Acceptability of children's testing for HIV infection during routine care activities in the Pediatrics Department of Sourô Sanou Teaching Hospital in Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso).

BACKGROUND: In order to contribute to the fight against the pediatric HIV infection, we have assessed, through a study in which we have systematically proposed to carry out children's testing, the rate of acceptability and the feasibility of children's HIV testing during the routine activities of the department. We have also analyzed the reasons for the acceptability or the refusal of the child's HIV testing by the accompanying person. METHODS: The study took place from May to September 2015 including all the parents/legal guardians of any child aged 0 to 14 years coming for a consultation or who was hospitalized in the Pediatric Department of Souro Sanou Teaching Hospital. Counseling sessions conducted by community health workers focused on informing and proposing the principle of child testing. After obtaining the verbal and informed consent of the accompanying person, the first test was performed with Determine® by a hospital health worker. A second SD Bioline®/ImmunoCombII® test was performed if the first test was positive. With children aged less than 18 months, after a positive antibody test, we resorted to PCR for confirmation. RESULTS: A total of 848 accompanying persons, 568 of whom were female, underwent a pre-test interview during which the HIV test was offered to them. The mean age of accompanying persons was 30 (25.5 to 38) years; 747 accompanying persons (88.1%) accepted the testing of their child. We have found an influence of the accompanying person's religion (P=0.02) and the type of accompanying person on the acceptability of children's testing. Mothers were more willing to accept the test compared to other accompanying persons (P=0.002). The main reason for refusing the child's testing was the absence of one of the child's parents, mainly the father whose opinion was needed. The test was positive for HIV1 in 10 children. CONCLUSION: In health centers, getting the informed consent from parents to test their children is a big challenge. However, our study shows that this is possible, through the high rate of acceptability obtained.

Value of chest X-ray in TB diagnosis in HIV-infected children living in resource-limited countries: the ANRS 12229-PAANTHER 01 study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate inter-reader agreement and diagnostic accuracy of chest radiography (CXR) in the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. DESIGN: HIV-infected children with clinically suspected TB were enrolled in a prospective study conducted in Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon and Viet Nam from April 2010 to December 2014. Three readers-a local radiologist, a paediatric pulmonologist and a paediatric radiologist-independently reviewed the CXRs. Inter-reader agreement was then assessed using the κ coefficient. Diagnostic accuracy of CXR was assessed in culture-confirmed cases and controls. RESULTS: A total of 403 children (median age 7.3 years, interquartile range 3.5-9.7; 49.6% males) were enrolled. Inter-reader agreement was as follows: between local radiologist and paediatric pulmonologist, κ = 0.36 (95%CI 0.27-0.45); local radiologist and paediatric radiologist, κ = 0.16 (95%CI 0.08-0.24); and paediatric pulmonologist and paediatric radiologist, κ = 0.30 (95%CI 0.21-0.40). Among 51 cases and 151 controls, after a consensus, CXR had a sensitivity of 71.4% (95%CI 58.8-84.1) and a specificity of 50.0% (95%CI 41.9-58.1). Alveolar opacities and enlarged lymph nodes on CXR had limited specificity for TB (64.7% and 70.2%, respectively). Miliary and/or nodular opacities patterns on CXR were more specific to TB (specificity 94.3%). CONCLUSION: CXR showed poor-to-fair inter-reader agreement and limited diagnostic accuracy for TB in HIV-infected children, likely due to comorbidities. Radiological criteria for this specific population require further investigation.

[Serological markers of viral hepatitis B and C in children with sickle cell disease monitored in the Pediatrics Department at the University Hospital of Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso)]. / Étude des marqueurs sérologiques des hépatites virales B et C chez les drépanocytaires suivis en pédiatrie au CHU de Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso).

