Disease In sub-Saharan Africa Research Articles

Impact of sickle cell disease on presentation and progression of paediatric HIV: a retrospective cohort study.

HIV and sickle cell disease (SCD) are significant causes of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Given their separate roles in immune dysregulation, our objective was to characterise the impact that SCD has on the presentation and progression of paediatric HIV. The study was a retrospective cohort study (study period 2004-2018). Cases of HIV+and SCD-afflicted patients (HIV+/SCD+) were obtained via electronic chart review from a paediatric HIV clinic in Kampala, Uganda and matched 1:3 with HIV+controls without SCD (HIV+/SCD-). Thirty-five HIV+/SCD+subjects and 95 HIV+/SCD- controls were analysed (39% female (51/130), age 3.6years (SD3.9)). At baseline, WHO clinical stage (64% total cohort Stage III/IV) and nutritional status (9.4% severe acute malnutrition) were similar for both groups, whereas HIV+/SCD+had higher though non-significant baseline CD4 count (1036 (SD713) vs 849 (SD638) cells/microlitre, P=0.20, two-tailed t-test). There were 19 deaths, 6 (17%) HIV+/SCD+and 13 (14%) HIV+/SCD-, with unadjusted/adjusted models showing no significant difference. Nutritional progression and clinical stage progression showed no significant differences between groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a slower rate of treatment failures in the HIV+/SCD+cohort (P=0.11, log-rank survival test). Trajectory analysis showed that in the time period analysed, the HIV+/SCD+cohort showed a more rapid rise and higher total CD4 count (P=0.012, regression analysis). The study suggests that SCD does not adversely affect the progression of HIV in patients on ART. Further, HIV+/SCD+achieved higher CD4 counts and fewer HIV treatment failures, suggesting physiological effects due to SCD might mitigate HIV progression.

Contemporary outcomes of aortic and mitral valve surgery for rheumatic heart disease in sub-Saharan Africa

ObjectivesRheumatic heart disease is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. There is a paucity of data on the outcomes of valvular surgery for rheumatic heart disease in the developing world. The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of aortic and mitral valve surgery for rheumatic heart disease in Ethiopia. MethodsBetween 2009 and 2017, 240 consecutive patients with rheumatic heart disease underwent aortic and/or mitral surgery at the Cardiac Center of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa. These surgeries were performed in the context of 22 international humanitarian missions. Median follow-up was 2.3 (interquartile range, 0.5-4.0) years and 96% complete. Outcomes were compared between patients who underwent mechanical valve implantation (n = 90, 38%), bioprosthetic valve implantation (n = 58, 24%), and valve repair (n = 92, 38%). ResultsMean age of patients was 19 ± 8 years, and 136 patients (57%) were female. Operative mortality occurred in 5 patients (2.1%) and was not significantly different between the groups. Eleven additional patients (5%) died at follow-up, and 55 patients (23%) had at least 1 major adverse valve-related event. Propensity score–adjusted Cox regression analysis demonstrated higher rates of death in the bioprosthetic group compared with the mechanical group (hazard ratio, 8.82; 95% confidence interval, 1.64-47.39; P = .011). Survival was not significantly different between the repair and mechanical groups (hazard ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 0.17-7.16; P = .93). Likewise, rates of major adverse valve-related event were higher in the bioprosthetic group compared with the mechanical group (hazard ratio, 2.71; 995% confidence interval, 1.13-6.49; P = .025), but not significantly different between the repair and mechanical groups (hazard ratio, 1.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.89-4.39; P = .092). ConclusionsLeft-sided valve surgery for rheumatic heart disease in sub-Saharan Africa is associated with acceptable perioperative outcomes, but a high incidence of major adverse valve-related event at follow-up. The use of bioprosthetic valves is associated with poor outcomes in this patient population.

