Molecular characterization of hepatitis B virus from chronically-infected patients in Niamey, Niger.

OBJECTIVES: In Niger, 65% of hepatocarcinoma and 75% of cirrhosis cases were due to hepatitis B virus (HBV). We studied the genotypic characteristics of HBsAg in chronically HBV-infected patients in Niamey. METHODS: We studied prospectively HBV genotypic patterns among hospitalized patients with HBV infection in the National Hospital of Niamey, Niger. Patients were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV genotyping was performed on the HBsAg-positive patients. RESULTS: In this study, we have confirmed the predominance of the HBV genotype E (HBV-E) in Niger and have identified 2 recombinant forms including HBV-E/D and HBV-A3/E reported previously among blood donors in Niger and Ghana, respectively. Amino acid substitutions found in HBV sequences obtained here included P120T, S143L, G145A and A194T. These substitutions were characterized as being associated with modified antigenicity and, notably, with impaired serological detection of HBsAg, while the A194T variant was found to have a controversial role in reduced susceptibility to tenofovir. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified two recombinant HBV forms and rare genotypic patterns in Niger that may affect hepatitis B surface antigen antigenicity, and improve current knowledge of epidemiological, clinical and virological patterns of hepatitis B in this country.

[First documented cases of systemic lupus erythematosus in Niger]. / Premiers cas documentés de Lupus érythémateux systémique au Niger.

OBJECTIVE: We describe in this first series of lupus documented in Niger, the epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic aspects. METHOD: This is a prospective study in internal medicine at the National Hospital of Niamey during 10 years. ACR criteria were used as diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: We identified only 9 cases with a frequency of 0.05 % (7 women, 2 men) with a mean age of 36.7 years [range, (26, 48)]. Frequent manifestations were prolonged fever (8 cases), malar rash (6 cases), arthritis (6 cases), alopecia (5 cases), discoid lupus (3 cases), haematological disorders (7 cases), serositis (4 cases) and renal failure (4 cases). All patients had at least 4 ACR criteria with an average of 6.11 criteria. ANA were positive in 8 patients with an average of 1/568, 68 [extremes (1/1280-1/160)]. The most commonly molecules used were Prednisone, Azathioprine and Hydroxychloroquine. The Mycofénolate Mofétil, Cyclophosphamide and Rituximab were used in a single patient. The outcome was favorable in 8 patients and we deplore the death of one patient. CONCLUSION: Under diagnosis would be the basis of the low prevalence of lupus in Niger. Diagnostic means are necessary for epidemiological studies in order to have more representative data.