Xpert-Ultra Assay in Stool and Urine Samples to Improve Tuberculosis Diagnosis in Children: The Médecins Sans Frontières Experience in Guinea-Bissau and South Sudan.

Background: More than half of childhood tuberculosis cases remain undiagnosed yearly. The World Health Organization recommends the Xpert-Ultra assay as a first pediatric diagnosis test, but microbiological confirmation remains low. We aimed to determine the diagnostic performance of Xpert-Ultra with stool and urine samples in presumptive pediatric tuberculosis cases in 2 high-tuberculosis-burden settings. Methods: This Médecins Sans Frontières cross-sectional multicentric study took place at Simão Mendes Hospital, Guinea-Bissau (July 2019 to April 2020) and in Malakal Hospital, South Sudan (April 2021 to June 2023). Children aged 6 months to 15 years with presumptive tuberculosis underwent clinical and laboratory assessment, with 1 respiratory and/or extrapulmonary sample (reference standard [RS]), 1 stool, and 1 urine specimen analyzed with Xpert-Ultra. Results: A total of 563 children were enrolled in the study, 133 from Bissau and 400 from Malakal; 30 were excluded. Confirmation of tuberculosis was achieved in 75 (14.1%), while 248 (46.5%) had unconfirmed tuberculosis. Of 553 with an RS specimen, the overall diagnostic yield was 12.4% (66 of 533). A total of 493 stool and 524 urine samples were used to evaluate the performance of Xpert-Ultra with these samples. Compared with the RS, the sensitivity and specificity of Xpert-Ultra were 62.5% (95% confidence interval, 49.4%-74%) and 98.3% (96.7%-99.2%), respectively, with stool samples, and 13.9% (7.5%-24.3%) and 99.4% (98.1%-99.8%) with urine samples. Nine patients were positive with stool and/or urine samples but negative with the RS. Conclusions: Xpert-Ultra in stool samples showed moderate to high sensitivity and high specificity compared with the RS and an added diagnostic yield when RS results were negative. Xpert-Ultra in stool samples was useful in extrapulmonary cases. Xpert-Ultra in urine samples showed low test performance. Clinical Trials Registration: NCT06239337.

Point-of-care ultrasound for tuberculosis diagnosis in children: a Médecins Sans Frontières cross-sectional study in Guinea-Bissau.

OBJECTIVE: Description of tuberculosis (TB)-focused point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) findings for children with presumptive TB. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study (July 2019 to April 2020). SETTING: Simão Mendes hospital in Bissau, a setting with high TB, HIV, and malnutrition burdens. PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged between 6 months and 15 years with presumptive TB. INTERVENTIONS: Participants underwent clinical, laboratory and unblinded clinician-performed POCUS assessments, to assess subpleural nodules (SUNs), lung consolidation, pleural and pericardial effusion, abdominal lymphadenopathy, focal splenic and hepatic lesions and ascites. Presence of any sign prompted a POCUS positive result. Ultrasound images and clips were evaluated by expert reviewers and, in case of discordance, by a second reviewer. Children were categorised as confirmed TB (microbiological diagnosis), unconfirmed TB (clinical diagnosis) or unlikely TB. Ultrasound findings were analysed per TB category and risk factor: HIV co-infection, malnutrition and age. RESULTS: A total of 139 children were enrolled, with 62 (45%) women and 55 (40%) aged <5 years; 83 (60%) and 59 (42%) were severely malnourished (SAM) and HIV-infected, respectively. TB confirmation occurred in 27 (19%); 62 (45%) had unconfirmed TB and 50 (36%) had unlikely TB. Children with TB were more likely to have POCUS-positive results (93%) compared with children with unlikely TB (34%). Common POCUS signs in patients with TB were: lung consolidation (57%), SUNs (55%) and pleural effusion (30%), and focal splenic lesions (28%). In children with confirmed TB, POCUS sensitivity was 85% (95% CI) (67.5% to 94.1%). In those with unlikely TB, specificity was 66% (95% CI 52.2% to 77.6%). Unlike HIV infection and age, SAM was associated with a higher POCUS-positivity. Cohen's kappa coefficient for concordance between field and expert reviewers ranged from 0.6 to 0.9. CONCLUSIONS: We found a high prevalence of POCUS signs in children with TB compared with children with unlikely TB. POCUS-positivity was dependent on nutritional status but not on HIV status or age. TB-focused POCUS could potentially play a supportive role in the diagnosis of TB in children. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05364593.

