Evaluation of the mpox surveillance system in Cameroon from 2018 to 2022: a laboratory cross-sectional study.

Background: Formal assessment of a surveillance system's features and its ability to achieve objectives is crucial for disease control and prevention. Since the implementation of the mpox surveillance system in Cameroon, no evaluation has been conducted.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we assessed the performance of the mpox surveillance system in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

Concurrent Clade I and Clade II Monkeypox Virus Circulation, Cameroon, 1979-2022.

During 1979-2022, Cameroon recorded 32 laboratory-confirmed mpox cases among 137 suspected mpox cases identified by the national surveillance network. The highest positivity rate occurred in 2022, indicating potential mpox re-emergence in Cameroon. Both clade I (n = 12) and clade II (n = 18) monkeypox virus (MPXV) were reported, a unique feature of mpox in Cameroon.

Cotrimoxazole versus sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine for intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in HIV-infected pregnant women in Bangui, Central African Republic: A pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

Objective: The main objective of the MACOMBA (Maternity and Control of Malaria-HIV co-infection in Bangui) trial was to show that cotrimoxazole (CTX) is more effective than sulphadoxine-pyremethamine-IPTp (IPTp-SP) to prevent placental malaria infection (primary end point) among HIV-positive pregnant women with a CD4+ count ≥350 cells/mm in Bangui, CAR.

Methods: MACOMBA is a multicentre, open-label randomised trial conducted in four maternity hospitals in Bangui. Between 2013 and 2017, 193 women were randomised and 112 (59 and 53 in CTX and IPTp-SP arms, respectively) were assessed for placental infection defined by microscopic parasitaemia or PCR.

Genomic history of human monkey pox infections in the Central African Republic between 2001 and 2018.

Monkeypox is an emerging infectious disease, which has a clinical presentation similar to smallpox. In the two past decades, Central Africa has seen an increase in the frequency of cases, with many monkeypox virus (MPXV) isolates detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Central African Republic (CAR). To date, no complete MPXV viral genome has been published from the human cases identified in the CAR.

Fatal Outcome in a Hepatitis E Virus/Human Immunodeficiency Virus Co-Infected Malnourished Child in the Central African Republic.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is responsible for major endemic outbreaks in developing countries. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and HEV are widespread in the Central African Republic. We report the first documented case of an HEV infection in a 36-month-old child already suffering from HIV and severe acute malnutrition (SAM).

Hepatitis E virus outbreak associated with rainfall in the Central African Republic in 2008-2009.

Background: Infection by hepatitis E virus (HEV) can cause a high burden of morbidity and mortality in countries with poor access to clean water and sanitation. Our study aimed to investigate the situation of HEV infections in the Central African Republic (CAR).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of the blood samples and notification forms collected through the national yellow fever (YF) surveillance program, but for which a diagnosis of YF was discarded, was carried out using an anti-HEV IgM ELISA and a HEV-specific RT-PCR.

Complete Genome Sequences of Igbo-Ora and Babanki Alphavirus Strains Isolated in the Central African Republic in the 1960s and 1970s.

Vector-borne viruses are becoming increasingly important from a public health standpoint with the emergence or reemergence of viruses and extension of the areas at risk. Here, we report the whole-genome sequences of two alphaviruses, namely, one Igbo-Ora virus and one Babanki virus, that were isolated several decades ago in Africa from human serum.

Vaccination coverage in the context of the emerging Yellow Fever threat in French Guiana.

Background: French Guiana, a French overseas department located in South America between Brazil and Surinam, is the only European territory geographically located in the Amazonian forest complex and is considered endemic for yellow fever (YF). In the context of the emergent threat of YF in Latin America, we conducted a large household cross-sectional survey from June to October 2017 to estimate vaccination coverage in the population and to determine associations with sociodemographic and geographical characteristics.

Methodology/principal Findings: In total, 1,415 households and 2,697 individuals were included from the 22 municipalities of French Guiana.

Impact of Zika Virus Emergence in French Guiana: A Large General Population Seroprevalence Survey.

Background: Since the identification of Zika virus (ZIKV) in Brazil in May 2015, the virus has spread throughout the Americas. However, ZIKV burden in the general population in affected countries remains unknown.

Methods: We conducted a general population survey in the different communities of French Guiana through individual interviews and serologic survey during June-October 2017.

Complete Genome Sequence of the Tataguine Virus, Isolated in the Central African Republic in 1972 from a Human with an Acute Febrile Syndrome.

Tataguine virus (TATV) is an orthobunyavirus that causes febrile illnesses in Africa. Here, we report the complete genome sequences of TATV strain HB72P583, isolated in the Central African Republic in 1972. Several genetic variations were detected in the small (S), medium (M), and large (L) segments relative to a TATV strain isolated in Nigeria in 1966.

Revisiting human T-cell lymphotropic virus types 1 and 2 infections among rural population in Gabon, central Africa thirty years after the first analysis.

HTLV-1 infection is considered as highly endemic in central Africa. Thirty years ago, a first epidemiological study was performed in Gabon, central Africa, and revealed that the prevalence varied from 5.0 to 10.

Current challenges and implications for dengue, chikungunya and Zika seroprevalence studies worldwide: A scoping review.

