Site readiness assessment preceding the implementation of a HIV care and treatment electronic medical record system in Kenya.

INTRODUCTION: Electronic medical record (EMR) systems can yield many benefit; however, facilities need to meet certain requirements before they are able to successfully implement an EMR. We evaluated the feasibility and utility of conducting EMR readiness assessments (ERAs) to assess readiness of public facilities in Kenya for deployment of an EMR. METHOD: I-TECH supported the Ministry of Health to deploy KenyaEMR, an HIV/AIDS care and treatment EMR developed using the OpenMRS platform, at over 300 healthcare facilities in Kenya. The ERA tool was designed to assess site readiness for KenyaEMR deployment. The assessments measured health facility internal environment in terms of available resources, security, technical infrastructure, and leadership buy-in and support from MOH and stakeholders for EMR implementation. RESULTS: From September 2012 to September 2014, a total of 381facilities received at least one ERA. Of these, 343facilities were rated as highly or moderately prepared to adopt an EMR system and proceeded to EMR deployment. 61% of these sites were set up to implement KenyaEMR at point of care, while 39% were set up to implement KenyaEMR for retrospective data entry. Across 38facilities not implemented with an EMR, common reasons that prevented the implementation were lack of reliable power, security issues such as lack of grills on the windows and un-lockable doors, and existence of another EMR system at the site. CONCLUSIONS: ERAs conducted in a single day site visit were feasible and were instrumental in determining facilities' EMR implementation decision. Performing ERAs stimulated engagement of facility-level personnel to cultivate a fertile environment for EMR adoption and ownership. The assessments further assisted in resource mobilization, remediation of barriers to deployment, and increased buy-in from Ministry of Health leadership to support EMR implementation work.

Evaluation of the TB-LAMP assay for the rapid diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in Northern India.

SETTING: A tertiary care hospital in North India. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a commercial kit-based loop-mediated isothermal amplification (TB-LAMP) assay for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). DESIGN: A total of 530 patients presenting with PTB symptoms were enrolled and one sputum sample was collected from each patient. The TB-LAMP assay (Loopamp™ MTBC Detection kit) was performed on the raw sputum sample. The remaining sample was used for smear microscopy and mycobacterial culture. A cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT, Xpert® MTB/RIF assay) was also performed on the processed pellet. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of the TB-LAMP assay in culture-positive samples obtained from 453 patients presenting with PTB symptoms (77 specimens were excluded) were respectively 100% (95%CI 94.7-100) and 99.2% (95%CI 97.8-99.8). The sensitivity and specificity of Xpert in culture-positive samples were respectively 82.6% (95%CI 71.5-90.6) and 94.9% (95%CI 92.2-96.8). A concordance of 0.75 was obtained between the two NAATs (TB-LAMP assay and Xpert) using the κ statistic. CONCLUSION: The TB-LAMP assay showed high sensitivity and specificity with limited requirement of testing infrastructure, and is thus a promising diagnostic tool for TB diagnosis in resource-poor settings.

A national standards-based assessment on functionality of electronic medical records systems used in Kenyan public-Sector health facilities.

BACKGROUND: Variations in the functionality, content and form of electronic medical record systems (EMRs) challenge national roll-out of these systems as part of a national strategy to monitor HIV response. To enforce the EMRs minimum requirements for delivery of quality HIV services, the Kenya Ministry of Health (MoH) developed EMRs standards and guidelines. The standards guided the recommendation of EMRs that met a preset threshold for national roll-out. METHODS: Using a standards-based checklist, six review teams formed by the MoH EMRs Technical Working Group rated a total of 17 unique EMRs in 28 heath facilities selected by individual owners for their optimal EMR implementation. EMRs with an aggregate score of ≥60% against checklist criteria were identified by the MoH as suitable for upgrading and rollout to Kenyan public health facilities. RESULTS: In Kenya, existing EMRs scored highly in health information and reporting (mean score=71.8%), followed by security, system features, core clinical information, and order entry criteria (mean score=58.1%-55.9%), and lowest against clinical decision support (mean score=17.6%) and interoperability criteria (mean score=14.3%). Four EMRs met the 60.0% threshold: OpenMRS, IQ-Care, C-PAD and Funsoft. On the basis of the review, the MoH provided EMRs upgrade plans to owners of all the 17 systems reviewed. CONCLUSION: The standards-based review in Kenya represents an effort to determine level of conformance to the EMRs standards and prioritize EMRs for enhancement and rollout. The results support concentrated use of resources towards development of the four recommended EMRs. Further review should be conducted to determine the effect of the EMR-specific upgrade plans on the other 13 EMRs that participated in the review exercise.

Outbreak of enteric fever due to Salmonella Paratyphi A variety durazzo (2,12:a:-) in a hilly region of North India: A report of 43 cases.

