disclosure. Among women, disclosure was associated with having children and high self-reported importance of religion. Future research and interventions promoting disclosure should take into account these differences reflecting the social construction of gender roles in these settings.