Viral hepatitis B and C are universal public health problems. Burkina Faso is a high endemic area for hepatitis B. Patients with sickle cell disease are at risk. The aim of this study was to investigate and quantify the serological markers of viral hepatitis B and C among pediatric patients with sickle cell disease. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, which took place from July to November 2014 at the Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Bobo- Dioulasso. The study included 44 SS and 26 SC sickle cell patients. General data (age, gender) and medical information (vaccinations, medical history including transfusion) were collected. Blood samples were taken for research and titration of serological markers of hepatitis viruses B and C with a commercial Elisa test on the ARCHITECT i1000® automat of Abbott Laboratories. The mean age of the patients was 7.98 years. Seventeen patients (13 SS and SC 4) had already been transfused at least once. The transfusion rate was significantly higher among the SS patients than among SC (29.5% and 15.3% respectively) patients. No patient with HBs Ag was been found. In two patients, the anti-HBc Ab was found alone. In 33% of cases, no markers of hepatitis B were found. Less than 20% of children fully vaccinated (N = 45) had a protective level of anti-HBs Ab (greater than 10 IU/l). The prevalence of anti-VHC Ab was 2.8%. No case of HBV-HCV co-infection was found. The prevention of infection is an important part of the management of sickle cell patients. Immunization against hepatitis B should be systematic. The results of this study assume that blood safety was good.

[Evaluation of stool microscopy and culture to assist the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in a tuberculosis endemic country]. / Évaluation de la microscopie et de la culture des selles dans le diagnostic de la tuberculose pulmonaire dans un pays d'endémie tuberculeuse.

OBJECTIVE: the aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of stool microscopy and culture in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). MATERIAL AND METHOD: In resource-limited settings, PTB is mainly diagnosed in sputum by microscopy methods. In patients unable to provide sputum, invasive procedures are necessary to obtain alternative respiratory tract specimens. Because Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) organisms are known to survive in gastric fluid, we hypothesized that swallowed MTC organisms would be detectable in stool samples. We compared the presence of MTC organisms in sputum and stool specimens collected at the same time from the same patients. RESULTS: We included samples routinely submitted to our laboratory of microbiological diagnosis from patients with suspected PTB. In addition, a stool specimen was collected within 24 h of the sputum collection or gastric aspirate. In the 57 patients included, sputum microcopy and culture confirmed respectively 9 (21%) and 15 (26%) cases. Stool samples made it possible to confirm 9 cases by microscopy and 5 cases by culture. The sensitivity of microscopy was 60% and that of culture 33%. Sputum analysis was negative for one HIV-infected patient, but the stool sample was positive and permitted the diagnosis of PTB. CONCLUSION: This study proves that despite the low sensitivity of stool cultures it can be an alternative or additional interesting sample for the diagnosis of PTB in patients who have difficulty expectorating.

[Impediments to HIV testing in HIV-infected children and teenagers in Africa: look for them where they are!]. / Les obstacles au dépistage des enfants et adolescents infectés par le VIH en Afrique : chercher ces enfants, là où ils se trouvent !

A huge number of HIV-infected children and teenagers have no access to care or receive it very late. Of the 3.2 million infected children, 2.8 million should be receiving highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) but only around 700,000 actually are. The first reason for this failure is the lack of HIV testing among HIV-exposed infants and thus early diagnosis or, even more frequently, the lack of testing among older children and teenagers. The objectives of this article are twofold: to review the current situation and to advocate routine offers of HIV testing to HIV-exposed children and teenagers (exposed either through mother-to-child transmission or repeated transfusions) and those suspected to be HIV-infected (because of malnutrition, tuberculosis, or other associated diseases). Finally, adults living with HIV should be made aware of the need for routine HIV screening of their children, even when asymptomatic.

[Missed opportunities for immunization in pediatric unit of the Bobo-Dioulasso hospital (Burkina Faso)]. / Les occasions manquees de vaccination en milieu hospitalier pediatrique de Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso).

