Plasmodium falciparum sexual conversion rates can be affected by artemisinin-based treatment in naturally infected malaria patients.

BACKGROUND: Artemisinins (ART) are the key component of the frontline antimalarial treatment, but their impact on Plasmodium falciparum sexual conversion rates in natural malaria infections remains unknown. This is an important knowledge gap because sexual conversion rates determine the relative parasite investment between maintaining infection in the same human host and transmission to mosquitoes. METHODS: The primary outcome of this study was to assess the impact of ART-based treatment on sexual conversion rates by comparing the relative transcript levels of pfap2-g and other sexual ring biomarkers (SRBs) before and after treatment. We analysed samples from previously existing cohorts in Vietnam, Burkina Faso and Mozambique (in total, n=109) collected before treatment and at 12 h intervals after treatment. As a secondary objective, we investigated factors that may influence the effect of treatment on sexual conversion rates. FINDINGS: In the majority of infections from the African cohorts, but not from Vietnam, we observed increased expression of pfap2-g and other SRBs after treatment. Estimated parasite age at the time of treatment was negatively correlated with the increase in pfap2-g transcript levels, suggesting that younger parasites are less susceptible to stimulation of sexual conversion. INTERPRETATION: We observed enhanced expression of SRBs after ART-based treatment in many patients, which suggests that in natural malaria infections sexual conversion rates can be altered by treatment. ART-based treatment reduces the potential of a treated individual to transmit the disease, but we hypothesise that under some circumstances this reduction may be attenuated by ART-enhanced sexual conversion. FUNDING: Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI), European Regional Development Fund (ERDF, European Union), Belgium Development Cooperation (DGD), Canadian University Health Network (UHN), TransGlobalHealth-Erasmus Mundus (European Union).

[Prevalence of Diabetes and Diabetes-Related Cardiovascular Risk Factors in a Rural Population in Burkina Faso]. / Prévalence du Diabète et Facteurs de Risque Cardiovasculaire Associés dans une Population Rurale au Burkina Faso.

Objective: Rural areas are currently facing lifestyle changes which greatly contribute to an increase in the prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Diabetes and Diabetes-related cardiovascular diseases in a rural population in Burkina Faso. Methodology: We collected demographic and clinical data, and we also performed capillary glucose testing for all the participants aged 16 years and above in five administrative communities in the province of Zandoma. Results: In all, 970 individuals, with a mean age of 49.06 years (SD = 16.97), volunteered to participate in the screening. Most of them were aged between 40 and 65 years old (48.5%) and 57.5% were females. The prevalence of diabetes was 5.7%, and 9% of participants had an FPG level between 1.10 g/l and 1.26 g/l. A family history of diabetes was found in 4.3% of the cases. Looking at the other cardiovascular risk factors, we found 24.3% of the participant to be overweight or obese, 23.6% had High Blood Pressure. Age (p = 0.001), Employment Status (p = 0.015), Body Mass Index (p = 0.036) were significantly associated with diabetes. Conclusion: Diabetes is prevalent in rural areas in Burkina Faso, along with a significant proportion of prediabetes cases. Age, Employment Status, and BMI are the principal associated factors.

From farmers to livestock keepers: a typology of cattle production systems in south-western Burkina Faso.

Cattle production is an essential livelihood strategy in south-western Burkina Faso. Although having a distinct cultural role and known to be resistant against African animal trypanosomosis, the Lobi taurine cattle breed is endangered due to its low market value. As the first step in preservation efforts, our study aimed to develop a typology of production systems at the farm level. We used a structured questionnaire and focus group discussions for collecting data on household characteristics, socioeconomic activities, livestock, and access to services. The sample comprised 169 households in three communities. The analytical strategy included factor analysis of mixed data and hierarchical clustering. We identified four distinct types of cattle production systems: (1) sedentary Lobi farms, (2) sedentary crossbreed farms, (3) semi-transhumant Fulani zebu farms, and (4) transhumant Fulani zebu farms. Significant factors in developing this typology were the farmers' ethnic group, crop diversity, cattle herd size, cattle herd composition, number of small ruminants, and livestock management strategies. Across all production systems, men were considered being primary decision-makers in cattle production, with women, herders, and children being responsible for specific tasks. All identified production systems are increasingly confronting disease pressure and scarcity of water and land. Future efforts in preservation and breeding will need to respond to these trends in the agroecosystem, integrate risk management measures, and resonate with the specific needs of the different household members involved in cattle rearing.

