In vitro susceptibility of Candida albicans clinical isolates to eight antifungal agents in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, the infection Candida albicans infection worldwide has risen, and the incidence of resistance to traditional antifungal therapies is also increasing. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro susceptibility of C. albicans clinical isolates to eight antifungal agents in Ouagadougou. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2013 to December 2015 at Yalgado Ouédraogo University Teaching Hospital. Two hundred seven strains have been isolated from 347 symptomatic patients received in different clinical services. Samples were cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar supplemented with Cloramphenicol. Isolates were diagnosed as C. albicans using germ tube test, chlamydospore formation on Corn Meal Agar, and Api-Candida test (Biomérieux). Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion method and isolates classified as susceptible, susceptible dose-dependent and resistant. RESULTS: Three hundred forty-seven (347) patients are included in this study. Two hundred and six (206) out of 347 collected samples (59.36%) were found positive for C. albicans. The strains were mostly isolated from vulvovaginal (49%) and oral infections (40.3%). The highest resistance rates of azoles were obtained with fluconazole (66.5%), itraconazole (52.3%) and ketoconazole (22.9%) when all clinical isolates were included. The resistance rates of fluconazole, itraconazole and ketoconazole remain highest for vulvovaginal and oral isolates. The rate of resistance to the polyene amphotericin B was 32.0% for all clinical isolates and was 56.4% for vulvovaginal strains. Resistance rate to nystatin was 6.3% for all clinical isolates. Cross-resistance analysis with data of all clinical strains revealed that the incidence of resistance to ketoconazole and itraconazole in fluconazole-resistant isolates was significantly higher than recorded for fluconazole-susceptible isolates. CONCLUSION: In vitro C. albicans antifungal susceptibility test in this study showed relatively high resistance to commonly and widely used azoles (fluconazole, ketoconazole). Most C. albicans clinical isolates were susceptible to nystatin.

Anti-Candida albicans natural products, sources of new antifungal drugs: A review.

INTRODUCTION: Candida albicans is the most prevalent fungal pathogen in humans. Due to the development of drug resistance, there is today a need for new antifungal agents for the efficient management of C. albicans infections. Therefore, we reviewed antifungal activity, mechanisms of action, possible synergism with antifungal drugs of all natural substances experimented to be efficient against C. albicans for future. METHODS: An extensive and systematic review of the literature was undertaken and all relevant abstracts and full-text articles analyzed and included in the review. REVIEW: A total of 111 documents were published and highlighted 142 anti-C. albicans natural products. These products are mostly are reported in Asia (44.37%) and America (28.17%). According to in vitro model criteria, from the 142 natural substances, antifungal activity can be considered as important for 40 (28.20%) and moderate for 24 (16.90%). Sixteen products have their antifungal activity confirmed by in vivo gold standard experimentation. Microbial natural products, source of antifungals, have their antifungal mechanism well described in the literature: interaction with ergosterol (polyenes), inhibition 1,3-ß-d-glucan synthase (Echinocandins), inhibition of the synthesis of cell wall components (chitin and mannoproteins), inhibition of sphingolipid synthesis (serine palmitoyltransferase, ceramide synthase, inositol phosphoceramide synthase) and inhibition of protein synthesis (sordarins). Natural products from plants mostly exert their antifungal effects by membrane-active mechanism. Some substances from arthropods are also explored to act on the fungal membrane. Interestingly, synergistic effects were found between different classes of natural products as well as between natural products and azoles. CONCLUSION: Search for anti-C. albicans new drugs is promising since the list of natural substances, which disclose activity against this yeast is today long. Investigations must be pursued not only to found more new anti-Candida compounds from plants and organisms but also to carried out details on molecules from already known anti-Candida compounds and to more elucidate mechanisms of action.

Cas rare de lipomatose généralisée (maladie de Launois-Bensaude) chez un sujet noir africain

La maladie de Launois-Bensaude (ou syndrome de Madelung) considérée comme rare est définie par l'accumulation de graisse sous-cutanée non-encapsulée surtout sur la partie supérieure du tronc et la racine des membres. Nous rapportons le premier cas rare de syndrome de Madelung décrit chez un patient noir africain. Il s'est agi d'un patient de 55 ans, éthylique chronique reçu pour tuméfaction sous-cutanées multiples, symétriques, généralisées. L'aspect dysmorphique du patient était frappant. Les principales localisations de ces tuméfactions étaient : cervicale, thoracique, abdominale, brachiale, crurale. Il y avait une adipomastie bilatérale. Une hyperuricémie a été retrouvée. Le scanner TAP montrait des masses lipomateuses diffuses et une stéatose hépatique. La résection chirurgicale ou la liposuccion peuvent être d'un intérêt thérapeutique associées aux mesures hygiéno-diététiques

Genetic Diversification and Dispersal of Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott).

Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) is widely distributed in tropical and sub-tropical areas. However, its origin, diversification and dispersal remain unclear. While taro genetic diversity has been documented at the country and regional levels in Asia and the Pacific, few reports are available from Americas and Africa where it has been introduced through human migrations. We used eleven microsatellite markers to investigate the diversity and diversification of taro accessions from nineteen countries in Asia, the Pacific, Africa and America. The highest genetic diversity and number of private alleles were observed in Asian accessions, mainly from India. While taro has been diversified in Asia and the Pacific mostly via sexual reproduction, clonal reproduction with mutation appeared predominant in African and American countries investigated. Bayesian clustering revealed a first genetic group of diploids from the Asia-Pacific region and to a second diploid-triploid group mainly from India. Admixed cultivars between the two genetic pools were also found. In West Africa, most cultivars were found to have originated from India. Only one multi-locus lineage was assigned to the Asian pool, while cultivars in Madagascar originated from India and Indonesia. The South African cultivars shared lineages with Japan. The Caribbean Islands cultivars were found to have originated from the Pacific, while in Costa Rica they were from India or admixed between Indian and Asian groups. Taro dispersal in the different areas of Africa and America is thus discussed in the light of available records of voyages and settlements.

Morbidité et mortalité de l'infection à virus de l'immunodéficience humaine chez l'enfant en milieu hospitalier à Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)

Introduction : La pandémie de l'infection à virus de l'immuno-déficience humaine demeure une préoccupation majeure dans notre pays, menaçant l'atteinte des objectifs du millénaire pour le développement. Notre étude avait pour objectif d'analyser les aspects épidémiologiques, cliniques et évolutifs des enfants infectés par le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine et sous anti-rétroviraux dans un pays en développement. Patients et méthodes : Il s'est agi d'une étude transversale réalisée du 1er avril au 31 décembre 2010 chez des enfants suivis au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pédiatrique Charles de Gaulle de Ouagadougou. Résultats : Nous avons observé 27 enfants dont 26 infectés par le VIH type 1 soit 0,87% des hospitalisations, avec un sex-ratio de 1,25 et un âge moyen de 6,75 ans ; 30% des patients avaient un recul de plus d'un an sous traitement antirétroviral et un seul patient était sous un régime de 2ème ligne. Les principaux motifs d'hospitalisation rapportés étaient : les signes digestifs (67%), la fièvre (55%) et les signes respiratoires (26%). Les pathologies observées étaient surtout d'ordre infectieux (60%), dominées par le sida pédiatrique (33%), le paludisme (15%) et la méningite (11%). Dans 72,5% des cas, l'évolution clinique a été favorable ; 18,5% de décès ont été observés avec 2/3 (75%) de nourrissons. Les principaux facteurs associés au décès étaient les stades cliniques 3 et 4 de la maladie (p < 0,02). Conclusion : La morbidité et la mortalité liées au VIH pédiatrique restent élevées dans les pays à ressources limitées, malgré les traitements antirétroviraux. L'amélioration de cette situation passe par le renforcement des mesures de prévention de la transmission mère enfant du virus de l'immunodéficience humaine

A decade of follow-up and therapeutic drug monitoring in HIV-2 immunocompromised patients at St Camille and General Lamizana Military Medical Centers, Burkina Faso, West Africa.

