The emergence of liver diseases as one of the major causes of death in people infected with HIV has paralleled the introduction of more effective antiretroviral therapies. This study was carried out with the aim of determining the effects of antiretroviral treatment on liver enzymes (SGOT and SGPT) in patients placed on antiretroviral therapy. A prospective cross-sectional 3 years study was carried out among patients confirmed to be HIV positive and who were to be placed on antiretroviral drugs at the HIV/AIDS out patient clinic of the Yaoundé Central Hospital,. Cameroon. Levels of transaminases of patients were measured in four phases using the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) protocol. Of the 150 patients who participated in the study, 54.0 %(81/150) presented with transaminitis at the final phase of the study with respect to aspartate aminotransferase (AST), 77.78% (63/81) of whose AST levels only increased after initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). 22.67% (34/150) presented with transaminitis with respect to alanine aminotransferase (ALT). At the final phase, 70.58% of whose ALT levels only increased after HAART initiation. Increase in blood transaminase levels was statistically independent on age group and the drug combinations. Increase in AST levels was associated with an increase in ALT levels upon treatment (r = 0.58). There was a significant positive linear relationship between duration of treatment and concentration of transaminases over the years (r= 0.9). We therefore concluded that highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is associated with low level hepatotoxicity at therapy initiation, regardless of drug class or combination.

Objective: To describe the pattern of antibiotics resistance and phenotypic characterization of Multidrug resistant bacteria isolates in four hospitals of Littoral region, Cameroon. Methods: We conducted a descriptive hospital based cross-sectional study from December 2018 to May 2019. A simple random sampling was used to swap 10 selected equipment and 10 materials in the mornings after disinfection but before the start of work in seven units. After inoculation in four agar media consecutively (Eosine Metyleine blue, Cled, Manitol salt agar and blood agar ) and incubated in appropriate conditions, the Kirby-Bauer disk-diffusion method was used for antimicrobial susceptibility test. Results: Among 50.4% (119/236) showed positive bacteria growth, a total of 89 (13 species), predominant bacteria and those more likely to cause nosocomial infections were selected and tested each one to 18 antibiotics. There was high level of resistance to Penicillin (amoxicillin (77.5%) and Oxacillin (76.4%)), followed by 3G Cephalosporine (Ceftazidime (74.2%)) and Monobactam (Aztreonam (70.8%)). Although the least level of resistance was observed in Carbapenem (imipenem (5.6%)). The overall prevalence of MDRB was 62.9% (56/89). MRSA were the mostly detected 57.5 % (30/89), followed by ESBL 10.1% (9/89). Military hospital of Douala and Emergency unit was the MDRBs dominantly contaminated area respectively 39.3% (22/56) and 17.9% (10/56). Conclusion: MDRB occurred to be a current public health problem as well as hospital surfaces are worrying reservoir that can be spread to patient, health professionals and visitors. Keywords: Antibiotic resistance, susceptibility test, multidrug-resistant bacteria, Hospital facilities, Units, Littoral Region-Cameroon

