Hookworm infection associates with a vaginal Type 1/Type 2 immune signature and increased HPV load.

Helminth infection-driven changes to immunity in the female reproductive tract (FRT) is an immune axis that is currently understudied but can have major implications for the control of FRT infections. Here we address how human hookworm infection associates with vaginal immune profile and risk of Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Stool, blood, cervical swabs and vaginal flushes were collected from women from the Central region of Togo to screen for hookworms (Ancylostoma duodenale) and high carcinogenic risk HPV types, via Kato Katz and PCR, respectively. Cytokine, chemokine and immunoglobulin levels were analysed in cervicovaginal lavages and plasma samples. A pronounced mixed Type 1/Type 2 immune response was detected in the vaginal fluids of women with hookworm infection and this immune signature was a notable feature in hookworm-HPV co-infected women. Moreover, hookworm infection is positively associated with increased risk and load of HPV infection. These findings highlight helminth infection as a significant risk factor for acquiring a sexually transmitted viral infection and potentially raising the risk of subsequent pathology.

Hookworm Infections and Sociodemographic Factors Associated With Female Reproductive Tract Infections in Rural Areas of the Central Region of Togo.

Female reproductive tract infections (FRTIs) have a huge impact on women's health including their reproductive health in rural areas. Immunomodulation by helminth infections could influence the occurrence of FRTIs. This study aimed to investigate the association between FRTIs, hookworm infections, and sociodemographic factors in six rural areas of the central region of Togo. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographical information, and parasitological assessments were used to diagnose helminth infections. Moreover, cytobacteriological examination of vaginal swabs was performed for the diagnosis of candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis (BV), and real-time PCR method was used to determine sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Finally, a logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship and association of these factors to FRTIs. The prevalence of FRTIs was 82.3% including STIs (74.38%), BV (31.79%), and vulvovaginal candidiasis (9.85%). In detail, FRTIs were caused by bacteria such as Ureaplasma parvum (50%), Ureaplasma urealyticum (26.5%), and Mycoplasma hominis (17.5%) and viruses such us cytomegalovirus (5%) and human papilloma virus (HPV) (20%). No cases of Haemophilus ducreyi, Treponema pallidum, or varicella-zoster virus (VZV) were observed. Interestingly, women who had hookworm infections were at high risk of HPV. The use of condoms was a protective factor [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.23; 95% CI [0.11-0.51)], while the use of contraceptive methods was a risk factor [aOR = 2.49; 95% CI (1.19-5.19)] for STIs. The risk of BV was lower among participants who had more than four pregnancies [aOR = 0.27; 95% CI (0.11-0.65)]. Furthermore, women who had ever been paid for sexual intercourse were at high probability risk of vulvovaginal candidiasis [aOR = 16.92; 95% CI (1.46-196.48)]. This study highlighted risk factors associated with FRTIs, the control of which would help to reduce the incidence of these diseases. Health-care professionals could develop education and sensitization strategies based on these risk factors, and anti-hookworm treatment concepts may be taken into consideration to minimize the risk of HPV infections.

Prevalence of human leukocyte antigen HLA-B*57:01 in individuals with HIV in West and Central Africa.

BACKGROUND: The presence of the human leukocyte antigen HLA-B*57:01 is associated with the development of a hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir (ABC). Limited data exist on HLA-B*57:01 prevalence in individuals with HIV-1 in Africa. This study aimed to estimate HLA-B*57:01 prevalence in individuals with HIV-1 in West and Central Africa. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four countries in West and central Africa (Burkina-Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, and Togo) from January 2016 to February 2020 to determine the status of HLA-B*57:01 in adults with HIV-1. The presence of HLA-B*57:01 was determined by using Single Specific Primer-Polymerase Chain Reaction (SSP-PCR) in blood samples. Prevalence rates were stratified based on country. RESULTS: A total of 4016 (69.8% women) individuals with HIV were enrolled. Their median age was 45, and the interquartile range was 38-52. We included 500 (12.4%) patients in Burkina-Faso, 1453 (36.2%) in Côte d'Ivoire, 951 (23.7%) in Gabon, and 1112 (27.7%) in Togo. The overall HLA-B*57:01 prevalence was 0.1% [95% CI: 0.0-0.2%]. The prevalence of HLA-B*57:01 was similar according to the four countries. Only one case was reported in each country except Togo, with no cases. CONCLUSIONS: HLA-B*57:01 prevalence is low in individuals with HIV in West and central Africa, and there is no difference among countries. This study does not confirm the utility of HLA-B*57:01 allele testing for abacavir use in this region.

