Complications following COVID-19 infection or vaccination in Libyan International Medical University students and their Families

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a novel strain of coronavirus belonging to the genus Beta coronavirus named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged as a major pandemic worldwide. This contagious virus had spread in many different forms, and patients have demonstrated a wide range of symptoms, ranging from moderate to severe illness. This study aims to highlight the important associations between SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination, and possible complications at the Libyan International Medical University, Benghazi. This crosssectional survey was conducted among students and their families at Libyan International Medical University in Benghazi, Libya. Among the 100 participants, 72% were between the ages of 18 and 39. Up to (59%) of participants were men. As for the infection with COVID-19, 77% of participants were infected. Most of the participants had no chronic diseases (69%); however, the most common chronic disease was diabetes mellitus (13%). 82% of participants were vaccinated; the most common types of vaccines administered were Sinopharm and Sputnik V (24%). Following vaccination, 71% of participants had no COVID-19 infection, while 29% did get the infection. Regarding this study, after COVID-19 infection, 66% of participants had no complications; however, 17% had pulmonary complications, which was the most common complication among the participants. As for the complications following the vaccination, 81% of participants had none, while there were pulmonary and neurological complications in 7­6%. The results of the study showed that the most frequent complications noticed among the participants following the COVID-19 infection and vaccination were pulmonary and neurological complications.

Surveillance on pediatric bacterial meningitis in Gondar University Hospital, Ethiopia from 2012 to 2021: Retrospective analysis

Introduction: Acute Bacterial meningitis is still a major cause of death in under-five children. Surveillance on Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis has been set up by the World Health Organization to generate data on vaccine preventable causes of Meningitis in under-five children. Ethiopia is one of the countries conducting the surveillance and Gondar University Hospital is one of the sentinel surveillance sites. In this study we described the epidemiological data on Bacterial meningitis in under-five children at Gondar University Hospital from 2012-2021. Methods: Data were extracted directly from Gondar University Hospital surveillance database collected from under-five children admitted to the Hospital with suspected meningitis from January 1st, 2012 to December 31st , 2021. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were collected using standard pretested questioners. All under-five children with suspected meningitis over the 10-years period were included and descriptive statistics like frequency, percentage, mean, median and standard deviations were used for the characteristics of under-five Children with Suspected Bacterial Meningitis. Results: In this study, a total of 4311 under-five admitted with suspected bacterial meningitis from 2012 to 2021 were enrolled. The majority, 71% of suspected meningitis were reported in infants. The mortality rate in suspected meningitis during the study period was 1%. The majority (92.4 %) had fever at presentation followed by seizure (62.7 %), altered consciousness (58.9 %) and bulged fontanel in 48.3 %, respectively. The commonest bacteria identified by CSF culture and Polymerase Chain Reaction was Streptococcus pneumonia (SPN). There was a reduction of confirmed meningitis cases from 2012 to 2021 (26 cases in 2012 and 6cases in 2021). Conclusions: Streptococcus pneumoniae was the commonest cause of PBM. Bacterial detection by culture was low which showed that Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test should be encouraged to improve bacterial detection.

Test positivity and clinical presentation of COVID-19 in Mozambican infants hospitalized during the second wave of the pandemic in 2021

Introduction: during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mozambique, there was a surge in pediatric hospitalizations at a time when there was relatively little evidence, but significant concern about clinical outcomes in African children, particularly in higher-risk infants requiring, and health system capacity to respond. Methods: a retrospective cohort study was conducted for patients 1-12 months of age admitted to the Breastfeeding ward at Hospital Central de Maputo from January-February 2021. All had routine SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing performed. For patients with positive results, hospital charts were retrospectively reviewed. Descriptive analyses were performed. Results: of 209 patients that had SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing performed, 102 (48.8%) received results, of which 37 (36.3%) were positive. Positive results were received prior to discharge for 14 patients (37.8%). Median duration of hospitalization was 3 days. There were two deaths in COVID-positive patients (5.4%), both with complex comorbidities. For the 35 COVID-19 positive patients whose charts were located, the principal admission diagnosis was respiratory for 22 (62.9%), and 14 (40.0%) had oxygen saturation <94% at admission. The white blood cell count was >12.0 x 103cells/mL in 10 patients (28.6%) and the most common abnormal finding on chest radiograph was peribronchial thickening (38.5% of patients with results). Oxygen therapy was needed for 20 patients (57.1%). Conclusion: the majority of infants with COVID-19 had a mild, short-duration respiratory illness that did not exceed ward capacity for care, including oxygen treatment. Laboratory capacity for PCR testing was overwhelmed, delaying the return of results and complicating inpatient infection control measures.

