A nomogram for predicting prognostic risk factors in individuals with poor grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a retrospective study.

Poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (PGASAH) is associated with high mortality and morbidity despite advanced treatments. Accurate prediction of prognosis remains a clinical challenge. This study aimed to identify independent risk factors and develop a predictive nomogram for unfavorable outcomes in PGASAH patients.

Burden of scabies in a Ghanaian penitentiary.

Background: There is a dearth of information concerning the epidemiology of human scabies in prisons. Therefore, we aimed to assess the burden of scabies and ascertain if prevalence was high enough to warrant mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin in a medium security prison in central Ghana.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in December 2022 and recruited inmates at the Kumasi central prison in Ghana.

Virtual reality-guided therapy on a stroke unit: a feasibility study.

Background: VR (Virtual Reality) has emerged as a recent treatment approach in neurorehabilitation. The feasibility of VR-guided therapy in the acute phase after stroke has not been assessed.

Methods: This was a cohort study of consecutive patients with suspected stroke who were admitted to the Essen University Hospital Stroke Unit between March 2022 and May 2022.

Risk score for early prognostication of aseptic bone flap necrosis.

Purpose: Aseptic bone flap necrosis (ABFN) is a common complication of autologous cranioplasty that often requires reoperation. This study aimed to create a risk score for ABFN using relevant demographic, clinical, and laboratory markers.

Methods: We included all patients who underwent autologous cranioplasty after decompressive surgery between 2007 and 2019.

High Prevalence of ESBL Genes in Commensal of the Urinary Tract: Implications for Antibiotic Stewardship among Residents of Ghanaian Elderly Nursing Care Homes.

The emergence and spread of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing () pose significant challenges to the treatment and control of urinary tract infections, particularly among vulnerable populations, such as the elderly living in nursing care homes. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of ESBL genes in commensal isolated from urine samples of 118 elderly individuals residing in Ghanaian nursing care homes. A total of 195 ESBL genes were detected among 41 isolated from the study participants.

Duration of Intracranial Pressure Increase after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Prognostic Factors and Association with the Outcome.

Objective: A rupture of the intracranial aneurysm is frequently complicated, with an increase of intracranial pressure (ICP) requiring conservative and/or surgical treatment. We analyzed the risk factors related to the duration of pathologic ICP increase and the relationship between ICP burden and the outcome of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

Methods: Consecutive cases with aneurysmal SAH treated at our institution between 01/2003 and 06/2016 were eligible for this study.

Improving experiences of neglected tropical diseases of the skin: Mixed methods formative research for development of a complex intervention in Atwima Mponua District, Ghana.

Integrated approaches to managing co-endemic neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) of the skin within primary healthcare services are complex and require tailoring to local contexts. We describe formative research in Atwima Mponua District in Ghana's Ashanti Region designed to inform the development of a sustainable intervention to improve access to skin NTD care. We employed a convergent, parallel, mixed-methods design, collecting data from February 2021 to February 2022.

Predictors and surgical outcome of hemorrhagic metastatic brain malignancies.

Purpose: Intracerebral metastases present a substantial risk of tumor-associated intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). This study aimed to investigate the risk of hemorrhagic events in brain metastases (BM) from various primary tumor sites and evaluate the safety and outcomes of surgical tumor removal.

Methods: A retrospective, single-center review of medical records was conducted for patients who underwent BM removal between January 2016 and December 2017.

Stigma experiences, effects and coping among individuals affected by Buruli ulcer and yaws in Ghana.

Background: Stigma related to skin neglected tropical diseases like Buruli ulcer (BU) and yaws has remained underexplored and existing studies are limited to individual diseases despite the WHO call for integration in disease management. Within two districts in central Ghana, we explored stigma associated with BU and yaws to understand overlaps and disease-specific nuances to help guide integrated interventions.

Methodology/principal Findings: In-depth interviews were conducted with 31 current or formerly affected individuals to assess the experiences, effects and coping strategies adopted to manage disease related stigma.

Implementation of an integrated control programme for neglected tropical diseases of the skin in Ghana: The essential role of the laboratory.

Introduction: In this study, we report on findings from approaches used, the outcomes and the lessons learnt from the laboratory support provided for integrated control of skin NTDs including Buruli ulcer (BU), and yaws in seven selected districts in Ghana.

Methods: Actions implemented from July 2018 to October 2022 included; training district-level health workers on specimen collection, storage, and transport to laboratories, integrated case searches, continual monitoring and supervision for trained health workers, laboratory confirmation of BU and yaws samples and providing results of the analysed samples to guide decision making. Descriptive analysis of data was performed.

