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Human infections with Corynebacterium diphtheriae species complex (CdSC) bacteria were rare in French Guiana until 2016, when the number of cases diagnosed increased. We conducted an epidemiologic, multicenter, retrospective study of all human CdSC infections diagnosed in French Guiana during January 1, 2016-December 31, 2021. A total of 64 infectious episodes were observed in 60 patients; 61 infections were caused by C. diphtheriae and 3 by C. ulcerans. Estimated incidence increased from 0.7 cases/100,000 population in 2016 to 7.7 cases/100,000 population in 2021. The mean patient age was 30.4 (+23.7) years, and male-to-female ratio was 1.7:1 (38/22). Of the 61 C. diphtheriae isolates, 5 tested positive for the diphtheria toxin gene, and all results were negative by Elek test; 95% (61/64) of cases were cutaneous, including the C. ulcerans cases. The increase in reported human infections underscores the need to raise awareness among frontline healthcare practitioners to improve prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

French Guiana experienced an unprecedented dengue epidemic during 2023–2024. Prior to the 2023–2024 outbreak in French Guiana, DENV-3 had not circulated in an epidemic manner since 2005. We therefore studied retrospectively the strains circulating in the French Territories of the Americas (FTA)—French Guiana, Guadeloupe, and Martinique—from the 2000s to the current epidemic. To this end, DENV-3 samples from the collection of the National Reference Center for Arboviruses in French Guiana (NRCA-FG) were selected and sequenced using next-generation sequencing (NGS) based on Oxford Nanopore Technologies, ONT. Phylogenetic analysis showed that (i) the 97 FTA sequences obtained all belonged to genotype III (GIII); (ii) between the 2000s and 2013, the regional circulation of the GIII American-I lineage was the source of the FTA cases through local extinctions and re-introductions; (iii) multiple introductions of lineages of Asian origin appear to be the source of the 2019–2021 epidemic in Martinique and the 2023–2024 epidemic in French Guiana. Genomic surveillance is a key factor in identifying circulating DENV genotypes, monitoring strain evolution, and identifying import events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is understudied in sub-Saharan Africa. The epidemiology of CL is determined by the species involved in its transmission. Our objectives were to systematically review available data on the species of Leishmania, along with vectors and reservoirs involved in the occurrence of human cases of CL in sub-Saharan Africa, and to discuss implications for case management and future research. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane and African Index Medicus. There was no restriction on language or date of publication. The review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines and was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022384157). Results: In total, 188 published studies and 37 reports from the grey literature were included. An upward trend was observed, with 45.7% of studies published after 2010. East Africa (55.1%) represented a much greater number of publications than West Africa (33.3%). In East Africa, the identification of reservoirs for Leishmania tropica remains unclear. This species also represents a therapeutic challenge, as it is often resistant to meglumine antimoniate. In Sudan, the presence of hybrids between Leishmania donovani and strictly cutaneous species could lead to important epidemiological changes. In Ghana, the emergence of CL in the recent past could involve rare species belonging to the Leishmania subgenus Mundinia. The area of transmission of Leishmania major could expand beyond the Sahelian zone, with scattered reports in forested areas. While the L. major–Phlebotomus duboscqi–rodent complex may not be the only cycle in the dry areas of West Africa, the role of dogs as a potential reservoir for Leishmania species with cutaneous tropism in this subregion should be clarified. Meglumine antimoniate was the most frequently reported treatment, but physical methods and systemic agents such as ketoconazole and metronidazole were also used empirically to treat L. major infections. Conclusions: Though the number of studies on the topic has increased recently, there is an important need for intersectional research to further decipher the Leishmania species involved in human cases of CL as well as the corresponding vectors and reservoirs, and environmental factors that impact transmission dynamics. The development of molecular biology in sub-Saharan Africa could help in leveraging diagnostic and research capacities and improving the management of human cases through personalized treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Achromobacter spp. are opportunistic pathogens, mostly infecting immunocompromised patients and patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and considered as difficult-to-treat pathogens due to both intrinsic resistance and the possibility of acquired antimicrobial resistance. Species identification remains challenging leading to imprecise descriptions of resistance in each taxon. Cefiderocol is a broad-spectrum siderophore cephalosporin increasingly used in the management of Achromobacter infections for which susceptibility data remain scarce. We aimed to describe the susceptibility to cefiderocol of a collection of Achromobacter strains encompassing different species and isolation sources from CF or non-CF (NCF) patients. Methods: We studied 230 Achromobacter strains (67 from CF, 163 from NCF patients) identified by nrdA gene-based analysis, with available susceptibility data for piperacillin–tazobactam, meropenem and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of cefiderocol were determined using the broth microdilution reference method according to EUCAST guidelines. Results: Strains belonged to 15 species. A. xylosoxidans represented the main species (71.3%). MICs ranged from ≤ 0.015 to 16 mg/L with MIC50/90 of ≤ 0.015/0.5 mg/L overall and 0.125/2 mg/L against 27 (11.7%) meropenem-non-susceptible strains. Cefiderocol MICs were not related to CF/NCF origin or species although A. xylosoxidans MICs were statistically lower than those of other species considered as a whole. Considering the EUCAST non-species related breakpoint (2 mg/L), 228 strains (99.1%) were susceptible to cefiderocol. The two cefiderocol-resistant strains (A. xylosoxidans from CF patients) represented 3.7% of meropenem-non-susceptible strains and 12.5% of MDR strains. Conclusions: Cefiderocol exhibited excellent in vitro activity against a large collection of accurately identified Achromobacter strains, irrespective of species and origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Only a few studies on histoplasmosis in immunocompetent patients have been reported in French Guiana. Therefore, we conducted a detailed clinical description of hospitalized patients suffering with histoplasmosis among non-HIV patients. (2) Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective study conducted at Cayenne Hospital Center between 2008 and 2022. (3) Results: Our cohort was composed of 31 (91%) adults (>18 years of age) and 3 (9%) children, with a sex ratio, M:F, of 1:2. The median age was higher among the women than among the men (70 versus 54 years). The collection of respiratory samples constituted the majority of the performed examinations (38%). Fever (>37 °C) was found in 56% of patients. Surprisingly, the histoplasmosis was disseminated in 82% of patients with an overall case fatality rate of 14.7%. However, immunosuppressive conditions were found in 52% (16/31) of the adult patients, including lymphoid hemopathies, diabetes and immunosuppressive drugs. Conclusions: This disease, though rare and usually considered a mostly benign disease in non-HIV patients, presented a relatively high mortality rate in our cohort. Thus, histoplasmosis should be suspected, screened and investigated as a first line of defense in highly endemic areas, even in immunocompetent and non-HIV patients, especially those with fever or chronic respiratory symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a chronic neglected fungal disease, usually met in tropical areas. French Guiana is a South American territory with limited epidemiological data. This retrospective study concerned all patients with CBM proven by at least one paraclinical examination and diagnosed in French Guiana between 1950 and 2023. In total, 23 patients were included, mostly males (87%) of Creole origin, living in the coastal region (87%) and involved in outdoor occupations (74%). Lesions were mostly observed on the lower limbs (78.3%), with a median time to diagnosis of four years. Laboratory tests included positive direct microscopic examinations (78.3%) and mycological cultures (69.6%), identifying 14 cases of Fonsecaea pedrosoi and one case of Exophiala janselmei. Various treatments were employed, including antifungals, surgery and combinations of both. In conclusion, CBM in French Guiana involves a different population than other subcutaneous mycoses such as Lobomycosis or Paracoccidioidomycosis, mostly found in the forest hinterland. Surgery should be recommended for recent and limited lesions. Itraconazole and terbinafine should systematically be proposed, either in monotherapy or in combination with surgery or cryotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous molecular studies have shown that Candida africana corresponds to the clade 13 of Candia albicans. It has been