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Background: Abscess formation is a frequent local complication of leg erysipelas. In this study we aimed at identifying factors associated with abscess formation of leg erysipelas in patients in sub-Saharan African countries., Method: This is a multicenter prospective study conducted in dermatology units in eight sub-Saharan African countries from October 2013 to September 2014. We performed univariate and multivariate analysis to compare characteristics among the group of patients with leg erysipelas complicated with abscess against those without this complication., Results: In this study, 562 cases of leg erysipelas were recruited in the eight sub-Saharan African countries. The mean age of patients was 43.67 years (SD =16.8) (Range: 15 to 88 years) with a sex-ratio (M/F) of 5/1. Out of the 562 cases, 63 patients (11.2%) had abscess formation as a complication. In multivariate analysis showed that the main associated factors with this complication were: nicotine addiction (aOR = 3.7; 95 % CI = [1.3 - 10.7]) and delayed antibiotic treatment initiation (delay of 10 days or more) (aOR = 4.6; 95 % CI = [1.8 - 11.8])., Conclusion: Delayed antibiotics treatment and nicotine addiction are the main risk factors associated with abscess formation of leg erysipelas in these countries. However, chronic alcohol intake, which is currently found in Europe as a potential risk factor, was less frequent in our study.

Background: Acute bacterial cellulitis of the leg (erysipelas) is a common problem involving considerable morbidity in dermatology practice in Africa. Previous studies conducted in Europe and North Africa have highlighted lymphoedema and toe-web intertrigo as independent factors associated with leg erysipelas. The aim of this case-control study was to identify risk factors associated with leg erysipelas in sub-Saharan Africa, within a different socio-economic and culture context., Patients and Methods: We conducted a prospective case-control study in hospital dermatology departments in 8 sub-Saharan African countries over a 12-month period (October 2013 to September 2014). Each case of acute leg cellulitis was matched with 2 controls for age (±5 years) and sex. We analysed the general and local factors., Results: During the study period, 364 cases (223 female, 141 male) were matched with 728 controls. The mean age was 42.15±15.15 years for patients and 42.11±36 years for controls. Multivariate analysis showed the following to be independent risk factors associated with leg erysipelas in our study: obesity (odds ratio [OR]=2.82 ; 95% confidence interval: 2.11-3.76), lymphoedema (OR=3.87, 95%CI: 2.17-6.89), voluntary cosmetic depigmentation (OR=4.29, 95%CI: 2.35-7.83), neglected traumatic wound (OR=37.2, 95%CI: 24.9-57.72) and toe-web intertrigo (OR=37.86, 95%CI: 22.27-64.5)., Conclusion: The results of this study confirms the major role of local risk factors (toe-web intertrigo, lymphoedema) previously identified in other geographical settings. However, the originality of our study consists of the identification of voluntary cosmetic depigmentation as a risk factor for leg erysipelas in sub-Saharan Africa., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and list of drugs responsible for fixed drug eruption (FDE) in Lomé (Togo). A descriptive retrospective study of patients with FDE treated from January 2006 to November 2011 in dermatology service at the teaching hospital of Lomé (Togo) was conducted. During the study period, 321 cases of FDE were reported among 472 cases of toxidermia observed. Mean age of the patients was 31.27 ± 14.01 years and sex-ratio (M/F) was 1.01. One hundred thirty-three (41.4%) of 321 patients had a previous FDE, against 58.6% who were in their first attack. The most common form was the hyperpigmented form (247 cases/321). The main locations of the lesions were the trunk (N = 127) followed by the lower limbs (N = 85), the upper limbs (N = 81) and external genital organs (N = 53). A drug was incriminated in 163 (50.8%) of the 321 patients, in whom 109 patients took their drug by self-medication. Antibacterial sulfonamides were the first drug involved (70.5%), followed by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (9.8%), antimalarial drugs (7.4%) and antibiotics (3.7%). All patients received a banned drug. In addition, 111 patients were treated with antihistamines, 69 with corticosteroids, and 58 with topical antiseptics. During follow-up, 42 of 321 patients have been seen; all had a favorable outcome. Our study confirms the frequency of FDE and the role of antibacterial sulfonamides as the cause of FDE in Africa and documents the effects of self-medication in toxidermia in Togo.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to obtain data on the epidemiology, clinical features, and outcome of bacterial dermohypodermitis (BDH) observed in a hospital setting hospital in Lomé, Togo. Cases of BDH treated in dermatology and internal medicine of the Lomé university hospital center from January 1999 to December 2009 were reviewed. A total of 104 patients were hospitalized for BDH during the study period. Mean patient age was 42.9 +/- 16.1 years and sex ratio (M/F) was 0.89. Infection by HIV was detected in 10 of 37 patients in whom serology was performed. The site of erysipelas was located on the legs and feet in 93 cases (89.4%), entire lower limb in 4 (3.9%), upper limbs in 4 (3.9%), thighs in 2 (1.9%), and buttock in 1 (0.9%). The main local and systemic risk factors were existence of an entry site in 89 cases, use of depigmenting drugs in 11, HIV infection in 10, previous history of erysipelas in 9 cases, and lymphoedema in 8. First-line treatment used penicillin G in 90 cases. Seven patients presented necrotizing fasciitis. Necrotizing fasciitis was associated with HIV infection in 2 cases, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) in 2, and use of depigmenting drugs in one. Two deaths were recorded in the necrotizing fasciitis group including one HIV-infected patient. Recurrence was observed in 8 patients and secondary complications such as lower limb elephantiasis occurred in 7 patients.