[Cholera in Senegal from 2004 to 2006: lessons learned from successive outbreaks]. / Le choléra au Senegal de 2004 à 2006: les enseignements d'épidémies successives.

Between October 2004 and March 2006, a series of cholera outbreaks occurred in the West African nation of Senegal. The purpose of this study was to describe and analyze these outbreaks as a basis for prevention and control. A total of 29556 cases were reported during the 18-month epidemic. The attack rate ranged from 0.6 to 100 per 10(4) inhabitants depending on region. The epidemic unfolded in three phases. The first phase (11 weeks) was promptly contained using basic control measures such as public information campaigns and environmental hygiene. The second and longest phase (12 months) was marked by two outbreaks caused by massive religious gatherings and severe flooding. Cities particularly the capital Dakar (25.5% of cases) and the religious district of Touba in the north (41.1% of cases) were most affected due to the many social and environmental problems related to poor urban infrastructure. The isolated strains of Vibrio cholerae O1, biotype El Tor, were susceptible to doxycycline and fluoroquinolones (100%) but resistant to cotrimoxazole (90.3%). The overall death rate was 1.38%. Unfavorable prognostic factors included age over 60 years, delayed treatment and severe dehydration at the time of admission. Despite lower mortality this cholera epidemic was more widespread and longer than the previous outbreaks in Senegal and was associated with a trend to endemicity in urban areas.

[Adult purulent meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in Dakar, Senegal]. / Les méningites purulentes à Streptococcus pneumoniae de l'adulte à Dakar.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe epidemiological, clinical, bacteriological and outcome features of purulent meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in adult patients hospitalized in the infectious diseases clinic of the Fann University Hospital in Dakar, Senegal from 1995 to 2004. A total of 73 cases of pneumococcal meningitis were recorded during the study period. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the second cause of purulent meningitis after meningococcal infection. Sickle-cell disease (n=3) and HIV infection (n=9) were the main underlying factors and pneumonia was the main portal of entry into the CNS (51.8%). Coma was a frequent complication (61.6%). Penicillin-nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae (PNSP) accounted for 27.3% of isolated strains. However strains were sensitive to third-generation cephalosporin (100%) and chloramphenicol (68.2%) which were the most frequently used antibiotics. The mortality rate was 69.8% and neurological complications occurred in 13.7% of patients. The main unfavorable prognostic factors were cardiovascular collapse and/or coma at the time of admission and detection of pneumococcal strains by direct examination of CSF. The high mortality of pneumococcal meningitis in adult patients in Dakar shows the need to improve intensive care facilities and the growing incidence of PNSP underlines the requirement for better control of antibiotic prescription.

[Prevalence of nosocomial infections in a university hospital (Dakar, Senegal)]. / Résultats de l'enquête de prévalence des infections nosocomiales au CHNU de Fann (Dakar, Sénégal).

UNLABELLED: Nosocomial infections constitute today a great public health problem that is still ignored or poorly mastered in our health institutions. METHOD: A prevalence study initiated by the CLIN (committee for the prevention of nosocomial infections) was recently conducted at the Fann teaching hospital. A questionnaire was prepared and submitted to all patients that were hospitalized on the day of the study; the questionnaire allowed gathering a lot of information on exposure factors and clinical and microbiological arguments in favor of nosocomial infections. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-five patients (59.9% of all available beds) participated in the study. Nosocomial infections were found mostly among people between 20 and 44 years of age and predominantly in women. Fifty-eight percent of those cases were found in the neurology unit. The infections were mostly urinary (40%) and pulmonary (25%). The germs responsible were multiresistant bacteria: Enterobacter cloacae secreting broad-spectrum betalactamase, methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The infected patients were usually under antibiotic treatment (80%) with various protocols, mainly monotherapy. The antibiotics used were betalactams, fluoroquinolones, and nitroimidazoles.

[Nontyphoidal Salmonella bacteremia cases in AIDS patients in a Dakar University Hospital (Senegal)]. / Etude descriptive des bactériémies àSalmonella non typhi chez les patients infectés par le VIH au CHU de Dakar (Sénégal).

