Occurrence of poliovirus and non-polio enterovirus among children with acute flaccid paralysis in Cameroon from 2015 to 2020.

INTRODUCTION: Poliovirus (PV) and non-polio enteroviruses (NPEV) belong to the Picornaviridae family. They are found worldwide and are responsible for a wide range of diseases such as acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). This study aimed to evaluate the detection rate of PV and NPEV in stool samples from children under fifteen years of age presenting with AFP in Cameroon and their distribution over time. METHODOLOGY: Stool samples were collected as part of poliovirus surveillance throughout Cameroon from 2015 to 2020. Virus isolation was performed using RD and L20B cells maintained in culture. Molecular methods such as intratypic differentiation were used to identify PVs serotypes and analysis of the VP1 genome was performed. RESULTS: A total of 12,354 stool samples were analyzed. The EV detection rate by virus isolation was 11.42% (1411/12354). This rate varied from year to year with a mean distribution of 11.41 with a 95% confidence interval [11.37; 11.44]. Of the viruses detected, suspected poliovirus accounted for 31.3% (442/1411) and NPEV 68.67% (969/1411). No wild poliovirus (WPV) was isolated. Sabin types 1 and 3 were continuously isolated. Surprisingly, from February 2020, vaccine-derived PV type 2 (VDPV2) was detected in 19% of cases, indicating its resurgence. CONCLUSIONS: This study strongly supports the successful elimination of WPV in Cameroon and the resurgence of VDPV2. However, as long as VDPV outbreaks continue to be detected in Africa, it remains essential to monitor how they spread.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with Haemophilus ducreyi cutaneous ulcers in Cameroon.

Epidemics of yaws-like cutaneous ulcers are regularly documented in children in the tropics. They occur mainly in poor and remote communities without access to health facilities. The integration of molecular tools into yaws control efforts has made it possible to describe Haemophilus ducreyi (HD) as a major cause of cutaneous ulcers. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of HD as cause of cutaneous ulcers, investigate its presence in asymptomatic individuals and identify associated risk factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted in yaws endemic districts of Cameroon. Participants included people presenting yaws-like ulcers and asymptomatic individuals. Swab samples were collected from each participant and tested for HD and Treponema pallidum (TP) using an established qPCR method. Additionally, demographic, habitat, proximity, and hygiene characteristics were collected using a structured questionnaire. A total of 443 individuals participated in the study, including 271 ulcer cases and 172 asymptomatic contacts. The prevalence of HD in ulcers was 30.3% (Confidence Interval (CI) 95% [24.8-35.7]) and the prevalence of asymptomatic HD carriage was 8.6% (CI95% [4.5-12.9]). TP was also detected in our sample among ulcer cases but in lower proportion (5.2% CI95% [2.5-7.8]) compared to HD. The adjusted logistic regression model showed that women were as much at risk of having HD cutaneous ulcer as men regardless of age. Physical proximity to a confirmed ulcer case was the major factor identified favouring HD transmission. HD ulcers were more likely to be present on Bantu individuals compared to Baka as well as HD colonization. These findings highlight HD as the most common cause of cutaneous ulcers in yaws-endemic communities in Cameroon. The exact implications of detecting HD on intact skin are not yet clear. Further studies are needed to understand the significance of this carriage in the spread dynamics of the disease.

Viral co-infection with human respiratory syncytial virus in suspected acute and severe respiratory tract infections during COVID-19 pandemic in Yaoundé, Cameroon, 2020-2021.

BACKGROUND: Acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRIs) are one one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among people of all ages worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The purpose of this study was to determine epidemiological characteristics of respiratory viruses in acute respiratory infection (ARI) patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Yaoundé, Cameroon. METHODS: Patients were monitored for respiratory symptoms as part of the surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other respiratory viral infections. Patients of all ages with respiratory symptoms less than 5 days were considered. Sociodemographic and clinical data as well as nasopharyngeal samples was collected from patients. Nasopharyngeal samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction methods. Virus distribution and demographic data were analyzed with R version 2.15.1. RESULTS: From July 2020 to October 2021, 1120 patients were included. The overall viral detection rate was 32.5%, including 9.5% for RSV, 12.6% for influenza virus and 12.8% for SARS-CoV-2. Co-infections were detected in 6.9% of positive cases. While RSV and influenza virus showed seasonal trends, SARS-CoV-2 was detected throughout the study period. CONCLUSION: We found that during COVID-19 pandemic, respiratory viruses play an important role in etiology of influenza-like illness in Cameroon, and this observation was true for patients of all ages.

