Abstract: After the 2006-2007 epidemic wave of Rift Valley fever (RVF) in East Africa and its circulation in the Comoros, laboratory case-finding of RVF was conducted in Mayotte from September 2007 through May 2008. Ten recent human RVF cases were detected, which confirms the indigenous transmission of RFV virus in Mayotte.
Abstract: Although the acute manifestations of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) illness are well-documented, few data exist about the long-term rheumatic outcomes of CHIKV-infected patients. We undertook between June and September 2006 a retrospective cohort study aimed at assessing the course of late rheumatic manifestations and investigating potential risk factors associated with the persistence of these rheumatic manifestations over 15 months. 147 participants (>16 yrs) with laboratory-confirmed CHIKV disease diagnosed between March 1 and June 30, 2005, were identified through a surveillance database and interviewed by telephone. At the 15-month-period evaluation after diagnosis, 84 of 147 participants (57%) self-reported rheumatic symptoms. Of these 84 patients, 53 (63%) reported permanent trouble while 31 (37%) had recurrent symptoms. Age >/=45 years (OR = 3.9, 95% CI 1.7-9.7), severe initial joint pain (OR = 4.8, 95% CI 1.9-12.1), and presence of underlying osteoarthritis comorbidity (OR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.1-7.4) were predictors of nonrecovery. Our findings suggest that long-term CHIKV rheumatic manifestations seem to be a frequent underlying post-epidemic condition. Three independent risk factors that may aid in early recognition of patients with the highest risk of presenting prolonged CHIKV illness were identified. Such findings may be particularly useful in the development of future prevention and care strategies for this emerging virus infection.
Abstract: In 2005-2006, a large outbreak of Chikungunya (CHIK) fever occurred on the western Indian Ocean Islands. In Mayotte, concurrent with an enhanced passive case notification system, we carried out two surveys. A seroprevalence survey designed to document recent CHIK infection was conducted on serum samples collected from pregnant women in October 2005 (n=316) and in March-April 2006 (n=629). A cross-sectional clinical community survey carried out from 2 to 10 May 2006 among 2235 individuals was designed to determine the cumulative incidence of presumptive CHIK fever cases. The seroprevalence of recent infection among pregnant women was 1.6% in October 2005 and rose to 26% in April 2006. The clinical community survey showed that nearly 26% of respondents had experienced presumptive CHIK fever between January and May 2006. Extrapolated to the overall population of Mayotte, these figures lead to an estimated attack rate of 249.5 cases per 1000 population as of early May 2006. Nine patients with the maternofetal form and six subjects with the severe form were recorded. This first emergence of CHIK fever in Mayotte lead to a very large outbreak. Efforts to strengthen surveillance and prevention of arbovirus infection are needed at country and regional levels.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: An outbreak of measles occurred from 2005 to 2006 in Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean. The aim of this study was to describe the outbreak, to analyze epidemiologic and sociodemographic characteristic of cases, and to suggest recommendations for measles surveillance and preventive measures in Mayotte. DESIGN: An outbreak investigation was conducted and an enhanced passive surveillance system of incident cases was implemented. RESULTS: During the outbreak, 1269 clinical cases, including 156 (12.3%) biologically confirmed cases, were reported. The attack rate was 0.71% and no death due to measles was recorded. The median age of cases was 12 years and the M/F sex-ratio 1.1. Teenagers and young adults (10-19 years) were the most frequently affected (44.4%) and infants less than one year of age accounted for 21.6% of the cases. In the 1269 clinical cases, 27.3% of patients had received at least one dose of measles vaccine before the outbreak. The immunization coverage in school children reached 59.1% at the end of the vaccination campaign. CONCLUSION: In the future, this vaccinal coverage should be improved to prevent other outbreaks, especially in vulnerable groups like immigrants. A surveillance system with systematical report of the biologically confirmed cases is needed in Mayotte.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Since 2006, Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has re-emerged as an important pathogen of global concern. However, individual and household factors associated with the acquisition and the magnitude of clinically silent CHIKV infections remain poorly understood. In this present study, we aimed to investigate the seroprevalence, estimate the proportion of symptomatic illness and identify the risk factors for CHIKV infection in the primo-exposed population of Mayotte. METHODS/ PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted a household-based cross sectional serosurvey in Mayotte in November and December 2006 using complex multistage cluster sampling. To produce the results representative of the island population aged 2 years or older, sample data were adjusted with sample weights. Explanatory and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate associations between CHIKV infection seropositivity (presence of IgM and/or IgG to CHIKV by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay) and risk factors. A total of 1154 individuals were analyzed. The overall seroprevalence of CHIKV infection was 37.2% (95% CI = 33.9-40.5), 318 (72.3%) of the seropositive participants reported symptoms consistent with a CHIKV infection during the epidemic period. Risk factors for CHIKV seropositivity among adults (aged 15 years and older) were male gender, low socioeconomic index, schooling < or = 6 years and living in makeshift housing. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that roughly one out of four CHIKV infections is asymptomatic. Conditions associated with poverty may be considered as critical in CHIKV acquisition. Thus, these conditions should be taken into account in the development of future prevention strategies of CHIKV disease.
