Malian field isolates provide insight into Plasmodium malariae intra-erythrocytic development and invasion.

Plasmodium malariae is the third most prevalent human malaria parasite species and contributes significantly to morbidity. Nevertheless, our comprehension of this parasite's biology remains limited, primarily due to its frequent co-infections with other species and the lack of a continuous in vitro culture system. To effectively combat and eliminate this overlooked parasite, it is imperative to acquire a better understanding of this species.

Adding Virome Capture Metagenomic Sequencing to Conventional Laboratory Testing Increases Unknown Fever Etiology Determination in Bamako, Mali.

Unexplained fever poses significant diagnostic challenges in resource-limited settings like Bamako, Mali, where overlapping endemic diseases include malaria, HIV/AIDS, yellow fever, typhoid, and others. This study aimed to elucidate the infectious etiologies of acute febrile illnesses in this context. Acute febrile patients of any age were enrolled after informed consent or assent.

Human genetics and genomics as a unifying factor for harmony and progress in Africa: a report from the 12 African Society of Human Genetics meeting in Bamako, Mali.

Since its inception in 2003, the African Society of Human Genetics (AfSHG) has been central to the promotion of genetics research on the continent, and facilitated the networking of African researchers within Africa and abroad, thereby significantly contributing to the career development of African geneticists. The continuation of these accomplishments was stimulated by the 12 international conference of AfSHG held jointly with the 1 Congress of the Malian Society of Human Genetics (MSHG) in Bamako, Mali from September 18 to 21 2019. The main theme of the conference was "Human Genetics and Genomics as a Unifying Factor for Harmony and Progress in Africa".

Surveillance and agnostic capture sequencing of samples from individuals with rash-associated illness in Mali indicates regional transmission of measles virus from West and Central Africa.

Measles is vaccine-preventable extremely contagious disease caused by the measles virus. High vaccination coverage is needed to prevent outbreaks of disease. Although molecular surveillance of measles is critical to characterize outbreaks and track viral evolution, few whole-genome sequences of measles virus from West Africa are available despite continual outbreaks in the region.

Evaluation of waning of IgG antibody responses after rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP and Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo Ebola virus disease vaccines: a modelling study from the PREVAC randomized trial.

rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP and Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo are WHO-prequalified vaccination regimens against Ebola virus disease (EVD). Challenges associated with measuring long-term clinical protection warrant the evaluation of immune response kinetics after vaccination.

High Schistosoma mansoni Co-Infection in Tuberculosis Patients with or without Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: People with Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) remain the reservoir of tuberculosis. One-third to 1/4 of the world's population is infected. Its reactivation is due to factors that disrupt the host's immune response.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in vaccine-naïve participants from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Liberia, and Mali.

Objectives: The InVITE study, starting in August 2021, was designed to examine the immunogenicity of different vaccine regimens in several countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Liberia, and Mali. Prevaccination baseline samples were used to obtain estimates of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection in the study population.

Methods: Adult participants were enrolled upon receipt of their initial COVID-19 vaccine from August 2021 to June 2022.

Hematological profiles of patients with tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacteria infections in Bamako, Mali.

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in Mali. Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections are very common but are often cofounded with TB because of the similarity of symptoms, which makes the diagnosis difficult. Hematological abnormalities associated with TB have been described, but not with NTM.

Sex and Gender Differences in Tuberculosis Pathogenesis and Treatment Outcomes.

Tuberculosis remains a daunting public health concern in many countries of the world. A consistent observation in the global epidemiology of tuberculosis is an excess of cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis among males compared with females. Data from both humans and animals also suggest that males are more susceptible than females to develop active pulmonary disease.

Relationship between patient sex and anatomical sites of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in Mali.

Background: Contribution of host factors in mediating susceptibility to extrapulmonary tuberculosis is not well understood.

Objective: To examine the influence of patient sex on anatomical localization of extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study in Mali, West Africa.

Challenges of conducting an international observational study to assess immunogenicity of multiple COVID-19 vaccines.

The International Study on COVID-19 Vaccines to Assess Immunogenicity, Reactogenicity, and Efficacy is an observational study to assess the immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines used in Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Indonesia, Liberia, Mali, Mexico, and Mongolia. The study, which has enrolled 5,401 adults, is prospectively following participants for approximately two years. This study is important as it has enrolled participants from resource-limited settings that have largely been excluded from COVID-19 research studies during the pandemic.

Clinical evaluation of commercial SARS-CoV-2 serological assays in a malaria endemic setting.

The levels of immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination are poorly understood in African populations and is complicated by cross-reactivity to endemic pathogens as well as differences in host responsiveness. To begin to determine the best approach to minimize false positive antibody levels to SARS-CoV-2 in an African population, we evaluated three commercial assays, namely Bio-Rad Platelia SARS-CoV-2 Total Antibody (Platelia), Quanterix Simoa Semi-Quantitative SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody Test (anti-Spike), and the GenScript cPass™ SARS-CoV-2 Neutralization Antibody Detection Kit (cPass) using samples collected in Mali in West Africa prior to the emergence of SARS-CoV-2. A total of one hundred samples were assayed.

