Introduction: Sickle cell disease is a public health problem in the Republic of Congo where the prevalence of sickle cell trait is estimated at 1.25%. The objective of this study is to describe the variations of hematological and biochemical parameters of hemolysis in sickle cell patients in critical and inter-critical periods. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study including sickle cell patients followed regularly at the National Reference Center for Sickle Cell Disease (CNRDr) from November 2019 to March 2020. A sample of 167 patients (sickle cell subjects in crisis and in steady state as well as control subjects) was randomly selected during the study period. The blood count was performed using a Sysmex-XN 350 automated system and the biochemical parameters were determined using the Cobas e 311 automated system. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 22 software. Results: The study showed that the mean cholesterol level in controls was 4.16 ± 0.77 ul compared with 9.64 ± 4.34 ul in sickle cell crisis subjects. Hb and HCT levels were significantly higher in controls compared with sickle cell subjects in crisis. During crisis, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, triglycerides, LDH, AST, and CRP were significantly elevated. Hematological parameters such as Hb and HCT were elevated in controls, while the mean WBC value and RET were higher in sickle cell patients in steady state. The mean values of the biochemical parameters were higher in sickle cell patients in steady state. Conclusion: Evaluation of the influence of sickle cell trait on biochemical and hematological parameters showed significant differences between sickle cell and control subjects.

Background: Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a defective virus that requires the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) for replication. It is a major cause of severe acute and chronic hepatitis B. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of HDV in blood donors. Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study involving HBsAg-positive blood donors covering the period from July to December 2020. Testing for HDV RNA was performed by conventional two-step RT-PCR. Data were analysed using SPSS version 22 software. Result: Of 113 HBsAg positive samples included in the study 22 or 19.5% were HDV positive. The prevalence of HDV was higher in the age group 31 -45 years (45.5%), in male donors (71.4%) and in donors with secondary education (50.0%). Furthermore, 55.4% belonged to the family donor category. A significant statistical difference was observed between HDV infection, tattoos, piercings and multiple sexual partners. Conclusion: This study shows a high prevalence of HDV among blood donors in Brazzaville.

Aims: The ABO and Rhesus (Rh) blood group systems are most important in population genetic study and for blood transfusion purposes. This study was conducted to determine the distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups among Congolese blood donors. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at National Center for Blood Transfusion, over a period of 5 years from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2015. This study included the blood transfusion centers of Brazzaville, Pointe Noire and other localities grouped together in the North and Southwest coordination. Blood grouping ABO and Rhesus were determined using conventional blood typing procedures based on Beth-Vincent and Simonin-Michon methods. Results: Out of 266,055 blood donors included, 217,990 (81.9%) were male and 48,065 (18.1%) were female donors. Most donors were young adults, representing the age group of 18–30 (45%). The majority were replacement (62.4%) while the remainder was voluntary donors (37.6%). The most prevalent blood group was O (56.6%), followed by blood groups A (20.3%) and B (20.1%), whereas the least prevalent blood group was AB (2.9%). The majority 97.6% were Rh D positive, and 2.4% were Rh D negative. Conclusion: The study has a significant implication regarding the inventory management of blood transfusion center in Republic of Congo.

Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly transmissible and pathogenic viral infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which erupted in Wuhan, China, in 2019 and has spread worldwide [1]. The objective of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among blood donors in the Republic of Congo. Method: This is an analytical and cross-sectional study that was carried out during the period from July to December 2021. Biological analyses were performed with the serological tests n2019 rapid IgG/IgM from Beijing Diagreat Biotechnologies and antigen tests from Abbot using the serum for the detection of anti-SARS-Cov-2 antibodies and nasal mucus for the detection of SARS-Cov-2 antigens. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22. The Results: Out of 2553 donors recruited in our study, we observed a predominance of male sex with 86.1% or a ratio of 6.19, the age group of 18 -30 years was dominant with 45.9%, family donation represented 59.2%, the dominant profession was workers with 46.9% and the dominant blood group was O Rh positive with 54%. The prevalence of anti-SRAS-CoV-2 antibodies and antigens were respectively 31.4% for anti-SRAS CoV-2 IgG antibodies, 36.7% for anti-SRAS CoV-2 IgM antibodies and 2.93% for SARS-CoV-2 antigen.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a public health problem and is highly endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and potential risk factors of hepatitis C virus in pregnant women. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving pregnant women who attended at seven antenatal clinics in Pointe Noire, from June to November 2018. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain participants data. Samples were screened for HCV infection by using 4 th ELISA methods and data analysis was done by Epi-info version 7.0 statistical software. Results: A total of 150 pregnant women were included, out of which 11 (7.3%) were positive for HCV. The high proportion of HCV was found in age group 25-34 years (45.4%), educated (81.1%), professional (36.4%) and 54.6% were in second trimester gestational stage. Moreover, 54.6% of HCV positive patients had scarification and 45.5% had a history of surgery. There was not a statistically significant association between demographics characteristics, risks factors and HCV seropositivity (p > 0.05). Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of HCV infection and confirmed that this infection is a public health problem in pregnant women in Pointe Noire.