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PubMed2004

Molecular epidemiology of malaria in Cameroon. XVIII. Polymorphisms of the Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface antigen-2 gene in isolates from symptomatic patients.

Merozoite surface antigen-2 (MSA-2) is a polymorphic genetic marker that is highly discriminatory for characterizing Plasmodium falciparum field isolates. Genetic diversity of isolates obtained from symptomatic patients residing in Yaounde, Cameroon was analyzed by an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing of amplification products. Of 137 isolates, 25 (18%) had only FC27-type alleles, 40 (29%) had only 3D7-type alleles, and 72 (53%) had multiple parasite populations with both alleles. Of 295 fragments, 145 (49.2%) and 150 (50.8%) belonged to FC27 and 3D7 alleles, respectively. There were 23 different MSA-2 alleles (10 FC27-type and 13 3D7-type that yielded 44 different combinations in multiple infections). DNA sequencing showed distinct individual sequences. Sequences belonging to the FC27 allelic family were relatively conserved, with most of the polymorphism arising from differences in the number of repeat units. In contrast, the sequences within the GSA-rich region in 3D7 allelic family were less conserved, but many of the sequences in Cameroonian isolates have been identified in other isolates from geographically distant origins. Our results show an extensive diversity of the central region of MSA-2 in size, allelic family, combinations of these two features in multiple infections, and sequence variations underlying the complex population structure of P. falciparum clinical isolates in Yaounde, Cameroon.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

[Prevalence of Bancroftian filariasis in seven villages of the Bonassama Health District in the Wouri Estuary, littoral province of Cameroon].

Lymphatic filariasis is one of the 6 diseases targeted for global eradication by the World Health Organization. In 2000 Cameroon was selected for inclusion in the eradication program. As a prerequisite for the program, epidemiological mapping was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Wuchereria bancrofti in 7 villages located in the mangrove area of the Wouri estuary littoral province of Cameroon. Informed consent was obtained from each participant or from parents of minors. Night blood specimens were collected for thick and thin blood films, stained using the Giemsa solution, and microscopically examined to identify microfilariae of W. bancrofti. The study population included 924 subjects (336 males and 558 females). Their age ranged from 1 to 79 years (mean, 26.9 years). W. bancrofti was identified in 4 of the 7 villages with prevalence rates ranging from 0.7% to 3.25% (mean, 0.97%). All positive subjects were over 30 years old. Despite night blood specimen collection, other blood microfilariae were detected including Loa loa in 54 cases (prevalence, 5.84%) and Dipetalonema perstans in 10 (prevalence, 1.1%). Only a small number of subjects presented clinical manifestations of lymphatic filariasis (e.g., pruritus). Elephantiasis of the lower limb was identified in only one subject but there was hearsay evidence of other cases involving subjects embarrassed to come forward.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

[Experimental study of the compatibility between Schistosoma haematobium and two species of Bulinus in Cameroon].

A study on the compatibility between Schistosoma haematobium from three remote localities (Mourtourwa, Gounougou and Kékem) and four populations of Bulinus truncatus (Gounougou, Ngaoundéré, Bertoua and Kékem) and four populations of B. globosus (Mourtourwa, Ouroudoukoudje, Bafia and Yaoundé) was undertaken in order to estimate the risk of extension of urinary schistosomiasis in Cameroon. First generation of offspring from wild Bulinus was exposed to miracidia liberated by schistosome eggs extracted from patient urine. Between the 25th and the 60th day post-infestation the number of snails still alive, the number emitting cercariae and the prepatent period duration were noted. Results showed that all B. truncatus samples were susceptible to the three strains of parasite whereas only B. globosus of Mourtourwa and Ouroudoukoudje were susceptible to S. haematobium from Mourtourwa. The schistosome infection rate was then significantly higher in B. truncatus and the prepatent period significantly lower than in B. globosus. The compatibility characterised by a high infection rate and a low prepatent period was significantly better in homopatric couples than in allopatric combinations. The results suggested that B. truncatus might be potentially more implicated than B. globosus to the extension of the urinary bilharziasis in Cameroon.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Pathogenicity of Phytophthora infestans on solanaceous and asteraceous plant species in Cameroon.

Experiments were conducted to detect potential hosts of Phytophthora infestans, causal agent of potato late blight. Isolates of P. infestans recovered from garden huckleberry (Solanum scabrum), potato (S. tuberosum) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) were inoculated on detached leaves of 12 solanaceous and 14 asteraceous plant species collected in and around potato fields in the western highlands of Cameroon. The inoculated leaves were maintained in Petri dishes in the laboratory for 7 days at 20-22 degrees C. Isolates of P. infestans from huckleberry, potato and tomato infected the same host plants as well as the gboma eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon) and two asteraceous weeds, Ageratum conyzoides and Solanecio biafrae. Inocula recovered from infected S. macrocarpon caused late blight symptoms on huckleberry, potato and tomato both under laboratory and screen house conditions, while those from both asteraceous weeds reinfected potato in the laboratory and inoculum from S. biafrae reinfected huckleberry in the screen house. This is a first observation of late blight infection on S. macrocarpon, A. conyzoides and S. biafrae in Cameroon. Results indicate the importance of both asteraceous weeds and S. macrocarpon as potential alternative hosts for P. infestans in garden huckleberry, potato or tomato fields.