Enteric fever due to Salmonella Paratyphi A (SPA) is a global problem occurring as outbreaks at times. An unusual SPA (2,12:a:-) variety durazzo has been reported rarely. We report an outbreak of enteric fever due to this variety affecting 43 individuals. The blood samples grew unusual mucoid, lactose non-fermenting colonies with atypical biochemical reactions in sugar fermentation and amino acid decarboxylation. Isolates had sensitivity to ceftriaxone, chloramphenical, cotrimoxazole, intermediate susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and resistance to ampicillin and nalidixic acid. Identification was confirmed as SPA (2,12:a:-) at the National Salmonella Centre.

Current spectrum of oculomycosis in North India: A 5-year retrospective evaluation of clinical and microbiological profile.

Oculomycosis is a major cause of visual impairment. Eye pain, redness, discharge, diminution and photophobia are presenting features. We collected corneal scraping, vitreous, aqueous fluids and conjunctival swabs after the slit-lamp examination. Ophthalmological findings were hypopyon, stromal congestion, conjunctival congestion and epithelial defect. Direct microscopy of 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) wet mounts, gram staining, fungal and bacterial cultures were performed. Fungal isolates were obtained in 24% patients with equal number of both sexes and average age 49 years. KOH revealed fungi in 73% samples and 43.33% were positive on Gram staining. Fusarium spp. (36.66%), Aspergillus spp. (23.33%) and melanised fungi (20%) were common etiological agents. Fusarium spp. was more often associated with complications. Trauma was a predisposing factor in 65% cases and occurred mainly with vegetable matter. The majority responded to the conservative management with 5% natamycin and four patients required surgery.

People, Process and Technology: Strategies for Assuring Sustainable Implementation of EMRs at Public-Sector Health Facilities in Kenya.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) rollout of electronic medical record systems (EMRs) has continuously been embraced across health facilities in Kenya since 2012. This has been driven by a government led process supported by PEPFAR that recommended standardized systems for facilities. Various strategies were deployed to assure meaningful and sustainable EMRs implementation: sensitization of leadership; user training, formation of health facility-level multi-disciplinary teams; formation of county-level Technical Working Groups; data migration; routine data quality assessments; point of care adoption; successive release of software upgrades; and power provision. Successes recorded include goodwill and leadership from the county management (22 counties), growth in the number of EMR trained users (2561 health care workers), collaboration in among other things, data migration(90 health facilities completed) and establishment of county TWGs (13 TWGs). Sustenance of EMRs demand across facilities is possible through; county TWGs oversight, timely resolution of users' issues and provision of reliable power.

Apport de la cytoponction dans la prise en charge des tumeurs mammaires: 15 années de pratique du laboratoire de cytologie et d'anatomie pathologique d'une polyclinique d'Abidjan de janvier 2000 à décembre 2014

Introduction : Le cancer du sein fait la gravité des tumeurs mammaires. C'est le cancer le plus fréquent chez la femme dans le monde et qui représente 16 % de l'ensemble des cancers féminins. En Côte d'Ivoire, il occupe le 1er rang chez la femme, suivi du cancer du col de l'utérus. Il représente aujourd'hui un problème majeur de santé publique aussi bien dans nos pays en développement que dans les pays développés. Son diagnostic requiert plusieurs examens dont l'analyse cytologique d'orientation. L'objectif de ce travail était d'évaluer l'apport de la cytoponction mammaire dans la prise en charge de ces tumeurs. Matériel et Méthodes : il s'agit d'une étude transversale rétrospective à visée descriptive et analytique sur une période de 15 ans à la Polyclinique Internationale Sainte Anne Marie(PISAM). Les données ont été recueillies à l'aide d'une fiche d'enquête renfermant les paramètres sociodémographiques et les résultats des différentes analyses. Ces données ont été analysées à l'aide du logiciel Epi-data et le test Khi 2. Résultats : 76 dossiers ont été colligés. L'âge moyen des patients était de 35,96 ans avec des extrêmes de 13 et 71 ans. Le sexe féminin prédominait, 97,4 %. Les nulligestes représentaient 43,4 % des patientes et les nullipares 54 %. Les motifs d'analyse étaient dominés par le nodule mammaire dans 63,2 %. 10,3 % des masses étaient fixées et douloureuses dans 58,5 %. Au plan cytologique, 82,9 % des tumeurs étaient bénignes dominées par l'adénofibrome, 48,4 % et 17,1 % malignes avec 78,6 % d'adénocarcinome. La concordance entre l'examen cytologique et anatomopathologique a été de 95 %. Conclusion : la cytoponction à l'aiguille fine permet une bonne orientation diagnostique des tumeurs mammaires. Cependant, pour une meilleure prise en charge thérapeutique faisant recours au traitement hormonal, elle est de plus en plus remplacée par la microbiopsie qui permet la détection de récepteurs hormonaux spécifiques par la technique de l'immunohistochimie