Risque de transmission de certains arbovirus à travers le don de sang à Bamako / Risk of transmission of certain arbovirus through blood donation in the city of Bamako

Introduction. Au Mali, le dépistage de certains virus tels que la dengue, Zika et la fièvre de la vallée du Rift n'est pas systématique au centre national de transfusion sanguine (CNTS). Le risque peut être considérable en raison de leurs courtes périodes de virémie asymptomatique dans la population dont l'incidence est variable et parfois extrêmement élevée. Cette étude avait pour objectif d'explorer la possibilité de transmission de certains arbovirus à travers le don de sang au CNTS de Bamako. Méthodes. Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale, de juillet 2019 à juin 2020 à Bamako. Au total deux cents (200) donneurs de sang du CNTS ont été inclus. Les examens ont été réalisés au Centre d'Infectiologie Charles Mérieux (CICM) de Bamako avec le dépistage du génome des virus responsables de la Dengue, de la fièvre de la Vallée du Rift, et du Zika à l'aide de la technique de la RT-PCR en temps réel. Le Test de Dépistage Rapide (TDR) a été utilisé pour la détection des anticorps IgG et IgM spécifiques de la Dengue. Résultats. Le sexe masculin représente 84% (168/200). Le TDR a détecté 4,5% (9/200) de Dengue IgG positifs et aucun cas de Dengue IgM positif. La technique de RT-PCR n'a détecté aucun des trois virus. Conclusion. Cette étude prouve que le risque de transmission de certains arbovirus à travers le don de sang existe, mais il semble être minime au CNTS de Bamako

Background. In Mali, screening for certain viruses such as dengue, Zika, and Rift Valley fever is not systematic at the national blood transfusion center (CNTS). The risk can be considerable due to their short periods of asymptomatic viremia in the population with variable and sometimes extremely high incidence. The objective of this study was to explore the possibility of transmission of certain arboviruses through blood donation at the CNTS of Bamako. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study, from July 2019 to June 2020 in Bamako. A total of two hundred (200) blood donors from the CNTS were included. The examinations were performed at the Centre d'Infectiologie Charles Mérieux (CICM) in Bamako with the screening of the genome of viruses responsible for Dengue, Rift Valley fever, and Zika using the real-time RT-PCR technique. The Rapid Screening Test (RST) was used for the detection of Dengue-specific IgG and IgM antibodies. Results. Male sex represented 84% (168/200). The RDT detected 4.5% (9/200) of IgG positive Dengue and no IgM positive Dengue cases. The RT-PCR technique did not detect any of the three viruses. Conclusion. This study proves that the risk of transmission of certain arboviruses through blood donation exists, but it seems to be minimal at the CNTS of Bamako.

Sero-molecular Epidemiology of Hepatitis E Virus in Blood Donors, Gezira State, Sudan: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a hepatotropic pathogen that causes significant morbidity and mortality in humans. It is an important causative agent of viral hepatitis outbreaks. This study investigates the serological and molecular prevalence of HEV in blood donors attending the Central Blood Bank in Wad Medani City in Gezira State, Sudan. Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive design. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data concerning demographic information and risk factors associated with HEV transmission. All enrolled participants (N = 300) were screened for HEV IgG antibodies using commercial ELISA kits, then strong positive samples (N = 84) were selected and rescreened for HEV IgM and HEV RNA by RT PCR. SPSS version 24.0 was used for analysis. Results: Out of 300 male participants, 36.3% (109/300) were positive for HEV IgG. However, only one participant was IgM positive, while the HEV RNA was negative. The highest prevalence rates of the virus were 42 (44.6%) among the age group of 31­40 years, 20 (48.8%) in those who consumed food from outside, 13 (50%) in three to four multiple blood donations, and 5 (62.5%) in those who consumed water from the river source. A significant association of HEV IgG prevalence concerning the occupation of the participants being students or farmers was detected using univariate and multivariate analysis (P-value = 0.007).

