Les affections rhumatologiques de l'enfant

Objectif: Rapporter les étiologies des affections rhumatologiques de l'enfant congolais.Méthodes et patients :Etude transversale sur dossiers médicaux, menée dans les services de Rhumatologie et de Pédiatrie du CHU de Brazzaville, de juin 2007 à mai 2015, soit 8 ans. Ont été inclus les dossiers documentés d'enfants âgés de 0 à 16 ans, non drépanocytaires, hospitalisés pour une affection ostéo-articulaire non traumatique. 236 sur 80 800 dossiers ont été colligés à partir des registres, constituant la population cible. 114 dossiers (0,29%) répondant aux critères d'inclusion ont été retenus, constituant la population d'étude. Les variables d'étude portaient sur les données épidémiologiques et diagnostiques.Résultats :La population d'étude était constituée de 144 enfants, 58 filles (51%) et 56 garçons (49%), soit un sex-ratio de 0,94. L'âge moyen était de 9,4 ± 3,4 ans (extrêmes de 2 semaines de vie à 16 ans). La fréquence hospitalière des affections rhumatologiques était de 0,29%. La douleur était le principal motif de consultation (73,6%) suivie de la fièvre (20%). L'impotence fonctionnelle était le motif de consultation dans 6,1%. Le délai de consultation était inférieur à un mois dans 65,8% des cas. La durée moyenne d'hospitalisation était de 19,8 ± 20,8 jours. Trois grands groupes étiologiques se distinguaient :les ostéo-arthrites infectieuses (40,4%) : arthrite septique 22,0%, mal de Pott 18 ,4% ;les rhumatismes post infectieux(36,0%), exclusivement représentés par le rhumatisme articulaire aigu ;les rhumatismes inflammatoires chroniques(18,5%) dont l'arthrite juvénile idiopathique (16,7%).Conclusion : Peu fréquente en milieu hospitalier, les affections rhumatologiques de l'enfant sont dominées par les ostéo-arthrites infectieuses, le rhumatisme articulaire aigu, et l'arthrite juvénile idiopathique

Rheumatic Fever: New Ideas in Diagnosis and Management

Rheumatic heart disease remains a major cause of disability and death in developing countries. careful re-analysis of mid- 20th century data as well as the juxtaposition of well-funded research units and populations at risk have generated information that resulted in radical departures from standard approaches to the prevention; clinical recognition and treatment of acute rheumatic fever. As a result; rheumatic heart disease may be eliminated in the future

Epidemiology of Valvular Heart Diseases in Africa

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) resulting from rheumatic fever (RF) is the main form of valve disease in Africa. Other forms of valve diseases such as myxomatous mitral valve disease; age-related valve disease; -valvular aneurysms or valve disease related to endomyocardial fi brosis are less common than RHD. In developed countries; RF and RHD are rare and no longer pose a public health problem; but the combination of poverty; lack of awareness; lack of infrastructure and resources; and social instability contribute to the persistence of RF and RHD in Africa. The presence of other major infectious diseases also shifts attention away om RF and RHD. Contemporary population-based epidemiologic data utilising echocardiography to detect valve disease suggests the prevalence of valve diseases in Africa is likely much higher than previously thought; meaning the estimated mortality; morbidity and socio-economic burden they cause could also be much higher than currently appreciated. Increased efforts are needed to defi ne the scope of the problem of valve diseases in Africa to draw attention to these illnesses and step up public health efforts to control and eradicate them as has already been achieved in other parts of the world. This article highlights the public health problem of valve diseases in Africa; the efforts underway to combat them and the attendant challenges

Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease: Where are we now in South Africa?

South Africa continues to face unacceptably high rates of rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD); despite readily available and inexpensive preventive measures. However; in the past several years; key players in South Africa's healthcare and political realms in addition to key players from many African nations have come together to acknowledge the persistent health burden attributable to RF/RHD and have agreed to a pledge of action to reduce it.The plan of action is a comprehensive RF/RHD prevention and treatment programme known as ASAP. The ASAP programme targets efforts to raise Awareness; establish surveillance systems; Advocate for increased resources for treatment; and to promote Prevention strategies. South Africa currently has a demonstration site where activities in all of these key areas are currently underway. Efforts in the area of surveillance include a RHD prevalence study that aims to screen 4 000 school-aged children through the use of a mobile echo-surveillance unit. In addition to local efforts; South Africa will join an international initiative to create a global RHD registry that will aid in all aspects of prevention and treatment to further reduce the burden of disease attributable to RF/RHD

Anti-Inflammatory and Antipyretic Activities of Hygrophila spinosa T. Anders Leaves (Acanthaceae)

Purpose: Hygrophila spinosa T. Anders (Acanthaceae) is commonly used in the traditional system of medicine for the treatment of inflammation; pain; jaundice; rheumatism; arthritis; anaemia; etc. In the present study; we investigated the anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of the petroleum ether; chloroform; alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the leaf of this plant. Methods: The anti-inflammatory activity of the various extracts was studied based on their effects on carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats while antipyretic activity was evaluated on the basis of their effect on Brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. The extracts were screened for alkaloids; steroids; proteins; flavonoids; saponins; mucilage; carbohydrates; organic acids; fats and oils. Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids; steroids; proteins; flavonoids; fats and oils; tannins; mucilage and organic acids in the leaves of H. spinosa. Chloroform and alcoholic extracts of leaves of H. spinosa produced significant (p 0.05 and p 0.01) anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities in a dose-dependent manner. On the other hand; petroleum ether and aqueous extracts did not show significant anti- inflammatory and antipyretic activities. The maximum anti-inflammatory activities produced by chloroform and alcoholic extracts (400 mg/kg) were 33.7and 47.5; respectively. These two extracts also reduced elevated body temperature in rats at 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight doses throughout the observation period of 6h .Conclusion: Chloroform and alcoholic extracts of H. spinosa leaves have anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities