Publications Internationales (Articles Scientifiques)

Résumé / Abstract : SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus that emerged in Wuhan, China. Adaptive mutations in its genome can influence the virus's pathogenicity, enhance its ability to evade the host immune system, and complicate vaccine development. This study aimed to identify the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants in Burkina Faso and trace their origin.

Two study populations were included. The first comprised 287 individuals, both asymptomatic and symptomatic, who tested positive for COVID-19. The second consisted of 318 individuals from the general population without clinical symptoms who were tested for serological evidence of SARS-CoV-2 exposure. The study was carried out between January 2021 and December 2022. Sequencing was performed only on the 287 positive samples. Viral RNA was extracted from these clinical specimens, amplified by RT-PCR, and subsequently sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using Nextclade v3.8.2 software, with the Wuhan-Hu-1/2019 strain as the reference genome sequence.

The identified variants were Omicron (47.91%), Delta (29.41%), 19B (10.92%), 20A (5.88%), 20B (4.20%), and 19A (1.68%). Most of these variants (84.04%) were detected in travelers, and 88.24% were identified from naso-oro-pharyngeal samples. Among the variants, Omicron was the most prevalent and exhibited the highest number of mutations. Complementary serological testing revealed that approximately 22.7% of the general population had been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 during the study period.

These findings suggest that multiple introductions of SARS-CoV-2 into Burkina Faso occurred mainly through international travel, with Omicron rapidly becoming dominant. Despite evidence of widespread viral circulation, COVID-19 mortality in Burkina Faso has remained relatively low, according to data from the Ministry of Health. Rather than providing definitive explanations for this paradox, our findings generate hypotheses regarding potential protective factors, including demographic characteristics, host genetics, cross-reactive immunity, and the possibility of underreporting that warrant further investigation guiding responses to future emerging infectious diseases.

Résumé / Abstract : BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), yet reliable biomarkers for early detection and risk stratification remain limited. This study aimed to identify plasma proteins associated with disease progression from chronic HBV infection to HCC. METHODS: Plasma proteomic profiling was conducted using high-resolution LC–MS/MS on samples from healthy controls, chronic HBV carriers, patients with cirrhosis, and individuals with HBV-associated HCC. Differentially expressed proteins were identified through bioinformatics analysis, and protein–protein interaction networks were reconstructed to assess functional relevance. RESULTS: Eight proteins displayed distinct, stage-specific expression patterns along the disease continuum. ICAM1, TIMP1, and IGFBP7 were progressively upregulated, reflecting roles in inflammation, fibrosis, and tumorigenesis. In contrast, PF4V1 and GPLD1 were downregulated, suggesting loss of protective functions during disease progression. PFN1, TUBA1B, and MDH1 exhibited dynamic modulation linked to cytoskeletal remodeling, cell division, and metabolic reprogramming. Network analysis revealed their involvement in pathways critical for immune regulation, extracellular matrix remodeling, and angiogenesis. Random forest modeling further confirmed their strong discriminatory potential for disease staging. CONCLUSION: This study identifies a panel of plasma proteins closely associated with HBV-related HCC progression. These biomarkers may facilitate early detection, improve risk stratification in HBV-infected individuals, and provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms driving liver cancer development.

Résumé / Abstract : In light of the public health emergency brought about by the novel coronavirus, health authorities actively promoted vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the forefront critical questions concerning individual freedoms and the right to consent or decline vaccination. To better anticipate and manage future epidemics, it is essential to engage in thoughtful philosophical and ethical reflection-particularly regarding the legitimacy and implications of vaccine passport policies.

This study aimed to assess COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in Sub-Saharan Africa, identify reasons for refusal, and examine the ethical legitimacy of imposing a "green pass" for vaccination for foreign travel.

A meta-analysis was conducted from January 2021 to April 2025 in sub-Saharan African countries, in five databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, African Journal Online, and HINARI) to identify studies related to acceptance and hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccines in the general population and among healthcare professionals. This study was registered under the PROSPERO database (CRD420251060375) and used the PRISMA guidelines. The "proportional effect size" of acceptance and hesitancy was calculated using a random-effects meta-analysis with STATA 17 software. Funnel plots and Egger's tests were used to assess publication bias.

A total of 40 studies involving 107,478 participants across 23 African countries were included. The pooled rates of vaccine acceptance and hesitancy were, respectively: 54.73 [95 % CI: 50.54 %-58.89 %], and 34.96 % [95 % CI: 27.95 %-42.30 %]. Eastern Africa had the highest acceptance rate (60.44 %), and lower rate observed in West Africa (52.22 %). Reasons for hesitancy included misinformation, distrust of new vaccines, fear of side effects, suspicion of authorities, and opposition to mandatory vaccination certificates.

The pandemic has brought to the fore fundamental issues relating to the right to accept or refuse vaccination. To prepare for the management of future epidemics, it is necessary to reflect on the ethics of requiring a vaccine passport.

Résumé / Abstract : Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global public health problem with devastating consequences, such as hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently, approved treatments are limited to interferon and nucleoside/nucleotide analogues for chronic hepatitis B and chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery for cancer. Both treatments have their limitations, making complete cure an elusive goal. Therefore, the identification of new therapeutic targets using medicinal plants and the development of new antiviral and anticancer strategies are of utmost importance.

The aim of this review is to identify from the literature the substances and molecules of West African flora involved in the fight against chronic hepatitis B and liver cancer and to provide a summary of their mechanisms of action.

Pubmed, HAL open science, and Google Scholar literature search engines were used to identify medicinal plants and molecules from the West African flora.

Among West African countries, Gambia and Niger had the highest prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection, and 09 West African countries had high rates of liver cancer. A number of studies carried out in Mali, Benin, Senegal, and Burkina Faso enabled us to list anti-HBV and anticancer plants, as well as a number of molecules isolated from plants found in West African regions.

By offering a glimpse into the world of anti-HBV and anticancer molecules from West Africa, this review provides valuable information to support the future development of herbal antiviral and anticancer drugs.

Résumé / Abstract : Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global health burden, with disease progression influenced by host genetic and immune factors, including variants in the mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) gene. This study aimed to evaluate the association between MBL2 polymorphisms and clinical outcomes of HBV infection in a cohort from Burkina Faso.

A total of 74 participants were recruited in 2022, including individuals with chronic hepatitis B (CHB, N = 12), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, N = 28), cirrhosis (N = 12) and resolved hepatitis B (n = 22). Genotyping of MBL2 promoter polymorphisms (rs11003125 and rs7096206) was performed using real-time PCR (QuantStudio 5). Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS v20 and Epi Info v7.5.2.0, with significance defined as p < 0.05 (Fisher's exact test).

For rs11003125, the GC heterozygous genotype predominated (77%), followed by GG (16.2%) and CC (6.7%). For rs7096206, genotype frequencies were 43.2% (CC), 28.4% (CG) and 28.4% (GG). The rs7096206 GG genotype and G allele were strongly associated with infection resolution (OR = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.0002-0.3, p < 0.001; and OR = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.01-0.2, p < 0.001, respectively), and with reduced risk of progression from cirrhosis to HCC (OR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.09-0.7, p = 0.009). Additionally, the rs11003125 C allele was associated with a decreased risk of progression to HCC (OR = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.1-0.7, p = 0.01).

From an exploratory perspective, the analysis of the rs11003125 and rs7096206 polymorphisms located in the promoter region of the MBL2 gene suggests their possible involvement in the progression of HBV infection. These preliminary results support the hypothesis of a potential functional role of this gene in HBV pathogenesis, while highlighting the need for further studies to confirm and clarify these associations.

Résumé / Abstract : Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, implicated in urinary tract infections, represent a major challenge and limit therapeutic options. Our study sought to characterize the genes of resistance to IMP and NDM in urine samples from patients in the city of Ouagadougou by real-time PCR.

This cross-sectional study focused on 130 bacterial isolates collected from February to July 2023 at HOSCO and CERBA. The determination of the enterobacterium species was followed by the performance of an antibiogram. Gene detection consisted of the extraction of bacterial DNA and its amplification by real-time PCR.

60 isolates came from male patients (46.2%) and 70 from female patients (53.8%), for a sex ratio (M/F) of 0.85 and an age between 51 days and 83 years, including 87.7% over 20 years. The most frequent species were respectively Escherichia coli (64.6%), Klebsiella sp. (30.8%), Proteus sp. (3.1%) and Enterobacter cloacae (1.5%). Resistance to imipenem for all Enterobacteriaceae strains was 19.2% and the majority gene was NDM (70%). The IMP gene was rare with only one positive case (0.8%) which was a coexistence of the 2 genes IMP and NDM.

The NDM gene could be a cause of resistance to antibiotics, particularly imipenem, and special attention should be paid to Escherichia coli in the fight against the emergence of extended-spectrum β-lactamases. Real-time PCR could serve as a routine analytical technique to facilitate obtaining more reliable results in a short timeframe.

