Morbidity of rectosigmoid resection in cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer. Risk factor analysis.

AIM: Rectosigmoid resection is often performed during cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer, to achieve the goal of no residual tumour. Here, we evaluated the morbidity associated with rectosigmoid resection and the underlying risk factors. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed consecutive patients managed with rectosigmoid resection during cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer at our centre in Paris, France, between 2005 and 2013. All previously identified risk factors were analysed. Major complications were defined as grade III-IV in the Clavien-Dindo classification. RESULTS: Of 228 patients, 116 had primary and 112 interval surgery; 43/228 [18.9%]; experienced major complications, and these were more common after primary surgery [24.1% vs. 13.4%, p = .04]. The 69 patients who had rectosigmoid resection [33 primary vs. 36 interval surgery, p = .32] had a higher morbidity rate compared to the other patients [30.4% vs. 14.6%, p = .006]. The anastomotic leakage rate was 2.89%. By multivariate logistic regression, independent risk factors for morbidity were postmenopausal status [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 13.7; 95% confidence interval (95%CI), 1.2;161.9], surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy [aOR, 4.4; 95%CI, 1.1;18.8], and peritoneal stripping of the left; paracolic gutter [aOR, 11.3; 95%CI, 2.3;54.3]. CONCLUSION: The morbidity of rectosigmoid resection during cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer seems acceptable. Ileostomy does not seem associated with a lower risk of major complications or adjuvant bevacizumab with a higher complication rate.

Recurrent ovarian cancer.

Recurrence still occurs in a majority of patients with advanced ovarian cancer. However, progress in the management has allowed a significant prolongation of survival for relapsing disease. These last years, the field of interest has moved from chemotherapy to targeted therapy which is dominated by anti-angiogenic and anti-PARP agents. It is assumed that platinum-free interval will not remain the main prognostic and predictive criterion in the future, and will be replaced by a multi-factorial approach. This trend for personalization of therapy has highlighted important neglected fields for clinical research such as multi-line (≥3) relapse, frail patients including elderly and symptomatic and supportive measures.

Molecular characterization of rotavirus strains circulating among children with acute gastroenteritis in Madagascar during 2004-2005.

A survey was undertaken of the etiology of acute gastroenteritis in children <16 years of age in Antananarivo, Madagascar, from May 2004 through May 2005. With use of electron microscopy of fecal specimens, 104 (36%) of 285 children were found to be infected with rotavirus. Rotavirus strain characterization was undertaken using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, electropherotyping, reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction genotyping, and nucleotide sequencing. The predominant group A rotavirus strain types identified were P[4]G2 (62%) and P[8]G9 (23%). Nucleotide sequence analysis of the VP7 genes of selected Malagasy G2 and G9 strains demonstrated similarity with those of other recently identified African rotavirus strains belonging to the same genotype.

Cryptosporidium species causing acute diarrhoea in children in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

A 13-month study of children presenting with acute diarrhoeal disease at hospitals and rehydration clinics in Antananarivo, Madagascar, was undertaken between May 2004 and May 2005. Cryptosporidiosis accounted for diarrhoea in 12 (5.6%) of the 215 children investigated. Cases of cryptosporidiosis were detected only in the rainy season, and the median age of cases was 13.5 months (range=1 day-27 months). As 11 of the cases of cryptosporidiosis were caused by Cryptosporidium hominis and only one by C. parvum, most of the cases were probably the result of anthroponotic transmission. GP60/45/15 gene polymorphisms indicated that the causative pathogens were of subtypes Ia, Id, Ie and IIc.

[Diagnosis of malaria in Antananarivo City: examination of the results obtained at the Institut Pasteur de Madagascar from 2001 to 2004]. / Diagnostic du paludisme dans la ville d'Antananarivo: réflexion à partir des résultats obtenus à l'Institut Pasteur de Madagascar de 2001 à 2004.

