[Obstetrical vesico-vaginal fistula in Guinea: Data analysis of three sites of treatment at Engender Health ONG]. / Fistules vésico-vaginales obstétricales en Guinée : analyse des données de 3 sites de prise en charge de l'ONG Engender Health.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the management of obstetric vesico-vaginal fistula in the three sites of Engender Health in Guinea. PATIENTS AND METHODS: It was a retrospective study of descriptive type having helped collect 450 cases of vesico-vaginal fistulas in three support sites engender health between January 2008 and December 2011. The variables studied were epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic reasons and treatment outcomes were evaluated after a decline of at least six months. RESULTS: The mean age of onset of the fistula was 25years, ranging from 12 to 55years and 58.8% (n=265) of patients were aged between 18 and 30years. The mean duration of fistula was 11years, ranging from 1 to 38years. Eighty-two percent (n=416) of patients were housewives and 66.4% (n=299) off school. The complex fistula with 66% (n=297) was the most frequent. The treatment consisted of a fistulorraphie after splitting vesico-vaginal in 93.3% (n=420) of cases. Therapeutic results considered after a mean of 8months have resulted in a cure in 79.3% (n=357) of cases, improvement in 4.2% (n=19) of cases and failure in 16 4% (n=74) of cases. CONCLUSION: Vesico-vaginal fistula is a major cause of maternal morbidity in Guinea. The establishment of a real health policy based on sound medical and social structures contributes to its eradication. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5.

[The profile urological emergencies at the Conakry University Teaching Hospital, Guinea]. / Le profil des urgences urologiques au CHU de Conakry, Guinée.

OBJECTIVE: To stick out the profile urological emergencies at the Conakry University Teaching Hospital, Guinea. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study, carried out over a period of 3 years (January 2005-December 2007), included 757 urological emergencies admitted to the urology department of the university hospital of Conakry, Guinea. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 56 years. These patients had an age equal to or higher than 60 years in 58% of the cases. The sex ratio (M/F) was 16.6. According to the social profession, the farmer (40,6%) and workers (21%) were the dominant patients. The most frequent illness was vesical urinary retention (73.9%), hematuria (9.6%) and genito-urinary system trauma (7%). The most performed procedures were the installation of a urethral catheter (55.25%) and the installation of a suprapubic catheter (24.14%). CONCLUSION: The most frequent urological emergency in our country was vesical urinary retention, the hematuria and genito-urinary system trauma are not rare there.

Ebola virus disease in children in Conakry and Coyah Ebola treatment centers and risk factors associated with death.

OBJECTIVE: To study Ebola virus disease (EVD) in children aged 15 years and below, and to identify risk factors associated with death. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective, multicenter, descriptive, and analytical study of files of children aged 15 years and below in Ebola treatment centers (ETC) of Donka from March 2014 to May 2015. We included all files of children aged 15 years and below hospitalized for EVD in the two ETCs. RESULTS: A total of 739 patients hospitalized in both ETCs, 146 children aged 15 years and below (20%) were registered during the study period. The mean age of children was 6.73±4.26 years. Most children were aged above five years (65.8%) and the mean time to consultation was 4.34±3.21 days. The main clinical signs were asthenia (78.8%), fever (75.3%), anorexia (53.4%), headache (45.9%), vomiting (41.8%), abdominal pain (29.5%), and diarrhea (28.8%). The case fatality was 48%, including 54.3% in Coyah and 45% in Conakry. Older age (aOR=0.83, 95% CI [0.76-0.95]), fever (aOR=3.28, 95% CI [1.22-8.87]), diarrhea (aOR=2.98, 95% CI [1.19-4.48]), and hemorrhage (aOR=3.13, 95% CI [1.00-10.38]) were independently associated with death due to EVD. CONCLUSION: EVD remains serious especially in children, with high case fatality. Risk factors independently associated with death were young age, diarrhea, hemorrhage, and fever. Particular attention to these risk factors and vaccination will contribute to improving the prognosis of EVD in children.

[Acute Flaccid Paralysis Secondary to Poliomyelitis: 11 Years of Monitoring in Guinea (2005-2015)]. / Paralysies flasques aiguës dues à des poliovirus : bilan de 11 années de surveillance en Guinée (2005-2015).

