Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and retrospective mortality in two African settings: Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

Although seroprevalence studies have demonstrated the wide circulation of SARS-COV-2 in African countries, the impact on population health in these settings is still poorly understood. Using representative samples of the general population, we evaluated retrospective mortality and seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Lubumbashi and Abidjan. The studies included retrospective mortality surveys and nested anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence surveys. In Lubumbashi the study took place during April-May 2021 and in Abidjan the survey was implemented in two phases: July-August 2021 and October-November 2021. Crude mortality rates were stratified between pre-pandemic and pandemic periods and further investigated by age group and COVID waves. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was quantified by rapid diagnostic testing (RDT) and laboratory-based testing (ELISA in Lubumbashi and ECLIA in Abidjan). In Lubumbashi, the crude mortality rate (CMR) increased from 0.08 deaths per 10 000 persons per day (pre-pandemic) to 0.20 deaths per 10 000 persons per day (pandemic period). Increases were particularly pronounced among <5 years old. In Abidjan, no overall increase was observed during the pandemic period (pre-pandemic: 0.05 deaths per 10 000 persons per day; pandemic: 0.07 deaths per 10 000 persons per day). However, an increase was observed during the third wave (0.11 deaths per 10 000 persons per day). The estimated seroprevalence in Lubumbashi was 15.7% (RDT) and 43.2% (laboratory-based). In Abidjan, the estimated seroprevalence was 17.4% (RDT) and 72.9% (laboratory-based) during the first phase of the survey and 38.8% (RDT) and 82.2% (laboratory-based) during the second phase of the survey. Although circulation of SARS-CoV-2 seems to have been extensive in both settings, the public health impact varied. The increases, particularly among the youngest age group, suggest indirect impacts of COVID and the pandemic on population health. The seroprevalence results confirmed substantial underdetection of cases through the national surveillance systems.

Human interactions with bats and bat coronaviruses in rural Côte d'Ivoire.

Bats are presumed reservoirs of diverse α- and ß- coronaviruses (CoVs) and understanding the diversity of bat-CoVs and the role bats play in CoV transmission is highly relevant in the context of the current COVID pandemic. We sampled bats in Côte d'Ivoire (2016-2018) living at ecotones between anthropogenic and wild habitats in the Marahoué National Park, a recently encroached protected area, to detect and characterize the CoVs circulating in bats and humans. A total of 314 bats were captured, mostly during the rainy season (78%), and CoV RNA was detected in three of the bats (0.96%). A CoV RNA sequence similar to Chaerephon bat coronavirus/Kenya/KY22/2006 (BtKY22) was found in a Chaerephon cf. pumilus and a Mops sp. fecal swab, while a CoV RNA sequence similar to the two almost identical Kenya bat coronaviruses BtKY55 and BtKY56 (BtKY55/56) was detected in an Epomops buettikoferi oral swab. Phylogenetic analyses indicated differences in the degree of evolutionary host-virus co-speciation for BtKY22 and BtKY55/56. To assess potential for human exposure to these viruses, we conducted human syndromic and community-based surveillance in clinics and high-risk communities. We collected data on participant characteristics, livelihoods, animal contact, and high-risk behaviors that may be associated with exposure to zoonotic diseases. We then collected biological samples for viral testing from 401 people. PCR testing of these biological samples revealed no evidence of CoV infection among the enrolled individuals. We identified higher levels of exposure to bats in people working in crop production and in hunting, trapping and fishing. Finally, we used the 'Spillover' risk-ranking tool to assess the potential for viral spillover and concluded that, while there is no evidence to suggest imminent risk of spillover for these CoVs, their host range and other traits suggest caution and vigilance are warranted in people with high exposure risk.

Floristic Diversity as an Indicator in Low and High Endemic Buruli Ulcer Areas in Côte d'Ivoire.

