The anatomical relations of the recurrent laryngeal nerve with the inferior thyroid artery were very inconstant in this series and were predominantly retrovascular or transvascular in relation to the branches of the artery. The presence of extralaryngeal branches and modification of the course of the nerve by thyroid disease also introduced additional difficulties during recurrent laryngeal nerve dissection. The anatomical relations of the right recurrent laryngeal nerve in this African population differ from the classically described prevascular course.

BackgroundSensitization to aeroallergens increases the risk of developing asthma or allergic rhinitis. Data on sensitization to airborne allergens in the general population in sub-Saharan Africa are lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of sensitization to common aeroallergens in a population of young adults.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among students of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of Douala between 1st February and 30th April 2014. We consecutively recruited all the students present in class or in hospital during our visit. They filled an anonymous questionnaire and underwent skin prick tests with common aeroallergens. A logistic regression model of the SPSS.20 software was used to investigate factors associated with sensitization to common aeroallergens.ResultsOf the 600 students included in the study, 305 (50.8 %) were female. The mean age of participants was 22.6 ± 2.7 years. The prevalence of sensitization to aeroallergens was 42.8 % (95 % CI 38.8–46.8). Dermatophagoides pteronyssimus (24.2 %), Dermatophagoides farinae (22.8 %), Blomia tropicalis (23.3 %) and Blatella germanica (15.2 %) were the most common allergens found. Allergic rhinitis, asthma symptoms and family atopy were independently associated to sensitization to common aeroallergens.ConclusionA significant proportion of young adults are sensitized to common aeroallergens. Dust mites and cockroach should be included in the panel of aeroallergens in Cameroon.

Introduction the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a disease that originated from Wuhan in December 2019. It rapidly spread across the globe causing high mortality especially among the elderly. Africa though not spared has limited studies regarding its effects on its population. We therefore sought to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in Douala, Cameroon. Methods we conducted a single-centre, retrospective, and observational study by reviewing records of patients managed for COVID-19 between the 8 th March 2020 and 31 st , May 2020. Cases were confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase - polymerase chain reaction and were analysed for epidemiological, demographic, clinical, and radiological features. Outcomes were either clinical improvement by Day-28 or in-hospital mortality. Results we analyzed 282 case files, 192 were males (M: F=2: 1). The mean age was 52 (+/- 15) years. Hypertension and diabetes accounted for 75% of the chronic medical conditions identified. Main presenting complaints were dyspnea, cough, asthenia, and fever (55-60%). Radiographic analysis showed a ground-glass appearance in 85% of cases. Chloroquine/Hydroxychloroquine was the most (91.8%) frequently used drug in management protocols, 35% needed oxygen supplementation while 6 patients were intubated. Severe pneumonia (11.3%) was the commonest complication. They were 91 admissions in the intensive care unit. The average length of hospital stay was 10 (+/- 5) days. The mortality rate was 32%. Conclusion our findings are concordant with universally reported data of COVID-19 hospitalised patients. These parameters are essential in designing effective prevention and control programs aimed at reducing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic particularly in countries with limited resources.

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence and risk factors of allergic rhinitis among bakers in Douala.DesignA cross-sectional study; the logistic regression model was use to find the risk factors of allergic rhinitis.SettingThe study was conducted in 42 bakeries randomly selected among a total of 151 bakeries in the city of Douala.ParticipantsAll bakers who consented to participate in the study between 1 May and 31 July 2013.Outcome measuresAllergic rhinitis was the outcome of interest. It was defined as the presence of the following symptoms: itchy nose, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction and sneezing.ResultsDuring the study period, a total of 273 bakers were invited and 229 finally agreed to participate in this study. Males were the most represented gender with 222 (96.9%) participants. The mean age of the participants was 36.29±8.9 years. Smoking was found in 55 participants (24.5%). The symptoms of allergic rhinitis were observed in 24.5% of participants. Work related nasal symptoms were present in 15% of participants. Sensitisation to wheat flour and α-amylase was found in 16.6% and 8.3% of participants, respectively. The Prick test was positive for mites in 12.2% of participants. After multivariate analysis, sensitisation to flour (OR 3.95, 95% CI 1.85 to 8.47) and storage mites (OR 3.44, 95% CI 1.45 to 8.18) were the factors independently associated with symptoms of allergic rhinitis.ConclusionsAllergic rhinitis is frequent among bakers in Cameroon. Implementation of preventive measures against inhalation of airborne allergens in bakeries and clinical monitoring of bakers sensitised to wheat flour and mites could help to reduce the prevalence of allergic rhinitis among bakers.