Socio-cultural representation of epilepsy at the teaching hospital of point G, Mali.

Background: Epilepsy is a significant public health concern with psychosocial impacts, including fear, stigma, and misconceptions. These factors contribute to human rights violations and discrimination. The objective of this study was to describe the sociocultural representation of epilepsy in Mali. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out from April 2015 to November 2016 at the University Hospital of Point G. Patients with epilepsy were identified prospectively, and a questionnaire was administered to each patient and their parents. Results: A total of 104 patients were enrolled with an average age of 35 years, ranging from 15 to 89 years. Males were slightly predominant, accounting for 53.85%, resulting in a sex ratio (M/F) of 1.17. In terms of occupation, workers comprised 68.27% of participants. Patients residing in urban areas represented 61.54%, and the most level of education was secondary (40.38%). The majority of patients (57.69%) and their relatives (69.23%) thought that epilepsy was caused by mystical causes. Stigma was reported by 66.35% of our patients. Conclusion: The sociocultural perception of epilepsy hinders evidence-based diagnosis and management in Africa. This study suggests a need to focus on raising awareness to change these misconceptions.

[Cerebral toxoplasmosis during AIDS in the infectious diseases department of Point-G Teaching Hospital, Bamako, Mali]. / Toxoplasmose Cerebrale Au Cours Du Sida Dans Le Service Des Maladies Infectieuses Du CHU Du Point-G, Bamako-Mali.

Cerebral toxoplasmosis is common opportunistic infections of central nervous system in AIDS. It occurs most often in case of severe immunosuppression. The aim of this study is to investigate the general characteristics of cerebral toxoplasmosis during HIV infection and AIDS in hospital area in Bamako. It is a retrospective study of 5 years (form January 2001 to December 2005), conducted in the infectious diseases department of Point G Teaching Hospital of Bamako. It concerned all patients infected with HIV, hospitalized for cerebral toxoplasmosis. The diagnosis of cerebral toxoplasmosis was based on clinical, C T and therapeutic arguments. A total of 745 patients investigated, 26 met cerebral toxoplasmosis diagnostic criteria (14 men and 12 women). The rate of cerebral toxoplasmosis in the study population was 3.5%. The average age was 38.1 years (18-58 years). Focused neurological deficit (73.07%), intracranial hypertension signs (69.20%), meningeal syndrome (15.40%), seizures (57.69%) and consciousness disorders (30.80%) were the clinical characteristics. Hypodensity with or without peripheral enhancement images (93.75%) were found on CT. The average rate of CD4 T cells was 98.7cells/mm3 (5-473 cells/mm3). Oropharyngeal candidiasis in 61.53% of cases, intestinal cryptosporidiosis (11.53%), herpes zoster (3.84%) and Pott's disease (3.84%) were the opportunistic infections associated. Cotrimoxazole was used in 88.46% of patients and 3 patients (11.54%) received the standard treatment (Sulfadiazine-Pyrimethamine). Antitoxoplasmic treatment led to a clinical improvement in 84.61% and 4 deaths (15.39%). were recorded. The technical platform for etiological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is not available at the Point-G Teaching Hospital, so in case of encephalitis signs in a HIV positive patient, CT should be urgently perform and a treatment trial must begin without delay.

Clinical and genetic analysis of spinocerebellar ataxia in Mali.

BACKGROUND: Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia, currently denominated spinocerebellar ataxia (SCAs), represents a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders affecting the cerebellum and its connections. We describe the clinical and molecular findings in 16 patients originating from Malian families, who suffer from progressive cerebellar ataxia syndrome. METHODS AND RESULTS: Molecular analysis allows genetic profiles of SCA to be distinguished. In seven patients, SCA type 2 (CAG) mutation was expanded from 39 to 43 repeats. SCA type 7 (CAG) mutation was confirmed in six patients. Mutations were expanded from 49 to 59 repeats. In three patients, SCA type3 was diagnosed and CAG mutation was expanded to 73 repeats. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the most frequent types of SCA are SCA2 and SCA7. However, further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.

[The psychiatric manifestations of people living with HIV in Mali]. / Les manifestations psychiatriques chez les personnes vivant avec le VIH au Mali.

HIV/AIDS related disorders have a negative impact on the assumption of responsibility of other Comorbidities and could lead to a highest lethality rate. The goal was to evaluate the prevalence of the psychiatric disorders during HIV/AIDS at infectious diseases service of "hôpital du Point G". We carried out an exploratory study and descriptive energy of July 1, 2004 to bearing 31 October 2005 out of 166 patients. The cases of HIV were defined on the basis of positivity of serology HIV by at least 2 fast tests associated or not with clinical signs with the AIDS according to CDC. Any disturbance of the higher functions was regarded as psychiatric demonstrations. The female sex was in a majority with a sex- ratio of 0.9. The ages bracket the most touched lay between 36 and 41ans. The housewives were 36.7%. The grooms accounted for 64.5%. The prevalence of the psychiatric disorders was 58.9%. The disorders were dominated by the depression (45.8%) followed confusional syndrome 31.9% and epilepsy 7.8%. All the patients with psychiatric antecedents developed a confusional syndrome. The subjects having presented a psychiatric disorder were infected by the HIV-1 in 93.4% of the cases.Occurred of the psychiatric disorders was inversely proportional to the rate of CD4. Lethality was very high is 56%.

Les manifestations psychiatriques chez les personnes vivant avec le VIH au Mali

Les troubles psychiatriques au cours de l'infection a VIH ont un impact negatif sur la prise en charge des autres co-morbidites et peuvent constituer en eux-memes une cause de mortalite. Le but de notre etude etait d'evaluer la prevalence des troubles psychiatriques au cours de l'infection par le VIH dans les services de maladies infectieuses et de psychiatrie du CHU du Point G. Nous avions realise une etude prospective et descriptive allant du 1er Juillet 2004 au 31 Octobre 2005 portant sur 166 patients. Les cas d'infection a VIH ont ete definis sur la base de la positivite de la serologie VIH par au moins 2 tests rapides associes ou non a des signes cliniques du SIDA selon la classification CDC. Toute perturbation des fonctions superieures etait consideree comme manifestations psychiatriques. Le sexe feminin etait majoritaire avec un sex- ratio de 0;9. La tranche d'age de 36 a 41 ans etait la plus touchee. Les menageres representaient 36;7de l'echantillon et les maries representaient 64;5. La prevalence des troubles psychiatriques etait de 58;9. Les troubles ont ete domines par la depression (45;8) suivis du syndrome confusionnel 31;9et de l'epilepsie 7;8. Les sujets etaient infectes par le VIH-1 dans 93;4des cas. La survenue des troubles psychiatriques etait inversement proportionnelle au taux de CD4. La letalite etait tres elevee soit 56