Molecular, antigenic, and pathogenic characterization of H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses isolated in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2017

In May 2017, high mortality of chickens and Muscovy ducks due to the H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) was reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). In this study, we assessed the molecular, antigenic, and pathogenic features in poultry of the H5N8 HPAIV from the 2017 Congolese outbreaks. Phylogenetic analysis of the eight viral gene segments revealed that all 12 DR Congo isolates clustered in clade 2.3.4.4B together with other H5N8 HPAIVs isolated in Africa and Eurasia, suggesting a possible common origin of these viruses. Antigenically, a slight difference was observed between the Congolese isolates and a representative virus from group C in the same clade. After intranasal inoculation with a representative DR Congo virus, high pathogenicity was observed in chickens and Muscovy ducks but not in Pekin ducks. Viral replication was higher in chickens than in Muscovy duck and Pekin duck organs; however, neurotropism was pronounced in Muscovy ducks. Our data confirmed the high pathogenicity of the DR Congo virus in chickens and Muscovy ducks, as observed in the field. National awareness and strengthening surveillance in the region are needed to better control HPAIVs

Congrès AFMED 2017 : Co-infection VIH-Helminthiases intestinales à Kinshasa (RD Congo) : fréquence et facteurs associés: HIV-Helminthiasis co-infection in Kinshasa (DR Congo): frequency and associated factors

Objectifs. Montrer l‟ampleur des helminthiases intestinales chez les PVVs adultes en milieu de soins à Kinshasa et en identifier les facteurs associés.Méthodes. Étude transversale à visée analytique réalisée dans 8 structures de prise en charge des PVVs à Kinshasa choisies de manière aléatoire. Quatre cent vingt-deux PVVs adultes ont été incluses dans l‟étude selon une approche probabiliste. Un questionnaire pré-testé leur a été administré. Chaque patient avait remis un échantillon de selle conservé dans du formol à 10% pour examen par la méthode de RITCHIE. Les données ont été analysées l‟aide du logiciel SPSS version 21. La régression logistique a servi à identifier les facteurs associés à l‟infection helminthique chez les PVVs.Résultats. Sur 422 PVV, 324 étaient des femmes, soit un sex ratio de 1H/3,3F ; soit 10 H pour 33 F. L‟âge moyen était de 42 ans (ET =10 ans).La fréquence globale des helminthiases intestinales était de 22% (93/422). L‟helminthe le plus retrouvé était Ascaris lumbricoides 44/422 (10,4%) suivi de Trichuris trichiura (Trichocéphale) 33/422 (7,8%), et de Strongyloides stercoralis (Anguillule) 14/422 (3,3%). Ce dernier helminthe était associé à un taux de LT CD4 bas. Aucune infection helminthique mixte n‟a été détectée. Le taux de lymphocytes T CD4 médian était de 388 éléments/mm3 (EIQ : 342-412) pour toutes les PVVs de l‟étude, et 425 éléments/mm3 (EIQ : 373-456) pour les co-infectées, avec comme extrêmes : 13-1421 éléments/mm3. Plus de 70% de PVV étaient atteints d‟infections à faible intensité. Après ajustement, l‟utilisation d‟eau de robinet [OR ajusté 3,62 IC95% (1,04-12,58), p=0,018], la consommation des légumes crus ou fruits frais [OR ajusté 1,80 IC95% (1,11-2,92), p=0,018], la non consommation d‟eau traitée [OR ajusté 2,84 IC95% (1,81-4,72), p=0,018], le non lavage hygiénique des mains après usage de toilettes [OR ajusté 2,65 IC95% (1,14-8,21), p=0,010] et avant de manger [OR ajusté 2,01 IC95% (1,09-6,73), p=0,004] étaient les facteurs associés à l‟helminthiase intestinale.Conclusion. La co-infection VIH-helminthiasiase intestinale est fréquente à Kinshasa. Ascaris lumbrocoides est l‟helminthe le plus retrouvé. L‟immunodépression avancée favorise la strongyloïdose. Les campagnes de sensibilisation sur l‟éducation sanitaire et le déparasitage intermittent de masse chez les PVVs devraient être à envisagés

