Circulation of human influenza viruses and emergence of Oseltamivir-resistant A(H1N1) viruses in Cameroon, Central Africa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>While influenza surveillance has increased in most developing countries in the last few years, little influenza surveillance has been carried out in sub-Saharan Africa and no information is available in Central Africa. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of influenza viruses circulating in Yaounde, Cameroon and determine their antigenic and genetic characteristics.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Throat and/or nasal swabs were collected from November 2007 to October 2008 from outpatients with influenza-like illness (ILI) in Yaounde, Cameroon and analyzed by two different techniques: a one-step real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and virus isolation in MDCK cells. Typing and subtyping of virus isolates was performed by hemagglutination inhibition (HI), and viruses were sent to the WHO Collaborating Centre in London, UK for further characterization and analyses of antiviral resistance by enzyme inhibition assay and nucleotide sequencing.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 238 patients with ILI were sampled. During this period 70 (29%) samples were positive for influenza by RT-PCR, of which only 26 (11%) were positive by virus isolation. By HI assay, 20 of the 26 isolates were influenza type A (10 H3N2 and 10 H1N1) and 6 were influenza type B (2 B/Victoria/2/87 lineage and 4 B/Yagamata/16/88 lineage). Seven (70%) of the H1N1 isolates were shown to be resistant to oseltamivir due to a H275Y mutation.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study confirmed the circulation of influenza A(H1N1), A(H3N2) and B viruses in the human population in Central Africa and describes the emergence of oseltamivir-resistant A(H1N1) viruses in Central Africa.</p

Chimpanzee Malaria Parasites Related to Plasmodium ovale in Africa

Since the 1970's, the diversity of Plasmodium parasites in African great apes has been neglected. Surprisingly, P. reichenowi, a chimpanzee parasite, is the only such parasite to have been molecularly characterized. This parasite is closely phylogenetically related to P. falciparum, the principal cause of the greatest malaria burden in humans. Studies of malaria parasites from anthropoid primates may provide relevant phylogenetic information, improving our understanding of the origin and evolutionary history of human malaria species. In this study, we screened 130 DNA samples from chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and gorillas (Gorilla gorilla) from Cameroon for Plasmodium infection, using cytochrome b molecular tools. Two chimpanzees from the subspecies Pan t. troglodytes presented single infections with Plasmodium strains molecularly related to the human malaria parasite P. ovale. These chimpanzee parasites and 13 human strains of P. ovale originated from a various sites in Africa and Asia were characterized using cytochrome b and cytochrome c oxidase 1 mitochondrial partial genes and nuclear ldh partial gene. Consistent with previous findings, two genetically distinct types of P. ovale, classical and variant, were observed in the human population from a variety of geographical locations. One chimpanzee Plasmodium strain was genetically identical, on all three markers tested, to variant P. ovale type. The other chimpanzee Plasmodium strain was different from P. ovale strains isolated from humans. This study provides the first evidence of possibility of natural cross-species exchange of P. ovale between humans and chimpanzees of the subspecies Pan t. troglodytes

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

Circulation, genetic diversity and evolution of human enteroviruses in Cameroon - interactions with vaccine polioviruses and simian enteroviruses