OBJECTIVES: This study had for aim to describe epidemiological, clinical and bacteriological aspects of nontyphoidal Salmonella bacteremia in patients with AIDS in the Dakar University Hospital Infectious Diseases Clinic. METHOD: This study was made on data recorded between 1January1996 and 31December2005. The strains were identified according to biochemical (API 20E, BioMérieux) and antigenic features. Their susceptibility to antibiotic drugs was tested by antibiogram. Screening for strains secreting of an extended-spectrum betalactamase was performed. RESULTS: Sixty-two cases of nontyphoidal Salmonella bacteremia were recorded in AIDS patients as follows: Salmonellaenteritidis bacteremia (32 cases), Salmonellatyphimurium bacteremia (11 cases), and Salmonella spp bacteremia (11 cases). The strains were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, aztreonam, amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid in at least 92% of the cases. Only 79% of them were susceptible to cotrimoxazole. The lethality rate was 55%. DISCUSSION: This lethality rate of nontyphoidal Salmonella bacteremia is high in AIDS patients. Therefore, the priority should be put on prevention and, in patients with AIDS, on food hygiene measures, antiretroviral treatment and efficient chemoprophylaxis. This should prove efficient to reduce incidence of nontyphoidal Salmonella bacteremia.

[Hand washing at Fann hospital: investigation among health workers]. / Lavage des mains au chnu de Fann: enquête auprès du personnel de soins.

INTRODUCTION: Handwashing is usually neglected in hospital settings. The objective of this study was to draw attention of health workers in Fann hospital as part of the prevention of hospital-acquired infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out prospectively from April 26h to May 25th. An anonymous questionnaire was administered by 20 formed investigators to health workers, along with an inventory of available resources for hand washing in the study site allowing to collect the data by interview. RESULTS: A total of 256 health workers were investigated. The mean age was 35.3 +/- 9.4 years [range = 20-71] with a sex ratio of 0.62. As for the education level, the secondary and university predominated. The concept of Manu carrying was ignored by 59.3% of the personnel. This proportion was higher among people with low education level. Possibility of resident and transitional floras in the hand was ignored by most of the investigated personnel. The hand washing technique to be applied while putting vesicle probe was ignored by 59% of the personnel, and 34% declared using hand towel to dry hands. Half of the personnel ignored that bread soap was not recommended. The availability of hydro alcoholic solutions was variable according to the hospital wards. The lavabo/bed ratio was 1/7 and was unacceptable. CONCLUSION: In Fann hospital, the importance and the techniques of hand washing are not well known, that's why a training of the hospital's Personnel and an improvement of resources for handwashing are necessary for a good hospital's hygiene.

[Acute Vibrio parahaemolyticus gastroenteritis in Dakar]. / Gastroentérites aiguës à Vibrio parahaemolyticus à Dakar.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and bacteriological features of gastroenteritis due to Vibrio parahaemolyticus diagnosed during the 2004 and 2005 cholera outbreak in Senegal. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was made on data recorded between October 11, 2004 and December 31, 2005 at Dakar Fann Hospital. The diagnosis of V. parahaemolyticus was made after identification in stool cultures. RESULTS: Thirty-five cases of V. parahaemolyticus gastroenteritis were identified, accounting for 8.7% of bacterial gastroenteritis (35/403) and 1.18% of all cholera-like gastroenteritis (35/2942). The patients' median age was 26 years [range=10-70 years] and the M/F sex ratio was 1.5. Most patients came from Dakar city (30 cases). Contamination occurred within the family in 27 cases, and food was suspected to be the source of contamination in 33 cases. Clinical presentation upon admission included acute watery diarrhea with dehydration (35 cases), vomiting (30 cases), abdominal pain (25 cases), muscular cramps (12 cases), and fever (4 cases). All V. parahaemolyticus isolates were susceptible to amoxicillin, quinolones, cotrimoxazole, chloramphenicol, and cyclines. Patients were treated by rehydration and doxycycline. The outcome was favorable in all cases, with a mean hospital stay of 24 hours [range=4-72 hours].

[Nosocomial infections: main causative agents]. / Les infections nosocomiales: agents responsables.

INTRODUCTION: Nosocomial Infections acquired within a care unit, may be related to various agents (Bacteria, virus, fungi, parasites...). The study purpose is to give relevent data on the main causative agents. MAIN AGENTS: The authors have shown the prevalent role of bacteria, mainly Enterobacteria, Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas; Legionella is also frequently isolated in some countries. Multiresistant Bacteria could be sometimes associated to nosocomial infections and severe infections. Among Nosocomial Virus: VRS, Rotavirus, Hepatitis B and C Viruses, HIV, Influenza Virus are cited. Fungal Agents (Aspergillus, Candida), Plasmodium, Non Conventional Agents (Prions) are also causative agents of Nosocomial Infection. CONCLUSION: The Isolation of contagious Agent in a hospitalized patient is not the only criteria for Nosocomial Infection typing; Rigorous analysis needed to be done for every case.

Fortuitous Detection of cmy-2 and dha-1 from ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in Senegal.

