Effectiveness of a single dose of oral cholera vaccine: findings from epidemiological and genomic surveillance of in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (PICHA7 Program).

This study investigated whole-cell oral cholera vaccine (kOCV) single-dose effectiveness and transmission dynamics of through 4 years of epidemiological and genomic surveillance in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Whole genome sequencing was performed on clinical and water strains from 200 patient households and found annual bimodal peaks of clade AFR10e. 1154 diarrhea patients were enrolled with 342 culture confirmed cholera patients.

Epidemiology of Infections in the Households of Cholera Patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: PICHA7 Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: The aim of this prospective cohort study is to build evidence on transmission dynamics and risk factors for infections in cholera patient households.

Methods: Household contacts of cholera patients were observed for 1-month after the index cholera patient was admitted to a health facility for stool, serum, and water collection in urban Bukavu in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. A infection was defined as a bacterial culture positive result during the 1-month surveillance period and/or a four-fold rise in a O1 serological antibody from baseline to the 1-month follow-up.

Appendicular Ureteroplasty for a Firearm Related Rupture of the Right Ureter.

One of the most challenging aspects of urology is restoring patency to ureters with long defects. In certain cases, it may not be feasible to perform plastic surgery on the ureter with its own tissue or bladder. In such instances, alternative solution like appendicular ureteroplasty may be promising solution.

Unusual posterior elbow dislocation associated with radial head fracture managed nonoperatively in low- and middle-income countries: A case report and literature review.

Key Clinical Message: In LMICs, the nonoperative management of posterior elbow dislocation associated with radial head fracture is still a therapeutic option with favorable outcomes.

Abstract: Elbow dislocation associated with radial head fracture is a rare lesion. The occurrence of such a lesion requires high energy trauma.

Effect of a Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Program on Handwashing with a Cleansing Agent among Diarrhea Patients and Attendants in Healthcare Facilities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Randomized Pilot of the PICHA7 Program.

Healthcare-acquired infections are a major problem in healthcare facility settings around the world. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has over 2 million diarrhea patients hospitalized each year. These healthcare settings become high-risk environments for spreading diarrheal illnesses such as cholera.

Evaluation of a rapid diagnostic test for detection of Vibrio cholerae O1 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Preventative intervention for cholera for 7 days (PICHA7 program).

Objective: Globally, there are estimated to be 2.9 million cholera cases annually. Early detection of cholera outbreaks is crucial for resource allocation for case management and for targeted interventions to be delivered to stop the spread of cholera.

A Quantitative and Qualitative Program Evaluation of a Case-Area Targeted Intervention to Reduce Cholera in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Individuals living near cholera patients have an increased risk of cholera infections. Case-area targeted interventions (CATIs) promoting improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) present a promising approach to reducing cholera for those residing near cholera cases. However, there is limited evidence on the effectiveness and implementation of this approach in increasing WASH behaviors.

MRI and CT findings in anterior thoracic myelomeningocele associated with scoliosis: A case of an 8-year-old child.

Anterior Thoracic Myelomeningocele is a very rare condition. The diagnosis may be made before or after birth. Association with loss of physiologic curvature of the spine is common.

A Qualitative Evaluation of COVID-19 Preventative Response Activities in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Objective: In this evaluation of COVID-19 preventative response programs in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), we aimed to explore community understandings of COVID-19, assess operational successes and challenges of COVID response activities, and identify barriers to practicing COVID-19 preventative behaviors.

Methods: Thirty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted from April to September 2021 in South Kivu, DRC, with community members ( = 16) and programmatic stakeholders ( = 15) (healthcare providers, government officials, and developmental and NGO staff engaged in COVID-19 response).

Findings: Most community members were aware of COVID-19 and its global burden, but few were aware of local transmission in their area.

Formative Research for the Development of Evidence-Based Targeted Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Interventions to Reduce Cholera in Hotspots in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Preventative Intervention for Cholera for 7 Days (PICHA7) Program.

