1
|
Ondo GN, Ushijima Y, Abe H, Mahmoudou S, Bikangui R, Nkoma AM, Mbadinga MJVM, More A, Agbanrin MD, Pemba CM, Beh Mba R, Akim AA, Lell B, Yasuda J. Genetic Diversity and Detection of Respiratory Viruses Excluding SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Gabon, 2020-2021. Viruses 2024; 16:698. [PMID: 38793579 PMCID: PMC11126038 DOI: 10.3390/v16050698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute respiratory infections are a major global burden in resource-limited countries, including countries in Africa. Although COVID-19 has been well studied since the pandemic emerged in Gabon, Central Africa, less attention has been paid to other respiratory viral diseases, and very little data are available. Herein, we provide the first data on the genetic diversity and detection of 18 major respiratory viruses in Gabon during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of 582 nasopharyngeal swab specimens collected from March 2020 to July 2021, which were SARS-CoV-2 negative, 156 were positive (26%) for the following viruses: enterovirus (20.3%), human rhinovirus (HRV) (4.6%), human coronavirus OC43 (1.2%), human adenovirus (0.9%), human metapneumovirus (hMPV) (0.5%), influenza A virus (IAV) (0.3%), and human parainfluenza viruses (0.5%). To determine the genetic diversity and transmission route of the viruses, phylogenetic analyses were performed using genome sequences of the detected viruses. The IAV strain detected in this study was genetically similar to strains isolated in the USA, whereas the hMPV strain belonging to the A2b subtype formed a cluster with Kenyan strains. This study provides the first complete genomic sequences of HRV, IAV, and hMPV detected in Gabon, and provides insight into the circulation of respiratory viruses in the country.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georgelin Nguema Ondo
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné BP.242, Gabon; (G.N.O.); (S.M.); (R.B.); (A.M.N.); (M.J.V.M.M.); (A.M.); (M.D.A.); (R.B.M.); (A.A.A.); (B.L.)
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Yuri Ushijima
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan; (Y.U.); (H.A.)
- Division of Biomedical Science, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8577, Japan
| | - Haruka Abe
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan; (Y.U.); (H.A.)
- Vietnam Research Station, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, National Research Center for the Control and Prevention of Infectious Diseases (CCPID), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan;
| | - Saïdou Mahmoudou
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné BP.242, Gabon; (G.N.O.); (S.M.); (R.B.); (A.M.N.); (M.J.V.M.M.); (A.M.); (M.D.A.); (R.B.M.); (A.A.A.); (B.L.)
| | - Rodrigue Bikangui
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné BP.242, Gabon; (G.N.O.); (S.M.); (R.B.); (A.M.N.); (M.J.V.M.M.); (A.M.); (M.D.A.); (R.B.M.); (A.A.A.); (B.L.)
| | - Anne Marie Nkoma
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné BP.242, Gabon; (G.N.O.); (S.M.); (R.B.); (A.M.N.); (M.J.V.M.M.); (A.M.); (M.D.A.); (R.B.M.); (A.A.A.); (B.L.)
| | - Marien Juliet Veraldy Magossou Mbadinga
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné BP.242, Gabon; (G.N.O.); (S.M.); (R.B.); (A.M.N.); (M.J.V.M.M.); (A.M.); (M.D.A.); (R.B.M.); (A.A.A.); (B.L.)
| | - Ayong More
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné BP.242, Gabon; (G.N.O.); (S.M.); (R.B.); (A.M.N.); (M.J.V.M.M.); (A.M.); (M.D.A.); (R.B.M.); (A.A.A.); (B.L.)
| | - Maradona Daouda Agbanrin
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné BP.242, Gabon; (G.N.O.); (S.M.); (R.B.); (A.M.N.); (M.J.V.M.M.); (A.M.); (M.D.A.); (R.B.M.); (A.A.A.); (B.L.)
| | - Christelle M. Pemba
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, National Research Center for the Control and Prevention of Infectious Diseases (CCPID), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan;
| | - Romuald Beh Mba
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné BP.242, Gabon; (G.N.O.); (S.M.); (R.B.); (A.M.N.); (M.J.V.M.M.); (A.M.); (M.D.A.); (R.B.M.); (A.A.A.); (B.L.)
| | - Adegnika Ayola Akim
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné BP.242, Gabon; (G.N.O.); (S.M.); (R.B.); (A.M.N.); (M.J.V.M.M.); (A.M.); (M.D.A.); (R.B.M.); (A.A.A.); (B.L.)
| | - Bertrand Lell
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné BP.242, Gabon; (G.N.O.); (S.M.); (R.B.); (A.M.N.); (M.J.V.M.M.); (A.M.); (M.D.A.); (R.B.M.); (A.A.A.); (B.L.)
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jiro Yasuda
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan; (Y.U.); (H.A.)
