Recovery of left ventricular systolic function in peripartum cardiomyopathy: an observational study from rural Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the recovery rate of the left ventricular systolic function of women diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy receiving specialized care in rural Tanzania. METHODS: In this observational study, women diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy at a referral center in rural Tanzania between December 2015 and September 2021 were included. Women diagnosed between February and September 2021 were followed prospectively, those diagnosed between December 2015 and January 2021 were tracked back for a follow-up echocardiography. All participants received a clinical examination, a comprehensive echocardiogram, and a prescription of guideline-directed medical therapy. The primary outcome was recovery of the left ventricular systolic function (left ventricular ejection fraction > 50%). RESULTS: Median age of the 110 participants was 28.5 years (range 17-45). At enrolment, 49 (45%) participants were already on cardiac medication, 50 (45%) had severe eccentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle, and the median left ventricular ejection fraction was 30% (range 15-46). After a median follow-up of 8.98 months (IQR 5.72-29.37), 61 (55%) participants were still on cardiac medication. Full recovery of the left ventricular systolic function was diagnosed in 76 (69%, 95% CI 59.6-77.6%) participants. In the multivariate analysis, a higher left ventricular ejection fraction at baseline was positively associated with full recovery (each 5% increase; OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.10-2.62, p = 0.012), while higher age was inversely associated (each 10 years increase; OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.19-0.82, p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Left ventricular systolic function recovered completely in 69% of study participants with peripartum cardiomyopathy from rural Tanzania under specialized care.

Ultrasononography in Managing Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis: A Randomized, Controlled, Parallel, Superiority, Open-Label Trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with suspected extrapulmonary tuberculosis are often treated empirically. We hypothesized that extended focused assessment with sonography for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (eFASH), in combination with other tests, would increase the proportion of correctly managed patients with suspected extrapulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: This trial in adults with suspected extrapulmonary tuberculosis was performed in a rural and an urban hospital in Tanzania. Participants were randomized 1:1 to intervention or routine care, stratified by site and HIV status. All participants underwent clinical evaluation, chest radiography, and testing with sputum Xpert MTB/RIF and urine Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assays. The intervention was a management algorithm based on results of eFASH plus microbiology, adenosine deaminase (ADA), and chest radiography. The primary outcome was the proportion of correctly managed patients. The presence of positive microbiological or ADA results defined definite tuberculosis. An independent end-point review committee determined diagnoses of probable or no tuberculosis. We evaluated outcomes using logistic regression models, adjusted for randomization stratification factors. RESULTS: From September 2018 to October 2020, a total of 1036 patients were screened and 701 were randomized (350 to the intervention and 351 to the control group). Of participants in the intervention group, 251 (72%) had a positive eFASH outcome. In 258 (74%) of the intervention and 227 (65%) of the control participants antituberculosis was initiated treatment at baseline. More intervention participants had definite tuberculosis (n = 124 [35%]), compared with controls (n = 85 [24%]). There was no difference between groups for the primary outcome (intervention group, 266 of 286 [93%]; control group, 245 of 266 [92%]; odds ratio, 1.14 [95% confidence interval: .60-2.16]; P = .68). There were no procedure-associated adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: eFASH did not change the proportion of correctly managed patients but increased the proportion of those with definite tuberculosis. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: Pan African Registry: PACTR201712002829221.

Ultrasound in managing extrapulmonary tuberculosis: a randomized controlled two-center study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with clinically suspected tuberculosis are often treated empirically, as diagnosis - especially of extrapulmonary tuberculosis - remains challenging. This leads to an overtreatment of tuberculosis and to underdiagnosis of possible differential diagnoses. METHODS: This open-label, parallel-group, superiority randomized controlled trial is done in a rural and an urban center in Tanzania. HIV-positive and -negative adults (≥18 years) with clinically suspected extrapulmonary tuberculosis are randomized in a 1:1 ratio to an intervention- or control group, stratified by center and HIV status. The intervention consists of a management algorithm including extended focused assessment of sonography for HIV and tuberculosis (eFASH) in combination with chest X-ray and microbiological tests. Treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs is started, if eFASH is positive, chest X-ray suggests tuberculosis, or a microbiological result is positive for tuberculosis. Patients in the control group are managed according national guidelines. Treatment is started if microbiology is positive or empirically according to the treating physician. The primary outcome is the proportion of correctly managed patients at 6 months (i.e patients who were treated with anti-tuberculosis treatment and had definite or probable tuberculosis, and patients who were not treated with anti-tuberculosis treatment and did not have tuberculosis). Secondary outcomes are the proportion of symptom-free patients at two and 6 months, and time to death. The sample size is 650 patients. DISCUSSION: This study will determine, whether ultrasound in combination with other tests can increase the proportion of correctly managed patients with clinically suspected extrapulmonary tuberculosis, thus reducing overtreatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PACTR, Registration number: PACTR201712002829221, registered December 1st 2017.

