Global trends in CD4 count measurement and distribution at first antiretroviral treatment initiation.

Background: While people with HIV (PWH) start antiretroviral treatment (ART) regardless of CD4 count, CD4 measurement remains crucial for detecting advanced HIV disease and evaluating ART programmes. We explored CD4 measurement (proportion of PWH with a CD4 result available) and prevalence of CD4 <200 cells/µL at ART initiation within the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) global collaboration.

Methods: We included PWH at participating ART programmes who first initiated ART at age 15-80 years during 2005-2019.

WHO global research priorities for antimicrobial resistance in human health.

The WHO research agenda for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in human health has identified 40 research priorities to be addressed by the year 2030. These priorities focus on bacterial and fungal pathogens of crucial importance in addressing AMR, including drug-resistant pathogens causing tuberculosis. These research priorities encompass the entire people-centred journey, covering prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of antimicrobial-resistant infections, in addition to addressing the overarching knowledge gaps in AMR epidemiology, burden and drivers, policies and regulations, and awareness and education.

Patients' Acceptance of Glaucoma Therapy in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Prcis: Patients' acceptance of glaucoma therapy was high overall in this study, but lower for surgery than for laser or medical therapy. Fear and cost were the leading reasons why patients declined recommended therapy and they were treatment-specific. Cost was the primary reason for declining medical and laser therapy, while fear was the most common reason for declining surgical therapy.

[Clinical, aetiological and therapeutic features of severe sickle cell related vaso-occlusive crisis at the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital, Lomé].

Introduction: vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) is the most common manifestation of sickle cell disease and the leading cause of hospitalization among affected children. The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical features of severe VOCs, to determine the etiologies of infectious syndromes that accompany them and to describe their management.

Methods: we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study of 137 adult patients with sickle cell disease hospitalised for severe VOC in the Paediatric Department of the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011.

Street adolescents in low income setting exposed to hepatitis B and C, and disadvantaged by lifestyle: a Togolese cross-sectional study.

Background: In Togo, few data are available on viral hepatitis in street adolescents, a vulnerable population due to their lifestyle. The aim of this study was to describe the lifestyle of street adolescents (sexual practices and drug use), to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses, and to describe their HBV immunization profile in Togo.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lomé (Togo) in July 2021.

Resistance phenotypes and molecular characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus associated with pleuritis in patients at "Hôpital du Mali" teaching hospital.

Background: one of the pathogens strongly implicated in hospital infections. Data on the resistance and molecular characteristics of this bacterium are rare in Mali.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the antibiotic resistance patterns, virulence factors of isolates from pleural fluid infections in hospitalized patients.

Disparities in dolutegravir utilisation in children, adolescents and young adults (0-24 years) living with HIV: An analysis of the IeDEA Paediatric West African cohort.

Introduction: We describe the 24-month incidence of Dolutegravir (DTG)-containing antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiation since its introduction in 2019 in West Africa.

Methods: We included all patients aged 0-24 years on ART from nine clinics in Côte d'Ivoire (n=4), Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Benin, and Burkina Faso. Baseline varied by clinic and was defined as date of first DTG prescription; patients were followed up until database closure/death/loss to follow-up (LTFU, no visit ≥ 7 months), whichever came first.

Exploring a Preliminary Set of Indicators to Measure Adolescent Health: Results From a 12-Country Feasibility Study.

Purpose: To explore data availability, perceived relevance, acceptability and feasibility of implementing 52 draft indicators for adolescent health measurement in different countries globally.

Methods: A mixed-methods, sequential explanatory study was conducted in 12 countries. An online spreadsheet was used to assess data availability and a stakeholder survey to assess perceived relevance, acceptability, and feasibility of implementing each draft indicator proposed by the Global Action for Measurement of Adolescent health (GAMA).

Surgical Advances in Treating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Africa: What About the Endoscopic Approach?

Objective: To assess the practices, trends, and challenges associated with the use of endoscopic techniques in Africa related to the surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia METHODS: The questionnaire, which was based on Google Forms, assessed several points related to the surgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Results: In 67.4% of the centers, BPH was the primary pathology requiring surgical management.

