Which diagnostic test to use for Testing and Treatment strategies in low-transmission settings: a secondary analysis of a longitudinal interventional study.

Background: The lack of sensitive field tests to diagnose blood stages and hypnozoite carriers prevents Testing and Treatment (TAT) strategies to achieve elimination in low-transmission settings, but recent advances in Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and serology position them as promising tools. This study describes a PCR-based TAT strategy (PCRTAT) implemented in Saint Georges (SGO), French Guiana, and explores alternative strategies (seroTAT and seroPCRTAT) to diagnose and treat carriers.

Methods: The PALUSTOP cohort study implemented in SGO (September 2017 to December 2018) screened participants for using PCR tests and treated positive cases.

Kinetics of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity during Plasmodium vivax infection: implications for early radical malaria treatment.

Background: Plasmodium vivax relapses due to dormant liver hypnozoites can be prevented with primaquine. However, the dose must be adjusted in individuals with glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. In French Guiana, assessment of G6PD activity is typically delayed until day (D)14 to avoid the risk if misclassification.

Enhancing sexual health and empowerment among migrant women sex workers: a community health worker-led intervention in Marseille, France.

Introduction: Given the high infection rate of sexually transmitted infections (STI) among migrant women sex workers (WSWs), it is necessary to understand how to improve prevention, information and care for this vulnerable population. Community health workers (CHWs), by linking community to health services, are positioned to improve health outcomes in migrant communities. This article aims to describe a pilot innovative intervention performed by CHWs to improve sexual health in migrant WSWs.

Understanding the impact of mobility on Plasmodium spp. carriage in an Amazon cross-border area with low transmission rate.

Despite the large reduction in malaria incidence in the last decade, the last kilometre to elimination is often the hardest, especially in international border areas. This study investigated the impact of mobility on Plasmodium spp. carriage in people living in a cross-border area in Amazonia with a low malaria transmission rate.

High PrEP acceptability and need for tailored implementation in Cambodian key populations: results from a qualitative assessment.

The HIV epidemics in Cambodia is concentrated in key populations (KPs). Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been officially approved in the country since 2019. However, its use may still be controversial after a PrEP clinical trial was interrupted in Cambodia after being deemed unethical in 2004.

Morbidity and mortality in a prospective cohort of people who were homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: Certain living conditions, such as homelessness, increase health risks in epidemic situations. We conducted a prospective observational cohort study to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on morbidity and mortality in adult people who were homeless.

Methods: The study population comprised around 40% of the entire population experiencing homelessness in Marseille.

Effectiveness of a Community Empowerment Intervention to Improve Access to Pre-exposure Prophylaxis in Migrant Women Sex Workers: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Implementation Study.

Background: The World Health Organization recommends pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for all populations at substantial risk of HIV infection. However, at-risk women very rarely use PrEP in France-this represents a critical issue among migrant women sex workers (MWSWs). Previous studies on PrEP use among women sex workers or migrants focused on individual or social determinants of motivation.

Molecular detection of human Plasmodium species using a multiplex real time PCR.

Molecular detection methods have revealed higher sensitivity and specificity than conventional microscopy or rapid diagnostic tests for malaria diagnosis. In this study, we implemented, evaluated and validated according to the ISO 15,189 requirements, a multiplex real-time PCR assay to detect and identify the five human malaria parasites. DNA samples were extracted from whole blood or dried blood spots drawn from patients.

Cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection within the homeless population: insights from a city-wide longitudinal study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in a cohort of homeless people using survival analysis. Seroprevalence in the homeless community was also compared with that of the general population.

Design: Cohort study.

Variation in Pyrethroid Resistance Phenotypes in Anopheles darlingi in an Area with Residual Malaria Transmission: Warning of Suspected Resistance in French Guiana.

Anopheles darlingi is the main vector of malaria in South America. In French Guiana, malaria transmission occurs inland and along the rivers with a regular reemergence in the lower Oyapock area. Control against malaria vectors includes indoor residual spraying of deltamethrin and the distribution of long-lasting impregnated bednets.

[Sacroiliitis with revealing tricuspid endocarditis, the first case reported on the Guiana Shield: clinical case and review of the literature].

