University of Bamako
Recent publications
Economic growth is often influenced by various factors, with stock market development playing a crucial role. This study investigates the relationship between the stock market development, specifically the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières (BRVM), and economic growth in Mali. The BRVM serves eight West African countries, including Mali, and its development may impact regional economies. Utilizing monthly data from January 2009 to December 2020, this research examines the effects of BRVM Market Capitalization, BRVM Composite Index, Capital Flow, and Inflation on Mali’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The study employs an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model and Vector Error Correction (VEC) model to analyze both short-run and long-run relationships. Findings suggest a significant long-run relationship between stock market development and economic growth in Mali, with inflation and capital flow having negative impacts, while market capitalization and the BRVM Composite Index show positive but less significant effects. The study contributes to understanding the macroeconomic dynamics within West African economies and the importance of stock market development in promoting economic growth.
Background The R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine has been shown to provide high protective efficacy against malaria in a phase III trial, and has been recommended for use by WHO. The vaccine will soon be deployed at scale in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to understand the caregiver and community acceptability of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine alongside existing malaria prevention interventions, according to the communities of participants in the seasonal R21/Matrix-M phase III trial in Mali. Methods Qualitative data were collected to assess the acceptability of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine alongside the three R21/Matrix-M or control vaccine priming injections given in the first year of the trial. A total of 33 in-depth interviews (IDIs), 12 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 45 exit interviews at the trial clinics were conducted with caregivers of trial participants, 18 IDIs and 8 FGDs were conducted with community members, 13 IDIs with community health workers and 8 IDIs with trial field staff. Data were coded using the constructs from Sekhon’s theoretical framework on acceptability. Results Acceptability of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine was driven mainly by the high burden of malaria in the highly seasonal study area and consequent demand for a malaria vaccine, a perceived high efficacy of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine, and a high level of trust and confidence in the trial and trial team. These perceptions of the acceptability of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine led to a reduced perceived importance of seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) among some caregivers, while others viewed R21/Matrix-M, SMC and insecticide-treated nets as complementary. Conclusions The R21/Matrix-M vaccine was acceptable to caregivers and communities of participants in the R21/Matrix-M phase III trial in Mali. Implementation research is needed to evaluate and ensure co-coverage of complementary malaria control interventions, including SMC in seasonal settings, in the face of the scale-up of R21/Matrix-M and other malaria vaccines.
In addition to having cultural importance, village chicken production remains an important source of cash income for most rural households in Burkina Faso. However, strict biosecurity and good management of chicken flocks are required to reduce the risk of exposure of communities to chicken waste at household level. We characterized village production systems in rural Burkina Faso in relation to importance to food security, biosecurity, husbandry and chicken health management. We surveyed 483 chicken-producing households and carried out 20 focus group discussions separately with men and women chicken producers in Boussouma commune, a typical rural setting. Crop farming was reported as the main income-generating activity carried out by chicken producers (79.5%). Seveny six per cent of households sold chicken to local markets. Chicken production and sales were aligned to social/cultural events (religious festivals, weddings, etc…) and school-fee payment period. While men spent more revenues from chicken production on agriculture and household equipment’s, women spent more on food, education and medical expenses. The chicken management system is mainly extensive scavenging, with most farmers (81.4%) keeping 5 to 50 birds with little or no supplementary feeding and rudimentary housing. Most producers indicated that Newcastle disease was the main cause of chicken mortality. While men consider high disease burden, lack of finance, and poor chicken housing as the major constraints, women prioritized the lack of adequate chicken housing, lack of feeds and limited access to veterinary services. With locally adapted interventions that build one a One Health approach, village chicken keeping has the potential to secure and greatly improve smallholder livelihoods and household food security, while preserving public health in Burkina Faso.
The unique healthcare needs of 5 to 9-year-olds and adolescents (10–19 years) in low- and middle-income countries have been largely neglected. We generated estimates of 5 to 9-year-old and adolescent mortality in rural Mali, a setting with high under-five mortality, and aimed to define associated individual and household risk factors. We analysed cross-sectional baseline household survey data from the ProCCM trial (NCT02694055) conducted in Bankass District, Mali collected in December 2016 and January 2017. Deaths in the preceding five years, household information, and women’s birth histories were documented. Factors associated with 5 to 9-year-old and adolescent mortality were analysed using Cox regression. Our study population comprised 23,485 children aged 5 to 9-years-old and 17,910 adolescents from 7,720 households. The 5 to 9-year-old and adolescent mortality rates were 3.10 and 1.90 deaths per 1,000 person-years, respectively. Mortality rates were similar among males and females aged 5 to 9 years, but grew increasingly divergent in adolescence (1.69 and 2.17 per 1,000 person-years, respectively). Five to 9-year-olds in households with untreated water had a higher risk of death than those in households with treated water. Adolescents living in the poorest households had a higher risk of death than those in the wealthiest, and adolescents in households in which no women received schooling had a higher risk of death than those in which women had some schooling. The risk of mortality was especially acute among female adolescents compared to their male counterparts, with low access to education for women being a strong contributing factor.
