A community-based peer-facilitated psychological and social support model to improve retention in care among Cameroonian adolescents perinatally infected with human immunodeficiency virus: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Psychological and social support for adolescents living with HIV remains undocumented and unaddressed in Central Africa. This study aimed at assessing effectiveness of a peer-facilitated community-based support model in improving retention in care among adolescents living with HIV and attending care in Chantal Biya Foundation, Yaounde, Cameroon.

Materials And Methods: We conducted an analysis of adolescents aged 10-19 years old, perinatally infected with HIV, on follow-up in the Day Care Unit of a reference hospital in Yaounde, Cameroon, and enrolled in the IAS-CIPHER-2021/1214-ATE-SMAVI, a individually randomized controlled trial.

Partial spike gene sequencing for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating in Cameroon in 2021.

Introduction: Global monitoring of severe acute respiratory syndrome related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genetic sequences and associated metadata is essential for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response. Therefore, Sanger's partial genome sequencing technique was used to monitor the circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2 in Cameroon.

Methodology: Nasopharyngeal specimen was collected from persons suspected of SARS-CoV-2 following the national guidelines between January and December 2021.

SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies in Three African Countries Following Multiple Distinct Immune Challenges.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected Madagascar, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic (CAR), with each experiencing multiple waves by mid-2022. This study aimed to evaluate immunity against SARS-CoV-2 strains Wuhan (W) and BA.2 (BA.

Association between mental disorders with detectable viral load and poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy among adolescents infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus on follow-up at Chantal Biya Foundation, Cameroon.

Introduction: Perinatally HIV-Infected Adolescents (HIVIA) are more likely to have mental health problems than their uninfected peers. In resource-limited settings, mental health disorders are rarely taken into account in the care offered to HIVIA and have an impact on their routine follow-up. The objective of this study was to assess the baseline socio-demographic factors and mental health conditions associated with detectable viral load or poor ART adherence in HIVIA on ART followed at the Mother and Child Centre of the Chantal Biya Foundation in Yaoundé (CME-FCB), Cameroon.

High seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 among healthcare workers in Yaoundé, Cameroon after the first wave of Covid-19 pandemic and associated factors.

Background: Healthcare workers (HWs) are at a high risk of exposure to emerging health threats. Following the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Cameroon, we explored the presence and persistence of naturally acquired antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the factors associated with seropositivity in HWs.

Methods: Staff at two referral hospitals in Yaoundé or two Health District Hospitals in Obala and Mbalmayo were included in a 6-month prospective cohort analysis or cross-sectional survey, respectively.

African countries from the Pasteur Network reexamine their syndromic sentinel surveillance system associated with household contact within the AFROSCREEN program.

Surveillance to better detect and respond to new pathogens remains a major challenge for global public health. The Pasteur Network recently held a brainstorming workshop located in Cameroon attended by Pasteur epidemiological teams from Niger, Central African Republic (CAR), Cameroon, Senegal, and Madagascar to discuss how the Pasteur Network in Africa could use the lessons of COVID-19 to set-up a pilot sentinel surveillance scheme given its expertise and involvement during the pandemic. The possibility of coupling sentinel syndromic and biological surveillance already implemented for influenza surveillance with the recent sequencing capacity put in place by the AFROSCREEN program prompted us to consider strengthening surveillance tools to target "Pathogen X" detection in Africa.

Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Adult Populations in Cameroon: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study Among Blood Donors in the Cities of Yaoundé and Douala.

Over a period of about 9 months, we conducted three serosurveys in the two major cities of Cameroon to determine the prevalence of SARS-COV-2 antibodies and to identify factors associated with seropositivity in each survey. We conducted three independent cross-sectional serosurveys of adult blood donors at the Central Hospital in Yaoundé (CHY), the Jamot Hospital in Yaoundé (JHY) and at the Laquintinie Hospital in Douala (LHD) who consented in writing to participate. Before blood sampling, a short questionnaire was administered to participants to collect their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.

Update on laboratory data of animal rabies at the Centre Pasteur of Cameroon from 2014 to 2021.

Rabies is a worldwide zoonotic disease mainly transmitted to humans by an infected dog bite. Despite the endemicity of rabies in dogs and few documented cases in Cameroon, there is still not enough data on frequency of rabies cases in animals. The present study aims to update data on the circulation of rabies in animals screened at the Centre Pasteur of Cameroon (CPC) between 2014 and 2021.

Improving the management and security of COVID 19 diagnostic test data with a digital platform in resource-limited settings: The case of PlaCARD in Cameroon.

During the COVID 19 pandemic, round-the-clock demand for COVID -19 laboratory tests exceeded capacity, placing a significant burden on laboratory staff and infrastructure. The use of laboratory information management systems (LIMS) to streamline all phases of laboratory testing (preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical) has become inevitable. The objective of this study is to describe the architecture, implementation, and requirements of PlaCARD, a software platform for managing patient registration, medical specimens, and diagnostic data flow, as well as reporting and authentication of diagnostic results during the 2019 coronavirus pandemic (COVID -19) in Cameroon.