Severity, symptomatology, and treatment duration for mental health disorders: a retrospective analysis from a conflict-affected region of northern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Mental Health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) programs are essential during humanitarian crises and in conflict settings, like Nigeria's Borno State. However, research on how types of traumatic stress and symptom severity affect clinical improvement is lacking in these contexts, as is consensus over how long these patients must engage in mental health care to see results. METHODS: Records from 11,709 patients from the MHPSS program in Pulka and Gwoza local government areas in Borno State, Nigeria from 2018 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patient information, symptoms, stress type, severity (CGI-S scale), and clinical improvement (CGI-I and MHGS scales) were assessed by the patient and counselor. Associations between variables were investigated using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Clinical improvement increased with consultation frequency (OR: 2.5, p < 0.001 for CGI-I; OR: 2, p < 0.001 for MHGS), with patients who received three to six counseling sessions were most likely to improve, according to severity. Survivors of sexual violence, torture, and other conflict/violence-related stressors were nearly 20 times as likely to have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (OR: 19.7, p < 0.001), and depression (OR: 19.3, p < 0.001) symptomatology. Children exposed to conflict-related violence were also almost 40 times as likely to have PTSD (OR: 38.2, p = 0.002). Most patients presented an improvement in outcome at discharge, per both counselors (92%, CGI-I) and self-rating scores (73%, MHGS). CONCLUSION: We demonstrate a threshold at which patients were most likely to improve (3 sessions for mild or moderate patients; 6 sessions for severe). In addition, we identify the specific types of stress and symptom severity that affected the number of sessions needed to achieve successful outcomes, and highlight that some stress types (especially torture or having a relative killed) were specifically linked to PTSD and depression. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of classifying patient stress type and severity to identify the appropriate duration of care needed.

Dietary patterns and nutritional status of HIV-infected children and adolescents in El Salvador: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: The present study aimed to assess the nutritional status, the dietary patterns and its associated factors in the HIV-infected population of children and adolescents on antiretroviral treatment at the El Salvador reference center for pediatric HIV care (CENID). METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out between December 2010 and December 2011. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were collected from 307 children and adolescents aged 2-18 years and receiving antiretroviral therapy. Nutritional status was assessed by height-for-age, weight-for-height and body mass index-for-age. Dietary data was collected through a 24 hour recall, and through a weekly food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were identified by principal component analysis. Bivariate and multivariable statistical methods were used to assess the factors associated with "high adherence" to the "healthy diet" pattern. RESULTS: More than a third of the study group (33.2%) were stunted, 3.3% were identified as being wasted, and 10% were overweight or obese. Their diets were predominantly based on a high consumption of cereals, beans, eggs and processed foods and a low consumption of fruits, vegetables and dairy products. Three dietary patterns were identified: "healthy diet", "high fat/sugar diet" and "low diversity diet". Being female (OR: 1.63; 95%CI: 0.97-2.75), younger (OR: 2.37; 95%CI: 1.28-4.36) and institutionalized (OR: 14.5; 95%CI: 5.35-39.50) increased the odds to adhere to the "healthy diet" pattern. CONCLUSION: Our findings reveal a high prevalence of stunting and overweight in HIV-infected children in El Salvador. Institutionalized children were more likely to adhere to a healthy dietary pattern whereas children in poverty were more likely to have less varied and healthy diets. These results highlight the need to assess the dietary patterns of HIV-infected children and adolescents in order to guide public policies to design healthy life style interventions for this population at risk.

Cholera epidemic in Yemen, 2016-18: an analysis of surveillance data.

