Cavernomatose cérébrale sporadique révélée par une crise convulsive: à propos d’un cas

La cavernomatose cérébrale est une pathologie rare pouvant être sporadique ou familiale autosomique dominante. Elle est caractérisée par la présence de cavernomes multiples du système nerveux central. Souvent asymptomatique, la pathologie peut se révéler par des symptômes variés comme l’hémorragie cérébro-méningée, les céphalées ou l’épilepsie. Nous rapportons un cas de cavernomatose cérébrale sporadique chez un patient de 55 ans sans antécédent pathologique particulier révélé par une crise d’épilepsie. A travers cette observation et une revue de la littérature, nous faisons le point sur les aspects cliniques et radiologiques (scanner et IRM) de cette pathologie

L’appendagite aiguë : une étiologie rare à ne pas méconnaître dans les douleurs abdominales: Acute appendagitis: a rare etiology not to be overlooked in abdominal pain

Acute appendagitis is a rare cause of abdominal pain. Its diagnosis is based on medical imaging and its treatment is medical. We report a case of acute appendagitis diagnosed on the abdominal CT scan in the context of epigastralgia. L’appendagite aiguë est une cause rare de douleurs abdominales. Son diagnostic repose sur l’imagerie médicale et son traitement est médical. Nous rapportons un cas d’appendagite aiguë diagnostiquée au scanner abdominal au décours d’une mise au point d’épigastralgies

Anesthesie au cours des ventriculocisternostomies au Mali : Une serie de 31 cas

Introduction La ventriculocisternostomie est une technique moderne du traitement des hydrocéphalies. Elle est peu fréquente en Afrique. Objectif:  Décrire la prise en charge anesthésique et l’évolution des patients opérés par ventriculocisternostomie. Patients et Méthode: Etude de cohorte prospective de 15 mois de janvier 2014 au 31 mars 2015. La saisie et l’analyse des données ont été effectuées par Microsoft word 2010 Epi info 3.5.3.fr. Résultats:  Les nourrissons prédominaient avec un sexe ratio de 1,81 en faveur du sexe masculin. Un antécédent de méningite ou d’infection respiratoire à répétition a été retrouvé chez 10 patients (32,2%). L’indication de la ventriculocisternostomie était une hydrocéphalie chez 30 patients (96, 8%). La classe ASA était II chez 19 patients (61,3%). L’intubation était prévue difficile chez 28 patients (90,3%).Tous les patients ont été opérés sous anesthésie générale. Une antibioprophylaxie a été faite chez tous les patients. La tachycardie isolée a été le seul évènement indésirable per opératoire observé chez 13 patients (41,9%). La durée de la chirurgie était de 62, 25 ± 20,9 minutes celle de l’anesthésie était de 93,5 ± 25,4 minutes. En postopératoire, une complication a été observée chez 7 patients (22,6%). Il s’agissait d’une méningite chez 3 patients (42,9%), d’une souffrance cérébrale, d’une obstruction de la stomie, d’un abcès cérébral et une paralysie du nerf III dans 14,3% chacune (1 patient). L’évolution était favorable chez 29 patients (93,5%). La durée médiane d’hospitalisation était de 3 jours. Conclusion:  Au Mali, la prise en charge anesthésique au cours de la ventriculocisternostomie s’adresse à une population pédiatrique avec un terrain précaire.   English title: Anesthesia during endoscopic third ventriculostomy in Mali: A series of 31 cases Introduction: Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV) is a modern technique for the treatment of hydrocephalus. It is uncommon in Africa. Objective To describe ananesthesic management and the outcome of patients operated on by ETV. Patients and Methods Prospective cohort study over 15 months to January 2014 at 31 march 2015. The data entry and analysis were done by word office, Epi info 3.5.3.fr. Results: Infants predominated with a sex ratio of 1.81 in favor of men. A history of meningitis or recurrent respiratory infection was found in 10 patients (32.2%). The indication of ETV was hydrocephalus in 30 patients (96.8%). The ASA class was II in 19 patients (61.3%).  Intubation was expected to be difficult in 28 patients (90.3%). All patients were operated on under general anesthesia. Antibiotic  prophylaxis was done in all patients. Isolated tachycardia was the only peroperative adverse event observed in 13 patients (41.9%). The duration of the surgery was 62.25 ± 20.9 minutes that of the anesthesia was 93.5 ± 25.4 minutes. Postoperatively, a complication was observed in 7 patients (22.6%). It was meningitis in 3 patients (42.9%), brain pain, obstruction of the stoma, brain abscess and nerve III paralysis in 14.3% each (1 patient). The outcome was favorable in 29 patients (93.5%). The median hospital stay was 3 days. Conclusion:  In Mali, anesthetic management during ETV is aimed at a pediatric population with precarious terrain