Prévalence des hémorragies digestives au cours des vagues de COVID-19 au service de Réanimation Chirurgicale du CHU Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona, Antananarivo, Madagascar / Prevalence of gastrointestinal bleeding during the waves of COVID -19 in the surgical intensive care unit of the CHU Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona,Antananarivo, Madagascar

Introduction : La CoViD-19 est une maladie à « plusieurs visages ¼ qui peut affecter tous les systèmes. La survenue d'hémorragies digestives fait partie des manifestations de cette maladie. L'objectif de cette étude est de présenter les cas d'hémorragies digestives chez des patients infectés par le SARS-CoV-2. Matériels et Méthodes : Une étude rétrospective couvrant la période correspondant aux deux vagues de CoViD-19 à Antananarivo (Madagascar) a été réalisée, plus particulièrement au service de Réanimation Chirurgicale du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona. Résultats : Huit sur 101 patients de 51 à 81 ans, hospitalisés pour CoViD-19, ont présenté une hémorragie digestive dont les manifestations allaient de l'hématémèse au méléna ou une association de ces deux manifestations hémorragiques. Ces patients ont été traités par, entre autres une anticoagulation et une corticothérapie, comme défini dans le protocole national de prise en charge de la CoViD-19, avant l'épisode hémorragique. Aucun patient n'a présenté d'état de choc, l'indice de choc allait de 0,5 à 0,9. Deux patients ont pu bénéficier d'une fibroscopie digestive haute. Le score de Glasgow Blatchford variait de 6 à 13. Parmi ces huit patients, quatre sont décédés. Conclusion : Lors de la prise en charge de la CoViD-19, au vu des manifestations thrombotiques surtout, il faut procéder à une protection au niveau digestif lorsqu'une anticoagulation à titre curatif doit être réalisée. Également cette protection digestive doit être effectuée au-devant de la corticothérapie, laquelle entre dans le cadre du traitement de la CoViD-19. Tout cela pour minimiser le risque de survenue de saignement gastro-intestinal .

Background: CoViD-19 is a "many-faced" disease that can affect all the body organism. The occurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding is one of the manifestations of this disease. The aim of this study was to present cases of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study covering the period corresponding to the two waves of CoViD-19 in Antananarivo (Madagascar) was carried out, more particularly in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit of the University Hospital Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona. Results: Eight out of 101 patients aged 51 to 81, hospitalized for CoViD-19, presented gastrointestinal bleeding, with hematemesis or melena or a combination of these two bleeding manifestations. These patients were treated, among other coagulation and corticosteroid therapy as defined in the national protocol for the management of CoViD-19 before the bleeding episode. None of the patients presented with a shock; the shock index ranged from 0.5 to 0.9. Two patients were able to benefit from an upper digestive fibroscopy. The Glasgow Blatchford score ranged from 6 to 13. Of these eight patients, four died. Conclusion: During the management of CoViD-19, the thrombotic manifestations are treated with curative anticoagulation must be performed, which can cause digestive bleeding. Also, in front of the corticosteroid therapy which is part of the treatment of CoViD-19, also digestive protection must be carried out to minimize the risk of occurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Practical tips to using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue archives for molecular diagnostics in a South African setting

Background: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue archives in hospitals, biobanks, and others offer a vast collection of extensive, readily available specimens for molecular testing. Unfortunately, the use of tissue samples for molecular diagnostic applications is challenging; thus, the forensic pathology FFPE tissue archives in Africa have been a largely unexploited genetic resource, with the usability of DNA obtainable from these samples being unknown.Intervention: The study, conducted from January 2015 to August 2016, determined the usefulness of FFPE tissue as a reliable source of genetic material for successful post-mortem molecular applications and diagnostics. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples were collected and archived from autopsies conducted over 13 years in the forensic medicine department of the University of Pretoria (Pretoria, South Africa). Deoxyribonucleic acid from FFPE tissue samples and control blood samples was amplified by high-resolution melt real-time polymerase chain reaction before sequencing. The procurement parameters and fixation times were compared with the quantity and quality of the extracted DNA and the efficiency of its subsequent molecular applications.Lessons learnt: This study has shown that FFPE samples are still usable in molecular forensics, despite inadequate sample preparation, and offer immense value to forensic molecular diagnostics.Recommendations: FFPE samples fixed in formalin for more than 24 h should still be used in molecular diagnostics or research, as long as the primer design targets amplicons not exceeding 300 base pairs.

