Normal values of sudomotor function assessed by electrochemical skin conductance in African population.

BACKGROUND: Dysfunction of small nerve fibers remains a major public health concern. Subjects suspected of having small nerve fiber damage need to undergo reliable tests to confirm the diagnosis. Sudomotor function test is a reliable noninvasive exploration for detecting peripheral neuropathies. Nevertheless, the normal reference values derived from the sudomotor function test are not known in the African population. The objective of this study was therefore to describe the normal values of Electrochemical Skin Conductance (ESC) measured by the sudomotor function test in healthy African subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between December 1st, 2021 and May 31st, 2022, ESC was measured in 475 healthy subjects (median age: 42 [31-53] years, 46% men) using a sudomotor function test, in the hands and feet. Investigators proposed the examination and received participants' consent; demographic, anthropometric, biological, and clinical data were obtained before the test. Data on 475 healthy study participants who underwent sudomotor function testing was collected and analyzed. The sociodemographic (age, sex), anthropometric (weight, height, waist circumference, body mass index), diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and electrochemical skin conductances of the hands and feet were assessed. RESULTS: ESC values were statistically higher in men compared to women (right hand ESC: 70 [60-78] versus 63 [53-72], left hand ESC: 72 [61-80] versus 68 [57-75], right foot ESC: 77 [82-99] versus 72 [64-79], ESC left foot: 76 [68-82] versus 72 [62-78] respectively). ESC values were significantly inversely correlated with age (right hand ESC: r=-0.12, P=0.006; left hand ESC: r=-0.11, P=0.01; right foot ESC: r=-0.37, P<0.0001; ESC left foot: r=-0.38, P<0.0001). ESC values measured in feet were significantly inversely correlated with body mass index (right foot r=-0.22, P<0.0001; left foot r=-0.21, P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: This study reports normal reference values for ESCs according to age and gender in the healthy African population. Progressive decrease in ESC with aging is confirmed by our data. The value of ESC seems lower in the African population than in other reported ethnicities. This finding needs to be further explored in additional studies.

[Guillain-Barré syndrome in hospitals in Togo]. / Syndrome de Guillain-Barré en milieu hospitalier au Togo.

Introduction: In sub-Saharan Africa characterized by limited resources especially in health facilities and a relatively higher frequency of infectious diseases, studies on Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) are rare. Objectives: The objectives of this work are to describe the characteristics of GBS in Togo through a cohort of patients followed in the neurology unit of the Campus University Hospital of Lomé. Methodology: The study took place from May 2015 to July 2019. Patients with GBS of levels 1 to 3 of the Brighton criteria for diagnostic certainty were included consecutively and assessed at admission, at 6 months and at 1 year with the GBS disability score and the MRC sum score. Qualitative and quantitative variables were expressed, respectively, in frequency and median (interquartile range). Results: Out of 7012 hospitalized patients, 28 (0.39%) including 20 women (71%) with a median age of 40 (27-53) years, presented GBS. The clinical presentation mainly consisted of bilateral sensory-motor disorders predominantly in the lower limbs associated with facial diplegia and preceded by an infectious event. On admission, 39% of patients (n=11) were able to walk (GBS score 0 to 3) and the median MRC sum score was 28 (12-38). Cytoalbuminologic dissociation was present in 654% of patients (13 of 20 patients who underwent lumbar puncture). The demyelinating and axonal subtypes each accounted for 47% (9 of 19 patients who underwent an electroneuromyography examination). Immunoglobulins and intravenous corticosteroid therapy were administered in 18% (n=5) and 50% (n=14) of patients, respectively. Lethality rate during hospitalization was 11% (n=3). The median MRC sum score at 6 and 12 month-outcome were 40 (38-49) and 51 (46-58), respectively. After one year of evolution, case fatality rate was 18% (n=5), and 78% of survivors (n=14) could walk without assistance, of which 17% (n=3) were asymptomatic. Conclusion: In Togo, GBS, with a low hospital prevalence, remains a serious condition due to its high morbidity and lethality related to non-optimal treatment and delayed management.

[Brown Sequard syndrome revealing a cervical pott's disease associated with a retropharyngeal abscess]. / Mal de pott cervical associe a un abces retropharynge revele par un syndrome de Brown Sequard.

A 37-year-old patient was admitted for a left progressive left-hand hemiparesis associated with left C4-C5 neuralgia preceded by inflammatory neck pain for 04 months and dysphagia for 02 weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging showed C3-C5 spondylodiscitis lesions with epidural abscess and predominantly left lateralized compression of the spinal cord and retropharyngeal abscess. The patient was operated for incision and drainage of the retropharyngeal abscess through the oral cavity and Koch bacillus was demonstrated from the aspirate by molecular technique GeneXpert. The patient was treated anti-tuberculosis drug therapy and we noted a fully neurological and extraneurological recovery.