Infection of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices: detection with sonication, swab cultures, and blood cultures.

BACKGROUND: The number of patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is increasing. The purpose of this study was to compare three methods (sonication, swab cultures, and blood cultures) to detect bacteria in infections of CIEDs. METHODS: Patients with pocket infection of CIEDs and/or CIED-associated infective endocarditis were prospectively included. Generators and leads were sonicated together. Swab cultures of the generator pocket and blood cultures were performed. RESULTS: Between January 2009 and September 2012, 18 patients with a CIED infection were recorded, including two definite and four possible CIED-IEs. In 17 patients, blood cultures were performed and the device was analyzed by sonication. A swab culture from the device pocket was performed in 16 cases. Ten (59%) patients received antibiotic therapy before the device was removed. In 15 of 16 cases (94%), bacteria were detected by sonication, while bacteria were detected in only nine (56%) and seven (41%) cases by swab-and blood cultures, respectively. In four cases (24%), sonication was the only method that detected bacteria. The following bacteria were detected by sonication: methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA; n = 6), coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS; n = 3), Propionibacterium acnes (n = 2), Staphylococcus lugdunensis (n = 1), MSSA/Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 1),Bacillus cereus (n = 1), MSSA/P. acnes (n = 1), andP. acnes/CNS (n = 1). All positive swab cultures and all positive blood cultures but one grew the same bacteria as sonication fluid cultures. CONCLUSION: Sonication can be more sensitive than swab cultures or blood cultures in detecting bacteria in infections of CIEDs.

Diagnostic Yield of Urine Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra in Adults With Suspected Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis.

We assessed the diagnostic yield of urine GeneXpert MTB/RIF Ultra and factors associated with a positive test among adult patients suspected to have extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Urine Ultra was positive in 14% of participants with definite or probable tuberculosis. Hospitalization, disseminated tuberculosis, and human immunodeficiency virus infection were associated with a positive result.

Use of a Handheld Ultrasonographic Device to Identify Heart Failure and Pulmonary Disease in Rural Africa.

Importance: Agreement in lung ultrasonography findings between clinicians using a handheld ultrasonographic device and expert sonographers using a high-end ultrasonographic machine has not been studied in sub-Saharan Africa. Objective: To determine the agreement in ultrasonographic findings and diagnoses between primary care clinicians trained in lung ultrasonography, board-certified expert sonographers, and senior physicians. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional single-center study was conducted from February 1, 2022, to April 30, 2023 at a referral center in rural Tanzania. Individuals 5 years or older with respiratory symptoms and at least 2 distinct respiratory signs or symptoms were eligible. A total of 459 individuals were screened. Exposures: Participants provided their medical history and underwent a clinical examination and lung ultrasonography performed by a clinician, followed by a lung ultrasonography performed by an expert sonographer, and finally chest radiography and a final evaluation performed by a senior physician. Other tests, such as echocardiography and Mycobacterium tuberculosis testing, were conducted on the decision of the physician. Clinicians received 2 hours of instruction and three 2-hour sessions of clinical training in the use of a handheld lung ultrasonographic device; expert sonographers were board-certified. Main Outcomes and Measures: Percentage agreement and Cohen κ coefficient for sonographic findings and diagnoses compared between clinicians and expert sonographers, and between clinicians and senior physicians. Results: The median (IQR) age of 438 included participants was 54 (38-66) years, and 225 (51%) were male. The median (range) percentage agreement of ultrasonographic findings between clinicians and expert sonographers was 93% (71%-99%), with κ ranging from -0.003 to 0.83. Median (range) agreement of diagnoses between clinicians and expert sonographers was 90% (50%-99%), with κ ranging from -0.002 to 0.76. Between clinicians and senior physicians, median (range) agreement of diagnoses was 89% (55%-90%), with κ ranging from -0.008 to 0.76. Between clinicians and senior physicians, diagnosis agreements were 85% (κ, 0.69) for heart failure, 78% (κ, 0.57) for definite or probable tuberculosis, 50% (κ, 0.002) for viral pneumonia, and 56% (κ, 0.06) for bacterial pneumonia. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study, the agreement of ultrasonographic findings between clinicians and sonographers was mostly substantial. Between clinicians and senior physicians, agreement was substantial in the diagnosis of heart failure, moderate in the diagnosis of tuberculosis, but slight in the diagnosis of pneumonia. These findings suggest that handheld ultrasonographic devices used in addition to clinical examination may support clinicians in diagnosing cardiac and pulmonary diseases in rural sub-Saharan Africa.