Mycobacterium ulcerans is an environmental bacterium responsible for Buruli ulcer. This disease has a high frequency index in humid tropical regions, with a high incidence in Sub-Saharan Africa. The ecology and mode of transmission of this disease is not well established. Based on dilution effect hypothesis, acting as lowering disease transmission due to greater biodiversity, floristic inventory was carried out in the Health Districts of Daloa and Bouaké in Côte d'Ivoire. In each district, high and low endemic sites were investigated. A total of 169 plant species were inventoried for both low and high endemicity of Buruli ulcer sites in the districts. The Indval index revealed that 13 plant species were good indicators for Buruli ulcer highly endemic areas. The plants which correlate with high endemicity area were Leersia hexandra, Panicum laxum, Mimosa pudica, Paspalum distichum, Persicaria senegalensis, Calopogonium mucunoides, Echinochloa colona, Ipomoea sagittata, and Eichhornia crassipes. For low endemic sites, a strong relationship was recorded for 37 plants. The indices revealed low similarity between high and low endemicity sites. Low endemicity sites expressed the highest plant species diversity. These results suggest the hypothesis that floristic richness is more important in sites of low endemicity than in those of high endemicity. Moreover, we observed a co-occurrence of some plant species and Buruli ulcer endemicity. This finding may lead to the fact that it is important to care about the biodiversity to prevent outbreak of Buruli ulcer cases. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41742-023-00520-2.

Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Larval Ecology in Rubber Plantations and Rural Villages in Dabou (Côte d'Ivoire).

In Côte d'Ivoire, rubber cultivation has more than doubled since 2010. These mass agricultural areas require a large workforce with little information on how this environment might impact risk of mosquito-borne diseases. The objective of this study was to assess the larval ecology of mosquitoes in rubber areas of Dabou, Côte d'Ivoire. From January to June 2017, an entomological survey was conducted of mature (MP) and immature (IP) rubber plantations, as well as in villages surrounded by rubber plantations (SV) and remote from rubber plantations (RV). The number and type of potential and positive breeding sites were recorded, and mosquito larval densities and diversity were estimated. Seven genera divided into 31 species including major vector such as Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Aedes aegypti were identified. A total of 1,660 waterbodies were identified with a larvae positivity rate of 63.1%. A majority of waterbodies were identified in SV (N = 875, 53.4% positivity rate), followed by MP (N = 422, 81.8% positivity rate), IP (N = 194, 72.2% positivity rate) and least in RV (N = 169, 57.4% positivity rate). The most important breeding sites for disease vectors were leaf axils in IP (N = 108, 77.1%), latex collection cups in MP (N = 332, 96.2%) and the containers abandoned in the SV (N = 242, 51.8%) as well as in the RV (N = 59, 60.8%). All these results allow us to affirm that the cultivation of rubber trees has an impact on the larval ecology by increasing the number of available sites and favoring a high larval density and diversity.

Impacts of nutrient loading and fish grazing on the phytoplankton community and cyanotoxin production in a shallow tropical lake: Results from mesocosm experiments.

Given the increasing eutrophication of water bodies in Africa due to increasing anthropogenic pressures, data are needed to better understand the responses of phytoplankton communities to these changes in tropical lakes. These ecosystems are used by local human populations for multiple purposes, including fish and drinking water production, potentially exposing these populations to health threats if, for example, an increase in toxic cyanobacterial blooms is associated with increasing eutrophication. To test the short-term response of the phytoplankton community to the addition of nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen, alone or in combination) and Nile tilapia, we developed an in situ mesocosm experiment in a freshwater lagoon located near Abidjan (Ivory Coast). We found that phytoplankton growth (estimated by chlorophyll-a quantification) was highly stimulated when both nitrogen and phosphorus were added, while there was no clear evidence for such colimitation by these two nutrients when considering their concentrations in the lagoon. Phytoplankton growth was accompanied by significant changes in the diversity and composition of this community and did not lead to an increase in the proportions of cyanobacteria. However, the addition of fish to some mesocosms resulted in a drastic decrease in phytoplankton biomass and a dominance of chlorophytes in this community. Finally, these experiments showed that the addition of nitrogen, alone or combined with phosphorus, stimulated microcystin production by cyanobacteria. In addition, no evidence of microcystin accumulation in the fish was found. Taken together, these data allow us to discuss strategies for controlling cyanobacterial blooms in this tropical ecosystem.

Team experience of nasopharyngeal samples reception, decontamination, and sorting during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020) at Institut Pasteur Côte d'Ivoire.

