PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R Tchoua

Publications and source records attributed to R Tchoua.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

[Analysis of snake bite envenomations in Gabon].

In tropical zones, snakebites are considered serious. Exotic snakes are characterised by the poisonousness of their venom and its abundance. Death is rapid in some cases and in others the sequelae are serious. Worldwide, there are more than 5 million victims per year, with 50,000 deaths registered and 400,000 amputations. The frequency and severity of snakebites in Gabon remain unknown. It is estimated that there is an average of one snakebite every 4 days, thus some 91 snakebites per year. Through a study carried out at the Libreville Hospital, we evaluated the frequency, severity, and fatality of this circumstantial pathology. A retrospective study conducted on 157 patients admitted for snakebite at the Intensive Care Unit of the Libreville Hospital was carried out between 1998 and 2001. 1.32% of all admissions were for snakebites. Signs of venom poisoning were observed in 27 patients (17%), versus 130 cases without envenomation. The majority of cases were in adults (78%) and children affected (22%) were aged mainly 6-14 years. The snakebite season usually coincided with the rainy season. During this period, 19 cases were registered. Snakebites occurred during the daytime (93%), in the fields in 20 cases (75%) or in the home courtyard (25%). The victims lived in town in 25 cases (93%). Antivenom was used in all envenomation cases, and the result was favourable in 23 cases (18%) but unfavourable in 4 (15%).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Tropical myositis].

Tropical pyomyositis (TP) is a microbial infection involving one or more skeletal muscles that rapidly leads to abscess. The most common infectious agent is Staphylococcus aureus. Since muscle tissue is highly resistant to infection, occurrence of TP is contingent upon one or more compromising factors such as trauma, skin lesions, parasitosis, or malnutrition. HIV infection is currently a major factor in the occurrence of TP. While Staphylococcus aureus accounts for 80% of cases, other microbial agents have been identified including gram-positive cocci and gram-negative bacilli. TP is endemic in intertropical zones of Africa and Latin America and in island areas of the Pacific Ocean. However a growing number of non-tropical cases have been reported in association with AIDS. The most frequent presentation is single-muscle involvement in the thighs, calves, and buttocks. The symptomatic phase or suppurative phase is almost always associated with hyperthermia. The infected muscle indurates prior to development of characteristic fluctuance. Hemocultures are seldom positive but needle aspiration may confirm diagnosis. Ultrasound imaging can allow early detection. Severe sepsis or cardiovascular, renal, or pleuropulmonary complications are observed in 10% of cases. Treatment is antibiotic therapy with penicillin M and surgical drainage or needle puncture of abscess cavities. Prognosis is generally favorable even in HIV-infected patients.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1998

[Severe hypothermia in a tropical setting].

Hot, humid conditions in tropical regions generally rule out any risk of hypothermia due to cold exposure. In this report, we describe a case of severe hypothermia involving a core temperature of 26 degrees C in a 61-year-old man living in Gabon. Parkinson's disease and chronic alcoholism may have been predisposing factors. The patient was treated by active and passive rewarming (intestinal irrigation with warm water). Sudden circulatory collapse occurred during treatment but the final outcome was successful. This case demonstrates that hypothermia can occur in tropical areas. Emergency diagnosis may be difficult in Black Africa where adequate temperature monitoring equipment is rarely available. Standard mercury thermometers do not allow measurement of temperatures lower than 34 degrees C. African physicians should be aware of the possibility of potentially life-threatening hypothermia and be prepared to initiate proper treatment and surveillance in intensive care.

Gabon↗