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Objective Chronic suppurative otitis media is among the most common otological condition reported in otorhinolaryngology practice commonly attributing to preventable hearing loss. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and etiological agents for chronic suppurative otitis media in our department. Results A total of 5591 patients were recruited in this study and only 79 (1.4%) had chronic suppurative otitis media. A male preponderance 43 (54.4%) was noted in this study and the left ear (58.2%) was more commonly affected compared to the right ear. Central perforation was the commonest pattern of presentation and was reported in 53% of cases though none had attic perforation. Of the 81 processed ear swabs, microbial growth was seen in majority 80 (98.8%) whilst one sample showed no microbial growth whereas 52.5% had polymicrobial growth. Among the isolates, most were gram negative species accounting for 59.7% while gram positive bacteria accounted for 25.6% and fungi accounted for 14.7%. Most of these isolates were facultative anaerobes. Klebsiella pneumoniae (20.2%) was the commonest isolates while Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were equally least isolated (10.9%). Tested isolates were most sensitive to Ciprofloxacin, Gentamycin, Ceftriaxone and Amikacin and least sensitive to Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and Ampicillin. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-019-4483-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most common preventable cause of deafness. The degree of NIHL is determined by intensity, duration of exposure, spectral characteristics of the noise, and individual susceptibility. Industrial workers in both developed and developing countries are all at risk of suffering from NIHL. Methods: An industry-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Data was collected using structured questionnaires, where sound intensity and hearing assessment were measured using a portable sound level meter and a portable audiometer, respectively. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program version 21. Findings: Out of 265 industrial workers who were recruited in this study, 161 (60.8%) were males and the predominant age group was 22 to 35 years (43%). The prevalence of NIHL was found to be 58.5%. Of 155 workers with NIHL, 101 (67.7%) were males. The most common age group was greater than 49 years. Of those with work experience from 5 to 10 years, only 38.5% had NIHL. The most common symptom was hearing loss, accounting for 24.9% of cases. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of NIHL was higher in textile industry workers. The prevalence was higher in males, older workers, and those who experienced prolonged exposure.

Being rare, rhinosporidiosis is a chronic granulomatous disease that is characterized by polypoidal lesions of the mucous membrane and is caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi. The disease commonly affects the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, conjunctiva, and palate and its very rare in our geographical location.

PURPOSE Pediatric sarcomas represent an important group of childhood tumors that require treatment at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), the largest pediatric oncology center in Tanzania. Treatment is often adapted from established childhood protocols validated in clinical trials from the United States and the United Kingdom. There are no studies describing the types of pediatric sarcomas most commonly seen in Tanzania to understand similarities and disparities with other countries and which sarcomas to prioritize in adapting treatment protocols. The objective of this study was to establish a baseline of the epidemiologic and clinical features of pediatric sarcomas diagnosed at MNH. METHODS Information was collected on clinical and tumor features of all children seen at MNH pediatric oncology unit between 2011 and 2016 with a confirmed histologic diagnosis of either bone or soft tissue sarcoma (STS). RESULTS A total of 135 cases were analyzed; 89 (66%) were STS and 46 (34%) were bone sarcomas. There was a slight female predominance (n = 69; 51%), and the mean age (SD) of patients was 6.3 (5.1) years. Greater than 90% (n = 123) of the cases presented with a painless swelling. The commonest STS, accounting for almost three-fourths of the cases (n = 66) was rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), with embryonal subtype being the most common RMS (n = 49; 74%). Osteosarcoma was the most common bone sarcoma, accounting for greater than 80% (n = 40) of the cases. Ewing sarcoma accounted for less than 15% (n = 6). Most of the patients presented with stage IV disease (n = 57; 87%) and lung was the commonest metastatic site. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this report is the first study documenting the epidemiologic and clinical features of pediatric sarcomas in a modern Tanzanian pediatric hospital. Embryonal RMS and osteosarcomas should be prioritized for adapting treatment protocols from other countries.