[Peripheral neuropathy induced by acute methyl bromide skin exposure: a case report]. / Neuropathie périphérique par intoxication aiguë au bromure de méthyle: à propos d'une observation.

INTRODUCTION: Methyl bromide is a pesticide used as a fumigating agent in homes, for food storage and soil disinfection. Chronic and acute exposures to methyl bromide are known to cause damage to the central and peripheral nervous system. OBSERVATION: We describe a case of a 31-year-old patient who developed a peripheral neuropathy due to an acute exposure on skin of methyl bromide. This patient was admitted after an accidental dermal exposure to methyl bromide while fumigating dates. The patient suffered dermal burns and vesicles on the upper limbs. Two weeks following exposure, she developed weakness of the lower and upper limbs, ataxia, paresthesiae of both legs and arms, abolition of tendon reflexes in the upper and lower limbs and Babinski sign. An axonal neuropathy was detected at the electrophysiological study. The patient recovered gradually. CONCLUSION: While cases of methyl bromide are rare, this study illustrates the toxic effect on the peripheral nervous system.

[Essential drugs: availability and prescription in Monastir (Tunisia) health district]. / Les médicaments en première ligne: disponibilité et prescription dans le district sanitaire de Monastir (Tunisie).

Shortages in the availability of some drugs are sometimes noted in primary health care (PHC) centres in spite of the steady increase in the drug budgets in Tunisia. We conducted a survey therefore in 1998 in the health district of Monastir to study the availability of certain essential drugs (n = 15) in PHC centres and the main features of the drug prescription. We found that the drugs lacking were generally those prescribed for chronic diseases and as well as oral antibiotics. Antibiotic treatment constituted 71.8% of public prescriptions and 32.3% of these prescriptions were for an injectable treatment.