Cinq années de pratique du frottis conventionnel ou pap test au laboratoire de cytologie et d'anatomie pathologique de la pisam de janvier 2009 à décembre 2013

Introduction : en Côte d'Ivoire comme dans le monde, le cancer du col de l'utérus occupe la deuxième place des cancers féminins après celui du sein. Il constitue un véritable problème de santé publique dans nos régions car le diagnostic se fait souvent à des stades avancés et incurables. Causé par le virus du papillome humain ou HPV, il est guérissable si découvert tôt au stade de lésions précancéreuses.Le dépistage systématique de ces lésions par diverses méthodes est le gage d'une diminution de la mortalité par ce cancer. L'objectif de cette étude était de déterminer l'apport de la cytologie par le Pap test dans le diagnostic des lésions précancéreuses du col de l'utérus. Matériel et Méthodes : Il s'agit d'une étude transversal rétrospective à visée descriptive et diagnostique qui s'était déroulée sur cinq ans à la PISAM (Polyclinique Internationale Sainte Anne Marie) de janvier 2009 à décembre 2013. Le recueil des données s'est fait à partir d'une fiche d'enquête renfermant les données épidémiologiques et cliniques, les résultats du frottis cervical ainsi que ceux de la biopsie cervicale. L'analyse des données a été faite grâce au logiciel EPI-data version 3.1 et au test de FISCHER. Résultats : 804 dossiers ont été retenus. L'analyse épidémiologique a montré que la tranche d'âge concernée par les lésions précancéreuses était comprise entre 36-55 ans. Le dépistage systématique était le principal motif d'examen des patientes, 31,47 %. Les lésions inflammatoires représentaient 75,87 % des résultats des frottis cervicaux, suivies des Frottis cervicaux normaux,21,51 %. Les lésions précancéreuses ne représentaient que 2,62 % des cas. La corrélation cytopathologie- histopathologie faite sur 21 biopsies a été bonne dans 76,67 %. Conclusion : le frottis conventionnel ou Pap test est un bon test dans le dépistage des lésions précancéreuses du col de l'utérus d'où sa vulgarisation qui nécessite la formation de cytopathologistes et de cytotechniciens de qualité. Cependant, le recours à l'examen histopathologique sur biopsie est nécessaire afin de confirmer le diagnostic de lésions précancéreuses

Keratitis by Paecilomyces lilacinus: A case report from Sub-Himalayan region.

Paecilomyces lilacinus is a filamentous fungus found in soil and air, which is a rare cause of ocular infection. The majority of case reports involving P. lilacinus among healthy hosts are of endophthalmitis and keratitis. We report a rare case of keratomycosis by P. lilacinus, in an immunocompetent, which responded well to treatment with ketoconazole. Some species belonging to the genus Paecilomyces such as P. lilacinus generally shows a poor response to conventional antifungal drugs. Therefore, correct identification of clinical isolates to the species level is mandatory for the appropriate treatment of the disease.

A case report of an uncommon phaeoid fungal infection in nasal polyposis and review of literature.

Nasal polyposis is an inflammatory condition of mucous membrane of the nose and paranasal sinuses with unknown aetiology. Massive nasal polyps can obstruct the nasal cavity causing discomfort and lowered quality of life. Thus, aetiological diagnosis is important for treatment, especially in recurrent nasal polyposis. We present a rare case of pansinusitis with bilateral ethmoidal polyps caused by an unusual phaeoid fungus Fonsecaea pedrosoi in a 65-year-old immunocompetent male from a rural background. The diagnosis was made by endoscopic nasal examination; high resolution computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses, detection of fungal hyphae in 10% potassium hydroxide wet mount and culture.

Antimicrobial resistance pattern and in-vitro activity of azithromycin in Salmonella isolates [corrected].

We evaluated antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of 42 Salmonella isolates from February 2012 through January 2013. We also determined the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of azithromycin against Salmonella isolates and compared them with corresponding disc diffusion sizes. Entire 42 isolates were sensitive to chloramphenicol, 41 (97.6%) were sensitive to cotrimoxazole and amoxicillin each. MICs for azithromycin ranged from 2 µg/ml to 24 µg/ml, corresponding zone diameters ranged from 15 mm to 33 mm and the two were significantly correlated (P = 0.001). Our results indicate that whereas, azithromycin is a potential therapeutic option, the sensitivity to the first line drugs and absence of multidrug resistance reinforce the concept of antimicrobial recycling.

Microsporum gypseum dermatophytosis in a patient of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: a rare case report.

