Triple-negative breast cancer among ghanaian women seen at Korle-Bu teaching hospital

Background. Women with African ancestry in the United States and in continental Africa have been found to have exceptionally increased frequencies of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC); prompting speculation that this risk may have an inherited basis and may at least partially explain breast cancer outcome disparities related to racial/ethnic identity. Our goal was to evaluate the breast cancers diagnosed in one of the largest health care facilities in western Africa; and to compare the frequencies as well as risk factors for TNBC versus non-TNBC. Methods. We reviewed all breast cancer cases that had immunohistochemistry (Novolink Detection system); in 2010. Results. The overall study population of 223 breast cancer cases was relatively young (median age 52.4?y); and most had palpable tumors larger than five centimeters in diameter. More than half were TNBC (130 cases; 58.3%). We observed similar frequencies of young age at diagnosis; stage at diagnosis; and tumor grade among cases of TNBC compared to cases of non-TNBC. Conclusion. Ghanaian breast cancer patients tend to have an advanced stage distribution and relatively young age at diagnosis. The triple-negative molecular marker pattern is the most common seen among these women; regardless of age; tumor grade; and stage of diagnosis. Additional research is necessary regarding the causes of TNBC; so that we can elucidate the reasons for its increased prevalence among women with African ancestry

Bacterial Isolates from Necrotizing Fasciitis : a Clinico-Pathological Perspective

Background : Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a progressive; polymicrobial; potentially fatal soft tissue infection that can affect both sexes; all age groups and any anatomical region of the body. Identification of the offending microorganisms is important; since the eventual outcomeof treatment is dependent on aggressive; chemotherapeutic and supportive therapy. Aim : To determine the spectrum of aerobic bacterialorganisms responsible for NF in Sokoto; Northwestern Nigeria; and to establish a baseline for which further studies can be conduct Patients and Methods : A 5-year prospective study of aerobic bacteria isolated from all consecutive patients with NF seen at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital; Sokoto; Nigeria from January 2001 to December 2005. All necessary information from each patient was fed into the computer for analysis. Results: There were 62 patients; of which 33 (53.2) were males while the remaining 29 (46.8) were females. The ages ranged from six days to 70 years (mean = 21.4 years). One or more precipitating factors were identified in) patients; while 40 (64.5) patients had identifiable pre-morbid pathology. The body surface area (BSA) involved ranged from 1 3 32 (51.6). The commonest anatomical region involved was the trunk in 23 (37.1) patients; this was followed by the lower limbs; upper limbs; head and neck; perineum and buttocks in that order. From the 62 patients; 176 aerobic cultures were carried out. Of this; 147 cultures (83.5) were positive; while the remaining 29 (16.5) grew no organisms after 48 hours of incubation. The commonest offending organisms were Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Infection was polymicrobial in; 64 of patients. Cephalosporins; quinolones and aminoglycosides were the most sensitive antibiotics. Multiple wound debridements were required in nearly half of the patients. The duration of hospital stay ranged from 3 132 days (mean = 39 days). The overall mortality was 14.5. Conclusion : NF is essentially polymicrobial; deriving significant contributions from both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The cultural characteristics of the disease; and sensitivity to antibiotics; require periodic assessments

Clinical features and treatment of pre-ulcerative Buruli Lesions (Mycobacterium Ulcerations Infection): Report II of the Uganda Buruli Group

At Kinyara; and in other areas of Uganda; 250 patients with pre-ulcerative Buruli lesions (Myco.ulcerans infection; have been seen over the past three years. The clinical feature of the pre-ulcerative stage of the disease are painless nodules; usually occurring singly on the legs or forearms. As the nodule can grow rapidly to become an extensive fulminating lesion; early recognition of the nodule and an appreciation of its significance by both doctor and patient are essential. Excision of the nodule is simple and usually curative; thus preventing ulcers developing and requiring prolonged hospital treatment