We report here an atypical case of acute sacroiliitis caused by revealing tricuspid endocarditis in a 53-year-old woman without medical history. She was admitted to Cayenne hospital because of intense right hip and thigh pain, associated with fever. A right sacroiliitis was visible on the computed tomography (CT) scan, confirmed on MRI.

Sexual and addictive risk behaviors and sexually transmitted infections in illegal gold miners in French Guiana: A multicenter observational study.

Objectives: Common representations of the world of gold mining-especially illegal-are usually negative: the activity conjures up images of drug trafficking, human exploitation, the sex trade, environmental destruction, and infectious diseases, in particular sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The aim of the present article is to describe the levels of risk behaviors such as transactional sex, multiple sexual partners, and the frequency of condom use, addictive substance consumption, and the prevalence of STIs among the population of illegal gold miners in French Guiana (FG), a French overseas entity in Amazonia, in order to guide potential interventions.

Methods: An observational multicenter cross-sectional study was carried out from October to December 2019 along the two borders of FG with Suriname and Brazil at rest sites used by the miners.

Epidemiology of infection by pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacteria in French Guiana 2008-2018.

Introduction: Unlike diseases caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. leprae and M. ulcerans, the epidemiology of pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacteria (PNTM) has not received due attention in French Guiana.

Zoonoses and gold mining: A cross-sectional study to assess yellow fever immunization, Q fever, leptospirosis and leishmaniasis among the population working on illegal mining camps in French Guiana.

Background: Most emerging pathogens are zoonoses and have a wildlife origin. Anthropization and disruption of ecosystems favor the crossing of inter-species barriers. We hypothesize that the marginalized population of undocumented goldminers in the Amazon is at risk of acquiring zoonoses.

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Introduction: Homeless people are particularly at risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 because their precarious living conditions make prevention measure difficult.

Objective: We describe an innovative approach with the aim of implementing testing and monitoring adapted to the needs of the homeless people of Marseille (inhabitants of slums, squats or those living on the street).

Results: The intervention included 1) the coordination of 18 support organizations for homeless people, 2) the training and the provision of rapid serological and antigenic tests, 3) a mobile outreach team with community mediators in order to provide tests, including COVID-19 PCR on point of care, prevention and monitoring of positive cases.

Residential Mobility of a Cohort of Homeless People in Times of Crisis: COVID-19 Pandemic in a European Metropolis.

Most vulnerable individuals are particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study takes place in a large city in France. The aim of this study is to describe the mobility of the homeless population at the beginning of the health crisis and to analyze its impact in terms of COVID-19 prevalence.

Mayaro virus infection in French Guiana, a cross sectional study 2003-2019.

Mayaro Virus is an emerging arbovirus which can be responsible of important outbreaks in tropical regions. A retrospective study was performed in French Guiana, an ultraperipheral region of Europe in Amazonia. We identified 17 human cases between 2003 and 2019.

Cryptosporidiosis outbreak in Amazonia, French Guiana, 2018.

Background: Cryptosporidiosis outbreaks in South America are poorly documented. In March 2018, 51 cases of cryptosporidiosis were reported in Maripasoula, a village located in a remote forest area along the border between Surinam and French Guiana.

Method: To identify the origin of the epidemic, we performed epidemiological, microbiological, and environmental investigations.

Addressing sexuality and sexual health with migrants. Practice guidelines.

Sexual health is an integral part of overall health and should be discussed with all people who seek help. The Vaccination and Prevention working group of the French Infectious Diseases Society (SPILF) and the Migrant Commission of the French AIDS Society (SFLS) developed recommendations to address this issue with migrants presenting vulnerability factors. After defining sexual health and target migrants, practical recommendations were issued.

Factors associated with SARS-CoV2 infection and care pathways among the most vulnerable populations living in Marseille: a case control study.

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic has led to substantial and unexpected increases in morbidity and mortality in France. Vulnerable populations housed in accommodation centres have a greater risk of infection because collective housing and their dependence on social support services mean it is more difficult to apply preventive measures. They are also at greater risk of developing severe forms of Covid-19 and waiting longer before seeking healthcare (for Covid-19 or other) treatment.