Although, HIV-2 is generally less pathogenic than HIV-1 and its progression towards AIDS occurs less frequently. HIV-2 remains an important cause of disease in West Africa. This study aimed to evaluate HIV-1 and HIV-2 prevalence among pregnant women and to describe the demographic and clinical profile of patients with HIV-2 infection from 2003-2013 at St Camille and General Lamizana Military Medical Centers. A retrospective investigation was conducted using 12,287 medical records from patients screened for HIV. To respond to the lack of data available regarding HIV-2 treatment and also to address the approach to clinical, biological as well as therapeutic monitoring, 62 HIV-2 infected patients' medical records were studied. Seroprevalence of 10.6 and 0.14% were obtained, respectively for HIV-1 and HIV-2 among 12,287 women screened during the study period. From the sixty two (62) HIV-2 patients, the average age was 49.2 years (sex ratio was 0.65). The weight loss and diarrhea were the major clinical manifestations observed, respectively 54.8 and 25.8%. Fungi and herpes zoster (shingles) infections were reported as major opportunistic infections. Also, nearly half of the patients had more than 60 kg, less than 2% were in WHO stage IV and about 2/3 had a CD4 count bellow 250 cells mm(-3). AZT-3TC-IDV/LPV/R was the most prescribed combination. The gain in weight gain the Body Mass Index (BMI) improvement and the non-significant increase of the rate of CD4 between 1st (M1) and 24th month (M24) were observed after treatment with antiviral.

[Infectious Etiologies of the acute diarrheas of the child from 0 to 5 years at the Pediatric University hospital Charles de Gaulle (Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso)]. / Etiologies infectieuses des diarrhees aiguës de l'enfant de 0 a 5 ans au centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pediatrique Charles de Gaulle (Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso).

To identify the infectious agents responsible for acute diarrheas in children from 0 to 5 years, with the aim of improving care, we led a cross-sectional prospective study at the Pediatric University hospital Charles de Gaulle from January 1st - November 30th, 2009. A sample of 103 children's stools hospitalized for acute diarrhea was analyzed. The average age of the patients was of 9.5 months and the most affected age bracket was the one from 0 to 12 months. More than half of the cases of diarrheas (60.2%) had an infectious etiology of which 33% of viral origin, 21.4% bacterial, 9.7% parasitic and in 9.7% of the cases a co-infection. In the viral diarrheas, rotavirus was observed in 17.5% of the cases and serotypes adenoviruses 40, 41 in 15.5% of the cases. The isolated bacteria were essentially represented by enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (21 cases). This bacterium had a strong resistance to amoxicillin, cotrimoxazole (90%) as well as in the amoxicillin+Clavulanic acid (57%). The ascendancy of rotavirus in the etiology of the acute diarrheas of children from 0 to 5 years hints to a need for vaccination against this infectious agent. Aside from the ineffectiveness of group A penicillins and of the cotrimoxazole against most of the isolated bacteria calls to medical prescribers to reconsider antibiotic treatment in the diarrheas of the children.

Afin d'identifier les agents infectieux responsables des diarrhées aigues chez les enfants de 0 à 5 ans, dans le but de mieux les prendre en charge, nous avons mené une étude prospective transversale au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pédiatrique Charles de Gaulle du 01 janvier au 30 novembre 2009. Un échantillon de 103 selles d'enfants hospitalisés pour diarrhée aigue a été analysé. L'âge moyen des patients était de 9,5 mois et la tranche d'âge la plus touchée était celle de 0 à 12 mois. Plus de la moitié des cas de diarrhées (60,2 %) avaient une étiologie infectieuse dont 33% d'étiologie virale, 21,4 % bactérienne, 9,7% parasitaire et dans 9,7 % des cas il y avait une co-infection. Dans les diarrhées virales, les rotavirus ont été observés dans 17,5 % des cas et les adénovirus serotypes 40, 41 dans 15,5 % des cas. Les bactéries isolées étaient représentées essentiellement par Escherichia coli entéropathogène (21 cas). Cette bactérie avait une forte résistance à l'amoxicilline, au cotrimoxazole (90 %) ainsi qu'à l'amoxicilline+Acide clavulanique (57 %). La prépondérance du rotavirus dans l'étiologie des diarrhées aiguës de l'enfant de 0 à 5 ans commande la promotion de la vaccination contre cet agent infectieux. Par ailleurs l'inefficacité des pénicillines du groupe A et du cotrimoxazole contre la plupart des bactéries isolées interpelle les prescripteurs à la rationalisation de l'antibiothérapie dans les diarrhées des enfants.