Increased pathogenicity of pneumococcal serotype 1 is driven by rapid autolysis and release of pneumolysin

Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 1 is the predominant cause of invasive pneumococcal disease in sub-Saharan Africa, but the mechanism behind its increased invasiveness is not well understood. Here, we use mouse models of lung infection to identify virulence factors associated with severe bacteraemic pneumonia during serotype-1 (ST217) infection. We use BALB/c mice, which are highly resistant to pneumococcal pneumonia when infected with other serotypes. However, we observe 100% mortality and high levels of bacteraemia within 24 hours when BALB/c mice are intranasally infected with ST217. Serotype 1 produces large quantities of pneumolysin, which is rapidly released due to high levels of bacterial autolysis. This leads to substantial levels of cellular cytotoxicity and breakdown of tight junctions between cells, allowing a route for rapid bacterial dissemination from the respiratory tract into the blood. Thus, our results offer an explanation for the increased invasiveness of serotype 1.

Digital platforms and non-communicable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa

Digital platforms and non-communicable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa

Profile, Visual Presentation and Burden of Retinal Diseases Seen in Ophthalmic Clinics in Sub-Saharan Africa.

PurposeTo determine the burden of retinal diseases and the degree of visual impairment associated with each disease, amongst Nigerians.Patients and MethodsThis was a hospital-based multicenter, prospective, cross-sectional, non-comparative study conducted from January to December 2018. Data was obtained from consecutive patients with a retinal diagnosis presenting at the general ophthalmic and specialty retina clinics in four hospitals (three public, and one private teaching eye department) in Nigeria. Biodata, visual acuity and refraction, intraocular pressure, findings on dilated retinal examination, diagnosis and systemic diseases were noted. Degree of monocular and bilateral visual loss associated with each diagnosed retinal disease was summarized and p value was calculated using chi-square test. P < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsEight hundred seventy-six of 8614 patients had a retinal diagnosis; establishing a hospital-based retinal disease prevalence of 9.8%. Male:female ratio was 1.1:1. The mean age of study patients was 49.97 (standard deviation 17.64 years). Mean symptom duration was 21.63 months (standard deviation 41.94). The mean intraocular pressure was 13.87 mmHg. Forty-three different retinal diseases were diagnosed. The most common was retinal complications of diabetes, i.e., diabetic retinopathy (DR) alone, diabetic macular edema (DME) alone and a combination of DR and DME, which accounted for 13.7%, 5.6% and 9.3%, respectively (contributed 28.6% of the entire diagnosis). This was followed by retinal detachment (RD), in 219 eyes (15.4%), dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in 124 eyes (8.7%). Nearly half of the eyes were blind or severely visually impaired. Blindness occurred in 34.1% of eyes; severe visual impairment in 8.2% of eyes and 29.7% had normal vision. There were 469 patients who had systemic diseases. The common systemic diseases were hypertension in 169 patients (19.3% of the total number of patients), hypertension and diabetes in 156 patients (18%), and diabetes alone in 98 patients (11.1%). Sickle cell disease was present in 1.5%.ConclusionThere is need to invest in infrastructure, local training and development of systems for early detection and treatment of several retinal diseases in sub-Saharan Africa; DR and DME having the largest burden. Collaborative physician care and management of hypertension and diabetes could significantly reduce the burden of DR and DME.

Making primary healthcare responsive to non-communicable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa

Primary healthcare (PHC) meets the needs of people's health throughout their lives and empowers individuals and communities to oversee their own health. Most of the community-based activities currently undertaken in PHC in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) address child and maternal health. Non-communicable diseases are now major causes of morbidity and premature mortality in SSA. In this paper, I propose the formal integration of community-based, non-communicable disease prevention and early detection into PHC activities. I offer practical suggestions on how this can be achieved to ensure a continuum of care.

Contemporary Outcomes of Aortic and Mitral Valve Surgery for Rheumatic Heart Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa

Contemporary Outcomes of Aortic and Mitral Valve Surgery for Rheumatic Heart Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa

Cardiovascular Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa Compared to High-Income Countries: An Epidemiological Perspective.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the second common cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) accounting for about 35% of all deaths, after a composite of communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases. Despite prior perception of low NCDs mortality rates, current evidence suggests that SSA is now at the dawn of the epidemiological transition with contemporary double burden of disease from NCDs and communicable diseases. In SSA, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most frequent causes of NCDs deaths, responsible for approximately 13% of all deaths and 37% of all NCDs deaths. Although ischemic heart disease (IHD) has been identified as the leading cause of CVDs mortality in SSA followed by stroke and hypertensive heart disease from statistical models, real field data suggest IHD rates are still relatively low. The neglected endemic CVDs of SSA such as endomyocardial fibrosis and rheumatic heart disease as well as congenital heart diseases remain unconquered. While the underlying aetiology of heart failure among adults in high-income countries (HIC) is IHD, in SSA the leading causes are hypertensive heart disease, cardiomyopathy, rheumatic heart disease, and congenital heart diseases. Of concern is the tendency of CVDs to occur at younger ages in SSA populations, approximately two decades earlier compared to HIC. Obstacles hampering primary and secondary prevention of CVDs in SSA include insufficient health care systems and infrastructure, scarcity of cardiac professionals, skewed budget allocation and disproportionate prioritization away from NCDs, high cost of cardiac treatments and interventions coupled with rarity of health insurance systems. This review gives an overview of the descriptive epidemiology of CVDs in SSA, while contrasting with the HIC and highlighting impediments to their management and making recommendations.Highlights:– The burden of non-communicable diseases including cardiovascular diseases is rising in SSA.– Levels of hypertension diagnosis, treatment, and control are low at <40%, <35%, and 10–20%, respectively, and more than 40% of patients with diabetes are not aware of their diagnosis in SSA.– SSA has 23% of the world’s prevalent rheumatic heart disease cases.– The leading causes of heart failure in SSA are hypertensive heart disease, cardiomyopathy, and rheumatic heart disease, with ischemic heart disease accounting for <10% of cases compared to >50% in high-income countries.

How to estimate glomerular filtration rate in sub-Saharan Africa: design and methods of the African Research into Kidney Diseases (ARK) study

BackgroundChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide with disproportionate effects in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The optimal methods to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and therefore to determine the presence of CKD in SSA are uncertain. We plan to measure iohexol excretion to accurately determine GFR in Malawi, South Africa and Uganda. We will then assess the performance of existing equations to estimate GFR and determine whether a modified equation can better improve estimation of GFR in sub-Saharan Africa.MethodsThe African Research on Kidney Disease (ARK) study is a three-country study embedded within existing cohorts. We seek to enrol 3000 adults > 18 years based on baseline serum creatinine. Study procedures include questionnaires on socio-demographics and established risk factors for kidney disease along with anthropometry, body composition, blood pressure, blood chemistry and urine microscopy and albuminuria. We will measure GFR (mGFR) by plasma clearance of iohexol at 120, 180 and 240 min. We will compare eGFR determined by established equations with mGFR using Bland-Altman plots. We will use regression methods to estimate GFR and compare the newly derived model with existing equations.DiscussionThrough the ARK study, we aim to establish the optimal approach to estimate GFR in SSA. The study has the advantage of drawing participants from three countries, which will increase the applicability of the findings across the region. It is also embedded within established cohorts that have longitudinal information and serial measures that can be used to characterize kidney disease over a period of time. This will help to overcome the limitations of previous research, including small numbers, selected population sub-groups, and lack of data on proteinuria.The ARK collaboration provides an opportunity for close working partnerships across different centres, using standardized protocols and measurements, and shared bio-repositories. We plan to build on the collaboration for this study for future work on kidney disease in sub-Saharan Africa, and welcome additional partners from across the continent.

Prevalence of active epilepsy, lifetime epilepsy prevalence, and burden of epilepsy in Sub-Saharan Africa from meta-analysis of door-to-door population-based surveys