AIM: This study was to determine the prevalence of missed opportunities for immunization in the pediatrics unit of the Souro Sanou University Hospital. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted from May to June 2010 involving children aged 0-11 months, accompanying persons and health personnel. Self-questionnaires were administered to health personnel in order to gage their knowledge of vaccination practices. RESULTS: 177 children including 101 girls and 49 health workers were recruited. The vaccination rate for children targeted by the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) was 38% in the city of Bobo-Dioulasso and the rate of missed vaccination occasions was 50%. The low level of parental education, ignorance of EPI targeted diseases and a poor organization of the vaccination unit were noted. CONCLUSION: The overall strategy for vaccine administration should be rethought in a country with limited resources such as Burkina Faso to optimize immunization, EPI target diseases contributing to the mortality and morbidity in these regions.

BUT: L'objectif était de déterminer la fréquence des occasions manquées de vaccination dans le département de pédiatrie du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sourô Sanou de Bobo-Dioulasso. MÉTHODE: il s'agissait d'une étude transversale descriptive de mai à juin 2010 enrobant les enfants âgés de 0­11 mois, les personnes accompagnatrices, les agents de santé. Des auto-questionnaires ont été administrés au personnel de santé afin de récolter leur connaissance sur la pratique de la vaccination. RÉSULTATS: Avaient été inclus dans l'étude, 177 enfants dont 101 filles ainsi que leurs accompagnants et 49 agents de santé. Le taux de couverture vaccinale des enfants cibles du programme élargi de vaccination (PEV) dans la ville de Bobo-Dioulasso était de 38% et le taux des occasions manquées de vaccination était de 50%. L'enquête avait noté un faible niveau d'instruction des parents, la méconnaissance des maladies cibles du PEV ainsi qu'une mauvaise organisation de l'unité de vaccination. CONCLUSION: La stratégie globale d'administration des vaccins devra être repensée dans les pays à ressources limitées comme le Burkina Faso afin d'optimiser la vaccination, les maladies cibles du PEV contribuant à alourdir la mortalité et la morbidité dans ces contrées.

Le handicap chronique à la marche : résultats d'une enquête en milieu scolaire à Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso)

Introduction : La survenue d'un trouble chronique de la marche chez l'enfant d'âge scolaire peut influencer son devenir social si une thérapeutique adaptée ne lui est pas opposée. Objectifs : Etablir le profil épidémiologique, clinique et diagnostique du handicap chronique à la marche en milieu scolaire à Bobo Dioulasso. Patients et méthodes : Il s'est agi d'une étude transversale conduite dans les écoles primaires de Bobo-Dioulasso de janvier à mai 2014. Elle a concerné 10 écoles issues d'un tirage aléatoire simple. L'échantillonnage a été exhaustif. Le dépistage des cas a été réalisé grâce à l'observation visuelle de la marche. Seuls les élèves présentant un trouble de la marche évoluant depuis plus de six mois ont été retenus.Résultats : Il a été examiné au total 4 336 élèves. Parmi eux, 62 présentaient un handicap chronique à la marche, soit une prévalence de 14,30‰. Les principales causes de handicap chronique à la marche étaient représentées par les déviations axiales des membres inférieurs (37,30%), suivies de l'ostéonécrose aseptique de la tête fémorale (30,65%) et de la paralysie iatrogène du nerf sciatique (11,30%). La boiterie occupe le premier rang des symptômes avec 77,42% des cas. En moyenne, 3,23% (n = 2) des cas utilisaient une aide technique de marche.Conclusion : Le handicap chronique à la marche occupe une place modeste dans la pathologie infantile au Burkina Faso. Il prend cependant toute son importance à travers son potentiel incapacitant qui peut être source d'exclusion scolaire

[Epidemiological and clinical profile of cerebral palsy at the Bobo-dioulasso university hospital (Burkina Faso)]. / Profil epidemiologique et clinique des infirmites motrices cerebrales au centre hospitalier universitaire de Bobo-dioulasso (Burkina Faso).

