Abstract Social stigma surrounding chronic skin Ulcer leads patients to hide their wounds or delay seeking medical care. The aim of this study was to explore the types and causes of chronic skin ulcers among patients seen in the dermatology departments of two university hospitals in Burkina Faso. This was a cross-sectional, retrospective study covering an 11-year period, from 2013 to 2023. A review of consultation records allowed for the collection of sociodemographic and clinical data from 104 patients who were seen for chronic skin ulcers over the 11-year period, averaging 9 patients per year. The patients were primarily adults (n=60) and older adults (n=21). Leg ulcers were the condition observed in most patients (n=59). Eight cases of Buruli ulcer (7.69%) were identified among the 104 patients. Five of the eight cases, or 62.50%, were aged between 0 and 19 years. Half of the eight patients resided in Ouagadougou. These results highlight low utilization of dermatology services for chronic skin ulcers. Furthermore, indigenous cases of Buruli ulcer have been identified in Burkina Faso. Consequently, our findings call for the implementation of strategies focused on addressing social perceptions of these ulcers and on the screening and management of this disease.

Introduction : La rage, zoonose mortelle mais évitable, reste un défi majeur de santé publique au Burkina Faso. Objectif : Analyser les tendances épidémiologiques (2013-2023) et identifier les lacunes des systèmes de surveillance et de contrôle. Méthodes : Une étude transversale à méthodes mixtes (convergente parallèle) a combiné l'analyse rétrospective de données nationales (cas humains, animaux, morsures) et une enquête qualitative par entretiens auprès de 20 acteurs clés (soignants, vétérinaires, responsables).Résultats : L'analyse révèle 555 cas humains et 2 108 animaux confirmés. Une augmentation annuelle significative des cas humains est observée (coefficient de Poisson=0,08 ; p<0,01), avec un pic d'incidence à 0,53 pour 100 000 habitants en 2022. Cette tendance contraste avec l'absence d'évolution significative des cas animaux, suggérant une sous-déclaration massive. Les obstacles qualitatifs majeurs sont une méconnaissance des protocoles, une surveillance cloisonnée entravant l’approche « Une Seule Santé » et des barrières financières limitant l’accès à la prophylaxie post-exposition et à la vaccination canine. Conclusion : L'augmentation des cas humains est le symptôme de défaillances systémiques. Une réponse efficace nécessite l'opérationnalisation de l’approche « Une Seule Santé », la gratuité de la prophylaxie post-exposition et des campagnes de vaccination canine ciblées.

Intestinal parasitic infections remain a major public health concern, particularly among school-aged children in resource-limited settings. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasitism among schoolchildren in the municipality of Banfora, Burkina Faso. A cross-sectional study was conducted in November 2024 among 298 schoolchildren aged 5-14 years. Sociodemographic, environmental, and behavioral data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Stool samples were examined by direct wet mount, formol-ether concentration, and Kato-Katz techniques. Factors associated with intestinal parasitism were identified using multivariable logistic regression. The median age of the participants was 9 years (range: 5-13). The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitism was 81.9% (244/298; 95% CI: 77.3-86.2). Protozoa predominated (238/298, 79.9%), mainly Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (55.7%). Helminths accounted for 8.4% (25/298) of infections, with Schistosoma mansoni being the most frequent (5.7%). Low personal hygiene (adjusted OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1-4.2) and household ownership of domestic animals (adjusted OR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.1-4.1) were identified as the main risk factors for orally transmitted intestinal parasitism. In contrast, having a non-educated household head (adjusted OR = 3.7; 95% CI: 1.1-12.8) was the primary risk factor for skin-transmitted pathogenic intestinal parasitic infections. Intestinal parasitism is highly endemic among schoolchildren in Banfora. Strengthening integrated control strategies combining hygiene promotion, sanitation improvement, health education, and deworming is essential to sustainably reduce the burden of intestinal parasitism.

Trichophyton tonsurans is an anthropophilic dermatophyte increasingly reported in several regions worldwide, reflecting its expanding epidemiological distribution and growing public health importance. This fungal agent is associated with outbreaks that are difficult to control. We report here the first published case in Burkina Faso of diffuse glabrous skin dermatophytosis caused by T. tonsurans in a socioeconomically disadvantaged patient prescribed a treatment regimen consisting of miconazole cream and oral terbinafine, highlighting the challenges of post-treatment follow-up.

Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is an effective malaria preventive intervention in sub-Saharan Africa. As with other drug-based interventions, large-scale deployment increases drug pressure, which may result in drug-resistant parasite strains thereby jeopardising the impact of the intervention. Mutations in Pfdhps and Pfdhfr genes are known to be associated with resistance to sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine, respectively, making the surveillance of molecular markers crucial in settings where SMC is widely applied. This study aimed at assessing the distribution of Pfdhfr and Pfdhps alleles before and after the 2021 annual campaign of SMC in the health district of Nanoro in Burkina Faso. Randomly selected dried blood spots collected prior (n=100) and after (n=100) the 2021 SMC campaign were used for the detection of mutation in codons 51, 59 and 108 of the Pfdhfr gene and in codons 437 and 540 of Pfdhps gene using a nested PCR with restriction fragment length polymorphism approach. The prevalence of Pfdhfr and Pfdhps mutant alleles were very high before and after SMC, ranging from 88.42% to 97.98%. However, no significant change in the prevalence of Pfdhfr and Pfdhps mutant alleles was observed in the period before and after SMC campaign (p>0.05). No mutation was observed in Pfdhps codon 540. In addition, the prevalence of the Pfdhfr triple mutant and Pfhfr-dhps quadruple mutant was higher in the study area but with no significant variation before and after SMC campaign (p>0.05). . The prevalence of Pfdhfr and Pfdhps mutant alleles were higher either in pre or post SMC. However, no significant variation in the prevalence of these alleles was observed following the SMC campaign suggesting that these high mutation frequencies may be the result of continuous use of SMC in Burkina Faso since 2014.

Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) has been adopted since 2014 in Burkina Faso to reduce malaria burden in children under 5 years. However, the intervention’s expected potential has not yet been achieved in real-life conditions, suggesting other factors may influence its effectiveness. Asymptomatic carriers, including patent and sub-patent Plasmodium falciparum infections in household members seems to be a potential factor maintaining the high malaria burden in children under SMC coverage. This study assessed the patterns of these infections in household members living around children under SMC coverage in Nanoro, Burkina Faso. A cross-sectional survey nested to a large SMC study named “SMC_RST” was conducted during the 2022 SMC campaign in Nanoro, including 745 participants. Sub-patent infections were defined as varATS qPCR-positive/RDT-negative, and patent infections as positive by both methods. Prevalence of patent and sub-patent malaria infections were presented with 95

Mycetoma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by progressive and devastating granulomatous subcutaneous tissue involvement. It primarily occurs in regions classified within the 'mycetoma belt', encompassing various countries. Notably, West African nations, including Burkina Faso (BF), are situated within this belt, yet there is a significant lack of data regarding mycetoma in these regions. With this background, this study set out to determine the mycetoma prevalence in BF. A comprehensive review was conducted to document the presence of mycetoma in BF. Searches were performed in PubMed, ScienceDirect, African Journals Online (AJOL) and Google Scholar databases. Data were reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Additionally, the study encompassed a case series involving three patients. From 1960 to 2024, 25 mycetoma cases have been documented in BF. Overall, the clinical cases share similar sociodemographic, clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic and outcome characteristics. Specifically, these cases illustrate that mycetoma predominantly affects vulnerable groups in BF. The majority of mycetoma cases (96%) were reported in the Sahelian zone of BF. Predominantly, these cases (80%) had foot mycetoma. This study highlights the challenges of mycetoma management in BF, indicating significant obstacles in early diagnosis and effective treatment.

L’anémie gravidique est un problème majeur de santé publique dans le monde. Au Burkina Faso, les données sur la prévalence sont relativement anciennes et les facteurs associés sont peu documentées. Cette étude visait à déterminer la prévalence et les facteurs associés à l’anémie chez les femmes enceintes dans la ville de Bobo-Dioulasso au Burkina Faso. Une étude transversale a été conduite d’octobre à décembre 2022 auprès de 288 femmes enceintes au Centre Médical Urbain de Lafiabougou. Les données sociodémographiques et des visites de soins prénataux ont été recueillies. Le taux d’hémoglobine a été mesuré à l’aide d’un automate Hemocue. La régression logistique multivariable a été utilisée pour explorer les potentiels facteurs associés à l’anémie L’âge moyen des femmes était de 25,25 ± 6,33 ans. Le taux d’hémoglobine moyen était de 10,68 ± 1,29 g/dL. La prévalence de l'anémie était de 55,20% (IC à 95% : [46,96%-64,50%]). L’anémie légère était plus fréquente (28,1%) que l’anémie modérée (26,7%) et l’anémie sévère (0,4%) Le deuxième trimestre de la grossesse (OR ajusté = 1,75 ; IC à 95% : [1,04-2,95]) et l’infestation palustre microscopique (OR ajusté = 4,37 ; IC à 95% : [2,44-7,83]) étaient les facteurs associés à l’anémie. L’anémie gravidique demeure toujours un sérieux problème de santé publique dans la ville de Bobo-Dioulasso. Des actions fortes en matière de prévention du paludisme à partir du deuxième trimestre de la grossesse sont nécessaires de toute urgence pour réduire la prévalence de l’anémie chez les femmes enceintes.

