[Epidemiological, clinical and etiological profile of tinea capitis in adult patients in Dakar, Senegal]. / Profil épidémio-clinique et étiologique des teignes du cuir chevelu chez l'adulte à Dakar (Sénégal).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the epidemiological and etiological profile of tinea capitis in adults in Dakar (Senegal). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 9-month prospective, multicenter, descriptive and analytic study. Patients included were aged over 18 years. Mycological tests were used to confirm the diagnosis. RESULTS: 121 patients were included with a mean age of 36.1 years and a hospitalisation frequency of 0.8%. The age range of 64.4% of patients was between19 and 38 years. 51% of patients were housewives. A low socioeconomic level was found in 72.8% of cases. In 3.3% of patients, the disease began in childhood. 31.4% of patients had already consulted a traditional healer. Similar familial cases were noted in 60.3% of patients. Contact with a sheep was noted in 32.2% of cases, deliberate skin lightening in 64% of women, hair salon attendance in 46.7% of women, and immunosuppression in 17.3% of patients, while itching was present in 95.5%. Dermatologic examination showed scaled plaques and a diffuse form, with 92.6% and 64% (n=75) respectively. Wood's light examination was positive in 40.2% of patients. A positive culture test was found in 71%. The most frequently encountered species were: T. soudanense (65%), M. audouinii (21%), T. rubrum (4.7%), M. gypseum (3.5%), T. violaceum (2.3%), T. verrucosum (2.3%) and M. canis (1 case). The clinical course was favorable under treatment with griseofulvin or terbinafine. CONCLUSION: Tinea capitis in adults mainly affects young women. The diffuse form is the most common. The most frequently encountered species was T. soudanense.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) associated with cosmetic skin whitening: 8 cases reported in Senegal.

BACKGROUND: The cosmetic use of bleaching products is common among women from sub-Saharan Africa. The most frequently used products are highly potent corticosteroids (clobetasol propionate) and hydroquinone. Herein, we report 8 cases of SCC in women using skin bleaching products for cosmetic purposes. Our aim is to describe the epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects of the carcinomas observed during the course of skin lightening. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive multicentre study from August 2005 to January 2016 in three dermatology units in Senegal. We included all patients consulting for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma associated with skin bleaching. Sociodemographic, clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic data were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 8 female patients were included. The mean age was 48.1 years (37-63 years). Topical hydroquinone and highly potent corticosteroids were the main products used over the whole body, for an average duration of 20.3 years. No pre-neoplastic skin disease was found in our patients. The clinical aspects of tumours were as follows: cauliflower-like (n=4), ulcerated (n=3) and nodular (n=1). The average development time before consultation was 6.75 months. All the cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas were localized to lichenoid lesions or exogenous ochronotic lesions on photo-exposed areas: face (n=1), neck (n=3) or upper back (n=4). The most common histopathological type was the infiltrating form and there was one case of in situ carcinoma. The outcome was favourable in six of eight patients after surgical resection. Two deaths occurred: one through tumour recurrence and the other through haemorrhagic shock. CONCLUSIONS: From 2005 to 2016, eight cases of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas associated with cosmetic use of bleaching products were reported in Senegal. The mechanism was not fully elucidated and further studies are necessary. These observations provide an additional argument for combating this practice and including skin bleaching among known risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma.

[Cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania infantum associated with HIV]. / Leishmaniose cutanée à Leishmania infantum associée à une infection par le VIH.

