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A Study of Infective Endocarditis in Malta
Annalisa Montebello,
Anette Portelli,
Maria Alessandra Zammit,
Tonio Piscopo
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2017
Pages:
98-104
Received:
15 August 2016
Accepted:
7 October 2016
Published:
30 October 2017
Abstract: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life threatening infection, especially if diagnosis and subsequent treatment are delayed. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the clinical features and management of infective endocarditis in Malta. Patients admitted to Mater Dei Hospital (MDH) between January 2008 and December 2015 with a diagnosis of IE according to the modified Duke's criteria were selected from electronic case summaries. Demographic data and details on clinical features, risk factors, investigations, management and complications were obtained through the patients’ clinical notes and online laboratory results. There were 65 patients with a diagnosis of IE with a 12.3% (8) mortality rate. Our cohort included 57 patients as the eight deceased patients were not audited due to unavailable case notes. Native valve endocarditis was seen in 80.7% (46) of patients whilst 19.3% (11) had prosthetic valve endocarditis. Left sided vegetations were the most common at 68.4% (39). The majority of patients were culture positive at 87.7% (50). Staphylococci were the commonest organisms cultured at 36.8% (21) of which 57.1% (12) were Staphylococcus aureus with 19.0% (4) being Methicillin resistant staphylococcal aureus. Complication rates were highest in the native valve cohort at 67.4% (31) versus 36.4% (4) patients in the prosthetic valve endocarditis group. IE is not uncommon and can result in severe complications can arise with long-term sequelae. Preventive efforts should be of utmost importance both in the community and in hospitals.
Abstract: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life threatening infection, especially if diagnosis and subsequent treatment are delayed. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the clinical features and management of infective endocarditis in Malta. Patients admitted to Mater Dei Hospital (MDH) between January 2008 and December 2015 with a diagnosis of...
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A Rare Case of Chiari Malformation Type 4
Kelvin Nemayire,
Kantenga Dieu merci Kabulo,
Nathaniel Zimani,
Nyararai Togarepi,
Musara Aaron,
Kazadi Kaluile Ntenga Kalangu
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2017
Pages:
105-108
Received:
27 August 2017
Accepted:
27 September 2017
Published:
7 November 2017
Abstract: The Chiari malformations are a family of conditions characterized by developmental or, less commonly, acquired displacements of the cerebellum. The original 19th century description by Hans Chiari delineated 4 types, but only types 1 and 2 are more than just curiosities. In his initial description, Chiari classified the hindbrain malformations into type I, II and III and then latter added type IV malformation. Type IV is a very rare type. It is characterized by cerebellar hypoplasia or aplasia and tentorial hypoplasia. There is no hindbrain herniation in this type. We report a case of a 6 year old male patient who presented to us with a 6 year history of an occipitocervical mass and inability to stand and walk for one year and a 5 month history of headache and vomiting. CT scan of the brain showed a midline posterior fossa bone defect with a meningocele with active obstructive hydrocephalus and hypoplastic cerebellum without hindbrain herniation. A diagnosis of a posterior fossa congenital anomaly (Chiari 4) with obstructive hydrocephalus and occipito-cervical meningocele was made. Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt was inserted three days post admission. Patient was then electively taken to theatre five months later for repair of the occipitocervical meningocele.
Abstract: The Chiari malformations are a family of conditions characterized by developmental or, less commonly, acquired displacements of the cerebellum. The original 19th century description by Hans Chiari delineated 4 types, but only types 1 and 2 are more than just curiosities. In his initial description, Chiari classified the hindbrain malformations into...
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Review on Epidemiology of Camel and Human Brucellosis in East Africa, Igad Member Countries
Wubishet Zewdie Wakene,
Gezahegn Mamo
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2017
Pages:
109-115
Received:
24 April 2017
Accepted:
5 June 2017
Published:
8 November 2017
Abstract: Camel production is expanding in pastoral areas of the Eat African region {IGAD member countries} as a result of recurrent drought and its less susceptibility to drought relative to other livestock. It is an important domestic animal and the source of milk during dry season. Camel brucellosis is prevalent in the region. From review high prevalence of human brucellosis is observed with prevalence ranging between 1 to 46.5%, 2.15 to 60%, 5.8 to 17% and 2.15 to 7.5% by ELISA, RBPT, SAT and CFT respectively; whereas 3.1 to 40.5%, 2 to 39.9% and 1.6 to 7.6% by ELISA, RBPT and CFT in camels respectively. It is transmissible from animal to humans, causing acute febrile illness, undulant fever (inter¬mittent or remittent fever) which may persist for weeks or months accompanied by malaise, anorexia and prostration. Brucella species can enter mammalian hosts through skin abrasions or cuts, the conjunctiva, the respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract and through reproductive tracts. It has economic importance and public health hazard particularly to pastoralist community because of a widespread traditional habit of consumption of raw animal products and close contact with livestock including camels. Since brucellosis has no effective treatment both in human and livestock; vaccination, hygiene and awareness creation are the best control and prevention strategies in the region. Therefore, the objective of the seminar paper was to review-the epidemiology of brucellosis in camel and human in East Africa with emphasis on Ethiopia.
