PERFORMANCE OF SIX SCREENING SCORES FOR OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA IN AN AFRICAN POPULATION.

Introduction: A screening tool for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is useful in low-income countries where it may be difficult to access sleep recordings. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of six screening scores compared with objective sleep recording in an African population sample. Methods: This analysis is based on the "Benin Sleep and Society" (BeSAS) populational study in which respiratory polygraphy (PG) was performed using a type III device and OSA screening questionnaires (STOP, STOP-Bang, Berlin, NOSAS [≥ 8 and ≥ 5), No-Apnea, GOAL) were administered to participants. PG-defined OSA severity categories were defined according to the apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI): mild (AHI 5 to <15/h), moderate (AHI 15 to <30/h) or severe (AHI≥30/h), and these were compared to score findings. Results: A total of 1810 subjects (mean age 45.4±14.6 years; 57.3% women) were included. For moderate to severe OSA, the area under the receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curve was greatest for GOAL and No-Apnea (0.70), followed by NoSAS5 (0.69). The highest sensitivity values were for NoSAS5 (0.73), No-Apnea (0.72), and GOAL (0.69), while NoSAS8 had the highest specificity (0.91), followed by Berlin (0.88) and GOAL (0.71). All scores performed poorly with respect to the positive predictive value (PPV), which was highest with NoSAS8 (0.38). Conclusion: This study provides the first comparison of the performance of screening scores for OSA in an African population. Although still low, PPV was highest with NoSAS8. Hence, NoSAS8 would be the screening method of choice for OSA in resource-constrained settings where formal sleep recordings are not accessible.

EVALUATION OF A MODIFIED EPWORTH SLEEPINESS SCALE TO RELIABLY ASSESS EXCESSIVE DAYTIME SLEEPINESS IN LOW-INCOME COUNTRIES: RESULTS FROM THE BENIN SOCIETY AND SLEEP (BESAS) STUDY.

Background: The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is a tool widely used to assess excessive daytime sleepiness. Unfortunately, it is not reliable in low-income countries where situations such as reading a book, watching TV or driving a car are not common. The aim of this study was thus to assess the performance of a modified version of the Epworth scale in a low-income country. Methods: We used data from the Benin Society and Sleep (BeSAS) study where the ESS and a modified ESS (mESS) were administered to participants. In the mESS, questions four questions over eight were redesigned to reflect common living situations in Benin. The internal coherence of the mESS was assessed using the Cronbach alpha coefficient (CAC). The discriminatory ability of the scale was assessed by comparing the mean scores according to reported sleep quality, insomnia complaints and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Results: A total of 2909 participants were recruited, 1129 were male (38.9%) with a mean age (SD) of 44.7 (14.5) y. Overall, 52.4% (1526) completed all the mESS questions while 453 (15.6%) completed the standard ESS. The CAC of the mES was 0.86 showing good internal coherence. Concerning the discriminatory ability, mean scores for mESS were 7.8 for participants with ISI < 8 vs 9.2 for participants with ISI≥8 (p<0.001), 7.8 for participants withPSQI<5 vs 8.3 for participants with PSQI≥5 (p=0.03). No difference was found when comparing the participants participants using different cut-offs of AHI (15 and 30). Conclusion: The mES is more reliable than ES in the Beninese population. mESS shows good internal coherence and differentiates between insomniacs vs non-insomniacs and between good and poor sleepers. Although the mES is not a perfect score, it appears more relevant in the Benin population than the original Epworth scale but needs further validation/improvement in other low-income countries.

[Early onset of small cell carcinom of the lung in a young patient in Benin]. / Survenue précoce d'un carcinome bronchique à petites cellules chez un sujet jeune au Bénin.