Rhumatologie en Afrique noire francophone et à Madagascar : état des lieux sur les rhumatologues, les pathologies rhumatologiques, les moyens diagnostiques et thérapeutiques en 2015

Objectif : Dresser l'état des lieux de la rhumatologie en Afrique Noire Francophone (ANF) sur le nombre de rhumatologues, les pathologies rhumatologiques, les moyens diagnostiques et thérapeutiques.Patients et méthodes : Etude transversale par interview auprès de rhumatologues africains pour connaître le nombre de rhumatologues, les moyens diagnostiques et thérapeutiques dans chaque pays entre juin 2014 et juin 2015. Revue de la littérature par recherche avec les mots "rheumatic diseases ; africa" sur Medline, "Médecine d'Afrique noire" électronique, "Médecine et santé tropicale" et "Société des pathologies exotiques". Les données concernaient les pays d'ANF jusqu'en juin 2015 hormis le Burundi, la République Démocratique du Congo et le Rwanda. Celles du Gabon concernaient 6050 rhumatisants vus entre janvier 2009 et décembre 2014 dans le service de médecine interne du centre hospitalier et universitaire de Libreville.Résultats : Pour une population totale de 182,14 millions d'habitants, il y avait 50 rhumatologues soit une densité de 0,03 rhumatologue pour 100.000 habitants. La pathologie la plus fréquente était l'arthrose. La goutte et les infections étaient les premières causes d'arthrites respectivement au Burkina Faso, au Congo Brazzaville, au Gabon et au Bénin, au Cameroun, en Côte d'Ivoire, au Togo. Les rhumatismes inflammatoires chroniques les plus fréquents étaient la polyarthrite rhumatoïde au Burkina Faso, au Cameroun, au Congo Brazzaville et les spondylarthrites par arthrites réactionnelles en Côte d'Ivoire, au Gabon, au Togo. La radiographie et le MTX étaient disponibles dans chaque pays. Il y avait 21 IRM, soit un appareil pour 8,673 millions d'habitants. Les biothérapies type Adalimumab et Etanercept respectivement à 1.710,36 et 1.733,23 € par mois au Gabon, restaient exceptionnellement utilisées.Conclusion : L'état des lieux de la rhumatologie en ANF en 2015 révèle surtout l'extrême carence en rhumatologues dans ces pays, principalement du fait de l'absence de formations locales dans cette spécialité

Traumatismes maxillo-faciaux par accidents de la circulation routière impliquant les engins à deux roues au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Yalgado Ouedraogo (CHU-YO). Aspects épidémiologiques et anatomo-cliniques

Introduction : Les traumatismes maxillo-faciaux par Accident de la Circulation Routière (ACR) impliquant les engins à deux roues sont fréquents et peuvent occasionner des lésions graves.Matériels et méthodes : Il s'agit d'une étude prospective allant du 1er janvier 2017 au 31 avril 2017 dans le service de stomatologie et de chirurgie maxillo-faciale du CHUYO. Les dossiers médicaux des patients, les registres de consultation et les comptes-rendus opératoires ont été les sources de collecte des données.Résulats : Au total 230 cas ont été colligés dans le service de stomatologie et de chirurgie maxillo-faciale du CHUYO. Ces cas étaient relativement fréquents soit 84.24% des motifs de consultation de traumatologie. Les travailleurs du secteur informel (43,48%) et l'homme jeune de sexe masculin (84,35%) ont été les plus touchés. Les motocyclistes (80,70%) constituaient les principaux usagers. La consommation d'alcool (49,13%) et la méconnaissance du code de la route (77,29%) étaient les principaux facteurs favorisants. Les lésions des parties molles étaient les plus fréquentes (90,43%). Le zygoma était l'os le plus atteint (49,46%). Les fractures des membres (44,73%) ont constitué les principales lésions osseuses extra-faciales associées.Conclusion : La sensibilisation de nos populations sur la sécurité routière et la collaboration interdisciplinaire permettraient de renforcer l'efficacité de nos structures de soins

Inflammatory lumbar radiculalgia in Ouagadougou: posterior facet arthritis due to tuberculosis.

