2023 State of the Commonwealth Report

This is Old Dominion University\u27s ninth annual State of the Commonwealth Report. While it represents the work of many people connected in various ways to the University, the report does not constitute an official viewpoint of Old Dominion, its president, Brian Hemphill, Ph.D., the board of Visitors, the Strome College of Business or the generous donors who support the activities of the Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy. Our work seeks to contribute to the conversation about how Virginia can foster growth across the Commonwealth without glossing over the challenges we face. Instead of retreating into partisan enclaves where affirmation is sought over information, we want to encourage difficult conversations to improve economic outcomes for all of Virginia\u27s residents

The State of the Region: Hampton Roads 2023

This is Old Dominion University’s 24th annual State of the Region Report. While it represents the work of many people connected in various ways to the university, the report does not constitute an official viewpoint of Old Dominion, its president, Brian Hemphill, Ph.D., the Board of Visitors, the Strome College of Business or the generous donors who support the activities of the Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy. Over the past year, we have experienced rising interest rates, persistent inflation, and the continued impact of geopolitical shocks on our daily lives. We live, for better or worse, in interesting times and our ability to grow as a region will certainly be tested in the coming years. There is good news to report. The region has largely recovered from the pandemic-related shocks of 2020 and, in some sectors, a new expansion is underway. While the pillars of the regional economy are strong, the region remains overly reliant on federal spending. Whether federal spending will continue to increase over the coming decade is an open question. With this in mind, we dive into the question of whether Hampton Roads can improve its economic performance relative to its peer and aspirant metropolitan regions. We applaud efforts by local and regional organizations to promote economic development, but we also must gauge these efforts against the data. Can we move the needle to diversify our economy, provide improved opportunities to residents, and attract new residents to the area we call home

Changes in the Molecular Epidemiology of Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis in Senegal After Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Introduction.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial meningitis is a major cause of mortality among children under 5 years of age. Senegal is part of World Health Organization-coordinated sentinel site surveillance for pediatric bacterial meningitis surveillance. We conducted this analysis to describe the epidemiology and etiology of bacterial meningitis among children less than 5 years in Senegal from 2010 and to 2016. METHODS: Children who met the inclusion criteria for suspected meningitis at the Centre Hospitalier National d'Enfants Albert Royer, Senegal, from 2010 to 2016 were included. Cerebrospinal fluid specimens were collected from suspected cases examined by routine bacteriology and molecular assays. Serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and whole-genome sequencing were performed. RESULTS: A total of 1013 children were admitted with suspected meningitis during the surveillance period. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus accounted for 66% (76/115), 25% (29/115), and 9% (10/115) of all confirmed cases, respectively. Most of the suspected cases (63%; 639/1013) and laboratory-confirmed (57%; 66/115) cases occurred during the first year of life. Pneumococcal meningitis case fatality rate was 6-fold higher than that of meningococcal meningitis (28% vs 5%). The predominant pneumococcal lineage causing meningitis was sequence type 618 (n = 7), commonly found among serotype 1 isolates. An ST 2174 lineage that included serotypes 19A and 23F was resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a decline in pneumococcal meningitis post-pneumococcal conjugate vaccine introduction in Senegal. However, disease caused by pathogens covered by vaccines in widespread use still persists. There is need for continued effective monitoring of vaccine-preventable meningitis

Syndrome hémolytique et urémique de l’enfant au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Dakar: à propos de quatre observations

Le syndrome hémolytique et urémique (SHU) est une cause fréquente d’insuffisance rénale aiguë (IRA) organique chez l’enfant. C’est une complication évolutive des gastroentérites aiguës (GEA) en particulier à Escherichia coli de l’enfant. Notre objectif était de décrire les aspects cliniques, thérapeutiques et évolutifs de cette affection chez quatre enfants. Nous avions colligé quatre cas de SHU. L’âge moyen était de 10,5 mois (5-15mois) exclusivement des garçons. L’examen clinique retrouvait une anémie de type hémolytique (pâleur et ictére), un syndrome oedémateux avec oligo-anurie (2 cas), une hypertension artérielle (1 patient), une GEA avec déshydratation sévère et choc hypovolémique (2 patients), des troubles de conscience. L’IRA était notée chez tous les patients de même que la thrombopénie et les schizocytes au frottis. Le Coombs direct était négatif. Il y avait une hyperkaliémie (3patients) dont 1 patient supérieure à 9,2 mmol/l, une hyponatrémie à 129mmol/l(1 patient) et une hypernatrémie à 153mmol/l (1 patient). Le shu était secondaire à une pneumonie à pneumocoque (1 patient), une GEA à E. coli (1 patient). Le traitement était essentiellement symptomatique et comprenait la restriction hydrique, la transfusion de concentrés érythrocytaires, les diurétiques, la dialyse péritonéale et l’hémodialyse. L’évolution était marquée par la survenue d’une insuffisance rénale chronique (1 patient) après 6 mois de suivi et la guérison (1 cas). Nous avions noté 3décés.Le SHU est la cause la plus fréquente d’IRA organique du nourrisson. Le diagnostic est essentiellement biologique, le traitement est surtout symptomatique. The Pan African Medical Journal 2016;2

