Profil évolutif de la limboconjonctivité endémique des tropiques à l'hôpital gynéco-obstétrique et pédiatrique de Yaoundé / Gynecological cancer in oncology practice in Lomé

Introduction. La limbo-conjonctivite endémique des tropiques (LCET) est une kérato-conjonctivite allergique récidivante du jeune enfant qui s'améliore après la puberté mais peut persister. Le but de cette étude était de déterminer le profil évolutif de la LCETdans notre pratique. Méthodologie. Étude longitudinale descriptive menée dans l'unité d'ophtalmologie de l'Hôpital Gynéco-Obstétrique et Pédiatrique de Yaoundé. Tous les dossiers de LCET reçus de janvier 2011 à décembre 2019 avec un recul d'aumoins deux ans de suivi ont été recensés. Les patients qui ont accepté de participer après apptéléphonique ont été inclus de janvier à mai 2021.Les variables d'étudeétaient: âge, sexe, acuité visuelle (AV), caractéristiques de la LCET selon Diallo, pronostic fonctionnel et anatomique en post puberté (plus de 15 ans). Résultats. Au total,30 patients (60 yeux) ont été étudiés. Le sex-ratio était de 2. La moyenne d'âge était de 15 ans ± 9 ans. Initialement, le prurit était le maitre symptôme (96,7%). Après un recul moyen de cinq ans, l'AV était utile chez tous les patients (100%) et la LCET stade 2 plus représentée (60%). Le nombre moyen de récidives était de trois. Les patients post pubertaires on eu une amélioration anatomique dans 56.7% des caset une aggravation dans 10%des casConclusion. Notre travail confirme l'amélioration post pubertaire globale de la LCET, nonobstant quelques formes graves depronosticpéjoratif pour la fonction visuelle.

Introduction. Tropical endemiclimbo-conjunctivitis (TELC) is a recurrent allergic kerato-conjunctivitis in young children which improves after puberty but may persist. The aim of this study was to determine the evolutionof TELCin our setting. Methodology. This was a longitudinal descriptive study conducted in the ophthalmology unit of the Yaoundé Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital. All TELC files received from January 2011 to December 2019 with a follow-up of at least two years of follow-up were identified. Patients who agreed to participate after a phone call were included from January to May 2021. The variables of interest were: age, sex, visual acuity (VA), TELC classification according to Diallo, functional and anatomical prognosis in post puberty (more than 15 years).A totalof30 patients (60 eyes) were recruited. The sex ratio was 2. The average age was 15 ± 9 years. Initially, pruritus was the main symptom (96.7%). After an average follow-up of five years, VA was usefulin all patients (100%) and TELCstage 2 was the most frequent stage (60%). The mean number of recurrences was three. Postpubertal patients had anatomical improvement in 56.7% of cases and worsening in 10%of cases. Conclusion. Our study confirms the overall postpubertal improvement ofTELC, except some serious forms with poor prognosis ofvisual function

[Contribution of Optical Coherence Tomography in the evaluation of the iridocorneal angle in Cameroon]. / Apport de la tomographie en cohérence optique dans l'évaluation de l'angle irido-cornéen du camerounais.

INTRODUCTION: Our work was aimed at determining the sensitivity and specificity of anterior segment OCT (AS-OCT) in the evaluation of the iridocorneal angle (ICA) in Cameroon. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a cross-sectional, analytical study from January 2 to June 30, 2019 in Yaoundé. One hundred and twenty five patients over 35 years of age underwent three-mirror manual glass gonioscopy and AS-OCT. The angle was defined as occludable on manual gonioscopy if the posterior trabecular meshwork, was not visible and on OCT if there was contact between the iris root and the posterior surface of the peripheral cornea. Quantitative parameters (angle opening distance, angle recess area, and trabecular-iris space area) in the nasal and temporal quadrants were recorded for the analysis. RESULTS: Men accounted for 56.20% of the 96 patients selected (192 eyes). The mean age was 54.78±10 years. The prevalence of occludable angles was 18.75% (18/96 patients) and 28.125% (27/96 patients) on manual and automated gonioscopy respectively. Schaeffer-Etienne grades ≤ 2 were identified in 43/192 (21.94%) nasal quadrants and 33/192 (19.18%) temporal quadrants. The area under the curve (AUC) was maximal for the 500 µm goniometric parameters (> 0.8). An Angle Opening Distance ≤ 333.50 µm was found in 52/192 nasal quadrants (27.10%) and 53/192 (27.60%) temporal. The sensitivity and specificity of AS-OCT in the detection of occludable angles at 500 µm, were 62.8% and 83.2% respectively in the nasal quadrant, and 66.7% and 80.5% respectively in the temporal quadrant. There was a positive correlation between goniometric parameters on AS-OCT and gonioscopy (P=0.01). CONCLUSION: Given its higher specificity, AS-OCT should be a supplemental examination in the analysis of an angle which appears closed on manual gonioscopy.