Résumé / Abstract : The keloids scar is a skin scarring pathology with a higher frequency in the black population. Several genetic polymorphisms, including those of transforming growth factor receptors, have been identified as probable susceptibility genes. This study aimed to characterize the polymorphisms of TGF-βRI, TGF-βRII and identify risk factors associated with keloid scars in Burkina Faso.

This was a cross-sectional study that included 141 subjects with keloids and conducted from April 2021 to April 2022. Genomic DNA was extracted using the "PureLinkTM Genomic DNA Mini kit". Genotyping of TGF-βRI rs111854391, rs121918710, and TGF-βRII rs104893807, rs28934568 polymorphisms was performed using real-time PCR. Results were considered statistically significant at p<0.05.

The average age of the study population was 34 ± 15 years and O Rhesus positive blood group (O+) was predominant (36.88%). All subjects (100%) were heterozygous (TG) for rs121918710. Medical or surgical history, family history, blood type, and rs28934568 polymorphism were related to the number of sites of keloids on the body. Patients with a medical history (9.8%) were carriers of the mutant allele C for rs28934568. Mossi ethnic had more than 8 times risk of developing a keloid scar (p=0.030; OR=8.66 (95% CI: 1.230-60.902).

The presence in all the patients of the mutated allele for the rs 121918710 polymorphism could explain the involvement of this mutation in the occurrence of keloid scars. In addition, ethnicity and blood type were the risk factors associated with keloids.

Résumé / Abstract : Cervical cancer is a multifactorial disease like any other human cancer. Among these factors, genetic polymorphisms of Glutathione S-Transferase Mu1 (GSTM1) have been incriminated, but the studies results remain controversial. The objective of this meta-analysis was to study the influence of GSTM1 polymorphisms on the occurrence of cervical cancer and to explore interactions between genes and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and exposure to tobacco smoke. A meta-analysis was conducted on studies published up to June 12, 2025, from six databases: ScienceDirect, Embase, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science. Eligible studies included all case-control investigations that assessed the association between GSTM1 polymorphisms and the risk of cervical cancer. Odds ratios and confidence intervals from the studies were used to estimate the combined effect size. Statistical analyses were conducted using both the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model and Mantel and Haenszel fixed-effect model with a 95% confidence interval. Subgroup analyses were performed to identify potential sources of variability. A significant association was observed between the GSTM1-null and an increased risk of Cervical Cancer (ORCC=1.47, Pz=0.011) and Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (ORSIL=1.42, Pz=0.035) compared with the GSTM1-present. The included studies showed high heterogeneity. Overall, carriers of the GSTM1-null had a higher likelihood of developing Cervical Cancer compared to carriers of the GSTM1-present. In subgroup analyses, an increased risk associated with the GSTM1-null was found among Asian populations (ORCC=1.54, Pz=0.002) and according to sample type, in blood DNA extracts (ORCC=1.27, Pz=0.052). Furthermore, the GSTM1-null was associated with increased risk in HPV+ women (ORCC=4.88, Pz=0.005) and in women exposed to tobacco smoke (ORCC=1.35, Pz=0.033). According to histological type, GSTM1-null was also associated with the development of Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ORSCC=1.52, Pz=0.020). in conclusion, GSTM1-nullwere associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer in women, especially in HPV+ women and those exposed to tobacco smoke.

Résumé / Abstract :

Résumé / Abstract : Context: Asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as hepatitis B and syphilis, affect more than one million people aged 15 to 49 every day. A better understanding of their prevalence is essential in order to move towards their elimination and contribute to a 90% reduction in chronic hepatitis cases by 2030. Objective: To analyze changes in the epidemiological trends of hepatitis B and syphilis between 2013 and 2024 in order to strengthen control strategies and improve medical care for patients. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, including retrospective data collection from the CERBA database (2013-2023) and prospective data collection in 2024. Biological samples were analyzed using rapid diagnostic tests: DetermineTM HBsAg 2 and DetermineTM Syphilis TP. Results: From 2013 to 2024, among the 2,604 participants (mean age: 30.33 ± 10.87 years), the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) was 8.49% and that of syphilis was 1.61%. A downward trend in HBV was observed during the study period: 8.91% in 2013, 8.45% in 2016, 8.75% in 2020, and 7.83% in 2024. For syphilis, the rates were 2.30% in 2016, 2.61% in 2020 and 1.54% in 2024. Over the same period, HBV prevalence was higher in men than in women (9.24% vs. 7.10%, P = 0.061) and syphilis prevalence was also higher in men (1.72% vs. 1.42%, P = 0.563). In the management of HBV, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) remains the reference molecule, prescribed in 98.1% of cases, while tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) is used marginally (1.9%), and the hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) remains accessible. Conclusion: The still high prevalence of HBV in Burkina Faso requires increased vaccination efforts, particularly among at-risk groups, as well as equitable access to antivirals, with the goal of reducing chronic forms of hepatitis B by 90% within a decade. Furthermore, the decline in the prevalence of syphilis highlights the importance of early and continuous screening, treatment of partners and the implementation of effective prevention programs.

Résumé / Abstract : Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) is a key component of the innate immune system that recognizes viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) as well as endogenous RNA released from necrotic cells. Unlike other TLRs, TLR3 signals exclusively through the TIR-domain-containing adaptor inducing interferon-β (TRIF). This activation triggers downstream cascades that culminate in the translocation of IRF3 and NF-κB, inducing type I and type III interferons (IFNs) alongside interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) and pro-inflammatory cytokines. These responses are essential for shaping antiviral immunity in hepatitis virus infections. In hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, exogenous stimulation of TLR3 using synthetic agonists such as polyriboinosinic: polyribocytidylic acid [poly(I:C)] suppresses viral replication in experimental models and promotes interferon-dependent viral clearance, underscoring its therapeutic potential. In hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, TLR3-mediated antiviral defenses are directly antagonized, most notably through cleavage or downregulation of TRIF by viral proteins, thereby impairing IFN induction and facilitating viral persistence. Furthermore, human genetic studies reveal that TLR3 polymorphisms, such as the non-synonymous rs3775290 (1377 C > T), are associated with differential susceptibility, chronicity, and progression of HBV and HCV infections. Collectively, the evidence highlights TLR3 as a central determinant of host-virus interactions in hepatitis, influencing viral clearance, persistence, and clinical outcomes, and as a promising target for novel therapeutic strategies. This review provides an updated overview of TLR3 expression and genetic variants in relation to HBV and HCV infection outcomes.

Résumé / Abstract : Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites that are mainly produced by molds. The presence of mycotoxins in raw materials used to produce infant flours presents a health risk to infants and young children. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the mycotoxin prevalence in raw materials and infant flours from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Thirty-nine samples of raw materials and 26 samples of infant flour collected from artisanal and semi-industrial production units were analyzed. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine the contents of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), aflatoxin B2, aflatoxin G1, aflatoxin G2, fumonisin B1 (FB1), and ochratoxin A (OTA). The results indicated a variability in the contents of total aflatoxins (AFs), FB1, and OTA within the samples of raw materials. In addition, 79.49% of the raw materials contaminated by total AFs had AF contents above the maximum limit (4 µg/kg). Moreover, 61.54% had AFB1 levels above the recommended limit (2 µg/kg). The highest AF levels were found in peanuts and maize. Meanwhile, the highest OTA level was found in soybean samples. The presence of mycotoxins was highly variable in infant flours. The comparison of averages indicates a significant difference for AF, FB1, and OTA contents (P<0.0001). Therefore, these mycotoxins need to be controlled to considerably reduce their contamination and exposure in infants and young children and to preserve their health.

Résumé / Abstract : The consumption of cruciferous vegetables offers several health benefits due to some of their compounds. Sulforaphane (SFN), a compound found in cabbage and broccoli, has received special attention in recent years due to its anticancer activities. The main objective of this systematic review is to examine the epigenetic and genetic effects of SFN on cancers (in vitro and in vivo) which contribute to its anticancer activities. We only analyzed studies that combined its epigenetic effects and anticancer activities due to the multitude of studies on SFN over the past few years. We found that SFN is able to regulate epigenetic mechanisms and promote the prevention and treatment of several cancers. Definitely, it prevents tumor growth and acts as a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, a DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor, and a microRNA regulator in several cancers. These epigenetic regulations lead indirectly to a hyperregulation or deregulation of the expression of genes involved in carcinogenesis. SFN hasn't any major epigenetic effect on normal cells. This review revealed that the anticancer activities attributable to SFN are largely related to its ability to modulate cancer cell epigenome. These capabilities to modulate the epigenome make SFN a promising anticancer agent with significant therapeutic potential.

