Children and Adolescents With SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Epidemiology, Clinical Course and Viral Loads.

Background: There is limited information on severe acute respiratory syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in children.

Methods: We retrieved data from the national database on SARS-CoV-2 infections. We studied in-family transmission.

Distribution of HLA Class I and Class II alleles and haplotypes in German and Uzbek minorities in Kazakhstan, and relationship to other populations.

HLA profiles of German and Uzbek minorities in Kazakhstan were analyzed and were compared with other populations. In total, 107 and 119 HLA alleles were identified in Germans and Uzbeks, respectively. A*02:01 (25.

West Nile virus in humans, Greece, 2018: the largest seasonal number of cases, 9 years after its emergence in the country.

BackgroundHuman cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection are recorded since 2010 in Greece, with seasonal outbreaks occurring almost annually. Enhanced surveillance has been implemented since 2010, to promptly characterise cases' temporal and geographical distribution and inform authorities for implementation of appropriate measures (mosquito control, health education, blood safety).AimWe describe the epidemiology of WNV human infections in Greece focusing on the 2018 season.

Evaluation of Four Rapid Tests for Detection of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in Ivory Coast.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a leading cause of liver disease worldwide. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) could be an ideal tool for a large-scale HBV screening in settings with high endemicity but limited infrastructure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnosis performance of such RDTs for screening HBV infection in Ivory Coast.

Retrospective Study on Prevalence, Specificity, Sex, and Age Distribution of Alloimmunization in Two General Hospitals in Athens.

Objective: Blood transfusion is a common lifesaving treatment but it is often complicated with alloimmunization. Previously studies in Greece have concentrated on alloimmunization in multiply transfused thalassemic patients or antenatal women. However, the relative frequency of red blood cell (RBC) alloantibodies in the general patient population has not been studied so far.

HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1 and -DQB1 allele and haplotype frequencies and phylogenetic analysis of Bahraini population.

The origin of Arab-speaking population is classified according to their geographical location, ethnic background, and historical influx of nearby and distant populations. Data on HLA class I and class II loci in (Arabian Peninsula) Bahraini population are lacking. We analyzed HLA genetic profile of Bahrainis with neighboring communities, and with Levantines, North Africans, Sub-Saharans, Europeans, and Asians, using genetic distances, neighbor-joining dendrograms, correspondence and haplotype analysis.

Seroprevalence and factors associated with IgG anti-DENV positivity in blood donors in Burkina Faso during the 2016 dengue outbreak and implications for blood supply.

Objectives: Our study aimed to update the seroprevalence and factors associated with anti-dengue virus (DENV) antibody positivity among blood donors and to discuss their implications for blood supply.

Background: Questions on the potential transmission of DENV by transfusion increased after the documentation of the risk of transmission of the West Nile virus. This risk was estimated after transfusion of DENV RNA-positive blood units of up to 37.

Maternal HLA-DR, HLA-DQ, and HLA-DP loci are linked with altered risk of recurrent pregnancy loss in Lebanese women: A case-control study.

Problem: We investigated the association between idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and HLA-DPB1, HLA-DQB1, and HLA-DRB1 alleles and DPB1-DQB1-DRB1 haplotypes.

Method Of Study: Case-control retrospective study involved 93 Lebanese women with unexplained RPL, and 113 multiparous Lebanese women with two or more successful pregnancies, and no miscarriages who served as controls. DPB1, DQB1, and DRB1 genotyping was performed by PCR-SSP.

Red blood cell alloimmunizations in beta-thalassemia patients in Casablanca/Morocco: Prevalence and risk factors.

Unlabelled: Red blood cell alloimmunization is one of the major challenges to regular transfusions in β-thalassemic patients. In Morocco, rare studies have focused on this hemoglobinopathy.

Objective: We aimed to study the prevalence and risk factors of red cell alloimmunization in β-thalassemic patients.

HLA Class II Allele and Haplotype Diversity in Libyans and Their Genetic Relationships with Other Populations.

: Libya witnessed the succession of many civilizations and ethnic groups throughout history, thereby questioning the origin of present-day Libyans. Indeed, they were considered Africans given the geographical position of the country, Arabs at the cultural level, and Berbers because of the notable presence of Berber tribes. Genetic anthropology studies investigating the origin of Libyans were rarely reported, and thus little was known about the population structure of current Libyans, particularly at autosomic markers level.

Residual risk of HIV, HCV, and HBV transmission by blood transfusion between 2015 and 2017 at the Regional Blood Transfusion Center of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Introduction: In sub-Saharan Africa, the high endemicity of blood-borne infections is a serious threat to transfusion safety. In order to improve transfusion safety, Burkina Faso has undertaken in recent years a reorganization of its blood-transfusion system through the creation of a National Blood Transfusion Center, which is the only blood operator in the whole country. This study aimed to estimate the residual risk of transmission of HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) by blood transfusion at the Regional Blood Transfusion Center (RBTC) of Ouagadougou.

Aging with HIV: what effect on mortality and loss to follow-up in the course of antiretroviral therapy? The IeDEA West Africa Cohort Collaboration.

Background: Reporting mortality and lost to follow-up (LTFU) by age is essential as older HIV-positive patients might be at risk of long-term effects of living with HIV and/or taking antiretroviral therapy (ART). As age effects might not be linear and might impact HIV outcomes in the oldest more severely, people living with HIV (PLHIV) aged 50-59 years and PLHIV aged >60 years were considered separately.

Setting: Seventeen adult HIV/AIDS clinics spread over nine countries in West Africa.

Association of HLA Class II Alleles and Haplotypes with Type 1 Diabetes in Tunisian Arabs.