Globally, the levels of healthcare-associated infections (nosocomial infections) are important high, and especially those due to bacterial are significant and costly. Healthcare environments provide a worrying reservoir for spreading infections. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Low and Middle-Income Countries may be particularly at risk, hence, the need to perform a timely assessment of surface contamination of bacterial origin in the major units of four different hospitals of the Littoral Region, Cameroon. A cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted from December 2018 to May 2019. A simple random sampling was used to swap 10 selected equipment (treatment tables, operating tables, delivery tables, office tables, anesthesia equipment, surgical aspirators, oxygen concentrators, wheelchairs, patients and office chairs) and 10 materials (fans, patient bedside tables, patient bed rails, trolleys, door handles, negastoscopes, baby scales, air conditioners, Antiseptic container boxes, and covers) in the mornings after disinfection but before the start of work in each unit. After inoculation in four agar media consecutively (Eosine Methylene blue, Cled, Mannitol salt agar and the blood agar in segmented) and incubated in appropriate conditions, identification and confirmation were based on morphological characteristics of bacteria colonies, microscopy, and biochemical methods using API staph, strep, and 20E TM gallery Biomerieux. Of a total of 236 samples collected, 119 (50.4%) showed bacterial growth, 33 different species of which 62/119 (52.10%) were Gram-positive cocci, 57/119 (47.90%) Gram-negative bacilli. S. aureus, 45/119 (37.81%), E. coli 6/119 (5.04%), and Acinetobacter spp 4/119 (3.36%) were the most common contaminants. Patients' bedside tables, office chairs, and patients' bed rails were the highest contaminants respectively 14/119 (11.76%), 13/119 (10.92%) and 12/119 (10.08%). The Emergency units were the mainly contaminated area for Gram-positive cocci, 12/62 (19.35%) majority S. aureus 9/62 (14.51%) as most as Gram-negative non-Enterobacteriaceae 11/31 (35, 48%) with a predominance of C. meningoseptica and M. heamolytica both 2/31 (6.45%). Therefore for the Gram-negative bacilli Enterobacteriaceae family, the highest level of bacterial isolates was recovered in laboratory 7/26 (26.92%), in which E. coli was predominantly reported 4/26 (15.38%). However, S. aureus was the only species found in all hospitals and units. This high level of contamination in various key units in these hospitals is a serious risk of infections with leading to complicated and cost healthcare. This work will help clinical care and decision making to take appropriate actions to improve sanitation and ensure control measures to limit the spread of hospital-acquired infections.

displayed high level of concordance (99.4e100%). The prevalence of MG was 2.5% among females and 9.6% among males. The highest sensitivity (71.4%e100% in different specimens) was exhibited by the AmpliSens rtPCR. All tests had a 100% clinical specificity. The prevalence of TV was 1.2% among the females, and all additional VD patients tested positive. The sensitivity and the specificity of both Russian TV tests validated was 100%. Conclusion It seems clear that the biomedical industry in Eastern Europe has the potential for producing reliable reagents and tests kits at affordable prices for genetic diagnosis of STIs. This would open new perspectives for the whole region and could also be costeffective for some other regions experiencing financial constraints. However, more comprehensive evaluations of regionally manufactured tests should be conducted according to internationally accepted guidelines. Context In West Africa, HIV/STIs prevention activities targeting female sex workers (FSW) and their partners were developed and supported financially through a bilateral cooperation project. After the end of the project in Benin (2006) and Niger (2007), the national HIV/STI programs took over these interventions. Objectives (i) to identify the challenges and barriers for FSW program interventions within national programs; (ii) to assess the capacity of FSW dedicated services to treat and prevent STI efficiently. Methods A triangulation of methods and sources of data collection were used within an evaluative approach centered on the use of the results, such as individual and collective interviews, review of data records from health centers and field observations. Quantitative data from clinical attendance were crossed with qualitative data. A conceptual framework was developed to explain the exploratory and analytical elements. The main findings were validated with the stakeholders. Results There are several constraints and major challenges facing STI/HIV prevention under the responsibility of national programs, namely: (i) the deficit of synergies between two major components (communication for behavioural change and medical follow-ups), (ii) the lack of coordination and actions in the field, (iii) the abandonment of structural activities, (iv) low resource allocation for activities targeting FSW. Since the integration of the activities into the national programs, the capacity to provide prevention services to the FSW population, both in terms of coverage and of the package and the quality of services provided, has significantly declined, even if the strengthening of staff capacity in this domain remains an encouraging achievement. Conclusions The national programs of Benin and Niger do not yet cover sufficiently the most exposed groups (FSW and their partners) who are at the centre of the HIV epidemic. Thus, the study proposes reflection and action to improve coverage of this clientele in order better control of STIs and HIV. Background New Brunswick (NB) has experienced a resurgence of infectious syphilis with a 10...