[Fluconazole 1200mg or 800mg for cryptococcal meningitis treatment in Ivory Coast]. / Fluconazole 1200mg ou 800mg dans le traitement de la cryptococcose neuroméningée en Côte d'Ivoire.

OBJECTIVE: Assessing the use of high-dose fluconazol monotherapy (1200mg or 800mg) in the treatment and prognosis of HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis in Ivory Coast. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study carried out from August 2008 to August 2011 based on patients charts suffering from CM in the Abidjan Tropicals and Infectious Disease Unit. Mortality rate and associated factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-six cases of cryptococcal meningitis (2.5% of hospitalizations) were included. The sex-ratio was of 1.2. The median age was 40.5 [35-47] years. The symptomatology was subacute (93.5%). The main clinical symptoms were syndrome of pure meningeal irritation (65%), fever (100%); 35% of patients had encephalomeningits. Twenty-one (45.7%) was ART-naïve patients. Fluconazole 1200mg was prescribed to 29 (63%) patients. Therapeutic lumbar punctures were performed in 42 (91.3) patients. The mortality rate was 50%. Significant predictors of mortality were encephalomeningitis and therapeutic lumbar puncture. CONCLUSION: Cryptococcal meningitis associated mortality remains high despite the use of high-dose fluconazole monotherapy. Therapeutic lumbar punctures help to improving the prognosis.

Antiretroviral chemoprophylaxis in children and adolescents victims of rape in Abidjan.

OBJECTIVE: We described the use of antiretroviral drugs to prevent HIV transmission among children and adolescents victims of rape in Abidjan (Ivory Coast). MATERIALS AND METHOD: We conducted a retrospective and descriptive study on children (0-9 years) and adolescents (10-19 years) victims of rape between 2000 and 2013. We analyzed the patients' socio-demographic characteristics and the modality of the chemoprophylaxis. RESULTS: We included 10 children and 89 adolescents in the study. The median age was 16 years old (3-19 years). The median time to consultation was 23.5 hours (5-152 hours). The antiretroviral chemoprophylaxis was administered to 92 patients (93%). No HIV and HBV seroconversion was observed after a 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: A better management of rape victims is required in Abidjan.

Seven native cases of dengue in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

OBJECTIVE: We had for aim to describe the epidemiological, clinical, biological, and outcome features of dengue fever in Abidjan, in 2010. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied the files of patients hospitalized for dengue fever in 2010, in Abidjan. The diagnosis was made on clinical symptoms and positive dengue PCR and/or IgM. RESULTS: Seven patients were included (5 men, 2 women, median age of 51years [31-65years]). They presented with a febrile pain syndrome (n=7), jaundice (n=3), rash (n=2), and hematemesis complicated by thrombocytopenia (n=6) and leukopenia (n=5). Three patients had a positive IgM serology and 4 had a positive dengue PCR for DENV-3. The outcome was favorable for 6 patients, and 1 patient died of severe hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: The authors advocate the implementation of epidemiological surveillance of dengue and vector control in the Ivory Coast.

Cryptoccocal meningitis and HIV in the era of HAART in Côte d'Ivoire.

OBJECTIVE: The authors had for aim to describe the management of cryptococcal meningitis in HIV infected adults, in Ivory Coast. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was made from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2008 on the files of consecutive hospitalized patients presenting with cryptococcal meningitis, at the Treichville University Hospital, Infectious and tropical diseases department (Abidjan). The socio-demographic, clinical, and biological aspects as well as the outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: Eighty patients presenting with cryptococcal meningitis, (2.6% of hospitalized patients) were included: 41 men (51.25%) and 39 women (48.75%); mean age: 40 years (range 26 to 58 years). The delay before consultation was 5.4 days, range 2-12 days). The mains symptoms were headache (83.7%), fever (63.7%), and consciousness disorders (60%). Meningo-encephalitis accounted for 75% of the clinical presentations; 54 patients (67.5%) were naive of antiretroviral treatment (mean CD4: 45/mm(3) (range 5-103/mm(3)), while 26 (32.5%) had received antiretrovirals before presenting with cryptococcal meningitis (Nadir CD4=81/mm(3)). Amphotericin B relayed by fluconazole was prescribed to 86.2% of the patients, associated with a therapeutic lumbar puncture for 30 patients. The death rate was 41.2%. CONCLUSION: In spite of antiretroviral treatment availability in Ivory Coast, cryptococcal meningitis remains frequent with a high death rate. This study stresses the importance of early management to improve the prognosis.

