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.

Analysis of Iron Status in Sickle Cell Disease Patients During Steady State at the Center de Recherche et de Lutte contre la Drépanocytose (CRLD) Bamako.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a prevalent inherited blood disorder arising from a single point mutation that results in substitution of valine with glutamic acid in the Beta hemoglobin chain, making red blood cells assume a banana shape under low oxygen state. It is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, affecting approximately 2% of the population in Mali. This study aimed to evaluate the iron status and associated hematological parameters in SCD patients at steady state in an environment with a high prevalence of iron deficiency.

Methodological framework for assessing malaria risk associated with climate change in Côte d'Ivoire.

Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity among children under five years of age and pregnant women in Côte d'Ivoire. We assessed the geographical distribution of its risk in all climatic zones of the country based on the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) approach to climate risk analysis. This methodology considers three main driving components affecting the risk: Hazard, exposure and vulnerability.

Geographic heterogeneity of SARS-CoV-2 circulation in Abidjan, Ivory Coast: a prospective study.

Introduction: Few studies on SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in Ivory Coast have been conducted since the first case was reported on March 11, 2020. The main objective of this study was to observe and better understand the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in Abidjan.

Methodology: This prospective study collected data concerning age, sex, vaccination status, municipality of origin, monthly income, frequency of malaria, and frequency of diarrheal diseases in persons who gave their informed consent.

Effects of Climate Variability on Malaria Transmission in Southern Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa.

Malaria continues to be a major public health concern with a substantial burden in Africa. Even though it has been widely demonstrated that malaria transmission is climate-driven, there have been very few studies assessing the relationship between climate variables and malaria transmission in Côte d'Ivoire. We used the VECTRI model to predict malaria transmission in southern Côte d'Ivoire.

Progress towards elimination of onchocerciasis transmission in Mali: A "pre-stop MDA" survey in 18 transmission zones.

Background: Onchocerciasis control activities in Mali began in 1975 with vector larviciding carried out by the Onchocerciasis Control Programme (OCP), followed by the distribution of ivermectin from 1998 until the closure of the OCP in 2002. At that time, epidemiological evaluations, using skin snip microscopy and O-150 pool screening PCR in black flies, indicated that the disease had been largely controlled as a public health problem. Ivermectin distribution was nevertheless continued after 2002 in 34 of the 75 health districts in Mali as these were known to still be meso- or hyper-endemic for onchocerciasis.

Impact of follow ups, time interval and study duration in diffusion & myelin MRI clinical study in MS.

It is currently unknown how quantitative diffusion and myelin MRI designs affect the results of a longitudinal study. We used two independent datasets containing 6 monthly MRI measurements from 20 healthy controls and 20 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS) patients. Six designs were tested, including 3 MRI acquisitions, either over 6 months or over a shorter study duration, with balanced (same interval) or unbalanced (different interval) time intervals between MRI acquisitions.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and retrospective mortality in two African settings: Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

Although seroprevalence studies have demonstrated the wide circulation of SARS-COV-2 in African countries, the impact on population health in these settings is still poorly understood. Using representative samples of the general population, we evaluated retrospective mortality and seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Lubumbashi and Abidjan. The studies included retrospective mortality surveys and nested anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence surveys.

Meningococcal ACWYX Conjugate Vaccine in 2-to-29-Year-Olds in Mali and Gambia.

Background: An effective, affordable, multivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine is needed to prevent epidemic meningitis in the African meningitis belt. Data on the safety and immunogenicity of NmCV-5, a pentavalent vaccine targeting the A, C, W, Y, and X serogroups, have been limited.

Methods: We conducted a phase 3, noninferiority trial involving healthy 2-to-29-year-olds in Mali and Gambia.

Model-estimated impacts of pediatric respiratory syncytial virus prevention programs in Mali on asthma prevalence.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in young children and is associated with subsequent recurrent wheezing illness and asthma (wheeze/asthma). RSV prevention may therefore reduce wheeze/asthma prevalence.

Objectives: We estimated the contribution of RSV LRTI and the impact of RSV prevention on recurrent wheeze/asthma in Mali.

Optimizing next-generation RSV prevention in Mali: A cost-effectiveness analysis of pediatric vaccination, maternal vaccination, and extended half-life monoclonal antibody immunoprophylaxis.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of early childhood lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Maternal vaccines, birth-dose extended half-life monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), and pediatric vaccines are under development for prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in young children. We analyzed the health and economic impact of RSV interventions used alone or in combinations in Mali.

Randomized Trial of Vaccines for Zaire Ebola Virus Disease.

Background: Questions remain concerning the rapidity of immune responses and the durability and safety of vaccines used to prevent Zaire Ebola virus disease.

Methods: We conducted two randomized, placebo-controlled trials - one involving adults and one involving children - to evaluate the safety and immune responses of three vaccine regimens against Zaire Ebola virus disease: Ad26.ZEBOV followed by MVA-BN-Filo 56 days later (the Ad26-MVA group), rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP followed by placebo 56 days later (the rVSV group), and rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP followed by rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP 56 days later (the rVSV-booster group).

Combined Clinical Audits and Low-Dose, High-frequency, In-service Training of Health Care Providers and Community Health Workers to Improve Maternal and Newborn Health in Mali: Protocol for a Pragmatic Cluster Randomized Trial.