Rice production in Africa is unambiguously hampered by drought. This study aimed to monitor the efficiency of physiological traits (stomatal conductance (gsw), transpiration rate (E)), and leaf-reflectance (NDVI and RDVI) at vegetative (VS) and reproductive (RS) stages for selection of drought-tolerant genotypes. To achieve these objectives, we screened 14 rice genotypes under drought-stress and non-stress conditions in the greenhouse. At VS-drought-stress, the relative-gsw and relative-E consistently showed efficiency in differentiating drought-tolerant genotypes APO and UPLR-17 from the drought-sensitive ones at 11-, 18- and 27-days during VS-drought-stress, while NDVI, CRI1 and CRI2 at 18- and 27-days. At RS-drought-stress, genotypes APO and UPLR-17 were selected as drought-tolerant genotypes based on the multi-trait-genotype-ideotype-distance-index (MGIDI) confirming the selection at 11-, 18- and 27-days during VS-drought-stress. This consistency in selecting APO and UPLR-17 as drought-tolerant genotypes at both VS and RS proved the efficiency of gsw, E, NDVI, RDVI, CRI1 and CRI2 in selecting for drought-tolerant varieties at VS. Genotypes UPLR-17 and APO consistently showed homozygosity status for the favorable alleles G, A, G and C for drought-tolerant QTLs DTY1.1 (snpOS00400), DTY1.1 (snpOS00402), DTY1.1 (snpOS00408) and DTY12.1 (snpOS00483), respectively, confirming their drought tolerance status. At RS, with GYP recorded positive and significant correlation with RDVI, while regression analysis revealed that 34% of the variability in GYP is explained by RDVI. The regression analysis coupled with correlation analysis between LDS, DTF, RDVI and GYP implied that these traits can be used as predictors of GYP at RS-drought-stress. While gsw, E and NDVI are recommended for monitoring during VS-drought-stress screening.
Background Despite their high prevalence and significant burden, mental disorders remain grossly under‐diagnosed and under‐treated. In low‐and‐middle‐income countries, such as Mali, integrating mental health services into primary care is the most viable way of closing the treatment gap. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a mental health e‐learning program on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of primary healthcare professionals in Mali. Methods An e‐learning platform including 12 interactive modules was used to train 46 healthcare professionals. Changes in knowledge, attitudes and practices, as well as in satisfaction with knowledge and in ability to diagnose and manage patients were evaluated by comparing data collected pre and post e‐learning. Outcomes Knowledge and practices scores increased significantly post e‐learning for all modules, except the practices score for anxiety disorders. Similarly, scores regarding satisfaction with knowledge and ability to diagnose and manage patients increased significantly, and more so than the knowledge and practices scores. Changes in attitudes however were not significant. Conclusion Despite the difficult conditions of implementation in isolated areas of rural Mali, preliminary results suggest a positive effect of the e‐learning.