Reconfirming HIV serostatus in three West African Military ART clinics.

BACKGROUND: HIV rapid diagnostic test (RDT) algorithms have been successfully employed worldwide to accelerate critically important HIV testing. Deviations from the algorithm and processing errors have been associated with inaccurate algorithm results. Positive RDT algorithm results should be confirmed prior to HIV clinic enrollment, but compliance varies. We sought to retest HIV status of patients in three West African military HIV clinics. SETTING: Military HIV clinics in Lome, Togo; Freetown, Sierra Leone; and Monrovia, Liberia METHODS: Patients coming for routine HIV clinic visits were approached for enrollment. Consenting participants completed a 15-minute questionnaire and provided blood samples for both national and WHO-recommended HIV RDT algorithms, and HIV ELISA (plus HIV PCR if HIV ELISA negative). RESULTS: In total, 817 participants provided data: 374 in Togo, 360 in Sierra Leone, and 83 in Liberia. One participant from Liberia was HIV-negative (although follow-up testing was positive). Two of 807 participants on antiretroviral treatment (ART) had inconclusive algorithms, while 2 of 10 participants not on ART had algorithms, for 4 total based on the WHO-approved algorithm. Using the national algorithms, only 3 were inconclusive. A substantial proportion of the cohort had taken ART for over 6 years (25-46%, depending on the site). CONCLUSION: HIV RDT retesting in three military HIV clinics did not uncover significant numbers of misclassified HIV patients. There was no significant difference between national and WHO-recommended RDT algorithms, although the study was underpowered to detect a difference. Antiretroviral treatment was not associated with increased rates of inconclusive RDT algorithm results.

Prevalence and distribution of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes among HIV infected women in Lomé, Togo.

CONCLUSION: This study showed the diversity of circulating HPV genotypes in Togo. Programs of HPV vaccination and early detection of benign or precancerous lesions should be implemented to reduce cancer-related comorbidities.

High Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the Age Range of 20-39 Years Old Individuals in Lome.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It affects all women and men irrespective of age. Although sub-Saharan Africa is an area of high prevalence of this disease, data on the prevalence of acute and chronic HBV infections in this region remain to be widely documented. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of HBV in relation to age in Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Campus (CHU-C), one of the two teaching hospitals of Lome, Togo. METHOD: The present study is a cross-sectional study about the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriage from 2009 to 2011. All study participants were screened for HBsAg at the Immunology laboratory of CHU Campus of Lome. RESULTS: One thousand two hundred individuals were screened for HBsAg from 2009-2011. The overall prevalence of HBV infection was 19.08%. This prevalence was significantly higher in men (25.00%) than women (14.80%). The highest prevalence of HBV was observed in age range of 20-29 years and 30-39 years with respectively 26.33% and 21.67%. The lowest prevalence was 6.08%, found in people over 50 years. Concerning the clinical indication of the test, the prevalence during the clinical abnormalities related to liver (CARL) was the highest (26.21%), followed by the systematic screening (SS) with 20.25% while the pre-operative assessment (POA) showed the lowest prevalence with 5.56%. CONCLUSION: The study shows the high prevalence of HBsAg carriage in young people. This could be used to enhance prevention and treatment of HBV infection in Togo.