Factors Associated With Precancerous Cervical Lesions in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Women: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Togo.

Background: The burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in cervical cancer remains a major public health challenge in developing countries, like Togo. Precancerous lesions include all cellular abnormalities that have malignant potential that can develop into cancer. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with precancerous cervical lesions in HIV-infected women in our context.

African primary research publications in plastic surgery: A PRISMA-S-compliant systematic review.

Background: Plastic surgery (PS) in Africa is a relatively young surgery specialty, and the number of available plastic surgeons on average is one or two surgeons per country in many African low-income countries. This systematic review aims to geographically map the research activities through scientific publications of African PS centres, between February 2012-February 2023.

Methods: We searched four literature databases (Medline, Embase, Google Scholar and African Journal Online) and did a manual search.

[Not Available].

Introduction: Thoracic surgery is a specialty with specific anesthetic management requirements. This is a recent specialty in Togo, with a multi-skilled anesthetic team.

Aim: To describe the anesthetic management and morbidity of thoracic surgery.

Epidemiology of Non-Traumatic Lower Extremities Amputations in West Africa: Nationwide Data from Togo.

Objective: Non-traumatic lower limb amputation (NT-LLA) has consequences at individual and public health levels. Population based studies in sub-Saharan Africa are scarce and often related to single centre series. This study aimed to estimate the incidence of NT-LLA (minor and major) and to describe epidemiological, clinical, and prognostic aspects in Togo.

Insight from an Italian Delphi Consensus on EVAR feasibility outside the instruction for use: the SAFE EVAR Study.

Background: The SAfety and FEasibility of standard EVAR outside the instruction for use (SAFE-EVAR) Study was designed to define the attitude of Italian vascular surgeons towards the use of standard endovascular repair (EVAR) for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) outside the instruction for use (IFU) through a Delphi consensus endorsed by the Italian Society of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (Società Italiana di Chirurgia Vascolare ed Endovascolare - SICVE).

Methods: A questionnaire consisting of 26 statements was developed, validated by an 18-member Advisory Board, and then sent to 600 Italian vascular surgeons. The Delphi process was structured in three subsequent rounds which took place between April and June 2023.

Preexposure prophylaxis availability among health facilities participating in the global International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium.

Background: While recognized as a key HIV prevention strategy, preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) availability and accessibility are not well documented globally. We aimed to describe PrEP drug registration status and the availability of PrEP services across HIV care sites participating in the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) research consortium.

Methods: We used country-level PrEP drug registration status from the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition and data from IeDEA surveys conducted in 2014, 2017 and 2020 among participating HIV clinics in seven global regions.

[Oto-rhino-laryngological and cervico-maxillofacial pathologies among hospitalized older patients: epidemiological, diagnostical and therapeutical aspects in Lomé, Togo].

Introduction: In developing countries, 10% of the population is over 60 years old and this proportion is increasing rapidly. The general objective of this study was to describe the profile and management of the elderly subject aged 60 and over, hospitalized in the ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) and Head/Neck surgery department of the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital in Lomé, from 2012 to 2021.

Method: Retrospective descriptive study.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Commensal Isolated from Wild Birds in Umbria (Central Italy).

The role of wildlife, including birds, in antimicrobial resistance is nowadays a speculative topic for the scientific community as they could be spreaders/sources of antimicrobial resistance genes. In this respect, we aimed to investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility of 100 commensal strains, isolated from wild birds from an Umbrian rescue centre and admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Perugia (Central Italy) mainly for traumatic injuries. The possible presence of spp.

Ovotesticular disorder of sex development in a 46 XY adolescent: a rare case report with review of the literature.

Introduction: Ovotestis is a rare cause of sexual ambiguity characterized by the presence in a patient of both testicular and ovarian tissue, leading to the development of both male and female structures. We report a case of ovotestis diagnosed in an adolescent, with a review of the literature.

Case Report: A 15-year-old patient presented with a right scrotal swelling associated with gynecomastia.