Knowledge and attitudes about hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and its treatment in HCV mono‐infected and HCV/HIV co‐infected adults

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment is rapidly changing but little is known about patients' attitudes and knowledge about HCV. This study used a cross‐sectional survey to examine the relationship between HCV knowledge and attitudes towards HCV in patients with HCV mono‐infection and HIV/HCV co‐infection. Subsequently, an education intervention was developed with an abridged version of the cross‐sectional survey administered before and after the education session to assess changes in knowledge and attitudes. 292 people participated in the cross‐sectional survey, and 87 people participated in the education intervention. In the cross‐sectional survey, the mean knowledge score regarding HCV was low (<50% of the total possible score). Mono‐infected and co‐infected individuals shared similar knowledge deficits and attitudes towards HCV despite having distinct demographic differences. Attitudes endorsed by patients included the following: 57% feared the consequences of HCV on their life, 37% felt HCV was not fatal, 27% did not believe they needed HCV medication, 21% felt ashamed of having HCV and 16% felt HCV treatment was not important. Attitudes that reflected indifference and shame towards HCV were associated with lower knowledge scores (HCV knowledge score of 15.1 vs. 17.5, P < 0.01 for indifference and 15.3 vs. 17.2 for shame, P = 0.02). The education intervention improved knowledge scores but did not modify the assessed attitudes. Intervention studies are needed to effectively change attitudes towards HCV infection and treatment.     

Pitted red cell counts in sickle cell disease. Relationship to age, hemoglobin genotype, and splenic size

Splenic reticuloendothelial function, as determined by pitted red cell counts in 114 pediatric patients with sickle cell disease, was evaluated. Patients with homozygous sickle cell disease (HbSS) had a mean pit count of 11.8 +/- 7.0% and the count increased with age. Sickle cell hemoglobin C disease (HbSC) patients had a mean pit count of 4.9 +/- 9.1%, the count being unaffected by age. One patient with HbS-beta thalassemia had a count of 12%, while eight patients with HbS-beta + thalassemia had a mean count of 0.4 +/- 0.3%. There was one patient each with HbSS-alpha thalassemia, HbS-O Arab, and HbS-Lepore, and the pit counts were 4.9, 31.4, and 0.4%, respectively. In both HbSS and HbSC patients, the pit count was significantly lower in patients who had palpable spleens. The pit count may be used as a predictor of disease severity in the sickle cell disorders.     

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome in siblings

The Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome is a rare, inherited, pediatric condition with features of premature and accelerated aging. The pattern of inheritance is uncertain though both autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive modes have been proposed. The patients usually present after the 1st year of life with progressive skin and skeletal changes that give rise to a characteristic physical appearance. Three siblings seen at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital are described in this report, the third documenting the occurrence of progeria in African black patients. The two older siblings show the classic physical and radiologic changes described in progeria whereas the third, a 2-year-old boy, manifests only the early physical and radiologic changes of the disease. We compare the radiologic features of progeria with those of other progeroid conditions: acrogeria, Werner's and Cockayne's syndromes.