Curative anti-typhoid effect of Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr. (Leguminosae) hydroethanolic extract root bark based-on in vivo and molecular docking analyses.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Detarium microcarpum is used to treat typhoid fever, a major public health problem, by indigenous population in Africa. Though its preventive activities have been documented, the curative effect is still to be confirmed. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed at evaluating the curative effects of the hydroethanolic extract of Detarium microcarpum root bark on Salmonella typhimurium-induced typhoid in rat and exploring the in-silico inhibition of some bacterial key enzymes. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro antioxydant, in vivo antisalmonella of the extract and in silico molecular docking assay on the isolated compounds were carried out to explore the anti-salmonella effects of Detarium microcarpum. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The in vitro antioxidant properties of the extract were evaluated using DPPH, ABTS and FRAP tests. The anti-salmonella activity of the extract was assessed through feacal sample from Salmonella typhimurium-infected rat cultured in Salmonella-Shigella agar (SS agar) medium. The affinity of isolated compounds (Rhinocerotinoic acid and Microcarposide) from the extract were performed on four key enzymes (Adenylosuccinate lyase, Acetyl coenzyme A synthetase, Thymidine phosphorylase and LuxS-Quorum sensor) using molecular docking simulation to elucidate the molecular level inhibition mechanism. RESULTS: Crude extract of D. microcarpum root bark showed variable activities on DPPH (RSa50: 6.09 ± 1.04 µg/mL), ABTS (RSa50: 24.46 ± 0.27), and FRAP (RSa50: 23.30 ± 0.23). The extract at all the doses exhibited significant healing effect of infected rats, with the complete clearance. The extract restored hematological, biochemical and histological parameters closed to the normal control. The molecular docking results indicates that rhinocerotinoic acid and microcarposide present more affinity to the LuxS-Quorum sensor and Acetyl coenzyme A synthetase protein as compared to the others. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate potent anti-typhoid activities of the hydroethanolic of Detarium microcarpum root bark extract through antioxidant properties and high inhibitory affinity of its compounds on some bacterial key enzymes that justify its use as traditional medicine to typhoid fever.

Endemicity and genetic diversity of Hepatitis delta virus among Pygmies in Cameroon, Central Africa.

OBJECTIVE: A single study conducted about three decades ago on hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection among Baka pygmies in Cameroon reported a very high anti-HDV antibodies prevalence of 46%, but HDV genetic diversity has not been studied in this population. The genetic diversity of strains from endemic ancient populations may help to understand the origin and evolutionary history of viruses. This study aimed to investigate the HDV seroprevalence and the genetic diversity in three remote Cameroonian Pygmies with chronic HBV infection. RESULTS: An unusually high 69% (36/52) level of HDV infection was found among HBsAg-positive pygmies in Cameroon. HDV RNA was detected and sequenced in 38.8% (14/36). The phylogenetic analysis revealed that 9/14 strains (64.3%) were identified and classified as genotype 1 (HDV-1) and 5/14 (35.6%) as genotype 7 (HDV-7), respectively with a bootstrap value of 100%. The further analysis showed the co-circulation of highly diverse HDV genotypes HDV-1 and HDV-7 in this population. These results highlight the endemicity of HDV infection in Central Africa. The highly diverse HDV-1 and HDV-7 in pygmies suggest an African origin of HDV. However, further studies are needed with larger sample size.

