Distribution, burden, and impact of acute gastroenteritis in Dominica, 2009-2010.

Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is an important public-health issue in Dominica. To determine the burden of AGE in Dominica, a retrospective, cross-sectional population survey was conducted in March-April 2009 and October 2010 (low- and-high-AGE seasons) and a laboratory survey from April 2009 to March 2010. The overall monthly prevalence of self-reported AGE was 8.6 % (95% CI 7.0-10.6); the incidence rate was 1.1 episodes/person-year and 79,157.1 episodes of AGE for the total population/year. Monthly prevalence of AGE was the highest in the 1-4 year(s) age-group (25.0%), higher in females (10.8%) and also varied by health district, with the highest monthly prevalence of AGE being reported in the Portsmouth district (13.1%). This difference in gender and across the health region was statistically significant. The estimated underreporting of syndromic AGE to the Ministry of Health was 83.3%. Furthermore, for every reported laboratory-confirmed case of AGE and foodbome disease (FBD), there was an estimated underreporting factor of 280. Overall, 47% of AGE specimens tested were positive for FBD pathogens. The predominant pathogens isolated were norovirus, followed by Giardia, Salmonella, and Shigella. The total annual estimated cost of AGE was US$ 1,371,852.92, and the total cost per capita due to AGE was US$ 19.06, indicating an economic burden of AGE-related illness on a small island of Dominica.

A case of adult hepatic toxocariasis.

Background A 56-year-old female presented to the emergency room with a 2-week history of fevers, chills and right upper quadrant pain. She had no sick contacts, had not traveled recently and denied high-risk sexual behavior. The patient had adopted a stray cat 1 month before presentation. Investigations Physical examination; laboratory tests (including complete blood count with differential, complete metabolic panel including liver enzymes, and serum Toxocara serology); chest and abdominal CT scans; and percutaneous liver biopsy. Diagnosis Toxocariasis (visceral larva migrans). Management Supportive care and antihelmintic agents.

The cost-effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy for treating HIV disease in the Caribbean.

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) recently became available in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Survival benefits and budgetary implications associated with universal access to ART have not been examined in the Caribbean. METHODS: Using a state-transition simulation model of HIV with regional data, we projected survival, cost, and cost-effectiveness of treating an HIV-infected cohort. We examined 1 or 2 ART regimens and cotrimoxazole. In sensitivity analysis, we varied HIV natural history and ART efficacy, cost, and switching criteria. RESULTS: Without treatment, mean survival was 2.30 years (mean baseline CD4 count = 288 cells/microL). One ART regimen with cotrimoxazole when the CD4 count was <350 cells/microL provided an additional 5.86 years of survival benefit compared with no treatment; the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $690 per year of life saved (YLS). A second regimen added 1.04 years of survival benefit; the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $10,960 per YLS compared with 1 regimen. Results were highly dependent on second-line ART costs. Per-person lifetime costs decreased from $17,020 to $9290 if second-line ART costs decreased to those available internationally, yielding approximately $8 million total savings. CONCLUSIONS: In the OECS, ART is cost-effective by international standards. Reducing second-line ART costs increases cost-effectiveness and affordability. Current funding supports implementing universal access regionally over the next year, but additional funding is required to sustain lifetime care for currently infected persons.