Estimated Burden of Serious Fungal Infections in Ghana

Ocansey, Bright K.; Pesewu, George A.; Codjoe, Francis S.; Osei-Djarbeng, Samuel N.; Feglo, Patrick Kwame; Denning, David W.

doi:10.3390/jof5020038

Cited by 27 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 79 publications

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“…We have also added the following terms, “Africa” or “sub‐Saharan Africa” to expand research. When data were lacking, we used epidemiological data reported from nearby countries from the Central Africa region, notably Cameroon, and even from other African countries that have already estimated the burden of serious fungal infections in their respective country 8,9 …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Current burden of serious fungal infections in Republic of Congo

Amona

Denning

Moukassa

et al. 2020

Mycoses

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Background The Republic of Congo (RoC) is characterised by a high prevalence of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, which largely drive the epidemiology of serious fungal infections. Objective We aimed to estimate the current burden of serious fungal infections in RoC. Material and Methods Using local, regional or global data and estimates of population and at‐risk population groups, deterministic modelling was employed to estimate national incidence or prevalence of the most serious fungal infections. Results Our study revealed that about 5.4% of the Congolese population (283 450) suffer from serious fungal infections yearly. The incidence of cryptococcal meningitis, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia and disseminated histoplasmosis in AIDS patients was estimated at 560, 830 and 120 cases per year. Oral and oesophageal candidiasis collectively affects 12 320 HIV‐infected patients. Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, 67% post‐tuberculosis, probably has a prevalence of 3420. Fungal asthma (allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and severe asthma with fungal sensitisation) probably has a prevalence of 3640 and 4800, although some overlap due to disease definition is likely. The estimated prevalence of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and tinea capitis is 85 440 and 178 400 respectively. Mostly related to agricultural activity, fungal keratitis affects an estimated 700 Congolese yearly. Conclusion These data underline the urgent need for an intensified awareness towards Congolese physicians to fungal infections and for increased efforts to improve diagnosis and management of fungal infections in the RoC.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Access to data on the medical burden of diseases is critical for public health actions. Therefore, in the recent years, many countries have estimated the burden of fungal diseases 8,9 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current burden of serious fungal infections in Republic of Congo

Amona

Denning

Moukassa

et al. 2020

Mycoses

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“… 37 The burden of histoplasmosis was estimated in South Africa, Cameroon, Tanzania and Ghana. 38 – 41 More research is needed to determine the actual burden of histoplasmosis among the HIV population in sub-Saharan Africa.…”

Section: Histoplasmosis and Hiv In Sub-saharan Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

Histoplasmosis overlapping with HIV and tuberculosis in sub-Saharan Africa: challenges and research priorities

Kuate

Ekeng

Kwizera

et al. 2021

Therapeutic Advances in Infection

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Histoplasmosis, tuberculosis and HIV are all highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Co-occurrence of two or more of these infections has been reported in several populations of patients, especially those with advanced HIV infection where these opportunistic infections contribute to a significant morbidity and mortality. With a high burden of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) secondary to HIV in SSA, histoplasmosis is commonly misdiagnosed as smear-negative PTB in HIV patients due to similar clinical and radiological presentations. This is also partly the result of the lack of trained clinical and laboratory personnel to make a definite diagnosis of histoplasmosis. There is a low index of clinical suspicion for histoplasmosis, and cases are mostly discovered accidently and documented through case reports and case series. Similarly, the high cost and lack of fungal diagnostics in most SSA countries makes it difficult to make a diagnosis. There is a need to build local capacity for mycology so that patients are managed to improve on the index of clinical suspicion and diagnostic capabilities. Moreover, simple accurate point-of-care diagnostic tests and first-line antifungal treatment for histoplasmosis are not available in many SSA countries. This review describes the existence of co-infections of histoplasmosis, tuberculosis and HIV in SSA, highlighting the challenges and research priorities.

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“…The present study presents current epidemiological data on the prevalence of CMs in one of the risk groups, in this case students in boarding schools who are subjected to several predisposing factors [11,12,17]. Generally, skin problems affect both male and female students in institutionalized centers such as boarding schools, but few researchers have investigated into the issue so far [9,10]. A total of 320 boarding secondary schools' students with equal number females and males were recruited in this study.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The fact that most of these countries lack adequate diagnostic laboratory facilities, the magnitude of CMs might be underestimated [9]. Most of the available data on prevalence of CMs are hospital-based; and due to difference in predisposing factors and settings, most cases are unnoticed and/or neglected [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Cutaneous Mycoses among Boarding Secondary Schools Students in Coast Region, Tanzania

Deogratias

Mwambete

2021

AJMAH

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Aims: To determines the prevalence and risk factors for cutaneous mycoses (CMs) among boarding secondary schools’ students in Coast Region, Tanzania Study Design: It was a cross-sectional survey-based study involving boarding secondary schools’ students. Cluster sampling technique was employed for data collection using semi-structured questionnaire. Place and Duration of Study: It involved students from both government and private boarding secondary schools in a period between January and June 2020. Methodology: The study involved 320 students (equal number of females and males). The questionnaire inquired on these key issues: contraction of CMs and/or other skin related infections, and risk factors associated with CMs, previous exposure to antifungal agents, reasons for the use, duration of use and its outcome. Obtained information was analyzed using the SPSS version 20. Multivariate and logistic regression were employed to determine association among investigated variables. Differences among the variables were considered statistically significant when p<0.05. Results: Prevalence of CMs among the students was 61.5% (n = 197/320). Higher proportion of students in government schools had CMs as compared to private ones (35.9% vs. 25.6%; p <0.01). The former schools were twice more likely to contract CMs (OR = 2.43, 95%CI: 1.53-3.86, p <0.01) than those in private schools. Correlations existed between students’ ages and recurrence of CMs (Pearson’s R = 0.044; p<0.01); and between students’ bodyweights and prevalence of CMs (R= 0.139; p = 0.02). Association existed between non-adherence to antifungal treatment and prevalence of CMs (p = 0.001). Conclusion: High prevalence of CMs was revealed among students, which was relatively higher among males than females. Risk factors for CMs included poor personal hygiene and sanitary conditions, students’ ages and bodyweights. Education on risk factors for CMs among the respondents is required for earlier, prevention and control. Further studies involving larger samples size are highly recommended.

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Estimated Burden of Serious Fungal Infections in Ghana

Cited by 27 publications

References 79 publications

Current burden of serious fungal infections in Republic of Congo

Current burden of serious fungal infections in Republic of Congo

Histoplasmosis overlapping with HIV and tuberculosis in sub-Saharan Africa: challenges and research priorities

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Cutaneous Mycoses among Boarding Secondary Schools Students in Coast Region, Tanzania

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