[Clinical and developmental aspects of care-related tetanus in the reference service of the teaching hospital of Abidjan]. / Aspects cliniques et évolutifs du tétanos lié aux soins dans le service de référence du CHU d'Abidjan.

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from medical data of inpatients with tetanus in the Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases of the University Hospital of Treichville in Abidjan from January 2003 to December 2007. In five years, 221 cases of tetanus have been hospitalized. The tetanus gateway was found in 188 patients (85%). Tetanus gateway linked to care was found in 22 patients (11.7%). Acts of care in question were intramuscular injections (10 cases) and operative procedures (12 cases). Concerning medical care by intramuscular injection, quinine (four cases), sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (one case), and long-acting penicillin (one case) were the identified drugs. The operative procedures mainly involved were skin sutures (nine cases), cures of hernia (two cases), and flattening of Fournier's gangrene (one case). The average incubation period was 9.5 days. The invasion lasted for an average of 1.8 days. On admission, tetanus was immediately generalized for all patients with the presence of paroxysms in 20 patients (90.9%). The lethality of tetanus related care was 54.5%. The death rate in the first 48 hours of hospitalization was estimated at 83.3%. The average length of hospital stay was 14.6 days. Health workers should be involved in the prevention of tetanus in improving the quality of care and especially in reducing intramuscular injections. Also, any patient not immunized against tetanus should receive anti-tetanus serum and an update of its tetanus vaccine before any invasive procedures.

[Antiretroviral prophylaxis after non-occupational exposure to HIV in Abidjan (Cote d'Ivoire)]. / Prophylaxie antirétrovirale après expositions non professionnelles au VIH à Abidjan (Cote d'Ivoire).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the tolerability and adherence to all non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for cases of HIV exposure in Abidjan. METHOD: We retrospectively studied all post-exposure prophylaxis for non-occupational exposures to HIV prescribed from January 1st, 2000 to December 31st, 2007 in the Abidjan infectious diseases department. We analyzed the types of exposure, socio-demographic characteristics of patients, antiretroviral therapy regimens, adherence and tolerability, duration of the treatment, and post-exposure follow-up. RESULTS: Over these eight years, we managed 128 consultations for non-professional exposures to HIV (50 male [39%], 78 female patients [61%]), average age 24.8 years (four-54 years). The most frequent exposures were due to rape (n=74), condom rupture (n=29), and occasional unprotected sex (n=21). The average delay before consultation was 20.8 hours. The antiretroviral chemoprophylaxis included a protease inhibitor in 93% of the cases; 80.5% of patients completed 28 days of chemoprophylaxis, while 8.6% interrupted the treatment, and 10.9% were lost to follow-up. The most frequent adverse effects were gastrointestinal, reported by 79 patients (61.7%). Only 34 patients (26.6%) returned for clinical and biological post-exposure follow-up with HIV control at third month, without documented seroconversion. CONCLUSION: Cases of sexual exposure to HIV are the main indication for post-exposure prophylaxis in Abidjan, except for occupational exposure to blood. However, post-exposure prophylaxis should be available in the units of primary care, such as emergencies departments.

[Persistent, cavitating, non-tuberculous pneumopathy in a patient with HIV: the role of Candida?]. / Pneumopathie persistante et excavee non tuberculeuse chez un patient infecte par le VIH: rôle de candida?

Fungal agents are not common cause of pneumonia. In favorables conditions mycosis can cause atypical clinical and radiographic figures. Authors report the observation of a 45 years and VIH-positive patient presenting a persistant and excavating pneumonia probably caused by Candida albicans.

