Sensitivity, Specificity, and Public-Health Utility of Clinical Case Definitions Based on the Signs and Symptoms of Cholera in Africa.

During 2014, Africa reported more than half of the global suspected cholera cases. Based on the data collected from seven countries in the African Cholera Surveillance Network (Africhol), we assessed the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of clinical cholera case definitions, including that recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) using culture confirmation as the gold standard. The study was designed to assess results in real-world field situations in settings with recent cholera outbreaks or endemicity.

Temporo-spatial dynamics and behavioural patterns of 2012 cholera epidemic in the African mega-city of Conakry, Guinea.

Background: Cholera is endemic in Guinea, having suffered consecutive outbreaks from 2004 to 2008 followed by a lull until the 2012 epidemic. Here we describe the temporal-spatial and behavioural characteristics of cholera cases in Conakry during a three-year period, including the large-scale 2012 epidemic.

Methods: We used the national and African Cholera Surveillance Network (Africhol) surveillance data collected from every cholera treatment centre in Conakry city from August 2011 to December 2013.

The African cholera surveillance network (Africhol) consortium meeting, 10-11 June 2015, Lomé, Togo.

The fifth annual meeting of the African cholera surveillance network (Africhol) took place on 10-11 June 2015 in Lomé, Togo. Together with international partners, representatives from the 11 member countries -Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zimbabwe- and an invited country (Malawi) shared their experience. The meeting featured three sessions: i) cholera surveillance, prevention and control in participating countries, ii) cholera surveillance methodology, such as cholera mapping, cost-effectiveness studies and the issue of overlapping epidemics from different diseases, iii) cholera laboratory diagnostics tools and capacity building.

Oral cholera vaccine coverage in hard-to-reach fishermen communities after two mass Campaigns, Malawi, 2016.

Context: From December 2015 to August 2016, a large epidemic of cholera affected the fishermen of Lake Chilwa in Malawi. A first reactive Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV) campaign was organized, in February, in a 2km radius of the lake followed by a preemptive one, conducted in November, in a 25km radius. We present the vaccine coverage reached in hard-to-reach population using simplified delivery strategies.

Cholera Incidence and Mortality in Sub-Saharan African Sites during Multi-country Surveillance.

Background: Cholera burden in Africa remains unknown, often because of weak national surveillance systems. We analyzed data from the African Cholera Surveillance Network (www.africhol.

Comparative Characterization of Vibrio cholerae O1 from Five Sub-Saharan African Countries Using Various Phenotypic and Genotypic Techniques.

We used standardized methodologies to characterize Vibrio cholerae O1 isolates from Guinea, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Togo, Côte d'Ivoire and Mozambique. We investigated 257 human isolates collected in 2010 to 2013. DRC isolates serotyped O1 Inaba, while isolates from other countries serotyped O1 Ogawa.

Antiretroviral therapy outcomes in resource-limited settings for HIV-infected children <5 years of age.

Objective: We describe medium-term outcomes for young children receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in resource-limited countries.

Methods: Analyses were conducted on surveillance data for children <5 years of age receiving ART (initiated April 2002 to January 2008) in 48 HIV/AIDS treatment programs in Africa and Asia. Primary outcome measures were probability of remaining in care, probability of developing World Health Organization stage 4 clinical events, rate of switching to second-line ART, and drug toxicity, compared at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months of ART.

Treatment outcomes stratified by baseline immunological status among young children receiving nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy in resource-limited settings.

A study of 568 children aged <5 years who commenced nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy in resource-limited settings revealed good early outcomes. After 12 months of antiretroviral therapy, survival probability was 0.89 (95% confidence interval, 0.

In resource-limited settings good early outcomes can be achieved in children using adult fixed-dose combination antiretroviral therapy.

Objectives: To (a) determine early treatment outcomes and (b) assess safety in children treated with adult fixed-dose combination (FDC) antiretroviral tablets.

Setting: Sixteen Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) HIV programs in eight countries in resource-limited settings (RLS).

Methods: Analysis of routine program data gathered June 2001 to March 2005.

CD4-guided structured antiretroviral treatment interruption strategy in HIV-infected adults in west Africa (Trivacan ANRS 1269 trial): a randomised trial.

Background: Structured treatment interruptions of highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) might be particularly relevant for sub-Saharan Africa, where cost-saving strategies could help to increase the number of patients on HAART. We did a randomised trial of structured treatment interruption in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

Methods: HIV-infected adults were randomised to receive continuous HAART (CT), CD4-guided HAART (CD4GT) with interruption and reintroduction thresholds at 350 and 250 cells per mm3, respectively, or 2-months-off, 4-months-on HAART.

Haematological changes in adults receiving a zidovudine-containing HAART regimen in combination with cotrimoxazole in Côte d'Ivoire.

Objective: Neutropenia is the most frequent side effect of cotrimoxazole in sub-Saharan Africa. We estimated the incidence of haematological disorders during the first 6 months of a zidovudine-containing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimen in sub-Saharan African adults receiving cotrimoxazole.

Methods: Prospective cohort study in Abidjan, with blood cell count measurement at baseline (HAART initiation), month 1, month 3 and month 6.

Efficacy and safety of two dosages of cotrimoxazole as preventive treatment for HIV-infected Malawian adults with new smear-positive tuberculosis.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of two different dosages of cotrimoxazole (CTX) in prophylaxis in HIV-positive new smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients in Blantyre, Malawi.

Method: Randomized, double-blind trial using 480 and 960 mg of CTX given to new TB patients, who were followed up until the end of the tuberculosis treatment. The primary outcome was survival.