Malaria diagnosis is part of the daily activities of the Clinical Biology Center (CBC) of the Institut Pasteur de Madagascar in Antananarivo. Over a period of four years (2001-2004), regardless the methods being used, out of 6537 blood samples examined, 159 (2.43%) tests were positive. All four species of Plasmodium infecting human. were detected with a high prevalence of P. falciparum (87.2%). 49/159 patients were foreigners, but their files did not allow us to distinguish imported from locally acquired malaria cases. Also, among Malagasy patients, there was no possibility to recognize introduced malaria cases (contracted in coastal areas). In Madagascar malaria remains a public health problem. But fever and recent history of fever are often considered and treated as malaria. Our results demonstrated that confirmed malaria rate was very low. Reporting malaria on the basis of clinical signs overestimates malaria cases at the national level. The importance of malaria biological diagnosis is discussed in this article.

HIV-1-related morbidity in adults, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire: a nidus for bacterial diseases.

We studied mortality and morbidity in 270 HIV-1-infected adults (60% women, median age 31 years, mean baseline CD4 count 331/mm(3) ) observed in a follow-up that lasted a median 10 months in Côte d'Ivoire. Survival and probability of remaining free from any episode of morbidity at 12 months were 0.80 and 0.50, respectively. Baseline CD4 count <200/mm(3) was the only variable associated with global morbidity and mortality, with hazard ratios of 2.50 and 7.57, respectively. The most frequent causes of morbidity were severe bacterial infections (incidence rate: 26.1 per 100 person-years [py]), followed by oral candidiasis (22.3% py), unexplained weight loss over 10% of baseline body weight (13.3% py), tuberculosis (10.1% py), unexplained chronic diarrhea (9.7% py), and isosporiasis (5.1% py). Nontyphoid Salmonella accounted for 37% of isolated strains during severe bacterial infections, followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (34%), Escherichia coli (15%), and Shigella species (7%). A significant part of bacterial morbidity occurred in patients with baseline CD4 count > or = 200/mm(3), in whom the incidence rate of bacterial diseases was 21.3% py and the probability of remaining free from any bacterial infection at 12 months was 0.80 (vs. 36.4% py and 0.71 in patients with baseline CD4 count <200/mm(3); p =.07).

Hepatitis B and C infections, human immunodeficiency virus and other sexually transmitted infections among women of childbearing age in Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa.

Few studies have been conducted in developing countries to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and its association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). We have screened for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HCV markers 200 HIV-1-positive, 23 HIV-2-positive and 206 HIV-negative women attending gynaecology clinics in 1995/96 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, a sample selected among 2198 consecutive consultants. Taking into account the prevalence of 21.7% for HIV in this population, the overall prevalence of anti-HBV core antibody was 81.6%, that for hepatitis B surface antigen was 9.9% and for HCV antibody was 3.3%. HIV infection and other STDs were not associated with HBV or HCV markers. Moreover, HBV and HCV markers were not statistically associated. Our results confirm the high prevalence of HIV in Abidjan and the endemic situation of HBV infection. Furthermore, HCV infection is not infrequent in this developing country setting, not explained by sexual transmission.

Spontaneous pneumothorax: pragmatic management and long-term outcome.

We prospectively considered 65 patients admitted for a spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) to describe the pragmatic management of SP, the first recurrence-free interval after medical therapeutic procedure and to specify the first recurrence risk factors over a 7-year period in these patients treated medically. The treatment options were observation alone (9%), needle aspiration (6%), small calibre chest tube (Pleurocatheter) drainage (28%) or thoracic tube drainage (49%), and pleurodesis with video-assisted thoracic surgery procedure (8%). Duration of the drainage and length of hospital stay were shorter in the Pleurocatheter group than in the thoracic tube group (P < 0.01). Among the 47 patients (72%) with a first SP and treated medically, nine patients (19%) had a first homolateral recurrence (FHR) during a mean follow-up of 84+/-13 months. Recurrence-free intervals ranged from 1 to 24 months (mean +/- SD: 9.3+/-8.4 months). FHR cases were more frequent in the Pleurocatheter group (P < 0 04). Analysis of potential risk factors showed that the patient's height and a previous homolateral SP episode are independent recurrence risk factors.