Molecular testing sensitivity, which allows for early diagnosis of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), could be affected by sample quality, storage, and transportation timeframe to the laboratory, along with bias related to the pre-analytic phase. The present study reports the selection and decontamination of nasopharyngeal samples during COVID-19 management at the Institut Pasteur Côte d'Ivoire. The objective of this work was to organize sample reception management and report a complete picture of sample selection and decontamination in the context of diagnosis activity decentralization. An administrative note creating the selection and decontamination unit of nasopharyngeal samples initiated activities in May 2020. The required human resources and necessary materials were identified and put in place. Daily activity consisted of receiving, sorting, decontaminating, and sending nasopharyngeal samples to different diagnostic laboratories. Nonconformities were recorded monthly. After a six-month period of activities, from a total amount of 11,401 containers received and decontaminated, 174,085 samples were selected. A proportion of 92.0% of these specimens met the diagnostic standards, while 7.0% that were found acceptable showed minor irregularities. Nevertheless, a rate of 1.0% of samples with major abnormalities could not be used for COVID-19 testing and, therefore, were rejected. Additionally, the non-conformity rate was reduced by 2.4% after the first term activity. Sorting and decontamination of nasopharyngeal samples are crucial steps in biosafety optimization for the technical staff and quality improvement of sample care.

Viral and bacterial factors of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the tenth leading cause of death worldwide. Mother-to-child transmission of HBV occurring mainly at delivery remains one of the most common routes of infection in developing countries. One of the main challenges concerning HBV in Africa is to implement a prevention policy aiming at interrupting the cycle of pseudo-vertical transmission of this infection. The aim of this study was to assess the implication of certain bacterial and viral factors in mother-to-child transmission of HBV. This prospective study was conducted on 165 pregnant women carriers of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and their 169 newborns who attended care at the Gynecology Department of the University Hospital of Cocody. Serological, molecular, and bacteriological analyses were performed on blood samples and vaginal secretions. Mean viral load (VL) was 4.5 ± 1.3 log10  IU/ml, while mean HBsAg titres were 3.5 ± 0.9 log10  IU/ml. HBV DNA was found in vaginal secretions in 13.3% of mothers and in the blood of 10.3% of the newborns. Six bacterial species were identified in the vaginal discharge of pregnant women during labour before delivery. Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis were the most frequent species found in 23.0% and 13.9% of cases. Mothers positive for vaginal HBV DNA displayed higher plasma HBV DNA loads than negative mothers (6.2 ± 1.6 log10  IU/ml vs. 4.3 ± 1.0 log10  IU/ml, p < .0001). In conclusion, our study showed that presence of HBV DNA in vaginal secretions and the presence of S. aureus could play a role in mother-to-child transmission of HBV. HBV DNA detection in vaginal discharge represents a promising biomarker to identify newborns at risk of perinatal persistent infection.

Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapy Synergized with Medicinal Plants to Induce Musculotoxic Effects.

INTRODUCTION: Multivisceral, neurological, hepatic, and renal damage has been witnessed following the use of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) and herbal medicine. These multiple organ damages make us think of muscle damage. The objective was to study the myotoxicity of the combination of ACTs with medicinal plants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Muscle cells (RD cells) were brought into contact with preparations of antimalarial drugs and/or antimalarial herbs. The following drugs were used: artesunate 100 mg/amodiaquine 270 mg (ASAQ) and artemether 80 mg/lumefantrine 480 mg (AL); plant Sida acuta (PSA) and plant Enantia polycarpa (PEP) at 10 µg/ml. After 5 days of incubation, the cells were counted by using a hemocytometer with trypan blue solution. RESULTS: Artesunate/amodiaquine caused a significant drop in the number of muscle cells, compared to the control, between D2 and D4 (p < 0.001). There was also a significant difference between the control and artemether/lumefantrine between D2 (p < 0.01) and D4 (p < 0.001) and between the control and the Sida acuta plant, on D2 (p < 0.001), D4 (p < 0.001), and D5 (p < 0.05). In tubes treated with ASAQ and Sida acuta, cell mortality was over 30%. Finally, statistically significant cell destruction in the tubes treated with the combination of antimalarial drugs and traditional plants compared to those of the control was observed from D2 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Artemisinin-based combination therapy remains effective and well tolerated. But its combination with medicinal plants induced myotoxic effects. This toxicity would appear to be of the additive type. Further studies should be able to better elucidate the mechanism of this toxicity.

