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.

Introduction: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) first appeared in December 2019 in Wuhan, China and has subsequently become a worldwide pandemic. During the pandemic, health care workers (HCWs) were very exposed to COVID-19 infected patients. The aim of this study was to determine seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) among HCWs in three health facilities of Yaounde. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 368 HCWs was conducted from January 18th to February 13th, 2021, in three health facilities located in city of Yaounde. Data of study participants were collected by face-to-face interviews using standard questionnaire. Blood samples were collected in labelled dry tubes and analyzed using Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) cassettes (Abbott PanbioTMCOVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Device). The data collected was analyzed using Epi info version 7. Any value of p <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The average age was 30.25 (SD±10.43) years old, range from 21 to 72 years old. Overall, the positivity rates of IgM, IgG and IgM+IgG were 6.79% (n=25), 17.93% (n=66) and 1.09% (n=4) respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that, the rate of IgM positivity was highest in laboratory personnel (χ2= 7.99, p=0.3) and IgG (χ2= 8.50, p=0.29), IgM+IgG (χ2= 1.92, p=0.26) respectively in pharmacy and clinical personnel. The clinical signs such as fever (˃38°C) or history of fever was statistically significant with IgM (χ2=11.71, p= 0.0006) while, sore throat was statistically significant associated with IgM (χ2= 14.3, p= 0.0008) and IgG (χ2= 6.33, p= 0.04). Conclusion: The results of this study reveal a high seroprevalence of circulation of the virus in hospital milieu in Yaounde suggesting the continuation of the COVID-19 « Track-Test-Treat » system to break the chain of transmission.

Background: In Cameroon, prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is high and varies from different places in general population and vulnerable persons such as pregnant women. We performed this survey to determine seroprevalence of HBV using HBV-5 Rapid panel test and associated factors amongst pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) in Garoua. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from February, 15th to April, 15th, 2016 amongst 102 pregnant women attending ANC in city of Garoua. Data were obtained using a structured questionnaire by interview. The blood samples were collected and tested by the immuno-chromatographic panel method (OnSite HBV-5 Rapid Panel Test) for the detection of HBV biomarkers. Statistical analyses were performed by EPI InfoTM version 7 software, with P<0.05 considered significant. Results: Overall seroprevalence of HBV (HBsAg) was 10.78% (11/102) and the other HBV biomarkers were 15.68% (16/102), 9.80 (10/102) and 26.47% (27/102) for anti-HBsAb, anti-HBeAb and total anti-HBcAb respectively. According to general information, marital status (P=0.001) was statistically associated with HBsAg seroprevalence. Bivariate analysis logistic regression recorded that, scarification (OR= 30.10; 95% CI 6.55-138.15; P=0.00000) and piercing or tattoo (OR= 11.80; 95% CI 2.77-50.18; P=0.00008) were statistically associated with seroprevalence of HBsAg. Conclusion: Seroprevalence of HBV biomarkers is high amongst pregnant women attending ANC in Garoua. Associated factors such as scarification and piercing or tattoo were associated with HBV infection. The awareness of pregnant women about vaccination in routine against HBV were necessary to prevent the transmission of Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT).

Introduction: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) targets the body's defense system and leads to a decrease in CD4 T-cells in lymphoid tissues associated with intestinal mucosa, leading to an imbalance in the gastrointestinal tract. This study was performed to determine the intestinal parasites infestation among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in peri-urban area in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Methods: A retro-prospective, prospective, and descriptive study was carried out from January-March 2017 to the Care Unit of the Nkolondom II Catholic Medical Center in Yaoundé on 96 PLHIV after providing informed consent. On each stool sample collected, intestinal parasites testing was performed by using direct examination with physiological saline and Lugol's iodine, Ritchie's technique (formol/ether, 10%) and by Ziehl-Neelsen staining. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS version 17 software, with all P <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 52.08% (50/96) were infested with various parasites: Cryptosporidium parvum (72.88%), Cyclospora cayetanensis (10.17%), Entamoeba histolytica (8.47%), Entamoeba coli (5.08%), Ascaris lumbricoїdes (1.70%) and Giardia lamblia (1.70%). Parasite’s prevalence was more observed in women (74.00%; 37/50) compared with men (26.00% [13/50]). Depending on immunity, immuno-compromised patients (CD4 count ≤500 cells/mm3) were more infested (82.00%; 41/50) versus (vs) 18.00% (9/50), OR: 1.60 (95%CI: 0.60-4.60). Conclusion: Intestinal parasites infestation is reported to be high among people under ART in Cameroon's Yaoundé locality, with Cryptosporidium parvum being the predominant circulating species in this locality.

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.