Asteraceae↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Iodized salt in Cameroon].

The WHO program to combat iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) adopted in 1992 required countries producing cooking and table salt to add 50-100 ppm of iodine to salt. This program was adopted in Cameroon, but problems remain in ensuring adequate conditioning of the iodized salt at the factories to maintain the iodine levels so that consumers take in the required quantity. This study collected and analyzed five groups of salt samples from three provinces of Cameroon. Each group included a specimen from its factory, wholesalers, retailers, and households. Iodine content was measured by the volumetric method. The results showed that iodine levels in salt decreased substantially between the factory and the consumer; percentages of iodine loss in these samples varied from 44.8% to 82.3%. Iodine levels were highest in fine-grained salt. Iodine concentration also decreases after storage, perhaps as a function of the type and duration of the storage, temperature, packaging material and presence of impurities in salt. This study shows that even salt with an initial high iodine concentration may reach consumers with insufficient levels for daily needs.

Cameroon↗
PubMed2004

[Gender and sexuality in young people at Bafoussam and Mbalmayo, Cameroon].

Gender and sexuality of youths in Bafoussam and Mbalmayo, Cameroon. This paper outlines, while resorting to the gender perspective, the social factors that predispose youths to risky sexual practices using data from a survey of culture, gender, sexual behaviour and STD/AIDS carried out in Cameroon, at Bafoussam (Bamileke area) and Mbalamayo (Bëti area). Analysis revealed that the ideology of masculinity and feminity prevail in the populations studied, but in the Bamileke group, where gender system is unfavourable to women, young people adhere less to these ideologies than their parents. Our data also revealed that the level of the knowledge of the modes of transmission of STD/AIDS and the degree of acceptability of condoms in this group are higher among boys than girls. The young Bëti were more inclined to take risks in sexual activities than the Bamileke. It was equally found that boys were more inclined than girls to be unfaithful to their regular partners, while the boys were more inclined to use condoms than girls. Finally, our data revealed that age and other characteristics of the regular sexual partners of young people influence, among others, the probability of being engaged in risky sex especially among girls. Health education and information programmes can be improved amongst these youth populations by taking into account the totality of these elements.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Low risk of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis C virus in Yaounde, Cameroon: the ANRS 1262 study.

To assess mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Cameroon, 5,008 pregnant women were screened for HCV antibodies. Eighty-nine (1.8%) were HCV-antibody (HCV-Ab) positive. Among these, 7 (7.9%) were HBsAg positive, 6 (6.7%) HIV-positive, and one (1.1%) was co-infected by both hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HIV. Sixty-eight (76%) out of 89 HCV-Ab positive pregnant women were HCV-RNA positive. The HCV genotype determination indicated the predominance of genotype 4 (45.3%), followed by the genotypes 1 (28.1%) and 2 (26.6%). The mean HCV-RNA levels of 41 women at the time of delivery was 4.8 (range 0.06-34.7) x 10(6) RNA copies/mL. Finally, 35 women delivered 36 live children. None of those screened at 6 weeks and 6 months of age were HCV-RNA positive. The failure to detect HCV vertical transmission suggests that the mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is not a major route of HCV transmission in Cameroon.

Cameroon↗
PubMed2005

[Distribution of antivenoms in Cameroon].

Two snake antivenoms are distributed in Cameroon, though their availability in district hospitals varies. These snake antivenoms are FAV-Afrique (Aventis Pasteur) available at Centre Pasteur Cameroun and Polyvalent serum (Serum Institute of India = SII) distributed by a wholesaler (CENAME). The price remains a very important factor. We have noted that some district hospitals do not stock antivenom at all, while others stock very few and sometimes only one vial whereas a good management of snakebite may require up to 14 vials for some envenomations. However, data collected by the CAMHERP project that permit to identify high-risk areas of envenomation might be used as a database for the distribution of snake antivenom in Cameroon.

Antivenins↗
PubMed2006

[Epidemiological and histological features of urogenital tumours in Cameroon].