The molecular association of HLA class II with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) was investigated in Tunisian Arabs using 3 kinds of analyses. The first was a case-control association study, using Relative Predispositional Effects method, involved 137 T1DM cases and 258 control subjects. The second was family-based association-linkage study, using Transmission Disequilibrium Test, and covering 50 Tunisian families comprising 73 T1DM patients and 100 parents.

Association of HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles with type 1 (autoimmune) diabetes in African Arabs: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Unlabelled: Several studies confirmed the association of HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles with altered risk of type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, data from individual studies based on small sample sizes yielded often conflicting findings in African Arabs. This is a systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at comprehensively evaluating this association with T1D, using molecular HLA data.

Impact of Multiplex PCR in Reducing the Risk of Residual Transfusion-Transmitted Human Immunodeficiency and Hepatitis B and C Viruses in Burkina Faso.

Background And Objective: The improved performance of serological tests has significantly reduced the risk of human immunodeficiency and hepatitis B and C viruses transmission by blood transfusion, but there is a persistence of residual risk. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of multiplex PCR in reducing the risk of residual transmission of these viruses in seronegative blood donors in Burkina Faso.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from March to September 2017.

Twenty-Year Evolution of Hepatitis B Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevalence and Incidence in Voluntary Blood Donors in Côte d'Ivoire.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) share common risk factors. The parallel description of their frequency over time may help capture their similarities and differences.

Methods: Using data from the National Transfusion Center of Abidjan, we estimated the following over a 20-year period: (1) the prevalence of HIV and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity at first contact; and (2) the incidence of HIV and HBsAg seroconversion in negative first-time blood donors.

First-year results of an expanded humanitarian aid programme for haemophilia in resource-constrained countries.

Introduction: The gaps in haemophilia treatment around the world are enormous; approximately 60% of an estimated 475 000 individuals are not identified. Of the 187 000 diagnosed, 30% (57 000) access clotting factor replacement therapy. Since 1996, humanitarian aid distributed by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) has played a minor, yet vital role providing life-saving clotting factor to countries in emergency situations.

Adsorption Technique in Pre-Transfusion Testing For Patients with Warm Type Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia.

Warm auto-antibodies are directed against patients' own red blood cell antigens and can interfere with and complicate investigations for the detection and identification of RBC allo-antibodies. Most patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) have already been transfused and the patients' phenotype can be difficult to determine. In warm type AIHA; the auto- antibodies in the patient's serum react with all normal red blood cells and make it impossible to find compatible blood.

Association of vitamin D status with multiple sclerosis in a case-control study from Morocco.

Background: Growing evidence suggests that hypovitaminosis D contributes to the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether vitamin D levels are associated with having MS and some of its characteristics in the Moroccan population.

Methods: Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, the 25(OH)D metabolite was measured to quantify vitamin D serum levels (DSLs) in 113 patients with MS and 146 healthy controls matched for gender and age.

The genetic heterogeneity of Arab populations as inferred from HLA genes.

This is the first genetic anthropology study on Arabs in MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. The present meta-analysis included 100 populations from 36 Arab and non-Arab communities, comprising 16,006 individuals, and evaluates the genetic profile of Arabs using HLA class I (A, B) and class II (DRB1, DQB1) genes. A total of 56 Arab populations comprising 10,283 individuals were selected from several databases, and were compared with 44 Mediterranean, Asian, and sub-Saharan populations.

Does smallpox vaccination modify HIV disease progression among ART-naive people living with HIV in Africa?

We examined the association between a history of smallpox vaccination and immune activation (IA) in a population of antiretroviral therapy-naïve people living with HIV (PLHIV). A cross-sectional study was conducted in Senegal from July 2015 to March 2017. Smallpox vaccination was ascertained by the presence of smallpox vaccine scar and IA by the plasma level of β-2-microglobulin (β2m).

Chimerism in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and its correlation with the clinical outcome.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only hope to cure many inherited and acquired hematological disorders in children. Monitoring of chimerism helps to predict the post-transplantation events, with the intention to enhance the long-term disease free survival (DFS). The study aimed to investigate the importance of early chimerism detection to predict the clinical outcome following HSCT.

Circumcision in hemophilia using low quantity of factor concentrates: experience from Dakar, Senegal.

Background: Circumcision in hemophiliacs is a delicate surgery because of bleeding risks that could be avoided by adequate substitution of coagulation factor. This practice is very challenging in countries where anti hemophilic treatment is inaccessible. The study aimed to evaluate a circumcision protocol in hemophilia A using low quantities of factor concentrates.

Anthropological analysis of Tunisian populations as inferred from HLA class I and class II genetic diversity: A meta-analysis.

Despite their importance, anthropological meta-analyses which allow for comprehensive evaluation of the relationships of a given population were rare. This meta-analysis evaluates the origin of Tunisians using polymorphic profile of HLA class I (A, B), and class II (DRB1, DQB1) genes, in historical, social and cultural context, and is the only analysis in the Middle East-North Africa (MENA) region. A total of 20 eligible populations were selected from several databases, and included representing 2553 Tunisian individuals, who were compared with Mediterranean and sub-Saharan populations.

The investigation of the origin of Southern Tunisians using HLA genes.

The south of Tunisia is characterized by marked ethnic diversity, highlighted by the coexistence of native Berbers with Blacks, Jews and Arab-speaking populations. Despite this heterogeneity, genetic anthropology studies investigating the origin of current Southern Tunisians were rarely reported. We examined human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I (A, B) and class II (DRB1, DQB1) gene profiles of 250 unrelated Southern Tunisians, and compared them with those of Arab-speaking communities, along with Mediterranean and sub-Sahara African populations using genetic distances, neighbor-joining dendrograms, correspondence and haplotype analysis.