Delays in HIV-1 infant polymerase chain reaction testing may leave children without confirmed diagnoses in the Western Cape province, South Africa

Background: Early diagnosis and confirmation of HIV infection in newborns is crucial for expedited initiation of antiretroviral therapy. Confirmatory testing must be done for all children with a reactive HIV PCR result. There is no comprehensive data on confirmatory testing and HIV PCR test request rejections at National Health Laboratory Service laboratories in South Africa.Objective: This study assessed the metrics of routine infant HIV PCR testing at the Tygerberg Hospital Virology Laboratory, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa, including the proportion of rejected test requests, turn-around time (TAT), and rate of confirmatory testing.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed laboratory-based data on all HIV PCR tests performed on children ≤ 24 months old (n = 43346) and data on rejected HIV PCR requests (n = 1479) at the Tygerberg virology laboratory over two years (2017­2019). Data from sample collection to release of results were analysed to assess the TAT and follow-up patterns.Results: The proportion of rejected HIV PCR requests was 3.3%; 83.9% of these were rejected for various pre-analytical reasons. Most of the test results (89.2%) met the required 96-h TAT. Of the reactive initial test results, 53.5% had a follow-up sample tested, of which 93.1% were positive. Of the initial indeterminate results, 74.7% were negative on follow-up testing.Conclusion: A high proportion of HIV PCR requests were rejected for pre-analytical reasons. The high number of initial reactive tests without evidence of follow-up suggests that a shorter TAT is required to allow confirmatory testing before children are discharged.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of plasmid-mediated AmpC beta-lactamases in enteric Gram-negative bacteria from patients with lower respiratory tract infections in a tertiary hospital, southwest Nigeria

Background: AmpC or class C or group 1 beta lactamases are class C cephalosporinases that hydrolyse a wide variety of beta-lactam antibiotics including alpha methoxy beta-lactams (cefoxitin), narrow and broad spectrum cephalosporins. This study was conducted to characterize plasmid-mediated AmpC producing enteric Gram- negative bacteria from patients with lower respiratory tract infections in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC) Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria Methodology: A total of 149 patients with clinical features of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) were selected by simple random sampling for the study. All Gram-negative isolates recovered from standard microbiological cultures of respiratory specimens of these patients were tested against cefoxitin, third generation cephalosporins (3GCs), and other antibiotics using the disc diffusion AST method, and also screened for production of AmpC beta-lactamases phenotypically by the CLSI method. Plasmid DNA extraction was carried out on twenty-nine cefoxitin-resistant selected isolates using the Kado and Lin method, while genotypic detection of plasmid-mediated AmpC gene was carried out by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Results: The results showed that 204 (43.3%) of 471 isolates recovered from the 149 selected patients were resistant to 3GC in the AST assay, among which 121 (59.3%) were resistant to cefoxitin, and 189 of the 471 isolates (40.1%) were AmpC producers. The AmpC producers concurrently showed multiple resistance pattern to other antibiotics tested in this study. Ninety six percent of the 29 selected isolates for plasmid analysis contained plasmids, 45% of which amplified positive on PCR for CMY, 38% for FOX, and 31% for ACC types of AmpC genes. Conclusion: This study showed a high degree of antibiotic resistance among enteric Gram-negative bacteria recovered from patients with LRTIs, as well as high degree of plasmid-encoded AmpC genes responsible for this high antibiotic resistance among the isolates. Proper antibiotic policy and regulation are required to limit the spread of plasmid mediated AmpC ß-lactamase

Detection of carbapenemase enzymes and genes among carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates in Suez Canal University Hospitals in Ismailia ,Egypt