[Causes of fever in adults infected by HIV-1. Ambulatory follow-up in the ANRS 059 trial in Abidjan, Ivory Coast]. / Causes de fièvre chez des adultes infectés par le VIH-1. Suivi en ambulatoire dans le cadre de l'essai ANRS 059 à Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

OBJECTIVE: Describe the causes of fever in HIV-1 infected adults in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. METHODS: Exhaustive analysis of all the morbid episodes with raise in temperature to above 37.5 degrees C in patients followed-up prospectively, within the framework of the ANRS 059 study from April 1996 to March 1998. RESULTS: One hundred and four patients presented 269 episodes of fever. At the start of these episodes, the mean CD4 count was of 311/mm3, fever had lasted a mean of 3.4 days and mean body temperature was 38.7 degrees C. The 269 episodes lead to 288 diagnoses: 152 specific etiologic diagnoses and 136 non-specific syndrome diagnoses. Community bacterial infections represented 55% of the specific diagnoses, followed by malaria (16%) and tuberculosis (12%). The mean CD4 count during the bacterial episodes was 208/mm3, in malaria 384/mm3 and in tuberculosis 245/mm3. Non-typhi salmonella, pneumococci and Escherischia coli represented 37%, 32%, and 15% respectively of the bacteria isolated. The mean duration between the first and last day of fever was 8.4 days. This time lapse was superior or equal to 30 days in 22 episodes (8%), 50% of which were mycobacterioses (36% tuberculosis and 14% atypic mycobacterioses). Nineteen episodes (7%) lead to death within a mean delay of 58 days. The first cause of death was atypic mycobacteriosis (26%). Death was significantly associated with a CD4 count < 200/mm3 and to prolongation of fever for more than 30 days. CONCLUSION: Other than the frequently described role of tuberculosis in HIV morbidity in sub-Saharian Africa, the role of bacterial diseases, responsible for early death, potentially severe, but curable should be underlined. The diffusion of antibiotic treatment algorithms adapted to the principle clinical syndromes encountered, might improve the treatment of adults infected by HIV consulting in sub-Saharian Africa.

What is the meaning of repeated isolation of Mycobacterium africanum?

Mycobacterium africanum is a member of the tuberculosis complex, together with M. tuberculosis and M. bovis. Its morphological growth is quite different from that of M tuberculosis. It is a causative agent of the same tuberculosis disease, and its precise identification seems important only for epidemiological purposes. We report here the repetitive isolation of 17 M. africanum strains (among 321 TB complex strains) during a national primary resistance survey in C te d'Ivoire in 1995. All of the M. africanum strains were isolated in four regions located in the same geographical area. They showed biochemical heterogeneity yielding three patterns, none of which was specific to one region. Molecular analysis by RFLP for 14 strains showed identical patterns for four strains, two by two, and a clustering of 62-77% homology for eight of the 14 strains (57%). This report confirms that M. africanum is less frequent than M. tuberculosis. Its repeated isolation may reflect inter-human transmission. Biochemical similarities between strains may not always be associated with a common geographical origin.

6-month efficacy, tolerance, and acceptability of a short regimen of oral zidovudine to reduce vertical transmission of HIV in breastfed children in Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso: a double-blind placebo-controlled multicentre trial. DITRAME Study Group. DIminution de la Transmission Mère-Enfant.

BACKGROUND: Zidovudine reduces the rate of vertical transmission of HIV in non-breastfed populations. We assessed the acceptability, tolerance, and 6-month efficacy of a short regimen of oral zidovudine in African populations practising breastfeeding. METHODS: A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial was carried out in public clinics of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, and Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. Eligible participants were women aged 18 years or older, who had confirmed HIV-1 infection and pregnancy of 36-38 weeks duration, and who gave written informed consent. Exclusion criteria were severe anaemia, neutropenia, abnormal liver function, and sickle-cell disease. Women were randomly assigned zidovudine (n=214; 300 mg twice daily until labour, 600 mg at beginning of labour, and 300 mg twice daily for 7 days post partum) or matching placebo (n=217). The primary outcome was the diagnosis of HIV-1 infection in the infant on the basis of sequential DNA PCR tests at days 1-8, 45, 90, and 180. We compared the probability of infection at a given age in the two groups. Analyses were by intention to treat. FINDINGS: Women were enrolled between September, 1995, and February, 1998, when enrolment to the placebo group was stopped. Analysis was based on 421 women and 400 lifeborn infants. Baseline demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics were similar in the two groups. The Kaplan-Meier probability of HIV infection in the infant at 6 months was 18.0% in the zidovudine group (n=192) and 27.5% in the placebo group (n=197; relative efficacy 0.38 [95% CI 0.05-0.60]; p=0.027). Adjustment for centre, period of recruitment, mode of delivery, maternal CD4-cell count, duration of labour, prolonged rupture of membranes, and duration of breastfeeding did not change the treatment effect. The proportions of women taking more than 80% of the planned maximum dose were 75% before delivery, 81% during labour, and 83% post partum, without statistical difference between the groups. No major adverse biological or clinical event was reported in excess among women and children of the zidovudine group. INTERPRETATION: A short course of oral zidovudine given during the peripartum period is well accepted and well tolerated, and provides a 38% reduction in early vertical transmission of HIV-1 infection despite breastfeeding.