OBJECTIVE: The authors review the epidemiological and histological features of urogenital tumours in Cameroon. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective study over a period of 18 years based on registries and clinical data of patients admitted to the Urology department of Yaoundé Central Hospital. RESULTS: A total of 2,371 urogenital tumours were identified, corresponding to 520 prostatic adenocarcinomas, 1,066 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia, 41 testicular tumours (9 seminomatous tumours, 7 non-seminomatous tumours, 18 lymphomas, 4 benign papillomas and 2 rhabdomyosarcomas of the spermatic cord), 169 bladder tumours (25 transitional cell carcinomas, 70 squamous cell carcinomas, 67 adenocarcinomas, 2 lymphomas, 1 sarcoma and 1 benign papilloma), and 136 kidney tumours (20 Wilms tumours, 87 renal cell carcinomas, 6 transitional cell carcinomas, 16 lymphomas, 2 other malignant tumours and 5 adenomas). This survey also revealed 192 epididymal tumours, essentially cysts, 8 squamous cell carcinomas of the penis and 3 adenocarcinomas of the female urethra. Other tumours corresponded to condylomata acuminata. CONCLUSION: Urogenital tumours in Cameroon are dominated by prostatic tumours. The urogenital tract can also be the site of endemic Burkitt lymphoma in this country. These tumours are observed in young subjects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Variola or a severe case of varicella? A case of human variola due to monkeypox virus in a child from the Cameroon].

Human monkeypox was suspected on clinical grounds in a seven years old child in Cameroon. The diagnosis was confirmed at the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, USA. This condition is rare. The present case is the third in Cameroon. An epidemiological and clinical survey carried out in the family and in the area where the patient lives, did not allow to identify other cases. The clinical evolution of the case was good as in those described elsewhere.

Cameroon↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Household behaviour regarding health and drug consumption in Cameroon].

To begin a renewal of national health policy in Cameroon, a steering committee from the Cameroon Ministry of Health and its partners sought to analyze health demand through a national population survey and supply capacity through a national survey of retail drug stores. A survey of healthcare consumers was also conducted. The present publication describes the results of the population survey. It measured perceived, rather than objective (diagnosed), morbidity. The morbidity ratio, defined as the proportion of persons who reported having been ill during the reference period, two weeks before the survey, was measured at 23% and varied with demographic, social, and economic characteristics such as age, sex, poverty, the sex and educational level of the head of the household, and place of residence (urban or rural). We asked about six types of response to illness: modern consultation, traditional consultation, modern self-medication, traditional self-medication, expectant management, and prayer. The approaches of individual therapeutic itineraries fluctuated for each subject, depending first on financial capacity, second on geographic accessibility, and third on socio-cultural perception of the illness, which governed in particular choice of a modern or traditional approach. Thus, less than a quarter of all subjects initially chose consultation in a health care centre, which accounted for only 31% of all approaches, and 37% of the effective health responses (excluding treatment abstention). Half, however, chose it as a second step, and 40% as a third. Globally, 56% of those who reported illness did not seek a modern consultation during this illness, and 23% of those who took three separate steps for the same illness never sought a modern consultation. Half of all household health expenditures were for medication, and this proportion was highest in the poorest population. In 2002, the population spent 366 billion CFA Francs on health care: 170 billion for drugs, 75 billion for medical examinations, 53 billion for hospitalization, 30 billion for consultations; and 22 billion for transportation.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Health and drug consumption profile in Cameroon].

To begin a renewal of national health policy in Cameroon, a steering committee from the Cameroon Ministry of Health and its partners sought to analyze health demand through a national population survey and supply capacity through a national survey of retail drug stores. A survey of healthcare consumers was also conducted. The present publication describes the results of the consumer survey. Their socioeconomic profile of these consumers was much higher than that of the general population. This indicates that the poorest do not use health facilities or even self-medication. Within the population of healthcare consumers, women and children used private for-profit (60 %) and nonprofit (65 %) private health facilities most often, while men used mainly private pharmacies (60 %) and street drug (medication) sellers (62 %). In all, 85 % of the users of formal drug retailers had had a consultation with a healthcare provider. The average consultation cost was 1,440 CFA Francs, but the 7 % who paid the provider directly had an average cost of 1,794 CFA Francs. In all, 22 % did not pay at all, because of free consultations in some health facilities (40 %), personal relationships with prescribers, or other reasons. Hospitalization costs averaged 4,800 CFA Francs, and medical examinations 4,534 CFA Francs. These two categories had the highest percentage of insured patients (12 % and 5 %). Drug costs were 5,067 CFA Francs from pharmacies and 1,308 CFA Francs in the street. Total healthcare costs per person averaged 14,990 CFA Francs. Weighted, drugs accounted for the largest share, followed by hospitalisation, medical examinations, consultations, and transportation. In the formal sector, less than 10 % reported paying fees directly to the healthcare providers rather than to the HF cashier. Except for consultation in the public sector, paying providers was associated with a lower bill. However, 24 % purchased drugs from the healthcare workers, which indicates that drug sales are an important "sideline" in the formal sector. The average number of drugs per prescription was 4.1, and 24 % contained more than 6 drugs. The leading 50 drugs prescribed accounted for 57 % of the total and so did the top 50 purchased. The leading 40 prescribed, however, were mainly generics, while the top 40 purchased included many more brand-name drugs. Moreover, injectable drugs accounted for 40 % of the 40 most prescribed drugs, 50 % of the 40 most purchased, and 45 % of the 40 most purchased prescribed drugs. These figures show the low quality of prescription and dispensing.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[The level of plasma renin and plasma aldosterone activity in normotensive women and in pregnancy-induced arterial hypertension in a group of women from Cameroon].

