scholarly journals Cysticercosis in the Democratic Republic Of Congo

2012 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Dorny ◽  
C. Kabwe ◽  
K. Kirezi ◽  
K. Lukanu ◽  
P. Lutumba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Taenia Solium ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Joint Study ◽  
Patients With Epilepsy ◽  
Infectious Etiology

Cysticercosis, caused by Taenia solium eggs, is a zoonotic disease whose consequences can be severe especially in the cerebral localisation (neuorcysticercosis). Indeed, neurocysticercosis is the first cause of epilepsy amongst the infectious etiology group. Following the increase of epilepsy cases in Kinshasa and Bas-Congo, it was important to assess the fraction attributable to neurocysticercosis especially as data on cysticercosis in Democratic Republic Of Congo (DRC) dating from 1970.A joint study between veterinary and human doctors was conducted in the provinces of Bas-Congo and Kinshasa between 2008 and 2010. Blood samples were collected from the general population, patients with epilepsy and pigs. These samples were analysed using ELISA antigen in the laboratory of the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp. Patients positive to ELISA antigen took the CT scan exam for the confirmation of neurocysticercosis. In the province of Kinshasa, of 530 epileptic patients, 6.3% were identified as neurocysticercosis cases. Out of a total of 498 pigs, 38.9% were positive for cysticercosis. In the province of Bas- Congo, of 943 inhabitants from Malanga village, 21.6% were positive with predominance in males (26.4% versus 17.5%). A total of 145 pigs from 5 villages were examined and 41.2% found positive.We can conclude that cysticercosis in the DRC has been neglected for a long time and cysticercosis could be a real major public health problem. Prospective studies addressing the consequences of cysticercosis in communities are needed in order to prevent epilepsy due to neurocysticercosis.

scholarly journals Les Combattants—ideologies of exile, return and nationalism in the DRC

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norbert Mbu-Mputu ◽  
Joe Trapido
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Good Life ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
The Good Life ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Long Time

Abstract Focused on London, this article looks at the ideology and practice of Congolese nationalism in exile, and at the ideas of home, belonging and return connected with this. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) migrants came to Western Europe escaping violence and economic and political collapse but, for a long time, the imaginative concentration of the diaspora was not on politics, but on a consumer-based version of the good life. This article traces how this changed in the 2000s with the diaspora becoming a focus for violent and racialized forms of nationalism. Tracing this evolution historically, we look at how the practices and ideologies of ‘return’ and ‘home’ have come to express this transformation of exile nationalism.

scholarly journals Improvement of SCD morbimortality in children: experience in a remote area of an African country

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoît Mukinayi Mbiya ◽  
Didier Kalenda Kalombo ◽  
Yannick Nkesu Mukendi ◽  
Valery Daubie ◽  
John Kalenda Mpoyi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sickle Cell Disease ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
African Country ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Cell Disease ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Reference Center

Abstract Background Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a public health problem in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While reference sickle cell centers have been implemented in capital cities of African countries and have proven to be beneficial for SCD patients. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, they have never been set up in remote areas for families with low or very low sources of income. Method A cohort of 143 children with SCD aged 10 years old (IQR (interquartile range): 6–15 years) (sex ratio male/female = 1.3) were clinically followed for 12 months without any specific intervention aside from the management of acute events, and then for 12 months with a monthly medical visit, biological follow-up, and chemoprophylaxis (folic acid/penicillin), adequate fluids and malaria prevention. Results The median age of patients at the diagnosis of SCD was 2 years (IQR: 1–5). The implementation of standardized and regular follow-ups in a new sickle cell reference center in a remote city showed an increase in the annual mean hemoglobin level from 50 to 70 g/L (p = 0.001), and a decrease in the lymphocyte count and spleen size (p < 0.001). A significant decrease (p < 0.001) in the average annual number of hospitalizations and episodes of vaso-occlusive crises, blood transfusions, infections, and acute chest syndromes were also observed. Conclusions The creation of a sickle cell reference center and the regular follow-up of children with sickle cell disease are possible and applicable in the context of a remote city of an African country and represent simple and accessible measures that can reduce the morbimortality of children with sickle cell disease.

scholarly journals Taenia solium Cysticercosis in the Democratic Republic of Congo: How Does Pork Trade Affect the Transmission of the Parasite?

