Last data update: May 06, 2024. (Total: 46732 publications since 2009)
Records 1-5 (of 5 Records) |
Query Trace: Otshudiema JO[original query] |
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2020 Ebola virus disease outbreak in Équateur Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a retrospective genomic characterisation
Kinganda-Lusamaki E , Whitmer S , Lokilo-Lofiko E , Amuri-Aziza A , Muyembe-Mawete F , Makangara-Cigolo JC , Makaya G , Mbuyi F , Whitesell A , Kallay R , Choi M , Pratt C , Mukadi-Bamuleka D , Kavunga-Membo H , Matondo-Kuamfumu M , Mambu-Mbika F , Ekila-Ifinji R , Shoemaker T , Stewart M , Eng J , Rajan A , Soke GN , Fonjungo PN , Otshudiema JO , Folefack GLT , Pukuta-Simbu E , Talundzic E , Shedroff E , Bokete JL , Legand A , Formenty P , Mores CN , Porzucek AJ , Tritsch SR , Kombe J , Tshapenda G , Mulangu F , Ayouba A , Delaporte E , Peeters M , Wiley MR , Montgomery JM , Klena JD , Muyembe-Tamfum JJ , Ahuka-Mundeke S , Mbala-Kingebeni P . Lancet Microbe 2024 BACKGROUND: The Democratic Republic of the Congo has had 15 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreaks, from 1976 to 2023. On June 1, 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared an outbreak of EVD in the western Équateur Province (11th outbreak), proximal to the 2018 Tumba and Bikoro outbreak and concurrent with an outbreak in the eastern Nord Kivu Province. In this Article, we assessed whether the 11th outbreak was genetically related to previous or concurrent EVD outbreaks and connected available epidemiological and genetic data to identify sources of possible zoonotic spillover, uncover additional unreported cases of nosocomial transmission, and provide a deeper investigation into the 11th outbreak. METHODS: We analysed epidemiological factors from the 11th EVD outbreak to identify patient characteristics, epidemiological links, and transmission modes to explore virus spread through space, time, and age groups in the Équateur Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Trained field investigators and health professionals recorded data on suspected, probable, and confirmed cases, including demographic characteristics, possible exposures, symptom onset and signs and symptoms, and potentially exposed contacts. We used blood samples from individuals who were live suspected cases and oral swabs from individuals who were deceased to diagnose EVD. We applied whole-genome sequencing of 87 available Ebola virus genomes (from 130 individuals with EVD between May 19 and Sept 16, 2020), phylogenetic divergence versus time, and Bayesian reconstruction of phylogenetic trees to calculate viral substitution rates and study viral evolution. We linked the available epidemiological and genetic datasets to conduct a genomic and epidemiological study of the 11th EVD outbreak. FINDINGS: Between May 19 and Sept 16, 2020, 130 EVD (119 confirmed and 11 probable) cases were reported across 13 Équateur Province health zones. The individual identified as the index case reported frequent consumption of bat meat, suggesting the outbreak started due to zoonotic spillover. Sequencing revealed two circulating Ebola virus variants associated with this outbreak-a Mbandaka variant associated with the majority (97%) of cases and a Tumba-like variant with similarity to the ninth EVD outbreak in 2018. The Tumba-like variant exhibited a reduced substitution rate, suggesting transmission from a previous survivor of EVD. INTERPRETATION: Integrating genetic and epidemiological data allowed for investigative fact-checking and verified patient-reported sources of possible zoonotic spillover. These results demonstrate that rapid genetic sequencing combined with epidemiological data can inform responders of the mechanisms of viral spread, uncover novel transmission modes, and provide a deeper understanding of the outbreak, which is ultimately needed for infection prevention and control during outbreaks. FUNDING: WHO and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. |
Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 reveals highest severity and mortality of delta over other variants: evidence from Cameroon
Fokam J , Essomba RG , Njouom R , Okomo MA , Eyangoh S , Godwe C , Tegomoh B , Otshudiema JO , Nwobegahay J , Ndip L , Akenji B , Takou D , Moctar MMM , Mbah CK , Ndze VN , Maidadi-Foudi M , Kouanfack C , Tonmeu S , Ngono D , Nkengasong J , Ndembi N , Bissek AZK , Mouangue C , Ndongo CB , Epée E , Mandeng N , Kamso Belinga S , Ayouba A , Fernandez N , Tongo M , Colizzi V , Halle-Ekane GE , Perno CF , Ndjolo A , Ndongmo CB , Shang J , Esso L , de-Tulio O , Diagne MM , Boum Y 2nd , Mballa GAE , Njock LR . Sci Rep 2023 13 (1) 21654 While the SARS-CoV-2 dynamic has been described globally, there is a lack of data from Sub-Saharan Africa. We herein report the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 lineages from March 2020 to March 2022 in Cameroon. Of the 760 whole-genome sequences successfully generated by the national genomic surveillance network, 74% were viral sub-lineages of origin and non-variants of concern, 15% Delta, 6% Omicron, 3% Alpha and 2% Beta variants. The pandemic was driven by SARS-CoV-2 lineages of origin in wave 1 (16 weeks, 2.3% CFR), the Alpha and Beta variants in wave 2 (21 weeks, 1.6% CFR), Delta variants in wave 3 (11 weeks, 2.0% CFR), and omicron variants in wave 4 (8 weeks, 0.73% CFR), with a declining trend over time (p = 0.01208). Even though SARS-CoV-2 heterogeneity did not seemingly contribute to the breadth of transmission, the viral lineages of origin and especially the Delta variants appeared as drivers of COVID-19 severity in Cameroon. |
Respiratory illness caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae and C. ulcerans, and use of diphtheria anti-toxin in the United States, 1996-2018.
