Monkeypox Clade Ib virus introduction into Burundi: first findings, July to mid-August 2024.

We describe cases with monkeypox virus (MPXV) Clade Ib in Burundi from their first detection in July until 20 August 2024. Testing 442 people with vesicular lesions confirmed 170 cases (98 male; 72 female), 82 (48%) being < 15 years old. Differential diagnosis of the first 30 individuals testing MPXV negative revealed chickenpox in 20.

Genetic diversity and genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 during the first 3 years of the pandemic in Morocco: comprehensive sequence analysis, including the unique lineage B.1.528 in Morocco.

During the 3 years following the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the African continent, like other regions of the world, was substantially impacted by COVID-19. In Morocco, the COVID-19 pandemic has been marked by the emergence and spread of several SARS-CoV-2 variants, leading to a substantial increase in the incidence of infections and deaths. Nevertheless, the comprehensive understanding of the genetic diversity, evolution, and epidemiology of several viral lineages remained limited in Morocco.

Invasive Pneumococcal Infections Among Moroccan Children: Pneumococcal Vaccination Challenges in the Mature Vaccine Era.

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae, a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality, disproportionately affects children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Despite vaccination efforts, the challenge of serotype replacement highlights the ongoing struggle against invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD) in Morocco, emphasizing the need for updated public health strategies and vaccine efficacy assessments.

Methods: This study was conducted at the Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center and the Mohammed VI University Hospital Center from 2019 to 2022, focusing on hospitalized children.

Rapid regional mobile laboratory response and genomic monkeypox virus (MPXV) surveillance in seven East African Community partner states, August 2024: preparedness activities for the ongoing outbreak.

The East African Community (EAC) is experiencing an unprecedented, emerging mpox outbreak since July 2024 in five of eight partner states. We highlight rapid regional response measures, initiated August 2024 coordinated by EAC: field deployment of six mobile laboratories in Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan to high-risk areas, donation of one mobile laboratory to Democratic Republic of the Congo and genomic monkeypox virus (MPXV) surveillance support. These interventions aim to limit local mpox spread and support international containment.

with decreased susceptibility to penicillin G and molecular characterization of the penA gene in strains isolated at University Hospital Centers of Casablanca and Marrakech (Morocco).

Introduction: the laboratory diagnosis of meningococcal meningitis relies on conventional techniques. This study aims to evaluate the correlation between the reduced sensitivity to penicillin G of Neisseria meningitidis (N.m) strains and the expression of the altered PBP 2 gene.

Impact and prevalence of comorbidities and complications on the severity of COVID-19 in association with age, gender, obesity, and pre-existing smoking: A meta-analysis.

Background: COVID-19 patients usually present multiple comorbidities and complications associated with severe forms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study aimed to assess the risk factors and prevalence of comorbidities and complications contributing to the severity of COVID-19.

Methods: This meta-analysis was performed according to PRISMA guidelines.

Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 infection risks after primary vaccination with BNT162b2, BBIBP-CorV, or ChAdOx1-nCOV-19 and after homologous and heterologous booster vaccinations with these vaccines and evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection profiles.

Background: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has significantly increased the number of cases of COVID-19 among vaccinated individuals, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current vaccines. The aim of this study was to analyze the SARS-CoV-2 infection risks after primary vaccination with BNT162b2, BBIBP-CorV, or ChAdOx1-nCOV-19 and after homologues and heterologous booster vaccinations with these vaccines, as well as the profiles of reinfected patients.

Methods: We analyzed retrospectively 1082 patients vaccinated or unvaccinated with BNT162b2, BBIBP-CorV, and/or ChAdOx1nCoV-19 vaccines to determine their SARS-CoV2 infection statuses using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in addition to their clinical features.

Genomic surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in Burundi, from May 2021 to January 2022.

Background: The emergence and rapid spread of new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) variants have challenged the control of the COVID-19 pandemic globally. Burundi was not spared by that pandemic, but the genetic diversity, evolution, and epidemiology of those variants in the country remained poorly understood. The present study sought to investigate the role of different SARS-COV-2 variants in the successive COVID-19 waves experienced in Burundi and the impact of their evolution on the course of that pandemic.

Epidemiology, clinical characteristics and risk factors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Casablanca.

This is an analytical cross-sectional study of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) based on data collected between 1 November 2020 and 31 March 2021 in Casablanca focusing on the disease's epidemiological status and risk factors. A total of 4569 samples were collected and analysed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); 967 patients were positive, representing a prevalence of 21.2 % for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Serotype distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates among adult and elderly population before and after introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Casablanca, Morocco.

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae), remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the trends of invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD) in adult and elderly population in Casablanca (Morocco) before and after introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) by determining the distribution of pneumococcal serotypes and antibiotic resistance profile of isolated strains.

A Rare Case of Pneumococcal Appendicitis in a Child.

Appendicitis is the most common cause for abdominal surgery in children. It is usually caused by and species and is generally polymicrobial. However, is a rare cause of appendicitis.

Burden of invasive pneumococcal disease in children in Casablanca, Morocco four years after the introduction of pneumococcal vaccination.

Streptococcus pneumonia is a common bacterium that can cause several types of infections, including invasive infections especially in children aged <5 years. The aim of this work is to report the different aspects of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in a pediatric hospital in Casablanca, Morocco 4 years after the implementation of pneumococcal vaccination. We conducted a descriptive, retrospective study over a 4-year period from January 2015 to December 2018 in A.

Evaluation of the Performances of the Rapid Test RESIST-5 O.O.K.N.V Used for the Detection of Carbapenemases-Producing Enterobacterales.

Background: The emergence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) is a public health problem, requiring rapid and reliable diagnostic methods. The aim is to compare the new rapid immunochromatographic (IC) test: RESIST-5 O.O.

Whole genomic comparative analysis of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 1 isolates causing invasive and non-invasive infections among children under 5 years in Casablanca, Morocco.

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 1 remains a leading cause of invasive pneumococcal diseases, even in countries with PCV-10/PCV-13 vaccine implementation. The main objective of this study, which is part of the Pneumococcal African Genome project (PAGe), was to determine the phylogenetic relationships of serotype 1 isolates recovered from children patients in Casablanca (Morocco), compared to these from other African countries; and to investigate the contribution of accessory genes and recombination events to the genetic diversity of this serotype.

Results: The genome average size of the six-pneumococcus serotype 1 from Casablanca was 2,227,119 bp, and the average content of coding sequences was 2113, ranging from 2041 to 2161.

Surgical wound infection caused by a multi drug resistant Serotype 19A after a total coloproctectomy with ileostomy.

colonizes asymptomatically the human nasopharynx. This pathogen is responsible for sinusitis, otitis media, pneumonia, bacteremia and meningitis. We report the case of a 35-year-old female patient who developed a surgical wound infection by a multi drug resistant serotype 19A after a total coloprotectomy.