A Decade of Progress Accelerating Malaria Control in Mali: Evidence from the West Africa International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research.

This article highlights over a decade of signature achievements by the West Africa International Centers for Excellence in Malaria Research (WA-ICEMR) and its partners toward guiding malaria prevention and control strategies. Since 2010, the WA-ICEMR has performed longitudinal studies to monitor and assess malaria control interventions with respect to space-time patterns, vector transmission indicators, and drug resistance markers. These activities were facilitated and supported by the Mali National Malaria Control Program.

Design of an observational multi-country cohort study to assess immunogenicity of multiple vaccine platforms (InVITE).

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 vaccines have been developed, and the World Health Oraganization (WHO) has granted emergency use listing to multiple vaccines. Studies of vaccine immunogenicity data from implementing COVID-19 vaccines by national immunization programs in single studies spanning multiple countries and continents are limited but critically needed to answer public health questions on vaccines, such as comparing immune responses to different vaccines and among different populations.

Sex Differences in Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis Outcomes in Mali, West Africa.

Men and women often respond differently to infectious diseases and their treatments. Tuberculosis (TB) is a life-threatening communicable disease that affects more men than women globally. Whether male sex is an independent risk factor for unfavorable TB outcomes, however, has not been rigorously investigated in an African context, where individuals are likely exposed to different microbial and environmental factors.

Raoultella planticola and urinary tract infection: The first laboratory-confirmed case in an HIV-infected patient in Mali.

Raoultella planticola is a Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile bacterium, abundant in the environment, but rarely associated with pathology in humans. Notably, few urinary tract infections caused by R. planticola have been reported.

Molecular epidemiology and genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in referral health centers of Bamako, Mali: What is new?

Background And Aims: Tuberculosis (TB) remains an important global health issue worldwide. Despite this scourge threatening many human lives, especially in developing countries, thus far, no advanced molecular epidemiology study using recent and more accurate tools has been conducted in Mali. Therefore, this study aimed to use variable-number tandem repeats of mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units (MIRU-VNTR) technology coupled with the spoligotyping method to accurately determine the hot spots and establish the epidemiological transmission links of TB in Bamako, Mali.

High SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence among Healthcare Workers in Bamako, Mali.

In Mali, a country in West Africa, cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths among healthcare workers (HCWs) remain enigmatically low, despite a series of waves, circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants, the country's weak healthcare system, and a general lack of adherence to public health mitigation measures. The goal of the study was to determine whether exposure is important by assessing the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in HCWs. The study was conducted between November 2020 and June 2021.

Short Communication: Genetic Variation in Human Proximal Promoter and Susceptibility to HIV-1 Infection in Mali, West Africa.

It is now recognized that to fully understand the role of host genetic variation on susceptibility to HIV-1 infection, investigations must be extended to African populations. We sought to determine if genetic variation in are associated with HIV-1 infection in a West African cohort in Mali. HIV-infected and -uninfected individuals were genotyped for three common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located at positions -592 (C/A), -819 (C/T), and -1082 (G/A) of the promoter.

Ex-vivo Sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum to Common Anti-malarial Drugs: The Case of Kéniéroba, a Malaria Endemic Village in Mali.

Background: In 2006, the National Malaria Control Program in Mali recommended artemisinin-based combination therapy as the first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria. Since the introduction of artemisinin-based combination therapy, few reports are available on the level of resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to the most common anti-malarial drugs in Mali.

Methods: From 2016 to 2017, we assessed the ex-vivo drug sensitivity of P.

Performance of Mali's biosafety level 3 laboratory in the external quality assessment in preparedness of laboratory accreditation and support to clinical trials.

Background: The external quality assessment (EQA) or external quality control is an evaluation conducted by a certified external organization to inquire about the quality of the results provided by a laboratory. The primary role of EQA is to verify the accuracy of laboratory results. This is essential in research because research data should be published in international peer-reviewed journals, and laboratory results must be repeatable.

Performance Comparison of Xpert HIV-1 Viral Load Assay and Roche Taqman and Abbott M2000 RT in Bamako, Mali.

Background: Routine monitoring of HIV-1 Viral Load (VL) is important in patients on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) management. Access to HIV VL remains a challenge in resource-limited settings, especially in rural areas. Universal access to VL requires more simplified and less restrictive alternatives to current conventional VL methods.

Diabetes Mellitus among new tuberculosis patients in Bamako, Mali.

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) increases worldwide, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. In Mali, the prevalence in the adult population is estimated at 1.8%, but tuberculosis (TB) patients are not systematically screened.