High faecal carriage of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) among hospitalized patients at Sylvanus Olympio Teaching Hospital, Lomé, Togo in 2019

Background: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) are a global health concern, associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Even in the absence of infections, colonization by these pathogens is still a great threat because of the risk of cross transfer among hospitalized patients. Faecal carriage of ESBL-PE remained poorly documented in Africa. This study aimed to determine faecal carriage rate of ESBL-PE, factors associated with carriage, and antimicrobial susceptibility of the strains among hospitalized patients at Sylvanus Olympio Teaching Hospitals (CHU SO) in Lomé, Togo. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study of 105 randomly selected hospitalized patients between September and November 2019. Socio-demographic and clinical data as well as rectal swabs were collected after obtaining the consent of the selected participants. Rectal swabs were cultured on selective bromocresol purple (BCP) lactose agar containing 6µg/l ceftazidime, for isolation of Enterobacteriaceae. Identification of each isolate was performed using Uriselect 4 medium and API 20E. Antibiotic susceptibility of the bacterial isolates was performed by the Bauer-Kirby agar disc diffusion test and interpreted according to CASFM-EUCAST recommendations. Results: The faecal carriage rate of ESBL-PE among selected hospitalized patients was 80.9% (85/105). Escherichia coli was the most frequent bacteria 69.5% (73/105), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae 22.8% (24/105). The antibiotic profile of ESBL producing Escherichia coli showed resistance to amoxycillin+clavulanic acid (72.6%), ticarcillin+clavulanic acid (82.2%), piperacillin+tazobactam (30.1%), cefoxitin (30.1%) ciprofloxacin (84.9%), levofloxacin (76.7%), nalidixic acid (83.6%), chloramphenicol (26.0%), gentamicin (49.3%), sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (86.3%), imipenem (5.5%), and ertapenem (21.9%). All (100%) isolates were sensitive to amikacin and fosfomycin. None of the characteristics or risk factors assessed was significantly associated with faecal carriage of ESBL-PE. Conclusion: Faecal carriage rate of ESBL-PE in these hospitalized patients was very high, but no factor was associated with carriage of ESBL-PE among the study population. Implementation of infection control measures, and surveillance are needed to limit the spread of these resistant pathogens within CHU SO healthcare facilities

PLoS One

CONCLUSION: This study showed the diversity of circulating HPV genotypes in Togo. Programs of HPV vaccination and early detection of benign or precancerous lesions should be implemented to reduce cancer-related comorbidities

BMJ Open

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to estimate alcohol and tobacco use prevalence and their correlates among female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM) and drug users (DU) in Togo. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A cross-sectional bio-behavioural study was conducted among 2115 MSM, FSW and DU in 2017 using a respondent-driven sampling method, in the eight biggest towns of Togo. Selection criteria for the MSM were being male and having had oral or anal intercourse with a man in the previous 12 months; for FSW, being a female and having exchanged sex for money in the previous 12 months; and for DU, consuming heroin, cocaine or hashish for MSM, FSW and DU, respectively. All participants had to be at least 18 years old and residing in the territory for the past 3 months. RESULTS: The prevalence of alcohol consumption, hazardous/harmful consumption and binge drinking was 64.8%, 38.4% and 45.5%, respectively. Current tobacco use was reported by 30.6% of participants and HIV prevalence was estimated at 12.5%. DU were more likely to engage in binge drinking compared with other key populations (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.0; 95% CI 1.4 to 2.8; p=0.001). Participants who were identified as having hazardous/harmful alcohol consumption had almost three times the odds of tobacco consumption than those with no risky consumption (aOR=2.6; 95% CI 2.0 to 3.4; p=0.001). Hazardous/harmful alcohol consumption was three times more likely among participants with severe psychological distress compared with those with no psychological distress (aOR=3.3, 95% CI 2.2 to 5.1; p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Findings from this study demonstrate the need for the integration of mental health and substance abuse reduction interventions into HIV prevention programme, particularly those geared towards key populations

