Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell leukemia in a black malian.

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare, clinically aggressive hematologic malignancy, that most commonly manifests as cutaneous lesions. A 19-year-old Malian female was admitted to the Unit of Medicine of Hopital du Mali with anemia, fever, weakness, and weight loss. On physical examination she was wasted, pale, febrile (37.4°C), and had inguinal and axillary lymphadenopathies. The complete blood count found pancytopenia with Hemoglobin level of 4.8 g/dL, Leucocytes count of 1900/µL (neutrophil: 300/µL), and platelets count of 56 000/µL. The ultrasonographic examination found hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. The bone marrow biopsy and flow cytometer analysis were in keeping with a diagnosis of BPDCN. The patient, unfortunately, was lost four months later after her hospital admission due to late diagnosis by septicemia. The early diagnosis and availability of specific drugs for acute leukemia could improve the clinical outcome of patients with BPDCN in Mali.

[Cerebral toxoplasmosis in the infectious diseases department of the CHU du Point G in people living with HIV]. / La toxoplasmose cerebrale dans le service de maladies infectieuses du CHU du Point G chez les personnes vivant avec le VIH.

Toxoplasmosis is defined as a cosmopolitan protozoan disease caused by an obligate intracellular coccidia, Toxoplasma gondii. The advent of HIV infection has made cerebral toxoplasmosis one of the most widespread neurological opportunistic infections. METHOD: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study with retrospective review of files of cerebral toxoplasmosis on HIV infected patients who had been hospitalized in the infectious diseases department of Point G University Hospital between January 1st, 2014 and September 30th, 2019. RESULTS: During the study period, the frequency of cerebral toxoplasmosis was 10.1% and in 46.4% of the patients, the diagnosis led to the discovery of HIV co-infection. The clinical features were characterized by fever, headaches, and motor deficit at 86.6%, 84.5% and 69.1% respectively. Roundel image on computed tomography was most represented and was found in 24.4% of patients. Anti-toxoplasma treatment based on trimethoprim /sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) associated with folinic acid was initiated in 78 patients out of 90, but 19 patients had a contraindication or adverse effects to this combination and were treated with clindamycin. HAART was initiated in 31 patients out of 45 (68.9%) newly diagnosed. The overall prognosis was limited with a mortality rate of 42%. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of cerebral toxoplasmosis was high in our study, 10.1%. To reduce this prevalence, chemoprophylaxis should be initiated in all HIV-infected patients with a CD4 count below 200 cells/mm3.

INTRODUCTION: La toxoplasmose est une protozoose cosmopolite due à Toxoplasmagondii. Avec l'avènement du VIH, la toxoplasmose cérébrale est une des infections opportunistes neurologiques les plus répandues. MÉTHODE: Nous avons mené une étude transversaledescriptive à collecte rétrospective portant sur des cas de toxoplasmoses cérébrales sur terrain d'immunodépression aux VIH ayant séjourné en hospitalisation dans le service des maladies infectieuses du CHU de Point G du 1er janvier 2014 au 30 septembre 2019. RÉSULTATS: La prévalence de la toxoplasmose cérébrale était de 10,1%. Chez 46,4% des patients, le diagnostic de toxoplasmose cérébrale avait permis la découverte d'une coïnfection à VIH. Le tableau clinique était dominé par la fièvre, les céphalées et le déficit moteur soit respectivement 86,6%, 84,5% et 69,1%. L'image en cocarde à la tomodensitométrie a été retrouvée chez 24,4% des patients. Le traitement anti-toxoplasmique à base de triméthoprime/sulfaméthoxazole (TMP/ SMX) associée à l'acide folinique a été conduit chez 78 patients sur 90. Dix-neuf patients avaient une contre-indication ou des effets indésirables à l'association TMP/ SMX et ont été traités par la clindamycine. Le traitement ARV a été initié chez trente-un patients sur 45 nouvellement dépistés soit 68,9%. Le pronostic chez nos patients était réservé et marqué par une mortalité de 42%. CONCLUSION: La prévalence de la toxoplasmose cérébrale était élevée dans notre étude soit 10,1%. Pour diminuer cette prévalence, la chimio-prophylaxie doit être instaurée chez tous les patients infectés par le VIH et ayant un taux de CD4 inférieur à 200 cellules/mm3.