Background: Carbapenem antibiotics are important therapeutic agents in the health care setting, they are frequently used as an empiric therapy for life-threatening infections as well as infections with multi-drug-resistant gram-negative bacilli. Carbapenemase-producing Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are a significant public health challenge worldwide. The detection of carbapenemases productions in CRE strains is performed by phenotypic and genotypic methods. The phenotypic methods target carbapenemases production but provide no guidance regarding the specific carbapenemases types, while the genotypic diagnosis has the benefit of determining the exact mechanism conferring carbapenems resistance.Aim: Improvement of the antibiotic policy and infection control strategies in Suez Canal University Hospitals in Ismailia; through adequate detection of carbapenem resistance in the hospitals.Methods: All the CRE isolates were tested by the phenotypic methods (mCIM & eCIM) test to detect carbapenemases production, and screened by the conventional PCR for the presence of five carbapenemase genes, namely blaKPC, blaIMI, blaVIM, blaNDM, blaOXA-48 Results: The study showed that (53/155) 34.1% of the Enterobacteriaceae isolates were carbapenems resistant. Carbapenemases activity was detected in (36/53) 67.9% of the examined CRE isolates using mCIM test (20/36)37.8 % showed Metallo-carbapenemases and (16/36) 30.2% showed Serine- carbapenemases by eCIM test. 60.4% (32/53) were sensitive to colistin. While by PCR all the isolates (100%) harbor one or more carbapenemases genes. (51/53) 96.2% were proved to harbor blaOXA-48 gene, (47/53) 88.7% were proved to harbor blaNDM gene, (28/53) 52.8%, were proved to harbor blaVIM,gene, the percentage of blaIMI, blaKPC isolation was (17/53) 32.1%, (4/53)7.5% respectively.Conclusion: High frequencies of carbapenemase genes among CRE isolates

Tests diagnostiques de l'infection à Coronavirus (COVID-19) : des atouts et des limites

Le monde entier fait face à une crise sanitaire sans précédent due à la pandémie de maladie à virus SARS-COV-2 alias COVID-19. Malgré les connaissances très incomplètes sur la COVID-19, on a constaté une contagiosité interhumaine élevée au début de la pandémie actuelle, et on estime que chaque nouveau cas de COVID-19 infecte en moyenne deux à trois personnes. En conséquence, la stratégie de lutte contre la pandémie à COVID-19 qui ébranle nos sociétés passe nécessairement par une intensification des tests de détection de l'infection. Ces tests diagnostiques de la COVID-19 sont un outil essentiel pour suivre la propagation de la pandémie. Ainsi, l'objectif de la présente revue de la littérature est d'aborder le diagnostic de l'infection à Coronavirus (COVID-19) en s'attardant sur les tests de diagnostic, leurs atouts et leurs limites. Il y a deux catégories de test : ceux qui recherchent la présence directe du virus ou de ses fragments, et ceux qui recherchent les anticorps résultant de l'infection par le virus du COVID-19. Le test real time ­Reverse Transcriptase ­Polymerase chain reaction (rt-RT-PCR) reste le gold standard pour le diagnostic de la COVID-19. Sa sensibilité sur les écouvillons nasopharyngés semble élevée, mais des faux négatifs peuvent se produire, avec une fréquence incertaine (environ 30% des cas). Les tests sérologiques détectent les anticorps spécifiques du SARSCoV-2. Ils permettent l'identification des individus qui ont été infectés par le virus, se sont rétablis, et ont développé, en théorie, une réponse immunitaire efficace contre le virus. Ils constituent des tests d'orientation diagnostique de la COVID19. A ce jour, aucun de ces tests n'est fiable à 100 %, mais, utilisés par un personnel médical qualifié et en combinaison, ils permettent l'identification de la majorité des individus infectés et immunisés

Intron 22 inversion real-time polymerase chain reaction detection in haemophilia A families from central South Africa

Background. Intron 22 inversion (inv22) may account for 45% of all cases of severe haemophilia A. Haemophilia A is underdiagnosed in South Africa (SA), and owing to limited resources the genotypes of most haemophilia A patients are unknown.Objectives. To screen the haemophilia A population in central SA for inv22 using two novel detection methods. Methods. We recruited 62 participants from 27 families affected by haemophilia A in Free State and Northern Cape provinces. We screened for inv22 with our previously reported conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, as well as with a newly developed real-time PCR method. Sanger sequencing was performed to confirm the PCR results. Results. With the real-time PCR method, 10 of the severe haemophilia A patients and 3 carriers tested inv22-positive. The conventional PCR method and real-time PCR results were comparable in all but one case, where the discrepancy was attributed to sample-specific degradation. Inv22 was found in 29.4% of the severe haemophilia A population and 22.2% of the potential carriers. The inv22 status of most SA haemophilia A patients is currently unknown. The 29.4% of haemophilia A patients who were positive for inv22 was lower than the expected 45%, which could indicate a more prominent mutation than inv22 in the SA population.Conclusions. The above finding needs to be confirmed by performing comprehensive factor VIII gene (F8) genotyping on the remainder of the haemophilia A patients in SA. The study contributes to genetic research in haemophilia A and lays a foundation for future research in haemophilia A genetics in SA

