Detection and characterization of enteroviruses and parechoviruses in healthy people living in the South of Côte d'Ivoire.

Background: Human enteroviruses (EVs) and parechoviruses (HPeVs) belong to the family Picornaviridae. Although most EV and HPeV infections remain asymptomatic, both pathogens can cause a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms to myocarditis, neonatal sepsis, and infections of the central nervous system.

Objectives: Aim of the present study was to investigate the spectrum of EVs and HPeVs in apparently healthy adults and children living in the South of Côte d'Ivoire.

Application of Luminex Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel to human stool samples from Côte d'Ivoire.

Introduction: Gastrointestinal infections caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites are endemic in most developing countries due to inadequate provision of safe water supplies, sanitation, and hygiene. To investigate the enteric pathogens infecting people living in Côte d'Ivoire, the Luminex Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel (xTAG GPP) assay was used to analyze 34 human fecal samples. This study represents the first application of this technology to samples from a sub-Saharan African country.

Longitudinal comparison of HIV-1 plasma viral load and cellular proviral load.

Introduction: The goal of antiretroviral treatment (ART) in HIV-1 infection is the permanent suppression of plasma viral load (pVL) below the currently existing limit of detection of 50 copies/mL (DAIG HIV-therapy guidelines). Therefore, treatment effectiveness is based on pVL. pVL measurements however do not give any information about the viral reservoir in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

Extraction of viral nucleic acids: comparison of five automated nucleic acid extraction platforms.

Background: Nucleic acid extraction has a major impact on the reliability of results in routine molecular diagnostics. Optimal isolation of nucleic acids and removal of inhibitors are essential.

Objectives: This study compares five different automated extraction platforms for the extraction of norovirus RNA from stool and cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA from plasma samples.

Detection of adenoviruses and rotaviruses in drinking water sources used in rural areas of Benin, West Africa.

Diseases associated with viruses also found in environmental samples cause major health problems in developing countries. Little is known about the frequency and pattern of viral contamination of drinking water sources in these resource-poor settings. We established a method to analyze 10 liters of water from drinking water sources in a rural area of Benin for the presence of adenoviruses and rotaviruses.