[Epidemiological and clinical profile of age-related macular degeneration in Cameroon]. / Profil épidémiologique et clinique de la dégénérescence maculaire liée à l'âge en milieu camerounais.

PURPOSE: To determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of age-related macular degeneration in patients in Yaoundé. METHODOLOGY: A multicenter, analytical and cross-sectional study was carried out from March 2017 to June 2018 in four hospitals in the city of Yaoundé. Included were all consenting patients aged at least 40 years with an established diagnosis of AMD both clinically and by imaging. The data were analyzed with CSPro software version 7.0. Chi2 and Student's "t" tests in univariate mode and logistic regression in multivariate mode were used with a significance of P≤5%. RESULTS: Of the 9,989 patients who were seen during the 16-month study period, 38 met our inclusion criteria - a frequency of 0.4%. The sex ratio was 0.3, and the mean age was 68±11 years. As a function of geographic origin, AMD is more common in patients from the forest and mountain areas. The systemic comorbidities associated recorded were hypertension (47.4%) and diabetes (21.1%). After optical correction, 60 of 76 eyes (78.9%) had useful visual acuity according to WHO criteria, and the rate of blindness was 9.2%. Fundus examination revealed fewer lesions than optical coherence tomography, which demonstrated miliary drusen in 57 (75%) eyes, serous drusen in 27 (35.5%), retinal atrophy in 19 (25%) and neovascularization in 3 (3.9%). The clinical forms were dominated by age-related maculopathy, found in 45 eyes (69.2%), followed by atrophic AMD in 17 (26.2%) and finally by exudative AMD in 3 (4.6%), for a total of 65 out of 76 eyes. Age was related to the risk of MLA and atrophic AMD (P≤0.05). CONCLUSION: AMD is an uncommon pathology in our setting, predominant in women over the age of 60 years.

[Retinal vein occlusions treated by intravitreal bevacizumab injections at the Hospital of Instruction, Application and Reference of the Armed Forces of Yaoundé]. / Occlusions veineuses rétiniennes traitées par injections intra-vitréennes de bévacizumab à l'hôpital d'instruction, d'application et de référence des armées de Yaoundé.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the anatomical and functional results of intravitreal bevacizumab injections in retinal vein occlusions at the Hospital of Instruction, Application and Reference of the Armed Forces of Yaoundé. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective and descriptive study was conducted from October 2016 to August 2017 at the Hospital of Instruction, Application and Reference of the Armed Forces of Yaoundé. All eyes with edematous or mixed retinal vein occlusion were treatment naive and received at least 3 intravitreal injections spaced at least 28 days apart of bevacizumab 25mg/ml at a dose of 0.05ml per session according to the strategy of 3 injections or "3 I". At least 3 months after the final injection, visual acuity and macular thickness, assessed by optical coherence tomography, were analyzed with the IBM-SPSS 22 software. The Student's test was used to compare means, with a significance P<5%. RESULTS: We included nineteen eyes of 18 patients with a mean age of 62.83±9.57 years. The male to female sex ratio was 0.8. Branch vein occlusion was predominant in 14 (73.68%) eyes. The edematous type was noted in 17 (89.5%) eyes. Serous retinal detachment was present in 6 (31.6%) eyes. The mean number of injections was 4.2±1.2. The mean baseline visual acuity changed from +0.9 Log MAR (40 ETDRS) to +0.6 Log MAR (55 ETDRS) at 6 months, while the mean macular thickness went from 550.16±180µm to 338.58±127µm, with statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab injections proved to be effective in the management of edematous retinal vein occlusions in our practice setting despite the lack of market authorization for this indication.

