Epidemiology and Genotype Dynamics of Dengue in Hospitalized Patients in Northern Vietnam Between 2020 and 2022.

Background: Arboviruses, including Dengue (DENV), Zika, and chikungunya, cause recurrent outbreaks of varying intensity in tropical countries. This study aimed to investigate other arboviruses, including Zika and chikungunya, in patients clinically suspected of Dengue and to characterize the circulating Dengue serotypes and genotypes in Northern Vietnam from 2020 to 2022. To date, information on this topic in the region has been limited.

Occurrence of multiple infections of rodents with parasites and bacteria in the Sibang Arboretum, Libreville, Gabon.

Background And Aim: Rodents are carriers or reservoirs of various bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and ectoparasites. Given the proximity of various rodent species and humans, there is a potential for the transmission of pathogens. Data on ecto- and endo-parasite prevalence in rodent populations in Gabon are limited.

Detecting two circulating antigens - CCA and CAA - in urine and serum to improve diagnosis of human schistosomiasis.

Background: Schistosomiasis is caused by infection with parasitic worms and affects more than 250 million people globally. The detection of schistosome derived circulating cathodic and anodic antigens (CCA and CAA) has proven highly valuable for detecting active infections, causing both intestinal and urinary schistosomiasis.

Aim: The combined detection of CCA and CAA was explored to improve accuracy in detecting infections.

Clinical epidemiology, genetic diversity, and drug susceptibility patterns by whole genome sequencing of complex isolates in Gabon from 2012 to 2022.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate genotypic characteristics and drug resistance profiles of complex (Mtbc) strains isolated from patients with suspected tuberculosis (TB) in Gabon.

Methods: We performed whole genome sequencing of 430 Mtbc strains cultured between 2012 and 2022. Phylogenetic strain classification, genomic resistance prediction, and cluster analysis were also performed.

Incidence and prevalence of traumatic and non-traumatic wounds and burns and access to wound care in Sierra Leone; data from a nationwide household survey (PRESSCO) 2020.

Objectives: This wound section of the PREvalence Study on Surgical COnditions (PRESSCO) determines the incidence and prevalence of wounds and burns in Sierra Leone. It further describes access to wound care and wound-related healthcare-seeking behaviour.

Methods: Between October 2019 and March 2020, a nationwide cross-sectional household survey was performed.

Geospatial mapping of drug-resistant tuberculosis prevalence in Africa at national and sub-national levels.

Objective: To map subnational and local prevalence of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) across Africa.

Methods: We assembled a geolocated dataset from 173 sources across 31 African countries, comprising drug susceptibility test results and covariate data from publicly available databases. We used Bayesian model-based geostatistical framework with multivariate Bayesian logistic regression model to estimate DR-TB prevalence at lower administrative levels.

Non-Invasive Malaria Detection in Sub-Saharan Africa Using a DNA-Based Sensor System.

Malaria poses a serious global health problem, with half the world population being at risk. Regular screening is crucial for breaking the transmission cycle and combatting the disease spreading. However, current diagnostic tools relying on blood samples face challenges in many malaria-epidemic areas.

The Impact of , , and in Diarrheal Infections in Central Africa (1998-2022): A Systematic Review.

Background: Gastric diseases caused, in particular, by , non-typhoidal , and resulting from food and/or water problems, are a disproportionately distributed burden in developing countries in Central Africa. The aim of this work was to compile a list of studies establishing the prevalence of the involvement of these bacterial genera in diarrheal syndromes in Central Africa from 1998 to 2022.

Methods: The Preferred Reporting Articles for Systemic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, six (6) database (Pubmed, Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, Freefullpdf, and Scinapse) were perused for research on the role of , and diarrheal infections in humans and animals, in 9 country of Central Africa over from 1998 to 2022.

Antimicrobial Resistance in African Great Apes.

Background/objectives: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose a significant global public health threat that demands serious attention. The proliferation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is primarily attributed to the overuse of antibiotics in humans, livestock, and the agro-industry. However, it is worth noting that antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) can be found in all ecosystems, even in environments where antibiotics have never been utilized.

Genomic diversity of the African malaria vector .

s.s. is a formidable human malaria vector across sub-Saharan Africa.

Toxoplasma gondii from Gabonese forest, Central Africa: First report of an African wild strain.

The protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous and highly prevalent parasite that can theoretically infect all warm-blooded vertebrates. In humans, toxoplasmosis causes infections in both immunodeficient and immunocompetent patients, congenital toxoplasmosis, and ocular lesions. These manifestations have different degrees of severity.

Nasopharyngeal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in a rural population, Sierra Leone.

Background: Nasopharyngeal colonization with Staphylococcus aureus is a risk factor for subsequent infection. Isolates from colonization can therefore provide important information on virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance when data from clinical isolates are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess colonization rates, resistance patterns and selected virulence factors of S.

A New Global Mangrove Height Map with a 12 meter spatial resolution.

Mangrove forests thrive along global tropical coasts, acting as a barrier that protects coastlines against storm surges and as nurseries for an entire food web. They are also known for their high carbon sequestration rates and soil carbon stocks. We introduce a new global mangrove canopy height map generated from TanDEM-X spaceborne elevation measurements collected during the 2011-2013 period with a 12-meter spatial resolution and an accuracy of 2.

Microscopic Malaria Infection and Its Determinants in Urban and Rural Populations Living in South-East Gabon.

