Type 1 wild poliovirus and putative enterovirus 109 in an outbreak of acute flaccid paralysis in Congo, October-November 2010.

An outbreak of flaccid paralysis syndrome in adults is ongoing in Congo. Molecular analysis of faecal, throat and cerebrospinal samples identified wildtype 1 poliovirus and an additional enterovirus C strain related to enterovirus 109 as the cause. As of 22 November, the cumulative number of cases was 409, of which 169 (41.3%) were fatal. This is one of the largest wild type 1 poliovirus outbreaks ever described associated with an unusually high case fatality rate.

[Serological study on toxoplasmosis among pregnant women from Franceville, Gabon]. / Etude sérologique de la toxoplasmosechez les femmes enceintes de Franceville, Gabon.

The serological prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii was studied among 839 pregnant women in two hospitals from Franceville (Gabon), between May 2007 and December 2007. Specific T gondii IgG and IgM were measured by Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA). Datation of the infection was carried out by avidity test. Fifty-six percent of women in this study were immunised compare to the 71% who were found as immunised in a previous study carried out fifteen years ago. 2.6% were found to be IgM positive. However, from the avidity test it was found that these infections occurred before pregnancy contact with cats and age increase this prevalence. The lack of information for pregnant women, the lack of continuous training for health personnel and lack of awareness about interpretation of laboratory diagnostic tests like avidity test in these hospitals reduce the level of counselling for women about T gondii.

[Hematological abnormalities associated with pulmonary tuberculosis in persons living with human immunodeficiency virus infection in Côte d'Ivoire]. / Anomalies hématologiques au cours de la tuberculose pulmonaire chez les personnes vivant avec le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine en Côte d'Ivoire.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the impact of HIV infection on hematological abnormalities detected during pulmonary tuberculosis in African adults. The charts of all patients over 14 years in whom diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis was confirmed by bacilloscopy and a hemogram was performed were reviewed. Thoracic radiography demonstrated unilateral and bilateral lesions. Two parallel mixed ELISA HIV tests were performed. A total of 98 patients with a mean age of 39 years were included in study. The male/female sex ratio was 0.88. HIV seroprevalence was 65%. Hemograms showed anemia in 95% of cases, leucopenia in 20%, neutropenia in 35%, lymphopenia in 42%, and thrombopenia in 3%. No correlation was found with type of lung disease. Anemia (p = 0.001), leucopenia (p = 0.01) and thrombopenia (p = 0.001) were more extensive in HIV-infected patients. Hematological abnormalities were multiform. Cytopenia was the most frequent disorder and was positively correlated with HIV infection.

[Demyelinating cerebral lesions in an immunocompetent HIV-1 patient]. / Lésions cérébrales démyélinisantes découvertes chez un patient immunocompétent VIH-1+.

We report the case of a 32-year-old immunocompetent HIV patient, presenting with acute demyelinating leukoencephalopathy. The patient displayed clinical and radiological features similar to multiple sclerosis. Histology revealed inflammation with necrosis, demyelination and destruction of axons. Serum tests were negative for various infectious agents as well as specific cultures and PCR. Corticotherapy and many antibiotic treatments failed. Resorption of the lesions occurred after partial excision and highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). No recurrence was noted. This demyelinating cerebral disease was considered as the primary manifestation of HIV infection. HIV implication in the genesis of the process and its perpetuating this condition was suspected, but the mechanism is unclear. Dysimmune consequences related to the early course of HIV infection could be prevented by antiretroviral treatment. This study was the first description of tritherapy effectiveness on HIV related multiple sclerosis (MS)-like illness.

[Surgical treatment of spondylolisthesis in Gabon]. / Traitement chirurgical du spondylolisthésis au Gabon.

PURPOSE: Spondylolisthesis is a spinal disease revealed by lombalgia and/or lombosciatalgia, which may persist under medical treatment and physiotherapy. Indications for surgery are impairing symptoms and emergency conditions. We report outcome in 21 patients (14 women, 7 men, aged from 30 to 60 years old) who underwent surgery for isthmic (n = 10) and degenerative (n = 11) spondylolisthesis. Radiographic staging was: I in seven patients, II in ten, and III in four. METHOD: Many techniques were used: simple laminectomy (n = 4), Gill's operation (n = 4), Lapras' technique (n = 4), and Roy-Camille instrumentation (n = 9). RESULTS: Immediate and long-term postoperative follow-up of sixteen patients confirm good results: excellent outcome in eleven patients, good in four, and fair in one. CONCLUSION: Considering social and economic factors, we prefer Lapras' technique which provides very satisfactory results.

