Frequency and Distribution of Lymphatic Filariasis in Somalia: A Single\u2010Center Experience

Effects of parasitic infections on clinical outcomes, self-rated quality of life and physical fitness in Côte d'Ivoire

Epidemiological and entomological surveys were carried out in the human and mosquito populations in Maceió, Alagoas, in order to assess the present status of bancroftian lymphatic filariasis. Examination of thick blood smears of 10,450 students from different areas of the city revealed 0.66% Wuchereria bancrofti microfilaria carriers. The distribution of filariasis is focal in the city, 80% of the individuals with patent infection living in two neighboring areas with 1.24% and 5.25% prevalence. Parallel studies performed with samples of all age groups in the human population showed similar microfilaria prevalence rates observed previously in the student survey. However, thick blood smears taken from members of families with at least one subject with patent infection gave a prevalence six times greater suggesting, increased transmission in households. The percentage of carriers was higher in the youngest age group (< 20 years). Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitos caught at the locations where the autochthonous cases were found presented natural infection rates ranging from 0.28% to 4.62%. The combination of all these findings indicates occurrence of active transmission of W. bancrofti in the urban area of Maceió, Alagoas State. Based on these data, measures for the potential control of filariasis were planned.

Magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) enables visualization of peripheral nerves. Clinical examination and electrodiagnostic studies have been used in the evaluation of birth-related brachial plexus injury. These are limited in their demonstration of anatomic detail and severity of injury. We investigated the utility of MRN in evaluating birth-related brachial plexus injury in pediatric patients, and assessed the degree of correlation between MRN findings and physical examination and electromyographic (EMG) findings. The MRN findings in 11 infants (age 2 months to 20 months) with birth-related brachial plexus injury were evaluated. A neuroradiologist blinded to the EMG and clinical examination findings reviewed the images. Clinical history, examination, EMG and operative findings were obtained. All infants had abnormal imaging findings on the affected side: seven pseudomeningoceles, six neuromas, seven abnormal nerve T2 signal, four nerve root enlargement, and two denervation changes. There was greater degree of correlation between MRN and physical examination findings (kappa 0.6715, coefficient of correlation 0.7110, P < 0.001) than between EMG and physical examination findings (kappa 0.5748, coefficient of correlation 0.5883, P = 0.0012). MRN in brachial plexus trauma enables localization of injured nerves and characterization of associated pathology. MRN findings demonstrated a statistically significant correlation with physical examination and EMG findings, and might be a useful adjunct in treatment planning.

To review the clinical characteristics and management of patients with palatal myoclonus and devise an algorithm for treatment with botulinum toxin based on presenting symptoms, clinical examination findings, and involved muscle groups. Retrospective chart review at two clinical research centers. Between 1985 and 2011, 15 patients with a diagnosis of essential palatal myoclonus were assessed. Data were collected on patient demographics, disease characteristics, and treatment outcomes. Patients were more commonly female (60.0% vs. 40.0%) with average age at onset of 35.6 years. In 40.0% of patients, the myoclonus began after a viral upper respiratory tract infection. Two-thirds of patients had been previously treated unsuccessfully with oral medications. Predominant presenting symptoms included clicking tinnitus (46.7%), nonaudible awareness of palatal movements ± rhinolalia (20.0%), or both (33.3%). Clinical examination revealed co-incident involvement of pharyngeal musculature in 53.3%. Palatal site for initial botulinum toxin injection depended on the predominant presenting symptom: for tinnitus, 2.5 U were injected transorally into the tensor veli palatini muscle at the level of the pterygoid hamulus/lateral soft palate; for palatal movements, the injection was placed medially on either side of the uvula. Dose and location of subsequent injections were tailored depending on response to the toxin and location of subsequent observed maximal muscular contractions. Palatal myoclonus can present with tinnitus or patient-perceived palatal movements. Management with botulinum toxin can be tailored to address the muscles contributing to the predominant presenting symptoms.

