BackgroundSince 2005, anti-hepatitis B virus (anti-HBV) vaccine is part of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) for infants born in Cameroon, with 99% anti-HBV coverage. In a context of generalized HIV epidemiology, we assessed paediatric anti-HBV vaccine response according to HIV status, feeding option and age in a tropical context.MethodologyProspective, observational and cross-sectional study conducted among 82 children (27 [IQR: 9–47] months, min-max: 6–59), after complete anti-HBV vaccination (Zilbrix Hepta: 10μg AgHBs) at the Essos Health Centre in Yaounde, Cameroon, classified as group-A: HIV unexposed (28), group-B: HIV-exposed/uninfected (29), group-C: HIV-infected (25). Quantitative anti-HBs ELISA was interpreted as “no”, “low-” or “protective-response” with <1, 1–10, or ≥10 IU/L respectively; with p-value<0.05 considered significant.ResultsChildren were all HBV-unexposed (AcHBc-negative) and uninfected (HBsAg-negative). Response to anti-HBV vaccine was 80.49% (66/82), with only 45.12% (37/82) developed a protective-response (≥10IU/L). According to HIV status, 60.71% (17/28) developed a protective-response in group-A, vs. 51.72% (15/29) and 20% (5/25) in group-B and group-C respectively, Odds Ratio (OR): 2.627 [CI95% 0.933–7.500], p = 0.041. According to feeding option during first six months of life, 47.67% (21/45) developed a protective-response on exclusive breastfeeding vs. 43.24% (16/37) on mixed or formula feeding, OR: 1.148 [CI95% 0.437–3.026], p = 0.757. According to age, protective-response decreased significantly as children grow older: 58.33% (28/48) <24 months vs. 26.47% (9/34) ≥24 months, OR: 3.889 [CI95% 1.362–11.356], p = 0.004; and specifically 67.65% (23/34) ≤6 months vs. 0%, (0/5) 33–41 months, p = 0.008.ConclusionsAnti-HBV vaccine provides low rate of protection (<50%) among children in general, and particularly if HIV-exposed, infected and/or older children. Implementing policies for early vaccination, specific immunization algorithm for HIV-exposed/infected children, and monitoring vaccine response would ensure effective protection in tropical settings, pending extensive/confirmatory investigations.

Background: Malaria is a major public health problem in countries with limited resources. This morbid and fatal infection mainly affects vulnerable groups with weak immunity, such as children and pregnant women. In pregnant women, malaria leads to the occurrence of anaemia with the consequences of abortion, low birth weight (LBW) of the child and death of the baby. This study aimed to determine the Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) infection and associated risk factors among pregnant women attending the Bafang district hospital (BDH). Methods: A hospital based quantitative cross-sectional and descriptive study were conducted from May 30th, to June 24th, 2022 among 156 pregnant women attending the BDH, West Region of Cameroon. All pregnant women consented to participate in the study without any constraint. Blood samples were collected, thick film and stained blood smear examined for Plasmodium trophozoites and gametocytes respectively. Statistical analyses were performed using Epi Info v. 7 software with any p-value<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The age of the study participants ranged from 14 to 48 years old (mean age of 27.41 ± 6.67 years). Of the 156 pregnant women tested, 25% (95% CI: 18.42%-32.55%) were infected with P. falciparum, infection was high in pregnant women aged < 30 years old (66.67%), in non-salaried (82.05%), in pregnant women in the second trimester of pregnancy (48.72%) with no difference statistically significant (p-value<0.05). Furthermore, the use of mosquito nets (OR= 3.88, 95% CI: 1.78-8.43, p-value=0.0003), taking intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) (OR= 2, 95, 95% CI: 1.31-6.59, p-value=0.006) and the number of IPT doses (p-value=0.0006) were risk factors statistically associated with P. falciparum infection. Conclusion: This study revealed a high prevalence of P. falciparum among pregnant women attending BDH. The use of mosquito nets, the taking of IPT were the factors statistically associated with the infection.

