Phylogeography and resistome of pneumococcal meningitis in West Africa before and after vaccine introduction.

Despite contributing to the large disease burden in West Africa, little is known about the genomic epidemiology of Streptococcus pneumoniae which cause meningitis among children under 5 years old in the region. We analysed whole-genome sequencing data from 185 S. pneumoniae isolates recovered from suspected paediatric meningitis cases as part of the World Health Organization (WHO) invasive bacterial diseases surveillance from 2010 to 2016. The phylogeny was reconstructed, accessory genome similarity was computed and antimicrobial-resistance patterns were inferred from the genome data and compared to phenotypic resistance from disc diffusion. We studied the changes in the distribution of serotypes pre- and post-pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) introduction in the Central and Western sub-regions separately. The overall distribution of non-vaccine, PCV7 (4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F and 23F) and additional PCV13 serotypes (1, 3, 5, 6A, 19A and 7F) did not change significantly before and after PCV introduction in the Central region (Fisher's test P value 0.27) despite an increase in the proportion of non-vaccine serotypes to 40 % (n=6) in the post-PCV introduction period compared to 21.9 % (n=14). In the Western sub-region, PCV13 serotypes were more dominant among isolates from The Gambia following the introduction of PCV7, 81 % (n=17), compared to the pre-PCV period in neighbouring Senegal, 51 % (n=27). The phylogeny illustrated the diversity of strains associated with paediatric meningitis in West Africa and highlighted the existence of phylogeographical clustering, with isolates from the same sub-region clustering and sharing similar accessory genome content. Antibiotic-resistance genotypes known to confer resistance to penicillin, chloramphenicol, co-trimoxazole and tetracycline were detected across all sub-regions. However, there was no discernible trend linking the presence of resistance genotypes with the vaccine introduction period or whether the strain was a vaccine or non-vaccine serotype. Resistance genotypes appeared to be conserved within selected sub-clades of the phylogenetic tree, suggesting clonal inheritance. Our data underscore the need for continued surveillance on the emergence of non-vaccine serotypes as well as chloramphenicol and penicillin resistance, as these antibiotics are likely still being used for empirical treatment in low-resource settings. This article contains data hosted by Microreact.

Declines in Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis in the Republic of Benin Following Introduction of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine: Epidemiological and Etiological Findings, 2011-2016.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric bacterial meningitis (PBM) remains an important cause of disease in children in Africa. We describe findings from sentinel site bacterial meningitis surveillance in children <5 years of age in the Republic of Benin, 2011-2016. METHODS: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected from children admitted to Parakou, Natitingou, and Tanguieta sentinel hospitals with suspected meningitis. Identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) was performed by rapid diagnostic tests, microbiological culture, and/or polymerase chain reaction; where possible, serotyping/grouping was performed. RESULTS: A total of 10 919 suspected cases of meningitis were admitted to the sentinel hospitals. Most patients were 0-11 months old (4863 [44.5%]) and there were 542 (5.0%) in-hospital deaths. Overall, 4168 CSF samples were screened for pathogens and a total of 194 (4.7%) PBM cases were confirmed, predominantly caused by pneumococcus (98 [50.5%]). Following pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) introduction in 2011, annual suspected meningitis cases and deaths (case fatality rate) progressively declined from 2534 to 1359 and from 164 (6.5%) to 14 (1.0%) in 2012 and 2016, respectively (P < .001). Additionally, there was a gradual decline in the proportion of meningitis cases caused by pneumococcus, from 77.3% (17/22) in 2011 to 32.4% (11/34) in 2016 (odds ratio, 7.11 [95% confidence interval, 2.08-24.30]). Haemophilus influenzae meningitis fluctuated over the surveillance period and was the predominant pathogen (16/34 [47.1%]) by 2016. CONCLUSIONS: The observed decrease in pneumococcal meningitis after PCV introduction may be indicative of changing patterns of PBM etiology in Benin. Maintaining vigilant and effective surveillance is critical for understanding these changes and their wider public health implications.

[Brain abscess revealing trilogy of Fallot in a child: about a case at the University Teaching Hospital of Parakou, Benin]. / Abcès cérébraux révélant une trilogie de Fallot chez un enfant: à propos d'un cas au CHU de Parakou, Bénin.

Brain abscesses can cause significant morbidity in patients with cyanogen heart disease. In countries with limited resources treatment, it is difficult and prognosis is guarded. Here we report a case of brain abscesses revealing a rare form of cyanogen heart disease, the trilogy of Fallot, in Parakou in the north of Benin. The study involved a 9-year old boy, referred to a primary hospital for left hemiparesis. Interview and physical examination revealed symptoms evolving for two months including intense headaches, fever, vomiting and functional impairment of the left hemi-corps, altered general state, generalized cyanosis, left hemiparesis, pulmonary systolic murmur. Brain CT scan showed abscesses in the right parietal region and in the left temporal region as well as hydrocephalus. Doppler echocardiography showed stiff pulmonary stenosis, atrial septal defects and right ventricular hypertrophy. Antibiotic therapy including ceftriaxone, gentamicin and metronidazole was started in emergency. Indication for surgical intervention included trepano-puncture but this could not be performed due to rapid unfavorable outcome. Brain abscesses are a common complication of cyanogen heart disease. Outcome is fatal in the absence of adequate management, hence the role of diagnosis and early treatment of these heart diseases.