Intestinal Parasites Infections among HIV Infected Children Under Antiretrovirals Treatment in Yaounde, Cameroon.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most common communicable diseases worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes dysregulation of the immune system through the depletion of CD4+ T lymphocytes which gives rise to opportunistic infections. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to October 2018. Stool and blood samples were collected from participants aged 1 to 19. Stool samples were analyzed for intestinal parasites. Blood samples were analyzed for HIV and CD4 + T cell counts. RESULTS: Out of 214 children enrolled, 119 (55.6%) were HIV infected and 95 (44.4%) were HIV non-infected. All infected children were on antiretroviral treatment (ART). The prevalence of intestinal parasites was 20.2% in HIV infected and 15.8% in non-infected children. Among the 119 HIV infected children, 33 (27.7%) of them had a CD4+ T cell count less than 500 cells/mm3, and amongst them 5.9% had CD4+ T cell count less than 200 cells/mm3. Among HIV infected children, Cryptosporidium spp. was frequently detected, 7/119 (5.9%), followed by Giardia lamblia 5/119 (4.2%) then Blastocystis hominis 3/119 (2.5%) and Entamoeba coli 3/119 (2.5%). Participants on ART and prophylactic co-trimoxazole for >10 years had little or no parasite infestation. CONCLUSIONS: Although ART treatment in combination with prophylactic co-trimoxazole reduces the risk of parasitic infection, 20.2% of HIV infected children harbored intestinal parasites including Cryptosporidium spp. Stool analysis may be routinely carried out in order to treat detected cases of opportunistic parasites and such improve more on the life quality of HIV infected children.

Antibiotic consumption history of patients in a referred laboratory in Yaounde.

Background: Regulation of antibiotic prescription and consumption remains a major public health burden in low- and middle- income countries. Objective: This study aimed to describe the antibiotic consumption of patients who had a positive antibiotic culture in a reference laboratory. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted among 113 participants with positive antibiograms with a documented history of antibiotics intake at the Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital in Cameroon between January 2016 and June 2021. Data were stored and analyzed using the Census and Survey Processing System version 7.3 and Statistical Package for Social Science version 25.0. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate the indicators. Results: Of the 113 patients enrolled, 105 had a history of drug use; 56 participants (53.3%) had taken at least 2 antibiotics prior to sampling. Cephalosporins were the most consumed antibiotics (41%), followed by nitroimidazols (28.6%) and penicillins (28.6%). According to the World Health Organization classification, 55 (52.4%) took major priority antibiotics. Conclusion: We are on the alert and there is an urgent need to raise awareness among clinicians and patients alike by providing them with good clinical practice guidelines.

A mapping review of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus proportions, genetic diversity, and antimicrobial resistance patterns in Cameroon.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has increased and poses a significant threat to human and animal health in Cameroon and the world at large. MRSA strains have infiltrated various settings, including hospitals, communities, and livestock, contributing to increased morbidity, treatment costs, and mortality. This evidence synthesis aims to understand MRSA prevalence, resistance patterns, and genetic characterization in Cameroon. METHODS: The methodology was consistent with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Studies of any design containing scientific data on MRSA prevalence, genetic diversity, and antimicrobial resistance patterns in Cameroon were eligible for inclusion, with no restrictions on language or publication date. The search involved a comprehensive search strategy in several databases including Medline, Embase, Global Health, Web of Science, African Index Medicus, and African Journal Online. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the Hoy et al tool, and the results were synthesized and presented in narrative synthesis and/or tables and graphs. RESULTS: The systematic review analyzed 24 studies, mostly conducted after 2010, in various settings in Cameroon. The studies, characterized by moderate to low bias, revealed a wide prevalence of MRSA ranging from 1.9% to 46.8%, with considerable variation based on demographic and environmental factors. Animal (0.2%), food (3.2% to 15.4%), and environmental samples (0.0% to 34.6%) also showed a varied prevalence of MRSA. The genetic diversity of MRSA was heterogeneous, with different virulence gene profiles and clonal lineages identified in various populations and sample types. Antimicrobial resistance rates showed great variability in the different regions of Cameroon, with notable antibiotic resistance recorded for the beta-lactam, fluoroquinolone, glycopeptide, lincosamide, and macrolide families. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the significant variability in MRSA prevalence, genetic diversity, and antimicrobial resistance patterns in Cameroon, and emphasizes the pressing need for comprehensive antimicrobial stewardship strategies in the country.

