Decentralising DOT for drug-susceptible TB from the health facilities to the community level in Togo.

In Togo, the COVID-19 pandemic paved the way for decentralising directly observed treatment (DOT) to the community level through the evaluation of two innovative community-based DOT approaches-a community health worker-based (CHW-DOT) and family-based (FB-DOT). METHODS We conducted an observational prospective study from April 2021 to January 2022. Sputum conversion at Month 2 and favourable treatment outcomes at Month 6 were assessed and compared between the two groups. Sociodemographic and clinical factors related to these outcomes were identified. RESULTS A total of 182 TB patients were enrolled. The CHW-DOT group had significantly increased odds of sputum conversion (aOR 2.95, 95% CI 1.09-7.98) and lower odds of unsuccessful treatment outcomes (aOR 0.37, 95% CI 0.13-1.1). Non-smokers had 4.85 higher odds of converting than smokers (aOR 4.85, 95% CI 1.76-13.42) and lower odds of an unsuccessful treatment than smokers (aOR 0.11, 95% CI 0.04-0.32). CONCLUSION CHW-DOT is associated with higher sputum smear conversion rates and a more favourable treatment outcome. The use of tobacco, significantly associated with outcomes, also suggests that a smoking cessation component may be a valuable adjunct to a CHW-DOT approach during TB treatment..

PERFORMANCE OF SIX SCREENING SCORES FOR OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA IN AN AFRICAN POPULATION.

Introduction: A screening tool for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is useful in low-income countries where it may be difficult to access sleep recordings. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of six screening scores compared with objective sleep recording in an African population sample. Methods: This analysis is based on the "Benin Sleep and Society" (BeSAS) populational study in which respiratory polygraphy (PG) was performed using a type III device and OSA screening questionnaires (STOP, STOP-Bang, Berlin, NOSAS [≥ 8 and ≥ 5), No-Apnea, GOAL) were administered to participants. PG-defined OSA severity categories were defined according to the apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI): mild (AHI 5 to <15/h), moderate (AHI 15 to <30/h) or severe (AHI≥30/h), and these were compared to score findings. Results: A total of 1810 subjects (mean age 45.4±14.6 years; 57.3% women) were included. For moderate to severe OSA, the area under the receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curve was greatest for GOAL and No-Apnea (0.70), followed by NoSAS5 (0.69). The highest sensitivity values were for NoSAS5 (0.73), No-Apnea (0.72), and GOAL (0.69), while NoSAS8 had the highest specificity (0.91), followed by Berlin (0.88) and GOAL (0.71). All scores performed poorly with respect to the positive predictive value (PPV), which was highest with NoSAS8 (0.38). Conclusion: This study provides the first comparison of the performance of screening scores for OSA in an African population. Although still low, PPV was highest with NoSAS8. Hence, NoSAS8 would be the screening method of choice for OSA in resource-constrained settings where formal sleep recordings are not accessible.

EVALUATION OF A MODIFIED EPWORTH SLEEPINESS SCALE TO RELIABLY ASSESS EXCESSIVE DAYTIME SLEEPINESS IN LOW-INCOME COUNTRIES: RESULTS FROM THE BENIN SOCIETY AND SLEEP (BESAS) STUDY.

Background: The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is a tool widely used to assess excessive daytime sleepiness. Unfortunately, it is not reliable in low-income countries where situations such as reading a book, watching TV or driving a car are not common. The aim of this study was thus to assess the performance of a modified version of the Epworth scale in a low-income country. Methods: We used data from the Benin Society and Sleep (BeSAS) study where the ESS and a modified ESS (mESS) were administered to participants. In the mESS, questions four questions over eight were redesigned to reflect common living situations in Benin. The internal coherence of the mESS was assessed using the Cronbach alpha coefficient (CAC). The discriminatory ability of the scale was assessed by comparing the mean scores according to reported sleep quality, insomnia complaints and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Results: A total of 2909 participants were recruited, 1129 were male (38.9%) with a mean age (SD) of 44.7 (14.5) y. Overall, 52.4% (1526) completed all the mESS questions while 453 (15.6%) completed the standard ESS. The CAC of the mES was 0.86 showing good internal coherence. Concerning the discriminatory ability, mean scores for mESS were 7.8 for participants with ISI < 8 vs 9.2 for participants with ISI≥8 (p<0.001), 7.8 for participants withPSQI<5 vs 8.3 for participants with PSQI≥5 (p=0.03). No difference was found when comparing the participants participants using different cut-offs of AHI (15 and 30). Conclusion: The mES is more reliable than ES in the Beninese population. mESS shows good internal coherence and differentiates between insomniacs vs non-insomniacs and between good and poor sleepers. Although the mES is not a perfect score, it appears more relevant in the Benin population than the original Epworth scale but needs further validation/improvement in other low-income countries.

