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Cardiac Computed Tomography in the Diagnosis of Adult Anomalous Left Coronary Artery from the Main Pulmonary Artery in the Caribbean

Issue: 
DOI: 
10.7727/wimjopen.2018.128

Definitive diagnosis of an anomalous coronary artery from the main pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) can be difficult.  Cardiac computed tomography (cardiac CT) has the ability to safely, cheaply and non-invasively allow direct visualization of the anomalous coronary connection and can demonstrate the systemic-to-venous flow which underlies the coronary steal phenomenon.

Accepted: 
December 26, 2018
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Meningo-encephalo-myelitis in Children during the Zika Virus Epidemic in Grenada

Issue: 
DOI: 
10.7727/wimjopen.2017.227
Pages: 
43–6
Synopsis: 
Zika Virus is neurotropic. We report two children from the Caribbean Island of Grenada, a three-year-old with acute neuro-inflammation who had intractable seizures, meningo-encephalitis, CSF pleocytosis and Zika IgM positive acute serology and a four-year-old with acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis manifesting as generalized seizures, optic neuritis, diffuse cerebral dysfunction, encephalopathy, impaired speech and ataxia who also had CSF pleocytosis as well as Zika IgM and Dengue IgM positive acute serologies. Both cases occurred during the 2016 Zika and Dengue fever epidemic in Grenada. Both children recovered completely. The aetiologic role of the Zika and Dengue arboviruses is discussed.

Zika Virus is neurotropic. We report two children from the Caribbean Island of Grenada, a three-year-old with acute neuro-inflammation who had intractable seizures, meningo-enceph-alitis, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis and Zika Immunoglobulin M (IgM) positive acute serology and a four-year-old with acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis manifesting as generalized seizures, optic neuritis, diffuse cerebral dysfunction, encephalopathy, impaired speech and ataxia who also had CSF pleocytosis as well as Zika IgM and Dengue IgM positive acute serologies.

Accepted: 
December 18, 2017
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Unravelling the Paediatric and Perinatal Zika Virus Epidemic through Population-based Research

DOI: 
10.7727/wimjopen.2016.454
Pages: 
1-4
Synopsis: 
Zika virus causes Guillain-Barre Syndrome and microcephaly. Clinical and laboratory diagnosis is complicated. Population-based research can elucidate ZIKV epidemiology, vertical transmission, fetal risks of maternal ZIKV infection and natural history of congenital and non-congenital ZIKV infection provided by the activities in “ZIKAction” research consortium, recently funded by the European Commission.

Zika virus epidemic now involves 72 countries, worldwide. Transmission is multimodal through mosquito bites and blood and body fluids. ZIKV causes Guillain Barre Syndrome and pregnancy complications including perinatal microcephaly. Diagnosis is complicated by subclinical infection in 80%, co-circulation with dengue and chikungunya fevers with similar presentations and cross-reactivity in serological tests. There is no cure, or preventive vaccine.

Accepted: 
August 23, 2016
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Acute Paralysis and Neuro-inflammation in Jamaican Children during Zika virus and Dengue Epidemics of 2016

Issue: 
DOI: 
10.7727/wimjopen.2016.526
Pages: 
12-7
Synopsis: 
This case series suggests a unique clinical pattern of neuro-inflammation in Jamaican adolescents occurring during the ZIKV epidemic and questions the role of the three circulating arbo-viruses in the pathogenesis.

Dengue, Chikungunya fever (CHIKV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) are all transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and are currently circulating in Jamaica. Jamaica has been experiencing a ZIKV epidemic since February 2016. At the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), Kingston, Jamaica, a cluster of five cases of paralysis attributed to neuro-inflammation was noted amongst adolescents admitted to the Institution. Three were diagnosed with acute myelitis and one each with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS).

Accepted: 
October 24, 2016
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Unravelling the Paediatric and Perinatal Zika Virus Epidemic through Population-based Research

Issue: 
DOI: 
10.7727/wimjopen.2016.454
Pages: 
1-4
Synopsis: 
Zika virus causes Guillain-Barre Syndrome and microcephaly. Clinical and laboratory diagnosis is complicated. Population-based research can elucidate ZIKV epidemiology, vertical transmission, fetal risks of maternal ZIKV infection and natural history of congenital and non-congenital ZIKV infection provided by the activities in “ZIKAction” research consortium, recently funded by the European Commission.

Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic now involves 72 countries, worldwide. Transmission is multimodal through mosquito bites and blood and body fluids. Zika virus causes Guillain-Barre Syndrome and pregnancy complications including perinatal microcephaly. Diagnosis is complicated by subclinical infection in 80%, co-circulation with dengue and chikungunya fevers with similar presentations and cross-reactivity in serological tests. There is no cure, or preventive vaccine.

Accepted: 
August 23, 2016
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Achieving Health Equity in Barbados: Setting Priorities for Change

Issue: 
DOI: 
10.7727/wimjopen.2015.001
Pages: 
19–20
Synopsis: 
This short communication provides an overview of the key points of discussion raised at a research symposium held in Barbados in January 2015. The symposium was focussed on identifying health inequities facing Barbados and identifying priorities for enabling change.

INTRODUCTION

Accepted: 
November 16, 2015
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Health Equity Impacts of Medical Tourism in the Caribbean: The Need to Provide Actionable Guidance Regarding Balancing Local and Foreign Interests

Issue: 
DOI: 
10.7727/wimjopen.2014.007
Pages: 
142–5
Synopsis: 
Caribbean countries are increasingly entering into the medical tourism market, leading to potential issues for healthcare planning and practice. We discuss the need to balance the interests of private developers and domestic actors to mitigate potential health equity issues.

ABSTRACT

Accepted: 
January 5, 2015
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Exploring the Reproductive Decision-making Process of HIV-positive Women in County Victoria, Trinidad and Tobago

Issue: 
DOI: 
10.7727/wimjopen.2014.111
Pages: 
74–7
Synopsis: 
HIV-positive women enrolled in the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme in Trinidad and Tobago did not use family planning services, had unplanned pregnancies, and felt stigmatized when pregnant. Integrated treatment, family planning and PMTCT services can help HIV-positive women and their partners safely achieve their reproductive goals.

ABSTRACT

Accepted: 
June 10, 2014
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Impact of Undertreated Sickle Cell Pain in the Caribbean

Issue: 
DOI: 
10.7727/wimjopen.2014.145
Synopsis: 
We surveyed adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) about their pain; results show that SCD pain in the Caribbean is undertreated and impacts negatively on education, employment, marital status and enjoyment of life.

ABSTRACT

Objective: Undertreated pain around the world includes the acute and chronic pain caused by sickle cell disease (SCD). In collaboration with a Caribbean association that aims to provide assistance to those diagnosed with SCD, we surveyed adults with SCD about pain management and impact of SCD pain.

Accepted: 
June 30, 2014
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Inter-Regional Medical Cooperation in the Caribbean: Lessons from the Ongoing Cooperation between Martinique, St Lucia, and Dominica

Issue: 
DOI: 
10.7727/wimjopen.2014.053
Pages: 
26–8
Synopsis: 
The inter-regional cooperation between the French departments of the Americas and all other Caribbean countries is essential for the implementation and improvement of healthcare. Caribbean professionals need to discuss the possibilities of developing common solid relationships in training, collective scientific research and continuous medical education.

ABSTRACT 

Accepted: 
February 27, 2014
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