Résumé / Abstract : Dengue, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, represents a significant global health challenge due to its complex host-pathogen interactions and varying disease severity. Genetic factors are known to influence the clinical outcome of dengue infections. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of TNF-α gene polymorphism 308 (rs1800629) and INF-γ +874 (rs62559044) in the progression of dengue virus infection. Conducted in the Central region of Burkina Faso, this study included 246 participants, comprising 117 controls and 129 dengue-positive patients. Genotyping of the TNF-α 308 (rs1800629) and INF-γ +874 A/T (rs62559044) polymorphisms was performed using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and Amplification Refractory Mutation System PCR (ARMS-PCR) techniques, respectively.  Our analysis revealed no significant correlation between lymphocyte count and dengue severity (P = 0.95). Although we did not find an association between the alleles of the SNPs TNF-α 308 (rs1800629) and INF-γ +874 (rs6255904) studied with either DF or severe DS, we cannot conclude the same for their respective genotypes Thus, the AA and GG genotypes of TNF-α are associated with the contraction of DF and DS, respectively; the former is even associated with the progression of  DF to the severe form of the disease. For INF-γ  AA genotypes are more associated with progression to severe dengue and the AT heterozygote could be associated with a possibility of preventing progression to DS forms. . The A allele frequencies was higher frequency in DF than in DS pour TNF-α 308  , but this difference lacked statistical significance (P > 0.005). With INF-γ  tTT genotype was more prevalent in DS, whereas the AT genotype frequencies differed between DF (23.96%) and DS (19.35%). Our results reveal through the allelic levels of TNF-α 308 and INF-γ +874; that the latter would not play a significant role in the progression of dengue virus infection to severe forms. However, previous studies through a clear mechanism show a strong association between the concentrations of these cytokines and the pathogenesis of dengue. This underlines the need for further investigations to elucidate the genetic determinants of the severity of dengue. In particular, a proteomic study coupled with sequencing on a representative population of the West African region would be a great asset in understanding the involvement of the genes of these cytokines in the pathogenesis of dengue.

Résumé / Abstract : Background: Dengue and chikungunya are endemic in West Africa, posing significant public health issues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of differential and systematic diagnosis of dengue and chikungunya on patient management and on antibiotic use in Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast. Methods: A multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted in both countries involving patients with suspected dengue and/or chikungunya viremia. VIDAS® diagnostic tests (bioMérieux SA, Marcy-l'Étoile, France) were provided to the intervention sites, while the control sites initially followed standard of care before testing at the end of the study. The primary outcome was defined as antibiotic prescription or non-initiation/discontinuation, and the secondary endpoints included hospital resource use, patient satisfaction, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), analyzed through Chi-square and logistic regression using SAS software v9.4. Results: Out of 775 enrolled patients, 767 had corresponding VIDAS® Dengue and VIDAS® Chikungunya results, with 570 having recorded antibiotic therapy (initiated, non-initiated or discontinued). Both Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast observed an increase in antibiotic discontinuation (or non-initiation) rates at the intervention sites compared to control sites: increased from 60% to 78% in Burkina Faso and from 36% to 83% in Ivory Coast. Hospitalization rates within seven days following inclusion were also lower in intervention sites than in the control sites: Burkina Faso 41% as compared with 97% and Ivory Coast 24% as compared with 98%. Patient-reported antibiotic use within seven days post-inclusion was also significantly lower in intervention sites. Conclusions: The results showed a reduction in potential antibiotic overuse and hospital admissions (i.e., hospitalization rates within seven days) in both the Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast interventions sites. These findings emphasize the importance of enhanced diagnostic strategies for the improvement of patient outcomes and the fight against antibiotic resistance. This study also highlights the need for implementing systematic and differential diagnosis of dengue and chikungunya in West Africa where febrile infections are endemic. Further studies are warranted to explore the economic benefits of these diagnostic strategies.

Résumé / Abstract : The leading mammary cancer in Burkina Faso, breast cancer has a variety of origins. In fact, an alteration in the MAP3K14 [GenBank: NC_000017.11, ID: 9020] and CD40 [GenBank: NC_000020.11, ID: 958] genes can lead to the development of breast cancer. The goal of this study is to highlight the possible involvement of the polymorphisms rs2074292 in the MAP3K14 gene and rs1883832 in the CD40 gene in the development of breast cancer in women in Burkina Faso.

One hundred and fifty-two (152) participants, including 71 patients versus 81 controls, took part in this case-control study. Real-time PCR was used for genotyping the two polymorphisms (rs2074292 and rs1883832), and the χ 2 test was used for risk assessment by calculating odds ratios, confidence intervals, and p values.

For the MAP3K14 gene, the allelic frequencies A and G, were respectively 54.40%, 35.25% in cases and 45.60%, 64.75% in controls. For the CD40 gene, the C and T allelic frequencies were 48.15% and 35.29% in the cases and 51.85% and 64.71% in the controls, respectively. The rs2074292 polymorphism of the MAP3K14 gene confers protection breast cancer with respectively the allele G (OR = 0.45 CI (95%) = 0.28-0.73; p = 0.01) and the heterozygote genotype AG (OR = 0.08 CI (95%) = 0.02-0.024; p < 0.01) while, no association was established between the rs1883832 polymorphism of the CD40 gene and the occurrence of breast cancer (OR = 0.58 CI (95%) = 0.27-1.23; p = 0.15).

The rs2074292 polymorphism of the MAP3K14 gene protects against progression to breast cancer in Burkina Faso. This study, therefore, contributes to an understanding of the role played by these two polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of this devastating disease.

Résumé / Abstract : Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, which can progress to liver cancer and even death, remains a public health problem. The high variability of HBV leading to the accumulation of mutations influences the natural history of this infection. Mutations in the precore/core region, in particular the G1896A mutation, have been associated with severe forms of liver disease in certain populations around the world. The aim of this study was to determine the molecular epidemiology of the HBV precore G1896A mutation and its relationship to hepatic complications in HBV chronically infected patients.

Classical nested PCR was used to amplify the HBV precore region. A total of 97 samples consisting of 53 cases of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), 18 cases of hepatic cirrhosis (HC) and 26 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were amplified. The G1896A mutation was determined by enzymatic digestion on 81 samples using the restriction enzyme Bsu36I. Serological (HBeAg, anti-HBe Ac), biochemical (ALT) and virological (HBV-DNA viral load) tests were performed.

The frequency of the G1896A mutation was 44.44% in our study population. It was 56.82% in CHB cases, 28.57% in HC cases and 30.43% in HCC. The G1896A mutation was found more in subjects with a negative HBeAg status than in those with a positive HBeAg (p = 0.05) in the CHB subgroup. The DNA level was higher in subjects carrying wild-type strains for the G1896A mutation (p > 0.05). ALT levels were lower in subjects carrying the G1896A mutation than in those infected with wild-type strains (p = 0.006) in the HBC subgroup.

This study, conducted on patients with chronic hepatitis B, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), showed that the frequency of the precore G1896A mutation was 44.44%. We found no correlation between this mutation and cirrhosis and HCC. However, it was more found in subjects with chronic hepatitis B and was associated with HBeAg negativity in the latter. It would therefore be involved in the elimination of this protein partly responsible for the persistence of HBV infection and could be a molecular marker for clinicians in the management of patients infected with HBV with negative HBeAg and positive anti-HBe antibodies. However, studies on other mutations of the precore gene would be necessary to obtain more conclusive results in terms of effective treatment.

Résumé / Abstract : Despite significant progress, malaria remains a public health problem in many regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. This situation is partly explained by the mosquito's resistance to insecticides and the emergence of parasite resistance to antimalarial drugs. Indeed, in spite of the various vectors' controls, insecticide resistance emerges from multi-generational selection and poses worldwide concern. In parallel, artemisinin resistance unfortunately emerged independently in multiple countries in eastern Africa. Since 2014, artemisinin resistance has been observed in 6 countries in Africa and, more concerningly, the evidence from longitudinal molecular surveys in these countries suggests that it is spreading. While phenotypic evidence of treatment failure is still limited, the increasing reports of validated artemisinin resistance mutations are alarming. Unlike the emergence of artemisinin resistance in South-East Asia, our understanding of the genetic determinants of artemisinin resistance and our ability to sequence and map the spread of resistance are significantly greater. In addition to mosquito and parasite genetics affecting malaria evolution, many human individual variants have been identified that are associated with malaria protection, but the most important of all relates to the structure or function of red blood cells, the classical polymorphisms that causes sickle cell trait, α-thalassaemia, G6PD deficiency, and the major red cell blood group variants. In that biological complex context, there is a need to characterize the various genetic factors in Plasmodium falciparum, humans and mosquitoes that are potentially associated with resistance to antimalarial drugs and insecticides, and their involvement in the evolution, severity and transmission of malaria. In this direction, A comprehensive literature review was conducted to capture the objectives highlighted above. The advances in genomic surveillance and emerging genetic control strategies, such as gene drive technology were also considered in this review. We used search engines such as PubMed and Google scholar to retrieve articles useful to the objective of this paper and information on the knowledge of genetic factors and methods that contributed to malaria control were synthesized.