[Impact of market place activity on the spread of STI/AIDS in Sikasso, Mali]. / Impact des fêtes foraines dans la propagation des IST/sida à Sikasso au Mali.

Since the beginning of the global HIV pandemic, more than 47 million people have been infected and more than 14 millions of people have died with 95% living in developing countries. Mali is located in West Africa that has been relatively less affected. However Mali is a country with a migratory culture. This study was conducted in primary health care centers located on the main road to neighboring countries with higher HIV prevalence. Attention was focused on healthcare services provided around market places in the main cities where diverse populations converge on a weekly basis. Attendance measured at five health centers on market day was compared with attendance on the other days of the week. In addition the level of sexually transmitted infections (STI) diagnosed on market days was determined to compare prevalence in the resident versus non-resident population in function of market activity. Attendance at all the centers was significantly higher on market days. This increase was due mainly to the non-resident population (60.2% vs. 46.5%; p=0.005). Findings also showed that the proportion of STI diagnosed was higher in the non-resident than resident population, but the difference was not statistically significant (15.6% vs. 11.3%; p=0.320). These results indicate that migration has an impact on the spread of STI. This is probably the same for HIV since these pathologies are known to be linked. Control strategies to fight against STI/AIDS could be improved by taking into account market place activity that is common in all localities of Mali and Africa.

[Impact of migraine on life quality in school environment in Bamako, Mali]. / Migraine et qualite de vie en milieu scolaire dans le district de Bamako au Mali.

INTRODUCTION: Migraine is a disabiliting disease accounting for 3%. Its prevalence and impact on the schoolar population deserves to be known. METHODOLOGY: This is a five-month cross-sectional and descriptive study of students under 23 years of age at the high school in Bamako, Mali. The sampling was exhaustive and the population was stratified into school classes. Data related to the impact and disability of migraine were collected from a survey sheet integrating internationally validated items (GRIM, MIDAS, Headache Impact Test). RESULTS: The prevalence of migraine was 21.0%. The sex ratio was 0.58. The average age was 17 years. Headache was pulsatile in 88.3% of cases, exacerbated by physical activities in 5.4%, unilateral topography in 73.2% of students. Phonophobia, photophobia were the most described signs of accompaniment. The intensity of pain was between 9 -10 in 69.5%. School absenteeism was ranged from 1 to 14 days in 91.2% of cases. CONCLUSION: Migraine is a real public health concern in schools in Bamako because of its prevalence and its impact on academic performance.

INTRODUCTION: La migraine est responsable de 3% d'invalidité. Sa prévalence et son impact dans la population scolaire mérite d'être connus. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Il s'agit d'une étude transversale et descriptive sur cinq mois, auprès des élèves de moins de 23 ans d'un lycée du district de Bamako au Mali. L'échantillonnage était exhaustif et la population a été stratifiée en classe scolaire. Les données en rapport avec le retentissement et le handicap de la migraine ont été recueillies à partir d'une fiche d'enquête intégrant les items validés à l'échelle internationale (GRIM, MIDAS, Headache Impact- Test). RÉSULTATS: La prévalence de la migraine était de 21,0%.Le sex-ratio était de 0,58. L'âge moyen était de 17ans. La douleur était pulsatile dans 88,3% des cas, exacerbée par les activités physiques dans 5,4%, de topographie unilatérale chez 73,2% des élèves. La phonophobie, la photophobie étaient les signes d'accompagnement les plus décrits. L'intensité de la douleur était entre 9 -10 chez 69,5%. Dans 91,2 des cas on notait un absentéisme scolaire allant de 1 à 14 jours. CONCLUSION: La migraine constitue un véritable problème de santé publique en milieu scolaire à Bamako par sa prévalence et son impact sur le rendement scolaire.