BACKGROUND: In Senegal, reported cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis are often due to Leishmania major. Immunosuppression related to HIV infection contributes to the emergence of leishmaniasis in humans and to cutaneous localization of viscerotropic species. We report the first observed case in Senegal of opportunistic cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania infantum associated with HIV. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 5-year-old boy presented crusted ulcerative lesions of the scalp and left forearm, together with axillary and cervical lymphadenopathy present for two months. Direct parasitological examination of the scalp and arm lesions, coupled with liquid aspiration of lymph nodes and bone marrow, enabled identification of amastigote forms of Leishmania. Polymerase chain reaction performed on skin, lymph node and bone marrow biopsy samples allowed identification of L. infantum. The child was positive for HIV1. Treatment of HIV infection and leishmaniasis resulted in clinical improvement. DISCUSSION: Co-infection with cutaneous leishmaniasis due to L. infantum and HIV is a complex combination in terms of the related therapeutic issues. The clinical and laboratory outcomes depend on restoration of immunity and on the efficacy, safety and availability of anti-leishmaniasis drugs.

[Leg ulcers in sickle cell disease: A retrospective study of 40 cases]. / Ulcères de jambe au cours de la drépanocytose: étude rétrospective de 40 cas.

BACKGROUND: In Africa, studies primarily devoted to chronic leg ulcer due to sickle cell disease are rare. The objectives of the study were to determine the epidemiology, diagnosis and progression of chronic leg ulcers in sickle cell disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 5-year multicentre, retrospective study was conducted in three university hospitals in Dakar. We included all patients with chronic leg ulcers occurring in a setting of sickle cell disease. RESULTS: We identified 40 cases of chronic leg ulcers associated with sickle cell disease, representing 3.4% of the current population of sickle cell patients in our institutions. The average patient age was 25.9 years and the sex ratio was 2.33. Chronic leg ulcer was the presenting feature enabling diagnosis of sickle cell disease in one third of the cases. The average time to consultation from onset was 5.4 years. Pain was reported in 22 cases (48%). Ulcers were isolated in 76% and multiple in 24% of cases. The most common site was the medial malleolus (39%). A CBC allowed identification of anaemia in 35 cases. Haemoglobin electrophoresis was performed and homozygous sickle cell SS disease was identified in 39 cases and heterozygous SC disease in 1 case. Local treatments included physiologic serum, topical antibiotics and skin grafting. Systemic treatment included supplementation with folic acid in all patients, blood transfusion in 16 cases, vasodilators in 11 cases and antibiotics in 25 cases. The outcome was favourable in 61.8% of cases. DISCUSSION: In Dakar, sickle cell disease is a common cause of chronic leg ulcer and is frequently revealed by chronic leg ulcer.

Negative cutaneous effects of medicinal plants in Senegal.

Use of medicinal plants is common and widespread throughout Africa, including in Senegal. Because efficacy has been demonstrated, public policies have been instituted that have allowed plant-based therapies to have an important role in general primary care. However, little is known about the cutaneous safety of many plant-based therapies. In this 6-month prospective study all cases of dermatitis induced or aggravated by exclusive use of medicinal plants were evaluated via skin allergy testing. The results were classified and compared with the available literature. Forty-three cases of plant-therapy-associated cutaneous reactions were identified, including worsening of existing conditions (56%), recurrence of a previously resolved condition (16%) and new dermatitis arising spontaneously (28%). In the cases where the condition was new, generalized exfoliative dermatitis occurred in 42% of cases with an average time of onset of 9 days. Specific plants were identified in 65% of cases and included 18 varieties. The frequency and severity of plant-induced cutaneous reactions should be the basis for the creation of a phytovigilance programme and re-evaluation of how traditional medicine is used in the general population. When irritation occurs, identification of the responsible plant and allergy testing should be the first steps towards relieving symptoms.

[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.

