Mapping of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases across 15 provinces of Angola.

INTRODUCTION: Schistosomiasis (SCH) and soil transmitted helminthiases (STH) have been historically recognized as a major public health problem in Angola. However, lack of reliable, country wide prevalence data on these diseases has been a major hurdle to plan and implement programme actions to target these diseases. This study aimed to characterize SCH and STH prevalence and distribution in Angola. METHODS: A country wide mapping was conducted in October 2018 (1 province) and from July to December 2019 (14 provinces) in school aged (SAC) children in 15 (of 18) provinces in Angola, using WHO protocols and procedures. A total of 640 schools and an average of 50 students per school (N = 31,938 children) were sampled. Stool and urine samples were collected and processed using the Kato-Katz method and Urine Filtration. Prevalence estimates for SCH and STH infections were calculated for each province and district with 95% confidence intervals. Factors associated with SCH and STH infection, respectively, were explored using multivariable logistic regression accounting for clustering by school. RESULTS: Of the 131 districts surveyed, 112 (85.5%) are endemic for STH, 30 (22.9%) have a prevalence above 50%, 24 (18.3%) are at moderate risk (prevalence 20%-50%), and 58 (44.3%) are at low risk (<20% prevalence); similarly, 118 (90,1%) of surveyed districts are endemic for any SCH, 2 (1.5%) are at high risk (>50% prevalence), 59 (45.0%) are at moderate risk (10%-50% prevalence), and 57 (43.5%) are at low risk (<10% prevalence). There were higher STH infection rates in the northern provinces of Malanje and Lunda Norte, and higher SCH infection rates in the southern provinces of Benguela and Huila. CONCLUSIONS: This mapping exercise provides essential information to Ministry of Health in Angola to accurately plan and implement SCH and STH control activities in the upcoming years. Data also provides a useful baseline contribution for Angola to track its progress towards the 2030 NTD roadmap targets set by WHO.

Comparison of platforms for testing antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis antigens in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Togo.

Trachoma, caused by repeated ocular infection with Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), is targeted for elimination as a public health problem. Serological testing for antibodies is promising for surveillance; determining useful thresholds will require collection of serological data from settings with different prevalence of the indicator trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF). Dried blood spots were collected during trachoma mapping in two districts each of Togo and Democratic Republic of the Congo. Anti-Ct antibodies were detected by multiplex bead assay (MBA) and three different lateral flow assays (LFA) and seroprevalence and seroconversion rate (SCR) were determined. By most tests, the district with > 5% TF (the elimination threshold) had five-sixfold higher seroprevalence and tenfold higher SCR than districts with < 5% TF. The agreement between LFA and MBA was improved using a black latex developing reagent. These data show optimization of antibody tests against Ct to better differentiate districts above or below trachoma elimination thresholds.

Prévalence et facteurs associes à la schistosomiase chez les creuseurs de sable dans la rivière de N'djili à Kinshasa: étude observationnelle transversale / Prevalence and factors associated with Schistosomiasis among sand diggers in the N'djili River, Kinshasa: observational cross-sectional study

Contexte & objectif : Les adultes fortement exposés par leurs activités professionnelles dans l'eau douce dans les régions d'endémicité de la schistosomiase, entretiennent la transmission de la maladie. Il est donc nécessaire d'investiguer sur leurs fréquences afin de lutter contre la pérennité de la schistosomiase. Méthodes : Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale, réalisée entre septembre et octobre 2019, chez creuseurs le long de la rivière N'djili. Les Schistoma étaient systématiquement recherchés à la fois dans les échantillons de selles et des urines. Résultats : Au total 224 creuseurs de sables ont été examinés. La fréquence de la Schistosomiase était de 28,6 % (IC : 22,8-35). Les S. mansoni (22,8 %), S. intercalatum (3,1 %) et S. haematobium (2,7 %) ont été détectés. Le revenu financier supérieur ou égal au SMIG (ORa= 1,8 ; IC 95% : 1,0 ­ 3,4), était associé à la schistosomiase. Conclusion : Les creuseurs s'exposent et entretiennent la schistosomiase. Parmi les espèces qui les affectent, nous comptons également le S. intercalatum à Kinshasa. Il faut donc une étude complémentaire de comparaison avec les autres catégories professionnelles

Context and objective. Adults who are highly exposed to schistosomiasis through their professional activities in freshwater in regions where the disease is endemic, maintain the transmission of the disease. It is therefore necessary to investigate their frequency in order to combat the perpetuation of schistosomiasis. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study, carried out from September to October 2019, among diggers along the N'djili River. Schistosoma were systematically tested both in the stools and urine. Results. A total of 224 sand diggers were included. The prevalence of Schistosomiasis was 28.6 % (95 % CI: 22.8-35). S. mansoni (22.8 %), S. intercalatum (3.1 %) and S. haematobium (2.7 %) were detected. Financial income greater than or equal to SMIG (ORa= 1.8; 95 % CI: 1.0 - 3.4), was associated with schistosomiasis. Conclusion: Diggers are exposed to and maintain schistosomiasis. S. intercalatum is found among the species that affect the diggers in Kinshasa. Therefore, there is need to carry out a further comparative study with other occupational categories.

