1. Epidemiological Evidence of Nosocomial and Zoonotic Transmission of Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus-1 in a Large Survey in a Rural Population of Central Africa
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Jill-Léa Ramassamy, Chanceline Bilounga Ndongo, Patrick Nnuka, Maëlle Antunes, Margot Le Mener, Edouard Betsem a Betsem, Richard Njouom, Olivier Cassar, Arnaud Fontanet, Antoine Gessain, Epidémiologie et Physiopathologie des Virus Oncogènes / Oncogenic Virus Epidemiology and Pathophysiology (EPVO (UMR_3569 / U-Pasteur_3)), Institut Pasteur [Paris] (IP)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Paris Cité (UPCité), Ministère de la Santé Publique [Yaoundé, Cameroun], Université de Douala, Université de Yaoundé I, Centre Pasteur du Cameroun, Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur (RIIP), Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers [CNAM] (CNAM), HESAM Université - Communauté d'universités et d'établissements Hautes écoles Sorbonne Arts et métiers université (HESAM), Epidémiologie des Maladies Emergentes - Emerging Diseases Epidemiology, Université Paris Cité (UPCité)-Pasteur-Cnam Risques infectieux et émergents (PACRI), Institut Pasteur [Paris] (IP)-Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers [CNAM] (CNAM), HESAM Université - Communauté d'universités et d'établissements Hautes écoles Sorbonne Arts et métiers université (HESAM)-HESAM Université - Communauté d'universités et d'établissements Hautes écoles Sorbonne Arts et métiers université (HESAM)-Université Paris Cité (UPCité)-Institut Pasteur [Paris] (IP)-Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers [CNAM] (CNAM), HESAM Université - Communauté d'universités et d'établissements Hautes écoles Sorbonne Arts et métiers université (HESAM)-HESAM Université - Communauté d'universités et d'établissements Hautes écoles Sorbonne Arts et métiers université (HESAM), This work was supported by the European Union as part of the EboSursy project (grant number FOOD/2016/379-660 to J. L. R.), and the Institut Pasteur, France and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 3569, through the Investissement d’Avenir as part of a Laboratoire d’Excellence French research program, Integrative Biology of Emerging Infectious Diseases (grant number ANR10-LBX- 62 IBEID to A. G.). Funding to pay the Open Access publication charges for this article was provided by the European Union., and ANR-10-LABX-0062,IBEID,Integrative Biology of Emerging Infectious Diseases(2010)
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Infectious Diseases ,HTLV-1 ,[SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio] ,Immunology and Allergy ,Cameroon HTLV-1 central Africa cross-sectional survey epidemiology nosocomial zoonoses ,epidemiology ,nosocomial ,Cameroon ,central Africa ,cross-sectional survey ,zoonoses - Abstract
Background Central Africa is one of the largest areas of high endemicity for human T-cell leukemia virus-1 (HTLV-1). However, no preventive measures are yet implemented to reduce its transmission, which can be sexual, from mother-to-child, or through contaminated blood products. Rare zoonotic transmissions from nonhuman primates (NHPs) have also been reported in this region. Here we investigated the HTLV-1 prevalence and associated risk factors in a rural population in Cameroon. Methods From 2019 to 2021, we performed a cross-sectional survey in the eastern region of Cameroon. HTLV-1 infection was first screened by ELISA, then tested by western blot and envelope gene targeted polymerase chain reaction. Risk factors associated with HTLV-1 infection were identified by logistic regression in univariable and multivariable analyses. Results Among 3400 participants, HTLV-1 prevalence was 1.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], .7–1.5). Factors independently associated with HTLV-1 infection were Pygmy ethnicity (adjusted odd ratio [aOR], 2.9; 95% CI, 1.3–6.2), history of surgery (aOR, 6.3; 95% CI, 2.2–17.8), and NHP bite (aOR, 6.6; 95% CI, 2.2–19.8). Conclusions These results suggest both iatrogenic and zoonotic transmission of HTLV-1 in Cameroon. Further studies are needed to assess the risk of nosocomial transmission of HTLV-1, to guide public health authorities in implementing preventive measures to control HTLV-1 transmission.
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- 2022