Context Bronchial cancer in a person under 30 years of age is quite rare. It generally occurs after 40 years of age following heavy smoking intoxication. We report a clinical case illustrating the early onset of a small cell lung carcinoma in young heavy smoker. CASE REPORT: A 30-year-old patient, current smoker for about 10 years (15 packs/year), consulted for a cough with haemoptotic sputum. Clinical and paraclinical examinations diagnosed small cell carcinoma of the right lung with some controlatéral metastatic nodules. . He was classified as stage T2bN2M1a. Unfortunately, due to lack of financial accessibility to suitable chemotherapy, the patient died after one month. CONCLUSION: Early-onset of bronchial carcinoma in young smokers calls for strengthened control of teenage tobacco use, especially in Africa, where the phenomenon has been taking on alarming proportions.

Remote Supervision of Basic Management Units for Tuberculosis Care During Covid-19 Period: An Innovative Experience from Benin Republic.

INTRODUCTION: Contingency measures taken by governments with movement restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic may create difficulties in conducting some field activities for TB control especially the supervision of Basic Management Units (BMUs). We described in this paper an innovative initiative to conduct remote supervision (Esupervision) using Information and Communication Technology tools. SETTING AND METHOD: This initiative was conducted in Benin Republic. To carry out the activity, we used smartphone, WhatsApp® for messaging, CamScanner for scanning (both free applications); and internet connection. BMUs were asked to scan their reports and all necessary documents and sent them by WhatsApp® after scanning. On the day planned for the supervision, the supervisors of each section (clinic, laboratory, food delivery supervision) calls the BMUs health professionals via WhatsApp® video to conduct the activity according to the National Tuberculosis Programme guidelines. RESULTS: Overall, all the main objectives of a supervision were achieved despite some difficulties mainly related to the quality of internet connection. The reports from the different sections were validated for each BMU. For the laboratory activities, general aspects as well as the stock of reagents were evaluated; microcopy fields with an ordinary microscope were visualized. The management of tuberculosis patients was assessed by visualizing the results of bacteriological exams, treatment records, and stocks of medicines. CONCLUSION: Even though, this activity will probably not replace the traditional face-to-face supervision, it could be used in settings where movements are restricted for several reasons including COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts and natural disasters.

INTRODUCTION: Les mesures d'urgence prises par les gouvernements avec des restrictions de mouvements dans le cadre de la pandémie du COVID-19 peuvent créer des difficultés dans la conduite de certaines activités de terrain pour le contrôle de la tuberculose, en particulier la supervision des centres de dépistage et de traitement de la tuberculose (CDT). Nous avons décrit dans cet article, une initiative novatrice pour effectuer la supervision à distance (E-supervision) en utilisant les outils des Technologies de l'Information et de la Communication au Bénin. CADRE ET MÉTHODE: Cette initiative a été conduite en République du Bénin. Pour mener à bien cette activité, nous avons utilisé : smartphone, WhatsApp pour la messagerie et CamScanner ® pour le scannage (deux applications gratuites) ; et la connexion internet. Les agents des CDT ont été invités à envoyer tous les documents aux équipes de supervision via WhatsApp ® après les avoir scannés. Le jour prévu pour la supervision, les superviseurs de chaque section (clinique, laboratoire, gestion des vivres) ont appelé par WhatsApp ® video les acteurs des CDT pour dérouler les différentes séquences de la supervision selon les recommandations du Programme. RÉSULTATS: Dans l'ensemble, tous les principaux objectifs d'une supervision ont été atteints malgré quelques difficultés liées principalement à la qualité de la connexion internet. Les rapports des différentes sections (clinique, laboratoire et gestion des aliments) ont été validés pour chaque CDT. Pour les activités de laboratoire, l'aspect général ainsi que le stock de réactifs ont été évalués ; les champs de microcopie avec un microscope ordinaire ont été visualisés. La gestion des patients tuberculeux a été évaluée en visualisant les résultats des examens bactériologiques, les dossiers de traitement, les stocks de médicaments. CONCLUSION: Bien que cette activité ne remplacera probablement pas la supervision traditionnelle en face à face, elle pourrait être utilisée dans des contextes où les mouvements sont limités pour plusieurs raisons, notamment la pandémie COVID-19, les conflits, les catastrophes naturelles. MOTS CLÉS: Lutte contre la tuberculose, COVID-19, supervision, centres antituberculeux.

