[Family form of isolated left ventricular noncompaction; case of a mother and her son observed in Gabon]. / Forme familiale de la non compaction isolée du ventricule gauche ; cas d'une mère et de son fils observés au Gabon.

We describe a case report of a young Gabonese lady who presented an acute pulmonary oedema and we suspected a paripartum cardiomyopathy. Subsequent investigations showed isolated left ventricular noncompaction. A few months later, the same disease was disclosed at her 9 year-old son who presented a cardiac insufficiency. Therefore, we suspect a family form of left ventricular noncompaction. And it is the first description in subsaharan Africa. The hereditary character of this new form of cardiomyopathy linked to a genetic mutation on the X chromosome is well known. This disease is associated with heart failure, high incidence of systemic thromboembolism complications or ventricular arrhythmia. The echocardiography and the cardiac magnetic resonance imaging has been reported to be tools for diagnosis. In Africa, access to these techniques remains a privilege. So the discovery of illness is often late and the family screening are special. In our area, the therapeutic management is the medical treatment of heart failure. Implatable cardioverter defibrillator or heart transplantation are not available. So long-term prognosis of our patients with congestive heart failure stays poor. With best equipment in our hospitals and good training of African cardiologists, we should improve the management of our patients.

Type 1 wild poliovirus and putative enterovirus 109 in an outbreak of acute flaccid paralysis in Congo, October-November 2010.

An outbreak of flaccid paralysis syndrome in adults is ongoing in Congo. Molecular analysis of faecal, throat and cerebrospinal samples identified wildtype 1 poliovirus and an additional enterovirus C strain related to enterovirus 109 as the cause. As of 22 November, the cumulative number of cases was 409, of which 169 (41.3%) were fatal. This is one of the largest wild type 1 poliovirus outbreaks ever described associated with an unusually high case fatality rate.

[Serological study on toxoplasmosis among pregnant women from Franceville, Gabon]. / Etude sérologique de la toxoplasmosechez les femmes enceintes de Franceville, Gabon.

The serological prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii was studied among 839 pregnant women in two hospitals from Franceville (Gabon), between May 2007 and December 2007. Specific T gondii IgG and IgM were measured by Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA). Datation of the infection was carried out by avidity test. Fifty-six percent of women in this study were immunised compare to the 71% who were found as immunised in a previous study carried out fifteen years ago. 2.6% were found to be IgM positive. However, from the avidity test it was found that these infections occurred before pregnancy contact with cats and age increase this prevalence. The lack of information for pregnant women, the lack of continuous training for health personnel and lack of awareness about interpretation of laboratory diagnostic tests like avidity test in these hospitals reduce the level of counselling for women about T gondii.

[Hematological abnormalities associated with pulmonary tuberculosis in persons living with human immunodeficiency virus infection in Côte d'Ivoire]. / Anomalies hématologiques au cours de la tuberculose pulmonaire chez les personnes vivant avec le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine en Côte d'Ivoire.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the impact of HIV infection on hematological abnormalities detected during pulmonary tuberculosis in African adults. The charts of all patients over 14 years in whom diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis was confirmed by bacilloscopy and a hemogram was performed were reviewed. Thoracic radiography demonstrated unilateral and bilateral lesions. Two parallel mixed ELISA HIV tests were performed. A total of 98 patients with a mean age of 39 years were included in study. The male/female sex ratio was 0.88. HIV seroprevalence was 65%. Hemograms showed anemia in 95% of cases, leucopenia in 20%, neutropenia in 35%, lymphopenia in 42%, and thrombopenia in 3%. No correlation was found with type of lung disease. Anemia (p = 0.001), leucopenia (p = 0.01) and thrombopenia (p = 0.001) were more extensive in HIV-infected patients. Hematological abnormalities were multiform. Cytopenia was the most frequent disorder and was positively correlated with HIV infection.

[Demyelinating cerebral lesions in an immunocompetent HIV-1 patient]. / Lésions cérébrales démyélinisantes découvertes chez un patient immunocompétent VIH-1+.

