Visual Damage Following Direct Sighting of Solar Eclipse in Ghana

A study was carried out at the department of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital/School of Medical Sciences; at Kumasi Ghana from March 29th to May 29th 2006 to study visual acuity changes in patients suspected of solar eclipse retinopathy after they viewed an eclipse of the sun on 29th March 2006. In all; seven patients with eye complaints were seen. Examination included assessment of Visual Acuity (VA); Slit Lamp examination; Fundoscopy; Amsle Test; Intra-ocular pressure evaluation and Goldman's Tonometre Test. Six patients had normal visual acuity while only one had VA of 6/24 in both eyes; which was corrected. All patients had normal colour vision and normal Amlser grid. None of them had any evidence of Maculopathy. 3 patients had superficial punctuate Keratitis. The absence of solar burns of the macular observed in the region is indicative of the effectiveness of mass public education concerning the damaging effects of the solar eclipse. Advanced techniques; such as scanning laser Ophthalmoscopy and the multifocal electroretinography (ERG) offer the possibility of detailed examination of small retina lesions in Ghana after an eclipse of the sun

Efficacy of the combination rifampin-streptomycin in preventing growth of Mycobacterium ulcerans in early lesions of Buruli ulcer in humans.

Mycobacterium ulcerans disease is common in some humid tropical areas, particularly in parts of West Africa, and current management is by surgical excision of skin lesions ranging from early nodules to extensive ulcers (Buruli ulcer). Antibiotic therapy would be more accessible to patients in areas of Buruli ulcer endemicity. We report a study of the efficacy of antibiotics in converting early lesions (nodules and plaques) from culture positive to culture negative. Lesions were excised either immediately or after treatment with rifampin orally at 10 mg/kg of body weight and streptomycin intramuscularly at 15 mg/kg of body weight daily for 2, 4, 8, or 12 weeks and examined by quantitative bacterial culture, PCR, and histopathology for M. ulcerans. Lesions were measured during treatment. Five lesions excised without antibiotic treatment and five lesions treated with antibiotics for 2 weeks were culture positive, whereas three lesions treated for 4 weeks, five treated for 8 weeks, and three treated for 12 weeks were culture negative. No lesions became enlarged during antibiotic treatment, and most became smaller. Treatment with rifampin and streptomycin for 4 weeks or more inhibited growth of M. ulcerans in human tissue, and it provides a basis for proceeding to a trial of antibiotic therapy as an alternative to surgery for early M. ulcerans disease.

Industrial Noise Pollution and its Effect on the Hearing Capabilities of Workers : A Study from Saw Mills; Printing Presses and Corn Mills

The purpose of this study was to ascertain industrial noise pollution and its effects on the hearing capabilities of workers. The procedure adopted included noise measurements; otoscopy; audiometric evaluation and assessment of medical history. The results showed that noise levels in corn mills and saw mills exceed 85dBA. The average noise level measured in the printing industry was 85dBA. It was also found that 23; 20and 7.9of workers in corn mills; saw mills and the printing industry have evidence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). A highly significant correlation was found between noise exposure level; duration of exposure and the development of NIHL in corm mills and saw mills but not in the printers. Hearing - impairment was also observed at the speech frequencies among some of the workers exposed to hazardous noise. These findings suggest that more specific intervention is required to protect workers exposed to such hazards at the work places employed in this study

Pattern of connexin 26 (GJB2) mutations causing sensorineural hearing impairment in Ghana.

Mutations of the connexin 26 gene (GJB2) were studied in 365 apparently unrelated individuals with profound nonsyndromic, sensorineural hearing impairment from Ghana, West Africa. Among 121 mutated chromosomes found, 110 carried the previously described R143W mutation. A total of 6 novel mutations: L79P, V178A, R184Q, A197S, I203K, and L214P, were identified, whereby I203K was based on a dinucleotide exchange and R184Q appeared to be dominant. The GJB2 variants found in Ghana tend to comprise less nonsense and frameshift mutations and more mutations located in the C-terminal half of the molecule than the variants found in other parts of the world.