Otshudiema JO , Acosta AM , Cassiday PK , Hadler SC , Hariri S , Tiwari TSP . Clin Infect Dis 2020 73 (9) e2799-e2806 Respiratory illness caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae and C. ulcerans, and use of diphtheria anti-toxin in the United States, 1996-2018. BACKGROUND: Respiratory diphtheria is a toxin-mediated disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Diphtheria-like illness, clinically indistinguishable from diphtheria, is caused by C. ulcerans, a zoonotic bacterium that can also produce diphtheria toxin. In the United States, respiratory diphtheria is nationally notifiable: specimens from suspected cases are submitted to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for species and toxin confirmation, and diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) is obtained from CDC for treatment. We summarize the epidemiology of respiratory diphtheria and diphtheria-like illness and describe DAT use during 1996-2018 in the United States. METHODS: We described respiratory diphtheria cases reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) and C. ulcerans-related diphtheria-like illness identified through specimen submissions to CDC during 1996-2018. We reviewed DAT requests from 1997-2018. RESULTS: From 1996-2018, 14 respiratory diphtheria cases were reported to NNDSS. Among these 14 cases, 1 was toxigenic and 3 were non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae by culture and Elek, 6 were culture-negative but PCR-positive for diphtheria toxin gene, 1 was culture-positive without further testing, and the remaining 3 were either not tested or tested negative. Five cases of respiratory diphtheria-like illness caused by toxigenic C. ulcerans were identified. DAT was requested by healthcare providers for 151 suspected diphtheria cases between 1997-2018, with an average of 11 requests per year from 1997-2007, and 3 per year from 2008-2018. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory diphtheria remains rare in the United States, and requests for DAT have declined. Incidental identification of C. ulcerans-related diphtheria-like illness suggests surveillance of this condition might be warranted. |
Yellow Fever Outbreak - Kongo Central Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, August 2016
Otshudiema JO , Ndakala NG , Mawanda EK , Tshapenda GP , Kimfuta JM , Nsibu LN , Gueye AS , Dee J , Philen RM , Giese C , Murrill CS , Arthur RR , Kebela BI . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2017 66 (12) 335-338 On April 23, 2016, the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC's) Ministry of Health declared a yellow fever outbreak. As of May 24, 2016, approximately 90% of suspected yellow fever cases (n = 459) and deaths (45) were reported in a single province, Kongo Central Province, that borders Angola, where a large yellow fever outbreak had begun in December 2015. Two yellow fever mass vaccination campaigns were conducted in Kongo Central Province during May 25-June 7, 2016 and August 17-28, 2016. In June 2016, the DRC Ministry of Health requested assistance from CDC to control the outbreak. As of August 18, 2016, a total of 410 suspected yellow fever cases and 42 deaths were reported in Kongo Central Province. Thirty seven of the 393 specimens tested in the laboratory were confirmed as positive for yellow fever virus (local outbreak threshold is one laboratory-confirmed case of yellow fever). Although not well-documented for this outbreak, malaria, viral hepatitis, and typhoid fever are common differential diagnoses among suspected yellow fever cases in this region. Other possible diagnoses include Zika, West Nile, or dengue viruses; however, no laboratory-confirmed cases of these viruses were reported. Thirty five of the 37 cases of yellow fever were imported from Angola. Two-thirds of confirmed cases occurred in persons who crossed the DRC-Angola border at one market city on the DRC side, where ≤40,000 travelers cross the border each week on market day. Strategies to improve coordination between health surveillance and cross-border trade activities at land borders and to enhance laboratory and case-based surveillance and health border screening capacity are needed to prevent and control future yellow fever outbreaks. |
Notes from the field: Adverse events following a mass yellow fever immunization campaign - Kongo Central Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, September 2016
Otshudiema JO , Ndakala NG , Loko ML , Mawanda EK , Tshapenda GP , Kimfuta JM , Gueye AS , Dee J , Philen RM , Giese C , Murrill CS , Arthur RR , Kebela BI . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2017 66 (12) 343-344 On April 23, 2016, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Ministry of Health reported an outbreak of yellow fever. As of May 24, 2016, among 41 confirmed yellow fever cases, 31 (75.6%) had occurred in Kongo Central Province, in the western part of the country bordering Angola (1), where a large yellow outbreak had begun in December 2015. In response, during May 25–June 7, 2016, the DRC Ministry of Health administered approximately 240,000 doses of yellow fever vaccine to all persons aged ≥9 months during a mass vaccination campaign in Matadi, one of 31 health zones in the Kongo Central Province. The administrative vaccination coverage (i.e., the number of vaccine doses administered divided by the most recent census estimates for the target population), was estimated to have reached >99%. | During the campaign, health workers in the Matadi Health Zone were trained to identify adverse events following immunization (AEFIs), complete case report forms, and send forms weekly to both provincial officials and a national expert committee for vaccine pharmacovigilance. Although a provisional classification of AEFIs by severity is made at peripheral and provincial levels at the time of an initial investigation, responsibilities at the national level are to guide the investigation of suspected serious AEFIs, classify them according to standard AEFI cause–specific definitions, recommend additional testing of biologic specimens if warranted, and determine causality. |
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