[Schistosoma-induced granulomatous panniculitis. An unusual presentation of cutaneous schistosomiasis]. / Panniculite granulomateuse bilharzienne. Une présentation inhabituelle de la bilharziose cutanée.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous schistosomiasis is extremely rare, even in endemic regions. It usually leads to non-specific papulonodular lesions in the perigenital area. We report a case of cutaneous schistosomiasis presenting as panniculitis. CASE REPORT: An 8-year-old girl was admitted for a large multinodular, indurated plaque over the perineum that gradually spread over a year in a setting of hypereosinophilia. Ultrasonography showed thickening of the bladder and a significant bilateral ureteral hydronephrosis. Histological examination revealed numerous granulomas Schistosoma haematobium ova at their centre and within the hypodermis. Treatment with praziquantel 40 mg/kg resulted in regression of cutaneous lesions within 3 weeks. DISCUSSION: We report a case of Schistosoma-induced granulomatous panniculitis that is noteworthy in terms of its clinical appearance, perineal location, association with severe urinary involvement and rapid regression under treatment. The current extent of endemic schistosomiasis and its severity justify greater awareness of this unusual cutaneous presentation, which to our knowledge has never previously been reported.

[Spitting cobras: description of 2 cases in Djibouti]. / Cobras cracheurs: 2 observations à Djibouti.

The purpose of this report is to describe two cases involving ophthalmic exposure to venom from spitting cobras. Based on these cases, readers are reminded that eye injury can be prevented by low-cost treatment consisting of prompt, prolonged saline irrigation. This treatment also reduces pain.

A pain in the rear.

Tuberculosis is an endemic disease in Senegal. Cutaneous forms are rare and are characterized by their clinical polymorphism. They account for 2% of the extrapulmonary locations of tuberculosis [1, 2]. We report an observation of a tuberculous gumma of the buttock that led to the discovery of an active pulmonary localization in an immunocompetent adult. A 47-year-old man was admitted for a painful swelling of the right buttock that had been developing for four years. The physical examination noted an indurated, multinodular, and polyfistulized plaque, with confluent yellowish pus emission, on the inferomedial face of the right buttock, associated with bilateral inguinal lymphadenopathy. Cutaneous tuberculosis was found in the histology, which showed TB granuloma, and the gastric tube fluid was positive for acid-fast bacilli. Thoracoabdominopelvic CT showed multiple basal acinar micronodules in both lungs. Serology was negative for both HIV and HBV. All signs of tuberculosis disappeared after six months of treatment. In endemic zones, cutaneous tuberculosis is characterized by its clinical polymorphism. It must also be looked for in any perineal abscess. Early management greatly improves the prognosis.

[Two cases of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in two tourists in Senegal in 2004]. / Deux cas de fièvre hémorragique de Crimée-Congo (FHCC) contractée au Sénégal, en 2004, par des résidentes temporaires.

Two cases of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) occurred in two French tourists during their visit in Senegal in November 2004. Febrile and hemorrhagic syndrome with ulorrhagia, petechiae, haematemesis, haematomas associated with biological signs of disseminated intramuscular coagulation were observed. For the first case who had a medical evacuation to France before diagnosis, Crimean-Congo virus infection was revealed by laboratory tests performed by the National Reference Center for Hemorrhagic Fevers (NRCHF, Institut Pasteur, Lyon) and secondly by the Centre de Référence OMS sur la Recherche des Arbovirus et des virus des Fièvres Hémorragiques (CRORA) in the Dakar Pasteur Institute (DPI). The second case diagnosed by the CRORA died after clinical deterioration with liver failure and severe haemorrhages. Healthcare workers and family members who had contact with tissue or blood from patients were followed up after the putative exposure either in France or in Senegal.

[Percutaneous tracheotomy in developing countries: experience in the intensive care unit of the Principal Hospital in Dakar, Senegal]. / La tracheotomie percutanée en milieu tropical: expérience du service de réanimation de l'hôpital principal de Dakar.

