Médecine tropicale : revue du Corps de santé colonial
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The Ebola virus is an RNA virus of Filoviridae family. The earliest documented fatal epidemic of Ebola hemorrhagic occurred in 1976. There are four genetically different subtypes of Ebola virus. ⋯ In humans, infection causes hemorrhagic fever that progresses to diarrhea within 5 to 10 days. Recovery is observed in only 25% of cases. During outbreaks containment depends on implementation of simple precautions including isolation of suspected cases, appropriate protective clothing, disinfection with hypochlorite solutions, and proper waste disposal.
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Eosinophilic lung disease comprises a diverse group of disorders characterized by eosinophilic pulmonary infiltration in association with other inflammatory cells. In patients with respiratory symptoms, usually associated with radiographically documented infiltrates, blood eosinophilia is a helpful but inconsistent diagnostic finding. Currently diagnosis is confirmed more often by bronchoalveolar lavage than by lung biopsy. ⋯ Mild eosinophilia is also a possible finding of bronchoalveolar lavage in several other disorders but the role of eosinophils is less important. The prognosis and treatment of eosinophilic lung disease varies depending on etiology. Corticosteroids are frequently used but treatment modalities also depend on etiology.
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Spinal anesthesia (SA) is frequently used in tropical zones. Intracranial subdural hematoma is an uncommon complication of SA. The purpose of this report was to describe a case of intracranial subdural hematoma observed during SA performed for cesarean section in a 22-year-old women in Senegal. ⋯ Diagnosis, which may be difficult in Africa, should be suspected in patients with persistent headaches after SA. Confirmation requires computerized tomography of the brain. Prevention of this complication depends on the use of fine beveled-tipped puncture needle which are rarely available in the African setting.