The sustained worldwide use of the two available types of polio vaccines has significantly reduced the incidence of this disease. Our main objective is to report a 11-year monitoring period for acute flaccid paralysis secondary to poliovirus in Guinea. It was a retrospective descriptive study for all cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) in which poliovirus was isolated by stool examination. During 11 years, 768 cases of AFP, including 8 cases of acute anterior poliomyelitis were collected at a frequency of 1%. The average age was 3.5 years with extremes of 1 year and 6 years, the most represented age group was 0-4 years with 7 cases. Six mothers were housewives doing gold panning as a revenue generating activity. The vaccine virus (serotype 2) was the most isolated with 6 cases.

L'utilisation soutenue à l'échelle mondiale des deux types de vaccins antipoliomyélitiques disponibles a considérablement diminué l'incidence de cette affection. Il s'agit ici d'une étude rétrospective de type descriptive, portant sur tous les cas de paralysie flasque aiguë (PFA) due aux poliovirus en Guinée chez lesquels le poliovirus a été isolé des selles, faisant l'état des lieux de 11 années de surveillance de la PFA. En 11 ans, 768 cas de PFA, dont huit cas de poliomyélite antérieure aiguë ont été enregistrés, soit une fréquence de 1 %. L'âge moyen était de 3,5 ans [1­6 ans]. La tranche d'âge de 0­4 ans était la plus représentée avec 7 cas. La majeure partie (6 cas) des mères des enfants étaient des agricultrices exerçant l'orpaillage. Les souches majoritairement isolées étaient dérivées du vaccin VDPV2.

[Tetanus Observation Over a 12-Month Period in Conakry, Guinea]. / Observation du tétanos sur une période de 12 mois à Conakry, Guinée.

The objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with death in patients hospitalized for tetanus. This study collected prospectively over a twelve (12) month period, the epidemiological, clinical and evolutionary data, and proceeded to an analysis of the factors associated with the death of hospitalized patients. We collected 32 patients with tetanus, or 5% of the total number of hospitalized patients. The average age was 36 ± 14 years. The sex ratio was 15 (30/2). The iatrogenic entrance door was found in 5 (15%) patients. Respiratory complications were the most frequent, ie 9 cases (28%). The most commonly used treatment regimen (28 cases, 88%) was the combination of metronidazole, diazepam, and anti-tetanus serum with an average hospital stay of 23 days. A Dakar prognostic score greater than or equal to 3, the presence of complications and a hospital stay of less than or equal to 7 days were the main factors associated with the death. Tetanus remains common in Guinea with a high lethality rate. Improving immunization coverage is imperative.

L'objectif de cette étude est d'analyser les facteurs associés au décès chez les patients hospitalisés pour tétanos. Cette étude a recueilli de façon prospective, sur une période de 12 mois, les données épidémiologiques, cliniques et évolutives, puis procédé à une analyse des facteurs associés au décès des patients hospitalisés. Nous avons colligé 32 patients atteints de tétanos, soit 5 % du total des patients hospitalisés. L'âge moyen était de 36 ± 14 ans. Le sex-ratio était de 15 (30/2). La porte d'entrée iatrogène a été retrouvée chez 5 (15 %) patients. Les complications respiratoires étaient les plus fréquentes, soit 9 cas (28 %). Le schéma de traitement le plus utilisé (28 cas, 88 %) a été l'association de métronidazole, de diazépam et de sérum anti-tétanique avec une durée moyenne d'hospitalisation de 23 jours. Un score pronostique de Dakar supérieur ou égal à 3, la présence de complications et une durée d'hospitalisation inférieure ou égale à 7 jours ont été les principaux facteurs associés au décès. Le tétanos reste fréquent en Guinée avec un taux de létalité élevé. L'amélioration de la couverture vaccinale est impérative.

[In vitro evaluation of the sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine using the deli-microtest in region of Dakar, Senegal]. / Evaluation de la sensibilité in vitro de Plasmodium falciparum à la chloroquine par le DELI-microtest dans la région de Dakar (Senegal).