Cephalosporinases, which are naturally present in some enterobacterial species, can be mobilized by transposons, migrate to plasmids, and spread into other species such as Escherichia coli. The aim of this study was to characterize genes responsible for the production of extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBL) in E. coli isolates from urinary origin isolated in two hospitals in Senegal. Thus, a fortuitous discovery of plasmidic cephalosporinase in two isolates was noted. One of the isolates produced dha-1 associated with ESBL CTX-M-14, the other produced cmy-2, ESBL CTXM-15, tem-1 penicillinase, and oxa-1. This confirms the circulation of multidrug-resistant bacteria producing plasmidic cephalosporinase in Senegal. However, a large study is needed to better understand the prevalence and the nature of the genes involved.

Class 2 integron-associated antibiotic resistance in Shigella sonnei isolates in Dakar, Senegal.

Forty-three Shigella sonnei isolates from adult patients with diarrhoea in Dakar were analysed for the presence of integrons. Isolates were resistant to sulphamethoxazole, trimethoprim, tetracycline, streptomycin and spectinomycin. A high prevalence of class 2 integrons (93%) was found. These integrons showed three distinct structures: a class 2 integron, part of the Tn7 family and its derivatives, carrying four cassettes in the order dfrA1-sat-aadA1-orfX; a truncated class 2 integron, without orfX; and a third type ca. 4 kb in size. These class 2 integrons probably play a role in the spread of multiresistance in S. sonnei isolates. To our knowledge, this is the first description of class 2 integrons in S. sonnei isolated in sub-Saharan Africa.

[Cholera epidemic of 2004 in Dakar, Senegal: epidemiologic, clinical and therapeutic aspects]. / L'épidémie de choléra de 2004 à Dakar: aspects épidémiologiques, cliniques et thérapeutiques.

During the cholera epidemic that occurred in Dakar, Senegal in 2004, we treated a total of 593 confirmed or suspected cases in our department. The purpose of this report is to describe epidemiologic, clinical, bacteriologic and therapeutic aspects of these cases. Study was conducted at the infectious diseases clinic from October 11 to December 20, 2004. Mean patient age was 30 years and the sex ratio was 133. The likely source of contamination was food or water intake in 92% of cases. The duration of the epidemic was short (75 days). Onset was sudden in 98% of cases and the main clinical manifestations were watery diarrhoea (95%) and vomiting (78%). The mean delay between symptoms and hospitalization was 11 hours and the number of stools before admission to the hospital was greater than 10 in 23% of cases. At the time of admission 119 patients (20.1%) were severely dehydrated. A total of 250 coprocultures were performed. Results were positive in 145 cases (58%) including 112 (44%) for Vibrio cholerae 01. Antibiotic testing carried out on 36 strains demonstrated excellent sensitivity to doxycycine and pefloxacine but resistance to cotrimoxazole, amoxicilline and chloramphenicol. Oral rehydration therapy was used in most cases (61%). The mortality rate was 0.5%. Cholera is a medical emergency that can have a favourable prognosis with properly organized management.

[Histopathological effects of neem products on larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus (Say, 1823) (Diptera: Culicidae)]. / Effets histopathologiques des produits du NEEM (Azadirachta indica, A. JUSS) sur les larves de Culex quinquefasciatus (Say, 1823) (Diptera: Culicidae).

INTRODUCTION: Histopathological studies relating to last instars larvae of mosquitoes treated with neem products are very few. The objective were to study the action of Neem products on larvae mosquitoes of Culex quinquefasciatus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The neem products (Neemix, Formulated neem oil, Pure neem oil and Neem powder) are tested on 4 instars larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus. Moribund and witness larvae were fixed, for histopathologic study. RESULTS: The results showed the following facts: an intestinal epithelium, a bross border, a fat body and others tissues are normals at the level of the untreated larva; Fat body and muscle are not touched during the treatment of the larva with Pure neem oil; Intestinal epithelial cells slightly hypertrophied with beaches of lysis on the level of the larva treated with Neem powder; a lysis of the microvilli of brush border on the level of the witness-solvent; a destruction of the epithelial cells recorded in larva treated with a Neemix; a disappearance of the food column and a destruction of the epithelial cells remarked on the level of the larva treated with Formulated neem oil. CONCLUSION: The neem products used in this study have a Larvaecidal action on Culex quinquefasciatus larvae.

Molecular detection of CTX-M-15-type ß-lactamases in Escherichia coli strains from Senegal.

We aimed to detect the extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) secreted by clinical strains of Escherichia coli at Fann University Hospital in Dakar and to characterize them molecularly. We identified 32 isolates producing ESBLs. The CTX-M-15 gene was the most frequently detected ESBL gene, detected in 90.63% of the isolates studied.

