Astrovirus Gastroenteritis in Children Younger than 5 Years in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso): Prevalence and Risks Factors Influencing Severity

Aims:The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of astrovirus infections and associated risks factors. Methods:A prospective study was undertaken from May 2009 to March 2010, covering the rainy and dry seasons, at the Saint Camille Medical Center in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. A total of 213 non hospitalized children less than 5 years of age with diarrhea were enrolled and examined for astrovirus, others enteropathogens, and clinico-epidemiological aspects.Results:Astroviruses prevalence among the enrolled children was 14.6%. Astrovirus infections were common during the cold dry season from December to February (38.7%), during the rainy season from June to September (54.8%), also during dry season in March (3.2%) and May (3.2%). Children younger than 11 months of age were most affected by astroviruses (16%). Moderate and severe malnutrition influenced more severe symptoms of astrovirus related diarrheas. Conclusion:The present study shows that astroviruses have an important role in pediatric viral-associated diarrhea in Burkina Faso. Diarrhea is more severe in malnourished children

Field evaluation of malaria rapid diagnostic tests for the diagnosis of P. falciparum and non-P. falciparum infections.

The objective of this study was to evaluate various malaria rapid diagnostic tests as a tool in the detection of P. falciparum and non-P. falciparum infections in field conditions. Four field surveys were conducted in malaria-endemic areas of Palawan and Davao del Norte, Philippines to validate the various rapid diagnostic tests, namely Diamed OptiMAL 48 (DiaMed AG, Switzerland), ParaHIT f (Span Diagnostics, India), Orchid OptiMAL, and Paracheck Pf (both from Orchid Biomedical Systems, India). The results of the various rapid diagnostic tests were compared to those of microscopy. Sensitivity, specificity and detection rates according to the level of parasitemia were used as parameters to describe the performance of the various rapid diagnostic tests in the field. Practical and operational assessments were also done. The results of the study show that the sensitivity and detection rates were generally lower than previously reported, with sensitivities ranging from 4.8% to 20.6%, except for Diamed OptiMAL 48, which had sensitivities of 78.8% to 96.8%, and detection rates of 50.0% to 96.8%. The rest had detection rates ranging from 0.0% to 50.0%. All the specificities ranged from 18.2% to 100.0%. Improper conditions at the time of manufacturing, storage, transport, and utilization may affect the validity of the results. Rapid diagnostic tests for malaria provide practical means of detecting malarial infections, especially in endemic areas. However, issues regarding variability in performance must to be addressed before they can be used as mainstream diagnostic tools.

Intestinal heterophyidiasis: an emerging food-borne parasitic zoonosis in southern Philippines.

Heterophyidiasis is an infection of the small bowel by minute intestinal flukes of the genus Heterophyes or related members of the family Heterophyidae. To provide a better understanding of this rarely reported condition, this study attempted to determine the infection rate, intensity of infection as well as the clinical spectrum of heterophyid infection. A stool survey was conducted in barangay San Isidro, Monkayo, Compostela Valley. Thirty-six percent of patients with history of bowel disturbance (abdominal discomfort/pain and/or diarrhea) in the past 4 weeks were found to have heterophyidiasis. All age groups were infected, with the youngest patient being 1 year 7 months of age, while the oldest patient was 73 years of age. Prevalence was highest in the 15 to 30 years old group at 55.3%. The most common clinical manifestations of heterophyidiasis were signs and symptoms of acid peptic or peptic ulcer disease. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to ensure prompt resolution of heterophyid infection, hence, decreased morbidity and decreased chances for complications like heart or brain involvement. Proficiency of laboratory staff should be enhanced to ensure accurate diagnosis which will then make appropriate treatment possible.

Effect of intestinal helminthiasis on nutritional status of schoolchildren.

This study was conducted in a rural agricultural area in Siniloan, Republic of the Philippines. The subjects were the school children. The nutritional status of 58 children infected with helminthiasis (Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura) was compared with that of 19 uninfected controls. Prevalence of Ascaris and Trichuris was 40.3% and 71.4% respectively, and 36.4% of infected children had both Ascaris and Trichuris infections. Statistically significant evidence of an adverse effect of helminthiasis on serum albumin levels was found, but no child had inadequate levels of other nutrients. Although helminthic infections increase the level of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in children endemically exposed to these parasites, there was no significant difference in the serum IgE among Ascaris or Trichuris infected groups in this study.

