Epidemiology of Dengue in patients with febrile syndrome at Saint Camille Hospital, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso from 2020 to 2

: Dengue is still a public health problem in tropical countries. This disease, which had almost disappeared in some areas of the world, has become re-emergent in certain parts of the world including Africa.The aim of this study is to determine the seroprevalence and evolution of Dengue virus (DENV) infection from 2020 to 2021 at the Hospital Saint Camille de Ouagadougou (HOSCO), Burkina Faso. Methodology: This was a descriptive analytical study of patients seen in general practice with febrile syndrome referred for serological diagnosis of Dengue at the HOSCO laboratory over a period of 2 years (January 1, 2020 ­ December 31, 2021). The "Dengue Duo (AgNS1/IgM/IgG)" kit from SD Bioline was used for the rapid diagnosis through the detection of NS1 antigen and IgM/IgG antibodies in plasma. Data were analysed with SPSS version 20.0 software. Association between demographic data and prevalence of DENV infection was determined by Chisquare test and odds ratio (with 95% confidence interval). P value less than 0.05 was considered statistical significance. Results: A total of 2957 patients aged 0-94 years were referred for serological diagnosis of DENV infection at the HOSCO laboratory over the period 2020-2021, comprising 56.3% females and 43.7% males. The overall prevalence of acute DENV infection (NS1Ag positive) was 5.4% (159/2957), with 2.4% (41/1700) in 2020 and 9.4% (118/1257) in 2021 (OR=4.192, 95% CI=2.915-6.028, p<0.0001). The prevalence of acute DENV infection of 7.0% (91/1292) in the males was significantly higher than 4.1% (68/1665) in the females (OR=1.779, 95% CI=1.288-2.458, p=0.0005), and also significantly higher in age groups 20-29 years (7.6%), 10-19 years (6.9%) and 40-49 years (5.8%) than other age groups (X 2=14.928, p=0.0107). The overall prevalence of DENV IgM and IgG antibodies was 3.2% and 37.3% respectively. The prevalence of DENV IgG antibodies was significantly higher in males (44.0%) than females (32.1%) (OR=1.667, 95%CI=1.434-1.938, p<0.0001) and in age groups 30-39 (43.4%), 40-49 (44.0%) and >50 years (49.3%) than other age groups (X2=121.0, p<0.0001), indicating that past exposure to DENV infection is higher among males and older age groups. The peak of DENV infection was between October and November with 84.3% (134/159) of NS1Ag positivity occurring during this period. Conclusion: The present study reports a high prevalence of acute Dengue virus infection in patients from October to November. To eradicate Dengue which has become a tropical silent epidemic, interventions such as vector control, availability of and accessibility to diagnostic tests, and good therapeutic management are of great importance

Folate levels in children with sickle cell anemia on folic acid supplementation in steady state and crises at a tertiary hospital in Enugu, Nigeria a prospective, comparative study

Folic acid supplementation is an integral aspect of the management of children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) especially in Africa. In spite of this, there have been concerns about lower folate levels, especially during crisis. AimTo determine red cell folate levels of children with sickle cell anaemia in steady state and during crisis and compare with those with haemoglobin AA genotype. Method This study was prospective, hospital based, and comparative. Fifty children with sickle cell anaemia were recruited during crises and followed up until they met the criteria for attaining steady state. The controls were fifty children matched with those with SCA for age and gender and had haemoglobin AA genotype. Red cell folate estimation was done with the Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA) method using the automated Roche Cobas e411 equipment. Results The median (IQR) red cell folate level in children during sickle cell crisis was 265.95 (134.50) ng/ml, which was significantly lower than the median (IQR) of 376.30 (206.85) ng/ml obtained during steady state. Most children with SCA (41 out of 50) had significantly higher folate levels during steady state (T=1081, Z-score= -4.660, p < 0.001). Median level of red cell folate was lower during anaemic crisis compared to vaso-occlusive crisis, though not significantly so (N(50), U = 214.00, Z-score= -1.077, p = 0.305). The median red cell folate level of normal controls was 343.55 (92.90) ng/ml, which was significantly lower than the 376.30 (206.85) ng/ml obtained during steady state (N(50), U= 209.00, Z-score= -7.177, p <0.001). Conclusion Median red cell folate levels of the study participants were within normal limits, though most children with SCA had significantly higher levels during steady state compared to crisis. Normal controls had significantly lower red cell folate levels than the children with SCA during steady state

Incidence of dengue virus infections in febrile episodes in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Background: Dengue viruses have been identified as the most important arboviral pathogen in the world. They are transmitted by mosquitoes of Aedes species. While dengue infection is accompanied by little or no subclinical signs in many; about 1-2% may produce clinically severe Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever/Dengue Shock Syndrome. Early recognition; appropriate treatment and elimination of mosquito vectors will help control it. The study is aimed at determining the incidence of dengue infections in Ile-Ife. Materials and Methods: Three millilitres venous blood was collected from each of one hundred and seventy nine patients presenting with fever in the last two weeks; and analyzed for the presence of anti-dengue IgM antibodies using Dengue Virus IgM ELISA kit (DIA.PRO; Italy) according to the manufacturer's instructions while the results and demographic data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: It was observed that 46 (25.7%) of the 179 had detectable IgM antibodies to dengue virus with 9 of them having no detectable malaria parasite. The incidence was 26.5% and 25% in male and female respectively. Further studies will be necessary to confirm the relatedness of blood transfusion as an important risk factor to the transmission of dengue virus.Conclusion: The study established the presence of fresh dengue infections for the first time in Ile-Ife among different groups of people. Clinicians are advised to prioritize laboratory diagnosis; especially of fever

Convulsions associees a la fievre et developpement psychomoteur en soins de sante primaires a Kinshasa

Une etude prospective menee pendant 3 mois dans 2 centres des soins de sante primaires a Kinshasa; a permis de decrire les caracteristiques semiologiques des Convulsions Febriles (CF) presentees par 148 patients; ages de 5 a 71 mois. Les CF ont ete decrites en fonction de leur distribution; leur duree et leur repetition eventuelle. Les caracteres lateralises; prolonges et repetitifs etaient consideres comme des facteurs de gravite. Le Quotient de Developpement psychomoteur (QDP) des patients a ete evalue sur base de l'echelle de Gensini et Gavito; reprenant les domaines de lamotricite; de la communication; et de l'adaptation. Le QDP etait bas chez 6;7des patients. 5avaient un retard dans le domaine de la motricite; 3;4dans le domaine de la communication; et 2;7dans celui de l'adaptation. Nous n'avons pas note de lien significatif entre le QDP global; et les facteurs de gravite des CF. Toutefois; tous les enfants ayant un retard dans le domaine de la motricite; avaient presente des convulsions repetees avant leur admission: (p=0;02 [OR=1;096 (IC 95) : 1;060 -1;128)]. La motricite etait l'element le plus significativement atteint chez les malades ayant presente les CF. Cette observation merite d'etre validee par des etudes cas temoins; incluant un plus grand nombre de sujets