Remote Supervision of Basic Management Units for Tuberculosis Care During Covid-19 Period: An Innovative Experience from Benin Republic.

INTRODUCTION: Contingency measures taken by governments with movement restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic may create difficulties in conducting some field activities for TB control especially the supervision of Basic Management Units (BMUs). We described in this paper an innovative initiative to conduct remote supervision (Esupervision) using Information and Communication Technology tools. SETTING AND METHOD: This initiative was conducted in Benin Republic. To carry out the activity, we used smartphone, WhatsApp® for messaging, CamScanner for scanning (both free applications); and internet connection. BMUs were asked to scan their reports and all necessary documents and sent them by WhatsApp® after scanning. On the day planned for the supervision, the supervisors of each section (clinic, laboratory, food delivery supervision) calls the BMUs health professionals via WhatsApp® video to conduct the activity according to the National Tuberculosis Programme guidelines. RESULTS: Overall, all the main objectives of a supervision were achieved despite some difficulties mainly related to the quality of internet connection. The reports from the different sections were validated for each BMU. For the laboratory activities, general aspects as well as the stock of reagents were evaluated; microcopy fields with an ordinary microscope were visualized. The management of tuberculosis patients was assessed by visualizing the results of bacteriological exams, treatment records, and stocks of medicines. CONCLUSION: Even though, this activity will probably not replace the traditional face-to-face supervision, it could be used in settings where movements are restricted for several reasons including COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts and natural disasters.

INTRODUCTION: Les mesures d'urgence prises par les gouvernements avec des restrictions de mouvements dans le cadre de la pandémie du COVID-19 peuvent créer des difficultés dans la conduite de certaines activités de terrain pour le contrôle de la tuberculose, en particulier la supervision des centres de dépistage et de traitement de la tuberculose (CDT). Nous avons décrit dans cet article, une initiative novatrice pour effectuer la supervision à distance (E-supervision) en utilisant les outils des Technologies de l'Information et de la Communication au Bénin. CADRE ET MÉTHODE: Cette initiative a été conduite en République du Bénin. Pour mener à bien cette activité, nous avons utilisé : smartphone, WhatsApp pour la messagerie et CamScanner ® pour le scannage (deux applications gratuites) ; et la connexion internet. Les agents des CDT ont été invités à envoyer tous les documents aux équipes de supervision via WhatsApp ® après les avoir scannés. Le jour prévu pour la supervision, les superviseurs de chaque section (clinique, laboratoire, gestion des vivres) ont appelé par WhatsApp ® video les acteurs des CDT pour dérouler les différentes séquences de la supervision selon les recommandations du Programme. RÉSULTATS: Dans l'ensemble, tous les principaux objectifs d'une supervision ont été atteints malgré quelques difficultés liées principalement à la qualité de la connexion internet. Les rapports des différentes sections (clinique, laboratoire et gestion des aliments) ont été validés pour chaque CDT. Pour les activités de laboratoire, l'aspect général ainsi que le stock de réactifs ont été évalués ; les champs de microcopie avec un microscope ordinaire ont été visualisés. La gestion des patients tuberculeux a été évaluée en visualisant les résultats des examens bactériologiques, les dossiers de traitement, les stocks de médicaments. CONCLUSION: Bien que cette activité ne remplacera probablement pas la supervision traditionnelle en face à face, elle pourrait être utilisée dans des contextes où les mouvements sont limités pour plusieurs raisons, notamment la pandémie COVID-19, les conflits, les catastrophes naturelles. MOTS CLÉS: Lutte contre la tuberculose, COVID-19, supervision, centres antituberculeux.

Prevalence of lung function impairment in cured pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Cotonou, Benin.

SETTING: National teaching hospital for the management of respiratory diseases, Cotonou, Benin. OBJECTIVE: 1) To estimate the prevalence of lung function impairment (LFI) and associated factors in patients cured of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB); and 2) to determine the link between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and LFI occurrence. DESIGN: We performed a cross-sectional study in cured patients with smear-positive TB (PTB+) treated between 2012 and 2015. We recruited two control groups of 70 HIV-infected (HIV+/TB-) and 70 HIV-negative participants without TB (HIV-/TB-). We performed spirometry in all participants to identify LFI (obstructive, restrictive or mixed) and the 6-min walk test (6-MWT) in PTB+ participants. We assessed the factors associated with LFI using logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 4711 subjects with PTB, 241 were contacted and 189 were included. The median age was 37 years; 128 (68.0%) were male. Overall, 85 cured PTB+ patients had LFI (45.0%). Extent of initial radiological lesions, time between symptom onset and treatment, and female sex were independently associated with LFI. Fifty-five (29.1%) cured PTB+ patients had an abnormal 6-MWT; those with LFI had a higher risk of poor exercise tolerance (OR 2.23; interquartile range 1.16-4.30). We did not find any association between HIV infection and LFI. CONCLUSION: LFI is very common in cured PTB+ patients from Benin and significantly impacts exercise tolerance.

