Aims: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of heartburn in Abidjan, a black African city. Patients and Methods: cross-sectional study from June 15 to September 30, 2003. One thousand nine hundred forty (1940) persons from five health zones of the city Abidjan were included after their informed consent. Socio demographic and clinical parameters were collected using a questionnaire in an interview format. Heartburn was defined as a discomfort or burning sensation extending from the sternal manubrium to the base of the neck. Factors related to the complaint were asked such as predisposing factors, habits (tobacco, alcohol and coffee intake) and body mass index. Stepwise multiple logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations between these factors and heartburn. Results: Among 1940 respondents (mean age 28 ± 9 years; sex ratio (M:F) 0.86), heartburn occurred in 433 persons (once a week in 9.2% of case (178 persons)). Five factors were statistically associated with heartburn: male sex (p = 0.025, OR = 0.555 [CI95% 0.331-0.930]), heartburn in a family member (p = 0.010, OR = 1.765 [95%CI 1.143-2.725]), constipation (p = 0.011, OR = 2.182 [95%CI 11,953,983]), right lateral decubitus (p = 0.001, OR = 6.247 [95%CI 2.079-18.775]) and after a meal (p = 0.000, OR = 2.643 [95%CI 1.594 4.383]). Conclusion: Heartburn is common in this black African population. Male sex appears to be less associated. Constipation, right lateral decubitus and after a meal are trigger factors for heartburn. Heartburn in a family member is a risk factor.

Caroli disease is a rare affection. It's commonly associated to polycystic kidneys. We report a case of a nine-year-old girl. She was hospitalized at the pediatric unit of the Cocody Teaching Hospital for an intermittent fever. During the clinical examination, we found a likely cirrhotic hepatomegaly associated to an edematous-ascitic syndrome. Biological exams showed an infectious syndrome with a hyperleukocytosis at 13.000 per mm 3 , a hyperneutrophilia at 9.600 per mm 3 . Serological viral markers of B, C and D hepatitis were negative. We saw an intra-hepatic cystic picture at the liver CT-scan with a vascular lesion at his center called a "dot sign". The diagnosis of Caroli disease could be evocated.

The infection by the virus of the hepatitis C can be associated with other infectious diseases, including the viral and bacterial infections of which the tuberculosis. The infection to Mycobacterium tuberculosis can remain latent during several years and show itself during a state of immunesuppression. The role of the antiviral treatment in the reactivation of the tuberculosis is debated. We bring back an observation of tubercular reactivation during dual therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin for a viral chronic hepatitis C. A virologique answer slow was obtained in the 40th week, as well as the reactivation of the tuberculosis. The tuberculosis was of ganglionic localization at our patient. The antituberculous treatment was established while maintaining the treatment. The evolution of the tuberculosis under treatment was favorable but for the VHC, we noted a virologique answer with premature relapse.

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