[Prevalence and control of asthma among medical students at Parakou, Benin]. / Prévalence et contrôle de l'asthme chez les étudiants en médecine à Parakou, Bénin.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and to assess the control of asthma among students at the faculty of medicine of the university of Parakou in Benin. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out between January and November 2017. The Asthma Screening Questionnaire (ASQ) was filled out by medical students, followed by the Asthma Control Test questionnaire for those who were suspected of having clinical asthma (ASQ≥4). All students with clinical asthma or with a history of asthma were invited to perform a spirometry test. RESULTS: Overall, 837 (73.7%) students out of 1136 were included. The prevalence was 9.1% for ever diagnosed asthma, 14% for clinical asthma and 5.3% for confirmed asthma. Among 761 students, without a previous asthma diagnosis, 10.4% had clinical asthma and 3.3% a confirmed asthma. Female sex (aOR=2.1; 95%CI =1.0-4.1), a previous diagnosis of asthma (aOR=7; 95% CI=3.2-15.2) and allergic rhinitis (aOR=3.9; 95% CI=1.9-7.8) were associated with confirmed asthma. Asthma symptoms were controlled in 92 (78.6%) students, partly controlled in 20 (17.1%), and not controlled in 5 (4.3%). CONCLUSION: Clinical manifestations of asthma are frequent among medical students at Parakou. Some are not well controlled, suggesting a need for greater awareness and an improvement in clinical follow-up.

Prevalence of lung function impairment in cured pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Cotonou, Benin.

SETTING: National teaching hospital for the management of respiratory diseases, Cotonou, Benin. OBJECTIVE: 1) To estimate the prevalence of lung function impairment (LFI) and associated factors in patients cured of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB); and 2) to determine the link between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and LFI occurrence. DESIGN: We performed a cross-sectional study in cured patients with smear-positive TB (PTB+) treated between 2012 and 2015. We recruited two control groups of 70 HIV-infected (HIV+/TB-) and 70 HIV-negative participants without TB (HIV-/TB-). We performed spirometry in all participants to identify LFI (obstructive, restrictive or mixed) and the 6-min walk test (6-MWT) in PTB+ participants. We assessed the factors associated with LFI using logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 4711 subjects with PTB, 241 were contacted and 189 were included. The median age was 37 years; 128 (68.0%) were male. Overall, 85 cured PTB+ patients had LFI (45.0%). Extent of initial radiological lesions, time between symptom onset and treatment, and female sex were independently associated with LFI. Fifty-five (29.1%) cured PTB+ patients had an abnormal 6-MWT; those with LFI had a higher risk of poor exercise tolerance (OR 2.23; interquartile range 1.16-4.30). We did not find any association between HIV infection and LFI. CONCLUSION: LFI is very common in cured PTB+ patients from Benin and significantly impacts exercise tolerance.

[Mite sensitization in children followed for respiratory allergy in a tropical African environment in Cotonou, Benin]. / Sensibilisation aux acariens chez les enfants suivis pour allergie respiratoire en milieu tropical africain à Cotonou, Bénin.

INTRODUCTION: In tropical Africa, allergies are not well documented. The objective of this work was to evaluate, by two methods, the sensitization to mites in children followed for respiratory allergy. METHODS: Skin prick-test and IgE assay by REAST test with 3 mites: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (D. pteronyssinus), Dermatophagoides farinae (D. farinae) and Blomia tropicalis (B. tropicalis) were carried out in children from 3 to 15 years followed up for asthma and/or allergic rhinitis. The positive results of the two tests were compared. RESULTS: Of the 130 (100%) children included, all eligible for the assay, 119 (91.5%) had the prick-test. The mean age and sex ratio (M/F) were 7±1 year, and 1.6. The association of rhinitis and asthma was the most frequent and found in 66 (55.6%). The sensitivity frequencies for the prick-test and assay were respectively 79% versus 36.1% for B. tropicalis, 71.4% versus 33.4% for D. pteronyssinus and 38.7% versus 37.8% for D. farinae. A moderate correlation between mean papule diameter and mean IgE concentration was observed. CONCLUSION: In African tropical environments, dust mite sensitization in children followed for respiratory allergy is frequent, with the order of frequency being: B. tropicalis, D. pteronyssinus, and D. farinae. The prick-test had better sensitivity than the assay for its evaluation.

