Publications by authors named "Kitenge Omasumbu Richard"

Background: During the 2018-20 Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, thousands of patients received unprecedented vaccination, monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy, or both, leading to a large number of survivors. We aimed to report the clinical, virological, viral genomic, and immunological features of two previously vaccinated and mAb-treated survivors of Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo who developed second episodes of disease months after initial discharge, ultimately complicated by fatal meningoencephalitis associated with viral persistence.

Methods: In this case report study, we describe the presentation, management, and subsequent investigations of two patients who developed recrudescent Ebola virus disease and subsequent fatal meningoencephalitis.

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Background: Ebola virus disease (EVD) is associated with multisystem organ failure and high mortality. Severe hypoglycaemia is common, life-threatening, and correctable in critically ill patients, but glucose monitoring may be limited in EVD treatment units.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients admitted to EVD treatment units in Butembo and Katwa, Eastern DRC.

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Background: Skeletal muscle injury in Ebola virus disease (EVD) has been reported, but its association with morbidity and mortality remains poorly defined.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients admitted to 2 EVD treatment units over an 8-month period in 2019 during an EVD epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Results: An overall 333 patients (median age, 30 years; 58% female) had at least 1 creatine kinase (CK) measurement (n = 2229; median, 5/patient [IQR, 1-11]).

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Introduction: Despite tremendous progress in the development of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics for Ebola virus disease (EVD), challenges remain in the implementation of holistic strategies to rapidly curtail outbreaks. We investigated the effectiveness of a community-based contact isolation strategy to limit the spread of the disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Methods: We did a quasi-experimental comparison study.

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Background: A paucity of data is available on virologic and biochemical characteristics of paediatric Ebolavirus disease (EVD), compared to adults.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of children (<16 years old) and a comparator group of young adults (16-44 years) from two treatment centres during the 2018-2020 EVD epidemic in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Statistical methods included chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests (dichotomous and categorical variables), Mann-Whitney U-test (continuous variables), multivariable linear regression (for determinants of admission viral load), linear mixed-effects models (for analysis of longitudinal viral load), and Cox proportional hazard models (to examine risk factors for mortality).

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