[Efficiency and safety of antiretroviral treatment among the elderly in Abidjan]. / Efficacite et tolerance du traitement antiretroviral chez les sujets ages a Abidjan.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of antiretroviral treatment in elderly people followed at the Unit for Infectious and Tropical Diseases at the University Hospital in Abidjan. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective descriptive study of the files of people aged at least 60 years, infected by HIV who were treated and followed-up in the Unit between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 2006. We analysed sociodemographic (age, sex), clinical (weight, Karnofsky scale, CDC, opportunistic infections), biological (HIV, CD4, haemogram, glycaemia, creatininaemia, transaminasaemia) and therapeutic (antiretroviral regimens, evolution, side-effects) parameters. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated as the percentage of patients with < 200 CD4/ml, and its safety was based on deleterious effects. RESULTS: We studied 62 patients (44 men, 18 women), of whom 13 had been treated (21%), 46 had not been treated (74.2%) and 48 (77.4%) were undergoing chemoprophy-laxis with cotrimoxazole. Most were infected with HIV1 (93.6%), 3.2% with HIV2 and 3.2% with both HIV1 and HIV2. The majority (93.3%) was symptomatic, and 67.8% had AIDS. During 34 months of follow-up, 48 patients (77.4%) received first-line treatment, 13 (21%) received second-line and only one patient (1.6%) had third-line treatment. The percentage of patients with more than 200 CD4/ml increased from 20% at baseline to 36% at 6 months and 39% at 12 months. The main clinical side-effect was peripheral neuropathy (30.5%), and the main biological effect was hypertransaminasaemia > 2N (32.3%). The median rate of loss to follow-up was 17.7%, and two patients (3.2%) died. CONCLUSION: Antiretroviral treatment is effective in the elderly, with few biological disorders. A prospective study of a larger sample would elucidate the differences from younger people in the efficacy of such treatment.

Efficacite et tolerance du traitement antiretroviral chez les sujets ages a Abidjan

Objectif : Evaluer l'efficacite du traitement antiretroviral chez les sujets ages suivis dans le service des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales a Abidjan. Materiel et Methodes : Il s'agit d'une etude retrospective; descriptive et portant sur l'analyse des dossiers de sujets ages d'au moins 60 ans; infectes par le VIH; traites et suivis dans le service des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales entre le 1er janvier 1999 et le 31 decembre 2006. L'analyse a porte sur les parametres sociodemographiques (age; sexe); cliniques ARV; (poids; score Karnofsky; stade CDC; affections opportunistes); biologiques (type de VIH; CD4; hemogramme; glycemie; creatininemie; transaminasemie) et therapeutiques (regimesA RV; evolution; effets secondaires). L'efficacite du traitement etait basee sur le pourcentage de patients ayant un taux de CD4 200 / ml et la tolerance basee sur les effets deleteres. Resultats : L'etude a concerne 62 sujets ages (44 hommes / 18 femmes); dont 13 pretraites (21); 46 naifs (74;20) et 48 (77;42) sous chimioprophylaxie au cotrimoxazole. La majorite de l'effectif etait infectee par le VIH1 (93;60) contre 3;20pour le VIH2 et 3;20pour le VIH 1+2. Ils etaient symptomatiques a 93;3avec 67;8au stade SIDA. En trente quatre mois de suivi; 48 patients ont recu un regime de premiere ligne (77;4) ; 13 de deuxieme ligne (20;96) et un seul patient avait un regime de troisieme ligne (1;6). L'analyse des resultats a montre que le pourcentage des patients ayant un taux des CD4 200 etait croissant; passant de 20a M0 a 36a M6 puis 39a M12. Quant aux effets secondaires; ils etaient cliniquement domines par les neuropathies peripheriques (30;5) et biologiquement par l'hypertransaminasemie 2N (32;3). Le taux median de perdus de vue etait de 17;7; et 2 patients (3;22) sont decedes. Conclusion : Le traitement ARV est efficace chez les personnes agees avec peu d'anomalies biologiques; aussi; une etude prospective sur un plus grand echantillonnage permettrait-elle de mieux percevoir les differences avec le sujet jeune

Pneumopathie persistante et excavee non tuberculeuse chez un patient infecte par le VIH : role de candida ?

Les mycoses sont une cause peu commune de pneumopathie. Dans certaines circonstances favorables; elles peuvent etre a l'origine de tableaux cliniques et radiologiques trompeurs; pouvant faire errer le diagnostic

[Hyperactive malarious splenomegaly: diagnosis and therapeutic problems in adults]. / Splénomégalie palustre hyperactive: problèmes diagnostiques et thérapeutiques chez l'adulte.

The chronic forms of malaria are scarce. We report a case of an hyperactive malarious splenomegaly. This case concerns a 69 year-old man residing in a village of Côte d'Ivoire. He had massive splenomegaly type IV. He was admitted in hospital for progressive loss of weight and moderate fever He presented also asthenia, anaemia and regular hepatomegaly. The haematological, biochemical, immunological and radiological exams ruled out trypanosomiasis, visceral leishmaniasis, tuberculosis, bilharziasis diseases and neoplasia process. His age, the massive splenomegaly, the anaemia, the high antimalarial IgM antibodies in immunofluorescence and the favourable response to the prolonged administration of antimalarial treatment led to the diagnosis of hyperactive malarious splenomegaly despite the detection of Plasmodium falciparum in blood. This observation allows to underline the frequency of this possible underestimated chronic form of malaria in Africa and shows the necessity to consider it seriously when facing massive splenomegaly.

