ABSTRACT
Investment in Africa over the past year with regards to SARS-CoV-2 genotyping has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, exceeding 100,000 genomes generated to track the pandemic on the continent. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries able to sequence within their own borders, coupled with a decrease in sequencing turnaround time. Findings from this genomic surveillance underscores the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic but we observe repeated dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 variants within the continent. Sustained investment for genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve, particularly in the low vaccination landscape. These investments are very crucial for preparedness and response for future pathogen outbreaks. One-Sentence SummaryExpanding Africa SARS-CoV-2 sequencing capacity in a fast evolving pandemic.
ABSTRACT
Aim: To assess the COVID-19 patients' treatment duration according to the place of treatment at the Dermatology Hospital of Bamako (DHB). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study comparing the management of COVID-19 PCR-positive patients in the hospital to that of those managed at home from March 2020 to April 2021 until two consecutive negative PCR 48 hours apart. Results: Among the 1109 patients, 369 were hospitalized, 497 followed at home. As of April 31, 2021, 81.2% (900/1109) of the patients recovered, 1.3% (14/1109) were transferred to another health structure, and 2.5% (28/1109) died. No statisticallysignificant difference was observed between the meanduration of the treatment for patients treated at home (10 days) in (95% CI, 9.69-10.3) and those managedathospital (10 days95% CI, 9.76-10.23) (Mantel-Cox test, p= 0.060). Conclusion: These results suggest that the place of treatment do not influence the time to recovery. This is particularly important given the current burden of COVID-19 management on the health workforce
Objectif: Evaluer la durée du traitement des patients COVID-19 selon le lieu de pris en charge à l'Hôpital de Dermatologie de Bamako (HDB). Méthodologie : Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale comparant la prise en charge des patients COVID-19 PCR-positifs à l'hôpital à celle à domicile de mars 2020 à avril 2021 jusqu'à l'obtention de deux tests PCR négatifs consécutifs à 48 heures d'intervalle. Résultats : Parmi les 1109 patients, 369 ont été hospitalisés, 497 suivis à domicile. Au 31 avril 2021, 81,2% (900/1109) des patients se sont rétablis, 1,3% (14/1109) ont été transférés dans une autre structure de santé et 2,5% (28/1109) sont décédés. Aucune différence statistiquement significative n'a été observée entre la durée moyenne du traitement pour les patients traités à domicile (10 jours) en (IC 95 %, 9,69-10,3) et ceux pris en charge à l'hôpital (10 jours IC 95 %, 9,76-10,23) (test de Mantel Cox, p= 0,060). Conclusion: Ces résultats suggèrent que le lieu de traitement n'influence pas le temps de récupération. Ceci est particulièrement important étant donné la charge actuelle de la gestion des COVID-19 sur le personnel de santé
Subject(s)
Dermatology , Duration of Therapy , COVID-19 , Recovery Room , HospitalsABSTRACT
Individuals with acute malaria infection generated high levels of antibodies that cross-react with the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. Cross-reactive antibodies specifically recognized the sialic acid moiety on N-linked glycans of the Spike protein and do not neutralize in vitro SARS-CoV-2. Sero-surveillance is critical for monitoring and projecting disease burden and risk during the pandemic; however, routine use of Spike protein-based assays may overestimate SARS-CoV-2 exposure and population-level immunity in malaria-endemic countries.
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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Despite the increasing number of reported autochthonous malaria cases in Nouakchott and the identification of Anopheles arabiensis as the major malaria vector in this Saharan city, anopheline larval habitats have never been identified so far. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize anopheline larval habitats in Nouakchott. METHODS: During September and October 2012, samples from pools of rainwater, water discharged from standpipes and household drinking water tanks in the districts of Dar Naim, Teyarett and Arafat were analyzed for the presence/absence of anopheline larvae and physicochemical characterization of breeding habitats. RESULTS: Of the 51 prospected water bodies, eight consisting of seven water discharged from standpipes and one household drinking water tank were productive for Anopheles sp. All emerged anopheline mosquitoes from the positive dipping were morphologically identified as members of the An. gambiae complex. Multivariate regression analyses showed that a salinity up to 0.1 g/l and a shaded situation were respectively protective factors against high larval density in breeding sites (adjusted odds ratio = 0.62, 95% CI [0.44-0.87], p = 0.0052 and adjusted odds ratio = 0.56, 95% CI [0.44-0.71, p <0.0001] and a pH up to 7.61 was a risk factor for high larval density in breeding sites (adjusted odds ratio = 1.56, 95% CI [1.25-1.95], p = 0.0001). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated in Nouakchott that despite an arid and dry climate, human practices have contributed to the establishment of favourable environmental conditions for the development of anopheline mosquitoes and, therefore, maintaining malaria transmission in this Saharan city. The core malaria vector control intervention as the use of long-lasting insecicidal nets (LLINs) could be complemented in Nouakchott by larval source control. In this area, appropriate larval control measures may be recommended in line with an integrated vector management (IVM) approach.
Subject(s)
Anopheles/physiology , Insect Vectors/physiology , Malaria/transmission , Water/parasitology , Animals , Anopheles/growth & development , Breeding , Ecosystem , Environment , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Insect Vectors/growth & development , Larva , Mauritania , Multivariate Analysis , SeasonsABSTRACT
Introduction : Parmi les troubles pigmentaires rencontres chez les sujets a peau noire; l'hypochromie encore appelee tache claire est sans doute la plus affichante. Peu d'etudes ont ete effectues en milieu specialise. Le but de ce travail est d'etudier les etiologies hypochromies en milieu dermatologique a Bamako. Methodes : Nous avons mene une enquete transversale descriptive sur les etiologies des hypochromies acquises dans le service de Dermatologie du centre National d'Appui a la lutte contre la Maladie (CNAM; Ex Institut Marchoux). L'hypochromie etait definie par la presence d'une lesion plus claire que la peau avoisinante et dont le diametre etait superieur a 1 cm. Le diagnostique etait essentiellement base sur l'examen clinique. Resultats : La prevalence des taches hypochromiques etait de 3;42.Les principales etiologies etaient la dermatite seborrheique (23;3); les eczematides (20;15); le vitiligo (18;9); le pityriasis versicolore (18;5) et la lepre (12;6). Conclusion : Les etiologies des taches claires sont multiples et peuvent en cacher parfois une lepre qui bien que de plus en plus rare; reste une maladie encore presente en milieu dermatologique