Background: Arboviral infections are a public health concern and an escalating problem worldwide. Estimating the burden of these diseases represents a major challenge that is complicated by the large number of unapparent infections, especially those of dengue fever. Serological surveys are thus required to identify the distribution of these diseases and measure their impact.

Zika virus outbreak in Suriname, a report based on laboratory surveillance data.

Introduction: Since the identification of ZIKV in Brazil in May 2015, the virus has spread extensively throughout the Americas. Cases of ZIKV infection have been reported in Suriname since October 2, 2015.

Methods: A laboratory-based surveillance system was quickly implemented according to previous experience with the emergence of chikungunya.

A Nosocomial Outbreak of Human Monkeypox in the Central African Republic.

An outbreak of familial monkeypox occurred in the Central African Republic in 2015/2016 by 3 transmission modes: familial, health care-related, and transport-related. Ten people (3 children and 7 adults) were infected. Most presented with cutaneous lesions and fever, and 2 children died.

Emerging trends of Zika apprehension in an epidemic setting.

Background: French Guiana is a territory that has a decades-long history of dengue outbreaks and more recently, in 2014, a chikungunya outbreak. Zika virus (ZIKV) emerged in late 2015 and subsequently led to an important outbreak.

Methodology/principal Findings: A cross-sectional phone survey was conducted among the general population during the outbreak in June 2016 with a total of 1,129 individuals interviewed to assess perceptions, knowledge and behaviors regarding zika infection.

The proportion of asymptomatic infections and spectrum of disease among pregnant women infected by Zika virus: systematic monitoring in French Guiana, 2016.

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has been associated with complications during pregnancy. Although the presence of symptoms might be a risk factor for complication, the proportion of ZIKV-infected pregnant women with symptoms remains unknown. Following the emergence of ZIKV in French Guiana, all pregnancies in the territory were monitored by RT-PCR and/or detection of ZIKV antibodies.

Sentinel surveillance of influenza-like illness in the Central African Republic, 2010-2015.

Background: Influenza-like illness (ILI) is an important public health problem worldwide. In the Central African Republic, acute infectious diseases are the commonest reason for consultation. The Institut Pasteur of Bangui set up a surveillance network in 2008 to monitor the circulation of influenza viruses.

Diagnostic Validation of the RealStar Zika Virus Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction Kit for Detection of Zika Virus RNA in Urine and Serum Specimens.

With the Zika virus outbreak in South America starting in 2015 and its potential to cause malformation of the fetus in infected women, the need for diagnostic methods became obvious. Until now, only limited data are available on the diagnostic performance of commercial kits. Here, we present data comparing the RealStar Zika Virus RT-PCR Kit 1.

Non-malarial infectious diseases of antenatal care in pregnant women in Franceville, Gabon.

Background: In sub-tropical countries, infectious diseases remain one of the main causes of mortality. Because of their lack of active immunity, pregnant women and their unborn children represent the most susceptible people. In Gabon, data on infectious diseases of pregnant women such as syphilis and rubella are either scarce or very old.

Molecular Characterization of the Kamese Virus, an Unassigned Rhabdovirus, Isolated from Culex pruina in the Central African Republic.

Rhabdoviridae is one of the most diversified families of RNA viruses whose members infect a wide range of plants, animals, and arthropods. The members of this family are classified into 13 genera and >150 unassigned viruses. Here, we sequenced the complete genome of a rhabdovirus belonging to the Hart Park serogroup, the Kamese virus (KAMV), isolated in 1977 from Culex pruina in the Central African Republic.

Potential of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus populations in the Central African Republic to transmit enzootic chikungunya virus strains.

Background: Major chikungunya outbreaks have affected several Central African countries during the past decade. The chikungunya virus (CHIKV) was isolated from humans and sylvan mosquitoes in the Central African Republic (CAR) during the 1970 and 1980s but has not been found recently, despite the presence of Aedes albopictus since 2010. The risk of a massive chikungunya epidemic is therefore potentially high, as the human populations are immunologically naïve and because of the presence of the mosquito vector.

Complete Genome Sequences of Two Chikungunya Viruses Isolated in the Central African Republic in the 1970s and 1980s.

Some arboviruses threaten human global health with potentially explosive emergence. Analysis of whole-genome sequences of decades-old isolates might contribute to the understanding of the complex dynamics which drive their circulation and emergence. Here, we report the whole-genome sequences of two Chikungunya viruses isolated in the Central African Republic in the 1970s and 1980s.

Susceptibility profile and metabolic mechanisms involved in Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus resistant to DDT and deltamethrin in the Central African Republic.

Background: Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus are the main epidemic vectors of dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses worldwide. Their control during epidemics relies mainly on control of larvae and adults with insecticides.

Rift Valley Fever Virus Circulating among Ruminants, Mosquitoes and Humans in the Central African Republic.

Background: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) causes a viral zoonosis, with discontinuous epizootics and sporadic epidemics, essentially in East Africa. Infection with this virus causes severe illness and abortion in sheep, goats, and cattle as well as other domestic animals. Humans can also be exposed through close contact with infectious tissues or by bites from infected mosquitoes, primarily of the Aedes and Culex genuses.