[Retinal manifestations of neuro-malaria or "malarial retinopathy" in Yaoundé]. / Atteintes rétiniennes du neuro-paludisme ou « rétinopathie paludique ¼ à Yaoundé.

AIM: Contribute to the improvement of diagnostic and prognostic approaches to treating children with neuro-malaria in Yaoundé. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A prospective and analytical study carried out in 2 hospitals of Yaoundé from October 2015 to March 2016. All patients aged 3 months to 15 years hospitalized for neuro-malaria in one of the 2 hospitals benefited from a fundus examination. The variables studied were: age, sex, Glasgow or Blantyre score, fundus examination and parasitaemia. For statistical analysis, we used the software R 3.3.0, Chi2, exact of Fisher or Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests with a significance P<5%. RESULTS: Out of the 178 children hospitalized during the study period, 44 had neuro-malaria (24.71%) and 26 (46 diseased eyes) among them presented retinal lesions at a frequency of 14.60%. The mean age was 5.54±3.49 years with a sex ratio of 1.09. The under 5-years-old were the most affected with 31 (70.45%) cases. The fundus lesions of 26 (59.09%) were retinal hemorrhages in 24 (54.54%), retinal whitening and vessel discoloration in 8 (18.18%) respectively. Papillary edema was associated in 4 (9.09%). Macular involvement was noted in 9 cases. These lesions were correlated with age, depth of coma, duration, and clinical course. The rate of parasitaemia did not affect their occurrence. CONCLUSION: Retinal lesions are frequent and serious during neuro-malaria in our environment, especially in children under five. They must therefore be an emphasis in the systematic exam to rule it out for a better prognostic evaluation and a fast and adequate multidisciplinary management.

[Characteristics of post-traumatic blindness at the Yaoundé Army Training, Application and Referral Hospital]. / Caractéristiques de la cécité post-traumatique à l'hôpital d'instruction, d'application et de référence des armées de Yaoundé.

PURPOSE: To study the characteristics of blindness after ocular trauma. METHODOLOGY: In this retrospective descriptive study, we considered the files of patients who had consulted the service for ocular trauma between January 2008 and December 2014. Included were patients of both sexes and all ages whose monocular or binocular vision with best optical correction was strictly below 1/20. Statistical analysis was performed with EPI Info version 3.5.4 software, and the Chi2 test was used with statistically significant values of P≤0.05. RESULTS: Over the period from 2008 to 2014, we found 100 cases of blindness (101 eyes) resulting from 591 cases of ocular trauma, for a frequency of 16.92 %. Among them, 75 men with a median age of 35.5±19.8 years. Children younger than 15 years accounted for 11 % of the series. The blindness was monocular in 99 % and binocular in 1 %, distributed as follows: 55 cases (55 %) category V, 27 (27 %) category IV and 18 (18 %) category III according to the CIM-10. In the anterior segment, cataract was responsible for category III and IV blindness, while in the posterior segment, retinal detachment was found in all categories. In all age ranges irrespective of sex, category V blindness was most frequent. CONCLUSION: Blindness following ocular trauma is frequent in our context. It can be avoided. Consequently, it is essential to put in place strategies for prevention of ocular trauma via education of the population through public awareness campaigns.

