Publications by authors named "Regina S Idohou"
Background: To better understand the high incidence of pneumococcal meningitis in the African meningitis belt, we conducted a pneumococcal seroprevalence study during a meningococcal meningitis epidemic in Western Burkina Faso, March 2006.
Methods: In 3 villages experiencing epidemics, we included 624 healthy persons (1-39 years) by cluster sampling. We determined pneumococcal serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody concentrations against 12 serotypes contained in 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, and evaluated determinants for IgG ≥ 0.
Background: We investigated serological correlates of protection against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A (NmA) in Burkina Faso before the introduction of NmA conjugate vaccine.
Methodology/principal Findings: We collected blood from a representative sample (N = 1022) of Bobo-Dioulasso residents. Sera were evaluated for serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) activity against NmA strains of immunotype L11 (F8238) and L10 (3125) and NmA-specific IgG.
Background: The development of optimal vaccination strategies for pneumococcal conjugate vaccines requires serotype-specific data on disease incidence and carriage prevalence. This information is lacking for the African meningitis belt.
Methods: We conducted hospital-based surveillance of acute bacterial meningitis in an urban and rural population of Burkina Faso during 2007-09.
Background: To better understand localized meningococcal meningitis epidemics, we evaluated a serogroup A (NmA) epidemic in Burkina Faso by surveillance, carriage, and seroprevalence studies.
Methods: During March-April 2006, cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients suspected to have meningitis in 3 epidemic villages were analyzed by culture or polymerase chain reaction. We assessed meningococcal carriage and serogroup-specific serum bactericidal antibody titers with baby rabbit complement (rSBA) in a representative population sample (N = 624; age range, 1-39 years).
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the risk factors for carrying meningococcal bacteria in Burkina Faso, focusing on epidemic serogroup A (NmA) compared to non-epidemic serogroups during different seasons.
- In 2003, pharyngeal swabs were collected from 488 people to analyze carriage prevalence, while a similar analysis with 624 individuals was conducted during a 2006 NmA outbreak.
- Results showed that respiratory infections, like sore throats, increased the likelihood of carrying NmA, and specific humidity levels were linked to higher rates of non-groupable meningococcal bacteria, emphasizing the role of climate in meningitis outbreaks.*