Socio-cultural representation of epilepsy at the teaching hospital of point G, Mali

Background

Epilepsy is a significant public health concern with psychosocial impacts, including fear, stigma, and misconceptions. These factors contribute to human rights violations and discrimination. The objective of this study was to describe the sociocultural representation of epilepsy in Mali.

Materials and methods

This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out from April 2015 to November 2016 at the University Hospital of Point G. Patients with epilepsy were identified prospectively, and a questionnaire was administered to each patient and their parents.

Results

A total of 104 patients were enrolled with an average age of 35 years, ranging from 15 to 89 years. Males were slightly predominant, accounting for 53.85%, resulting in a sex ratio (M/F) of 1.17. In terms of occupation, workers comprised 68.27% of participants. Patients residing in urban areas represented 61.54%, and the most level of education was secondary (40.38%). The majority of patients (57.69%) and their relatives (69.23%) thought that epilepsy was caused by mystical causes. Stigma was reported by 66.35% of our patients.

Conclusion

The sociocultural perception of epilepsy hinders evidence-based diagnosis and management in Africa. This study suggests a need to focus on raising awareness to change these misconceptions.

Clinical, paraclinical and genetic aspects of autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias (ARCA) in Mali

Introduction

Autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias (ARCA) are a group of rare and heterogynous neurodegenerative diseases mainly characterized by unbalance and walking difficulty and movement incoordination.

Objectives

To clinically and paraclinically characterize ARCA in the department of Neurology at the Teaching Hospital of Point G and identify the underlying genetic defect.

Patients and method

We have conducted a longitudinal and prospective study from January 2018 to December 2020. Patients with ARCA phenotype seen in the Department of Neurology at the Teaching Hospital of Point "G" were enrolled.

Results

We have enrolled 7 families totaling 13 patients after giving an informed verbal and written consent. The sex ratio was 2.2 in favor of males, Kayes region and Fulani ethnic group were respectively the most represented region and ethnic group.Walking difficulty represented the major symptom followed by loss of vibration and joint sense, nystagmus, dysarthria and skeletal deformities. Alpha-foetoprotein level was high in one patient. Genetic testing confirmed Friedreich ataxia in one family and was not conclusive in 4 families.

Conclusion

This study showed that ARCA are not uncommon in Mali and genetic testing is crucial to confirm the diagnosis.

[Progressive myoclonic epilepsy in the department of neurology of the University Teaching hospital Point "G"]

Background

Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsy (PME) is a heterogeneous group of pathologies associating epileptic seizures and other neurological and non-neurological disorders.

Objectives

We aim to characterize patients with symptoms of PME and identify the underlying genetic disorder.

Methods

After informed consent, the patients seen in the protocol for hereditary neurological diseases and presenting signs of epilepsy without a secondary cause were clinically evaluated over a three-year period in the Department of Neurology of the CHU Point "G". EEG, brain imaging and laboratory tests were performed to consolidate our diagnosis. DNA was extracted for genetic analysis.

Results

141 families including five families with PME totaling eight cases were enrolled. The predominant symptoms in our patients were myoclonus in 87.5% (N = 8), followed by GTCS and cognitive impairment in 50%, each. A notion of parental consanguinity was found in 60% and autosomal recessive transmission evoked in 80% (N = 5). The EEG was pathological in 62.5% and imaging showed ponto-cerebellar atrophy in 25% (N = 8). The combination of sodium valproate and clonazepam was the main treatment. One case of death was recorded.

Conclusion

We report cases of PME in Mali with a possibility of discovering new genes.

[Cerebral toxoplasmosis in the infectious diseases department of the CHU du Point G in people living with HIV]

Toxoplasmosis is defined as a cosmopolitan protozoan disease caused by an obligate intracellular coccidia, Toxoplasma gondii. The advent of HIV infection has made cerebral toxoplasmosis one of the most widespread neurological opportunistic infections.

