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Background: Chad with 7,698 confirmed cases of infection and 194 deaths since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, is one of the African countries with the lowest reported case numbers. However, this figure likely underestimates the true spread of the virus due to the low rate of diagnosis. The high rate of asymptomatic infections reflects the reality of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Chad. In this study, we estimated the seroprevalence and identified factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2022 and February 2023. A total of 1,290 plasma samples were collected from outpatient attendees at Health Facilities located in 11 provinces of Chad and tested by ELISA method, for the presence of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV2 nucleocapsid (N) protein. KoboToolbox was used to gather data from the participants and data were analyzed using STATA 16., Results: The overall seroprevalence was 83.0% [95% CI = 81.6%-85.5%], with variations between provinces, ranging from 99.2% [95% CI = 94.0%-100%] in Moundou (Southern Chad) to 46.8% [95% CI = 36.0% -57.1%] in Biltine (Eastern Chad). Factors associated with the seroprevalence included military occupation (OR = 0.37 CI [0.80-1.77] p = 0.025) and age group between 55-64 years (OR = 0.33 CI [0.15-0.72] p = 0.005). While, other factors, such as gender and age were not significantly associated with seroprevalence., Conclusion: Our results indicated that, the seroprevalence of COVID-19 in Chad is among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. These estimates could guide the response and public health policy decisions, enhancing the management of future outbreaks involving respiratory pathogens., Competing Interests: Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate The study protocol was approved by the Chad National Bioethics Committee (CNBT) on 08 April 2022 under number: 011CMT/PC/PMT/MESRI/SG/CNBT/2022 and authorized by the Chad Ministry of Public Health under number: N°2326/CMT/PC/PMT/MSPSN/SE/SG/DGPC/DPERO/SRO/2022. The protocol was presented to 11 focal points including 10 provinces and N’Djamena selected for the study. Training sessions on the data collection tool were organized before the start of data and sample collection. An information sheet was given to each voluntary participant as well as the signature of informed consent and assent for minors. The informed consent was obtained from all participants involved. For adult participants (aged ≥ 16 years), informed consent was obtained directly from each individual. For minor participants (aged < 16 years), informed consent was obtained from parents or the legally authorized representative (LAR). In both cases, consent was obtained in accordance with the ethical guidelines established by the approving ethics committee. Each participant was assigned a unique code, and the data was handled confidentially. Consent for publication Not applicable. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Our aim was to determine the current trend of endourology in the management of upper urinary tract calculi in Africa reference centres. We conducted an online multiple-choice questionnaire survey involving 46 centres from 27 countries using a structured well-designed Google Form (®) questionnaire. The questionnaires were distributed to the head of service through their emails. The questions collected demographic data about the centre, the epidemiology of urolithiasis, diagnostic means and management of upper urolithiasis, especially access to endourology procedures and their practices. Descriptive analyses were performed. The participation rate was 77.9%. Urinary lithiasis was one of the three main pathologies encountered in 42/46 centres. 33 centres had easy access to CT scanners and 34 had operating theatres equipped with endo-urological surgery equipment. Of these 34 centres, 30 perform endourology for the management of upper urinary tract stones. Rigid ureteroscopy is the main technique used by the centres. It is the only endourology technique used for stone management by 12 centres (40%). 7/30 (23.3%) have the option of performing rigid ureteroscopy, flexible ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The frequency of procedures varies widely, with 43.3% rarely performing endourological surgery. Seventeen centres have their operating theatre equipped with a fluoroscope and 6/42 centres have extracorporeal lithotripsy. Open surgery is still used in 29/42 centres (69.1%). Laparoscopy is available in 50% of centres, but none reported performing laparoscopic lithotomy. In Africa, urinary lithiasis plays an important role in the activities of referral centres. Modern management techniques are used to varying degrees (not all centres have them) and with very variable frequency. Open surgery is still widely performed as a management. Rigid ureteroscopy is the main endourological technique. It is essential to develop the practice of modern urology in Africa, mainly endourology., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Introduction: Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) are an important specific defence against viral infections, as these antibodies bind to specific receptor(s) and block the viral entry. NAbs assessments are therefore useful in determining individual or herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2. This study aims to deepen the investigation by assessing the positivity rate of neutralizing anti-spike antibodies to understand the real protection of the studied population against SARS-CoV-2., Methods: This study involved 260 plasma samples from a larger cohort of 2,700 asymptomatic volunteer donors, enrolled between August and October 2021 in health facilities of N'Djamena. In this study four different kits and techniques including the pseudotype assay have been used and compared with detect the SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Pseudotyped vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), was used both the identify and measure the NAbs that to evaluate the performance of two cheaper and easy to use commercial kits, specific for the detection of receptor-binding domain antibodies (anti-RBD) against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein., Results: The VSV spike neutralization assay showed that 59.0% (n = 59) samples were positive for NAbs with titers ranging from 1:10 to 1:4800. While 23 out the 41 negative NAbs samples were detected positive using anti-RBD (Abbott) test. Furthermore, a direct and significant strong correlation was found between NAbs and anti-RBD, specifically with Abbott kit. Taken together, the Roche and Abbott methods indicated agreement at the high concentrations of antibodies with the VSV-pseudovirus method. Abbott and Roche indicated a good sensitivity, but the Abbott system test appeared to have better specificity than the Roche test., Conclusion: Our findings indicated a high presence of NAbs against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein among asymptomatic individuals in N'Djamena. This could be one of the reasons for the low severity of Covid-19 observed in this area, given the key role of NAbs in blocking SARS-CoV-2 infection., (© 2024 The Authors. Immunity, Inflammation and Disease published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: Blunt abdominal traumas are common., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 49 patients with blunt abdominal trauma who underwent surgery at the General Hospital of National Reference of N'Djamena, Chad over a period of 5 years. Epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic parameters of patients were studied., Results: The study included 42 men and 7 women, mean age 21.3 years. The causes of blunt abdominal traumas were: road traffic accidents in 61.2% of cases; wall collapses (14.3%); assaults (8.2%). Blunt abdominal traumas were more frequent in August (14.28%) and October (16.32%). The waiting time for admission in hospital was 6-12h in 43% of cases. At discharge, wounded patients used private car in 85.7% of cases. Clinically, patients were often hemodynamically stable (55.1%). Medical imaging was dominated by direct radiography of the abdomen (57.1%). The most observed lesions were those located only in the small intestine (16.32%) or related to that of the bladder (8.16%) and spleen (2.04%). Laparotomy was negative in 6.12% of cases. Morbidity (12.2%) was dominated by abdominal wall abscess. Mortality rate was 6.1%., Conclusion: Road traffic accidents are the leading cause of blunt abdominal traumas. It is important to minimize delays in diagnosis, and treatment. Road safety measures should be implemented to prevent accidents., Competing Interests: Les auteurs ne déclarent aucun conflit d’intérêts.

