Vulvovaginal candidiasis (CVV) is a superficial mycosis caused by Candida spp. with a predominance of C. albicans. CVV is opportunistic with several incriminated risk factors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CVV and to investigate potential risk factors. A cross-sectional study was carried out at the Medical Biology Laboratory in Pasteur Institute in Dakar, Senegal from September 1 to November 30, 2020. The study cohort was inclusive of all women received for a vaginal swab test in the laboratory unit. Each patient’s socio-demographic and clinical data were recorded before collecting two swabs samples for direct examination and culture on CHROMagar Candida incubated at 37 °C for 24 to 48 h. A total of 312 women with an average age of 32 years (range: 17-74) were included in this study. An overall CVV prevalence of 32% was found. C. albicans was predominant (73.2%) followed by C. glabrata (16.8%). The age group [30-40 years] was more infested with 35.3% (p = 0.434) as well as nulliparous or primiparous women with 38.7% (p = 0.171). CVV was more associated with disordered vaginal flora and pregnancy with 35.2% (p = 0.323) and 33.7% (p = 0.715) respectively. CVV was significantly related to contraception (p = 0.014). An overall high prevalence of CVV was observed mainly due to C. albicans. Contraception seems to be a factor contributing to its occurrence.

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) represent a major public health problem. Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections are often asymptomatic, thus leading to a high risk of transmission in subjects with risky behaviors. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of these 2 pathogens in an asymptomatic population. Methodology: A retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted in the medical biology laboratory of the Pasteur Institute of Dakar over a period of 23 months in asymptomatic patients who were seen as part of a travel check-up. A first-draft urine sample was collected and tested for C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae by molecular biology techniques. Data entry and statistical analysis were performed by Excel 2010 and SPSS 2.0 respectively. Results: A total of 5012 patients were included and the overall prevalence of STIs related to these 2 pathogens was 3.8% (194/5012). The prevalences of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae were 2.7% (137/5012) and 1.0% (55/5012), respectively. The age group most affected was [20-29 years] with 58.4% (80/137; p=0.0001) for C. trachomatis and 45.5% (25/55; p=0.471) for N. gonorrhoeae. Co-infection with these two germs was observed in 0.3% (18; p=0.001) of patients. Conclusion: STIs with C. trachomatis and/or N. gonorrhoeae can be asymptomatic and continue the chain of transmission. Thus, for a better prevention of STIs due to these pathogens, it is important to screen, educate and sensitize the populations considered at risk.

Introduction: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an imbalance of the vaginal flora that most commonly affects women of childbearing age. It is characterised by discomfort due to vaginal discharge and is associated with serious complications in women. We aimed to determine the prevalence of BV and its risk factors. Methodology: We conducted a prospective cross-sectional descriptive study in November 2020 at the Pasteur Institute of Dakar among women who were seen for vaginal sampling. We collected the following parameters: age, parity, history of infection, pregnancy and contraception. VB was diagnosed using the Amsel criteria and the Nugent score. Scoring is based on the presence of different bacterial morphotypes where a score ≥ 7 indicates the presence of BV, 4-6 indicates intermediate flora and 0- 3 normal flora. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.0.A statistically significant difference between the occurrence of bacterial vaginosis and a risk factor was retained for a p value < 0.05. Results: A total of 236 patients were included with a median age of 38 years. The prevalence of BV was 20.3%. It was more prevalent in women aged between [30-40 years] (28/101, 27.7%) followed by the age group [20-30 years] (13/51, 25.5%) with a statistically significant difference (p=0.0001).VB was more prevalent in nulliparous or primiparous women (28/118, 23.7%) and in those with no history of vaginal infections (20/83, 24.1%). Pregnant women and women without contraception were more affected with respectively (12/42, 28.6%) and (43/199, 21.6%). No relationship was found between BV and these previous potential risk factors. Conclusion: BV is a very common condition in women of childbearing age. Its complexity motivates numerous researches in order to elucidate its real implication in the occurrence of adverse gynecological conditions.

Background: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria are a real public health problem, particularly in Africa. Among these ESBLs, there are the Muenchen Cefotaximase (CTX-M) described all over the world of which the most frequent is the CTX-M of group 1 particularly the CTX-M-15 variant. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of CTX-M group 1 ESBL-producing Escherichia coli strains and to test their antibiotics susceptibility profile. Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to detect ESBL-secreting Escherichia coli strains by the synergy test. Identification of CTX-M type ESBL from group 1 was performed using the NG-Test CTX-M rapid diagnostic test (NG-Biotech®). Antibiotic susceptibility profile was determined using CA-SFM/EUCAST guidelines 2019. Data entry and statistical analysis were performed with Excel version 2010 and SPSS 20.0 respectively. Results: Eighty-two ESBL-producing Escherichia coli strains were tested. A group 1 CTX-M ESBL was detected in 75.6% of the strains (n = 62). These strains were highly resistant to cefotaxim (100%), aztreonam (100%), ceftazidim (85.4%) and cefepim (66.1%). They were also resistant to quinolones, gentamycin and sulfadoxine-trimethoprim combination. However, these strains showed sensitivity to ertapenem (100%), cefoxitin (69.3%), tigecyclin (66%), and amikacin (66.1%). The combination of piperacillin and tazobactam was active on 30.