SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Seroprevalence in Gabon: Findings from a Nationwide Household Serosurvey in a Sub-Saharan Africa Country.

Seroconversion surveys of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies provide accurate estimates of the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections. This nationwide population-based cross-sectional serosurvey aimed to evaluate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among residents in Gabon and compare the estimated cumulative number of COVID-19 cases with the officially registered number of laboratory-confirmed cases up to December 2021. Households in each province were randomly selected.

Screening and Whole Genome Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 Circulating During the First Three Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Libreville and the Haut-Ogooué Province in Gabon.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SARS-CoV-2 viral dynamics in Africa have been less documented than on other continents. In Gabon, a Central African country, a total number of 37,511 cases of COVID-19 and 281 deaths have been reported as of December 8, 2021. After the first COVID-19 case was reported on March 12, 2020, in the capital Libreville, the country experienced two successive waves.

Could pooled samples method affect SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis accuracy using BGI and Sansure-Biotech RT-PCR kits used in Gabon, Central Africa?

This study aims at establishing specimens pooling approach for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 using the RT-PCR BGI and Sansure-Biotech kits used in Gabon. To validate this approach, 14 positive samples, stored at -20°C for three to five weeks were analyzed individually (as gold standard) and in pools of five, eight and ten in the same plate. We created 14 pools of 5, 8 and 10 samples using 40 μL from each of the selected positive samples mixed with 4, 7 and 9 confirmed negative counterparts in a total volume of 200 μL, 320 μL and 400 μL for the pools of 5, 8 and 10 respectively.

Increased platelets count in HIV-1 uninfected infants born from HIV-1 infected mothers.

HIV-exposed uninfected infants (HEU) represent a growing population in developing countries including Gabon. Several studies have shown the vulnerability of these infants toward infectious diseases. The aim of the study was to contribute to the global effort to understand how HIVexposure or anti retroviral therapy affects infants' blood elements.

Altered Toll-Like Receptor-4 Response to Lipopolysaccharides in Infants Exposed to HIV-1 and Its Preventive Therapy.

Pathogen sensing and recognition through pattern recognition receptors, and subsequent production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, is the cornerstone of the innate immune system. Despite the fact that HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants are prone to serious bacterial infections, no study has focused on the functionality of their bacteria recognition system. This is the first study to investigate baseline levels of three critically important immune response molecules in this population: complement component (C)-3, toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Mother-to-child HIV-transmission prevention programs in a sub-Saharan African setting: The Gabonese experience.

In many developing countries, mothers' awareness remains a challenge despite the scaling up of antenatal care and programs preventing mother-to-child (MTC) HIV transmission. The present study was done in Libreville, Gabon where all antenatal care (delivery included) is free of charge. Here we assessed the timing of antenatal antiretroviral (ARV) prophylaxis initiation, HIV-exposed infants' age at their first postnatal HIV check visit and investigated the association between mothers' awareness or knowledge on their ARV therapy and infants' HIV infection.

Cases of Impaired Oxidative Burst in HIV-Exposed Uninfected Infants' Neutrophils-A Pilot Study.

An increased risk of serious bacterial infections in HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants has been demonstrated. Although neutrophils are essential for the protection of infants against bacterial infections, no study has investigated their profile in HEU infants to date. In this study, we assessed the function of neutrophils in HEU infants using the nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test.

Antimicrobial profiles of bacterial clinical isolates from the Gabonese National Laboratory of Public Health: data from routine activity.

Background: The present study is one of the first to provide a picture of antimicrobial resistance for a range of bacteria and antimicrobial classes in Gabon, Central Africa.

Methods: During the year 2010, 146 urine cytology, 143 blood cultures, 107 vaginal swabs, 23 urethral swabs, and 18 other culture examinations were positives. All isolates were tested for antibiotic sensitivity.

Protective properties of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (MC1220) incorporated into liposome against intravaginal challenge of Rhesus macaques with RT-SHIV.

In the absence of an effective vaccine against HIV, it is urgent to develop an effective alternative such as a microbicide. Single and repeated applications of MC1220 microbicide were evaluated in macaques. First, animals were given a single application of 0.

Prevalence and molecular diversity of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis delta virus in urban and rural populations in northern Gabon in central Africa.

The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen was significantly higher in urban (12.9%) than in rural (7.6%) populations (P = 0.

High HIV Type 1 prevalence and wide genetic diversity with dominance of recombinant strains but low level of antiretroviral drug-resistance mutations in untreated patients in northeast Gabon, Central Africa.

The northeast of Gabon, central Africa is characterized by high population density and a high rate of immigration from the surrounding countries. To determine the prevalence, circulating subtypes, and antiretroviral resistance mutations of HIV-1, 810 blood samples were collected from the general population of the two main cities (Oyem and Makokou) of this region. Of these, 61 (7.