We report the case of a 32-year-old immunocompetent HIV patient, presenting with acute demyelinating leukoencephalopathy. The patient displayed clinical and radiological features similar to multiple sclerosis. Histology revealed inflammation with necrosis, demyelination and destruction of axons. Serum tests were negative for various infectious agents as well as specific cultures and PCR. Corticotherapy and many antibiotic treatments failed. Resorption of the lesions occurred after partial excision and highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). No recurrence was noted. This demyelinating cerebral disease was considered as the primary manifestation of HIV infection. HIV implication in the genesis of the process and its perpetuating this condition was suspected, but the mechanism is unclear. Dysimmune consequences related to the early course of HIV infection could be prevented by antiretroviral treatment. This study was the first description of tritherapy effectiveness on HIV related multiple sclerosis (MS)-like illness.

[Surgical treatment of spondylolisthesis in Gabon]. / Traitement chirurgical du spondylolisthésis au Gabon.

PURPOSE: Spondylolisthesis is a spinal disease revealed by lombalgia and/or lombosciatalgia, which may persist under medical treatment and physiotherapy. Indications for surgery are impairing symptoms and emergency conditions. We report outcome in 21 patients (14 women, 7 men, aged from 30 to 60 years old) who underwent surgery for isthmic (n = 10) and degenerative (n = 11) spondylolisthesis. Radiographic staging was: I in seven patients, II in ten, and III in four. METHOD: Many techniques were used: simple laminectomy (n = 4), Gill's operation (n = 4), Lapras' technique (n = 4), and Roy-Camille instrumentation (n = 9). RESULTS: Immediate and long-term postoperative follow-up of sixteen patients confirm good results: excellent outcome in eleven patients, good in four, and fair in one. CONCLUSION: Considering social and economic factors, we prefer Lapras' technique which provides very satisfactory results.

[Epidemiology of childhood tuberculosis in Libreville, Gabon from 1997 to 2001]. / Epidémiologie de la tuberculose infantile au Centre Antituberculeux de Libreville de 1997 a 2001.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the epidemiological features of tuberculosis patients under the age of 15 years treated at the Tuberculosis Control Center in Libreville, Gabon from 1997 to 2001 as a basis for improving management. Study criteria included age, sex, BCG vaccination status, social level, type of tuberculosis, HIV status and outcome of treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using EPI INFO software. The childhood tuberculosis rate was 9% with a sex ratio of 1.02 and the most common age group was 0 to 4 years. Three fourths of children were from poor zones and 90% had received BCG vaccination. The incidence of tuberculosis did not increase from year to year. The location of tuberculosis was pulmonary in 77% of cases (n=433) and extrapulmonary in 23% (n=129). No case involving meningitis or miliary disease was observed. Sputum bacilloscopy was positive in 21% of cases involving pulmonary tuberculosis and HIV serology was positive in 4.4% of children tested. The success rate was 54%. Tuberculosis-related mortality was 0.7% but 37% of children were lost from follow-up. Efforts to control tuberculoses by screening children exposed to bacilliferous conditions and vaccinating newborns must be continued. Treatment for tuberculosis must be given free of charge and under medical supervision as recommended by the World Health Organization.

Epidemiologie de la tuberculose infantile au Centre Antituberculeux de Libreville de 1997-2001