[What is the cost of treatment of diabetic retinopathy by argon laser in Yaoundé?] / Quel coût pour le traitement de la rétinopathie diabétique par laser argon à Yaoundé ?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the total cost of treatment of diabetic retinopathy by argon laser for a patient when indicated. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Prospective cross-sectional and descriptive survey, carried out in the angiography and laser center of the Yaoundé Central Hospital from October 2014 to October 2015. All consecutive diabetic patients with retinopathy and suitable indication for argon laser treatment were included. The costs related to the initial and final fluorescein angiography, the appointment for follow-up, round-trip transportation costs from the patient's home and the cost of laser treatment were included. RESULTS: Included were 43 (13 %) patients out of 330 with diabetic retinopathy. The mean age was 55.67±8.40years. There were 25 women (58.1 %) and 18 men (41.9 %) for a M/F ratio of 0.7. Unemployed patients were represented by 28 (65.1 %) versus 15 employed (34.9 %). Twenty-seven patients (62.8 %) were self-pay for all their expenses, 14 (32.6 %) were assisted by their families, and 2 (4.6 %) were insured. On average, the total expenditure was 86002±67197 f CFA per eye, corresponding to 131±102 euros with an exchange rate of 1 euro for 656 f CFA. CONCLUSION: The cost of treatment of diabetic retinopathy by argon laser is high, mostly increased by the additional costs related to transportation in our area. The creation of satellite centers in the 10 regions of Cameroon would reduce these costs.

Sickle cell retinopathy and other chronic complications of sickle cell anemia: A clinical study of 84 Sub-Saharan African cases (Cameroon).

OBJECTIVE: Sickle retinopathy is a severe complication of sickle cell disease than can lead to blindness. We aim to describe the epidemiology of sickle retinopathy in homozygous sickle cell (SS) African patients and to analyze its association with non-ophthalmologic disease complications of sickle cell anemia. METHODS: We conducted a nested study within the CADRE cohort in Cameroon. Eighty-four consecutive SS outpatients, aged 10 years and older, with no visual symptoms, underwent an ophthalmologic examination. Mean age was 23±10 years. Clinical and biological features were compared between patients with and without sickle retinopathy. We compared the prevalence of the clinical complications and main biological characteristics in patients with and without sickle retinopathy using a univariate logistic regression. The same analysis was used to compare the patients with non-proliferative sickle retinopathy to those with proliferative sickle retinopathy. Statistical analyses were done using the R software (version 3.1.2). RESULTS: Fifty-two patients (62%) displayed sickle retinopathy, among them 23 (27%) had a non-proliferative sickle retinopathy, and 29 (35%) had proliferative sickle retinopathy. Patients with proliferative sickle cell retinopathy had a mean age of 28±11 years. Sickle retinopathy was associated with higher hemoglobin level (P=0.047) and fewer leg ulcers (P=0.018). Proliferative SR was associated with increasing age (P=0.008) and male sex (P=0.025) independently of the hemoglobin level. CONCLUSIONS: Sickle retinopathy is particularly frequent in sub-Saharan sickle cell SS patients, which advocates for early systematic screening.

Connaissances et attitudes relatives à la cataracte dans une population rurale au Mali

But. Évaluer les connaissances et les attitudes dans une population rurale au Mali en ce qui concerne la cataracte. Patients et méthodes. Nous avons mené une étude transversale descriptive pendant une période de 10 jours au cours d'une campagne de soins ophtalmologiques dans la localité de Baguinéda, commune rurale située à 30 km de Bamako (Mali). Etaient inclus, les personnes âgées de 16 ans et plus. Les questions relatives aux connaissances et aux attitudes vis-à-vis de la cataracte leur étaient posées. Les connaissances et les attitudes devant une cataracte ont été corrélées aux paramètres comme l'âge, le sexe, la profession et le niveau d'instruction. Résultats. Au total, 552 personnes ont participé à l'étude. Leur âge moyen était de 46,1 ans ± 16,5 et le sex-ratio Homme/Femme de 1,38. Près de la moitié (45,65%) était sans emploi et la majorité (62,7%) analphabète. Dans 83,7 % de cas, les patients avaient des connaissances justes sur la cataracte. Vingt-quatre (4,3%) patients savent que le traitement est chirurgical et 242 (43,8%) pensent que le traitement est traditionnel. L'âge, le sexe et le niveau d'instruction étaient significativement liés à la connaissance de la cataracte. Conclusion. la connaissance de la cataracte dans la localité de Baguineda, en milieu rural au Mali est satisfaisante tandis que les attitudes sur sa prise en charge restent insatisfaisantes. Les stratégies de sensibilisation sont indispensables afin de réduire le taux de cécité au sein de ces populations défavorisées

