African health sciences
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African health sciences · Sep 2018
Seroprevalence of parvovirus B19 in blood donors: the risks and challenges of blood transfusion in Zambia in the era of HIV/AIDS at the Kitwe Central Hospital, blood bank.
Human Parvovirus (B19V) is a small, single-stranded, non-enveloped DNA virus which is pathogenic to humans causing a wide array of clinical complications which include erythema infectiosum, aplastic crisis and hydrops foetalis. It is generally harmless in healthy individuals but may be life threatening in immunocompromised individuals such as patients with sickle cell disease, cancer, HIV and pregnant women. It has been shown to be transmissible by blood transfusion but donor screening for the virus is not yet mandatory in most sub-Saharan African countries including Zambia. ⋯ This study showed a 15.6% prevalence rate of acute Parvovirus B19 infections in blood donors at the Kitwe Central Hospital, blood bank. Studies with larger sample sizes are needed to validate these results.
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Although nodding syndrome is a catastrophic epileptic encephalopathy, it is reported only from Africa so far. We describe the first case from the Indian sub-continent. ⋯ Nodding syndrome is an epileptic encephalopathy of nutritional origin beyond geographical barriers but amenable to anti-convulsants and nutritional rehabilitation.
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African health sciences · Sep 2018
Determinants of delay in seeking treatment among malaria patients in Dera district, NorthWest Ethiopia: a case control study.
Prompt and effective treatment of malaria is critical because delays increase the risk for serious illness, disability and death. ⋯ Income, community based health insurance, previous history of malaria infection, decision making and distance were determinants of delay in seeking treatment for malaria. To reduce the delay, interventions should focus on outreach malaria services and increase enrollment to community based health insurance.
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African health sciences · Sep 2018
Pyogenic brain abscess in children: a Tunisian multi-center experience.
Brain abscess (BA) is an uncommon intracranial suppurative infectious disease, especially in children. Treatment involves surgery and prolonged courses of antibiotics. ⋯ Our study confirmed the severity of this pathology and underlined the importance of early diagnosis and management.
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African health sciences · Sep 2018
Association of serum asymmetric dimethyl-arginine and troponin I levels as a risk of myocardial infarction in thalassemia.
The current study evaluated level of serum asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and its association to cardiac biomarkers in thalassemia patients for early diagnosis of abnormality in myocardial infarction. ⋯ Serum ADMA is sensitive marker for incidence of MI in thalassemia patients.