Publications by authors named "Jean Thierry Ebogo Belobo"
Article Synopsis
- The epidemiology and ecology of Mycobacterium ulcerans (MU) infections are not well understood, especially regarding disease burden, host range, and transmission methods.
- A review of 155 articles from various countries showed MU's presence in humans, animals, plants, and environmental samples, with prevalence rates varying widely.
- Significant gaps exist in understanding the viability of MU in non-human reservoirs, prompting a need for further research on its transmission routes and host interactions.
Methicillin-Resistant Carriage among Neonate Mothers, Healthcare Workers, and Environmental Samples in Neonatal Intensive Care Units: A Systematic Review.
Biomed Res Int
August 2024
Background: Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The MRSA colonization of neonates, attributed to various sources, including mothers, healthcare workers, and environmental surfaces, can lead to severe infection, prolonged hospital stays, and even death, imposing substantial economic burdens. Given the pressing need to mitigate MRSA spread in these vulnerable environments, further examination of the subject is warranted.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDialysis is a replacement therapy for patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Patients on dialysis are at high risk of acquiring hepatitis C virus (HCV), which has become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. There is a wide range of prevalence of HCV in dialysis populations around the world.
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- HIV is a significant public health issue in Africa, particularly affecting pregnant women, which impacts both maternal and child health.
- The study reviewed 248 articles to determine the overall HIV seroprevalence among pregnant women in Africa, finding a rate of 9.3%, with notable regional differences.
- The highest seroprevalence was in Southern Africa (29.4%), while Northern Africa had the lowest (0.7%), indicating considerable variation in HIV rates across the continent.
A mapping review of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus proportions, genetic diversity, and antimicrobial resistance patterns in Cameroon.
PLoS One
December 2023
Background: The emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has increased and poses a significant threat to human and animal health in Cameroon and the world at large. MRSA strains have infiltrated various settings, including hospitals, communities, and livestock, contributing to increased morbidity, treatment costs, and mortality. This evidence synthesis aims to understand MRSA prevalence, resistance patterns, and genetic characterization in Cameroon.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAstroviruses (AstVs) are a major cause of gastroenteritis, especially in children. They can be transmitted through various pathways, including environmental contamination via water matrices. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of AstV in different types of water, such as untreated and treated wastewater, surface water (e.
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- The study investigated the presence of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) in 15 species of non-human primates in Cameroon.
- RVFV antibodies were found in 3.7% of chimpanzees and 1.4% of unidentified non-human primate species.
- This research marks the first examination of RVFV in monkeys within the region.
Article Synopsis
- Rotavirus infections are a leading cause of diarrhea-related deaths in children under 5 globally, with various transmission routes that are not fully understood.
- A study analyzed data from multiple sources and found that 29.8% of patients with gastroenteritis had rotavirus, indicating a high prevalence, especially among young children.
- The findings highlight the significant health burden of rotavirus in Africa and call for a One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health strategies to combat the virus.
Article Synopsis
- Bacterial vaginosis (BV) significantly impacts pregnant women, leading to serious maternal and fetal complications, including potential fatal outcomes.
- A comprehensive meta-analysis of 26 relevant studies revealed high rates of preterm birth (17.9%), low birth weight (14.2%), and maternal issues like premature rupture of membranes (13.2%) linked to BV.
- The study found strong associations between BV and adverse outcomes, including preterm birth (OR 1.76) and miscarriage (OR 2.34), highlighting the necessity for better awareness and management of BV in pregnant women.
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a severe zoonotic mosquito-borne disease that represents an important threat to human and animal health, with major public health and socioeconomic impacts. This disease is endemic throughout many African countries and the Arabian Peninsula. This systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to determine the RVF prevalence in humans, mosquitoes and other animal species in Africa.
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- The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in African populations, noting its global health impact and prior lack of specific prevalence data for Africa.
- It conducted a systematic review of 297 studies across 29 African countries, analyzing the prevalence rates using various diagnostic methods, which revealed a pooled prevalence of 32.4% for MS overall in Africa.
- The results indicated higher prevalence in adults (33.1%) than children (13.3%), with MS being more common in females (36.9%) versus males (26.7%), and particularly prevalent among patients with Type 2 diabetes (66.9%).
Occurrence of Hepatitis A Virus in Water Matrices: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
January 2023
Hepatitis A is a common form of viral hepatitis. It is usually transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food and water. This systematic review was carried out to summarise the overall prevalence of Hepatitis A virus (HAV) in different water matrices: untreated and treated wastewater, surface water, groundwater, drinking water, and others (e.
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- Occult hepatitis B (OBI) and C (OCI) infections are serious health issues in Africa, leading to liver complications like cirrhosis and cancer, and pose risks for transmission.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis examined OBI and OCI prevalence across Africa, utilizing data from multiple published studies.
- The findings indicated that OBI has a prevalence of about 14.8%, while OCI is around 10.7%, with higher rates observed in specific patient populations such as those with liver disorders and malignancies.
Background: The association between hospitalization for human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) bronchiolitis in early childhood and subsequent asthma is well established. The long-term prognosis for non-bronchiolitis lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) caused by viruses different from HRSV and rhinovirus, on the other hand, has received less interest.