Plasma renin and aldosterone activity levels were measured in a group of women from the Cameroons at various stages of pregnancy with results that were similar to the classical results already reported elsewhere. In another group of Cameroons women at term presenting with hypertension of pregnancy, the plasma renin and aldosterone activity values were the same as those found in normotensive, non-pregnant controls. However, these values were higher than those recorded in similar studies performed in Black African women.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Clinical-parasitological experiences in Cameroon].

Clinical-parasitological experiences collected 1989 in Cameroon during a 6-weeks lasting medical work are reported. Malaria tropica is by far the greatest problem due to the impossibility of an effective epidemiologic control, further to rising drug resistances. Beside malaria there are plenty of other parasitoses, but they are more restricted to lower social groups and to certain geographic regions--to the extreme Northern part of Cameroon in particular. Furthermore the actual situation depends also from epidemiologic control programmes. So the trypanosomiasis seems to be under epidemiologic control, the onchocerciasis in opposite to it has been increased again due to the absence of an effective control programme at present.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Schistosoma intercalatum from Cameroon and Zaïre: chronobiological differentiation of cercarial emergence.

An experimental study of the cercarial emergence rhythm was conducted to compare 2 geographical strains of Schistosoma intercalatum from Cameroon and Zaïre. For the Cameroon strain, the peak emergence time was between 1300 hr and 1400 hr, and the mean emergence time was 1359 hr. For the Zaïre strain, the peak emergence time was between 1200 hr and 1300 hr, and the mean emergence time was 1213 hr. These results were shown to be significantly different by statistical analysis. Thus, the chronobiology of the emergence rhythms of the cercariae seems to be an additional marker to estimate the genetic variability of this species and to characterize the 2 strains.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Upper digestive system hemorrhages in Cameroon (apropos of 172 cases examined via endoscopy)].

172 cases of upper gastrointestinal bleeding were explored endoscopically from 01 March 1987 to 15 May 1989 in 3 centers in Cameroon. The patients comprised 124 men and 48 women with an average age of 39.64 years. Haematemesis with resultant melena constituted the most frequent presentation (42.36%) while haematemesis and melena was the unique presentation in 37.22% and 17.91% of cases respectively. The aetiologic factors encountered were: duodenal ulcers (33.64%), acute gastric bleeding (22.08%) gastric ulcer (13.44%), ruptured gastroesophageal varices (13.92%). Predisposing factors included the ingestion of gastric irritant medication, spices and alcohol. The authors review the literature and in its light, discuss the epidemiology and aetiology of gastrointestinal bleeding in Cameroon.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Low prevalence of P. falciparum in-vivo resistance to chloroquine in northern Cameroon in 1986.

The response to chloroquine of 49 Plasmodium falciparum isolates from the Northern dry areas of Cameroon was assessed by 7 day in-vivo assays. Twenty seven patients were treated with the standard 25 mg/kg dose, and 22 received a reduced, but frequently used, 10 mg/kg dose. The results of these in vivo assays are in agreement with in-vitro data showing a low prevalence and a low degree of chloroquine resistance. In contrast with P. falciparum isolates from Southern Cameroon, no case of RII or RIII resistance was detected in the North. Clearance of parasite was delayed in 4 of the 22 patients treated with 10 mg/kg, and for one of them parasites remained up to day 7 despite subnormal but appropriate chloroquine blood concentrations.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Prevalence of carriers of antibodies against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1 and HIV-2) in South Cameroon. Results of attempts to isolate retroviruses].

In this work are summarized the results of the serological investigations about HIV1 and HIV2 done since 1986 in the Republic of Cameroon, using the Henderson's cluster sampling method (2). With regard to neighbour countries' results, the prevalence of specific antibodies against HIV1 is weak (less than or equal to 0.5%). This is confirmed by the few number of AIDS (53) since 1985. The prevalence of the HIV2 antibodies carriers is null. Since 1987, the Centre Pasteur of Cameroon is able to isolate retrovirus. The lymphocyte cultures from false positive samples were always negatives.

Adult↗