Geographical Distribution of Ticks Ixodidae in Côte d'Ivoire: Potential Reservoir of the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus.

Background: Ticks and tick-borne diseases are a major issue. These recent years, tick-borne diseases have attracted much attention because of their increasing incidence and the significant damage that they cause to livestock and human health. The objective was to identify the different species of ticks found in cattle and to determine the prevalence of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) in these different areas. Methods: The study was conducted in five regions of Côte d'Ivoire belonging to different geographic areas. The ticks were collected from cattle. The identification of ticks was done with a binocular microscope using the identification keys. The detection of CCHFV was done by RT-PCR using specific primers and probes. Findings: Of the ticks sampled, 4088 (96.9%) were adults. Of the genera Amblyomma, Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus. The genus Rhipicephalus had the highest number with 54.3% of the collected ticks embodied in five species. It is followed by the genus Amblyomma with 43.7% and represented by only one species. The genus Hyalomma represented by seven species was obtained in a low proportion of 2.1%. The predominant species identified was Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus with (48.7%), followed by the species Amblyomma variegatum (43.7%), and the other species <2%. In this study, CCHFV was detected in ticks belonging to the three genera identified. All-inclusive, 16 ticks (0.37%) out of 4219 collected from cattle tested positive for CCHFV. The species tested positive for CCHFV are A. variegatum, Hyalomma impressum, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) geigyi, R. (B.) microplus, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus. All 16 ticks positive for CCHFV are adults and were obtained from the Korogho (11 ticks) and Bouaflé (5 ticks) regions. Conclusion: Three genera of ticks, Amblyomma, Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus and 13 species infesting cattle were identified during this study. Eleven ticks were positive for CCHFV in Korhogo and five in Bouaflé. The genus mainly infested was A. Variegatum.

Socializing One Health: an innovative strategy to investigate social and behavioral risks of emerging viral threats.

In an effort to strengthen global capacity to prevent, detect, and control infectious diseases in animals and people, the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) Emerging Pandemic Threats (EPT) PREDICT project funded development of regional, national, and local One Health capacities for early disease detection, rapid response, disease control, and risk reduction. From the outset, the EPT approach was inclusive of social science research methods designed to understand the contexts and behaviors of communities living and working at human-animal-environment interfaces considered high-risk for virus emergence. Using qualitative and quantitative approaches, PREDICT behavioral research aimed to identify and assess a range of socio-cultural behaviors that could be influential in zoonotic disease emergence, amplification, and transmission. This broad approach to behavioral risk characterization enabled us to identify and characterize human activities that could be linked to the transmission dynamics of new and emerging viruses. This paper provides a discussion of implementation of a social science approach within a zoonotic surveillance framework. We conducted in-depth ethnographic interviews and focus groups to better understand the individual- and community-level knowledge, attitudes, and practices that potentially put participants at risk for zoonotic disease transmission from the animals they live and work with, across 6 interface domains. When we asked highly-exposed individuals (ie. bushmeat hunters, wildlife or guano farmers) about the risk they perceived in their occupational activities, most did not perceive it to be risky, whether because it was normalized by years (or generations) of doing such an activity, or due to lack of information about potential risks. Integrating the social sciences allows investigations of the specific human activities that are hypothesized to drive disease emergence, amplification, and transmission, in order to better substantiate behavioral disease drivers, along with the social dimensions of infection and transmission dynamics. Understanding these dynamics is critical to achieving health security--the protection from threats to health-- which requires investments in both collective and individual health security. Involving behavioral sciences into zoonotic disease surveillance allowed us to push toward fuller community integration and engagement and toward dialogue and implementation of recommendations for disease prevention and improved health security.

Investigation of Phages Infecting Escherichia coli Strains B and C, and Enterobacter cloacae in Sewage and Ebrié Lagoon, Côte d'Ivoire.