[Causes of lymphocytic meningitis in people with HIV admitted to the Infectious Disease department of Conakry]. / Étiologies des méningites lymphocytaires chez les personnes vivant avec le VIH suivies dans le service des maladies infectieuses de Conakry.

OBJECTIVES: The advent of HIV infection has significantly changed the distribution of the causes of lymphocytic meningitis. The objective of this study was to identify these causes among persons with HIV hospitalized in the infectious disease department of the CHU of Conakry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study examined hospital records of patients with HIV infection admitted for lymphocytic meningitis over a 10-year period. RESULTS: Of the 8649 hospitalizations in the department during the study period, 3167 patients had HIV infection, and 85 of the latter were diagnosed with lymphocytic meningitis. Slightly more than half were male (sex ratio M/F = 1.1). Their mean age was 32 years. Of these 85 patients, 73 were positive for HIV-1 only and 12 for HIV1+2. A CD4 count was performed only in 13/85 patients and averaged 140 cells/mm3. The main causes associated with lymphocytic meningitis were cryptococcosis (58%), toxoplasmosis (5%), and tuberculosis (2%). Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Hæmophilus influenzae were also identified in 16% of cases. In 18% of cases no microbe was identified. The overall lethality rate was 68%; it reached 100% for tuberculous meningitis and for the cases without any identified cause and was 75%-76% for the patients with toxoplasmosis and cryptococcosis. The survival rate was 100% for all bacterial causes. CONCLUSION: A cause for lymphocytic meningitis was identified in more than 81% of the patients in our series, and the most common microbe was Cryptococcus neoformans. A better microbiological technical platform and improved accessibility to treatment would enable us to provide more relevant results and treatment.

[Epidemiological, clinical and therapeutics' data of HIV-infected patients placed on ART in the Segou hospital in Mali (2004-2011)]. / Données épidémiologiques, cliniques et thérapeutiques des patients infectés par le VIH sous traitement antirétroviral à l'hôpital de Ségou au Mali (2004-2011).

This is a retrospective study on a cohort of 811 adult patients placed on ART between January 2004 and December 2011 at the hospital Nianankoro Fomba Segou in Mali, to describe their epidemiological, clinical and developmental profile for 48 months. The average age of patients was 35.2±9.4 years. The sex-ratio was 0.6. Approximately 58.3% of the patients were from rural areas. HIV1 represented 95.8%. Prolonged fever, weight loss and chronic diarrhea were the main reasons for testing. The majority of patients (64.5%) had stage III WHO. The mean CD4 cell count was 144±135.8/mm³ at screening. The evolution was favorable under immunological antiretroviral therapy. The survival rate at 48 months follow-up was 78% [64.1%-81.3%]. Patients followed in the structure are predominantly rural, female and young aged. They are diagnosed with advanced HIV infection. Antiretroviral therapy has led to the strengthening of the immune system and improved the clinical outcomes with a survival rate of 78%.

[Current profile of cerebral toxoplasmosis in a hospital setting in Dakar]. / Profil actuel de la toxoplasmose cérébrale en milieu hospitalier à Dakar.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the current epidemiologic, clinical, diagnostic, and prognostic characteristics of cerebral toxoplasmosis in a hospital setting in Dakar. METHODS: This descriptive and analytic study examined the records of all HIV-positive patients with cerebral toxoplasmosis hospitalized at the infectious disease department at Fann (teaching) Hospital from January 2007 through December 2010. The diagnosis was based on clinical and computed tomography criteria completed by a therapeutic test with Cotrimoxazole. RESULTS: There were 26 cases of cerebral toxoplasmosis during the study period. The sex ratio (F/M) was 1.4. The mean age was 41.5 ± 11.2 years. The clinical signs were predominantly fever (88.5%), headache (77.5%), focal signs (64.5%), and disorders of consciousness (61.5%). Brain lesions were most often multiple (64.3%), with mass effects (54.1%) and peripheral edema (77.8%). Seven of the 26 patients died (lethality rate: 29.1%). Impaired consciousness (p = 0.023), high CD8 T-cell counts (p = 0.009), and anemia (p = 0.003) were significantly associated with a higher mortality rate. CONCLUSION: Cerebral toxoplasmosis remains a complication of AIDS in Dakar. Anemia, impaired consciousness, and high CD8(+) T cell counts were factors indicative of poor prognosis.

