Association of acute COVID-19 with 24 hours-pulse wave velocity in cameroonian workers

Introduction. COVID-19appears to have a vascular tropism responsible for diffuse vasculitis-like cell damage. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of Sars-Cov-2 infection on arterial stiffness.Material and methods. This was a cross-sectional analytical case-controlstudy with 1:1 matching (1 case to 1 control) over a six-month period from January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021 at the medical-social centerof the autonomous port of Douala. We measured the pulse wave velocity (PWV) in two groups of patients (group 1: COVID-19and group 2: non-COVID-19) using a MOBIL-O-GRAPH 24h PWA MonitorTM. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.Result. A total of 122 patients (61 COVID-19and 61 non-covid) were included in this study, among which 68 (55.7%) male. The mean age was 41±11 years. PWV as well as POV adjusted for age and mean BP were similar in both groups. The mean 24-hour, diurnal and nocturnal PWV were slightly higher in COVID-19patients than in controls by 0.1 m/s (p=0.67), 0.2m/s (p=0.37) and 0.2m/s (p=0.25) respectively. COVID-19infection was not significantly associated with PWV (p=0.082).Conclusion. PWV were slightly higher in COVID-19patients and increased arterial stiffness was not significantly associated with COVID-19status in the acute phase of infection.

Bacteriological Profile and Resistance of Escherichia coli to Beta-lactam for Patients Consulted at Douala Laquintinie Hospital

Enterobacteriaceae are the most common causes of community-acquired and nosocomial infections. They are usually treated with beta-lactam antibiotics, i.e., penicillins, broad-spectrum cephalosporins, and carbapenems (Imipenem, meropenem, ertapenem). In order to evaluate the resistance profile of Escherichia coli (E. coli) to beta-lactam antibiotics, a 3-year retrospective study was carried out in the medical biology laboratory of the Laquintinie Hospital in Douala. The aim was to compare the behavior of Escherichia coli bacteria to penicillins, carbapenems, and cephalosporins. In order to achieve this objective, we used the results obtained from E. coli strains isolated from urine, cervico-vaginal fluid, puncture fluid, pleural fluid and pus samples. Identification was confirmed using the API 20 E Enterobacteriaceae system of biochemical testing and the VITEK 2 system. The VITEK 2 system was used to perform the antibiogram. Statistical analyses obtained from GraphPad Prim V 5.0 software allowed us to perform tests such as ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman correlations. Preliminary results show that E. coli bacteria are highly resistant to penicillins and significantly susceptible to cephalosporins of all generations if they are not ESBL (extended-spectrum beta-lactamases). Data on carbapenem behavior show less resistance and moderate susceptibility.

The Prevalence of Salmonellosis in Patients with Malaria Attending an Urban Hospital in Douala, Littoral Region, Cameroon

Aims:This study was carried out to determine the rate of co-infection of Malaria/typhoid fever among patients attending the hospital.Study Design:The study was a hospital based cross-sectional.Place and Duration of Study:The study was carried out at the Centre Medical Camrail,de Bassa (CMCD), Douala, Littoral Region, Cameroon, from April to May 2015.Methods:One hundred and sixty (160) blood and stool Samples were collected. Blood samples were subjected to microscopic examination used for the malaria parasite. Widal agglutination slide and tube test were performed for the identification of antibodies to Salmonella typhiand stool culture used for isolation of Salmonella species.Results:Overall malariaprevalence was 19.4% (31/160) with a geometric mean parasite density (GMPD) of 788.62±1945.763 parasites/μL of blood. The overall prevalence of typhoid fever by stool culture was 32.5% (52/160) while malaria/typhoid fever and malaria/non-typhoidal salmonella co-infection rates were 29% (9) and7% (3) respectively. Of the positive malaria samples, 03 (4%) were identified as Salmonella typhi,4 (5.3%)as S.typhimirium,02 (2.6%)asS. paratyphi Aand 03 (4%) as S. paratyphi B. They were no significant relationship between malaria and typhoid fever (χ2=.609; p= .738). Typhoid fever was grossly underdiagnosed by Widal test 1.25% (2/160) compared to stool culture 34.4% (55/160).Conclusion:The study showedthe rate of co-infections of malaria and typhoid fever is relatively high. Malaria was the most prevalent disease among febrile patients in the study area. There was a substantial result discrepancy between Widal test and stool culture for the diagnosis of typhoid fever

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Inmates of the New-bell Central Prison, Cameroon

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) remain a public health issue in developing countries where overcrowded settlements and poor sanitation are general rule. Due to paucity of IPIs data in known overcrowded Cameroonian prisons, this cross-sectional studyconducted in 2015 in the New-Bell Central Prison (NBCP) aimed to establish biodiversity, prevalence and risk factors of intestinal protozoan and helminthe infections among inmates.Fresh stool samples collected from the NBCP volunteered inmates were laboratory examined microscopically as fresh mounts plus iodine, Kato-Katz smears, formalin-ether concentration and modified Ziehl-Nelseen stained sediments.Of a total 374 inmates who participated in the study, overall IPIs prevalence was 39.3%. Helminthe and protozoa prevalence was 16.6% and 24.6% respectively. Parasites species were recorded at following prevalence: Ascaris lumbricoides(10.4%), Trichuris trichiura(5.1%), Schistosoma mansoni(0.5%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar(14.2%), Entamoebacoli(16.6%), Giardia intestinalis (7.2%), Chilomastix mesnili(2.4%), Blastocystis spp(2.1%) and Cryptosporidium sp (4.3%). Co-infections by two or three parasites were recorded among parasitized inmates.Overall IPIs prevalence was not significantly influenced by gender, age, detention duration, education level, handwashing practices, sanitation and drinking water source. However, highest IPIs prevalence occurred in males aged 30 to 49 years old, less than one year detainees, latrine users and those who drank borehole water. Systematic handwashing practices and education level did not influence significantly IPIs prevalence. All helminthe infections were of light intensities.Inmates in the New Bell central prison were parasitized by several species of protozoa and intestinal worms in varying prevalence depending on the detention period, the sex, the age and hygiene. A regular IPIs control among prison inmates was recommended to the NBCP managers to prevent related morbidity.