Expériences visuelles au cours de la chirurgie de la cataracte sous anesthésie péribulbaire

But. Décrire les expériences visuelles des patients au cours de la chirurgie de la cataracte sous anesthésie péribulbaire. Patients et méthodes. Nous avons mené une étude transversale pendant une période d'un mois au CHU-IOTA (Bamako). Étaient inclus les adultes opérés de la cataracte sous anesthésie péribulbaire sans sédation. Les patients étaient interrogés 1 à 4 heures après l'intervention sur les sensations visuelles de l'œil opéré, durant la chirurgie. Résultats. Deux cent sept (207) patients (105 hommes et 102 femmes) ont été retenus. Leur âge moyen était de 62,94 ans ± 12,5. L'acuité visuelle préopératoire des patients était comprise entre 1/10 et la perception lumineuse. Cent cinquante-huit (76,3%) patients ont rapporté des phénomènes visuels observés pendant l'intervention. Il s'agissait de la lumière (rapportée par 76,3% de patients), des couleurs (31,9%), des instruments (22,7%), des doigts du chirurgien (25,1%), de l'eau (27,1%) et des mouvements vagues (19,8%). Parmi eux, 38% étaient effrayés par ces sensations visuelles. Conclusion. Plus de trois-quarts de patients ont des expériences visuelles au cours de la chirurgie de la cataracte sous anesthésie péribulbaire. Certains sont effrayés par ces phénomènes visuels. Il est important de faire un counseling préopératoire approprié afin de réduire le stress des patients

Profil des traumatismes oculo - palpébraux en zone d'insécurité à l'extrême Nord du Cameroun

Buts. Établir le profil épidémiologique et clinique des traumatisés oculaires et ou palpébraux victimes de la guerre qui oppose l'État du Cameroun à la secte terroriste Boko Haram dans la région de l'Extrême Nord. Patients et Méthodes. Nous avons mené une étude transversale descriptive de Janvier 2015 à Juin 2016 sur les lieux de conflit et à l'Hôpital d'Instruction, d'Application et de Référence des Armées de Yaoundé (HIARAY) de niveau 3. Les paramètres étudiés aussi bien pour les civils que pour les militaires portaient sur les données épidémiologiques et cliniques, les mécanismes lésionnels, la fonction visuelle. Pour les militaires, nous avons aussi évalué l'impact professionnel. Résultats. Pendant 18 mois, 24 cas de traumatismes oculaires et ou palpébraux ont été observés pour 29 yeux atteints. Quinze (62,50%) cas étaient des militaires et 9 (37,50%) des civils. La moyenne d'âge était de 29,29 ± 5,31 (extrêmes : 18 à 58) ans et le sex ratio de 7 H/F. Seize yeux étaient droits avec une acuité visuelle moyenne sans correction supérieure à 3/10 et 13 gauches à 4/10. Les principales lésions retrouvées étaient : les plaies palpébrales, 10 (34,48%) cas ; la cataracte, 5 (17,24%) ; les éclatements du globe, 5 (17,24%) ; les hémorragies intra oculaires, 5 (17,24%) ; les plaies de cornée, 5 (17,24%) et les corps étrangers intra oculaires, 4 (13,79%). Les explosions de mines artisanales (21/29), les accidents de circulation (06/29) et les armes à feu (02/29) étaient les mécanismes responsables. Dix-neuf personnes avaient une atteinte unilatérale et cinq une atteinte bilatérale. Le taux de cécité monoculaire était évalué à 37,92%, binoculaire à 6,89% soit 44,82% au total et celui de malvoyance à 62,06%. Les 15 militaires atteints ont été réformés. Conclusion. Les traumatismes oculaires en zone de conflit sont graves et dramatiques pour les personnes atteintes. Leur réparation par le chirurgien ophtalmologue est par ailleurs difficile. Des matériels de protection à type de casque avec visière et des lunettes balistiques permettraient d'en réduire la fréquence

[Epidemiological and clinical aspects of tropical endemic limbo-conjunctivitis in students in Yaoundé]. / Aspects épidémiologiques et cliniques de la limbo-conjonctivite endémique des tropiques en milieu scolaire à Yaoundé.

