ABSTRACT
We conducted a retrospective study of meningococcal invasive diseases [MID] contracted in children in Tunis between January 1997 and January 2006. The purpose of this study is to specify the clinical, epidemiological, therapeutic and evolutionary features of these infections and to determine antimicrobial susceptibility and the antigenic formula of N. meningitidis isolates. During the study period, we have collected 79 cases of MID arising in children aged 3 days to 11 years. The majority of children's were less than of 4 years [57.3%]. We note a frequency of the MID in winter and in spring. The most frequent clinical shape was meningitis [53%]. Twenty one patients [26.6%] had a fulminant meningococcal disease. In our series, the rate of lethality was equal to 17.7%. Among the 46 meningococcal isolates, the most frequent serogroup was the B [73%] followed by C and A. A high heterogeneousness of the antigenic formulae was observed. The most frequent phenotype was NT: NST for the group B isolates and 4:P1.13 for the group C ones. N. meningitidis with reduced susceptibility to penicillin and to amoxicillin account for 54% and 10% of all isolates respectively. The cefotaxim and the rifampin were uniformly active
ABSTRACT
In order to assess hospital emergency rooms, a comprehensive national epidemiological investigation was conducted in all 155 public emergency structures in Tunisia. Here we present the main results of the levels of availability and use of emergency services. Coverage of the population by services is adequate [one emergency service per 60,000 people]. Emergency wards admit about 2,500,000 patients every year [a quarter of the population of the country]. The university hospital emergency services are the most heavily used [150 patients per day on average]. Emergency services are sought for medical [60%], surgical [18%], paediatric [14%] and gynaecological reasons [5%]. It would be useful to assess the quality of care delivered and the satisfaction of citizens and health workers