Contrasted optimal environmental windows for both sardinella species in Senegalese waters

We investigate Sardinella aurita and Sardinella maderensis recruitment success relative to the variability of oceanographic conditions in Senegalese waters using generalized additive models (GAM). Results show that recruitment of both species is marked by a strong intra-annual (seasonal) variation with minimum and maximum in winter and summer, respectively. Their interannual variations are synchronous until 2006 (recruitment decreasing), while from 2007 there is no synchrony. The model developed shows that sardinella recruitment variability is closely related to the tested environmental variables in the study area. However, the key environmental variables influencing the recruitment success are different for both species: the Coastal Upwelling Index and the sea surface temperature for S.aurita and S.maderensis, respectively. We report that recruitment success of S.aurita and S.maderensis are associated with distinct ranges of sea surface temperature, upwelling intensity, wind-induced turbulence, concentration of chlorophyll-a and north Atlantic oscillation index. Considering food security and socio-economic importance of both stocks, we recommend that consideration is given to the environmental variability in the small pelagic fish national management plans, particularly in the context of climate change

L’hyperthyroïdie de l’enfant au centre hospitalier universitaire de Dakar (Sénégal)

Introduction: L'hyperthyroïdie de l'enfant semble rare et constitue un problème de par son retentissement psychosomatique. L’objectif était defaire le point sur ses aspects épidémiologiques et diagnostiques chez l’enfant à Dakar.Méthodes: Il s'agissait d'une étude multicentrique, descriptive sur 15 ans. Etaient analysés les aspects épidémiologiques, cliniques et étiologiques. Résultats: 239 patients sélectionnés avec une prévalence de 2.4%, un sex ratio (H/F) de 0.36, un âge moyen de 10.8 ans. À l'inclusion, il s'agissait d'un ainé de famille (26.3%), d'une croissance avancée (36.9%), retardée (12.5%), d'une corpulence insuffisante (40.1%). L'étiologie était la maladie de Basedow dans 90.3% avec un facteur psychoaffectif dans 22.1%. Sur le plan clinique, prédominaient la tachycardie (92.4%), le goitre (91.1%), l'exophtalmie (81.8%), l'amaigrissement (69.8%) avec cependant une énurésie (30.2%) et des manifestations psychiques (3.1%). Les manifestations cardiovasculaires et cutanées étaient positivement associées avec l'âge (p < 0.05). Le goitre était associé au sexe féminin (p = 0.005), aux signes cardiovasculaires (p = 0.02), neuropsychiques (p = 0.03), cutanées (p = 0.03) et à la diarrhée (p = 0.03). La T4 libre était corrélée à l'âge (p = 0.007), la diarrhée (p = 0.021), l'anxiété (p = 0.024), la fréquence cardiaque (p = 0.00) et la maladie de Basedow (p = 0.04). Plus le goitre était volumineux, plus était augmentée la T4 libre (p = 0.007). Conclusion: L'hyperthyroïdie de l'enfant se différencie de celle de l'adulte par les facteurs d'induction, les perturbations sur la croissance et l'énurésie. L’âge et le sexe semble favoriser le tableau clinique de thyrotoxicose et les signes associés.Mots clés: Hyperthyroïdie, enfant, Sénéga