[Efavirenz versus indinavir among HIV-1 naive patients in Abidjan (Ivory Coast)]. / Efavirenz versus indinavir chez les patients naïfs infectés par le VIH-1 à Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire).

OBJECTIVE: The authors had for aim to compare the therapeutic efficiency and tolerance of 2 NRTI+efavirenz (EFV) versus 2 NRTI+indinavir (IDV) in HIV infected adults in Abidjan. METHODS: A retrospective and multicentric study was made on 327 HIV-1 naive patients, 142 in the EFV group and 185 in the IDV group followed in Abidjan from November 1998 to December 2003. The analysis concerned clinical advents (opportunistic infections) and immunovirological parameters (CD4, viral load). Patients received 2 NRTI such as AZT+3TC or D4T+3TC combined either with EFV or IDV. The principal judgement criterion was therapeutic failure. We assessed the percentage of patients with undetectable viral load and the frequency of grade 3-4 adverse effects after 24 months of follow-up. RESULTS: Clinical improvement of patients' state and regression of opportunistic infections were identical in the two groups. The average gain of CD4 was superior to 177 in EFV versus +219 in IDV (p=0.004). The percentage of patients with undetectable viral load was 66% for EFV versus 59% for IDV (p=0.04). The frequency of adverse effects was more elevated with EFV than IDV, 39% versus 23% (p=0.002) initially, but seemed to decrease later. CONCLUSION: HAART with EFV is at least as efficient as with IDV in terms of reduction of viral load and increased CD4 count and is an excellent low-cost first line treatment.

[Generalized tetanus complicating a traditional medicine applied for snakebite]. / Tétanos généralisé compliquant un traitement traditionnel instauré après une morsure de serpent.

In many of Africa's rural areas, snakebite victims often resort to traditional healers for first line treatment. This may be source of infectious complications. We report a case of generalized tetanus which occured after 15 days in a 13-years old boy who had applied a traditional, plant-based concoction on a snake bite. He presented with trismus, generalized contractures and fever extended musculo-aponevrotic necrosis of the right upper limb, without loss of consciousness. The only accompanying biological sign was an increased leukocyte count (11,200/mm3) with a predominance of neutrophils (84%). Platelets count, creatinin and AST/ALT titers and haemostasis were all normal, as was the radiogram of the right hand. The clinical outcome was favourable after 3 weeks hopital care (antibiotic, muscle relaxants, antitetanus serotherapy and local wounds care). This clinical observation shows that traditional care for snake bite wounds can be an entry point for tetanus. Appropriate treatment of snake bites in a hospital setting is of the utmost importance, in addition to vaccination against tetanus, in order to reduce the incidence of tetanus in African countries.

[First case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome in a patient treated by Triomune in Abidjan, Côte d'lvoire]. / Premier cas de syndrome de Stevens-Johnson chez un patient traité par association de stavudine, lamivudine et névirapine à Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

The authors report the first case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome which has occurred in a 45 year old patient treated by Triomune containing névirapine. Triomune is used within the context of the African antiretroviral initiative access. It was a mild form whose evolution was favourable when nevirapine was stopped. The prevalence of this affection should increase with the larger use of nevirapine in our countries and the attention of both prescriber and patient must be requested.

[Prevalence of HBs antigen in blood donors in the Bouaké regional centre of blood transfusion in 2001]. / Prévalence de l'antigène HBs chez les donneurs de sang au centre régional de transfusion sanguine de Bouaké (Côte d'lvoire) en 2001.

A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the regional center of blood transfusion in Bouaké from December 1, 2001 to February 28, 2002. One thousand two hundred thirty one new blood donors were tested. HBs Antigen detection was made according to ELISA technique (Hepanostika HBs Ag Uni-Form II). HBs Antigen prevalence in blood donors in Bouaké was 12.5%. One hundred fifty four blood donors were tested positive and were divided into 131 males (85%) and 23 females (15%). Their average age was 27, 5 years old (18-65 years). HBs Antigen carriage rate was lower in females and students. They were mainly pupils (62%) and had risk factors of hepatitis B infection (intramuscular injection, multiple sexual partners, unsafe sex). HBs Antigen carriage rate in blood donors is high in Bouaké and justifies the systematic screening of this Antigen in any blood donor to reduce the transfusion risk. On the other hand, it is necessary to modify the blood collection strategy in order to make the most of the donation and to decrease the residual risk.

