[Tuberculosis in the mother and child]. / La Tuberculose dans le couple mère-enfant.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis is a scourge in our region; it is particularly dangerous in young children, above all those of tuberculous mothers. The object of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of tuberculosis in the children of tuberculous mothers and to determine how to increase their chances of survival and healthy development. METHODS: Between 1 January and 31 July 2002, 45 women were admitted to hospital with a child of less than 5 years. They received (mothers and children) an intradermal tuberculin test (IDTT) of 10 i.u., chest x-ray, and sputum examination for the mothers. RESULTS: 45 women (aged from 18 to 45 years) were hospitalised for sputum positive tuberculosis, an average IDTT of 13 mm and a high bacterial load (1 to>10 bacilli/hpf). Almost all (96%) presented with cavitating parenchymatous disease. We found no cases positive for HIV. Progress was satisfactory in 43 mothers treated with SRHZ. There were 2 deaths. In the children who were systematically examined, 82% (37) were less than 20 months old, there were 23 boys (51%), and 26 children (58%) were symptomatic at the first consultation. All the children were breast fed, explaining their admission with their mother. Evidence of tuberculous contact was found, 6 times with the father and 4 times with the grandparents. The most common physical signs were fever (92%) cough and weight loss (77%), malnutrition (69%). The IDTT was positive in 38/45 (84.5%) and pustular in 16/38 (42%). The chest x-ray was normal in 16/45 (35.6%), revealed mediastinal adenopathy in 19/29 (65.5%), accompanied by ipsilateral ventilatory problems in 11/29 (38%) and by parenchymal involvement in 3/29 (10.3%). Progress was satisfactory in 44 children on antituberculous treatment (RHE). There was one death on account over severe malnutrition. CONCLUSION: Treatment of tuberculosis in the mother and child is a guarantee of recovery for the mother and healthy development for the child. S: streptomycin, R: rifampicin, H: isoniazid, E: ethambutol, Z: pyrazinamide.

[Determination of risk factors of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis]. / Etude des facteurs de risque de survenue d'une tuberculose pulmonaire a bacilloscopie negative.

OBJECTIVES: to compare the epidemiological, clinical and paraclinical features of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (PT-) and the smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PT+), to determine the risk factors of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: It was a prospective study, conducted from November 1995 to November 1996. Data were analysed by EPI-INFO 6.04 (OMS/CDC). RESULTS: The study included 426 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Among them, 348 (81.7%) were PT+ and 78 (18.3%) were PT-. The sex-ratio was 2.4. Age group of 26 to 45 years was more affected (58.4% for the PT+ and 52.6% for the PT-). The prevalence of HIV infection was statistically higher in PT- (p = 0.01). Cough, sputum and lung condensation syndrom were more observed in PT+ group (p = 0.01). PT- patients had best nutritional status (p = 0.01). The chest X-ray showed more cavitations in the PT+ group (p = 0.000). While, in the PT- group, extra pulmonary lesions as pleural fluid were more frequent (p = 0.02). The full blood count found an anaemia (Hb=9 g/dl) associated to a neutrophilic h yperleucocytosis and an increased e rythrocyte sedimentation at the first hour in the both groups, without significant differance. The rates of CD4, CD8 lymphocytes and the ratio CD4/CD8 were in the normal range. Negative skin tuberculin test was more found in PT- (p = 0.04). The culture of sputum for PT- patients was positive in 15 patients out of 23 (65.2%). CONCLUSION: The risk factors of PT- identified are: Age >45 years, HIV infected patients, no expectoration, no or inefficient cough, no cavitations at the Chest X-ray.

[Occupational asthma in a Senegalese car sprayer. Diagnostic and medico-legal problems]. / Asthme professionnel chez un peintre sénégalais. Problèmes diagnostiques et médico-légaux.

The industrial development policy adopted by African countries since their independence has contrasted with the relative rarity of occupational asthma in workers exposed to different situations and substances known to generate occupational asthma. Asthma occurring in a Senegalese car sprayer had persisted for twenty years before the its work-related nature was recognized. This observation demonstrates the need for: 1. Education to make health care personnel, as well as workers and employers, more aware of the clinical aspects of asthma. Educational programs should include diagnostic and preventive measures for respiratory occupational diseases including occupational asthma. 2. A registration system for occupational diseases so the occupational nature of diseases can acquire legal recognition. 3. Cooperative efforts between general practitioners, occupational physicians, physiologists and lung specialists in order to create reference laboratories where tests can be performed to confirm the diagnosis of occupational asthma, a disease which has not yet been included on the list of occupational diseases.

[Localized benign pleural mesothelioma observed at the Dakar University Hospital]. / Mésotheliomes pleuraux bénins localisés observés au C.H.U. de Dakar.