mostly involved in vulvovaginal candidiasis worldwide but few data exist in South America. The aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence of C. africana in women living in French Guiana. For this, we first set up a fluorescent-intercalating-dye-real time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) targeting the hyphal wall protein 1 gene. The test was applied to 212 C. albicans isolates collected from May to August 2019 from vaginal swabs, allowing the identification of six women harboring C. africana (eight isolates). The in vitro susceptibility of these eight isolates to six antifungal drugs was also evaluated. No demographics or clinical-specific features could be demonstrated. Genetic diversity of those isolates was analyzed through multilocus sequence typing and showed that diploid sequence type 182 was predominant (n  = 6) and allowed the report of a new diploid sequence type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among 1107 cryptococcosis cases from the French surveillance network (2005–2020), the proportion of HIV-seronegative individuals has recently surpassed that of HIV-seropositive individuals. We observed marked differences in patient characteristics, disease presentations, cryptococcal antigen results, infecting species, and mortality according to HIV serostatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Histoplasmosis is mainly described as a disseminated disease in people living with HIV (PLHIV). Compared to historical descriptions in immunocompetent individuals, knowledge is lacking on the detailed clinical and radiological findings and outcomes of pulmonary histoplasmosis (PH). Overlooked or misdiagnosed with other AIDS-defining condition, prognostic of PLHIV may be at risk because of inappropriate care. Methods: A retrospective multicentric study was conducted in PLHIV from French Guiana between January 1988 and October 2019. Proven PH were documented through mycological direct examination, culture, or histology. Patients with concomitant respiratory infections were excluded. Results: Among 65 patients, sex ratio M:F was 2.4 with a median age of 39 years [IQR 25–75%: 34–44]. Median CD4 count was 24 cells/mm3 [11–71], with histoplasmosis as the AIDS-defining condition in 88% and concomitant AIDS-defining conditions in 29%. Clinical findings were fever (89%), cough (58%), dyspnea (35%), expectoration (14%), and hemoptysis (5%). Sixty-one X-rays and 24 CT-scans were performed. On X-rays, an interstitial lung disease was mainly found (77%). On CT-scans, a nodular pattern was predominant (83%): mostly miliary disease (63%), but also excavated nodules (35%). Consolidations were present in 46%, associated with miliary disease in 21%. Thoracic lymphadenopathies were found in 58%, mainly hilar and symmetric (33%). Despite antifungal treatment, case-fatality rate at one month was 22%. Conclusion: When faced with an interstitial lung disease on X-rays or a miliary pattern on CT-scans in advanced PLHIV, physicians in endemic areas, apart from tuberculosis or pneumocystosis, should include histoplasmosis as part of their differential diagnoses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lobomycosis is a rare cutaneous tropical neglected disease caused by the fungal agent Lacazia loboi, recently renamed Paracoccidioides lobogeorgii. Our objectives were to present all cases of lobomycosis diagnosed in French Guiana, to offer a precise description of their histopathological features and to propose a new clinico-histological prognostic classification. Methods: All cases of lobomycosis diagnosed in French Guiana between 1959 and 2022 were included. We looked for associations between the occurrence of relapses and the clinic-histological form. Results: 31 patients diagnosed with lobomycosis were included. An epidemiological shift was observed in the 2000s as Brazilian patients became the most important ethnic group. Gold mining, forestry and fishing/sailing were reported as professional exposures. New histological features, such as inflammatory "rosettes" formations were described. We describe two clinic-histological patterns: a major form (high fungal density and/or multifocal lesions) and a minor form (low fungal density, unifocal lesions, association with fewer relapses). Conclusions: The changing epidemiology of lobomycosis in French Guiana is characterized by a shift towards Brazilian patients, mostly gold miners. Minor forms should be treated with surgery, major forms with a combination of surgery followed by nultiple drug therapy (MDT) or posaconazole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emphysematous hepatitis is a rare infectious disease, which corresponds to the presence of gas in the liver, without collection and after exclusion of vascular origin. This entity belongs to the group of emphysematous infections, whose physiopathology seems to be linked to the presence of unbalanced diabetes and to bacterial fermentation, leading to the production of gas within the liver parenchyma. Very few cases of emphysematous hepatitis have been described in the literature, and most of them had a rapidly fatal course. In this manuscript, we report the case of a 59-year-old man with emphysematous hepatitis due to wild-type Klebsiella pneumoniae that was successfully managed by surgery, and we perform a review of the literature to describe the clinical and biopathological aspects of this rare hepatic disease. Our manuscript underlines the need to perform biological and histopathological sampling to better understand the pathophysiology of this rare entity. The causes and mechanisms of emphysematous hepatitis, which seem to be multiple, lead us to believe that it is a syndrome rather than a simple infectious disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pneumocystis jirovecii is a transmissible fungus responsible for severe pneumonia (Pneumocystis pneumonia [PCP]) in immunocompromised patients. Missense mutations due to atovaquone selective pressure have been identified on cytochrome b (CYB) gene of P. jirovecii. It was recently shown that atovaquone prophylaxis can lead to the selection of specific P. jirovecii CYB mutants potentially resistant to atovaquone among organ transplant recipients. In this context, our objectives were to provide data on P. jirovecii CYB mutants and the putative selective pressure exerted by atovaquone on P. jirovecii organisms in France. A total of 123 patients (124 P. jirovecii specimens) from four metropolitan hospitals and two overseas hospitals were retrospectively enrolled. Fourteen patients had prior exposure to atovaquone, whereas 109 patients did not at the time of P. jirovecii detection. A 638 base-pair fragment of the CYB gene of P. jirovecii was amplified and sequenced. A total of 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. Both missense mutations C431T (Ala144Val) and C823T (Leu275Phe), located at the Qo active site of the enzyme, were significantly associated with prior atovaquone exposure, these mutations being conversely incidental in the absence of prior atovaquone exposure (P  < 0.001). Considering that the aforementioned hospitals may be representative of the national territory, these findings suggest that the overall presence of P. jirovecii CYB mutants remains low in France. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by infection with the parasite Leishmania exhibits a large spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from single healing to severe chronic lesions with the manifestation of resistance or not to treatment. Depending on the specie and multiple environmental parameters, the evolution of lesions is determined by a complex interaction between parasite factors and the early immune responses triggered, including innate and adaptive mechanisms. Moreover, lesion resolution requires parasite control as well as modulation of the pathologic local inflammation responses and the initiation of wound healing responses. Here, we have summarized recent advances in understanding the in situ immune response to cutaneous leishmaniasis: i) in North Africa caused by Leishmania (L.) major, L. tropica, and L. infantum, which caused in most cases localized autoresolutives forms, and ii) in French Guiana resulting from L. guyanensis and L. braziliensis, two of the most prevalent strains that may induce potentially mucosal forms of the disease. This review will allow a better understanding of local immune parameters, including cellular and cytokines release in the lesion, that controls infection and/or protect against the pathogenesis in new world compared to old world CL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) incubation period (IP) is defined as the time between parasite inoculation by sandfly bite and the onset of the first CL lesion. IP distribution is difficult to assess for CL because the date of exposure to an infectious bite cannot be accurately determined in endemic areas. IP current estimates for CL range from 14 days to several months with a median around 30–60 days, as established by a few previous studies in both New and Old Worlds. Methodology: We estimated CL incubation period distribution using time-to-event models adapted to interval-censored data based on declared date of travels from symptomatic military personnel living in non-endemic areas that were exposed during their short stays in French Guiana (FG) between January 2001 and December 2021. Principal findings: A total of 180 patients were included, of which 176 were men (97.8%), with a median age of 26 years. When recorded, the parasite species was always Leishmania guyanensis (31/180, 