Neonatal compartment syndrome (NCS) occurs when increased pressure within the fasciocutaneous compartment decreases capillary perfusion, causing irreversible tissue damage from ischemia. NCS is a rare condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosing NCS is highly dependent on the examination, which can be difficult in newborns. Prompt recognition provides the best chance for good outcomes. We present a case of NCS diagnosed and treated based on physical examination findings. Fetal ultrasonography showed bladder distension, bilateral hydroceles, urethra dilation, and abdominal urinary ascites concerning for lower urinary tract obstruction and possible bladder rupture. At 1h after birth, examination of the infant's left upper extremity showed no spontaneous movement, the hand and forearm appeared dusky, and the hand had a large blister with desquamation. No pulse distal to the antecubital fossa was detected via Doppler ultrasonography. The infant was diagnosed with NCS and underwent urgent fasciotomy. The clinical appearance and perfusion of the left upper extremity gradually improved. At four months of age, the wounds were healed and the patient had full passive range of motion of the left upper extremity. Recovery of active motion is ongoing. The presence of blistering and desquamation should provoke suspicion for NCS. Once NCS is diagnosed, prompt intervention is necessary to reduce the risk of poor functional outcomes. This case highlights the need for increased awareness of the risk developing compartment syndrome in utero as part of the rare sequalae in infants with congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract.

Background Supragastric belching (SGB) is considered a behavioural disorder where air is ingested in to eosophagus and immediately expelled again; it can result in symptoms of excessive belching and has a significant impact on quality of life. With the advent of the intraluminal impedance recording technique, it has become possible to monitor the passage of air through the oesophagus, either in ab-oral or ad-oral directions. Aim Determine the prevalence of excessive SGB within our tertiary referral gastrointestinal physiology unit and evaluate the predominant presenting symptoms and examine its association with gastro-esophageal reflux disease and motility disorders. Method Data was collected retrospectively from our data base system, we reviewed 442 reports of 24 hours PH-Impedance and high resolution oesophageal manometry from January 2015 to December 2016. Symptoms were reviewed from patients’ charts. These included the predominant presenting symptom, symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn, regurgitation and dysphagia. Results A total of 98 (22%) patients were found to have excessive SGB. predominant presenting symptom was heartburn (55%), only 18% had pathological acid exposure. Dysphagia was reported in 23% and regurgitation in 7%. only 7% presented with isolated symptom of belching,Esophageal hypomotility was seen in 48%. Conclusions Excessive SGB was common finding in 24 hours PH-impedance manometry studies, the main predominant symptom was heartburn, and there appears to be an association with oesophageal hypomotility and to a lesser extent with gastroeosphageal reflux disease.

Pulmonary Lymphangioma

Can an allograft become harmonious with its recipient by analogous mechanisms to the long-term survival of a parasite in its host? Transplantation is similar to parasitism and chronic parasite infection can prolong allograft survival

The derivation of detailed epidemiological maps, at the relevant spatial resolution, is being increasingly recognized as vital to the effective design and implementation of successful programmes for the control of parasites and their vectors. Geographical information systems (GIS) and a recently complied database on the distribution of lymphatic filariasis in India have now been used to develop the first maps at district-level (i.e. the level at which control against this parasite will be enacted in India) of filariasis endemicity in this country. The derived maps indicate both the substantial extent as well as the marked variability in the geographical distribution of this disease in India. The causative infection and/or the symptomatic disease were detected in most (257) of the 289 districts surveyed up to 1995. Currently there may be up to 27.09 million microfilaraemics, 20.83 million cases of symptomatic filariasis, and about 429.32 million individuals potentially at risk of infection in the country. Probability mapping, based on data quantiles, clearly indicates that the risk of filarial infection in India is not constant throughout the country but exhibits strong regional trends. Filariasis in general may be a particular problem of the eastern half of the country. The results indicate the potentially vital role that GIS-based mapping approaches can play in the development of filariasis-control campaigns in India and elsewhere.

