Publications by authors named "Ahmed El Bara"
Introduction: Several arboviral diseases have been known to be endemic (e.g., Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Rift Valley fever) or are emerging (dengue fever, chikungunya, O'nyong-nyong) in human populations in Mauritania, while others have become rare in recent years (e.
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- Patients living with HIV in Mauritania are at risk for co-infection with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis D Virus (HDV), with a study revealing a 37% prevalence of anti-HDV antibodies among 292 participants.
- The study identified genetic variations in the viruses, showing that HDV genotype 1 was most common, along with HBV genotypes D and E, and noted that significant liver disease progression was observed over an average follow-up of approximately 25 months.
- The findings emphasize the need for screening and treatment strategies for HDV in HIV-positive populations, given the potential for severe liver complications associated with these infections.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the genomic variations of SARS-CoV-2 in Mauritania between September and November 2021, filling a gap in understanding the virus's mutations in this region.
- A total of 54 clinical isolates were sequenced, with the Delta variant being the most common, particularly the sub-lineage AY.34.
- It highlights the need for better regional sequencing facilities in West Africa to monitor viral mutations and address potential impacts on vaccine effectiveness and disease severity.
In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections caused 1.5 million deaths, mostly attributable to complications from chronic infections, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite the availability of a vaccine, 296 million people were chronically infected in 2019.
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- * In addition to CHIKV, the study identified co-circulation of two other alphaviruses, O'nyong-nyong virus (ONNV) and Semliki Forest virus (SFV), with a prevalence of 2.3%.
- * The findings suggest the need for enhanced surveillance and routine testing for alphaviruses and other arboviruses, as well as improvements in vector control measures to better manage these health risks.
Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a zoonotic arbovirosis. Humans are infected by tick bites or contact with blood of infected animals. CCHF can be responsible for severe outbreaks due to human-to-human transmission.
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- A lot of money has been spent on studying the COVID-19 virus in Africa, leading to over 100,000 virus samples being analyzed to understand the spread of the disease.
- *More countries in Africa are now able to do these studies themselves, which helps them get results faster and keep a close watch on the virus.
- *To keep fighting COVID and other diseases, more funding and support for testing and research in Africa is really important for the future.
The number of sporadic and epidemic dengue fever cases have reportedly been increasing in recent years in some West African countries, such as Senegal and Mali. The first epidemic of laboratory-confirmed dengue occurred in Nouakchott, the capital city of Mauritania situated in the Saharan desert, in 2014. On-site diagnosis of dengue fever was established using a rapid diagnostic test for dengue.
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- Hepatitis B and D infections are common in Mauritania, affecting 10-20% of healthcare workers.
- A study screened 3,857 healthcare workers for HBV and HCV, with many needing vaccinations or antiviral treatments based on their results.
- The findings indicated low immunization rates among healthcare workers, highlighting a critical need for mandatory screening and vaccination in line with WHO guidelines.