Compostela Valley: a new endemic focus for Capillariasis philippinensis.

A 20 year old female from Compostela Valley Province in the Philippines, presenting with chronic diarrhea, borborygmi, bipedal edema, anorexia and weight loss was seen at Davao Regional Hospital. Her stool specimen, suspected by a local medical technologist to have Capillaria philippinensis ova, was forwarded to the Diagnostic Parasitology Laboratory of the College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila. It was examined and found to contain Capillaria philippinensis adults, larvae and eggs. Twelve deaths among people coming from the same barangay, affected by a similar illness with no definite diagnosis except "gastroenteritis" were also reported. These prompted health officials to send a team that would investigate the etiology of the disease outbreak labeled as a "Mystery Disease". Seventy-two stool samples from symptomatic patients were examined. Fifty-three (73.6%) individuals were proven to harbor at least one parasite with 16 (22.2%) individuals positive for Capillaria philippinensis infection. Ocular inspection, interviews and focus group discussions revealed that the people's eating habits are not much different from the habits of those from the Ilocos provinces where capillariasis was initially described. In both areas, people are fond of eating kinilaw or raw fish. They also eat raw shrimps, crabs and snails. Furthermore, the people defecate in the field or in the same body of water where they get the fishes, shrimps, crabs and snails that they eat, thus completing the life cycle of Capillaria philippinensis. Fish-eating birds were likely to have spread this parasite to the area. This is the first report of a capillariasis outbreak in Compostela Valley Province, and this should alert health authorities to consider embarking on serious efforts for developing proficiency of laboratory and clinical diagnosis especially in government health facilities where the poor and marginalized sectors of society are likely to consult.

Cobra venom - its possibilities in Philippine medicine

In proper dosage, cobra venom can relieve protracted neuralgic pains associated with advanced cancerous conditions. Because it does not posses the undesirable side effects of opium and other drugs, cobra venom may be given continuously without danger. (Summary and conclusion)

Results of further experimental studies on BCG vaccine

In a series of experiments on 41 monkeys preliminarily reported in 1934 it was found that no return of virulence of BCG developed during a period of about two (2) years observation. These findings seem to corroborate Calmettes claim that BCG is a fixed virus and can be used for human purposesIn another series of experiments with twenty-three (23) monkeys in which parenteral routes of vaccination with BCG were used, the subcutaneous route gave more protection than the intradermal. For subcutaneous injection a smaller amount was used. It was attended by less local and glandular involvement and the animals lived longer after the administration of an infective dose of living virulent human tubercle bacilli by any route (intraperitoneal intratracheal, or subcutaneous). (Conclusion)

The relation between serum fatty acids and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in the Philippines.

The purpose of this study was observe the effects of soil-transmitted helminthiasis on the amounts of fatty acids in the serum. The subjects were 32 females with age ranging from 15 to 55 years old (22.6 +/- 12.0). The intensity of infection was light based on the criteria of the WHO Expert Committee. Seven fatty acids and serum cholesterol were determined, with the pentadecanoic acid (C15: 0) as internal standard. Serum fatty acid levels were correlated with age-group, dietary habit and body mass index. These factors were however not related with the levels of the serum fatty acids. But the amounts of palmitic acid and stearic acid in the infected group were markedly reduced as compared with the non-infected group.

Modificaciones tisulares a nivel de la piel en algunas micosis. / Tissular modifications of the skin in some mycosis

Se estudiaron histologicamente 28 biopsias de piel de pacientes con cromomicosis, paracoccidioidomicosis, histoplasmosis y lobomicosis Se demostro la existencia de granulomas mixtos (microabscesos y granulomas) en los casos de cromomicosis y paracoccidioidomicosis. Por el contrario, en las restantes micosis la reaccion tisular fue del tipo granuloma simple, sin microabscesos. Se anoto la presencia del fenomeno de eliminacion transepidermica del microorganismo invasor en los casos de cromomicosis y paracoccidioidomicosis