Clinical epidemiology, genetic diversity, and drug susceptibility patterns by whole genome sequencing of complex isolates in Gabon from 2012 to 2022.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate genotypic characteristics and drug resistance profiles of complex (Mtbc) strains isolated from patients with suspected tuberculosis (TB) in Gabon.

Methods: We performed whole genome sequencing of 430 Mtbc strains cultured between 2012 and 2022. Phylogenetic strain classification, genomic resistance prediction, and cluster analysis were also performed.

Safety and efficacy of praziquantel in pregnant women infected with Schistosoma haematobium in Lambaréné, Gabon - Clinical results from the randomized, single-blinded, controlled freeBILy-Gabon trial.

Objectives: Despite evidence of praziquantel's (PZQ) safety for treating schistosomiasis in pregnancy, many countries withhold treatment. Only two randomized controlled trials have investigated PZQ in pregnancy, none involving Schistosoma haematobium.

Methods: Pregnant women during the second trimester in Lambaréné (Gabon) were screened for S.

Focal spleen lesions in loiasis: A pilot study in Gabon.

Background: Infection with the filarial nematode Loa loa, endemic in Central and Western Africa, has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. A number of reports described the presence of spleen nodules, originating from degenerating microfilariae, in humans and animals infected with L. loa.

Single and Combined Serum Proteins Expressed in TB Infection are Candidates for Point-of-care Diagnostic Testing of Active TB Patients in Lambaréné, Gabon.

Background And Objectives: Point-of-care testing using nonsputum samples like serum or plasma proteins can improve tuberculosis (TB) patients access to a definitive diagnosis, especially in resource-constrained and remote areas. Recently, approximately 400 proteins were identified as playing a role in the pathogenesis of TB, offering a translational clinical research repository for TB. In a previous manuscript, we proved the potential use of these proteins for point-of-care testing for active TB diagnosis.

Impact of helminth infections during pregnancy on maternal and newborn Vitamin D and on birth outcomes.

Poor birth outcomes in low- and middle income countries are associated with maternal vitamin D deficiency and chronic helminth infections. Here, we investigated whether maternal Schistosoma haematobium affects maternal or cord vitamin D status as well as birth outcomes. In a prospective cross-sectional study of pregnant women conducted in Lambaréné, Gabon, we diagnosed maternal parasitic infections in blood, urine and stool.

Safety and immunogenicity of the co-administered Na-APR-1 and Na-GST-1 hookworm vaccines in school-aged children in Gabon: a randomised, controlled, observer-blind, phase 1, dose-escalation trial.

Background: A human hookworm vaccine is being developed to protect children against iron deficiency and anaemia associated with chronic infection with hookworms. Necator americanus aspartic protease-1 (Na-APR-1) and N americanus glutathione S-transferase-1 (Na-GST-1) are components of the blood digestion pathway critical to hookworm survival in the host. Recombinant Na-GST-1 and catalytically inactive Na-APR-1 (Na-APR-1[M74]) adsorbed to Alhydrogel were safe and immunogenic when delivered separately or co-administered to adults in phase 1 trials in non-endemic and endemic areas.

Species identification and drug susceptibility testing of non-tuberculous mycobacteria by Line Probe Assay in Lambaréné, Gabon-a cross-sectional study.

Background: Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are a group of bacteria that cause rare lung infections and are increasingly recognized as causative agents of opportunistic and device-associated infections in humans. In Gabon, there is a lack of data on NTM species identification and drug susceptibility. The aim of this study was to identify the frequency of NTM species and their genotypic susceptibility pattern to commonly used antibiotics for NTM infections in Gabon.

Assessment of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Its Associated Factors during the Crisis: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Benin.

Background: Having a maximum number of people vaccinated was the objective to control the COVID-19 pandemic. We report in this manuscript the factors associated with the willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 during the pandemic period.

Methods: From April to May 2022, a community-based cross-sectional survey was performed.

Clinical features, treatment outcomes and mortality risk of tuberculosis sepsis in HIV-negative patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case reports.

Purpose: Tuberculosis sepsis (TBS) is sepsis due to the Mycobacterium species causing tuberculosis (TB). It seems to be rare in HIV-negative patients and mainly individual case reports have been reported. This systematic review summarizes the epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment outcomes of TBS in HIV-negative patients.

Resistance patterns among drug-resistant tuberculosis patients and trends-over-time analysis of national surveillance data in Gabon, Central Africa.

