Serological evidence of natural exposure to rabies in rural populations in Gabon.

Rabies is one of the oldest known zoonotic diseases, with dogs being the main reservoir for 99% of the cases of human rabies. However, wild animals may also be rabies vectors. In most cases, contact with a rabid animal results in rabies without pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis, and the disease is nearly always fatal.

Cancer in the Grand Libreville, Gabon (2013-2017).

Background: The burden of cancer is expected to nearly double in sub-Saharan Africa over the next 20 years. In Gabon, the primary population-based cancer registry to be established is located in the Grand Libreville. This study presents cancer incidence rates covering the first 5-year period of registration in this region.

Identification of complex Plasmodium falciparum genetic backgrounds circulating in Africa: a multicountry genomic epidemiology analysis.

Background: The population structure of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum can reveal underlying adaptive evolutionary processes. Selective pressures to maintain complex genetic backgrounds can encourage inbreeding, producing distinct parasite clusters identifiable by population structure analyses.

Methods: We analysed population structure in 3783 P falciparum genomes from 21 countries across Africa, provided by the MalariaGEN Pf7 dataset.

Cost of treating severe malaria in children in Africa: a systematic literature review.

Background: Malaria is a major cause of ill health and death in children in Africa. The disease also imposes a severe social and economic burden on households and health systems and is strongly associated with poverty. This study summarizes the most up-to-date cost of treating severe malaria in children in Africa.

Survey of the risk behaviors and mental health of adolescents in Gabon risky behaviors and vulnerability of adolescent Africans.

Background: Adolescence shapes adulthood and is a time of vulnerability. This study explores risk behaviors among African adolescents from Gabon.

Methods: This study was done in 2021 and followed the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) guidelines.

Palladium-Catalyzed C-H Functionalization and Flame-Retardant Properties of Isophosphinolines.

C-H activation is a powerful strategy for forming C-C bonds without the need for prefunctionalization. In this paper, we present a general, direct, and regioselective palladium-catalyzed functionalization of a phosphorus heterocycle, 2-phenyl-1-isophosphinoline 2-oxide. The mild reaction conditions enabled the introduction of various functionalized alkenes.

Seroprevalence of Viral Hepatitis B and Occult Hepatitis B Among Blood Donors in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Infection remains a public health problem and a threat to blood transfusion safety. The aim of this study was to summarise the scientific literature on the seroprevalence of HBV and occult HBV among blood donors in Africa. Searches were carried out in PubMed, Science Direct, Global Index Medicus and African Journals Online from 2012 to 2022.

Spatiotemporal dynamics of rabies virus detected in rabid dogs in Cameroon, 2010-2021.

Rabies is a viral zoonosis that causes an estimated 60,000 human deaths each year, mainly in Africa and Asia. The etiological agent of rabies, the Rabies Lyssavirus or Rabies Virus (RABV) has been characterized in dog populations in Cameroon, in previous studies. However, the dynamics of RABV maintenance and propagation in dogs are still to be documented in Cameroon.

Great ape abundance and per capita carbon storage in their habitats.

The ecological importance of great apes is widely recognised, yet few studies have highlighted the role of protecting great apes' habitats in mitigating climate change, particularly through carbon sequestration. This study used GIS tools to extract data from various sources, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature database, to examine carbon quantity and great ape abundance in African great ape habitats. Subsequently, we employed a generalised linear model to assess the relationship between locally measured great ape populations abundance and carbon storage across areas with different levels of protection.

A chromosomal reference genome sequence for the malaria mosquito, , Theobald, 1903.

We present a genome assembly from an individual female (the malaria mosquito; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Culicidae) from Lopé, Gabon. The genome sequence is 225.7 megabases in span.

Oro-facial filariasis-A systematic review of the literature.

Introduction: Filarial pathogens are described to inhabit and affect subcutaneous and lymphatic tissues of the human host. To date, little is known on how much oral health might be affected by filarial infections, even though involvement of the oro-facial region is pathophysiologically possible. Therefore, we conducted this systematic review of the literature to help reduce the current evidence gap.