[Tuberculosis in older persons in African setting: Epidemiological, diagnostic and evolutive features]. / La tuberculose du sujet âgé en milieu africain : particularités épidémiologiques, diagnostiques et évolutives au Bénin.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the epidemiological, diagnostic and evolutives features of tuberculosis (TB) in older subjects in Benin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of adults TB patients (age≥15 years) who were notified at all the Basic Management Units (BMU) in Benin from January 1st, 2013 to December 31st. Older subjects (age≥60 years) were compared to those less than 60 years named young subjects. The threshold of significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: The analysis was carried out on 6531 cases adults cases notified during the period. 601 (9.2%) were 60 years old or above. The case notification rate (CNR) in elders was more than twice the CNR in young people (68 cases vs. 31 cases per 100,000 population). Older subjects were less often infected with HIV (9.3%) than young's (16.7%), P<0.0001. In new bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB negative for HIV, unfavorable treatment outcomes were more frequent in older subjects than in young subjects with more deaths (7.5% vs. 3.0%). On the other hand, in bacteriological confirmed TB seropositive for HIV and all the other cases, treatment outcomes were comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The high CNR and the high death rate in older subjects should plead for a specific care for an adapted management of TB case in this group.

[Factors associated with non-conversion of the direct smear after the initial phase of anti-tuberculous treatment. A study undertaken in three tuberculosis management centres in South Benin]. / Facteurs associés à la non-conversion de la bacilloscopie après la phase d'attaque du traitement antituberculeux. Étude réalisée dans trois centres de prise en charge de la tuberculose au Sud Bénin.

The objective of this work was to describe the profile of routinely managed tuberculosis patients whose sputum smear did not become negative after the initial phase of anti-tuberculous treatment and to analyze the factors associated with this. With this aim a cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive and analytical study was carried out in a population of adults with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) between 2013 and 2014 in three cities in southern Benin (Cotonou, Porto-Novo and Abomey). The data of the patients who did not convert (PTB +) were compared with those who did (PTB-). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. In 1989 (94%) of the cases, 305 (15.3%) were TPB+ with significant differences between the cities. The mean age was 38±13 years vs 34±12 years, respectively, for PTB+and PTB -, P=0.091. At the end of the multivariate analysis, the factors associated with non-conversion were: high bacillary load (≥10 AFB/microscopic field) at diagnosis, HIV+status, and adverse outcome at the end of anti-tuberculous treatment. These patients should be monitored carefully.

Statut de travailleur tuberculeux et environnement professionnel, Cotonou, Bénin / NA

Le partage du statut de tuberculose (TB) peut être pour le patient une source de conflit en milieu professionnel en raison de la stigmatisation liée à la maladie. L'objectif de la présente étude était d'évaluer les raisons et les réactions de partage ou non du statut de patient TB en milieu professionnel.Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale descriptive ayant inclus lestravailleurs TB du Centre National Hospitalier de Pneumo-Phtisiologie de Cotonou. Sur les 107 travailleurs inclus, 50% provenaient des petites entreprises privées et 30% du secteur informel. Parmi ceux qui avaient des supérieurs (43/107) ou des collègues (68/107) de service, respectivement 65,1% et 41,2% n'ont pas informé leur supérieur hiérarchique ou au moins un collègue. Les raisons évoquées étaient : crainte d'une perte de l'emploi (40%), peur du rejet (68%).La majorité de ceux qui avait partagé leur statut avaiteu en retour une réaction d'acceptation de la part de leur employeur (86,7 %) et collègues (85%).