17.2%). The main periods of CL diagnosis spread from November to January (84/180, 46.7%) and over March-April (54/180, 30.0%). The median IP was estimated at 26.2 days (95% Credible Level, 23.8–28.7 days) using a Bayesian accelerated failure-time regression model. Estimated IP did not exceed 62.1 days (95% CI, 56–69.8 days) in 95% of cases (95th percentile). Age, gender, lesion number, lesion evolution and infection date did not significantly modify the IP. However, disseminated CL was significantly associated with a 2.8-fold shortening of IP. Conclusions: This work suggests that the CL IP distribution in French Guiana is shorter and more restricted than anticipated. As the incidence of CL in FG usually peaks in January and March, these findings suggest that patients are contaminated at the start of the rainy season. Author summary: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a disease caused by a parasite transmitted to humans by the bites of sandflies. As these bites usually go unnoticed, it is not clear how long the incubation period (IP) lasts between the infectious bite and the appearance of skin lesions. In this study, we determined the IP distribution based on the dates of arrival, departure, and appearance of skin lesions from military personnel coming from non-endemic areas that were exposed to sandflies bites upon their arrival in French Guiana during the last 20 years. The median IP was 26 days with a 5th and 95th percentile of 7.9 and 62 days, respectively. These IPs are much shorter than those previously reported. Soldiers with disseminated leishmaniasis (more than 10 lesions on two body parts) had a median IP significantly shortened by 21.6 days. Considering our results and the fact that cutaneous leishmaniasis is mostly seen in January and March, people in French Guiana are most probably contaminated at the beginning of the rainy season, between December and February, and not during the dry season, as it was previously admitted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a retrovirus known to cause two major diseases: adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma and a progressive neuromyelopathy—tropical spastic paraparesis. Many viruses may be involved in the pathogenesis of thyroiditis; however, few studies have focused on the role of HTLV-1. We aimed to investigate the association between HTLV-1 and biological thyroid dysfunction. Methods: We included 357 patients with a positive HTLV-1 serology and thyroidstimulating hormone assay data between 2012 and 2021 in a hospital in French Guiana; we compared the prevalence of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism in this group with that in an HTLV-1-negative control group (722 persons) matched for sex and age. Results: The prevalence of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism in patients with HTLV-1 infection was significantly higher than that in the control group (11% versus 3.2% and 11.3% versus 2.3%, respectively; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study shows, for the first time, the association between HTLV-1 and dysthyroidism in a large sample, suggesting that thyroid function exploration should be systematically implemented in this population as this may have an impact on therapeutic management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Snakebite (SB) envenoming is an acute emergency requiring an early care delivery. We aimed to search for the time to reach healthcare facilities in various regions of French Guiana (FG) and to assess the impact of time to antivenom (AV) on the correction of coagulation parameters in these patients. Methodology: This is a prospective observational study conducted in Cayenne General Hospital between January 1st, 2016, and July 31st, 2022. We included all patients hospitalized for SB envenoming less than 48h after the bite, and receiving antivenom (AV). We assessed the time lapse between SB and medical attention and the time needed to return of the coagulation parameters to normal. Principal findings: Overall, 119 patients were investigated, and 48.7% were from remote areas. The median time from SB to AV therapy was 09:15 h (05:32–17:47). The time was longer in patients from remote rural locations. AV was dispensed within the first six hours after the SB in 45 cases (37.8%). Time from SB to reaching normal plasma fibrinogen concentration was 23:27 h (20:00–27:10) in patients receiving AV≤6h vs. 31:23 h (24:00–45:05) in those receiving AV>6h (p<0.001). Whereas, the time from AV administration to reach normal fibrinogen dosage was similar in the two groups. Conclusions: Patients from rural settings in FG suffer from a delay in AV administration after SB envenoming leading to an extended time in which patients are coagulopathic. Once AV is administered, clotting parameters recover at a similar rate. Supplying remote healthcare facilities with AV and with medical teams trained in its use should be planned. Author summary: Snakebite envenoming is a public health concern in the Amazon region. It represents an acute medical emergency needing early care such as stroke, severe trauma, myocardial infarction, etc. Antivenoms are the most effective treatment of snakebite envenomings. They are part of the WHO List of essential medicines and should be available in any primary health care where snakebite victims are managed. In this context, less than 6 hours delay between the snakebite and the antivenom administration is needed for a maximal chance to prevent and reverse most of the toxic effects of the snake venom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the high incidence of disseminated histoplasmosis in the profoundly immunosuppressed, the question of primary prophylaxis against histoplasmosis for patients with advanced HIV in endemic areas should be reconsidered until I Histoplasma i antigen tests become widely available. Although most studies actually concern symptomatic patients, the natural history of HIV-associated progressive disseminated histoplasmosis is presumably often gradual; as the immunity gradually declines, the fungal burden gradually increases, and the intensity of symptoms, especially those impairing vital functions, grows. Shows that in the past decade, the yearly number patients with disseminated histoplasmosis declined and that the delay between HIV diagnosis and histoplasmosis diagnosis also declined. Nevertheless, since the "treat all" strategy in 2016, there were 17 histoplasmosis cases, 5/17 were patients on HAART and 3/5 developed histoplasmosis over a year after their HIV diagnosis. [Extracted from the article]

Background and Aims. In French Guiana, the prevalence of diabetes is around 10%, and cardio and neurovascular pathologies are the first medical cause of early mortality. Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is described in the literature as a risk factor independent of other cardiovascular risk factors, but there are important interindividual differences, especially according to ethnicity. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of Lp(a) and macrovascular complications in a multiethnic population of patients with diabetes in the French Amazon. Materials and Methods. Since May 2019, 1243 patients were screened 806 of whom had Lp(a) determination. We compared the prevalence of macrovascular complications in three groups according to Lp(a) concentration: between 0 and 75 mg/mL, between 76 and 300 mg/mL, and >300 mg/mL. Results. 712 patients in the study had type 2 diabetes (88.34% of the sample). A history of hypertension was significantly associated with greater Lp(a) levels. Lp(a) concentration was greater among Creole ethnic groups. No association was found between Lp(a) levels and macrovascular complications in the Lp a > 300 mg/mL group. Conclusions. These results do not replicate findings in mostly Caucasian populations suggesting that the Lp(a) threshold for, or the link with, cardiovascular risk may be different given the predominantly African origin of the French Guianese population. Further studies should study genetic polymorphisms in our population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human brucellosis is a zoonoses caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. Infection results in subacute or chronic debilitating disease with nonspecific clinical manifestations and is often associated with consuming unpasteurized dairy products. We report 2 cases of brucellosis in male patients who were hospitalized in distinct towns of French Guiana, an overseas territory of France located on the northeastern shore of South America. Both men were citizens of Brazil working as clandestine goldminers in the deep Amazonian rainforest. Characterization of the 2 bacterial isolates revealed that they represent a potential new species of Brucella. Medical practitioners working in contact with wildlife in this region of the world should be aware of the existence of these pathogens and the potential for human infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are little data on pentamidine as a treatment for paediatric cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). The objective of this study was to describe the effectiveness and safety of pentamidine over a 10-year period. Every child seen in French Guiana between 2010 and 2020 with proven CL and treated with pentamidine was included. In total, 55 children met the inclusion criteria – 23 girls and 32 boys. There were 38 patients (38/55, 69%) with a > 50% improvement at 1 month after pentamidine treatment and a complete cure at 3 months; 16 children had a < 50% improvement at 1 month and