Objectives To analyze the clinical and biological characteristics and to evaluate the risk factors associated with the mortality of patients with COVID-19 in Commune IV of the District of Bamako. Methods The cohort consisted of COVID-19 patients managed from March 2020 to June 2022 at the Bamako Dermatology Hospital and the Pasteur Polyclinic in Commune IV in Bamako. The studied variables were sociodemographic, clinical, and biological. For the analysis of deaths, explanatory variables were grouped into sociodemographic factors, comorbidities and symptoms. Binomial logistic regression models were used to identify mortality associated risk factors. Results Among the 1319 included patients, 38.4% were asymptomatic, 46% and 15.5% developed moderate or severe COVID-19 respectively. The predominant signs were cough (48.5%), respiratory difficulty (24.6%) and headache (19.7%). Male were more common (58.2%). High blood pressure (19.9%) and diabetes (10%) were the main comorbidities. D-dimers < 0.5 μg/l was found in 53.3% of cases and the mean hemoglobin level was 12.9 ± 1.7 g/l. The case fatality rate was 3.71% in our series. In bivariate analysis, age > 60 years, high blood pressure, diabetes, clinical severity, D-dimers < 0.5 μg/l were associated with death. Using binomial logistic regression method, age > 60 years, increased heart rate, disease severity level and mainly acute respiratory distress syndrome (polypnea, difficulty breathing) were the factors found associated with death. After adjusting for all the assessed factors, age < 60 years [aHR = 0.15 (0.06–0.35)] and administration of azithromycin [aHR = 0.31 (0.1–0.97)] were protective factors while higher respiratory rate [aHR = 1.14 (1.07–1.22)] and difficulty breathing [aHR = 3.06 (1.03–9.13)] were risk factors associated with death. Conclusion These main findings elucidate the factors associated with severity and lethality external of health care system constraints. Advanced age, higher heart rate and the development of respiratory distress were the factors significantly associated with increased fatalities.
Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and amodiaquine is recommended by the World Health Organization since 2012 for clinical malaria prevention in children in the Sahelian region of Africa. In Senegal, SMC implementation began in 2013 and is given to children under 10 years old. This study aimed to describe clinical malaria incidence in the general population during routine SMC implementation and to analyse how SMC timing impacted clinical malaria dynamics in eligible children. We conducted an ecological study in the Kedougou region of Senegal in 27 villages included in the Bandafassi Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS). We calculated weekly Plasmodium falciparum malaria incidence by age group using malaria case data recorded by community health workers and health-posts, and population denominators obtained from Bandafassi Health and Demographic Surveillance System. We used negative binomial generalized additive multilevel models to analyse the incidence of clinical episodes in children under 10 years during the expected SMC prophylactic period and at the end of the transmission period. Malaria incidence was strongly seasonal with a high transmission period starting in June. Children under SMC presented an overall lower incidence compared to older children and young adults. Among children eligible for SMC, the incidence was lowest for approximately 3 weeks after treatment administration and increased subsequently, suggesting a gradual loss of protection. At the end of the high transmission period, a higher malaria incidence was recorded from the 3rd to 6th week after the week of administration of the fourth (final) SMC round. While protecting children under 10 years, SMC warrants adjustment to reduce exposure before the next round, to increase protection of 5–9 years, and to cover the high transmission period completely. The addition of a 5th round of SMC in 2023 was necessary to cover the end of the transmission season, but individual-level studies are required to ensure that drug efficacy and adequate dosing are maintained.
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for more effective immunization programs, including in limited resource settings. This paper presents outcomes and lessons learnt from a COVID-19 vaccination campaign (VC), which used a tailored adaptive strategy to optimise vaccine uptake in the Boeny region of Madagascar. Methods Guided by the Dynamic Sustainability Framework (DSF), the VC implementation was regularly reviewed through multi-sectoral stakeholder feedback, key informant interviews, problem-solving meetings, and weekly monitoring of outcome indicators to identify and apply key adaptations. Qualitative data on processes were collected and analysed using a rapid assessment approach. Outcome indicators, including pre- and post-VC vaccine hesitancy and trends in vaccine doses administered, were analysed using generalized linear models. Additionally, vaccination coverage, geographic reach, and target population characteristics, and sustainability indicators, such as staff trained, facilities equipped, and degree of integration of operational and educational materials were also tracked. Results Key strategy adaptations included using a proactive campaign approach, community-led awareness and outreach, particularly in remote areas, and addressing cold chain, waste management, vaccine transport, and information technology (IT) equipment gaps. Over six months, 24,888 COVID-19 vaccines were administered. The adapted strategy led to an 8% increase in doses administered weekly (RR = 1.08, CI 95%: 1.01-1.15). However, vaccine hesitancy among the unvaccinated population remained unchanged (∆ = 0.02, CI 95%: -0.04-0.08). In terms of sustainability, 340 staff were trained, and 10 primary healthcare facilities were equipped and refurbished. Conclusions Implementing collaborative, multi-sectoral vaccination strategies that integrate healthcare services with proactive outreach and community-driven campaigns are effective in increasing vaccine coverage in resource-limited settings. It demonstrates how theory-based adaptive strategies can enhance vaccination rates, even if they do not significantly impact COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy within the community. More generally, this initiative has important implications for adult vaccination programmes other than those related to COVID-19.
