Bacterial profile of diabetic foot infections and antibiotic susceptibility in a specialized diabetes centre in Cameroon.

Introduction: bacterial profile of diabetic foot infections and the antibiotic susceptibility are essential in the prescription of empirical antibiotics before the results of cultures of deep wound samples are available. The aim of this study was to determine the microbiological profile and antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria isolated from infected diabetic foot ulcers in patients attending the Yaoundé Central Hospital, Cameroon. Methods: we retrospectively analyzed the records of patients hospitalized between 2008 and 2013 for diabetic foot infections. The main outcomes were the bacteriological profile and susceptibility patterns of isolates from positive culture of deep wound sample before antibiotherapy, carried out in the national reference laboratory. Eligible clinical records of patients were retrieved from the hospitalization registry. Results: a total of 101 patient records were analyzed. The mean age of patients was 57.1 ± 9.1 years. There were more males (64.4%), mostly with type 2 diabetes (99%), with a median duration of 9 years (IQR: 4 - 14 years). Their median blood sugar on admission was 246 mg/dL. Five percent of patients died and 23% had a major amputation. Two hundred and twenty-five (225) germs were isolated, with an average of 2.25 germs per patient. Gram-negative bacteria were more frequent (75.2%). These were mainly Morganella morganii (13.8%), Klebsiella pneumonia (12%), Escherichia coli (11.6%), Proteus spp. (10.7%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.9%). Gram-positive bacteria (24.8%) were mainly Staphylococcus aureus (9.3%), Streptococcus spp. (7.6%), and Enterococcus spp. (7.1%). Gram-negative bacteria showed a high resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (78%), fluoroquinolones (55%), and gentamycin (50%). They were susceptible to imipenem (95%), amikacin (88%), and show moderate susceptibility to third generation cephalosporins (62%). Gram-positive bacteria were susceptible to vancomycine (94%), and moderately susceptible to pristinamycine (82%) and fusidic acid (67%). Conclusion: Gram-negative bacteria were more frequently associated with diabetic foot infections, and were frequently resistant to the usually prescribed antibiotics, but remain susceptible to imipenem and amikacin. Our findings should be considered when prescribing empirical anti-biotherapy for diabetic foot infections in our setting.

Short-term effects of perindopril-amlodipine vs perindopril-indapamide on blood pressure control in sub-Saharan type 2 diabetic individuals newly diagnosed for hypertension: A double-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Poor blood pressure (BP) control contributes to complications in sub-Saharan African (SSA) type 2 diabetic individuals. Experts have advocated the use of combination therapies for effective BP control in these patients. The suggested combinations should include a RAAS antagonist and either a CCB or a thiazide diuretic; however, their efficacy is yet to be established in SSA. We investigated the short-term effects of two combination therapies on BP control in SSA type 2 diabetic individuals. This was a double-blinded randomized controlled trial conducted at the Yaoundé Central Hospital (Cameroon) from October 2016 to May 2017. We included type 2 diabetic patients, newly diagnosed for hypertension. After baseline assessment and 24-hour ABPM, participants were allocated to receive either a fixed combination of perindopril + amlodipine or perindopril + indapamide for 42 days. Data analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle. We included fifteen participants (8 being females) in each group. Both combinations provided good circadian BP control after 6 weeks with similar efficacy. Twenty-four-hour SBP dropped from 144 to 145 mm Hg vs 128 to 126 mm Hg with perindopril-amlodipine and perindopril-indapamide, respectively (P = 0.003 for both groups). Twenty-four-hour DBP dropped from 85 to 78 mm Hg (P = 0.013) vs 89 to 79 mm Hg (P = 0.006) in the same respective groups. No significant adverse effect was reported. A fixed initial combination of perindopril-amlodipine or perindopril-indapamide achieved similar effective BP control after 6 weeks in SSA type 2 diabetic individuals with newly diagnosed hypertension. Therefore, these combinations can be used interchangeably in this indication.

Heart rate variability in hyperthyroidism on sub Saharan African patients: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine heart rate variability in freshly diagnosed untreated hyperthyroidism patients. We enrolled 10 patients (9 females) and 10 matched controls for sex and age. Each eligible patient underwent five different tests according to Ewing battery tests for cardiac autonomic dysfunction assessment. HRV was assessed during each maneuver and on 24 h using a continuous electrocardiogram with automatic estimation of SDNN, RMSSD, LF HF and HF/LH ratio. Results of tests were compared between hyperthyroidism patients and matched controls using the non-parametric test of Mann-Whitney. RESULTS: Heart rate was significantly higher in patients with thyrotoxicosis (82.91 ± 10.99 vs 67.04 ± 6.80; 0.006) compared to their controls. On time-domain analysis, there was a trend towards reduction in SDNN (39.52 vs. 63.75; p = 0.2) as well as the RMSSD (30.44 vs 64.03; p = 0.09) in patients with hyperthyroidism. The frequency-domain analysis showed non-significant higher values for the LF (43.87 vs 38.85 ± 12.85; p = 0.8) and lower for the HF (32.54 vs 43.39; p = 0.3). Test's results were mostly impaired in hyperthyroid patients and all patients presented abnormal results for parasympathetic activity. Untreated and recently diagnosed hyperthyroidism is associated to an altered parasympathetic activity in sub Saharan African patients.