were given a second dose. Of these 16, 8 showed a complete cure at 3 months, 5 were lost to follow-up and 3 showed therapeutic failure at 3 months. The overall cure rate was 84% (46/55) after one or two doses. In terms of the safety of pentamidine, no severe adverse events (grade ≥ 3) were reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: During the COVID-19 outbreak, several studies showed an increased prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-PE) carriage in intensive care units (ICUs). Our objective was to assess the impact of antibiotic prescriptions on the acquisition of ESBL-PE in ICUs during the COVID-19 crisis. (2) Methods: We conducted an observational study between 1 April 2020, and 31 December 2021, in the medical-surgical ICU of the Cayenne General Hospital. We defined two periods: Period 1 with routine, empirical antibiotic use, and Period 2 with no systematic empiric antibiotic prescription. (3) Results: ICU-acquired ESBL-PE carriage was 22.8% during Period 1 and 9.4% during Period 2 (p = 0.005). The main isolated ESBL-PE was Klebsiella pneumoniae (84.6% in Period 1 and 58.3% in Period 2). When using a generalized linear model with a Poisson family, exposure to cefotaxime was the only factor independently associated with ESBL-PE acquisition in ICU (p = 0.002, IRR 2.59 (95% IC 1.42–4.75)). The propensity scores matching estimated the increased risk for cefotaxime use to acquire ESBL-PE carriage at 0.096 (95% CI = 0.02–0.17), p = 0.01. (4) Conclusions: Exposure to cefotaxime in patients with severe COVID-19 is strongly associated with the emergence of ESBL-PE in the context of maximal infection control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the Chikungunya epidemic in the Caribbean and Latin America, pregnant women were affected by the virus in French Guiana. The question of the impact of the virus on pregnancy was raised because of the lack of scientific consensus and published data in the region. Thus, during the Chikungunya outbreak in French Guiana, a comparative study was set up using a cohort of pregnant women. The objective was to compare pregnancy and neonatal outcomes between pregnant women with Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection and pregnant women without CHIKV. Of 653 mothers included in the cohort, 246 mothers were included in the case-control study: 73 had CHIKV fever during pregnancy and 173 had neither fever nor CHIKV during pregnancy. The study did not observe any severe clinical presentation of CHIKV in the participating women. There were no intensive care unit admissions. In addition, the study showed no significant difference between the two groups with regard to pregnancy complications. However, the results showed a potential excess risk of neonatal ICU admission of the newborn when the maternal infection occurred within 7 days before delivery. These results suggest that special attention should be paid to neonates whose mothers were infected with CHIKV shortly before delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Progressive disseminated histoplasmosis remains a major but neglected cause of death among patients with advanced HIV. Recently, aiming to reduce avoidable deaths, the Pan American Health Organization issued the first diagnosis and treatment guidelines for HIV-associated histoplasmosis. But what proportion of progressive disseminated histoplasmosis in HIV-infected patients is severe is currently not known. Because this proportion influences treatment needs, we aimed to estimate this in a cohort of 416 patients in French Guiana. Methods: We used the definition in the recent PAHO/WHO guidelines for severity. We used regression modelling to predict the impact of CD4 count on the proportion of severe cases. In a territory where treatment cost is not a limiting factor and where histoplasmosis is well known, we assumed that clinicians' initial treatment reflected their perception about the severity of the case and therefore, the needs for different treatments. Results: Using these definitions, since the beginning, there were 274 (65.9%) severe/moderately severe cases and 142 (34.1%) mild cases. In practice 186 cases were treated with deoxycholate or liposomal amphotericin B (44.7%) and 230 (55.3%) cases treated with itraconazole as first line treatment. The Kappa concordance measure between the guideline definition and the actual treatment given was 0.22. There was a 9% risk difference for death within 30 days of antifungal treatment initiation between severe/moderately severe and mild cases. Over threequarters (77%) of early deaths were attributed to severe/moderately severe cases. Conclusions: This is the only rigorous estimate of the proportion of severe/moderately severe cases of progressive disseminated histoplasmosis in symptomatic HIV patients on the largest published cohort. These numbers may help defend budget needs for rapid diagnostic tests and liposomal amphotericin B. Author summary: What proportion of progressive disseminated histoplasmosis in HIV-infected patients is severe is currently not known. Because this proportion influences treatment needs, we aimed to estimate this in a cohort of 416 patients in French Guiana. We used the definition in the recent PAHO/WHO guidelines for severity. In a territory where treatment cost is not a limiting factor and where histoplasmosis awareness is high, we assumed that clinicians' initial treatment reflected their perception of severity and therefore, the needs for different treatments. Using these definitions, since the beginning, there were 274 (65.9%) severe/moderately severe cases and 142 (34.1%) mild cases. In practice 186 cases were treated with deoxycholate or liposomal amphotericin B (44.7%) and 230 (55.3%) cases treated with itraconazole as first line treatment. The Kappa concordance measure between guidelines and treatment was 0.22. There was a 9% risk difference for death within 30 days of antifungal treatment initiation between severe/moderately severe and mild cases. Over threequarters (77%) of early deaths were attributed to severe/moderately severe cases. This is the only rigorous estimate of the proportion of severe/moderately severe cases of progressive disseminated histoplasmosis in symptomatic HIV patients on the largest published cohort. These numbers may help defend budget needs for rapid diagnostic tests and liposomal amphotericin B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In France, leishmaniasis is endemic in the Mediterranean region, in French Guiana and to a lesser extent, in the French West Indies. This study wanted to provide an updated picture of leishmaniasis epidemiology in metropolitan France and in its overseas territories. Methodology/Principal findings: Leishmaniasis cases were collected by passive notification to the French National Reference Centre for Leishmaniases (NRCL) in Montpellier from 1998 to 2020 and at the associated Centre in Cayenne (French Guiana) from 2003 to 2020. In metropolitan France, 517 autochthonous leishmaniasis cases, mostly visceral forms due to Leishmania infantum (79%), and 1725 imported cases (French Guiana excluded), mainly cutaneous leishmaniasis from Maghreb, were recorded. A slight decrease of autochthonous cases was observed during the survey period, from 0.48 cases/100,000 inhabitants per year in 1999 (highest value) to 0.1 cases/100,000 inhabitants per year in 2017 (lowest value). Conversely, imported cases increased over time (from 59.7 in the 2000s to 94.5 in the 2010s). In French Guiana, 4126 cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis cases were reported from 2003 to 2020. The mean incidence was 103.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants/year but varied in function of the year (from 198 in 2004 to 54 in 2006). In Guadeloupe and Martinique (French West Indies), only sporadic cases were reported. Conclusions/Significance: Because of concerns about disease expansion and outbreaks in other Southern Europe countries, and leishmaniasis monitoring by the NRCL should be continued and associated with a more active surveillance. Author summary: Leishmaniasis is a disease due to a protozoan parasite and transmitted by sandfly. In France, this disease is endemic in the Mediterranean region, in French Guiana and to a lesser extent, in the French West Indies. We wanted to provide an updated picture of leishmaniasis epidemiology in metropolitan France and in its overseas territories. In metropolitan France, from 1998 to 2020, 517 autochthonous leishmaniasis cases, mostly visceral forms due to Leishmania infantum (79%), and 1725 imported cases (French Guiana excluded), mainly cutaneous leishmaniasis from Maghreb, were recorded. A slight decrease of autochthonous cases was observed during the survey period, from 0.48 cases/100,000 inhabitants per year in 1999 to 0.1 cases/100,000 inhabitants per year in 2017. Conversely, imported cases increased over time (from 59.7 in the 2000s to 94.5 in the 2010s). In French Guiana, 4126 cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis cases were reported from 2003 to 2020. The mean incidence was 103.