Sharing tuberculosis status can be a source of conflict for the patient in the workplace due to the stigma associated with the disease. The objective of this study was to assess the reasons and reactions for and against sharing TB patient status in the workplace. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study that included tuberculosis workers at the National Tuberculosis Center at Cotonou. Of the 107 workers included, 50% came from small private companies and 30% from the informal sector. Of those who had supervisors (43/107) or colleagues (68/107) on duty, 65.1% and 41.2% respectively did not inform their supervisor or at least one colleague. The reasons given were: fear of job loss (40%), fear of rejection (68%). The majority of those who had shared their status had in turn received an acceptance reaction from their employer (86.7%) and colleagues (85%).

Mycobacteries non tuberculeuses dans les échantillons des patients tuberculeux admis pour retraitement en 2014 au Bénin: prévalence et facteurs associés

Introduction. Il n'existe pas de données sur la prévalence des Mycobactéries Non Tuberculeuses (MNT) au Bénin. L'objectif de ce travail était de déterminer la prévalence des MNT dans les échantillons des patients admis en retraitement au Bénin et d'identifier les facteurs associés. Patients et Méthode. Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale qui a porté sur les échantillons des patients admis en retraitement dans tous les Centres de Dépistage et de Traitement (CDT) de la tuberculose (TB) du Bénin en 2014. Un examen GeneXpert et une culture sur milieu de Lowenstein ont été réalisés sur les échantillons de crachat convoyés au Laboratoire de Références des Mycobactéries (LRM). La souche de mycobactéries a été identifiée grâce au MTB Complex Hain CM/AS assay sur les cultures positives. Résultats. Sur les 226 patients admis en retraitement en 2014 au Bénin, 214 échantillons ont été reçus au LRM. La culture était positive, négative et contaminée dans respectivement 58%, 40% et 2% des échantillons. Les MNT étaient retrouvées dans 10 échantillons soit une prévalence de 8,1% (10/123). Le complex MAC (M. avium et M. intracellulare) était le plus fréquent (4/10). Les MNT étaient majoritairement diagnostiqués dans les échantillons des patients admis pour rechute (7/10). Conclusion. Cette étude a permis de démontrer la présence des MNT dans les échantillons des patients admis pour retraitement au Bénin. Ce résultat devrait être pris en compte dans les stratégies de prise en charge des cas de retraitement

Low prevalence of diabetes mellitus in patients with tuberculosis in Cotonou, Benin.

SETTING: The three Basic Management Units (BMUs) of the National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) in Cotonou, Benin. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) among tuberculosis (TB) patients in Cotonou. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of consecutively registered TB patients treated for a minimum of 2 weeks between June and July 2014 in the three BMUs, with measurement of their fasting blood glucose (FBG). A patient was considered as having DM if venous FBG was ⩾7 mmol/l or if they reported a known history of DM. RESULT: There were 159 patients assessed: 114 with new smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), 5 with new smear-negative PTB, 8 with extra-pulmonary TB, 21 retreatment patients with fully susceptible bacilli and 11 with multidrug-resistant TB. Of these, respectively 31 (19%), 18 (11%) and 10 (6%) were human immunodeficiency virus co-infected, smokers and hypertensive. Eight patients (5%) had impaired fasting glucose and three (1.9%) had DM (FBG ⩾ 7 mmol/l), of whom two were already known to have the disease and one was newly diagnosed. CONCLUSION: DM may not be an important risk factor for TB in Cotonou. A larger study on TB and DM in the whole country is needed.