A new species, Davidlivingstonia mooseri sp. n. is described from Oman and compared with the closely related D. boisduvalii (Herrich-Schäffer, 1854), which is known from Sierra Leone. Additionally, Davidlivingstonia lenzi Yakovlev, 2020 is recorded for Egypt for the first time. These new records significantly extend the known distribution of the Afrotropical genus Davidlivingstonia Yakovlev, 2020, demonstrating its range reaches much farther north and northeast than previously documented.
Background . Health workers (HWs) are at high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to their frontline role and considered as priority group for COVID-19 vaccination. This study aimed to estimate SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 incidence rates and identify the risk factors among HWs in Mali to strengthen prevention measures. Method . A cohort study of 1098 HWs was conducted from November 2021 to February 2023, in six health centers and two university hospitals of Bamako. Sociodemographic and clinical data, nasopharyngeal swabs were collected to determine asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection rate during the cross-sectional surveys. Self-reported COVID-19 cases were collected during biweekly follow-ups. REDCap was used for data management. Mixed-effects Cox regression models and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify the risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results. Amongst 1098 HWs, 34.7% were nurses, 8.2% have had contact with COVID-19 patients, and 18% with COVID-19 samples. A significant change in the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection (asymptomatic infection) was observed between November 2021 (3.4%), February 2022 (1.3%) and February 2023 (4.8%, p = 0.0001). SARS-CoV-2 21I (36.7%) and 21L (8.2%) Delta variants were observed mainly in November 2021 giving place to Omicron over time. The distribution of SARS-CoV-2 variants was similar in vaccinated and unvaccinated health workers (p = 0.716). Absence of anti-N antibodies (HR=3.98 95%CI, 2.23-7.12), contact with COVID-19 patients (HR=3.85 95%CI, 2.00-7.44]), use of public transport (HR=2.20 95%CI, 1.05-4.61) and participation in public events (HR=7.93 95%CI, 1.03-60.1) were associated with a higher risk COVID-19 confirmed cases (symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection). Conclusion. Results show a high rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection in February 2023, and the risk factors were both in work and community settings.
Background WHO and its partners have adopted alternative control interventions since the failure to eradicate malaria worldwide in the 1960s and 1970s. The aim of these interventions has been to redesign the control interventions to make them more effective and more efficient. The purpose of this study is to assess the population impact of control interventions implemented at the community health area level. Methods The analysis used data from the health information system on malaria cases and interventions (distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs), seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC), access to rapid diagnostic tests (RDT), intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women (IPTp)) collected in the Kati health district from 2017 to 2020. And the contextual parameters (temperature, normal difference vegetation index (NDVI) and rainfall) were obtained by remote sensing. A generalized additive model was used to assess the impact of malaria control interventions on malaria cases as a function of meteorological factors. Results The incidence of malaria varies from year to year and from health area to health area, as do meteorological factors in the study area. The distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, chemoprevention of seasonal malaria in children and access to rapid diagnostic tests for malaria were found to have a significant impact on the incidence of malaria in the population. Seasonal malaria chemoprevention was effective in reducing the incidence of malaria, while distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets and access to rapid diagnostic tests increased with the number of malaria cases, reflecting efforts to distribute and use bed nets and to diagnose malaria cases among the population in the study area. Conclusion The study showed the impact of SMC on reducing malaria cases in the population and the significant efforts in LLIN distribution and malaria case diagnosis. To further reduce the burden of malaria, sustained efforts and new interventions are needed, including improving access to rapid diagnosis and treatment in communities by developing community health workers and locally tailored mass drug administration.
The relationship of Xylomoia strix Mikkola, 1980; Xylomoia retinax Mikkola, 1998; and Xylomoia stangelmaieri Mikkola, 1998 is reconsidered based on 59 genitalia slides (37 males and 22 females) and 40 barcodes of adults collected from the type localities and areas in-between. Due to lack of stable morphologic differences, apart from the wing coloration of X. retinax, and low genetic distance between the three, they are considered as three subspecies of X. strix: the nominotypical one X. strix stangelmaieristat. nov. and X. strix retinaxstat. nov. Included are photographs of all specimens covering 37 adults, and 28 male and 18 female genitalia, as well as a phylogenetic tree and a map showing collecting localities.
