Direct amplification and sequencing of enterovirus genomes from clinical and wastewater samples reveals uncommon virus types in Cameroon.

Knowledge about the genetic diversity of enteroviruses in sub-Saharan Africa remains biased by the fact that it has mainly been described through the characterization of specimens isolated in cell cultures. The aim of this study was to characterize enteroviruses that circulate among humans in Cameroon by focusing more specifically on respiratory enteroviruses and on enteroviruses that are non-cultivable or non-cytopathogenic in standard cell lines. For this purpose, RNA was extracted from nasopharyngeal swabs, stool suspensions, and sewage concentrates collected in Cameroon from January 2018 to December 2019, and the RNA extracts were subjected to molecular screening to detect enterovirus genomes, which were subsequently sequenced using Illumina technology.

Molecular characterization of enteroviruses circulating among pigs and goats in two Central African countries, Cameroon and the Central African Republic.

To date, data on animal enteroviruses (EVs) are scarce, especially in Central Africa. The aim of this study was to characterize EVs among pigs and goats in Cameroon and the Central African Republic (CAR). A total of 226 pig and goat faecal samples collected in two previous studies carried out in Cameroon and CAR were pooled and screened with molecular assays targeting EV-Es, EV-Fs and EV-Gs.

Rapid test for hepatitis B core-related antigen to identify people living with hepatitis B having high viral load in Cameroon.

This study presents a retrospective assessment of the diagnostic performance of the newly developed hepatitis B core-related antigen rapid diagnostic test (HBcrAg-RDT) in detecting plasma samples with elevated hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels (≥200,000 IU/ml) in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Samples were collected consecutively from treatment-naïve adults living with HBV between January 1, 2021, and June 30, 2023. Analyzing 146 samples from participants with a median age of 36 years, the HBcrAg-RDT exhibited a sensitivity of 97.

A decade-long retrospective study of hepatitis C virus genetic diversity in Cameroon, 2013-2023: presence of a high proportion of unsubtypable and putative recombinant HCV strains.

While treatment options for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have expanded considerably over the past decade thanks to the development of pan-genotypic therapies, genotype testing remains a prerequisite for treatment in sub-Saharan African countries, including Cameroon, where multiple HCV genotypes and subtypes exist. The main objective of this study was to describe the trend in the distribution of HCV genotypes and subtypes from 2013 to 2023 in the Cameroonian population. Viral loads were determined using the Abbott real-time assay, and genotyping/subtyping was based on nested and semi-nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification of the regions encoding the core and non-structural protein 5B (NS5B) regions, respectively, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.

Genetic Diversity of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus during COVID-19 Pandemic in Yaoundé, Cameroon, 2020-2021.

Worldwide, human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a major cause of severe infections of the lower respiratory system, affecting individuals of all ages. This study investigated the genetic variability of HRSV during the COVID-19 outbreak in Yaoundé; nasopharyngeal samples positive for HRSV were collected from different age groups between July 2020 and October 2021. A semi-nested RT-PCR was performed on the second hypervariable region of the G gene of detected HRSV, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic assessment.

Investigating animal reservoirs for hepatitis E virus in Bangui, Central African Republic.

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of enterotropic viral hepatitis, a major public health problem in many developing countries. In Central African Republic (CAR), HEV genotypes 1, 2, and 3 have been found to have an impact on human health. However, data on HEV in animal reservoirs are still lacking for CAR.

Hepatitis E virus infections among patients with acute febrile jaundice in two regions of Cameroon: First molecular characterization of hepatitis E virus genotype 4.

Background: Febrile jaundice is a common indicator of certain infectious diseases, including hepatitis E. In Cameroon, the yellow fever virus is the only pathogen that is monitored in patients who present with this symptom. However, more than 90% of the samples received as part of this surveillance are negative for yellow fever.

Viral co-infection with human respiratory syncytial virus in suspected acute and severe respiratory tract infections during COVID-19 pandemic in Yaoundé, Cameroon, 2020-2021.

Background: Acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRIs) are one one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among people of all ages worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The purpose of this study was to determine epidemiological characteristics of respiratory viruses in acute respiratory infection (ARI) patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Methods: Patients were monitored for respiratory symptoms as part of the surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other respiratory viral infections.

Incidence and seroprevalence of rabies virus in humans, dogs and other animal species in Africa, a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Rabies is transmitted to humans mainly by dogs but also by other animal species. Reliable data on the incidence of Rabies virus (RABV) in humans, dogs, and other animal species in Africa, could be essential in the implementation of a global strategic plan to eliminate the RABV by 2030 as adopted by the WHO, OIE, and FAO. We searched the Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, African Journal Online, and African Index Medicus databases for relevant studies that report data on the incidence of RABV in Africa up to February 17, 2020.