[Molecular diagnosis of bacterial meningitis in Burkina Faso]. / Diagnostic moléculaire par PCR en temps réel d'agents bactériens responsables des méningites purulentes au Burkina Faso.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the use of real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis in Burkina Faso. METHODOLOGY: This retrospective study reviewed the analyses of specimens collected from April 2009 through February 2010. DNA was extracted from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with suspected meningitis from different health districts in Burkina Faso and analyzed with RT-PCR. Many patients were also tested with traditional diagnostic methods for meningitis: culture and serology (latex agglutination test). RESULTS: The study included 171 patients hospitalized in 8 health districts. Bacterial DNA for germs causing purulent meningitis was identified in 108/171 patients (63%); corresponding percentages for culture and latex were 60% (56/93) and 77% (66/86), respectively. All three methods found that NmA and Spn were the two main bacteria responsible for purulent meningitis in our cohort: with real time PCR, NmA = 59.3% and Spn = 34.3%), culture (NmA = 78.6% and Spn = 17.8%) or latex (NmA = 77.3% and Spn = 21.2%). Real-time PCR improved the sensitivity and the specificity of the diagnosis of the germs involved in this study and allowed the detection of the serogroups NmY and NmW135, which could not be detected by culture or latex agglutination test. RT-PCR permitted the detection and the characterization of bacteria responsible for purulent meningitis from CSF-contaminated cultures that could not otherwise be detected.

[Prevalence of anti-CMV antibodies in blood donors in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)]. / Prévalence des anticorps anti-cytomégalovirus chez les donneurs de sang de Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).

The aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence of CMV antibodies among blood donors at a regional blood transfusion center in Ouagadougou. Blood collected from 115 donors was tested for specific anti-CMV antibodies as well as routine markers. The donors ranged in age from 18 to 53 years (mean: 28.78 ± 8.9 years), and 72.2% were men. In all, 4.3% were positive for HIV, 12.2% for HBs Ag, 2.6% for HCV, and 1.7% for syphilis. Nearly all donors (n=106, 92.2%) had CMV IgG antibodies, but only 12.2% (n=14) IgM antibodies, and all of the latter were also positive for IgG. CMV infection was not related to the donors' HIV status (p=0.66). The seroprevalence of CMV infection was not statistically related to gender, age or occupational status. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of any routine markers between donors positive and negative for CMV. The high rate of CMV antibodies indicates that CMV infection is widespread in Burkina Faso. Although it is thus unnecessary to test blood donors routinely for CMV, immunodepressed and other risk subjects should receive CMV-negative or leukocyte-depleted blood.

[Prevalence and risk factors associated with infection by human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, syphilis and bacillary pulmonary tuberculosis in prisons in Burkina Faso]. / Prévalences et facteurs associés aux infections a Virus de l'Immunodéficience Humaine et virus de l'épatite B, a la syphilis et a la tuberculose pulmonaire bacillifère en milieu carcéral au Burkina Faso.

This purpose of this study was to determine prevalences and risk factors associated with infection by human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B Virus, syphilis and bacillary pulmonary tuberculosis in prisons in Burkina Faso. From February 20 to March 20, 2009, 300 prisoners over 18 years of age held in Ouagadougou were selected to take part in this descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic data, confinement information (number, motive and prison time), medical history, substance addiction (alcohol, tobacco, drug), and the other risk behaviors (sexual relations, type of partners, sharing of toiletries or razor) were compiled for each prisoner. Serological tests were performed to detect anti-HIV antibodies, Hbs antigen, and anti-treponema antibody. In prisoners presenting signs of tuberculosis, BAAR detection was performed by direct examination of sputum. Men represented 95% of the study population. Median age was of 30.1 +/- 8.9 years (range, 18 and 63). The prevalences of HIV infection, Hbs antigen and positive syphilitic serology were 5%, 27.3% and 5.7% respectively. Four prisoners (1.3%) had bacillary pulmonary tuberculosis. Two prisoners reported homosexual intercourse and 44 reported drug abuse. Sharing of toiletries and razor blades was reported by 18.7% and 20% of the prisoners respectively. Immediate measures are needed reduce the spread of these infections in prisons in Africa.

[Effectiveness of a polymerase chain reaction using seminested and multiplex strategy for the identification of the three main bacteria responsible for meningitis in Burkina Faso]. / Efficacité d'une technique de réaction de polymérisation en chaîne (seminested et multiplex) pour l'identification des trois principales espèces bactériennes responsables de méningites au Burkina Faso.