BackgroundThere is marked variation in the prevalence of epilepsy across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In order to accurately estimate the clinical and public health impacts of epilepsy in the region, robust and reliable epidemiological data are required for appropriate estimation of logistical, economical, and social impacts of epilepsy including policy formulation and intervention in the region. ObjectiveWe sought to evaluate the prevalence of active epilepsy (AE) and lifetime epilepsy prevalence in SSA using available data collected at community level. MethodsWe carefully searched online databases and identified the required articles using prespecified criteria. Random-effects model (REM) was used to estimate the active and lifetime prevalence from data generated from studies in SSA.. The burden of epilepsy, in terms of the number of people with the disease, was also obtained. Heterogeneity in the analysis was further explored using subgroup analysis and meta-regression techniques. ResultA total of 39 and 12 community-based door-to-door surveys addressing AE and lifetime epilepsy, respectively, from different countries of SSA met the inclusion criteria for the study. Random-effects model estimates of overall prevalence of epilepsy were 9 per 1000 persons (95% confidence interval (CI): 8.0–9.9 per 1000 persons) for AE and 16 per 1000 persons (95% CI: 12.3–19.7 per 1000 persons) for lifetime epilepsy. The prevalence was highest in the Central Africa subregion with 30.2 per 1000 persons (95% CI: 6.2 to 66.7 per 1000 persons). The prevalence of AE in the rural settlement was twice that of the urban settlements. About 9,596,551 (95% CI: 8,530,267–10,556,206) people with AE and 17,060,535 (95% CI: 13,115,286–21,005,784) people with lifetime epilepsy live in SSA. ConclusionThis study estimates the active (9/1000) and lifetime (16/1000) epilepsy with a remarkable burden of the disease in SSA. However, the prevalence, which is higher in the rural setting, varies within the subregion of SSA.

Evolving Indications for Lower Limb Amputations in South Africa Offer Opportunities for Health System Improvement.

Rapid urbanization and westernization have precipitated dramatic changes in the profile and prevalence of surgical diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. Disease of lifestyle is now common. We aimed to review our experience with lower-limb amputations at our surgical service in South Africa. A single-center retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was performed of all patients who underwent a lower limb amputation. Inferential and descriptive statistics were performed. Patient demographics, indication, type of amputation, and management were reviewed. The primary outcome was 30-day in-patient mortality rate. Over a 5-year period (2013-2018), 348 patients underwent lower limb amputations. The median age was 61.5years. 53.7% were diabetic and 56.3% were hypertensive. 53.2% had associated peripheral vascular disease and 8% preexisting cardiac disease. 30.7% smoked. Guillotine below-knee amputation was frequently performed (44.5% of amputations). 16.1% of these patients required a further operation. The in-hospital mortality rate was 8%. Underlying renal disease was an independent risk factor for mortality (p = 0.004). Currently, the most common indications for LLA in South Africa are diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. This reflects the changing pattern of disease in the country. There is a major problem with access to health care in rural areas in South Africa with significant delays in getting patients to tertiary units for evaluation by specialists. Foot care and prevention at a primary health care level is also lacking. Global improvements in the healthcare system are needed to improve LLA rates in South Africa.

Implications of COVID-19 for the management of chronic non-communicable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa: application of the chronic care model

About 41 million people die of chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs) each year, accounting for 71% of all global deaths. The high prevalence of CNCDs is particularly problematic for sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) since CNCDs are already a major cause of mortality in the sub-region. While the case fatality rate of COVID-19 is quite low, it is worth noting that people with underlying CNCDs constitute the majority of those who die from this virus. Underpinned by the chronic care model (CCM), we present a commentary on the implications of COVID-19 for the management of CNCDs in SSA. We realized that despite the World Health Organisation’s guidelines for countries to maintain essential services while putting necessary measures in place to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19, myriad of health systems and community-level factors militate against effective management of the CNCDs in SSA. This results in disruptions in management of the conditions as well as possible long-term effects such as the deterioration of the health status of CNCD patients and even deaths. Without immediate interventions to salvage the status quo, SSA countries may not be able to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 target of reducing by one-third, premature mortality from CNCDs by the year 2030. We recommend that financial constraints could be ameliorated through short- and long-term loan facilities from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to augment national efforts at strengthening health systems while combating COVID-19. We also recommend increased community engagement and public education by COVID-19 response teams to enhance community support for persons living with CNCDs and to reduce social stigmatization.

Artesunate antagonizes antiplasmodial activity of Vernonia amygdalina methanol leaf extract in murine model of malaria.