The Chronic Diseases Clinic of Ifakara (CDCI)-Establishing a Model Clinic for Chronic Care Delivery in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa.

The rollout of antiretroviral drugs in sub-Saharan Africa to address the huge health impact of the HIV pandemic has been one of the largest projects undertaken in medical history and is an unprecedented medical success story. However, the path has been and still is characterized by many far reaching implementational challenges. Here, we report on the building and maintaining of a role model clinic in Ifakara, rural Southwestern Tanzania, within a collaborative project to support HIV services within the national program, training for staff and integrated research to better understand local needs and improve patients' outcomes.

Ultrasonographic findings in patients with abdominal symptoms or trauma presenting to an emergency room in rural Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Frequencies of ultrasonographic findings and diagnoses in emergency departments in sub-Saharan Africa are unknown. This study aimed to describe the frequencies of different sonographic findings and diagnoses found in patients with abdominal symptoms or trauma presenting to a rural referral hospital in Tanzania. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, we consecutively enrolled patients with abdominal symptoms or trauma triaged to the emergency room of the Saint Francis Referral Hospital, Ifakara. Patients with abdominal symptoms received an abdominal ultrasound. Patients with an abdominal or thoracic trauma received an Extended Focused Assessment with Ultrasound in Trauma (eFAST). RESULTS: From July 1st 2020 to June 30th 2021, a total of 88838 patients attended the emergency department, of which 7590 patients were triaged as 'very urgent' and were seen at the emergency room. A total of 1130 patients with abdominal symptoms received an ultrasound. The most frequent findings were abnormalities of the uterus or adnexa in 409/754 females (54.2%) and abdominal free fluid in 368 (32.6%) patients; no abnormality was found in 150 (13.5%) patients. A tumour in the abdomen or pelvis was found in 183 (16.2%) patients, an intrauterine pregnancy in 129/754 (17.1%) females, complete or incomplete abortion in 96 (12.7%), and a ruptured ectopic pregnancy in 32 (4.2%) females. In males, most common diagnosis was intestinal obstruction in 54/376 (14.4%), and splenomegaly in 42 (11.2%). Of 1556 trauma patients, 283 (18.1%) received an eFAST, and 53 (18.7%) had positive findings. A total of 27 (9.4%) trauma patients and 51 (4.5%) non-trauma patients were sent directly to the operating theatre. CONCLUSION: In this study, ultrasound examination revealed abnormal findings for the majority of patients with non-traumatic abdominal symptoms. Building up capacity to provide diagnostic ultrasound is a promising strategy to improve emergency services, especially in a setting where diagnostic modalities are limited.

Bacterial colonization and infection of electrophysiological cardiac devices detected with sonication and swab culture.

