ABSTRACT
A high prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus (HCV) infections has been reported among specific patient groups in Libya; a survey was thus designed to determine the extent of the problem at the national level. A multi-stage sampling design covering all administrative areas of Libya was applied, covering > 65,000 individuals of all age groups. All subjects gave a blood sample and completed a questionnaire on demographic and risk behaviour data. The prevalence of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV were 2.2% and 1.3% respectively. The prevalence of anti-HCV increased with age, rising gradually after age 30 years, in contrast to a stable prevalence of HBsAg in all age groups 10+ years. Age-adjusted risk factors for HCV infection were previous hospitalization, surgical operations, previous blood transfusions and intravenous drug use; for HBV infection only family exposure or contact with HBV case were identified.
Subject(s)
Hepatitis B/epidemiology , Hepatitis C/epidemiology , Substance Abuse, Intravenous/complications , Surgical Procedures, Operative/adverse effects , Transfusion Reaction , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Hepatitis B/blood , Hepatitis B/transmission , Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/blood , Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/immunology , Hepatitis C/blood , Hepatitis C/transmission , Hepatitis C Antibodies/blood , Hepatitis C Antibodies/immunology , Humans , Libya/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Risk-Taking , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Sex Distribution , Young AdultABSTRACT
A high prevalence of hepatitis B [HBV] and C virus [HCV] infections has been reported among specific patient groups in Libya; a survey was thus designed to determine the extent of the problem at the national level. A multi-stage sampling design covering all administrative areas of Libya was applied, covering > 65 000 individuals of all age groups. All subjects gave a blood sample and completed a questionnaire on demographic and risk behaviour data. The prevalence of HBV surface antigen [HBsAg] and anti-HCV were 2.2% and 1.3% respectively. The prevalence of anti-HCV increased with age, rising gradually after age 30 years, in contrast to a stable prevalence of HBsAg in all age groups 10+ years. Age-adjusted risk factors for HCV infection were previous hospitalization, surgical operations, previous blood transfusions and intravenous drug use; for HBV infection only family exposure or contact with HBV case were identified
Subject(s)
Hepatitis C , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Hepatitis B Surface Antigens , Hepatitis C Antibodies , Hepatitis B virus , Hepacivirus , Hepatitis BABSTRACT
We describe two cases of malaria occurring in a malaria-free zone in two in-patients, two weeks after a case of Plasmodium falciparum malaria, acquired in Burkina Faso, had been admitted to the same ward. After reviewing the techniques used by nursing staff, we conclude that transmission probably occurred via gloves contaminated following manipulation of venous cannulae and drip lines of the patient with Burkina Faso-acquired malaria and which had not been discarded before manipulating the intravenous lines of the other two patients. Nosocomial transmission of unusual and potentially life-threatening infections should be taken into consideration in those settings where compliance with universal precautions is not rigorous.
Subject(s)
Cross Infection/transmission , Equipment Contamination , Gloves, Surgical/parasitology , Malaria, Falciparum/transmission , Adult , Burkina Faso/ethnology , Cross Infection/parasitology , Cross Infection/prevention & control , Female , Humans , Infection Control , Libya , Malaria, Falciparum/parasitology , Malaria, Falciparum/prevention & control , Middle Aged , Universal PrecautionsABSTRACT
Cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis (CST) was diagnosed in 19 black African patients who presented to two large, general hospitals in Harare, Zimbabwe, over an eight-year period. Diagnosis was based on clinical criteria. The mean age of patients was 22.5 years (range 8 months-70 years). Only three patients (15.5 pc), all of whom were promptly diagnosed and commenced on a regimen including intravenous, high-dose cloxacillin, recovered completely. In ten cases (52.6 pc), initial treatment was penicillin and chloramphenicol. Four of the 19 patients who had serious sequelae including residual blindness, complete ophthalmoplegia or unilateral proptosis, and six patients (31.6 pc) died. The higher than usual mortality rate in this series can be attributed to various factors including late presentation, delay in diagnosis and delay before initiation of effective antibiotic treatment. Whenever CST is suspected, antibiotic treatment should be administered without delay pending further evaluation, and the initial regimen should include high-dose antistaphylococcal antibiotics.