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral palsy is the leading cause of motor disability in children. OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological and clinical profiles of cerebral palsy in children seen at the of Bobo-Dioulasso University Hospital. POPULATION AND METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study prospectively conducted at the Department of Physical Medicine at the University Hospital of Bobo-Dioulasso over a period of one year from 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013. Our study population consisted of all children aged between 0 and 15 years received during the study period displaying cerebral palsy symptoms. RESULTS: We studied 174 patients including 106 boys and 68 girls. The average age was 32.79 months. Etiological factors were dominated by prematurity (34.5%) and cerebral anoxia (25.86%). The main clinical presentations were diplegia (50%), quadriplegia (19.54%), hemiplegia (14.37%), monoplegia (10.34%) and triplegia (5.75%). The most common associated symptoms were epilepsy (15%), eye disorders (12.6%), and hearing problems (10%). CONCLUSION: Due to its frequency and disabling potential, cerebral palsy is a major public health problem in Burkina Faso. Its support in the African environment is heavily complicated by self-medication and traditional therapy.

INTRODUCTION: L'infirmité motrice cérébrale est la première cause du handicap moteur chez l'enfant. OBJECTIF: Décrire les profils épidémiologique et clinique de l'infirmité motrice cérébrale chez les enfants vus en consultation au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bobo-Dioulasso. MATÉRIEL ET MÉTHODE: Il s'est agi d'une étude transversale descriptive à collecte prospective conduite dans le service de médecine physique du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bobo-Dioulasso sur une période d'un an, allant du 1er Juillet 2012 au 30 Juin 2013. Notre population d'étude se composait de tous les enfants âgés de 0 à 15 ans, reçus en consultation durant la période de l'étude et présentant un tableau d'infirmité motrice cérébrale. RÉSULTATS: L'analyse a concerné 174 patients dont 106 garçons et 68 filles. L'âge moyen à l'inclusion était de 32,79 mois. Les facteurs étiologiques étaient dominés par la prématurité (34,5%) et l'anoxie cérébrale (25,86%).Les principaux tableaux cliniques étaient la diplégie (50%),la tétraplégie (19,54%),l'hémiplégie (14,37%), la monoplégie (10,34%) et la triplégie (5,75%). Les signes associés les plus fréquents étaient les crises comitiales (15%), les troubles oculaires (12,6%), les difficultés auditives (10%). CONCLUSION: De par sa fréquence et son potentiel incapacitant, l'infirmité motrice cérébrale constitue un problèmemajeur de santé publique au Burkina Faso.Sa prise en charge en milieu africainest lourdement grevée par l'automédication et la tradithérapie.

Profil epidemiologique et clinique des infirmites motrices cerebrales au centre hospitalier universitaire de Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso)

Introduction : L'infirmite motrice cerebrale est la premiere cause du handicap moteur chez l'enfant. Objectif : Decrire les profils epidemiologique et clinique de l'infirmite motrice cerebrale chez les enfants vus en consultation au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bobo-Dioulasso. Materie( et methode : Il s'est agi d'une etude transversale descriptive a collecte prospective conduite dans le service de medecine physique du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bobo-Dioulasso sur une periode d'un an; allant du 1er Juillet 2012 au 30 Juin 2013. Notre population d'etude se composait de tous les enfants ages de 0 a 15 ans; recus en consultation durant la periode de l'etude et presentant un tableau d'infirmite motrice cerebrale. Resu(tats : L'analyse a concerne 174 patients dont 106 garcons et 68 filles. L'age moyen a l'inclusion etait de 32;79 mois. Les facteurs etiologiques etaient domines par la prematurite (34;5%) et l'anoxie cerebrale (25;86%).Les principaux tableaux cliniques etaient la diplegie (50%);la tetraplegie (19;54%);l'hemiplegie (14;37%); la monoplegie (10;34%) et la triplegie (5;75%). Les signes associes les plus frequents etaient les crises comitiales (15%); les troubles oculaires (12;6%); les difficultes auditives (10%). Conc(us ion : De par sa frequence et son potentiel incapacitant; l'infirmite motrice cerebrale constitue un problememajeur de sante publique au Burkina Faso.Sa prise en charge en milieu africainest lourdement grevee par l'automedication et la traditherapie