Posterior facet arthritis is rarely described. The authors report a case of arthritis of the posterior lumbar facet in a woman consulting for back pain associated with relative functional impairment. Modern imaging, in slices, enables better examination of the posterior arch and better diagnosis of pathologies. Tuberculosis is one of the conditions affecting the posterior lumbar facet, and its characteristics on MRI are well-defined. This case shows that tuberculosis is a not uncommon cause of posterior facet arthritis and should be considered even before the appearance of clinical and bacteriological signs to avoid catastrophic situations for the patient.

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

[Epidemiology of maxillo-facial traumatism s sequels at stomatology and maxillo-facial surgery service of Yalgado Ouedraogo University Hospital Center]. / Epidémiologie des séquelles de traumatismes maxillo-faciaux au service de stomatologie et chirurgie maxillo-faciale du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Yalgado Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso).

Introduction: Our study brings back the epidemiological and anatomo-clinical characteristics of the maxillo-facial traumatisms sequels at Yalgado Ouedraogo University Hospital Center of Ouagadougou. Methodology: It was a transversal descriptive study going from May 2013 to April 2015. Results and Discussion: In all, 152 cases of post traumatisms sequels were collected. The masculine sex was more affected with a sex-ratio of 2,53. The mean age was 30,80 years. The public road accidents (73,68%) were the main etiology of initial lesions. The isolated functional and morphological sequels respectively represented 1/3 and 1/6 of cases. Half of patients had mixed sequels. The odontological sequels (41,45%), the disgracious scars (93,68%), the neurological sequels (15,79%), the ocular sequels (11,18%), and the temporo-mandibular ankylosis were the main sequels found in our study. These sequels could be explained by the nature of initial lesions and the lateness of consultations. Conclusion: Development of population's awareness and close interdisciplinary collaboration helped to reduce the frequency of these sequels.

[Characteristics of the patients "lost to follow-up" and determining factors of loss to follow-up to patients living with HIV at Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso]. / Caractéristiques des patients "perdus de vue" et facteurs déterminants de la perte de vue au cours du suivi des patients infectés par le VIH à Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The objective of this study is to describe the characteristics of the patients "lost to follow-up" and determining factors of lost to follow-up at the patients infected by HIV. This is a descriptive and analytical retrospective study made on patients with or not by HAART, registered in the Day hospital of Ouagadougou. Of 5118 adult patients studied, 402 (7.9%) lost to follow-up. Among these patients, 340 (84.5%) had an unknown vital status, 28 (7%) were alive and 34 (8.5%) died. Mean age was 37.5 years. After active research, 16 from 21 patients under HAART were in treatment interruption. The main factors associated with the loss of follow-up were: no schooling (p=0,008), residing outside the capital (p=0,002) and being infected with HIV2 (p< 10(-3)). The phenomenon of loss of follow-up is important and concerned mainly not informed patients.

[Tooth decay: epidemiological and therapeutic aspects in dental service of University Teaching Hospital Yalgado Ouedraogo and Municipal Centre of Oral Health]. / La carie dentaire: aspects épidémiologiques et thérapeutiques aux services de chirurgie dentaire du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Yalgado Ouedraogo et du Centre Municipal de santé bucco-dentaire.

INTRODUCTION: In order to improve the prevention and treatment of dental caries in Burkina Faso, we conducted a study on the epidemiological and therapeutic aspects of dental caries in the dental services of University Teaching Hospital Yalgado Ouedraogo and in the Municipal Centre of Oral Health of Ouagadougou. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective and descriptive study from October, 15th 2012 to January, 15th 2013 was conducted on a sample of 191 patients. The variables recorded were: patient's identity, age, sex, area of residence, food mode, socioeconomic level, reason for consultation, oral hygiene, DMFT index, degree of tissue damage, the topography of the carious lesions and the applied therapy. RESULTS: Caries prevalence was 93.19% more female consultations, with sex ratio at 0.77. The average age was 31 years for a sample often engaged in trade and the informal sector. Carious lesions were usually limited to less than 4 teeth. The main motivation for the consultation was pain at 82.20%. CONCLUSION: The use of preventive care is quite low in our population. Extractions still occupy an important part of treatment. We need to improve oral hygiene and show to patients the necessity of routine visits to the dentist every year for early treatment.

[Semiological features and risk factors associated with osteoarthritis of the hip in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)]. / Caractéristiques sémiologiques et facteurs de risque associés à la coxarthrose à Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).