METHOD

We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study with retrospective review of files of cerebral toxoplasmosis on HIV infected patients who had been hospitalized in the infectious diseases department of Point G University Hospital between January 1st, 2014 and September 30th, 2019.

RESULTS

During the study period, the frequency of cerebral toxoplasmosis was 10.1% and in 46.4% of the patients, the diagnosis led to the discovery of HIV co-infection. The clinical features were characterized by fever, headaches, and motor deficit at 86.6%, 84.5% and 69.1% respectively. Roundel image on computed tomography was most represented and was found in 24.4% of patients. Anti-toxoplasma treatment based on trimethoprim /sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) associated with folinic acid was initiated in 78 patients out of 90, but 19 patients had a contraindication or adverse effects to this combination and were treated with clindamycin. HAART was initiated in 31 patients out of 45 (68.9%) newly diagnosed. The overall prognosis was limited with a mortality rate of 42%.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of cerebral toxoplasmosis was high in our study, 10.1%. To reduce this prevalence, chemoprophylaxis should be initiated in all HIV-infected patients with a CD4 count below 200 cells/mm3.

[Knee dislocation at chu Gabriel TOURE : therapeutic and evolutionary aspects]

INTRODUCTION

Dislocations of the knee are serious, involving the functional prognosis and sometimes the vital prognosis of the limb concerned. The aim of our work was to assess the functional results of our care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This were a prospective study concerning patients with dislocation of the knee, treated and followed in the Department of Orthopedics-Traumatology at the CHU Gabriel TOURE from January 2015 to October 2018.

RESULTS

We collected 30 patients with knee dislocation. The male sex predominated (60%) with a sex ratio of 1.5. The average age was 32.56 years. AVP was the main etiology with 83.3%. The mechanism was direct in 86.7%. Standard knee X-ray with front and side views was performed in all patients. Posterolateral dislocation was the most common type of pathology (20%). Associated lesions were observed in 56.6%. The response time was less than 6 hours in 100%. The treatment was orthopedic in 93.3%. Complications were dominated by knee laxity with 43%. At the average follow-up of 18.9 months, the functional results were good in 20%.

CONCLUSION

Knee dislocations are the prerogative of the young subject. Accidents due to motorcycles are the main circumstances. Associated lesions are frequent. Orthopedic treatment is still relevant but the evolution is still unpredictable despite the early treatment.

[Acetabular Fractures at CHU Gabriel Toure : epidemiology, therapeutic and evolutinaryaspects]

INTRODUCTION

Acetabularfractures involving the functionalprognosis of the hip. The aim of thisworkwas to determine the epidemiological, clinical, and outcome aspects of treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This wasa retro-prospective study of patients withacetabulum fracture treated and followedfromJanuary 2015 to June 2018.

RESULTS

Wecollected 49 patients with an acetabulum fracture. Acetabulum fractures made up 8.3% of all pelvic injuries during the studyperiod. The male sexprevailed (87.8%) with a sex ratio of 7.16. The averageagewas 36.14 years (range: 17 years and 77 years). The circumstances of the trauma were accidents on the public highway (69.4%), accidents atwork (14.3%), accidents in the home (10.2%), accidents in sports (4.1%), assaults (2%). The mechanismwas indirect in 87.8%.Pain with total functional impotence wasobservedin 83.7% and with a vicious attitude of the traumatized limbin 89, 8%. The standard radiographywith the incidences of the pelvis face as well as the ¾ wing and ¾ obturatorwasperformed in all patients. The transverse fracture of the acetabulumwas the mostcommonanatomo-radiological type (61.2%). Shock (34.6%) and hip dislocation (24.4%) were the mostcommonearly complications. Treatment was orthopedicin 95.9%. After an averagefollow-up of 23.24 months, the anatomicalresultsweresatisfactoryin 32.7% and the functionalresults good in 51%. Lameness (91.8%), mechanical pain (30.6%) and osteoarthritis (16.3%) were the main complications in the medium term.