[Neuropathic pain during tuberculosis treatment in Bamako (Mali)]. / Douleur neuropathique au cours du traitement antituberculeux à Bamako (Mali).

BACKGROUND: The incidence of tuberculosis is high in Africa. It is treated with medications that can trigger neuropathic pain and thus negatively affect patients' quality of life and treatment compliance. The aim of this study was to investigate neuropathic pain due to antituberculosis drugs in patients without HIV infection. METHODS: This prospective study, conducted in the pulmonology department of the University Hospital of Point G, Mali, included patients taking antituberculosis drugs who had negative HIV tests and no other potential cause of neuropathic pain. Diagnosis of neuropathic pain relied on the DN4 questionnaire (4 questions for neuropathic pain) and its assessment on a visual analog scale (VAS) and the Lattinen test. RESULTS: During the study period, 423 subjects were admitted to our department, 103 (24.4%) with tuberculosis. Eighty met the inclusion criteria. The sex ratio (male to female) was 2.5. Their mean age was 39 years (range: 13-80). In all, 13 (16.25%) reported neuropathic pain. Burning sensations in the plantar region, with or without paresthesia, were the presenting symptoms in 10 of them. All patients began a treatment based on amitriptyline, vitamin B6, and physical therapy and all reported improvement within 2 months. CONCLUSION: Neuropathic pain occurs independently of age, sex or the specific antituberculosis regimen, as long as it includes isoniazid. Stopping or modifying the treatment regimen is not necessary. In our context, in view of the difficulties in identifying slow acetylators, the routine addition of vitamin B6 to all treatment protocols should be discussed.

[Knowledge of epilepsy and practices of parents in Mali: a community study]. / Connaissances a propos de l'epilepsie et attitudes des parents d'enfant au Mali: etude communautaire.

The prevalence of epilepsy in Sub-Saharan Africa is about 15 per thousand; against 6 to 8 per thousand in industrialized countries. Health, social, economic conditions and misknowledge could explain this situation. The objective of this survey was to study the knowledge of parents of children with or without epilepsy about this disease in Mali. 423 adults were interviewed, 15% children with epilepsy. The mean age was 34 ± 9,3 years; females represents 60% of the population. 26% of interviewed subjects heard about epilepsy from their neighbourhood, 20% from traditional healers, 11% from health care professional; the tonic-clonic crisis was the most known form of the disease. 59% thought epilepsy to be contagious. The organicity of the disease was known by 51% of the population. 23 % of the population believed there was a link between the onset of the crisis and the presence of the hole moon. 78% of subjects have already seen at least one crisis of epilepsy, but only 33% have got an attitude of first help that was to pour fresh water on the face of the patient in 22% of cases. 57% of subject's acknowledge having as first recourse traditional medicine. The fight against epilepsy in Mali as in the others countries of the third world should go through information and education of the population, in particular parents.

Updated epidemiology of haematological malignancies in the haematology & oncology and the internal medicine wards of the hospital of Point G, Bamako, Mali.

Summary This is a retrospective study on epidemiologic aspects of hematological malignancies from 1996 to 2003 in the Hospital of Point G, Bamako, Mali, in which we looked at files of all patients who visited the center during that period. During the study, 264 cases were diagnosed for hematological malignancies corresponding to an annual mean of 33 cases. Hematological malignancies were mostly lymphoid types (76.51%), among which NHL were predominant. For non lymphoid malignancies, CML was the most frequent (70.96 %). The prevalence of hematological malignancies was multiplied by 2.18 for lymphomas, 2.16 for leukemia, and 1.87 for multiple myeloma; whereas it was stable for other cases. The sex ratio was in favor of men with regard to all hematological malignancies except for CML that is more frequent un female (p=0,002). The case frequency repartition according to age showed a bimodal distribution with one peak for the 10-19 years old and another peak for the 40-49 years old. Among 44 patients tested for HIV, 11.4 % were positive. We couldn't establish a relationship with other classic risk factors. There were some particularities in the distribution of cases with regard to patient's provenances and the time spent before the hospital visits. The hospital-based mortality rate was 10.4 per 1000 and, lethality was high, probably because of case management difficulties and particular popular representation of the disease. More prospective studies with emphasis on risk factors in relation with hematological malignancies in Mali will help to better understand these observed epidemiologic particularities and to elaborate prevention and treatment strategies.

