Suchergebnisse

Current assessment tools and intervention strategies are based mainly on experience of camp-like situations; what is needed are innovative responses to address problems specific to open settings. Adapted from the source document.

Introduction Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) is a tick-borne infection caused by bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato that accounts for 10-15% of all Lyme borreliosis cases in Europe. LNB can present with a variety of neurological manifestations. We aimed to describe the typical anamnestic, clinical and laboratory features of patients diagnosed with LNB and to describe the differences between paediatric and adult cases. Additionally, we assessed the factors associated with definite LNB. Methods We retrospectively evaluated data of patients with suspected LNB had undergone lumbar puncture and were admitted to the Infectious diseases department of University hospital Bratislava, Slovakia, between September 2019 and May 2022. Patients were divided into three categories according to the diagnostic criteria of European Federation of Neurological Societies: A) cases with definite LNB, B) cases with possible LNB, C) non-LNB controls. Results In total, 139 patients were included in the analysis. 32 individuals were classified as definite LNB, 23 as possible LNB and 84 as non-LNB controls. 55.5% were females and 35.3% were children aged<18 years. 56.3% of patients with definite LNB reported a history of tick bite, and 21.9% a history of erythema migrans (EM). Peripheral facial nerve palsy (PFNP) was the most common clinical symptom in patients with definite LNB (65.6%), followed by headache (50.0%), fever (21.9%) and radicular pain (18.8%). In a univariate and multivariable analyses neither history of tick bite nor history of EM were significantly associated with definite LNB. Factors independently associated with definite LNB in multivariable analyses were (i) age < 18 years (aOR 7.89, 95% CI 2.00-31.03, p < 0,003), (ii) female gender (OR 6.34; 95% CI 1.66-24.17, p < 0.007), and (iii) facial nerve palsy (OR 10.54; 95% CI 2.41-55.19, p < 0.002). Conclusion We found that peripheral facial nerve palsy is the strongest predictor of definite LNB, and that the children<18 years and females in our study were more likely to be diagnosed with LNB. Our study also suggests that anamnestic data on history of tick bite and EM contribute little to the diagnosis of LNB and that the examination of CSF is essential for the diagnosis of LNB.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to address the knowledge gap regarding antibiotic use in Medecins Sans Frontiéres (MSF) projects located in Africa by exploring antibiotic prescription and consumption habits and their drivers at different healthcare levels. DESIGN: This study used an exploratory study design through thematic analysis of semistructured, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs) and field observations in order to understand the main drivers influencing current antibiotics prescription habits and consumption habits of patients in different geographical settings. SETTING: The study took place in MSF centres and towns across four countries: Guinea-Bissau, Central African Republic (CAR), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sudan. PARTICIPANTS: 384 respondents participated in the study, which includes project staff, prescribers, community members, patients, among other groups. RESULTS: Treatment protocols were physically present in all countries except DRC, but compliance to protocols varied across contexts. A failing health system and barriers to accessing healthcare were perceived as major drivers of overuse and inconsistent prescription practices. Patient demands influenced prescription decisions, and self-medication was commonly reported in the context of failing health systems. Additionally, there was a strong demand for quick cures and communities preferred injections over pills. Patients tended to stop antibiotic treatment once symptoms abated and had major gaps in understanding antibiotic intake instructions and functions. CONCLUSIONS: While there were specific findings in each context, the larger trend from these four MSF projects in Africa indicates widespread use of antibiotics based on unclear assumptions, which are often influenced by patient demands. There needs to be a broader focus on the balance between access and excess, especially in such fragile contexts where access to healthcare is a real challenge.