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants/year but varied in function of the year (from 198 in 2004 to 54 in 2006). In Guadeloupe and Martinique (French West Indies), only sporadic cases were reported. Because of concerns about disease expansion and outbreaks, leishmaniasis monitoring should be continued and associated with a more active surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Unlike diseases caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. leprae and M. ulcerans, the epidemiology of pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacteria (PNTM) has not received due attention in French Guiana. The main objective of the current study was to define the incidence of these PNTM infections: NTM pulmonary diseases (NTM-PD) and casual PNTM isolation (responsible of latent infection or simple colonization). The secondary objectives were to determine species diversity and geographic distribution of these atypical mycobacteria. Methods: A retrospective observational study (2008–2018) of French Guiana patients with at least one PNTM positive respiratory sample in culture was conducted. Patients were then classified into two groups: casual PNTM isolation or pulmonary disease (NTM-PD), according to clinical, radiological and microbiological criteria defined by the American Thoracic Society / Infectious Disease Society of America (ATS / IDSA) in 2007. Results: 178 patients were included, out of which 147 had casual PNTM isolation and 31 had NTM-PD. Estimated annual incidence rate of respiratory isolates was 6.17 / 100,000 inhabitants per year while that of NTM-PD was 1.07 / 100,000 inhabitants per year. Among the 178 patients, M. avium complex (MAC) was the most frequently isolated pathogen (38%), followed by M. fortuitum then M. abscessus (19% and 6% of cases respectively), the latter two mycobacteria being mainly found in the coastal center region. Concerning NTM-PD, two species were mainly involved: MAC (81%) and M. abscessus (16%). Discussion/Conclusion: This is the first study on the epidemiology of PNTM infections in French Guiana. PNTM's incidence looks similar to other contries and metropolitan France and NTM-PD is mostly due to MAC and M.abscessus. Although French Guiana is the French territory with the highest tuberculosis incidence, NTM should not be overlooked. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Due to their genetic characteristics and their high exposure to infectious diseases, Maroons are likely to suffer from a specific spectrum of skin diseases. However, skin disorders have never been explored in this population. We aimed to describe all skin diseases in Maroon villages of the Maroni region in French Guiana. Methods: This retrospective study concerned all patients who consulted in the remote health centers of Apatou, Grand‐Santi, Papaichton, and Maripasoula between October 5, 2017, and June 30, 2020. We included all patients registered with a skin disorder (International Classification of Diseases) in the medical database. We excluded patients whose diagnosis was invalidated after cross‐checking by a dermatologist. Results: A total of 4741 patients presented at least one skin disease, for 6058 different disorders. Nonsexually transmitted infections represented 71.6% of all diagnoses, followed by inflammatory diseases (9.8%) and bites/envenomations (4.6%). The three most frequent conditions were scabies, abscesses, and impetigo. Besides scabies, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) were still prevalent as we reported 13 cases of leprosy and 63 cutaneous leishmaniasis. Atopic dermatitis (AD) represented only 2.5% of our diagnoses. Conclusions: With the exception of AD, which was less frequent among Maroons, these results are similar to those previously reported in Amerindians. Therefore, a common exposure to rainforest pathogens seems to induce a common spectrum of skin diseases dominated by infections. The high prevalence of NTDs requires specific public health actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most emerging pathogens are zoonoses and have a wildlife origin. Anthropization and disruption of ecosystems favor the crossing of inter-species barriers. We hypothesize that the marginalized population of undocumented goldminers in the Amazon is at risk of acquiring zoonoses. Method: A multicentric cross-sectional study included consenting gold-mining adult workers in 2019. A clinical examination recorded dermatological signs of leishmaniosis and past history of yellow fever vaccination. Biological tests were performed for yellow fever, Q fever and leptospirosis serologies. Additional blood samples from a previous study in 2015 were also tested for leptospirosis. Results: In 2019, 380 individuals were included in the study, along with 407 samples from the 2015 biological collection. The seroprevalence of leptospirosis was 31.0% [95%CI = 26.4–35.5] in 2015 and 28.1% [23.5–32.7] in 2019. The seroprevalence of Q fever was 2.9% [1.2–4.6]. The majority of participants reported being vaccinated against yellow fever (93.6%) and 97.9% had seroneutralizing antibodies. The prevalence of suspected active mucocutaneous leishmaniasis was 2.4% [0.8–3.9]. Discussion: These unique data shed new light on the transmission cycles of zoonoses still poorly understood in the region. They support the existence of a wild cycle of leptospirosis but not of Q fever. Leishmaniasis prevalence was high because of life conditions and tree felling. High yellow fever vaccine coverage was reassuring in this endemic area. In the era of global health, special attention must be paid to these vulnerable populations in direct contact with the tropical ecosystem and away from the health care system. Author summary: Many pathogens are zoonotic in origin and human transmission can occur via vector, direct contact, inhalation, absorption, among other routes enabling human-reservoir interaction. In Amazonia, the cycle of these pathogens (the reservoir, the mode of transmission ...) is not always well known. It is important to better understand these cycles in order to evaluate and anticipate the potential risk for human health, both on an individual and collective scale (risk of epidemic). In French Guiana, a French territory located in the Amazon, undocumented gold miners represent several thousand people from Brazil who work in very remote areas in the middle of the rainforest. Documenting several zoonotic diseases among this population living in the middle of biodiversity is very valuable to better understand these cycles but also to assess the impact for their own health and to identify risks for public health. This article provides new data for four zoonoses: Q-fever, leptospirosis, leishmaniasis and yellow fever in this population and discusses the contributions to the understanding of cycles and public health issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The social parameters of an individual impact the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. French Guiana, an overseas French territory with a lower standard of living than France, has a prevalence of diabetes mellitus that is twice that of mainland France. In this context we aimed to study the relation between precariousness, diabetes complications and glycemic control. Methods: A multicenter prospective cohort was initiated since May 2019. 1243 patients were included and their outcomes and history were compared between the precarious and non-precarious based on their EPICES score, a score that measures social isolation and precariousness. Results: 73.3% of the sample was considered precarious. Retinopathy was significantly more frequent among the deprived. There were no significant differences for other macro or microvascular complications. There was a significant difference in Glycated Haemoglobin between the precarious and non-precarious groups (8.3% (67 mmol/l) vs 8.8% (73mmol/l)). After adjusting for potential confounders, precariousness was no longer associated with poor glycemic control; the independent factors significantly associated with poor glycemic control were: not being fluent in French, having creole or portugese as mother language, and not having any insurance. Conclusions: Precariousness is a risk factor for retinal complications in patients with diabetes mellitus in French Guiana. In this chronic disease, the universal healthcare system alleviates health inequalities for many, but not all, diabetic complications. Translation and cultural mediation may further reduce health inequalities in this multicultural territory where a substantial proportion of the population is not fluent in French. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Q fever (QF) is a zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii (Cb). French Guiana (FG) had a high incidence but no data have been published since 2006. The objective of this study was to update the incidence and epidemiological data on QF in FG. A retrospective study of all FG Q fever serodiagnosis between 2007 and 2017 was carried out. Among the 695 patients included, the M/F sex-ratio was 2.0 and the median age of 45.3 years (IQR 33.7–56.3). The annual QF incidence rate was 27.4 cases (95%CI: 7.1–47.7) per 100,000 inhabitants ranging from 5.2 in 2007 to 40.4 in 2010. Risk factors associated with Q fever compared to general population were male gender, being born in mainland France an age between 30 to 59 years-old and a residence in Cayenne and surroundings. The incidence of QF in FG remains high and stable and the highest in the world. Author summary: We present here a study showing the exceptional nature of the incidence of Q fever in Guyana. Indeed, this zoonosis due to the bacterium Coxiella burnetii, is a real public health problem in French Guiana, a French ultra-marine territory located in the North East of South America. The study found an endemic state with a stable incidence between 2010 and 2017 around 25–30 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year. More than 90% of cases are concentrated in the territory's capital, Cayenne, and its surroundings. The risk factors for Q fever are being male, being between 30 and 59 years old, which are risk factors found elsewhere, but also living in Cayenne and its surroundings and being born in mainland France or Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We describe the clinical, mycological, immunological, and genetic characteristics of six HIV-negative patients presenting with invasive cryptococcosis. Methods: Patients with cryptococcosis without any of the classical risk factors, such as HIV infection, followed at Cayenne Hospital, were prospectively included. An immunologic and genetic assessment was performed. Results: Five male patients and one female patient, 5 adults and one child, were investigated. All presented a neuromeningeal localization. Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii and C. neoformans var. grubii were isolated in two and three patients, respectively, whereas one patient could not be investigated. Overall, we did not observe any global leukocyte defect. Two patients were found with high levels of circulating autoantibodies against Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and none had detectable levels of autoantibodies against Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) Sequencing of STAT1 exons and flanking regions performed for four patients was wild type. Conclusion: To better understand cryptococcosis in patients with cryptococcosis but otherwise healthy, further explorations are needed with repeated immune checkups and strain virulence studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/Introduction: Strict management of glucose levels in elderly people with diabetes or with comorbidities exposes them to the risk of severe hypoglycaemia (capillary or venous glucose ≤3.3 mmol/L) and the associated morbidity and mortality. We aimed to describe the clinical, laboratory, and epidemiological characteristics of people with diabetes admitted to the Emergency Department in Cayenne, French Guiana for severe hypoglycaemia and identify avoidable behaviours in this population. Materials and Methods: An observational epidemiological study of adults with diabetes who presented to the Emergency Department with severe hypoglycaemia was conducted between 2015 and 2018. Their medical history, clinical and laboratory data were collected. The primary outcome was the association between therapeutic misuse and age ≥65 years. Results: Overall, 178 admissions were analysed. The main cause of hypoglycaemia was insulin dosing‐error or inappropriate glycaemic targets. Among those ≥65 years, 59% had a glycated haemoglobin ≤48 mmol/mol (6.5%), and the median duration of their diabetes was 20 years. Among them, 60% were treated with sulfonylurea, repaglinide, biphasic insulin, or mixed drugs, and 48% were on non‐diabetes related treatments that had a hypoglycaemic effect. Furthermore, 23% of the elderly treated with oral antidiabetics had chronic kidney disease. Conclusion: Many avoidable risk factors for severe hypoglycaemia have been highlighted, in particular insulin dosing errors or non‐compliance with recommendations for participants ≥ 65 years. Primary care physicians and homecare nurses need to provide preventive interventions and undergo training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cryptosporidiosis outbreaks in South America are poorly documented. In March 2018, 51 cases of cryptosporidiosis were reported in Maripasoula, a village located in a remote forest area along the border between Surinam and French Guiana. Method: To identify the origin of the epidemic, we performed epidemiological, microbiological, and environmental investigations. Only the cases involving diarrhoea and Cryptosporidium-positive stool were considered as bona fide, while cases involving diarrhoea and close contact with a confirmed case were classified as "possible". Results: We identified 16 confirmed cases and 35 possible ones. Confirmed cases comprised nine children (median age of 18 months, range: 6–21), one immunocompromised adult and six soldiers. One child required a hospitalisation for rehydration. All 16 Cryptosporidium stools were PCR positive, and sequencing of the gp60 gene confirmed only one Cryptosporidium hominis subtype IbA10G2. Tap water consumption was the only common risk factor identified. Contamination of the water network with Cryptosporidium parvum subtype IIdA19G2 was found. Conclusion: Water quality is a major public health issue in Amazonian French Guiana, especially for population at risk (children, people with comorbidity, travelers). For them, alternative water supply or treatment should be implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: General practitioners (GPs) are the major primary healthcare players in the management of type 2 diabetes. In addition to a well-balanced diet, physical activity (PA) appears as a necessary non-medicinal therapy in the management of diabetic patients. However, GPs emphasize several obstacles to its prescription. The aim of this study is to evaluate the practices, barriers, and factors favoring the prescription of PA in type 2 diabetic patients by GPs in French Guiana. Method: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study using a questionnaire, designed to interview 152 French Guiana GPs and describe their practice in prescribing PA in type 2 diabetic patients. Results: Our results revealed that the prescription of PA as a non-medicinal therapeutic choice in the management of type 2 diabetes was practiced by 74% of the French Guiana GPs. However, only 37% of GPs responded that they implemented the recommendations; indeed, only one-third knew about them. The majority of GPs were interested in PA training, but only 11% were actually trained in this practice. The lack of structure adapted to the practice of PA and the lack of awareness of the benefits of PA in metabolic pathology appeared as the main obstacles to PA prescription. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of improving the training of GPs in the prescription of PA, the development of adapted PA structures, and collaboration between the different actors within the framework of the sport-health system in type 2 diabetes in French Guiana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Q fever is a major public health problem in French Guiana. In recent years, a considerable number of cases has been reported in French Guiana's penitentiary center. The main objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of these cases. A retrospective study was conducted at the prison to identify cases of acute Q fever in people incarcerated between 2010 and 2021. During the study period, 16 patients were diagnosed with acute Q fever. The positivity rate varied between 13 and 57%. The annual incidence rate in 2019, 2020 and 2021 was 269 (95% CI: 0-640) 1,120 (95% CI: 290-1950) and 1,931 (95% CI: 60-3810) per 100,000 person-years, respectively. While several vertebrate species have already been shown to play an important role in the transmission of Coxiella burnetii, the full epidemiology picture in the tropics is far from clear, and the prison context, with its controlled environment, could help provide answers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is endemic in French Guiana but cases are usually sporadic. An outbreak signal was issued on May 15th 2020 with 15 suspected cases after a military training course in the rainforest. An outbreak investigation was carried out. Methodology/Principal findings: Thirty cases were confirmed. Leishmania guyanensis was the most frequent species (90%). The most frequent presentation was ulcerative (90%). Lesions on the face and hands were frequent (40% each). Eight cases (26%) presented a poor outcome after treatment with pentamidine and required a second line with amphotericin B. Three of them required further treatments with meglumine antimoniate or miltefosine. Two spots within the training area were deemed as likely sites of contamination, due to illegal logging. The isolated Leishmania strains did not form a separate cluster. Participation in Week 13 of year 2020 was associated with infection (OR = 4.59 [1.10–19.83]; p = 0.016) while undergoing only the "Fighting" exercise was protective (OR = 0.1 [0–0.74]; p = 0.021). There was no association between infection and other risk factors at the individual level. The attack rate of Regiment B (14/105 = 13.3%) was significantly higher (OR = 4.22 [1.84–9.53], p = 0.0001) compared to Regiment A (16/507 = 3.2%). The attack rate during this training course (30/858 = 3.5%) was significantly higher (OR 2.29 [1.28–4.13]; p = 0.002) than for other missions in French Guiana during the same period (22/1427 = 1.5%). Conclusions: This outbreak could be explained by a combination of factors: climatic conditions around week 13, at-risk activities including night trainings, absence of impregnation, a lesser experience of rainforest duties in Regiment B and illegal logging attracting sandflies on military training grounds. Author summary: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis is caused by parasites of the Leishmania genus and infects humans after a sandfly bite. Outbreaks are rare and hard to investigate in isolated tropical areas. In this study, the authors explored the different possible origins of an outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis among soldiers training in the rainforest of French Guiana. The outbreak occurred in March 2020. Concerning the symptoms, several patients presented resistant infections and multiple lines of treatment, raising the issue of resistant Leishmania strains. The different strains isolated during the outbreak were not genetically