[Epidemiological profile of physical disability in rehabilitation centers of Burkina Faso]. / Profil epidemiologique du handicap physique en centre de reeducation au Burkina Faso.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to determine the epidemiological profile of physical disability in Burkina Faso. METHODS: This was an epidemiological survey conducted among 17 functional rehabilitation centers in Burkina Faso. Our study population consisted of 113 patients with physical disabilities met during the investigation. RESULTS: The analysis was performed on 113 patients with physical disabilities including 67 males and 46 females. The average age was 30 years. Diseases responsible for physical disability in Burkina Faso are dominated by hemiplegia (25%), limb trauma (19%), poliomyelitis (11%), cerebral palsy (11%), traumatized central neurological trauma (central) (9%), congenital malformations (6%) and paralysis of the sciatic nerve (5%). CONCLUSION: The epidemiology of disability in Burkina Faso is marked by the emergence of diseases like hemiplegia and the regression of diseases such as poliomyelitis and iatrogenic sciatic nerve palsies.

BUT: L'objectif de notre étude était de déterminer le profil épidémiologique du handicap physique au Burkina Faso. MATÉRIEL ET MÉTHODE: Il s'est agi d'une enquête épidémiologique conduite auprès de 17 centres de réadaptation fonctionnelle du Burkina Faso. Notre population d'étude était composée de patients présentant un handicap physique et rencontrés au cours de l'enquête. RÉSULTATS: L'analyse a porté sur 113 patients en situation de handicap physique dont 67 hommes et 46 femmes. L'âge moyen était de 30 ans. Les pathologies responsables du handicap physique au Burkina Faso sont dominées par les hémiplégies (25%), les traumatismes des membres (19%), les séquelles paralytiques de poliomyélite (11%), les infirmités motrices cérébrales (11%), les traumatisés neurologiques centraux (9%), les malformations congénitales (6%) et les paralysies du nerf sciatique (5%). CONCLUSION: L'épidémiologie du handicap est marquée au Burkina Faso par l'émergence de pathologies comme les hémiplégies et la régression de maladies telles la poliomyélite et les paralysies iatrogènes du nerf sciatique.

24-Month adherence, tolerance and efficacy of once-a-day antiretroviral therapy with didanosine, lamivudine, and efavirenz in African HIV-1 infected children: ANRS 12103/12167.

BACKGROUND: There is no data on long-term benefit of once-a-day antiretroviral therapy (ART) with combination of DDI, 3TC and EFV to allow its use in future therapeutic strategies. OBJECTIVES: To assess 24-month immuno-virological, adherence, tolerance, and effectiveness of a once-a-day ART with DDI, 3TC and EFV. METHODS: A phase 2 open trial including 51 children aged from 30 months to 15 years, monitored a once-a-day regimen for 24 months from 2006 to 2008 in the Departement de Pediatrie du CHUSS, at Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso. We tested immunological and virological response, adherence, tolerance and resistance of the treatment. RESULTS: Children with CD4 >25% at 24 months were 67.4% (33/49) CI 95% [54%, 80%]. The proportion of children with viral plasma RNA <300 cp / ml at 24 months of treatment was 81.6 % (40/49) CI [68.0% 91.2%]. Good adherence was obtained with more than 88% adherence > 95% over the 24 months. Drugs were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Given the limited number of antiretroviral drugs available in Africa and the inadequacy of laboratory monitoring in support program, once-a-day treatment and especially the DDI-based combination strategies could be an attractive operational option.

[Impact of vaccination on admissions for Haemophilus influenzae b meningitis from 2004 to 2008 in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso]. / Impact de la vaccination sur la méningite à H. influenzae b de 2004 à 2008, à Bobo Dioulasso (Burkina Faso).

