A feasibility study to determine if minimally trained medical students can
identify markers of chronic parasitic infection using bedside ultrasound in rural
Tanzania
#MMPMID26693265
Barsky M
; Kushner L
; Ansbro M
; Bowman K
; Sassounian M
; Gustafson K
; Lahham S
; Joseph L
; Fox JC
World J Emerg Med
2015[]; 6
(4
): 293-8
PMID26693265
show ga
BACKGROUND: Parasitic infections pose a significant health risk in developing
nations and are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the
Republic of Tanzania, the CDC estimates that 51.5% of the population is infected
with one or more intestinal parasites. If diagnosed early, the consequences of
chronic parasitic infection can potentially be avoided. METHODS: Six first-year
medical students were recruited to enroll patients in the study. They underwent
ten hours of formal, hands-on, ultrasound which included basic cardiac,
hepatobiliary, renal, pulmonary and FAST scan ultrasound. A World Health
Organization protocol with published grading scales was adapted and used to
assess for pathology in each patient's liver, bladder, kidneys, and spleen.
RESULTS: A total of 59 patients were enrolled in the study. Students reported a
sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 100% for the presence of a dome shaped
bladder, a sensitivity and specificity of 100% for bladder thickening, a
sensitivity and specificity of 100% for portal hypertension and ascites. The
sensitivity was 81% with a specificity of 100% for presence of portal vein
distention. The sensitivity was 100% with a specificity of 90% for dilated bowel.
CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound has shown a promise at helping to identify pathology in
rural communities with limited resources such as Tanzania. Our data suggest that
minimally trained first year medical students are able to perform basic
ultrasound scans that can identify ultrasonographic markers of parasitic
infections.
free
free
free