[Escherichia coli meningitis during bacteremia in the Ibrahima-Diop-Mar infectious diseases clinic, Dakar Fann National Hospital Center (Senegal)]. / Méningites au cours des bactériémies à Escherichia coli à la clinique des maladies infectieuses Ibrahima-Diop-Mar du Centre hospitalier national de Fann à Dakar (Sénégal).

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe epidemiological, clinical, and bacteriological aspects of Escherichia coli bacteremia and meningitis in the Ibrahima-Diop-Mar infectious diseases clinic, Dakar Fann National Hospital Center (Senegal). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data was collected from the bacteriology laboratory and hospitalization files. RESULTS: 57 cases of E. coli bacteremia were reported. Among them, 10 were associated with meningitis. AIDS was diagnosed in 74% of the cases. The global lethality rate was 47% but this rate was higher in cases of associated meningitis (80 vs 37%) and in AIDS patients (50 vs 27%). Ceftriaxone, aztreonam, gentamicin, and ciprofloxacin were active on more than 95% of strains but cotrimoxazole was active on only 49% of the strains. Resistance to cotrimoxazole was higher among E. coli strains isolated from AIDS patients (62 vs 13%). CONCLUSION: The low susceptibility to cotrimoxazole might increase the incidence of E. coli infections among patients with AIDS. It is therefore important to find an alternative to cotrimoxazole chemoprophylaxis.

[Current aspects of Salmonella bacteremia cases in the Ibrahima Diop Mar Infectious Diseases clinic, Fann National Hospital Center (Senegal)]. / Aspects actuels des bactériémies à Salmonella à la clinique des maladies infectieuses Ibrahima Diop Mar du centre hospitalier national de Fann (Sénégal).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe epidemiological, clinical and bacteriological aspects of Salmonella bacteremia in the Fann university hospital infectious diseases clinic. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This study was carried out on data recorded between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 2003. The strains were identified according to biochemical (API 20E, BioMérieux) and antigenic features. Their susceptibility to antibiotic drugs was tested by antibiogram. Research of strains secreting of an extended-spectrum betalactamase was performed. RESULTS: Fifty five cases of Salmonella bacteremia were recorded as follows: S.Typhi bacteremia (32 cases), S. Paratyphi C bacteremia (4 cases), S. typhimurium bacteremia (9 cases), S. enteritidis bacteremia (32 cases) and S. spp bacteremia (8 cases). All the strains were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, aztreonam, amoxicillin+clavulanic acid and 90 % of them were susceptible to cotrimoxazole. Bacteremia occurred in 50 HIV infected patients (49%). Salmonella other than Typhi bacteremia were more often present in patients with HIV (81% vs 36% in patients without HIV infection) (P = 0.00001). The lethality rate was 42%. This rate was higher in patients with HIV (56 vs 23% in patients without infection) (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The lethality rate of Salmonella bacteremia is high, especially in AIDS patients. Therefore, priority must be given to prevention and chemoprophylaxis with cotrimoxazole should be a good way to reduce the incidence of bacteremia in AIDS patients.

[Epidemiological, clinical, etiological features of neuromeningeal diseases at the Fann Hospital Infectious Diseases Clinic, Dakar (Senegal)]. / Profil épidémiologique, clinique et étiologique des affections cérébroméningées observées à la clinique des maladies infectieuses du CHU de Fann à Dakar.

OBJECTIVES: This retrospective study was carried out to determine the prevalence of cerebromeningeal diseases at the Fann Teaching Hospital Infectious Diseases Clinic, in Dakar, and to describe their epidemiological, clinical, and etiological features. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data was collected for analysis from patients files recorded from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2003. RESULTS: Four hundred seventy cases were identified (11.4% of total admissions) with a M/F sex ratio of 1.38 and a mean age of 33 years. Eighty-nine patients were infected by HIV and clinical presentations included fever (78%), meningeal syndrome (57.4%), coma (64.9%), convulsions (19%), focal neurological deficits (15.5%), and cranial nerves dysfunction (7.2%). Etiologies presented as cerebral malaria (85 cases), purulent meningitis (51 cases), neuromeningeal cryptococcosis (37 cases), tuberculous meningitis (11 cases), intracranial abscess (10 cases), toxoplasma encephalitis (4 cases), cerebrovascular attack (11 cases), and cerebromeningeal hemorrhages (3 cases). In as many as 248 cases (52.8%) no etiology could be found. The case fatality rate was 44.5% overall (209 deaths) and 68.5% among HIV-infected patients. Neurological sequels were found in 22 survivors (8.8%), consisting in focal neurological deficit (12 cases), deafness (5 cases), diplopia (2 cases), dementia (2 cases), postmeningitic encephalitis (1 case). CONCLUSION: These results show the need to improve our technical capacities in our diagnostic laboratories, the prevention of opportunistic infections in the course of HIV/AIDS infection, and the involvement of various specialists in the management of cerebromeningeal diseases.