Aim: To investigate the relationship between infant LRTI and later asthma and examine the influence of confounding factors.
This study aimed to assess the global prevalence of occult hepatitis B in blood donors. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Global Index Medicus, and Excerpta Medica Database. Study selection and data extraction were performed by at least two independent investigators.
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- Yellow fever (YF) has seen a resurgence over the past two decades, leading to outbreaks in endemic areas and new regions, which poses significant public health challenges.
- This systematic review analyzed data on the case fatality rate (31.1% in humans) and the prevalence of the yellow fever virus (YFV) in humans (9.4%), mosquitoes, and non-human primates in sub-Saharan Africa, based on 55 studies.
- The findings emphasize the ongoing virus transmission and highlight the urgent need for strategies like the WHO's Eliminate Yellow Fever Epidemics initiative to prevent future outbreaks in the region.
Background: Occult hepatitis C infection (OCI) is characterized by the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in the liver, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and/or ultracentrifuged serum in the absence of detectable HCV-RNA in serum. OCI has been described in several categories of populations including hemodialysis patients, patients with a sustained virological response, immunocompromised individuals, patients with abnormal hepatic function, and apparently healthy subjects.
Aim: To highlight the global prevalence of OCI.
Article Synopsis
- In Africa, HIV coinfection with hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) is a significant public health issue, yet data on its epidemiology and case fatality rates are limited.
- A systematic review of 4388 articles identified 314 studies, revealing a 4.4% case fatality rate for HBV among people living with HIV (PLHIV) and various prevalence rates for HBV (10.5%), HCV (5.4%), and their coinfection (0.7%).
- The findings highlight the need for targeted public health efforts to address the complex interplay of these infections in Africa, given the observed variability and challenges in data reporting.
Article Synopsis
- Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a serious mosquito-borne disease affecting humans, livestock, and wildlife, especially in Africa; this study focuses on its prevalence in animals at a slaughterhouse in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
- A cross-sectional study conducted in March 2020 involved testing blood samples from 191 sheep and goats, revealing a 5.2% positive rate for RVFV IgG antibodies, with higher prevalence in females and sheep.
- The findings indicate RVFV circulation in local ruminants and underscore the importance of establishing a surveillance system for monitoring the virus across humans, livestock, wildlife, and vectors in Cameroon.
A substantial amount of epidemiological data has been reported on Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) infections after the 2014 outbreak. Our goal was to map the case fatality rate (CFR) and prevalence of current and past EV-D68 infections. We conducted a systematic review (PROSPERO, CRD42021229255) with published articles on EV-68 infections in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Global Index Medicus up to January 2021.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Africa denotes unique facies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) characterized by a conjunction of low sensitization, restricted access to diagnosis and treatment and associated with the highest incidence and mortality in the world. We investigated whether hepatitis B (HBV), C (HCV) and D (VHD) viruses were etiological agents of HCC in Africa.
Methods: Relevant articles were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, African Index Medicus, and African Journal Online databases, as well as manual searches in relevant reviews and included articles.
Article Synopsis
- The systematic review aimed to assess the relationship between diabetes mellitus (DM) and the risk of developing tuberculosis (TB), addressing confounders like age, gender, and lifestyle factors that previous studies may have overlooked.
- A total of 12,796 articles were screened, leading to the inclusion of 47 observational studies with over half a million DM or TB cases, and results indicated a significant association with an odds ratio of 2.3, meaning diabetics were more than twice as likely to develop TB compared to non-diabetics.
- The study confirmed that the increased TB risk persisted across various study types (cohort, case-control, cross-sectional) and was influenced by geographic differences, though the statistical significance remained consistent
Article Synopsis
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major global health issue, impacting around 2 billion people and causing about 1 million deaths annually, with healthcare workers (HCWs) at high risk due to potential exposure to infected blood.
- This study aims to assess the global prevalence of HBV serological markers among HCWs by analyzing relevant research published between 1970 and 2019, including a total of 227 studies from 71 countries.
- The meta-analysis revealed a pooled prevalence of current HBV infection (2.3%), with very low rates for HBeAg (0.2%) among the HCW population, highlighting the importance of monitoring and improving HBV control strategies in healthcare settings.
Preeclampsia is one of the most common complications of pregnancy and occurs in approximately 3-8% of all pregnancies worldwide. Although the aetiology of preeclampsia still largely remains unclear, it is thought to be related to endothelial dysfunction and can lead to serum lipid abnormalities. Therefore, this case-control study was conceived and designed with the aim to compare maternal lipid profile parameters and cardiovascular risk factors, between preeclamptic and healthy pregnancies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRabies is transmitted to humans mainly by dogs but also by other animal species. Reliable data on the incidence of Rabies virus (RABV) in humans, dogs, and other animal species in Africa, could be essential in the implementation of a global strategic plan to eliminate the RABV by 2030 as adopted by the WHO, OIE, and FAO. We searched the Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, African Journal Online, and African Index Medicus databases for relevant studies that report data on the incidence of RABV in Africa up to February 17, 2020.
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