Prognosis and Evolution of Lassa Virus Infected Persons during the 2017 Epidemic in Togo

摘要

Introduction: Lassa viral hemorrhagic fever is common in West Africa. Almost 300,000 persons are affected each year with 5000 deaths. The mice of the genus mastomys is the wild tank. Objective: The aim of our study is to describe clinic, therapeutic and evolution of the affected patients during February-March 2017 epidemic that occurred in the north of Togo. Methodology: Our study is a record review study from patients’ record, who were hospitalized from February, 1~(st) to March, 31~(st) 2017 at Mango hospital. Lassa diagnosis was performed by PCR. They patients have received Ribavirin and blood transfusion when necessary. Results: We have reported 5 clinical observations of Lassa viral hemorrhagic fever. Patients came from Benin (03 cases), from Burkina-Faso (1 case), from Togo (1 case) and were 25, 34, 60, 52 years old and a premature baby of 13 days. External hemorrhage and abdominal pains were the main symptoms. Fever was observed for all the cases. Complications were marked by hemorrhages and shocks. Only 3 patients had benefitted of Antiviral therapy with Ribavirin. The other 2 patients did not benefit from the treatment because the diagnosis of Lassa fever was done the day they dead before the treatment started. Lethality was 80% (4 cases) with a highly secured burial. Effective management of contacts was done. Conclusion: Diagnostic and therapeutic delays of patients are responsible of the bad prognosis of the disease.