PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “AFRICA, WESTERN”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Incidence of blindness during the Onchocerciasis control programme in western Africa, 1971-2002.

BACKGROUND: Infection with Onchocerca volvulus is associated with the prevalence of severe visual impairment and blindness. However, longitudinal studies of the incidence of blindness caused by onchocerciasis are scarce. METHODS: The relationship, at the individual level, between infection with O. volvulus microfilariae and bilateral blindness was examined, by use of data collected, during the Onchocerciasis Control Programme in western Africa (OCP), from 2315 villages in 11 countries. The data were analyzed by Poisson maximum-likelihood techniques with adjustment for overdispersion. RESULTS: A total of 297,756 persons were eligible for follow-up in the cohort, and, during 1971-2001, these persons accumulated 367,788 person-years of follow-up without blindness. A total of 673 bilateral cases of blindness occurred during this period; 29.7% were caused by onchocerciasis. After ivermectin therapy was introduced (during 1988-2001), only 19.6% of cases were caused by onchocerciasis. The incidence of blindness was significantly and positively associated with increasing microfilarial burden (P<.001). Overall, female subjects had an ~40% lower risk of becoming blind than did male subjects (P<.001). After an initially high incidence of blindness at the beginning of the OCP, the rate of blindness from causes other than onchocerciasis remained approximately constant during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate, in a comprehensive data set and in both sexes, a direct relationship between microfilarial load and the incidence of blindness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2007

Diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis in an HIV-positive patient in western Africa.

A 36-year-old HIV1-positive woman presented with a 6-month history of a progressive papular and nodular eruption of the face and subsequent extensive spread to the rest of the skin. The diagnosis of diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis was established by direct examination and skin biopsy. This atypical form had a dramatic improvement after a 21-day treatment with meglumine antimoniate. This clinical form may be confused with other endemic diseases in western Africa, especially leprosy.

Africa, Western↗
PubMed1988

[Asthma and allergens in Benin (Western Africa). Preliminary results with the in vitro RAST technic].

The present work studied the importance of allergy in a population of 41 asthmatics in Benin, using specific IgE measurement by RAST. Specific serum IgE to different allergens has been found in 80% of all cases. Reactions were frequently positive when grass pollens were used and more than half of the patients were sensitive to mites. Standard commercial reagents were used for the tests. Africa-specific allergens were not used in the study, but it is probable that in Western Africa the same allergens as in Europe man be found, or at least those with common allergenic determinants.

Allergens↗
PubMed2001

Imported Plasmodium vivax malaria in France: geographical origin and report of an atypical case acquired in Central or Western Africa.

A total of 73 cases of Plasmodium vivax infections acquired in Western or Central Africa were diagnosed on microscopical criteria in French travellers from 1995 to 1998. We report a case of P. vivax infection in a non immune traveller confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and presenting an atypical P. ovale morphology. The infection was acquired in Western or Central Africa. These microscopical observations, together with the molecular evidence for P. vivax in Western and Central Africa suggest that P. vivax is transmitted in this area despite lacking the Duffy receptor in autochthonous population.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Genotype profiles of rotavirus strains from children in a suburban community in Guinea-Bissau, Western Africa.

The P (VP4) and G (VP7) genotypes of 167 group A rotavirus strains obtained during the period 1996 to 1998 from 149 children living in a suburban community in Guinea-Bissau, western Africa, were determined by the reverse transcription-PCR technique. A total of nine combinations including five different P types and five different G types were identified. The globally common genotype pairs P[8], G1; P[4], G2; P[8], G3 and P[8], G4 were underrepresented in this study area. We found a substantial year-to-year variation in the occurrence of the genotype combinations. In 1996 and 1997, P[6], G2 was the most frequent, whereas P[8], G1 was more common in 1998. The unusual type P[9], G3 and a few mixed infections were detected. Sixteen percent of the rotavirus-positive samples were nontypeable.

Antigens, Viral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Anxiety and depression among the epileptics in general population in Benin (Western Africa)].