Résumé / Abstract : This preliminary study compares VIDAS TB-IGRA (bioMérieux, Marcy-l'Etoile, France) with the established QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) to evaluate diagnostic performance for the diagnosis of individuals infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (latent infection and disease). The study was multi-center and performed between 2 October 2019 and 4 February 2020. Participants were divided into tuberculosis (TB) disease, high-risk, and low-risk populations. The confirmed TB disease population included 104 patients. The high-risk population included 162 individuals with flagged risk factors on a questionnaire but without objective clinical confirmation of TB. The low-risk population included 117 healthy blood donors from the French National Blood Bank. Positive and negative percent agreement (PPA and NPA) were determined between the VIDAS TB-IGRA and QFT-Plus. In the TB disease population, sensitivity was measured against bacterial culture and PCR. The VIDAS TB-IGRA produced fewer indeterminate results than the QFT-Plus (1/104 vs 23/104) in the TB disease population and exhibited a sensitivity of 95.0% against bacterial culture. Furthermore, a 98.2% PPA was obtained in comparison to QFT-Plus. In the low-risk population, the VIDAS TB-IGRA demonstrated high specificity (94.9%) and a strong NPA (98.2%) compared to QFT-Plus. In the high-risk population, the VIDAS TB-IGRA exhibited a strong PPA (94.4%) with the QFT-Plus. A lower NPA was observed (85.2%) compared to QFT-Plus, which may be due to a higher sensitivity demonstrated in the TB disease population. The fully automated VIDAS TB-IGRA is a promising aid in the diagnosis of individuals infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (latent infection and active disease). It exhibits higher sensitivity while maintaining specificity and produces fewer indeterminate interpretations than QFT-Plus. Its easy-to-use, single-patient format may lead to increased TB testing to aid in the adequate diagnosis and management of the disease.IMPORTANCEThis study presents a comprehensive evaluation of the VIDAS TB-IGRA diagnostic test. This test is compared with the established QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus to assess its effectiveness in diagnosing both latent and active tuberculosis (TB) infections. The study highlights the VIDAS TB-IGRA's higher sensitivity, fewer indeterminate results, and robust performance across different patient populations, including those with confirmed TB disease, high-risk, and low-risk groups. The findings suggest that the VIDAS TB-IGRA could enhance TB diagnosis and management, offering a fully automated, easy-to-use solution that reduces human error and result variability.

Résumé / Abstract : The hepatic cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) superfamily plays a crucial role in converting clopidogrel into its active form. Polymorphisms in CYP2C19 significantly contribute to the interindividual variability observed, often resulting in persistent thromboembolic complications. This study aimed to assess the frequency of the CYP2C19*2 (rs4244285, 681 G>A1) polymorphism among patients with cardiovascular diseases undergoing clopidogrel therapy.

This cross-sectional study recruited a total of seventy-three (73) patients from the Cardiology Department of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Yalgado Ouédraogo (CHU-YO) between January and June 2023. DNA was extracted from blood samples for CYP2C19*2 genotyping using PCR-RFLP.

Genetic analysis revealed frequencies of 65.8% for the wild-type CYP2C19*1/*1, 28.8% for the heterozygous CYP2C19*1/*2, and 2.7% for the homozygous variant CYP2C19*2/*2. The distribution of the genotypic frequencies was consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p> 0.05). The overall frequency of the CYP2C19*2 allele in the study population was 16.4%, with 12.5% observed in females and 19.5% in males.

This study provides valuable insights into the frequency of the CYP2C19*2 polymorphism among cardiovascular patients in Burkina Faso, contributing to the limited data available on CYP2C19 polymorphisms in sub-Saharan Africa. The presence of loss-of-function alleles suggests a potential risk for reduced drug efficacy in a subset of individuals. As one of the pioneering studies in the region, these findings emphasize the importance of further research to understand the clinical implications of CYP2C19 polymorphisms.

Résumé / Abstract : Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) plays a crucial role in resistance to mycobacterial infections, as it is a regulatory cytokine that acts as a pro-inflammatory mediator. Consequently, variants in the gene encoding this cytokine may be associated with a high risk of contracting pulmonary tuberculosis. The present study aimed to investigate the genetic susceptibility of polymorphisms in the gene coding for IFN-γ to infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Burkina Faso. This cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2023 to January 2024. Venous blood was collected from suspected cases. Tuberculosis was confirmed by GeneXpert (CEPHEID). Human genomic DNA was extracted using the salting-out extraction technique, followed by the amplification and genotyping of IFN-γ gene polymorphisms,through the conventional PCR. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS and Epi info software. A total of 168 participants were included in the study, with an average age of 38.58 ±14.88, the majority of whom were men (76.19%). In our study population, 73.2% (123/168) were confirmed positive for tuberculosis. Some 46.4% (78/168) of the previous cases were contacts. Of these contact cases, 82.05% (64/78) were GeneXpert positive. The genotypic frequencies of the IFN-γ gene were distributed as follows: 73.3% (AA), 21.8% (AT) and 4.9% (TT), with a frequency of 84.2% for the A allele versus 15.8% for the mutated T allele. No statistically significant association was found between IFN-γ gene polymorphisms and M. tuberculosis infection in Burkina Faso. IFN-γ gene polymorphisms (IFN +874T/A) do not appear to be associated with M. tuberculosis infection in Burkina Faso.

Résumé / Abstract : Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a significant cause of liver disease and cancer worldwide. Understanding the genetic factors influencing HBV evolution is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. Host genetic and environmental factors particularly influence the evolution of this infection. Recent studies have implicated the ECM1 gene in HBV pathogenesis, mainly two specific polymorphisms (rs3834087 and rs3754217). In an African cohort, we comprehensively analyzed these ECM1 gene polymorphisms and their association with HBV evolution.In this case-control analysis, 167 samples, consisting of 59 controls and 108 cases, were examined. The cases included 50 patients with Chronic Hepatitis B(CHB), 16 with cirrhosis, and 42 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Genomic DNA extraction was executed using INVITROGEN and FAVORGEN kits. Genotyping of rs3834087 and rs3754217 polymorphisms in the ECM1 gene was accomplished via real-time PCR on the QuantStudioTM 5 Real-Time instrument, followed by allelic discrimination using TaqMan Genotyper Software. Data was interpreted using SPSS version 20 and Epi info version 7.5.2.0. Odds ratios (OR), confidence intervals (CI), and p-values were derived for risk and significance evaluation.In our study, the heterozygous genotype (GT) of rs3754217 could confer protection to controls against the onset of chronic hepatitis in the event of infection (OR=0.05; CI=0.006-0.46; p=0.002). In addition, carriage of mutated alleles of the two (2) polymorphisms was associated with the course of infection and may influence the appearance of severe forms at certain stages of the disease.Our study is the first to assess the association between polymorphisms (rs3834087 and rs3754217) in the ECM1 gene and the course of HBV infection in Burkina Faso. It showed that combining specific genotypes of the two (2) polymorphisms would be associated with protection against chronic hepatitis.

Résumé / Abstract : The infant flours produced in Burkina Faso are essentially a mixture of cereals and legumes. These raw materials are frequently contaminated with mycotoxins which pose a huge food safety and public health threat. The objective of this study was to determine mycotoxin levels in raw materials and infant flours in Ouagadougou and to investigate the impact of decontamination on the raw materials used in infant flour production. A total of 22 cereals and 17 legumes as raw materials and 26 infant flour samples were analysed for aflatoxins, fumonisin B1 (FB1), and ochratoxin A (OTA) by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, while saline treatment and hand-sorting of grains in mycotoxin reduction were tested. All the samples of raw materials and infant flours were contaminated with aflatoxins, whereas 20.5% and 38.5% of raw materials and 57.7% and 61.5% of infant flours, respectively, were contaminated by FB1 and OTA. These decontamination assays significantly reduced the levels of mycotoxins. AFB1 was reduced by 48% after soaking of maize for 6 h in a 6% NaCl solution. Sorting resulted in a 92% reduction in AFB1 content in peanut. However, soaking in saline solution did not reduce the FB1 and OTA contents. Sorting did not also reduce FB1 contents in peanut. Sorting and soaking in 6% saline solution for 6 h are production processes that lead to a reduction in the level of contamination by aflatoxins in maize and peanut used as raw materials for infant flour production.

Résumé / Abstract : Dengue is an emerging vector-borne viral disease in tropical and subtropical areas such as Burkina Faso that experienced dengue outbreak in, 2013, 2016, 2017 and more recently in 2023. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and dengue serotype in suspected patients in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The study was conducted during October and November 2023 and included suspected febrile patients seen at HOSCO and CERBA. Plasma or serum samples were used for the detection of non-structural proteins (NS1) and IgM and IgG antibodies against the dengue virus using SD Bioline Dengue Duo rapid detection kit. Viral RNA was extracted using the QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit and dengue serotypes were determined by real-time RT-PCR using the Dengue Real-TM Genotype kit.