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (9) ◽  
pp. e817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Praet ◽  
Kirezi Kanobana ◽  
Constantin Kabwe ◽  
Vivi Maketa ◽  
Philippe Lukanu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Taenia Solium ◽  
Republic Of Congo

scholarly journals Infection with Hepatitis B and C Virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Public Health Problem

OALib ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 05 (08) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Ben Ilunga Bulanda ◽  
Berry Ikolango Bongenya ◽  
Jean-Yves Debels Kabasele ◽  
Médard Omakoy Okonda ◽  
Divine Chuga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Republic Of Congo

scholarly journals Clinical, Histopathological, and Prognostic Characteristics of Patients with Prostate Cancer in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Pitchou Mukaz Mbey ◽  
Olivier Mukuku ◽  
Willy Kalau Arung ◽  
Guylain Kitoko Tengu ◽  
Nasser Lubosha Amisi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Specific Antigen ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The University

Introduction. Prostate cancer is currently a public health problem with a frequency that varies from country to country. This study aims to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and histopathological and outcome features of prostate cancer in Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Materials and Methods. This was a descriptive longitudinal study of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer at the University Clinics of Lubumbashi. The study period was 3 years (2017 to 2019). Parameters studied were age and clinical, biological (PSA level, prostatic specific antigen), histopathological, and outcome features. Results. The mean age of patients was 68.7 years (range: 47 and 90 years). The 60 to 69 age group was the most affected (43.18%). Elderly subjects (≥60 years old) represented 89.77% of the cases (n = 79). Voiding disorders were the main reason for consultation in 55.68% of the cases. The mean PSA level was 133.7 ng/ml (range: 4 and 1564.5 ng/ml) at diagnosis and 125.4 ng/ml after 3 months of follow-up (range: 0.16 and 1782.1 ng/ml). Adenocarcinoma was the predominant histological type (100%). In prognosis, 31.82% of patients had a Gleason score greater than 7 and 59.10% had a high risk at the D’Amico risk classification for Prostate Cancer. Hormone therapy was administered alone in 75% of the cases and in combination with pulpectomy in 13.64% of the cases. The 3-year overall survival was 56.82%. Conclusion. Prostate cancer is frequent and has a poor outcome in our country. The establishment of an individual screening policy would be an undeniable advantage in improving the prognosis.

scholarly journals High Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum Infection in Asymptomatic Individuals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dieudonné Makaba Mvumbi ◽  
Thierry Lengu Bobanga ◽  
Pierrette Melin ◽  
Patrick De Mol ◽  
Jean-Marie Ntumba Kayembe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Blood Collection ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Asymptomatic Malaria ◽  
Asymptomatic Carriers ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals

Malaria remains a major public health problem in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with 14 million cases reported by the WHO Malaria Report in 2014. Asymptomatic malaria cases are known to be prevalent in endemic areas and are generally untreated, resulting in a significant source of gametocytes that may serve as reservoir of disease transmission. Considering that microscopy certainly underestimates the prevalence of Plasmodium infections within asymptomatic carriers and that PCR assays are currently recognized as the most sensitive methods for Plasmodium identification, this study was conducted to weigh the asymptomatic carriage in DRC by a molecular method. Six provinces were randomly selected for blood collection in which 80 to 100 individuals were included in the study. Five hundred and eighty blood samples were collected and molecular diagnosis was performed. Globally, almost half of the samples collected from asymptomatic individuals (280/580; 48.2%) had Plasmodium infections and the most species identified was P. falciparum alone in combination with P. malariae. The high prevalence reported here should interpellate the bodies involved in malaria control in DR Congo to take into account asymptomatic carriers in actions taken and consider asymptomatic malaria as a major hurdle for malaria elimination.

High prevalence of Taenia solium cysticerosis in a village community of Bas-Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (10) ◽  
pp. 1015-1018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirezi Kanobana ◽  
Nicolas Praet ◽  
Constantin Kabwe ◽  
Pierre Dorny ◽  
Philippe Lukanu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Taenia Solium ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Village Community ◽  
High Prevalence

scholarly journals High frequency of Taenia solium antigen positivity in patients admitted for neurological disorders in the Rural Hospital of Mosango, Democratic Republic of Congo

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deby Mukendi ◽  
Jean-Roger Lilo Kalo ◽  
Pascal Lutumba ◽  
Barbara Barbé ◽  
Jan Jacobs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Taenia Solium ◽  
Rural Hospital ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Reference Laboratory ◽  
Diagnostic Study ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Persistent Fever