Compared to the general public, household members of cholera patients are at a 100 times higher risk of contracting cholera during the 7-day high-risk period after a cholera patient has been admitted to a health facility for treatment. The Preventative-Intervention-for-Cholera-for-7-days (PICHA7) program aims to reduce household transmission of cholera during this 7-day high-risk period through a health facility-initiated water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) program promoting handwashing with soap, water treatment, and safe water storage. The PICHA7 program is delivered to cholera patient households through: (1) a pictorial flipbook delivered by a health promoter; (2) a cholera prevention package (handwashing station, drinking water vessel with lid and tap, and chlorine tablets); and (3) weekly WASH mobile messages sent to patient households in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Methods to Evaluate COVID-19 Preventive Hygiene Programs: Observed Mask Wearing, Handwashing, and Physical Distancing Behaviors in Public Indoor Spaces in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The objective of our study was to develop and test observational methods to evaluate COVID-19 preventive hygiene behaviors and physical distancing, and to evaluate the effectiveness of a government mandate on indoor fully covered mask wearing. An observational study was conducted of 4,736 individuals from April to October 2021 using 5-hour and rapid (10-minute) structured observations and spot checks to evaluate mask-wearing, handwashing, and physical-distancing behaviors, and the functionality of handwashing stations in 161 indoor public spaces across Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Sixteen percent of individuals entering indoor public spaces were wearing a mask that fully covered their nose and mouth (fully covered mask wearing).

Psychopathological states among Congolese health workers during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic: links with emotion regulation and social support.

Unlabelled: The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented stressor for frontline healthcare workers, notably increasing acute stress disorder and depression rates. Emotion regulation and social support could be major protective factors against such psychopathological states, but their role has not been explored outside Western contexts. To assess the association between emotion regulation, social support, acute stress disorder, and depression among healthcare workers directly confronted with the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Epilepsia partialis continua associated with ketotic hyperglycemia and tuberculous meningoencephalitis: A case report.

We report the case of an 18-year-old girl who presented with several episodes of simple partial motor seizures compatible with the diagnosis of epilepsia partialis continua. In addition to ketotic hyperglycemia, tuberculous meningoencephalitis was diagnosed based on clinical, biological, and brain imaging findings. The seizures ceased after normalization of glycemia.

Bladder exstrophy: An atypical journey of a rare case of an adult.

Bladder exstrophy is a rare and complex malformation. Often associated with diverse deformations, an accurate diagnosis is a must for adequate management. In the African setting, especially in a remote area, delivery rarely occurs within a healthcare structure, thus reducing the chance of an early diagnosis.

Etiology of Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis and Antibiotic Resistance in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Background: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has one of the highest neonatal death rates (between 14% and 28%) in the world. In the DRC, neonatal sepsis causes 15.6% of this mortality, but data on the bacterial etiology and associated drug susceptibility are lacking.

A miner with No left lung: Extensive pulmonary destruction in delayed effective Multi-Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis treatment.

We report a case of extensive pulmonary destruction due to delayed effective pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) treatment in an adult artisanal miner in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Xpert MTB/RIF was positive after his second rifampicin-susceptible TB treatment. Chest X-rays were suggestive of large cavity, fibrosis of remaining lung and air-fluid levels at the base of the destroyed lung.

Evaluation of a turbidimetric C-reactive protein assay to monitor early-onset neonatal sepsis in South Kivu (Democratic Republic of the Congo).

Objectives: Neonatal sepsis, a condition defined as bacteremia within the first month of life accompanied by signs of systemic infection, is the most preventable cause of infant mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the development of new infection markers, C-reactive protein (CRP) is the most extensively studied acute phase reactant so far and the preferred index in many neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The aim of the present study was to evaluate an affordable, non-commercial turbidimetric CRP assay for monitoring early-onset neonatal sepsis (EOS).