Ebola virus circulation in a non-epidemic Guinean rural area: A mixed-method approach to assessing endemicity.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of orthoebolavirus antibodies in Madina Oula, a non-epidemic rural area in Guinea, in 2022. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 14 to April 3, 2022 involving recording household and socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle data, and collecting dried blood spots from 878 individuals in 235 households. Dried blood spots were tested using multiplex serology to detect antibodies to different orthoebolaviruses: Ebola virus, Bundibugyo virus, Sudan virus, Reston virus, and Bombali virus. Seroprevalence was estimated with a 95% confidence interval and a Z-test was performed to compare the seropositivity between children aged under 15 years and those over 15 years. Household and participant characteristics were analyzed using descriptive statistic, and socio-historical conditions were discussed. RESULTS: The serological analysis conducted in 2022 on 878 participants revealed varying reactivity to orthoebolavirus antigens, notably, with glycoprotein antigens, particularly, glycoprotein Sudan virus (16%). A total of 21 samples exhibited reactivity with at least two antigens, with a median age of 27 years (interquartile range 10.00-35.00), ranging from 2 to 80 years. There is no significant difference between seropositivity in children aged under 15 (2.86%) years and those over 15 (2.14%) years. The antibody presence varied per village, with the highest prevalence observed in Ouassou and Dar-es-Salam. CONCLUSIONS: Serological data in a region unaffected by recent Ebola outbreaks indicate possible orthoebolavirus endemicity, emphasizing the need for preparedness against known or novel orthoebolaviruses with potential cross-reactivity.

Prevalence and factors associated with hepatitis B in a cohort of HIV-infected children in the Pediatric Department at Donka National Hospital, Guinea.

INTRODUCTION: children pay a heavy price for infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The objective of this work was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B and describe the associated factors in children at the pediatric department of Donka Hospital. METHODS: this was a cross-sectional study of a cohort of children in the pediatric department of Donka Hospital. HBsAg was performed by using an immunochromatographic method. The analysis of the data was done with software R. The proportions were compared using the Chi-square test or the Fisher test at the significance level of 5%. A logistic regression model was used to explain the prevalence of hepatitis B. RESULTS: one hundred and forty-nine children were recruited between February and July 2017. HBsAg was present in 12 children, i.e. 8.16% (95% CI: 4.29-13.82). The average age was 93.32 months (IQR: 6-180). Male children were the most affected (n = 11, P <0.05), with a sex ratio of 1.01. The majority (51.35%) were on AZT + 3TC + NVP pediatric form and 25% were on AZT + 3TC + NVP adult form and 23.65% on TDF + FTC + EFV. In univariate analysis, ALT, HBsAg positivity, and maternal HBV vaccination status were associated with the prevalence of HBsAg (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: the prevalence of co-infection in children and adults is almost identical in our context. Hence the importance of strengthening preventive measures at all levels, especially the vaccination of children and mothers.

Surveillance of transmitted HIV-1 antiretroviral drug resistance in the context of decentralized HIV care in Senegal and the Ebola outbreak in Guinea.

OBJECTIVES: Disruption in HIV care provision may enhance the development and spread of drug resistance due to inadequate antiretroviral therapy. This study thus determined the prevalence of HIV-1 transmitted drug resistance (TDR) in settings of decentralized therapy and care in Senegal and, the Ebola outbreak in Guinea. Antiretroviral-naïve patients were enrolled following a modified WHO TDR Threshold Survey method, implemented in Senegal (January-March 2015) and Guinea (August-September 2015). Plasma and dried blood spots specimens, respectively from Senegalese (n = 69) and Guinean (n = 50) patients, were collected for direct sequencing of HIV-1 pol genes. The Stanford Calibrated Population Resistance program v6.0 was used for Surveillance Drug Resistance Mutations (SDRMs). RESULTS: Genotyping was successful from 54/69 (78.2%) and 31/50 (62.0%) isolates. In Senegal, TDR prevalence was 0% (mean duration since HIV diagnosis 4.08 ± 3.53 years). In Guinea, two patients exhibited SDRMs M184V (NRTI), T215F (TAM) and, G190A (NNRTI), respectively. TDR prevalence at this second site, however, could not be ascertained because of low sample size. Phylogenetic inference confirmed CRF02_AG predominance in Senegal (62.96%) and Guinea (77.42%). TDR prevalence in Senegal remains extremely low suggesting improved control measures. Continuous surveillance in both settings is mandatory and, should be done closest to diagnosis/transmission time and with larger sample size.