Mental health troubles among Cameroonian adolescents perinatally infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Introduction: Adolescents living with HIV are more likely to experience mental health challenges compared to their peers who do not have HIV. However, there is a lack of data regarding the mental health of adolescents living with HIV in Cameroon. Understanding risk factors and protective factors that influence mental health amongst adolescents is critical for effective programming.

Couple oriented counselling improves male partner involvement in sexual and reproductive health of a couple: Evidence from the ANRS PRENAHTEST randomized trial.

Background: Male partner involvement (MPI) has been recognized as a priority area to be strengthened in Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. We explored the impact of Couple Oriented Counselling (COC) in MPI in sexual and reproductive health and associated factors.

Method: From February 2009 to October 2011, pregnant women were enrolled at their first antenatal care visit (ANC-1) and followed up until 6 months after delivery in the Mother and Child Center of the Chantal Biya Foundation within the randomized prenahtest multicentric trial.

Long-term outcomes of early initiated antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan children: a Cameroonian cohort study (ANRS-12140 Pediacam study, 2008-2013, Cameroon).

Background: In most studies, the virological response is assessed during the first two years of antiretroviral treatment initiated in HIV-infected infants. However, early initiation of antiretroviral therapy exposes infants to very long-lasting treatment. Moreover, maintaining viral suppression in children is difficult.

Virological failure and antiretroviral resistance among HIV-infected children after five years follow-up in the ANRS 12225-PEDIACAM cohort in Cameroon.

Objective: In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the virological failure (VF) and drug resistance among treated HIV-infected children after five years follow-up in the ANRS-Pediacam cohort in Cameroon.

Methods: From November 2007 to October 2011, HIV-infected children born to HIV-infected mothers were included in the ANRS-PEDIACAM study and followed-up for more than 5 years. Plasma viral load (VL) was measured at each visit (every three months until month 24 and every 6 months thereafter).

Coding-Complete Genome Sequence and Phylogenetic Relatedness of a SARS-CoV-2 Strain Detected in March 2020 in Cameroon.

We describe the coding-complete genome sequence of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strain obtained in Cameroon from a 58-year-old French patient who arrived from France on 24 February 2020. Phylogenetic analysis showed that this virus, named hCoV-19/Cameroon/1958-CMR-YAO/2020, belongs to lineage B.1.

Institut Pasteur International Network's efforts to guide control measures against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic among healthcare workers in Africa.

During epidemic periods, HCW are vulnerable. In Africa, cohort studies implemented by the Institut Pasteur International Network in five countries showed after 3-month follow-up around 40% of the HCW have been infected by the SARS-CoV-2. So advocacy for HCW protection strategy need to be fostered and sustained by the health authorities all over the African continent.

Dog rabies control in West and Central Africa: A review.

Rabies is a neglected but preventable zoonotic disease that predominantly affects the most vulnerable populations living in remote rural areas of resource-limited countries. To date, every country on the African mainland is considered endemic for dog-mediated rabies with an estimated 21'500 human rabies deaths occurring each year. In 2018, the United Against Rabies collaboration launched the Global Strategic Plan to end human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.

Dog demographics and husbandry practices related with rabies in Cameroon.

Dog demographics are considered as one of the main factors in the control of rabies. Having reliable data on dog population and husbandry practices on how they are managed is a key point in the elaboration of any control program to fight against human deaths due to rabies which are mainly due to dogs. However, the lack of data regarding dog population is one of the main hindrances to elaborate effective fighting projects in developing countries, particularly in Africa.

Early treated HIV-infected children remain at risk of growth retardation during the first five years of life: Results from the ANRS-PEDIACAM cohort in Cameroon.

Background: Long-term growth in HIV-infected infants treated early in resource-limited settings is poorly documented. Incidence of growth retardation, instantaneous risk of death related to malnutrition and growth parameters evolution during the first five years of life of uninfected and early treated HIV-infected children were compared and associated factors with growth retardation were identified.

Methods: Weight-for-age (WAZ), weight-for-length (WLZ), and length-for-age (LAZ) Z-scores were calculated.

Practices of Care to HIV-Infected Children: Current Situation in Cameroon.

Background: To accelerate access to pediatric HIV care in Cameroon, operational challenges in implementing HIV pediatric care need to be identified. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of health care workers regarding pediatric HIV infection in Cameroon.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over a 4-month period (April to August 2014) in 12 health facilities in 7 regions of Cameroon selected using systematic random sampling.

Low rate of early vertical transmission of HIV supports the feasibility of effective implementation of the national PMTCT guidelines in routine practice of referral hospitals in Cameroon.

: Vertical (VT) transmission of HIV remains a public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa. : To investigate the VT rate and factors associated with transmission in routine practice in three referral hospitals in Cameroon. : All HIV-infected mothers who delivered in maternity wards or sought paediatric services during the first postnatal week from November 2007 to October 2010 were invited to participate in the ANRS-Pediacam cohort.

Evaluating new rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) regimens or vaccines.

The development of human rabies vaccines has evolved dramatically from the first crude nerve tissue vaccine produced then administered in the presence of Louis Pasteur in 1885. New cell culture technology has enabled highly potent and well-tolerated rabies vaccines to be produced that have reduced the volume and number of doses required to save human lives after exposure. However, these highly potent vaccines are still unaffordable to many patients living at risk of exposure on a daily basis.