ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Madagascar has undergone multiple and robust COVID-19 waves. The resulting immune background developed by its poorly vaccinated population has however not been described. METHODS: In this study, serological analysis and specific T cell response descriptions were used to describe the history of exposures of the capital's blood donors to SARS-CoV-2 and its VOCs. Samples were collected early 2022, and pools of multiple immunogenic peptides of SARS-CoV-2 were used in an IFN-γ secretion ELISPOT assay to characterize the specific T-cell immunity developed against these potential epitopes. RESULTS: Multiple epidemic waves have led to 92.1% of donors having detectable antibodies, and 94.8% having developed T-cells against SARS-CoV-2. Heterogeneous reactivities to different strain-derived peptides suggested multiple immunological backgrounds in the population including 16.1% of individuals exposed at least once to a unique strain, 27.1% to two strains, 28.5% to three strains, and 23.1% to four distinct strains. CONCLUSIONS: Cross-reactivity increased with multiple exposures but did not decrease the risk of re-infection. These results describe the extremely complex immunological background developed following multiple natural immunizations.
Subject(s)
Blood Donors , COVID-19 , Humans , SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19/prevention & control , T-Lymphocytes , Immunization , Peptides , Antibodies, ViralABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: onychomycosis is defined as a fungal infection of the nails. They represent the main cause of onychopathy. They constitute a public health problem because of their increased prevalence in the world ranging between 20 to 30%. However, they remain under documented in Madagascar. This study was conducted in order to determine the mycological profile of onychomycosis diagnosed in the Parasitology Mycology laboratory of CHU-JRA. METHODS: a descriptive retrospective study was taken over a 13-year period from June 2005 to December 2018. The data presenting onychomycosis on the mycological outcome register were included in the study. Results showing the presence of fungi on direct examination and / or culture were considered positive. RESULTS: during the study period, a prevalence of 17.75% (180/1014) was observed. The age of our patients ranged from 3 to 76 years. Women were the most affected in 68.34% (n = 123) with a sex ratio of 0.46. Onychomycosis was localized in 64.65% of the fingers (n = 128). Simultaneous involvement of the hands and feet was found in 10% of the cases (n = 18). Candida albicans (C. albicans) was the most isolated in 33.03% (n = 71) of cases, followed by other species of Candida (24.65%, n = 53) and Trichophyton spp (9.3%, n=17). Mixed infections associating dermatophytes, Yeasts and molds were found in 23.33% (n = 42) of the cases. CONCLUSION: this is the first investigation dealing with onychomycosis in Madagascar. These data may be useful for future research and in the development of preventive and educational strategies.
Subject(s)
Onychomycosis , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Laboratories , Madagascar/epidemiology , Middle Aged , Mycology , Onychomycosis/diagnosis , Onychomycosis/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Trichophyton , Young AdultABSTRACT
Introduction : Les teignes sont des affections fongiques contagieuses causées par plusieurs espèces de dermatophytes. Cette mycose touche essentiellement l'enfant et rarement l'adulte. Les teignes anthropophiles sont fréquentes dans la plupart des pays en voie de développement. Cette affection reste sous-documentée à Madagascar. Notre étude a pour objectif de rapporter les cas de teignes diagnostiqués dans le laboratoire de parasitologie-mycologie au CHU Ravoahangy Andrianavalona Antanananarivo de 2005 à 2018. Méthode : Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective descriptive incluant tous les dossiers des patients ayant effectué un examen mycologique. Ont été inclus les dossiers comportant comme diagnostic la teigne. Chacun de ces patients a bénéficié d'un examen direct et d'une culture mycologique Résultats : Nous avons colligé en 13 ans 1014 patients confirmés porteurs de mycose. La fréquence des teignes sur l'ensemble des mycoses a été de 5,81% (59/1014). La prévalence brute des teignes a été de 37,57% (59/157). L'âge des patients variait de 2 à 67 ans dont 52,54% sont des enfants moins de 10 ans. La moyenne d'âge est de 13,5 ans. Les teignes étaient plus retrouvées chez les hommes (71,19 %) que chez les femmes (28,81 %) avec un sex ratio H/F de 2,47.Parmi ces patients, 77, 96% ont eu une notion de traitement avant l'examen mycologique. Dix souches de dermatophytes ont été isolées. Parmi les espèces retrouvées, Microsporium langeronii est l'espèce la plus isolée (33,89 %), suivie de Trichophyton mentagrophytes à 20,33 %. Conclusion : La fréquence des teignes n'est pas négligeable à Madagascar atteignant préférentiellement les enfants. Le diagnostic biologique des teignes est indispensable avant de débuter le traitement. L'identification de l'agent causal est importante pour prévenir et contrôler l'infection dermatophytique