Worldwide epidemiology of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in humans, ticks and other animal species, a systematic review and meta-analysis.

There are uncertainties about the global epidemiological data of infections due to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). We estimated the global case fatality rate (CFR) of CCHFV infections and the prevalence of CCHFV in humans, ticks and other animal species. We also explored the socio-demographic and clinical factors that influence these parameters.

Epidemiology of hepatitis E virus infection in animals in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of acute hepatitis in humans worldwide and have high burden in the resource-limited countries. Better knowledge of the epidemiology of hepatitis in animals in Africa can help to understand the epidemiology among humans. The objective of this study was to summarize the prevalence of HEV infection and distribution of HEV genotypes among animals in Africa.

Prevalence of respiratory viruses using polymerase chain reaction in children with wheezing, a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Wheezing is a major problem in children, and respiratory viruses are often believed to be the causative agent. While molecular detection tools enable identification of respiratory viruses in wheezing children, it remains unclear if and how these viruses are associated with wheezing. The objective of this systematic review is to clarify the prevalence of different respiratory viruses in children with wheezing.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of common respiratory viruses in children < 2 years with bronchiolitis in the pre-COVID-19 pandemic era.

Introduction: The advent of genome amplification assays has allowed description of new respiratory viruses and to reconsider the role played by certain respiratory viruses in bronchiolitis. This systematic review and meta-analysis was initiated to clarify the prevalence of respiratory viruses in children with bronchiolitis in the pre-COVID-19 pandemic era.

Methods: We performed an electronic search through Pubmed and Global Index Medicus databases.

Burden of hepatitis E virus infection in pregnancy and maternofoetal outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: There is still a dearth of knowledge on the burden of HEV infection in the global population of pregnant women. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the global burden of HEV infection in pregnancy.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Knowledge, and Global Index Medicus to identify articles published until January 26, 2020.

Association of early viral lower respiratory infections and subsequent development of atopy, a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

Introduction: Existing evidence on the relationship between childhood lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) and the subsequent atopy development is controversial. We aimed to investigate an association between viral LRTI at <5 years and the development of atopy at > 2 years.

Methods: We conducted a search at Embase, Pubmed, Web of Science, and Global Index Medicus.

Comparison of health care resource utilization among preterm and term infants hospitalized with Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis of retrospective cohort studies.

Introduction: Data on the variation in the medical resource utilization rate of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (HRSV) infected children by gestational age have recently been made available. This review aimed to determine whether prematurity is independently associated with the use of medical resources in hospitalized children for HRSV infections.

Methods: We conducted this systematic review on cohort studies published on the medical resources use in preterm and full-term patients hospitalized for confirmed HRSV infections.

Serological and molecular investigation of hepatitis E virus in pigs reservoirs from Cameroon reveals elevated seroprevalence and presence of genotype 3.

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic pathogen of which pigs have been established as reservoirs. In the present study, we investigated the presence of HEV among pigs in the Center and Littoral regions of Cameroon and performed the molecular characterization of positive strains.

Methodology: A total of 453 serum and stool samples were randomly collected from pigs in slaughterhouses in Obala, Douala and Yaounde.

Case fatality rate and risk factors for Nipah virus encephalitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: A wide range of Nipah virus (NiV) encephalitis case fatality rates (CFR) have been reported. Data on the involvement of several potential risk factors in Nipah virus transmission remain controversial. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the pooled CFR of NiV encephalitis and to assess the risk factors for NiV infection.

Epidemiology of respiratory viral infections in people with acute respiratory tract infections in Africa: the VARIAFRICA systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

Introduction: Better characterisation of the epidemiological data on respiratory viral infections among people with acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) can help to implement efficient strategies to curb the burden of ARTI in Africa. We will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prevalence and factors associated with respiratory viral infection in people of all ages with ARTI residing in Africa.

Methods: This work will include cross-sectional studies published between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2017, without any language restriction, on populations residing in African countries.

Epidemiology of hepatitis E virus infection in animals in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the major causes of acute hepatitis in humans worldwide with a case-fatality rate of 1-4% in the general population that might reach 30% in pregnant women. In the past decade in Africa, studies have shown that HEV infects not only humans but also animals. A systematic review summarizing the epidemiological data of HEV has been only performed in humans residing in Africa.

High seroprevalence of hepatitis E among pigs suggests an animal reservoir in Cameroon.

Introduction: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the most prevalent cause of acute hepatitis in humans worldwide. The risk of HEV transmission is not limited only to spread from human to human but the infection can also spread from animals to humans, especially from the domestic pigs. Despite mounting evidence regarding the zoonotic potential of porcine HEV infection, there are limited data on its prevalence in pigs in the sub-Sahara Africa region.