3 research outputs found
Characteristics of anti-hepatitis C virus antibody-positive patients in a hospital setting in Douala, Cameroon
Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health problem, especially in resource-limited settings where many patients are diagnosed at the stage of complications. In Cameroon, where HCV is endemic, little is known about the clinical, biological, and virological profile of HCV-infected patients.
Methods: A clinical case note review of all patients positive for antibodies against HCV diagnosed at the gastroenterology outpatient clinic of the Douala General Hospital, Cameroon, from January 2008 to December 2014, was performed.
Results: A total of 524 patients were included in the study, 53% of whom were female. The mean age was 56 ± 13 years. A history of blood transfusion and a history of scarification were the most common potential risk factors for HCV exposure, as found in 16% and 13% of the study population, respectively. Current alcohol use was found in 24% of patients. Co-infection with hepatitis B virus and HIV was 3.6% and 3.4%, respectively. Among the patients, 39% had no complaint at diagnosis; only 16% were diagnosed through a routine medical checkup. Clinically, the most common finding was hepatomegaly (26.1% of patients). Transaminases above the upper limit of normal were found in 55.2% of patients, particularly those aged >57 years (p = 0.001). Genotypes 1 (43.95%), 2 (25.11%), and 4 (28.25%) were the most common. Liver cirrhosis was present in 11% of patients and hepatocellular carcinoma in 4%, the latter being more common in males (p < 0.001) and in those aged >57 years (p = 0.03).
Conclusions: In the gastroenterology clinic of Douala General Hospital, while almost 40% of patients who were anti-HCV antibody-positive were asymptomatic and diagnosed fortuitously, some already presented complications, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. There is an urgent need to put in place programs to increase awareness and diagnosis of HCV infection and to develop extensive and targeted anti-HCV treatment guidelines to improve the management of these patients in Cameroon
In - vitro antimicrobial activity of selected honeys on clinical isolates of Helicobacter pylori
Background Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative bacterium
incriminated in gastroduodenal ulcers, and mucosa-associated lymphoid
tissue lymphoma imposing a major burden on health care systems
worldwide. Honeys have been shown to have in vitro activity against
microaorganisms and suitable for use in ulcers, infected wounds and
burns. Objective: The study was aimed at evaluating the antimicrobial
potential of honeys (Manuka™, Capillano®, Eco- and Mountain)
at different concentrations (10%v/v, 20%v/v, 50%v/v and 75%v/v) against
clinical isolates of H. pylori. Methods: H. pylori was isolated from
gastric biopsies of patients with gastroduodenal pathologies following
standard microbiological procedures. Antimicrobial susceptibility of
the isolates to different honey varieties was determined by the disk
diffusion assay. Also, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and
minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the most potent honey was
determined by the agar dilution method. Data were analysed using the
Fisher exact test and statistical significance considered at p<0.05.
Results: All the four honey varieties exhibited antibacterial activity.
The strongest inhibitory activity (82.22%) was demonstrated by Mountain
honey at 75%v/v, followed by Capillano® and Manuka™ honeys
(75.56%), and Eco-honey (73.36%) at the same concentration. However, no
statistically significant difference (p>0.05) was noted between the
honeys at different concentrations. The MIC and MBC concentrations of
Mountain honey were in the range 0.117 - 0.938ìg/mL and 0.366 -
2.965ìg/mL respectively. The antimicrobial potential of these
honeys at different concentrations were highly comparable to
clarithromycin, the positive control. Conclusion: These honeys may
contain compounds with therapeutic potential against our local isolates
of H. pylori
Profil clinique et immunologique des patients infectés par le VIH à l’initiation du traitement antirétroviral à Douala
The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and immunological profile of patients infected with HIV after initiation of antiretroviral therapy. Sociodemographic characteristics, clinical and immunological patients were recorded. Chi square test and Mann-Whitney were used to compare variables. The multivariate regression model identified risk factors. So that, 936 (56.2%) patients were in stages III and IV of the WHO and 65.2% at an advanced stage of the disease. Factors associated with initiation at an advanced stage, were male sex (p = 0.007) and time to diagnosis (p = 0.005). In 2/3 cases, treatment is started at an advanced stage of disease. It is therefore important to intensify awareness campaigns for early detection and encourage patients to ensure regular medical follow-up screening.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe