Incidence of typhoid fever in Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Madagascar, and Nigeria (the Severe Typhoid in Africa programme): a population-based study

BACKGROUND

Typhoid Fever remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in low-income settings. The Severe Typhoid in Africa programme was designed to address regional gaps in typhoid burden data and identify populations eligible for interventions using novel typhoid conjugate vaccines.

METHODS

A hybrid design, hospital-based prospective surveillance with population-based health-care utilisation surveys, was implemented in six countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Patients presenting with fever (≥37·5°C axillary or ≥38·0°C tympanic) or reporting fever for three consecutive days within the previous 7 days were invited to participate. Typhoid fever was ascertained by culture of blood collected upon enrolment. Disease incidence at the population level was estimated using a Bayesian mixture model.

FINDINGS

27 866 (33·8%) of 82 491 participants who met inclusion criteria were recruited. Blood cultures were performed for 27 544 (98·8%) of enrolled participants. Clinically significant organisms were detected in 2136 (7·7%) of these cultures, and 346 (16·2%) Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi were isolated. The overall adjusted incidence per 100 000 person-years of observation was highest in Kavuaya and Nkandu 1, Democratic Republic of the Congo (315, 95% credible interval 254-390). Overall, 46 (16·4%) of 280 tested isolates showed ciprofloxacin non-susceptibility.

INTERPRETATION

High disease incidence (ie, >100 per 100 000 person-years of observation) recorded in four countries, the prevalence of typhoid hospitalisations and complicated disease, and the threat of resistant typhoid strains strengthen the need for rapid dispatch and implementation of effective typhoid conjugate vaccines along with measures designed to improve clean water, sanitation, and hygiene practices.

FUNDING

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Characterization of Typhoid Intestinal Perforation in Africa: Results From the Severe Typhoid Fever Surveillance in Africa Program

Background

Typhoid intestinal perforation (TIP) remains the most serious complication of typhoid fever. In many countries, the diagnosis of TIP relies on intraoperative identification, as blood culture and pathology capacity remain limited. As a result, many cases of TIP may not be reported as typhoid. This study demonstrates the burden of TIP in sites in Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Ghana, Madagascar, and Nigeria.

Methods

Patients with clinical suspicion of nontraumatic intestinal perforation were enrolled and demographic details, clinical findings, surgical records, blood cultures, tissue biopsies, and peritoneal fluid were collected. Participants were then classified as having confirmed TIP, probable TIP, possible TIP, or clinical intestinal perforation based on surgical descriptions and cultures.

Results

A total of 608 participants were investigated for nontraumatic intestinal perforation; 214 (35%) participants had surgically-confirmed TIP and 33 participants (5%) had culture-confirmed typhoid. The overall proportion of blood or surgical site Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Typhi positivity in surgically verified TIP cases was 10.3%. TIP was high in children aged 5-14 years in DRC, Ghana, and Nigeria. We provide evidence for correlation between monthly case counts of S. Typhi and the occurrence of intestinal perforation.

Conclusions

Low S. Typhi culture positivity rates, as well as a lack of blood and tissue culture capability in many regions where typhoid remains endemic, significantly underestimate the true burden of typhoid fever. The occurrence of TIP may indicate underlying typhoid burden, particularly in countries with limited culture capability.

Magnitude and Molecular Characterization of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase Genes among Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates in a Large Tertiary Hospital in Ethiopia

Background Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae is reported worldwide increasingly. However, studies on ESBLs are still scarce in Ethiopia. Therefore, the current study aimed to determine the magnitude and resistance patterns of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae as well as the frequency of ESBL-encoding genes.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2018 to February 2019 at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia among a total of 132 non-duplicate K. pneumoniae isolates. Phenotypic detection of ESBL production was done using Combined Disc Test. ESBL-encoding genes of bla_CTX-M, bla_TEM, and bla_SHV were detected through multiplex PCR.Results The magnitude of ESBL production was 102/132 (77.3%). ESBL positive isolates were 100% resistant to ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, and cefuroxime. Co-resistance of ESBL-positive isolates to other non β-lactam antimicrobials was high to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (96.1%) followed by tetracycline (75.5%) and gentamicin (73.5%). However, these isolates showed high susceptibility to amikacin (96.1%) and meropenem (89.2%). From the total ESBL-positive isolates, 82.6%, 73.5%, and 75% carried bla_CTX-M, bla_TEM, and bla_SHV genes, respectively. The majority 78/102 (76.5%) of ESBL-positive isolates harbored all three types of ESBL genes simultaneously.Conclusions The magnitude of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae isolates was very alarming in the study area. The co-occurrence of bla_CTX-M, bla_TEM, and bla_SHV genes is high, demanding large-scale studies to evaluate the presence of antimicrobial resistance super-clones. ESBL-producing isolates showed high resistance to most of the antimicrobials, needing phenotypic detection of ESBL regularly for better management of patients.

Infectious Disease Control and Management in Ethiopia: A Case Study of Cholera

Cholera remains a significant public health problem among the vulnerable populations living in many resource-limited settings with poor access to safe and clean water and hygiene practice. Around 2.86 million cholera cases and 95,000 deaths are estimated to occur in endemic countries. In Ethiopia, cholera has been one of the major epidemic diseases since 1634 when the first cholera outbreak was recorded in-country. Several cholera epidemics occurred with recent outbreaks in 2019–2021. Cholera has been often reported as acute watery diarrhea due to limited diagnostic capacity in remote areas in Ethiopia and sensitivities around cholera outbreaks. The government of Ethiopia has been executing several phases of multi-year health sector development plan in the past decades and has recently developed a national cholera control plan. Here, we aim to present the existing cholera control guidelines and health system in Ethiopia, including case detection and reporting, outbreak declaration, case management, and transmission control. Challenges and way forward on further research and public health interventions are also discussed to address the knowledge and health service gaps related to cholera control in Ethiopia.

Detection of blaKPC and blaNDM carbapenemase genes among Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Dominance of blaNDM

Background

Infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae have been difficult to control because of the worldwide emergence of carbapenem-resistant isolates mainly due to carbapenemase production. Information regarding carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae is still scarce in Ethiopia. Therefore, the current study aimed to determine the prevalence of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae and to assess the occurrence of bla_NDM and bla_KPC carbapenemase genes_.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2018 to February 2019 at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 132 non-duplicate K. pneumoniae isolates were studied. Phenotypic confirmation of carbapenemase production was done by modified Carbapenem Inactivation Method (mCIM). Multiplex PCR was performed for the detection of carbapenemase-encoding genes bla_KPC, and bla_NDM.

Results

Out of the total 132 K. pneumoniae isolates, 39 (29.6%) were non-susceptible to one or more carbapenems. The prevalence of carbapenemase-producing isolates from the total was 28 (21.2%) with mCIM of which the most dominant gene was bla_NDM 26 (92.9%) and one isolate carried bla_KPC concomitantly. Carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae isolates were 100% non-susceptible to half of the antimicrobials used in the study, including meropenem and ertapenem. Previous use of carbapenems was associated with carbapenemase production (P = 0.004).

Conclusions

The prevalence of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae isolates was worrying in the study area. To our knowledge, the study described the emergence of bla_NDM and bla_KPC gene carrying K. pneumoniae in Ethiopia for the first time. Further large-scale molecular-based studies, including other carbapenemase genes and sequencing of K. pneumoniae, are warranted to have a clear awareness about the presence of antimicrobial resistance high-risk clones in Ethiopia.

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase and Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae Isolates from Bloodstream Infection Suspected Patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background

Production of Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and Carbapenemase is the most common strategy for drug resistance in clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae. This study was conducted to determine the magnitude of ESBL and Carbapenemase production (CPE) among clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae causing bloodstream infections (BSI) in Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed from September 2018 to January 2019 in Ethiopia. A total of 2397 BSI suspected patients were enrolled and blood culture was performed using a BacT/Alert instrument in combination with conventional methods for identification. After antimicrobial susceptibility test, phenotypic confirmation of ESBLs was done by combined disc-diffusion. Meanwhile carbapenemase production was done by modified carbapenem inactivation method. Multiplex PCR was conducted to detect the presence of bla_CTX-M,bla_SHV,bla_TEM, bla_KPC and bla_NDM genes.

Results

A total of 104 (4.3%) Enterobacteriaceae were isolated from 2397 BSI suspected patients. Klebsiella pneumoniae (55/104, 52%) was the predominant isolate followed by E. coli, (19.2%, 20/104) and K.oxytoca (17.3%, 18/104). ESBL and carbapenemase production were observed from 70 (67.3%, 57.4 −76.2% at 95% CI) and 8 (7.7%, 3.4–14.6% at 95% CI) isolates respectively. The highest frequency of ESBL and carbapenemase production was observed in K. pneumoniae 78.2% (43/55) and 9.1% (5/55), respectively. All the 70 isolates confirmed as ESBL producers harbored at least one of the ESBL genes and the majority of them carried multiple beta-lactamase genes (84.3%), where bla_CTX-M, type was the most predominant (67.3%). Similarly, the entire eight isolates positive for carbapenemase carried bla_NDM but none of them carried bla_KPC.

Conclusion

In our study, the rate of ESBL production among BSI-causing Enterobacteriaceae was alarming and most of the isolates carried multiple types of ESBL genes. A significant magnitude of CPE isolates causing BSI was recorded.

The genomic epidemiology of multi-drug resistant invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella in selected sub-Saharan African countries

Background

Invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella (iNTS) is one of the leading causes of bacteraemia in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to provide a better understanding of the genetic characteristics and transmission patterns associated with multi-drug resistant (MDR) iNTS serovars across the continent.

Methods

A total of 166 iNTS isolates collected from a multi-centre surveillance in 10 African countries (2010–2014) and a fever study in Ghana (2007–2009) were genome sequenced to investigate the geographical distribution, antimicrobial genetic determinants and population structure of iNTS serotypes–genotypes. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted in the context of the existing genomic frameworks for various iNTS serovars. Population-based incidence of MDR-iNTS disease was estimated in each study site.

Results

Salmonella Typhimurium sequence-type (ST) 313 and Salmonella Enteritidis ST11 were predominant, and both exhibited high frequencies of MDR; Salmonella Dublin ST10 was identified in West Africa only. Mutations in the gyrA gene (fluoroquinolone resistance) were identified in S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium in Ghana; an ST313 isolate carrying bla_CTX-M-15 was found in Kenya. International transmission of MDR ST313 (lineage II) and MDR ST11 (West African clade) was observed between Ghana and neighbouring West African countries. The incidence of MDR-iNTS disease exceeded 100/100 000 person-years-of-observation in children aged <5 years in several West African countries.

Conclusions

We identified the circulation of multiple MDR iNTS serovar STs in the sampled sub-Saharan African countries. Investment in the development and deployment of iNTS vaccines coupled with intensified antimicrobial resistance surveillance are essential to limit the impact of these pathogens in Africa.

Multicountry Distribution and Characterization of Extended-spectrum β-Lactamase-associated Gram-negative Bacteria From Bloodstream Infections in Sub-Saharan Africa

Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health concern, yet, there are noticeable gaps in AMR surveillance data in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to measure the prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Gram-negative bacteria in bloodstream infections from 12 sentinel sites in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

Data were generated during the Typhoid Fever Surveillance in Africa Program (TSAP), in which standardized blood cultures were performed on febrile patients attending 12 health facilities in 9 sub-Saharan African countries between 2010 and 2014. Pathogenic bloodstream isolates were identified at the sites and then subsequently confirmed at a central reference laboratory. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, detection of ESBL production, and conventional multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for genes encoding for β-lactamase were performed on all pathogens.

Results

Five hundred and five pathogenic Gram-negative bloodstream isolates were isolated during the study period and available for further characterization. This included 423 Enterobacteriaceae. Phenotypically, 61 (12.1%) isolates exhibited ESBL activity, and genotypically, 47 (9.3%) yielded a PCR amplicon for at least one of the screened ESBL genes. Among specific Gram-negative isolates, 40 (45.5%) of 88 Klebsiella spp., 7 (5.7%) of 122 Escherichia coli, 6 (16.2%) of 37 Acinetobacter spp., and 2 (1.3%) of 159 of nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) showed phenotypic ESBL activity.

Conclusions

Our findings confirm the presence of ESBL production among pathogens causing bloodstream infections in sub-Saharan Africa. With few alternatives for managing ESBL-producing pathogens in the African setting, measures to control the development and proliferation of AMR organisms are urgently needed.