High prevalence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin positive, multidrug resistant, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains circulating among clinical setups in Adamawa and Far North regions of Cameroon.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of the earliest pathogens involved in human infections, responsible for a large variety of pathologies. Methicillin was the first antibiotic used to treat infections due to S. aureus but infections due to Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) originated from hospital settings. Later, severe infections due to MRSA without any contact with the hospital environment or health care workers arose. Prevalence of MRSA has shown an alarming increase worldover including Cameroon. This Cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate the occurrence of MRSA infections in five different, most frequented Hospitals in northern Cameroon. Socio demographic data was recorded through questionnaire and different clinical specimens were collected for bacterial isolation. Identification of S. aureus was confirmed via 16s rRNA amplification using S. aureus specific primers. Molecular characterisation was performed through mecA gene, Luk PV gene screening and SCCmec typing. A total of 380 S. aureus clinical isolates were obtained of which 202 (53.2%) were nonduplicate multidrug resistant isolates containing, 45.5% MRSA. Higher number of MRSA was isolated from pus (30.4%) followed by blood culture (18.5%), and urine (17.4%). Patients aged 15 to 30 years presented high prevalence of MRSA (30.4%). Majority isolates (97.8%) carried the mecA gene, PVL toxin screening indicated 53.3% isolates carried the lukPV gene. Based on PVL detection and clinical history, CA-MRSA represented 53.3% of isolates. SCCmec typing showed that the Type IV was most prevalent (29.3%), followed by type I (23.9%). Amongst MRSA isolates high resistance to penicillin (91.1%), cotrimoxazole (86.7%), tetracycline (72.2%), and ofloxacin (70.0%) was detected. Meanwhile, rifampicin, fusidic acid, lincomycin and minocycline presented high efficacy in bacterial control. This study revealed a high prevalence of MRSA among infections due to S. aureus in Northern Cameroon. All MRSA recorded were multidrug resistant and the prevalence of CA MRSA are subsequently increasing, among population.

Intestinal carriage of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase producing E. coli in women with urinary tract infections, Cameroon.

INTRODUCTION: During the last decade, the prevalence of the intestinal carriage of extended spectrum beta-lactamases - producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-E. coli) has continued to increase worldwide in the community, especially in developing countries. Hence, we undertook a study to determine the ESBL-E. coli fecal carriage rate and the associated risk factors in Cameroonian women. METHODOLOGY: A total of 86 women suspected of community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTI) were included in 10 health structures from May 2011 to April 2012. After filling a questionnaire, they provided a stool sample that was plated on selective media for ESBL producing bacteria. The identification of strains was obtained with mass spectrometry and the antibiotic susceptibility by disk diffusion in agar media. The ESBL type was determined by PCR. The relative abundance of ESBL-E. coli was measured for positive samples. Eventually, the presence of antibiotics in stool was assessed. RESULTS: The carriage rate of ESBL-E. coli was 57/86 (66.3%). Phenotypic and molecular characterization showed that all ESBL-E. coli strains contained group 1 CTX-M enzymes. Multivariate analysis showed that ESBL-E. coli fecal carriage was associated with the presence of antibiotics in stools (p < 0.05). Although not significant, mean ESBL relative abundance tended to be higher in patients with antibiotic exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the carriage of ESBL-E. coli fecal carriage in women with UTI suspicion from the Cameroonian community is extremely high and associated with recent antibiotic intake.

Bacteriological assessment of the hospital environment in two referral hospitals in Yaoundé-Cameroon.

INTRODUCTION: Many studies still show significant numbers of surgical patients contracting nosocomial infections each year globally with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to identify potential bacteria reservoirs that may be responsible for nosocomial infection in surgical services in the Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital (YUTH) and the Central Hospital Yaoundé (CHY). METHODS: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted from June to August 2012. Air, water, and surface samples were collected from two surgical services and subjected to standard bacteriological analysis. RESULTS: A total of 143 surface samples were collected. Bacteria were isolated in all surfaces except from one trolley sample and a surgical cabinet sample. The predominant species in all services was coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CNS). The average number of colonies was 132. 82 CFU/25 cm(2). The bacteria isolated in the air were similar to those isolated from surfaces. From the 16 water samples cultured, an average of 50.93 CFU/100ml bacteria were isolated. The distribution of isolated species showed a predominance of Burkholderia cepacia. CONCLUSION: These results showed the importance of the hospital environment as a potential reservoir and source of nosocomial infections amongst surgical patient at YUTH and CHY, thus we suggest that Public health policy makers in Cameroon must define, publish guidelines and recommendations for monitoring environmental microbiota in health facilities.

Full genome characterization of human Rotavirus A strains isolated in Cameroon, 2010-2011: diverse combinations of the G and P genes and lack of reassortment of the backbone genes.

Over the past few years whole genome sequencing of rotaviruses has become a routine laboratory method in many strain surveillance studies. To study the molecular evolutionary pattern of representative Cameroonian Rotavirus A (RVA) strains, the semiconductor sequencing approach was used following random amplification of genomic RNA. In total, 31 RVA strains collected during 2010-2011 in three Cameroonian study sites located 120 to 1240 km from each other were sequenced and analyzed. Sequence analysis of the randomly selected representative strains showed that 18 RVAs were Wa-like, expressing G1P[6], G12P[6], or G12P[8] neutralization antigens on the genotype 1 genomic constellation (I1-R1-C1-M1-A1-N1-T1-E1-H1), whereas 13 other strains were DS-1-like, expressing G2P[4], G2P[6], G3P[6], and G6P[6] on the genotype 2 genomic constellation (I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E2-H2). No inter-genogroup reassortment in the backbone genes was observed. Phylogenetic analysis of the Cameroonian G6P[6] strains indicated the separation of the strains identified in the Far North region (Maroua) and the Northwest region (Bamenda and Esu) into two branches that is consistent with multiple introductions of G6P[6] strains into this country. The present whole genome based molecular characterization study indicates that the emerging G6P[6] strain is fully heterotypic to Rotarix, the vaccine introduced during 2014 in childhood immunization program in Cameroon. Continuous strain monitoring is therefore needed in this area and elsewhere to see if G6s, besides genotype G1 to G4, G8, G9 and G12, may become a new, regionally important genotype in the post vaccine licensure era in Africa.