Hepatitis E virus in patients with acute hepatitis in Cape Town, South Africa, 2011

Background. Early hepatitis E virus (HEV) seroprevalence studies in South Africa (SA) showed seroprevalence rates of 2 - 10%, and suggested waterborne transmission. More recent studies in Cape Town, SA, reported HEV seroprevalence rates of 28% and 26% in outpatients without liver disease and blood donors, respectively. An association was found with eating pork or bacon/ham. Only 3 human cases of hepatitis E in SA have been reported in the literature. Objectives. To find evidence of HEV infection in hospitalised patients with acute hepatitis and no other identified cause. Methods. Leftover serum samples were retrieved for patients negative for hepatitis viruses A, B and C, where no other cause of hepatitis was identified. Samples were tested for HEV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and IgM and IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results. Anti-HEV IgG was detected in 39/132 specimens (29.5%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 22.4 - 37.8), and anti-HEV IgM in 2/125 specimens (1.6%; 95% CI 0.4 - 5.7). No specimen tested positive by PCR. Conclusions. IgG seroprevalence found in this study was similar to that previously reported in Cape Town. IgM positivity in 2 patients was not confirmed by PCR. Locally, hepatitis E may not be a common cause of clinically apparent hepatitis that requires hospitalisation

HIV testing at birth: Are we getting it right?

Background: Birth polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing improves early detection of HIV and allows for early treatment initiation. National guidelines exist, but it is unknown whether these are being implemented correctly.Objectives: To determine whether HIV-exposed infants at the Mangaung University Community Partnership Programme Community Health Centre (MUCPP CHC) received PCR tests at birth, if HIV-positive infants were initiated on treatment, if follow-up dates were scheduled and the percentage of mothers or caregivers who returned to collect the results.Methods: The study was a retrospective descriptive file audit (1304 files) of births from 01 January to 31 December 2016 at MUCPP CHC. The study sample was 428 infants born to HIV-positive mothers. The birth register was used to collect the infants' HIV PCR test barcodes. The birth and 10-week PCR results were retrieved from an electronic database at the Virology Department, University of the Free State.Results: In total, 375 infants received a birth PCR test (87.6%) of which 4 (1.1%) tested HIV positive and 327 (87.2%) negative. Follow-up tests were not scheduled. However, 145 (44.3%) HIV-negative infants returned for a 10-week test. Irrespective of the PCR birth result, 157 (36.7%) infants were brought for a 10-week follow-up test at which time 3 (1.9%) tested positive and 151 (96.2%) negative.Conclusion: The majority of HIV-exposed infants received a PCR test at birth; however, the clinic is below the national target (90%) for HIV testing. A record-keeping system of infants' visits does not exist at MUCPP CHC, making it impossible to determine whether HIV-positive infants were started on antiretroviral treatment

HIV/AIDS knowledge and prior testing at 'Africa Goal' outreach events in east and southern Africa

Background: A quality improvement initiative was created during the 2014 Africa Goal campaign, which uses live screenings of FIFA World Cup football matches as a platform for local organizations to provide HIV outreach and services in East and Southern Africa. Materials and Methods: Survey data assessed attendees' baseline knowledge of HIV and prevalence of prior testing. Results: The data showed a high level of knowledge and prior testing among both men and women, with no statistical differences based on gender. Conclusion: The level of knowledge about HIV may be higher than previously thought in some parts of East and Southern Africa and this should inform future HIV outreach efforts

Molecular confirmation of lassa fever imported into Ghana

Background: Recent reports have shown an expansion of Lassa virus from the area where it was first isolated in Nigeria to other areas of West Africa. Two Ghanaian soldiers on a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Liberia were taken ill with viral haemorrhagic fever syndrome following the death of a sick colleague and were referred to a military hospital in Accra; Ghana; in May 2013. Blood samples from the soldiers and five asymptomatic close contacts were subjected to laboratory investigations.Objective: We report the results of these investigations to highlight the importance of molecular diagnostic applications and the need for heightened awareness about Lassa fever in West Africa.Methods: We used molecular assays on sera from the two patients to identify the causativeorganism. Upon detection of positive signals for Lassa virus ribonucleic material by two different polymerase chain reaction assays; sequencing and phylogenetic analyses were performed.Results: The presence of Lassa virus in the soldiers' blood samples was shown by L-gene segment homology to be the Macenta and las803792 strains previously isolated in Liberia; with close relationships then confirmed by phylogenetic tree construction. The five asymptomatic close contacts were negative for Lassa virus.Conclusions: The Lassa virus strains identified in the two Ghanaian soldiers had molecular epidemiological links to strains from Liberia. Lassa virus was probably responsible for the outbreak of viral haemorrhagic fever in the military camp. These data confirm Lassa fever endemicity in West Africa