BMJ Open

In low-income settings with limited access to diagnosis, COVID-19 information is scarce. In September 2020, after the first COVID-19 wave, Mali reported 3086 confirmed cases and 130 deaths. Most reports originated from Bamako, with 1532 cases and 81 deaths (2.42 million inhabitants). This observed prevalence of 0.06% appeared very low. Our objective was to estimate SARS-CoV-2 infection among inhabitants of Bamako, after the first epidemic wave. We assessed demographic, social and living conditions, health behaviours and knowledges associated with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. We conducted a cross-sectional multistage household survey during September 2020, in three neighbourhoods of the commune VI (Bamako), where 30% of the cases were reported. We recruited 1526 inhabitants in 3 areas, that is, 306 households, and 1327 serological results (≥1 years), 220 household questionnaires and collected answers for 962 participants (≥12 years). We measured serological status, detecting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibodies in blood sampled. We documented housing conditions and individual health behaviours through questionnaires among participants. We estimated the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections and deaths in the population of Bamako using the age and sex distributions. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was 16.4% (95% CI 15.1% to 19.1%) after adjusting on the population structure. This suggested that ~400 000 cases and ~2000 deaths could have occurred of which only 0.4% of cases and 5% of deaths were officially reported. Questionnaires analyses suggested strong agreement with washing hands but lower acceptability of movement restrictions (lockdown/curfew), and mask wearing. The first wave of SARS-CoV-2 spread broadly in Bamako. Expected fatalities remained limited largely due to the population age structure and the low prevalence of comorbidities. Improving diagnostic capacities to encourage testing and preventive behaviours, and avoiding the spread of false information remain key pillars, regardless of the developed or developing setting. This study was registered in the registry of the ethics committee of the Faculty of Medicine and Odonto-Stomatology and the Faculty of Pharmacy, Bamako, Mali, under the number: 2020/162/CA/FMOS/FAPH

Status and trends of physical activity surveillance, policy, and research in 164 countries: Findings from the Global Observatory for Physical Activity—GoPA! 2015 and 2020 Surveys

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) surveillance, policy, and research efforts need to be periodically appraised to gain insight into national and global capacities for PA promotion. The aim of this paper was to assess the status and trends in PA surveillance, policy, and research in 164 countries. METHODS: We used data from the Global Observatory for Physical Activity (GoPA!) 2015 and 2020 surveys. Comprehensive searches were performed for each country to determine the level of development of their PA surveillance, policy, and research, and the findings were verified by the GoPA! Country Contacts. Trends were analyzed based on the data available for both survey years. RESULTS: The global 5-year progress in all 3 indicators was modest, with most countries either improving or staying at the same level. PA surveillance, policy, and research improved or remained at a high level in 48.1%, 40.6%, and 42.1% of the countries, respectively. PA surveillance, policy, and research scores decreased or remained at a low level in 8.3%, 15.8%, and 28.6% of the countries, respectively. The highest capacity for PA promotion was found in Europe, the lowest in Africa and low- and lower-middle-income countries. Although a large percentage of the world's population benefit from at least some PA policy, surveillance, and research efforts in their countries, 49.6 million people are without PA surveillance, 629.4 million people are without PA policy, and 108.7 million live in countries without any PA research output. A total of 6.3 billion people or 88.2% of the world's population live in countries where PA promotion capacity should be significantly improved. CONCLUSION: Despite PA is essential for health, there are large inequalities between countries and world regions in their capacity to promote PA. Coordinated efforts are needed to reduce the inequalities and improve the global capacity for PA promotion

Pf7: an open dataset of Plasmodium falciparum genome variation in 20,000 worldwide samples

We describe the MalariaGEN Pf7 data resource, the seventh release of Plasmodium falciparum genome variation data from the MalariaGEN network.  It comprises over 20,000 samples from 82 partner studies in 33 countries, including several malaria endemic regions that were previously underrepresented.  For the first time we include dried blood spot samples that were sequenced after selective whole genome amplification, necessitating new methods to genotype copy number variations.  We identify a large number of newly emerging crt mutations in parts of Southeast Asia, and show examples of heterogeneities in patterns of drug resistance within Africa and within the Indian subcontinent.  We describe the profile of variations in the C-terminal of the csp gene and relate this to the sequence used in the RTS,S and R21 malaria vaccines.  Pf7 provides high-quality data on genotype calls for 6 million SNPs and short indels, analysis of large deletions that cause failure of rapid diagnostic tests, and systematic characterisation of six major drug resistance loci, all of which can be freely downloaded from the MalariaGEN website

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century