[Mycobacterium avium tumoral infection mimicking a lung adenocarcinoma: A potential diagnostic pitfall]. / Infection à Mycobacterium avium simulant un adénocarcinome pulmonaire : un potentiel piège diagnostique.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of atypical mycobacterial infection in Europe is estimated at one case per 100,000 persons/year. Despite the low incidence of Mycobacterium avium infection, it can result in a nodular lesion simulating lung cancer. We report a case of atypical mycobacteriosis, mimicking lung cancer, which led to a lobectomy. CASE REPORT: It was a right pulmonary upper lobe nodule found in a 63-year-old COPD patient, partially nephrectomized for renal carcinoma, and weekly treated by methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis. FDG uptake was weakly positive on PET-CT (SUV=2.2) in the upper fissure. Bronchoscopy yielded no lesions and no bacteriological findings. Percutaneous transthoracic lung biopsy revealed lung adenocarcinoma stage T1 (a) N0M0. An upper lobectomy with lymphadenectomy was performed. Histological examination revealed epithelioid granuloma surrounded by giant cells suggestive of tuberculomas. The bronchial washing fluid culture was positive for Mycobacterium avium after 7 weeks. CONCLUSION: In pseudo-neoplastic forms of atypical mycobacteriosis, the presence of alveolar, inflammatory cytonuclear abnormalities can mimic an adenocarcinoma. Making the difference between the cytonuclears defects related to inflammation or neoplasia remains a daily challenge in histopathology.

[HIV/TB co-infection in rural settings of Benin: case of the Djougou-Ouake-Copargo sanitary district (north-west Benin)]. / Co-infection VIH/Tuberculose en milieu rural au Benin: cas de la zone sanitaire Djougou-Ouake-Copargo (nord-ouest Benin).

AIMS: we measured the burden of TB/HIV co-infection in a rural setting of Benin, and assessed the outcome of tuberculosis treatment at the end of the intensive phase of TB treatment. METHODS: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study, covering January 2006 to December 2011. RESULTS: A total of 256 patients were included, 67 (26.1%) were HIV +. A minority, 25% of co-infected HIV / PTB, had TB bacilli high density (+++) versus 45% of mono-infected (P = 0.005). The smear conversion was obtained in 96% of coinfected versus 93% in HIV- at the end of the intensive phase (P = 0.5). The cure rate was 86% and 93.1% respectively in co-infected and HIV-. A proportion of 13.5% of co-infected died versus 3% in HIV- (P = 0.005). 21% of co-infected with CD4 <200 died versus 3.6% of those with CD4> 200 (P = 0.041). CONCLUSION: This work underlines the high prevalence of HIV / TB co-infection in this region. Co-infected patients respond well to treatment, but their mortality is high when they are very immunocompromised.

BUTS: nous avons mesuré le fardeau que constitue la co-infection VIH/ tuberculose chez des tuberculeux en milieu rural au Bénin ; et évaluer l'issue du traitement antituberculeux à la fin de la phase intensive. MÉTHODES: Il s'agit d'une étude transversale rétrospective, descriptive couvrant Janvier 2006 à Décembre 2011. RÉSULTATS: Au total 256 patients ont été colligés, 67 (26,1%) étaient VIH+. Une proportion de 25 % des co-infectés VIH/TPM+ avaient une densité bacillaire à trois croix (+++) contre 45% des tuberculeux VIH- (P=0,005). La négativation de la bacilloscopie était obtenue chez 96% des patients co-infectés contre 93% chez les tuberculeux VIH- à la fin de la phase intensive (P=0,5). Le taux de guérison était respectivement de 86% et 93,1% chez les co-infectés et les non VIH. Une proportion de 13,5% des co-infectés étaient décédés contre 3% chez les VIH- (P=0,005). 21% des co-infectés ayant un CD4<200 étaient décédés contre 3,6% de ceux dont le CD4>200 (P=0,041). CONCLUSION: Ce travail souligne la forte prévalence de l'infection par le VIH chez les tuberculeux de cette région. Les co-infectés répondent bien au traitement, mais leur taux de mortalité est plus élevé, surtout s'ils sont très immunodéprimés.

[HIV/TB co-infection in rural settings of benin: case of Djougou-Ouake-Copargo district (north-west Benin]. / Co-infection VIH/Tuberculose en milieu rural au benin: cas de la zone sanitaire Djougou-Ouake-Copargo (Nord-ouest Benin).