[Nosocomial bacteria: profiles of resistance]. / Les bactéries nosocomiales: profils de résistance.

Nosocomial infections may be parasitic, mycosal or viral, but bacterial infections are more frequent. They are transmitted by hands or by oral route. This paper describes the main bacteria responsive of nosocomial infections, dominated by Staphylococcus, enterobacteria and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The author relates natural and savage profiles of these bacterias, characterized by multiresistance due to large use of antibiotics. Knowledge of natural resistance and verification of aquired resistance permit to well lead probabilist antibiotherapy.

[Efficacy and tolerance of non nucleosidic reverse transcriptase inhibitors containing tritherapy in HIV-1 infection]. / Efficacite et tolerance des tritherapies antiretrovirales comprenant un inhibiteur non nucleosidique de la transcriptase inverse du VIH-1.

INTRODUCTION: Antiretroviral therapy has dramatically changed the natural history of HIV infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerance of Non Nucleosidic Reverse Trancriptase Inhibitors containing regimens in HIV-1 infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review of 257 HIV-1 infected patients followed in the infectious clinic ward of fann, from august 1998 to February 2002. RESULTS: Overall 195 patients (75.87%) were on efavirenz and 62 (25.2%) on nevirapine, with a male predominance (sex-ratio = 1.44). Baseline HIV-1 viral load was higher in efavirene group (p = 0.03). The two groups were comparable for immune restoration, tolerance, rate of treatment discontinuation and letality. The viral suppression was greater in efavirenz group at month 6 (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Non nucleosidic reverse transcriptase inhibitor containing regimens are effective and well tolerated. Those results make them suitable for first line therapy in HIV-1-infection.

[In vitro sensitivity to antibiotics in 178 strains of genital mycoplasma isolated from gynecology consultants in Dakar]. / Sensibilité in vitro aux antibiotiques de 178 souches de mycoplasmes génitaux isolées chez des consultantes en gynécologie à Dakar. Avec La Collaboration Technique de K. Drame.

The susceptibility to antibiotics of 144 strains of Ureaplasma urealyticum and 34 strains of Mycoplasma hominis isolated in Dakar, Senegal, was determinated by MIC determination in a medium. Doxycyclin and minocyclin are active on more than 90% of the strains of U. urealyticum, and more than 80% of M. hominis strains. Over 93% of U. urealyticum strains are susceptible to all the macrolids and apparented tested (erythromycin, pristinamycin, josamycin), but the activity of lincomycin, pristinamycin and josamycin on M. hominis was found only for 70% of the strains. Fluoroquinolones, once adequately studied, could turn out to be a useful alternative in therapeutics.

[Bacterial diversity during the cholera epidemic in Dakar, Senegal (1995-1996)]. / Diversité bactérienne au cours de l'épidémie de choléra à Dakar, Sénégal (1995-1996).

Vibrio cholerae O:1, serotype Ogawa and biotype El Tor (76.1%) was responsible of the outbreak of cholera in Dakar, Senegal (1995-1996). However, other bacteria were isolated, particularly Vibrio cholerae non O:1/non O:139, Vibrio fluvialis, Vibrio alginolyticus. Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Salmonella sp.p, Shigella sp.p (23.9%). The Vibrio cholerae O:1 strains are multiresistant to sulfonamide, cotrimoxazole and chloramphenicol. 97% were also resistant to O/129 compound. Fluoroquinolone and 3rd generation cephalosporins were the more efficient antibiotics (100%).

[Antibiotic sensitivity of Salmonella strains isolated in a pediatric population in Dakar. Research of beta-lactamase and plasmids]. / Sensibilité aux antibiotiques des souches de Salmonella isolées en milieu pédiatrique dakarois. Recherche de bêta-lactamase et de plasmides.

114 strains of Salmonella were isolated from many samples in the Pediatric Hospital (Hôpital d'Enfants Albert Royer) of Dakar between January 1985 and December 1991. The sensibility to antibiotics were tested, and we studied the production of beta-lactamase and the presence of plasmids in the resistant strains. 27 serovars of Salmonella were identified and Salmonella typhi predominates with 45%. Only 28% of the strains were susceptible to all of the antibiotics, and 17% were found multiresistant; 8% of the strains produce beta-lactamase and plasmids were found in 6 multiresistant strains.