Resistance of Anopheles gambiae s.s. against commonly used insecticides and implication of cytochrome P450 monooxygenase in resistance to pyrethroids in Lambaréné (Gabon).

Background: Insecticides are a crucial component of vector control. However, resistance constitute a threat on their efficacy and the gains obtained over the years through malaria vector control. In Gabon, little data on phenotypic insecticide resistance in Anopheles vectors are published, compromising the rational implementation of resistance management strategies.

Rural women's voices revealing perceptions about decisions on where to give birth in Gabon: A qualitative study.

Objective: This study aimed to clarify the perceptions of rural women about their decisions on where to give birth in Gabon.

Method: This study used a qualitative descriptive design using semi-structured interviews. Study participants were women at least 20 years old and had given birth within the past 2 years.

The effect of Plasmodium falciparum exposure and maternal anti-circumsporozoite protein antibodies on responses to RTS,S/AS01 vaccination in infants and children: an ancillary observational immunological study to a phase 3, randomised clinical trial.

Background: The RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine showed lower antibody response and protective efficacy in infants aged 6-12 weeks compared with children aged 5-17 months (for whom this vaccine is recommended). We aimed to study the effect of previous Plasmodium falciparum exposure on the antibody responses to RTS,S/AS01 vaccination in infants and children, and the mediating effect of baseline (including maternal) anti-circumsporozoite protein (CSP) antibodies.

Methods: In this observational study, we included children and infants from six African countries (Burkina Faso, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania) enrolled in the MAL067 immunology ancillary study of the RTS,S/AS01 phase 3 clinical trial from March 27, 2009, to Jan 21, 2011.

SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Seroprevalence in Gabon: Findings from a Nationwide Household Serosurvey in a Sub-Saharan Africa Country.

Seroconversion surveys of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies provide accurate estimates of the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections. This nationwide population-based cross-sectional serosurvey aimed to evaluate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among residents in Gabon and compare the estimated cumulative number of COVID-19 cases with the officially registered number of laboratory-confirmed cases up to December 2021. Households in each province were randomly selected.

Trend of RTS,S vaccine uptake in the malaria vaccine implementing programme (MVIP) pilot regions, Ghana; 2019-2022.

Introduction: The uptake trend of a new vaccine is unpredictable and may reflect the quality of introduction process and community acceptance. The objective of this study was to conduct a trend analysis of RTS,S malaria vaccine uptake in the seven pilot regions of Ghana from 2019 to 2022. The findings are envisaged to strengthen malaria vaccine introductions in the future.

Chromosomal reference genome sequences for the malaria mosquito, , Laveran, 1900.

We present genome assembly from individual female (African malaria mosquito; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Culicidae) from Lopé, Gabon. The genome sequence is 270 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into three chromosomal pseudomolecules with the X sex chromosome assembled for both species.

Evolution of Pfdhps and Pfdhfr mutations before and after adopting seasonal malaria chemoprevention in Nanoro, Burkina Faso.

Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention consisting of monthly administration of amodiaquine/sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine to children aged 3-59 months during the transmission season could promote SP-resistance. Mutations in dihydrofolate reductase (Pfdhfr) and dihydropteroate synthase (Pfdhps) genes were assessed before and after SMC adoption in Burkina Faso. A total of 769 dried blood spots were selected from studies conducted in Nanoro, Burkina Faso, between 2010 and 2020.

Predictors of measles-rubella vaccination status in the Savannah Region, Ghana: A cross-sectional study among caregivers of children aged 18-59 months.

Introduction: Savannah Region witnessed a decline in measles-rubella (MR) vaccination coverage prior to the measles outbreak in 2022. This study aimed to assess contributory factors of the low routine MR vaccination coverage and proffer recommendations to improve vaccination uptake.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two districts (Bole and Central Gonja) of Savannah Region from December 2022 to June 2023.