The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

The Mediterranean diet could be an exceptional support for patients with chronic renal disease

Chronic renal disease (CKD) is a social problem affecting millions of patients characterized by loss of renal function and related to metabolic diseases. The approach from the dietary point of view to this problem could be a perfect strategy to slow down the progression of the disease and at the same time the problems of malnutrition typical of CKD. Several studies show that the Mediterranean diet (MD) may play a key role in the control of the early stages of the disease. Even if the MD showed to be the best diet for the control of metabolic diseases and for the general well-being, in the case of the patient with CKD, should be adapted in what is called the DASH diet, characterized by the typical roles of the MD but with a controlled intake of minerals and proteins

Colour doppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation: A possible evolution of transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialisation

Introduction. Haemorrhoids are a very common disease, with a great economic burden. Many treatments have been developed for trying to solve the problem, being the standard not yet found. In 1995, Doppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation was introduced, aiming to reduce postoperative pain and complications. In this work, an evolution of the aforementioned surgical technique was described. Materials and Methods.183 patients treated with standard Doppler-Guided Haemorrhoidal Artery Ligation were statistically compared with 225 patients dealt with Colour Doppler-Guided Haemorrhoidal Artery Ligation. The procedures were performed under local anaesthesia with patients in lithotomy position. A special proctoscope and a dedicated Colourdoppler US probe were employed in the second group. Superior haemorrhoidal artery terminal branches were consecutively ligated according to provided technique in the first group and under vision in the second. In all cases, each ligation was followed by mucopexy. Results. No significant differences between the two groups, in terms of post-operative pain, early complications (bleeding, urinary retention, incontinence) or patient satisfaction, were demonstrated. Recurrence rate was significantly higher in patients treated with standard DG-HAL. No late complications (after one-year follow-up) were registered in both groups. Conclusions. Colour Doppler-Guided Haemorrhoidal Artery Ligation represents an ideal management for 1-day surgery, and fulfils the requirements of minimally invasive surgery in patients with III-IV grade haemorrhoids. The absence of complications and the evidence of significant wellness of patients are the best advantages. Colour Doppler-Guided Haemorrhoidal Artery Ligation is a safe and easy procedure with good results and a very short-time training. It could be considered an easy and reliable method to treat symptomatic haemorrhoids

Intraoperative cholangiography during cholecystectomy using a biliary-nose tube: Routinely used in patients with main bile duct stones

Background: Nowadays, the \u201cgold standard\u201d treatment for gallbladder stones is laparoscopic cholecystectomy but the risk of iatrogenic biliary duct injuries is increased compared to \u201copen\u201d surgery. Intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) can be useful to avoid biliary injuries but it can also be a no-safe procedure in center in which it is not routinely performed. Aim and objective: The aim of our study is to trust the efficacy of IOC in a patient with common bile duct (CBD) and gallbladder stones using a biliary-nose tube. Materials and methods: 135 patients with gallbladder and CBD stones were treated with sequential therapy and randomly divided into two groups. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed within 24/48 h. During endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, a biliary-nose catheter was left to perform cholangiography during the following surgical procedure. Group A had also a cholangiography at the beginning of the surgical procedure in order to evidence biliary duct structure. Results: Cholangiography avoided a lesion of the biliary ducts in nine patients. Only a patient had a residual stone in the CBD. The dissection at Calot\u2019s triangle was faster in group A patients without differences between the surgeons involved. Conclusion: The biliary-nose tube can be useful in patients with gallbladder and CBD who underwent cholecystectomy for different reasons: it lets the surgeon performing IOC faster and without risk linked to the technique used; it reduces the risk of biliary injuries; and surgeons feel more safe and calm during the surgical procedure