The study population consisted of 896 patients, including 397 (44.3%) men and 499 (55.7%) women. Dengue seroprevalence was 16.5% (148/896) with 14.1% (126/896) of patients positive for the NS1 antigen, 1.3% (12/896) positive for IgM, and 2.7% (24/896) positive for IgG. Serotyping among 40 out of 45 positive patients revealed 77.5% (31/40) DENV-3, 17.5% (7/40) DENV-1, and 5.0% (2/40) DENV-2.

The present study reports a high seroprevalence of dengue virus infection among patients during the months considered as the peak of infection in Burkina Faso. The results revealed a predominance of DENV-3. Continuous surveillance of dengue virus serotypes circulating in Burkina Faso is crucial.

Résumé / Abstract : HIV-2 infection although less virulent compared to HIV-1 is endemic in many parts of West Africa. In Burkina Faso, few data exist on HIV-2 genotypic resistance. The objective of this study was to assess HIV-2 genotypic resistance and viral load in adult patients infected with HIV-2 in Burkina Faso. This was a cross-sectional study that ran from February 2017 to March 2019. This study included 91 HIV-infected adult patients on ARV treatment. HIV and hepatitis B and C status were confirmed by serological tests. HIV-2 viral load and HIV-2 clusters were determined by in-house tests. The mean age was 58.99 ±8.66 years. Of the patients, 12.1% were HIV-1, 73.6% were HIV-2 and 14.3% were co-infected with HIV-1/HIV-2. Only 15% had a high viral load (more than 1000 copies/mL). Groups A and B were detected in this study with the majority being group A (23.75%). HIV-2 subtype CRF01_AB was found in 3.75% of HIV-2 patients. Of the 34 HIV-2 patients whose subtypes were determined, only 7 had reverse transcriptase and 3 had protease resistance mutations. The M184V mutation was the most detected. This study revealed recent data on the status of HIV-2 genotypic resistance in Burkina Faso. Although few HIV-2 infected patients on ARV treatment have developed resistance, it is important to establish a surveillance system for HIV-2 genotypic resistance.

Résumé / Abstract : Extremely low birth weight infants are a public health problem in developing countries.

of this study was to evaluate the prognosis of extremely low birth weight newborns hospitalized at Saint Camille Hospital in Ouagadougou (HOSCO).

This was a descriptive and analytical study with retrospective data collection on newborns with birth weight <1000g, in the neonatology department from January 2017 to December 2021.

A total of 319 newborns were admitted giving a hospital frequency of 8.62%. Male sex was predominant with a sex ratio of 1.02. The mean age was 0.18 ± 0.71 days. The main signs on admission were hypothermia 88.40% and respiratory distress 92.16%. The evolution was marked by 92.79% of deaths of which 90.20% occurred during the early neonatal period. Hypothermia, birth outside HOSCO and maternal age less than 20 years were the factors associated with mortality.

The management of low birth weight remains difficult because of the very limited resources in our countries. Simple and inexpensive interventions can considerably improve the survival of these newborns.

Résumé / Abstract : Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Infection remains a public health problem and a threat to blood transfusion safety. The aim of this study was to summarise the scientific literature on the seroprevalence of HBV and occult HBV among blood donors in Africa. Searches were carried out in PubMed, Science Direct, Global Index Medicus and African Journals Online from 2012 to 2022. Dersimonian and Laird's random-effects model-based method was used for statistical analyses to estimate pooled seroprevalence at a 95% confidence interval (CI) using STATA version 14 software. Heterogeneity was assessed on the basis of Cochran's Q test and quantified by the I2 index. The methodological quality of the articles was assessed using the Joanna Brigg Institute's critical appraisal checklist. Among 90 articles included, 86 reported data in serological test that a pooled HBV seroprevalence of 5.53% (95% CI: 4.56-6.58; I2 = 99.94%) and 14 provided occult hepatitis B data. A high prevalence of 9.69% (95% CI: 8.42-11.03) was observed in the West African region. Lowest prevalence was 1.22% (95% CI: 0.74-1.83) in South Africa region. Prevalence in Africa among men was: 5.18% (95% CI: 3.97-6.54) and in women: 3.50% (95% CI: 2.45-4.71) (I2 = 99.76% and p < 0.01). While the overall pooled prevalence of occult hepatitis B was 3.18% (95% CI: 1.29-5.81). HBV seroprevalence is high in low-resource areas of Africa, and the data generated by this situation calls for constant epidemiological surveillance. Emphasis must be placed on building blood donor loyalty and integrating molecular testing into the biological qualification of blood donations.

Résumé / Abstract : &lt;b&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/b&gt; Despite its widespread use in cardiology, patient's response to clopidogrel exhibits significant interindividual variability, often leading to persistent thromboembolic complications. The hepatic Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) superfamily plays a pivotal role in clopidogrel's conversion to its active form and CYP2C19 polymorphisms significantly contribute to this variability. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and impact of the CYP2C19 rs4986893 polymorphism on clopidogrel treatment response. &lt;b&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/b&gt; Seventy-three patients with Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) undergoing clopidogrel antiplatelet therapy for a minimum of six months were recruited from Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Yalgado Ouédraogo (CHU-YO). Sociodemographic data were collected and DNA was extracted from blood samples for CYP2C19 rs4986893 genotyping using PCR-RFLP. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; The patient's mean age was 62.56±13.45 years, ranging from 23 to 94 years, with a male-to-female sex ratio of 1.28. Most patients came from the informal sector, primarily of Mossi ethnicity and residing in Ouagadougou. Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and hypertension were the predominant reasons for consultation, with clopidogrel showing efficacy in 97.3% of cases. While 72.6% had no family history of CVD, hypertension was prevalent among those with familial cardiovascular conditions. Genetic analysis revealed a 65.8% frequency of heterozygotes CYP2C19*1/*3, with no mutant homozygotes CYP2C19*3/*3 detected. The results of the present study underscore a high prevalence of heterozygotes CYP2C19*1/*3 among patients with cardiovascular diseases. &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; This intermediate metabolic phenotype, along with a good response to clopidogrel, suggests that CYP2C19*1/*3 genotype promotes a favourable response to clopidogrel therapy.

Résumé / Abstract : In addition to antibiotic resistance, persistence is another cause of treatment failure in bacterial infections, representing a significant public health concern. Due to a lack of adequate data on clinical isolates, this study was initiated to investigate persistence in clinical isolates in Burkina Faso.

Eighty (80) clinical isolates, including 32 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 41 Staphylococcus aureus, and 7 Salmonella sp. obtained from clinical laboratories in Burkina Faso, were analyzed to assess their susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin, as well as to determine the presence of persistence genes. The effects of ciprofloxacin and gentamicin on persister formation were evaluated by conducting colony counts at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 20 h after exposing the bacteria to high concentrations of these antibiotics.

Results showed high sensitivity to both antibiotics (72.5% for ciprofloxacin and 82.5% for gentamicin). Persister formation occurred in Staphylococcus aureus with gentamicin and in Salmonella sp. with ciprofloxacin, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa did not form persisters. The mazF gene was found in 28.13% of P. aeruginosa and 2.44% of S. aureus isolates, and the hipA gene in 28.57% of Salmonella sp. None of the relE1 or relE2 genes were detected.

The study revealed high sensitivity in clinical bacterial isolates to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella sp. showed persister formation under antibiotic stress, with low frequencies of the studied persistence genes. These findings enhance understanding of clinical bacterial behavior and inform strategies against antibiotic-resistant infections.

Résumé / Abstract : Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection poses a considerable public health challenge in limited-resource settings especially in the sub-Saharan African region. Even though HBV infection is incurable, timely treatment is effective in preventing disease progression to liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. However, not all infected patients require treatment. The aim of the study was to determine the clinical, immunological, and virological profiles of treatment naïve patients with HBV infection, seen at the outpatient clinic of the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. Additionally, the study sought to determine the antiviral treatment eligibility rate based on the 2015 guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) compared with the new 2024 guidelines. A hospital-based cross-sectional study involving total sampling of 220 treatment naïve HBV surface antigen positive clients was carried out. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data that were analyzed with STATA version 16. The median age at diagnosis was 34 years (IQR 26.0-41.5) with a male to female ratio of 1:1.5. A total of 138 participants (62.7%) were diagnosed with HBV infection following voluntary testing. There was a median delay of 8.5 months (IQR 3.0-22.5) between initial diagnosis and patients' presentation for medical care. In all, 24 patients (10.9%) had abnormal clinical examination findings, 172 patients (78.2%) had HBV DNA levels ≤ 2000 IU/ml whereas 8 (3.6%) were seropositive for the HBV envelope antigen. A few patients had concomitant human immunodeficiency virus (2.7%) and hepatitis C virus (1.4%) infections. Treatment eligibility rate based on the WHO 2015 guidelines was 6.4% (n = 14), however, with the updated 2024 guidelines, treatment eligibility was 42.3% (n = 93). Increasing the screening rate among the general population, early linkage to clinical care of screen positives and vaccination of screen negatives will help reduce HBV-related clinical conditions in resource-limited settings.