This study was carried out between 2000 and 2001 in the peri-urban Pikine area located 15 km from Dakar, Senegal. The purpose was to evaluate the in vitro sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum isolates to chloroquine, which was the recommended first-line drug for uncomplicated malaria treatment in Senegal. Testing was carried out using the double-site enzyme-linked lactate dehydrogenase imnunosorbent (DELI) microtest. The DELI-microtest is an ELISA method using 2 monoclonal antibodies against 2 antigenic sites of the specific P. falciparum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzyme. The level of LDH is proportional to the extent of parasite growth. P. falciparum isolates were cultured in 96-well plates in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with hypoxanthine and albumax, in the presence of chloroquine sulphate concentrations ranging from 5.6 nM/L to 2870.8 nM/L. Plates were incubated in a candle-jar for 48 hours at 37 degrees C and frozen at -20 degrees C. The DELI-microtest was performed using the supernatant of hemolysed cultures. The amount of pLDH released was evaluated based on optical density. The chloroquine sensitivity of the isolate was estimated based on IC50 with a cut-off of <100 nM/L. Geometric mean IC50 values were 41 nM/L (range: 4.8 nM/L to 1435 nM/L) and 135 nM/L (range: 8.63 nM/L to 2153 nM/L) in 2000 and 2001 respectively. This study demonstrated a dramatic increase in the in vitro resistance of P. falciparum to chloroquine from 30% in 2000 to 59.6% in 2001. These findings suggest that regular surveillance of in vitro drug resistance is important to predict in vivo drug resistance and allow timely changes in public health recommendations.

[Trial of halofantrine in the treatment of malaria attacks by Plasmodium falciparum in Dakar (Senegal)]. / Essai de l'halofantrine dans le traitement de l'accès palustre a Plasmodium falciparum a Dakar (Sénégal).

Halofantrine has been given to 14 children and 15 adults suffering from an acute attack of P. falciparum malaria and living in Dakar (Senegal) to a total dose of 24 mg/kg/body weight for the first group and 1,500 mg for the second in 3 times at 6-hourly intervals. This treatment has allowed the fever to clear in all cases within 36.3 +/- 19.9 hours and headache to disappear at D3 in 93.1% of cases. A reduction by 93.6% of the average parasite density which amounted before treatment to 27,710 trophozoites/mm3 of blood has been recorded from the day following the beginning of treatment and the parasite clearance obtained in all the patients of whom had chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum strains in mean time of 58.0 +/- 14.7 hours. In 3 cases (10.7%) a recrudescence of parasitemia has been noticed in D14. Only 1 of them was treated again with halofantrine which proved efficient from D2. The only adverse reactions have been nausea, vomiting, a slight diarrhoea and dizziness which affected only 13.8% of the patients. No abnormality has been noticed at a biological level. These results confirm the efficacy and good tolerance of halofantrine and allow to list it among the resource drugs used for the treatment of chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum malaria in our area.

[Impact of antimalarial drug accessibility on malarial morbidity and chloroquine resistance. A study carried out in Touba (Senegal)]. / Impact de l'accessibilité aux antipaludéens sur la morbidité palustre et la chloroquinorésistance. Etude menée à Touba (Sénégal).

In Touba, more important accessibility to antimalarial drugs and their uncontrolled use let to assure that the rate of malarial morbidity would be lower there than in other place in Senegal whereas the rate of chloroquine resistance would be higher. A checking survey of these assumptions has been carried out from october 15 to november 10, 1995 in Touba's health center. Among 227 feverish subjects investigated, 111 were Plasmodium falciparum carriers. Malarial bouts accounted for 48.9% of the feverish fits observed and for the major cause of consultation during the rainy season. These figures are higher than those usually observed in urban environment. Conversely, the rate of chloroquine resistance is lower than those observed in urban zones, since the therapeutic efficacy of chloroquine on Plasmodium falciparum was 100% in that survey.

[Malaria in the southern sanitary district of Dakar (Senegal). 1. Parasitemia and malarial attacks]. / Le paludisme dans le District sanitaire sud de Dakar (Sénégal). 1. Parasitémie et accès paludéens.