Un patient de 37 ans a été admis pour un déficit hémicorporel gauche d'installation progressive associé à des névralgies C4 etC5 gauches précédés de cervicalgies inflammatoires depuis 04 mois et de dysphagie depuis 02 semaines. L'imagerie par résonance magnétique a montré des lésions de spondylodiscite C3-C5 avec épidurite et une compression médullaire latéralisée à gauche en regard ainsi qu'un abcès retropharyngé. Le patient a bénéficié d'une incision-drainage de cet abcès à travers la cavité buccale et le bacille de Koch a été isolé dans le pus par la technique moléculaire GeneXpert. Sous traitement médical, l'évolution clinique neurologique et extraneurologique a été favorable.

Neuromyelitis optica in Sub-Saharan Africa: the first case report from Togo.

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) appears to affect blacks disproportionately in mixed populations. We report the first case of documented NMO in Togo (West Africa). A 26-year-old Togolese woman was admitted for progressive tetraplegia, acute urine retention, and dyspnea. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spinal cord demonstrated an extensive longitudinal lesion, and an ophthalmologic examination found bilateral optic neuritis. Antibody testing for AQP4-IgG was positive. The patient died of severe respiratory distress despite high doses of intravenous corticosteroids. Epidemiological data about NMO in sub-Saharan Africa would improve our understanding of the role of genetic and environmental risk factors in this disease.

[Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in the 10 last years in CHU Campus of Lomé (TOGO)]. / Sclerose Laterale Amyotrophique (SLA): Rapport de 10 ans d'activites en service de neurologie du CHU Campus de Lome (TOGO).

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that causes damage of upper motor neuron and lower motor neuron. Our objective was to describe the incidence and demographic characteristics of ALS and to analyze its diagnosis and management in Togo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective and descriptive study of patient's observations was conducted in the department of neurology of the teaching hospital in Lomé during a 10 years period (2000 to 2009). The diagnosis of ALS was made according to the clinical classification of El Escorial. RESULTS: 5 cases of ALS were diagnosed, representing 0.049% of the hospitalizations in the department of neurology. The average age of patients was 49 years [range: 24 - 67 years] and the average evolution of the disease was 17.6 months [range: 6 - 36 months]. All the patients were men. The treatment was symptomatic in every case. Treatment with Riluzole was not delivered. During the follow-up, one patient died from respiratory complications. CONCLUSION: The El Escorial criteria should be made more accessible for a larger audience, as the availability and classification of care management relies heavily on diagnosed cases, namely early diagnosis.

La sclérose latérale amyotrophique (SLA) est une maladie dégénérative du motoneurone qui atteint les deux neurones de la voie motrice volontaire et qui est cliniquement définie. BUT: Avoir des données préliminaires au Togo concernant la SLA. MATÉRIEL ET MÉTHODES: Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective et descriptive sur les observations de patients en service de neurologie du CHU campus de Lomé sur une durée de 2000 à 2009. Sont inclus, les patients répondant aux critères de SLA certaine selon les critères d'El Escorial. RÉSULTATS: Cinq (5) cas de SLA ont été diagnostiqués, représentant 0,049% des hospitalisations du service. L'âge moyen était de 49 ans [24; 67 ans] avec une durée moyenne d'évolution de 17,6 mois [6; 36 mois]. Tous les patients étaient de sexe masculin. Le traitement a été symptomatique dans tous les cas. Le traitement au Riluzole n'a pas pu être institué. Un patient était décédé plus tard de complications respiratoires. CONCLUSION: Les critères d'El Escorial doivent être vulgarisés, car la disponibilité et la codification de la prise en charge dépendent du nombre des cas diagnostiqués et surtout de la précocité du diagnostic.

[Opportunistic infections of the HIV/AIDS in adults in hospital settings in Togo]. / Infections opportunistes du VIH/sida chez les adultes en milieu hospitalier au Togo.

The objective of this study is to determine the main opportunistic infections (OI) and those strongly linked to high death rate in hospital settings in Togo. It is a descriptive study conducted from June to November 2008 in 22 public and private settings of all medical specialties throughout the entire Togolese territory. Hospitalized patients with OI and HIV positive data were collected. The study was started after getting patient approval. Of 7,361 hospitalized patients, 1,764 were tested, giving a screening rate of 23.7%. We registered 714 HIV-infected patients (HIVIP), 40.5% of the patients tested. The most common OI encountered were buccal candidiasis (49.7% of HIVIP), genital candidiasis (9.1%), meningeal cryptococcosis (2.9%), bacterial infections (48.2%), cerebral toxoplasmosis (11.2%) and pulmonary tuberculosis (11.3%). OI strongly linked to a high death rate were meningeal cryptococcosis (61.9%) and cerebral toxoplasmosis (46.3%). OI constitute a major reason of hospitalization for HIVIP in Togo. This study allows a better orientation of strategies for screening and taking care of HIVIP in Togo.