OBJECTIVE: To study the epidemiological and clinical aspects of osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip in Ouagadougou, as well as its risk factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study covered cases treated over a 3-year period (February 2006 through January 2009) in the internal medicine department of the Yalgado Ouedraogo Teaching Hospital of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) and the surgery department of the private hospital Notre-Dame-de la Paix of Ouagadougou. All patients included had OA of the hip that met the Kellgren and Lawrence criteria. RESULTS: There were 46 patients who met the study criteria, but only 40 files could be used. The patients' mean age was 46.4 years ± 15.2 years (range 25-80 years; 10 patients were older than 56 years). Men accounted for more than half (n=23, 57.5%). The mean duration of disease was 6.2 years ± 4.5 years (range: 1-19 years). The right hip alone was concerned in 20 patients (50%), the left hip in 16 (40%), and the OA was bilateral in four (10%). Seventeen patients had sickle cell disease (42.5%), 11 SC and 6 SS. The risk factors included necrosis of the femoral head in 19 cases (59.37%), hip dysplasia in 6 (18.74%), hip trauma in 3 (9.37%), inflammatory arthropathy in 3 more (9.37%), and epiphysitis in one (3.13%). The OA of the hip was primary in 8 cases (20%). Three patients were at stage 1, 9 at stage 2, 15 at stage 3, and 13 at stage 4 according to the Arlet-Ficat classification. CONCLUSION: OA of the hip arises in a young population and is dominated by secondary OA. The dominant risk factor was aseptic necrosis of the femoral head associated with sickle cell disease. In view of the small number of patients with primary OA, no definitive conclusions can be drawn about it.

[Connective tissue diseases in hospital practice in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)]. / Les connectivites en pratique hospitalière à Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).

To describe the semiological and immunological features of connective tissue diseases seen at the Yalgado Ouédraogo University Hospital in Ouagadougou. A retrospective study reviewed the records of patients seen in the hospital dermatology and internal medicine departments from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2009 and diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (ScS), dermatopolymyositis (DPM), primary Gougerot-Sjögren disease (GS), polymyositis (PM) or indeterminate connective tissue disease (ICTD) meeting the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. The study included 42 patients, 36 women and 6 men. Their mean age was 41.2 years ±11.97 (range: 15-75). SLE was the diagnosis for 10 patients, ScS for 14, DPM for 7, primary GS for 1, PM for 1, and ICTD for 9. Hematologic (93%), cutaneous (88%), and rheumatologic (81%) abnormalities were the most frequent manifestations. The specific auto-antibodies associated with SLE patients were: anti-native DNA (3/6), anti-Sm (3/6), anti-RNP (3/6), and anti-SSA (4/6); anti-Scl 70 antibodies were present in 5 patients with ScS. Connective tissue diseases seem to be rare in Africa, south of the Sahara. However, the very fragmentary studies and the weak healthcare coverage do not allow any definitive conclusions.

[Noma and Burkitt disease; a particular association about three observations seen in the Teaching Hospital Center Yalgado Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso)]. / Noma et maladie de Burkitt, une association exceptionnelle à propos de trois observations vues au centre hospitalier universitaire Yalgado Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso).

Cancrum oris is a gangrenous stomatitis arising from a periodontal infection and leading to severe soft tissue and bone destruction. The pathology involves numerous factors including local thrombosis, vascularitis, necrotizing gingivitis, immunodeficiency, Gram negative and anaerobic infection. It is usually a disease of infants and malnourished children in tropical areas often occurring after a debilitating disease like measles [3]. Burkitt lymphoma is a highly aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma first described by Burkitt in 1958 in African children from areas holoendemic for malaria. It is the first cancer of African child [6]. The association between Burkitt lymphoma and cancrum oris is non common. We report in the present study three cases of this association at the Academic Hospital Yalgado Ouedraogo of Ouagadougou. This association poses a problem of late diagnosis with difficulties in therapeutic management.

[Evoluting form of cancrum oris, about 55 cases collected at the Academic Hospital Yalgado Ouedraogo of Ouagadougou]. / Le noma évolutif, à propos de 55 observations vues au centre hospitalier universitaire Yalgado Ouedraogo de Ouagadougou.

