Potential for a large-scale newborn screening strategy for sickle cell disease in Mali: A comparative diagnostic performance study of two rapid diagnostic tests (SickleScan® and HemotypeSC®) on cord blood.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a life-threatening disease requiring reliable early diagnosis. We assessed the acceptability and diagnostic performances of two rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) to identify SCD (HbSS, HbSC, HbS/ß-thalassaemia) or SCD carrier (HbS/HbC) in a pilot SCD newborn screening (NBS) strategy in Mali. All consenting delivering women were offered SCD NBS using cord blood sampling on two RDTs (SickleScan® and HemotypeSC®) compared to the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) gold standard to detect SCD states. From April 2021 to August 2021, 4333 delivering women were eligible of whom 96.1% were offered NBS: 1.6% refused, 13.8% delivered before consenting and 84.6% consented; 3648 newborns were diagnosed by HPLC; 1.64% had SCD (0.63% HbSS, 0.85% HbSC, 0.16 HbS/ß-plus-thalassaemia); 21.79% were SCD carrier. To detect accurately SCD, SickleScan® had a sensitivity of 81.67% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 71.88-91.46) and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 99.69% (95% CI: 99.51-99.87); HemotypeSC® had a sensitivity of 78.33% (95% CI: 67.91-88.76) and a NPV of 99.64% (95% CI: 99.44-99.83). To detect SCD carrier: SickleScan® sensitivity was 96.10% (95% CI: 94.75-97.45) and NPV, 98.90% (95% CI: 98.51-99.29); HemotypeSC® sensitivity was 95.22% (95% CI: 93.74-96.70) and NPV, 98.66% (95% CI: 98.24-99.03). Routine SCD NBS was acceptable. Compared with HPLC, both RDTs had reliable diagnostic performances to exclude SCD-free newborns and to identify SCD carriers to be further confirmed. This strategy could be implemented in large-scale NBS programmes.

Connaissances, attitudes et pratiques de la population de la région de Dakar sur la COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: Faced with the increase in confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Senegal, particularly in the region of Dakar, epicenter of the disease, it is necessary to study the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the populations of the West and South districts on COVID-19. METHODS: A cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted from May 9 to 30, 2020. A four-stage cluster survey was carried out at the level of the West and South districts. Univariate and multivariate analyzes were carried out using R 3.4.4 software. RESULTS: In total, 400 people were surveyed. The mean age of those surveyed was 40.2 ± 14.7 years and extremes of 18 and 82 years. The male sex predominated in 66.5% of cases. People had good knowledge of the signs, transmission risks and prevention measures respectively in 4.7%; 3% and 47.8%. In total, 74% of the people surveyed respected the concept of "stay at home". Wearing a mask and systematic hand washing with soap and water were noted among the people surveyed in 53.6% and 34.8% of cases, respectively. People who had good knowledge of preventive measures against COVID-19 wore the mask more (ORaj = 2.1 [1.2-3.5]) and washed their hands more with soap and water (ORaj = 1.9 [1.1-3.4]). CONCLUSION: For an effective fight against this epidemic, it is important to strengthen risk communication with full community participation. This strategy must be coupled with actions aimed at making prevention means available to the benefit of the entire population.

[Knowledge, attitudes and practices of the population of Dakar region on the COVID-19]. / Connaissances, attitudes et pratiques de la population de la région de Dakar sur la COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: Faced with the increase in confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Senegal, particularly in the region of Dakar, epicenter of the disease, it is necessary to study the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the populations of the West and South districts on COVID-19. METHODS: A cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted from May 9 to 30, 2020. A four-stage cluster survey was carried out at the level of the West and South districts. Univariate and multivariate analyzes were carried out using R 3.4.4 software. RESULTS: In total, 400 people were surveyed. The mean age of those surveyed was 40.2 ± 14.7 years and extremes of 18 and 82 years. The male sex predominated in 66.5% of cases. People had good knowledge of the signs, transmission risks and prevention measures respectively in 4.7%; 3% and 47.8%. In total, 74% of the people surveyed respected the concept of "stay at home". Wearing a mask and systematic hand washing with soap and water were noted among the people surveyed in 53.6% and 34.8% of cases, respectively. People who had good knowledge of preventive measures against COVID-19 wore the mask more (ORaj = 2.1 [1.2-3.5]) and washed their hands more with soap and water (ORaj = 1.9 [1.1-3.4]). CONCLUSION: For an effective fight against this epidemic, it is important to strengthen risk communication with full community participation. This strategy must be coupled with actions aimed at making prevention means available to the benefit of the entire population.