BACKGROUND: Electrophysiological cardiac devices are increasingly used. The frequency of subclinical infection is unknown. We investigated all explanted devices using sonication, a method for detection of microbial biofilms on foreign bodies. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive patients in whom cardiac pacemakers and implantable cardioverter/defibrillators were removed at our institution between October 2007 and December 2008 were prospectively included. Devices (generator and/or leads) were aseptically removed and sonicated, and the resulting sonication fluid was cultured. In parallel, conventional swabs of the generator pouch were performed. A total of 121 removed devices (68 pacemakers, 53 implantable cardioverter/defibrillators) were included. The reasons for removal were insufficient battery charge (n=102), device upgrading (n=9), device dysfunction (n=4), or infection (n=6). In 115 episodes (95%) without clinical evidence of infection, 44 (38%) grew bacteria in sonication fluid, including Propionibacterium acnes (n=27), coagulase-negative staphylococci (n=11), Gram-positive anaerobe cocci (n=3), Gram-positive anaerobe rods (n=1), Gram-negative rods (n=1), and mixed bacteria (n=1). In 21 of 44 sonication-positive episodes, bacterial counts were significant (>or=10 colony-forming units/mL of sonication fluid). In 26 sterilized controls, sonication cultures remained negative in 25 cases (96%). In 112 cases without clinical infection, conventional swab cultures were performed: 30 cultures (27%) were positive, and 18 (60%) were concordant with sonication fluid cultures. Six devices and leads were removed because of infection, growing Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mitis, and coagulase-negative staphylococci in 6 sonication fluid cultures and 4 conventional swab cultures. CONCLUSIONS: Bacteria can colonize cardiac electrophysiological devices without clinical signs of infection.

The coArtHA trial-identifying the most effective treatment strategies to control arterial hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Arterial hypertension is the most prevalent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Only a few and mostly small randomized trials have studied antihypertensive treatments in people of African descent living in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: In this open-label, three-arm, parallel randomized controlled trial conducted at two rural hospitals in Lesotho and Tanzania, we compare the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of three antihypertensive treatment strategies among participants aged ≥ 18 years. The study includes patients with untreated uncomplicated arterial hypertension diagnosed by a standardized office blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg. The trial encompasses a superiority comparison between a triple low-dose antihypertensive drug combination versus the current standard of care (monotherapy followed by dual treatment), as well as a non-inferiority comparison for a dual drug combination versus standard of care with optional dose titration after 4 and 8 weeks for participants not reaching the target blood pressure. The sample size is 1268 participants with parallel allocation and a randomization ratio of 2:1:2 for the dual, triple and control arms, respectively. The primary endpoint is the proportion of participants reaching a target blood pressure at 12 weeks of ≤ 130/80 mmHg and ≤ 140/90 mmHg among those aged < 65 years and ≥ 65 years, respectively. Clinical manifestations of end-organ damage and cost-effectiveness at 6 months are secondary endpoints. DISCUSSION: This trial will help to identify the most effective and cost-effective treatment strategies for uncomplicated arterial hypertension among people of African descent living in rural sub-Saharan Africa and inform future clinical guidelines on antihypertensive management in the region. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04129840 . Registered on 17 October 2019 ( https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ ).

Point-of-Care Ultrasound: A Useful Diagnostic Tool in Africa.

In resource limited settings with limited tests and diagnostic tools, most of diagnoses are based on clinical findings, and patients are managed empirically, e.g. with anti-tuberculosis drugs. This article aims at describing the use of point-of-care ultrasound in diagnosing the most important conditions in Africa, in addition to clinical work-up. Different protocols exist for the diagnosis of trauma-related disorders, tuberculosis, schistosomiasis, thromboembolism, causes of dyspnea, and non- traumatic shock. Point-of-care ultrasound might be a beneficial tool in Africa, aiding diagnostics and management of patients with these conditions. However, studies must be done to assess the impact of point-of-care ultrasound on mortality.

[Renal Monomorphology in COVID-19 with Acute Renal Insufficiency]. / Nierensonomorphologie bei COVID-19 mit akuter Niereninsuffizienz.

Renal Monomorphology in COVID-19 with Acute Renal Insufficiency Abstract. A 78-year-old ventilator-dependent COVID-19 patient developed severe renal failure with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 20 ml/min per 1.73 m2 and nephrotic proteinuria. Sonography showed echo-dense and enlarged kidneys with high resistance indices (>0.8). Echocontrast sonography showed a delayed renal perfusion. In the further course of the disease renal function recovered, kidney size decreased and the renal perfusion normalized. An acute COVID-19-associated interstitial nephritis is postulated.

