Serological assessment of pediatric parasite exposure in two Senegalese districts using multiplex serology

Although pediatric parasitic diseases cause significant morbidity and mortality in regions with high rates of co-infection, this overlap may offer opportunities for integrated control strategies. This study aimed at a serological assessment of exposure to multiple parasitic infections among children aged 1–14 years in two Senegalese districts, Saraya (Kédougou Region) and Diourbel (Diourbel Region), to inform integrated control strategies. We analysed 883 dried blood spot samples. A multiplex bead-based immunoassay quantified IgG antibody against Plasmodium falciparum, helminths (Necator americanus, Schistosoma mansoni, Strongyloides stercoralis, Taenia solium), and intestinal protozoa (Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia duodenalis) as proxies for single- and multiple-pathogen exposure. Multivariable logistic regression identified risk factors for seropositivity. Recent malaria exposure was identified in 11% of children, while 42% showed evidence of historical exposure. Helminth seroprevalence ranged between 0.1% and 7.2%, whereas Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia duodenalis seroprevalence values were 19.0% and 7.4%, respectively. Co-exposures to malaria and other parasites ranged from 9.4% to 18.0%. School-aged children exhibited higher seroprevalence rates for historical exposure to P. falciparum and S. stercoralis compared to pre-school children, while G. duodenalis was more seroprevalent in pre-school children. Saraya exhibited higher seroprevalence for historical P. falciparum and G. duodenalis exposure. Rare/never handwashing before meals, shorter travel time to a water source (< 10 min, likely reflecting residence near shared or surface water rather than improved household taps), and frequent contact with any waterbodies (daily/weekly) were associated with higher odds of parasite seropositivity. While seasonal malaria chemoprevention appears suitable, the low helminth seroprevalence coupled with substantial protozoan exposure suggests that current integrated interventions may require re-evaluation and enhancement

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

Investment in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences that have been generated and used to track the pandemic on the continent, a number that now exceeds 100,000 genomes. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries that are able to sequence domestically and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround times and more-regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and illuminate the distinct dispersal dynamics of variants of concern-particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron-on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve while the continent faces many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

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

Repertory of bacteria identified in West Africa by Maldi-Tof

Le répertoire des bactéries est mal connu en Afrique du fait des méthodes d’étude essentiellement basées sur des techniques de culture sur milieux simples associées à des tests biochimiques, ce qui ne permet pas son exploration. Il a néanmoins été récemment bouleversé par l’usage systématique de la spectrométrie de masse de type MALDI-TOF MS.Au cours de nos travaux de thèse de doctorat, nous avons utilisé deux types de spectromètres de masse: le MALDI-TOF Vitek MS, nouvellement installé à Dakar; le MALDI-TOF Microflex LT, installé à Marseille. Les résultats que nous avons obtenus ont montré, pour la première fois, que la technique du MALDI-TOF est efficace et tout à fait adaptée en Afrique pour le diagnostic spécifique de routine. Cette performance a conduit le laboratoire clinique de l’HPD à opter pour son utilisation à la place des traditionnelles techniques d’identification phénotypique telles que les galeries API. Nous avons également confirmé que le MALDI-TOF est un puissant outil d’identification des espèces bactériennes rarement impliquées dans les maladies infectieuses humaines. De plus, cet outil nous a permis de détecter sept nouvelles espèces de bactéries isolées pour la première fois chez l’homme. En Afrique, il faudrait donc multiplier l’installation de spectromètre de masse MALDI-TOF, ou mettre en place des réseaux autour de plateformes MALDI-TOF sous-régionales partagées entre plusieurs structures sanitaires et/ou de recherche.The Africa bacteria repertory is unfamiliar because the available tools in this region are not allowed its best knowledge. In fact, bacteria are most often identified using culture techniques on simple media and biochemical tests which enable the identification of some common characters. These methods do not facilitate an exhaustive knowledge of the bacterial repertory; consequently they have recently been revolutionized by the systematic use of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS).In our thesis we used two mass spectrometers, respectively, MALDI-TOF Vitek MS currently installed at Dakar (Senegal) and MALDI-TOF Microflex LT installed in Marseille (France). In addition we have also confirmed that MALDI-TOF is a powerful tool for identifying bacterial species rarely involved in human infectious diseases. Thus in adopting the MALDI-TOF as a first-line tool in bacterial identification before Gram staining or other techniques of phenotypic identifications based on chemical characteristics, we discovered seven new species of bacteria isolated for first time in humans. Microbial identification using MALDI-TOF MS is currently feasible in Africa. Its performance and effectiveness in routine diagnosis of clinical microbiology laboratories have been proven. It is necessary either to increase the installation of MALDI-TOF, or establishing a network around a shared MALDI-TOF platform between several structures located in the same area, especially in the underdeveloped countries of Africa amortization of investment costs of the device, because it allowed reducing the time of reporting results and indirectly facilitating better care for patients

Lagierella massiliensis gen. nov., sp. nov., Isolated from a Stool Sample

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Clostridium massiliamazoniense sp. nov., New Bacterial Species Isolated from Stool Sample of a Volunteer Brazilian

AbstractThe study of the gut microbiota by the “culturomics concept” permitted us to isolate, from human stool sample, an unknown anaerobic bacterium within the genus Clostridium for which we propose the name Clostridium massiliamazoniense sp. nov. It was isolated from the fecal flora of a healthy 49-year-old Brazilian male. Here, we describe the characteristics of this organism and its complete genome sequencing and annotation. Clostridium massiliamazoniense sp. nov., ND2T (= CSURP1360 = DSMZ 27309) is a Gram-positive, obligate anaerobic member of Firmicutes with a 3,732,600 bp-long genome and a G+C content of 27.6%.</jats:p

Clostridium massiliamazoniense sp. nov., New Bacterial Species Isolated from Stool Sample of a Volunteer Brazilian

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