Résumé / Abstract : Ongoing terrorist attacks in the Sahel region call for strengthening the security system by using human DNA identification technology. In this context, public opinion must be considered when establishing solid standards and universal safeguards for one of the most invasive forms of surveillance and profiling. For this purpose, we gathered internet users' opinions in Burkina Faso (a country located in the Sahel region) on the use of DNA technology to support criminal investigations. The results revealed that 91.7% (431) of the 470 participants believed that this technology is currently necessary for the Burkina Faso's criminal justice system. However, the respondents expressed concerns about the custody and management of a national forensic DNA database. In this particular security setting, the public opinion of this study may provide leaders and political policymakers with clues for considering genetic fingerprints and implementing an national forensic DNA database to support criminal investigations in Burkina Faso whilst also considering the ethical implications.

Résumé / Abstract : Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is a globally prevalent infection, with its frequency being influenced by the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in a particular geographic region, including Africa. OBI can be transmitted through blood transfusions and organ transplants and has been linked to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The associated HBV genotype influences the infection.

To highlight the genetic diversity and prevalence of OBI in Africa.

This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and involved a comprehensive search on PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and African Journals Online for published studies on the prevalence and genetic diversity of OBI in Africa.

The synthesis included 83 articles, revealing that the prevalence of OBI varied between countries and population groups, with the highest prevalence being 90.9% in patients with hepatitis C virus infection and 38% in blood donors, indicating an increased risk of HBV transmission through blood transfusions. Cases of OBI reactivation have been reported following chemotherapy. Genotype D is the predominant, followed by genotypes A and E.

This review highlights the prevalence of OBI in Africa, which varies across countries and population groups. The study also demonstrates that genotype D is the most prevalent.

Résumé / Abstract : Since the 2000's, plants have been used as bioreactors for the transient production of molecules of interest such as vaccines. To improve protein yield, "amplicon" vectors based on plant viruses are used. These viral constructs, engineered to carry the gene of interest replicate strongly once introduced into the plant cell, allowing significant accumulation of the protein. Here, we evaluated the suitability of the monocot-infecting RNA virus Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) as an amplicon vector. The promastigote surface antigen (PSA) of the protozoan Leishmania was considered as a protein of interest due to its vaccine properties against canine leishmaniasis.

Since P1 (ORF1) and CP (ORF3) proteins are not strictly necessary for viral replication, ORF1 was deleted and the PSA gene was substituted to ORF3 in the RYMV-based vector. We evaluated its expression in the best described plant bioreactor system, Nicotiana benthamiana which, unlike rice, allows transient transformation by Agrobacterium. Despite not being its natural host, we demonstrated a low level of RYMV-based vector replication in N. benthamiana leaves. Under optimized ratio, we showed that the P19 silencing suppressor in combination with the missing viral CP ORF significantly enhanced RYMV amplicon replication in N. benthamiana. Under these optimized CP/P19 conditions, we showed that the RYMV amplicon replicated autonomously in the infiltrated N. benthamiana cells, but was unable to move out of the infiltrated zones. Finally, we showed that when the RYMV amplicon was expressed under the optimized conditions we set up, it allowed enhanced PSA protein accumulation in N. benthamiana compared to the PSA coding sequence driven by the 35S promoter without amplicon background.

This work demonstrates that a non-dicot-infecting virus can be used as an amplicon vector for the efficient production of proteins of interest such as PSA in N. benthamiana leaves.

Résumé / Abstract : Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In recent years, African countries have been faced with a rapid increase in morbidity and mortality due to this pathology. Management is often complicated by the high treatment costs, side effects and the increasing occurrence of resistance to treatments. The identification of new active ingredients extracted from endemic medicinal plants is definitively an interesting approach for the implementation of new therapeutic strategies: their extraction is often lower cost; their identification is based on an ethnobotanical history and a tradipratic approach; their use by low-income populations is simpler; this can help in the development of new synthetic molecules that are more active, more effective and with fewer side effects. The objective of this review is to document the molecules derived from African medicinal plants whose in vitro anti-cancer activities and the mechanisms of molecular actions have been identified. From the scientific databases Science Direct, PubMed and Google Scholar, we searched for publications on compounds isolated from African medicinal plants and having activity on cancer cells in culture. The data were analyzed in particular with regard to the cytotoxicity of the compounds and their mode of action. A total of 90 compounds of these African medicinal plants were selected. They come from nine chemical groups: alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, quinones, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, xanthones and organic sulfides. These compounds have been associated with several cellular effects: i) Cytotoxicity, including caspase activation, alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential, and/or induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS); ii) Anti-angiogenesis; iii) Anti-metastatic properties. This review points out that the cited African plants are rich in active ingredients with anticancer properties. It also stresses that screening of these anti-tumor active ingredients should be continued at the continental scale. Altogether, this work provides a rational basis for the selection of phytochemical compounds for use in clinical trials.

Résumé / Abstract : Genetic alterations in the TP63 (GenBank: NC_000003.12, ID: 8626) and CCR5 (receptor 5 chemokine co-receptor) (GenBank: NC_000003.12, ID: 1234) genes may increase the risk of developing breast cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the probable involvement of polymorphisms rs17506395 in the TP63 (tumour protein 63) gene and the CCR5Δ32 mutation in the occurrence of breast cancer in Burkina Faso. This case-control study included 72 patients and 72 controls. Genotyping of SNP rs17506395 (TP63) was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, and genotyping of the CCR5Δ32 mutation was performed by allele-specific oligonucleotide polymerase chain reaction. For SNP rs17506395 (TP63), the genotypic frequencies of wild-type homozygotes (TT) and heterozygotes (TG) were, respectively, 27.72 and 72.22% in cases and 36.11 and 63.89% in controls. No mutated homozygotes (GG) were observed. For the CCR5Δ32 mutation, the genotypic frequencies of wild-type homozygotes (WT/WT) and heterozygotes (WT/Δ32) were 87.5 and 13.5%, respectively, in the cases and 89.29 and 10.71%, respectively, in the controls. No mutated homozygotes (Δ32/Δ32) were observed. None of the polymorphisms rs17506395 of the TP63 gene (OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 0.69-3.17, P = 0.284) and the CCR5Δ32 mutation (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 0.46-3.77; P = 0.79) were associated with the occurrence of breast cancer in this study.

Résumé / Abstract : Cancer incidence and mortality rates are increasing worldwide. Cancer treatment remains a real challenge for African countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where funding and resources are very limited. High costs, side effects and drug resistance associated with cancer treatment have encouraged scientists to invest in research into new herbal cancer drugs. In order to identify potential anticancer plants for drug development, this review aims to collect and summarize anticancer activities (in vitro/in vivo) and molecular mechanisms of sub-Saharan African medicinal plant extracts against cancer cell lines. Scientific databases such as ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and PubMed were used to search for research articles published from January 2013 to May 2023 on anticancer medicinal plants in sub-Saharan Africa. The data were analyzed to highlight the cytotoxicity and molecular mechanisms of action of these listed plants. A total of 85 research papers covering 204 medicinal plant species were selected for this review. These plants come from 57 families, the most dominant being the plants of the family Amaryllidaceae (16), Fabaceae (14), Annonaceae (10), Asteraceae (10). Plant extracts exert their anticancer activity mainly by inducing apoptosis and stopping the cell cycle of cancer cells. Several plant extracts from sub-Saharan Africa therefore have strong potential for the search for original anticancer phytochemicals. Chemoproteomics, multi-omics, genetic editing technology (CRISPR/Cas9), combined therapies and artificial intelligence tools are cutting edge emerging technologies that facilitate the discovery and structural understanding of anticancer molecules of medicinal plants, reveal their direct targets, explore their therapeutic uses and molecular bases.

Résumé / Abstract : Noroviruses are the second leading cause of death in children under the age of 5 years old. They are responsible for 200 million cases of diarrhoea and 50,000 deaths in children through the word, mainly in low-income countries. The objective of this review was to assess how the prevalence and genetic diversity of noroviruses have been affected by the introduction of rotavirus vaccines in Africa. PubMed, Web of Science and Science Direct databases were searched for articles. All included studies were conducted in Africa in children aged 0 to 5 years old with gastroenteritis. STATA version 16.0 software was used to perform the meta-analysis. The method of Dersimonian and Laird, based on the random effects model, was used for the statistical analyses in order to estimate the pooled prevalence's at a 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was assessed by Cochran's Q test using the I2 index. The funnel plot was used to assess study publication bias. A total of 521 studies were retrieved from the databases, and 19 were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled norovirus prevalence's for pre- and post-vaccination rotavirus studies were 15% (95 CI, 15-18) and 13% (95 CI, 09-17) respectively. GII was the predominant genogroup, with prevalence of 87.64% and 91.20% respectively for the pre- and post-vaccination studies. GII.4 was the most frequently detected genotype, with rates of 66.84% and 51.24% respectively for the pre- and post-vaccination studies. This meta-analysis indicates that rotavirus vaccination has not resulted in a decrease in norovirus infections in Africa.