AIMS: We measured the burden of HIV/tuberculosis (HIV/TB) co-infection in people infected by TB in rural settings of Benin, and assessed the outcome of TB treatment at the end of the intensive phase. METHODS: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study, covering January 2006 to December 2011. RESULTS: A total of 256 patients were gathered, 67 (26.1%) were HIV +. A proportion of 25% of co-infected HIV / PTB had TB bacilli high density (+++) versus 45% of mono-infected (P = 0.005). The smear conversion was obtained in 96% of coinfected versus 93% in HIV- at the end of the intensive phase (P = 0.5). The cure rate was 86% and 93.1% respectively in co-infected and HIV-. A proportion of 13.5% of co-infected died versus 3% in HIV- (P = 0.005). 21% of co-infected with CD4 <200 died versus 3.6% of those with CD4> 200 (P = 0.041). CONCLUSION: This work underlines the high prevalence of HIV / TB co-infection in this region. Co-infected patients respond well to treatment, but their mortality is high when they are very immunocopromissed.

BUTS: Nous avons mesuré le fardeau que constitue la co-infection VIH/ tuberculose chez des tuberculeux en milieu rural au Bénin; et évaluer l'issue du traitement antituberculeux à la fin de la phase intensive. MÉTHODES: Il s'agit d'une étude transversale rétrospective, descriptive couvrant Janvier 2006 à Décembre 2011. RÉSULTATS: Au total 256 patients ont été colligés, 67 (26,1%) étaient VIH+. Une proportion de 25 % des co-infectés VIH/TPM+ avaient une densité bacillaire à trois croix (+++) contre 45% des tuberculeux VIH- (P=0,005). La négativation de la bacilloscopie était obtenue chez 96% des patients co-infectés contre 93% chez les tuberculeux VIH- à la fin de la phase intensive (P=0,5). Le taux de guérison était respectivement de 86% et 93,1% chez les co-infectés et les non VIH. Une proportion de 13,5% des co-infectés étaient décédés contre 3% chez les VIH- (P=0,005). 21% des co-infectés ayant un CD4<200 étaient décédés contre 3,6% de ceux dont le CD4>200 (P=0,041). CONCLUSION: Ce travail souligne la forte prévalence de l'infection par le VIH chez les tuberculeux de cette région. Les co-infectés répondent bien au traitement, mais leur taux de mortalité est plus élevé, surtout s'ils sont très immunodéprimés.

[Becoming new pulmonary tuberculosis patients with sputum smear-positive at the end of second month of anti tubercular treatment in Lome]. / Devenir des nouveaux patients tuberculeux pulmonaires a bacilloscopie positive a la fin du deuxieme mois de traitement antituberculeux a Lome.

AIMS: To determine the frequency of the new smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients at the end of the second month of anti-tuberculosis treatment and to analyze the outcomes of their treatment. PATIENTS AND METHOD: It was a retrospective comparative study from January 2006 to June 2008, based on the analysis of the records and treatment cards from the diagnosis and treatment centers of Lome. New sputum smear-positive tuberculosis patients at the end of the second month (smear positive 2 months) constituted the study population. A comparison group consisted of the new tuberculosis patients with sputum smear-negative at the end of the second month (negative smear 2 months). RESULTS: The proportion of sputum smear-positive at 2 months was 5.34% (163/3050). Cure and failure rates were respectively 69.3% and 17.2% for smear-positive 2 months versus 79.1% and 3.7% for control group. The death rate was similar in both groups (3% and 3.7%). CONCLUSION: The smear positive 2 month's patients have a high risk of failure and must receive special attention during their follow-up to improve the results of treatment.

BUT: Déterminer la fréquence des nouveaux patients tuberculeux pulmonaire à bacilloscopie positive à la fin du 2ème mois de traitement antituberculeux et analyser les résultats de leur traitement. PATIENTS ET MÉTHODE: Il s'agissait d'une étude rétrospective comparative de janvier 2006 à juin 2008, basée sur l'analyse des registres et les cartes de traitement de tuberculose des centres de diagnostic et de traitement de Lomé. Les nouveaux patients tuberculeux à bacilloscopie positive à la fin du deuxième mois (frottis mois 2 positif) constituaient la population de l'étude. Un groupe de comparaison était constitué avec les nouveaux patients tuberculeux à bacilloscopie négatif à la fin du deuxième mois (frottis mois 2 négatif). RÉSULTATS: La proportion des frottis mois 2 positif était de 5,34 % (163/3050). Les taux de guérison et d'échec étaient respectivement de 69,3% et de 17,2% chez les frottis 2 positif contre 79,1% et 3,7 % chez les frottis 2 négatif. Le taux de décès était similaire dans les deux groupes (respectivement 3% et 3,7%). CONCLUSION: Les patients à frottis 2 positif ont un risque élevé d'échec et doivent bénéficier d'une attention particulière au cours de leur suivi afin améliorer les résultats de leur traitement.