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients in rural Tanzania: The prospective Kilombero and Ulanga antiretroviral cohort.

BACKGROUND: In sub-Saharan Africa, diagnosis and management of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) in people living with HIV (PLHIV) remains a major challenge. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiology and risk factors for poor outcome of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in people living with HIV (PLHIV) in a rural setting in Tanzania. METHODS: We included PLHIV >18 years of age enrolled into the Kilombero and Ulanga antiretroviral cohort (KIULARCO) from 2013 to 2017. We assessed the diagnosis of tuberculosis by integrating prospectively collected clinical and microbiological data. We calculated prevalence- and incidence rates and used Cox regression analysis to evaluate the association of risk factors in extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) with a combined endpoint of lost to follow-up (LTFU) and death. RESULTS: We included 3,129 subjects (64.5% female) with a median age of 38 years (interquartile range [IQR] 31-46) and a median CD4+ cell count of 229/µl (IQR 94-421) at baseline. During the median follow-up of 1.25 years (IQR 0.46-2.85), 574 (18.4%) subjects were diagnosed with tuberculosis, whereof 175 (30.5%) had an extrapulmonary manifestation. Microbiological evidence by Acid-Fast-Bacillus stain (AFB-stain) or Xpert® MTB/RIF was present in 178/483 (36.9%) patients with pulmonary and in 28/175 (16.0%) of patients with extrapulmonary manifestations, respectively. Incidence density rates for pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB and EPTB were 17.9/1000person-years (py) (95% CI 14.2-22.6) and 5.8/1000 py (95% CI 4.0-8.5), respectively. The combined endpoint of death and LTFU was observed in 1058 (33.8%) patients, most frequently in the subgroup of EPTB (47.2%). Patients with EPTB had a higher rate of the composite outcome of death/LTFU after TB diagnosis than with PTB [HR 1.63, (1.14-2.31); p = 0.006]. The adjusted hazard ratios [HR (95% CI)] for death/LTFU in EPTB patients were significantly increased for patients aged >45 years [HR 1.95, (1.15-3.3); p = 0.013], whereas ART use was protective [HR 0.15, (0.08-0.27); p <0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: Extrapulmonary tuberculosis was a frequent manifestation in this cohort of PLHIV. The diagnosis of EPTB in the absence of histopathology and mycobacterial culture remains challenging even with availability of Xpert® MTB/RIF. Patients with EPTB had increased rates of mortality and LTFU despite early recognition of the disease after enrollment.

[Heart Failure in Africa]. / Herzinsuffizienz in Afrika?

Heart Failure in Africa Abstract. In Africa, mortality due to heart failure is twice as high as in other low- to middle-income countries and five times as high as in high-income countries. Arterial hypertension is by far the most common cause of heart failure, followed by cardiomyopathies and rheumatic heart diseases. At diagnosis, most patients suffer already from an advanced disease stage. Only a few patients are aware of arterial hypertension, and few are treated and have their hypertension well controlled. Only a minority of patients have a well-controlled hypertension. The neglect of chronic non-communicable diseases on the health agenda leads to poor awareness, poor diagnostic resources, preventions strategies and treatment options. International guidelines cannot be properly followed in these circumstances. Information at community level and in healthcare facilities is urgently needed as well as training of healthcare staff, implementation of improved diagnostics and treatment of arterial hypertension and heart failure.

Diagnoses made in an Emergency Department in rural sub-Saharan Africa.

