Publications by authors named "Castro Hounmenou"
Background: Several variants of SARS-CoV-2 have a demonstrated impact on public health, including high and increased transmissibility, severity of infection, and immune escape. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the SARS-CoV-2 lineages and better characterize the dynamics of the pandemic during the different waves in Guinea.
Methods: Whole genome sequencing of 363 samples with PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values under thirty was undertaken between May 2020 and May 2023.
Article Synopsis
- - The study examines the prevalence of arboviruses in sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting their ongoing public health threat and the importance of seroprevalence surveys for informing interventions in the absence of vaccines and treatments.
- - A comprehensive analysis reviewed 165 studies involving over 186,000 participants across 27 countries from 2000 to 2022, revealing varied seroprevalence rates for several arboviruses, with Chikungunya and dengue showing the highest rates at 23.7% and 22.7%, respectively.
- - The findings indicate considerable differences in seroprevalence based on factors like country, population demographics, age groups, and laboratory techniques, emphasizing the need for tailored public
Introduction: Vertical transmission of HIV remains a major challenge in Guinea, especially, in low-resource rural areas. This paper presents the results of a pilot project designed to enhance the prevention of vertical transmission through a comprehensive improvement plan implemented across 66 large-cohort sites.
Methods: Data from 66 large-cohort of mother to child transmission prevention (PMTCT) sites from 2019 to 2022 were analysed to compare PMTCT metrics before (2019-2020) and after (2021-2022) the improvement initiative.
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of orthoebolavirus antibodies in Madina Oula, a non-epidemic rural area in Guinea, in 2022.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 14 to April 3, 2022 involving recording household and socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle data, and collecting dried blood spots from 878 individuals in 235 households. Dried blood spots were tested using multiplex serology to detect antibodies to different orthoebolaviruses: Ebola virus, Bundibugyo virus, Sudan virus, Reston virus, and Bombali virus.
Exploratory analysis of the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of healthcare workers about arboviruses in the context of surveillance in the Republic of Guinea.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis
December 2023
Background: The escalating risk and contemporary occurrences of arbovirus infections prompt a critical inquiry into the ability of nations to execute efficient surveillance systems capable to detect, prevent and respond to arbovirus outbreaks. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are the major actors in the surveillance of infectious diseases with epidemic potential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of HCWs regarding arboviruses in the public health facilities of Conakry, Guinea.
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- The study addresses the high mortality rates in rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) patients undergoing a short treatment regimen in Conakry, revealing that 18.9% of 869 patients died during treatment.
- Significant predictors of death include age (≥ 55 years), certain treatment centers, lack of prior TB treatment, and co-infection with HIV.
- The findings suggest that national TB programs should reassess their strategies for treating RR-TB and emphasize conducting more extensive studies to better understand the impact of these risk factors on patient survival.