Multiple factors, such as immune disruption, prophylactic co-trimoxazole, and antiretroviral therapy, may influence the structure and function of the gut microbiome of children infected with HIV from birth. In order to understand whether HIV infection altered gut microbiome and to relate changes in microbiome structure and function to immune status, virological response and pediatric ART regimens, we characterized the gut microbiome of 87 HIV-infected and 82 non-exposed HIV-negative children from Yaounde, a cosmopolitan city in Cameroon. We found that children living with HIV had significantly lower alpha diversity in their gut microbiome and altered beta diversity that may not be related to CD4+ T cell count or viral load. There was an increased level of Akkermansia and Faecalibacterium genera and decreased level of Escherichia and other Gamma proteobacteria in children infected with HIV, among other differences. We noted an effect of ethnicity/geography on observed gut microbiome composition and that children on ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor (PI/r)-based ART had gut microbiome composition that diverged more from HIV-negative controls compared to those on non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors-based ART. Further studies investigating the role of this altered gut microbiome in increased disease susceptibility are warranted for individuals who acquired HIV via mother-to-child transmission.

Background Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most common communicable diseases worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes dysregulation of the immune system through the depletion of CD4+ T lymphocytes which gives rise to opportunistic infections. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to October 2018. Stool and blood samples were collected from participants aged 1 to 19. Stool samples were analyzed for intestinal parasites. Blood samples were analyzed for HIV and CD4 + T cell counts. Results Out of 214 children enrolled, 119 (55.6%) were HIV infected and 95 (44.4%) were HIV non-infected. All infected children were on antiretroviral treatment (ART). The prevalence of intestinal parasites was 20.2% in HIV infected and 15.8% in non-infected children. Among the 119 HIV infected children, 33 (27.7%) of them had a CD4+ T cell count less than 500 cells/mm3, and amongst them 5.9% had CD4+ T cell count less than 200 cells/mm3. Among HIV infected children, Cryptosporidium spp. was frequently detected, 7/119 (5.9%), followed by Giardia lamblia 5/119 (4.2%) then Blastocystis hominis 3/119 (2.5%) and Entamoeba coli 3/119 (2.5%). Participants on ART and prophylactic co-trimoxazole for >10 years had little or no parasite infestation. Conclusions Although ART treatment in combination with prophylactic co-trimoxazole reduces the risk of parasitic infection, 20.2% of HIV infected children harbored intestinal parasites including Cryptosporidium spp. Stool analysis may be routinely carried out in order to treat detected cases of opportunistic parasites and such improve more on the life quality of HIV infected children.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the antifungal activity of Dissotis multiflora (Melastomataceae) and Paullinia pinnata (Sapindaceae) leaves extracts on six species of Candida. Study Design: This study was an experimental study. Duration and Place of the Study: Between March to August 2017, Department of Microbiology, Microbiology laboratory, University of Yaoundé I. Bacteriology laboratory, Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital (YUHC). Methodology: The fungal strains were isolated from vaginal swab women at the sampling unit of the YUHC. The identification test blastosis and gallery method allowed to differentiate Candida albicans ATCC37037 to Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, Candida haemolinii and Candida lipolytica in the Bacteriology laboratory of the YUHC. C. albicans ATCC 37037 came from the Microbiology laboratory of the University of Yaoundé I. The antifungal activity of extracts was carried out on agar medium using (aromatogram) and microdilution method. The effect of the combination of methanolic fractions were assess by the chessboard method. Results: Phytochemical analysis of gude extracts of D. multiflora and P. pinnata revealed the presence of secondary metabolites such as phenols, tannins, anthraquinones, alkaloids, saponins, steroids and flavonoids in both extracts. In general, all of six fungal strains were susceptible to different extracts and fractions with inhibition diameters ranging from 10.33 mm for methanolic fraction of D. multiflorao C. parapsilosis to 19 mm for the same fraction on C. haemolinii). Both the MICs and the MFCs of actives extracts ranged respectively from 0,78 to 12,5 mg / ml and 1,56 to 25 mg/ml, the majority being fungicidal. The combinations showed significant antifungal activity compared to those of the fractions taken individually, especially with MICs reductions of the order to 75%. Conclusion: The antimicrobial activities of the molecules present in our two extracts could justify their use in traditional medicine in the treatment of candidiasis.