BACKGROUND: In war-torn Yemen, reports of confirmed cholera started in late September, 2016. The disease continues to plague Yemen today in what has become the largest documented cholera epidemic of modern times. We aimed to describe the key epidemiological features of this epidemic, including the drivers of cholera transmission during the outbreak. METHODS: The Yemen Health Authorities set up a national cholera surveillance system to collect information on suspected cholera cases presenting at health facilities. Individual variables included symptom onset date, age, severity of dehydration, and rapid diagnostic test result. Suspected cholera cases were confirmed by culture, and a subset of samples had additional phenotypic and genotypic analysis. We first conducted descriptive analyses at national and governorate levels. We divided the epidemic into three time periods: the first wave (Sept 28, 2016, to April 23, 2017), the increasing phase of the second wave (April 24, 2017, to July 2, 2017), and the decreasing phase of the second wave (July 3, 2017, to March 12, 2018). We reconstructed the changes in cholera transmission over time by estimating the instantaneous reproduction number, Rt. Finally, we estimated the association between rainfall and the daily cholera incidence during the increasing phase of the second epidemic wave by fitting a spatiotemporal regression model. FINDINGS: From Sept 28, 2016, to March 12, 2018, 1 103 683 suspected cholera cases (attack rate 3·69%) and 2385 deaths (case fatality risk 0·22%) were reported countrywide. The epidemic consisted of two distinct waves with a surge in transmission in May, 2017, corresponding to a median Rt of more than 2 in 13 of 23 governorates. Microbiological analyses suggested that the same Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa strain circulated in both waves. We found a positive, non-linear, association between weekly rainfall and suspected cholera incidence in the following 10 days; the relative risk of cholera after a weekly rainfall of 25 mm was 1·42 (95% CI 1·31-1·55) compared with a week without rain. INTERPRETATION: Our analysis suggests that the small first cholera epidemic wave seeded cholera across Yemen during the dry season. When the rains returned in April, 2017, they triggered widespread cholera transmission that led to the large second wave. These results suggest that cholera could resurge during the ongoing 2018 rainy season if transmission remains active. Therefore, health authorities and partners should immediately enhance current control efforts to mitigate the risk of a new cholera epidemic wave in Yemen. FUNDING: Health Authorities of Yemen, WHO, and Médecins Sans Frontières.

Dyslipidemia, Diet and Physical Exercise in Children on Treatment With Antiretroviral Medication in El Salvador: A Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemias are common in HIV-infected children, especially if treated with protease inhibitors, but there are few data on how to treat dyslipidemias in this population. We estimated the dyslipidemia prevalence and its association with treatment, diet and physical exercise in children on antiretroviral treatment at the El Salvador reference center for pediatric HIV care (CENID). METHODS: Information was gathered regarding socio-demographic characteristics, treatment, diet and physical activity of 173 children aged 5-18 years and receiving antiretroviral therapy. Triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), viral load and CD4 T-lymphocytes were measured. Abnormal concentrations were defined as triglycerides ≥130 mg/dL in 10- to 18-year olds and ≥100 mg/dL in <10-year olds; total cholesterol ≥200 mg/dL; LDL-C ≥130 mg/dL and HDL-C ≤35 mg/dL. We adjusted 4 different multivariate models to assess the independent association of each type of dyslipidemia with protease inhibitors, diet and physical exercise. RESULTS: Of the 173 children, 83 (48%) had hypertriglyceridemia and 25 (14.5%) hypercholesterolemia. High LDL-C concentrations were observed in 17 children (9.8%) and low HDL-C in 38 (22%). Treatment with protease inhibitors was significantly associated with hypertriglyceridemia [prevalence ratio (PR) 2.8; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.0-3.8] and hypercholesterolemia (PR 9.0; 95% CI: 3.6-22.2). Higher adherence to a "high fat/sugar diet" was associated with hypercholesterolemia (PR 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1-2.3) and high LDL-C (PR 1.7; 95% CI: 1.0-2.9). Compared with those exercising <3 times/week, children exercising ≥7 times were less likely to have low HDL-C (PR = 0.4; 95% CI: 0.2-0.7). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a healthy diet and exercise habits can contribute to controlling some aspects of the lipid profile in this population.

Rural-Urban Differences in Household Treatment-Seeking Behaviour for Suspected Malaria in Children at Bata District, Equatorial Guinea.

BACKGROUND: Malaria remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five years old in Equatorial Guinea. However, little is known about the community management of malaria and treatment-seeking patterns. We aimed to assess symptoms of children with reported malaria and treatment-seeking behaviour of their caretakers in rural and urban areas in the Bata District. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the district of Bata and 440 houses were selected from 18 rural villages and 26 urban neighbourhoods. Differences between rural and urban caregivers and children with reported malaria were assessed through the chi-squared test for independence of categorical variables and the t-Student or the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test for normally or not-normally distributed continuous variables, respectively. RESULTS: Differences between rural and urban households were observed in caregiver treatment-seeking patterns. Fever was the main symptom associated with malaria in both areas. Malaria was treated first at home, particularly in rural areas. The second step was to seek treatment outside the home, mainly at hospital and Health Centre for rural households and at hospital and private clinic for urban ones. Artemether monotherapy was the antimalarial treatment prescribed most often. Households waited for more than 24 hours before seeking treatment outside and delays were longest in rural areas. The total cost of treatment was higher in urban than in rural areas in Bata. CONCLUSIONS: The delays in seeking treatment, the type of malaria therapy received and the cost of treatment are the principal problems found in Bata District. Important steps for reducing malaria morbidity and mortality in this area are to provide sufficient supplies of effective antimalarial drugs and to improve malaria treatment skills in households and in both public and private sectors.