Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a significant cause of liver disease and cancer worldwide. Understanding the genetic factors influencing HBV evolution is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. Host genetic and environmental factors particularly influence the evolution of this infection. Recent studies have implicated the ECM1 gene in HBV pathogenesis, mainly two specific polymorphisms (rs3834087 and rs3754217). In an African cohort, we comprehensively analyzed these ECM1 gene polymorphisms and their association with HBV evolution.In this case-control analysis, 167 samples, consisting of 59 controls and 108 cases, were examined. The cases included 50 patients with Chronic Hepatitis B(CHB), 16 with cirrhosis, and 42 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Genomic DNA extraction was executed using INVITROGEN and FAVORGEN kits. Genotyping of rs3834087 and rs3754217 polymorphisms in the ECM1 gene was accomplished via real-time PCR on the QuantStudioTM 5 Real-Time instrument, followed by allelic discrimination using TaqMan Genotyper Software. Data was interpreted using SPSS version 20 and Epi info version 7.5.2.0. Odds ratios (OR), confidence intervals (CI), and p-values were derived for risk and significance evaluation.In our study, the heterozygous genotype (GT) of rs3754217 could confer protection to controls against the onset of chronic hepatitis in the event of infection (OR=0.05; CI=0.006-0.46; p=0.002). In addition, carriage of mutated alleles of the two (2) polymorphisms was associated with the course of infection and may influence the appearance of severe forms at certain stages of the disease.Our study is the first to assess the association between polymorphisms (rs3834087 and rs3754217) in the ECM1 gene and the course of HBV infection in Burkina Faso. It showed that combining specific genotypes of the two (2) polymorphisms would be associated with protection against chronic hepatitis.

Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) plays a crucial role in resistance to mycobacterial infections, as it is a regulatory cytokine that acts as a pro-inflammatory mediator. Consequently, variants in the gene encoding this cytokine may be associated with a high risk of contracting pulmonary tuberculosis. The present study aimed to investigate the genetic susceptibility of polymorphisms in the gene coding for IFN-γ to infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Burkina Faso. This cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2023 to January 2024. Venous blood was collected from suspected cases. Tuberculosis was confirmed by GeneXpert (CEPHEID). Human genomic DNA was extracted using the salting-out extraction technique, followed by the amplification and genotyping of IFN-γ gene polymorphisms,through the conventional PCR. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS and Epi info software. A total of 168 participants were included in the study, with an average age of 38.58 ±14.88, the majority of whom were men (76.19%). In our study population, 73.2% (123/168) were confirmed positive for tuberculosis. Some 46.4% (78/168) of the previous cases were contacts. Of these contact cases, 82.05% (64/78) were GeneXpert positive. The genotypic frequencies of the IFN-γ gene were distributed as follows: 73.3% (AA), 21.8% (AT) and 4.9% (TT), with a frequency of 84.2% for the A allele versus 15.8% for the mutated T allele. No statistically significant association was found between IFN-γ gene polymorphisms and M. tuberculosis infection in Burkina Faso. IFN-γ gene polymorphisms (IFN +874T/A) do not appear to be associated with M. tuberculosis infection in Burkina Faso.

Introduction: Microbiology of effusion fluids in children in Burkina Faso is characterized by the scarcity of data. This work aimed to study the bacteriological and antibiotics susceptibility profile of bacteria involved in effusion fluid infections in paediatrics in order to improve the choice of probabilistic antibiotics therapy. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was used in children aged 0 to 15 years from 2017 to 2020 at the Charles De Gaulle Pediatric University Hospital Center (CHUP-CDG) in Ouagadougou. Classical bacteriology methods such as macroscopy, Gram staining, identification galleries and antibiotics susceptibility testing were used. Results: Of 231 samples, 64 bacteria were isolated. The most common bacterial strains of pleural fluid were Staphylococcus aureus (25%) and 40% for Enterobacteriaceae. Of the peritoneal fluid, 77% were Enterobacteriaceae with 57% Escherichia coli; and from joint fluid, 33% were S. aureus and 22% for P. aeruginosa. The overall susceptibility profile showed 29% extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL), 10% methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and 8% carbapenemases. Conclusion: Bacteriological profile is characterized by ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae and MRSA. The most active antibiotics were macrolides, aminoglycosides, and cefoxitin (methicillin) for Gram-positive cocci, carbapenems, and aminoglycosides for Gram-negative bacilli. Then, the monitoring of antibiotics resistance must be permanent.