Background: Although most births in Mali occur in health facilities, a substantial number of newborns still die during delivery and within the first 7 days of life, mainly because of existing training deficiencies and the challenges of maintaining intrapartum and postpartum care skills.

Objective: This trial aims to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an intervention combining clinical audits and low-dose, high-frequency (LDHF) in-service training of health care providers and community health workers to reduce perinatal mortality.

Methods: The study is a three-arm cluster randomized controlled trial in the Koulikoro region in Mali.

First Malian series of surgery for rheumatic valve disease: opening of the centre, clinical features and peri-operative realities.

Introduction: Over the past two decades, the incidence of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and chronic rheumatic heart disease (RHD) have dramatically declined in wealthier regions of the world as a result of preventative programmes, improved living standards and access to cardiac surgery. Nevertheless, ARF and RHD are still public health problems in less-developed regions of the world such as Oceania, south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

Aim: We report on clinical, therapeutic and prognostic aspects as well as the difficulties encountered during this first series of surgery for rheumatic valve disease in Mali.

Viral and bacterial factors of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the tenth leading cause of death worldwide. Mother-to-child transmission of HBV occurring mainly at delivery remains one of the most common routes of infection in developing countries. One of the main challenges concerning HBV in Africa is to implement a prevention policy aiming at interrupting the cycle of pseudo-vertical transmission of this infection.

Cost-effectiveness of infant respiratory syncytial virus preventive interventions in Mali: A modeling study to inform policy and investment decisions.

Importance: Low- and middle-income countries have a high burden of respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract infections. A monoclonal antibody administered monthly is licensed to prevent these infections, but it is cost-prohibitive for most low- and middle-income countries. Long-acting monoclonal antibodies and maternal vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus are under development.

[Outreach strategies of HIV testing in Côte d’Ivoire: community providers under pressure].

Background: Outreach HIV testing strategies have significantly contributed to the increase in the number of people knowing their HIV status in sub-Saharan Africa. This article analyzes the articulation of donor and field constraints on the implementation of outreach HIV testing strategies in Côte d’Ivoire.

Methods: Qualitative research was conducted in three health districts (Man, Cocody-Bingerville and Aboisso) in Côte d’Ivoire in 2015-2016, through in-depth interviews with community providers, local leaders and people tested and through observation of outreach HIV testing activities.

Humoral and cellular immune response induced by rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP vaccine among frontline workers during the 2013-2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak in Guinea.

Background: As part of a Phase III trial with the Ebola vaccine rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP in Guinea, we invited frontline workers (FLWs) to participate in a sub-study to provide additional information on the immunogenicity of the vaccine.

Methods: We conducted an open-label, non-randomized, single-arm immunogenicity evaluation of one dose of rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP among healthy FLWs in Guinea. FLWs who refused vaccination were offered to participate as a control group.

Dupuytren's disease: A reality in Black Africa.

Long regarded as a disease exclusively found amongst Northern Europeans, Dupuytren's disease was seldom studied amongst Black Africans. Thus, we sought to study the impact of Dupuytren's disease, its etiological, clinical and evolutionary peculiarities on a segment of the Senegalese population. This study analyzed data derived from clinical observations carried out between January 2006 and December 2018.

Arranging good clinical practices training and trial monitoring for a vaccine efficacy study during a public health emergency of international concern.

The 2014-2015 outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in West Africa was unprecedented in size and scope. The World Health Organization, government of Guinea and other partners undertook a field trial of efficacy of an Ebola vaccine in Guinea, with a parallel immunogenicity study in front-line workers. However, several obstacles had to be overcome.

[Epidemio-clinicalappearances of care-associated infections in the resuscitation unit of Gabriel Touré teaching hospital (Bamako)].

Unlabelled: An infection is said to be associated with care (IAS) when it occurs during or after a patient's management (PEC). A delay of at least 48 hours after admission is commonly accepted to distinguish a nosocomial infection from a community infection.in 2009, WHO estimated that 1.

[Not Available].

Background: Outreach HIV testing strategies have significantly contributed to the increase in the number of people knowing their HIV status in sub-Saharan Africa. This article analyzes the articulation of donor and field constraints on the implementation of outreach HIV testing strategies in Côte d'Ivoire.

Methods: Qualitative research was conducted in three health districts (Man, Cocody-Bingerville and Aboisso) in Côte d'Ivoire in 2015-2016, through in-depth interviews with community providers, local leaders and people tested and through observation of outreach HIV testing activities.

Increased liver injury in patients with chronic hepatitis and IgG directed against hepatitis E virus.

Type-E hepatitis is responsible for more than three million symptomatic cases and more than 40,000 deaths worldwide. The situation of this hepatitis is overall poorly known in sub-Saharan Africa. Notably, the baseline circulation of HEV outside sporadic outbreaks has been barely characterized in this large region.

Organization of funding for community-based HIV testing in Côte d'Ivoire: potentially counterproductive search for efficiency?

Since the early 2010s, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria have stiffened their result-based management strategies. Disbursement conditions are increasingly demanding for funded NGOs (achievement of quantified objectives, frequent reporting, and monitoring of activities), and their remuneration depends on the results achieved. This article aims to analyze the effects of this strengthening of policies based on New Public Management on local implementation of activities, based on the example of community-based HIV testing.