Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a leading cause of liver disease worldwide. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) could be an ideal tool for a large-scale HBV screening in settings with high endemicity but limited infrastructure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnosis performance of such RDTs for screening HBV infection in Ivory Coast. Methods. From September 2018 to January 2019, a cross-sectional phase I evaluation study of RDTs was conducted in three laboratories of Abidjan (CeDReS, CNTS and IPCI), on a panel of 405 whole blood samples and 699 plasmas. Four HBsAg RDTs (Determine™ HBsAg, SD Bioline HBsAg WB®, Standard Q HBsAg® and Vikia HBsAg®) were evaluated. The diagnostic performance (sensitivity and specificity) was calculated in comparison to the reference sequential algorithms of two EIA tests (Dia.Pro HBsAg® one version ULTRA and Monolisa™ HBsAg ULTRA). Results. The Determine™ HBsAg and Vikia HBsAg® tests performed well, with 100% of sensitivity, specificity both on plasma and on whole blood. For SD Bioline HBsAg WB® and Standard Q HBsAg®, the specificities were 99.8% and the sensitivities 99.3% and 97.1% respectively. Finally, there were a total of 19 false negative results: 3 with SD Bioline HBsAg WB® and 16 with Standard Q HBsAg®. Conclusion. Determine HBsAg® from Alere and Vikia HBsAg® from Biomérieux are the most suitable RDTs for screening for HBV in Ivory Coast. A phase II evaluation must be initiated.

Background In West Africa where HIV-1 and HIV-2 co-circulate, the co-infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) is not well described. This study aimed at estimating the prevalence of HBV and HBV/HDV co-infection according to HIV types and risk factors for HBV infection among West African HIV-infected patients. Method A cross-sectional survey was conducted within the IeDEA West Africa cohort from March to December 2012 in Côte d’Ivoire (three sites), Burkina Faso and Mali (one site each). All HIV-infected adult patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) or not who attended one of the participating HIV clinics during the study period and agreed to participate were included. Blood samples were collected and re-tested for HIV type discrimination, HBV and HDV serology as well as HBV viral load. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for HBV infection. Results A total of 791 patients were included: 192 HIV-1, 447 HIV-2 and 152 HIV-1&2 dually reactive. At time of sampling, 555 (70.2%) were on ART and median CD4+ cell count was 472/mm 3 (inter-quartile range [IQR]: IQR: 294–644). Sixty-seven (8.5%, 95% CI 6.6–10.6) patients were HBsAg positive without any difference according to HIV type (7.9% in HIV-1, 7.2% in HIV-1&2 dually reactive and 9.4% in HIV-2; p  = 0.61). In multivariate logistic analysis, age ≤ 30 years old (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 5.00, 95% CI 1.96–12.76), age between 31 and 49 years old (aOR 1.78, 95% CI 1.00–2.21) and male gender (aOR 2.15, 95% CI 1.25–3.69) were associated with HBsAg positivity. HBV DNA testing was performed in 36 patients with blood sample available (25 on ART) and 8 (22.2%) had detectable HBV DNA. Among the HBsAg-positive individuals, 14.9% (95% CI 7.4–25.7) were also positive for anti-HDV antibody without any difference according to HIV type (28.6% in HIV-1, 14.3% in HIV-2 and 0.0% in HIV-1&2 dually reactive; p  = 0.15). Conclusion HBV and HBV/HDV co-infection are common in West Africa, irrespective of HIV type. Therefore, screening for both viruses should be systematically performed to allow a better management of HIV-infected patients. Follow-up studies are necessary to determine the impact of these two viruses on HIV infection.

