[Co-infection of malaria and COVID-19 in patients admitted to the COVID Infectious Disease Department of the Libreville University Hospital Center]. / Co-infection paludisme et COVID-19 chez les patients admis au service d'infectiologie COVID du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Libreville.

The purpose of this study was to report the cases of co-infection of malaria and COVID-19, after systematic search for plasmodium in patients treated in the COVID Infectious Disease Department (SiCOV) of the Libreville University Hospital (LUH). We conducted a prospective, observational study in the LUH SiCOV from April to July 2020. Patients of both sexes, aged over 18 years, with positive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2 with thick blood smear result available, were included. For each patient, demographics (age, gender, weight, height), history and clinical and biological examination results were reported in the Excel file. Of a total of 253 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 8 had malaria associated with positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR. These were women (3) and men (5), with an average age of 36.9 years (25- 53 years). The mode of transmission was unknown in 7/8. All patients were febrile, 6/8 had headaches and 5/8 had respiratory discomfort. Less than half of patients had otolaryngeal (anosmia, ageusia) or digestive (diarrhea) manifestations. One patient with severe form died on day 5 of hospitalization. Clinical similarities between malaria and COVID-19 can lead to confusion in malaria endemic areas. The co-infection of malaria and COVID-19 did not result in severe clinical forms.

[Biodiversity of isolated fungal flora at the reanimation service of the University Hospital Souro Sanou of Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso]. / Biodiversité de la flore fongique isolée au service de réanimation du Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Souro Sanou de Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

INTRODUCTION: nosocomial diseases are a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa particularly in Burkina Faso. The purpose of this study was to determine the biodiversity of the fungal flora identified at the reanimation service of the University Hospital Souro Sanou of Bobo-Dioulasso. METHODS: we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study from August 2016 to January 2017. The purpose of the study was to investigate the fungal flora in the ambient air and in the reanimation environment. Samples were seeded and incubated for 3-4 days at 37°C in the oven. The identification of colonies of filamentous fungi was macroscopic and microscopic. Blastesis test, chromogenic medium and latex agglutination test were used to identify Candida species. RESULTS: out of 200 samples collected, 176 grew in Sabouraud-Chloramphenicol agar. The overall prevalence of fungal flora was 88% (176/200). Molds were the most common fungal agents found (66.9%). Among the eight types of mold identified, Aspergillus was the most common family (48.9%) while Aspergillus fumigatus was the most detected species (32.9%). CONCLUSION: regular decontamination of fungal niches should be systematic at the reanimation service of the University Hospital Souro Sanou of Bobo-Dioulasso.

Comparative performance of four malaria rapid diagnostic tests, Vikia Malaria Pf/Pan, Meriline-Meriscreen Pf/Pv/Pan, Right Sign Malaria Pf/Pan, and Right Sign Malaria Pf, among febrile patients in Gabon.

INTRODUCTION: Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are selected based on their performances. Here, we compared the diagnostic performance of different malaria RDTs. METHODS: Febrile patients were tested for malaria using Vikia Malaria Pf/Pan, Meriline-Meriscreen Pf/Pv/Pan, Right Sign Malaria Pf/Pan, and Right Sign Malaria Pf RDTs at Melen Regional Hospital in Gabon. RESULTS: In total, 120 of 274 tested children (43.8%) had malaria. The sensitivity was > 95% for all RDTs, while the specificity was > 85% for two tests. One test generated invalid tests (8%). CONCLUSIONS: Based on their performances, all tests except one may be recommended for malaria diagnosis.

Comparative performance of four malaria rapid diagnostic tests, Vikia Malaria Pf/Pan, Meriline-Meriscreen Pf/Pv/Pan, Right Sign Malaria Pf/Pan, and Right Sign Malaria Pf, among febrile patients in Gabon

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are selected based on their performances. Here, we compared the diagnostic performance of different malaria RDTs. METHODS: Febrile patients were tested for malaria using Vikia Malaria Pf/Pan, Meriline-Meriscreen Pf/Pv/Pan, Right Sign Malaria Pf/Pan, and Right Sign Malaria Pf RDTs at Melen Regional Hospital in Gabon. RESULTS: In total, 120 of 274 tested children (43.8%) had malaria. The sensitivity was > 95% for all RDTs, while the specificity was > 85% for two tests. One test generated invalid tests (8%). CONCLUSIONS: Based on their performances, all tests except one may be recommended for malaria diagnosis.