Cadre : Les trois Centres de Dépistage et de Traitement de la Tuberculose (TB) de Cotonou, Bénin.Objectif : Déterminer la prévalence du diabète sucré (DM) parmi les patients tuberculeux à Cotonou.Méthode : Etude transversale avec enrôlement successif de tous les patients tuberculeux traités depuis au moins 2 semaines entre juin et juillet 2014, et mesure de leur glycémie à jeun. Le diagnostic de DM était retenu sur la base d'une glycémie veineuse à jeun ⩾ 7 mmol/l ou d'un antécédent de DM rapporté par le patient.Résultat : Au total, 159 patients étaient inclus : 114 nouveaux cas de TB pulmonaire à microscopie positive, 5 nouveaux cas de TB pulmonaire à microscopie négative, 8 cas de TB extrapulmonaire, 21 cas de retraitement à germes sensibles et 11 cas de TB multirésistante. D'eux, respectivement 31 (19%), 18 (11%) et 10 (6%) étaient co-infectés, fumeurs et hypertendus. Il y avait huit patients (5%) intolérants au glucose et trois (1.9%) diabétiques, dont un nouvellement diagnostiqué.Conclusion : A Cotonou, le DM ne semble pas être un facteur de risque majeur de développement d'une TB-maladie. Une étude à l'échelle nationale s'avère nécessaire pour cerner l'ampleur de cette affection parmi les tuberculeux dans tout le pays.

Marco de referencia: Las tres Unidades Básicas de Tratamiento en el Programa Nacional contra la Tuberculosis de Beni, en Cotonou.Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de diabetes (DM) en los pacientes con diagnóstico de tuberculosis (TB) en Cotonou.Método: Fue este un estudio transversal de los pacientes registrados de manera consecutiva y que recibieron tratamiento como mínimo durante 2 semanas, de junio a julio del 2014, en las Unidades Básicas de Tratamiento, a quienes se practicó una glucemia plasmática en ayunas. Se definió el diagnóstico de DM como una glucemia en ayunas ⩾ 126 mg/dl (o 7 mmol/l) o la referencia por el paciente de un diagnóstico conocido de DM.Resultados: Se evaluaron 159 pacientes, de los cuales 114 casos nuevos de TB pulmonar con baciloscopia positiva, 5 casos con baciloscopia negativa, 8 casos de TB extrapulmonar, 21 casos en retratamiento antituberculoso con bacilos normosensibles y 11 casos de TB multidrogorresistente. De estos pacientes, 31 presentaron coinfección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (19%), 18 eran fumadores (11%) y 10 eran hipertensos (6%). Se detectaron ocho pacientes con una glucemia basal alterada (5%) y tres con DM (1,9%), de los cuales dos ya conocían el diagnóstico.Conclusión: Al parecer la DM no constituye un factor mayor de riesgo de contraer la TB en Cotonou. Es necesario llevar a cabo un estudio más amplio a escala nacional sobre ambas enfermedades.

[Sensitisation profile to airborne allergens of patients followed for asthma in Cotonou, Benin. A cross-sectional study using prick-tests]. / Profil de sensibilisation aux pneumallergènes des patients suivis pour asthme à Cotonou, Bénin : étude transversale par prick-tests.

RATIONALE: The sensitisation profile to airborne allergens of asthma patients followed in Benin is not known. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2013 at the hospital reference centre. A prick-test was performed in all adults with asthma consulting during this period. The standardized allergenic extracts tested were: mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus [DP], Dermatophagoides farinae [DF] and Blomia tropicalis [BT]), cockroaches, 5 different grasses, Alternaria, dogs and cats. The test was positive when the diameter of the wheal was more than half that of the positive control and/or when the diameter of the wheal was ≥3mm than the negative control. RESULTS: Of the 253 asthmatics tested, 247 (97.6%) had at least one positive skin reaction. The average age was 44 years, the sex ratio was 0.81. Sensitization to mites was the most frequent (99.6%), followed by cockroaches (71.3%), 5 grasses (71.3%), Alternaria (71%), dog (68%) and cat (63.6%). The average number of sensitivities was 5±2. CONCLUSION: Asthmatics monitored in Cotonou have multiple sensitisations dominated by mites.

[Tuberculoma of the cerebellar tonsils: a case study]. / Tuberculome de l'amygdale cerebelleux: a propos d'un cas.