Microsporum gypseum, a geophillic dermatophyte is rarely isolated from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. We report tinea corporis due to Microsporum gypseum, an uncommon aetiological agent, in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome from our region. The clinical presentation resembled psoriasis characterised by atypical, scaly and hyperkeratotic lesions.

Microbiological aspects of peritonitis in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

The objective of the study was to identify the microbiological spectrum and drug-sensitivity pattern of peritonitis in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. This was a prospective study done over a period of a year-and-a-half at a tertiary-care hospital in a hilly state of India. The effluent dialysate bags from 36 consecutive patients with peritonitis were studied. One hunderd ml dialysate fluid was processed under aseptic conditions by lysis centrifugation method. Microscopy and culture was done from the deposits for bacteriological, fungal, and mycobacterial isolates. They were identified by colony morphology and their biochemical reactions. Drug susceptibility testing was done by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. In 36 dialysates, 33 (91.6%) dialysates were culture-positive and in 3 (8.4%), the culture was negative. A total of 36 microorganisms were isolated in 33 cultures. Among the 36 microorganisms, 19 (52.8%) isolates were gram-positive, 10 (27.8%) were gram-negative, 5 (13.9%) were fungi, and 2 (5.6%) were mycobacterial isolates. All gram-positive organisms were sensitive to ampicillin, amoxi-clavulanic acid, cefazolin, clindamycin, and vancomycin. Neither a methicillin-resistant Staphylococci aureus nor a vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus was isolated in gram-positive isolates. Gram-negative organisms were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, cefepime, gentamicin, piperacillin-tazobactam and imipenem. One of the gram-negative isolate was an extended spectrum beta-lactamase producer. Gram-positive peritonitis was more frequent than gram-negative peritonitis in our continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients. Mycobacterial causes were responsible for peritonitis in patients with culture-negative peritonitis which was not responding to the conventional antimicrobial therapy.

Neonatal listeriosis: a case report from sub-Himalayas.

Perinatal listerial infection is the most common clinical syndrome caused by Listeria monocytogenes and includes abortion, still birth, neonatal sepsis, and meningitis. Reports of listeriosis from India are limited. Sub Himalayan . We report a case of neonatal listeriosis from Himachal Pradesh. A two-day-old full term male baby was referred from a peripheral hospital with fever listlessness, skin rash and non-acceptance of feed. Ceftriaxone was already started as an empirical therapy. Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood of the baby, and also from the genital tract of the mother. Unfortunately, the baby died before the preliminary report could be communicated.

Emerging Salmonella Paratyphi A enteric fever and changing trends in antimicrobial resistance pattern of salmonella in Shimla.

This retrospective study incorporates a six years, six months (January 2000-June 2006) laboratory data comprising 258 isolates of Salmonella. Cultures were identified by standard methods. Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi (S.Typhi) was the more frequent serotype isolated i.e., 61.62% with the remaining 38.37% being Salmonella enterica serotype Paratyphi A (S. Paratyphi A). There was emergence of S. Paratyphi A as the predominant serotype in 2003-2004 with resurgence of serotype Typhi thereon. A total of 66.27% isolates were resistant to one or more antibiotics. MDR S. Typhi was 10.69% and while 13.13% were MDR S. Paratyphi A. There was decrease in resistance to ampicillin, cotrimoxazole in 2004 and nalidixic acid beyond 2005 and increase in resistance to cefuroxime. We also documented a decrease in resistance to ciprofloxacin after 2005.

Fusion of a cell penetrating peptide from HIV-1 TAT to the Theileria parva antigen Tp2 enhances the stimulation of bovine CD8+ T cell responses.

Immunity to the bovine apicomplexan parasite Theileria parva is associated with MHC-I restricted CD8+ T cell responses directed against the intralymphocytic schizont stage of the parasite. A number of schizont-stage antigens that are targets of CD8+ T cell responses from immune animals have been identified but an effective delivery strategy that consistently induces protective CD8+ T cell responses remains to be developed. This study aimed to determine whether fusing Tat, a cell penetrating peptide (CPP) from HIV-1 TAT, to a CD8+ T cell target antigen from T. parva (Tp2) enhances the cytosolic delivery and subsequent stimulation of bovine CD8+ T cell responses in vitro. Using IFN-gamma ELISpot and cytotoxicity assays, it was demonstrated that recombinant Tat-Tp2 fusion protein possessed a superior ability to access MHC-I processing and presentation pathway and to stimulate CD8+ T cell responses compared to recombinant Tp2 protein. Exposure of APC to Tat-Tp2 protein for only 30 min was sufficient for protein uptake and stimulation of CD8+ T cells. This work describes for the first time the utility of a CPP to enhance MHC-I presentation in a veterinary species and supports the evaluation of CPP fusion proteins in the induction of CD8+ T cell responses in vivo.