S ince the recognition of the first cases of at the end of 2019 in Wuhan, China, SARS-CoV-2 has spread rapidly across the globe. By late November 2021, almost 260 million confirmed cases, including at least 5 million deaths, had been reported (1). Cases from Africa represent only 3.4% of those cases worldwide (1,2), but serologic surveys demonstrate that the extent of SARS-CoV-2 spread in Africa is higher (3). After the first pandemic wave, overall seroprevalence in Africa was estimated at ≈22%, ranging from <1% to >70% depending on country and study population (3). The few studies reporting data after the second wave in Africa demonstrated a rapid increase to >50% seroprevalence (4-6). Underestimation of CO-VID-19 cases was most likely caused by weak healthcare infrastructure, low or no access to diagnostic testing, and higher proportions of paucisymptomatic or asymptomatic disease related to younger population or cross-reactive immunity from other coronavirus infections. The overall objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of the second wave of COVID-19 on SARS-COV-2 seroprevalence in the general population of Yaoundé, the capital city of Cameroon. The StudyWe conducted 2 population-based seroprevalence surveys in Yaoundé during January 27-February 6, 2021 (survey 1) and April 24-May 19, 2021 (survey 2). We adapted the study design from the World Health Organization population-based age-stratified seroepidemiologic investigation protocol for COV-ID-19 infection, version 2.0 (7). We randomly selected households in 6 of the 7 health districts in Yaoundé, with a probability of being selected proportional to the population number in each enumeration area (Appendix Figure 1, https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/EID/ article/28/6/21-2580-App1.pdf). In 50% of households, we invited all residents to participate; among the remaining 50%, we invited only residents >40 years of age. We calculated sample size to estimate

Septicaemia is public health problem worldwide with a high rate of mortality among children. Epidemiological data on this phenomenon in Cameroon are still scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors to septicaemia due to E. coli strains producing extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) in two hospitals in Yaoundé, Cameroon. A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on infants aged 0 to 2 years old at the consultation and neonatology care unit of two district hospitals of Yaoundé (UTHY and YGOPH) during a period of seven months (from August 2019 to March 2020). Each blood sample collected per infant was cultured in hemoline performance vials, and bacterial strains were identified using the Api-20 E system. In addition, an antibiotic resistant profile of isolates as well as the ESBL production were performed in accordance with the recommendations of the Antibiogram committee of the French Society of Microbiology 2019. Data were analysed in Epi-Info7.0 and for p less than 0.05, the difference was statistically significant. Of the 300 children enrolled, 130 (43.33%) were blood culture positive, and E. coli. was the most prevalent (69.23% (90/130)). Then antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that 77 over 90 E. coli strains were resistant to penicillin (with 85.55% to amoxicillin), and 34.44% were producing ESBL. Factors such as immunodeficiency, being on antibiotics, and particularly taking β-lactam were significantly associated with E. coli ESBL production ([aOR = 19.93; p = 0.0001], [aOR = 1.97; p = 0.04], and [aOR = 3.54; p = 0.01], respectively). Moreover, co-resistance to aminoglycosides, quinolones, fluoroquinolones, and cotrimoxazole were also found. This study highlighted a high prevalence of E. coli ESBL in blood samples of children aged 0–2 years in Yaoundé and prompts the development of more efficient strategies against E. coli ESBL associated mortality in infants in Cameroon.

Background: Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) are an important and increasing threat to global health. They are nowadays more encountered routinely in hospitals and cause high morbidity and mortality due to limited therapeutic alternatives. This study sought to determine the prevalence of CPE in Yaoundé teaching hospital, Cameroon, and the associated risk factors. Materials and Method: To achieve this goal, a descriptive cross-sectional study coupled to an analytical component with consecutive collection of Enterobacteria strains was carried out during a three-month period (from 27 th July to 24 th October 2018) in the University Teaching Hospital of Yaoundé, Cameroon. The oxidase and biochemical identification tests using a miniaturized Api 20 E system were performed on colonies grown on Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) medium and subcultured on nutrient agar. Drug susceptibility testing was carried out according to the Antibiogram Committee of the French Society of Microbiology (CA-SFM 2018.V.2.0). The detection of carbapenemase production was performed by the CA-SFM 2018

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen with a great ability to adapt to stress, in particular, to the selective pressure of antibiotics in the hospital environment. This pathogen constitutes a real public health concern, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In Cameroon, little is known about the drug resistance patterns of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study sought to determine the prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains producing carbapenemases in six health facilities in the center, littoral, and west regions of Cameroon. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted over a four-month period from July to October 2021. All Pseudomonas aeruginosa or suspected strains isolated from pathological products at the bacteriology laboratory of different health facilities were systematically collected and underwent a re-identification. After growing on cetrimide agar and successfully subculturing on nutrient agar, an oxidase test was performed on pure colonies, followed by biochemical identification (API 20NE system) of the bacterial suspension (0.5McFarland standard). Drug susceptibility testing for the detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases of overproduced inducible cephalosporinases and carbapenemases was performed according to adequate standard procedures. Of the 468 isolates collected, 347 (74.14%) were confirmed Pseudomonas aeruginosa after re-identification, of which 34.49% (120/347) produced inducible cephalosporinases (CAZR and C/TS) and 32.26% (112/347) extended-spectrum beta-lactamases. The prevalence of carbapenemase-producing P. aeruginosa (IMPR and C/TR) was 25.07% (87/347), with 17.24% (15/87) class A and 82.76% (72/87) class B. A high rate of resistance to penicillin (piperacillin: 70.58% and ticarcillin: 60.24%) was observed. We also noted a 34.49% resistance to ceftazidime, 30.22% to imipenem against 37.02% to meropenem, and 25.1% to ceftolozane/tazobactam (C/T). These strains also exhibited 79.57% resistance to quinolones and about 26% to aminoglycoside families. Multivariate analysis revealed that carbapenemase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa-related infections were significantly associated with hospitalization (p = 0.04), maternity (p = 0.03), surgery (p = 0.04), and intensive care wards (p = 0.04). This study highlighted a high burden of resistant strains of carbapenemase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Surveillance should be intensified to prevent the dissemination and spread of these strains.

No abstract