Background Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental agents that can cause opportunistic pulmonary disease in humans and animals, often misdiagnosed as tuberculosis (TB). In this study, we describe the cases of NTM identified during the first national anti-TB drug resistance survey conducted in Mali and explore associated risk factors. Methods Sputum was collected from people presenting for pulmonary TB diagnosis from April to December 2019, regardless of age. Microscopy-positive patients were enrolled and tested using the Xpert MTB/RIF assay. A patient who tested negative for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) was tested for the presence of mycobacteria by amplification of the IS6110 and 16SrRNA (16S) genes through double quantitative real-time PCR, followed by nested PCR and Sanger sequencing of the IS6110-negative samples for NTM species identification. Results 1,418 sputum smear-positive patients were enrolled, including 1,199 new cases, 211 previously treated cases, and 8 whose previous treatment history was unknown. Based on the results of Xpert MTB/RIF assay and in-house PCR methods, 1,331 (93.9%) patients were positive for MTBC, 48 (3.4%) for NTM, and no species identification was possible for 39 (2.7%). Advanced age of 65 and over with an OR 8.8 (95% CI 2.3–33.2 and p = 0.001) and previous TB treatment with an OR 3.4 (95% CI 1.2–9.6 and p = 0.016) were the risk factors statistically associated with NTM detection. M. avium complex (MAC) was the predominant NTM species, detected in 20 cases. Conclusion Detection of NTM in people presumed to have TB is an ongoing challenge, confounding correct TB diagnosis. Concomitant use of microscopy and GeneXpert testing among at-risk individuals could improve patient management.
Introduction Cervical cancer is a public health issue in Africa with devastating socioeconomic consequences due to the lack of organized screening programs. The success of screening programs depends on the appropriate investigation and management of women who test positive for screening. Colposcopic assessment following positive screening results is a noteworthy issue in Africa. This study aimed to assess the utilization of colposcopy by providers in the region. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021–2022 among healthcare providers involved in cervical cancer prevention activities in Africa. They were invited to report prior colposcopy training, whether they performed colposcopy and the indications of colposcopy in their practice. Results Of the 130 providers from 23 African countries who responded to the survey (mean age [SD]: 39.0 years [9.4]), half were female (65 [50.0%]), and 90.7% reported working in urban areas. Overall, only 12.6% of respondents indicated having received prior training on colposcopy, and 11.7% reported that they were performing colposcopy in their current practice. Among the providers who reported performing colposcopy in their practice, colposcopy was indicated for routine cervical cancer screening in 21.2% of clinicians, to better visualize the transformation zone in 15.2% of respondents, to further assess the vascularization of cervical mucosa in 33.3% of respondents, and to determine the appropriate treatment modality in 12.1% of respondents. Providers who performed colposcopy in their practice reported a median number of 30 (interquartile range: 19-65) colposcopic procedures in the past 6 months. Conclusion Providers’ training and practice of colposcopy for cervical cancer screening remain suboptimal in Africa. To increase utilization of colposcopy in the region, further training is needed to improve providers’ knowledge and engagement. With the development of lower-cost and portable colposcopes, efforts to equip cervical cancer prevention programs and facilities with colposcopy should be enhanced to ensure that women can be screened and managed appropriately in the clinical setting and communities.
Introduction: Mali and Guinea share a border and are endemic to lymphatic filariasis (LF), however each country is at a distinct level in its LF elimination efforts. Mali is in the LF transmission assessment survey (TAS) phase, whereas Guinea is still implementing the mass drug administration. In the Bougouni-Yanfolila Evaluation Unit (EU), this study assessed XenoFil (combinaison of xenomonitoring plus health facilities-based Ag detection) as an LF transmission surveillance tool to track the emergence of LF in cross-border areas following TAS3. Method: In the Bougouni-Yanfolila EU, we conducted a cross-sectional study to gather mosquitoes in the villages and blood samples from participants of six years of age and older. In June, August 2022, and January 2023, we conducted three entomological studies in two ecologically distinct villages. The Ifakara type C tent trap, the gravid trap, and intra-household pyrethrum spraying were used to gather mosquitoes. For qPCR, we sorted the same mosquitoes species into batches of twenty. PoolScreen® 2 was used to determine the prevalence of infection. Trained local health workers performed serological surveys using filariasis test strips. Results: In the two study villages, 989 Anopheles gambiae complex and 3743 Culex spp . were collected out of 4732 mosquitoes . Culex spp . accounted for 79.92% (211/264) of the 264 pools, while the Anopheles gambiae complex made up 20.08 (53/264). In June 2022, only one pool (0.53%) of Culex spp . tested positive [95% CI: 0.01-2.89]. Positive Anopheles pools were absent. The blood of ten of the 2056 individuals had positive results [0.49% (10/2056)]. Among the positives, one belonged to 6-7 years, two to that of 8-17 years, and seven to that of 18 years and older. Of the positive volunteers, 0.6% (6/996) were from Yanfolila's border health region. Conclusion: The new XenoFil approach proved to be an easy, effective, and relatively cheaper method for integrated LF surveillance in rural areas, with an average cost of 5,656,244 CFA (US9,070)forXenoFil(entomologyserology)and6,366,450CFA(US9,070) for XenoFil (entomology-serology) and 6,366,450 CFA (US10,209) for TAS in one survey in one EU. From the perspective of integrated LF monitoring, XenoFil is needed for scaling up to other EU.
