Prevalence and determinants of Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Genotypes in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients in Kinshasa

Context and objective. The steady increase in the number of chronic hemodialysis patients in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) calls for improved management of those patients. The present study aimed to determine the frequency of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, the prevalent genotypes, and the risk factors associated with HCV in hemodialysis patients in Kinshasa (DR Congo). Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to June 2018 in all hemodialysis centers in Kinshasa. Blood samples were collected from 127 chronic hemodialysis patients and tested for the presence of antibodies against HCV. The HCV genotype was identified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR). Results. Twenty-two (17.3 %) patients were positive for anti-HCV antibodies, ranging from 0 % to 52.9 % in different centers. Genotype 4 was detected in 18/22 (81.8 %), followed by genotype 2 in 2/22 (9.1%), and both genotypes 2 and 4 in one patient (4.5%). One patient had an undetermined genotype (4.5 %). Having received at least 4 transfusions [7,21 (1,09- 10,61); p=0.040)], not being under EPO treatment [5,81(1,47-12,96); p=0.012)], being on hemodialysis for at least 14 months [3,63(1,60-5,05); p=0.035)]and being dialyzed in an overloaded center [2,06(0,83-5,86); p=0.073)] were associated with a greater risk of HCV infection. Conclusion. This high HCV prevalence (17.3 %) represents a substantial health burden in HD patients from Kinshasa, DR Congo. It is largely driven by the number of blood transfusions, the duration time in hemodialysis. Observations from the present study underscore the need of reducing the number of blood transfusions in people on dialysis through the administration of erythropoietin, given the unaffordable cost of HCV therapy for most individuals in DR Congo.

Contexte et Objectifs. Le nombre des patients hémodialisés en Afrique subsaharienne en constante augmentation ; justifiant de ce fait une meilleure prise en charge de ces patients. La présente étude détermine la prévalence de l'infection par le virus de l'hépatite C en en determinant les génotypes ainsi que les facteurs y associés dans ce groupe de patients. Méthodes. 127 patients hémodialisés chroniques ont subis des tests sérologiques à la recherche des anticorps anti-VHC dans plusieurs centres de Kinshasa de février à juin 2018. Le génotype viral a été déterminé par la RT-PCR. Résultats. La fréquence des anticorps anti-VHC a varié de 0 à 52,9 % dans ce groupe. Les génotypes le plus fréquents ont été le 4 (18/22) et le 2 (2/22) ; étant sumultanément rétrouvé chez un patient, et indéterminé chez un autre sujet. Avoir reçu au moins 4 transfusions [7,21 (1,09-10,61; p=0.040)], ne pas être sous EPO [5,81(1,47-12,96); p=0.012)], être en hémodialyse depuis au moins 14 mois [3,63(1,60- 5,05); p=0.035)] et être dialysé dans un centre surchargé [2,06 (0,83-5,86); p=0.073)] étaient associés à un risque plus élevé d'infection par le VHC. Conclusion. Ses principaux déterminants sont : le nombre des transfusions sanguines et la durée d'HD ; d'où la nécessité de réduire les transfusions sanguines chez les sujets dialysés par l'administration d'EPO, étant donné le coût prohibitif du traitement contre le VHC dans notre contexte

Characterization of New Quality Protein Maize (QPM) Varieties from a Breeding Program: Analysis of Amino Acid Profiles and Development of a Variety- Diagnostic Molecular Marker.

Aims of the Study: This study was to determine the amino acid profile of two newly developed quality protein maize varieties and to develop variety-diagnostic molecular markers. Methodology: Two new maize varieties, named MUDISHI 1 and MUDISHI 3 have been developed by breeders and farmers using the participatory breeding approach. Total protein and amino acid profiles of the two new lines were compared to their respective parental population and a locally released genetically improved normal maize variety. Maize accessions from the DR-Congo breeding program were analyzed using ISSR primers. Variety-diagnostic markers were identified and characterized. Results: Protein analysis data revealed that MUDISHI 1 and MUDISHI 3 are QPM varieties that are distinct from their original population, Longe 5 QPM from NARI- Unganda and DMR-ESR-W-QPM from the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (ITTA, Ibadan), respectively. Lysine content in MUDISHI 1, and MUDISHI 3 were 3.5 g and 3.6 g of lysine / 100 g, respectively, which represents a significant increase of 20% and 23% over the genetically improved normal maize variety (Salongo 2) that is currently released. There was a significant increase of 25% of tryptophan and 33% of methionine in MUDISHI 3 compared to its parental variety while the amount of lysine was similar for the two varieties. There were 10% and 15% decrease of lysine and tryptophan, respectively in MUDISHI 1 compared to its original parent Longe 5 QPM. Genomic DNA was extracted from different maize varieties. One ISSR diagnostic-marker of 480 bp that was identified was unique to the QPM variety MUDISHI 3. This sequence was converted to a sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker using a pair of designed primers. This SCAR sequence was not specific to MUDISHI 3 as it was present in all the varieties tested. Conclusion: The newly developed varieties are typical QPM lines. The development of an ISSR diagnostic marker indicates that it is possible to develop a molecular breeding program involving QPM and normal varieties.

Molecular Identification of Cassava Mosaic Begomoviruses Associated with Cassava Mosaic Disease in the DR-Congo Using Primer Pairs.

Molecular analysis of cassava leaf samples from different regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR-Congo) was conducted to identify cassava mosaic begomoviruses (CMBs) associated with cassava infections in farmers' fields in Gandajika (Eastern Kasai), Bas-Congo and Kinshasa. Four specific primer pairs M1F/M1R, M2F/M2R, Begomo 146/Begomo 672, and EAC4F/EAC4R were used to detect East African cassava mosaic virus (EACMV) AC2, African Cassava Mosaic Virus (ACMV) AC2, ACMV DNA-A, and EACMV-UG DNA-A AC4, respectively. Based on PCR analysis, only African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) and East African cassava mosaic virus (EACMV-UG) were identified in the cassava growing regions. Overall, 67% of cassava samples were infected with ACMV, 10% with EACMV-UG, and 10% with both, ACMV and EACMV-UG. No virus was detected in 13% of symptomatic samples. Thus, although EACMV-UGG is present in targeted areas, ACMV remained the most common CMB in the DR-Congo.

Molecular Relatedness and Morpho-Agronomic Characteristics of Congolese Accessions of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) for Breeding Purposes.

Cassava serves as primary staple food of millions of people in the tropics and subtropics, and is used as a carbohydrate source in animal feed. Knowledge of agro-morphological characteristics and genetic relatedness is essential for an efficient recombination of varieties in a breeding program. The objective of the present study was to determine genetic relatedness and morpho-agronomic differentiation among Congolese cassava collection for breeding purposes. The morphological and agronomic characters were highly variable among accessions. Every accession could be differentiated from any other one. There were significant genotypes x location interactions for storage root yields. Root weights were positively correlated with the number of roots per plant. In general, all the improved varieties were tolerant or resistant to the Cassava Mosaic Virus (CMV) while the local (non-improved) varieties were susceptible. But the reaction to Cassava Bacterial Blight (CBB) confirmed that genetically improved accessions are susceptible and local varieties are resistant. Molecular analysis revealed that the accessions analyzed were genetically distant with 80% of genetic distance values estimated above 0.5. One local accession was an out-group that was separated from the main groupings with 100% degree of confidence. More importantly, there were no associations between genetic relationships and morphological similarities based on lobe shape, leaf colour, petiole colour, petiole orientation, and stem colour. Although the Congolese cassava genepool is small, there is enough variability to sustain a breeding program without new introductions of germplasms.