Serum levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and IL-12(p70) in Malian children with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria and matched uncomplicated malaria or healthy controls.

Inflammatory cytokines play an important role in human immune responses to malarial disease. However, the role of these mediators in disease pathogenesis, and the relationship between host protection and injury remains unclear. A total of 248 cases of severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria among children aged 3 months to 14 years residing in Bandiagara, Mali, were matched to cases of uncomplicated malaria and healthy controls. Using modified World Health Organization criteria for defining severe malaria, we identified 100 cases of cerebral malaria (coma, seizure, and obtundation), 17 cases of severe anemia (hemoglobin, <5 g/dl), 18 cases combined cerebral malaria with severe anemia, and 92 cases with hyperparasitemia (asexual trophozoites, >500,000/mm3). Significantly elevated levels (given as geometric mean concentrations in picograms/milliliter) of interleukin-6 (IL-6; 485.2 versus 54.1; P = <0.001), IL-10 (1,099.3 versus 14.1; P = <0.001), tumor necrosis factor alpha (10.1 versus 7.7; P = <0.001), and IL-12(p70) (48.9 versus 31.3; P = 0.004) in serum were found in severe cases versus healthy controls. Significantly elevated levels of IL-6 (485.2 versus 141.0; P = <0.001) and IL-10 (1,099.3 versus 133.9; P = <0.001) were seen in severe malaria cases versus uncomplicated malaria controls. Cerebral malaria was associated with significantly elevated levels of IL-6 (754.5 versus 311.4; P = <0.001) and IL-10 (1,405.6 versus 868.6; P = 0.006) compared to severe malaria cases without cerebral manifestations. Conversely, lower levels of IL-6 (199.2 versus 487.6; P = 0.03) and IL-10 (391.1 versus 1,160.9; P = 0.002) were noted in children with severe anemia compared to severe malaria cases with hemoglobin at >5 g/dl. Hyperparasitemia was associated with significantly lower levels of IL-6 (336.6 versus 602.1; P = 0.002). These results illustrate the complex relationships between inflammatory cytokines and disease in P. falciparum malaria.

Hemoglobin C associated with protection from severe malaria in the Dogon of Mali, a West African population with a low prevalence of hemoglobin S.

The malaria hypothesis proposes a survival advantage for individuals with hemoglobin variants in areas of endemic Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Hemoglobin C (HbC) is a possible example in West Africa, where this hemoglobin has a centric distribution with high frequencies among certain populations including the Dogon ethnic group. To test whether HbC is associated with protection from malaria, we performed a case-control study in the Dogon of Bandiagara, Mali. HbC was present in 68 of 391 (17.4%) of uncomplicated malaria control cases, whereas it was detected in only 3 of 67 cases (4.5%) of severe malaria (odds ratio [OR], 0.22; P =. 01). Further, HbC was present in only 1 of 34 cases (2.9%) with cerebral manifestations, the most common presentation of severe malaria in this population (OR, 0.14; P =.03). Episodes of uncomplicated malaria and parasitemias (4800-205 050/microL) were identified in cases of homozygous HbC (HbCC), which indicates that P falciparum parasites are able to efficiently replicate within HbCC erythrocytes in vivo. These findings suggest that HbC does not protect against infection or uncomplicated malaria but can protect against severe malaria in the Dogon population of Bandiagara, Mali. The data also suggest that the protective effect associated with HbC may be greater than that of HbS in this population.