Introduction: CagA and VacA are the most important and well-studied virulence factors found in Helicobacter pylori. The aim of this work was to identify genes corresponding to H. pylori pathogenicity factors in Brazzaville, Congo. Material & Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from October 2013 to December 2016. Biopsy specimens were obtained from patients scheduled for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in Brazzaville, Congo and were sent to the French National Reference Center for Campylobacters and Helicobacters in Bordeaux, France. H. pylori detection was conducted by real-time PCR using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer-melting curve analysis protocol. The identification of the genes encoding pathogenicity factors was carried out by conventional PCR using the appropriate primers for determination of CagA phosphorylation motifs 1, 2, 3; and vacAs, I and m regions: vacAi1, vacAi2, vacAs1a, vacAs1b. Results: A high prevalence of H. pylori infection was reported (108/143; 75.5%). In 92.2% (n = 71/77), the presence of P1, P2 and P3 CagA phosphorylation motifs was noted. Concerning vacA, vacAs1m1 was observed in 82% of the strains (n = 59/72). Va-cai1 was present in all strains (n = 76). With regard to the distribution according to the vacAs1 subtype, the majority of the strains (59/71; 83%) were vacAs1b positive, as compared to vacAs1c (17/34, 33%). The vacAs1a gene was absent in all of these patients. Conclusion: The presence of genes associated with severe gastric diseases indicates the importance of H. pylori eradication in the prevention of these diseases in Congo.

Introduction: The bacteriology-virology laboratory of the teaching university hospital of Brazzaville, was equipped with a real-time PCR device like Miniopticon (Biorad®, France). The aim of this work was to do an evaluation of the HIV viral load activity, with a view to proposing some recommendations. Material and methods: Retrospective study, January 2013 to March 2015, in patients on first line ARV three-therapy, pre-inclusion therapy checkup in HIV positive patients, but again screening after sexual abuse in women or accident of exposure (AES). A blood sample on EDTA tube was made and RNA extraction with Qiagen kit. Ultrasensitive HIV-RNA quantification was performed using the Generic HIV real-time PCR assay (Biocentric®, Bandol, France). Results: 126 patients were included. The mean age was 37.63 years +/− 10.43 years, sex ratio F/H = 2.3. The HIV viral load was detectable in 94 cases (74.6%). Concerning patients with detectable viral load (copies/ml): 403 to 996 in 35 cases (37.23%), 1411 to 1812 in 41 cases (43.62%) and >1814 in 5 cases (5.32%) (therapeutic failure). Conclusion: This work reports success in the setting up of the molecular biology unit. Procedures that implement information and education actions on the risks associated with AES must be disclosed.