Malaria and Lymphatic Filariasis Co-Transmission in Endemic Health Districts in Burkina Faso

Introduction: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) and malaria are two vector-borne diseases which parasites can simultaneously infect human or mosquito. In Burkina Faso, studies mainly focused on the control of these diseases independently. Hence, there is a lack of information on their co-transmission of to both human and vector. The present study aimed at providing baseline data from endemic areas in Burkina Faso towards a successful integrated management of both diseases. Methods: The study was carried out in six sites distributed in the East, Center-East and South-West regions of Burkina Faso. Data were collected in August 2014 and September 2015. The infection rates in human and vector populations, vector diversity, trophic and resting behavior were investigated. To determine the disease prevalence nocturnal finger- prick blood sample and microscopic observations were performed. Vectors collected by human landing catches and pyrethrum spray collections. Biochemical and molecular analyses were performed to identify Anopheles gambiae sensu lato sibling species, and to determine vector infection rate and their blood meal origins. Results: Results indicate residual transmission of LF and malaria in human and vector populations. A low co-infection rate (<1%) with Wuchereria bancrofti and Plasmodium falciparum was noted in both human and mosquito. Anopheles gambiae s.l. , An. funestus s.l. and An. nili were by order the main potential vectors encountered. It was in majority parous females and exhibited endophagic and exophagic behavior. Parasite’s co-infection was found with An. coluzzii and An. nili only. Conclusion: The present study has provided basic information on the (co-)transmission of both diseases in the study areas. These results will be useful for further investigations towards the development and implementation of a better integrated strategy to control these diseases.

Secondary Spontaneous Rupture of the Diaphragm in a Child after Blunt Chest Trauma

Traumatic diaphragmatic rupture (TDR) is very rare in the pediatric age group. Because of its rarity and its coexistence with more injuries, the diagnosis is often delayed. Very little has been written about this condition in the pediatric age group. TDR, while uncommon, should be considered in cases of blunt thoracic trauma. All patients should undergo meticulous examination preoperatively. The clinical presentation and importance of making an accurate diagnosis and surgery is highlighted. We report a case of secondary spontaneous traumatic left-sided diaphragmatic rupture in a child that was managed by delayed surgical repair.

A Rare Case of a Giant Cavernous Lymphangioma of the Chest Wall in a Child

Cavernous lymphangioma of the chest wall is a very rare disease entity, and only a few cases have ever been documented in the literature. Cases of recurrent cavernous lymphangioma after surgical excision of a cystic lymphangioma on the same side of the chest wall are quite uncommon. We report a case of a 10-year-old girl, with a giant cavernous lymphangioma of the left lateral chest wall extending into the axilla, who had undergone surgical excision of a cystic lymphangioma 9 years earlier.

Management for Pediatric Pleural Empyema in Resource-Poor Country: Is Chest Tube Drainage with Antiseptic Lavage-Irrigation Better than Tube Thoracostomy Alone?

Drainage by chest tube thoracostomy is widely used in treatment of early empyema thoracis in children, but drainage with antiseptic lavage-irrigation is more frequent in our context since the last 20 years. This study was to determine which was more effective in our experience comparing chest tube drainage with catheter antiseptic lavage-irrigation versus drainage by chest tube thoracostomy alone in the management of empyema thoracis in children. Patients and Methods: Demographic, clinical and microbiological data on children with thoracic empyema undergoing drainage by chest tube thoracostomy alone or with antiseptic lavage-irrigation were obtained from 2 thoracic surgical centers from September 2008 to December 2014. It was a retrospective study included 246 children (137 boys and 109 girls) who were managed for empyema thoracis at the author’s different department of surgery. Outcomes analysis with respect to treatment efficacy, hospital duration, chest tube duration, hospital costs, and need for subsequent procedures was analyzed and compared in the 2 groups. Results: Drainage of pus and antiseptic irrigation resulted in resolution of pyrexia with improvement in general condition in 85.82% of patients in group 1 and by tube thoracostomy alone in 73.95% in group 2. There are a significant difference in the length of hospital stay (p = 0.022), duration of chest tubes in situ (p = 0.040), treatment coast (p = 0.015) and outcome of stage 2 empyema disease (p = 0.037) between the 2 groups. Conclusion: it seems that chest tube drainage with antiseptic lavage-irrigation method is associated with a higher efficacy, shorter length of hospital stay, shorter duration of chest tube in situ, less cost and better outcome of stage 2 empyema diseases than a treatment strategy that utilizes chest tube thoracostomy alone.