Cervical cancer is one of the biggest public health challenges in developing countries. According to the Global Cancer Observation in 2022, Burkina Faso recorded 988 new cases, with 775 deaths. Caused mainly by the human papillomavirus (HPV), this cancer is a heavy burden on our populations. The aim of this review was to assess the current state of human papillomavirus infections and cervical cancer prevention among sexually active women in Burkina Faso. Original studies were extracted from PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, semanticscholar, Hinari and Science Direct using appropriate MeSH terms. Results were extracted and reviewed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyse method (PRISMA). Twenty-four studies from three regions of Burkina Faso were included in the systematic review, with most of the articles from the “Centre” region. Out of a total of 5480 participants for the pooled analyses, the review showed a prevalence of HPV, varying according to population type and region and ranging from 20.6% to 87.2%. In contrast, the overall prevalence of HPV 16 and 18 infections were low compared to the global trend. With a low screening rate, the prevalence of cancerous lesions ranged from 1.5% to 15.42%. The level of knowledge was lower among rural than urban residents. Bivalent and quadrivalent vaccines had low coverage for the genotypes identified. In the fight against cervical cancer in Burkina, concerted efforts are needed to strengthen screening programs, increase HPV vaccination coverage, and raise public awareness. Large-scale national studies are needed to map HPV genotypes in order to make appropriate decisions for cervical cancer control.

Background: Dengue fever is a vector-borne disease that raises a major public health problem worldwide, particularly in Burkina Faso. The gold standard diagnosis is based on the research of viral RNA by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) during the first days, or the presence of specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) by serological tests or the isolation of the virus. Burkina Faso reported a localized outbreak of dengue fever in 2016. This study aimed to evaluate dengue fever seroprevalence among children aged 0-5 years. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study which covered the period from January 2016 to December 2019 and involved 621 suspected cases of children aged 0-5 years at the Charles de Gaulle University Paediatric Hospital in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso from Results: Of the suspected cases,189 were confirmed positive to dengue fever with a seroprevalence of 30.47%. Among positive cases, young children (1 to 29 months age group) were the most represented, with a sex ratio (M/F) of 1.15 in favor of males (53.44%) of dengue cases. Clinical symptoms were polymorphous. Fever (86.24%), algic syndrome (75.13%) and vomiting (46.03%) were the most frequent clinical manifestations. The majority of patients (28.57%) had positive IgG serology. The main biological feature was thrombocytopenia (26.50%), (p=0.039). Conclusion: This study confirms the emergence of this disease in young children, as mentioned in previous studies. Improving the technical facilities in our hospitals, providing ongoing training for healthcare workers in the management of this disease and disseminating the national protocol for the management of dengue fever could improve the situation. Keywords: Seroprevalence, Dengue Fever, Children, Burkina Fas. Impact of Employee Compensation and Benefits on Operating Performance This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Copyright © Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