Dried blood spot specimen quality and validation of a new pre-analytical processing method for qualitative HIV-1 PCR, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Background: Poor quality dried blood spot (DBS) specimens are usually rejected by virology laboratories; affecting early infant diagnosis of HIV. The practice of combining two incompletely-filled DBS in one specimen preparation tube during pre-analytical specimen processing (i.e.; the two-spot method) has been implemented to reduce the number of specimens being rejected for insufficient volume.Objectives: This study analysed laboratory data to describe the quality of DBS specimens and the use of the two-spot method over a one-year period; then validated the two-spot method against the standard (one-spot) method.Methods: Data on HIV-1 PCR test requests submitted in 2014 to the Department of Virology at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal province; South Africa were analysed to describe reasons for specimen rejection; as well as results of the two-spot method. The accuracy; lower limit of detection and precision of the two-spot method were assessed.Results: Of the 88 481 specimens received; 3.7% were rejected for pre-analytical problems. Of those; 48.9% were rejected as a result of insufficient specimen volume. Two health facilities had significantly more specimen rejections than other facilities. The two-spot method prevented 10 504 specimen rejections. The Pearson correlation coefficient comparing the standard to the two-spot method was 0.997.Conclusions: The two-spot method was comparable with the standard method of pre-analytical specimen processing. Two health facilities were identified for targeted retraining on specimen quality. The two-spot method of DBS specimen processing can be used as an adjunct to retraining; to reduce the number of specimens rejected and improve linkage to care

Diagnostic du paludisme severe : comparaison de la technique de PCR en temps reel versus microscopie; a Kinshasa; Republique Democratique du Congo

Contexte : Le controle du paludisme depend de la rapidite et de la qualite d'un diagnostic correct. En depit de sa sensibilite diagnostique superieure a la microscopie; l'usage de la PCR n'est limite a ce jour qu'a quelques laboratoires specialises. Cette etude a evalue la performance de la PCR en temps reel pour le diagnostic du paludisme comparee a la microscopie.Methodes : Deux cent-treize lames portant des gouttes epaisses ont ete aleatoirement selectionnees du service pediatrique d'une clinique de Kinshasa. Une identification des Plasmodiums par microscopie et par PCR en temps reel specifique aux especes plasmodiales; basee sur de l'ADN extrait a partir des gouttes epaisses; a ete realisee. La performance de la PCR en temps reel et l'accord avec la microscopie ont ete evalues a l'aide du test Kappa de Cohen et en calculant la specificite et la sensibilite.Resultats : Le P. falciparum a ete retrouve sur 184/213 echantillons (86;3%); parmi lesquels une infection mixte. La PCR en temps reel a par contre decele 202 (94;8%) echantillons positifs a P. falciparum dont 3 infections mixtes. Ses resultats etaient en accord avec ceux de la microscopie pour 195 (91;5%) echantillons. La sensibilite de la microscopie; comparee a la PCR etait de 91;09% et sa specificite de 100%.Conclusion : Meme en utilisant les gouttes epaisses comme source d'ADN plasmodial; la PCR en temps reel demeure plus sensible que la microscopie et plus precise pour la detection des infections mixtes. Qouique non encore de pratique routiniere dans les pays en voie de developpement; la tecnique de PCR en temps reel peut tirer un net interet dans les etudes epidemiologiques evaluant la chimioresistance de P. falciparum ou pour l'identification des especes plasmodiales

Recommendations for the Management of Indeterminate HIV PCR Results within South Africa's Early Infant Diagnosis Programme

Indeterminate HIV PCR results represent missed diagnostic opportunities within South Africa's early infant diagnosis (EID) programme. These results not only delay diagnosis and appropriate management but are also a source of confusion and apprehension amongst clinicians and caregivers. We describe the extent of indeterminate HIV PCR results within South Africa's EID programme and provide recommendations for the management of these cases; both in terms of laboratory practice and the clinical care of the infants