Global prevalence of hepatitis B virus serological markers among healthcare workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global public health concern that affects about 2 billion people and causes 1 million people deaths yearly. HBV is a blood-borne disease and healthcare workers (HCWs) are a high-risk group because of occupational hazard to patients' blood. Different regions of the world show a highly variable proportion of HCWs infected and/or immunized against HBV. Global data on serologic markers of HBV infection and immunization in HCWs are very important to improve strategies for HBV control. AIM: To determine the worldwide prevalence of HBV serological markers among HCWs. METHODS: In this systematic review and meta-analyses, we searched PubMed and Excerpta Medica Database (Embase) to identify studies published between 1970 and 2019 on the prevalence of HBV serological markers in HCWs worldwide. We also manually searched for references of relevant articles. Four independent investigators selected studies and included those on the prevalence of each of the HBV serological markers including hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis e antigen (HBeAg), immunoglobulin M anti-HBc, and anti-HBs. Methodological quality of eligible studies was assessed and random-effect model meta-analysis resulted in the pooled prevalence of HBV serological markers HBV infection in HCWs. Heterogeneity (I²) was assessed using the χ² test on Cochran's Q statistic and H parameters. Heterogeneity' sources were explored through subgroup and metaregression analyses. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42019137144. RESULTS: We reviewed 14059 references, out of which 227 studies corresponding to 448 prevalence data among HCWs (224936 HCWs recruited from 1964 to 2019 in 71 countries) were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled seroprevalences of current HBsAg, current HBeAg, and acute HBV infection among HCWs were 2.3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.9-2.7], 0.2% (95%CI: 0.0-1.7), and 5.3% (95%CI: 1.4-11.2), respectively. The pooled seroprevalences of total immunity against HBV and immunity acquired by natural HBV infection in HCWs were 56.6% (95%CI: 48.7-63.4) and 9.2% (95%CI: 6.8-11.8), respectively. HBV infection was more prevalent in HCWs in low-income countries, particularly in Africa. The highest immunization rates against HBV in HCWs were recorded in urban areas and in high-income countries including Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Western Pacific. CONCLUSION: New strategies are needed to improve awareness, training, screening, vaccination, post-exposure management and treatment of HBV infection in HCWs, and particularly in low-income regions.

In vitro and in vivo anti-salmonella properties of hydroethanolic extract of Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr. (Leguminosae) root bark and LC-MS-based phytochemical analysis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Typhoid fever treatment remains a challenge in endemic countries. Detarium microcarpum is traditionally used to manage typhoid. AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aims to explore the efficacy of hydroethanolic extract of Detarium microcarpum root bark in rats infected with salmonella. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The phytochemical profile of the extract was obtained by UHPLC-MS analysis in an attempt of standardization. The in vitro antimicrobial activity was determined using broth dilution method. Salmonella infection was induced by oral administration of S. thyphimurium to immunosuppressed rats. Infected rats were then treated 2 h later with the extract (75, 150 and 300 mg/kg), distilled water (normal and salmonella control) and ciprofloxacin (8 mg/kg) for control. Body weight was monitored and stools were cultured to determine the number of colony-forming units. At the end of treatment, animals were sacrificed, blood and organs were collected for hematological, biochemical and histopathological analyses. RESULTS: Detarium microcarpum extract as well as the isolated compound (rhinocerotinoic acid) exhibited good antimicrobial activity in vitro with bacteriostatic effects. The plant extract significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the bacterial development in infected animals with an effective dose (ED50) of 75 mg/kg. In addition, the extract prevented body weight loss, hematological, biochemical and histopathological damages in treated rats. CONCLUSION: Detarium microcarpum extract possesses antisalmonella properties justifying its traditional use for the typhoid fever management.

Genetic characterization of African swine fever virus in Cameroon, 2010-2018.

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly lethal haemorrhagic disease in domestic and wild swine that has acquired great importance in sub-Saharan Africa since 1997. ASF was first reported in Cameroon in 1982 and was detected only in Southern Cameroon (South, West, East, Northwest, Southwest, Littoral, and Centre regions) until February 2010 when suspected ASF outbreaks were reported in the North and Far North regions. We investigated those outbreaks by analysing samples that were collected from sick pigs between 2010 and 2018. We confirmed 428 positive samples by ELISA and real-time PCR and molecularly characterized 48 representative isolates. All the identified virus isolates were classified as ASFV genotype I based on the partial B646L gene (C-terminal end of VP72 gene) and the full E183L gene encoding p54 protein analysis. Furthermore, analysis of the central variable region (CVR) within the B602L gene demonstrated that there were 3 different variants of ASFV genotype I, with 19, 20, and 21 tetrameric tandem repeat sequences (TRSs), that were involved in the 2010-2018 outbreaks in Cameroon. Among them, only variant A (19 TRSs) was identical to the Cam/82 isolate found in the country during the first outbreaks in 1981-1982. This study demonstrated that the three variants of ASFV isolates involved in these outbreaks were similar to those of neighbouring countries, suggesting a movement of ASFV strains across borders. Designing common control measures in affected regions and providing a compensation programme for farmers will help reduce the incidence and spread of this disease.