Asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum and vivax infection in the neighborhood of Blondin, Saint-Georges-de-l'Oyapock District, French Guiana.

Optimized elimination strategies are needed to control transmission of malaria. As part of an elimination campaign, active detection of asymptomatic Plasmodium carriers by highly sensitive methods is deemed necessary. Asymptomatic carriage leads to complex scientific, ethical, and operational issues regarding individual or collective detection and treatment.

Illegal gold miners in French Guiana: a neglected population with poor health.

Background: In French Guiana, a French overseas territory in South America, 6 to 10 thousands undocumented persons work illegally in gold mining sites in the Amazonian forest. Precarious life conditions lead to poor health but few data exist on the health status of illegal gold miners in French Guiana. The objective of this article was to describe the sociodemographic and health status of this vulnerable population.

A Large Outbreak of Thiamine Deficiency Among Illegal Gold Miners in French Guiana.

From September 2013 to July 2014, several gold miners working in the tropical forest consulted the Maripasoula Health Center in French Guiana for edema and findings consistent with right-sided cardiac failure. Of the 42 cases of beriberi that were diagnosed, one patient died. The laboratory and clinical investigation demonstrated vitamin B1 deficiency in most of the patients tested.

The singular epidemiology of HPV infection among French Guianese women with normal cytology.

Background: In French Guiana, cervical cancer is the second most frequent cancer in females. The objective of the present study was to describe the prevalence of HPV infections in women with normal cervical cytology living in the remote villages of French Guiana.

Methods: Before the study, the study team communicated in the remote villages on the importance of screening.

High prevalence of HPV infection in the remote villages of French Guiana: an epidemiological study.

Cervical cancer is the second most frequent cancer in women in French Guiana. Studies have shown that populations living in the remote areas of the interior have early sexual debut and that multiple sexual partnerships are common. The objective of the present study was thus to determine the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in these areas.

Prevalence of Plasmodium spp. in illegal gold miners in French Guiana in 2015: a hidden but critical malaria reservoir.

Background: Malaria is endemic in French Guiana, an overseas territory of France on the Guiana Shield. Since 2005, notified malaria cases are decreasing. However, new data show that malaria affects many Brazilian gold miners working illegally in French Guiana, the majority of whom are not counted in official data.

Incidence and predictive factors of transaminase elevation in patients consulting for dengue fever in Cayenne Hospital, French Guiana.

Background: The objective of the study was to determine the incidence of transaminase elevation during dengue, and its predictive factors.

Methods: In 2013, a longitudinal study was performed using data from all cases of dengue seen in Cayenne Hospital. Cox proportional modeling was used.

Frequency and distribution of mixed Plasmodium falciparum-vivax infections in French Guiana between 2000 and 2008.

Background: The two main plasmodial species in French Guiana are Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum whose respective prevalence influences the frequency of mixed plasmodial infections. The accuracy of their diagnosis is influenced by the sensitivity of the method used, whereas neither microscopy nor rapid diagnostic tests allow a satisfactory evaluation of mixed plasmodial infections.

Methods: In the present study, the frequency of mixed infections in different part of French Guiana was determined using real time PCR, a sensitive and specific technique.