INTRODUCTION: TELC, tropical endemic limbo-conjunctivitis, is a keratoconjunctivitis seen more frequently in dry intertropical settings than humid ones. We aim to determine the epidemiologic and clinical profile of this condition in a city with a humid equatorial climate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During first third of 2014, we conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study in schools. Included were children aged 3-15 years who received parental consent. The selection was conducted in two steps. After an initial examination of children within the schools, the diagnosis was then confirmed by a complete ophthalmologic examination carried out in the hospital. For ethical clearance, the study received all necessary authorizations. The data were analyzed using the CSPro version 4.0 software in French and the comparison test used was χ2 with a confidence limit of 95 %. RESULTS: Out of 353 students examined, 129 were referred to the Yaoundé central hospital, among which 82 (23.2 %) were confirmed with TELC. The median age of the children diagnosed with TELC was 8.24+0.6 years. Boys (57.3 %) were affected more than girls. The age range of 6-12 years (64.6 %) was the most represented. A recrudescence of the attacks was observed during the dry season (93 %) of cases. Dust (49 %) and sun exposure (43 %) were aggravating factors. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of TELC observed in school in this study is significant.

[Ocular trauma in an urban Cameroonian setting: A study of 332 cases evaluated according to the Ocular Trauma Score]. / Les traumatismes oculaires en milieu urbain camerounais : à propos de 332 cas évalués selon l'Ocular Trauma Score.

PURPOSE: To determine the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of ocular trauma after evaluation with the ocular trauma score at the Army Teaching Hospital in Yaoundé, Cameroon. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A descriptive and retrospective monocentric hospital study was carried out from January 2008 to December 2010. Our sample included all patients with ocular trauma. Each traumatized eye was evaluated using the ocular trauma score after measurement of visual acuity. The most severe diagnoses observed were classified according to the Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology system. RESULTS: The frequency out of 364 eyes was 3.56%. There were 204 men (61.44%) with a male/female ratio of 1.59. The mean age was 32.95 years with predominance of 21-30 years. The most affected groups were laborers and craftsmen (28.61%), followed closely by students (23.80%), then armed forces personnel (19.58%). Fights were noted as the most common cause in 31.02% of cases. Punches predominated in 21.39% of cases. In 37.34% of cases, patients were seen within 72 hours of the trauma. Three hundred (90.36%) traumas were unilateral vs. 32 (9.64%) bilateral. The mean visual acuity at the first consultation was 0.3 logMAR. Grading after evaluation was as follows, 13 eyes were grade 1, 19 grade 2, 25 grade 3, 54 grade 4 and 253 grade 5. Fragile and exposed anatomical structures were the most commonly injured. Seventeen eyes exhibited elevated IOP (22 to 45) vs. 7 which were hypotonous. Two hundred and one (55.22%) oculo-palpebral contusions were noted, followed by 110 (30.22%) lacerations. Visual loss was reported in 16.20% and blindness in 8.79% of cases. CONCLUSION: In the emergent setting, a good, timely clinical evaluation of each case according to the ocular trauma score may lead to effective management.

Allelic frequencies of p53 codon 72 polymorphism and human papillomavirus-mediated cervical cancer In Papua New Guinean women

