Infant neurodevelopment and behavior in Guadeloupe after lead exposure and Zika maternal infection during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal lead exposure is known to have neurotoxic effects on the developing fetus, while some viral infections may have a tropism for the central nervous system. Our objective was to study whether the effects of prenatal lead exposure on infant development and behaviors at 18 months of age are modified by the occurrence of a maternal infection to Zika virus (ZIKV) during pregnancy. METHODS: During the ZIKV epidemic in Guadeloupe in 2016 a cohort of pregnant women was set up. Blood samples (pregnancy, childbirth and cord) (n = 297) enabled us to measure blood lead levels aimed to determine prenatal lead exposure and the likelihood of maternal infection during pregnancy (ZIKV status + vs -). The 18 months "Ages and Stages Questionnaire" (ASQ) was used to generate scores for global development, fine and gross motor skills, communication, problem solving, and personal-social skills. The questions from a longitudinal cohort study conducted in Canada (Québec) were used to generate hyperactivity, opposition, inattention and physical aggression scores. Associations were tested by multivariate linear regressions. RESULTS: Prenatal lead exposure was associated with delays in neurodevelopment at 18 months, reflected by lower scores in ASQ totals, and in the fine motor and problem-solving domains. Some of these associations appeared to be sex-specific, observed almost exclusively in boys (ASQ total, fine motor and personal-social scores). Prenatal lead exposure was not associated with behavioral scores. ZIKV infection during pregnancy was associated with a lower fine motor ASQ score, and higher scores for hyperactivity, opposition and physical aggression. Significant interaction between prenatal lead exposure and ZIKV status was observed with a lower personal-social score in ZIKV (-) only, and for hyperactivity and inattention scores, though some of these interactions (ASQ personal-social score, inattention score) were no longer significant when children with microcephaly were excluded from the analyses. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Our study confirms previous findings of associations between prenatal exposure to lead at low levels and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes during infancy and the particular vulnerability of boys. It suggests associations between ZIKV infection during pregnancy and adverse effects on a number of neurodevelopmental functions (fine motor function) and behaviors (opposition, hyperactivity), that need to be confirmed at later age. There is no strong evidence of interaction between ZIKV infection and lead exposure but both prenatal risk factors may affect fine motor function.

Simultaneous exposure to both Zika virus and household insecticides during pregnancy, and fetal growth and infant developmental behavior outcomes at 18 months, in Guadeloupe.

BACKGROUND: Perinatal infection with Zika virus (ZIKV) could result in adverse growth, developmental and behavioral outcomes, while insecticides used to control mosquitoes are neurotoxic. OBJECTIVES: We aim to study the role played by exposure during pregnancy to both ZIKV and household insecticides in newborn health, development and behavior at age of 18 months. METHODS: Maternal and cord blood samples from a cohort of pregnant women (created during Guadeloupe's Zika epidemic of 2016) were used to identify ZIKV infection during pregnancy. A self-administered questionnaire at birth documented prenatal household use of insecticides. Birth weight and head circumference were collected from maternity records (n = 708). Infant development and behaviors were documented at 18 months of age through the Ages and Stages Questionnaire and the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (n = 409). Logistic and linear regression models were performed, taking into account confounding factors. RESULTS: Use of household insecticides was associated with smaller head circumference and lower birth weight among newborns from mothers not exposed to ZIKV: 0.3 cm (95% CI: 0.6, 0) and -82 g (95% CI: 165, 0), respectively. Similar decreases were observed with ZIKV exposure among mothers not reporting household insecticides use, and with presence of both exposures. The combined presence of ZIKV exposure and insecticide use was associated with lower ASQ fine motor scores (-3.9; 95% CI: 7.3, -0.4), and higher hyperactivity scores (0.8; 95% CI: 0.0, 1.5), compared to no exposure to either. A higher opposition score was observed in association with ZIKV exposure among non-users of insecticide (0.6; 95% CI: 0.0, 1.2). CONCLUSION: Adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18 months of age were observed with prenatal ZIKV exposure, and with higher magnitude when mothers reported use of household insecticides. At birth, rates of adverse fetal growth were however similar for the combined presence of exposure and either of the exposures.