A survey of endemic malaria in Dakar was carried out in the southern sanitary district covering the city centre and neighbouring areas. The survey was scheduled from June 1994 to May 1995 in 12 sites distant from each other by 1000 to 1500 meters. Clinical and parasitological data were collected during weekly medical follow-ups at the patients' home with the systematic research of Plasmodium once a month. The study included 2,337 persons aged between 1 month and 88 years and belonging to 284 volunteer resident families. Through monthly parasitological examinations, a parasite rate (P.R.) of 0.3% and a gametocyte rate (G.R.) of 0.005% were recorded. Only Plasmodium falciparum was observed. The P.R. varied according to age: from 0.1% in the children under 2 years to 0.7% in the young adults (15-20 years) who appeared significantly more affected than the other age groups, including that of children from 2 to 9 years, of whom only 0.3% were infected by the parasite. The P.R. varied also according to the site surveyed: from 0% in the city centre to 1.3% at the periphery of the sanitary district and according to the time of year, reaching its height of 0.8%, between October and December, that is just after the rainy season. At the end of the year of survey, 929 among those surveyed were considered to have been satisfactorily followed. Their annual incidence rate was 2.4% for the parasitemia and of 1.5% for the malaria attacks. None of the participants aged under 2 years had the parasite. Among the others, the annual incidence rate varied according to the age--although not significantly--passing from 1.1% to 5.3% for parasitemia and from 0.4% to 3.0% for malaria attacks. Theses rates did not differ significantly according to site; the cases registered varied between 1% and 8% for parasitemia and 1% and 5.8% for malaria attacks. Only 10.6% of febrile subjects suffered from malaria attacks, but this rate seemed to go up between October to December, rising to 26.6% which corresponds to 1 case of malaria attacks for 4 cases of hyperthermia in that period. Weak density of Anopheline population and satisfactory medical surveillance explain the recorded results.

[Intestinal parasites in the vendors and consumers of street food. A study conducted in the Dakar area]. / Parasitoses intestinales chez les vendeurs et les consommateurs d'aliments de rue. Etude menée au niveau de l'agglomération dakaroise.

In order to assess the parasitic risk for street-food consumers, the authors conducted two studies from September to August 1996, one on street-food sellers (305) and the other on consumers (235). Among the consumers, 127 were considered as not exposed to risk, since they did not frequent the sector being surveyed, and 108 were exposed because they consumed at least one meal per day cooked by the sellers of this area. Both groups filled out a questionnaire and had their stools analysed according to the RITCHIE method. The infection rate was 60% among sellers and 45.5% among consumers. Protozoans were predominant in both groups. Among the consumers, those exposed were significantly more infected. Even though the sellers represent a parasitic risk due to their level of infection and the typology of parasites they shelter, one cannot assume that consumers are contaminated only by the sellers of street food. However, appropriate measures must be implemented in order to minimize risks for street-food consumers.

[Heterogeneity of chloroquine resistant malaria in Senegal]. / Hétérogénéité du paludisme chloroquinorésistant au Sénégal.

In order to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of chloroquine in the treatment of P. falciparum malaria, studies have been carried out in Richard-Toll, Fatick and Tambacounda, 3 areas where dynamics of transmission, population movements, as well as prophylactic and curative practises are different. Failure rates in treatment were 13% in site 1 (Richard-Toll) where medical pressure and population movements are high. In sites 2 and 3 (Fatick and Tambacounda), the failure rate was 3%. Even if medical pressure is lower in the latter site (Tambacounda), the higher transmission could be a factor in the spreading of resistance. A surveillance system and better use of chloroquine must be undertaken.

[Bladder diverticulosis at a urologic service of the Ignace Deen de Conakry teaching hospital. Retrospective study of 28 cases]. / Les diverticules de la vessie au service d'urologie du CHU Ignace Deen de Conakry. Etude rétrospective de 28 cas.

From January 1st 1993 to December 31st 1998, 28 cases of bladder diverticula have been collected in Ignace Deen teaching hospital department of urology. The purpose of authors is to study the epidemiological aspects of diverticula of the bladder. They noted that bladder diverticula in 96.40% of cases are male disease, diagnosed by cystography, intravenous urography, ultrasonography or cystoscopy in 86%; and the etiology of bladder diverticula is a prostatic tumor in 68% of cases. A diverticulectomy is done by open surgery, associated to relieving outlet obstruction in 42.90%.