[Management of accidental exposure to blood in the Treichville teaching hospital, Abidjan (Côte-d'Ivoire)]. / Prise en charge des accidents d'exposition au sang au CHU de Treichville, Abidjan (Côte-d'Ivoire).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess care and preventive measures for accidental exposure to blood (AEB) in Abidjan. METHODS: A retrospective study of all AEB reported in the Infectious and Tropical Diseases Center of the Treichville University Hospital was made between January 2000 and December 2005. Epidemiology, management, clinical and biological post-exposure follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-two AEB were managed over 6 years (151 needlesticks, 14 ocular projections of blood, 12 cuts, and 5 mucocutaneous exposure to blood). 94 men (51.6%) and 68 women (48.4%) were included [sex ratio 1.4] mean age 33.8 years+/-7.4 years. Physicians (29.1%), nurses (19.8%), assistant nurse (12.1%), and medical students (11.4%) were the professional categories which declared most accidents. Among them, only 51.1% was correctly vaccinated against hepatitis B. The average delay of consultation was 26.5 hours (1-240 hours), and 82.9% of victims consulted before the 48th hour. Antiretroviral prophylaxis was prescribed to 151 patients among whom 45% with bitherapy (Zidovudine and Lamivudine), and 55% with HAART including an antiprotease. Only 60 patients had one actual month of treatment. Despite the weak follow-up, no case of HIV seroconversion was reported 6 month after exposure. CONCLUSION: This work underlines once again the high frequency of AEB in Abidjan despite a under reporting, and calls for the implementation of a policy to train health care workers on AEB preventive measures.

[Medical emergencies related to HIV/AIDS in tropical zones: a prospective study in Cote d'Ivoire (1999-2000)]. / Urgences médicales liées au VIH/SIDA en zone tropicale: étude prospective en côte d'ivoire, 1999-2000.

At the beginning of the HIV epidemic, the incidence of the complications considered as emergencies was high in developed countries but with the advent of new therapeutic strategies the frequency of such complications and the associated need for emergency treatment decreased drastically. In developing countries where management resources remain limited, HIV/AIDS patients are still exposed to the risk of serious complications. However few studies have documented exact implication of HIV/AIDS in medical emergencies hospitals in developing countries. The purpose of this prospective study was to describe medical emergencies related to HIV infection in adult patients admitted at Treichvilie University Hospital Center. Evaluation of prevalence was carried out in the infections disease and internal medicine emergency units between May 1999 and January 2000. All patients over the age of 15 years were included after informed consent to undergo pre-testing and HIV serology. A total of 400 patients were recruited including 312 that were HIV positive (78%). Mean patient age of patients was 35 years. The male-to-female sex ratio was 1. The most frequent motives for emergency consultation were deterioration of general condition (62%), diarrhea (39.1%) and cough (20.5%). Illness was chronic in 54% of cases. Physical signs were severe weight lost (84%), fever (50%), pale conjunctivas (29%), respiratory signs (19.2%) and dehydration (19%). The most frequent organic involvement causing admission was digestive (39.7%), neurological (24.4%) and pulmonary (20.5%). No deaths were observed. Most medical emergencies related to the HIV infection in the adult involved opportunistic diseases. They pose a challenge for therapeutic management.

Urgences medicales liees au VIH/SIDA en zone tropicale : etude prospective en Cote d'Ivoire; 1999-2000

