Research ethics review practices: experiences of the Armauer Hansen Research Institute/All Africa Leprosy and Tuberculosis Rehabilitation and Training Center Ethics Review Committee, Ethiopia.

The need for ethics review committees (ERCs) is imperative in the conduct of research to ensure the protection of the rights, safety and well-being of research participants. However, the capacities of most ERCs in Africa are limited in terms of trained experts, competence, resources as well as standard operating procedures. The aim of this report is to share experiences of one of the local institutional ERCs, the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI)/All Africa Leprosy and Tuberculosis Rehabilitation and Training Center (ALERT) Ethics Review Committee (AAERC), to other ERCs found in academic and research institutions in the Country. In this report, we used an empirical approach to review archived documents of the AAERC Secretariat to assess the Committee's strengths and weaknesses. The experiences of the AAERC in terms of its composition, routine work activities, learning practices and pitfalls that require general attention are summarized. In spite of this summary, the Committee strongly acknowledges the functions and roles of other ERCs in the Country. In addition, an independent assessment of the Committee's activity in general is warranted to evaluate its performance and further assess the level of awareness or oversights among researchers about the roles of ERCs.

Research Ethics Review Practices: Experiences of The Armauer Hansen Research Institute/ All Africa Leprosy and Tuberculosis Rehabilitation and Training Center Ethics Review Committee; Ethiopia

The need for ethics review committees (ERCs) is imperative in the conduct of research to ensure the protection of the rights; safety and well-being of research participants. However; the capacities of most ERCs in Africa are limited in terms of trained experts; competence; resources as well as standard operating procedures. The aim of this report is to share experiences of one of the local institutional ERCs; the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI)/All Africa Leprosy and Tuberculosis Rehabilitation and Training Center (ALERT) Ethics Review Committee (AAERC); to other ERCs found in academic and research institutions inthe Country. In this report; we used an empirical approach to reviewarchived documents of the AAERC Secretariat to assess the Committee's strengths and weaknessesThe experiences of the AAERC in terms of its composition; routine work activities; learning practices and pitfalls that require general attention are summarized. In spite of this summary; the Committee strongly acknowledges the functions and roles of other ERCs in the Country. In addition; an independent assessment of the Committee's activity in general is warranted to evaluate its performance and further assess the level of awareness or oversights among researchers about the roles of ERCs

Adult Langerhans cell histiocytosis in a middle aged Ethiopian woman.

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis represents a diverse group of rare disorders characterized by proliferation and infiltration of various organs by bone marrow-derived abnormal Langerhans' cells. These diorders exhibit varied patterns of organ involvement, age distribution, prognosis and clinical manifestation. Here in we discuss an adult presentation of the disease in a 43 years old lady and summarize the latest recommendations regarding the classification, pathogenesis, work up and treatment of adult patients with these disorders.

Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia in a 29 years old Ethiopian patient, diagnosed using clinicopathologic correlation.

We report a case of Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia in a 29 years old female Ethiopian patient. This case was diagnosed by establishing a clinicopathologic correlation. This is the first case of its kind ever reported in Ethiopia. The clinical features, dermatohistopathological findings, and treatment options are discussed with review of literature.

Disseminated form of syringoma (eruptive syringoma) sparing the face-a rare presentation causing diagnostic challenge.

Syringomas are benign neoplasms of the skin commonly appearing around the eye lids. Though common in middle-aged women, it affects all age groups. The lesions are asymptomatic, firm, discrete, translucent or skin colored flat-topped papules. Once papules of syringoma come into being, which usually is after puberty, they remain as they are for a lifetime. Disseminated lesions appearing on the abdomen, scalp and genital area has been described earlier. We report the disseminated form (eruptive) syringoma involving the trunk, the neck, and the upper extremities while sparing the face. Our case created a diagnostic difficulty because of the unusual distribution of lesions. The case is presented and discussed with review of literature.