Background: Bacteriophages are a promising biotechnological against bacterial pathogens. Currently, phage research is garnering interest in sub-Saharan countries as bacterial resistance to antibiotics becomes widespread. They are sought in all environments as they offer the possibility of a sustainable alternative to antibiotics. Materials and Methods: Altogether 30 water samples from urban sewage and environmental water were screened for the presence of bacteriophages able to infect Escherichia coli and Enterobacter cloacae. Their genomic diversity was determined by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR fingerprinting. Results: We isolated 35 phages including 9 polyvalent phages that infect simultaneously E. coli and E. cloacae. This study allowed first isolation of E. cloacae-specific phages in Côte d'Ivoire. All phages were distinct based on their RAPD band patterns. Conclusions: Sewage systems of Yopougon and the environmental water of Ebrié lagoon were a rich source of phages. The phage collection could be useful for phage application in Côte d'Ivoire.

Study of laboratory staff' knowledge of biobanking in Côte d'Ivoire.

BACKGROUND: A biobank is a structure which collects and manages biological samples and their associated data. The collected samples will then be made available for various uses. The sharing of those samples raised ethical questions which have been answered through specific rules. Thus, a Biobank functioning under tight ethical rules would be immensely valuable from a scientific and an economic view point. In 2009, Côte d'Ivoire established a biobank, which has been chosen to house the regional biobank of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries in 2018. To ensure optimal and efficient use of this biobank, the scientific community must be aware of its existence and its role. It was therefore necessary to evaluate the knowledge of laboratories staff on the role and activities of a biobank. METHODS: This descriptive study was done by questioning staff from laboratories working on human's health, animals or plants. The laboratories were located in southern Côte d'Ivoire. RESULTS: A total of 205 people completed the questionnaire. Of these 205 people, 34.63% were biologists, 7.32% engineers, 48.78% technicians and 9.27% PhD students. The average length of work experience was 10.11 ± 7.83 years. In this study, 43.41% of the participants had never heard of biobanking. Only 48.78% of participants had a good understanding of the role of a biobank. Technicians and PhD students were less educated on the notion of biobank (p < 0.000001). Although biologists were more educated on this issue, 21.13% of them had a misconception of biobank. Good knowledge of the role of a biobank was not significantly related to the work experience's length (p > 0.88). CONCLUSION: The level of knowledge of laboratory staff about biobanking needs to be improved. Training on the role, activities and interests of the biobank is important.

Validation of a New Rapid Detection Test for Detection of Neisseria meningitidis A/C/W/X/Y Antigens in Cerebrospinal Fluid.

Meningococcal meningitis remains a life-threatening disease worldwide, with high prevalence in the sub-Saharan meningitis belt. A rapid diagnosis is crucial for implementing adapted antimicrobial treatment. We describe the performances of a new immunochromatographic test (MeningoSpeed, BioSpeedia, France) for detecting and grouping Neisseria meningitidis Cerebrospinal fluids (CSFs) were collected from 5 African countries and France. For the rapid diagnostic test (RDT), the CSF sample was deposited on each of the 3 cassettes for a total volume of 90 µl. The results of the RDT were compared to those of a reference multiplex PCR assay detecting the major serogroups of N. meningitidis on 560 CSF specimens. Five specimens were found uninterpretable by RDT (0.9%). The results of interpretable specimens were as follows: 305 positive and 212 negative samples by both techniques, 14 positive by PCR only, and 24 positive by RDT only (sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 92.7%, 93.8%, 95.6%, and 89.8%, respectively, with an accuracy of 93.2% and a kappa test of 0.89; P < 0.05). From 319 samples positive by PCR for serogroups A, C, W, X, or Y, the grouping results were concordant for 299 specimens (sensitivity of 93.0%, 74.4%, 98.1%, 100%, and 83.3% for serogroups A, C, W, X, and Y, respectively). The MeningoSpeed RDT exhibited excellent performances for the rapid detection of N. meningitidis antigens. It can be stored at room temperature, requires a minimal amount of CSF, is performed in 15 minutes or less, and is easy to use at bedside.

Increased liver injury in patients with chronic hepatitis and IgG directed against hepatitis E virus.