PLoS One

Objectives Mental health is a largely neglected issue among in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially among key populations at risk for HIV. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of psychological distress (PD) and to assess the factors associated among males who have sex with males (MSM), female sex workers (FSW) and drug users (DU) in Togo in 2017. Study design A cross-sectional bio-behavioral study was conducted in August and September 2017 using a respondent-driven sampling (RDS) method, in eight cities in Togo. Methods A standardized questionnaire was used to record sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behaviors. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and a subset of questions from the Tobacco Questions for Survey were used to assess alcohol and tobacco consumption respectively. PD was assessed with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. A blood sample was taken to test for HIV. Descriptive statistics, univariable and multivariable ordinal regression models were used for analysis. Results A total of 2044 key populations including 449 DU, 952 FSW and 643 MSM with a median age of 25 years, interquartile range (IQR) [21–32] were recruited. The overall prevalence of mild PD among the three populations was 19.9% (95%CI = [18.3–21.8]) and was 19.2% (95%CI = [17.5–20.9]) for severe/moderate PD. HIV prevalence was 13.7% (95%CI = [12.2–15.2]). High age (≥ 25 years) [aOR = 1.24 (95% CI: 1.02–1.50)], being HIV positive [aOR = 1.80 (95% CI: 1.31–2.48)] and hazardous alcohol consumption [aOR = 1.52 (95% CI: 1.22–1.87)] were risk factors for PD. Secondary [aOR = 0.52 (95% CI: 0.42–0.64)] or higher [aOR = 0.46 (95% CI: 0.32–0.64)] education levels were protective factors associated with PD. FSW [OR = 0.55 (95% CI: 0.43–0.68)] and MSM [OR = 0.33 (95% CI: 0.24–0.44)] were less likely to report PD compared with DU. Conclusion and recommendations This is the first study conducted among a large, nationally representative sample of key populations in Togo. The prevalence of PD is high among these populations in Togo and was associated to HIV infection. The present study indicates that mental health care must be integrated within health programs in Togo with a special focus to key populations through interventions such as social support groups

Int J Infect Dis

The West and Central African region (WCAR) still registers some of the highest rates of new HIV infections worldwide (16%) despite a low prevalence of HIV (1.9%). In this region, only 48% of people living with HIV are aware of their HIV status. To fill this gap, HIV Self testing (HIVST) could potentially be an additional approach to overcome the barriers to diagnose HIV infected patients, therefore being one of the keys to unlock the first 90 as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2016. However, many challenges remain for the adoption of HIVST in routine clinical practice in low prevalence settings and need to be contextualized to WCAR settings. We report in this paper some of the challenges and discuss opportunities for a successful implementation of HIVST in the WCAR

Arch Public Health

Background: The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the screening of syphilis among populations highly exposed to HIV. However, data on the prevalence of syphilis in these populations are scarce in Togo. This study aimed at estimating the prevalence of syphilis among males who have sex with males (MSM), female sex workers (FSW) and drug users (DU) in Togo. Methods: A cross-sectional bio-behavioral study was conducted in August and September 2017 using a respondent-driven sampling (RDS) method in eight major cities in Togo. A standardized questionnaire was used to record socio-demographic data and sexual behavior patterns. A blood sample was taken and SD Bioline Duo VIH/Syphilis rapid test was used to test for HIV and syphilis. Results: A total of 2158 key populations (678 MSM, 1003 FSW and 477 DU), with an average age of 27.6 years (standard deviation 8.8 years) participated in the study. Prevalence of syphilis was 0.6% (95% CI = [0.3-1.0]) with no statistical significance between the three groups: null among MSM, 0.8% among FSW (95% CI = [0.37-1.63]) and 1.1% among DU (95% CI = [0.39-2.57]). There was no relation between HIV status and syphilis (p = 0.236). Among the 298 HIV-positive people, none was diagnosed with syphilis. Conclusions: Findings from this study reveal a low prevalence rate of syphilis among key populations in Togo. Specific interventions into HIV prevention programs should be reinforced to eliminate syphilis in Togo

Medicinal plant use and adherence problems to TB treatment

BACKGROUND: Good adherence is essential in the treatment of TB. The aim of this study was to describe medication consumption patterns and to assess factors associated with adherence to TB treatment among TB patients in Lomé, Togo.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among TB patients in 10 health structures in Lomé from September 2019 to January 2020. TB patients aged ≥18 years and under treatment for at least 2 months were eligible for this study. Adherence to TB treatment was assessed using the Girerd compliance test.RESULTS: A total of 195 TB patients (61.5% male) with a median age of 35 years (IQR 27-44) were recruited. TB-HIV coinfection was 11.3%. Polypharmacy (≥5 medications/day) and using medicinal plants were observed in respectively 6.2% and 42.6% of patients. Prevalence of TB treatment adherence problems was 68.2% (95% CI 61.2-74.7). Being <35 years (aOR 2.79; P = 0.005) and taking medicinal plants (aOR 4.31; P < 0.001) were associated with TB treatment adherence problems.CONCLUSION: Treatment adherence problems, a major obstacle to TB elimination, are highly prevalent in TB patients in Lomé, and were associated with the use of medicinal plants. Reasons for the use of medicinal plants should be documented in order to propose appropriate interventions to reinforce adherence to TB treatment