A Comprehensive Study on the Hematological Progression of Sickle Cell Disease Patients with COVID-19 at the Center for Research and Control of Sickle Cell Disease, Bamako.

The Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is a real crisis that has exposed the unpreparedness of many healthcare systems worldwide. Several underlying health conditions have been identified as risk factors, including sickle cell disease, a chronic illness with various complications that can increase the risk of severe COVID-19 infection. Our study aimed to investigate the profile of sickle cell patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and explore any potential relationship between these two conditions. We analyzed data from 11 sickle cell patients who contracted COVID-19 between June and December 2020 and were treated at the CRLD (Center for Sickle Cell Disease and Research). The patients' COVID-19 diagnosis was confirmed using the (Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction) RT-PCR technique on nasopharyngeal swab samples and/or based on clinical and radiological findings, including CT scans. The patients consisted of 7 males and 4 females, with a mean age of 40 ± 12 years. The sickle cell phenotypes observed were SC (45.4%), SS (36.37%), and Sß± thalassemia (18.2%). During the COVID-19 infection, we observed a slight increase in white blood cell and platelet counts, but a decrease in mean hemoglobin levels and red blood cells. Only 3 out of 11 patients (28%) had a fever at the time of diagnosis. Three patients required red blood cell transfusions due to severe anemia, and 7 out of 11 patients (63.6%) were hospitalized, with one patient admitted to the intensive care unit due to pulmonary embolism. All patients recovered from COVID-19.

[Platelet count in the steady state phase and clinical severity of sickle cell disease in a reference centre for sickle cell disease in Mali]. / Taux des plaquettes sanguines en phase intercritique et expressivité clinique de la drépanocytose dans un centre de référence de la drépanocytose au Mali.

Risk factors associated with complications occurring in sickle cell disease are not fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the existence of an association between the clinical severity of sickle cell disease and platelet count in the steady state phase in patients with sickle cell disease followed up at the Center for Research and Control of Sickle Cell Disease in Bamako, Mali. We conducted a retrospective review of 40 medical records of patients aged 5 to 42 years with sickle cell disease at the Center for Research and Control of Sickle Cell Disease in Bamako, Mali. Clinical severity of sickle cell disease was assessed according to the criteria of VOC and/or hospitalizations < 2 or ≥ 2 per year. Data entry was carried out using the Excel 2013 version. The statistical tests used were the Chi2, Student and Mac Nemar tests. Of the 40 patients, 82.5% had haemolytic phenotype and 17.5% hyperviscous phenotype; complications of sickle cell disease were more frequent in the haemolytic phenotype group (p < 0.05). There was a significant association between mean platelet count ≥ 450 G/L in the steady state phase and the annual number of CVOs ≥ 2 (p = 0.002). This study shows that mean platelet count ≥ 450 G/L in sickle cell patients in the steady state phase could be a risk factor for the frequent occurrence of CVO. It underlines the importance of conducting prospective studies focusing on both hyperplateletosis and platelet activation markers in larger sample sizes, as well as therapeutic trials involving platelet activation inhibitors, such as Crizanlizumab, a humanised anti-P-selectin monoclonal antibodies.

Building the capacity of West African countries in Aedes surveillance: inaugural meeting of the West African Aedes Surveillance Network (WAASuN).

Arboviral diseases such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes have been reported in 34 African countries. Available data indicate that in recent years there have been dengue and chikungunya outbreaks in the West Africa subregion, in countries including Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Senegal, and Benin. These viral diseases are causing an increased public health burden, which impedes poverty reduction and sustainable development. Aedes surveillance and control capacity, which are key to reducing the prevalence of arboviral infections, need to be strengthened in West Africa, to provide information essential for the formulation of effective vector control strategies and the prediction of arboviral disease outbreaks. In line with these objectives, the West African Aedes Surveillance Network (WAASuN) was created in 2017 at a meeting held in Sierra Leone comprising African scientists working on Aedes mosquitoes. This manuscript describes the proceedings and discusses key highlights of the meeting.

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Senegal: a national population-based cross-sectional survey, between October and November 2020.