Auditory brainstem responses in Golden Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) affected with the Wh gene.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The anophthalmic white (Wh) gene in Golden Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) is autosomal semi-dominant and causes several developmental defects, including hearing loss. The Wh mutation is thought to be homologous to Waardenburg syndrome in humans, apparently affecting similar developmental processes. The purpose of this study was to assess the hearing of hamsters in the AN/As-Wh strain. METHODS: Using auditory brainstem responses, electrophysiologic activity was determined in 20 hamsters of the AN/As-Wh strain, with the aim of elucidating hearing status. Hamsters were classified into five genotypes and were evaluated by use of click stimuli. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Hamsters assigned to the genotypes differed in their hearing sensitivity and could be classified into categories of normal hearing, moderate hearing loss, and profound hearing loss.

Use of Artemisinin (Qinghaosu) Derivatives in Treatment of Malaria

Derivatives of the Chinese herbal remedy ginghaosu (artemisinin) are useful in the treatment of multiple-drug resistant malaria. This review covers the discovery; development; clinical pharmacology and toxicology of these compounds; with emphasis on those derivatives currently in use in parts of Africa

Assessment of cochlear damage after pneumococcal meningitis using otoacoustic emissions.

Three cases are reported of children in Ghana with pneumococcal meningitis and differing degrees of hearing loss. The children were examined up to 12 d after admission by means of otoacoustic emissions. The technique is objective, non-invasive, quick (< 5 min per ear) and suitable for use in paediatric wards.

The causes and prevalence of pre-school deafness in Ghana.

A study to determine the causes of deafness was done in Kumasi in central Ghana. A total of 128 deaf children aged between 1-5 years referred to the Ear, Nose and Throat clinic at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) were seen from January 1992 to June 1993. The procedure adopted included exploration and assessment of individual medical history, otoscopy, pre-audiometric and audiometric evaluation. It turns out that 66(51.5%) had congenital sensorineural hearing loss (CSHL), while the remaining 62(48.5%) had acquired sensorineural hearing loss (ASHL). Of the 66 congenital cases, 44 was due to unknown factors, while the rest were due to post-natal convulsion, measles, meningitis, mumps, fever and jaundice. Results of free-field tests were available in 116 children. Of these, 90 cases had a profound SHL while 38 had a severe-profound SHL. Again, of the 90 children with profound SHL, 56 was due to congenital factors, while the remaining 34 originated from acquired causes. Thus, the cases listed under CSHL showed a distinctly higher incidence of profound deafness. Primary prevention measures against diseases that cause deafness would be the most logical and practical way of helping to reduce the incidence of deafness in Ghana.

The Causes and Prevalence of Pre-School Deafness in Ghana

A study to determine the causes of deafness was done in Kumasi in central Ghana. A total of 128 deaf children aged between 1-5 years referred to the Ear; Nose and Throat clinic at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) were seen from January 1992 to June 1993. The procedure adopted included exploration and assessment of individual medical history; otoscopy; pre-audiometric and audiometric evaluation. It turns out that 66(51.5) had congenital sensorineural hearing loss (CSHL); while the remaining 62(48.5) had acquired sensorineural hearing loss (ASHL). Of the 66 congenital cases; 44 was due to unknown factors; while the rest were due to post-natal convulsion; measles; meningitis; mumps; fever and jaundice. Results of free-field tests were available in 116 children. Of these; 90 cases had a profound SHL while 38 had a severe-profound SHL. Again; of the 90 children with profound SHL; 56 was due to congenital factors; while the remaining 34 originated from acquired causes. Thus; the cases listed under CSHL showed a distinctly higher incidence of profound deafness. Primary prevention measures against diseases that cause deafness would be the most logical and practical way of helping to reduce the incidence of deafness in Ghana

Perspective on noise induced hearing loss in Africa.

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) occurs everyday in both occupational and non-occupational settings in developed and developing countries. The good news is that NIHL is preventable through industrial control laws and programmes. In this paper, an attempt has been made to discuss the problem of NIHL, its relevance to African countries and strategies for its prevention.