Résumé / Abstract : Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is a public health problem in Burkina Faso. OBI represents a risk factor for the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). OBI could be due to mutant viruses undetectable by HBsAg assays or a strong suppression of viral replication and gene expression under the pression of the host immune system. To investigate the role of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) gene polymorphisms in patients with OBI in Burkina Faso compared to healthy and chronic hepatitis B subjects. A total of 286 participants was recruited, including 42 cases of OBI, 110 cases of chronic hepatitis B and 134 HBV negative subjects. SSP-PCR was performed to search for the presence of KIR genes. The HBV viral load was determined by qPCR. The frequencies of the activator gene KIR2DS5 (P=0.045) and the pseudogene KIR2DP1 (P<0.001) in patients with OBI were higher than those in patients with chronic hepatitis B. These genes are associated with susceptibility of occult hepatitis B infection. The frequencies of the inhibitory KIR gene KIR2DL3 (P=0.01) of patients with occult hepatitis B were lower than those in chronic hepatitis B patients. This gene KIR2DL3 is associated with protection against occult hepatitis B infection. Also, the frequencies of the inhibitory KIR genes KIR2DL2 (P<0.001), KIR2DL3 (P<0.001) and activators KIR2DS2 (P<0.001) in chronic hepatitis B patients were higher compared to the frequencies of the KIR genes in healthy subjects. These genes KIR2DL3, KIR2DL5 (A, B), KIR3DL3, KIR3DS1, KIR2DL2 and KIR2DS2 are thought to be genes associated with the susceptibility to OBI. The KIR2DS5 and KIR2DP1 genes could be associated with susceptibility to OBI. As for the KIR gene KIR2DL3 could be associated with protection against occult hepatitis B infection.

Résumé / Abstract : The clinical manifestations of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can vary widely, ranging from asymptomatic to severe, and may be influenced by the host genetic background. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequencies of HLA-DRB1*11 and HLA-DRB1*12 allele polymorphisms and their associations with COVID-19.

In this cross-sectional study, 198 subjects were enrolled, including 150 COVID-19 positive cases and 48 subjects who tested negative for COVID-19. Participants were recruited from the emergency, intensive care, and infectious diseases departments of the Bogodogo Centre University Hospital (CHU-B) or the routine laboratory of Centre de Recherche Biomoléculaire Pietro Annigoni (CERBA). Genomic DNA was extracted from nasopharyngeal swabs samples and multiplex PCR-SSP was used to detect the HLA-DRB1*11 and HLA-DRB1*12 alleles. The study was approved by CERS (№ 2021-02-033).

The positive cases were categorized into 38 asymptomatic (CC+), 60 symptomatic (NC+), and 52 severe cases (SC+). Females were more frequent in the overall study population (53.0%, 105/198) as well as in the negative group's CC- (68.75%, 33/48) and SC+ (57.69%, 30/52 negative groups, whereas males were more frequent in the CC+ (63.16%, 24/38) and NC+ (53.33%, 32/60) groups. The highest mean age was observed in the SC + group. A frequency of 19.19% (38/198) and 14.65% (29/198) was found for the HLA-DRB1*11 and HLA-DRB1*12 alleles, respectively. Individuals carrying the HLA-DRB1*11 allele had an approximately sixfold higher risk of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR = 5.72 [1.683-19.442], p = 0.005) based on the association analysis.

Altogether, the present study reports high frequency of HLA-DRB1*11 and HLA-DRB1*12 alleles within a population from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The results suggest that individuals carrying the HLA-DRB1*11 allele are more susceptible to COVID-19 infection but may not display symptoms.

Résumé / Abstract : Glaucoma is a group of degenerative diseases of the optic nerve whose predisposing factors may be genetic. The objective of this study was to estimate the frequency of the Glu323Lys mutation as a genetic risk factor for glaucoma.

A cross-sectional study over 6 months from October 2020 to March 2021 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. A total of 89 samples of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) were collected. The frequency of the Glu323Lys mutation of the myocilin, trabecular meshwork inducible glucocorticoid response (TIGR/MYOC) gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism.

In glaucoma patients, only homozygous nonmutated guanine-guanine (GG) and heterozygous mutated adenine-guanine (AG) genotypes were found in 96.63 and 3.37% of cases, respectively. Around 69.66% of patients had a family history of glaucoma, 28.09% had a history of hypertension, and 7.86% had a history of diabetes.

The frequency of the Glu323Lys mutation of the TIGR/MYOC gene was 3.37% in the glaucoma population in Ouagadougou. A case-control study is necessary to know the contribution of the Glu323Lys mutation as a genetic risk factor for glaucoma in our study population.

This study constituted the beginning of genetic investigations of glaucoma in our context and showed a low Glu323Lys mutation.

Traoré L, Sanou J, Bakyono BS, et al. Prevalence of Glu323Lys Mutation of the TIGR/MYOC Gene and Risk Factors amongst Primary Open-angle Glaucoma Patients in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2023;17(2):79-84.

Résumé / Abstract : The aim of this research was to evaluate the essential oil of Cymbopogon schoenanthus (L.) Spreng. (C. schoenanthus) from Burkina Faso in terms of cytotoxic activity against LNCaP cells, derived from prostate cancer, and HeLa cells, derived from cervical cancer. Antioxidant activities were evaluated in vitro. Essential oil (EO) was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC/FID and GC/MS. Thirty-seven compounds were identified, the major compounds being piperitone (49.9%), δ-2-carene (24.02%), elemol (5.79%) and limonene (4.31%). EO exhibited a poor antioxidant activity, as shown by the inhibition of DPPH radicals (IC50 = 1730 ± 80 µg/mL) and ABTS+. (IC50 = 2890 ± 26.9 µg/mL). Conversely, EO decreased the proliferation of LNCaP and HeLa cells with respective IC50 values of 135.53 ± 5.27 µg/mL and 146.17 ± 11 µg/mL. EO also prevented LNCaP cell migration and led to the arrest of their cell cycle in the G2/M phase. Altogether, this work points out for the first time that EO of C. schoenanthus from Burkina Faso could be an effective natural anticancer agent.

Résumé / Abstract : Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection affect all social strata of humanity and in the absence of any management, this infection has a different outcome from one infected person to another. This suggests that there are specific individual factors that influence the outcome of the pathology. Sex, immunogenetics and age of contraction of the virus have been cited as factors that influence the evolution of the pathology. In this study, we looked at two alleles of the Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA) system to measure their possible involvement in the evolution of HBV infection.

We conducted a cohort study involving 144 individuals spread over 04 distinct stages of infection and then compared allelic frequencies in these populations. A multiplex PCR was conducted and the data obtained was analyzed using R and SPSS software. Our study revealed a predominance of HLA-DRB1*12 in our study population without, however, showing a significant difference between HLA-DRB1*11 and HLA-DRB1*12. The HLA-DRB1*12 proportion was significantly higher in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and resolved hepatitis B (RHB) compared to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (p-value = 0,002). Carrying HLA-DRB1*12 has been associated with a low risk of complication of infection (CHB → cirrhosis; OR 0,33 p-value 0,017; RHB → HCC OR 0,13; p-value = 0,00,045) whereas the presence of HLA-DRB1*11 in the absence of HLA-DRB1*12 increased the risk of developing severe liver disease. However, a strong interaction of these alleles with the environment could modulate the infection.

Our study shown that HLA-DRB1*12 is the most frequent and it's carriage may be protective in the development of infection.

Résumé / Abstract : Genetic alterations can result in DNA repair defects, increasing susceptibility to breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of two DNA repair genes, ERCC1 (rs3212986, GenBank NC_000073.9) and ERCC2 (rs1799793, rs13181, GenBank: NC_000019.10) in the occurrence of breast cancer in Burkina Faso.

This case-control study enrolled 128 participants including 64 patients and 64 healthy controls. Genotyping of polymorphisms were performed by real-time PCR and PCR-RFLP.

The heterozygous AC genotype of the ERCC2rs13181 polymorphism was associated with the occurrence of breast cancer when the mutant allele is inherited under the dominant pattern (CC/AC vs AA; OR = 2.74, 95% IC (1.09-6.87); p = .028), but this association became insignificant after the Bonferroni correction (p = .156). No association was observed between ERCC1rs3212986 and ERCC2rs1799793 polymorphisms and breast cancer risk.

This study showed that the heterozygous genotype (CA) of the ERCC2rs13181 polymorphism may be associated with a risk of breast cancer.

