[Influence of white blood cells count on parasite density in Malaria in children aged 6 to 59 months in Benin]. / Influence de la numération leucocytaire sur la densité parasitaire dans le paludisme simple chez les enfants de 6 à 59 mois au Bénin.

Background: For many years, the treatment of malaria was based on clinical presumptive diagnosis, making its differential diagnosis with other causes of hyperthermia difficult. This drug pressure has led to the emergence of Plasmodium strains resistant to the most commonly used antimalarial drugs. This is why in 2004, the health authorities decided to revise the policy of malaria management by adopting a new strategy based on the rational use of artemisininbased combination therapies after the biological confirmation of suspected malaria cases. The biological diagnosis is an essential part of malaria management. The gold standard technique for diagnosis is the thick drop combined with the calculation of parasite density (PD), which is determined on the basis of the number of parasites counted in a microscopic field against a proposed standard number of leukocytes. The number of leukocytes used to calculate the parasite density should ideally be the actual number of leukocytes in the patient per cubic millimetre of blood. However, in the absence of the availability of a blood count at the time of the thick drop, an average number of 8 000 leukocytes/mm3 was used by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to estimate the parasite density. Nonetheless, in Benin the average number of leukocytes adopted by the National Malaria Control Programme (PNLP) is 6 000/mm3. The aim of our study was to determine the impact of the leukocyte count on the calculation of the parasite density in cases of uncomplicated malaria. Method: The study was a cross-sectional study with an analytical aim and took place in 2 hospitals in Benin, the Klouékanmey zone hospital in the south of Benin and the Djougou health centre in the north. It involved a population of 476 children aged between 6 and 59 months who were seen in consultation and in whom the clinical diagnosis of simple Plasmodium falciparum malaria was suspected. Children aged between 6 and 59 months, weighing at least 5 kg, with an axillary temperature ≥ 37.5°C at the time of consultation or a history of fever in the last 24 hours or other symptoms pointing to the diagnosis of malaria were included. Infestation was mono-specific for Plasmodium falciparum. Informed consent was required from the child's parents or guardian. The criteria for non-inclusion in our study were the presence of at least one sign of malaria severity, signs of severe malnutrition or a febrile state related to underlying infectious diseases other than malaria. Thick blood count and haemogram were systematically performed in all included children. Parasite density was calculated according to 3 methods, first using a weighted leukocyte count of 6 000/mm3 recommended by the Benin National Malaria Control Programme (PNLP), then a leukocyte count of 8 000/mm3 recommended by the World Health Organisation and finally the patient's actual leukocyte count obtained from the blood count. It should be noted that these different samples were respectively taken on the day of inclusion in compliance with the conditions of the pre-analytical phase in force in our medical biology laboratory. Results: At the end of our study, 313 children, i.e. 65.76% of our study population had a positive white blood cell count with a positivity rate of 62.14% in Djougou, i.e. 174 children, and 70.9% in Klouékanmey, i.e. 139 children. The average leukocyte count in these children was 11,580/mm3. Among them, 205 children had an abnormal white blood cell count, i.e. 17 cases of leukopenia (5.43%) and 188 cases of hyperleukocytosis (60.06%). Using successively the average number of 6 000 leukocytes/mm3 proposed by the Benin PNLP and that of 8 000 leukocytes/mm3 proposed by the WHO, the average parasite densities were respectively 47,943 and 63,936 trophozoïtes/µl against 92,290 trophozoïtes/µl when the real number of leukocytes of the patients was used for the calculation of the PD. By using an average of 6 000 leukocytes/mm3 for PD calculation, 60% of the calculated PDs were underestimated and 6% were overestimated. Using an average of 8 000 leukocytes/mm3 resulted in 49% of PD being underestimated and 15% being overestimated. The difference between the three calculation methods was considered statistically significant (p value <0.05). Conclusion: The use of 6 000 or 8 000 coefficients for the estimation of parasitaemia could lead to a significant underestimation of the parasite load.

Déterminants du risque élevé de transmission du VIH de mère à l'enfant dans quatre hôpitaux du Bénin / NA

Introduction : L'objectif actuel est l'élimination de la transmission du VIH de la mère à l'enfant. Ce travail vise à identifier les déterminants des hauts risques d'exposition au VIH chez les nouveau-nés de mère infectée au VIH. Méthodologie : Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale, descriptive et analytique ayant porté sur les enfants à risque élevé d'exposition au VIH, suivis dans les services de pédiatrie de quatre hôpitaux universitaires au sud du Bénin pendant la période de septembre 2018 à septembre 2020. Résultats : Sur 888 nouveau-nés exposés au VIH et admis dans la période, 123 étaient à haut risque, soit une fréquence hospitalière de 13,9%. La majorité des mères (88,6%) vivait en couple. L'allaitement maternel exclusif protégé était le principal mode d'alimentation (77,2%). La plupart des nouveau-nés (73,2%) avait été mis sous ARV dans les 24 premières heures de vie. Le protocole thérapeutique utilisé n'était pas celui recommandé chez 15,5% des enfants et se faisait avec une monoprophylaxie NVP. Les ruptures d'ARV (AZT) avaient été observées périodiquement sur les sites. L'infection au VIH avait été confirmée chez cinq enfants soit 7 % des nouveau-nés classés haut risque dépistés. Les déterminants retrouvés sont le dépistage tardif au troisième trimestre (OR : 4,447 ; IC à 95% : 0,342-57,785), le déni de la maladie par la mère (OR : 9,763 ; IC à 95% : 1,098-86,835), le délai tardif de démarrage des ARV chez la mère (OR : 5,386 ; IC à 95% : 0,333-87,028). Conclusion : Cette étude nous a permis d'identifier les principaux déterminants à haut risque de transmission du VIH de la mère à l'enfant. Dans l'objectif de l'ETME il urge d'en tenir compte afin d'améliorer la prise en charge du couple mère-enfant.

