Molecular detection of respiratory pathogens among children aged younger than 5 years hospitalized with febrile acute respiratory infections: A prospective hospital-based observational study in Niamey, Niger.

Background And Aims: In Niger, acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are the second most common cause of death in children aged younger than 5 years. However, the etiology of ARI is poorly understood in the country. This study aims to describe viral and bacterial infections among children aged younger than 5 years hospitalized with febrile ARI at two hospitals in Niamey, Niger's capital city, and the reported clinical procedures.

Development of a PCR algorithm to detect and characterize Neisseria meningitidis carriage isolates in the African meningitis belt.

Improved methods for the detection and characterization of carried Neisseria meningitidis isolates are needed. We evaluated a multiplex PCR algorithm for the detection of a variety of carriage strains in the meningitis belt. To further improve the sensitivity and specificity of the existing PCR assays, primers for gel-based PCR assays (sodC, H, Z) and primers/probe for real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays (porA, cnl, sodC, H, E, Z) were modified or created using Primer Express software.

First occurrence of Rift Valley fever outbreak in Niger, 2016.

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne viral zoonosis causing abortions and high mortality among animals, whereas in humans, the disease is usually mild or asymptomatic. In September 2016, the Republic of Niger declared the first RVF outbreak in the northern region of Tahoua near the Malian border. This study describes the outbreak and reports the results of serological and molecular investigations of the human and animal samples collected.

Outbreak of Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Displaced Persons Camps in Diffa Region, Niger, 2017.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in developing countries is associated with poor hygiene, lack of clean drinking water, and inadequate sanitation. In this study, we report the first case investigation and describe the present situation of HEV outbreak within displaced persons camps in the Diffa region, Republic of Niger. The investigation showed the outbreak to be closely linked to unclean water supply, low hygiene, and sanitation facility standards.

Diagnostic accuracy of VIKIA® Rota-Adeno and Premier™ Rotaclone® tests for the detection of rotavirus in Niger.

Objective: We conducted a parallel evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of VIKIA® Rota-Adeno, a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and Premier™ Rotaclone® an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) as the reference standard. The study was part of a rotavirus surveillance project in Niger.

Results: The sensitivity of both tests was 80.

Evaluation of response strategies against epidemics due to Neisseria meningitidis C in Niger.

Objective: To inform public health recommendations, we evaluated the effectiveness and efficiency of current and hypothetical surveillance and vaccine response strategies against Neisseria meningitidis C meningitis epidemics in 2015 in Niger.

Methods: We analysed reports of suspected and confirmed cases of meningitis from the region of Dosso during 2014 and 2015. Based on a definition of epidemic signals, the effectiveness and efficiency of surveillance and vaccine response strategies were evaluated by calculating the number of potentially vaccine-preventable cases and number of vaccine doses needed per epidemic signal.

Emergence of epidemic Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C in Niger, 2015: an analysis of national surveillance data.

Background: To combat Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A epidemics in the meningitis belt of sub-Saharan Africa, a meningococcal serogroup A conjugate vaccine (MACV) has been progressively rolled out since 2010. We report the first meningitis epidemic in Niger since the nationwide introduction of MACV.

Methods: We compiled and analysed nationwide case-based meningitis surveillance data in Niger.

Whole-Genome Characterization of Epidemic Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup C and Resurgence of Serogroup W, Niger, 2015.

In 2015, Niger reported the largest epidemic of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C (NmC) meningitis in sub-Saharan Africa. The NmC epidemic coincided with serogroup W (NmW) cases during the epidemic season, resulting in a total of 9,367 meningococcal cases through June 2015. To clarify the phylogenetic association, genetic evolution, and antibiotic determinants of the meningococcal strains in Niger, we sequenced the genomes of 102 isolates from this epidemic, comprising 81 NmC and 21 NmW isolates.

Pharyngeal carriage of Neisseria species in the African meningitis belt.

Objectives: Neisseria meningitidis, together with the non-pathogenic Neisseria species (NPNs), are members of the complex microbiota of the human pharynx. This paper investigates the influence of NPNs on the epidemiology of meningococcal infection.

Methods: Neisseria isolates were collected during 18 surveys conducted in six countries in the African meningitis belt between 2010 and 2012 and characterized at the rplF locus to determine species and at the variable region of the fetA antigen gene.

Development of Real-Time PCR Methods for the Detection of Bacterial Meningitis Pathogens without DNA Extraction.

Neisseria meningitidis (Nm), Haemophilus influenzae (Hi), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp) are the lead causes of bacterial meningitis. Detection of these pathogens from clinical specimens using traditional real-time PCR (rt-PCR) requires DNA extraction to remove the PCR inhibitors prior to testing, which is time consuming and labor intensive. In this study, five species-specific (Nm-sodC and -ctrA, Hi-hpd#1 and -hpd#3 and Sp-lytA) and six serogroup-specific rt-PCR tests (A, B, C, W, X, Y) targeting Nm capsular genes were evaluated in the two direct rt-PCR methods using PerfeCTa and 5x Omni that do not require DNA extraction.

Measurement of Interleukin-6 in Cerebrospinal Fluid for the Diagnosis of Bacterial Meningitis.

Objective: It is assessed whether the measurement of interleukin-6 in the cerebrospinal fluid can serve as a biomarker for the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis.

Methodology: Cerebrospinal fluid was obtained from 152 patients aged 0-15 years suspected of having meningitis. These patients were classified into the following groups: Bacterial meningitis (n = 85), aseptic meningitis (n = 35) and non-meningitis/control (n = 32) based on leukocyte count and bacterial identification by culture and molecular biology.

Viral and bacterial etiology of severe acute respiratory illness among children < 5 years of age without influenza in Niger.

Background: Globally, pneumonia is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children, with the highest burden experienced in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. However, there is a dearth of information on the etiology of severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) in Africa, including Niger.

Methods: We implemented a retrospective study as part of national influenza sentinel surveillance in Niger.

Epidemiological changes in meningococcal meningitis in Niger from 2008 to 2011 and the impact of vaccination.

Background: The epidemiology of bacterial meningitis in the African 'meningitis belt' changes periodically. In order to design an effective vaccination strategy, we have examined the epidemiological and microbiological patterns of bacterial meningitis, and especially that of meningococcal meningitis, in Niger during the period 2008-2011. During this period a mass vaccination campaign with the newly developed meningococcal A conjugate vaccine (MenAfriVac®) was undertaken.

A five-year field assessment of rapid diagnostic tests for meningococcal meningitis in Niger by using the combination of conventional and real-time PCR assays as a gold standard.

Background: Meningococcocal meningitis represents an important cause of mortality and morbidity in sub-Saharan countries. Confirmatory bacteriological or molecular diagnosis is essential for patient management/treatment and meningitis surveillance, but many laboratory tests are expensive and rarely available for low-income countries. A rapid diagnostic test (RDT) represents a valuable alternative to improve case management and surveillance.