Tuberculoma of the cerebellum is a rare presentation of human tuberculosis and the presence of this disease in central nervous system in particular. We report the case of an immunocompetent 53 year old man who initially had an instability when walking, bitemporo-occipital headaches and insomnia, secondarily complicated state of agitation accepted into psychiatric care. The diagnosis was possible with MRI that revealed a mass in the cerebellar tonsil, not taking the contrast after gadolinium injection. The evolution under treatment for tuberculosis was positive. The control MRI performed at 15 months showed no more damage.

Le Tuberculome du cervelet est une présentation rarissime de la tuberculose humaine en général et de l'atteinte par cette maladie du système nerveux central en particulier. Nous rapportons le cas d'un homme de 53 ans immunocompétent qui présentait initialement une instabilité à la marche, des céphalées bitemporo-occipitales et une insomnie, compliquée secondairement d'état d'agitation prise en charge en psychiatrie. Le diagnostic a été possible grâce à l'IRM qui a mis en évidence une masse de l'amygdale cérébelleux, ne prenant pas le contraste après l'injection de gadolinium. L'évolution sous traitement antituberculeux a été favorable. L'IRM de contrôle réalisée à 15 mois ne montrait plus de lésion.

The prevalence of byssinosis among cotton workers in the north of Benin.

BACKGROUND: Cotton is the main agricultural export product in Benin. Cotton dust is thus present in the air during the handling and processing of cotton. This dust contains a mixture of substances including ground up plant matter, fibres, bacteria, fungi, soil, pesticides, noncotton matter, and other contaminants. While cotton processing is decreasing in industrialized countries, it is increasing in developing countries. Cotton processing, particularly in the early processes of spinning, can cause byssinosis. OBJECTIVE: To determine the respiratory effects of cotton dust exposure among cotton mill workers in Benin. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 109 workers exposed to cotton dust and 107 unexposed workers were studied. The International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) questionnaire was used for data collection on respiratory symptoms. For each worker, crossshift pulmonary function was performed with a dry spirometer. Based on the severity of respiratory symptoms and spirometry byssinosis was defined and classified according to the criteria of Schilling, et al. RESULTS: The mean ± SD age of the exposed and unexposed workers was 46.3 ± 7.8 and 37.0 ± 8.3 years, respectively (p<0.001). The mean FEV1 predicted value for the exposed and unexposed workers was 76.3% and 77.3%, respectively. The prevalence of grade 3 byssinosis was 21.1% (95% CI: 13.4-28.9) in exposed workers and 8.4% (95% CI: 3.1-13.7) in unexposed workers (p=0.006). On Mondays, the exposed workers had more respiratory symptoms than unexposed workers; for grade 3 byssinosis, the prevalence was 13.8% in exposed and 4.7% in unexposed workers (p=0.011). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms and byssinosis among cotton mill workers in Benin is high and needs prompt attention of health care workers and policymakers.

[Evaluation of tuberculous patients' management when re-treated in Cotonou, Benin]. / Évaluation de la prise en charge des patients admis au régime de retraitement à Cotonou, Bénin.

Retreatment of tuberculosis is the leading risk factor for drug resistance if the management is not adequate and complete. The objective of this study was to evaluate the management of cases of retreatment in Cotonou. This was a retrospective, descriptive cross type which covered a period of 5 years. Outcomes of retreatment cases were compared against those for new cases that were registered during the same period. We analyzed the cases of 389 retreatment patients and 4542 new cases. The success rates of treatment were generally satisfactory (80% vs. 86%, P=0.0001). Of adverse outcomes, the rate of loss of sight of was 12% versus 7%, P=0.26, the rate was 23% for cases of occasions. The failure rate was low and similar in both populations (2%). The retreatment regimen for patients with TB in Cotonou appears to give generally satisfactory results. The high loss to follow-up in case of retreatment means that a personalized therapeutic approach for such patients is needed in general and in particular in the case of defaulters.

The burden and outcomes of childhood tuberculosis in Cotonou, Benin.