Cervical cancer is regarded as a sexually transmitted disease caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) detected in up to 80 per cent of the cancer biopsies. Genetic susceptibility of a p53 allelic variant has been postulated to play a vital role in carcinogenesis. This study was aimed at determining the allelic frequencies of p53 codon 72 polymorphism in Papua New Guinean women and also assessing the presence of HPV in cervical cancer biopsies. Peripheral blood (3-5 mL) was collected from 53 healthy females of reproductive age (19-37 years) with no known past and current history of HPV infections. Sixty-two cervical biopsies along with cervical swaps were obtained from patients (19-54 years) with clinical symptoms and histopathological confirmation of cervical cancer. DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood samples and cervical samples. Exon 4 was amplified with PCR and further genotypic analyses performed by Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and single-stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP). Of the 53 normal samples analyzed, 3.8 % (2/53) were Arginine homozygous, 58.5 % were Proline homozygous and 37.7 % were heterozygous. For the cancer samples, 14.5 % (9/62) were Arginine homozygous, 54.8 % were Proline homozygous and 30.7% were heterozygous. HPV genome was detected in 83.9 % (52/62) of the cervical cancer samples. The genotypic trend and allelic frequencies were consistent with literature.

[Tropical endemic limboconjunctivitis (vernal conjunctivitis) in northern Cameroon]. / La limboconjonctivite endémique des tropiques au nord Cameroun.

INTRODUCTION: A retrospective study was conducted in the ophthalmology unit of the Garoua regional hospital on children examined from January 2001 to December 2007. We aimed to determine the epidemiological aspects of tropical endemic limboconjunctivitis in northern Cameroon. Included were all the files of patients aged 0-15 years seen with a positive diagnosis of tropical endemic limboconjunctivitis. The data analyzed were obtained through inspection, interview, and a comprehensive ocular exam done for every case, assessing far visual acuity, slit lamp biomicroscopy, and funduscopy when possible. The variables analyzed were age, sex, signs and symptoms, residential area, associated pathologies, and the month and the year of the diagnosis. The data were analyzed with Epi-Info, version 6.04d (French) and the results compared with the Chi(2) test with a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: A total of 6453 children were included: 2036 had a positive diagnosis of tropical endemic limboconjunctivitis, with a frequency of 31.55%. The mean age was 6.5 years. The 1- to 4-year-old age group had the highest number of patients, with a frequency of 33.25%. There were 1120 males (55%). Itching was the most frequent complaint encountered in 60.90% of the patients. Ocular involvement was always bilateral. Tropical endemic limboconjunctivitis is an allergic conjunctivitis present throughout the year with two peaks in March and July. DISCUSSION: Tropical endemic limboconjunctivitis can be considered an allergic conjunctivitis affecting boys more frequently than girls in warm and dry environments. It is frequent in children less than 5 years old and regresses with age. CONCLUSION: Tropical endemic limboconjunctivitis is a tropical disease with an intertropical aspect.

[Exophthalmia in children at the African Institute of Tropical Ophthalmology (AITO)]. / L'exophtalmie de l'enfant à l'Institut d'ophtalmologie tropicale de l'Afrique.

INTRODUCTION: Exophthalmia is a rare entity. The purpose of this study was to ascertain epidemiological features, clinical aspects, and potential treatment modalities for exophthalmia in children at the University Teaching Hospital- African Institute of Tropical Ophthalmology (UTH-AITO). PATIENTS AND METHOD: This prospective and descriptive study was carried out from July 2006 to June 2007 at the IOTA-UTH in collaboration with the pediatric hematology and oncology unit of the Gabriel Toure UTH. All patients between the ages of 0 to 15 years who presented unilateral or bilateral exophthalmia whether measurable or not were included. In all cases thorough clinical workup was performed and any appropriate additional examinations were ordered. All data were consigned to a questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 46 eyes in 38 children were included, i.e., unilateral right in 15 cases, unilateral left in 15 and bilateral in 8. Mean age was 9.6 years (range, 2 days to 15 years). The male-to-female sex ratio was 1.9:1. The incidence of exophthalmia was 0.3%. Exophthalmia was the reason for seeking medical advice in 68.4% of cases (26 children). Classification according to underlying pathology divided patients into four groups, i.e., inflammatory and/or infectious pathologies in 36.9% (14 cases), tumor pathologies in 31.6% (12 cases), trauma in 13.1% (5 cases) and undetermined in 18.4% (7 cases). A Hertel millimetric regression of exophthalmia was observed in 23.9% of cases (11 eyes) and a gain in visual lines of acuity was observed in 8.7% (4 eyes). DISCUSSION: Given the normally low frequency of exophthalmia, observation of a 0.3% incidence at a third level reference center warrants alerting of health authorities. Etiological classification was comparable to Crawford's as described by Desjardins. Cellulites (50%) and retinoblastoma (33.3%) were the main causes of exophthalmia. CONCLUSION: Since exophthalmia can cause loss of vision and even be life-threatening, early diagnosis and treatment is important particularly in children.

