Zidovudine to prevent mother-to-infant HIV transmission in developing countries: any questions?
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Anti-HIV Agents↗
Biomedical subjects
M Boelaert
Publications and source records attributed to M Boelaert.
Short communication: dengue serotype 2 subtype III ('Jamaica') epidemic in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
BACKGROUND: During the past decade, dengue and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) have become a public health problem in various Latin American countries. Indications of increased dengue cases in the city of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, early in 1997 were promptly investigated. METHODS: We conducted a sample sero-survey in one district of the city. Levels of antidengue IgM were determined and genetic analysis was performed on virus isolates. RESULTS: IgM antibodies were detected in 6.5% (95% CI: 3.4%-9.6%) of adults (over 15 years old) and 5.1% (2.0%-8.2%) of children (5-7 years old). Dengue virus serotype 2 subtype III ('Jamaica') was isolated. CONCLUSIONS: The estimated attack rates are compatible with a dengue epidemic in Santa Cruz. Isolation of dengue-2 'Jamaica' virus documents the further spread of this subtype from the Caribbean via Brazil into South America. Increased DHF preparedness seems mandatory.
Adult↗
Emergency medical aid for refugees.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Humans↗
[A survey on vaccine efficacy in the city of Bongor (Chad) and its operational consequences for the vaccination program].
A measles epidemic occurred in the city of Bongor, Chad, from 22 September 1993 to 26 June 1994. A total of 792 patients were hospitalized, with a case fatality rate of 5.2%. After the epidemic, the district management team evaluated the expanded programme on immunization (EPI). Through a cluster survey the attack rate was estimated to be 29.1% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 20.4-37.8%) for the age group 12-59 months (n = 206). For this same age group, the measles immunization coverage was estimated to be 44.2% (95% CI = 34.6-53.8%) and the vaccine efficacy 9.5% (95% CI = 0-41.5%). Several flaws in the logistic handling of the vaccines and especially in the cold chain were identified. These results indicated a serious management problem in the EPI, which the district team then immediately started to rectify. The method used to estimate the immunization coverage and efficacy in the study is rapid and low cost. Also, it is feasible at the district level and permits identification of management problems in the EPI.
Age Factors↗
What should be done in acute emergencies?
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Age Factors↗
Impact of a mass vaccination campaign against a meningitis epidemic in a refugee camp.
Serogroup A meningococcus epidemics occurred in refugee populations in Zaire in August 1994. The paper analyses the public health impact of a mass vaccination campaign implemented in a large refugee camp. We compared meningitis incidence rates from 2 similar camps. In Kibumba camp, vaccination was implemented early in the course of the epidemic whilst in the control camp (Katale), vaccination was delayed. At a threshold of 15 cases per 100 000 population per week an immunization campaign was implemented. Attack rates were 94 and 134 per 100,000 in Kibumba and Katale respectively over 2 months. In Kibumba, one week after crossing the threshold, 121,588 doses of vaccine were administered covering 76% of all refugees. Vaccination may have prevented 68 cases (30% of the expected cases). Despite its rapid institution and the high coverage achieved, the vaccination campaign had a limited impact on morbidity due to meningitis. In the early phase in refugee camps, the relative priorities of meningitis vaccination and case management need to be better defined.
Democratic Republic of the Congo↗
Cholera treatment in Goma.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Ambulatory Care Facilities↗
[Surveillance of the nutritional status of the population in Kinshasa, Zaire (1991-1994)].
Six anthropometric surveys using a random cluster sampling design have been organised in the capital of Zaire between November 1991 and March 1994. The prevalence of acute malnutrition fluctuated with the seasons and followed the cyclic movements of food prices on the market. The general tendency was rising. In March '94, 10.7% (95% confidence interval: 8.8-12.9%) of the children was suffering of acute malnutrition. Nevertheless, the standardised prevalence remained stable. This may suggest that the most disadvantaged living at certain poor zones of the city disconnected, while the rest of the population could still manage to maintain their nutritional status. The hypothesis of increasing heterogeneity is supported by the raising of the design-effect.