Early chemoprophylaxis with trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole for HIV-1-infected adults in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire: a randomised trial. Cotrimo-CI Study Group.

BACKGROUND: In sub-Saharan Africa, various bacterial diseases occur before pneumocystosis or toxoplasmosis in the course of HIV-1 infection, and are major causes of morbidity and mortality. We did a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial at community-health centres in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, to assess the efficacy of trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole) chemoprophylaxis at early stages of HIV-1 infection. METHOD: 843 HIV-infected patients were screened and 545 enrolled in the study. Eligible adults (with HIV-1 or HIV-1 and HIV-2 dual seropositivity at stages 2 or 3 of the WHO staging system) received co-trimoxazole chemoprophylaxis (trimethoprim 160 mg, sulphamethoxazole 800 mg) daily or a matching placebo. The primary outcome was the occurrence of severe clinical events, defined as death or hospital admission irrespective of the cause. Analyses were by intention to treat. FINDINGS: Four of the randomised patients were excluded (positive for HIV-2 only). 120 severe events occurred among 271 patients in the co-trimoxazole group and 198 among 270 in the placebo group. Significantly fewer patients in the co-trimoxazole group than in the placebo group had at least one severe event (84 vs 124); the probability of remaining free of severe events was 63.7% versus 45.8% (hazard ratio 0.57 [95% CI 0.43-0.75], p=0.0001) and the benefit was apparent in all subgroups of initial CD4-cell count. Survival did not differ between the groups (41 vs 46 deaths, p=0.51). Co-trimoxazole was generally well tolerated though moderate neutropenia occurred in 62 patients (vs 26 in the placebo group). INTERPRETATION: Patients who might benefit from co-trimoxazole could be recruited on clinical criteria in community clinics without knowing the patients CD4-cell count. This affordable measure will enable quick public-health intervention, while monitoring bacterial susceptibility and haematological tolerance.

Efficacy of trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole prophylaxis to decrease morbidity and mortality in HIV-1-infected patients with tuberculosis in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: There is a high incidence of opportunistic infection among HIV-1-infected patients with tuberculosis in Africa and, consequently, high mortality. We assessed the safety and efficacy of trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole 800 mg/160 mg (co-trimoxazole) prophylaxis in prevention of such infections and in decrease of morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Between October, 1995, and April, 1998, we enrolled 771 HIV-1 seropositive and HIV-1 and HIV-2 dually seroreactive patients who had sputum-smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (median age 32 years [range 18-64], median CD4-cell count 317 cells/microL) attending Abidjan's four largest outpatient tuberculosis treatment centres. Patients were randomly assigned one daily tablet of co-trimoxazole (n=386) or placebo (n=385) 1 month after the start of a standard 6-month tuberculosis regimen. We assessed adherence to study drug and tolerance monthly for 5 months and every 3 months thereafter, as well as rates of admission to hospital. FINDINGS: Rates of laboratory and clinical adverse events were similar in the two groups. 51 patients in the co-trimoxazole group (13.8/100 person-years) and 86 in the placebo group (25.4/100 person-years) died (decrease In risk 46% [95% CI 23-62], p<0.001). 29 patients on co-trimoxazole (8.2/100 person-years) and 47 on placebo (15.0/100 person-years) were admitted to hospital at least once after randomisation (decrease 43% [10-64]), p=0.02). There were significantly fewer admissions for septicaemia and enteritis in the co-trimoxazole group than in the placebo group. INTERPRETATION: In HIV-1-infected patients with tuberculosis, daily co-trimoxazole prophylaxis was well tolerated and significantly decreased mortality and hospital admission rates. Our findings may have important implications for improvement of clinical care for such patients in Africa.