[Epidemiology of childhood tuberculosis in Libreville, Gabon from 1997 to 2001]. / Epidémiologie de la tuberculose infantile au Centre Antituberculeux de Libreville de 1997 a 2001.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the epidemiological features of tuberculosis patients under the age of 15 years treated at the Tuberculosis Control Center in Libreville, Gabon from 1997 to 2001 as a basis for improving management. Study criteria included age, sex, BCG vaccination status, social level, type of tuberculosis, HIV status and outcome of treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using EPI INFO software. The childhood tuberculosis rate was 9% with a sex ratio of 1.02 and the most common age group was 0 to 4 years. Three fourths of children were from poor zones and 90% had received BCG vaccination. The incidence of tuberculosis did not increase from year to year. The location of tuberculosis was pulmonary in 77% of cases (n=433) and extrapulmonary in 23% (n=129). No case involving meningitis or miliary disease was observed. Sputum bacilloscopy was positive in 21% of cases involving pulmonary tuberculosis and HIV serology was positive in 4.4% of children tested. The success rate was 54%. Tuberculosis-related mortality was 0.7% but 37% of children were lost from follow-up. Efforts to control tuberculoses by screening children exposed to bacilliferous conditions and vaccinating newborns must be continued. Treatment for tuberculosis must be given free of charge and under medical supervision as recommended by the World Health Organization.

[HIV seroprevalence among tuberculosis patients in Nkembo Hospital, Libreville, Gabon. Short note]. / Séroprévalence du VIH au sein des tuberculeux de l'hôpital de Nkembo à Libreville, Gabon.

There are nearly 31,000 HIV infected patients in Gabon. In Libreville, the capital, the prevalence is estimated at 7.7%. About 2627 tuberculosis patients, all types included, have been notified in 2001 to the World Health Organization of which 43% of smear positive new cases. The co-infection HIV-TB worsens the overall prognosis of our patients. The objective of our study is to determine the HIV seroprevalence among our tuberculosis patients. It is a cross-sectional study conducted between June 25th and August 31th 2001. All patients are new or relapse tuberculosis cases. There is no difference between the types of tuberculosis. The diagnosis was clinical, radiological and based on smear AFB sputum (according to the Ziehl Neelsen method). The patients agreed orally for HIV testing. We made two tests: a rapid one followed by Elisa if positive. 358 patients were examined among them 141 women and 217 men. The M/F sex ratio was 1.53 and the average age 32 years. Proportion of new patients reached 61%. Ninety seven per cent of patients suffered from a pulmonary tuberculosis, 58% smear positive and 26% were HIV-1 positive. According to this status, no statistical difference was notified towards sex, types of disease or patients and the smear sputum results.

[Multiple Ebola virus haemorrhagic fever outbreaks in Gabon, from October 2001 to April 2002]. / Plusieurs epidémies de fièvre hémorragique due au virus Ebola au Gabon, d'octobre 2001 a avril 2002.

Outbreaks of Ebola virus haemorrhagic fever have been reported from 1994 to 1996 in the province of Ogooué Ivindo, a forest zone situated in the Northeast of Gabon. Each time, the great primates had been identified as the initial source of human infection. End of November 2001 a new alert came from this province, rapidly confirmed as a EVHV outbreak. The response was given by the Ministry of Health with the help of an international team under the aegis of WHO. An active monitoring system was implemented in the three districts hit by the epidemic (Zadié, Ivindo and Mpassa) to organize the detection of cases and their follow-up. A case definition has been set up, the suspected cases were isolated at hospital, at home or in lazarets and serological tests were performed. These tests consisted of the detection of antigen or specific IgG and the RT-PCR. A classification of cases was made according to the results of biological tests, clinical and epidemiological data. The contact subjects were kept watch over for 21 days. 65 cases were recorded among which 53 deaths. The first human case, a hunter died on the 28th of October 2001. The epidemic spreads over through family transmission and nosocomial contamination. Four distinct primary foci have been identified together with an isolated case situated in the South East of Gabon, 580 km away from the epicenter. Deaths happened within a delay of 6 days. The last death has been recorded on the 22nd of March 2002 and the end of the outbreak was declared on the 6th of May 2002. The epidemic spreads over the Gabon just next. Unexplained deaths of animals had been mentionned in the nearby forests as soon as August 2001: great primates and cephalophus. Samples taken from their carcasses confirmed a concomitant animal epidemic.