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, National Research Center for the Control and Prevention of Infectious Diseases (CCPID), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
The first epidemiological and virological influenza surveillance in the Republic of Guinea revealed the predominance of influenza A/H3N2 and B Victoria viruses. Epidemiol Infect 2021; 149:e223. [PMID: 34579803 PMCID: PMC8569828 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268821001965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about respiratory viruses infection in Guinea. Influenza surveillance has not been implemented in Guinea mainly because of the paucity of laboratory infrastructure and capacity. This paper presents the first influenza surveillance data in Guinea.Swabs were obtained from August 2018 through December 2019 at influenza sentinel sites and transported to the Institut National de Santé Publique for testing. Ribonucleic acid was extracted and tested for the presence of influenza A and B by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Positive samples were further characterised to determine the subtypes and lineages of influenza viruses.A total of 862 swabs were collected and tested. Twenty-three per cent of samples tested positive for influenza A and B viruses. Characterisation of positive specimens identified influenza A/H1N1pmd09 (2.5%), influenza A/H3N2 (57.3%), influenza B/Victoria lineage (36.7%) and 7 (3.5%) influenza B with undetermined lineage. Influenza B virus activity clustered in August through November while influenza A/H3N2 displayed two clusters of activities that appeared in May through August and November through December.For the first time in Guinea, the epidemiology, diversity and period of circulation of influenza viruses were studied. The results indicate the predominance and the periods of activities of influenza B Victoria lineage and influenza A/H3N2 which are important information for preventive strategies. It is warranted to extend the influenza surveillance to other parts of Guinea to better understand the epidemiology of the viruses and monitor the emergence of influenza strains with pandemic potential.
Collapse
|
3
|
Komoyo GF, Yambiyo BM, Manirakiza A, Gody JC, Muller CP, Hübschen JM, Nakoune E, Snoeck CJ. Epidemiology and genetic characterization of respiratory syncytial virus in children with acute respiratory infections: Findings from the influenza sentinel surveillance network in Central African Republic, 2015 to 2018. Health Sci Rep 2021; 4:e298. [PMID: 34013070 PMCID: PMC8112815 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the main viral pathogens causing acute respiratory infections in children under 5 years of age but has seldom been studied in Central African Republic (CAF). Taking advantage of the national influenza surveillance network in CAF, this study aimed at providing the first insights into RSV prevalence and seasonality over 4 years of surveillance and the clinical manifestations of RSV in this population in CAF. METHODS A total of 3903 children under 5 years matching the influenza-like illness (ILI, 68.5%) or severe acute respiratory infection (SARI, 31.5%) case definitions were recruited from January 2015 to December 2018. The presence of RSV viral RNA in nasopharyngeal samples was assessed by RT-PCR, followed by RSV-A and RSV-B typing and Sanger sequencing on a subset of samples. Phylogenetic analyses were carried on partial G protein sequences. Associations between RSV and demographic or clinical manifestations were investigated by statistical analyses. RESULTS RSV prevalence was significantly higher in infants <6 months (13.4%), in hospitalized children (13.3% vs 5.5%) and in male patients (9.5% vs 6.4%). An overall prevalence of RSV of 8.0% in the period of 2015 to 2018 was shown, with significant annual (6.4%-10.6%) and seasonal (12.7% in rainy season vs 3.0% in dry season) fluctuations. While RSV seasons in 2015, 2016, and 2018 were relatively similar, 2017 showed deviations from the overall patterns with significantly higher RSV circulation and an outbreak peak 3 to 5 months earlier. Concomitant circulation of RSV-A and RSV-B with an alternating predominance of RSV-A and RSV-B strains and temporal RSV-A genotype replacement from NA1 to ON1 was observed. CONCLUSION This study represents the first in-depth epidemiological analysis of RSV in CAF and provides first insights into RSV genetic diversity and seasonality in the country.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giscard F. Komoyo
- Laboratoire des arbovirus, des fièvres hémorragiques virales, des virus émergents et des zoonosesInstitut Pasteur de BanguiBanguiCentral African Republic
- Ecole Doctorale d'Infectiologie Tropicale de Franceville, GabonFrancevilleGabon
| | - Brice M. Yambiyo
- Service d'épidémiologieInstitut Pasteur de BanguiBanguiCentral African Republic
| | | | - Jean C. Gody
- Complexe pédiatrique de BanguiCentre National Hospitalier Universitaire de BanguiBanguiCentral African Republic
| | - Claude P. Muller
- Clinical and Applied Virology group, Department of Infection and ImmunityLuxembourg Institute of HealthEsch‐sur‐AlzetteLuxembourg
| | - Judith M. Hübschen
- Clinical and Applied Virology group, Department of Infection and ImmunityLuxembourg Institute of HealthEsch‐sur‐AlzetteLuxembourg
| | - Emmanuel Nakoune
- Laboratoire des arbovirus, des fièvres hémorragiques virales, des virus émergents et des zoonosesInstitut Pasteur de BanguiBanguiCentral African Republic
| | - Chantal J. Snoeck
- Clinical and Applied Virology group, Department of Infection and ImmunityLuxembourg Institute of HealthEsch‐sur‐AlzetteLuxembourg
