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To describe the clinical features at time of testing and explore factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and pre-symptomatic cases in Cameroon.Data was collected on people in Cameroon who participated in COVID-19 testing by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction between 1 March and 5 October 2020. After descriptive analysis, multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and pre-symptomatic cases.Of 85 206 test participants, 14 863 (17.4%) were infected with SARS-CoV-2. The median age for cases was 38.4 years (interquartile range 29.6-49.4); 6.1% were aged19 years, and 6.3% were ≥65 years. Of these cases, 46.5% had at least one symptom/sign with a median time from illness onset to testing of 6 days (interquartile range 3-9). Cough (64.2%), headache (46.5%), fatigue/malaise (46.0%), shortness of breath (30.6%) and myalgia/arthralgia (25.6%) were the most commonly observed symptoms/signs. Pre-symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with age50 years, being male and absence of comorbidities.This study provides a comprehensive summary of the early clinical profile of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first wave of COVID-19 in Cameroon, which was dominated by pre-symptomatic illness. These findings would be helpful for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance and control at a regional level.

The withdrawal of stavudine from the first line Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and the introduction of tenofovir (TDF) since 2010 in sub-Saharan Africa had a direct repercussion on the initiation of many patients on this new molecule. Despite its therapeutic efficiency already proved, TDF seems to induce some side effects such as renal failures. So, it is important to study the variation of early renal marker and immunological response (CD4 cells) of patients on regimen with TDF in order to have an optimal therapeutic follow up.

Additional file 4. Study eligibility form.

Additional file 3. Assessing the quality of evidences and the strength of recommendations.

Additional file 1. PRISMA-P checklist.

Background The endemicity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) prompted the systematic immunization of newborns in Cameroon since 2005. In the frame of a considerable burden of HIV/HBV co-infection (17.5%), monitoring HBV among children living with HIV (CLHIV) would guide toward HIV/HBV integrated paediatric care. We sought to ascertain the prevalence and determinants of HBV infection in the population of CLHIV and performance of commonly used rapid diagnosis tests (RDTs). Methods Cross-sectional study conducted from February through June 2017 in a subset of CLHIV ≤15 years old at the Essos Hospital Centre, Yaounde, Cameroon. HBV was tested by HBsAg ELISA sandwich in duplicates for each sample, and the mean optical density was calculated. The Determinants of HBV-prevalencewere evaluated, and p Results Of the 83 CLHIV enrolled (54.2% female, mean age 8.7 [±3.8] years, 60% vaccinated against HBV, all breastfed), HBV-prevalence was 2.41% (2/83). HBV-positivity was significantly associated with unknown maternal HBV status (2.9% [2/69] vs. 0.0% [0/14], p = 0.0097) and vaginal delivery (2.4% [2/82] vs. 0.0% [0/1], p = 0.0018). Moreover, the most likely to be positive were aged 11 and 15 years, and had experienced neither anti-HBV vaccination nor anti-HBV serum administration, and both had not been treated with any antiseptic solution at birth. Regarding the performance of Diaspot vs. HBV-5 respectively, sensitivity was 100% (2/2) vs. 50% (1/2), while specificity was 100% (45/45) vs. 97.8% (44/45); positive and negative predictive values of Diaspot versus HBV-5 were respectively 100% (2/2) and 100% (45/45) versus 50% (1/2) and 97.8% (44/45). Conclusion HBV-infection in the population of CLHIV appears at a moderate prevalence, suggesting a decreased burden likely due to preventive measures including the wide vaccine coverage. Focusing on mothers with unknown HBV status and promoting safer delivery mode (caesarean section) for HBV-positive motherswould contribute toward pediatric HBV elimination. In context of limited resources, Diaspot test appears more reliable to rollout HBV-infection in the population of CLHIV. As findings are limited to a small sample size, studies on a wider population would be relevant.

Supplementary digital contents (SDC). SDC 1: Overall summary of major timeline and activities. (DOCX 29 kb)

Additional file 1. PCR and sequencing Primers (ANRS AC 11). The primer sequences are designed for amplification and sequencing reactions of protease and reverse transcriptase regions.

Additional file 4. Level of resistance to reverse transcriptase inhibitors. The table presents the proportion of patients with levels of genotypic susceptibility score following the Stanford algorithm.

Additional file 2. Study participants by age range. The table details the study population by range age from 17 to over 60Â years old, divided by male and female.

