[Comparison of Kinyoun, auramine O, and Ziehl-Neelsen staining for diagnosing tuberculosis at the National Tuberculosis Center in Burkina Faso]. / Comparaison des performances des colorations de Kinyoun et à l'auramine O, avec celle de Ziehl-Neelsen pour le diagnostic de la tuberculose au Centre national de lutte antituberculeuse du Burkina Faso.

CONTEXT: This study was conducted at the National Tuberculosis Center in Burkina Faso from October 2007 through May 2008. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to compare the diagnostic performance of three staining methods: Kinyoun, auramine O, and Ziehl-Neelsen. METHODS: Ziehl-Neelsen staining served as the reference method to assess the diagnostic performance of Kinyoun and auramine O staining. In all, 616 sputum smears from 233 patients were read with each method to detect acid-fast bacilli. SPSS was used for data analysis. RESULTS: The results of auramine O staining showed positive diagnoses in 15.9% of the samples; sensitivity was 100%, specificity 95.6%, and the positive and negative predictive values 75.7% and 100% respectively. Kinyoun staining produced a positive diagnosis rate of 12%, sensitivity of 96.4%, specificity of 99.5%, and positive and negative predictive values of 96.4% and 99.5%. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that auramine O staining had a better sensitivity for detecting acid-fast bacilli than Kinyoun staining. Accordingly, the use of auramine O staining should increase the detection rate for pulmonary tuberculosis in Burkina Faso.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug-resistance in previously treated patients in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis drug-resistance becomes common in sub-Saharan Africa; however, very few data are available in Burkina Faso. The aim of this study is to assess the acquired resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strains identified in TB patients to four first-line drugs in Ouagadougou. METHODS: One hundred and ten (110) pulmonary tuberculosis patients with acid-fast bacilli-positive sputum and in situation of failure, relapse, or treatment abandonment were included in the study. Ninety six strains, including 92 (95.8%) M. tuberculosis and 4 (4.2%) M. africanum, were isolated from the sputum samples of these patients. Their drug susceptibility testing was performed using the proportion method. The first-line drugs tested were isoniazid (INH), streptomycin (STR), ethambutol (EMB), and rifampicin (RIF). RESULTS: The overall drug-resistance rate of M. tuberculosis was 67.4% (n=60), including 3.4% to one drug, 18% to two, 10.1% to three, and 35.9% to four drugs. The resistance to INH, RIF, EMB, and STR were 67.4%, 51.7%, 50.6%, and 44.9%, respectively. Two strains of M. africanum were resistant to all drugs. Forty-six (51.7%) strains were multidrug-resistant (resistant to at least INH and RIF). CONCLUSIONS: In previously treated patients, the level of resistance of M. tuberculosis complex to commonly used anti-tuberculosis drugs is very high in Ouagadougou. Our results showed that multidrug-resistant tuberculosis could be a public health problem in Burkina Faso.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Drug-Resistance in Previously Treated Patients in Ouagadougou; Burkina Faso

Background: Tuberculosis drug-resistance becomes common in sub-Saharan Africa; however; very few data are available in Burkina Faso. The aim of this study is to assess the acquired resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strains identified in TB patients to four first-line drugs in Ouagadougou. Methods: One hundred and ten (110) pulmonary tuberculosis patients with acid-fast bacilli-positive sputum and in situation of failure; relapse; or treatment abandonment were included in the study. Ninety six strains; including 92 (95.8) M. tuberculosis and 4 (4.2) M. africanum; were isolated from the sputum samples of these patients. Their drug susceptibility testing was performed using the proportion method. The first-line drugs tested were isoniazid (INH); streptomycin (STR); ethambutol (EMB); and rifampicin (RIF). Results: The overall drug-resistance rate of M. tuberculosis was 67.4(n=60); including 3.4to one drug; 18to two; 10.1to three; and 35.9to four drugs. The resistance to INH; RIF; EMB; and STR were 67.4; 51.7; 50.6; and 44.9; respectively. Two strains of M. africanum were resistant to all drugs. Forty-six (51.7) strains were multidrug-resistant (resistant to at least INH and RIF). Conclusions: In previously treated patients; the level of resistance of M. tuberculosis complex to commonly used anti-tuberculosis drugs is very high in Ouagadougou. Our results showed that multidrug-resistant tuberculosis could be a public health problem in Burkina Faso

[Lack of knowledge among blood donors in Burkina Faso (West Africa); potential obstacle to transfusion security]. / Faible niveau de connaissances des donneurs de sang au Burkina Faso; une entrave potentielle à la sécurité transfusionnelle.

BACKGROUND: The measures recommended to reduce TTD include clinical selection of donors, based on a standardized questionnaire which aims to find out antecedents and behaviours predicting transmitted diseases within donors. The effectiveness of this measure is well established in the industrialized countries where the level of education of the population may support a greater receptivity of donors about this procedure. What is happening in developing one? AIM: This study was carried out to assess knowledge attitude and behaviours among blood donors regarding blood and transfusion safety in Burkina Faso. METHODS: A cross sectional study was carried out in the blood bank of the teaching hospital of Ouagadougou. In addition to the routine questionnaire, 544 included blood donors were subjected to additional questions seeking to specify their behaviours, knowledge and attitude towards TTD diseases and screening. RESULTS: Donors were from 16 to 57 years of age (mean age : 28+/-7.9 years). The majority of donors were male (71.2%). Family donors represent 52% and first time donors 55%. About 30.8% were illiterate or of primary school level. A percentage of 14.4 donate to access HIV testing and 30.7% will donate blood immediately to check any contamination in case of exposure. There was no difference between donors having been informed about their HIV status in the past and the other donors regarding HIV, HBs Ag and VHC results. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that there is some great need for donors' education on transfusion safety. There is also need for staff training in donors' management.

[Description and survey of a measles epidemic in Burkina Faso]. / Description et enquête lors d'une épidémie de rougeole au Burkina Faso.

Measles remains a major cause of child and infant mortality in Africa. Burkina Faso was the first country in Africa to run mass measles vaccination campaigns. The "Commando" vaccination program in 1984 immunized children aged between 9 months and 6 years old. The EPI was then implemented across the whole country; and with particular emphasis on the North Central region (with the help of two Non Governmental Organizations). Coverage cluster surveys were conducted in 1987 and 1989. In addition, a community-based evaluation of the immunization program and a serological survey were run in January 1989. A measles epidemic started in March 1989 in the Eastern province (Namentenga) of the North Central region and lasted until the rainy season. A survey reported 230 cases of which a large proportion were adults. Vaccine efficacy (85%) was normal. Index cases were from a neighbouring province. Epidemiological and serological surveys in 1989 indicated that the circulation of the wild type virus had been low since the 1984 "Commando" vaccination program. The epidemic was due to unsatisfactory vaccinal coverage (53%) which had further declined (35%). Consequently the primary health care system is being mobilized to improve vaccinal coverage.