To assess the performance of QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) test for active tuberculosis (TB) in HIV adults, and its variation over time in patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and/or isoniazide preventive therapy (IPT). Transversal study and cohort nested in the Temprano ANRS 12136 randomized controlled trial assessing benefits of initiating ART earlier than currently recommended by World Health Organization, with or without a 6-month IPT. Performance of QFT-GIT for detecting active TB at baseline in the first 50% participants, and 12-month incidence of conversion/reversion in the first 25% participants were assessed. QFT-GIT threshold for positivity was 0.35 IU/ml. Among the 975 first participants (median baseline CD4 count 383/mm3, positive QFT-GIT test 35%), 2.7% had active TB at baseline. QFT-GIT sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for active TB were 88.0%, 66.6%, 6.5% and 99.5%. For the 444 patients with a second test at 12 months, rates for conversion and reversion were 9.3% and 14%. Reversion was more frequent in patients without ART and younger patients. IPT and early ART were not associated with reversion/conversion. A negative QFT-GIT could rule out active TB in HIV-infected adults not severely immunosuppressed, thus avoiding repeated TB testing and accelerating diagnosis and care for other diseases. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00495651.

In this study, early treatment of HIV infection with antiretroviral therapy decreased traditionally HIV-associated and non–HIV-associated complications (at CD4+ counts <800 cells per cubic millimeter), and early isoniazid prophylaxis prevented active tuberculosis. The recommended CD4+ count threshold for starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) in asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected adults in lower-resource countries was increased from 200 cells per cubic millimeter in 2006 to 500 cells per cubic millimeter in 2013. 1 , 2 This change was supported by the results of two randomized, controlled trials. 3 , 4 Meanwhile, three types of arguments have emerged to support even earlier initiation of ART. First, there is increasing documentation of inflammation in people with uncontrolled viral replication and of non–acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)–defining noninfectious diseases as causes of death in HIV-infected persons 5 , 6 (with AIDS-defining diseases identified as . . .

Objective To assess the performance of QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) test for active tuberculosis (TB) in HIV adults, and its variation over time in patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and/or isoniazide preventive therapy (IPT). Methods Transversal study and cohort nested in the Temprano ANRS 12136 randomized controlled trial assessing benefits of initiating ART earlier than currently recommended by World Health Organization, with or without a 6-month IPT. Performance of QFT-GIT for detecting active TB at baseline in the first 50% participants, and 12-month incidence of conversion/reversion in the first 25% participants were assessed. QFT-GIT threshold for positivity was 0.35 IU/ml. Results Among the 975 first participants (median baseline CD4 count 383/mm3, positive QFT-GIT test 35%), 2.7% had active TB at baseline. QFT-GIT sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for active TB were 88.0%, 66.6%, 6.5% and 99.5%. For the 444 patients with a second test at 12 months, rates for conversion and reversion were 9.3% and 14%. Reversion was more frequent in patients without ART and younger patients. IPT and early ART were not associated with reversion/conversion. Conclusion A negative QFT-GIT could rule out active TB in HIV-infected adults not severely immunosuppressed, thus avoiding repeated TB testing and accelerating diagnosis and care for other diseases. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00495651.

Background Insecticide resistance in malaria vectors is an increasing threat to vector control tools currently deployed in endemic countries. Resistance management must be an integral part of National Malaria Control Programmes’ (NMCPs) next strategic plans to alleviate the risk of control failure. This obviously will require a clear database on insecticide resistance to support the development of such a plan. The present work gathers original data on insecticide resistance between 2009 and 2015 across Côte d’Ivoire in West Africa. Methods Two approaches were adopted to build or update the resistance data in the country. Resistance monitoring was conducted between 2013 and 2015 in 35 sentinel sites across the country using the WHO standard procedure of susceptibility test on adult mosquitoes. Four insecticide families (pyrethroids, organochlorides, carbamates and organophosphates) were tested. In addition to this survey, we also reviewed the literature to assemble existing data on resistance between 2009 and 2015. Results High resistance levels to pyrethroids, organochlorides and carbamates were widespread in all study sites whereas some Anopheles populations remained susceptible to organophosphates. Three resistance mechanisms were identified, involving high allelic frequencies of kdr L1014F mutation (range = 0.46–1), relatively low frequencies of ace-1 R (below 0.5) and elevated activity of insecticide detoxifying enzymes, mainly mixed function oxidases (MFO), esterase and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in almost all study sites. Conclusion This detailed map of resistance highlights the urgent need to develop new vector control tools to complement current long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) although it is yet unclear whether these resistance mechanisms will impact malaria transmission control. Researchers, industry, WHO and stakeholders must urgently join forces to develop alternative tools. By then, NMCPs must strive to develop effective tactics or plans to manage resistance keeping in mind country-specific context and feasibility.