A prospective study (from August 2006 to April 2007) was carried out with 214 cerebrospinal fluid samples with suspicion of bacterial meningitis. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the simultaneous detection of Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus sp. and Haemophilus influenzae using seminested polymerase chain reaction strategy. Among the 214 samples tested by both PCR and culture, the overall confirmation rate was 64% for PCR and 40.1% for culture (P = 2 x 10⁻6). Taking culture method as the standard reference, the overall sensitivity of PCR was 98.8% and specificity, 59.4%. The sensitivity of PCR was 100, 97.3 and 100% respectively for N. meningitidis, Streptococcus sp. and H. influenzae with respective specificities of 70, 93.2 and 97.2%. In conclusion, the seminested PCR strategy is a sensitive method and it can be implemented in the reference public health laboratories for an exhaustive microbiological surveillance of bacterial meningitis.

[Arthropathic and degenerative pathology in rheumatology patients in Burkina Faso]. / Pathologie mécanique et dégénérative en consultation de rhumatologie au Burkina Faso.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this report is to describe epidemiologic features of arthrosic and degenerative disorders observed during the first two years of rheumatologic practice in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The files of all patients examined between March 2006 to February 2008 were reviewed. All patients presenting arthrosic or degenerative disorders were included. RESULTS: Out of 1,439 patients examined during the study period, 1,078 (74.91%) were included. Spine pain accounted for 33.7% of cases, i.e., 485 patients including 306 with lumbago. The mean age in this group was 47.8 +/- 15.19 years and the M/F sex ratio was 0,75. Osteoarthritis represented 20.43% of cases including osteoarthritis of the knee in 18%. The mean age in this group was 54.66 +/- 12.29 years and the M/F sex ratio was 0.23. Aseptic osteonecrosis (AON) of the femoral head was observed in 1.11% of cases, i.e. 16 patients including 8 with sickle cell disease (SC) The mean age in this group was 40.75 years. Abarticular rheumatism accounted for 15.98% of cases, i.e. 230 patients including 118 cases with tendinitis of the shoulder. The mean age in this group was 48.48 years. CONCLUSION: Arthrosic and degenerative disorders observed in this series from Ouagadougou presented the same semiological features as in other African series. Primary osteoarthritis of the hip was uncommon.

[Failure of first-line antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected children in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso]. / Echecs du traitement antirétroviral de première ligne chez les enfants infectés par le VIH à Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).

Approximately one-fourth of the estimated 10,000 HIV-infected children in Burkina Faso are undergoing antiretroviral (ARV) therapy. At the Charles de Gaulle Pediatric Hospital Center in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Support for ARV therapy began in July 2003 and a total of 250 children were undergoing treatment in late 2007. The purpose of this retrospective case-control study conducted over a period of 54 months from July 2003 to December 2007 was to investigate cases involving failure of first-line ARV therapy in particular with regard to cause. All patients (n = 32) showing poor virological, immunological, and/or clinical response to ARV therapy were considered as failures and thus included in the case group. The control group (n = 160) consisted of patients with good responses to treatment. Cases and controls were compared using the Chi-square test and odds ratio (OR) technique with a confidence interval at 95%. The failure rate was 12.8%. Failure was significantly correlated with low socioeconomic level (OR = 3), orphan status (OR = 4), age over 10 years (OR = 5), male gender (OR = 3), baseline viral load > or = 1,000,000 copies/mL (OR = 9), and poor compliance (OR = 37). Mortality in children who failed to respond to first-line ARV therapy was 25% due to the unavailability of a national second-line ARV therapy program. This study underlines the need for patient education to promote compliance and for creation of reference centers to prescribe ARV therapy to HIV-infected children including second-line ARV and genotyping.

[Susceptibility to antibiotics of Staphylococcus strains isolated in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso]. / Sensibilite aux antibiotiques des souches de Staphylocoques isolees a Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

INTRODUCTION: The sensibility of bacteria in a general way decreased a lot, staphylococci present a resistance to the penicillin in more than 80% of the cases. The aim of our work was to determine the level of sensibility of staphylococci, particularly that of resistant Staphylococcus aureus to Meticilline (SARM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: It is a retrospective study concerning the profile of sensibility of the isolated strains of staphylococci of diverse pathological products.The antibiogramme was realized according to the classic technique and for the test in the oxacilline, the Mueller Hinton + 5% of NaCl was used. RESULTS: during the period of study 1296 strains of staphylococcus were isolated, 153 from hospital Staphylococcus aureus were little sensitive to the penicillin G (10%); however the oxacilline, the gentamicine and the erythromycine were very active (more than 80% of sensibility.The meticillino-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus were also sensitive to the gentamycine, erythromycine and ciprofloxacine; the character of meticillino resistant did not influence the activity of antibiotics as pristinamycin and the vancomycine (100%); however we note a resistance crossed with the erythromycine in more than 95% of the cases. CONCLUSION: the existence although weak of the strains meticillino resistant brings us to propose a regular surveillance of the SARM and to hold as active antibiotics of first line the pristinamycine, ciprofloxacine, gentamicine, with vancomycine as the alternative of last choice in a hospital environment.