Clin Infect Dis

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa is a region of both high HIV and anal cancer incidence. We conducted the first national study in Togo to assess HPV, HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) prevalence among Men having Sex with Men (MSM). Methods: A multicentric cross-sectional study was conducted among MSM recruited in four Togolese cities based on the respondent-driven sampling method. Socio-demographic characteristics and sexual behaviors were recorded using a standardized questionnaire. Anal swabs were collected to test HPV, HSV-1/2 and seven anal STIs. HIV, Syphilis and HBV were screened with rapid tests. Results: 207 MSM were recruited, showing HIVand high-risk HPV (hrHPV) overall prevalence of 26.1% and 44.9%, respectively. Most common hrHPV types were HPV35 (15.0%) and HPV16 (13.0%). Prevalence of hrHPV and multiple HPV infections were higher among HIV-positive than among HIV-negative MSM (85.2% versus 30.7%, p<10-5 and 85.2% versus 28.7%, p<10-5, respectively). Other STIs, except HBV, were also more prevalent among HIV-positive MSM (N.gonorrhoeae, p=0.03; M.genitalium, p=0.04; HSV-2, p=0.001 and a trend for C.trachomatis, p=0.06). In multivariate analysis, HIV infection (aOR: 10.1, 95%CI: 4.0-25.6), living in Lome (2.8, 1.1-7.1), HSV-2 anal excretion (26.7, 2.9-244.3), anal C.trachomatis (11.7, 2.3-58.9) and M.genitalium infection (9.6, 3.1-29.9) were associated with increased risk of anal hrHPV infection. All participants with anal N.gonorrhoeae infection were infected with at least one hrHPV. Conclusions: We report a high-burden of anal STIs with an unusual hrHPV types distribution among MSM, highlighting the critical need of implementation of a national strategy regarding prevention of STIs and vaccination against Papillomavirus

BMC Infect Dis

Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a public health problem in Togo and transmission to the child occurs mainly during childbirth. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HBV among childbearing women and infants born to HBV positive mothers in Togo. Methods A national cross-sectional study was carried out in six cities in Togo in the six health regions in Togo. Mother-child pairs were recruited from immunization centers or pediatric wards in Lomé, Tsévié, Atakpamé, Sokodé, Kara and Dapaong in 2017. Women aged 18 and over with one child of at least 6 months old were included. A standardized questionnaire was used for data collection and HBV screening was performed using Determine® rapid tests. The prevalence of HBV, defined by a positive HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), was estimated in mothers and then in infants of mothers who were positive for HBsAg. Logistic regression model was performed to identify risk factors for HBsAg positivity in mothers. Results A total of 2105 mothers-pairs child were recruited. The median age of mothers and infants was 29 years, interquartile range (IQR) [25–33] and 2.1 years, IQR [1–3] respectively. About 35% of women were screened for HBV during antenatal care and 85% of infants received three doses of HBV immunization. Among mothers, the prevalence of HBV was 10.6, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) [9.4–12.0%], and 177 had detectable HBV viral load (> 10 IU/mL). Among mothers with positive HBsAg, three infants also had positive HBsAg, a prevalence of 1.3, 95% CI [0.2–3.8%]. In multivariable analysis, HIV-infection (aOR = 2.19; p = 0.018), having at least three pregnancies (aOR = 1.46; p = 0.025) and living in Tsévié (aOR = 0.31; p < 0.001) compared to those living in Lomé, were associated to HBV infection in mothers. Conclusion In this study, one out of 10 childbearing women were infected with HBV, but less than 2% of infant born to HBV positive mothers under 5 years’ old who received immunization under the Expanded Program on Immunization were infected. Improving antenatal screening and providing targeted interventions in babies could help eliminate HBV in Togo