Background : The widespread insecticide resistance in malaria vector populations is a serious threat to the efficacy of vector control tools. As a result, the World Health Organization (WHO) supports the development of alternative tools that combine several insecticides with the aim of improving vector control and the management of insecticide resistance. In the present study, a long-lasting insecticidal net treated with a mixture of chlorfenapyr and alphacypermethrin was evaluated against wild pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles gambiae s.s in M’bé, Côte d’Ivoire. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) bottle tests were carried out with resistant An. gambiae s.s. of M’bé and the susceptible strain, to assess the resistance level to chlorfenapyr and alphacypermethrin. Results : CDC bottle bioassays revealed a high level of resistance of An. gambiae s.s. population from M’bé to alphacypermethrin, whereas they revealed low resistance to chlorfenapyr. In experimental huts, Interceptor ® G2 that was unwashed or washed 20 times killed 87% and 82% of An. gambiae s.s. , respectively, whereas Interceptor ® LN that was either unwashed or washed 20 times killed only about 10% of the mosquitoes. The blood-feeding inhibition induced by Interceptor ® was not significantly different compared to untreated nets, whereas Interceptor ® G2 that was unwashed or washed 20 times induced 42% and 34% inhibition of blood-feeding, respectively. Conclusion : Interceptor ® G2 met the WHOPES criteria to undergo a phase III study. Investigation of its efficacy at a community level and the conduct of randomized controlled trials dealing with epidemiological outputs are warranted in order to study the potential of Interceptor ® G2 to better protect communities. Introduction  : La résistance aux insecticides, répandue dans les populations de vecteurs du paludisme, est considérée comme une grave menace pour l’efficacité des outils de lutte antivectorielle. Par conséquent, l’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé encourage le développement de nouveaux outils avec des combinaisons insecticides pour améliorer la lutte antivectorielle et gérer la résistance aux insecticides. Dans la présente étude, une moustiquaire à longue durée d’action (MILDA), imprégnée avec un mélange de chlorfénapyr et alpha-cyperméthrine a été évaluée contre la population naturelle d’ Anopheles gambiae de M’bé, Côte d’Ivoire. Des tests en bouteilles CDC ont été réalisés avec la population résistante d’ An. gambiae s.s. de M’bé et la souche sensible pour déterminer le niveau de résistance au chlorfénapyr et à l’alpha-cyperméthrine. Résultats  : tests en bouteilles CDC ont montré un niveau élevé de résistance de la population naturelle d’ An. gambiae de M’bé à l’alphacyperméthrine mais plus faible au chlorfénapyr. En cases expérimentales, Interceptor ® G2 non lavée et lavée 20 fois a tué respectivement 87 % et 82 % d’ An. gambiae s.s. tandis qu’Interceptor ® non lavée et lavée 20 fois n’a tué seulement qu’environ 10 % des moustiques. L’inhibition du taux de gorgement induite par Interceptor ® n’a pas été significativement différente de celle de la moustiquaire non traité alors qu’Interceptor ® G2 non lavée et lavée 20 fois a induit respectivement 42 % et 34 % d’inhibition de gorgement. Conclusion  : Interceptor ® G2 répond aux critères du WHOPES pour une étude en phase III. L’étude de son efficacité au niveau communautaire et des essais randomisés contrôlés traitant des données épidémiologiques sont nécessaires afin d’étudier la capacité d’Interceptor ® G2 à mieux protéger les communautés.