In order to assess prevalence of depression and anxiety among epileptic patients and to compare it to a control population, a matched case-control survey was performed in 196 persons above 18 Year old (98 epileptics and 98 controls matched according to sex, age 10 and social environment) in Republic of Benin (West Africa), using Goldberg's Depression and Anxiety scale. Two main investigators helped by 5 sociology students were trained on a questionnaire by a psychiatrist skilled with public health matters. People taking part in the survey are epileptic patients who already used health services. Inclusions took place within 17 communes of four departments (Mono, Zou, Ouémé, Atlantique) located in Southern part of Benin. The questionnaire used an Identity sheet and the Goldberg Depression Scale. Results are shown as mean standard deviations, for quantitative values, and percents for qualitative ones. Comparisons of proportions in qualitative variables are carried out using c2 test or Fisher's exact test. Comparisons of means rates between subject's groups are carried out with a Student t test or variance analysis. The correlations between two quantitative variables were assessed by linear correlation coefficient. Significance threshold chosen for the whole set of statistics analysis is 0.05. The majority of interviewed epileptic patients is young (average 32.6 11.5 Years old). A male predominance exists (sex ratio 1.28). 93% of interviewed persons live within their family, are married or cohabit (controls: 98.2%; cases: 87.9%); 57.4% are married (controls: 70%; cases: 44%). The most represented professional categories are craftsmen and shopkeepers (29.2%) as well as farmers (19.5%). Most of recruited patients live in an urban setting (55.4%) and 63.6% of interviewed persons had been living in the area of survey for over 10 Years. The most represented religion within the sample is Christian religion (67.7%), Animists (23.3%) and Muslims (5.8%). 97% of epileptic patients reported they had one fit during the two Years before the survey; roughly one half (48%) had 2 to 5 fits and 41.5% of them had more than 10 fits; only 14% say they have had an EEG. Presence of an Anti Epileptic Drug (77.5%) reduces anxiety and depression. Considering a severity threshold of 5 for anxiety and 2 for depression (8), proportions of epileptic patients displaying a severe anxiety (79.8%) or a severe depression (89.6%) are significantly higher (p<0.0001) than in control subjects (12.3% and 46.9%). Comparison of average scores confirms the difference (p<0.0001) between cases (5.8 2.0 and 2.3 1.9) and controls (4.7 2.4 and 2.0 2.1) regarding anxiety and depression. Neither the sex, nor age, nor life environment (urban/rural), nor frequency of fits hold significant influence over an-xiety and depression. However, results in this survey include higher average rates of anxiety and depression for women (6.3 1.8) than men (5.5 1.8), though such statement is only nearly significant (p=0.06). Results of the survey confirm the other works on this topic about characteristics of depression for epileptic patients, though results here are higher than usual. Anxiety and depression are common troubles found in epileptic patient, both often occurring at the same time. Two distinct theories about this fact are opposed, first explain the connection of anxiety and depression with epilepsy because of the social and cultural burden upon an epileptic patient in those countries, the second theory is about depression and epilepsy sharing some neuroaminergical dysfunctions; these facts were not considered in this survey. When taking into account the thresholds of seriousness on Goldberg's scale, proportion of controls displaying a probably deeper depression is high (46.9%) compared to usual hospital prevalence rates (4 to 25%) found in Western Africa where survey in general population are scarce. It could either be a bias in the selection or the confirmation that family and relatives of an epileptic patient are enduring a great psychic pain too; finally, this high rate o, this high rate of severe depression within controls may suggest a need to adapt thresholds of Goldberg's scale to match African populations. This hypothesis is interesting regarding the results of some Authors who validated this scale in population of aged people; they highlighted the fewer precision of two items (lost of interest, focus difficulties) and also a slight discriminatory weight for other few items. However the psychometric characteristics of Goldberg's scale are accurate (for depression subscale, a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 68%; for the whole scale, a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 68%). It would be pertinent to carry out a study to validate Goldberg's scale within some African populations. This study also highlights the importance of psychological factors in epilepsy and suggests a specific global care of the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[Intestinal transit time in Togo (Western Africa) and Germany].

