Haematological disorders in tuberculosis at the Monkole Referral Hospital (Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo): A case report of 50 patients

Introduction Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that affects people around the world and is a major public health problem, with TB transmitted by humans and air. Some of the haematological disorders that are associated with tuberculosis are anemia, leukemia, and/or lymphopenia Purpose This study aimed to investigate hematological disorders in patients with tuberculosis. Methods This study was conducted at Monkole Hospital (Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo). A total of 50 tuberculosis patients were included in this case study. Blood samples were collected and analyzed to assess hematological parameters. Patients were randomly selected, and demographic data were gathered for in-depth analysis. Results The analysis revealed that anaemia was the sole hematological disorder observed in tuberculosis patients, with an average hemoglobin level of 8.6 g/dl. Examining erythrocyte indices, the predominant types of anaemia were normochromic normocytic anaemia and hypochromic normocytic anaemia. Conclusion This study confirmed that anaemia and leukopenia are common hematological disorders in patients with tuberculosis. The results of this study can have significant implications for the clinical management of tuberculosis patients. By gaining a better understanding of hematological disorders associated with tuberculosis, healthcare professionals can tailor their diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to enhance the quality of care provided to tuberculosis patients. This information can also guide future research into the hematological complications of tuberculosis, contributin

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B & C and HIV among sickle cell patients in Kinshasa City (Democratic Republic of the Congo): A prospective study

Introduction Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder characterized by abnormal hemoglobin production, leading to red blood cell deformity and various complications, including anemia and organ damage. Transfusion therapy is a common treatment for SCD complications, but it poses risks, including the transmission of infectious diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. The prevalence of these infections among transfused SCD patients in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is not well-documented. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B & C and HIV among sickle cell patients who received transfusions in Kinshasa. Purpose The general objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B & C and HIV among sickle cell patients transfused in Kinshasa. This was a prospective and analytical cross-sectional study carried out during the year 2023 among sickle cell patients treated at the SS Anemia Mixed Medicine Center (CMMASS). Methods A total of 100 sickle cell patients were included in the study, with 50 patients who had received transfusions and 50 who had not. Blood samples were collected and analyzed using two methods: the immunochromatographic method with rapid tests and the electrochemiluminescence immunological test (ECLIA). Fisher's exact test was applied with an alpha risk of 0.05 to compare the seroprevalence rates between transfused and non-transfused patients. Results  Among the transfused sickle cell patients, the seroprevalences of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV were 6%, 4%, and 3%, respectively. The co-infection rates for HBV-HIV and HCV-HIV were 1% and 2%, respectively. However, there was no significant difference in seroprevalence rates between transfused and non-transfused patients (p> 0.05). Conclusions These results partially confirm our hypothesis that the seroprevalence of hepatitis B & C and HIV among transfused sickle cell patients would be higher than that of the general population. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these findings and to assess the impact of transfusion therapy on the risk of acquiring these infections in SCD patients

Bassin Du Congo-Oubangui-Sangha Face Aux Défis Ecosystémiques Du XXIème Siècle

Résumé La présente étude a traitée de l’analyse et description du bassin du Congo-Oubangui-Sangha face aux défis écosystemiques du XXIe siècle en vue de cerner les conditions auxquelles sont soumis les écosystèmes terrestre et aquatique de ce bassin. Pour y parvenir nous avons fait recourt à plusieurs travaux de recherches scientifiques, rapports techniques et colloques disponibles sur Internet. Les données obtenues ont montré que dans beaucoup de cas, les menaces qui pèsent sur le bassin du Congo sont étroitement liées aux opportunités de développement économique dans la région. La diversité biologique (faune et flore) du bassin du Congo est confrontée à plusieurs menaces ci-après avec des impacts importants : le braconnage et commerce de viande de brousse, l’agriculture, l’exploitation du bois, l’exploitation minière, l’exploitation de pétrole et ou gaz, la pêche, les maladies, le changement climatique, la pollution, l’urbanisation, les conflits et ou populations déplacées et la croissance de la population. Le manque de connaissances au sujet de l’état de la biodiversité est un obstacle majeur pour la conservation et le développement durable dans le bassin du Congo. Seule une gestion efficace au niveau des pays membres peut permettre aux décideurs d’avoir un accès permanent à l’information indispensable pour la prise des meilleures décisions. Avec une bonne compréhension des menaces et des forces qu’elles cachent et plus d’attention aux impacts écologiques potentiels, aux développements de stratégies d’atténuation et de systèmes de compensation d’un avenir durable pour les forêts du bassin du Congo peut devenir une réalité.AbstractThe present study deals with the analysis and description of the Congo-Oubangui-Sangha basin in the face of the ecosystemic challenges of the 21st century in order to identify the conditions to which the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems of this basin are subjected. In order to do this, we used several scientific research works, technical reports and colloquia available on the Internet. The data obtained showed that in many cases, the threats to the Congo Basin are closely linked to economic development opportunities in the region. The biological diversity (fauna and flora) of the Congo Basin faces several threats with significant impacts: poaching and bushmeat trade, agriculture, timber exploitation, mining, oil and gas exploitation, fishing, diseases, climate change, pollution, urbanization, conflicts and displaced populations and population growth. The lack of knowledge about the state of biodiversity is a major obstacle to conservation and sustainable development in the Congo Basin. Only effective management at the member country level can ensure that decision makers have permanent access to the information they need to make the best decisions. With a good understanding of the threats and the forces behind them and more attention to potential ecological impacts, the development of mitigation strategies and compensation systems a sustainable future for the forests of the Congo Basin can become a reality.Keywords: Congo-Oubangui-Sangha Basin, Biodiversity, Forests, Ecosystem challenge