closed, as far as routine PCR techniques would indicate. The authors looked for individual behaviours exposing soldiers to sandfly bites but none was significantly associated with infection. The authors found two spots in the military training areas where illegal logging probably increased the density of sandflies and put service members at risk. The 13th week of 2020 was associated to a higher risk of infection due to climatic conditions. This study shows how interactions between humans and the rainforest can increase the risk of parasitic outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Disseminated histoplasmosis is a major killer of HIV‐infected persons in Latin America. Antigen detection, fungal culture and Polymerase Chain Reaction are often not available, but cytology and histology are present in most hospitals and may offer a diagnostic alternative. In this study, we review 34 years of clinical experience to describe the roles of cytology and histology in diagnosing disseminated histoplasmosis. Methods: Retrospective multicentric study of 349 patients between 1 January 1981 and 1 October 2014 with confirmed disseminated histoplasmosis. Results: Around 32/214 (14.9%) of samples were screened using cytopathology, as were 10/101 (9.9%) bronchoalveolar lavage samples and 5/61 (8.2%) of spinal fluid samples. The samples most commonly sent to pathology were liver biopsies, lower digestive tract and lymphnode biopsies; the greatest proportion of positive results were found in lower digestive tract (43/59 (72.9%) positives), lymph node (39/63 (66.1%)), and liver (38/75 (50.7%)) samples. Overall, 97.2% of bone marrow and 97% of bronchoalveolar lavage samples were directly examined by a mycologist. Positive direct examination was independently associated with death (aHR = 1.5 (95%CI = 1–2.2)). Conclusions: Opportunities for a rapid diagnosis were regularly missed, notably for bone marrow samples, which could have been examined using staining methods complementary to those of the mycologist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In French Guiana were detected high lead (Pb) levels in blood of Amerindian people. Lead exposure is a serious hazard that can affect the cognitive and behavior development. People can be exposed to Pb through occupational and environmental sources. Fingerprinting based on stable Pb isotopes in environmental media is often used to trace natural and anthropogenic sources but is rarely paired with blood data. The objective of this study was to determine the main factors associated with high Blood Lead Levels (BLL). Soil, manioc tubers, food bowls, beverages, wild games, lead pellets and children blood were sampled in small villages along the Oyapock River. children BLL ranged between 5.7 and 35 µg dL−1, all exceeding 5 µg dL−1, the reference value proposed in epidemiologic studies for lead poisoning. Among the different dietary sources, manioc tubers and large game contained elevated Pb concentrations while manioc-based dishes were diluted. The isotopes ratios (207Pb/206Pb and 208Pb/206Pb) of children blood overlapped these of lead shots and meals. These first results confirm for the first time, the diary consumption of manioc-based food as the main contributor to Amerindian children's BLL in French Guiana, but don't exclude the occasional exposure to lead bullets by hunting activities. This is a specific health concern, since previous studies have shown that these same villagers present high levels of mercury (Hg). These communities are indeed subject to a double exposure to neurotoxic metals, Hg and Pb, both through their diet. The farming activity is based on manioc growing, and explaining that this ancestral practice can induce serious health risks for the child's development may seriously affect their food balance and cultural cohesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The first potential focus for artemisinin resistance in South America was recently confirmed with the presence of the C580Y mutation in the Plasmodium falciparum kelch 13 gene (pfk13) in Guyana.Objectives: This study aimed to strengthen pfk13 monitoring in the Amazon basin countries, to compile the available data and to evaluate the risk of spreading of mutations.Methods: Sanger sequencing was done on 862 samples collected between 1998 and 2019, and a global map of pfk13 genotypes available for this region was constructed. Then, the risk of spreading of mutations based on P. falciparum case importation between 2015 and 2018 within countries of the Amazon basin was evaluated.Results: No additional pfk13 C580Y foci were identified. Few mutations (0.5%, 95% CI = 0.3%-0.8%) in the propeller domain were observed in the general parasite population of this region despite a high proportion of K189T mutations (49.1%, 95% CI = 46.2%-52.0%) in the non-propeller domain. Case information revealed two patterns of intense human migration: Venezuela, Guyana and the Roraima State in Brazil; and French Guiana, Suriname and the Amapá State in Brazil.Conclusions: There are few pfk13 mutant foci, but a high risk of dispersion in the Amazon basin, mainly from the Guiana Shield, proportionate to mining activities. Therefore, access to prompt diagnosis and treatment, and continuous molecular monitoring is essential in these geographical areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oropouche fever is a zoonotic dengue-like syndrome caused by Oropouche virus. In August-September 2020, dengue-like syndrome developed in 41 patients in a remote rainforest village in French Guiana. By PCR or microneutralization, 23 (82.1%) of 28 tested patients were positive for Oropouche virus, documenting its emergence in French Guiana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 caused by the Gamma variant of concern infected 24/44 (55%) employees of a gold mine in French Guiana (87% symptomatic, no severe forms). The attack rate was 60% (15/25) among fully vaccinated miners and 75% (3/4) among unvaccinated miners without a history of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: French Guiana (FG) is a French overseas territory where malaria is endemic. The current incidence rate is 0.74‰ inhabitants, and Plasmodium vivax is widely predominating even though Plasmodium falciparum is still present due to imported cases mainly from Africa. In FG, rapid diagnostic test (SD Malaria Ag P.f/Pan®) is based on the detection of pan-pLDH, PfHRP2, and PfHRP3 antigens, while in South America, the share of deletion of PfHRP2 gene is significantly increasing. Accordingly, the study questions the reliability of RDTs in the Amazonian context. Methods: The study is retrospective. It is conducted over 4 years and analysed 12,880 rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) compared to concomitant Blood Film Tests (BFTs) sampled for malaria diagnosis. Results: The global assessment of the accuracy of SD Malaria Ag P.f/Pan® in the diagnostic of malaria shows both Positive and Negative Predictive Values (PPV and NPV) higher than 95%, except for PPV in the diagnosis of malaria to P. falciparum (88%). Overall, the concordance rate between RDT and BFT (positive/positive; negative/negative) was 99.5%. The PPV of the RDT in the follow-up of patients diagnosed with P. falciparum was the lowest during the first 28 days. The PPV of the RDT in the follow-up of patients diagnosed with P. vivax was the lowest during the first 21 days. The global sensitivity of SD Malaria Ag P.f/Pan® test was, on average, 96% (88.2–100) for P. falciparum and 93% (90.6–94.2) for P. vivax. The global specificity was 99.8% (99.5–100) for all included species. Conclusion: SD Malaria Ag P.f/Pan® is a reliable rapid test used for the first-line diagnosis in remote healthcare centres. The test results should be interpreted in the light of patient's recent medical history and the date of arrival to FG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disseminated histoplasmosis is a major cause of mortality in HIV-infected patients. Rapid and efficient diagnosis of Histoplasma capsulatum is crucial. Cytopathology is available in most hospitals and represents a rapid diagnostic alternative. In this study, we reviewed 12 years of experience to describe the cytology of histoplasmosis diagnosed by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in relation to patient characteristics. BAL-diagnosed pulmonary histoplasmosis concerned 17 patients (14 HIV+). BAL cellularity ranged from 76,000 to 125,000 cells/mL in HIV patients, and 117,000 to 160,000 cells/mL in non-HIV patients. Macrophages predominated in all HIV patients (from 60% to 88%), lymphocytic infiltrates ranged from 5% to 15%, and neutrophils were very heterogeneous (from 2% to 32%). The number of H. capsulatum at hot spots seemed greater in HIV-infected than in immunocompetent patients (9 to 375 vs. 4 to 10) and were inversely proportional to the CD4 counts. Yeasts were both intracellular and extracellular in 85.7% of the HIV patients. This is the most comprehensive series detailing the cytological aspects of BAL in the diagnosis of H. capsulatum, focusing on the number of yeasts and their clustering pattern. The cytological examination of the Gomori-Grocott-stained BAL allows a reliable diagnosis of histoplasmosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the burden of histoplasmosis in patients with advanced HIV has been the focus of detailed estimations, knowledge about invasive fungal infections in patients living with HIV in an Amazonian context is somewhat scattered. Our goal was thus to adopt a broader view integrating all invasive fungal infections diagnosed over a