Efficacy of Artesunate + Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine (AS + SP) and Amodiaquine + Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine (AQ+ SP) for Uncomplicated falciparum Malaria in Equatorial Guinea (Central Africa)

The objectives of the study were (i) to evaluate the efficacy of combination drugs; such as artesunate + sulphadoxinepyrimethamine (AS + SP) and amodiaquine + sulphadoxine-pyripethamine (AQ+ SP) in treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria (ii) to differentiate recrudescence from reinfection by analysing msp-1 and msp-2 genes of Plasmodium falciparum in treatment failure cases. Methods. We carried out an in vivo study in the year 2005 in 206 children between 6 to 59 months age groups. Of the 206; 120 received AQ+ SP; and 86 received AS + SP. A clinical and parasitological followup during 14 days was undertaken. Finger-prick blood sample from each patient was taken onWhatman filter paper (no. 3) on days 0; 7; 14 and also the day when the parasite and symptoms reappeared for PCR analysis. Results. Late treatment failure was observed in 3.5(4/114) with AQ+ SP; and 2.5(2/79) with AS + SP. The success rate was 96.5with AQ+ SP and 97.5with AS + SP. No deaths and severe reactions were recorded. Out of the 6 treatment failure cases; one was reinfection as observed by PCR analysis of msp-1 and msp-2 genes on day 14. Discussion. Both the combinations found to be efficacious and safe and could be used as a first-line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Equatorial Guinea

Ictal ECG changes in temporal lobe epilepsy

Alteraçöes no ritmo cardíaco podem ocorrer durante crises epilépticas. Estas alteraçöes têm sido sugeridas como possível mecanismo para explicar morte súbita em pacientes com epilepsia crônica. Analisamos o eletrocardiograma (ECG) em 61 crises parciais complexas do lobo temporal de 20 pacientes. Taquicardia foi observada em 24/61 (39 por cento) e bradicardia em 3/61 (5 por cento). A média e a mediana da taquicardia foram 139 e 140 batimentos por minuto (variando de 120-180). O intervalo R-R mais longo foi 9 segundos. Näo houve diferença em relaçäo a lateralizaçäo das crises e alteraçäo do ritmo cardíaco. Um paciente com bradicardia recebeu marcapasso de demanda, com diminuiçäo importante das suas quedas durante as crises. Em conclusäo, as alteraçöes cardíacas ictais em crises do lobo temporal mais comuns säo taquicardia sinusal e menos frequentemente bradicardia. Em pacientes com queixas vagas que sugerem tanto epilepsia e arritimia cardíaca, monitorizaçäo simultânea com EEG/ECG é recomendada e se as crises forem frequentes, vídeo-EEG deve ser considerado. Estudos nesta área säo necessários para esclarecimento de possíveis mecanismos da morte súbita em pacientes com epilepsia

Field evaluation of fluorescence microscopy (QBC) for malaria diagnosis

Quantitative Buffy Coat (QBC) for malaria test was used under field conditions. Firstly; it was confronted with thick film in 720 specimens taken during field surveys. Sensitivity; efficiency and estimation of the personnel training and handling of QBC was done; considering its feasibility in a control programme in a developing country with hyperendemic malaria. Secondly; with 618 positive specimens taken at hospital; it was developed a method of converting the QBC parasite count into parasitaemia per mm3 of blood. The specificity of the QBC tube was 82.1 per cent; indicating malaria in 35 of 196 negative slides. the main handicaps are those concerning species identification other than Plasmodium falciparum. The species was correctly identified in 90.4 pour cent of specimens. Giemsa stained thick and thin blood films remains the method of choise for the diagnosis of malaria in the field

Le paludisme dans l'Ile d'Annobon; Guinee Equatoriale; 1991

Une enquete parasitologique a ete realisee en aout 1991 dans l'Ile d'Annobon. Elle correspond a la saison ou la population se trouve dispersee dans toute l'ile. La population recensee s'eleve a 2174 personnes et la taille de l'echantillon etudie a 1244. La prevalence totale observee s'eleve a 44.37 pour cent; de plus; sur 508 enfants de moins de 9 ans; 345 furent positifs. Ces chiffres placent l'ile en zone d'hyperendemie. L'espece dominante est plasmodium falciparum; suivi de plasmodium malariae

Incidence pediatrique du paludisme dans l'Hopital General de Malabo; Guinee Equatoriale; (1990-1991)

Pendant les annees 1990-1992; un diagnostic parasitologique a ete realise chez tous les enfants de mois de 14 ans qui se sont presentes pour differentes causes au Cabinet de Consultation de l'Hopital General de Malabo. Le paludisme en Guinee Equatoriale se transmet de facon stable et hyperendemique pendant toute l'annee. La finalite de l'etude etait l'amelioration du diagnostic et de la qualite des soins de cet Hopital. Sur 9738 frottis preleves 5868 se sont reveles positifs. Des erreurs ont ete observees dans le diagnostic presomptif