Severity markers in severe leptospirosis: a cohort study.

We aimed to evaluate parameters for their value as severity markers in hospitalized leptospirosis patients. We recruited 47 informed adult consenting patients and assessed a number of clinical, hematological, biochemical, and biological variables. Patients were sorted according to severity based on fatality or the requirement of mechanical ventilation or dialysis; the parameters studied were compared between groups on inclusion and the next day.

Epidemiologic pattern of meningococcal meningitis in northern Cameroon in 2007-2010: contribution of PCR-enhanced surveillance.

Objectives: Monitoring acute bacterial meningitis in northern Cameroon.

Methods: Health professionals collected cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens from patients presenting with clinical symptoms of meningitis. Specimens were tested using gram stain, latex agglutination test, and culture.

Viral etiology of influenza-like illnesses in Cameroon, January-December 2009.

Background: No information is available on the viral etiology of upper respiratory tract infections in Cameroon.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled outpatients with influenza-like illness (ILI) presenting at 14 sentinel clinics located across the country from January through December 2009. The specimens were tested using real-time and multiplex reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction methods for the detection of 15 RNA respiratory viruses.

Klebsiella pneumoniae resistant to third-generation cephalosporins in five African and two Vietnamese major towns: multiclonal population structure with two major international clonal groups, CG15 and CG258.

The molecular epidemiology of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GC-R) Klebsiella pneumoniae in developing countries is poorly documented. From February 2007 to March 2008, we collected 135 3GC-R K. pneumoniae isolates from seven major towns in Maghreb (Morocco), West Africa (Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire), Central Africa (Cameroon), East Africa (Madagascar) and Southeast Asia (Vietnam).

Adequate wound care and use of bed nets as protective factors against Buruli Ulcer: results from a case control study in Cameroon.

Background: Buruli ulcer is an infectious disease involving the skin, caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. Its exact transmission mechanism remains unknown. Several arguments indicate a possible role for insects in its transmission.

Factors associated with history of HIV testing among pregnant women and their partners in Cameroon: baseline data from a Behavioral Intervention Trial (ANRS 12127 Prenahtest).

Background: We investigated HIV testing practices at baseline among pregnant women and their partners within a multicountry randomized trial aiming to evaluate the effect of enhanced prenatal posttest HIV counseling on men's involvement.

Methods: In Yaoundé, Cameroon, 484 pregnant women with stable partners were recruited on their first antenatal care visit. We analyzed the coverage of previous HIV testing among women and their partners and looked for the factors associated with previous HIV testing, using multivariable logistic regression.

Feasibility of early infant diagnosis of HIV in resource-limited settings: the ANRS 12140-PEDIACAM study in Cameroon.

Background: Early infant diagnosis (EID) of HIV is a key-point for the implementation of early HAART, associated with lower mortality in HIV-infected infants. We evaluated the EID process of HIV according to national recommendations, in urban areas of Cameroon.

Methods/findings: The ANRS12140-PEDIACAM study is a multisite cohort in which infants born to HIV-infected mothers were included before the 8(th) day of life and followed.

Epidemiology of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus lineages in five major African towns: high prevalence of Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes.

The epidemiology of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) in Africa is poorly documented. From January 2007 to March 2008, 555 S. aureus isolates were collected from five African towns in Cameroon, Madagascar, Morocco, Niger, and Senegal; among these, 456 unique isolates were susceptible to methicillin.

Geographic and ecological distribution of the dengue and chikungunya virus vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in three major Cameroonian towns.

Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) was first reported in Central Africa in 2000, together with the indigenous mosquito species Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). Because Ae. albopictus can also transmit arboviruses, its introduction is a public health concern.

Epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus lineages in five major African towns: emergence and spread of atypical clones.

The epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Africa is poorly documented. From January 2007 to March 2008, we collected 86 MRSA isolates from five African towns, one each in Cameroon, Madagascar, Morocco, Niger and Senegal. Although one or two major clones, defined by the sequence type and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type, predominated at each site, genetic diversity (ten clones) was relatively limited in view of the large geographical area studied.

Present and future schistosomiasis control activities with support from the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative in West Africa.

Since 2004 the West African countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have implemented national schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis control programmes with financial and technical support from the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI). In the first three years of the control programmes, nearly 13.5 million doses of praziquantel and albendazole have been administered against schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis with coverage rates varying between 67.

Field evaluation of rapid diagnostic tests for meningococcal meningitis in Niger.

Objective: To evaluate dipstick rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for meningococcal meningitis in basic health facilities.

Methods: Health facility staff received a one-day training. During the meningitis season, they performed RDTs on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens from suspected cases of meningitis.

[Illicit drug trade on the markets of Yaounde (Cameroon) and Niamey (Niger): characteristics of salesmen and quality of drugs].

This study characterizes salesmen and evaluates the drugs offer and quality of the drugs in the illicit selling network in Yaoundé (Cameroon) and Niamey (Niger). A sample of 75 and 124 drug salesmen working in these cities was questioned using a standardized questionnaire. The prescription of drugs and the advices provided by these poorly trained salesmen could have an important impact in term of public health: 32% and 67% of the salesmen in Yaoundé give systematically or occasionally advices regarding the prescription.

Case-fatality ratio of bacterial meningitis in the African meningitis belt: we can do better.

In the African meningitis belt, reported case-fatality ratio (CFR) for meningitis are usually calculated on the basis of presumed cases. We reviewed 3509 presumed cases of bacterial meningitis reported in Niger for which a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample had been tested later at the reference laboratory. The main aetiologies were Neisseria meningitidis (1496 cases), Streptococcus pneumoniae (303 cases) and Haemophilus influenzae (105 cases).

Populations of pharyngeal meningococci in Niger.

This study investigated the carriage of Neisseria meningitidis group W135 (NmW135) belonging to sequence type (ST)-2881, ST-11 and NmA ST-7, as these three lineages have been responsible for sporadic cases in 2003 in Niamey (Niger). ST-7 and ST-11 were also the two genotypes involved in recent outbreaks in the African meningitis belt. Among the 97 Nm isolates obtained from 287 schoolchildren swabbed three times, 1 was identified as NmA, 34 as NmW135, 8 as NmY and 54 were non-groupable (NG).

Meningococcal meningitis: unprecedented incidence of serogroup X-related cases in 2006 in Niger.

Background: In Niger, epidemic meningococcal meningitis is primarily caused by Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) serogroup A. However, since 2002, Nm serogroup W135 has been considered to be a major threat that has not yet been realized, and an unprecedented incidence of Nm serogroup X (NmX) meningitis was observed in 2006.

Methods: Meningitis surveillance in Niger is performed on the basis of reporting of clinically suspected cases.