The first use of percutaneous tracheotomy in intensive care was by Sheldon in 1957. Because this technique saves time, costs less, and reduces staff requirements, it is well suited to conditions in underdeveloped countries where resources are often lacking. The purpose of this prospective study conducted in intensive care unit of the Principal Military Teaching Hospital in Dakar, Senegal was to evaluate percutaneous tracheotomy in terms of effectiveness, time and resource management, and perioperative problems while trying to adapt it to resources available in a tropical intensive care setting. A total of 2958 patients were admitted during the study period including 100 who underwent percutaneous tracheotomy. Most cases involved traumatic injury. The mean implementation period was 10 days with a mean procedure time of 6 minutes. Two failures occurred requiring conversion to a surgical approach. Two patients had presented esotracheal fistula including one who died after inhalation when feeding was attempted. One patient developed stenosis. Operator experience and training were identified as good prognostic factors.

[Centipede bite in a woman with heterozygotous sickle cell disease]. / Morsure de scolopendre chez une drépanocytaire hétérozygote au Sénégal.

Although centipede bits can cause severe symptoms, they are seldom reported since outcome is generally favorable. The purpose of this report is to describe a case of centipede envenomation causing severe and prolonged symptoms in a woman with sickle cell trait.

[Perception of nosocomial risk among healthcare workers at "Hopital Principal" in Dakar, Senegal (survey 2004)]. / Perception du risque nosocomial parmi le personnel hospitalier de l'Hôpital Principal de Dakar.

Nosocomial Infection (NI) is also observed in healthcare facilities in non-Western countries. The purpose of this report is to describe the findings of a survey undertaken to evaluate hygiene procedures implemented at the "Hopital Principal" in Dakar, Senegal and to assess perception and awareness of nosocomial risk among the hospital staff. A total of 264 healthcare workers were interviewed. Mean age was 39 years (range, 18-60) and the sex ratio was 1.3 (150 men/114 women). Sixty (22.7%) had university degrees, 106 (40.2%) had secondary school diplomas, 50 (18.9%) had attended middle school, and 13 (4.9%) had no schooling. Analysis of interview data showed that 56.1% (157/264) defined NI as infection acquired at the hospital but that only 9.8% (n=26) knew that a minimum 48-hour delay was necessary to distinguish nosocomial from community acquired infection. While understanding about NI was correlated with education level, data showed that 1 out of 3 physicians (13/39) failed to give the exact definition. Hand contact was cited as the second route of transmission. Isolation precautions were understood by 22.7% of personnel (60/264). Systematic handwashing was reported by 363% (96/264) but observation demonstrated that it was not performed properly regardless of the category of personnel. Care protocols were understood by 54.6% of persons interviewed (144/264). A hygiene-training course had been attended by 52.2% (n=138). Two thirds of the staff (69.7%: 54/264) was able to identify the hygiene nurse. Ninety-eight health care providers (37.1%) were familiar with the CLIN (Comités de Lutte contre les Infections Nosocomiales).

[Prevention of the acute tolerence with fentanyl by ketamine]. / Prévention de la tolérence aigue au fentanyl par la kétamine à faible poids.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study is to evaluate in under developed country where post operative pain management inadequate the efficiency of the prevention of this acute tolerance with opioids by the ketamine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We did a prospective study on months period (January 2004 to June 2004). The setting was the HPD surgical unit recovery room. The patients of more than 15 years and less than 60 years who underwent painful or fairly painful surgical operation under general anaesthesia were included. The patients intubés,ventilated and sedated in the recovery room were excluded from the study .The patients were divided into two groups: in group 1 the patients were given 100 microg/kg of ketamine 15 mn before induction. In group 2 the patients where given a placebo 15 mn before induction. The fentanyl was used systematically during induction at the dosage of 5 microg/kg. The quality of per-operative analgesia was evaluated by the appreciation of the heart rate and the blood pressure. The DPO was evaluated by the analogical visual scale (EV A) at the entrance and the exit of the recovery room, and at the 4th, 8th, 12th and 24th hour after the surgery. RESULTS: Hundred and thirteen (113) patient were included in the study (groupel with ketamine: 56 patients, groupe 2 without ketamine: 57). The average age was 30 years with extremes from 16 to 60 years. In group 1 and preoperatively 5.9% of the patients receided additional fentanyl ranging from 50 to 100 microg/kg against 47.7% in group 2. In the post-operative period, the morphine consumption was 22.02% for the Group 1 and 43.37% for Group 2. The difference between the two groups is statistically significant. A case of restlessness was noted in group 1. CONCLUSION: The low dose ketamine seems to be effective for the prevention of the postoperative severe pain induced by the fentanyl. It allows also an improvement of the quality of per-operational analgesia.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Senegal: a series of 38 cases at the Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital in Dakar.