Malaria-endemic countries in Africa have recorded the lowest number of covid-19 cases and deaths compared to other countries. Pre-existing Naturally acquired Immunity to malaria was an hypothesis that was stated to explain this situation. In a context where malaria is endemic, we carried out this study in order to investigate the existence of antibody cross-reactivity between COVID-19 and malaria and to estimate the seroprevalence of COVID-19 during the third year of the pandemic in the plateau central Region in Burkina Faso. Samples collected in 2007 and positive for IgG against Plasmodium falciparum alpha-helical coiled coil proteins were used to look for a possible antibody cross-reactivity with SARS-CoV-2 antigens. Samples collected in 2022 were used to estimate the seroprevalence of COVID-19. A total of 628 individuals of both sexes, aged over 5 years were enrolled. The seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was measured using an ELISA test and an RDT. All the samples collected in 2007 showed no cross-reactivity between SARS-CoV-2 and Plasmodium falciparum. The seroprevalence during the third year of the pandemic was 100% and 86.88% respectively by ELISA and RDT. The proportions of IgG and IgM antibodies were respectively 86.56% and 2.81%. The results did not show antibody cross-reactivity between SARS-CoV2 and Plasmodium falciparum in the study population. High exposure to SARS-CoV-2 was found in the study area in 2022. Due to their high specificity, WANTAI ELISA and Right Sign RDT can be considered as good serological tools for COVID-19 serosurveillance in a context where malaria is endemic.

Salmonella spp and Shigella spp are implicated in gastroenteritis. The increasing antibiotic resistance of these pathogenic bacteria is a public health problem in Burkina Faso. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibiotic susceptibility profile of Salmonella spp and Shigella spp strains isolated from coprocultures at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pédiatrique Charles De Gaulle (CHUP-CDG). This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data were collected from 1 January 2018 to 30 April 2022 from patients in whom Salmonella spp and Shigella spp strains were identified from coprocultures at the biomedical analysis laboratory. The study population consisted of patients whose stool culture samples were received and analysed during the study period with complete data. Five thousand four hundred and eighty-seven (5487) coprocultures were performed during the study period, of which 1.6% (87/5487) were positive for Salmonella spp and Shigella spp 45.97% of the patients were aged between 1 and 29 months. Also, 54.02% were male, giving a sex ratio of 1.18 in favour of males. Salmonella spp and Shigella spp were susceptible to ceftriaxone (82.5%), imipenem (70.84%), ciprofloxacin (64.17%), chloramphenicol (63.33%), gentamicin (62.5%) and cefepime (57.5%). This study revealed a wide variety of Salmonella spp and Shigella spp serotypes circulating at the CHUP-CDG. As a result, the most commonly used and affordable antibiotics no longer appear to be effective against these strains.

ObjectivesThis study aims to identify the factors influencing vaccine hesitancy, willingness and its variation over time in order to inform more responsive strategies for increasing vaccination uptake. The specific objectives are: (1) to describe and compare levels of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the general population in rural and urban settings in West Africa over time and (2) to identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination willingness and hesitancy among the general population across five West African countries over time.DesignFollowing a baseline survey (Wave I), three serial cross-sectional surveys (Waves II-IV) were implemented.SettingThe study was conducted in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Senegal and Sierra Leone from November 2021 to July 2022.ParticipantsA total of 13 571 study participants were included in the study (n=4373, n=4593 and n=4605 for survey Waves II, III and IV, respectively). Inclusion criteria were being 18 years or older, living in the study area and willing to provide informed consent. A two-stage sampling strategy was used to select the sample from among the general population.Primary and secondary outcomesPrimary outcomes were the variability of vaccine hesitancy over time and across the five West African countries. Secondary outcomes were factors associated with vaccine willingness.ResultsA small but steady increase in hesitancy to COVID-19-vaccination can be observed across countries, with an upward trend of vaccine hesitancy reported by 952 participants (33.9 %) in Wave II, 1055 (37.3%) in Wave III and 1089 (38.1%) in Wave IV. Among the countries included, Senegal shows the highest level of vaccine hesitancy (‘Definitely no’ and ‘Probably no’ ranging from 50.2% to 56.0% and 26.2 to 28.3%, respectively). At the same time, Senegal has the lowest vaccination coverage overall. Across all five countries and survey waves, the primary factor associated with vaccination willingness is fear of experiencing severe COVID-19 disease (Wave II: OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.51, Wave III: OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.59 and Wave IV: OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.66). Perceived improved financial status seems to influence willingness to get vaccinated negatively (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.81) and unlike in Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich and Democratic countries, men seem more reluctant to get vaccinated than women (OR 0.77, 95%, CI 0.65 to 0.93).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that vaccine hesitancy should be monitored over time to inform communication strategies, which are responsive to changes in vaccination-related public sentiments. Additionally, a focus on social solidarity and the importance of women in vaccination advocacy can help improve COVID-19 vaccination coverage in West Africa.Trial registration numberThe general protocol is registered on clinicaltrial.gov (protocol number:NCT04912284).