Acute Febrile Illness Among Children in Butajira, South-Central Ethiopia During the Typhoid Fever Surveillance in Africa Program

Background

Clearly differentiating causes of fever is challenging where diagnostic capacities are limited, resulting in poor patient management. We investigated acute febrile illness in children aged ≤15 years enrolled at healthcare facilities in Butajira, Ethiopia, during January 2012 to January 2014 for the Typhoid Fever Surveillance in Africa Program.

Methods

Blood culture, malaria microscopy, and blood analyses followed by microbiological, biochemical, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of isolates were performed. We applied a retrospectively developed scheme to classify children as malaria or acute respiratory, gastrointestinal or urinary tract infection, or other febrile infections and syndromes. Incidence rates per 100 000 population derived from the classification scheme and multivariate logistic regression to determine fever predictors were performed.

Results

We rarely observed stunting (4/513, 0.8%), underweight (1/513, 0.2%), wasting (1/513, 0.2%), and hospitalization (21/513, 4.1%) among 513 children with mild transient fever and a mean disease severity score of 12 (95% confidence interval [CI], 11–13). Blood cultures yielded 1.6% (8/513) growth of pathogenic agents; microscopy detected 13.5% (69/513) malaria with 20 611/µL blood (95% CI, 15 352–25 870) mean parasite density. Incidences were generally higher in children aged ≤5 years than >5 to ≤15 years; annual incidences in young children were 301.3 (95% CI, 269.2–337.2) for malaria and 1860.1 (95% CI, 1778.0–1946.0) for acute respiratory and 379.9 (95% CI, 343.6–420.0) for gastrointestinal tract infections.

Conclusions

We could not detect the etiological agents in all febrile children. Our findings may prompt further investigations and the reconsideration of policies and frameworks for the management of acute febrile illness.

Melioidosis in Africa: Time to Uncover the True Disease Load

Melioidosis is an often fatal infectious disease with a protean clinical spectrum, caused by the environmental bacterial pathogen Burkholderia pseudomallei. Although the disease has been reported from some African countries in the past, the present epidemiology of melioidosis in Africa is almost entirely unknown. Therefore, the common view that melioidosis is rare in Africa is not evidence-based. A recent study concludes that large parts of Africa are environmentally suitable for B. pseudomallei. Twenty-four African countries and three countries in the Middle East were predicted to be endemic, but no cases of melioidosis have been reported yet. In this study, we summarize the present fragmentary knowledge on human and animal melioidosis and environmental B. pseudomallei in Africa and the Middle East. We propose that systematic serological studies in man and animals together with environmental investigations on potential B. pseudomallei habitats are needed to identify risk areas for melioidosis. This information can subsequently be used to target raising clinical awareness and the implementation of simple laboratory algorithms for the isolation of B. pseudomallei from clinical specimens. B. pseudomallei was most likely transferred from Asia to the Americas via Africa, which is shown by phylogenetic analyses. More data on the virulence and genomic characteristics of African B. pseudomallei isolates will contribute to a better understanding of the global evolution of the pathogen and will also help to assess potential differences in disease prevalence and outcome.

Prevalence and phenotypic characterization of Enterococcus species isolated from clinical samples of pediatric patients in Jimma University Specialized Hospital, south west Ethiopia

OBJECTIVE

This study was done to determine the prevalence and phenotypic characterization of Enterococcus species isolated from clinical samples of pediatric patients in Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of Enterococci species was 5.5% (22/403). Five (22.7%) of Enterococci species were vancomycin resistant. Haemolysin, gelatinase and biofilm production was seen among 45.5, 68.2 and 77.3% of isolates respectively. The overall rate of antibiotic resistance was 95.5% (21/22). High resistance was observed against norfloxacin (87.5%), and tetracycline (77.3%). Whereas, low resistance (36.5%) was observed against ciprofloxacin and eighteen (80.8%) of the isolates were multi-drug resistant.

Bacterial etiologic agents causing neonatal sepsis and associated risk factors in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia

Background

Neonatal sepsis is a blood stream infection which is seen in the first month of life of the neonate. Bacterial profile of neonatal septicemia is constantly changing thus, current knowledge on the patterns of bacterial isolates, its antibiotic resistance profile, and associated factors, are essential to design and implement appropriate interventions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify bacterial etiologic agents, their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and associated risk factors of neonatal sepsis among neonates.

Methods

A cross- sectional study was conducted among neonates suspected to sepsis attending University of Gondar Hospital from September/2015 to May/2016. A total of 251 consecutive neonates with clinical sign and symptoms of sepsis were included in the study. Blood sample was collected and directly inoculated into Trypton soya broth bottle and incubated at 37 °C. After 24 h of incubation it was sub- cultured in to blood agar plate, chocolate agar plate, manitol salt agar and Macconkey. The bacterial pathogens and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were identified using standard microbiological methods. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify possible associated risk factors. Prior to the study ethical clearance was obtained from the School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, University of Gondar.

Results

Of the 251 study participants suspected of neonatal sepsis, 117 (46.6%) showed bacterial growths, of them 120 bacteria were isolated. Gram positive bacteria were commonly isolated 81 (67.5%).The commonly isolated bacterial species were S. aureus 49 (40.8%) followed by coagulase negative Staphylococci 26 (21.6%) and K. pneumoniae19 (15.8%). The overall rate of multidrug resistance isolates was 78 (65%: CI 95%: 56.7–72.5%). Multidrug resistant (MDR) among Gram positive and negative bacteria were 56 (69.1%) and 22 (56.4%), respectively. Independent risk factors for the occurrence of neonatal sepsis were; Apgar score < 7/5 min (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =0.5), birth weight < 1.5 kg (AOR = 12.37), birth weight, 1.5–2.5 kg (AOR = 2.6), gestational week <37 weeks (AOR = 9) and caesarian section delivery (AOR = 5.2).

Conclusion

The isolation rate of bacterial pathogens in neonatal sepsis was considerably high. In addition, nearly 70% of isolates were MDR strains. Low birth weight, low Apgar score, preterm delivery and caesarian section modes of delivery were associated risk factors. Therefore, appropriate antenatal care follow up, and health education should be encouraged, especially on the importance of natural way of delivery.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12887-017-0892-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Incidence of invasive salmonella disease in sub-Saharan Africa: a multicentre population-based surveillance study

BACKGROUND

Available incidence data for invasive salmonella disease in sub-Saharan Africa are scarce. Standardised, multicountry data are required to better understand the nature and burden of disease in Africa. We aimed to measure the adjusted incidence estimates of typhoid fever and invasive non-typhoidal salmonella (iNTS) disease in sub-Saharan Africa, and the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the causative agents.

METHODS

We established a systematic, standardised surveillance of blood culture-based febrile illness in 13 African sentinel sites with previous reports of typhoid fever: Burkina Faso (two sites), Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Madagascar (two sites), Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, and Tanzania (two sites). We used census data and health-care records to define study catchment areas and populations. Eligible participants were either inpatients or outpatients who resided within the catchment area and presented with tympanic (≥38·0°C) or axillary temperature (≥37·5°C). Inpatients with a reported history of fever for 72 h or longer were excluded. We also implemented a health-care utilisation survey in a sample of households randomly selected from each study area to investigate health-seeking behaviour in cases of self-reported fever lasting less than 3 days. Typhoid fever and iNTS disease incidences were corrected for health-care-seeking behaviour and recruitment.

FINDINGS

Between March 1, 2010, and Jan 31, 2014, 135 Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi (S Typhi) and 94 iNTS isolates were cultured from the blood of 13 431 febrile patients. Salmonella spp accounted for 33% or more of all bacterial pathogens at nine sites. The adjusted incidence rate (AIR) of S Typhi per 100 000 person-years of observation ranged from 0 (95% CI 0-0) in Sudan to 383 (274-535) at one site in Burkina Faso; the AIR of iNTS ranged from 0 in Sudan, Ethiopia, Madagascar (Isotry site), and South Africa to 237 (178-316) at the second site in Burkina Faso. The AIR of iNTS and typhoid fever in individuals younger than 15 years old was typically higher than in those aged 15 years or older. Multidrug-resistant S Typhi was isolated in Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania (both sites combined), and multidrug-resistant iNTS was isolated in Burkina Faso (both sites combined), Ghana, Kenya, and Guinea-Bissau.

INTERPRETATION

Typhoid fever and iNTS disease are major causes of invasive bacterial febrile illness in the sampled locations, most commonly affecting children in both low and high population density settings. The development of iNTS vaccines and the introduction of S Typhi conjugate vaccines should be considered for high-incidence settings, such as those identified in this study.

FUNDING

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Relationship Between Invasive Nontyphoidal Salmonella Disease, Other Bacterial Bloodstream Infections, and Malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa

BACKGROUND

Country-specific studies in Africa have indicated that Plasmodium falciparum is associated with invasive nontyphoidal Salmonella (iNTS) disease. We conducted a multicenter study in 13 sites in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Madagascar, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, and Tanzania to investigate the relationship between the occurrence of iNTS disease, other systemic bacterial infections, and malaria.

METHODS

Febrile patients received a blood culture and a malaria test. Isolated bacteria underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and the association between iNTS disease and malaria was assessed.

RESULTS

A positive correlation between frequency proportions of malaria and iNTS was observed (P = .01; r = 0.70). Areas with higher burden of malaria exhibited higher odds of iNTS disease compared to other bacterial infections (odds ratio [OR], 4.89; 95% CI, 1.61-14.90; P = .005) than areas with lower malaria burden. Malaria parasite positivity was associated with iNTS disease (OR, 2.44; P = .031) and gram-positive bacteremias, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, exhibited a high proportion of coinfection with Plasmodium malaria. Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Enteritidis were the predominant NTS serovars (53/73; 73%). Both moderate (OR, 6.05; P = .0001) and severe (OR, 14.62; P < .0001) anemia were associated with iNTS disease.

CONCLUSIONS

A positive correlation between iNTS disease and malaria endemicity, and the association between Plasmodium parasite positivity and iNTS disease across sub-Saharan Africa, indicates the necessity to consider iNTS as a major cause of febrile illness in malaria-holoendemic areas. Prevention of iNTS disease through iNTS vaccines for areas of high malaria endemicity, targeting high-risk groups for Plasmodium parasitic infection, should be considered.

Bloodstream Infections and Frequency of Pretreatment Associated With Age and Hospitalization Status in Sub-Saharan Africa

BACKGROUND

The clinical diagnosis of bacterial bloodstream infections (BSIs) in sub-Saharan Africa is routinely confused with malaria due to overlapping symptoms. The Typhoid Surveillance in Africa Program (TSAP) recruited febrile inpatients and outpatients of all ages using identical study procedures and enrollment criteria, thus providing an opportunity to assess disease etiology and pretreatment patterns among children and adults.

METHODS

Inpatients and outpatients of all ages with tympanic or axillary temperatures of ≥38.0 or ≥37.5°C, respectively, and inpatients only reporting fever within the previous 72 hours were eligible for recruitment. All recruited patients had one blood sample drawn and cultured for microorganisms. Data from 11 TSAP surveillance sites in nine different countries were used in the analysis. Bivariate analysis was used to compare frequencies of pretreatment and BSIs in febrile children (<15 years old) and adults (≥15 years old) in each country. Pooled Cochran Mantel-Haenszel odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for overall trends.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the odds of a culture-proven BSI between children and adults among inpatients or outpatients. Among both inpatients and outpatients, children had significantly higher odds of having a contaminated blood culture compared with adults. Using country-pooled data, child outpatients had 66% higher odds of having Salmonella Typhi in their bloodstream than adults (OR, 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-2.73). Overall, inpatient children had 59% higher odds of pretreatment with analgesics in comparison to inpatient adults (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.28-1.97).

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of patients with culture-proven BSIs in children compared with adults was similar across the TSAP study population; however, outpatient children were more likely to have Salmonella Typhi infections than outpatient adults. This finding points to the importance of including outpatient facilities in surveillance efforts, particularly for the surveillance of typhoid fever. Strategies to reduce contamination among pediatric blood cultures are needed across the continent to prevent the misdiagnosis of BSI cases in children.

Correction: A Seroepidemiological Study of Serogroup A Meningococcal Infection in the African Meningitis Belt

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147928.].

Utilization of Healthcare in the Typhoid Fever Surveillance in Africa Program

BACKGROUND

Assessing healthcare utilization is important to identify weaknesses of healthcare systems, to outline action points for preventive measures and interventions, and to more accurately estimate the disease burden in a population.

METHODS

A healthcare utilization survey was developed for the Typhoid Fever Surveillance in Africa Program (TSAP) to adjust incidences of salmonellosis determined through passive, healthcare facility-based surveillance. This cross-sectional survey was conducted at 11 sites in 9 sub-Saharan African countries. Demographic data and healthcare-seeking behavior were assessed at selected households. Overall and age-stratified percentages of each study population that sought healthcare at a TSAP healthcare facility and elsewhere were determined.