Context: Malaria is a life-threatening disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Vernonia amygdalina (VAM), a popular Nigeria vegetable is commonly consumed by patients on antimalarial therapy, as a means of curbing resistance posed by Plasmodium species to conventional antimalarial drugs. Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of Artemisinin Combination Based Therapy (ACT), ART/Amodiaquine (A/A) on the antimalarial efficacy of VAM leaf extract. Materials and Methods: Plasmodium berghi infected mice were randomized into six groups as follows; Group 1 (untreated control), group 2 (ART/VAM, 35.14/125 mg/kg), group 3 (ART, 35.14 mg/kg), group 4 (ART/A, 35.14/105 mg/kg), group 5 (VAM, 125 mg/kg) and group 6 (ART/VAM, 2.86/125 mg/kg). Administration lasted for three consecutive days and antiplasmodial activity was assessed using Rane’s curative test. Result: Parasitemia clearance of 98.8 and 52.83% were recorded for VAM (125 mg/kg) and ART (35.14 mg/kg) respectively. However, lower parasitemia clearance of 97.05 and 80.49% were produced by the combinations of VAM/ART (125/2.86 mg/kg) and VAM/ART (125 mg/kg/35.14 mg/kg) respectively when compared to that of VAM, 125 mg/kg. A/A, (35.14/105 mg/kg) produced a parasite clearance of 89.69%. Conclusion: ART produced dose dependent antagonism on the antimalarial efficacy of VAM. Combination of higher dose of ART and VAM should be discouraged, while the combination of low dose of ART and VAM could be encouraged for malaria patients.

Place of Exercise Echocardiography in Stable Coronary Artery Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Series in Senegal

Introduction: Exercise echocardiography is a non-invasive technique that occupies a special place for the detection of stable coronary disease. The main objective of this study was to report our experience and assess our practice in the diagnosis of stable coronaryartery disease. Methodology: We conducted a retrospective study, descriptive over a period of 34 months, from December 1, 2016 to September 30, 2019. All the patients received during the study period for stress echocardiography as part of a suspicion of stable coronary artery disease were included. A total of 100 examinations were completed during the study period. Results: Ninety (90) exams were studied. There were 56 men or a sex-ratio of 1.64. The mean age was of 57.3 ± 10 years. Hypertension (31 patients or 62%) was the most frequent risk factor. Typical chest pain was noticed in 45 patients (52.3%). The pre-test probability was intermediate in 77 patients (89.5%). Echocardiography at rest was normal in 86 patients (95.6%). A total of 62 tests were negative (69%) and 02 (2.2%) were non-contributory. Ten tests (10) of 26 electrical positive tests were associated with segmental kinetics disorders. In the 10 patients who had exercise kinetic disorders, 08 had coronary angiography. It was normal in 04 of them. The positive predictive value of exercise echography was 50% in our study. In a patient with a negative exercise echocardiography with a high clinical probability of coronary disease, the coronary angiography showed a two-vessel impairment with an intermediate lesion of Cx2 and an intermediate lesion of RCA2. It thus constitutes a false negative. Sensitivity was 80% in our study. We noticed an incident like non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. Conclusion: Exercise echocardiography is a safe and reliable examination for the diagnosis of stable coronary artery disease. A good selection of patients based on the clinical probability of coronary ischemia should improve our sensitivity. This is even more important in sub-Saharan Africa, where access to coronary angiography is limited.

Barriers and facilitators of research in Cameroon (Part I) - an e-survey of physicians

INTRODUCTION: High-quality health research is needed in Africa to find innovative solutions for health care challenges on the continent. However, research output remains low, and obstacles to research poorly understood. This study aimed to determine the facilitators and barriers to health research among Cameroonian physicians. METHODS: an e-survey was conducted among a convenience sample of Cameroonian physicians between May 23, 2020, to June 07, 2020. The Likert scale responses were coded and used to calculate a Preference Score (PS). The median and total PS were used to categorize and rank the barriers and facilitators. The Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were used with a threshold of significance of 0.05. Also, the Bonferroni test was used to correct the P-value (0.025). RESULTS: two hundred and ninety five physicians aged 29.2 ± 3.5 years responded to the survey. Most participants were male (56.3%), French speakers (75.9%), and general practitioners (56.6%). Respondents published 2.4 articles (95% CI: 1.5-3.2), and significant barriers to research included the lack of a research team (Kruskal-Wallis H=6.29, P=0.012) and difficulties to get an ethical clearance (Kruskal-Wallis H=5.57, P=0.018). Grant availability was an important determinant of research involvement (Kruskal-Wallis H=3.90, P=0.048). CONCLUSION: high-quality and context-appropriate research can help tackle the high burden of disease in sub-Saharan Africa. To increase research output among Cameroonian physicians, strategies should minimize the barriers and maximize the facilitators identified in this study.

