Humoral antimalaria immune response in Nigerian children exposed to helminth and malaria parasites.

Background: Malaria and helminthic parasites are endemic in tropical countries, and co-infections might influence host-parasite interactions. In this community-based cross-sectional study, the effect that the presence of soil-transmitted helminths (STH) (Hookworm, and could have on the immunoglobulin (Ig) candidate protein of the malaria vaccine GMZ2 levels was evaluated.

Methods: Blood, stool, and urine samples were collected from 5-15-year-old children to diagnose (Pf), STH, and , respectively.

Diagnosis of Chikungunya Virus in Febrile Patients From a Malaria Holoendemic Area.

Introduction: Accurate diagnosis of chikungunya (CHIK) is essential for effective disease management and surveillance. In a cohort of febrile Congolese patients, available diagnostic methods widely used in CHIK diagnosis were evaluated. In addition, plasma cytokines were quantified in CHIK patients and those coinfected with malaria compared with healthy controls.

High prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli in Congolese students.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is of growing concern worldwide, and the AMR status in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including the Republic of the Congo, is largely undetermined due to a lack of real-time monitoring. As the incidence of multi-resistant Escherichia coli has been increasing in recent years, an investigation was performed to determine the antibiotic resistance of E. coli isolated from stool samples of Congolese students.

Molecular surveillance of the Pfmdr1 N86Y allele among Congolese pregnant women with asymptomatic malaria.

Background: Malaria in pregnancy is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Regular surveillance of artemisinin-based combination therapy tolerance, or molecular makers of resistance, is vital for effective malaria treatment, control and eradication programmes. Plasmodium falciparum multiple drug resistance-1 gene (Pfmdr1) N86Y mutation is associated with reduced susceptibility to lumefantrine.

Occurrence of human astrovirus associated with gastroenteritis among Congolese children in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.

Introduction: Acute viral gastroenteritis is a major public health concern, especially among children younger than 5 years of age. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of human astrovirus infection in children with acute gastroenteritis.

Methods: Stool specimens were collected from 506 children under 5 years of age hospitalized with acute diarrhoea (289 male and 208 female), and human astrovirus was investigated by RT-PCR.

Differential contribution of interleukin-10 promoter variants in malaria and schistosomiasis mono- and co-infections among Nigerian children.

Objective: Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine produced by Th1 cells and macrophages. The rationale of this study was to examine and validate possible contributions of IL-10 promoter polymorphisms in sub-Saharan Africa in children infected with either Plasmodium falciparum or Schistosoma haematobium and in children co-infected with both parasites.

Materials And Methods: A total of 309 Nigerian children aged 4-15 years were recruited.

Co-endemicity of Plasmodium falciparum and Intestinal Helminths Infection in School Age Children in Rural Communities of Kwara State Nigeria.

Background: Malaria and intestinal helminths co-infection are major public health problems particularly among school age children in Nigeria. However the magnitude and possible interactions of these infections remain poorly understood. This study determined the prevalence, impact and possible interaction of Plasmodium falciparum and intestinal helminths co-infection among school children in rural communities of Kwara State, Nigeria.