Acute Leukemia in Niger: Epidemiological, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Aspects

Objective: Improve the care of patients followed for acute leukemia in the Oncohematology department of the National Hospital of Niamey. Methods: This was a prospective study, over a period of 2 years from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019, in patients with acute leukemia in the Oncohematology department of the National Hospital of Niamey (HNN), whose diagnosis was made on a blood smear associated with a myelogram and immunophenotyping and who were consenting. Results: We collected 25 cases of acute leukemia confirmed by myelogram and immunophenotyping. The mean age of the patients was 31.32 years, with a predominance of women, a sex ratio of 0.92. Pupils and students were in the majority with 40% and most came from the Niamey region, i.e. 68%. Anemic syndrome was the most common clinical sign in 96%. ALL predominated in 64% of cases. On the blood count, the hyperleukocytosis was more marked in AML (mean white count: 197256.6 elts/mm3) than in ALL (137891.6 elts/mm3), it was the same for thrombocytopenia which is more marked in AML (75588.89/mm3) than in ALL (52156.25/mm3). Therapeutically, 52% of patients received chemotherapy. The mean overall survival was 16.223 ± 3.191 months, including a mean survival for AML of 6.853 ± 1200 months compared to 21.720 ± 5.920 months for ALL. Conclusion: Acute leukemia still remains a major problem in our context, due to the precariousness of limited financial, diagnostic and therapeutic resources. Thus reflecting in our results, the increasing number of cases, the diagnostic delay and the guarded prognosis. This is the reality in several other countries in the sub-region and even in certain developed countries.

Primary Non-Hodgkin’s Malignant Lymphoma of the Uterus at the Reference Hospital of Maradi/Niger: A Case Report

Malignant non-Hodgkins lymphoma (MHNL) of the uterus is uncommon. We report a case diagnosed on the basis of histologic and immunohistochemical studies of a hysterectomy specimen induced by a very painful pelvic mass in a 50-year-old patient with no previous history of the disease. It was classified as Ann Arbor IV Bb after imaging, given the medullary infiltration and signs of clinical and biological evolutivity: the patient had received two courses of chemotherapy, CHOP protocol. She died 23 days after the second treatment due to a hypertensive crisis.

Alternative Phenotypic Profile for B-Cell Abnormality in a Case at Zinder National Hospital

Introduction: Since it is impossible to establish a diagnosis in the presence of hyperlymphocytosis not secondary to lymphocytic hyperactivation, we considered a B-lymphoid hematopathy with a non-specific phenotypic profile. We report one case of this. Observation: This is a forty-eight (48) year old patient with hyperlymphocytosis at 139,000 elements per cubic millimeter, heterogeneous splenomegaly at 25.6 cm in diameter on abdominal ultrasound without detectable deep or peripheral lymphadenopathy. Peripheral blood cytology shows lymphocyte cell proliferation suggestive of the circulating phase of chronic lymphoproliferative B syndrome. The expression profile of cell membrane markers did not allow for the definition of a specific phenotypic profile. Faced with this immunophenotyping result, we considered a B-lymphoid hemopathy with a non-specific phenotypic profile. After three courses, the MINICHOP treatment was used to achieve partial remission with wasting of more than 80% of the evaluable masses. Conclusion: Despite the contribution of immunophenotyping in the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative syndromes, it is possible to consider the diagnosis of a B-lymphoid hemopathy with a phenotypic non-specific profile of CD45+, monotypic kappa, CD19+, FMC7+, CD22+, CD5−, CD79b−, CD23−, CD43−, CD38−, CD200−.

Sickle Cell Disease in the Zinder Region in 2023: Prevalence and Sociodemographic Factors

Introduction: In view of the number of sickle cell patients and due to a low production of descriptive studies, we decided to determine the prevalence of genes S and C of the disease in the Zinder region. The objective was to contribute to improving the management of sickle cell disease in Zinder. Methodology: This was a systematic screening by the “Sickle Scan” test of any blood donor admitted to the Zinder Regional Blood Transfusion Center during the 6-month study period, from January to June 2023. The Sickle Scan is a qualitative lateral flow chromatography immunoassay using whole blood samples that aid in the rapid diagnosis of sickle cell disease. Results: The study was carried out on 613 samples during the period concerned. The frequency of sickle cell genes was 26.9% (n = 165) in all samples collected, with 23.1% (n = 142) and 3.8% (n = 23) for the S gene and the C gene, respectively. The 18 - 30 age group was the most represented with 64.4% (n = 395) cases. The median age of blood donors was 26 years ± 10 years (min = 18 years/max = 60 years). The sex ratio was 2.5. Donors of Nigerien nationality accounted for 84.1% (n = 516). There is a predominance of blood donors with an average monthly income between 34,000 and 70,000 CFA francs in 44.3% (n = 272), lived in permanent housing with drinking water supply. Sickle cell trait (SMA) was found in 22.5% (n = 138). Conclusion: The analysis of these results highlights a high frequency of the S gene for sickle cell disease. The population with an average monthly income is the most affected, with a male predominance.

First Case of Von Willebrand Disease in Niger

Von Willebrand’s disease was first described in 1926 by Erik Von Willebrand. It is a genetic, constitutional defect of hemostasis that is different from hemophilia. It is classified among the rare diseases whose clinical manifestations are dominated by a hemorrhagic profile, which varies from patient to patient. It is an easily diagnosed disease based on a quantitative and qualitative bioassay of VWF. Treatment is multidisciplinary and is based on well-structured prevention. We report the first case of von Willebrand disease in Niger, diagnosed in the Hematology Department of Niamey’s National Hospital.

Major Sickle Cell Syndromes in Maradi, Niger: Epidemiological, Clinical, Biological and Therapeutic Aspects

Introduction: Sickle cell disease is the most widespread genetic disorder in the world. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological, clinical, biological, and therapeutic aspects of sickle cell anemia in Maradi, Niger. Methodology: This was a retrospective descriptive study carried out at the Centre Hospitalier Régional (CHR) of Maradi over 12 months, from September 2021 to August 2022. Results: This study included 246 patients with sickle cell anemia. The average age was 7.9 years, ranging from 0 to 16 years, and a sex ratio of 1.2. We observed kinship in 54.9% of the parents of sickle cell patients. Among the fathers, 62.6% were primarily blue-collar workers, while 87.4% of the mothers were housewives. Clinically, we observed pallor in 78.5% of the patients, jaundice in 43.5%, splenomegaly in 12.6%, and hepatomegaly in 11.8%. The most common vaso-occlusive crises involved osteoarticular pain (34.6%), followed by hand-foot syndrome (26.4%) and abdominal pain (20.3%). The SS form predominated biologically, representing 93.5% of cases, while double heterozygotes SC represented 6.5%. Most patients (56.5%) presented with severe anemia, with moderate anemia observed in 38.6% of cases. All patients received folic acid. Level I and II analgesics were used in 82.6% and 46.7% of patients, respectively, and patients received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in 72.3% of cases. A small proportion of patients (7.8%) were on background treatment with Hydrea. Conclusion: The results of our study are similar to those often described in sickle cell anemia.