Introduction: The current objective is to eliminate mother to child HIV transmission. This work aims at identifying the determinants of high risks of HIV exposure of newborns to HIV-infected mothers. Methodology: This was a transverse, descriptive and analytical study of infants at high risks of exposure to HIV, followed in the pediatric departments of four university hospitals in southern Benin from September 2018 to September 2020. Results: Out of 888 newborns exposed to HIV and admitted during the period, 123 were at high risk, meaning a hospital attendance of 13.9%. The majority of mothers (88.6%) lived with a partner. Protected exclusive breastfeeding was the main mode of feeding (77.2%). Most of the newborns (73.2%) had been put on anti-retro-viral drugs (ARVs) within the first 24 hours of life. The treatment protocol used was not that recommended for 15.5% of infants and was done with NVP monoprophylaxis. ARV supply shortages (AZT) had been observed periodically at the study sites. HIV infection had been confirmed for five infants, representing 7% of high-risk infants tested. The determinants found are late screening in the third trimester (OR: 4.447; 95% CI: 0.342-57.785), denial of the disease by the mother (OR: 9.763; 95% CI: 1.098-86.835), late start of ARVs treatment for the mother (OR: 5.386; 95% CI: 0.333 - 87.028). Conclusion: This study identified the major determinants of high risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. In line with the ETME, these could be considered to improve the care of the mother-child couple

Prevalence of hemoglobin abnormalities in an apparently healthy population in Benin

ABSTRACT Background: Sickle cell disease is the most common monogenic disorder in humans and is a major public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa. In Benin, the prevalence of sickle cell disease is estimated to be 4.8%. Our study aimed to describe the prevalence of hemoglobin abnormalities in an apparently healthy Benin population. Methods: One thousand four hundred and eighty-three men and women, apparently in good health after medical screening, were tested for hemoglobin abnormalities by hemoglobin electrophoresis and the Emmel test. Subjects who were found to have homozygous or double heterozygous hemoglobin abnormalities, were re-sampled and a confirmation hemogram and hemoglobin electrophoresis test by capillary electrophoresis was performed. Results: Our study population was predominantly male (97.7%) with an average age of 21.3 years. 1390 subjects reported that they did not know their hemoglobin electrophoresis status. Hemoglobin electrophoresis profiles found were as follows: 1077 (72.6%) AA (normal), 238 (16.1%) AS, 161 (10.9%) AC, 3 (0.2%) SC, 4 (0.2%) CC and 0 (0%) SS. The 406 subjects with abnormal hemoglobin had balanced somatic growth, with general physical examination results showing no abnormalities. In the seven subjects with major sickle cell syndrome or hemoglobinosis (SC and CC), their values of various hemogram parameters were normal apart from the discreet presence of microcytic anemia. Conclusion: Our study highlights the need for increased routine testing of hemoglobin abnormalities and newborn screening for sickle cell disease in order to enhance early disease detection, prevention and comprehensive care.

Prevalence of hemoglobin abnormalities in an apparently healthy population in Benin.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease is the most common monogenic disorder in humans and is a major public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa. In Benin, the prevalence of sickle cell disease is estimated to be 4.8%. Our study aimed to describe the prevalence of hemoglobin abnormalities in an apparently healthy Benin population. METHODS: One thousand four hundred and eighty-three men and women, apparently in good health after medical screening, were tested for hemoglobin abnormalities by hemoglobin electrophoresis and the Emmel test. Subjects who were found to have homozygous or double heterozygous hemoglobin abnormalities, were re-sampled and a confirmation hemogram and hemoglobin electrophoresis test by capillary electrophoresis was performed. RESULTS: Our study population was predominantly male (97.7%) with an average age of 21.3 years. 1390 subjects reported that they did not know their hemoglobin electrophoresis status. Hemoglobin electrophoresis profiles found were as follows: 1077 (72.6%) AA (normal), 238 (16.1%) AS, 161 (10.9%) AC, 3 (0.2%) SC, 4 (0.2%) CC and 0 (0%) SS. The 406 subjects with abnormal hemoglobin had balanced somatic growth, with general physical examination results showing no abnormalities. In the seven subjects with major sickle cell syndrome or hemoglobinosis (SC and CC), their values of various hemogram parameters were normal apart from the discreet presence of microcytic anemia. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the need for increased routine testing of hemoglobin abnormalities and newborn screening for sickle cell disease in order to enhance early disease detection, prevention and comprehensive care.