[Risk factors associated with leg erysipelas (cellulitis) in sub-Saharan Africa: A multicentre case-control study]. / Facteurs de risque associés à l'érysipèle de jambe en Afrique subsaharienne: étude multicentrique cas-témoins.

BACKGROUND: Acute bacterial cellulitis of the leg (erysipelas) is a common problem involving considerable morbidity in dermatology practice in Africa. Previous studies conducted in Europe and North Africa have highlighted lymphoedema and toe-web intertrigo as independent factors associated with leg erysipelas. The aim of this case-control study was to identify risk factors associated with leg erysipelas in sub-Saharan Africa, within a different socio-economic and culture context. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective case-control study in hospital dermatology departments in 8 sub-Saharan African countries over a 12-month period (October 2013 to September 2014). Each case of acute leg cellulitis was matched with 2 controls for age (±5 years) and sex. We analysed the general and local factors. RESULTS: During the study period, 364 cases (223 female, 141 male) were matched with 728 controls. The mean age was 42.15±15.15 years for patients and 42.11±36 years for controls. Multivariate analysis showed the following to be independent risk factors associated with leg erysipelas in our study: obesity (odds ratio [OR]=2.82 ; 95% confidence interval: 2.11-3.76), lymphoedema (OR=3.87, 95%CI: 2.17-6.89), voluntary cosmetic depigmentation (OR=4.29, 95%CI: 2.35-7.83), neglected traumatic wound (OR=37.2, 95%CI: 24.9-57.72) and toe-web intertrigo (OR=37.86, 95%CI: 22.27-64.5). CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirms the major role of local risk factors (toe-web intertrigo, lymphoedema) previously identified in other geographical settings. However, the originality of our study consists of the identification of voluntary cosmetic depigmentation as a risk factor for leg erysipelas in sub-Saharan Africa.

[Unrecognized juvenile dermatomyositis complicated by calcinosis universalis: a case report from Cameroon]. / Dermatomyosite juvénile méconnue compliquée d'une calcinose universelle : un cas camerounais.

Juvenile dermatomyositis is a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the skin and muscles. Calcinosis may complicate its course, especially when the diagnosis is late or the corticosteroid therapy inadequate. In those cases, significant joint disability may occur. Few cases are reported in sub-Saharan Africa, probably because it is rarely recognized in these areas. We report the first Cameroonian case, occurring in a 9-year-old girl. Although she sought treatment early in the disease course, the dermatomyositis was diagnosed quite late, after the onset of calcinosis universalis and severe disability. Early diagnosis of the disease and effective treatment are essential to prevent calcinosis universalis from complicating this disease in children.

[Fatal miliary tuberculosis in an HIV-infected Cameroon woman: disseminated histoplasmosis due to Histoplasma capsulatum capsulatum]. / Miliaire pulmonaire létale chez une femme camerounaise infectée par le VIH.

The purpose of this report is to describe the first Cameroonian case of disseminated histoplasmosis due to Histoplasma capsulatum capsulatum in association with HIV infection. The patient was a 34-year-old HIV1 infected woman. Diagnosis of histoplamosis was made in post-mortem. The similarity of the clinical symptoms with disseminated tuberculosis makes diagnosis of mycosis difficult. Active and effective care of histoplasmosis is urgently necessary for the HIV infected persons.