[Salmonella meningitis in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from 2000 to 2004]. / Méningites dues à Salmonella au CHU de Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (2000-2004).

56 strains of Salmonella were isolated from the cerebro-spinal fluids (CSF) from meningitis suspected patients at the Yalgado-Ouédraogo University hospital center in Burkina Faso, from January 2000 to December 2004. 75% of the patients were less than 3 years old; 71.4% of the CSF were purulent, with an average of 523 leucocytes/mm3 and 78% of neutrophile polynuclears. The strains identified belonged mostly to Salmonella O: 4.5 group (51.8%). In vitro, 92.7% of the strains were resistant to ampicillin and this resistance was partially restored with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid; however no strain was resistant to ceftriaxone. For the overall 56 patients, 20 different antibiotherapy regimes were used and they were successful in only 27% cases while 71% of patients died and 2% escaped from the hospital. Neurologic sequels were found in a patient treated with both ceftriaxone and chloramphenicol. These results showed that the illness occurred mainly in infants and was associated with high mortality rate. Most of the Salmonella strains were multi-drug resistant. In spite of strains multi-antibiotics resistance, adequate definition of therapeutic lines and early treatment including ceftriaxone could lead to higher cure rates and may improve the outcome.

[W135 meningococcus meningitis: study of 148 cases observed in 2002 and 2003 at the National Teaching Hospital of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso]. / Méningites à méningocoque du sérogroupe W135: étude de 148 cas observes en 2002 et en 2003 au CHU-YO de Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The purpose of this report is to describe the bacteriological features, clinical signs and therapeutic outcome of 148 cases of W135 meningococcus meningitis observed during meningitis outbreaks in Burkina Faso in 2002 and 2003. Diagnosis was based on microbiological study of cerebrospinal fluid. Cases of meningococcus meningitis were recorded throughout the study period with the peak number of cases occurring around the 14th week. There was a slight male predominance (56.1%) and young patients between one and 15 years accounted for 81.7% of cases. The mean interval between onset of symptoms and hospitalization was 2.6 days and the mean duration of hospitalization was 5.5 days. The most common clinical signs were fever (98.6%), stiff neck (90.5%),Brudzinski's sign (85.1%),Kernig's sign (66.2%), altered consciousness (41.9%), vomiting (36.5%) and headaches (34.5%). In most cases treatment with a singie dose of chiorazuphenicol in oil was curative. Overall mortality was 15.5% idth no correlation with sex or age. Seventeen of the 23 deaths occurred within 24 hours after their admission to the hospital. The other six deaths occurred on the second day after admission inS cases and fifth day in one case. Convulsions, shock and altered consciousness were consistent poor prognostic signs. A correlation was found between mortality and interval for hospitalization with better survival in patients receiving prompt treatment. Study of the susceptibility of 102 samples showed that W135 meningococcus was sensitive to penicillin G, ampicillin,ceftriaxone and chloramphenicol but resistant to sulfamides (cotrimoxazole). Bacterial meningitis is an Important factor of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Our findings indicate that the bacteriological, clinical and epidemiological characteristics of W135 meningococcus is do not differ greatly from those of meningococcus A. Since W135 meningitis is susceptible to antibiotics used to cure meningitis, campaigns to promote early detection and treatment must be continued.

[From genomics to surveillance, prevention and control: new challenges for the African meningitis belt]. / Ceinture africaine de la méningite: de la génomique aux stratégies de surveillance, de lutte et de prévention.