OBJECTIVE: Vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae type b was introduced in Burkina Faso on 1st January 2006. This study thus sought to determine the impact of the first 30 months of vaccination on admissions for Hib meningitis in the department of pediatrics at the Sourô-Sanou University Hospital in Bobo Dioulasso. METHODS AND PATIENTS: Retrospective study of children aged zero to 14 years hospitalized from 1st January 2004 to 30th June 2008 for acute bacterial meningitis (laboratory-confirmed). RESULTS: During the study period, 416 children were admitted for acute bacterial meningitis. The bacterium isolated was identified in 386 cases and unidentified in 30 cases. Hib meningitis accounted for 42.3 % of the cases of identified bacterial meningitis before the introduction of the vaccine (2004 to 2005). This rate declined to 11.8 % for the first 30 months of vaccination (p < 0.001). No cases of Hib meningitis have been reported in the first half of 2008. CONCLUSION: Admissions for Hib meningitis in the Department of Pediatrics have practically disappeared two years after the introduction of the Hib vaccine into Burkina Faso's expanded program on immunization.

[Acute renal failure and Plasmodium falciparum malaria: a case report]. / Insuffisance rénale aiguë et paludisme à Plasmodium falciparum : à propos d'un cas.

Malaria is an endemic disease caused by one of the several Plasmodium species. Severe malaria is mainly due to Plasmodium falciparum in highly endemic areas. Acute renal failure (ARF) is a criterion of malaria severity as defined by WHO. Often observed in adults, particularly in India and Southeast Asia, this complication remains a rare complication of malaria in children. We report a case of oliguric ARF that occurred in a 7-year-old girl a few days after the onset of fever. The vascular obstruction by parasitized erythrocytes often causing tubular necrosis is the primary mechanism of renal failure. As a possible diagnosis, hemolytic uremic syndrome, renal failure and quartan hemoglobinuric nephropathy are other possible causes of renal failure in malaria. Renal biopsy, which was not performed in our patient, would have been a great help, but was not available. The outcome was favorable with recovery of renal function after 3 weeks of diuretic therapy. This development is not always the rule and the prognosis depends on early diagnosis and treatment options.

Intrarectal pharmacokinetics of two formulations of quinine in children with falciparum malaria.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the intrarectal bioavailabilities of two parenteral formulations of quinine most available in French- (Cinchona alkaloid mixture) and English (hydrochloride salt) -speaking areas of Africa. METHODS: The pharmacokinetics of quinine was investigated in four groups of 12 children with acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria receiving 8 mg/kg quinine base every 8 h either as hydrochloride salt or Cinchona alkaloid mixture by a slow 4-h intravenous infusion or intrarectal administration. Body temperature and parasitaemia were monitored, and blood quinine concentrations were measured by means of high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: At 72 h, all the children were aparasitaemic and apyretic. Quinine C(max) values were higher after intravenous infusion of the hydrochloride salt and Cinchona alkaloid mixture (6.9+/-1.9 micro g/ml and 5.2+/-1.3 micro g/ml) than after intrarectal administration (3.5+/-1.4 micro g/ml and 3.1+/-1.6 micro g/ml), but t(max) values were similar (3.6+/-1.5, 4.2+/-1.0, 4.0+/-1.9, and 4.7+/-2.0 h, respectively). Intrarectal relative bioavailabilities of hydrochloride salt solution (57%) and Cinchona alkaloid mixture (62%) were similar. CONCLUSION: Whatever the parenteral formulation of quinine, the blood concentration-time profiles of quinine were similar after intrarectal administration. Intrarectal administration of hydrochloride salt solution is a possible mode of quinine delivery in remote rural areas of Africa.

Sexual and reproductive life of women informed of their HIV seropositivity: a prospective cohort study in Burkina Faso.