Child, Preschool↗
Wartime colon injuries: primary repair or colostomy?
A retrospective non-randomized study, comparing primary repair with colostomy, was made on a series of 102 patients with penetrating intraperitoneal colon injuries, in a war surgery programme in Cambodia. The overall case fatality rate (CFR) was 25.5%, whereas in the primary repair group CFR was 20%, compared to 30.8% in the colostomy group. The difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.30). Adjustment for possible confounding factors in the two groups did not alter the results. Considering the numerous advantages to the patient of a primary closure in the precarious situations where war surgery is often performed, this technique merits consideration.
Adolescent↗
Endemic juvenile hypothyroidism in a severe endemic goitre area of Sudan.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess thyroid function, iodine intake and exposure to dietary goitrogens of children living in an area with a high prevalence of goitre, in the region of Darfur, Sudan. DESIGN: In a village where goitre affected approximately 85% of children, a cross-sectional survey of thyroid function was performed in children 0-7 years old. PATIENTS: Twenty neonates and 190 children, aged 1 month to 7 years, were included. MEASUREMENTS: Thyroid hormones, urinary iodide and thiocyanate excretion were measured. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD serum T4 was below the normal range at birth (82 +/- 50 nmol/l) and in the age group less than 2 years (73 +/- 46). Children older than 2 years had even lower serum T4: 37 +/- 37 (P < 0.001) at 3-4 years and 36 +/- 38 (P < 0.001) at 5-7 years. Mean serum TSH was 25.8(6.2-107.7) mU/l at birth, 8.3(2.5-27.8) in the group less than 2 years, 15.3(2.9-79.1) at 3-4 years and 16.4(2.7-98.3) at 5-7 years. The overall prevalence of hypothyroidism (TSH > 50 mU/l) was 24%. Mean urinary thiocyanate was high at birth (107 +/- 69 mumol/l), normal in the group less than 2 years and higher in children older than 2 years (126 +/- 69 mumol/l) (P < 0.001). All age groups had a low urinary iodide concentration. CONCLUSION: Hypothyroidism was very frequent in each age group. The higher frequency of hypothyroidism observed in weaned children (> 2 years) was attributed to the combined effects of iodine deficiency and goitrogens (thiocyanate and glycosylflavones) derived from millet.
Age Factors↗
Visceral leishmaniasis control: a public health perspective.
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala-azar, is a vector-borne disease caused by a protozoan of the Leishmania donovani complex. A phlebotomine sandfly transmits the parasite from person to person or via an animal reservoir. VL is a severe, debilitating disease, characterized by prolonged fever, splenomegaly, hypergammaglobulinaemia and pancytopenia. Patients become gradually ill over a period of a few months, and nearly always die if untreated. Case-fatality ratios are high even in treated patients. Worldwide an estimated 500,000 VL cases occur each year. This study reviews clinical, epidemiological and public health aspects of the disease and shows how critical adequate case detection is for the success of VL control. Examination of the issue of VL diagnosis with respect to the global challenges in VL control leads to the observation that a sound diagnostic-therapeutic algorithm for the health services in endemic areas is badly needed. Serological tests could be an alternative to parasitological diagnosis and the direct agglutination test (DAT) was found to fulfil many criteria for a 'field test', including cost effectiveness. Although research needs on vaccine and better drugs continue to be high on the agenda, a VL test-treatment strategy based on currently available highly sensitive serological tests, such as the DAT, should be introduced in the health services in endemic areas.
Animals↗
Sodium stibogluconate cardiotoxicity and safety of generics.
Between April 9 and May 5 2000, an outbreak of fatal cardiotoxicity occurred in Nepal amongst visceral leishmaniasis patients treated with a recently introduced batch of generic sodium stibogluconate (SSG) from GL Pharmaceuticals, Calcutta, India. Eight (36%) of 23 patients treated with this batch died, and in 5 (23%) death was attributed to the cardiotoxicity of the drug. This contrasts with the low total death rate (3.2%) and death rate due to cardiotoxicity (0.8%) observed among 252 patients treated between August 1999 and December 2001 with generic SSG from Albert David Ltd, Calcutta, India. These data show that every batch of generic SSG should be subject to rigorous quality control prior to use.
