Recent updates on the possible reasons for the low incidence and morbidity of COVID-19 cases in Africa

Tsinda, Emmanuel Kagning; Mmbando, Gideon Sadikiel

doi:10.1186/s42269-021-00589-9

Cited by 20 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 83 publications

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“…The geographical variation in the frequency of alleles encoding prenylated OAS1, such as the high frequency observed in some African populations, could potentially influence the spread and severity of COVID-19. It is currently difficult to reconcile a potential role for p46 in reducing the impact of COVID-19 in some African countries ( 59 , 74 ) with the increased disease severity observed in people of African descent ( 75 ). We note that none of our observations refute the possibility that p42 enhances the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of p46.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A prenylated dsRNA sensor protects against severe COVID-19

Wickenhagen

Sugrue

Lytras

et al. 2021

Science

174

145

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The bat connection The heterogeneity of COVID-19 makes it challenging to predict the course of infection in an individual. Upon virus infection, interferons (IFNs) generate the initial signals for cellular defenses. Knowing that defects in IFN signaling are associated with more severe COVID-19, Wickenhagen et al . used IFN-stimulated gene expression screening on human lung cells from which they identified a gene for 2′-5′-oligoadenylate synthetase 1 (OAS1) (see the Perspective by Schoggins). OAS1 stimulates RNase L to inhibit the virus with a surprising degree of specificity, targeting the membranous organelles in which it replicates. In most mammals, OAS1 is attached to membranes by a prenyl group. However, billions of humans do not have the prenylated OAS1 haplotype, including many experiencing severe COVID-19. The same is true for horseshoe bats, prolific sources of betacoronaviruses, because of an ancient retrotransposition event. —CA

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A prenylated dsRNA sensor protects against severe COVID-19

Wickenhagen

Sugrue

Lytras

et al. 2021

Science

174

145

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“…Attempts have been made to explain the low rate of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in Africa, and possible associated factors have emerged, such as population demography, climate, urbanization, and economic level. 105 Compounding the challenge of such studies, the impact of the pandemic appears to be poorly characterized in low- and middle-income countries. Insufficient diagnostic capabilities and inadequate infrastructure have limited the availability of robust data, resulting in uncertainty about the status of the pandemic.…”

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The African continent reported 8 488 173 cases and 170 610 deaths from COVID-19 as of March 15, 2022 (). Attempts have been made to explain the low rate of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in Africa, and possible associated factors have emerged, such as population demography, climate, urbanization, and economic level . Compounding the challenge of such studies, the impact of the pandemic appears to be poorly characterized in low- and middle-income countries.…”

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Two Years into the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned

et al. 2022

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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly transmissible and virulent human-infecting coronavirus that emerged in late December 2019 in Wuhan, China, causing a respiratory disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has massively impacted global public health and caused widespread disruption to daily life. The crisis caused by COVID-19 has mobilized scientists and public health authorities across the world to rapidly improve our knowledge about this devastating disease, shedding light on its management and control, and spawned the development of new countermeasures. Here we provide an overview of the state of the art of knowledge gained in the last 2 years about the virus and COVID-19, including its origin and natural reservoir hosts, viral etiology, epidemiology, modes of transmission, clinical manifestations, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, emerging variants, and vaccines, highlighting important differences from previously known highly pathogenic coronaviruses. We also discuss selected key discoveries from each topic and underline the gaps of knowledge for future investigations.

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“…These variables were included based on the list of variables previously hypothesized to be among the possible reasons for the low burden of COVID-19 in Africa. These variables have been reviewed in two scientific literature produced by our research group (one of them is currently under peer-review) ( 30 ).…”

Section: Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Determinants of the Low COVID-19 Transmission and Mortality Rates in Africa: A Cross-Country Analysis

Bouba

Tsinda

Fonkou

et al. 2021

Front. Public Health

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Background: More than 1 year after the beginning of the international spread of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), the reasons explaining its apparently lower reported burden in Africa are still to be fully elucidated. Few studies previously investigated the potential reasons explaining this epidemiological observation using data at the level of a few African countries. However, an updated analysis considering the various epidemiological waves and variables across an array of categories, with a focus on African countries might help to better understand the COVID-19 pandemic on the continent. Thus, we investigated the potential reasons for the persistently lower transmission and mortality rates of COVID-19 in Africa.Methods: Data were collected from publicly available and well-known online sources. The cumulative numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths per 1 million population reported by the African countries up to February 2021 were used to estimate the transmission and mortality rates of COVID-19, respectively. The covariates were collected across several data sources: clinical/diseases data, health system performance, demographic parameters, economic indicators, climatic, pollution, and radiation variables, and use of social media. The collinearities were corrected using variance inflation factor (VIF) and selected variables were fitted to a multiple regression model using the R statistical package.Results: Our model (adjusted R-squared: 0.7) found that the number of COVID-19 tests per 1 million population, GINI index, global health security (GHS) index, and mean body mass index (BMI) were significantly associated (P < 0.05) with COVID-19 cases per 1 million population. No association was found between the median life expectancy, the proportion of the rural population, and Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) coverage rate. On the other hand, diabetes prevalence, number of nurses, and GHS index were found to be significantly associated with COVID-19 deaths per 1 million population (adjusted R-squared of 0.5). Moreover, the median life expectancy and lower respiratory infections rate showed a trend towards significance. No association was found with the BCG coverage or communicable disease burden.Conclusions: Low health system capacity, together with some clinical and socio-economic factors were the predictors of the reported burden of COVID-19 in Africa. Our results emphasize the need for Africa to strengthen its overall health system capacity to efficiently detect and respond to public health crises.

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Recent updates on the possible reasons for the low incidence and morbidity of COVID-19 cases in Africa

Cited by 20 publications

References 83 publications

A prenylated dsRNA sensor protects against severe COVID-19

A prenylated dsRNA sensor protects against severe COVID-19

Two Years into the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned

The Determinants of the Low COVID-19 Transmission and Mortality Rates in Africa: A Cross-Country Analysis

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