SETTING: The National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) and the paediatric ward of the General Hospital (GH), Cotonou, Benin. OBJECTIVE: To describe the burden of tuberculosis (TB), characteristics and outcomes among children treated in Cotonou from 2009 to 2011. DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort study consisting of a retrospective record review of all children with TB aged <15 years. RESULTS: From 2009 to 2011, 182 children with TB were diagnosed and treated (4.5% of total cases), 153 (84%) by the NTP and 29 (16%) by the GH; the latter were not notified to the NTP. The incidence rate of notified TB cases was between 8 and 13 per 100 000 population, and was higher in children aged >5 years. Of 167 children tested, 29% were HIV-positive. Treatment success was 72% overall, with success rates of 86%, 62% and 74%, respectively, among sputum smear-positive, sputum smear-negative and extra-pulmonary patients. Treatment success rates were lower in children with sputum smear-negative TB (62%) and those with HIV infection (58%). CONCLUSION: The number of children being treated for TB is low, and younger children in particular are underdiagnosed. There is a need to improve the diagnosis of childhood TB, especially among younger children, and to improve treatment outcomes among HIV-TB infected children, with better follow-up and monitoring.

MDR-TB treatment needs in patients previously treated for TB in Cotonou, Benin.

SETTING: Centre National Hospitalier de Pneumo-Phtisi-ologie, Cotonou, Benin. OBJECTIVE: To determine the proportion of individuals needing treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) among patients previously treated for TB. DESIGN: A retrospective cross-sectional study of all patients previously treated for TB in Cotonou from 2003 to 2011. RESULTS: Of 956 patients on retreatment, 897 (94%) underwent culture and/or a line-probe assay. For different reasons, 594 (66%) underwent drug susceptibility testing for rifampicin (RMP), of whom 95 (16%) had RMP resistance (68 multidrug-resistance [MDR] and 27 other RMP resistance) and therefore needed treatment for MDR-TB. These represent 39% of patients who failed/relapsed after standardised retreatment, and 20% of those who failed, 19% of defaulters and 11% of relapses after first-line treatment. Residence outside of Benin was associated with a higher risk of RMP resistance (RR 3.13, 95%CI 2.19-4.48, P < 0.01). From 2003 to 2011, the prevalence of RMP resistance decreased from 25% to 5% among patients living in Benin. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence was 25%; no association was found between HIV and RMP resistance. Of patients failing treatment, 48% were fully susceptible, 22% were monoresistant and 8% polyresistant. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients who fail retreatment or first-line treatment in Cotonou do not require empirical treatment for MDR-TB.

Management of tuberculosis and HIV co-infection in Cotonou, Benin.

OBJECTIVES: The authors had for aim to assess the management of tuberculosis and HIV co-infection in Cotonou, Benin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We made a cross-sectional, retrospective, and descriptive study comparing the clinical presentation and outcome of patients with tuberculosis and HIV co-infection versus patients with tuberculosis alone, all managed at the National Pneumophtisiology Center in Cotonou, Benin, in 2009. RESULTS: The rate of HIV screening in TB patients was 99%. One thousand and eighty-six TB patients were included and 259 were HIV positive. The mean age of co-infected patients was 36 years, versus 34 for TB mono-infected patients. The sex ratio among co-infected was 1.15 versus 2.25 among TB patients. Positive pulmonary sputum was less frequent with co-infection. Two hundred and fifty-seven over 259 patients were treated with cotrimoxazole. One hundred and eighty-five over 234 (79.05%) had CD4 counts<350. Eighty-five (46%) of the 185 patients with CD4<350, were given antiretroviral therapy. Treatment success rate was lower for co-infected (75%) than for patients with TB alone (86%), and death rates were higher in co-infected patients (10% vs. 3%). CONCLUSION: High death rate and high rate of lost to follow-up are arguments for systematic antiretroviral treatment of co-infected patients. Early screening for TB and HIV, and reviewing the current national recommendations, as well as an increased governmental effort to provide medicines to all patients in need of ARV are mandatory.