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence rate and risk factors for loss to follow-up (LFU) in HIV-infected individuals. METHODS: We estimated the incidence rate of LFU in 1756 HIV-infected patients enrolled in the Tourcoing Clinical Cohort from January 1985 to January 1998. We then investigated potential LFU risk factors at inclusion through a case-control study. Cases were 209 patients who had attended neither our clinic nor another HIV clinic for at least 1 year. Controls were 209 patients randomly selected from the group of HIV-infected patients followed up regularly. RESULTS: The incidence of LFU was estimated at 4.3 per 100 person-years [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.7-4.9]. Independent risk factors for LFU were (i) year of enrolment before 1993 [odds ratio (OR) 6.7; 95% CI 2.7-16.5 versus after 1997]; (ii) year of enrolment between 1993 and 1997 (OR 5.1; 95% CI 2.0-13.0 versus after 1997); (iii) age<30 years (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.0-3.5 versus >40 years); (iv) injecting drug use (OR 5.3; 95% CI 2.7-10.5 versus men who have sex with men); (v) homelessness and/or illegal immigrant status (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.0-4.9); and (vi) lack of a primary care provider (OR 6.0; 95% CI 2.4-15.1). A history of an AIDS-defining illness (OR 0.3; 95% CI 0.2-0.6) and a history of psychiatric disease (OR 0.4; 95% CI 0.3-0.8) were both associated with a decreased risk of LFU. CONCLUSIONS: This study assessed the sociodemographic, clinical and behavioural characteristics associated with LFU in HIV-infected patients. The findings of this study may allow clinicians to identify patients at risk of LFU, so that appropriate interventions may be initiated.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of triple antiretroviral regimens based on protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) in adults positive for antibodies to HIV-1. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis using indirect comparisons of clinical trials comparing three drug regimens based on two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and either a protease inhibitor or an NNRTI with two drug regimens (two NRTIs). Participants had no previous exposure to protease inhibitors or NNRTIs. DATA SOURCES: Medline, the Cochrane controlled trials register, Aidstrials, Aidsdrugs, conference proceedings, and trial registers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Progression to AIDS or death. RESULTS: 14 trials, totalling 6785 patients, were identified. Most patients had been exposed to an NRTI and had advanced immunodeficiency at baseline; 1096 progressed to AIDS or died. Seven trials assessed protease inhibitors based triple regimens and seven assessed NNRTI based triple regimens (nevirapine or delavirdine). Triple therapy was more effective than dual therapy. The effect was pronounced for protease inhibitor based regimens (odds ratio 0.49, 95% confidence interval 0.41 to 0.58) but non-significant for NNRTI based regimens (0.90, 0.71 to 1.15). Indirect comparison of the two regimens gave an odds ratio of 0.54 (0.49 to 0.73) in favour of protease inhibitor based treatments. Increases in CD4 cell counts were smaller and suppression of viral replication less with NNRTI based regimens. CONCLUSIONS: Indirect evidence shows that protease inhibitor based triple regimens are superior to regimens based on the NNRTIs nevirapine and delavirdine in patients with advanced immunodeficiency who have been exposed to NRTIs. Large trials with clinical end points are required.
Abstract: Mayotte is a little French island, located in the Indian ocean, between Madagascar and Mozambic. Officially there is a population of 150000 inhabitants, but in fact, there are probably about 200000 people, largely due to numerous illegal immigrants, especially coming from Anjouan the nearest Comorian island. There is only one hospital, with 252 beds. The malaria incidence reaches about 3000 cases per year; and treatments until august 2001 were generally haphazard. This is changing with the use of the Optimal rapid diagnostic test (DiaMed, Cressier Switzerland). More precise statistics should be available in the coming years. In 2000, 252 patients were hospitalised with malaria fever. Preventive measures were scarce. These have been reenforced this year, with the arrival of an entomologist, the use of reenforced pesticide pulverisation in high-risk areas, the distribution of impregnated bednets to pregnant women, and media based information campaigns. Common drugs resistance is becoming a real concern in Mayotte. First-line treatment was: chloroquine; second-line: sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, and third-line: quinine. In vitro studies have shown high levels of resistance, therefore another antimalarial drug therapy will be introduced at the end of the year: first-line: artemether-lumefantrine, second-line: mefloquine or halofantrine, third-line: quinine. To conclude, solutions exist but a real policy from the decision makers is necessary to implement them. The eradication of malaria remains a dream, but we can expect "zero death" in Mayotte, considering that the fight against this disease may help to start a regional health program.