Type-E hepatitis is responsible for more than three million symptomatic cases and more than 40,000 deaths worldwide. The situation of this hepatitis is overall poorly known in sub-Saharan Africa. Notably, the baseline circulation of HEV outside sporadic outbreaks has been barely characterized in this large region. More specifically, the impact of superinfection by this virus on the health status of the large reservoir of patients chronically infected with other hepatitis viruses remains to be evaluated. We searched for anti-HEV immunoglobulins in a series of 200 pregnant women and 92 patients with persistent liver infections with hepatitis B or C viruses and subsequently tried to assess serological co-variations with demographical and clinical features. We observed that only 1.5 % of expectant mothers were seropositive of anti-HEV IgG while it was the case for 18.4 % of patients with chronic liver diseases (P=4.5E-07). The presence of anti-HEV was not linked to any of the collected demographical features (age, sex, education, pork meat consumption, water supply, …). By contrast, the presence of anti-HEV was significantly associated with increased levels (1.6-1.8-fold, P<0.0001) of blood aminotransferases (AST, ALT) in patients with persistent hepatitis B or C. Our work indicates that, in Ivory Coast, the presence of IgG directed against HEV might contribute to a deterioration of liver health in patients with already installed persistent liver infections. The mechanisms explaining such phenomenon at distance of acute phase of infection are still unknown but might be linked either to a residual persistence of HEV in a context of general immune exhaustion or to an inappropriate auto-immune reaction as already observed in the aftermath of other viral infection types.

Fatal Case of Lassa Fever, Bangolo District, Côte d'Ivoire, 2015.

Lassa fever has not been reported in Côte d'Ivoire. We performed a retrospective analysis of human serum samples collected in Côte d'Ivoire in the dry seasons (January-April) during 2015-2018. We identified a fatal human case of Lassa fever in the Bangolo District of western Côte d'Ivoire during 2015.

Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli Siphophage BRET.

The lytic Escherichia coli siphophage BRET was isolated from a chicken obtained at a local market in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Its linear genome sequence consists of 59,550 bp (43.4% GC content) and contains 88 predicted genes, including 4 involved in archaeosine biosynthesis. Phage BRET is related (95% nucleotide identity) to Enterobacteria phage JenK1.

Establishment of a Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme, in Accordance With World Health Organization Standards, in Côte d'Ivoire, Western Africa, 2014-2017.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is compromising the treatment of gonorrhea globally. Recent AMR data are extremely limited in Africa, and mainly totally lacking in Western Africa, including Côte d'Ivoire. This study (i) established a quality-assured gonococcal antimicrobial surveillance program, according to World Health Organization quality criteria, (ii) investigated the AMR to 8 therapeutic antimicrobials in gonococcal isolates from 2014 to 2017, and (iii) provided evidence for updating the National Sexually Transmitted Disease Syndromic Management Guidelines in Côte d'Ivoire. METHODS: During 2014 to 2017, gonococcal isolates were obtained from sexually active symptomatic or asymptomatic males and females in 14 sites in Côte d'Ivoire. It was a special focus on symptomatic males, and their sexual partners, due to the higher culture positivity rates in symptomatic males. Patient metadata were collected, including age, gender, sexual orientation, and symptoms. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of 8 antimicrobials were determined by Etest and interpreted using European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing breakpoints. ß-lactamase production was detected using cefinase disks. RESULTS: The level of resistance, examining 212 gonococcal isolates, was as follows: 84.9% to tetracycline, 68.9% to benzylpenicillin, 62.7% to ciprofloxacin, 6.1% to azithromycin, and 1.4% to gentamicin. All isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone, cefixime and spectinomycin. CONCLUSIONS: We provide the first gonococcal AMR data, quality assured according to World Health Organization standards, from Côte d'Ivoire since more than 20 years. The high ciprofloxacin resistance, which informed a revision of the national syndromic management guideline during study, and relatively high resistance to azithromycin demand an improved gonococcal antimicrobial surveillance program and increased awareness when prescribing treatment in Côte d'Ivoire.

Antimicrobial resistance and virulence associated genes in Campylobacter jejuni isolated from chicken in Côte d'Ivoire.