Objective: Routinely generated surveillance data are important for monitoring the effectiveness of MDR-TB control strategies. Incidence of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) is a key indicator for monitoring MDR-TB.

Methods: In a longitudinal nationwide retrospective study, 8 years (2014-2021) of sputum samples from presumptively drug-resistant tuberculosis patients from all regions of Gabon were referred to the national tuberculosis reference laboratory.

Efficacy and safety of different therapies of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs against antibiotic monotherapy in the treatment of uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection: A systematic review.

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs therapy (monotherapy or combined with antibiotics) against antibiotics monotherapy to understand the possible role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in managing uncomplicated urinary tract infections and reduce overall antibiotic prescription. We searched four databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane CENTRAL. We included randomized controlled trials, which had included non-pregnant females above 18 years, published from 2010 to 2020 AD in the English language.

Recognising Sepsis as a Health Priority in Sub-Saharan African Country: Learning Lessons from Engagement with Gabon's Health Policy Stakeholders.

Sepsis has been recognised as a global health priority by the United Nations World Health Assembly, which adopted a resolution in 2017 to improve sepsis prevention, diagnosis, and management globally. This study investigated how sepsis is prioritised in Gabon. From May to November 2021, we conducted a qualitative study in healthcare stakeholders at the local, regional, and national levels.

Knowledge and perception on antimicrobial resistance and antibiotics prescribing attitude among physicians and nurses in Lambaréné region, Gabon: a call for setting-up an antimicrobial stewardship program.

Background: Africa is challenged by the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In order to improve patient management and to optimise approaches to curb the spread of antimicrobial resistance, we examined knowledge and perceptions of AMR and antibiotics prescription practices of HCW (healthcare workers) in Lambaréné, Gabon.

Methods: We conducted a self-administered, questionnaire-based survey in HCW at the regional referral hospital, a medical research centre, and peripheral health care facilities.

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria isolation from presumptive tuberculosis patients in Lambaréné, Gabon.

Objective: The prevalence of clinical cases of pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is increasing worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion and the NTM species isolated from presumptive tuberculosis patients in Lambaréné, Gabon.

Method: From January 2018 to December 2020, sputum samples from presumptive TB patients were analysed at the tuberculosis reference laboratory of the Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné.

Creatine kinase-(MB) and hepcidin as candidate biomarkers for early diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis: a proof-of-concept study in Lambaréné, Gabon.

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), hepcidin (HEPC), phospholipase A2 group IIA (PLa2G2A), and myosin-binding protein C (MYBPC1) for tuberculosis (TB). These four biomarkers are differentially regulated between quiescent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infected individuals (non-progressors to TB disease) and Mtb-infected TB disease progressors 6 months before the onset of symptoms.

Methods: We enrolled samples from patients experiencing moderate-to-severe pulmonary infections diseases including 23 TB cases confirmed by smear microscopy and culture, and 34 TB-negative cases.

Epidemiological profile of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant Mycobacterium Tubrculosis among Congolese patients.

Background: There is paucity of data on the prevalence and distribution of multidrug- Resistant-Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in the Republic of Congo. Among the challenges resides the implementation of a robust TB resistance diagnostic program using molecular tools. In resource limited settings there is a need to gather data to enable prioritization of actions.

A comparison of different scores for diagnosis and mortality prediction of adults with sepsis in Low-and-Middlencome Countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Clinical scores for sepsis have been primarily developed for, and applied in High-Income Countries. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the performance of the quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA), Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS), Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS), and Universal Vital Assessment (UVA) scores for diagnosis and prediction of mortality in patients with suspected infection in Low-and-Middle-Income Countries.

Methods: PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched until May 18, 2021.

Tuberculosis infection control measures in healthcare facilities in Moyen-Ogooué Province, Gabon.

Background: Healthcare workers (HCW) are at higher risk of tuberculosis (TB) than the general population. We assessed healthcare facilities for their TB infection control standards and priorities.

Methods: A standardised tool was applied.

Prevalence of Pathogens in Young Children Presenting to Hospital with Diarrhea from Lambaréné, Gabon.

Diarrheal disease is the second most frequent cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years worldwide, causing more than half a million deaths each year. Our knowledge of the epidemiology of potentially pathogenic agents found in children suffering from diarrhea in sub-Saharan African countries is still patchy, and thereby hinders implementation of effective preventative interventions. The lack of cheap, easy-to-use diagnostic tools leads to mostly symptomatic and empirical case management.