Abstract: In an effort to evaluate the potential of non-specific immunotherapy in restoring global immunity, we have examined the clinical tolerance and biological effects of a 6 week administration of the immunomodulator, murabutide, in chronically infected HIV-1 patients. Forty-two subjects, presenting weak immune reconstitution and ineffective virus suppression following long-term highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), were randomized to receive, or not, murabutide 7 mg/day on five consecutive days/week. Clinical and immunological parameters were monitored before and after the immunotherapy period. Administration of murabutide was generally well tolerated, although some grade III adverse events, reversible on treatment cessation, were observed. Interestingly, in comparison with pre-inclusion levels, at 1 week after the immunotherapy cycle, only murabutide recipients presented a significant increase in CD4 cells, platelet counts, and in the percentage of patients with undetectable viral loads (<50 copies/mL). Statistical significance between the two groups was only evident with the latter parameter. Some of these clinical changes were maintained even up to 12 weeks after murabutide administration, and were accompanied by an increased ability to mount cellular responses to active immunization with a recall antigen, and by a significant increase in the percentage of patients presenting positive lymphoproliferative responses to the viral antigen gp160. These results warrant further evaluation of extended periods or cycles of murabutide immunotherapy as adjunct to HAART.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Limitations in the use of antiretroviral therapy suggest the need for additional approaches to enhance immune restoration and the control of HIV-1 replication. Therefore, we evaluated the clinical tolerance and biological effects of immunotherapy with the synthetic immunomodulator Murabutide in 9 treatment-naive HIV-1 patients presenting with CD4+ lymphocyte counts >500 cells/mm3 and plasma viral loads <30.000 copies/ml. MATERIAL/METHODS: Murabutide was administered at a daily dose of 7 mg on 5 consecutive days per week, for a period of 6 weeks. The study duration extended over 22 weeks, and clinical, virological, and immunological evaluations were carried out on 2 occasions before, during, and after immunotherapy. RESULTS: With acceptable clinical tolerance and only 2 reversible grade III adverse events, clinical and virological parameters remained highly stable throughout the study period. However, maintained or improved lymphoproliferative responses to several recall and HIV-1 antigens, as well as modest but significant increases in the percentages of naive cells were noted during or/and after immunotherapy. These changes could not be demonstrated in an observation group of 9 additional patients who were identically followed for a 22-week period. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that non-specific immunotherapy targeting dysfunctions in innate immunity could bring about restoration of immune responses in HIV disease.
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Dispensing antiretroviral drugs in private pharmacies has been allowed in France since October 1997. One year after this measure was implemented, we conducted a survey of patients and pharmacists in the Lille metropolitan area to assess its impact. METHOD: Structured interviews with a representative sample of private pharmacists and HIV infected patients in the Lille metropolitan area were carried out. RESULTS: 100 pharmacists were interviewed. Most worked in urban areas and their main clientele were from the neighbourhood. Most felt that HIV infection was a common disease and were interested in dispensing antiretroviral drugs as a public health service despite the marginal income from these sales. Two-thirds had received training on HIV infection and most knew the importance of adhering to the treatment. However, the number of antiretroviral drugs and the classes of these drugs that were available were not well known. Among the 97 patients followed by the Service of Infectious Diseases of the Tourcoing Hospital, 22% received their medications from the local private pharmacy, 62% got them from the hospital pharmacy and 16% got them from both places. However, 39% received at least one drug that was only available from the hospital pharmacy. The patients going to private pharmacies described an improved quality of life and mostly chose their regular pharmacist to get their medications. Most preferred to get their medications openly, as opposed to secretly. Many patients going to the hospital pharmacy made their choice based on better confidentiality. Private pharmacists also expressed the fear of lack of confidentiality. Private pharmacies were seen as friendlier with quicker service, but slightly less competent than the hospital pharmacy. Finally, the topic of adhering to this form of HIV treatment is rarely discussed in private pharmacies. CONCLUSIONS: Both the patients and private pharmacists appreciate the fact that these drugs can be dispensed in private pharmacies, but the impact of this measure is limited by the number of drugs that are only available at the hospital pharmacy. Private pharmacists do not often discuss the importance of adhering to the therapy and progress is needed in this area.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Manifestations similar to DRESS syndrome (drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms) may be induced by nevirapine. CASE REPORTS: Three patients developed skin rash and general signs of liver dysfunction during the first 5 weeks after starting nevirapine. Laboratory tests showed elevated eosinophil counts and signs of inflammation simulating severe infection. DISCUSSION: The incidence of DRESS syndrome is probably underestimated. No standard treatment has been proposed. In our 3 patients, parenteral corticosteroid therapy was successful, leading to a rapidly favorable clinical course although liver tests took longer to return to normal.