[Endoscopic internal urethrotomy in the treatment of male urethral stenosis at the urology service of the CHU Ignace Deen]. / L'urétrotomie interne endoscopique dans le traitement des sténoses de l'urètre masculin au service d'urologie du CHU Ignace Deen.

The authors report a series of 157 stenoses of the urethra treated by endoscopic urethrotomy between 1991 and 1997. After a first urethrotomy the success rate is 51.8%, with a decline of one year. Mortality is zero, and the morbidity assessed at 9%. For these authors, the result is better when the urethrotomy concerns an uninfected, one-time, short (less than 2 cm) stenosis, whatever the etiology, located on the proximal urethra. The duration of the postoperatory catheter has been fixed at three days. Poor results (35.20%) have been reported in stretched stenoses located on the distal urethra. These poor results have been treated by another urethrotomy, with 25% good results. The remaining 10.2% have needed sessions of urethral dilatation, even a plasty.

[Ureterocele in adults. Five case reports]. / Urétérocèle de l'adulte. A propos de cinq cas.

The authors report five cases of ureterocele during six years. Mean age of the patients was 34.2 +/- 11.1 years. There were four female and one male. Pain (N = 3) and dysuria (N = 3) were the most common symptoms at examination. Diagnosis was made by ultrasound (N = 3), IVU (N = 3) or cystoscopy (N = 1). Ureteroceles were bilateral in four cases, unilateral in one case and were always intravesical with single ureter. Two patients presented lithiasis enclosed in the ureterocele. Only four patients had been operated. Surgical treatment was ureterocelectomy with ureteral reimplantation according to Cohen procedure. With mean follow-up of 10.6 +/- 4.7 months results were stable without complications.

[Malaria morbidity in rural and urban areas in Senegal]. / Une étude de la morbidité palustre en milieux rural et urbain au Sénégal.

During September and November 1987, the authors surveyed the incidence of malaria fever in populations of a rural zone in Casamance and in adults as outpatients in an urban area. In these regions, the malaria is endemic with a recrudescence during the rainy season from July to October. In rural zone, 169 persons were examined. The malaria fevers represented 7.1% of the consultations and 23.3% of fevers. Differences were significantly observed between the parasitic densities of febrile and afebrile patients.

[Malaria morbidity in the urban environment. Study of 353 fever attacks]. / Morbidité palustre en milieu urbain. Etude de 353 accès fébriles.

The authors make a study of malaria morbidity in Dakar during October and November 1988 in Dakar where malaria is endemic but with a pick in pathophoresis during the rainy season. Out of 353 surveyed cases of malaria, 110 were carriers of Plasmodium falciparum, i.e., 31%. Mean parasitic density was 7462 red cells/mm3 and more than an half of patients got an higher density. Parasitic density was higher in children (0-14 years old) than in adults, but with no significant indication. Malaria fever represents 20.4% of all types of fever observed and was the first cause to consult during the rainy season. Whatever threshold of parasitic density selected parasitologic criterion may be in order to identify a malaria fever, percentage of diagnosis misinterpretation linked up to clinical examination was always higher than 30%.

[Malaria morbidity and therapeutic efficacy of antimalarials. Study conducted in the Dakar region]. / Morbidité palustre et efficacité thérapeutique des antipaludéens. Etude menée dans la région de Dakar.

During November and December 1992, the authors surveyed the malaria morbidity and the drugs efficiency in an urban area of Dakar region. Malaria represented 13.68% of the fevers in Dakar district and 12.4% in Pikine. The mean parasitic density was evaluated at 5000/mm3. Good efficiency of antimalarial drugs were noted but chloroquine-resistance is present with 24% of prevalence.

[Knowledge and treatment of malaria in rural Senegal]. / Connaissances et circuits thérapeutiques relatifs au paludisme en zone rurale sénégalaise.