RESULTS

Overall, 88% (1007/1145) and 81% (1811/2238) of the population in Polesgo and Nioko 2, Burkina Faso, respectively, and 63% (1636/2590) in Butajira, Ethiopia, sought healthcare for fever at any TSAP healthcare facility. A far smaller proportion-namely, 20%-45% of the population in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau (1743/3885), Pikine, Senegal (1473/4659), Wad-Medani, Sudan (861/3169), and Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (667/2819); 18% (483/2622) and 9% (197/2293) in Imerintsiatosika and Isotry, Madagascar, respectively; and 4% (127/3089) in Moshi, Tanzania-sought healthcare at a TSAP healthcare facility. Patients with fever preferred to visit pharmacies in Imerintsiatosika and Isotry, and favored self-management of fever in Moshi. Age-dependent differences in healthcare utilization were also observed within and across sites.

CONCLUSIONS

Healthcare utilization for fever varied greatly across sites, and revealed that not all studied populations were under optimal surveillance. This demonstrates the importance of assessing healthcare utilization. Survey data were pivotal for the adjustment of the program's estimates of salmonellosis and other conditions associated with fever.

A Seroepidemiological Study of Serogroup A Meningococcal Infection in the African Meningitis Belt

The pattern of epidemic meningococcal disease in the African meningitis belt may be influenced by the background level of population immunity but this has been measured infrequently. A standardised enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for measuring meningococcal serogroup A IgG antibodies was established at five centres within the meningitis belt. Antibody concentrations were then measured in 3930 individuals stratified by age and residence from six countries. Seroprevalence by age was used in a catalytic model to determine the force of infection. Meningococcal serogroup A IgG antibody concentrations were high in each country but showed heterogeneity across the meningitis belt. The geometric mean concentration (GMC) was highest in Ghana (9.09 μg/mL [95% CI 8.29, 9.97]) and lowest in Ethiopia (1.43 μg/mL [95% CI 1.31, 1.57]) on the margins of the belt. The force of infection was lowest in Ethiopia (λ = 0.028). Variables associated with a concentration above the putative protective level of 2 μg/mL were age, urban residence and a history of recent vaccination with a meningococcal vaccine. Prior to vaccination with the serogroup A meningococcal conjugate vaccine, meningococcal serogroup A IgG antibody concentrations were high across the African meningitis belt and yet the region remained susceptible to epidemics.

Asymptomatic bacteriuria and symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTI) in patients with diabetes mellitus in Tikur Anbessa Specialized University Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

The risk of urinary tract infection in diabetic patients is higher and the etiology and the antibiotic resistance of uropathogens have been changing over the past years.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of symptomatic and asymptomatic bacteriuria and assess the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the isolates in diabetic patients.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted during June to August 2009 on diabetic in and out-patients in Tikur Anbessa University Hospital. A total of 413 consented adult patients were enrolled in the study. Two consecutive clean-catch midstream urine samples from diabetic subjects were collected for culture. Disc diffusion method was used to assess the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the isolates.

RESULTS

Of the 413 diabetic patients participated in the study, 181 (43.8%) were males and 232 (56.2%) were females. Of these, 107 (25.9%) were type 1 and 306 (74.1%) were type 2 diabetes mellitus. Nine (13.6%) of the symptomatic diabetic patients had bacteriuria compared with 36 (10.4%) of asymptomatic diabetes patients had bacteriuria. The overall prevalence of urinary tract infection in the diabetic patients was 45 (10.9%). The predominant isolates were Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated in 6% and 28% followed by 2% and 6% in symptomatic and asymptomatic diabetic patients, respectively. Over 85% of Escherichia coli isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ceftazidime, nitrofuranton, ceftiraxone, norfloxacin and geamicin. Klebsiella pneumoniae were 100% sensitive to ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone. The rate of resistance to two or more antimicrobials was 33 (71.7%).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of urinary tract infection in this study was higher in women than in men. Escherichia coli was frequently isolated in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Over 60% of the isolates were resistant to ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole and tetracycline. Investigation of bacteriuria in diabetic patients for urinary tract infection is important for treatment and prevention of the development of renal complications.