Mixed-method evaluation study of a targeted mass drug administration of long-acting anti-malarials among children aged 3 months to 15 years in the Bossangoa sub-prefecture, Ouham, Central African Republic, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) initiated three cycles of dihydroartemisin-piperaquine (DHA-PQ) mass drug administration (MDA) for children aged three months to 15 years within Bossangoa sub-prefecture, Central African Republic. Coverage, clinical impact, and community members perspectives were evaluated to inform the use of MDAs in humanitarian emergencies. METHODS: A household survey was undertaken after the MDA focusing on participation, recent illness among eligible children, and household satisfaction. Using routine surveillance data, the reduction during the MDA period compared to the same period of preceding two years in consultations, malaria diagnoses, malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) positivity in three MSF community healthcare facilities (HFs), and the reduction in severe malaria admissions at the regional hospital were estimated. Twenty-seven focus groups discussions (FGDs) with community members were conducted. RESULTS: Overall coverage based on the MDA card or verbal report was 94.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 86.3-97.8%). Among participants of the household survey, 2.6% (95% CI 1.6-40.3%) of round 3 MDA participants experienced illness in the preceding four weeks compared to 30.6% (95% CI 22.1-40.8%) of MDA non-participants. One community HF experienced a 54.5% (95% CI 50.8-57.9) reduction in consultations, a 73.7% (95% CI 70.5-76.5) reduction in malaria diagnoses, and 42.9% (95% CI 36.0-49.0) reduction in the proportion of positive RDTs among children under five. A second community HF experienced an increase in consultations (+ 15.1% (- 23.3 to 7.5)) and stable malaria diagnoses (4.2% (3.9-11.6)). A third community HF experienced an increase in consultations (+ 41.1% (95% CI 51.2-31.8) and malaria diagnoses (+ 37.3% (95% CI 47.4-27.9)). There were a 25.2% (95% CI 2.0-42.8) reduction in hospital admissions with severe malaria among children under five from the MDA area. FGDs revealed community members perceived less illness among children because of the MDA, as well as fewer hospitalizations. Other indirect benefits such as reduced household expenditure on healthcare were also described. CONCLUSION: The MDA achieved high coverage and community acceptance. While some positive health impact was observed, it was resource intensive, particularly in this rural context. The priority for malaria control in humanitarian contexts should remain diagnosis and treatment. MDA may be additional tool where the context supports its implementation.

Percutaneous renal artery embolisation of non-functioning renal allografts with clinical intolerance.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous renal artery embolisation of non-functioning renal allografts in patients with graft intolerance syndrome (GIS). Transcatheter artery embolisation was performed in 30 kidney transplant recipients with GIS. The duration of graft function had been 60+/-45 months. Infectious disease was ruled out in all patients. Embolisation consisted of the injection of polyvinyl alcohol microspheres followed by the insertion of a stainless steel coil in the renal artery branches. Symptoms of GIS included: fever-graft pain (44%, n=13), fever-hematuria-pain (20%, n=6), fever-hematuria (13%, n=4) and fever alone (23%, n=7). Latency time between graft failure and embolisation was 184+/-227 (17-1181) days. Embolisation was clinically successful with the prolonged disappearance of GIS in 24 patients (80%). Six patients showed initial clinical improvement, but GIS reappeared at 40+/-18 days, and graft nephrectomy was required. There were no major complications associated with embolisation and no deaths. Perirenal collateral supply was a risk factor for the reappearance of GIS. Renal vascular embolisation is a simple, safe and effective technique for treating renal allograft intolerance syndrome and could be a feasible alternative for the first-line treatment.

Tumores vesicales de células transicionales en pacientes menores de 20 años / Transitional cell vesical tumors in patients younger than 20 years old

En los dos últimos decenios han sido motivo de numerosas revisiones los tumores de células transicionales en personas menores de 20 años de edad. Se presenta un estudio retrospectivo de seis pacientes con tumores vesicales de urotelio que, en el momento de iniciarse la sintomatología, tuvieran edad de 20 años o menor. En todos los casos el primer signo fue la hematuria, y el diagnóstico se confirmó entre dos y 60 meses después. El tratamiento de elección fue la electrorresección transuretral y, en un caso, consistió en cistectomía parcial con reimplantación de los uréteres. Se trata de carcinomas de buen pronóstico, por su baja tendencia invasora que se pone de manifiesto en la revisión bibliográfica y se confirma en esta serie. Es un padecimiento poco frecuente (0.4 por ciento) en este grupo etario; sin embargo, se debe tener en cuenta en el diagnóstico diferencial de la hematuria en el paciente joven. Se proponen la ecografía y la citología urinarias como métodos para el seguimiento de estos tumores.