Hookworm-like eggs in children’s faecal samples from a rural area of Rwanda.

Background: Hookworm eggs identification and quantification is usually carried out by Kato-Katz method. However various structures present in the smear may be confused with eggs of such parasites. Objective: To document the presence of structures in Kato-Katz slides that could initially be misinterpreted as hookworm eggs. Method: 497 faecal samples were analysed by Kato-Katz technique, diphasic concentration technique, agar-plate coprocultive and larvae obtained were analysed by PCR and characterized by sequencing. Results: Hookworm-like eggs were found in 159 (32%) of the samples by Kato-Katz, finally identified as Caenorhabditis elegans by PCR technique. Conclusion: The diagnosis of human hookworm eggs, only by the use of Kato-Katz technique can lead to false positives because of similarities with eggs of other free-living worms, from wet soils like those of Rwanda that could contaminate stool samples.

Factors contributing to defaulting scheduled therapy sessions by caregivers of children with congenital disabilities

Background Defaulting scheduled rehabilitation therapy may result in increased adverse outcomes such as permanent disability and increased healthcare costs. Concomitantly, there is evidence to suggest that early and continued rehabilitation of children with congenital disabilities can improve outcomes significantly. This study was conducted to determine factors contributing to caregivers’ defaulting scheduled rehabilitation therapy sessions. Methods A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out at Chitungwiza Central Hospital, a tertiary facility offering in and outpatient rehabilitation services in Zimbabwe. Caregivers of children who had congenital disabilities (N=40) and who had a history of defaulting treatment but were available during the data collection period responded to an interviewer administered questionnaire. Data were analysed for means and frequencies using STATA 13. Results Factors that contributed to caregivers defaulting scheduled therapy included economic constraints (52%), child related factors (43%), caregiver related factors (42%), service centred factors (30%) and psychosocial factors (58%). Majority of the caregivers (98%) were motivated to attend therapy by observable improvements in their children. Other motivators were incentives given in the rehabilitation department (45%), availability of rehabilitation personnel to provide the required services (48%) and psychosocial support from fellow caregivers, families and the rehabilitation staff (68%). Although all the caregivers could not distinguish occupational therapy from physiotherapy services they all reported that therapy was important. Conclusions A combination of psychosocial, economic, child centred and service centred factors contributed to caregivers defaulting scheduled therapy. Interventions that may potentially improve caregiver attendance to scheduled therapy include community outreach services, efficient rehabilitation service provision at the hospitals, and facilitation of income generating programmes for caregivers.

Clinical effect of intravenous thrombolysis combined with nicorandil therapy in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of intravenous thrombolysis in combination with nicorandil in the treatment of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: Patients who developed acute STEMI and underwent intravenous thrombolysis in the hospital were selected and divided into observation group (n = 128) and control group (n = 114). Besides thrombolytic therapy, the observation group was also given 20 mg of nicorandil. The control group received conventional thrombolytic therapy only. Clinical effects and rehabilitation of patients were observed. Results: Cardiac troponin I (cTNI) level of the observation group was 4.0 ± 1.5, 8.3 ± 2.8 and 9.8 ± 3.9 after 4, 12 and 24 h, respectively, which is much lower than 5.8 ± 1.4, 11.4 ± 2.7 and 13.2 ± 4.2 in the control group (p < 0.05). ST-segment resolution of observation group was higher (44 ± 14, 52 ± 17, 69 ± 21 and 80 ± 18) % at different time points, compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The proportion of patients with Curtis-Walker score > 3 points, and ventricular wall motion score (4.70 %; 1.38 ± 0.11) in the observation group were both lower than those of the control group (21.00 %; 1.43 ± 0.15) (p < 0.05). The difference in adverse cardiac events between the observation group (N = 6, 4.70 %) and control group (N = 12, 10.50 %) was not statistically significant (p > 0.05) Conclusion: Combining intravenous thrombolysis with nicorandil therapy can enhance myocardial perfusion level, reduce myocardial damage, improve cardiac function and decrease risk of arrhythmia for acute STEMI patients.