The cholera epidemic of 2004 in Douala, Cameroon: A lesson learned

Objective: To describe the outbreak of 2004 with a view of retrospectively identifying factors that might explain the low case fatality rate. Methods: Outbreak data from 4 915 Cholera patients from registers of the Regional Health Delegation in Douala were analyzed using SPSS. Chi-square test, univariate and multivariate analysis were applied. Results: The outbreak started January 2004, peaking at 187 cases per week in February. After a decrease in April, case numbers rose to 688 cases per week in June. The outbreak was over in September 2004 ( <10 cases per week). The case fatality rate was higher in treatment centers with fewer than one nurse per two patients, than in those with more nursing staff. A temporary staff reduction after the first wave of the epidemic was associated with the increase of the case fatality rate during the second wave. This increase was reversed after re-instating full staff capacity. Conclusions: Providing sufficient nursing staff helps to lower the case fatality rate of cholera. Besides a lack of staff, age above 40 years is a risk factor for death in this disease.

The cholera epidemic of 2004 in Douala, Cameroon: A lesson learned

Objective: To describe the outbreak of 2004 with a view of retrospectively identifying factors that might explain the low case fatality rate. Methods: Outbreak data from 4 915 Cholera patients from registers of the Regional Health Delegation in Douala were analyzed using SPSS. Chi-square test, univariate and multivariate analysis were applied. Results: The outbreak started January 2004, peaking at 187 cases per week in February. After a decrease in April, case numbers rose to 688 cases per week in June. The outbreak was over in September 2004 ( <10 cases per week). The case fatality rate was higher in treatment centers with fewer than one nurse per two patients, than in those with more nursing staff. A temporary staff reduction after the first wave of the epidemic was associated with the increase of the case fatality rate during the second wave. This increase was reversed after re-instating full staff capacity. Conclusions: Providing sufficient nursing staff helps to lower the case fatality rate of cholera. Besides a lack of staff, age above 40 years is a risk factor for death in this disease.

Review of Maternal Deaths at Douala General Hospital, Cameroon: The Referral System and Other Contributing Factors.

One of the objectives of the fifth Millennium Development Goal [MGD] is to decrease annually by 5.5% the maternal mortality so as to attain a three- quarter’s reduction of the world’s burden by the year 2015. The health care referral system has been shown to play an important role if this objective is to be attained. The aim of this study was to evaluate the referral system and other contributing factors to maternal deaths. This was a retrospective, descriptive study carried out in the Douala General Hospital, a tertiary referral hospital in Douala, Cameroon. The records of cases of maternal deaths that occurred between 1st January, 2002 and 31st December, 2011 were reviewed. Patients who died on arrival at the hospital were excluded from the study. Data was collected using pre-structured questionnaire and analyzed with EPI-Info version 3.5.1. There were 25 maternal deaths during this period with a maternal mortality ratio of 275 per 100.000 live births. Sixteen (64%) maternal deaths were referred cases from; government health institutions 4 (25%) and private 12 (75%) hospitals in Douala. Most of the patients were between 30-40 years 12 (48%), married 17 (68%), primigravida 12 (48%). The triad of hemorrhage 12 (48%), hypertensive disease in pregnancy 10 (40%) and infection 3 (12%) was responsible for the maternal deaths. Using two indicators to evaluate the referral system, it was observed that only 3 (18, 8%) exploited the referral information system and barely 4(25 %) were transported to the hospital by an ambulance. Maternal mortality remains high in our setting. Most of the causes of maternal death are due to direct obstetric causes which are preventable. The role of referral system in providing health care is poor. Therefore, this aspect of providing health care has to be properly implemented if it is to make an impact in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality.

Traditional Knowledge on Medicinal Plants Use by Ethnic Communities in Douala, Cameroon.

Traditional knowledge is common and important among the tribal people but much of the information is empirical at best lacking logical validation. A number of ethnic communities residing in the study area are partially or fully dependent on the forest resources to meet their requirements. Plants have traditionally been used as a source of medicine in Cameroon since early times for the control of various ailments afflicting humans and their domestic animals. However, little work has been made in the past to properly document and promote that knowledge. Today medicinal plants and the associated knowledge in the country are threatened due to deforestation, environmental degradation and acculturation. The present study analyses traditional knowledge and utilization of 94 species belonging to 84 genera under 46 families in day-to-day life of ethnic communities in Douala region, Cameroon. The diverse ethnic communities such as Bamiléké, Bassa, Béti, Haoussa, Douala, Bakoko, Bassolo, Ngumba, Dibom, Baya and Banen have a good association with plants and their potential role they use for different purposes and treatment of various ailments. The traditional knowledge on the utilization of these plants is widely accepted by the ethnic communities.

Inventory and biodiversity of species edible wild ruits sold in the markets of Douala, Cameroon.

In total 24 species of wild fruits listed in 18 genera and 15 families were identified and inventoried in four markets in Douala (Cameroon). The Sterculiaceae and Zingiberaceae are best represented. The dominant fruit are berries and drupes with 16 species (66.67%). The frequency of these fruits in the markets is related to dietary habits of ethnic consumers and varies with the seasons. The strategies proposed in the use of these fruits, concern methods of sustainable use and conservation of forest ecosystems.