Molecular diagnosis of COVID-19 in Burkina Faso: successful challenge

COVID-19 has worsened the health situation in Burkina Faso. In fact, the country has known a peak of the second wave, which began in November, and ended around January 2021. Biological diagnosis has played a key role in the management of COVID-19. The aim of this review paper is to address the practical aspects that laboratories have faced in order to meet the challenge of SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis in Burkina Faso. According to international requirements, Burkina Faso has used real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR) as the “gold standard” for the diagnosis of COVID-19. From March 9, 2020 to July 31, 2021, in Burkina Faso, laboratories involved in COVID-19 diagnosis analyzed 226,189 samples by molecular tests and 2, 352 samples by rapid antigenic tests, whose peak was in January 2021 with 35,984 samples analyzed. The daily average rate of samples analysis was 456.02 tests. The majority of the individuals requesting COVID-19 tests were travelers (62.00%), followed by contact cases (18.42%), suspected cases (7.95%), voluntary screening (7.57%), and 4.06% of other applicants consisting of health care personnel and at-risk patients. In terms of prevention, vaccines are being administered to the general population. However, some efforts must be made to provide automated sample analysis equipment and complete sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 remains among the challenges

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 drug resistance in a subset of mothers and their infants receiving antiretroviral treatment in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

The emergence of HIV-1 drug resistance (HIVDR) is a public health problem that affects women and children. Local data of HIVDR is critical to improving their care and treatment. So, we investigated HIVDR in mothers and infants receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) at Saint Camille Hospital of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. This study included 50 mothers and 50 infants on ART. CD4 and HIV-1 viral load were determined using FACSCount and Abbott m2000rt respectively. HIVDR was determined in patients with virologic failure using ViroSeq HIV-1 Genotyping System kit on the 3130 Genetic Analyzer. The median age was 37.28 years in mothers and 1.58 year in infants. Sequencing of samples showed subtypes CRF02_AG (55.56%), CRF06_cpx (33.33%) and G (11.11%). M184V was the most frequent and was associated with highlevel resistance to 3TC, FTC, and ABC. Other mutations such as T215F/Y, D67N/E, K70R, and K219Q were associated with intermediate resistance to TDF, AZT, and 3TC. No mutation to LPV/r was detected among mothers and infants. The findings of HIVDR in some mothers and infants suggested the change of treatment for these persons

INSIGHTS INTO THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN KIR GENE FREQUENCIES AND CHRONIC HBV INFECTION IN BURKINA FASO

Background/Objective: The receptors of natural killer cells "Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor" (KIR) regulate the activity of Natural killer cells in the innate response against viral infections. To date there is no accurate method to identify high risk groups for cirrhosis and HCC in Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, this investigation was undertaken to assess the association between KIR genes frequencies and chronic infection HBV infection in Burkina Faso’s population. Methods: Chronic HBV carriers and healthy patients were selected for this study. The viral load for HBV were performed to confirm the serological status for HBV of the studied cohort. In addition, SSP-PCR was used to characterize the frequencies of KIR genes. Results: The study suggested that inhibitory genes KIR2DL2, KIR2DL3 and activator gene KIR2DS2 (p˂0.001 for all and OR = 2.82; 2.48 and 3.84 respectively) might be associated with chronic stages of HBV infection.  While inhibitory genes KIR3DL1 (p = 0.0018 OR = 0.49), KIR3DL2 (p = 0.005 OR = 0.40), the activator gene KIR2DS1 (p = 0.014 OR = 0.47) and the pseudo gene KIR2DP1 (p = 0.011 OR = 0.49) could be associated with immunity against HBV infection. Patients who carried the KIR3DL2 gene had a high HBV viral load compared to the rest of the study population. Conclusion: Our data showed an evidence of correlation between the propensity of developing chronic HBV infection and certain KIR gene frequencies and that KIR3DL1, KIR3DL2, KIR2DS1 and KIR2DP1 might confer a protective status against chronic HBV infection in Burkina Faso’s patients

Diagnostic biologique différentiel entre le paludisme et la dengue chez des patients fébriles à Ouagadougou au Burkina Faso dans un contexte d’endémie des deux maladies