Background: The burden of Helicobacter pylori infection (HPI) remains very high in sub Saharan Africa (SSA) with varying levels of prevalence among children and adults reported in different regions of the continent like Cameroon. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pilory (H. pilory) and to identify risk factors among symptomatic patients attending Ad-Lucem Obobogo Hospital. Methods: From January 18th, to March 22nd, 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional study among 142 gastritis symptomatic patients (children and adults) aged between 10 to 81years old attending Ad-Lucem Obobogo Hospital in Yaounde, Cameroon. Data were collected using well-structured questionnaire containing general characteristics of study participants and risk factors. Blood and fresh stool samples were performed for the presence of H. pylori antibody in sera, antigen in stool using qualitative rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). The data were performed using Epi-info version 7 with P˂ 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age was 36.42years old (standard deviation: ±14.85) and the females were more represented with 61.97% (88/142). Overall, the rate of IgG antibodies and stool antigen were detected in 66.90% (95/142), and 29.58% (42/142), respectively. The antigen prevalence (31.48% versus 28.41%) Odds Ratio (OR) =0.9 (0.46-2.05), P=0.84 and antibodies (75.92% versus 61.36%), OR=2 (0.93-4.23), P=0.07 were more detected in males than the females respectively. The antigen had the highest prevalence within range age (40-54) years (P=0.41) and antibody had the highest prevalence within range age ≥55years old (P=0.45). The multivariate analysis shows that, the risk factors such as education level and source of cooking water were statistically associated with HPI (P=0.02). Conclusion: This result shows the high prevalence of HPI among patients attending Ad-Lucem Obobogo Hospital in Yaounde. The risk factors such as education level and source of cooking water were significantly associated for this infection.

Background In Cameroon, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus (HCV) are highly endemic to the pregnant woman. These viruses pose a high risk of vertical transmission and have been reported as the most important causes of maternal mortality. The aim objective of this study was to determine the hepatitis B, C and HIV virus co-infection among pregnant women in the Bafia health district.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from may to july 2018 in 145 pregnant women attending the health district of Bafia. HIV was diagnosed and confirmed using the Determine and Oraquick HIV1/2, HBV by NOVA test (HBV Multi Panel One Step) and HCV by ACCURATE test. Statistical analysis was performed using the Epi info software version 7.2.1.0. Furthermore, statistical association was performed using Odds Ratio (OR) and Fisher Exact test where appropriate, with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). The probability was considered statistical significant for all values p<0.05.Results The average age was 25 ± 5.96 years and the seroprevalence of HIV, HBV and HCV was 6.90% (10/145), 10.34% (15/145) and 33.79% (49/145), respectively. Those aged 24-32 years had peaks of infection, with 9.84% (6/61) and 45.90% (28/61) of HIV, Odds Ratio (OR): 2.18 [95%CI: 0.58-8.09], p= 0.39 and HCV, OR: 2.54 [95%CI: 1.25-5.15], p= 0.008 respectively. However, the peak of HBV (HBsAg) infection (35.29% [6/17]) was in the age group 33-41 years, p= 0.001 and carriage rate of HBeAg was only observed in those aged 15-23 years (5.97% [4/67], p=0.30). No cases of co-infection were observed between HBsAg carrier rates (p= 0.56), HBeAg (p= 0.65) and HIV. Meanwhile, 10.20% (5/49) of pregnant women were co-infected with HCV/HIV, OR: 2.06 [95%CI: 0.56-7.51], p= 0.26 and this co-infection was observed among those aged 24-32 years (8.20% [5/61], p= 0.02).Conclusion Seroprevalence of HIV, HBV and HCV in pregnant women remain high in the Bafia health district, reflecting a significant risk of vertical transmission, especially HIV/HCV co-infection. The prevention strategies of these three viruses would primarily target pregnant women aged over 24 years in health care areas with a typology similar to that of Bafia.