L'exophtalmie de l'enfant a l'Institut d'ophtalmologie tropicale de l'Afrique (IOTA)

Introduction. L'exophtalmie est un signe peu frequent. Determiner les aspects epidemiologiques; cliniques et les possibilites de prise en charge de l'exophtalmie de l'enfant au Centre hospitalier universitaire Institut d'Ophtalmologie Tropicale de l'Afrique (CHU-IOTA) etait l'objectif assigne a cette etude. Patients etmethode. Cette etude prospective et descriptive s'est deroulee de juillet 2006 a juin 2007 au CHU-IOTA; avec la collaboration de l'unite d'hematologie et d'oncologie pediatrique du CHU Gabriel Toure. Tous les patients ages de 0 a 15 ans qui presentaient une exophtalmie uni ou bilaterale; mesurable ou non etaient inclus.Un examen clinique complet etait realise et des examens complementaires appropries demandes. Toutes les informations etaient recueillies sur un questionnaire. Resultats. L'etude a retenu 46 yeux de 38 enfants : 15 OD; 15 OG et 8 bilateraux. L'age variait de 2 jours a 15 ans et sa moyenne etait de 9;6 ans. Le sex-ratio etait de 1;9 garcons pour 1 fille. La frequence de l'exophtalmie retrouvee etait de 0;3. L'exophtalmie constituait le motif de consultation dans 68;4des cas; soit 26 enfants. Notre classification des groupes etiologiques etait faite de 36;9de pathologies inflammatoires et/ou infectieuses (14 cas); de 31;6de pathologies tumorales (12 cas); de 13;1de traumatismes (5 cas); et de 18;4de causes indeterminees (7 cas). L'exophtalmie avait subi une regression millimetrique au Hertel dans 23;9des cas soit 11 yeux; pendant que 4 yeux malades avaient gagnes des lignes d'acuite visuelle; soit 8;7. Discussion. La frequence de 0;3de l'exophtalmie dans un centre de troisieme reference est suffisante pour alerter les autorites sanitaires quand on sait que cette pathologie est peu frequente. La classification est comparable a celle de Crawford evoquee par Desjardins. Les cellulites (50) et les retinoblastomes (33;3) etaient les deux etiologies les plus frequentes de l'exophtalmie. Conclusion. L'exophtalmie est un risque de perte de la fonction visuelle et meme vitale qu'il faut savoir prendre en charge a temps chez l'enfant

New JC virus (JCV) genotypes from papua new guinea and micronesia (type 8 and type 2E) and evolutionary analysis of 32 complete JCV genomes.

The JC virus (JCV) is a ubiquitous human polyomavirus that frequently resides in the kidneys of healthy individuals and is excreted in the urine of a large percentage of the population. Geographic-specific JCV variants, isolated from urine and from brain of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) patients, have been grouped into seven distinct genotypes based on whole genome analysis and by individual polymorphic nucleotides (typing sites) in the VP1 coding region. Mutations in the archetypal regulatory region, sometimes consisting of deletions and/or duplications, are also useful taxonomic characters for further characterizing and subdividing genotypes. Investigation of JCV variation in Papua New Guinea (PNG) revealed three distinct variants called PNG- 1, PNG-2, and PNG-3. These variants exhibited consistent coding region and regulatory region mutations. Evolutionary analysis of 32 complete JCV genomes including six new viral genomes from the western Pacific suggests that the new PNG JCV variants are closely associated with the broad group of Type 2 strains of JCV found throughout Asia, forming a monophyletic group with the Northeast Asian strains (Type 2A). Within the Type 2 clade, however, the PNG JCV variants cluster as two distinct groups and are therefore described here as new JCV genotypes designated Type 2E and Type 8.