La dengue constitue un problème de santé publique au Burkina Faso. Notre objectif était de faire le diagnostic biologique de la dengue chez des patients fébriles. Cette étude a porté sur 204 patients. Les kits « Dengue Duo de SD Bioline » ont été utilisés pour le dépistage. Une recherche de Plasmodium par la méthode de goutte épaisse a été réalisée chez les patients ainsi que le dosage du taux de CRP. La RT- PCR en temps réel a été utilisée pour confirmer les résultats positifs au test rapide. Environ 25,98 % des patients étaient TDR positif. L'étude a confirmé la présence de DENV chez 3,77 % des patients avec une association statistiquement significative entre le taux de plaquettes et la positivité à l’Ag NS1. Environ 87,87 % des patients qui avaient des gouttes épaisses positives présentaient également des taux de CRP élevés comparativement aux patients qui avaient des taux de CRP normaux et des gouttes épaisses positives (7,01 %) avec une différence statistiquement significative. Dans cette étude, nous proposons des pistes de diagnostic différentiel entre la dengue et le paludisme, dans un contexte d’endémie des deux maladies, à partir de paramètres biologiques tels que les taux de plaquettes et de CRP.Mots-clés: Dengue, Diagnostic, RT-PCR, Burkina FasoEnglish Title: Differential biological diagnosis between malaria and dengue in febrile patients in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in a context of endemic diseaseEnglish AbstractDengue fever is a public health problem in Burkina Faso. The goal of this study was to make the biological diagnosis of dengue in clinically suspect patients. This study involved 204 clinically suspected dengue patients. Dengue Duo kits from SD Bioline were used for screening. Plasmodium was investigated by the thick-film method in all patients included as well as the dosage of CRP. Complementary biological analyzes were carried out. Real-time RT-PCR was used to confirm positive results in the rapid test. Rapid tests revealed a 25.98% positive Dengue rate. The study confirmed by RT-PCR the effective presence of DENV in 3.77% of patients. Our study revealed a statistically significant association (p = 0.046) between platelet count and NS1 Ag positivity. In contrast, 87.87% (29/33) of patients who had malaria also had high CRP levels compared to patients with normal CRP and thick positive seizures (7.02%) with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.018). In this study, we confirm the responsibility of dengue arboviruses in cases of disease in our country, but also we propose ways of differential diagnosis between dengue and malaria, in an endemic context of both diseases, based on biological parameters such as platelet and CRP levels.Keywords: DENV, Diagnostic, RT-PCR, Burkina Fas

Confirmation de l’électrophorèse des sujets drépanocytaires SS et non drépanocytaires par PCR en temps réel au Burkina Faso

La drépanocytose, maladie génétique très répandue dans le monde, a une prévalence élevée au Burkina Faso. Cette étude avait pour objectif de confirmer par PCR en temps réel l’électrophorèse des sujets drépanocytaires SS et non drépanocytaires afin de la proposer comme méthode de diagnostic précoce des hémoglobinopathies. Au total 280 patients ont participé à cette étude dont 86 drépanocytaires âgés de 1 à 15 ans (sujets non enceintes) et 194 femmes enceintes dont le génotype de l’hémoglobine était inconnu mais après l’examen, aucune femme enceinte SS n’a été identifiée. Tous les patients ont effectué les tests de l’électrophorèse de l’hémoglobine (EHb) et la PCR pour la détermination de leurs génotypes. En sus, ceux qui portaient l’hémoglobine SS ont réalisé les analyses de fer sérique, de ferritine et d’hémogramme. Le groupe des drépanocytaires étaient constitués de 41,9% de femmes et 58,1% d’hommes. Le génotypage par PCR chez les femmes enceintes a donné les fréquences génotypiques : AA(82,4%); AC(9,3%); AS(5,2%); CC(3,1%). Tous les tests d’EHb ont été confirmés à 100% par la PCR. La PCR était sensible et spécifique à 100% par rapport aux tests de l’EHb. La PCR qui permet d’effectuer des analyses prénatales et périnatales, différentie également l’hémoglobine S de l’hémoglobine D, et l’hémoglobine C de l’hémoglobine A2. Par conséquent, le test PCR de l’hémoglobine peut être dorénavant recommandé pour les examens de routine des hémoglobinopathies.   Englsih title: Electrophoresis confirmation of SS and non-sickle cell subjects using realtime PCR in Burkina FasoSickle cell disease, a genetic disease that is widespread in the world, has a high prevalence in Burkina Faso. The aim of this study was to confirm the electrophoresis of SS and non-sickle cell subjects by real-time PCR in order to propose it as an early diagnosis method for hemoglobinopathies. A total of 280 patients participated in this study, including 86 sickle aged 1 to 15 years (non-pregnant) cell patients and 194 pregnant women with unknown hemoglobin genotypes and no HbSS pregnant women was detected after Hb genotype analysis. All patients underwent hemoglobin electrophoresis (EHb) and PCR tests to determine their genotypes. In addition, those with SS hemoglobin performed serum iron, ferritin, and hemogram tests. The sickle cell group consisted of 41.9% women and 58.1% men. PCR genotyping in pregnant women yielded the following genotype frequencies: AA (82.4%); AC (9.3%); AS (5.2%); CC (3.1%). All EHb tests were 100% confirmed by PCR. PCR was 100% sensitive and specific compared to EHb tests. PCR, which allows for prenatal and perinatal testing, also differentiates hemoglobin S from hemoglobin D, and hemoglobin C from hemoglobin A2. Therefore, the PCR test for hemoglobin can now be recommended for routine exams of hemoglobinopathies

Glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and T1 (GSTT1) variants and breast cancer risk in Burkina Faso

Breast cancer remains the most common cause of cancer mortality in women. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between genetic variability in GSTM1 and GSTT1 and susceptibility to breast cancer

Polymorphism of MMP1 and MMP3 promoter regions and HR-HPV infection in women from Burkina Faso and Côte d‘Ivoire

The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the promoter region of MMP-1 (at 1607 bp) and MMP-3 (at 1171 bp) create Ets binding sites. Correlations between these SNPs and sensitivity to several biological processes such as metastasis and recurrence of cancer have been reported in several studies