Nous avons realise une etude retrospective pour determiner les caracteristiques epidemiologiques des patients tuberculeux de moins de 15 ans suivis au Centre antituberculeux de Libreville de 1997 a 2001 afin d'en ameliorer la prise en charge. Les donnees reprenaient l'age; le sexe; la notion de BCG; le statut social; le type de maladie tuberculeuse; le statut VIH et l'issue du traitement. L'analyse statistique a ete faite grace au logiciel Epi Info. La tuberculose concernait 9d'enfants avec un sex ratio de 1.02 ; la tranche d'age de 0 a 4 ans etait la plus atteinte. Trois quarts des enfants provenaient des zones defavorisees et 90etaient vaccines par le BCG. L'incidence de la tuberculose n'augmente pas d'une annee a l'autre. Nous avons determine 77(n= 433) de tuberculose pulmonaire et 23(n= 129) d'extra pulmonaire. Aucune meningite ni miliaire n'a ete retrouvee. La bacilloscopie etait positive dans 21des cas de tuberculose pulmonaire et la serologie VIH positive chez 4;4des enfants testes. Le taux de succes est de 54; la mortalite imputable a la tuberculose de 0;7; et 37des enfants suivis sont perdus de vue. Le depistage des enfants doit etre poursuivi autour des cas bacilliferes; de meme que la vaccination chez le nouveau-ne. Le traitement antitu- berculeux doit etre gratuit et supervise comme recommande par l'Organisation Mondiale de la Sante

[Multiple Ebola virus haemorrhagic fever outbreaks in Gabon, from October 2001 to April 2002]. / Plusieurs epidémies de fièvre hémorragique due au virus Ebola au Gabon, d'octobre 2001 a avril 2002.

Outbreaks of Ebola virus haemorrhagic fever have been reported from 1994 to 1996 in the province of Ogooué Ivindo, a forest zone situated in the Northeast of Gabon. Each time, the great primates had been identified as the initial source of human infection. End of November 2001 a new alert came from this province, rapidly confirmed as a EVHV outbreak. The response was given by the Ministry of Health with the help of an international team under the aegis of WHO. An active monitoring system was implemented in the three districts hit by the epidemic (Zadié, Ivindo and Mpassa) to organize the detection of cases and their follow-up. A case definition has been set up, the suspected cases were isolated at hospital, at home or in lazarets and serological tests were performed. These tests consisted of the detection of antigen or specific IgG and the RT-PCR. A classification of cases was made according to the results of biological tests, clinical and epidemiological data. The contact subjects were kept watch over for 21 days. 65 cases were recorded among which 53 deaths. The first human case, a hunter died on the 28th of October 2001. The epidemic spreads over through family transmission and nosocomial contamination. Four distinct primary foci have been identified together with an isolated case situated in the South East of Gabon, 580 km away from the epicenter. Deaths happened within a delay of 6 days. The last death has been recorded on the 22nd of March 2002 and the end of the outbreak was declared on the 6th of May 2002. The epidemic spreads over the Gabon just next. Unexplained deaths of animals had been mentionned in the nearby forests as soon as August 2001: great primates and cephalophus. Samples taken from their carcasses confirmed a concomitant animal epidemic.

[HIV seroprevalence among tuberculosis patients in Nkembo Hospital, Libreville, Gabon. Short note]. / Séroprévalence du VIH au sein des tuberculeux de l'hôpital de Nkembo à Libreville, Gabon.

There are nearly 31,000 HIV infected patients in Gabon. In Libreville, the capital, the prevalence is estimated at 7.7%. About 2627 tuberculosis patients, all types included, have been notified in 2001 to the World Health Organization of which 43% of smear positive new cases. The co-infection HIV-TB worsens the overall prognosis of our patients. The objective of our study is to determine the HIV seroprevalence among our tuberculosis patients. It is a cross-sectional study conducted between June 25th and August 31th 2001. All patients are new or relapse tuberculosis cases. There is no difference between the types of tuberculosis. The diagnosis was clinical, radiological and based on smear AFB sputum (according to the Ziehl Neelsen method). The patients agreed orally for HIV testing. We made two tests: a rapid one followed by Elisa if positive. 358 patients were examined among them 141 women and 217 men. The M/F sex ratio was 1.53 and the average age 32 years. Proportion of new patients reached 61%. Ninety seven per cent of patients suffered from a pulmonary tuberculosis, 58% smear positive and 26% were HIV-1 positive. According to this status, no statistical difference was notified towards sex, types of disease or patients and the smear sputum results.

[Isolated case of haemorrhagic fever observed in Gabon during the 2002 outbreak of Ebola but distant from epidemic zones]. / Cas isolé de fièvre hémorragique survenu au gabon en 2002 pendant l'epidémie d'ebola mais distant des régions epidémiques.