The cancrum oris is still an up to date disease in our environment. The death rate and the after effects of this disease make all together the main interest of this survey. In a retrospective survey carried out from January 2003 to December 2012, we colligated 55 cases of progressive cancrum oris followed at the stomatological and maxillofacial surgery at the Academic Hospital Yalgado OUEDRAOGO. On the epidemiological level, we noticed an impact of 5.5 cases per year. The average age of our patients was about 7.64 with a sex ratio of 1.03. Most of the patients were from an underprivileged family (96.4%). On the clinical level, we noticed that most of the patients consulted only after the gangrene had fallen (89.1%) and were seriously affected (67.3%) with a bad oral and dental hygiene (38.1%). The attacks were mainly jugal (25%) and labial (24.1%). The cancrum oris was in most of the cases associated to broncho pneumonitis, malaria and to HIV infection (31.37%). For the medical treatment, we focused on resuscitation, re nutrition, hydro electrolytic rebalancing and antibiotherapy. The surgical treatment was essentially made on the affected areas, controlled skinning and most often followed by sequestrectomy. 81.8% of the patients recovered completely from the infection, 60% had after effect injuries. We recorded a death rate of 14.5%. In order to overcome this disease we need both national and international support.

[Epidemiology and clinic of dental extractions in University Teaching Hospital Yalgado Ouedraogo, (Burkina Faso)]. / Aspects épiémiologiques et cliniques des extractions dentaires au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Yalgado Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso).

INTRODUCTION: The consequences of tooth loss are often severe for the patient: aesthetic deficit, decreased masticatory coefficient, malnutrition... The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical aspects of dental extractions of patients attending the University Teaching Hospital Yalgado Ouedraogo (UTHYO). PATIENTS AND METHODS: It was a descriptive cross-sectional retrospective study on a sample of 65 patients who received a dental extraction at least in dental surgery of the UTHYO. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 33 (50.8%) patients female to 32 (49.2%) cases of male, or a sex ratio of 0.96. The average age was 36,55 year-old with extremes of 5 and 84 years. Employees and pupils were the most affected by extractions (33 cases; 47,8% and 22 cases; 33,8%). Dental extractions were more frequent in patients aged between 25 and 60 years. A total of 84 tooth extraction was performed in 65 patients, an average of 1.3 tooth extracted per patient. The most often extracted tooth was the third lower molar (17 cases, 22,95%). The canine was the less often extracted tooth (1 case, 1,35%). Dental decay and its complications (57 cases, 67,87%) and periodontal diseases (10 cases, 11,90%) were the commonest reasons for dental extractions. CONCLUSION: Dental decay and periodontal diseases are the most important causes of dental extractions. Particular emphasis should be placed on prevention and early care of teeth.

[Prevalence of albuminuria in children from 5 to 15 years in the town of Kaya (Burkina Faso)]. / Prevalence de l'albuminurie chez des enfants de 5 a 15 ans de la ville de Kaya (Burkina Faso).

INTRODUCTION: Albuminuria, an important marker of kidney damage, is still insufficiently studied in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiology of albuminuria in the town of Kaya in Burkina Faso. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in the town of Kaya. Simple random sampling was done. It concerned all households with children 5-15 years old of urban area of the town of Kaya. Selected children or their parents were interviewed. Anthropometric measurements and urinary samples were performed. RESULTS: Two hundred six children (113 girls and 93 boys) participated in the study. Albuminuria was found in 18 children whether 8.7% of cases. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures of children with albuminuria (107.2 ± 13.6 and 74.7 ± 11.4 mm Hg) were not significantly different from those of children without albuminuria (110.3 ± 14 and 73.1 ± 11.5 mmHg). Sociodemographic factors were not associated with the occurrence of albuminuria in children. DISCUSSION: The prevalence of albuminuria in the strip involved nearly a tenth of children, which is important. CONCLUSION: The results of this study are a first population database of kidney disease in the country. The study should be completed by the identification of cases of persistent albuminuria in this population.

INTRODUCTION: L'albuminurie, important marqueur d'atteinte rénale, est encore insuffisamment étudiée en Afrique subsaharienne. Par la présente étude, nous voulons connaître l'épidémiologie de l'albuminurie dans la ville de Kaya au Burkina Faso. MÉTHODES: Nous avons mené une étude transversale dans la ville de Kaya. Un échantillonnage aléatoire simple a été effectué à partir d'une base de sondage constituée par l'ensemble des ménages ayant des enfants de 5 à 15 ans du milieu urbain de la ville de Kaya. Les enfants sélectionnés ou leurs parents ont été interviewés. Les mesures anthropométriques et des prélèvements urinaires ont été effectués. RÉSULTATS: Deux cent six enfants (113 filles et 93 garçons) ont participé à l'étude. L'albuminurie a été trouvée chez 18 enfants soit 8,7% des cas. Les moyennes des pressions artérielles systolique et diastolique des enfants avec albuminurie (107,2±13,6 et 74,7±11,4 mm Hg) n'étaient pas significativement différentes de celles des enfants sans albuminurie (110,3±14 et 73,1±11,5 mm Hg). Les facteurs sociodémographiques n'étaient pas associés à la survenue de l'albuminurie chez l'enfant. DISCUSSION: La prévalence de l'albuminurie à la bandelette a concerné près d'un dixième des enfants, ce qui est important. CONCLUSION: Les résultats de cette étude constituent pour le pays une première base de données en population sur la maladie rénale. L'étude doit être complétée par l'identification des cas d'albuminurie persistante dans cette population.

