Comorbidity profiles among sputum-positive tuberculosis patients in Cameroon.

Introduction: Comorbid non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), kidney diseases, and hypertension, could have implications for tuberculosis (TB) treatment management and increase the disease burden amongst active TB patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional study aimed at profiling comorbidities amongst sputum-positive TB patients in the South West and Littoral regions of Cameroon and was relevant for improving disease management and public health interventions. Diabetes was defined by elevated blood glucose, body mass index (underweight: <18.

Epidemiological factors associated with HBV infection and uptake of testing in south west region of Cameroon: What can be done to scale up HBV testing in our setting?

Hepatitis B infection affects millions of people globally, partly due to its high degree of transmissibility and asymptomatic nature. This study was aimed at identifying prevailing epidemiological factors associated with HBV infection and testing uptake in the South West region of Cameroon. This hospital-based case-control study enrolled HBV infected participants and "healthy" controls ≥18 years old.

Key predictors of undernutrition among children 6-59 months in the Buea Health District of the Southwest region of Cameroon: a cross sectional community-based survey.

Background: According to the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey, undernutrition remains a public health problem among Cameroonian children under-five. This varies across the country, greatest in areas with ongoing humanitarian crisis, such as the Southwest region. However, data on the burden of undernutrition in the Southwest region is sparse.

Predictors of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis among High-Risk Population Diagnosed under National Program Conditions in the Littoral Region, Cameroon.

Multiple drug resistance TB (MDR-TB) has greatly jeopardized the effective control of tuberculosis in Africa. This study is aimed at determining the incidence and predictors of drug resistant-TB amongst bacteriologically diagnosed cases in the Littoral region of Cameroon. This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted from January 2016 to December 2017.

Evaluation of the performance of an in-house duplex PCR assay targeting the IS6110 and rpoB genes for tuberculosis diagnosis in Cameroon.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health concern in many low-income countries accounting for approximately two-thirds of deaths in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. With prompt, accurate and appropriate treatment, almost all TB disease can be cured. The present study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of an in-house duplex PCR (D-PCR) using IS1610 and rpoB specific primers in sputum samples from TB suspected patients.

Case report on a swift shift in uropathogens from Shigella flexneri to Escherichia coli: a thin line between bacterial persistence and reinfection.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are mostly caused by bacteria. Urine cultures are usually a definitive measure to select the appropriate antibiotics for the elimination of a uropathogen and subsequent recovery from the infection. However, the preferred antibiotics as determined by urine culture and sensitivity may still not eliminate the infection and would require further examination to ascertain the cause of treatment failure which could be unresolved bacteriuria, bacterial persistence, immediate reinfection with a different uropathogen or misdiagnosis.

Genetic diversity and antiretroviral resistance-associated mutation profile of treated and naive HIV-1 infected patients from the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon.

Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved the survival of HIV infected persons. However, rapid scale-up of ART and the high HIV-1 genetic variability, has greatly influenced the emergence of drug-resistant strains. This constitutes a potential threat to achieving the UNAIDS' 90-90-90 goals by 2020.

HBV Transmission Risk Assessment in Healthcare Workers, Household and Sexual Contacts of HBV Infected Patients in the Southwest Region of Cameroon.

Objectives: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is known to be highly transmissible via the body fluids of an infected person. We investigated the transmission risks, awareness, and prevalence among healthcare workers (HCWs), household contacts (HHCs), and sexual partners (SPs) of HBV infected individuals.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of HCWs, HBV infected individuals as well as their corresponding HHCs and SPs.

Comparative analysis of IgG and IgG subclasses against Plasmodium falciparum MSP-1 in children from five contrasting bioecological zones of Cameroon.

Background: Studies reporting the natural immune responses against malaria in children from different geographical settings in endemic areas are not readily available. This study was aimed at comparing the immune responses against Plasmodium falciparum MSP-1 antigen in children from five contrasting bioecological zones in Cameroon.

Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, children between 2 and 15 years, were enrolled from five ecological strata including the south Cameroonian equatorial forest, sudano-sahelian, high inland plateau, high western plateau, and the coastal strata.

Bacteriologically confirmed extra pulmonary tuberculosis and treatment outcome of patients consulted and treated under program conditions in the littoral region of Cameroon.

Background: Extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) is defined as any bacteriologically confirmed or clinically diagnosed case of TB involving organs other than the lungs. It is frequently a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge with paucity of data available. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of bacteriologically confirmed EPTB; to determine the most affected organs and to evaluate the therapeutic outcome of EPTB patients treated under program conditions in the littoral region of Cameroon.

Characterization and assessment of HBV chronically infected patients: Identification of those eligible for treatment in the South West region of Cameroon.

Background: The management of patients with chronic hepatitis B infection is quite complex because it requires an in-depth knowledge of the natural history of the disease. This study was aimed at characterizing HBV infected patients in order to determine the phase of the infection and identify the proportion eligible for treatment using 3 different guidelines.

Methods: HBV chronically infected patients (negative for HIV and HCV) were enrolled and the following tests were done for them: ALT, AST, HBV viral load, HBV serologic panel and Full blood count.

Vaccine uptake and immune responses to HBV infection amongst vaccinated and non-vaccinated healthcare workers, household and sexual contacts to chronically infected HBV individuals in the South West Region of Cameroon.

Background: HBV infection affects about 257 million people globally and Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest burden. The disease still constitutes a major public health problem despite the advent of preventive measures like the HBV vaccine. This study was aimed at identifying factors that influence vaccine uptake and the efficacy of administered vaccines among people at high risk of HBV infection.

Genetic diversity, viraemic and aminotransferases levels in chronic infected hepatitis B patients from Cameroon.

Background: HBV infection annually accounts for 1 million deaths worldwide as a result of cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition to varying responses to antiviral therapy, HBV genotypes have also been shown to be associated with different pattern of disease progression. Despite a high HBV prevalence of >8%, very few studies have been carried out in Cameroon to determine the genotype distribution across the country.

Epidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus-1 and hepatitis B virus co-infection and risk factors for acquiring these infections in the Fako division of Southwest Cameroon.

Background: Past studies have demonstrated that a large population of Cameroonians are afflicted with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and/or hepatitis B virus (HBV) demonstrating a need for better prevention programs. We aim to describe the prevalence of HIV, HBV and HIV/HBV co-infection; examine the association between HIV and HBV; and determine risk correlates associated with HIV and HBV transmission in Southwest Cameroon.

Methods: A cross-sectional, community-based surveillance study was conducted among adults in five hospitals , one in each of the five health districts of the Fako division of the Southwest region of Cameroon.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in human immunodeficiency virus - infected patients from the South-West region of Cameroon, using the adult treatment panel III criteria.

Background: Several studies have reported that the metabolic syndrome (MS) is more common in subjects with HIV infection than in HIV-negative individuals. HIV infection and the use of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) have been shown to predispose HIV-infected persons to MS. In this study, we report the prevalence of MS in Cameroonian HIV-infected subjects receiving different combinations of HAART as well as HIV patients who have never received antiretroviral drugs.