decade in French Guiana. All patients hospitalized at Cayenne hospital from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2018 with a proven diagnosis of invasive fungal infection were included (n = 227). Histoplasmosis was the most common (48.2%), followed by Cryptococcus infection (26.3%), and pneumocystosis (12.5%). For cryptococcal infection, there was a discordance between the actual diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis n = (26) and the isolated presence of antigen in the serum (n = 46). Among the latter when the information was available (n = 34), 21(65.6%) were treated with antifungals but not coded as cryptococcocosis. Most fungal infections were simultaneous to the discovery of HIV (38%) and were the AIDS-defining event (66%). The proportion of major invasive fungal infections appeared to remain stable over the course of the study, with a clear predominance of documented H. capsulatum infections. Until now, the focus of attention has been histoplasmosis, but such attention should not overshadow other less-studied invasive fungal infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the burden of histoplasmosis in patients with advanced HIV has been the focus of detailed estimations, knowledge about invasive fungal infections in patients living with HIV in an Amazonian context is somewhat scattered. Our goal was thus to adopt a broader view integrating all invasive fungal infections diagnosed over a decade in French Guiana. All patients hospitalized at Cayenne hospital from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2018 with a proven diagnosis of invasive fungal infection were included (n = 227). Histoplasmosis was the most common (48.2%), followed by Cryptococcus infection (26.3%), and pneumocystosis (12.5%). For cryptococcal infection, there was a discordance between the actual diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis n = (26) and the isolated presence of antigen in the serum (n = 46). Among the latter when the information was available (n = 34), 21(65.6%) were treated with antifungals but not coded as cryptococcocosis. Most fungal infections were simultaneous to the discovery of HIV (38%) and were the AIDS-defining event (66%). The proportion of major invasive fungal infections appeared to remain stable over the course of the study, with a clear predominance of documented H. capsulatum infections. Until now, the focus of attention has been histoplasmosis, but such attention should not overshadow other less-studied invasive fungal infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adrenal histoplasmosis and primary adrenal insufficiency are mostly described in immunocompetent patients. This particular tropism is attributed to the presence of cortisol within the adrenal gland, a privileged niche for Histoplasma growth. In French Guiana, disseminated histoplasmosis is the main opportunistic infection in HIV patients. Our objective was to search in our HIV-histoplasmosis cohorts to determine how frequent adrenal insufficiency was among these patients. Between January 1, 1981 and October 1, 2014, a multicentric retrospective, observational study of histoplasmosis was conducted. Patients co-infected by HIV and histoplasmosis were enrolled in French Guiana's histoplasmosis and HIV database. Among 349 cases of disseminated histoplasmosis between 1981 and 2014, only 3 had adrenal insufficiency (0.85%). Their respective CD4 counts were 10, 14 and 43 per mm3. All patients had regular electrolyte measurements and 234/349 (67%) had abdominal ultrasonography and 98/349 (28%) had abdominopelvic CT scans. None of these explorations reported adrenal enlargement. Overall, these numbers are far from the 10% reports among living patients and 80-90% among histoplasmosis autopsy series. This suggests 2 conflicting hypotheses: First, apart from acute adrenal failure with high potassium and low sodium, less advanced functional deficiencies, which require specific explorations, may have remained undiagnosed. The second hypothesis is that immunosuppression leads to different tissular responses that are less likely to incapacitate the adrenal function. Furthermore, given the general immunosuppression, the adrenal glands no longer represent a particular niche for Histoplasma proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Disseminated histoplasmosis is a major killer of patients with advanced HIV. It is proteiform and often hard to diagnose in the absence of diagnostic tests. We aimed to describe disseminated histoplasmosis with lymphadenopathies in French Guiana and to compare survival and severity of those patients to patients without lymphadenopathies. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on data records collected between January 1, 1981 and October 1, 2014. Results: Among 349 cases of disseminated histoplasmosis 168 (48.3%) had superficial lymphadenopathies and 133(38.1%) had deep lymphadenopathies. The median LDH concentration, ferritin concentration, TGO concentration, and WHO performance status were lower among patients with deep lymphadenopathies than those without deep lymphadenopathies. There was a significant decrease in the risk of early death (<1 month) among those with deep lymphadenopathies relative to those without (OR=0.26 (95%CI=0.10–0.60), P=0.0006) and in the overall risk of death (OR=0.33 (95%CI=0.20-0.55), P<0.0001). These associations remained strongly significant after adjusting for time period, CD4 counts, age, delay between beginning of symptoms and hospital admission, antifungal and antiretroviral treatment. Conclusions: The present data show that in patients with advanced HIV and disseminated histoplasmosis, the presence of deep lymphadenopathies is associated with fewer markers of severity and a lower risk of death. To our knowledge it is the first study to show this. The presence of deep lymphadenopathies is hypothesized to reflect the patient's partially effective defense against H. capsulatum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Intestinal parasitic diseases are a global health problem. Due to its equatorial climate, vast territory with isolated areas and the precariousness of its population, intestinal parasitosis is considered to be a major issue in French Guiana but only few data are available and these mainly focus on specific population. We aimed at determining the parasitic index and at describing the characteristics of these infections in order to develop preventive strategies. Material and methods: We retrospectively analysed all the parasitological samples recorded in the register of the two main laboratories of French Guiana between 2011 and 2016. The parasitic index was the percentage of parasitised patients in comparison with the total number of subjects studied. A patient who underwent several positive parasitological examinations was considered only once in the analysis at the time of the first sampling. Results: A total of 15,220 parasitological samples of 9,555 patients were analysed and 2,916 were positive in 1,521 patients. The average infestation rate and parasitic index were 19.2% and 16.0%, respectively. The parasitic index remained stable between 2011 (18.2%) and 2016 (18.3%). The patients were mainly men (66.4%), with a median age of 33.0 years (26.3% of patients were under 18 years of age) and lived mainly in the Central Agglomeration (48.2%) and in West Guiana (37.4%). Hookworms were the most common parasite (25.2%) followed by Entamoeba coli (13.3%), Strongyloides stercoralis (10.9%) and Giardia intestinalis (10.8%). Among the infected patients, 31.0% presented mixed infections and 67.5% of them had at least one pathogenic parasite. The patients aged from 0 to 18 years presented significantly more polyparasitism (30.9%) than monoparasitism (24.3%, p<0.001). Ancylostoma sp and Strongyloides stercoralis were mainly diagnosed during the rainy season (59.5% and 64.7% respectively), in men (78.6% and 81.1% respectively) and in patients aged from 18 to 65 years (86.6% and 76.6% respectively) whereas, Giardia intestinalis infected mostly children under 5 years (59.5%) of age. Conclusion: Although it may not be representative of the entire Guyanese population, the parasitic index remained high and stable from 2011 and 2016 and it justifies the need for an active prevention program as it was already done in the other French overseas departments such as Martinique and Guadeloupe. Author summary: Intestinal parasitic diseases are a global public health problem which mostly affect developing countries where adequate water and sanitation facilities are lacking. Due to its equatorial climate, vast territory with isolated areas and the precariousness of its population, intestinal parasitosis is considered to be a major issue in French Guiana and came to be frequently detected during hospitalisations. However, only few data are available and no integrated control programs have been conducted. This is the first study that has been exploring and reporting epidemiological data on intestinal parasitic infections in French Guiana covering much of the territory. This work reports an average parasitic index of 16.0%, which was stable between 2011 (18.2%) and 2016 (18.3%) with a majority of Ancylostoma sp, Strongyloides stercoralis and Giardia intestinalis. Although it may not be representative of the entire Guyanese population, the parasitic index remained high and stable from 2011 to 2016 and it justifies the need for an active prevention program as it was already done in the other French overseas departments such as Martinique and Guadeloupe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]