An international conference was held in Niamey, Niger, in November 2005. It aimed at reviewing the current situation in the meningitis belt. This region stretches from Senegal to Ethiopia and is characterized by high levels of seasonal endemicity with large epidemics of meningococcal meningitis occurring cyclically, generally caused by N. meningiditis serogroup A. WHO currently recommends a reactive strategy based on rapid detection of epidemics, intervention with antibiotics to treat cases and mass vaccination with a meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine to halt the outbreak. Epidemiological patterns of the disease in Africa have been changing with the occurrence of outbreaks outside the meningitis belt and with the emergence of serogroup W135, which first caused an epidemic among Hajj pilgrims in 2000 and then a large-scale meningitis outbreak in Burkina Faso in 2002. Consequently enhanced laboratory surveillance and confirmation of the strain responsible for the outbreak are required. New rapid dipstick tests have been developed through a collaboration between Institut Pasteur and CERMES. They are designed for bedside diagnosis and detect meningococcal antigens present in CSF using immunochromatography. The treatment of meningococcal meningitis during epidemics is based on short-course, long-acting oily chloramphenicol. An alternative is the use of ceftriaxone, which is equally effective and can be used in pregnant women and infants. A low-cost, monovalent serogroup A meningococcal conjugate vaccine for large-scale use in Africa is under development. In spite of the emergence of W135 strains in the meningitis belt, N. meningiditis A continues to be the principal strain isolated during the epidemic seasons and elimination of outbreaks of N. meningiditis serogroup A can still be considered as the primary objective of a preventive vaccination strategy.

Meningites a meningocoque du serogroupe W135 : etude de 148 cas observes au Burkina-Faso

L'objectif de ce travail etait d'etudier les aspects bacteriologique; clinique et evolutif de la meningite a meningocoque du serogroupe W135 observee au cours des epidemies de meningites qui ont frappe le Burkina Faso en 2002 et en 2003 a trave rs l'etude de 148 cas identifies grace a l'examen bacteri o l ogique du LCR. Les meningites a meningocoque W135 ont ete observ e e s tout au long de l'annee; avec un maximum de cas autour de la 14e semaine. Il ap p a rait une legere predominance masculine (56;1) et les jeunes de un a 15 ans ont ete les plus touches avec 81;7des cas. Le delai moyen d'hospitalisation a ete 2;6 jours et la duree moyenne d'hospita- lisation de 5;5 jours. Les signes cliniques les plus frequents ont ete la fievre (98;6); la raideur de la nuque (90;5); les signes de Brudzinski (85;1); les signes de Kernig (66;2); les tro u bles de la conscience (41;9); les vomissements (36;5) et les cephalees (34;5). Dans la majorite des cas; le traitement curatif a ete fait par administra- tion de chloramphenicol huileux en dose unique. La letalite globale qui a ete de 15;5ne semble influencee ni par le sexe ni par l'age. Sur les 23 cas de deces; 17 sont surve nus dans les 24 heures qui ont suivi l'hospitalisation des patients; cinq le deuxieme jour et un dernier le 5eme jour. Les signes cliniques constamment associes a un mauvais pronostic ont ete les troubles de la conscience; les etats de choc et les convulsions. Il apparait une association letalite/delai d'hospitalisation en effet; plus tot le patient est pris en charge plus ses chances de survie sont importantes. L'etude de la sensibilite de 102 souches a montre la grande sensibilite des meningocoques W135 a la penicilline G; a l'ampicilline; a la ceftriaxone et au ch l o ramphenicol et leur resistance aux sulfamides. En defi n i t ive; le meningocoque W135 semble peu diff e rent du meningocoque A sur les plans cl i n i q u e; epidemiologique et bacteri o l ogique d'ou la necessite de continuer a maintenir des actions de sensibilisation pour une prise en charge rapide des cas

Molecular characteristics of Neisseria meningitidis strains isolated in Burkina Faso in 2001.

In the course of an epidemic of meningitis in Burkina Faso in 2001, 27 cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients in 7 districts were forwarded to Norway for isolation and characterization of the causative agents. Neisseria meningitidis was isolated from 13 (48%) samples. The isolates were analysed using serological and genetic methods. Of the 13 strains, 4 were serogroup A, serotype 21:P1.9, sequence type (ST)-5 and belonged to clonal subgroup III, while the remaining 9 strains were serogroup W135, serotype 2a:P1.5,2, ST-11 and belonged to the electrophoretic type-37 complex. PCR analyses revealed meningococcal DNA in 13/14 culture-negative samples. Sequence analysis of the PCR products demonstrated that at least 3 different meningococcal strains were responsible for these 13 cases. Our results show that the W135 strain associated with the 2000 hajj (Muslim pilgrimage) outbreak was a significant cause of disease in Burkina Faso in 2001. Further studies are warranted to determine whether W135 is about to replace serogroup A in sub-Saharan Africa.