Pattern of Heart Diseases in Gombe and Environs: A 5-Year Echocardiographic Review.

Background:Heart disease in the developing world is mainly due to nonischemic causes-hypertensive heart disease, valvular and myocardial damage from rheumatic fever, and heart muscle diseases caused by certain infectious agents, for example, cardiomyopathy from HIV infection. Peripartum cardiomyopathy is also a well-recognized cause of heart disease in developing countries. However, there is evidence of epidemiological transition toward the increasing prevalence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in Sub-Saharan Africa largely because of the increasing prevalence of traditional risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obesity, and cigarette smoking.Aim:The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of heart diseases among patients undergoing transthoracic echocardiographic evaluation between February 2012 and February 2017 at the Cardiology Unit of the Department of Medicine, Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, Gombe State.Materials and Methods:Echocardiographic data of patients from February 2012 to February 2017 were retrieved. A total of 2265 patient records were analyzed. All patients had standard resting transthoracic echocardiography including Doppler modalities where appropriate. Descriptive statistics were used in assessing the distribution of different heart diseases.Results:The age range of the 2265 patients was 14–89 years, with a mean age of 47.3 ± 20.1 years and a female preponderance (58%). The most common heart disease among these patients was hypertensive heart disease (41.8%) followed by cardiomyopathies (15.4%). Ischemic heart disease remains rare (0.7%) probably due to the investigative modality used in this study (resting transthoracic echocardiography).Conclusion:Hypertensive heart disease remains the most common heart disease among men and women in Gombe and its environs. Cardiomyopathies, although rare in certain regions of Nigeria, are quite common in Northeast Nigeria.

Descriptive analysis of men’s sexual behaviour in sub-Saharan Africa: Simplicity-parsimony approach

The interconnection between men’s sexual behaviour as a contributor to burden of reproductive and sexual health diseases in sub-Saharan Africa are often presented with complex and sophisticated statistical analyses with little or no comprehension among the affected population that are mostly with little or no statistical literacy and education. The study adopted simplicity-parsimony idea as amalgam of simplicity and parsimony theories in analysing the trends and patterns of men’s sexual behaviour in Ethiopia, Nigeria and Zambia, the three countries selected from Eastern, Western and Southern parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Demographic Health Survey male-recode datasets (2000–2014) were used. Simple descriptive statistical techniques at univariate and bivariate levels were conducted. The results highlighted that men’s sexual behaviour are not the same in these regions. The men median sexual debut is 18 (Nigeria and Ethiopia) but 16 in Zambia. The median age at first cohabitation differs: 22 in Zambia and Ethiopia but higher in Nigeria. From 2000/2004 to 2010/2014, cohabitation practice reduced in Ethiopia across all ages but increased among men aged 25–29 (Zambia: 14.7–15.0%, Nigeria: 13.3–13.9%). There were declined in union-turnover in Ethiopia (−8.8%), Nigeria (−11.4%) and Zambia (−9.3%) including condom use; but non-spousal sex increased. The study concludes that the increase in non-spousal sex, non-condom use could have implications for STIs/HIV spread and zero-AIDS deaths agenda in the region. The authors suggest that policy decision-takers focus on non-spousal sex, non-use of condom, and union-turnover as crucial factors in the fight against STIs/HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.

