Endomyocardial fibrosis associated with Schistosoma Haematobium infection

Endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is a form of restrictive cardiomyopathy common in the tropics and subtropics. The aetiology of EMF is unknown but helminth infestations such as schistosomiasis have been implicated. Two boys aged 8 and 10 years with EMF associated with Schistosoma haematobium, are described. The schistosomes in both cases may have been acquired from contact with contaminated water collected and stored in containers and subsequently used for bathing. Both patients were managed conservatively. Overall prognosis of EMF is poor and this report emphasizes the importance of public health  interventions in the control of schistosomiasis.Keywords: Endomyocardial fibrosis; Schistosoma haematobium; Cardiomyopathy; Ghana; Public health interventio

A Multinational Trial of Prasugrel for Sickle Cell Vaso-Occlusive Events

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disorder that is characterized by painful vaso-occlusive crises, for which there are few treatment options. Platelets mediate intercellular adhesion and thrombosis during vaso-occlusion in sickle cell anemia, which suggests a role for antiplatelet agents in modifying disease events. METHODS: Children and adolescents 2 through 17 years of age with sickle cell anemia were randomly assigned to receive oral prasugrel or placebo for 9 to 24 months. The primary end point was the rate of vaso-occlusive crisis, a composite of painful crisis or acute chest syndrome. The secondary end points were the rate of sickle cell-related pain and the intensity of pain, which were assessed daily with the use of pain diaries. RESULTS: A total of 341 patients underwent randomization at 51 sites in 13 countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. The rate of vaso-occlusive crisis events per person-year was 2.30 in the prasugrel group and 2.77 in the placebo group (rate ratio, 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.66 to 1.05; P=0.12). There were no significant differences between the groups in the secondary end points of diary-reported events. The safety end points, including the frequency of bleeding events requiring medical intervention, of hemorrhagic and nonhemorrhagic adverse events that occurred while patients were taking prasugrel or placebo, and of discontinuations due to prasugrel or placebo, did not differ significantly between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia, the rate of vaso-occlusive crisis was not significantly lower among those who received prasugrel than among those who received placebo. There were no significant between-group differences in the safety findings