We report two cases of localized benign pleural mesothelioma with different clinical features. Neuropsychiatric symptoms, including coma, hemiplegia, seizures and misbehavior predominated in the first case, associated with hypoglycemia. The symptoms in the second case were essentially respiratory (cough, dyspnea, and chest pain). Treatment consisted in thoracotomy and complete surgical resection. Histopathology revealed fusiform cells and collagen stroma. These two cases illustrate the diversity of clinical expression of benign localized pleural mesothelioma and confirm their complete resolution after surgical treatment.

[Regulations on tuberculosis risk in workplaces in Senegal]. / Analyse des données disponibles en vue de la mise en place d'une réglementation sur le risque tuberculeux sur le lieu de travail au Sénégal.

National immunization and control programs have not brought about a significant decline in tuberculosis, which remains a real public health concern in our regions. Prevention in the working environment should be part of an overall prevention program for the general population. Nevertheless, companies should play a leading role because they have the necessary structure and assets. We analyzed the epidemiology of tuberculosis in the working environment using demographic data on employees in Senegal, current medicolegal data on tuberculosis in Senegal and data on prevention of tuberculosis. Our analysis led to a proposed strategy for controlling tuberculosis spread and its prevention in the working environment in Senegal.

[Smoking habits among physicians in Dakar]. / Le tabagisme parmi les médecins exerçant à Dakar.

A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in March 1999 on the prevalence of smokers and smoking habits among physicians practicing in the Dakar region. The study population was composed of 163 physicians; 128 male (78.5%) and 35 female (21.5%). The prevalence of smokers was 27.6%. The average age of the smokers was 40.5 (+/- 6.2) years (extremes between 30 and 61 years) and an average duration of 18 (+/- 6.6) years in smoking. Men smoked more than women (93.9% versus 6.7%) with 56.4% of heavy smokers. Specialists represented 63.3% and generalists 36.4%. Initiating factors were stress (28.9%), circle of friends/acquaintances (24.4%), fashion (24.4%), pleasure (20%) and advertisements (2.2%). A little over 82% smoked in public places, 68.9% in their work places and 49.5% before children. The average time duration smoking was stopped followed by relapse was 15.7 (+/- 9.7) months. 97.7% of smokers manifested their intention to stop. Nicotine dependence according too the Fagerström questionnaire was average (37.9%), high (39.6%) and very high (12.6%). Smoking is a reality in the medical environment in Dakar. Specific campaigns aimed at physicians will be necessary to hope for a sustainable change in behavior and for a much more pronounced implication in the fight against tobacco addiction.

[Fernand Widal syndrome: apropos of 2 cases]. / Le syndrome de Fernand Widal: àpropos de deux cas.

The Fernand Widal syndrome combines a nasal polyposis, an asthma and aspirin sensitivity. It remains a nosological entity often unrecognized because of the trivialization of aspirin in-take on the one hand the other its etiopathogenesis which has not yet been clarified because of the inhibition of the cyclo-oxygenase. In actual fact the aspirin molecule has yet to reveal all its secrets (advantages and disadvantages). We report 2 cases of Fernand Widal syndrome observed in 2 women in their thirties with a notion of atopy in one at the Pneumophtisiology clinic at the Fann University Hospital in Dakar. The confirmed diagnosis was based on oral provocative test in addition to suggestive clinical signs which emphasize the classical triad with a chronological appearance more or less typical. The best treatment could combine inhaled corticotherapy, nasalization of sinus cavities, antihistaminics, no aspirin in take and educating the patient.

[Sharp syndrome complicating pulmonary tuberculosis: apropos of a case]. / Syndrome de Sharp compliqué d'une tuberculose pulmonaire: àpropos d'un cas.

This study concerns a case-report about a 28 year old Senegalese woman suffering from a SHARP syndrome complicated by a bilateral bacillary pulmonary tuberculosis. The prevalence of this disease is underestimated but a female predominance is often reported. The mechanisms of this disease strongly depends upon the context in with it occurs. The diagnostic has been established by the ALARCON SEGOVIA criteria including clinical symptoms (Raynaud phenomenon, puffy fingers and myalgia) and biological features such as high positive immunofluorescent reactivity revealing the presence of anti RNP antibody at a level superior to 1/1000. The subsequent development figure of the disease emphasizes: persistence of polymyositis pattern revealed by higher limbs localized myalgia involving the thighs and symptoms of lupus including alopecia and glomerulonephritis remaining of the mixed characteristic comparable to the cases published in the literature. appearance of a bilateral bacillary pulmonary tuberculosis with a severe involvement of the right lung. The treatment composed by anti inflammatory and antituberculosis drugs lead to an early improvement of the clinical symptoms associated to a rapid cleaning of radiological manifestations. Sequelae were represented by cavities detected in the right lung and related to the pharmacological effects of corticosteroid drugs.