Introduction:Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is an effective malaria preventive intervention in sub-Saharan Africa. As with other drug-based interventions, large-scale deployment increases drug pressure, which may result in drug-resistant parasite strains thereby jeopardising the impact of the intervention. Mutations in Pfdhps and Pfdhfr genes are known to be associated with resistance to sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine, respectively, making the surveillance of molecular markers crucial in settings where SMC is widely applied. This study aimed at assessing the distribution of Pfdhfr and Pfdhps alleles before and after the 2021 annual campaign of SMC in the health district of Nanoro in Burkina Faso. Materials and Methods:Randomly selected dried blood spots collected prior (n=100) and after (n=100) the 2021 SMC campaign were used for the detection of mutation in codons 51, 59 and 108 of the Pfdhfr gene and in codons 437 and 540 of Pfdhps gene using a nested PCR with restriction fragment length polymorphism approach. Results:The prevalence of Pfdhfr and Pfdhps mutant alleles were very high before and after SMC, ranging from 88.42% to 97.98%. However, no significant change in the prevalence of Pfdhfr and Pfdhps mutant alleles was observed in the period before and after SMC campaign (p>0.05). No mutation was observed in Pfdhps codon 540. In addition, the prevalence of the Pfdhfr triple mutant and Pfhfr-dhps quadruple mutant was higher in the study area but with no significant variation before and after SMC campaign (p>0.05). . Conclusions:The prevalence of Pfdhfr and Pfdhps mutant alleles were higher either in pre or post SMC. However, no significant variation in the prevalence of these alleles was observed following the SMC campaign suggesting that these high mutation frequencies may be the result of continuous use of SMC in Burkina Faso since 2014.

Le sous-sol du Mali regorge de matières premières : or, zinc, manganèse faisant l'objet d'exploitation artisanale et industrielle. Les travailleurs dans ces zones sont exposés aux poussières des minerais exploités. La mise en valeur de ces minerais à des conséquences très graves, sur l'appareil respiratoire des ouvriers. Un apport de l'exploration fonctionnelle respiratoire dans la surveillance de la santé de ces travailleurs a été évalué à travers cette étude. Il s'agit d'une étude transversale descriptive réalisée à partir des données spirométriques des travailleurs d'une mine de la région ouest du Mali. L'objectif est d'étudier les aspects fonctionnels respiratoires chez les travailleurs exposés à la poussière minérale au Mali. Sur 197 travailleurs, 104 ont réalisé une spirométrie soit, 53 %. La moyenne d'âge est de 36 ans avec une prédominance masculine. Dans notre étude, 37,5 % des sujets avaient un syndrome de petites voies aériennes (SPVA). La consommation du tabac et la durée du niveau d'exposition étaient les principaux facteurs de risques des troubles respiratoires chez les exploitants de la mine. Les risques de pathologies respiratoires liées à l'exposition à la poussière des minerais sont une réalité dans l'industrie minière extractive au Mali. La réalisation d'exploration fonctionnelle respiratoire sur les sites miniers s'avère nécessaire en vue de dépister précocement les atteintes respiratoires.

Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is an effective malaria preventive intervention in sub-Sahara Africa. However, as with any other drug-based intervention, the large-scale deployment of this strategy could lead to Amodiaquine plus Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (AQSP) drug pressure on the circulating parasites population with selection for specific alleles that could compromise the impact of the intervention in the near future. This study aimed to assess the distribution of the Pfmdr1 mutation involved in resistance to AQ before and after the annual campaign of SMC in the health district of Nanoro. Randomly selected dried blood spots collected prior (n = 100) and after (n = 100) the 2021 SMC campaign were used for the detection of mutation in codons 86 and 184 of the Pfmdr1 gene using a nested PCR with restriction fragment length polymorphism approach. No significant change in the prevalence of Pfmdr1 N86Y mutation was observed before and after the SMC campaign (p = 0.28). The mutant allele 86Y was observed at low prevalences, representing only 2.17