BACKGROUND: Information on diagnoses made in emergency departments situated in rural sub-Saharan Africa is scarce. The aim was: to evaluate the frequency of different diagnoses made in a new emergency department to define relevant healthcare requirements; and to find out if in-hospital mortality rates would decrease after the implementation of the emergency department. METHODS: In this observational study, we prospectively collated diagnoses of all patients presenting to the emergency department of the St Francis Referral Hospital in Ifakara, Tanzania during 1 year. In addition, we compared in-hospital mortality rates before and after the implementation of the emergency department. RESULTS: From July 2016 through to June 2017, a total of 35,903 patients were included. The median age was 33.6 years (range 1 day to 100 years), 57% were female, 25% were children <5 years, 4% were pregnant and 9% were hospitalised. The most common diagnoses were respiratory tract infection (12.6%), urinary tract infection (11.4%), trauma (9.8%), undifferentiated febrile illness (5.4%), and malaria (5.2%). The most common clinical diagnoses per age group were: lower respiratory tract infection (16.1%) in children <5 years old; trauma (21.6%) in 5- to 17-year-olds; urinary tract infection (13.5%) in 18- to 50-year-olds; and hypertensive emergency (12.4%) in >50-year-olds. Respiratory tract infections peaked in April during the rainy season, whereas malaria peaked 3 months after the rainy season. In-hospital mortality rates did not decrease during the study period (5.6% in 2015 vs 7.6% in 2017). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of diagnosed disorders were of infectious or traumatic origin. The majority of febrile illnesses were poorly defined because of the lack of diagnostic methods. Trauma systems and inexpensive accurate diagnostic methods for febrile illnesses are needed in rural sub-Saharan Africa.

Sonography to Rule Out Tuberculosis in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with suspected tuberculosis are often overtreated with antituberculosis drugs. We evaluated the diagnostic value of the focused assessment with sonography for HIV-associated tuberculosis (FASH) in rural Tanzania. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, the frequency of FASH signs was compared between patients with confirmed tuberculosis and those without tuberculosis. Clinical and laboratory examination, chest x-ray, Xpert MTB/RIF assay, and culture from sputum, sterile body fluids, lymph node aspirates, and Xpert MTB/RIF urine assay was done. RESULTS: Of 191 analyzed patients with a 6-month follow-up, 52.4% tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus, 21.5% had clinically suspected pulmonary tuberculosis, 3.7% had extrapulmonary tuberculosis, and 74.9% had extrapulmonary and pulmonary tuberculosis. Tuberculosis was microbiologically confirmed in 57.6%, probable in 13.1%, and excluded in 29.3%. Ten of eleven patients with splenic or hepatic hypoechogenic lesions had confirmed tuberculosis. In a univariate model, abdominal lymphadenopathy was significantly associated with confirmed tuberculosis. Pleural- and pericardial effusion, ascites, and thickened ileum wall lacked significant association. In a multiple regression model, abnormal chest x-ray (odds ratio [OR] = 6.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.96-19.6; P < .002), ≥1 FASH-sign (OR = 3.33; 95% CI, 1.21-9.12; P = .019), and body temperature (OR = 2.48; 95% CI, 1.52-5.03; P = .001 per °C increase) remained associated with tuberculosis. A combination of ≥1 FASH sign, abnormal chest x-ray, and temperature ≥37.5°C had 99.1% sensitivity (95% CI, 94.9-99.9), 35.2% specificity (95% CI, 22.7-49.4), and a positive and negative predictive value of 75.2% (95% CI, 71.3-78.7) and 95.0% (95% CI, 72.3-99.3). CONCLUSIONS: The absence of FASH signs combined with a normal chest x-ray and body temperature <37.5°C might exclude tuberculosis.

Precordial low voltage in patients with ascites.

AIMS: Electrocardiographic (ECG) changes in patients with ascites are not well studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate ECG changes in patients with ascites. METHODS AND RESULTS: Prospective analysis of patients with ascites who were referred for paracentesis. Three ECGs were recorded before paracentesis. ECG 1 was a standard 12-lead ECG. For ECG 2 the precordial leads were placed 1 intercostal space (ICS) and for ECG 3, 2 ICS cranially. The sums (Sigma) of the QRS in ECG1 were compared with ECG 2 and 3. In six patients the same ECG protocol was performed after removal of ascites. Ten hospitalized patients without ascites served as controls. Twenty patients with ascites were analysed. Limbs leads low voltage was present in 11 patients and precordial low voltage in four patients. Cranial placement of the precordial electrodes increased SigmaQRS in all patients with ascites. The most prominent voltage changes appeared in the leads V4-V6 (+62%). Paracentesis of ascites normalized precordial leads low-voltage, while limbs leads low voltage remained. Cranial placement of the precordial electrodes in patients without ascites decreases SigmaV1-V6. CONCLUSION: We describe a phenomenon of precordial voltage changes in patients with ascites, not reported in the literature yet. By placing the precordial electrodes 1 and 2 ICS cranially the voltage changes can be 'corrected' and this should be done in all patients prior to further diagnostic workup. Removal of the ascites normalizes the precordial leads low voltage.