A better understanding of malaria epidemiology in both asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals is essential for developing strategies to control the disease. This study was conducted to determine infection prevalence and its associated factors among people living in Franceville (urban area) and in the villages of Pana and Mvengue (rural areas) in south-east Gabon between April and July 2022. This cross-sectional study was conducted among all consenting residents of Franceville, Mvengue, and Pana between April and July 2022.

A novel energy pattern factor-based optimized approach for assessing Weibull parameters for wind power applications.

One of the green, clean, and environment-friendly sources of energy is wind energy. For the assessment of wind energy potential, the parameters of the probability distribution function (PDF), i.e.

Some Lessons From Participatory Evaluation of the COVID-19 Response in the African Region.

This summary report describes partners' experiences and reflections on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in selected countries in the African Region. Using a common protocol for participatory evaluation and sensemaking, it communicates country partners' experiences with the COVID-19 response in Gabon, Kenya, and Senegal as well as a regional perspective from partners in the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO). This report describes factors identified as associated with decreases (bending the curve) of new cases of COVID-19 over time, as well those associated with increases (worsening) of new cases, seen during the study period (2020-2021).

Epidemiology and diversity of Plasmodium species in Franceville and their implications for malaria control.

Malaria is a significant public health challenge in Gabon, with high prevalence rates in rural and semi-urban areas. This study investigated Plasmodium infection prevalence among outpatients at a medical laboratory in Franceville, Gabon, in 2020. Data from 500 patients were analyzed, revealing an overall infection rate of 33.

Parasitic infections during pregnancy in Gabon affect glycosylation patterns of maternal and child antibodies.

Antibody glycosylation patterns can affect antibody functionality and thereby contribute to protection against invading pathogens. During pregnancy, maternal antibodies can be transferred through the placenta and contribute to modulating both the mother's and her child's immune responses. Although several studies of IgG glycosylation during pregnancy have been carried out, very few cohorts studied were from sub-Saharan Africa, where exposure to microorganisms and parasites is high.

Genome sequencing of Plasmodium malariae identifies continental segregation and mutations associated with reduced pyrimethamine susceptibility.

Plasmodium malariae parasites are widely observed across the tropics and sub-tropics. This slow-growing species, known to maintain chronic asymptomatic infections, has been associated with reduced antimalarial susceptibility. We analyse 251 P.

High Cryptococcal Antigenuria Prevalence in a Population of PLHIV with Neurological Symptoms Hospitalized in the Infectious Diseases Wards of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Libreville, Gabon.

Cryptococcal meningitis is a major cause of death in HIV/AIDS patients due to the existence of in the central nervous system. Our objective was to evaluate the prevalence of Cryptococcus antigenuria in a population of HIV-infected patients in Libreville, Gabon. : This study was conducted from April to October 2021 at the Infectious Diseases ward of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Libreville.

TKK130 is a 3-Hydroxy-Propanamidine (HPA) with Potent Antimalarial Activity and a High Barrier to Resistance.

Malaria continues to pose a significant burden on populations in endemic areas and requires innovative treatment options. Here, we report the synthesis and preclinical evaluation of the novel 3-hydroxypropanamidine (HPA) , which shows excellent antiplasmodial activity against drug-sensitive and -resistant strains. Moreover, in various human cell lines, the compound shows no cytotoxicity and excellent parasite selectivity.

Metal accumulation in fish species of a vast hydrographic network in the Moyen-Ogooué and Haut-Ogooué Provinces of Gabon: Implications for human health.

With an obsolete livestock sector, Gabon relies on its huge hydrographic network rich in fish to supply its populations with animal proteins. This study aimed to conduct metal analyses in four fish species () frequently consumed by human populations in the Moyen-Ogooué and Haut-Ogooué Provinces of Gabon and infer the potential human health risks for those populations who rely on these freshwater produces as a source of proteins. Fish were sampled from Ezanga, Oguemoué, Onangué, Nguenè (Moyen-Ogooué) and Grand Poubara (Haut-Ogooué) Lakes during the high flow period (HF) and low flow period (LF) from 2021 to 2022, and analysed for seven heavy metals (HMs) using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) techniques.

Automated total nucleic acid extraction with magnetic beads for the detection of Plasmodium falciparum in large study cohorts.

Background: Molecular methods play an important role in clinical trials assessing anti-malarial drugs and vaccines, as well as in epidemiological studies aimed at detecting Plasmodium species, especially when dealing with large sample sizes. Molecular techniques are more sensitive and generally have a higher throughput compared to the gold standard microscopy. Further optimization can be achieved with automation of nucleic acid isolation, allowing for rapid and precise extraction.

The Development of Ebola Virus Outbreaks: A Review of Epidemiological Trends, Clinical Features, and Treatment Advances.

The Ebola virus, a filovirus that causes human Ebola virus disease (EVD), has caused multiple epidemics in the African continent for about 50 years. Wild animals were the source from which the virus was transmitted to humans, and it spread among people through direct contact. The majority of Ebola outbreaks occurred in African nations, particularly in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and Gabon.

Immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in sub-Saharan Africa and western Europe: a retrospective, population-based, cross-sectional study.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with a higher proportion of asymptomatic infections and lower mortality in sub-Saharan Africa than high-income countries. However, there is currently a lack of data on cellular immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in people living in Africa compared with people in high-income regions of the world. We aimed to assess geographical variation in peripheral and mucosal immune responses.