[Management of end-stage kidney failure: a challenge for the countries of sub-Saharan Africa example of mineral and bone disorders in Burkina Faso]. / Prise en charge de l'insuffisance rénale terminale : un challenge pour les pays de l'Afrique subsaharienne Exemple des désordres minéralo-osseux au Burkina Faso.

INTRODUCTION: Meeting treatment targets for dialysis is a seemingly impossible challenge for most countries of sub-Saharan Africa. To assess this problem, we conducted this study of mineral and bone disorders in subjects undergoing hemodialysis at the Ouagadougou hemodialysis unit, the only such unit in Burkina Faso. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in January 2010. We included patients on hemodialysis for at least three months who had some minimal predialysis laboratory results available. The KDIGO guidelines served as our reference. Dialysis sessions lasted 5 h and took place once every five days. The statistical analysis of the data was performed with PASW statistical software, version 18 for Windows. RESULTS: The study included 32 of the 53 patients in the unit: 19 men and 13 women with a mean age of 43.5 ± 12.7 years. Their mean serum levels were 2.2 ± 0.2 mmol/L for calcium, 1.4 ± 0.5 mmol/L for phosphorus, 934 ± 887.4 pg/mL for intact parathyroid hormone and 193.4 ± 125.7 IU/L for total alkaline phosphatases. No patient reached the target for all three of the first three indicators. Patients with parathyroid hormone ≥ 800 pg/mL (n = 14) had a serum phosphorus (1.6 ± 0.6 vs 1.2 ± 0.4; p = 0.044) and alkaline phosphatases (287.5 ± 100.5 vs 120.2 ± 90; p < 0.001), significantly higher than those whose parathyroid hormone level was < 800 pg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: The bone and mineral status of our hemodialysis patients is worrisome and is due to suboptimal treatment conditions. The risk of deaths is high. Subsidies sufficient to provide adequate care would reduce these problems, which have, we note, an ethical dimension.

[Vitamin D-deficiency rickets: a case report from Burkina Faso]. / Le rachitisme carentiel: une observation au Burkina Faso.

Deficiency rickets results from a deficiency of vitamin D that is responsible for deficient calcium absorption, leading to failure of bone mineralization and cartilage bone growth, especially in children. We report the case of a 9-year-old girl who shows signs of rickets. Her family history, which includes similar malformations in several family members, led us to suggest vitamin D-resistant rickets, but all laboratory tests and response to treatment indicated deficiency rickets. Prophylaxis, at least for some very poor people, should be proposed for certain populations at risk, even in tropical zones.

[HIV and noma in Burkina Faso]. / VIH et noma au Burkina Faso.

INTRODUCTION: Noma is a "gangrenous" disease beginning in gums and spreading to other parts of the face. It usually occurs in undernourished children with bad orodental hygiene. Its incidence in adults is increasing. HIV infection is very common in African countries. We had for objective to compare noma characteristics in patients with, or without, HIV. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective and descriptive study included patients managed for noma in our unit from January 1988 to December 2007. The clinical, epidemiological, and outcome data of patients treated for noma were compared according to HIV infection status. RESULTS: Two hundred and twelve patients were included and 14 (6.6%) among them were HIV positive. In the HIV positive group, there were a male predominance and patients were older (mean age 15.3 vs. 4.7 years in the other group). HIV positive patients were less frequently operated (35.7% vs. 76.3%) and their death rate was higher (37.5% vs. 5.6%). DISCUSSION: HIV infection during the course of noma impacts the clinical and epidemiological features of this condition. It worsens the prognosis. Noma could be considered as an opportunistic infection in the WHO disease staging system.