Profil épidémiologique et facteurs associés à l'ictère néonatal chez les nouveau-nés malades, hospitalisés aux Cliniques Universitaires de Kinshasa / Epidemiological profile and factors associated with neonatal jaundice in sick newborns attending Kinshasa University Hospital

Contexte et objectifs. L'ictère néonatal est un symptôme fréquent. L'objectif de la présente étude était d'actualiser le profil épidémiologique et d'identifier les facteurs associés à l'ictère néonatal chez les nouveau-nés malades. Méthodes. Une étude transversale descriptive a été menée de juin 2022 à avril 2023 aux Cliniques Universitaires de Kinshasa. L'étude a concerné les nouveau-nés malades ayant présenté un ictère cutanéomuqueux. Les variables sociodémographiques, périnatales, cliniques et paracliniques ont été recherchées. Résultats. Sur 152 nouveau-nés malades, 102 (67,1%) cas d'ictère ont été identifiés. Les nouveau-nés à terme (72,5%), nés par voie basse (67,6%) et dont les mères avaient présenté des infections uro-génitales (98%) et de groupe sanguin O (53%) rhésus positif (97,1%) étaient les plus représentés. L'ictère s'est manifesté dans la première semaine de vie (85,3 %). La bilirubine sérique totale initiale se situait entre 10 et 15 mmol/L (57,8 %). L'origine infectieuse était notée dans 85 % des cas (Klebsiella pneumoniae dans 50 % des cas). La photothérapie conventionnelle a été utilisée chez 74,5 %. L'accouchement par voie basse était le seul facteur associé (p=0,001). Conclusion : L'ictère néonatal est fréquent chez les nouveau-nés malades. L'étiologie infectieuse doit être recherchée systématiquement. Une prise en charge appropriée permet de réduire la survenue de séquelles neurosensorielles.

Context and objective. Neonatal jaundice is a common symptom. The objective of the present study was to update the epidemiological profile and identify the factors associated with neonatal jaundice in sick newborns. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to April 2023 at the Kinshasa University Hospital. The study included sick newborns who presented with mucocutaneous jaundice. Sociodemographic, perinatal, clinical and paraclinical variables were sought. Results. Out of 152 sick newborns, 102 (67.1 %) cases of jaundice were identified. Fullterm newborns (72.5 %), born vaginally (67.6 %) and whose mothers had presented with urogenital infections (98 %) and blood group O (53 %) rhesus positive (97.1 %) were the most represented. Jaundice appeared in the first week of life (85.3 %). Baseline total serum bilirubin was between 10 and 15 mmol/L (57.8 %). The infectious origin was noted in 85 % of cases (Klebsiella pneumoniae in 50 % of cases). Conventional phototherapy was used in 74.5 %. Vaginal delivery was the only associated factor (p=0.001). Conclusion. Neonatal jaundice is common in sick newborns. The infectious etiology must be systematically sought. Appropriate management helps reduce the occurrence of neurosensory aftereffects.

Initiating NTD programs targeting schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in two provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Establishment of baseline prevalence for mass drug administration.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis (SCH) and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) are widely distributed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and constitute a serious public health problem. As recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), before launching mass chemotherapy to control these diseases, parasitological surveys were conducted in sentinel sites in six health zones (HZs) in Bandundu and Maniema provinces. Baseline prevalence and intensity of infection for SCH and STH were determined to establish the appropriate treatment plan using Praziquantel (PZQ) and Albendazole (ALB). METHODS: Parasitological surveys were conducted from April to May 2015 in twenty-six selected sampling units (schools) for baseline mapping in six HZs: Fifty school children (25 females and 25 males) aged 9-15 years were randomly selected per sampling unit. A total of 1300 samples (urine and stool) were examined using haematuria dipsticks, parasite-egg filtration and the point-of-care Circulating Cathodic Antigen (POC-CCA) assay for urine samples and the Kato-Katz technique for stool specimens. RESULTS: Three species of schistosomes (S. mansoni, S. haematobium and S. intercalatum) and three groups of STH (hookworm, Ascaris and Trichuris) were detected at variable prevalence and intensity among the schools, the HZs and the provinces. In Bandundu, no SCH was detected by either Kato-Katz or the POC-CCA technique, despite a high prevalence of STH with 68% and 80% at Kiri and Pendjua HZs, respectively. In Maniema, intestinal schistosomiasis was detected by both Kato-Katz and POC-CCA with an average prevalence by Kato-Katz of 32.8% and by POC-CCA of 42.1%. Comparative studies confirmed the greater sensitivity (and operational feasibility) of the POC-CCA test on urine compared to Kato-Katz examination of stool for diagnosing intestinal schistosomiasis even in areas of comparatively light infections. STH was widely distributed and present in all HZs with a mean prevalence (95% CI) of 59.62% (46.00-65.00%). The prevalence of hookworm, roundworm and whipworm were 51.62% (32.40%-71.50%), 15.77% (0.50%-39.60%) and 13.46 (0.50%-33.20%), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study provided the evidence base for implementing programs targeting SCH and STH in these Health Zones. Observations also reinforce the operational value and feasibility of the POC-CCA test to detect S. mansoni and, for the first time, S. intercalatum infections in a routine NTD program setting.

High prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni in six health areas of - Kasansa health zone, Democratic Republic of the Congo: short report.

School-aged children suffer the most from schistosomiasis infection in sub Saharan Africa due to poverty and limited sanitary conditions. Mapping of disease burden is recommended and there is a need of updating prevalence data which is as old as 20 years in the Democratic Republic of Congo. An epidemiological and parasitological study was carried out in 2011 in the health zone of Kasansa. Six health areas (HA) were included in the study. In each health area, one primary school was selected. School-aged children were screened for S. mansoni infection using parallel Kato-Katz and direct microscopy techniques. A total of 335 school-aged children were screened. The average prevalence was 82.7% and ranged between 59.5-94.9%. Four of the six HAs had a prevalence level over 91%. Of all infected children, about half 112 (43.2%) had light parasite density. These results demonstrate that Schistosoma mansoni infection is a bigger problem than anticipated and there is an urgent need to implement effective control measures.