Our aims were to study the epidemiological, clinical, and parasitological aspects of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the dermatology department of the Aristide Le Dantec hospital. This retrospective study reviewed records of cases treated over a 4-year period (from April 2010 through April 2014) at the HALD Dermatology department. The study included all patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis during the study period. The diagnostic criteria were clinical, parasitological, and histological. The study included 38 patients, corresponding to 9.5 cases per year. Patients' average age was 25 years (4-65 years) and the sex ratio was 1.6. The mean time from symptom outset to consultation was 3.2 months. The disease was located in limbs in 23 cases (63.8%), the face in 6 cases (16.6%), and disseminated in 9 (19.6%). The clinical presentation was ulcerated and crusted in 17 patients (44.7%), sporotrichoid in 13 (28.9%), pseudo-lepromatous in 4 (10.5%), and lupoid in 3 cases (7.9 %). It included warts, mucosa, and tropical sores (Aleppo boils) in all cases. We observed 3 cases associated with HIV; one had a pseudo-lepromatous presentation and resulted from immune restoration syndrome, while two patients had clinical forms of associations: ulcerative and crusted lesions associated with mucosal leishmaniasis in a 55-year-old patient, and cutaneous ulcerative, lupoid, and crusted multifocal (cutaneous, medullary, and lymph nodes) lesions in a 4-year-old infected with Leishmania infantum. Crusted ulcerative cutaneous leishmaniasis is the predominant form of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Infection with HIV can be an important factor in clinical and parasitological atypia.

Evaluation of the use of Home Emergency in a Sub-Sahara African hospital: Example of the Hospital Principal in Dakar.

Overloaded emergency departments are common around the world. This prospective, descriptive, and analytical study evaluates the reasons for emergency room use and describes the severity of the patients' conditions and how they reach the emergency department. It took place at the emergency department of the principal hospital of Dakar (the Armed Forces Teaching Hospital) over a one-week period (from August 23 to August 30, 2016) and included a sample of 219 patients of both sexes aged 15 years and older. Data were collected about social and demographic characteristics, reasons for choosing the emergency department rather than other care, time of day, day of the week, accessibility, means of transport, diagnosis, and severity. More than half of patients (55 %) were men, with a mean age of 42 +/- 18. Only 10 % of patients lived within 5 km of the hospital. Most (84.5 %) came from the Dakar region and lived between 5 and 35 km from the hospital. Most patients reached the hospital by their own means (83 %). Only 2 % were transported by the public emergency ambulance service. The reasons for choosing the emergency unit were the opportunity for additional tests in 41.1 % of cases ; the desire to be hospitalized in 26.9 % ; fear of death in 26.5 %, no waiting list in 14.2 %, and lack of money in 11 % of cases. Patients in truly serious condition accounted for only 5 % of cases. Most (88 %) returned home after stabilization, 12 % were hospitalized, and 0.5 % died. Good practices, good organization, and improved complementarity between public, private, and emergency services are needed to reduce the use of the latter.

Non-tubercular caseous adenopathy in Senegal.

The authors report the case of a 22-year-old man referred seven months after the onset of papulo-nodular skin lesions, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly and hepatomegaly. Mycologic and histologic examination of skin lesions enabled the diagnosis of African histoplasmosis, by Histoplasma capsulatum var duboisii. The lymph nodes were caseous. The culture in Lowenstein-Jensen medium was negative.