During the last outbreak of Ebola virus haemorrhagic fever that occurred concurrently in Gabon and Congo, several primary foci were identified in the Ogooue Ivindo province (Northeast Gabon), where previous outbreaks had occurred. A 48-year-old woman living in Franceville located 580 Km from the epicentre presented fever with haemorrhagic signs. She was evacuated to Libreville where Ebola infection was suspected. Diagnosis was confirmed at the Centre International de Recherches Médicales of Franceville on the basis of detection of specific antibodies. Symptoms had already subsided by the time diagnosis was documented. An epidemiological investigation was undertaken to identify the source of contamination and detect secondary cases. No human or nonhuman primate source of contamination could be formally identified. Direct contact with the virus reservoir could not be ruled out. No secondary cases were detected. The favourable outcome, absence of secondary, and failure to identify a source of contamination suggest that epidemiologically undefined cases may go unnoticed during and outside of outbreaks.

[Identification of factors influencing the response of antiretroviral treatment]. / Identification de facteurs influençant la réponse à un traitement antirétroviral combiné.

OBJECTIVE: The authors had an aim to define the ideal patient profile by determining the factors responsible for an initial variation of CD4 lymphocytes and viral load, and the effect of these factors on the therapeutic response after 12 months of treatment in HIV infected patients. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A retrospective study was made on data concerning the clinical stage, the HIV phenotype strain, the therapeutic status, and the type of treatment. This data was compared to the CD4 count and the viral load before and after 12 months of treatment. RESULTS: Initially, CD4 lymphocytes values were low in case of: phenotype SI (p = 0.012), patient in clinical stage C (p < 0.0001), or treated with protease inhibitor (p < 0.0002). The viral loads were high for patients in stage C (p < 0.0002) and treated with protease inhibitor (p < 0.0001). After 12 months of treatment, the increase of CD4 count was lower in patients with phenotype SI (p = 0.05). Furthermore, the viral load was statistically more important in naive patient (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: According to our study, the ideal patient is naive and presents with phenotype NSI.

[Practical guidelines for the management of Ebola infected patients in the field]. / Recommandations pratiques pour la prise en charge sur le terrain des patients infectés par le virus Ebola.

Ebola hemorrhagic fever appears after an incubation of 3 days to 3 weeks. The first symptoms are fever accompanied by general and hemorrhagic signs leading to death in 50 to 90% of cases. During epidemics definition of cases permits prompt diagnosis. Due to the high risk of person-to-person and nosocomial transmission associated with Ebola hemorrhagic fever, management is based on isolation of patients and institution of protected care. Hands and soiled material are often decontaminated using sodium hypochlorite. Patient waste is decontaminated and incinerated. Treatment is essentially supportive. There is currently no vaccine available. Persons having been in close contact with patient should be kept under medical surveillance for 21 days. Recovering patients should use condoms for three months. Bodies of deceased patients should be handled by trained teams and buried quickly.

[Management of HIV infected patients. Experience of the Liege University Hospital Center]. / Prise en charge des patients infectés par le VIH. Expérience du CHU de Liège.

We present data from 112 patients followed in the Infectious Diseases Unit of the Liege University Hospital (CHU Sart-Tilman). The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on surrogate immunological and virological parameters. The study also aimed at determining the prevalence of opportunistic infections and iatrogenic metabolical abnormalities in the era of HAART. Data from HIV infected patients under combined treatment were collected from March 1996 till July 1999. The follow-up focused on the variation of the CD4 cell counts and viral load, and the occurrence of opportunistic infections. The average age was 39 +/- 10 years and the sex ratio (M/F) was 2.3. At baseline, the CD4 count was 352 +/- 244/mm3 and the viral load was 4.1 +/- 1.2 log. After 12 months, the CD4 cells were at 540 +/- 374 and the viral load at 2.5 +/- 1.5 log. This favourable outcome was observed in 70% of patients (naive and experienced). Clinically, patients in therapeutic success presented few opportunistic infections, but many drugs related toxicity. Our data demonstrate the efficiency of combined treatment in the management of HIV infected patients. However, the apparition of toxicity problems could limit the benefit brought by these drugs.