CONCLUSION

Fractures of the acetabulum are the preserve of the adult, especially of the male. The complications are dominated by mechanical pain, lameness and early hip osteoarthritis. The anatomicalresultsthat condition the functionalresults are less good with the orthopedictreatment.

[Clinical and laboratory features of recessive Limb Girdle Muscular dystrophies in the Department Neurology of University Hospital of Point G]

INTRODUCTION

Limb-Girdle Muscular dystrophies (LGMD) is a group of inherited diseases characterized by predominantly proximal and limb muscle weakness. These are rare diseases that have not been well studied in sub-saharan Africa. The aim of our was the clinical and paraclinical characterization of patients with recessive LGMD at the Department of Neurology of the Teaching Hospital of Point G.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a longitudinal prospective study which took place from March 2014 to May 2019. Patients with recessive LGMD phenotype were enrolled. Sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data were analyzed.

RESULTS

We enrolled 46 families (67 patients), i.e. a frequency of 16.7% among the neurodegenerative diseases seen in the service. Among them, 45.6% came from the Sikasso region. Autosomal recessive inheritance pattern was suspected in 67.4% of the families. Symptoms appeared mainly in the first decade of life. Proximal muscle weakness was found in almost all patients. Cardiac examination showed dilated cardiomyopathy in 4.5% of cases.

CONCLUSION

Limb-Girdle muscular dystrophy is a disabling disease that is found in Mali. Further study of these cases could elucidate the underlying genetic defects.

[Rare elbow fractures in children: Epidemiological, therapeutic and prognosis aspects in the Aristide Le Dantec Hospital of Dakar]

AIMS

To describe the epidemiological and therapeutic aspects of rare fractures of the elbow in children and assess their prognosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective study conducted from 1st January 2008 to 31st August 2009 in all children aged 0-15 years treated for rare fractures of the elbow seen before 21 days and followed in the service.

RESULTS

Rare elbow fractures represented 19.42% of total elbow fractures during the study period. Male dominance was clear: 28 boys for 6 girls with a sex ratio of 4.66:1. The average age of the children was 8.2 years with extreme of 3 and 15 years. These fractures, in most cases, were the result of a play accident in 16 cases (47.1%). The main reason for consultation was represented by a sore elbow (91.2%). Trauma was found in the right elbow 61.8% of the time and in the left elbow 38.2%. Among the most common fractures were those of the lateral epicondyle and the olecranon which accounted for 11 cases (6.28%) and 10 cases (5.71%) of all fractures of the elbow. Twenty-one children received orthopedic treatment and 13 children received surgical treatment. The average assessment of our patients follow-up was 10 months with extreme of 6 months and 16 months. The results were good in 32 children without any radiological abnormality or functional sequelae.

CONCLUSION

The prognosis of rare fractures of the elbow is usually good if the management is efficient. Monitoring should be continued long term to watch the sequelae.

[Cerebral miliary tuberculosis, a case study]

Cerebral miliary tuberculosis is a rare and serious disease due to the hematogenic spread of bacillus tuberculous. It occurs more often in a debility context. Stereotaxic biopsy allows to establish the final diagnosis. But, in most of the cases it is presumptive based on clinical and biological features, and the regression of symptoms under anti tuberculosis treatment, of which depends the vital prognosis. We report the case of an immunocompetent patient, smoker who presented with cerebral military.

[Domestic accidents: epidemiological aspects in a District of Bamako]

AIMS

To study the epidemiological, clinical and prognostic aspects of domestic accidents in the health center of reference of one district in Bamako.

MATERIEL AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of domestic accidents received at the health center of reference of "commune V" in Bamako district from September 2009 to February 2010. All cases of domestic accident that came to the health center and followed up were included. The Chi² was used for the statistical test with P ≤ 0,05 considered significant.

RESULT

During the study period (September 2009 to February 2010), we gathered 192 cases of domestic accident for 7425 out patients or 2.6% of the reasons for consultation. The sex-ratio was 1.49 in favor of men. The occurrence of burns was more frequent in the age group 6-14 years and 15-24 years with respectively, p= 0,002 and p= 0.00002. Overall mortality was 2.6% and all deaths were due to the burn.