Candida auris since it discovery in 2009 is becoming a severe threat to human health due to its very quickly spread, its worldwide high resistance to systemic antifungal drugs. In resource-constrained settings where several conditions are met for its emergence and spread, this worrisome fungus could cause large hospital and/or community-based outbreaks. This review aimed to summarize the available data on C. auris in Africa focusing on its epidemiology and antifungal resistance profile. Major databases were searched for articles on the epidemiology and antifungal resistance profile of C. auris in Africa. Out of 2,521 articles identified 22 met the inclusion criteria. In Africa, nearly 89% of African countries have no published data on C. auris. The prevalence of C. auris in Africa was 8.74%. The case fatality rate of C. auris infection in Africa was 39.46%. The main C. auris risk factors reported in Africa were cardiovascular disease, renal failure, diabetes, HIV, recent intake of antimicrobial drugs, ICU admissions, surgery, hemodialysis, parenteral nutrition and indwelling devices. Four phylogenetic clades were reported in Africa, namely clades I, II, III and IV. Candida auris showed a pan-African very high resistance rate to fluconazole, moderate resistance to amphotericin B, and high susceptibility to echinocandins. Finally, C. auris clade-specific mutations were observed within the ERG2, ERG3, ERG9, ERG11, FKS1, TAC1b and MRR1 genes in Africa. This systematic review showed the presence of C. auris in the African continent and a worrying unavailability of data on this resilient fungus in most African countries.

Faced with the focal resurgence of onchocerciasis reported since 2004 in the South-West of Burkina Faso, the Neglected Tropical Diseases Control Program adopted a resumption of biannual community-directed treatment with ivermectin, since 2011 in the Cascades region and since 2013 in the South West region. The objective of this study was to assess the situation of onchocerciasis transmission in the Cascades region, nine years after the resumption of mass drug administration. This cross-sectional and descriptive survey concerned people over 5. The traditional method of skin snip on both iliac crests was performed for the parasitological diagnosis of onchocerciasis. The Ov-16 serological test was carried out in children aged 5 to 9 years.In 22 surveyed villages, the overall prevalence of microfilariae was 0.11% and below the tolerable threshold of 5%. It was less than 5% in all the villages (n = 22), less than 1% in 21 villages (99%) and zero in 19 villages (86.36%). The community microfilarial loads varied from 0.01 to 0.05 mf/b. Out of 946 children tested for OV16, only one 9-year-old was positive and whose skin snip examination was negative. All the positive cases came from endemical areas in Cote d'Ivoire. Population migration is a risk factor for introducing the parasite into Burkina Faso; it also is risk factor for the effective elimination of onchocerciasis which requires the joint development of a control strategy between neighboring countries.

ABSTRACT Introduction. Surveillance for healthcare-associated infections is a priority in the neonatal unit given the critical immune status of patients. The aim of this study was to identify the fungal composition of the neonatal ward space and deduce its likely implication on the health of the newborn. Materials and methods. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in september 2017. The laboratory of University Hospital Souro Sanou of Bobo-Dioulasso carried out agar exposures at the Sabouraud and samples of surfaces (walls, benches, doors, incubator interiors) in all the rooms of neonatal unit. The identification of colonies of filamentous fungi was macroscopic and microscopic. Results. Out of 39 samples collected from the environment (air, walls, benches, doorbells), 34 were positive, i.e. an overall prevalence of 97% of fungal contamination of the neonatal service of the University Hospital Souro Sanou of Bobo-Dioulasso. Molds were the most commonly found fungal agents (66.9%), Aspergillus was the most represented genus (26.5%) while Aspergillus fumigatus was the most frequently encountered species (23.5%). Conclusion. The isolation of these fungi such as Aspergillus and other molds is a major public health concern and has important health, economic and social implications. RÉSUMÉ Introduction. La surveillance des infections associées aux soins est une priorité dans l'unité néonatale étant donné l'état immunitaire critique des patients. L'objectif de cette étude était d'identifier la composition fongique de l'espace du service de néonatalogie et d'en déduire son implication probable sur la santé du nouveau-né. Matériels et méthodes. Il s'agit d'une étude transversale réalisée en septembre 2017. Le laboratoire du CHU Souro Sanou de Bobo-Dioulasso a réalisé des expositions sur gélose au Sabouraud et des prélèvements de surfaces (murs, paillasses, portes, intérieurs d'incubateurs) dans toutes les salles de l'unité de néonatalogie. L'identification des colonies de champignons filamenteux a été macroscopique et microscopique. Résultats. Sur 39 échantillons prélevés dans l'environnement (air, murs, paillasses, sonnettes), 34 étaient positifs, soit une prévalence globale de 97% de la contamination fongique du service de néonatalogie du CHU Souro Sanou de Bobo-Dioulasso. Les moisissures étaient les agents fongiques les plus fréquemment retrouvés (66,9%), Aspergillus était le genre le plus représenté (26,5%) tandis qu'Aspergillus fumigatus était l'espèce la plus fréquemment rencontrée (23,5%). Conclusion. L'isolement de ces champignons tels qu'Aspergillus et d'autres moisissures est un problème majeur de santé publique et a d'importantes implications sanitaires, économiques et sociales.