Background Spinocerebellar ataxia 27B is the most common genetic late onset cerebellar ataxia (LOCA). However, it commonly overlaps with other genetic LOCA as with the cerebellar form of multiple system atrophy (MSA-C). Objectives To pinpoint which clinical signs and symptoms best discriminate between FGF14 + from FGF14 − patients at symptoms’ onset. Methods Twenty SCA27B (≥ 250 GAA repeat expansion) patients were retrospectively matched by gender and age at disease onset with 20 negative FGF14 (−) LOCA patients and with 20 MSA-C patients. Clinical features were ranked based on their contribution towards distinguishing between the groups (feature importance ranking). Results SCA27B patients had significantly higher rates of episodic symptoms, cerebellar oculomotor signs, dysdiadochokinesia, and alcohol intolerance than LOCA-FGF14 − ataxia patients. The lack of autonomic symptoms and MRI signs in SCA27B patients were the most discriminating features from MSA-C. An AUC of 0.87 was obtained if using the “top 3 clinical features model” (episodic symptoms, cerebellar oculomotor signs and dysdiadochokinesia) to distinguish SCAB27 from LCOA FGF14 − . Regarding MRI findings, no significant differences were found between SCA27B and FGF14 − patients, while a positive hot cross buns sign and the presence of brainstem atrophy were key distinguishing features between SCA27B from MSA-C patients (p < 0.005). Conclusion Our pilot case–control study contributes to the identification of early clinical symptoms to differentiate SCA27B to LOCA patients including FGF14- and MSA-C ones. From a feature perspective, while clinical features are crucial, identifying surrogate biomarkers—such as ocular or gait parameters—could aid in the early diagnosis and follow-up of SCA27B patients.
rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP and Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo are WHO-prequalified vaccination regimens against Ebola virus disease (EVD). Challenges associated with measuring long-term clinical protection warrant the evaluation of immune response kinetics after vaccination. Data from a large phase 2 randomized double-blind clinical trial (PREVAC) were used to evaluate waning of anti-Ebola virus (EBOV) glycoprotein (GP1,2) antibody concentrations after rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP or Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo vaccination with linear mixed-effect regression models. After a post-vaccination peak, each vaccination strategy was associated with a decrease of anti-EBOV GP1,2 antibody concentrations with distinct kinetics, highlighting a less-rapid decline in antibody levels after vaccination by rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP. One year after administration of the vaccine, antibody concentrations were higher in children compared to adults for both vaccines, although with different effect sizes: 1.74-fold higher concentrations (95% confidence interval [CI] [1.48; 2.02]) for children 12–17 years old to 3.10-fold higher concentrations (95% CI [2.58; 3.69]) for those 1–4 years old compared to adults for Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo versus 1.36-fold (95% CI [1.12; 1.61]) to 1.41-fold (95% CI [1.21; 1.62]) higher than these values for adults, with relatively small changes from one age category of children to another, for rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP. Antibody concentrations also differed according to geographical location, pre-vaccination antibody concentration, and sex. In combination with knowledge on memory response, characterization of the major determinants of immune response durability of both vaccinations may guide future EVD control protocols. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02876328.
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302 members
Ousmane A Koita
  • Laboratoire de Biologie Moleculaire Appliquee, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques (FAST)
Mahamoudou Touré
  • Malaria Research and Training Centre (MRTC)
Sekou Bah
  • Faculté de Médecine, de Pharmacie et d’Odonto-Stomatologie (FMPOS)
Amadou Barry
  • Malaria Research and Training Centre (MRTC)
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Bamako, Mali
Head of institution
Ogobara Doumbo and Sekou F Traore