Hypothyroïdie congénitale à Dakar: à propos de 28 cas

L’hypothyroïdie de l’enfant é été peu étudiée au Sénégal. Le but de cette étude était d’évaluer les aspects épidémiologiques, diagnostiques et évolutifs de l’hypothyroïdie congénitale. Il s’agissait d’une étude rétrospective descriptive et analytique portant sur tous les enfants suivis pour hypothyroïdie congénitale au Centre Hospitalier National d’Enfants Albert Royer sur la période de 2001 à 2014 (14 ans). A partir des dossiers des malades, nous avons recueilli et analysé les données sociodémographiques, cliniques et évolutives. Au total, 28 patients ont été inclus, soit une moyenne de 2 cas par an. L’âge moyen de découverte de l’hypothyroïdie était de 54,25 ± 43 mois avec une prédominance féminine (Sex- ratio 0,47). Seuls 2 cas d’hypothyroïdie ont été diagnostiqués dans la période néonatale. La consanguinité était présente chez 68% des patients. Les signes cliniques étaient dominés par le retard des acquisitions psychomotrices (96%), l’hypothermie (46%), la dysmorphie cranio-faciale (43%) et le goitre (39%). Le retard statural était constant au-delà de 6 mois. Les étiologies étaient dominées par les troubles de l’hormonosynthèse (84,21%). Dans l’évolution, la taille moyenne des patients était passée de -3,5 DS à -2,25 DS pour une durée de traitement moyenne de 28 mois. La débilité mentale était présente dans 73% des cas. Le retard de croissance et la débilité mentale étaient d’autant plus sévères que le diagnostic était tardif. Nos résultats confirment l’insuffisance d’une prise en charge précoce des patients. Il urge de mettre en place un système de dépistage néonatale systématique, afin d’améliorer le pronostic mental de cette affection. The Pan African Medical Journal 2016;2

Rift Valley fever, Mauritania, 2020: Lessons from a one health approach

International audienceA new outbreak of Rift Valley fever (RVF) occurred in Mauritania from September to November 2020, involving 78 reported human cases and 186 reported animal cases. Eleven out of the 13 regions of the country were affected by the epidemic, with the highest number of both human and animal cases in Tagant, Assaba and Brakna regions. The most affected animal species in this outbreak was camels, followed by small ruminants. Among the 10 mosquito species caught, 7 species, Culex poicilipes, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. antennatus, Cx. univitattus, Aedes vexans, Mansonia africana and Ma. uniformis, are known to be involved in the transmission of RVF virus. Phylogenetic analyses based on the partial NSs gene revealed close proximity between the human/animal Mauritania 2020 viral strains and the Mauritania 2015/Niger 2016 strains, suggesting re-emergence of the RVF virus in the country since the last reported outbreak in 2015

Crimean–Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Survey in Humans, Ticks, and Livestock in Agnam (Northeastern Senegal) from February 2021 to March 2022

Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is widespread in Asia, Europe, and Africa. In Senegal, sporadic cases of CCHFV have been reported since 1960. Bordering Mauritania in northeastern Senegal, Agnam is an arid area in the region of Matam where CCHFV is endemic, which harbors a pastoralist community. Given the drought conditions of Agnam, inhabitants are in constant movement with their animals in search of pasture, which brings them into contact with pathogens such as arboviruses. To identify CCHFV in this area, we established a One Health site in order to analyze animal livestock, ticks and human samples collected over a one-year period by qRT-PCR and ELISA. Our analysis showed one (1/364) patient carried anti-CCHFV IgM and thirty-seven carried anti-CCHFV IgG (37/364). In livestock, anti-CCHFV IgG was detected in 13 (38.24%) of 34 sentinel sheep. The risk of CCHFV infection increased significatively with age in humans (p-value = 0.00117) and sheep (p-value = 1.18 × 10−11). Additional risk factors for CCHFV infection in sheep were dry seasons (p-value = 0.004) and time of exposure (p-value = 0.007). Furthermore, we detected a total of three samples with CCHFV RNA within Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi and Rhipicephalus guilhoni tick species. Our results highlighted the usefulness of a One Health survey of CCHFV in pastoral communities at risk of arboviruses

Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin Treatment of Hospitalized Patients Infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Senegal from March to October 2020

International audienceAs of today, little data is available on COVID-19 in African countries, where the case management relied mainly on a treatment by association between hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and azithromycin (AZM). This study aimed to understand the main clinical outcomes of COVID-19 hospitalized patients in Senegal from March to October 20202. We described the clinical characteristics of patients and analysed clinical status (alive and discharged versus hospitalized or died) at 15 days after Isolation and Treatment Centres (ITC) admission among adult patients who received HCQ plus AZM and those who did not receive this combination. A total of 926 patients were included in this analysis. Six hundred seventy-four (674) (72.8%) patients received a combination of HCQ and AZM. Results showed that the proportion of patient discharge at D15 was significantly higher for patients receiving HCQ plus AZM (OR: 1.63, IC 95% (1.09–2.43)). Factors associated with a lower proportion of patients discharged alive were: age ≥ 60 years (OR: 0.55, IC 95% (0.36–0.83)), having of at least one pre-existing disorder (OR: 0.61, IC 95% (0.42–0.90)), and a high clinical risk at admission following NEWS score (OR: 0.49, IC 95% (0.28–0.83)). Few side effects were reported including 2 cases of cardiac rhythmic disorders in the HCQ and AZM group versus 13 in without HCQ + AZM. An improvement of clinical status at 15 days was found for patients exposed to HCQ plus AZM combinatio