Dans les pays developpes; au debut de l'epidemie du VIH; l'incidence des complications decrites comme des urgences etait tres elev e e. Mais l'avenement de nouvelles strategies therapeutiques; a fait considerablement reduire la frequence de ces complications et des consultations qu'elles imposaient en urgence. Par contre; dans les pays en developpement ou les moyens de prise en charge sont encore limites; on constate avec amertume; que les patients continuent d'etre exposes a ces complications graves. Mais a defaut d'etudes; on ignore la place du VIH/SIDA parmi les problemes rencontres chez les patients en situation d'urgence dans ces hopitaux. L'objectif de notre etude etait de decri re les urgences medicales liees a l'infection a VIH chez l'adulte au CHU de Treichville. Il s'agit d'une etude pro s p e c t ive sous fo rme d'enquete de prevalence realisee entre mai 1999 et janvier 2000; dans les unites d'urgences d'infectiologie et de medecine. Ont ete inclus dans l'etude les sujets admis aux urgences ages de plus de 15 ans et ayant accepte de participer a l'enquete en se soumettant au pre-test et a la serologie du VIH. Nous avons recrute 400 patients parmi lesquels 312 etaient infectes par le VIH (78). L' age moyen des patients etait de 35 ans. Le sex - ratio H/F etait de 1. Les motifs de consultation les plus frequents :l'alteration de l'etat general (62); la diarrhee (39;1) et la toux (20;5) ; 54des pathologies avaient une evolution chronique. Les signes physiques etaient l'amaigrissement important (83;6); la fievre (50); la paleur des conjonctives (29); les signes respiratoires (19;2) et la deshydratation (19). Les atteintes organiques les plus frequentes etaient digestives (39;7); neurologiques (24;4) et pulmonaires (20;5) et ont necessite plus d'hospitalisation. Aucun cas de deces n'a ete observe. Les urgences medicales liees a l'infection par le VIH chez l'adulte concernent essentiellement les affe ctions opportunistes. Elles posent le pro bleme de leur prise en charge therapeutique.). L' age moyen des patients etait de 35 ans. Le sex - ratio H/F etait de 1. Les motifs de consultation les plus frequents: l ' alteration de l'etat general (62); la diarrhee (39;1) et la toux (20;5) ; 54des pathologies avaient une evolution chro n i q u e. Les signes physiques etaient l'amaigrissement important (83;6); la fi e v re (50); la paleur des conjonctives (29); les signes re s p i rat o i res (19;2) et la deshydratation (19). Les atteintes organiques les plus frequentes etaient digestives (39;7); neurologiques (24;4) et pulmonaires (20;5) et ont necessite plus d'hospitalisation. Aucun cas de deces n'a ete observe. Les urgences medicales liees a l'infection par le VIH chez l'adulte concernent essentiellement les affe ctions opportunistes. Elles posent le pro bleme de leur prise en charge therap e u t i q u e.). L' age moyen des patients etait de 35 ans. Le sex - ratio H/F etait de 1. Les motifs de consultation les plus frequents: l ' a l t e ration de l'etat general (62); la diarrhee (39;1) et la toux (20;5) ; 54des pathologies avaient une evolution chronique. Les signes physiques etaient l'amaigrissement important (83;6); la fievre (50); la paleur des conjonctives (29); les signes respiratoires (19;2) et la deshydratation (19). Les atteintes organiques les plus frequentes etaient digestives (39;7); neurologiques (24;4) et pulmonaires (20;5) et ont necessite plus d'hospitalisation. Aucun cas de deces n'a ete observe. Les urgences medicales liees a l'infection par le VIH chez l'adulte concernent essentiellement les affe ctions opportunistes. Elles posent le pro bleme de leur prise en charge therapeutique

A descriptive, retrospective study of 567 accidental blood exposures in healthcare workers in three West African countries.

We conducted a multi-centre study in West African hospital wards to document accidental blood exposure (ABE) risks in these settings, and assessed the incidence of ABE in participating healthcare workers (HCWs) retrospectively. In total, 1241 HCWs participated in the survey from 43 hospital wards. Among them, 567 (45.7%) had sustained at least one ABE with an estimated incidence of 0.33 percutaneous injuries (PCIs) and 0.04 mucocutaneous contacts (MCCs)/HCW/year in medical or intensive care personnel and 1.8 PCIs/HCW/year in surgeons. The ABE was a needlestick in 454 (80.1%) of 567 cases, a cut in 19 cases (3.4%), a splash or contact with non-intact skin in 87 cases (15.3%), and was undocumented in seven cases (1.2%). The source patient's human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serostatus was positive in 74 cases (13.1%), negative in 65 cases (11.5%), and unknown in 416 cases (73.4%). The ABE was not notified in the ward in 392 cases (69.1%). Healthcare structures can improve HCWs' safety and reduce the stigma against HIV-infected patients by improving access to training, information, primary prevention (ABE prevention equipment) and secondary prevention (postexposure prophylaxis) of occupational infection risks.