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Background: 10 million people are chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in sub-Saharan Africa. The assessment of viral genotypes and treatment response in this region is necessary to achieve the WHO target of worldwide elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of HCV genotypes and outcomes of treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents in Benin, a country with a national HCV seroprevalence of 4%., Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted at two referral hospitals in Benin. Individuals were eligible for inclusion if they were seropositive for HCV and willing to consent to participation in the study; exclusion criteria were an inability to give consent or incarceration. Viraemia was confirmed by PCR. The primary outcomes were to identify HCV genotypes and measure sustained virological response rates 12 weeks after completion of treatment (SVR12) with a 12-week course of sofosbuvir-velpatasvir or sofosbuvir-ledipasvir, with or without ribavirin. We conducted phylogenetic and resistance analyses after the next-generation sequencing of samples with a cycle threshold (Ct) value of 30 or fewer cycles. The in-vitro efficacy of NS5A inhibitors was tested using a subgenomic replicon assay., Findings: Between June 2, 2019, and Dec 30, 2020, 148 individuals were screened for eligibility, of whom 100 were recruited prospectively to the study. Plasma samples from 79 (79%) of the 100 participants were positive for HCV by PCR. At the time of the study, 52 (66%) of 79 patients had completed treatment, with an SVR12 rate of 94% (49 of 52). 57 (72%) of 79 samples had a Ct value of 30 or fewer cycles and were suitable for whole-genome sequencing, from which we characterised 29 (51%) samples as genotype 1 and 28 (49%) as genotype 2. Three new genotype 1 subtypes (1q, 1r, and 1s) and one new genotype 2 subtype (2xa) were identified. The most commonly detected subtype was 2d (12 [21%] of 57 samples), followed by 1s (eight [14%]), 1r (five [9%]), 1b (four [7%]), 1q (three [5%]), 2xa (three [5%]), and 2b (two [3%]). 20 samples (11 genotype 2 and nine genotype 1) were unassigned new singleton lineages. 53 (93%) of 57 sequenced samples had at least two resistance-associated substitutions within the NS5A gene. Subtype 2d was associated with a lower-than-expected SVR12 rate (eight [80%] of ten patients). For one patient, with subtype 2b, treatment was not successful., Interpretation: This study revealed a high SVR rate in Benin among individuals treated for HCV with sofosbuvir-velpatasvir, including those with highly diverse viral genotypes. Further studies of treatment effectiveness in genotypes 2d and 2b are indicated., Funding: Medical Research Council, Wellcome, Global Challenges Research Fund, Academy of Medical Sciences, and PHARMBIOTRAC., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests ECT declares funding from the Medical Research Council (MRC) for the MRC Preparedness Platform and the MRC World Class Labs award 2023/24, and her institution has received research funds from Novavax, AstraZeneca, the University of Oxford, and the University of Southampton. She has acted as an external consultant for WHO (HCV and Ebola virus), is the Chair of the BHIVA hepatitis subcommittee, and is a member of UK Health Security Agency technical groups. All other authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: GISTs are rare tumors but the most frequent mesenchymal tumors of the digestive tract. Diagnosis and treatment are challenging in low-income countries due to relatively poor access to immunohistochemistry and targeted therapy. In Africa, there are few studies about it. Imatinib, an oral targeted therapy, has been available in Benin since 2010 and free since 2016. This study describes the diagnosis and therapeutic management of GIST in Cotonou, Benin., Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study, with retrospective data collection over a 10-year period from 2010 to 2020, focused on patients with histological confirmed gastro-intestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Cases were identified using the registry database and the archival files of the Hubert Koutoukou Maga National University Hospital of Cotonou (CNHU-HKM)., Results: Fifteen GISTs were identified during the study period. The median age was 52 and the sex ratio was 2:1 (10 males and 5 females). The most frequent symptom was abdominal pain (n = 12). Delay in care seeking after onset of symptoms ranged from 24 h to 15 years. The most common site for GISTs was the stomach (n = 8). The median tumor size was 11 cm and the majority (n=10) was metastatic or locally advanced at the time of diagnosis. The tumors were often spindle-shaped at histology (n = 13) and the majority expressed KIT (n = 14). Most of the tumors (n = 12) were at high risk of recurrence according to the Joensuu scoring system. The availability of imatinib has improved the outcome of GIST with response in all cases it was used in neoadjuvant setting (n = 7)., Conclusion: GISTs are rare tumors and preferentially affect the stomach in Cotonou). Most of the tumors were large, unresectable at the time of diagnosis and at high risk of recurrence. Access to imatinib has revolutionized the management of those tumors in our country., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Introduction: cancer is a major cause of death in the world. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and prognostic features of cancers of the pancreas (CP) at the National Hospital and University Center of Cotonou., Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study with a prospective and retrospective data collection over a period of ten years, from 1 October 2009 to 31 October 2019., Results: out of 15.102 hospitalizations, we identified 72 cases of CP, reflecting a hospitalization rate of 0.5%. The average age of patients was 59 years. The sex-ratio (H/F) was 1.5. The main reason for consultation was abdominal pain. More than half (51.4%) of patients had metastatic tumor at the time of diagnosis. Histological evidence of adenocarcinoma was only reported in 15.1% of cases. The rate of operable patients was 37.5% while the rate of resectable patients was 2.7%. Palliative chemotherapy was given to 13.9% of patients. The average cost of treatment was 955.882,4 FCFA (23.9 times the Guaranteed Interprofessional Minimum Wage in Benin). Median overall survival was 6 months. Mortality rate was 86.9% (53/61), survival rate at one year was 31.4%, and zero at five years. Palliative surgery (p = 0.021) and chemotherapy (p = 0.023) improved patient survival., Conclusion: cancer of the pancreas, due to its non-specific signs and insidious outcome, is often diagnosed at a late stage. A metastatic tumor and the limited individual and institutional therapeutic possibilities lead to more pejorative prognosis., Competing Interests: Les auteurs ne déclarent aucun conflit d'intérêts., (Copyright: Aboudou Raïmi Kpossou et al.)