La diversité génétique des entérovirus (EVs) humains, y compris les poliovirus (PVs), circulant au Cameroun a été évaluée d'une part sur tout le territoire chez des patients atteints de paralysie flasque aiguë, et d'autre part, chez des enfants sains dans la région de l'extrême Nord du pays. Les résultats obtenus indiquent une fréquence élevée couplée à une importante diversité génétique des EVs au Cameroun. Les EVs de l'espèce Human Enterovirus C (HEV-C) représentaient jusqu'à 56,5% des isolats identifiés. En dehors des types viraux mondialement distribués, des types et variants d'EV spécifiquement Africains ont été identifiés. L'étude des échanges génétiques entre HEV-C, incluant les PVs vaccinaux, a confirmé que des recombinaisons fréquentes dans les régions non structurales du génome participent à leur diversité génétique. En particulier les PVs co-circulent et échangent les séquences de leurs régions non structurales avec les autres HEV-C notamment avec les CVA-13, -17 et -20. La co-circulation des PVs et de divers HEV-C pourrait constituer un facteur viral majeur pour l'émergence des PVs recombinants pathogènes dérivés du vaccin (VDPVs). Par ailleurs, des EVs typiquement simiens, mais aussi des EVs précédemment connus comme étant des pathogènes humains ont été identifiés dans les selles de primates non humains (PNH) vivant en captivité et en faune sauvage. En particulier, quatre nouveaux types d'EVs simiens ont été identifiés. Les résultats confirment que la transmission inter-espèces d'au moins certains types d'EV est naturellement possible et pourrait jouer un rôle dans l'émergence de nouveaux EVs de l'homme chez les PNH et vice-versa.The genetic diversity of human enteroviruses (EVs), including polioviruses (PVs), circulating in Cameroon was investigated in acute flaccid paralysis patients throughout the entire territory as well as in healthy children from the far northern region of the country. The results showed a high frequency combined with a high genetic diversity of human EVs in Cameroon. The frequency of EVs belonging to the Human Enterovirus C species (HEV-C) was as high as 56.5% of the identified isolates. Apart from worldwide distributed types, several African specific types and variants were identified. The investigation of genetic exchanges between HEV-C, including vaccine polioviruses, confirmed the fact that frequent recombination in the non structural regions of the genome contribute to their genetic diversity. PVs in particular co-circulate and exchange the sequences of their non structural regions with CVA-13, -17 and -20. The co-circulation of PVs and diverse HEV-C may be a major viral factor for the emergence of pathogenic recombinant vaccine derived PVs (VDPVs). In the other hand, simian specific EVs as well as EVs previously known human EVs were identified in the stools of captive and wild non human primates (NHP). Four novel types of simian EVs in particular were identified. The results confirm that cross-species transmission of at least some EV types can happen naturally and could play a role in the emergence of new EV types from humans to NHP and vice-versa.PARIS7-Bibliothèque centrale (751132105) / SudocSudocFranceF

Serological evidence of rift valley fever Phlebovirus and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever orthonairovirus infections among pygmies in the east region of Cameroon

Abstract Background Rift Valley Fever Phlebovirus (RVFV) and Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Orthonairovirus (CCHFV) specific antibodies had been documented among humans in urban settings of the southwestern and northern Cameroon in the late 1980s. Recently, evidence for enzootic circulation of RVFV was reported among livestock in both rural and urban settings in Cameroon. However, current estimates of human exposure to RVFV and CCHFV are still to be documented in Cameroon, especially in rural areas. The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of RVFV and CCHFV in rural settings in the Southeastern rain forest of Cameroon. Results Using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assays, the presence of RVFV and CCHFV Immunoglobulin G antibodies was investigated in plasma samples originating from 137 Pygmies from four villages of the East region of Cameroon. The studied population was found to be 12.4% (17/137) and 4.4% (6/137) seropositive for RVFV and CCHFV, respectively. The rates of RVFV IgG were comparable between the age groups and sex. Conversely, the rate of CCHFV IgG was significantly higher among the 41–60 years old participants (p = 0.02). Conclusions This study provides a substantial evidence of the circulation of RVFV and CCHFV among rural inhabitants of the East region of Cameroon

Éradication de la poliomyélite et émergence de poliovirus pathogènes dérivés du vaccin

Les campagnes de vaccination visant à éradiquer la poliomyélite sont effectuées avec le vaccin polio oral, un vaccin vivant constitué de souches de poliovirus atténuées des trois sérotypes. Ces campagnes ont permis de faire régresser, puis disparaître la maladie due aux souches sauvages de virus dans la plupart des pays. Cependant, lorsque la couverture vaccinale est faible, les souches vaccinales de poliovirus peuvent circuler dans les populations insuffisamment vaccinées et redeviennent ainsi pathogènes par mutation et par recombinaison génétique avec d’autres souches d’entérovirus. Les souches mutées et recombinantes sont à l’origine d’épidémies de poliomyélite paralytique aiguë. Le phénomène de plasticité génétique qui menace les bénéfices de la vaccination fait l’objet d’une surveillance particulière et est étudié dans les laboratoires de virologie du réseau international des Instituts Pasteur