Bacteriological Profile of Acute Respiratory Infections in Children: About a Prospective Study at the Albert Royer Hospital in Dakar

Introduction: Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) is a global public health priority. It is the leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries. The main objective of this work was to look mainly at the bacteriological aspects of ARI in children in Senegalese hospitals. Methodology: We have been conducted a prospective descriptive mono-centric study over a period of one year (from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018) at the Albert Royer National child hospital in Dakar. A multiplex PCR (protein chain reaction) has been performed on nasopharyngeal swabs taken from all patients. This technique (viral RNA transcribed into DNA, then the DNA of the different pathogens is simultaneously amplified in the same tube by PCR Fast-tract®, multiplex). Results: During the study period, 109 patients were included. The hospital prevalence of acute respiratory infections was 3.7%. The mean age was 23.7 months with extremes between 1 month and 144 months. Peaks of consultations were found in the months of August, March and April with 22%, 15.6% and 12.8% respectively. Fever, respiratory distress and pulmonary condensation syndrome were the main signs found in our patients. Bacteriology was positive in 82.6% of samples and the most frequently found bacteria were Streptococcus pneumoniae in 38.5%, Haemophilus influenza b in 32.1% and Moraxella catarrhalis in 25.7%. Pneumonia was the main diagnosis, found in 61 cases, a prevalence of 59.9%. The average length of hospitalization was 10 days. Lethality was 1.8% or 2 cases. Conclusion: Acute Respiratory Infections in children still remains a public health problem in developing countries;children under 5 years of age are the most affected hence the need to strengthen ARI control programs. The identification of germs is indispensable in treatment and epidemiological surveillance in our regions.

From Surgery to Hematology: Fanconi Anemia about a Case of a Senegalese Child

Fanconi anaemia (FA) is a rare genetic abnormality. Most of FA reported from the sub-Saharan population came from southern Africa, with many patients linked to a mutation in the FANC G gene. Classic triads of this disorder are: a varied malformation, bone marrow failure, and short stature. This disorder is also associated with predisposition to malignancies. These multiple manifestations, sometimes not uniform, often cause diagnostic delay. We here report a 13-year-old Senegalese boy with FA. He was followed up for polydactyly-repair surgery. Importantly, pre-operative blood check-up revealed severe anaemia, which prompted us to perform bone marrow aspiration: examination revealed dysmyelopoiesis. Being triggered by this, systematic examinations were performed, which revealed other signs indicative of FA;i.e., radial spine abnormalities, triangular face, etc. The diagnosis of FA was strongly suggested, which prompted genetic examination. The chromosomal breakage test detected cellular hypersensitivity to DNA, which confirmed the diagnosis. He is receiving transfusion support, and androgens use is being considered. This case highlights the importance of preoperative examination. Physicians must be aware that FA, although its incidence is low, can be hidden behind infantile anaemia.

Contribution of Myocardial Perfusion’s Tomoscintigraphy in the Management of Coronarian Disease in Senegal: About 42 Cases

The aim of the study was to evaluate the contribution to moscintigraphy of myocardial perfusion (TSMP) with 99mTc-sestamibi in the management of suspected or known coronary patients’s population. It included 42 patients with an average age of 57.02 ±9.77 years with extremes ranging from 36 to 77 years. The pre-test probability in 38 patients was high in 7 patients (18.42%), intermediate in 29 patients (76.31%) and low in 2 patients (5.26%). Patients with a high pre-test probability had a positive scintigraphy. Among the 26 patients who underwent transthoracic ultrasound (TTU), 10 with normal kinetics on trans-thoracic ultrasound (TTU) had positive scintigraphy. For 16 patients with TTU abnormalities, 6 had negative scintigraphy and 10 had positive scintigraphy. The TSMP was positive for 28 patients (66.66%). Among these patients, 16 had pure ischemia, 57.14% (16/28), 7 pure necrosis (25%), and 5 both necrosis and ischemia. Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy remains a very contributory consideration in the management of coronary disease. This is synchronized with the electrocardiogram (ECG) and is an important diagnostic and prognostic tool for coronary artery disease. It also provides a good indication of coronary angiography.

Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Prolongation of the Management of Myocardial Infarctions Seen Late: A Cross-Sectional Study of 25 Cases Collected in the Cardiology Department of the Aristide Le Dantec Hospital in Dakar (Senegal)

Background: Timely management determines the prognosis of patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome with persistent ST-segment elevation (STEMI). Coronavirus COVID-19 appeared in China, in Wuhan in December 2019, which has spread at a lightning speed across the planet earth, becoming a pandemic. Senegal, as well as countries around the world, has also been affected by this pandemic, which has had a strong impact on all its sectors of activity, particularly the health system. The objective of this study was to identify and evaluate the factors that increase the time required to treat myocardial infarctions, received late at H?pital Aristide le Dantec and to assess the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on these delays. Results: A total of 25 patients were included: 17 patients in pre-pandemic period and 8 patients in pandemic period. The predominance was male with a sex ratio of 2.5. The mean age was 59.20 years. Hypertension was the leading risk factor with a prevalence of 60% followed by sedentary lifestyle (48%). Typical chest pain was the most frequent clinical symptom found on admission (80%) followed by nausea and vomiting (40%). The first medical contact took place in a hospital in most patients (44%) and was made by a general practitioner (64%). The majority of patients (76%) were referred to the cardiology department. The personal car was the most frequently used means of transportation for our patients (60%). The average distance by car between the place of occurrence and the hospital was 22.6 km with extremes of 3.30 and 36 km. The average travel time from the place of occurrence to the cardiology department was 43 min 30 s with extremes of 11 and 57 min. When comparing the results according to the COVID-19 pandemic, a decrease in the number of incident cases is noted. Before the pandemic, a consultation in multiple units was noted in the majority of cases (41%) before admission. During COVID-19, the majority of patients (62.5%) had consulted only one site. The average time from pain to first medical contact was 06 h 30 min before the COVID-19 pandemic and 42 h06 min during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mean time to electrocardiogram recording was 14 h 30 min before the Covid-19 pandemic and 27 h 22 min during the Covid-19 pandemic. Conclusion: There are significant delays in the management of STEMI patients. They are attributable to both the patients and the system. The main factors of system delay found in our study were the delay in ECG recording, its interpretation, and the organization of transfer via a medical ambulance. The Covid-19 disease has globally aggravated these delays that were already present before the pandemic. Consequent measures must be taken to reduce these delays that determine the vital prognosis of STEMI patients.

Right Coronary Artery Fistulae Draining into Right Atrium: A Case Report

We report the case of a 16-year-old young girl seen for precordial pain and stage II NYHA dyspnea. Clinical examination found a maximal systolodiastolic murmur in the left subclavicular. Lateral Q waves were noted on the electrocardiogram and echocardiography revealed a right coronary fistula draining in right atrium. CT scan confirmed the diagnosis. Patient was addressed to a specialized center for percutaneous closure of the fistula. In case of signs indicating coronary artery disease, the search for coronary anomalies should be systematic in children by using EKG and transthoracic echocardiography. In case of doubt, a second imaging such as the multislice Ct scan is performed. Coronary angiography has a dual diagnostic and therapeutic interest. The indications for treatment depend on the symptoms and the results of ischemia tests.