[Point-of-Care Ultrasound: Teaching and Learning in Ifakara, Tanzania]. / Point-of-Care-Ultraschall: Lehren und Lernen in Ifakara, Tansania.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound: Teaching and Learning in Ifakara, Tanzania Abstract. Presentation of two practical cases from the point-of-care ultrasound class in Ifakara, Tanzania. The first case shows the sonographic findings of tuberculosis with findings in the lungs, heart, abdominal lymph nodes and spleen. In the second case, detection of an enterobiliary fistula by sonographic live imaging of air passing from the intestine into the gall bladder and causing non-iatrogenic pneumobilia.

Heart diseases and echocardiography in rural Tanzania: Occurrence, characteristics, and etiologies of underappreciated cardiac pathologies.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about heart diseases and their treatment in rural sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to describe the occurrence, characteristics, and etiologies of heart diseases, and the medication taken before and prescribed after echocardiography in a rural referral Hospital in Tanzania. METHODS: This prospective descriptive cohort study included all adults and children referred for echocardiography. Clinical and echocardiographic data were collated for analysis. RESULTS: From December 2015 to October 2017, a total of 1'243 echocardiograms were performed. A total of 815 adults and 59 children ≤15 years had abnormal echocardiographic findings; in adults 537/815 (66%) had hypertension, with 230/537(43%) on antihypertensive drugs, and 506/815 (62%) were not on regular cardiac medication; 346/815 (42%) had severe eccentric or concentric left ventricular hypertrophy, and 182/815 (22%) had severe systolic heart failure. Only 44% demonstrated normal left ventricular systolic function. The most frequent heart diseases were hypertensive heart disease (41%), valvular heart disease (18%), coronary heart disease (18%), peripartum cardiomyopathy (7%), and other non-hypertensive dilated cardiomyopathies (6%) in adults, and congenital heart disease (34%) in children. Following echocardiography, 802/815 (98%) adults and 40/59 (68%) children had an indication for cardiac medication, 70/815 (9%) and 2/59 (3%) for oral anticoagulation, and 35/815 (4%) and 23/59 (39%) for cardiac surgery, respectively. CONCLUSION: Hypertension is the leading etiology of heart diseases in rural Tanzania. Most patients present with advanced stages of heart disease, and the majority are not treated before echocardiography. There is an urgent need for increased awareness, expertise and infrastructure to detect and treat hypertension and heart failure in rural Africa.

Cardiovascular implantable electronic device infections: associated risk factors and prevention.

Infections of cardiovascular implantable electric devices (CIED) are a burden on patients and healthcare systems and should be prevented. The most frequent pathogens are coagulase-negative staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus. The most important risk factors for CIED infections are diabetes mellitus, renal and heart failure, corticosteroid use, oral anticoagulation, fever within 24 hours before the procedure and leucocytosis, implantable cardioverter defibrillator compared with pacemaker, especially in the case of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia, lack of antibiotic prophylaxis, and postoperative haematoma and other wound complications. Other important risk factors are history of prior procedures and previous CIED infections, number of leads, use of povidone-iodine compared with chlorhexidine-alcohol, and centres and operators with a low volume of implants. To prevent CIED infections, patients undergoing CIED procedures and appropriate devices should be carefully selected, and interventions should be performed by trained operators. Antibiotic prophylaxis should be administered, and skin antisepsis should be done with chlorhexidine-alcohol. Oral anticoagulation should be continued during CIED procedures in high-risk patients for thromboembolism, instead of bridging with heparin. Early reintervention in cases of haematoma or lead dislodgement should be avoided. The implementation of infection prevention programmes reduces infection rates. More randomised controlled studies are needed to evaluate prevention strategies, especially skin preparation and antibiotic prophylaxis with glycopeptides.