Colorectal cancer continues to be a major public health problem in western countries. Although some studies have reported an improvement in disease-free and overall survival, few of the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures proposed have found unanimous consent. We report some reflections on both the immediate and the long-term results of colorectal cancer surgery on the basis of our experience, represented by 1164 patients with histologically proven colorectal carcinoma, admitted to the Institute of General Surgery of Parma University between 1976 and 1993 and operated on by the same surgical team, in order to provide data for scientific discussion. A curative resection was possible in 67.9% of the cases. Our experience shows that many colorectal cancer patients will be cured with aggressive surgery, although, in recent years, adjuvant therapy for colorectal cancer has advanced considerably. Statistical analyses reveal that an unfavourable prognosis is correlated with variables indicative of advanced disease. Concerning the problem of local recurrences, our results demonstrate that surgery is the only therapeutic option providing tangible results, and that intense follow-up leads to a greater number of resections carried out for local recurrence and to improved 5-year survival. Comparison of studies and scientific discussions can prove useful, above all regarding secondary prevention and, in particular, the identification of patients at risk who should undergo screening for early diagnosis and early surgical treatment.

Purpose: The long-term prognosis after curative surgery for colorectal cancer was evaluated in relation to age and life expectancy as a possible basis for assessing the risk to benefit ratios in the elderly., Methods: Data relating to 1,256 patients operated on from 1976 to 1994 were stored in a computer database prospectively from 1987. Patients were subdivided into four age groups (A = <60 years; B = 60-69; C = 70-79; D = > or =80). Distribution of general contraindications to curative surgery was examined. In the 869 patients who underwent curative treatment (A = 206; B = 256; C = 289; D = 118), distribution of tumor stage and elective/emergency surgery and the operative mortality rate were evaluated. Crude and age-corrected survival curves were calculated in 794 patients. The median crude survival of each group was related by gender and tumor stage to demographic life expectancy, assuming as "relative median survival index" the ratio between the two values., Results: General contraindications to curative surgery increased significantly with age. The operative mortality rate was higher in Group D than in Groups A, B, plus C over the total series (P < 0.001) and in both elective (P < 0.001) and emergency surgery (P < 0.05). Intergroup analysis of long-term survival rates showed significant differences between "crude" (P = 0.0057) but not age-corrected (P = 0.66) curves. The relative median survival index increased with age, up to approximately 1 in the local stages of Groups C and D., Conclusions: To evaluate long-term results, elderly patients should be compared with unaffected, same-age subjects. Because the risks may be very high, the surgical policy in the elderly should be carefully weighed and related to life expectancy and actual results.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of two techniques of laparoscopic hernia repair: the transabdominal preperitoneal technique (TAPP) and the intraperitoneal onlay mesh technique (IPOM). In May 1992 a prospective randomized trial was initiated to compare TAPP and IPOM. Until October 1994, 115 patients with 148 hernias took part in the trial (59 TAPP and 56 IPOM). The TAPP took significantly longer than did the IPOM. There were no intraoperative complications, conversions to open repair, or postoperative deaths in either group. There were 10 (16.9% of patients) postoperative complications in the TAPP group and 14 (25%) in the IPOM group. The difference was not statistically significant. Neuralgias occurred in 3 cases of TAPP and 11 cases of IPOM (p < 0.05), local hematoma in 6 cases of TAPP and 3 cases of IPOM (NS), and urinary retention in 1 case of TAPP and in no case of IPOM (NS). Recurrences occurred in no cases of TAPP and in 8 cases (11.1% of hernias) of IPOM (p < 0.01). The results of the present report suggest that the IPOM technique for laparoscopic hernia repair should be avoided, whereas TAPP appears to be an excellent technique with no early recurrences.

