Plasma Viral Load of 200 Copies/mL is a Suitable Threshold to Define Viral Suppression and HIV Drug Resistance Testing in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Evidence From a Facility-Based Study in Cameroon.

Introduction: In low-and-middle-income-countries (LMIC), viral suppression is defined as plasma viral load (PVL) below 1000 copies/mL (low-level viremia [LLV]) and threshold for HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) testing. However, there is evidence that drug resistance mutations (DRMs) may emerge at LLV, thus compromising antiretroviral treatment (ART) response We evaluated sequencing success rates (SSR) at LLV, described HIVDR profiles and adequacy with potential efficacy of tenofovir-lamivudine-dolutegravir (TLD).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals with LLV at the Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre, Yaoundé, Cameroon from January 2020 through August 2021.

XBB.1, BQ1.1 and atypical BA.4.6/XBB.1 recombinants predominate current SARS-CoV-2 Wavelets with flu-like symptoms in Cameroon: A snapshot from genomic surveillance.

As of December 2022, Cameroon had observed a slight resurgence of COVID-19, raising concerns on genomic surveillance of related-SARS-CoV-2 variants under circulation. Following a laboratory-based survey, positive SARS-CoV-2 samples detected from December-2022 through March-2023 were processed for targeted sequencing at the Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre (CIRCB) in Yaoundé-Cameroon. From all positive cases detected, 13 were successfully sequenced (mean age 34 years, 70% female); the majority of the cases were unvaccinated (70%, 9/13) and symptomatic (92%, 12/13); all with flu-like symptoms (100%, 12/12).

Determinants of periodontitis according to the immunological and virological profiles of HIV-infected patients in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Background: HIV infection is associated to different oral manifestations (including periodontal diseases), which have decreased with the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Yet, the occurrence of periodontitis is still consistent among patients with HIV living in sub Saharan-Africa, with limited evidence on the driven factors and mitigating measures in these settings. We aimed at evaluating the occurrence of periodontitis and its associated immunological and virological factors in patients with HIV living in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

First case of Dolutegravir and Darunavir/r multi drug-resistant HIV-1 in Cameroon following exposure to Raltegravir: lessons and implications in the era of transition to Dolutegravir-based regimens.

Background: Sub-Saharan African countries are transitioning to dolutegravir-based regimens, even for patients with extensive previous drug exposure, including first-generation integrase strand-transfer inhibitors (INSTI) such as raltegravir. Such exposure might have implications on cross-resistance to dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapies (ART).

Case Presentation: We report a 65 years old Cameroonian, previously exposed to raltegravir, and failing on third-line treatment with multi-drug resistance to darunavir/r and dolutegravir.

Practices of Care to HIV-Infected Children: Current Situation in Cameroon.

Background: To accelerate access to pediatric HIV care in Cameroon, operational challenges in implementing HIV pediatric care need to be identified. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of health care workers regarding pediatric HIV infection in Cameroon.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over a 4-month period (April to August 2014) in 12 health facilities in 7 regions of Cameroon selected using systematic random sampling.

Feasibility Study of HIV Sentinel Surveillance using PMTCT data in Cameroon: from Scientific Success to Programmatic Failure.

Background: In low-income countries (LICs), HIV sentinel surveillance surveys (HIV-SSS) are recommended in between two demographic and health surveys, due to low-cost than the latter. Using the classical unlinked anonymous testing (UAT), HIV-SSS among pregnant women raised certain ethical and financial challenges. We therefore aimed at evaluating how to use prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) routine data as an alternative approach for HIV-SSS in LICs.

The Burden of Orphans and Vulnerable Children Due to HIV/AIDS in Cameroon.

HIV/AIDS is a major public health problem in Cameroon and Africa, and the challenges of orphans and vulnerable children are a threat to child survival, growth and development. The HIV prevalence in Cameroon was estimated at 5.1% in 2010.