[Isolated case of haemorrhagic fever observed in Gabon during the 2002 outbreak of Ebola but distant from epidemic zones]. / Cas isolé de fièvre hémorragique survenu au gabon en 2002 pendant l'epidémie d'ebola mais distant des régions epidémiques.

During the last outbreak of Ebola virus haemorrhagic fever that occurred concurrently in Gabon and Congo, several primary foci were identified in the Ogooue Ivindo province (Northeast Gabon), where previous outbreaks had occurred. A 48-year-old woman living in Franceville located 580 Km from the epicentre presented fever with haemorrhagic signs. She was evacuated to Libreville where Ebola infection was suspected. Diagnosis was confirmed at the Centre International de Recherches Médicales of Franceville on the basis of detection of specific antibodies. Symptoms had already subsided by the time diagnosis was documented. An epidemiological investigation was undertaken to identify the source of contamination and detect secondary cases. No human or nonhuman primate source of contamination could be formally identified. Direct contact with the virus reservoir could not be ruled out. No secondary cases were detected. The favourable outcome, absence of secondary, and failure to identify a source of contamination suggest that epidemiologically undefined cases may go unnoticed during and outside of outbreaks.

[Practical guidelines for the management of Ebola infected patients in the field]. / Recommandations pratiques pour la prise en charge sur le terrain des patients infectés par le virus Ebola.

Ebola hemorrhagic fever appears after an incubation of 3 days to 3 weeks. The first symptoms are fever accompanied by general and hemorrhagic signs leading to death in 50 to 90% of cases. During epidemics definition of cases permits prompt diagnosis. Due to the high risk of person-to-person and nosocomial transmission associated with Ebola hemorrhagic fever, management is based on isolation of patients and institution of protected care. Hands and soiled material are often decontaminated using sodium hypochlorite. Patient waste is decontaminated and incinerated. Treatment is essentially supportive. There is currently no vaccine available. Persons having been in close contact with patient should be kept under medical surveillance for 21 days. Recovering patients should use condoms for three months. Bodies of deceased patients should be handled by trained teams and buried quickly.

[Fever after return from the tropics. Diagnostic orientation]. / Fièvre au retour des tropiques. Orientation diagnostique.

Fever is the main symptom of many tropical diseases (parasitic, bacterial and viral). After traveller's diarrhoea, it constitutes the principal reason of consultation of travellers from tropical area. The diagnosis requires a rigorous approach through a meticulous and an attentive clinical examination. Knowledge of the tropical disease epidemiology facilitates the diagnostic orientation. Complementary exams generally permit confirmation of the diagnosis. Malaria must be evoked at first for the traveller coming from an endemic area and deserves a precocious presumptive treatment. Nevertheless, investigations for other infectious and non infectious diseases must not be disregarded.

[Prevention strategies against malaria]. / Stratégies de prévention contre la malaria.

In the absence of an efficacious vaccine, malaria prophylaxis remains important for the traveller in endemic areas. In addition to classical measures to protect against malaria vectors, chemoprophylaxis should be selected according to the geographic area. Besides a chemoprophylaxis scheme for the traveller, prevention modalities in pregnant women and in the general population living in an endemic area will also be briefly described.

[Malaria: from diagnosis to curative treatment]. / La malaria: du diagnostic au traitement curatif.

Malaria is a parasitic disease, with variable severity, provoked by the Plasmodium. It is present in tropical zones. The diagnosis is evoked by a fever occurring in a subject coming from a zone at risk, and is confirmed by microbiology. Considering the high prevalence of resistance to chloroquine, the treatment rests on quinine (or its derivatives) associated (or not) with an antibiotic. The severe forms of malaria, due to Plasmodium falciparum, are responsible for a high mortality rate. It requires urgent hospital management is required. Criteria defining this form deserve to be perfectly known.

