Assessment of ultrasound morbidity indicators of schistosomiasis in the context of large-scale programs illustrated with experiences from Malian children

We assessed morbidity indicators for both Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni infections and evaluated the appropriateness of the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for ultrasound in schistosomiasis in the context of large-scale control interventions. Abdominal and urinary tract ultrasonography was performed on 2,247 and 2,822 school children, respectively, from 29 randomly selected schools in Mali before the implementation of mass anthelminthic drug administration. Using two-level logistic regression models, we examined associations of potential factors with the risk of having a positive ultrasound global score (morbidity indicative of S. haematobium infection), abnormal image pattern scores, dilatation of the portal vein, and/or enlarged liver (morbidity indicative of S. mansoni infection). The WHO protocol was found useful for detection of S. haematobium pathology but overestimated the risk of portal vein dilatation and left liver lobe enlargement associated with S. mansoni infection. We conclude that ultrasonography should be included in large-scale control interventions, where logistics allow, but cautiously.     

What is the effect of combining artesunate and praziquantel in the treatment of Schistosoma mansoni infections?

A group of 110 individuals with Schistosoma mansoni infection was investigated. Patients were allocated to one of three treatment groups and given artesunate or praziquantel alone or both in combination. Combined artesunate-praziquantel significantly increased the number of individuals cured at 5 weeks post-treatment, but at 12 weeks was only better than artesunate alone and at 24 weeks there was no statistically significant difference between the three groups. Egg count reduction rate was similar to the rate obtained with praziquantel used alone.     

Epidemiology and therapy of malignant hemopathies in Senega

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of malignant hemopathies among patients in Dakar hospital and to examine the current methods of treatment in Senegal. A retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed in Dakar hospitals from 1st January 1986 to 31st December 1992 revealed 210 cases of malignant hemopathies, but only 155 patient records were retrieved (73.8%). The prevalence of malignant hemopoathies was 7/1000 and males were predominant with a sex ratio of 1.6 (p = 0.0001). Acute leukaemias (AL) appeared mainly in young people with a mean age of occurrence of 18.8 years, while immunoproliferative syndromes (IS) and myeloproliferative syndromes (MS) were mostly found in adults with respective mean ages of occurrence of 38.9 and 38.7 years (p = 0.000004 AL vs IS, p = 0.00001 AL vs MS). Concerning therapy, 14.2% of patients died without treatment and 26.1% received only symptomatic treatment. Chemotherapy was employed in 61% of cases, complete remission being obtained in 20.6% of these patients but of no remission in the remaining 79.4%. Mean survival was 2 months for AL, 5 months for IS and 6 months for MS. Close collaboration between haematologists and clinicians and creation of a specialized clinical haematology department will be necessary to overcome current difficulties in the treatment of these affections.     

Presenting features at diagnosis and complications of hemophilia in Dakar: apropos of 25 cases

In order to describe the presenting features at diagnosis and complications of hemophilia in Dakar, we conducted a study of hospital records between October 1991 and January 1993. Twenty-five cases of hemophilia were identified. We found that only 4% of our patients were diagnosed in the first 6 months of life whereas 64% of patients were diagnosed between 6 months and 5 years of age, 32% were detected between 5 years and 14 years of age. The presenting feature at diagnosis was external bleeding in 60% of cases and internal bleeding in 40%. 92% of cases were hemophilia type A and only 8% hemophilia type B. 56% of patients had mild hemophilia, 40% moderate and only 4% severe disease. Hemophiliac arthropathy was present on radiography in 76%. Complications were dominated by repeated joint bleeding, which was present in 92% of patients, and repeated hematomas (80% of patients). A functional handicap was present in 60% of cases. 12% of transfused hemophiliacs developed an inhibitor and 4% of patients were HIV positive. Greater awareness of hemophilia amongst the medical community as well as continued efforts to improve care for hemophiliacs in Senegal are necessary.     