In five groups of Africans and Europeans in Togo (West-Africa) and Germany intestinal transit time and stool-weights have been studied. Native Africans on traditional food passed three times more stool (307 g/d) in half of the time (33 hours) as Europeans and Africans on Western diet did. The effect of dietary fibre on intestinal transit time and intestinal pathology is stressed.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Tinea capitis in schoolchildren from lvory Coast (western Africa). A 1998-1999 cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Tinea capitis is a worldwide public health problem that poses specific therapeutic challenges. This dermatophytosis of the scalp is endemic in Africa. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence, the associated demographic factors, causative species, and clinical types of tinea capitis in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. METHODS: From June 1998 to March 1999, 1913 children aged between 4 and 15 years, and schooling in seven urban primary schools of Abidjan (Ivory Coast), were examined clinically for tinea capitis. Among all children showing symptoms suggestive of scalp ringworm, hair stumps and scales were collected and exposed to direct microscopic examination using 30% potassium hydroxide solution, and cultivation on Sabouraud's dextrose agar with or without actidione. RESULTS: Among 227 symptomatic children, cultures positive for fungi were found in 217, yielding an overall tinea capitis prevalence of 11.34% [95% Confidence Interval (CI), 9.97-12.85]. By univariate analysis, tinea capitis was significantly associated with boys [odds ratio (OR) 7.85; CI 5.22-11.81] and in children belonging to the intermediate 8-11 years age group (OR 1.93; CI 1.29-2.90). Trichophyton soudanense and Microsporum langeronii were the most prevalent etiologic agents (63.6% and 31.3%, respectively), whereas a mixture of both T. soudanense and M. langeronii was observed in a 2.8% proportion. Finally, 2.3% of isolated species were represented by T. violaceum. CONCLUSIONS: Our survey provided evidence that tinea capitis is endemic in Ivory Coast, constituting a substantial infectious dermatological disturbance. T. soudanense was the most frequent causative agent, whereas T. violaceum was isolated for the first time in this sub-Saharan western African country.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Anthropological survey on red cell glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) polymorphism in central western Africa: a tentative hypothesis on the interaction between GPX1*2 and Hb beta *S allelic products.

Phenotype and allele frequencies for erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) polymorphism are reported in the Mbugu and Sango (Central African Republic), Goun (Benin), and Bamileke (Cameroon) ethnic groups. The GPX1*2 allele frequencies (from 0.012 in the Sango to 0.058 in the Bamileke) fit into the range of the data already known for the Subsaharan populations. The value of GPX1*2 for study of the genetic admixture between Negro and Pygmy populations is suggested. Three different unusual GPX1 electrotypes are described. Finally, we hypothesize an interaction between GPX1*2 and Hb beta*S allelic products occurring in the sickle cells infected by Plasmodium falciparum.

Alleles↗
PubMed2005

Full genome analysis of hepatitis B virus genotype E strains from South-Western Africa and Madagascar reveals low genetic variability.

The eight genotypes of hepatitis B virus (HBV), A-H, have a characteristic geographical distribution. The high prevalence of genotype E within a wide expanse of Africa makes it important to characterize this genotype. Although the preS/S region of a large number of genotype E isolates has been sequenced, to date only eight complete genotype E genomes have been published. The aim of this study, therefore, was to sequence and characterize the complete genome of genotype E isolates obtained from geographically distinct regions in Africa, including Namibia, Angola, and Madagascar. The nine newly sequenced genotype E isolates were closely related with an intra-group nucleotide divergence of 1.2%, reflecting their close geographical origin. All genotype E strains have the same characteristics, an in-frame deletion of three nucleotides (one amino acid) in the 5' pre-S1, a signature pattern of amino acids in the pre-S1 region and the serological subtype ayw4. In addition, we have identified another unique attribute of genotype E strains, the introduction of another start codon Met(83) in the pre-S1 region that may result in the translation of an elongated middle hepatitis B surface protein (MHBs).

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[An outline of a method for estimating the calculated economic cost of malaria cases: its application to a rural area in Burkina Faso (Western Africa)].

A precise method to estimate the cost of malaria in a rural area was developed and applied in 3 villages in Burkina Faso. The estimate takes into account direct costs such as consultation fees, microscopic examinations, medication and transport as well as indirect costs caused by lost work-days. The formula uses 6 variables: age of subject, degree of invalidity, duration of illness, profession, income and percentage of income lost. In the region of Bobo-Dioulasso, 3065 health centre clients were registered in the course of the study: 17% had been clinically diagnosed as having malaria but this was confirmed microscopically in only 11.6% of cases; 73.1% were children aged < 5 years, 13.9% children aged 6-15 years, 12.2% adults aged 16-50 years and 0.8% adults aged > 50 years. Most patients worked in agriculture and trade. The average duration of illness was 4 days, with each case incurring a cost of $11.7 comprised of $8 direct costs and $3.7 indirect costs.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed1993

Simian immunodeficiency viruses from central and western Africa: evidence for a new species-specific lentivirus in tantalus monkeys.

Although up to 50% of African green monkeys (AGMs) are infected by simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIV) in their natural habitat, they remain asymptomatic carriers of these lentiviruses. They provide an attractive model to study not only the origin but also the link among genetic variation, host-virus adaptation, and pathogenicity of primate lentiviruses. SIVagm have been isolated from three species of AGM: the vervet (Cercopithecus pygerythrus), the grivet (Cercopithecus aethiops), and the sabaeus (Cercopithecus sabaeus) monkey. We studied four new SIVagm isolates from a fourth AGM species, the tantalus monkey (Cercopithecus tantalus), caught in the Central African Republic, and four new isolates from feral sabaeus monkeys from Senegal. Antigenic properties and partial env sequences were used to evaluate the diversity among these isolates. Alignment of env sequences in SIVagm isolated from tantalus and sabaeus monkeys permitted detailed mapping of the variable and conserved domains in the external glycoprotein. Genetic distances indicated that SIVagm isolates from tantalus monkeys are the most divergent among SIVagm in feral AGMs in Africa. The fact that AGMs are infected by four distinct lentiviruses, each specific for a single AGM species, supports the hypothesis of a coevolution of these viruses and their natural hosts and suggests that SIV transmission is a rare event among separated AGM species in the wild.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The current malariological situation in the countries of western Africa. 1. The Republic of Guinea].

Favorable climatic conditions in the Republic of Guinea are conducive to a high prevalence of infectious and parasitic diseases, responsible for 70% of primary consultations of the population, malaria being diagnosed in 40% of cases. Five landscape malariologic zones were singled out in the country, that are characterized by a certain level of malariogenicity. In the lowland/river and mountain/river zones the parasite index of children aged 2 to 9 varied from 16.4 to 45%, and in some foci it reached 63.1%. Foci in the Guinea-Sudan type wet savanna zone are also referred to meso- and hyperendemic ones. The mountain/forest zones are mainly mesoendemic. Malaria foci in the forest/savanna zone in southern Guinea and in the Sierra Leone northern provinces are hyper- and holoendemic, with the parasite index of children aged 2 to 9 being 76.3-92%.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

[Epidemiology of human and animal brucellosis in western Africa. The results of six studies in the Ivory Coast, Upper Volta, and Nigeria].

Brucellosis has a two-fold importance in public health: the transmission of the disease to man by contact with animals or ingestion of raw milk is of direct importance; of indirect importance is the loss of animal protein. The authors have carried out ten epidemiological investigations in different bio-climatic zones of West Africa. More than 120 villages were evaluated. In each village, 100 persons were chosen at random and all or part of the animal population was also studied. Three tests were used for man: the melitin intradermal reaction, the sero-agglutination test of Wright and the complement fixation test. Three tests were used for the animals, the "ring-test" and the same serologic tests used for humans. The results indicated that brucellosis in animals exists in all regions but with varying rates. The bovine species seems to be the most contaminated. The enzooty becomes more widespread towards the South. Human brucellosis was not found to be of great importance in the regions mainly populated by farmers. Shepherds and their families in these zones, however, were found to have been infected. The highest percentage of infected humans was found in the sahelian zone (in Dori 30% of the intradermal reactions and 10% of serologies were positive for humans) in spite of a rather low infection rate among animals (6%-8% ring-tests positive among cattle). The majority of the population are shepherds and close cohabitation with animals is common. A basic dietary constituent is milk, which is often consumed raw (variable according to ethnic group), and provides the principal source of animal protein. Adults were found to have a significantly higher intradermal reaction rate in most of the regions studied. The positivity rate was higher in men than in women. In non-pastoral areas the shepherds and their families had a singificantly higher positivity rate than the general population. Ethnic differences were found. Also considered in this paper are intradermal reaction sizes, the relation between intradermal and serologic results, the modes of human transmission of the disease, and the relationship between human and animal forms of brucellosis.

Adult↗