Objectives: A nationwide cross-sectional epidemiological survey was conducted to capture the true extent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exposure in Senegal. Methods: Multi-stage random cluster sampling of households was performed between October and November 2020, at the end of the first wave of COVID-19 transmission. Anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies were screened using three distinct ELISA assays. Adjusted prevalence rates for the survey design were calculated for each test separately, and thereafter combined. Crude and adjusted prevalence rates based on test performance were estimated to assess the seroprevalence. As some samples were collected in high malaria endemic areas, the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 seroreactivity and antimalarial humoral immunity was also investigated. Results: Of the 1463 participants included in this study, 58.8% were female and 41.2% were male; their mean age was 29.2 years (range 0.20-84.8.0 years). The national seroprevalence was estimated at 28.4% (95% confidence interval 26.1-30.8%). There was substantial regional variability. All age groups were impacted, and the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was comparable in the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. An estimated 4 744 392 (95% confidence interval 4 360 164-5 145 327) were potentially infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Senegal, while 16 089 COVID-19 RT-PCR laboratory-confirmed cases were reported by the national surveillance. No correlation was found between SARS-CoV-2 and Plasmodium seroreactivity. Conclusions: These results provide a better estimate of SARS-CoV-2 dissemination in the Senegalese population. Preventive and control measures need to be reinforced in the country and especially in the south border regions.

[Iatrogenic common carotid artery injury secondary to an internal jugular venous catheterization]. / Plaie iatrogène de l'artère carotide commune secondaire a un cathétérisme veineux jugulaire interne.

Carotid injury occurring during venous jugular catheterization is a rare but potentially dramatic event. We report a case of compressive cervical hematoma associated with haemothorax occurred after common carotid artery injury during internal jugular venous catheterization. The diagnosis and management of this type of complication are discussed.

Consideraciones en torno a los tumores del mediastino / Considerations about mediastinal tumours

Introducción. El desarrollo de las imágenes diagnósticas hizo posible el diagnóstico topográfico de los tumores de mediastino; sin embargo, aún con los avances actuales de la cirugía, la anestesiología y la reanimación, el acceso quirúrgico a ese espacio medio de la caja torácica continúa siendo el gran reto que enfrentan los cirujanos torácicos. Objetivo. Profundizar en los diferentes aspectos cognoscitivos actualizados sobre los tumores mediastinales.Métodos. Búsqueda documental digital en bases de datos: Scielo, Lilacs, Web of Science, PubMed, realizada en enero de 2019, de publicaciones sobre el tema en la presente centuria. Resultados. Las neoplasias mediastinales son poco frecuentes, pueden aparecer a cualquier edad, aunque son más frecuentes entre la tercera y quinta décadas, y la mayoría se descubren incidentalmente en una radiografía de tórax de rutina en pacientes asintomáticos. Los tumores malignos del mediastino son poco frecuentes, pero los benignos constituyen un desafío diagnóstico para radiólogos y patólogos. En las neoplasias malignas se identifica una amplia gama de variedades histológicas, atribuibles a las características del órgano afectado. Conclusiones. El diagnóstico definitivo generalmente se establece mediante el estudio histopatológico posquirúrgico, si bien la tomografía computarizada, asociada o no a la biopsia percutánea, es el estándar de oro para el diagnóstico preoperatorio. La selección de la vía de entrada al tórax, así como el procedimiento quirúrgico, están condicionados por la localización y el tamaño del tumor en el mediastino

Introduction. The development of diagnostic images made the topographic diagnosis of mediastinal tumors possible; however, even with current advances in surgery, anesthesiology, and resuscitation, surgical access to this mid-rib cage space continues to be the great challenge faced by chest surgeons.Objective. To deepen in the different updated cognitive aspects about mediastinal tumors.Methods. Digital documentary search in databases: Scielo, Lilacs, Web of Science, and PubMed, performed in January 2019, of publications on the subject in the present century.Results. Mediastinal neoplasms are rare, they can appear at any age, although they are most common between the third and fifth decades, and most are discovered incidentally on a routine chest radiograph in asymptomatic patients. Malignant tumors of the mediastinum are rare, but benign tumors pose a diagnostic challenge for radiologists and pathologists. In malignant neoplasms, a wide range of histological varieties is identified, attributable to the characteristics of the affected organ.Conclusions. The definitive diagnosis is generally established by postoperative histopathological study, although computed tomography, associated or not with percutaneous biopsy, is the gold standard for preoperative diagnosis. The selection of the entry route to the thorax, as well as the surgical procedure, are conditioned by the location and size of the tumor in the mediastinum

Caracterización de los pacientes operados de tumores del mediastino / Surgical-evolutionary Characterization of Patients Operated on for Mediastinal Tumors