Squamous cell carcinoma in the Afro-Caribbean community: an 11-year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is considered the most frequent skin cancer in Black people. Its incidence is not known in the Afro-Caribbean population. OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of SCC in Guadeloupe, the largest island of the Lesser Antilles (405 000 inhabitants, mostly Black people of African and European descent). The second objective was to characterize clinical and histological patterns of SCC occurring in the Afro-Caribbean community. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted over an 11-year period (2000-2010). Data regarding 723 histological confirmed cases of SCC identified using the three Guadeloupean pathology laboratories' computerized databases were retrieved from the records of 551 patients. Private practice dermatologists and general practitioners were contacted to obtain any missing data. RESULTS: The annual age-adjusted incidence of SCC was 15 per 100.000 residents in Guadeloupe. In the Afro-Caribbean community, SCC had a greater size (i.e. 2.8 ± 2.8 cm vs. 1.5 ± 1.0 cm, P < 0.001), was more often located on the anogenital area (i.e. 48/79-60.8% vs. 14/320-4.4%, P < 0.001) in association with an underlying dermatosis due to HPV infection (15/71-21.1% vs. 3/366, 0.8%, P < 0.001) and led more frequently to metastasis (13/84-15.5% vs. 10/366-2.7%, P < 0.001) and/or fatal evolution (11/83-13.3% vs. 7/365-1.9%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this original study, which first estimated the incidence of SCC in West Indies, suggest that anogenital examination should be routinely performed in skin cancer screening of Afro-Caribbean people to detect the presence of SCC at an early stage. IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: Squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequent skin cancer in Black people. Its incidence is not known in the Afro-Caribbean population. In Guadeloupe, the largest island of the Lesser Antilles, the annual age-adjusted incidence of SCC was estimated to be 15.0 per 100 000 residents, 95% CI:[13.8; 16.2]. In the Guadeloupean Afro-Caribbean community, SCC seems to more frequently occur in the anogenital area, due to HPV infection. These results support to include a routine genital urinary examination in the skin cancer screening of people of Afro-Caribbean descent.

[Incidence of skin and non-skin cancers in Afro-Caribbean renal transplant recipients: Guadeloupe data from 2004 to 2011]. / Incidence des cancers cutanés et non cutanés chez les transplantés rénaux afro-caribéens : données guadeloupéennes de 2004 à 2011.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is the main complication of transplantation surgery. The literature concerning renal transplant recipients among the Afro-Caribbean population is scant. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of cancer in these patients, with the secondary objective being to identify predisposing factors for cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was an epidemiological and retrospective study that included all Guadeloupians of phototype V-VI undergoing renal transplantation from 01/01/2004 to 31/12/2011. Skin cancer screening was performed before transplantation and during an annual dermatological consultation following transplantation. Screening for non-cutaneous cancers was guided by clinical symptoms or by the results of the screening examinations recommended in the current guidelines. At the study time-point (31/12/2011), all patients were examined by a dermatologist. RESULTS: One hundred and two patients were included : 42 women and 60 men (mean age: 52.1±11.6 years at transplantation). Eight cancers were diagnosed. The cumulative incidence of cancer was 7.8% at 3 years. Three factors were associated with more rapid onset of cancer: personal history or familial history of cancer, and genital lesion induced by HPV. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a low incidence of cancer in Afro-Caribbean renal transplant patients. Personal or family history of cancer and HPV-induced genital lesions would appear to accelerate the onset of cancer in this population.

[Prevalence of cancer in the Afro-Caribbean population presenting dermatomyositis and anti-synthetase syndrome: a preliminary study conducted at Pointe-à-Pitre University Hospital, 2000-2012]. / Prévalence des cancers dans la population afro-caribéenne atteinte de dermatomyosite et de syndrome des anti-synthétases : étude préliminaire au CHU de Pointe-à-Pitre, 2000-2012.

BACKGROUND: An association with cancer is described in 17-32% of cases of dermatomyositis (DM) and in 5-16% of cases of anti-synthetase syndrome (ASS). The literature contains very few studies involving Afro-Caribbean patients with DM or ASS. The aim of our retrospective study was to determine the prevalence of cancer in a series of patients with DM or ASS at the University Hospital of Pointe-à-Pitre between 1st January 2000 and 31st December 2012. The secondary objective was to review the clinical and laboratory features as well as the course of DM/ASS in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The inclusion criteria were as follows: Afro-Caribbean origin; age >15 years; patient living in Guadeloupe; screening for malignancy. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were included (15 DM, 7 ASS). Only one case of cancer was diagnosed in the entire study population at a mean follow-up of 6 ± 4 years (prevalence: 6.7%, CI95% [1.7-31.9]). Of the 15 patients presenting DM (sex ratio F/M: 4, mean age: 45 ± 14 years), 6 (40%) had associated connective tissue disease. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests a weak association between DM and cancer in Afro-Caribbean patients. These results may be explained by the features of the disease seen in these patients (female gender, young age at onset, associated connective tissue disease) and the low prevalence in the Caribbean region of cancers typically associated with DM.

[Stage IV prostate cancer in Guadeloupe, a French Caribbean archipelago]. / Cancer de prostate non localisé au diagnostic en Guadeloupe.

OBJECTIVES: To study clinical characteristics, in terms of survival and response to treatment, of patients with non-localized prostate cancer at diagnosis in an Afro-Caribbean population from Guadeloupe. METHODS: Cases of stage IV prostate cancer (T4N0M0, TxN1M0 and TxNxM1) at diagnosis in the Pointe à Pitre Hospital were selected from 1995 to 2012 and studied. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-three patients were included. Median age at diagnosis was 70.3 years old (79.2% were more than 65 years). A total of 81.5% of them was TxNxM1 and 11.5% was TxN1M0. Median disease free survival was 18.5 months. Median overall survival was 49.0 months. CONCLUSION: This study about non-localized prostate cancer at diagnosis in an Afro-Caribbean population from a French Caribbean archipelago seemed to show no difference with general population suffering from the same disease, although prostate cancer incidence in this area is one of the highest in the world.