INTRODUCTION: Campylobacter jejuni is one of the major causes of gastroenteritis worldwide of the last century. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibiotics profiles and the virulence gene in C. jejuni strains isolated from chicken in Côte d'Ivoire. METHODOLOGY: A total of 336 chicken ceaca samples recovered from market of two municipality of Abidjan were examined by conventional microbiological methods and molecular test using PCR. The antibiotic susceptibility tests of the isolates were determined by disk diffusion method. The presence of virulence genes was examined using simple PCR method. RESULTS: Among of 336 samples, 168 (50%) were positives for C. jejuni. Among the C. jejuni isolates, 159 strains (94.64%) were resistant to one or more antimicrobial agents. The highest percentage of antimicrobial resistance was found for Nalidixic acid (85.33%), Tétracyclin (71.76%) and Ciprofloxacin (55.65%). Moreover, MDR including 3, 4, 5 and 6 antibiotics families was detected in 16.66% of isolates. On the other hand, detection of virulence putative gene shows presence of cadF in 100% of tested strains. In addition, cdtA, cdtB and cdtC genes were detected in 100%; 89.51% and 90.32% respectively of C. jejuniisolates. CONCLUSION: Because of the key role of broiler chicken in human campylobacteriosis infection, it will important in first time to monitoring using of antibiotics in chicken farms and in second time to verify presence of campylobactériosis in country.

Knowledge, attitudes, perception and behaviours of HIV/AIDS among end-cycle students in Cote d'Ivoire: Cross-sectional survey

In Cote d'Ivoire, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS has declined significantly in the last decade as a result ofpublic health actions. An assessment of knowledge, attitudes, perception and behaviours was carriedout to assess the outcome of the strategies for raising awareness and communicating with students about HIV/AIDS. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014 among students enrolled in third year at the university. An anonymous self-questionnaire including a consent form was provided. Mean scores were calculated from the items in the questionnaire to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, perception and behaviours of these students with regard to HIV/AIDS. The chi square test was used to compare the qualitative variables, and the quantitative variables were compared with the test of student. Among 561 students who participated in the study, 41.7, 26.7 and 31.6% were respectively registered in the sectors of human and social sciences (HSS), biosciences and health sciences. The mean age was 25.9 ± 3.4 years with a sex ratio of 1.3. The mean knowledge score of certain modes of transmission was 4.9 ± 0.36 out of 5 while that of condom positive perception was 6.4 ± 2.2 out of 12. This perception score was significantly higher in women than in men (6.1 vs. 6.9, p = 0.0001). The mean acceptance score was 7.3 ± 2.2 out of 10. The results of this work show good knowledge about HIV/AIDS among the students surveyed. However, the positive perception of the condom is far from being integrated in the student environment. This study also showed the persistence of HIV risk behaviour is out of sync with the level of Knowledge. It would be important to review marketing and communication strategies about HIV

DETECTION OF NON-INFLUENZA VIRUSES IN ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN UNDER FIVE-YEAR-OLD IN COTE D'IVOIRE (JANUARY - DECEMBER 2013).

BACKGROUND: Influenza sentinel surveillance in Cote d'Ivoire showed that 70% of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) cases remained without etiology. This work aims to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and virological pattern of ARI that tested negative for influenza virus, in children under five years old. MATERIALS AND METHODS: one thousand and fifty nine samples of patients presenting influenza Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) symptoms were tested for other respiratory viruses using multiplex RT-PCR assays targeting 10 respiratory viruses. RESULTS: The following pathogens were detected as follows, hRV 31,92% (98/307), hRSV 24.4% (75/329), PIV 20.5% (63/307), HCoV 229E 12,05% (37/307), hMPV 6.2% (19/307), HCoVOC43 1.0% (3/307) and EnV 1.0% (3/307). Among the 1,059 specimens analyzed, 917 (86.6%) were ILI samples and 142 (23.4%) were SARI samples. The proportion of children infected with at least one virus was 29.8% (273/917) in ILI cases and 23.9% (34/142) in SARI cases. The most prevalent viruses, responsible for ILI cases were hRV with 35.89% (98/273) and hRSV in SARI cases with 41.2% (14/34) of cases. Among the 1,059 patients, only 22 (2.1%) children presented risk factors related to the severity of influenza virus infection. CONCLUSION: This study showed that respiratory viruses play an important role in the etiology of ARI in children. For a better understanding of the epidemiology of ARI and improved case management, it would be interesting in this context to expand the surveillance of influenza to other respiratory viruses.