Risk Factors Associated with Opportunistic Infections among People Living with HIV/AIDS and Receiving an Antiretroviral Therapy in Gabon, Central Africa.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is still one of the main causes of death in sub-Saharan Africa. Antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) have significantly improved the health conditions of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Consequently, a significant drop in morbidity and mortality, along with a reduced incidence of opportunistic infections (OIs), has been observed. However, certain atypical and biological profiles emerge in ART patients post-examination. The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors that contributed to the onset of OIs in HIV patients undergoing ART in Gabon. Epidemiological and biological data were obtained from medical records (2017 to 2019) found at the outpatient treatment centre (CTA) of Franceville in Gabon. Samples for blood count, CD4, and viral load analysis at CIRMF were collected from PLWHA suffering from other pathogen-induced conditions. A survey was carried out and data were analysed using Rstudio 4.0.2 and Excel 2007 software. Biological and socio-demographic characteristics were examined concerning OIs through both a univariate analysis via Fisher's exact tests or chi2 (χ2), and a multivariate analysis via logistic regression. Out of the 300 participants initially selected, 223 were included in the study, including 154 (69.05%) women and 69 (30.95%) men. The mean age was 40 (38.6; 41.85), with individuals ranging from 2 to 77 years old. The study cohort was classified into five age groups (2 to 12, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, and 50 to 77 years old), among which the groups aged 30 to 39 and 40 to 49 emerged as the largest, comprising 68 (30.5%) and 75 (33.6%) participants, respectively. It was noted that 57.9% of PLWHA had developed OIs and three subgroups were distinguished, with parasitic, viral, and bacterial infections present in 18%, 39.7%, and 55.4% of cases, respectively. There was a correlation between being male and having a low CD4 T-cell count and the onset of OIs. The study revealed a high overall prevalence of OIs, and extending the study to other regions of Gabon would yield a better understanding of the risk factors associated with the onset of these infections.

Molecular identification of trypanosome species in trypanotolerant cattle from the south of Gabon.

The aim of this study was to provide information on trypanosome species infecting trypanotolerant cattle from southern Gabon. The study was conducted on 224 trypanotolerant cattle from three regions located in southern Gabon, using ITS1 primer-based PCR. Seventy-two (32%) N'dama cattle were found polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive with trypanosomes. The overall prevalence of trypanosomosis was 57% (63/110), 4% (4/100), and 36% (5/14) in the Gala section of the Nyanga ranch, the Miyama ranch, and Ossiele, respectively. Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma vivax were identified. In Gala section and Ossiele, T. congolense and T. vivax were found. In the Miyama ranch, only T. vivax was identified. Mixed infections were also found. The forest (9%) and savannah (63%) subgroups of T. congolense were identified. The presence of the two subgroups was detected in 16 out of 56 cattle (29%). T. congolense and T. vivax would appear to be the main agents responsible for bovine trypanosomosis in southern Gabon. Although trypanotolerant, N'dama cattle may serve as a reservoir, and this should be further studied. On the other hand, these trypanotolerant cattle can be reared in such tsetse infested areas, which gives them an advantage compared to other trypanosensitive breeds, and this shows that they represent a key factor in biodiversity which has to be promoted.