Asymptomatic carriers of Plasmodium falciparum represent important parasite reservoirs maintaining malaria transmission in the community. This study aimed on the one hand to screen the other household members living with children under seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) coverage in order to determine the level of malaria infection in this population and on the other hand to determine the appropriate type of rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for this screening to detect these asymptomatic carriers in the community. During the 2022 SMC campaign (July to October), a cross-sectional survey was carried out in 745 participants who were screened by ultrasensitive rapid diagnostic test (usRDT), standard rapid diagnostic test (rRDT) and microscopy. Out of them, 395 had microscopy results available and were included in the data analysis. The prevalence of asymptomatic carriers of asexual forms of Plasmodium falciparum was 26.58% (105/395) while sexual forms were found in 5.32% (21/395) of the study population. Children from 5 to 15 years had the highest prevalence of P. falciparum asexual forms 35.76% (59/165) compared with older participants. Malaria positivity rate for rRDT and usRDT was 29.40% (219/745) and 40.49% (305/745) respectively. The usRDT had a higher sensitivity than the rRDT (72.38% (95% CI 62.8-80.66) vs. 60.95% (95% CI 50.94-70.33)). In terms of specificity, rRDT had a higher specificity 82.41% (95% CI 77.53-86.62) versus 69.66% (95% CI 64.01-74.89) for usRDT. This study reports a high prevalence of parasite carriers in household members of children under SMC coverage in Nanoro, Burkina Faso. In conclusion, usRDT seems more appropriate for strategies based on detection and treatment of parasite carriers within the community.

La pneumopathie interstitielle peut être associée à la leucémie myélomonocytaire chronique (LMMC). L’objectif de cette observation était d’évaluer l’impact de la chimiothérapie par l’Azacitidine sur l’évolution des pneumopathies interstitielles diffuses (PID) associée à la LMC. L’analyse d’évolution des paramètres fonctionnels respiratoires, biologiques de la PID sous oxygénodépendance ont permis d’évaluer l’éventuel impact de la chimiothérapie par l’Azacitidine associée à une corticothérapie sur la pneumopathie interstitielle diffuse chez un patient ayant une LMMC. Durant cette observation de mars 2018 à Mars 2020, la PID avait régressé au niveau des deux parenchymes pulmonaires sur le contrôle scannographique dès le 2e mois de la chimiothérapie alors que la corticothérapie n’était plus que de 10mg/j après 2 mois de traitement. Nous ne pouvons pas affirmer sur le seul résultat décrit dans cette observation que l’Azacitidine a pu avoir de façon certaine une action bénéfique sur la PID. L’analyse d’un registre de patients traités par la même molécule pour PID associé à un syndrome myélodysplasique (SMD) nous ont permis de l’affirmer. Néanmoins, l’épargne cortisonique rapide sous l’Azacitidine, l’absence de reprise de corticoïdes en 15 mois pour retraiter la PID, et le sevrage en oxygène sous l’Azacitidine pourraient suggérer un effet bénéfique à confirmer. Mots-clés : Pneumopathie interstitielle diffuse ; Leucémie myélomonocytaire chronique ; Azacitidine.

Histoplasmosis is a mycosis due to a dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. This study aimed at providing an overview of histoplasmosis epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects from the last 30 years.This review was carried out using a systematic literature search on histoplasmosis from 1992 to 2021. We describe the clinical features, diagnostic methods and treatment. Empirical searches were conducted via the databases PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct.Between 1992 and 2021, 190 manuscripts were published and reported 212 cases of histoplasmosis. These publications included 115 and 97 cases of American and African histoplasmosis respectively. The number of publications increased over the last ten years with a maximum in 2020 (12.34% of the cases reported). The disseminated forms of histoplasmosis were the most frequently reported cases as compared to the localized forms. This was the case with the American histoplasmosis (75.65%) as well as with the African histoplasmosis (55.67%). Itraconazole (31.17%) and Amphotericin B (26.62%) were the most used drugs in the management of these cases.American histoplasmosis is distributed worldwide whereas African histoplasmosis is mainly present in intertropical Africa. There is a critical need for setting up a global surveillance system, towards a better understanding of the disease.