Ethno-botanical survey of medicinal plants species traditionally used for the treatment of diseases in Kasangulu Territory (Democratic Republic of Congo)

In Africa, much knowledge is lost due to lack of transmission, which does not promote resource conservation by local populations. It is therefore obvious to assess people's knowledge on the importance of resources to develop conservation and sustainable management strategies. This study was conducted to identify medicinal plants used in traditional medicine to treat common diseases in the Kasangulu Territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. To achieve this objective, an ethnobotanical survey was carried out through an open-ended questionnaire that was administered to herbal therapists in the local language to obtain more reliable informations. Some ethnobotanical parameters have been compiled for the identified medicinal plants. A total of 66 species belonging to 33 families and 59 genera have been recorded. The results showed that married and unmarried people have a shared medicinal knowledge, with a slight priority for the married. Sterility is the predominant disease with a rate of 15%. The leaf is the most commonly used organ and the infusion is the most common method of preparation in traditional medicine. There is a predominance of mesophanerophytes and pantropical. Bushfires and agricultural practices are increasing the pressure on medicinal resources, which is believed to be at the root of the loss of some more vulnerable species. There is an urgent need for a sustainable management approach to safeguard and preserve these plant species. This study of the medicinal plants used in Kasangulu constitutes a reservoir of information that contributes to build knowledge to protect the medicinal flora and safeguard local popular know-how. Keywords: Traditional healers, medicinal plants, folk medicine, biodiversity, sustainable managemen

Drépanocytose: Approche Bioclinique, Cibles Biologiques d’Intérêt Thérapeutique et Perspectives

RESUMELa Drépanocytose peut être décrite du point de vue biochimique comme la conséquence d’un dysfonctionnement du shunt de pentoses phosphate, la principale voie métabolique impliquée dans la protection des érythrocytes contre les radicaux libres. A cet effet, après la lyse érythrocytaire, l’oxyhémoglobine peut s’auto-oxyder en méthémoglobine en libérant le radical superoxyde qui en présence des protons forme de l’eau oxygénée. Le peroxyde d’hydrogène peut s’engager dans une cascade de réactions d’oxydation notamment en oxydant le Fer (réaction de Fenton) ou l’oxyhémoglobine, etc. L’hémoglobine peut aussi se liée au monoxyde d’azote (NO) dans le milieu extracellulaire plasmatique réduisant la biodisponibilité intravasculaire de ce gaz physiologique tout en provoquant une vasoconstriction. En milieu extracellulaire, cette hémoprotéine peut se liée par sa fonction amine au glucose (fonction aldéhyde) en vue de la formation de l’hémoglobine glyquée (ou base de Schiff) et ainsi créer un état de stress oxydatif généralisé. En outre, la falciformation des hématies et leur destruction au niveau splénique réduisent la capacité fonctionnelle de la rate rendant ainsi le sujet drépanocytaire vulnérable aux infections bactériennes. Au niveau vasculaire, les radicaux libres provoquent une hyperplasie de l’intima par prolifération des cellules musculaires lisses des gros vaisseaux. La présente revue de la littérature consacrée à la drépanocytose a été initiée dans le but de mieux comprendre les bases scientifiques de cette maladie génétique afin de mieux la contrôler au moyen de la thérapeutique disponible. La recherche bioclinique consiste donc à identifier les médicaments ayant les propriétés de s’opposer aux conséquences physiopathologiques de la drépanocytose.MOTS CLES: Hémoglobine S, radicaux libres, hyperplasie, intima, S-nitrosohémoglobine ABSTRACTSickle cell disease can be described biochemically as a consequence of a dysfunction of the pentose phosphate shunt, the main metabolic pathway involved in the protection of erythrocytes against free radicals. To this end, after erythrocyte lysis, oxyhaemoglobin can self-oxidize to methemoglobin by releasing the superoxide radical which in the presence of protons forms hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide can engage in a cascade of oxidation reactions, notably by oxidizing iron (Fenton reaction) or oxyhemoglobin, etc. Hemoglobin can also bind to nitric oxide (NO) in the plasma extracellular medium reducing the intravascular bioavailability of this physiological gas while causing vasoconstriction. In the extracellular medium, this haemoprotein can bind via its amine function to glucose (aldehyde function) to form glycated hemoglobin (or Schiff base) and thus create a state of generalized oxidative stress. In addition, the sickling of red blood cells and their destruction at splenic level reduces the functional capacity of the spleen, making the sickle cell patient vulnerable to bacterial infections. At the vascular level, free radicals cause intimal hyperplasia through the proliferation of smooth muscle cells in large vessels. This literature review on sickle cell disease was initiated with the aim of better understanding the scientific basis of this genetic disease in order to better control it with available therapeutics. Bioclinical research therefore consists of identifying drugs with the properties to counteract the pathophysiological consequences of sickle cell disease.KEYWORDS: S-hemoglobin, free radicals, hyperplasia, intima, S-nitrosohemoglobi