Tiebreaker of the NRL indeterminate results. (DOC 35Â kb)

SDC 1. Distribution of the study population by geographic settings, by level of HIV clinic, and by region. Geographical setting is reported as rural or urban; level of HIV clinic is reported as reference treatment centres or HIV management units; regions represent all ten geographical regions of Cameroon. All data are reported for male, female and the overall population. SDC 2. Distribution of study population by gender and by age. Data are represented in age range of five years; an aggregated data for adults versus children is also provided. All data are reported for male, female and the overall population. SDC 3. Retention on ART by level of HIV clinic. Retention in care is provided for reference treatment centres and for HIV management units, reported for each region and for the overall geographical regions of Cameroon. (DOCX 111Â kb)

In the poor zones of sub-Saharan Africa, the conventional drinking water network is very weak. The populations use alternative groundwater sources which are wells and springs. However, because of urbanization, the groundwater sources are degrading gradually making pure, safe, healthy and odourless drinking water a matter of deep concern. There are many pollutants in groundwater due to seepage of organic and inorganic pollutants, heavy metals as well as microbiological contamination. This study was carried out in October 2012 and aimed to analyze the practices and behaviors of populations related to water supply that may constitute potential risks of microbiological contamination and emergence of waterborne diseases.This study was carried out on a sample of 285 households, distributed in twelve principal quarters of the Douala V municipality in Cameroon. After data collection through the questionnaires, the selection of vulnerable quarters was done by the tabulation of some specific results on the questionnaire. The microbiological analysis was carried out using an innovative rapid test calledquot;Micro Biological Survey (MBS)quot; that has been developed and patented by MBS srl, a recent spin-off of the University of Roma Tre.We found out that 42.30% of households used water from drilled wells (forages), 33.80% from Cameroon National Water Company (CDE) distribution network, 9.50% from spring, and 9.40% used other source of water such as buying industrial mineral water. However, it should be noted that, as dangerous as it may be, wells (quot;puitsquot; in French) water is used as permanent source of drinking water by 5% of households. In general, 63.2% of households affirmed not to have benefited the fitting of public water point. Moreover, among the quarters were the households affirmed to have benefited from the development of a public water point, 52.5% of these water point were no longer functional. From the obtained data we have assessed that 83% of wells analyzed are faecally contaminated and all the forages analyzed (100%) are not contaminated. The most affected people by water-related diseases are children under 5 years (43%).We highly recommend the City Council of Douala V to restrict the use of the contaminated wells and provide alternative water sources such as forages for public use and to ensure that microbiological quality of the new and already existing water sources is controlled regularly by the Technical Service.

Introduction In sub-Saharan Africa HIV infection remains largely epidemic, whereas HBV infection is highly endemic (>8%). In Cameroon, the prevalence of HIV is 4.3%. Concerning HBV and chlamydia infections, their prevalence are both ≥10%. Teenagers and young adults, including university students, are the population groups mostly affected by STDs. Epidemiological data on these infections, among university students could be helpful to implement specific prevention strategies.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease which could cause depressive phenomena like those observed in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Our study aimed at evaluating the changes of T-cells and certain blood parameters during intensive phase of TB treatment. In this prospective cohort, 140 consenting tuberculosis patients were enrolled. 5ml of blood was collected at baseline (M0), after one month (M1) and after two months (M2). Enumeration of CD4 cells, CD8 cells, and hematological parameters were done following standard protocols.The 118 participants comprised 63 (53.4%) TB/HIV negative patients (group 1) and 55 (46.6%) TB/HIV positive patients (group 2). At M0, blood levels of CD4, hemoglobin, total lymphocytes and platelets in group 2 were significantly lower than those of group 1 with p values of 0.001, 0.002, 0.018 and 0.032 respectively. CD8 level was significantly low in group 1 as compared to group 2 (p value: 0.38). Monocytes were low in both groups with no significant difference (p value: 0.097). At M2, there was a significant increase in the levels of CD4, CD8, monocytes, and hemoglobin as compared to M0. There was no significant change on level of total lymphocytes and platelets. In group 2: At M2, there was a significant increase in the levels of CD4, monocytes, hemoglobin, and platelets, and no statistically significant change on levels of CD8 cells and total lymphocytes. TB infection may result in lymphopenia, monopenia, and anemia, while co-infection with HIV may add thrombopenia to the mentioned disorders.

HIV NRL results of indeterminate results at PMTCT-SLs. (DOC 37Â kb)

Tiebreaker of the NRL indeterminate results. (DOC 35Â kb)

HIV NRL results of indeterminate results at PMTCT-SLs. (DOC 37Â kb)

In the poor zones of sub-Saharan Africa, the conventional drinking water network is very weak. The populations use alternative groundwater sources which are wells and springs. However, because of urbanization, the groundwater sources are degrading gradually making pure, safe, healthy and odourless drinking water a matter of deep concern. There are many pollutants in groundwater due to seepage of organic and inorganic pollutants, heavy metals as well as microbiological contamination. This study was carried out in October 2012 and aimed to analyze the practices and behaviors of populations related to water supply that may constitute potential risks of microbiological contamination and emergence of waterborne diseases.