Risk factors for poor outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in patients with initial favorable neurological status.

Background: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) remains a devastating diagnosis. A poor outcome is known to be highly dependent on the initial neurological status. Our goal was to identify other parameters that favor the risk of complications and poor outcome in patients with aSAH and initially favorable neurologic status.

Development of an integrated and decentralised skin health strategy to improve experiences of skin neglected tropical diseases and other skin conditions in Atwima Mponua District, Ghana.

Integrated strategies are recommended to tackle neglected tropical diseases of the skin (skin NTDs), which pose a substantial health and economic burden in many countries, including Ghana. We describe the development of an integrated and decentralised skin health strategy designed to improve experiences of skin NTDs in Atwima Mponua district in Ashanti Region. A multidisciplinary research team led an iterative process to develop an overall strategy and specific interventions, based on a theory of change informed by formative research conducted in Atwima Mponua district.

The role of previous medical history and secondary complications for the outcome of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in elderly patients.

Background: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) presents a devastating diagnosis for elderly individuals, resulting in high morbidity and mortality rates. The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of medical history and complications during SAH on the outcome of elderly patients.

Methods: Consecutive SAH cases aged ≥ 65 years old treated in our hospital between 01/2003 and 06/2016 were included (n = 218).

Toxocariasis in Ghanaian neighbourhoods: a need for action.

Background: Animal reservoirs of spp., a neglected parasitic infection, are frequently found in many Ghanaian neighbourhoods. Despite various interactions occurring between these animals and humans which sustain zoonosis, not much focus has been directed at disease surveillance in Ghana, necessitating this study.

Role and capacity needs of community based surveillance volunteers in the integrated management of skin neglected tropical diseases (skin NTDs): a qualitative study from central Ghana.

Background: Community Based Surveillance Volunteers (CBSVs) have been instrumental in the management of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) but a concern that their services in scale up programmes may be affected due to high attrition rates has been widely acknowledged. We explored the roles and capacity needs of existing CBSVs to inform for a successful integrated NTD management programme in Ghana and similar contexts.

Methods: We conducted qualitative interviews with 50 CBSVs, 21 Community Nurses, 4 Disease control officers, 7 skin NTD researchers, 2 skin NTD patients and a Director of District Health Services in Central Ghana.

Management of carotid cavernous fistulas: A single center experience.

Purpose: Multimodal endovascular therapy (EVT) of carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) with different approaches and a variety of available embolization material enable high occlusion rates with good clinical and functional outcome but until now there is still little evidence available. This retrospective single-center study aims to evaluate EVT of CCF with different neuroendovascular techniques regarding occlusion rates, complications and outcomes.

Materials And Methods: From 2001 to 2021 59 patients with CCF were treated at our tertiary university hospital.

Beliefs, attitudes and practices towards scabies in central Ghana.

Background: Scabies commonly affects poor populations in low-middle-income countries. The WHO has advocated for country-driven and country-owned control strategies. Knowledge of context specific issues will be important for design and implementation of scabies control interventions.

A Unique Multiplex ELISA to Profile Growth Factors and Cytokines in Cerebrospinal Fluid.

Multiplex arrays designed for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are robust and cost-effective for profiling biomarkers. Identification of relevant biomarkers in biological matrices or fluids helps in the understanding of disease pathogenesis. Here, we describe a sandwich ELISA-based multiplex assay to assess growth factor and cytokine levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples derived from multiple sclerosis patients, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients, and control subjects without any neurological disorder.

Serology reveals micro-differences in transmission in the Hohoe municipality of Ghana.

Background: With the decline in malaria transmission due to global efforts, a more sensitive tool is needed to monitor transmission intensity and pattern at the micro-level. Though transmission in a broader area may be similar, factors such as sanitation, practices of open water storage, early morning and evening activities, outdoor sleeping and agricultural practices within communities could cause differences in exposure and thus transmission. This study thus probed malaria transmission at a micro-level using serology in the Hohoe Municipality of Ghana.

Predictors of Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage after Endovascular Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients with Anterior Large Vessel Occlusion-Procedure Time and Reperfusion Quality Determine.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate predictors of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients following thrombectomy due to anterior large vessel occlusion (LVO).

Methods: Data on stroke patients from January 2018 to December 2020 in a tertiary care centre were retrospectively analysed. sICH was defined as intracranial hemorrhage associated with a deterioration of at least four points in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score or hemorrhage leading to death.