Prostate adenocarcinoma with unilateral testicular metastasis: Two cases with different presentations

Background: Most patients with prostate cancer present with advanced disease in sub-Saharan Africa. However, metastasis to the testis is rare.Findings: This report details the incidental detection of isolated unilateral metastasis to the testis and epididymis from the prostate on histopathologic analysis of the orchidectomy specimen in a 77-year-old man (case 1) and the finding of palpable unilateral testicular secondary from aggressive metastatic prostate cancer in a relatively younger man (47 years old) during clinical evaluation (case 2).Conclusion: The presentation of testicular metastasis from prostate cancer varies with the patient. A high index of suspicion in the phases of evaluation of these patients is required in order to prevent missed diagnosis. Keywords: Prostate cancer, testicular metastasis, orchidectomy.

Association of Impaired Kidney Function With Mortality in Rural Uganda: Results of a General Population Cohort Study

Background: The burden of kidney disease in sub-Saharan Africa is currently poorly understood. Very limited monitoring and treatment is available for people affected. The association with other diseases and with mortality is unknown in this setting. We sought to determine the association between kidney function and subsequent all-cause mortality. Methods: In a general population cohort with detailed measurement of health-related parameters in rural Uganda, we estimated the baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR) between 2011-2014 in 5,678 participants. We followed participants up to March 2019 with regular ascertainment of mortality and migration. Using multivariable cox regression, we determined associations between baseline eGFR and mortality. Findings: The median age of the participants at baseline was 36 years (IQR 24-50), 60·7% were female, 14·6% hypertensive, 9·7% HIV-positive and 1·8% diabetic. We registered 140 deaths with a median follow-up of 5·0 years. Adjusting for age and sex, HIV, hypertension, diabetes, BMI, marital status, and alcohol and tobacco use participants with eGFR ≤45 mls/min/1·73m2 had six-fold higher mortality compared to those with eGFR ≥90mls/min/1·73m2(HR 6·12 (95% CI 2·27-16·45)) with strong evidence of a linear trend for risk of mortality as renal function declined (P<0·001). Interpretation: In a prospective cohort with high rates of follow-up we found that baseline kidney function was associated with subsequently increased mortality in a graded manner. Improved understanding of the determinants of kidney disease and its progression are needed in order to inform interventions for prevention and treatment. Funding Statement: GSK NCD Open Lab Africa; MRC/DFID; Wellcome Trust Declaration of Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: All study participants gave written informed consent to participate in the study. The study was approved by Uganda Virus Research Institute Research and Ethics Committee (UVRI-REC-#HS 1978), the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST-#SS 4283) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Observational / Interventions Research Ethics Committee (LSHTM Ethics #21802)

Dengue virus serological markers among potential blood donors: an evidence of asymptomatic dengue virus transmission in Cameroon.

Introductionthe risk of dengue virus or its antibodies which can be transmitted through blood transfusion by asymptomatic individuals infected, has been a major concern all over the world. Dengue is an endemic disease in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Cameroon. The purpose of this study is to determine the frequency of dengue virus (DENV) infection among potential blood donors at Yaounde Jamot Hospital.Methodsserum samples were collected from 310 potential adult blood donors aged 18-57 years, who signed a written informed consent and completed the questionnaire between March 2019 and August 2019. This serum is used to screen for the presence of serological markers of DENV infection (NS1, IgM and IgG) using immunochromatographic tests (Zhuhai Encode Medical Engineering Co., Ltd, China). IgM/IgG positive samples were confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).Resultsthe overall prevalence was 24.8% among potential blood donors were subdivided as follows: 4.5% (14/310), 12.3% (38/310) and 6.1% (19/310) showed mono-positivity to DENV-NS1 antigen, anti-DENV IgM and anti-DENV IgG antibodies respectively. 1.9% (6/310) of potential blood donors showed dual positivity to anti-DENV IgM antibodies and anti-DENV IgG antibodies. The presence of DENV-NS1 antigen show asymptomatic viremia of dengue at the time of donation, while the presence of IgG antibodies reflects the high endemicity of dengue disease in the city of Yaoundé.Conclusionthese findings demonstrate the high level of risk of the DENV transmission among potential blood donors to needy recipients, underscoring the importance of establishing dengue fever blood screening in different services and blood collection units in Cameroon to improve safety transfusion and control the dissemination of the DENV.