Antimony Sodium Gluconate↗
A neglected disease of humans: a new focus of visceral leishmaniasis in Bakool, Somalia.
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was observed in children in Bakool region, Somalia, an area where VL has not been reported before. We describe the extent of the problem in this war- and famine-stricken area. A retrospective analysis was done of all cases admitted to a VL treatment centre between July 2000 and August 2001. Patients with longstanding fever, splenomegaly and a positive direct agglutination test (DAT; titre > 1:3200) were treated as suspected VL cases. A rapid epidemiological and entomological assessment was performed in the area. Species identification was attempted from blood samples by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of cysteine proteinase B genes. In 1 year, 230 serologically-positive cases were diagnosed as VL, and response to therapy was good in 91.6% of the 225 treated with sodium stibogluconate. Parasitological confirmation was attempted and obtained in 2 cases. Parasites were found to be most similar to Sudanese and Ethiopian reference strains of the Leishmania donovani complex. In a serological survey of 161 healthy displaced persons, 15% were positive by the leishmanin skin test and 3 (2%) were positive by the DAT. The sandfly captures showed Phlebotomus martini and P. vansomerenae. VL seems to be a longstanding and serious health problem in Bakool region. Food insecurity might have contributed to the emergence and detection of VL in this area.
Adolescent↗
Managing diabetes mellitus in a Lebanese primary care centre. Working towards change.
OBJECTIVES: Demand for medical care in Lebanon is dominated by diseases, such as diabetes. Quality of documentation of care given to these patients in a primary care centre, prior to and after introducing a diabetes initiative (DI) is reported. METHODS: Chart audit of diabetic patients attending an inner city health centre in Beirut, during 1/6/94-30/8/96 was conducted. DI was introduced in 1/1/97, and audit repeated six months later. RESULTS: First and second audits identified 213 and 162 patients respectively. Audit I showed poor recording for almost all parameters; example: family history (3%), smoking status (11%), hypertension (9%), dyslipidaemia (4%), BMI (nil), blood pressure (46%), foot exam (16%), HbA1c (nil), serum cholesterol and triglyceride (27%) and urine analysis (12%). Audit II revealed an improvement in the recording of most parameters, risk factors such as: smoking status, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia (98-99%), physical examination: BMI (39%), foot and peripheral circulation (91-92%), blood pressure (87%). Over half the patients had undergone a complete metabolic workup. CONCLUSION: Over the short period of time, there appears to have been an important improvement in the documentation of medical care for these diabetic patients. Effects of this change in terms of clinical outcomes is currently being assessed.
Diabetes Mellitus↗
[Epidemic outbreak of dengue virus 2/Jamaica genotype in Bolivia].
OBJECTIVE: To confirm an epidemic outbreak of Dengue virus in the city of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and to determine the serotype of the virus, to estimate the rate of attack and the proportion of symptomatic infections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In March 1997, a seroepidemiological survey was conducted with random sampling in a central district of the city of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Information on recent acute illness and febrile episodes was gathered, and venous blood samples were obtained. Levels of antidengue IgM were determined by MAC Elisa and the virus was typified with RT-PCR. RESULTS: IgM antibodies were detected in 6.5% of adults (CI 95% 3.4-9.6) and 5.1% of children (CI 95% 2.0-8.2). Circulating virus was identified as Dengue serotype 2, subgroup Jamaica. Less than half of the infected children experienced a symptomatic infection compared to almost 90% of adults. CONCLUSIONS: The estimated attack rates are compatible with a Dengue epidemic outbreak in Santa Cruz. The introduction of the serotype 2/ subgroup Jamaica virus into the country increases the risk of hemorrhagic Dengue.
Adolescent↗