To compare the laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernioplasty (TAPP) and the open Lichtenstein technique, in 1992 a prospective randomized trial was initiated. Until 1995 108 patients with 130 hernias took part in the trial: 64 TAPP (group A) and 66 Lichtenstein (group B). 22 patients had simultaneous bilateral repairs. Laparoscopic approach (group A) was able to expose otherwise-occult controlateral hernias in 3 cases and discovered a complex hernia (a hernia with more than one defect in the wall) in 2 patient in whom a direct hernia had been diagnosed before the operation. Mean operating time for monolateral operations was significantly longer in group A (p < 0.05). The corresponding figures for bilateral operations were longer in group B (p < 0.01). No intraoperative complications, conversions from TAPP to open repair, postoperative deaths. There were not less pain quicker mobility and shorter period of disability in the laparoscopic group (group A). Ten (15.6%) postoperative complications occurred in group A: local hematoma (6 cases, 9.3%), neuralgias (3 cases, 4.7%), urinary retention (1 case, 1.6%). Eight (12.1%) postoperative complications: hematomas (3 cases, 4.5%), urinary retention (3 cases, 4.5%), neuralgias (2 cases, 3%) occurred in group B. Differences were not significant. The current follow-up period is 36 months (15-54) in median. In both groups no recurrences occurred, but 3 patients in group B who were operated on for monolateral hernia (6.5%) discovered to be affected by contralateral hernia. The results of the present report suggest that TAPP does not appear to be associated with better results in terms of complications, pain or period of disability as compared to open tension free hernia repair, but the ability of the laparoscopic approach to expose otherwise-occult defects eliminated the risk of recurrences due to missed hernias.

Twelve patients are submitted to orthotopic ileal neobladder, performed using staplers. The simplicity and speed of automatic stapling devices in the Rouxel-Coadou's surgical technique are reported. All patients underwent clinical and urodynamic evaluation at 3, 6, 12 months, after surgery (mean follow-up 6 months). They preferred complete daytime continence and 2 pts/4 night-time continence too. At one year, postvoid residual volume was absent, mean neobladder capacity was 450 ml and mean pressure at maximum capacity was 30-40 cm H2O. These preliminary results indicate that this technique guarantees a low-pressure reservoir with good capacity and compliance.

By the term of local recurrence (LR), after apparently curative resection of a colorectal cancer, we mean the recurrence of the disease at the site of the original tumor, in correspondence to the regional lymph nodes or to intestinal anastomosis. The frequency of LR, which differs widely from one case to another because of the unhomogenity of the samples under examination, is on average around 16%, although this figure is to be considered an underestimation since it is not supported by routine autopsies. The authors analyse, together with the data in the literature, the results of their personal experience relating to 1164 patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer in the space of 18 years, in order to evaluate the true effectiveness of surgery on patients affected by LR. Surgery on the original tumor had a curative aim in 791 (68%) of these cases, 33 patients died during the postoperative period and 37 were lost to follow-up. Among the remaining 721 patients, recurrence was observed in 218 cases (30.2%): in 81 of these was confirmed a LR, with simultaneous distant metastasis in 45. During the same time span, 15 patients were admitted who were affected by LR from colorectal cancers treated surgically in other hospitals. Of these, only 2 had concomitant distant metastasis. 58 of these 96 patients (60.4%) underwent surgery, which had a curative aim in 22 cases (37.9%)/ Up to present, 12 patients undergoing curative surgery are still alive, 4 (33.3%) being affected by further relapse. The data reported demonstrate that in patients with proven LR surgical intervention is widely indicated, being the only therapeutic approach able to provide tangible results. However, the choice of exeresis must be carefully weighed: surgery of LR can be said to be truly curative in few cases, and thus the operative risks may not be acceptable in situations where limited results, in terms of duration and quality, are foreseen.