[Guidelines for the management of patients with HIV infection. I. Adolescents and adults. Liege Working Group on HIV Infection]. / Recommandations pour la prise en charge du patient infecté par le VIH. I. L'adolescent et l'adulte. Groupe de Travail de Liège sur l'Infection par le VIH.

The management of HIV infected patient requires an approach that must put in balance profits expected from a tritherapy (suppression of viral replication, immune reconstitution) and problems related to treatment (difficulty of adherence, side effects, long-term toxicity, resistance). Controversies appear currently on the institution of a precocious treatment, on the use of protease inhibitors at initiation, in order to preserve choices when a modification is necessary. Many concepts, in investigation, are described in the management of a therapeutic failure. Resistance testings progressively find their place in the follow-up. Modes of prophylaxis-interruption of opportunistic infections are established, as well as is the management of professional postexposure. The question remains on how best to advise seropositive couples, about conception, and to elaborate recommendations after non-professional postexposure.

[Influenza: from vaccine prevention to antiviral therapy]. / La grippe: de la prévention vaccinale au traitement antiviral.

Influenza is a highly infectious disease responsible for dangerous epidemics, especially in patients at high risk. The vaccine exerts a valuable protective effect estimated up to 70% and is still considered as the key-approach against influenza. Antiviral agents of the first generation (amantadine, rimantadine, ribavirine) have limited use because of poor tolerance and occurrence of resistance. Zanamivir or Relenza, marketed by Glaxo Wellcome, is a new virostatic drug acting as a neuraminidase inhibitor. It prevents the release of new viruses and so stop the propagation of the infection. It must be taken orally by inhalation within 48 hours after the onset of symptoms. The treatment lasts 5 days (10 mg twice daily). Its efficacy has been demonstrated in controlled clinical trials, and its tolerance is generally excellent. However, caution is recommended in patients with asthma and chronic bronchitis because of the potential risk of bronchoconstriction. No resistance has been detected until now. Zanamivir is active on all strains of influenza A and B viruses.

[Shoshin beriberi: myth or reality?]. / Le Shoshin béribéri: mythe ou réalité?

Shoshin is a fulminating form of cardiac beriberi developing in a few hours in a young alcoholic. Without specific treatment it evulers, toward death by cardiogenic shock and metabolic acidosis. Treatment by thiamine and alkalinisation permits a spectacular and fast recovery.

[Pharma-clinics. How I treat ... HIV infection. III. Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors]. / Pharma-clinics comment je traite ... une infection par le VIH. III. Les inhibiteurs non nucléosidiques de la transcriptase inverse.

Non nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) are a new arm in the treatment of the HIV infection. They inhibit the replication by direct non competitive binding to the enzyme, and do not require phosphorylation. The fast emergence of resistance in monotherapy obliges to use them in a triple association. The 103 mutation confers a cross-resistance. The most common adverse event is rash. Association with nucleoside analogues is additive or even synergistic. They are metabolized by the cytochrome P450. Within a combined therapy, their efficiency is comparable to protease inhibitors, notably in patients with low viral load.

[Pharma-clinics. The drug of the month. Nevirapine. Viramune]. / Pharma-clinics le médicament du mois. La névirapine. Viramune.

Nevirapine is the first non nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor registered in Belgium and indicated in the treatment of HIV-1 infection. In association with 2 nucleoside analogues, its efficiency is similar to a tritherapy with protease inhibitor, particularly in naive patients with low viral load. It has a good tolerance profile and is easy to take. Studies in progress should permit to widen its indications.

[Pharma-clinics how I treat ... an HIV infection. IV. Protease inhibitors]. / Pharma-clinics comment je traite ... une infection par le VIH. IV. Les inhibiteurs de protéase.

Protease inhibitors constitute the last class of antiretroviral drugs appeared on the market. They raised an enormous enthusiasm, reinforced by recent studies results. These molecules prevent the formation of infectious viral particles, while inhibiting a viral enzyme that plays a key role in the cycle of replication of the HIV. Their efficiency, especially in association, is recognized for all stages of the infection and the intervening of a resistance often requires many mutations. However, the unexpected adverse events such as lipodystrophy and some interactions can limit their utilization in first intention.