[Still's disease in the adult]. / La maladie de Still de l'adulte.

The Adult Onset Still's Disease (AOSD) is an entity of unknown origin characterised by fever, polyarthralgias or polyarthritis, a pharyngitis, a cutaneous eruption and elevation of leucocytes. We present observations of 17 patients diagnosed during the last thirteen years. Files of hospitalized patients with suspected AOSD have been examined in a retrospective study and Yamaguchi and Kahn's criterias applied in order to confirm the diagnosis. Treatments undertaken and the evolution have been noted. The sex ratio is 1.83; the middle age of intervening from 42 to 45 years. The middle delay for the diagnosis is 3 to 8 weeks. Fever, eruption and polyarthralgias are the most frequent clinical signs. Elevation of leucocytes, hepatic cytolysis and hyperferritinemia are usual. Constantly, inflammatory tests are increased and the rheumatoid factor and the antinuclear antibodies are negative. Yamaguchi's criterias have been met by all patients. The non steroïd anti-inflammatory drugs and corticoïds constituted the main treatment. In the evolutionary shield, 6 cases of remission have been noted. The other patients evolved toward the chronicity with either a systemic or an articular shape. In the two situations, a state of corticodependance got settled with necessity of association to immunosuppressive drugs. The diagnosis of AOSD is easily done on basis of Yamaguchi's criterias. Corticoïds can permit to control the bouts. There are 3 types of evolution: remission, chronic systemic or chronic articular shape.

[Morphological and metabolic abnormalities related to antiretroviral therapy]. / Les anomalies morphologiques et métaboliques liées aux traitements antirétroviraux.

The long term use of antiretroviral therapy is associated with metabolic and morphological abnormalities named lipodystrophy. The understanding of its epidemiology is in progress. NRTIs and Pls are involved in the origin of these abnormalities. So, NRTIs inhibit mitochondrial gamma polymerase and induce body fat distribution disorders. PIs interfere with lipid metabolism, leading to hyperlipidaemia and insulin resistance symptomatology. The diagnosis is made by clinical (far wasting or accumulation, or mixed syndrome) and biological signs (hyperlipidaemia, hyperglycaemia, hyperlactacidaemia). Radiological exams can quantify morphological abnormalities. The management consists in drug substitution, diet and exercise, and corrective drugs. Plastic surgery can be useful.

HIV-associated hematologic disorders are correlated with plasma viral load and improve under highly active antiretroviral therapy.

The relationship between HIV-1 replication and hematologic parameters was examined in two separate studies. The first study was a cross-sectional evaluation of 207 untreated patients. In this study, the proportion of patients with hematologic disorders increased with disease progression. There was a significant inverse correlation between HIV-1 plasma viral load and all hematologic values (r = -0.266 to -0.331). The second study was a longitudinal evaluation of patients on combination antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with hematologic alterations before treatment ( N = 27 with platelets <150,000/microl, 24 with hemoglobin <12 g/dl, 36 with neutrophils <2000/microl and 29 with leukocytes <3000/microl). Samples were analyzed every 3 months for 2 years. At 2 years, >50% of patients experienced a sustained virologic response, with viral loads <500 RNA copies/ml. Hematologic reconstitution occurred progressively for all blood cell lineages and became statistically significant after the sixth month of therapy ( p <.001). Mean values increased from 110 to 180 x 10(3)/microl for platelets, from 10.7 to 12.3 g/dl for hemoglobin (stabilizing finally at 11.4 g/dl), from 1,260 to 2,240/microl for neutrophils, and from 2,260 to 3,600/microl for leukocytes. In conclusion, hematologic disorders are corrected by combination antiretroviral therapy. This suggests a causative role of HIV-1 in hematologic disorders.