BACKGROUND: In the context of the DITRAME-ANRS 049 research program that evaluated interventions aimed at reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) in Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso), Voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT) services were established for pregnant women. HIV-infected women were advised to disclose their HIV serostatus to their male partners who were also offered VCT, to use condoms to reduce sexual transmission, and to choose an effective contraception method to avoid unwanted pregnancies. This study aimed at assessing how HIV test results were shared with male sexual partners, the level of use of modern contraceptive methods, and the pregnancy incidence among these women informed of the risks surrounding sexual and reproductive health during HIV infection. METHODS: From 1995 to 1999, a quarterly prospective follow-up of a cohort of HIV-positive women. RESULTS: Overall, 306 HIV-positive women were monitored over an average period of 13.5 months following childbirth, accounting for a total of 389 person-years. The mean age at enrollment in the cohort was 25.1 (standard deviation, 5.2 years). In all, 18% of women informed their partners, 8% used condoms at each instance of sexual intercourse to avoid HIV transmission, and 39% started using hormonal contraception. A total of 48 pregnancies occurred after HIV infection was diagnosed, an incidence of 12.3 pregnancies per 100 person-years. Pregnancy incidence was 4 per 100 person-years in the first year of monitoring and this rose significantly to 18 per 100 person-years in the third year. The only predictor of the occurrence of a pregnancy after HIV diagnosis was the poor outcome of the previous pregnancy (stillbirth, infant death). Severe immunodeficiency and change in marital status were the only factors that prevented the occurrence of a pregnancy after HIV diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Our study shows a poor rate of HIV test sharing and a poor use of contraceptive methods despite regular advice and counseling. Pregnancy incidence remained comparable with the pregnancy rate in the general population. To improve this situation, approaches for involving husbands or partners in VCT and prevention of MTCT interventions should be developed, evaluated, and implemented.

HBs antigen in children with suspicion of HIV infection.

In order to evaluate the prevalence rate of HBs antigen in children with a suspicion of HIV infection, 103 children were tested for HBs antigen and HIV. The mean age of the children was 2 years. The prevalence of HBs antigen was 39.8 per cent in children and the HIV ELISA test was positive in 57.7 per cent. A correlation was found between carrier of HBs antigen and HIV ELISA positivity (p = 0.04, RR = 1.46; 1.06 < RR < 2.02). There was a high prevalence of HBs antigen in children with a suspicion of HIV infection. This calls for the promotion of antenal screening for HIV and HBV along with immunization against hepatitis B in newborns in our setting.

[Impaired fertility in women infected with HIV-1. Implications for sentinel serosurveillance]. / Réduction de la fertilité chez les femmes infectées par le VIH-1. Implications pour la sérosurveillance sentinelle.

BACKGROUND: Given the relationship between HIV infection and fertility, antenatal clinic-based HIV prevalence may not provide a good estimate of the community HIV prevalence. The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of HIV infection on fertility among women attending antenatal clinics in Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso), and to discuss possible implications on HIV sentinel surveillance. METHODS: In the context of a phase II/III clinical trial of a short course of Zidovudine during pregnancy (DITRAME - ANRS 049 trial) we consecutively proposed voluntary counselling and HIV testing (VCT) to 1349 women aged at least 18 years, carrying a pregnancy of 7 months or less and living in Bobo-Dioulasso. During pre-test counselling session, a standardised questionnaire was administered to collect detailed information regarding socio-demographic characteristics and obstetrical history. Blood samples were then taken and tested for HIV after written informed consent. RESULTS: Mean age (+/- standard deviation) at first sexual intercourse was similar among HIV-infected (HIV+) (16.7+/- 2; n=83) and HIV-negative (HIV-) women (16.9+/- 2; n=1336). However, HIV+ women aged 25 years and above had, on the average fewer pregnancies (3.8+/- 1.5; n=37) than HIV- women (5.0+/- 2.3; n=567), p<0.01. Similarly, these HIV+ women had, on average, less live births (2.8+/- 1.3; n=35) than HIV- ones (3.7+/- 2.1; n=555), p=0.02. Other sexual and obstetrical characteristics such as maternal age, proportion of primigravidae, stillbirths or spontaneous abortions were comparable between HIV+ and HIV- women. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the level of fertility of HIV+ women aged 25 years and above is significantly lower than for HIV- women. Therefore, HIV+ women in this age group are likely to be under-represented among antenatal clinic attendees. These findings suggest adjusting antenatal clinic-based HIV sentinel surveillance data for age and fertility in order to derive a good estimate of the community HIV prevalence.