Vaginal douching: association with lower genital tract infections in African pregnant women.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Douching, a common practice, could further increase the risk of genital infections. GOAL OF THIS STUDY: To describe douching practices in pregnant women and to evaluate associations with lower genital tract infections. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. RESULTS: Among 552 women included, douching before consultation was reported by 97% and was common practice for 98%. Intravaginal drying agents were used by 10%. Genital warts were less frequent for women who usually douched (p = 0.015). U. urealyticum infection was associated with douching and with the use of intravaginal agents. Diagnosis of genital infections was independent of douching with water or soap, but chlamydial infection was associated with douching with antiseptics, used by 14% of the women (p = 0.036). HIV infection was two times more frequent in women using antiseptics (p = 0.17). CONCLUSION: The study confirms the widespread practice of douching in African pregnant women. The harmful effects of antiseptics need to be substantiated.

Safety and acceptability of vaginal disinfection with benzalkonium chloride in HIV infected pregnant women in west Africa: ANRS 049b phase II randomized, double blinded placebo controlled trial. DITRAME Study Group.

OBJECTIVES: To study the tolerance and acceptability in Africa of a perinatal intervention to prevent vertical HIV transmission using benzalkonium chloride disinfection. DESIGN: A randomized, double blinded phase II trial. SETTING: Prenatal care units in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire) and Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso). PATIENTS: Women accepting testing and counselling who were seropositive for HIV-1 and under 37 weeks of pregnancy were eligible. A total of 108 women (54 in each group) enrolled from November 1996 to April 1997, with their informed consent. INTERVENTION: Women self administered daily a vaginal suppository of 1% benzalkonium chloride or matched placebo from 36 weeks of pregnancy, and a single intrapartum dose. The neonate was bathed with 1% benzalkonium chloride solution or placebo within 30 minutes after birth. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Adverse events were recorded weekly, with a questionnaire and speculum examination in women through delivery, and examination of the neonate through day 30. The incidence of genital signs and symptoms in the women and cutaneous or ophthalmological events in newborns were compared between groups on an intent to treat basis. RESULTS: The median duration of prepartum treatment was 21 days (range 0-87 days). Compliance was 87% for prepartum and 69% for intrapartum treatment, and 88% for the neonatal bath, without differences between the two groups. In women, the most frequent event was leucorrhoea; the incidence of adverse events did not differ between treatment groups. In children, the incidence of dermatitis and conjunctivitis did not differ between the benzalkonium chloride and placebo groups (p = 0.16 and p = 0.29, respectively). CONCLUSION: Vaginal disinfection with benzalkonium chloride is a feasible and well tolerated intervention in west Africa. Its efficacy in preventing vertical HIV transmission remains to be demonstrated.

Oropharyngeal candidiasis in AIDS patients from Abidjan (Ivory Coast): antifungal susceptibilities and multilocus enzyme electrophoresis analysis of Candida albicans isolates.

Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MEE) and in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing were used to investigate the Candida albicans strain diversity in twenty nine AIDS patients from Abidjan (Ivory Coast). All patients were monitored for a first episode of oropharyngeal candidiasis and were randomly clustered into three groups of therapy: ketoconazole, amphotericin B or nystatin. Oral swabs were collected before every treatment, 14 and 30 days after the initiation of the therapy; a total of 67 isolates were investigated. No resistant or less susceptible isolate to any antifungal agent was found despite the emergence of clinical relapses, mainly for patients treated with nystatin or amphotericin B. The MEE analysis revealed 27 different electrophoretic types (ETs). Genetic distances between ETs were statistically analyzed and represented on a dendrogram. The 27 ETs clustered into three groups; in each group, ETs represented variants of the same strain. A segregation of the C. albicans isolates seemed to be as a function of the serotype.