The ASOS Surgical Risk Calculator: development and validation of a tool for identifying African surgical patients at risk of severe postoperative complications

Background: The African Surgical Outcomes Study (ASOS) showed that surgical patients in Africa have a mortality twice the global average. Existing risk assessment tools are not valid for use in this population because the pattern of risk for poor outcomes differs from high-income countries. The objective of this study was to derive and validate a simple, preoperative risk stratification tool to identify African surgical patients at risk for in-hospital postoperative mortality and severe complications. Methods: ASOS was a 7-day prospective cohort study of adult patients undergoing surgery in Africa. The ASOS Surgical Risk Calculator was constructed with a multivariable logistic regression model for the outcome of in-hospital mortality and severe postoperative complications. The following preoperative risk factors were entered into the model; age, sex, smoking status, ASA physical status, preoperative chronic comorbid conditions, indication for surgery, urgency, severity, and type of surgery. Results: The model was derived from 8799 patients from 168 African hospitals. The composite outcome of severe postoperative complications and death occurred in 423/8799 (4.8%) patients. The ASOS Surgical Risk Calculator includes the following risk factors: age, ASA physical status, indication for surgery, urgency, severity, and type of surgery. The model showed good discrimination with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.805 and good calibration with c-statistic corrected for optimism of 0.784. Conclusions: This simple preoperative risk calculator could be used to identify high-risk surgical patients in African hospitals and facilitate increased postoperative surveillance. © 2018 British Journal of Anaesthesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Medical Research Council of South Africa gran

Maternal and neonatal outcomes after caesarean delivery in the African Surgical Outcomes Study: a 7-day prospective observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Maternal and neonatal mortality is high in Africa, but few large, prospective studies have been done to investigate the risk factors associated with these poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. METHODS: A 7-day, international, prospective, observational cohort study was done in patients having caesarean delivery in 183 hospitals across 22 countries in Africa. The inclusion criteria were all consecutive patients (aged ≥18 years) admitted to participating centres having elective and non-elective caesarean delivery during the 7-day study cohort period. To ensure a representative sample, each hospital had to provide data for 90% of the eligible patients during the recruitment week. The primary outcome was in-hospital maternal mortality and complications, which were assessed by local investigators. The study was registered on the South African National Health Research Database, number KZ_2015RP7_22, and on ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT03044899. FINDINGS: Between February, 2016, and May, 2016, 3792 patients were recruited from hospitals across Africa. 3685 were included in the postoperative complications analysis (107 missing data) and 3684 were included in the maternal mortality analysis (108 missing data). These hospitals had a combined number of specialist surgeons, obstetricians, and anaesthetists totalling 0·7 per 100 000 population (IQR 0·2-2·0). Maternal mortality was 20 (0·5%) of 3684 patients (95% CI 0·3-0·8). Complications occurred in 633 (17·4%) of 3636 mothers (16·2-18·6), which were predominantly severe intraoperative and postoperative bleeding (136 [3·8%] of 3612 mothers). Maternal mortality was independently associated with a preoperative presentation of placenta praevia, placental abruption, ruptured uterus, antepartum haemorrhage (odds ratio 4·47 [95% CI 1·46-13·65]), and perioperative severe obstetric haemorrhage (5·87 [1·99-17·34]) or anaesthesia complications (11·47 (1·20-109·20]). Neonatal mortality was 153 (4·4%) of 3506 infants (95% CI 3·7-5·0). INTERPRETATION: Maternal mortality after caesarean delivery in Africa is 50 times higher than that of high-income countries and is driven by peripartum haemorrhage and anaesthesia complications. Neonatal mortality is double the global average. Early identification and appropriate management of mothers at risk of peripartum haemorrhage might improve maternal and neonatal outcomes in Africa. FUNDING: Medical Research Council of South Africa.Medical Research Council of South Africa