CONCLUSION

Domestic accidents are frequent and take an important place in overall reasons for admission. In this context, the burn is more responsible for deaths.

A seroepidemiological study of pandemic A/H1N1(2009) influenza in a rural population of Mali

The swine-origin H1N1 influenza A virus (pH1N1(2009)) started to circulate worldwide in 2009, and cases were notified in a number of sub-Saharan African countries. However, no epidemiological data allowing estimation of the epidemic burden were available in this region, preventing comprehensive comparisons with other parts of the world. The CoPanFlu-Mali programme studied a cohort of 202 individuals living in the rural commune of Dioro (southern central Mali). Pre-pandemic and post-pandemic paired sera (sampled in 2006 and April 2010, respectively) were tested by the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) method. Different estimates of pH1N1(2009) infection during the 2009 first epidemic wave were used (increased prevalence of HI titre of ≥1/40 or ≥1/80, seroconversions) and provided convergent attack rate values (12.4-14.9%), the highest values being observed in the 0-19-year age group (16.0-18.4%). In all age groups, pre-pandemic HI titres of ≥1/40 were associated with complete absence of seroconversion; and geometric mean titres were <15 in individuals who seroconverted and >20 in others. Important variations in seroconversion rate existed among the different villages investigated. Despite limitations resulting from the size and composition of the sample analysed, this study provides strong evidence that the impact of the pH1N1(2009) first wave was more important than previously believed, and that the determinants of the epidemic spread in sub-Saharan populations were quite different from those observed in developed countries.

Clinical and genetic analysis of spinocerebellar ataxia in Mali

BACKGROUND

Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia, currently denominated spinocerebellar ataxia (SCAs), represents a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders affecting the cerebellum and its connections. We describe the clinical and molecular findings in 16 patients originating from Malian families, who suffer from progressive cerebellar ataxia syndrome.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Molecular analysis allows genetic profiles of SCA to be distinguished. In seven patients, SCA type 2 (CAG) mutation was expanded from 39 to 43 repeats. SCA type 7 (CAG) mutation was confirmed in six patients. Mutations were expanded from 49 to 59 repeats. In three patients, SCA type3 was diagnosed and CAG mutation was expanded to 73 repeats.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that the most frequent types of SCA are SCA2 and SCA7. However, further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.

[Epidemio-clinical and therapy study of femoral fractures in children]

OBJECTIVES

Evaluate the epidemio-clinical and therapeutic aspects of the femur's fracture of the child.

MATERIEL AND METHODS

It was about a prospective study done from October 1st, 2005 to September 30, 2006 on all children of 0 to 15 years old admitted for femur fracture, treated and followed in the trauma center of hôpital Gabriel Touré. Disappeared patients have not been included.

RESULTS

We brought together during a period of 12 months 47 cases of fracture in 45 children representing 26 % of the activities of trauma unit of hôpital Gabriel Touré. Among our patients 25 were boys and 20 girls. The average age was 7.5 yeras +/-4. The public highway accident was the first cause (68.8%) followed by domestic accident (22.2%), sportive (6.6%), obstetrical (2.2%). The treatment was orthopaedic in 52.17% and surgical in 47.83%. Complications were the following: residual pain in 6.6%, length disparity of the limbs in 4.4%, secondary slipping in 2.2% and hypertrophic callus in 2.2%. P>0.05. The results were good in 71.7 % of the cases, passable in 24 % and bad in 4.3% of the cases.

CONCLUSION

Femur fracture is a frequent affection by which the first cause remains the public highway accident.

[Imaging of pediatric urinary tract malformations: a series of 32 cases]

PURPOSE

To determine the incidence of pediatric malformative uropathies and to point out the radiological aspects.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Exploratory studies of 32 cases of malformative uropathies were assessed between January 1998 to June 1999 in the Radiology Departement of Gabriel Touré Hospital of Bamako. Patients aged from 3 days to 15 years underwent sonographic and radiological examinations.

