Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top lethal infectious diseases worldwide. In recent years, interferon-γ (INF-γ) release assays (IGRAs) have been established as routine tests for diagnosing TB infection. ...Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top lethal infectious diseases worldwide. In recent years, interferon-γ (INF-γ) release assays (IGRAs) have been established as routine tests for diagnosing TB infection. However, produced INF-γ assessment cannot permit to distinguish active ATB from latent TB infection (LTBI), especially in TB epidemic areas. In addition to IFN-γ, interleukin-2 (IL-2), secreted by activated T cells, is involved in immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This could be involved in the follow up of treatment response. The aim of our study was to determine IFN-γ and IL2 cytokines profiles of patients under antituberculosis treatment. Materials and Methods: A six months’ cross-sectional study was conducted at the Jamot Hospital of Yaoundé, from May to August 2021. Sociodemographic and clinical data as well as 5 mL of blood were collected from each participant. INF-γ and IL-2 were determined using indirect Enzyme linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA) according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and spectrum exam in combination with radiography and GeneXpert were used as standard. P-values Results: The results showed that men were more infected 14/61 (31.8%) with a high presence in active and resistant TB groups. The mean age was 41.3 ± 13.1 years with a 95% CI = [38.2 - 44.7], the age group with the highest infection rate was ranged between 31 and 40 years. The IL-2 and INF-γ means were respectively 327.6 ± 160.6 pg/mL and 26.6 ± 13.0 pg/mL in ATB patients, 251.1 ± 30.9 pg/mL and 21.4 ± 9.2 pg/mL in patients with resistant tuberculosis, while it was 149.3 ± 93.3 pg/mL and 17.9 ± 9.4 pg/mL in cured patients, 15.1 ± 8.4 pg/mL and 5.3 ± 2.6 pg/mL in participants presumed healthy (p γ and IL-2rates were observed between the different groups. Conclusion: Monitoring the serum levels of INF-γ and IL-2 would be useful for the follow-up of anti-tuberculosis patients, particularly in the both cytokines association case.展开更多
In Zanzibar, from the start of the pandemic in March 2020 to the time of sampling in December 2020, SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence data was limited. We conducted a seroprevalence study to evaluate the magnitude of SARS-CoV...In Zanzibar, from the start of the pandemic in March 2020 to the time of sampling in December 2020, SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence data was limited. We conducted a seroprevalence study to evaluate the magnitude of SARS-CoV-2 exposure among healthcare workers, school children, and people who attended general markets in Zanzibar. The objectives of the study were to analyse the total antibodies from selected higher-risk population groups in order to determine magnitude in SARS CoV-2 exposure. Blood samples were collected from eligible and consented participants (adults and children), and their serum was analyzed for total antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 using ELISA. A questionnaire was used to collect participants’ demographic and clinical data. The overall SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence across all age groups was 33%, and a higher seroprevalence was observed in the 40 - 49 years’ age group relative to other ages as well as in those who attended markets. A runny nose (18.8% of participants) was the most frequently reported SARS-CoV-2 infection-related symptom. Multivariable analysis showed significantly higher odds of infection in people living in urban districts. The findings provide insight into SARS-CoV-2 infection among school children, health workers, and people who attended markets in Zanzibar in the early stages of the pandemic. Exposure in these groups might have been influenced by infection and prevention strategies taken by the government, as well as shopping behavior, school overcrowding, and population density in urban settings. The study had methodological limitations, including cross-sectional design. Further, well-designed, longitudinal studies are recommended to understand exposure and transmission at a population level.展开更多
文摘Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top lethal infectious diseases worldwide. In recent years, interferon-γ (INF-γ) release assays (IGRAs) have been established as routine tests for diagnosing TB infection. However, produced INF-γ assessment cannot permit to distinguish active ATB from latent TB infection (LTBI), especially in TB epidemic areas. In addition to IFN-γ, interleukin-2 (IL-2), secreted by activated T cells, is involved in immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This could be involved in the follow up of treatment response. The aim of our study was to determine IFN-γ and IL2 cytokines profiles of patients under antituberculosis treatment. Materials and Methods: A six months’ cross-sectional study was conducted at the Jamot Hospital of Yaoundé, from May to August 2021. Sociodemographic and clinical data as well as 5 mL of blood were collected from each participant. INF-γ and IL-2 were determined using indirect Enzyme linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA) according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and spectrum exam in combination with radiography and GeneXpert were used as standard. P-values Results: The results showed that men were more infected 14/61 (31.8%) with a high presence in active and resistant TB groups. The mean age was 41.3 ± 13.1 years with a 95% CI = [38.2 - 44.7], the age group with the highest infection rate was ranged between 31 and 40 years. The IL-2 and INF-γ means were respectively 327.6 ± 160.6 pg/mL and 26.6 ± 13.0 pg/mL in ATB patients, 251.1 ± 30.9 pg/mL and 21.4 ± 9.2 pg/mL in patients with resistant tuberculosis, while it was 149.3 ± 93.3 pg/mL and 17.9 ± 9.4 pg/mL in cured patients, 15.1 ± 8.4 pg/mL and 5.3 ± 2.6 pg/mL in participants presumed healthy (p γ and IL-2rates were observed between the different groups. Conclusion: Monitoring the serum levels of INF-γ and IL-2 would be useful for the follow-up of anti-tuberculosis patients, particularly in the both cytokines association case.
文摘In Zanzibar, from the start of the pandemic in March 2020 to the time of sampling in December 2020, SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence data was limited. We conducted a seroprevalence study to evaluate the magnitude of SARS-CoV-2 exposure among healthcare workers, school children, and people who attended general markets in Zanzibar. The objectives of the study were to analyse the total antibodies from selected higher-risk population groups in order to determine magnitude in SARS CoV-2 exposure. Blood samples were collected from eligible and consented participants (adults and children), and their serum was analyzed for total antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 using ELISA. A questionnaire was used to collect participants’ demographic and clinical data. The overall SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence across all age groups was 33%, and a higher seroprevalence was observed in the 40 - 49 years’ age group relative to other ages as well as in those who attended markets. A runny nose (18.8% of participants) was the most frequently reported SARS-CoV-2 infection-related symptom. Multivariable analysis showed significantly higher odds of infection in people living in urban districts. The findings provide insight into SARS-CoV-2 infection among school children, health workers, and people who attended markets in Zanzibar in the early stages of the pandemic. Exposure in these groups might have been influenced by infection and prevention strategies taken by the government, as well as shopping behavior, school overcrowding, and population density in urban settings. The study had methodological limitations, including cross-sectional design. Further, well-designed, longitudinal studies are recommended to understand exposure and transmission at a population level.