Tuberculosis in rural Uganda

Background: St Francis Hospital, a health facility in the rural district of Mayuge, Uganda. Objectives: To evaluate the presentation, course and outcome of patients with tuberculosis hospitalized to receive the intensive phase of treatment. Method: Observational analytical study of all patients admitted during June 2002-March 2005. Results: There were 680 patients. Their median age was 31 years (range 2-75); 364 (54 %) were male. There were 564 (83 %) new patients, 60 (9 %) defaulters; 35 (5 %)relapses; 14 (2 %) transfers; four chronic patients; and three treatment failures. Three hundred and thirteen patients (58 %) had moderate or severe malnutrition on admission. Among 102 patients tested for the human immunodeficiency virus, 68 (67 %) were positive. At the end of hospitalization 593 patients (87 %) were to be followed-up at St Francis Hospital or were transferred to another health facility, 31 (5 %)had absconded and 56 (8 %) had died. Conclusion: The severely limited resources of our patients and the human immunodeficiency virus co-infection are likely factors contributing to their late presentation and the severity of the disease. It is doubtful that in our setting tuberculosis can be effectively controlled without addressing and correcting these factors

Female genital mutilation in Djibouti

The practice of female genital mutilation (we will use the latest definition adopted by WHO/UNFP: female genital mutilation/ cutting or FGM/C) is still widespread in 28 African countries. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that more than two million females undergo some form of genital mutilation every year. Its negative health impact and its ethical and human rights aspects have been discussed and attempts to eliminate it have been the objectives of several meetings promoted by national and international organisations thanks to an increased awareness related to FGM/C in those countries practicing it and also, maybe due to the number of Africans migrating to industrialized countries. We review the present situation in Djibouti, a small country in the Horn of Africa, where 98 % of the female population has suffered different forms of FGM/C

Profound reduction of CD4+ lymphocytes without HIV infection: two cases from the horn of Africa

Idiopathic CD4+ lymphocytopenia is a disorder associated with low CD4+ T cell count and opportunistic infections resembling AIDS. Most cases are described in developed countries. We report two HIV-negative patients with idiopathic CD4+ lymphocytopenia and AIDS-defining events diagnosed in Djibouti. The first patient developed lesions of Kaposi’s sarcoma and the second one presented with pulmonary tuberculosis. Both patients died with severe immunodepression. In poor resource-areas where HIV testing may not be available it is important to bear in mind that severe immunodepression and a clinical presentation compatible with AIDS do not necessary carry the diagnosis of AIDS.Key words: Human immunodeficiency virus, Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, Lymphopenia, Kaposi’s sarcoma, tuberculosis, Djibouti

Wild Rodents as Experimental Intermediate Hosts of Lagochilascaris minor Leiper, 1909

A total of 25 specimens of Cavia porcellus (guinea pig), 5 Dasyprocta agouti (agouti), and 22 Calomys callosus (vesper mice) were inoculated with infective eggs of Lagochilascaris minor. The inoculum was prepared with embryonated eggs and orally administered to each individual animal through an esophagus probe. In parallel, 100 specimens of Felis catus domesticus were individually fed with 55-70 nodules containing 3rd-stage larvae encysted in tissues of infected rodents. Animals were examined and necropsied at different time intervals. The migration and encystment of L3 larva was observed in viscera, skeletal muscle, adipose and subcutaneous tissues from all rodents. Adult worms localized at abscesses in the cervical region, rhino, and oropharynx were recovered from domestic cats inoculated with infected rodent tissues. Through this study we can conclude that: (1) wild rodents act as intermediate hosts, characterizing this ascarid heteroxenic cycle; (2) in natural conditions rodents could possibly act as either intermediate hosts or paratenic hosts of Lagochilascaris minor; (3) despite the occurrence of an auto-infecting cycle, in prime-infection of felines (definite hosts) the cycle is only completed when intermediate hosts are provided; and (4) in the wild, rodents could serve as a source of infection for humans as they are frequently used as food in regions with the highest incidence of human lagochilascariasis

Profile of tuberculosis patients progressing to death, city of São Paulo, Brazil, 2002.

OBJECTIVE: To profile adult patients dying of tuberculosis in the city of São Paulo with respect to biological, environmental and institutional factors. METHODS: Descriptive study covering all tuberculosis deaths (N=416) among individuals aged over 15 years in 2002. Data were obtained from hospital records, the local Mortality Information System, Coroner's Service, and tuberculosis Surveillance System. The estimates of relative risk and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were based on the reference group, i.e., females aged 15 to 29 years, originally from the State of São Paulo (Brazil). A comparative analysis was conducted using Pearson's chi-square test and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables and Kruskal-Wallis test for continuous variables. RESULTS: Of all tuberculosis deaths identified, 78% had pulmonary form. Tuberculosis diagnosis was made after death in 30% and in primary health care units in 14%. Of them, 44% had not started treatment; 49% were not notified; and 76% were men. The median age was 51 years; 52% had up to four years of schooling; 4% were probably living in the streets. Mortality rate increased with age; it was 5.0/100,000 for the entire city, ranging between zero to 35 according to the district. Previous treatment was reported for 82 out of 232 patients, and of them, 41 defaulted treatment. Diabetes (16%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (19%), HIV infection (11%), smoking (71%), and alcohol abuse (64%) were also reported. CONCLUSIONS: Adult males over 50, migrants and living in lower Human Development Index districts were more likely to die of tuberculosis. Low schooling and comorbidities are relevant characteristics. Low involvement of primary care units in tuberculosis diagnosis and high underreporting of cases were also seen