The Pan African medical journal
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Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease or histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis is a rare cause of benign cervical adenopathies. It is an anatomoclinic entity of unknown cause. Diagnosis is based on histologic examination of the lymph nodes. ⋯ We here report the case of a 9-year old girl presenting with cervical lymphadenopathy associated with fever. Cervical lymph node biopsy showed Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease. Patient's evolution was marked by regression of adenopathies without receiving any treatment.
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Hereditary chronic pancreatitis associated with a mutation in the serine protease inhibitor, Kazal Type-1 (SPINK-1 gene) is extremely rare. The SPINK1 mutation results in trypsinogen activation which predisposes to chronic pancreatitis predominately when combined with CFTR gene mutations. ⋯ Active surveillance with cross-sectional imaging for pancreatic malignancy in individuals with hereditary pancreatitis is advocated due to individuals being high risk. We present an unusual case of a young male who initially presented with renal colic and was incidentally diagnosed with severe chronic pancreatitis on abdominal imaging, with genetic testing confirming a homozygous SPINK1 mutation.
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For many years, platelet concentrates have been used for the prevention as well as treatment of bleeding disorders, especially in those patients with haematological problems involving platelet disorders as well as refractoriness, In addition, platelet concentrates (PCs) have been widely used to support patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation or who are receiving myelotoxic treatments. The aim of this study was to determine the quality of platelet concentrates by assessing platelet counts, volume, pH changes, swirling, residue of the red blood cells and white blood cell counts. Assess the in vivo viability of a transfused platelet product using the corrected count increment (CCI) and the percentage platelets response (PPR). This descriptive analysis study was done in Kenyatta National Hospital Blood Transfusion Unit between July 2016 and December 2016. ⋯ The findings on platelets concentrates quality 65% met platelets transfusion criteria while 35% did not. On preparation of platelets concentrates there was high counts of white blood cells 4.5±3.5×109than recommended counts by Kenya National Blood Transfusion Services < 0.83×109. Both percentage platelet response (PPR) and corrected count increment (CCI) were very low at 20 hours compared to British committee for standards haematology criteria for successful increment of platelet products (PPR ≥ 30% and CCI ≥ 7500). Apheresis platelets transfusion can be introduced at KNH and use of leukoreduction performed on the platelet concentrates which are prepared within the Hospital. With such rate of refractoriness, additional tests to confirm the real cause of unviability of platelets in the patients need to be performed. Recipients should be done evaluation of the pattern of refractoriness followed by HLA compatibility testing. In addition, if there is a high, compatible cross-matched, selected apheresis platelet concentrate pint should be transfused. This unviability was due to recipients with either immune-mediated refractoriness or non-immune mediated refractoriness.
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The incidence of breast cancer (BCa) in Cameroon is on the rise and accounts for a leading cause of mortality. An understanding of the knowledge and practices on breast cancer and breast self-examination (BSE) among teachers are important first steps which will guide the designing of interventions aimed at raising awareness across the general population. ⋯ Though most students are aware of the existence of breast cancer, their overall knowledge on its risk factors and clinical presentation is insufficient with a concomitant low practice of BSE. These highlighted gaps warrants intensification of sensitization campaigns and educational programmes in order to raise knowledge levels and enhance prevention strategies that would aid in reducing the burden of breast cancer in Cameroon.
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Immunization for children against vaccine-preventable diseases is one of the most important health intervention method in the world, both in terms of its health impact and cost-effectiveness. Through EPI and various other programs such as the Decades of Vaccines, immunization has been improving the health of children around the world. However, this progress falls short of global immunization targets of the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP). ⋯ With mobile phones becoming more accessible in Africa, SMS vaccine reminder system has been proposed as a convenient and easily scalable way to inform caregivers of the disease and the importance of immunization, to address any concerns related to immunization safety, and to remind them of vaccination schedules and campaigns. There have been 6 published articles and 1 unpublished article on the effect of SMS reminder system for immunization in Africa. The studies done has shown that SMS vaccination reminder has led to improvements in vaccination uptakes in various metrics, whether is through the increase in vaccination coverage, decrease in dropout rates, increase in completion rate, or decrease in delay for vaccination.