Liver tumours in children: diagnostic and therapeutic approach in the Tropics

Liver tumours in children are rare and their prognosis are poor. Through a cross and retrospective study, we examined the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects on a number of patients in our hospital to try and improve the management of cases. This study involved 66 children admitted to the pediatric oncology unit of University Hospital of Treichville in Abidjan between 1991 and 2007. The average age of children was 7.2 years and the sex ratio of 1.4. 42 children lived in the countryside and 52 children were from disadvantaged areas. 63.2% of children were not vaccinated against hepatitis B. The abdominal mass was the primary sign of discovery and these tumours were dominated in both their primitive and secondary forms by the Burkitt's lymphoma.     

Rhodium effects on Pt anode materials in a direct alkaline ethanol fuel cell

The development of efficient catalysts for ethanol oxidation in alkaline medium requires a synthetic approach that may prevent the surfactant molecules from being adsorbed at the catalytic sites and decreasing the electrochemical performance of the final direct ethanol fuel cell. Toward this goal, the recently reported surfactant-less Bromide Anion Exchange (BAE) method, appears as a promising route to conveniently aim at preparing PtRh alloys dispersed on carbon substrates. The catalysts prepared herein by the BAE method were characterized physicochemically to obtain structural information on the PtRh/C nanomaterials, their morphology (size and shape), and their chemical and surface composition. Electrochemical behavior and properties of these electrodes were then investigated in a half-cell before the implementation of a direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) in a home-made anion exchange membrane Teflon cell. The analysis of the electrolytic solution in the anodic compartment by chromatography revealed that acetate was the major reaction product and the carbonate amount increased with the Rh content in the bimetallic composition. With 2.8–3.6 nm particle sizes, the Pt₅₀Rh₅₀/C catalyst exhibited the highest activity towards the ethanol electrooxidation.

The development of efficient catalysts for ethanol oxidation in alkaline medium requires an approach that avoids surfactant molecules from being adsorbed at active sites and decreasing the electrochemical performance of the direct ethanol fuel cell.     

Seven native cases of dengue in Abidjan,Ivory Coast

Objective

We had for aim to describe the epidemiological, clinical, biological, and outcome features of dengue fever in Abidjan, in 2010.

Patients and methods

We retrospectively studied the files of patients hospitalized for dengue fever in 2010, in Abidjan. The diagnosis was made on clinical symptoms and positive dengue PCR and/or IgM.

Results

Seven patients were included (5 men, 2 women, median age of 51 years [31–65 years]). They presented with a febrile pain syndrome (n = 7), jaundice (n = 3), rash (n = 2), and hematemesis complicated by thrombocytopenia (n = 6) and leukopenia (n = 5). Three patients had a positive IgM serology and 4 had a positive dengue PCR for DENV-3. The outcome was favorable for 6 patients, and 1 patient died of severe hemorrhage.

Conclusion

The authors advocate the implementation of epidemiological surveillance of dengue and vector control in the Ivory Coast.     

Revaluation of chloroquine therapeutic efficacy on children with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in eastern Ivory Coast (1999-2002)

OBJECTIVE: A prospective study was made from November 1999 to May 2002 in order to revaluate the therapeutic efficacy of chloroquine in pediatric Plamodium falciparum malaria in Ivory Coast. DESIGN: This study was included in the national Plasmodium falciparum-susceptibility supervision program. Two hundred and fifty-six out of 594 patients from six to 59 months of age were included. Chloroquine was administered in accordance with the standard 14 day WHO protocol; i.e. administered dose of 25 mg/kg, in split doses, over three days. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-seven patients completed the treatment. Among these, 217 presented with adequate clinical response (87.8%). The percentage of therapeutic failure was 12.2% with 12 early cases of therapeutic failure and 18 late cases of therapeutic failure. Chloroquine was more efficacious in Agnibilékrou (11.3% of therapeutic failure), Bondoukou (10.4%), and Tanda (10%), than in Abengourou (16.4%). Parasitic reduction on patients with resistant Plasmodium was superior to 90%, from day 0 to day 3. The risk of therapeutic failure was significantly linked to patient age. CONCLUSION: Considering these results, the authors suggest that the first-line treatment with chloroquine must be continued for uncomplicated malaria in humans.     

An epidemic of diarrhea caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus occurring in Abidjan in 1985

The authors report the epidemiological results of an epidemic about 84 choleriform syndrome in Abidjan (Ivory Coast), June 1985.