Résumé / Abstract : Abstract

Background: Chromosomal abnormalities contribute significantly to human morbidity and mortality, leading to various pathologies. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities among patients suspected of genetic disorders in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Methods and results: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1, 2018, to July 16, 2021, involving patients from different university hospitals in Ouagadougou. Blood samples were collected at Hôpital Saint Camille de Ouagadougou (HOSCO) and sent to the Cerba laboratory in France for cytogenetic analysis. A total of 61 cases with suspected genetic disorders were referred for cytogenetic examination. The average age of the patients was 26.81 years ± 18.92, ranging from 1 month to 68 years. Among the cases, 37 (60.65%) exhibited chromosomal abnormalities. Structural abnormalities were the most prevalent (78.38%), while number anomalies accounted for 21.62% of the cases. Chronic myeloid leukemia was detected in 59.45% of cases, followed by free and homogeneous trisomy 21 (18.91%) and sexual inversion (8.10%). Additionally, one case each of Turner syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome were identified.

Conclusion: This this study revealed a high frequency of chromosomal abnormalities, with a predominance of structural abnormalities, among patients suspected of genetic disorders in Ouagadougou. The findings emphasize the significance of genetic evaluation and counseling services in the region, particularly for autosomal abnormalitiehs.

Résumé / Abstract : Abstract
Introduction: The second most deadly gynecological cancer worldwide, cervical cancer is steadily on the rise in sub-Saharan Africa, while vaccination programs are struggling to get off the ground. This systematic review's aim was to assess the prevalence and distribution of high- and low-risk HPV genotypes in West African women.

Methods: Original studies were retrieved from PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. In these studies, Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA was assessed in cervical samples by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Hybrid capture, and sequencing. The quality of the articles was assessed and the results were extracted and reviewed.

Results: Thirty-nine studies from 10 West African countries were included for the systematic review including 30 for the pooled analysis. From an overall of 17358 participants, 5126 of whom were infected with at least one HPV genotype, the systematic review showed a prevalence varying from 8.9% to 81.8% in the general population. In contrast, the pooled prevalence of infection was 28.6% (n = 3890; 95% CI 27.85-29.38), and HPV-52 (13.3%), HPV-56 (9.3%), and HPV-35 (8.2) were the most frequent. Quadrivalent and nonavalent vaccines covered 18.2% and 55.8% of identified genotypes respectively.

Conclusion: Faced with this growing public health challenge in West Africa, it would be necessary for all its countries to have reliable data on HPV infection and to introduce the nonavalent vaccine. A study of the genotypic distribution of HPV in high-grade precancerous lesions and cervical cancer would be very useful in West Africa.

Résumé / Abstract : Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is widespread among sexually active individuals. Several factors may contribute to increased risk of infection in pregnant women. The objective of this study was to determine the high-risk (HR-HPV) and low-risk (LR-HPV) oncogenic HPV genotypes among pregnant women in Ouagadougou.

In this study, 100 endocervical samples were collected using a sterile swab on the sterile examination glove used during vaginal examination in pregnant women. DNA from each sample was amplified by PCR followed by hybridization using the HPV Direct Flow Chips kit detecting 36 HPV genotypes.

Twenty-three percent (23%) of pregnant women had HPV infection. Of the 36 genotypes tested, 29 genotypes had been identified with a predominance of HPV 52 (10.34%), HPV 35 (6.89%), and HPV 82 (6.89%) for high risk and HPV 43 (10.34%), HPV 44/55 (6.90%), and HPV 62/81 (6.89%) for low risk.

HPV is common among pregnant women in Burkina Faso. However, the available vaccines do not cover the frequent genotypes found in this study. HPV could therefore constitute a threat for pregnant women and a risk of infection for the newborn.

Résumé / Abstract : Genetic factors are one of the significant contributors to prostate cancer (PCa) development, and hereditary prostate cancer 2 (HPC2) locus gene ELAC2 is considered a PCa susceptibility region. The HPC2/ELAC2 gene has been identified by linkage analysis in familial prostate cancer patients in the United States but has never been studied in Burkina Faso. The objective of the present study was to analyze the carriage of the C650T (Ser217Leu) and G1621A (Ala541Thr) mutations of the ELAC2 gene and the risk factors in prostate cancer patients in Burkina Faso.

This case-control study included 76 participants, including 38 histologically confirmed prostate cancer cases and 38 healthy controls without prostate abnormalities. PCR combined with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used to characterize the genotypes of the Ser217Leu and Ala541Thr polymorphisms of the ELAC2 gene. The correlations between the different genotypes and risk factors for prostate cancer were investigated.

The C650T mutation was present in 44.73% of prostate cancer cases and 47.37% of controls. The G1621A mutation was present in 26.32% of prostate cancer cases and 15.79% of controls. We did not detect an association between prostate cancer risk and the Ser217Leu (p=0.972) and Ala541Thr (p=0.267) variants of the ELAC2 gene. Also, the two ELAC2 SNPs did not correlate with clinical stage, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level at diagnosis, or the Gleason score on biopsies. However, we found that 100% of homozygous carriers of the T650 mutation have an A1621 mutation (p ≤ 0.001).

Ser217Leu and Ala541Thr polymorphisms of ELAC2, considered alone or in combination, are not associated with prostate cancer risk.

Résumé / Abstract : Dengue fever (DF), an emerging and re-emerging viral disease, is a major public health problem. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of KIRs genes polymorphism and KIRs genotypes in susceptibility to dengue virus infection and disease severity in a population from Burkina Faso through a case-control study.

KIRs genes determination was performed using PCR-SSP in 50 patients infected by dengue virus (DENV) and 54 Healthy controls (HC) subjects who had never been infected.

Data analysis showed significant association between frequencies of three KIR genes and dengue virus infection (DF): KIR2DL2 (OR: 7.32; IC: 2.87-18.65; P < 0.001); KIR2DL5A (OR: 15.00, IC: 5.68-39.59; P < 0.001) and KIR2DL5B (OR: 11.43; IC: 4.42-29; P < 0.001). While, KIR3DL3 (OR: 0.13, IC: 0.052-0.32; P < 0.001) and KIR2DS5 (OR: 0.12; IC: 0.04-0.30; P < 0.001) were associated with protection against DF. KIR2DL4 (OR: 9.75; IC95%: 1.33-70.97; p: 0.03) and KIRD3DL1 (OR: 12.00; IC95%: 1.60-90.13; p: 0.02) were associated with an increased risk in the development of secondary dengue infection (SDI).

The results suggest a contribution of KIR2DL2, KIR2DL5A, and KIR2DL5B genes in the susceptibility of DF development. In contrast, KIR3DL3 and KIR2DS5 were associated with protection against DF development by enhancing both innate and acquired immune responses.

Résumé / Abstract : Particulate matter (PM) is one of the main air pollutants with 257,000 deaths per year in Africa. Studying their toxic mechanisms of action could provide a better understanding of their effects on the population health. The objective of this study was to describe the PM10 toxic mechanism of action collected in 3 districts of Ouagadougou. Once per month and per site between November 2015 and February 2016, PM10 was sampled for 24 hours using the MiniVol TAS (AirMetrics, Eugene, USA). The collected filters were then stored in Petri dishes at room temperature for in vitro toxicological studies using human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (HPAEC) at the Bordeaux INSERM-U1045 Cardio-thoracic Research Center. The three study districts were classified based on PM10 level (high, intermediate, and low, respectively, for districts 2, 3, and 4). PM10 induced a concentration-dependent decrease in cell viability. A significant decrease in cell viability was observed at 1 µg/cm2, 10 µg/cm2, and 25 µg/cm2 for, respectively, districts 2, 3, and 4. A significant increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was observed at 10 µg/cm2 for district 2 versus 5 µg/cm2 and 1 µg/cm2 for districts 3 and 4, respectively. Finally, a significant production of IL-6 was recorded from 5 µg/cm2 for district 4 versus 10 µg/cm2 for districts 2 and 3. Consequently, Ouagadougou is subjected to PM10 pollution, which can induce a significant production of ROS and IL-6 to cause adverse effects on the health of the population.

Résumé / Abstract : Glaucoma encompasses a particular set of degenerative diseases of the optic nerve which may have predisposing genetic factors. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and phenotypes of primary glaucoma encountered in the population.

This was a cross-sectional study carried out on retrospective data from three healthcare centers in the city of Ouagadougou between 2012 and 2020. Data collection was carried out using patient records.

The population receiving diagnostic glaucoma examinations in the 3 healthcare centers during the study period consisted of 13,378 patients, of which 50.55% were female. The general prevalence of patients with primary glaucoma was 4.04% (or 540 patients). Primary open-angle glaucoma (80.37%), congenital glaucoma (15.74%) and primary angle-closure glaucoma (3.89%) were identified in the study population.

Glaucoma is a public health problem in Burkina Faso. It is often diagnosed in the late stages because of its insidious progression. In a developing country, effort must be also made to equip and increase the number of healthcare centers. In addition, efforts must be made to raise awareness, and to develop and popularize molecular biologic techniques for early detection in order to provide patients with appropriate care.