Abstract Background The epidemiology of human cysticercosis and neurocysticercosis, caused by the larval stage of the pork tapeworm Taenia solium, is not well known in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Within a multicenter etiological and diagnostic study conducted by the NIDIAG consortium (“Better Diagnosis for Neglected Infections”) and investigating several challenging syndromes, we consecutively evaluated from 2012 to 2015 all patients older than 5 years presenting with neurological disorders (neurology cohort) and with fever > 7 days (persistent fever cohort) at the rural hospital of Mosango, province of Kwilu, DRC. In both cohorts, etiological diagnosis relied on a systematic set of reference laboratory assays and on pre-established clinical case definitions. No neuroimaging was available in the study hospital. In this study, we determined the frequency of T. solium infection in both cohorts and explored in the neurology cohort its association with specific neurological presentations and final etiological diagnoses. Methods We conducted a post-hoc descriptive and analytic study on cysticercosis in the neurology and persistent fever cohorts, based on the presence in serum samples of circulating T. solium antigen using the B158/B60 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and of cysticercosis IgG using the LDBIO Cysticercosis Western Blot IgG assay. Results For the neurology cohort, 340 samples (of 351 enrolled patients) were available for analysis (males: 46.8%; mean age: 38.9 years). T. solium antigen positivity was found in 43 participants (12.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 9.3–16.7%), including 9 of 60 (15%) patients with epilepsy. Among the 148 samples available from the persistent fever cohort (males: 39.9%; mean age: 19.9 years), 7 were positive in the T. solium antigen ELISA (4.7%; 95% CI 1.9–9.5%; P = 0.009 when compared to the neurology cohort). No significant association was found within the neurology cohort between positivity and clinical presentation or final diagnoses. Of note, the IgG antibody-detecting assay was found positive in only four (1.3%) of the participants of the neurology cohort and in none of the persistent fever cohort. Conclusions T. solium antigen positivity was found in at least 10% of patients admitted with neurological disorders in the Kwilu province, DRC, with no specific pattern of presentation. Further neuroimaging studies should be used to confirm whether neurocysticercosis is prevalent in this region.

scholarly journals Geospatial and age-related patterns of Taenia solium taeniasis in the rural health zone of Kimpese, Democratic Republic of Congo

Acta Tropica ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 165 ◽  
pp. 100-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joule Madinga ◽  
Kirezi Kanobana ◽  
Philippe Lukanu ◽  
Emmanuel Abatih ◽  
Sylvain Baloji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Health ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Taenia Solium ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Health Zone

scholarly journals Intimate Partners Violence against Women during a COVID-19 Lockdown Period: Results of an Online Survey in 7 Provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5108
Author(s):  
John D. Ditekemena ◽  
Christophe Luhata ◽  
Hypolite M. Mavoko ◽  
Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo ◽  
Dalau M. Nkamba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Intimate Partners ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Prevention Interventions ◽  
Pregnancy Status

Intimate Partners’ Violence (IPV) is a public health problem with long-lasting mental and physical health consequences for victims and their families. As evidence has been increasing that COVID-19 lockdown measures may exacerbate IPV, our study sought to describe the magnitude of IPV in women and identify associated determinants. An online survey was conducted in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from 24 August to 8 September 2020. Of the 4160 respondents, 2002 eligible women were included in the data analysis. Their mean age was 36.3 (SD: 8.2). Most women (65.8%) were younger than 40 years old. Prevalence of any form of IPV was 11.7%. Being in the 30–39 and >50 years’ age groups (OR = 0.66, CI: 0.46–0.95; p = 0.026 and OR = 0.23, CI: 0.11–048; p < 0.001, respectively), living in urban setting (OR = 0.63, CI: 0.41–0.99; p = 0.047), and belonging to the middle socioeconomic class (OR = 0.48, CI: 0.29–0.79; p = 0.003) significantly decreased the odds for experiencing IPV. Lower socioeconomic status (OR = 1.84, CI: 1.04–3.24; p = 0.035) and being pregnant (OR = 1.63, CI: 1.16–2.29; p = 0.005) or uncertain of pregnancy status (OR = 2.01, CI: 1.17–3.44; p = 0.011) significantly increased the odds for reporting IPV. Additional qualitative research is needed to identify the underlying reasons and mechanisms of IPV in order to develop and implement prevention interventions.

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