BackgroundLymphatic filariasis (LF) is one of the most debilitating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). It still presents as an important public health problem in many countries in the tropics. In Cameroon, where many NTDs are endemic, only scant data describing the situation regarding LF epidemiology was available. The aim of this study was to describe the current situation regarding LF infection in Cameroon, and to map this infection and accurately delineate areas where mass drug administration (MDA) was required.MethodologyThe endemicity status and distribution of LF was assessed in eight of the ten Regions of Cameroon by a rapid-format card test for detection of W. bancrofti antigen (immunochromatographic test, ICT). The baseline data required to monitor the effectiveness of MDA was collected by assessing microfilariaemia in nocturnal calibrated thick blood smears in sentinel sites selected in the health districts where ICT positivity rate was ≥ 1%.Principal findingsAmong the 120 health districts visited in the eight Regions during ICT survey, 106 (88.3%) were found to be endemic for LF (i.e. had ICT positivity rate ≥ 1%), with infection rate from 1.0% (95% CI: 0.2–5.5) to 20.0% (95% CI: 10–30). The overall infection rate during the night blood survey was 0.11% (95% CI: 0.08–0.16) in 11 health districts out of the 106 surveyed; the arithmetic mean for microfilaria density was 1.19 mf/ml (95% CI: 0.13–2.26) for the total population examined.Conclusion/significanceICT card test results showed that LF was endemic in all the Regions and in about 90% of the health districts surveyed. All of these health districts qualified for MDA (i.e. ICT positivity rate ≥ 1%). Microfilariaemia data collected as part of this study provided the national program with baseline data (sentinel sites) necessary to measure the impact of MDA on the endemicity level and transmission of LF important for the 2020 deadline for global elimination.

Pitfalls in the diagnosis of childhood leukaemia.

Chagas Disease Recommendations for Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients and Donors.

Epidemiology of infectious and non-communicable diseases and effect of health interventions on children's physical fitness in Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Symptomatic benefit 1–3 years after H. pylori eradication in ulcer patients: impact of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection markedly reduces the recurrence of duodenal and gastric ulcers. However, there is little information regarding its efficacy in resolving dyspeptic symptoms in ulcer patients. The primary aim of this study was to assess the effect of eradicating H. pylori infection on dyspeptic symptoms in ulcer patients. The secondary aim was to identify predictors of symptomatic response to H. pylori eradication. A total of 97 dyspeptic patients with active duodenal and/or gastric ulceration associated with H. pylori infection and unrelated to NSAID use had the severity and character of their dyspeptic symptoms measured before and again 1-3 yr after H. pylori eradication therapy. Pretreatment, the median dyspepsia score was 12 (4-16). Posttreatment, 55% of those eradicated of H. pylori had resolution of dyspepsia (score <2) compared with 18% of those not eradicated of the infection (95% CI for difference, 11-62%). Of the ulcer patients 31% had symptoms and/or endoscopic evidence of coexisting gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) at initial presentation and this influenced the symptomatic response to eradication of H. pylori. Of the 22 patients with heartburn or acid reflux as the predominant presenting symptom, but no endoscopic esophagitis, only 27% experienced resolution of dyspepsia after H. pylori eradication, compared with 68% of the 59 without those as predominant symptoms (95% CI for difference, 18-63%). Only one of the five patients with coexisting endoscopic esophagitis at initial presentation experienced resolution of dyspepsia after H. pylori eradication. Symptomatic benefit was unrelated to time lapsed since the infection was eradicated. Only three of 50 subjects developed de novo GERD symptoms after eradication of H. pylori, whereas 21 of 36 subjects experienced resolution of GERD symptoms after eradication of the infection. A substantial proportion of ulcer patients have symptoms and/or signs of coexisting GERD at initial presentation and this reduces the symptomatic benefit from H. pylori eradication. However, we have found no evidence that eradicating H. pylori induces de novo GERD symptoms in ulcer patients.