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lagare A, Rajatonirina S, Testa J, Mamadou S. The epidemiology of seasonal influenza after the 2009 influenza pandemic in Africa: a systematic review. Afr Health Sci 2020; 20:1514-1536. [PMID: 34394213 PMCID: PMC8351825 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v20i4.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Influenza infection is a serious public health problem that causes an estimated 3 to 5 million cases and 250,000 deaths worldwide every year. The epidemiology of influenza is well-documented in high- and middle-income countries, however minimal effort had been made to understand the epidemiology, burden and seasonality of influenza in Africa. This study aims to assess the state of knowledge of seasonal influenza epidemiology in Africa and identify potential data gaps for policy formulation following the 2009 pandemic. Method We reviewed articles from Africa published into four databases namely: MEDLINE (PubMed), Google Scholar, Cochrane Library and Scientific Research Publishing from 2010 to 2019. Results We screened titles and abstracts of 2070 studies of which 311 were selected for full content evaluation and 199 studies were considered. Selected articles varied substantially on the basis of the topics they addressed covering the field of influenza surveillance (n=80); influenza risk factors and co-morbidities (n=15); influenza burden (n=37); influenza vaccination (n=40); influenza and other respiratory pathogens (n=22) and influenza diagnosis (n=5). Conclusion Significant progress has been made since the last pandemic in understanding the influenza epidemiology in Africa. However, efforts still remain for most countries to have sufficient data to allow countries to prioritize strategies for influenza prevention and control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adamou Lagare
- Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire (CERMES), Niamey, Niger
| | | | - Jean Testa
- Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire (CERMES), Niamey, Niger
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Falciparum Malaria in Febrile Patients at Sentinel Sites for Influenza Surveillance in the Central African Republic from 2015 to 2018. Interdiscip Perspect Infect Dis 2020; 2020:3938541. [PMID: 32802053 PMCID: PMC7403902 DOI: 10.1155/2020/3938541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a major public health issue in the Central African Republic (CAR) despite massive scale-up of malaria interventions. However, no information is available on the incidence of malaria in febrile illness cases or on the distribution of malaria infection according to demographic characteristics, which are important indicators and valuable epidemiological surveillance tools. This study therefore aimed to characterize malaria in the network of sentinel sites set up for influenza surveillance. A retrospective analysis was conducted to explore the data from these sentinel sites from 2015 to 2018. The Paracheck-Pf® rapid diagnosis test kit was used to screen for malaria in febrile illness cases. A total of 3609 malaria cases were identified in 5397 febrile patients, giving an incidence rate of 66.8%. The age group of 1–4 years was the most affected by malaria (76.0%). Moreover, prevalence varied across different sentinel sites, with the Bossembele Health Center, located in a rural area, showing an incidence of 96%, the Saint Joseph Health Center in a semiurban area of Bangui showing an incidence of 75%, and the Bangui Pediatric Complex in an urban site with an incidence of only 44.6%. Malaria transmission was holoendemic over the four-year study period, and malaria incidence decreased from 2016 to 2018. The incidence of malaria coinfection with influenza was 6.8%. This study demonstrated clear microspatial heterogeneity of malaria. Malaria was consistently the most frequent cause of febrile illness. Including sites in different climate zones in the CAR will allow for a more representative study.
Collapse
|
6
|
Njouom R, Monamele CG, Munshili Njifon HL, Kenmoe S, Ripa Njankouo M. Circulation of influenza virus from 2009 to 2018 in Cameroon: 10 years of surveillance data. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0225793. [PMID: 31794579 PMCID: PMC6890244 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the recent emergence of several subtypes of influenza viruses with pandemic potentials, there has been growing interest on the control of this infection worldwide. This study aimed to describe the 10 years of influenza activity in Cameroon between January 2009 and December 2018. Respiratory samples were collected from sentinel sites responsible for influenza surveillance in Cameroon and analyzed for the presence of influenza. Globally, 9 of the 10 administrative regions of the country were represented with at least 1 year of data. A total of 11816 respiratory samples were collected and influenza virus detection rate was 24.0%. The most represented age group was the 0-1 years representing more than 40% of the collected samples and possessing the lowest proportion of influenza cases (16.2%). Meanwhile higher proportions of influenza positive cases was found in the 2-4, 5-14 and 15-49 years age group at ≥29%. Among outpatients, the frequency of influenza virus was 24.8% while in hospitalized patients, 18.7% of samples were positive for influenza virus. We noted year-round circulation of influenza virus in Cameroon with 2 peaks in activity: a major peak in the months of September to December and a minor peak in the months of March to July. Antigenic characterization of influenza isolates showed 37.5% (6/16) vaccine match between the predominant Cameroon strains and the Northern hemisphere vaccine strains with majority of vaccine match observed in influenza B/Victoria subtype (4/6; 66.7%). Data collected from this surveillance system is essential to add to global information on the spread of influenza.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard Njouom
- Virology department, Centre Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- * E-mail:
| | | | | | - Sebastien Kenmoe
- Virology department, Centre Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | | | | |
Collapse
|