Infectious Diseases are becoming more and more important as causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This is exemplified by the recent outbreak of cholera in the northern parts of the Cameroons and Nigeria that claimed over 400 lives. Bacterial sepsis also occurs both as epidemics and endemically. Bloodstream infections are common in Africa and are associated with high mortality. Non-malaria bloodstream infections in Africa are due to Salmonella enterica (584% of these are non-typhoidal Salmonella), the most prevalent isolate overall and in adults; and (183% overall) are due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, the most common isolate in children. Other common isolates include Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (1)
Since the first reported outbreak of Ebola in 1976, there have been approximately 25 outbreaks all of which, except two, have been reported only in east and central Africa. The current outbreak and a single case reported in 1994 in Ivory Coast are the only two outbreaks in West Africa (7). However, the current outbreak, which stared in Guinea (Bissau) in March 2014, remains the deadliest today and the epidemic is still ongoing. New cases are reported daily, particularly in Liberia. This outbreak is unprecedented in many ways. It is the most persisting, lasting more than five months. The spread is across nations and has the largest number of victims. Close to 1500 individuals are dead and very close to 3000 people are infected. More doctors and nurses and other health care workers are infected when compared with previous outbreaks. Over 240 healthcare workers are infected with more than 120 deaths (7). This outbreak also has the least fatality when compared to previous outbreaks. So far, 47% of those infected survive the disease. This work outlines the previous outbreaks and gives a brief summary of current knowledge about EVD. INFECTIONS DE VIRUS D'EBOLA (VEB) *Elisha, A. &Adegboro, B.
Sepsis is a syndrome consisting of physiological, pathological and biochemical anomalies caused by infectious agents. It causes clinical organ dysfunction, which is identified by an acute increase in the Sequential (sepsis-related) Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score of two or more points. SOFA score is a score of three components that can be easily used at the bedside to track the clinical status of a patient while on admission, and these are altered respiratory rate of ≥ 22 breaths/minute, altered mental status, and systolic blood pressure of ≤ 100 mmHg. A patient with SOFA score of ≥ 2 has an attributable 2 - 25-fold increased risk of mortality compared to a patient with SOFA score of ˂ 2. This present review provides information on the new definition of sepsis and septic shock, aetiology, pathophysiology, biochemical, pathological and haematological changes, morbidity and mortality parameters, management, andprognostic factors in patients with sepsis.
Key words: Sepsis, septic shock, SOFA score, pathophysiology, management bundles
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