Development and Characterization of PBSA-Based Green Composites in 3D-Printing by Fused Deposition Modelling

Fused deposition modelling is a rapidly growing additive manufacturing technology due to its ability to build functional parts with complex geometries. The mechanical properties of a built part depend on several process parameters. The effect of wood content on the properties of 3D printed parts has been studied. Four types of filaments using poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) with different reinforcement levels of Typha stem powder 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% by weight were used for 3D printing. The density of the filaments and parts printed in this study increased with the Typha stem powder content. The thermal stability, mechanical performance, and viscoelastic properties of the different biocomposite filaments and 3D printed objects were analysed. The results show an increase in the crystallisation kinetics and a slight decrease in the thermal stability of the biomaterials. Compared to virgin PBSA FDM filaments, the PBSA biocomposite filament filled with Typha stem powder showed an increase in the tensile strength of the parts and specimens from 2.5 MPa to 8 MPa and in the modulus of elasticity from 160 MPa to 375 MPa, respectively, with additions of 5%, 10%, and 15% by mass. The addition of Typha stem fibres generated an increase in the elastic behaviour and relaxation time of the biomaterial structure, visualised by increases in the values of the viscosity components. The surface morphology reveals a decrease in the porosity of the printed samples.     

Importation and Circulation of Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Serotype 2, Senegal, 2020–2021

Environmental surveillance for poliovirus is increasingly used in poliovirus eradication efforts as a supplement to acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance. Environmental surveillance was officially established in 2017 in Senegal, where no poliovirus had been detected since 2010. We tested sewage samples from 2 sites in Dakar monthly for polioviruses. We identified a vaccine-derived poliovirus serotype 2 on January 19, 2021, from a sample collected on December 24, 2020; by December 31, 2021, we had detected 70 vaccine-derived poliovirus serotype 2 isolates circulating in 7 of 14 regions in Senegal. Sources included 18 AFP cases, 20 direct contacts, 17 contacts in the community, and 15 sewage samples. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the circulation of 2 clusters and provided evidence on the virus introduction from Guinea. Because novel oral polio vaccine serotype 2 was used for response activities throughout Senegal, we recommend expanding environmental surveillance into other regions.     

Unusual case of urothelial carcinoma disguised as xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis and causing reno-colic fistula: Case report and review of literature

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is a rare and aggressive form of chronic pyelonephritis, it can occur at all age groups but is more common in women than in men, supposedly relating to the increased incidence of urinary tract infections and chronic nephrolithiasis in woman. Computed tomography (CT) findings are very helpful in making the correct diagnosis, but the definitive diagnosis is still based on histology, as there are many differential diagnoses such as renal cell carcinoma and renal tuberculosis. The complications of this type of pyelonephritis are due to the involvement of adjacent organs. The most frequent ones are Psoas abscess, perinephric abscess, and sepsis. Nephrocutaneous and renocolic fistulas are less common. We report a case of a 61-year-old male, who presented to emergency for left-sided lumbar pain for whom radiological investigations confirmed a renocolic fistula complicating xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. The diagnosis of XGP was proven by histopathological examination of the nephrectomy specimen slides, but there was also association with an underlying malignant squamous differentiation consistent with urothelial carcinoma, which was not evident on CT. XGP is a rare variant of chronic pyelonephritis with known imaging features. The treatment of choice is nephrectomy and histopathological examination is required for final diagnosis, as there may be associated renal malignancy.     

Emergence of a Reassortant 2.3.4.4b Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus Containing H9N2 PA Gene in Burkina Faso,West Africa,in 2021

Since 2006, the poultry population in Burkina Faso has been seriously hit by different waves of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 epizootics. In December 2021, three distinct regions of Burkina Faso, namely, Gomboussougou, Bonyollo, and Koubri, detected HPAI H5N1 viruses in poultry. Whole genome characterization and statistical phylogenetic approaches were applied to shed light on the potential origin of these viruses and estimate the time of virus emergence. Our results revealed that the HPAI H5N1 viruses reported in the three affected regions of Burkina Faso cluster together within clade 2.3.4.4b, and are closely related to HPAI H5N1 viruses identified in Nigeria and Niger in the period 2021–2022, except for the PA gene, which clusters with H9N2 viruses of the zoonotic G1 lineage collected in West Africa between 2017 and 2020. These reassortant viruses possess several mutations that may be associated with an increased zoonotic potential. Although it is difficult to ascertain where and when the reassortment event occurred, the emergence of a H5N1/H9N2 reassortant virus in a vulnerable region, such as West Africa, raises concerns about its possible impact on animal and human health. These findings also highlight the risk that West Africa may become a new hotspot for the emergence of new genotypes of HPAI viruses.