Sagna T1 Zoungrana A2 Compaore R1 Ouedraogo H3 Soubeiga S1 Djigma F2 Traore L2 Zoure A1 Zida S3 Zohoncon T2 Kambire D3 Ouedraogo O3 Simpore J2 1Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Laboratoire de Biologie moléculaire et de génétique (LABIOGENE), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 2Laboratoire de Biologie moléculaire et de génétique (LABIOGENE), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 3Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Introduction: Meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis constitutes a burden for the countries in the meningitis belt of sub-Saharan in general and particularly for Burkina Faso.In 2019 the Diapaga health district experienced a meningitis epidemic due to N. meningitidis serogroup C. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with a descriptive aim in the health district of Diapaga where all cases of meningitis were included in this work.Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), culture as well as real-time PCR were used for the biological analysis of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) samples.Results: Of 155 CSF samples analysed, 42% (65/155) were tested positve.Of them, N. meningitidis C accounted for 83% of all positive cases.Likewise, all thirteen (13) NmC strains were susceptible to oxacillin, ceftriaxone, penicillin and chloramphenicol.All strains of NmC belonged to the sequence type (ST) 10 217 and to the clonal complex (CC) 10 217.These CCs belonged to the same variant PorA type: P1.21-15.16;FetA type: F1-7; PorB type: 3-463.Conclusion: Burkina Faso had known an epidemic of meningitis caused by NmC in 2019 in the health district of Diapaga.This outbreak was contained in time due to the performance of the epidemiological surveillance system which made it possible to investigate on time and introduce the vaccine against the pathogen NmC.

Purpose: This study aimed to estimate herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) seroprevalence and its association with HIV, HBV, HCV, HTLV-1&2 and syphilis among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, West Africa.Materials and methods: We screened MSM sera for HSV-2 antibodies. A total of 329 sera were collected from an HIV and syphilis behavioral and biological cross-sectional survey conducted among MSM in Ouagadougou from January to April 2013. Serum samples were tested using Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA) for the detection of IgG antibodies to HSV-2. Also, antibodies to HTLV-1&2, HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies were screened by ELISA. Laboratory assays were performed according to manufacturers' instructions at the Biomedical Research Laboratory at the "Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Sante" (IRSS) in Burkina Faso.Results: The seroprevalence of HSV-2 infection among MSM was 14.3%(95% CI: 10.6-18.1), with disparities according to age and occupation. HSV-2 seroprevalence was high among MSM who were seropositive for HIV (40% versus 13.9%), for syphilis (42.9% versus 13.3%), for HCV (32.5% versus 11.7%) and for HTLV-1&2 (38.5% versus 12.9%) compared to people seronegative for these pathogens. Multivariate analysis showed that HIV -positive (ORa = 5.34, p = 0.027), anti-HCV-positive (ORa = 4.44, p = 0.001), and HTLV-1&2 positive (aOR = 4.11, p = 0.046) were associated with HSV-2 infection among MSM. However, no significant statistical asso-ciation between HSV-2 and syphilis was found.Conclusion: HSV-2 seroprevalence among MSM in Burkina Faso is relatively high. Positive associations between sexual transmitted infections including HIV with HSV-2 suggest that HSV-2 infection's prevention should be strengthened through HIV transmission control programs.