RESULTS

The sex ratio was 4 males to 1 female. The main findings were: prune belly syndrome (6 cases), posterior urethral valves (13 cases), bladder exstrophy (3 cases), renal ectopy (6 cases), ureterocele (1 case), hypospadias (1 case), megauretere (1 case) and pyelo-ureteral junction syndrome (1 case). Radiological signs were mainly related to hydronephrosis and bladder lesions.

CONCLUSION

Malformations of the urinary tract are frequent in daily practice. Imaging plays a key role in the assessment and diagnosis.

[The diabetic hand]

The frequent localization of the infection to the hand to ours diabetic patients oppositely to the classic description of diabetic foot leds us to initiate this work, which had the objectif to determine the prevalency and to describe the "diabetic hand" to our patients. For that we have conducted a descriptive retrospective and prospective study in the internal Medecine Service of the National Hospital of Point G (NHPG) and in Traumato Orthopaepics Service of Gabriel Touré Hospital (G.T.H.) in Bamako. In 341 diabetic examined patients 158 infections of soft areas have been listed (46.33%) with a localization on the foot in 87 among them (25.51%) and the hand in 55 (16.13%). The female sex has been the most affected with an average of 52 years old and recent discovered diabetes. The diabetes was of type I in 54.54% of cases and of type II in 45.46%. The reaching of hand was following upon a traumatism (7.28%), a burn (3.63%), an ingrown mail (3.63%); but in 85.46% of cases any front door hasn't been found. The type of damage observed has been the abscess (49.09%), the whitlow (25.46%), the gangrene (21.82%) and the burn (3.63%). We have noticed an ostect in 41.81% of cases. In bacteriologic field, the staphylocoque was the prevailing germ in relating to the negative gram (25%). The curring has required an amputation in almost a third of patients (30.9%) the healing has been gained in 76.3% of cases with sometimes some fonctional important after effects. On death has been noticed in 9.09% of cases.

Early detection and response to meningococcal disease epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa: appraisal of the WHO strategy

OBJECTIVE

To assess the sensitivity, specificity and predictive value positive of the WHO threshold strategy for detecting meningococcal disease epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa and to estimate the impact of the strategy on an epidemic at district level.

METHODS

Data on meningitis cases at the district level were collected weekly from health ministries, WHO country and regional offices, and nongovernmental organizations in countries where there were epidemics of meningococcal disease in 1997. An epidemic was defined as a cumulative district attack rate of at least 100 cases per 100,000 population from January to May, the period of epidemic risk. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive value positive of the WHO threshold rate were calculated, and curves of sensitivity against (1 - specificity) were compared with alternatively defined threshold rates and epidemic sizes. The impact of the WHO strategy on a district epidemic was estimated by comparing the numbers of epidemic cases with cases estimated to have been prevented by vaccination.

FINDINGS

An analysis was made of 48 198 cases reported in 174 districts in Benin, Burkina Faso, the Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Niger, and Togo. These cases were 80.3% of those reported from Africa to WHO during the 1997 epidemic period. District populations ranged from 10,298 to 573,908. The threshold rate was crossed during two consecutive weeks in 69 districts (39.7%) and there were epidemics in 66 districts (37.9%). Overall, the sensitivity of the threshold rate for predicting epidemics was 97%, the specificity was 95%, and the predictive value positive was 93%. Taken together, these values were equivalent or better than the sensitivity, specificity and predictive value positive of alternatively defined threshold rates and epidemics, and remained high regardless of district size. The estimated number of potential epidemic cases decreased by nearly 60% in the age group targeted for vaccination in one district where the guidelines were followed in a timely manner.

CONCLUSION

The use of the WHO strategy was sensitive and specific for the early detection of meningococcal disease epidemics in countries of sub-Saharan Africa during 1997 and had a substantial impact on a district epidemic. Nevertheless, the burden of meningococcal disease in these countries remains formidable and additional control measures are needed.