Prevalence of intestinal opportunistic parasites infections in the University hospital of Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

Background:Gastrointestinal parasites infections are widespread in Africa and their prevalence infections vary from country to country.This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of opportunistic intestinal parasites infection and other gastrointestinal parasites infection among patients attending the laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology of the University Hospital Souro Sanou of Bobo-Dioulasso.Methods:A hospital cross-sectional based study was conducted from April to August,2012.Participants were persons whom parasitological examination of stools has been prescribed by a clinician.The stools examination methods included direct wet saline examination,lugol’s iodine staining technique,formol-ether concentration and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining.We recorded age and sex information for each patient.Results:The overall prevalence of intestinal parasite infections was 65.3%(190/291).Majority of the parasitic infections was waterborne(64.3%)consisting of high prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp.(26.5%)and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar(23.4%).The prevalence of opportunistic parasites was 28.9%and Cryptosporidium sp.was the most prevalent species followed by Blastocystis sp.(1.0%),Cyclospora sp.(0.7%)and Isospora belli(0.7%).The prevalence of intestinal helminthes was 1.7%.Conclusions:The prevalence of intestinal parasitism in general remains high in Bobo-Dioulasso requiring the establishment of adequate diagnostic techniques,treatment and prevention.

Epidemiological and clinical aspects of urogenital schistosomiasis in women, in Burkina Faso, West Africa

Background:Because infections with Schistosoma Haematobium usually peak in childhood,the majority of studies on schistosomiasis have focused on school-aged children.This study aimed to assess the epidemiological and clinical aspects of urogenital schistosomiasis in women in Burkina Faso,West Africa.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in a mesoendemic region(Kombissiri)and a hyperendemic region(Dori)for schistosomiasis in Burkina Faso.A total of 287 females aged 5 to 50 years were included in the study.S.haematobium infection was assessed using the urine filtration method and dipsticks were used for the detection of hematuria.Interviews were conducted to identify clinical aspects and risk factors related to urogenital schistosomiasis.Results:The overall prevalence of S.haematobium infection in Dori was 21.3%,where as Kombissiri was less affected with a prevalence of 4.6%.The most affected age group was the 10-to 14-year-olds(41.2%),followed by the 15-to 19-year-olds(26.3%).Risk factors significantly associated with schistosomiasis(P<0.05)were place of residence,age,contact with open water in the past year,and distance of home to open water.The percentage of participants who had contact with open water was significantly higher among the women living in Dori compared to Kombissiri.Females over 15 years of age showed a significant higher rate of water contact compared to the 5-to 15-year-olds.A significant correlation between schistosomiasis and hematuria was established.Microhematuria showed a sensitivity of 80.6%,a specificity of 92.7%,and a positive predictive value of 61.7%,whereas macrohematuria had a sensitivity of 47.2%,a specificity of 99.2%,and a positive predictive value of 89.5%.The mass distribution of praziquantel in Burkina Faso is well established.However,over half of the participants with schistosomiasis in this study said they took praziquantel in the past 6 months,which indicates a high reinfection rate.This may be associated with a lack of knowledge about the transmission of schistosomiasis.Only 6%of the participants in Kombissiri and 1.5%in Dori knew about the correct mode of transmission.Conclusions:The results of our study indicate that distribution campaigns should be extended from school-aged children to young women.Our data also demonstrate the necessity of combining already established mass distribution campaigns with information campaigns,so that long-term elimination,or at least reduction,of schistosomiasis can be achieved.