Effect of propranolol on heart rate variability in hyperthyroidism.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the effect of propanolol on heart rate variability (HRV) in hyperthyroidism before antithyroid treatment. This was a before and after study, on ten patients presenting overt hyperthyroidism naïve to treatment. In each patient, a resting electrocardiogram was done followed by estimation of cardiac autonomic dysfunction during five maneuvers (Ewing battery tests). Long term HRV measurement was done using 24 h ambulatory electrocardiographic recording. This automatically provided estimation of HRV using SDNN and RMSSD index, LF, HF, and HF/LF ratio. After baseline investigations, 40 mg of propanolol was given twice a day for 3 days and same parameters were measured after 72 h of treatment. RESULTS: Our patients were aged 40 ± 10 years. Propanolol significantly reduced RR and HR interval (669 ms vs 763 ms and 91 vs 79 bpm; p < 0.01). QT and PR space were significantly extended (360 vs 384 ms and 133 vs 172 ms; p = 0.01). It increases QRS complex and blood pressure response to sustained handgrip but failed to modify previously decreased heart response to deep breathing. HRV parameters such as SDNN, RMSSD, LF, HF and sympathovagal balance estimate by HF/LF ratio remained unchanged. Although a significant reduction in heart excitability, propanolol failed to restore a good sympathovagal balance in hyperthyroidism. Trial registration NCT03393728 "Retrospectively registered".

Metabolic effects of Foofoo corn on healthy volunteers: influence of some traditional Cameroonian sauces.

BACKGROUND: Little data to guide diet prescription exists about the foods most frequently consumed in Africa. Moreover, the sauce accompanying a meal can significantly alter the metabolic effects of food. Our work was to study the influence of sauces on the metabolic effects of foofoo corn (Zea mays), one of the most commonly consumed foods in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa with a wide range of sauces. METHODS: Our study population consisted of ten healthy volunteers (five men, five women), aged from 21 to 28 years, with mean BMI of 23.9 (SD 1.9) kg/m2. The study involved seven visits of three hours each, conducted every 2 days, including one devoted to the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and six visits to the consumption of each of 6 meals tested, standardized to 75 g of carbohydrate intake. Blood samples were collected at 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min after consumption of meals for blood glucose and triglycerides levels. The glucose area under the curve of each tested meal, was used to calculate its glycemic index, using the OGTT as the reference. The accompanying sauces tested with foofoo corn were: okra sauce (Abelmoschus esculentus), the so-called yellow sauce (Elaeis guinensis), the pistachio sauce (Pistacia vera), the nkui (Triumpheta pentandra), ndolé (Vernonia amygdalima) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea). RESULTS: All meals had generally a low glycemic index, with a maximum of 22.59 % for okra and cabbage, followed by ndolè (20.18 %), the yellow sauce (13.10 %), pistachio sauce (11.60 %), and nkui (5.27 %). There was a difference in the effects of the diets on triglyceride levels only at 180 min (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Whatever the accompanying sauce, foofoo corn has a low glycemic index. Some sauces, such as nkui give it a very low glycemic index and may be of great interest in diet prescription for patients with various metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity.

Rural and urban differences in metabolic profiles in a Cameroonian population.

INTRODUCTION: The difference between modern lifestyle in urban areas and the traditional way of life in rural areas may affect the population's health in developing countries proportionally. In this study, we sought to describe and compare the metabolic (fasting blood sugar and lipid profile) profile in an urban and rural sample of a Cameroonian population, and study the association to anthropometric risk factors of obesity. METHODS: 332 urban and 120 rural men and women originating from the Sanaga Maritime Department and living in the Littoral Region in Cameroon voluntarily participated in this study. In all participants, measurement of height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure systolic (SBP) and blood pressure diastolic (DBP), resting heart rate (RHR), blood glucose and lipids was carried out using standard methods. Total body fat (BF%) was measured using bio-impedancemetry. Body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. Low Density Lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) concentrations were calculated using the Friedwald formula. World Health Organization criteria were used to define high and low levels of blood pressure, metabolic and anthropometric factors. RESULTS: The highest blood pressure values were found in rural men. Concerning resting heart rate, only the youngest women's age group showed a significant difference between urban and rural areas (79 ± 14 bpm vs 88 ± 12 bpm, p = 0.04) respectively. As opposed to the general tendency in our population, blood glucose was higher in rural men and women compared to their urban counterparts in the older age group (6.00 ± 2.56 mmol/L vs 5.72 ± 2.72 mmol/L, p = 0.030; 5.77 ± 3.72 vs 5.08 ± 0.60, p = 0,887 respectively). Triglycerides (TG) were significantly higher in urban than rural men (1.23 ± 0.39 mmol/L vs 1.17 ± 0.64 mmol/L, p = 0.017). High Density Lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) levels were higher in rural compared to urban men (2.60 ± 0.10 35mmol/L vs 1.97 ± 1.14 mmol/L, p<0.001 respectively). However, total Cholesterol (TC) and LDL-c were significantly higher in urban than in rural men (p<0.001 and p = 0.005) and women (p<0.001 respectively. Diabetes' rate in this population was 6.6%. This rate was higher in the rural (8.3%) than in the urban area (6.0%). Age and RHR were significantly higher in diabetic women than in non-diabetics (p = 0.007; p = 0.032 respectively). In a multiple regression, age was an independent predictor of SBP, DBP and RHR in the entire population. Age predicted blood glucose in rural women only. BMI, WC and BF% were independent predictors of RHR in rural population, especially in men. WC and BF% predicted DBP in rural men only. Anthropometric parameters did not predict the lipid profile. CONCLUSION: Lipid profile was less atherogenic in rural than in urban area. The rural population was older than the urban one. Blood pressure and blood glucose were positively associated to age in men and women respectively; this could explain the higher prevalence of diabetes in rural than in urban area. The association of these metabolic variables to obesity indices is more frequent and important in urban than in rural area.