Analysis of Infectious Diseases in Rural Tropical Areas

A study of 256 annual reports from 17 rural tropical hospitals in 4 African countries over a period of 16 years showed an absolute increase in the number of patients admitted with infectious diseases. Admissions were highest for malaria; followed by pneumonia and gastroenteritis. Admissions for immunisable diseases are decreasing in all countries. Fever remains the most important indicator of infectious diseases. Analysis of fever patients in rural tropical hospitals relies on knowledge of the epidemiology of diseases; plus expertise in physical examination. In this study; a detailed analysis of 900 fever patients indicated that 4showed no infection; 21of infections could be diagnosed by physical examination; 35were diagnosed with the help of additional laboratory tests and 40of patients were diagnosed as FUO (fever of unknown origin). 17of FUO patients had a short; self limiting fever; but the remaining 23were severely ill; suggesting bacterial sepsis; as was indicated by earlier studies. Undiagnosed fevers with resulting over-treatment and high resistance are costly and dangerous. These effects stress the need for better and more laboratory facilities; including possibilities for bacterial cultures. At present; patients are generally over-treated with antimalarials and antibiotics; since further diagnostic facilities are not available. Resistance is high for antimalatials ( Malaria) and for Amoxycillin; Cotrimoxazole and Gentamicin (Gram-bacteria from urine and blood)

Etude des hemocultures positives au CHU de Fann Dakar : bilan de trois annees de laboratoire de bacteriologie

Une etude des hemocultures positives concernant les annees 1985-1987 s'est deroulee a la clinique des maladies infectieuses du C.H.U. de Fann. 988 hemocultures positives ont ete recensees sur les registres du laboratoire de bacteriologie sur la periode concernee par l'etude. Les hemocultures positives provenaient pour 95;5 pour cent de patients adresses par les services des maladies infectieuses. Les isolements representent 19;81 pour cent des hemocultures realisees sur la periode d'etude. La progression annuelle montre un doublement des isolements entre 1985 et 1986; et un quintuplement entre 1985 et 1987. Le cumul mensuel des cas montre que les mois de juin et juillet comptent le plus grand nombre de souches isolees. Les tranches d'age 5-14 ans; 15-24 ans et 24-49 ans sont les plus representees. Le sex-ratio est globalement de 1;07. Les sptaphylococcemies; les infections a Pseudomonas touchent egalement plus les hommes. L'hemoculture; examen de choix en pathologie infectieuse devrait voir s'elargir ses indications avec l'avenement d'etats immunodepressifs acquis. Des moyens techniques supplementaires permettraient une exploitation plus exhaustive des prelevements. Une surveillance biologique des germes dominants s'impose pour maintenir la qualite de l'antibiotherapie de premiere intention. L'education sanitaire basee sur l'hygiene individuelle et collective; le traitement precoce des portes d'entrees potentielles s'imposent pour diminuer l'incidence des septicemies acquises en communaute