Introduction: hepatitis C is an infection which can be passed from mother to child. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of colonization by anti-HCV antibodies in pregnant women living in Cotonou and to identify factors associated with it., Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study of 253 pregnant women admitted for prenatal care in four major maternity hospitals in Cotonou (Benin) from 01/06/2018 to 01/09/2018. Anti-HCV antibodies were detected using rapid diagnostic tests. A venous blood sample was collected from pregnant women tested positive for anti-HCV before confirmatory serological tests and screening tests for gestational diabetes., Results: the prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies was 1.2% (3/253 pregnant women). Factors associated with HCV carriage couldn't be identified given the low number of positive cases. However, pregnant women who were carriers of hepatitis C antibodies had higher mean age (32 ± 3) compared to the remainder of the population (29.58 ± 5.5). Potential risk factors for HCV infection were scarifications, piercing, tattooing, sharing of manicure equipment, a history of surgery and blood transfusions. The prevalence of gestational diabetes in our study population was 7.9% (20/253). No association was found between gestational diabetes and hepatitis C., Conclusion: the prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in pregnant women living in Cotonou was low. A national-level study is needed to identify factors associated with this infection., Competing Interests: Les auteurs ne déclarent aucun conflit d´intérêt., (Copyright: Moufalilou Aboubakar et al.)

Introduction: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that often results in general medicine and gastroenterology consultations. This study aims to determine IBS prevalence, to describe its clinical features, to determine its associated factors as well as its impact on the education among medical students in Cotonou., Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study on medical students over the period 1 August-29 September 2017. The diagnostic criteria were: Rome IV, Bristol scale, Cungi scale and HADS score. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 software., Results: Out of 315 students included in the study, 44 (14%) had IBS. The factors associated with IBS were female gender (OR [CI 95%] = 2.4 [1.2 - 4.7]; p = 0.00), regular consumption of fatty foods (OR [CI 95%] = 2.0 [1.1 - 3.9]; p = 0.03), high to severe levels of stress (OR [CI 95%] = 2.2 [1.1 - 4.7]; p= 0.02) and moderate to severe state of anxiety (OR [CI 95%] = 1.9 [0.9 - 3.6]; p= 0.04). IBS-related absenteeism was rare (1 case; 2.3%)., Conclusion: IBS is common among medical students in Cotonou. The identified modifiable factors associated with IBS were stress, anxiety and regular consumption of fatty foods. No appreciable impact on the education was reported., Competing Interests: Les auteurs ne déclarent aucun conflit d'intérêts.

Unlabelled: This study was initiated to determine the progression of the cardiovascular risk (CR) in a 5-years period for those who went through high blood pressure treatment. It is a retrospective and descriptive study over a period of 9 years. Were included in that category, African patients treated in that period of time and who at least benefited from a 5-years medical care period. The total CR was calculated afterwards, for the needs for the study, using the tables of Framingham. All the data were collected after the first evaluation then brought up to date at the terms of 1, 3 and 5 years and with a last consultation for the patients whose medical care follow-up exceeded 5 years. For the 103 patients who had complete data, the average age was of 49.11±8 and the sex ratio of 2. Among them 14 (13.6%) died of cardiovascular complications. Among the 89 remaining patients, the CR at the beginning was very high in a proportion of 10.1%, high in 49.4%, moderated in 22.5% and weak in 18%. The general evolution is characterized by a stability of the proportion of the moderated CR (20 - 23%) and high CR (43 - 50%) but a very important increase in the proportion of the very high CR (10 to 21%) to the detriment of the weak CR (18 to 10%). The analysis of the individual evolution reveals an improvement of the CR among 19 patients (21.3%), its stability among 39 patients (43.8%) and a worsening among 31 patients (34.8%). These data are confirmed in a widened population of 321 patients of which the less complete data allow an estimate of the CR., Conclusion: The cardiovascular risk is difficult to evaluate. It is badly controlled in the long run., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Unlabelled: Infection by hepatitis B virus is the main cause of liver cirrhosis in Africa. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate clinical and epidemiological features as well as factors related to death in cirrhosis patients admitted to the National University Hospital in Cotonou, Benin., Methods: The files of patients admitted from January 1 to December 31, 2004 were reviewed., Results: Out of the 230 useable files reviewed, a total of 52 involved patients were admitted for liver cirrhosis. The male/female sex ratio was 2.25 and mean age was 49 years. The proportion of unemployed and salaried patients was 42.3% and 28.8% respectively. Hepatitis B and alcohol consumption were the main etiological factors: 53.3% and 23.2% respectively. The main reasons for hospitalization were asthenia in 73% of cases, abdominal pain in 57%, and digestive bleeding in 21%. The revealing manifestations were ascitis (75%), jaundice (71.7%), and hepatocellular carcinoma (42.3%). Higher risk for in-hospital death (42.3%) was correlated with male gender, salaried employment, and presentation with jaundice, ascitis, or hepatocellular carcinoma. The risk of death during hospitalization was higher for patients who were of male gender, working as salaried employees and admitted for the first time with jaundice, ascitis, or hepatocellular carcinoma., Conclusion: A program for mass vaccination of children against hepatitis B virus is needed to prevent cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. A campaign against alcohol abuse could reduce cirrhosis due to alcohol consumption.