[Localised tetanus with no obvious entry site: about a case in Bamako (Mali)]. / Tétanos localisé sans porte d´entrée apparente: à propos d´un cas à Bamako (Mali).

Tetanus is a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Localised tetanus is rare, unlike generalized tetanus which has been sufficiently described in the literature. We report a case of localised tetanus with no obvious entry site managed in the Department of Infectious Diseases in Bamako. The study involved a retired nurse aged 59 years who had not undergone tetanus booster immunisation within the last 10 years, corresponding to the date of her last delivery. She was referred to our Hospital with dysphagia associated with inability to open the buccal cavity. Patient's history was characterized by long-term therapy associated with many specialized consultations without any improvement. The diagnosis of localised tetanus with no obvious entry site was retained after having excluded any other local disorder. Outcome was favorable ten days after adequate management. Underdiagnosed or unknown to health-care providers, localised tetanus may mimic other diseases delaying diagnosis and management. Targeted campaign to build awareness should be implemented in order to improve adherence with immunization schedules.

[Tuberculosis and HIV coinfection complicated by nosocomial infection caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae: about 4 cases in a Department of Infectious diseases in Mali]. / Co-infection tuberculose-VIH compliquée d'une sur infection nosocomiale à Klebsiella pneumoniae: à propos de 4 observations dans un Service de Maladies Infectieuses au Mali.

Nosocomial infections are a real global public health problem. Pulmonary tuberculosis and HIV co-infection increases the incidence of nosocomial infections because of immunosuppression and iterative hospitalizations. We here report four cases of patients aged 28, 36, 42 and 52 years co-infected with HIV and tuberculosis (multifocal tuberculosis in 2 patients, miliary tuberculosis, bacteriologically confirmed tuberculosis), all with CD4 < 100 cells/mm3. During the intensive-phase, patients received antitubercular drugs and antiretroviral therapy (ART). They had been admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases at the G-Point University Hospital with productive cough and/or hyperthermia following hospital stay greater than 48 hours. Patients' history revealed that one patient had not been compliant with tuberculosis treatment because of adverse reactions classified as minor. There had been no clinical improvement in the three remaining patients despite their optimal compliance to different treatments. Cytobacteriological examination of sputum and/or testing of the feeding tubes, blood cultures and specific samples allowed to identify multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. The clinical course of these patients was favorable under specific antibiotic therapy. Nosocomial infections may be misinterpreted and associated with poor therapeutic response in patients receiving TB treatment. Cytobacteriological examination of the biological fluids should be systematic in patients co-infected with HIV and tuberculosis and hospitalized for at least 48 hours, in whom pulmonary signs and/or fever persist despite their good compliance to treatment.

Non-Occupational HIV Post-exposure Prophylaxis: A 10-Year Retrospective Review of Data Following Sexual Exposure From Yaounde Central Hospital, Cameroon.

BACKGROUND: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) consists of administering antiretroviral therapy within 72 hours of viral exposure and continued for four weeks. PEP has been shown to be an important means of preventing and decreasing the number of new HIV infections in the general population. The purpose of this study was to describe the profile of patients who consulted at the HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment Center of the Yaounde Central Hospital (YCH) for PEP following non-occupational exposure to HIV. To attain our objective, we carried out a 10-year retrospective review of patient records of all persons who consulted for accidental HIV exposure at the YCH, Cameroon. METHODS: This study was an observational, retrospective analysis of hospital records of persons who consulted for PEP following accidental exposure to HIV in the outpatient HIV clinic at YCH between January 2007 and December 2016. Data extracted from patients' records were: type of HIV exposure, sex, age, profession, level of education, HIV status of source and time to consultation. Descriptive and inferential statistics were analyzed using STATA IC 12.0. Results were presented as median and interquartile range for continuous variables. Categorical variables were expressed as frequencies and proportions. RESULTS: There were 628 consultations for PEP of which 48% (299/628) were as a result of non-occupational post exposure prophylaxis (nPEP). Of those who consulted for HIV PEP following non-occupational exposure, 78% (234/299) were females; adolescents group (15-19 years) and young adults group (20 - 24yrs.) constituted 41% (125/299). Forty percent (1208/299) were secondary or high school students (level of education) and 88% (262/299) were non-healthcare workers. The median time-to-consultation for non-occupational PEP (nPEP) was 19 hours (IQR: 12.4-25.0) and HIV status of the source was unknown in 64% (191/299) of cases and positive for 8% (25/299) of cases. The most frequent indications for consulting were sexual assault, 75% (224/299); condom slippage or breakage, 10% (30/299); and unprotected consensual sexual intercourse, 15% (45/299). CONCLUSION AND GLOBAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS: Consultations for nPEP are as frequent as those occupational PEP (48% vs 52% in this study) in clinical practice at YCH. A good history of the source is important as it prevents unnecessary prescriptions of ART (which themselves have potential side effects) for persons consulting for potential HIV non-occupational exposure. In our study, we found that 27% (82/299) unnecessary ART prescriptions were avoided by determining that the exposure source person had negative HIV status. In addition, adolescent or young females consulting for nPEP in clinics could be potential victims of sexual assault or gender-based violence. Where possible, we recommend that clinicians consider the source of suspected viral exposure in clinical practice prior to administering ART for PEP.