[HIV infection and hepatitis B co-infection: survey of prevalence in pregnant women in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso]. / Co-infection hépatite B et VIH: enquête de préevalence chez les femmes enceintes à Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

We carried out this study to assess the prevalence of co-infection with hepatitis B and HIV-1 in african pregnant women. Nine hundred and seventeen pregnant women attending two antenatal clinics in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, were included. The characteristics of the women were the following: a mean age of 26 years and 83.5% married; a mean gravidity and para of 4 and 3 respectively and a mean gestational age of 27 weeks of amenorrhea. Then sera were drawn to be tested for both hepatitis B and HIV-1. Sera tested positive for HIV-1 at ELISA were confirmed by Western Blot. Ninety eight women (10.7%) were Ag HBs carriers of whose 18.2% were positive for Ag HBe, 66.7% anti-HBe positive and 95.6% anti-HBc positive. The HIV-1 prevalence rate was 5.9%. Eight women were positive for both Ag HBs and HIV-1, giving a co-infection rate of 0.88%. The co-infection rate by hepatitis B and HIV-1 is very low in pregnant women in Bobo Dioulasso despite a high prevalence of these two infections.

[Suspected palpebral anthrax in children. (Apropos of 3 cases)]. / Suspicion de charbon palpébral chez l'enfant. (A propos de trois cas).

Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis. It is primarily a disease of domestic animals. Human beings can be infected by contact with infected animals, soiled objects, thorns or insect stings. In its cutaneous form, it may produce lesions of the eyelids. The authors report three suspected cases of palpebral anthrax in children. The clinical diagnosis was evident. Scraping from the necrotic tissue showed thick Gram positive rods in two children. This aspect evokes Bacillus. All the patients responded to the Penicillin G. No complications were noted. Prevention of anthrax in Africa poses the difficult problem of health education for the local population and immunization programs for animals which can be infected by Bacillus anthracis.

High immunoglobulin G2 (IgG2) and low IgG4 levels are associated with human resistance to Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

There is accumulating evidence for a role of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in protection against malarial infection and disease. Only IgG1 and IgG3 are considered cytophilic and protective against P. falciparum, whereas IgG2 and IgG4 were thought to be neither and even to block protective mechanisms. However, no clear pattern of association between isotypes and protection has so far emerged. We analyzed the isotypic distribution of the IgG response to conserved epitopes and P. falciparum blood-stage extract in 283 malaria-exposed individuals whose occurrence of infection and malaria attack had been monitored for about 1 year. Logistic regression analyses showed that, at the end of the season of transmission, high levels of IgG2 to RESA and to MSP2 epitopes were associated with low risk of infection. Indeed, IgG2 is able to bind FcgammaRIIA in individuals possessing the H131 allele, and we showed that 70% of the study subjects had this allele. Also, high specific IgG4 levels were associated with an enhanced risk of infection and with a high risk of malaria attack. Moreover, specific IgG2 and IgG3 levels, as well as the IgG2/IgG4 and IgG3/IgG4 ratios, increased with the age of subjects, in parallel with the protection against infection and disease. IgG4 likely competes with cytophilic antibodies for antigen recognition and may therefore block cytotoxicity mediated by antibody-activated effector cells. In conclusion, these results favor a protective role of IgG3 and IgG2, which may activate effector cells through FcgammaRIIA, and provide evidence for a blocking role of IgG4 in malarial infection and disease.