RESUMEN Introducción: Las neoplasias mediastinales son tumores poco frecuentes, pueden aparecer a cualquier edad, por lo general entre la tercera y quinta décadas y se descubren incidentalmente en una radiografía de tórax de rutina en pacientes asintomáticos. Objetivo: Caracterizar a los pacientes operados de tumores de mediastino según variables clínicas y quirúrgicas. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, de tipo serie de casos con una muestra de 37 pacientes ingresados y operados en el Servicio de Cirugía General del Hospital Provincial Docente "Saturnino Lora" de Santiago de Cuba, con diagnóstico de tumor mediastinal durante los años 2010 a 2017. Resultados: La esternotomía fue la vía de acceso más utilizada y se logró efectuar exéresis completa en 31 enfermos. Primaron las variedades histológicas malignas (54,1 por ciento); solo hubo cuatro complicaciones posoperatorias de relevancia y dos fallecidos. Conclusión: Predominaron los tumores malignos en los que se identificó una amplia gama de variedades histológicas, atribuibles a las características del órgano afectado. La selección de la vía de entrada al tórax, así como el procedimiento quirúrgico estuvo condicionados por el lugar y tamaño del tumor en el mediastino. Los resultados quirúrgicos fueron favorables, avalados por el bajo número de complicaciones y nivel de mortalidad en la serie(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Mediastinal neoplasms are rare tumors that may appear at any age, generally between the third and fifth decades of life, and incidentally discovered by a routine chest radiograph performed on asymptomatic patients. Objective: To characterize the patients operated on for mediastinal tumors according to selected surgical and evolutionary variables. Methods: An observational, descriptive and case series study was carried out with a sample of 37 patients hospitalized and operated on in the general surgery service at Saturnino Lora Teaching Provincial Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, with a diagnosis of mediastinal tumor, and during the years 2010 to 2017. Results: Sternotomy was the most widely used access route and complete exeresis was achieved in 31 patients. Malignant histological varieties prevailed (54.1 percent). There were only four relevant postoperative complications and two deaths. Conclusion: Malignant tumors predominated with a wide range of histological varieties identified, attributable to the characteristics of the affected organ. Selection of the access route into the thorax and the surgical procedure were conditioned by location and size of the tumor in the mediastine. The surgical outcomes were favorable, supported by the low number of complications and the level of mortality in the series(AU)

Caracterización de pacientes operados por tumores del mediastino / Characterization of operated patients because of mediastinal tumors

Introducción: Las neoplasias mediastinales son tumores poco frecuentes, pueden aparecer a cualquier edad y por lo general se descubren incidentalmente en una radiografía de tórax de rutina en pacientes asintomáticos. Objetivo: Caracterizar a los pacientes operados por tumores de mediastino según variables clínico- epidemiológicas y diagnósticas seleccionadas. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, de tipo serie de casos con 37 enfermos ingresados y operados con diagnóstico de tumor mediastinal, en el Servicio de Cirugía General del Hospital Provincial Docente "Saturnino Lora" de Santiago de Cuba, durante los años 2010 a 2017. Resultados: Predominó el sexo femenino con 23 pacientes y el intervalo de edad entre 31 y 40 años (11 casos). Los síntomas más comunes fueron dolor torácico, tos y disnea. El compartimiento posterior fue el mayormente afectado (11 pacientes), así como los tumores con tamaños entre 7 y 9 cm (17 enfermos). Los medios diagnósticos más utilizados fueron la tomografía computarizada, la broncoscopia y la mediastinoscopia. Primaron los tumores malignos (54,1 por ciento) en los que se identificó una amplia gama de variedades histológicas. Conclusiones: El diagnóstico definitivo generalmente se establece mediante el estudio histopatológico posquirúrgico, aunque la tomografía computarizada asociada o no a la biopsia percutánea es la regla de oro para el diagnóstico preoperatorio. Las variedades histológicas de los tumores malignos son atribuibles a las características del órgano afectado(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Mediastinal neoplasms are rare tumours; they can appear at any age and they are usually discovered incidentally on a routine chest radiograph in asymptomatic patients. Objective: To characterize patients operated on mediastinal tumours according to selected clinical, epidemiological and diagnostic variables. Methods: An observational, descriptive study of a series of cases with 37 patients admitted and operated with diagnosis of mediastinal tumour in the General Surgery Service of the Provincial Teaching "Saturnino Lora" Hospital from Santiago de Cuba, during the years 2010 to 2017. Results: The female sex predominated with 23 patients and the age interval between 31 and 40 years (11 cases). The most common symptoms were chest pain, cough and dyspnea. The posterior compartment was the most affected (11 patients), as well as the tumors with sizes between 7 and 9 cm (17 cases). The most used diagnostic means were computed tomography, bronchoscopy and mediastinoscopy. Malignant histological varieties prevailed (54.1 percent). Conclusions: The definitive diagnosis is usually established by postoperative histopathological study, although computed tomography associated or not with percutaneous biopsy is the gold standard for preoperative diagnosis. Malignant histological varieties are related with characteristics of the affected organ(AU)