[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.

[HBs Ag and antibodies to hepatitis C virus in complicated chronic liver disease in Gabon. A case control study]. / Antigène HBs et anticorps anti-VHC dans les hépatopathies chroniques compliquées au Gabon.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of HBs Ag and anti-HCV antibodies are high in the general population in Gabon. The aim of this study was to perform a case control study to determine the role of hepatitis B and C viruses in decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Between October 1990 and June 1998, HBs Ag and anti-HCV antibodies were investigated in 1 204 newly hospitalized patients. Sixty-seven had decompensated cirrhosis, 38 had hepatocellular carcinoma and six an association of both diseases. Prevalences were compared with those in a group of 527 sex and age matched controls from the same cohort. RESULTS: HBs Ag prevalence among cases was 35.1% (decompensated cirrhosis: 34.2%; hepatocellular carcinoma: 40.5%) and 12.5% among controls. Anti-HCV were detected in 32.4% of cases (decompensated cirrhosis: 34.2%; hepatocellular carcinoma: 28.6%) and in 20.1% of controls. Complicated chronic liver disease was linked to HBs Ag (OR=11.3; IC: 4.8-26.7; cirrhosis: OR=18; IC: 5.3-61.5; hepatocellular carcinoma: OR=8.3; IC: 2.5-27.8) in patients from 15 to 34 years old. Above 45 years, complicated chronic liver disease was linked to anti-HCV antibodies (OR=2.9; IC: 1.6-5.3; cirrhosis: OR=2.8; IC: 1.4-5.8; hepatocellular carcinoma: OR=3.2; IC: 1.1-9.5). CONCLUSION: Both Hepatitis B and C viruses are linked to complicated chronic liver disease in Gabon in an age-dependent manner.