[Diffculties in medico-social management of tuberculosis in Pneumology Departement of Fann University Teaching Hospital]. / Difficultés dans la prise en charge médico-sociale de la tuberculose a la clinique de Pneumologie du CHU de Fann.

This prospective study included all the patients who, during the month of September 1995, were admitted for pulmonary baclliferous tuberculosis to the Pneumology Clinic of the Fann University Hospital, Dakar. The patient's escorts and the health personnel were also included in this study. The aim of the study was to find the different socio-economic and health factors impeding the hospitalization of tuberculosis patients in the Pneumology Clinic of Fann University Hospital. 22 members of the health team, 209 patients aged between 15 and 65 years and 209 escorts were interviewed. Out of the 10% of tuberculosis patients with HIV seropositivity, 80% admitted not to have informed their spouses of their infection. The decision to be admitted was made by the patient himself in 54.4% of cases and by his family in 45.5% of cases. Late admittance with regards to the beginning of symptoms was due to the recourse to traditional medicine in 43.7% of cases, wrong diagnosis in 24%, ignorance in 19.3% and, in 13% of cases, due to inappropiate anti tuberculosis treatment. Despite the fact that anti tuberculosis medicine was free of charge, each patient or his family spent an average sum of 87,500 CFA F (US dollar 175) for a month's admission (the minimal salary (SMIG) in Senegal is 32,000 CFA F (US dollar 64), and 40% of the patients and escorts had difficulties making this payment. 9 patients were judged to be poor by 25.7% of the patients and 8.7% found relations with the health personnel difficult. The escorts deplored the lack of toilets (only 1 out of 4 was functional), the time worn facilities, the overcrowding as well as the irregularity and poor quality of the hospital meals. The entire health team deplored the lack of adequate personnel and 30% of them deplored the lack of hygiene of some patients and escorts. Taking financial charge of tuberculosis patients at the Pneumology Clinic of the Fann University Hospital requires an increased financial effort from the State (rehabilitation of the facilities, recruitment of medical and paramedical personnel, improved meals) harmonisation on a national scale of anti tuberculosis therapeutic protocoles and an Information-Education-Communication (IEC) programme on tuberculosis and hygiene.

[Acute chest syndrom in a patient with homozygous sickle cell anemia]. / Syndrome thoracique aigu chez un drépanocytaire homozygote.

The Acute Chest Syndrome (ACS) is defined by the association of chest pain with dyspnea, fever, a recent radiological abnormality and hyperleucocytosis. Acute pulmonary complications are the primary cause of mortality in sickle cell patients. We report a 19-year old male patient with homozygous sickle cell anemia who consults for respiratory symptomatology and bone algia. The diagnosis of ACS by left pneumopathy due to pneumococcal infection was based on the clinical tests, chest x-ray and blood culture. The appearance of pneumopathy in patients suffering from sickle cell anemia is explained by the functional asplenia and the inability of phagocyte cells to destruct bacteria. These incidents are triggered by alveolar hypoventilation, fat embolism from bone infarction, infections, pulmonary oedema and thrombosis. The evolution of these ACS by pneumopathy depends on their early diagnosis and treatment but also on the sensitivity of the germs to antibiotics.

[Respiratory manifestations of malignant lymphomas: report of 5 cases]. / Les manifestations respiratoires des lymphomes malins: à propos de 5 cas.

In this study the authors report 5 cases of malignant lymphomas consisting in a Hodgkin's disease and 4 non Hodgkinian lymphomas. Patients aged from 16 to 55 years were 4 males and 1 female, consulting in Department of respiratory disorders of the University Hospital in Dakar, Senegal, West Africa, from 1986 thru 1992. Detoriation of the general status, cough, dyspnea and cervical adenopathy were remaked in all patients. Thoracic pain and syndrom of right pleurisy were diagnosed in one case of non Hodgkinian malignantlymphoma. X Ray exploration of the chest detected 4 cases of mediastinal adenopathies and 3 pleurisis in non Hodgkinian malignant lymphomas; and reticulonodular opacities of pulmonary basis in the Hodgkin's disease case. The diagnosis has been confirmed by pathologic anatomy studis of the biopsed ganglia. The endemic characteristic of tuberculosis in developing countries make necessary to evoke it in first of any adenopathy. When the clinical feature is atypical, a biopsy of ganglia must be performed to avoid diagnosis delay which could lead to agravate the prognosis of malignant lymphomas.