Evaluating knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of malaria is a prerequisite for both understanding the development of chemoresistance and improving ongoing programs of chemotherapy and chemoprophylaxis. To gain such knowledge we distributed a questionnaire to 900 household heads in twelve villages in the M'Backe district of Senegal. Awareness of the main symptoms of malaria was satisfactory in comparison with previous references. Public health care facilities such as dispensaries were cited as the first resort for treatment by 72.6% of respondents. Chloroquine was mentioned as the first line antimalarial by 23% of respondents who practiced self-medication. Improper dosages were stated by 60% of the respondents. A total of 52.3% of respondents practiced chemoprophylaxis mainly using chloroquine. In 65.8% of cases antimalarial drugs were obtained from public health care units but drugs were purchased on the market in 15.7% of cases. These findings indicate the threefold Bamako initiative should be reinforced and that a campaign should be undertaken to educate people living in rural areas about malaria.

PIP: Primary health care strategies against malaria as developed by the WHO and put into effect in Senegal in its national antimalarial program depend considerably upon the early identification and proper management of the condition, such as effective chemoprophylaxis among pregnant women. A survey was conducted of 900 household heads living in 12 villages in the M¿Backe district of Senegal to learn about their diagnostic and treatment practices related to malaria. Public health care facilities such as dispensaries were cited by 72.6% of the heads as their first resort for treatment. Chloroquine was noted as the first-line antimalarial by 23% of respondents who practiced self-medication, but inappropriate doses were noted in 60% of cases. 52.3% of respondents practiced chemoprophylaxis, usually with chloroquine, with such chemoprophylaxis practiced most often in households whose heads were relatively better educated. 65.8% of heads obtained antimalarial drugs from public health care units, but drugs were bought on the market in 15.7% of cases. These findings indicate that the Bamako Initiative should be reinforced and that a campaign should be launched to teach people living in rural areas about malaria.

[Health personnel and population practices in the diagnosis of malaria and use of antimalarial drugs in Dakar]. / Pratiques des personnels de santé et des populations en matière de diagnostic du paludisme et d'utilisation des antipaludéens à Dakar.

The practices of health care workers and the population with regard to diagnosis of malaria and use of antimalarial drugs were studied in the city of Dakar from September 1991 to March 1992. Study included 847 heads of family, 191 treatment prescribers including 77 physicians, 53 nurses and 61 midwives, and 60 pharmacists. Three separate questionnaires were used: one for the population, one for physicians and paramedical staff, and one for pharmacists. The data collected showed that the 4 main symptoms used by both health care workers and the general population for diagnosis of malaria were fever, chills, vomiting, and headache. Treatment was administered upon suspicion of infection by 72% of treatment prescribers. Chloroquine was the drug most widely used by prescribers and for self-treatment of malaria. Prophylactic drug treatment was practised by all groups studied except treatment prescribers but was unappropriate for the target groups. Chloroquine is the drug most widely used to protect against the disease. Pharmacists have adequate supplies but distribution is poor. Despite promising results in the fight against malaria, further effort is needed to train health care workers and provide information to the population.

[Malaria lethality in Dakar pediatric environment: study of risk factors]. / Létalité palustre en milieu pédiatrique dakarois: étude des facteurs de risque.

To determine risk factors for fatal malaria in Senegalese children, a 3-year case-control study was carried out between October 1992 and November 1995 at the Albert Royer Hospital in Dakar. The case group included 52 children who died from documented malaria in the hospital. The matched control group consisted of children who responded favorably to hospital treatment. Exposure to risk was measured with regard to age, nutritional status, educational level of parents, self-medication prior to hospitalization, socioeconomic level, degree of fever, and blood parasite levels. Cases and controls were compared using statistical tests for matched groups. Age lower than 5 years, poor educational level of parents, delay of treatment more than 24 hours, nutritional status, and blood parasite levels greater than 5% were associated with a significantly higher risk of fatal outcome. Conversely, low socio-economic level, recent self-medication, and fever over 41 degrees C were not associated with higher fatality. These findings emphasize the need for more information campaigns to encourage people to seek institutionalized care when fever appears. Our results also suggest that prophylactic treatment may be advisable in children under 5 years of age and in some high risk groups.