Abstract: Camel production is expanding in pastoral areas of the Eat African region {IGAD member countries} as a result of recurrent drought and its less susceptibility to drought relative to other livestock. It is an important domestic animal and the source of milk during dry season. Camel brucellosis is prevalent in the region. From review high prevalence ...
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Basic C-peptidemia and Diabetic Patients Classification
Deh Zhou Patricia,
Koffi Dago Pierre,
Kouassi Joël-Brice,
Montéomo Gnaté François,
Kouassi Franck,
Yao Assita,
Hué Adélaïde,
Abodo Jacko Rhedoor,
Yapi Ahoua,
Lokrou Adrien
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2017
Pages:
116-119
Received:
1 September 2017
Accepted:
30 September 2017
Published:
13 November 2017
Abstract: Diabetes is a real public health problem in the world. In Africa in general and in Côte d'Ivoire in particular, the management of diabetes is complicated by socio-economic difficulties. After the diagnosis of diabetes, its typing is carried out on the basis of clinical criteria. With the discovery of many subgroups of diabetes especially in Africa, the classification of diabetes is made difficult. This difficulty may raise questions about the adequacy of the therapeutic treatment of patients. The purpose of this study was to study mainly the contribution of basal C-peptidemia in the typing of diabetic subjects. The material concerned a population of 220 diabetics who carried out their peptide C assay and monitored at the Yopougon-ABIDJAN University and Hospital Center. Basal C-Peptidemia was assayed by competitive radio-immunoassay using the kit CIS –BIO Shering. The results revealed that the classification based on clinical signs was improved after the C-peptide assay. Indeed, after C-peptidemia, type 1 diabetics with low C-peptidemia (<0.5 ng/ml) and type 2 diabetics with normal C-peptidemia (0.5 ng/ml to 3 ng/ml). In conclusion, the determination of peptide C appears as an undeniable tool for better classification of diabetic patients. The results of C-peptidemia would direct the practitioner towards a more adequate treatment in the patients studied.
Abstract: Diabetes is a real public health problem in the world. In Africa in general and in Côte d'Ivoire in particular, the management of diabetes is complicated by socio-economic difficulties. After the diagnosis of diabetes, its typing is carried out on the basis of clinical criteria. With the discovery of many subgroups of diabetes especially in Africa,...
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Nutritional Status and Feeding Practice of Children 6-59 Months Old, Metekele Zone of Benishangul-Gumuz Region, Northwest Ethiopia
Mahari Tadele Wuneh,
Yonas Deressa Guracho
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2017
Pages:
120-129
Received:
27 January 2017
Accepted:
13 February 2017
Published:
10 January 2018
Abstract: Introduction: Malnutrition has been responsible, directly or indirectly, for 60% of all deaths annually among children. Over two-thirds of these deaths, which are often associated with inappropriate feeding practices, occur during the first year of life. Objectives: To assess child feeding practices of Gumuz mothers and its correlation with the nutritional status of their children in Metekele Zone; Benishangul Gumuz region, North West Ethiopia. Methods: The study was conducted from February to March 2013, on randomly selected mothers with under-five children. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data for quantitative while in-depth interview was used for the qualitative. Z-scores of anthropometric indices were computed using ANTHRO PLUS 2007. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Association between independent variables affecting nutritional status of under-five children was identified by using multiple logistic regressions. Result: out of the 795 mothers interviewed, almost all (99.5%) ever breast-feed the baby, 95.6% imitated breast feed timely but 38.6% discard colostrum. From the sampled children 50.1% were in stunting, 14.2% underweight, and 10.2% with wasting. Place of residence (AOR: 1.5, 95% CL (1.07 - 2.12)), child age (AOR: 1.99, 95% CL (1.13 - 3.52)), mothers age (AOR: 3.62, 95% CL (1.08 - 12.18)), child currently not eat any solid/semi solid food (AOR: 2.38, 95% CL (1.45 - 3.92)), children receiving pre-lacteal feeding (AOR: 8.23, 95% CL (1.73 - 39.28)), frequency of feeding (AOR: 0.4, 95% CL (0.22 - 0.73)) and currently breast-feeding (AOR: 0.46, 95% CL (0.28 - 0.77)) were significantly associated with malnutrition of under-five children in the study area. Conclusion and recommendation: This study revealed higher proportion of malnutrition among children according the WHO classification. Optimal infant feeding practices should be promoted to improve nutritional status by providing adequate Information, Education and communication (IEC) on child feeding practices and further study were recommended.
Abstract: Introduction: Malnutrition has been responsible, directly or indirectly, for 60% of all deaths annually among children. Over two-thirds of these deaths, which are often associated with inappropriate feeding practices, occur during the first year of life. Objectives: To assess child feeding practices of Gumuz mothers and its correlation with the nut...
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