Browsing by Author "Nzussouo, N.T."
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Item Comparing influenza positivity rates by real-time RT-PCR, ELISA and viral culture methods in Côte d'ivoire, West Africa, in 2009(African Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2013-08) Nzussouo, N.T.; Kadjo, H.A.; Coulibaly, D.; Ekaza, E.; Kouakou, B.; N'Golo, D.C.; Tempia, S.; Davis, R.; Dosso, M.; Thompson, M.Detection of circulating influenza strains is a key public health concern especially in limited-resource settings where diagnosis capabilities remain a challenge. As part of multi-site surveillance in Côte d'Ivoire during the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic, we had the opportunity to test respiratory specimens collected from patients with acute respiratory illness (ARI). We analyzed and compared the percentage of specimens testing positive using three laboratory methods (rtRT-PCR, ELISA, viral culture). From January to October 2009, 1,356 respiratory specimens were collected from patients with acute respiratory illness and shipped at the WHO NIC (Institut Pasteur) Cote d'Ivoire, and 453 (33%) tested positive for influenza by one or more laboratory methods. The proportion of positive influenza tests did not differ by the sex or age of the patient or presenting symptoms, but did differ depending on the timing and site of specimen collection. Of the 453 positive specimens, 424 (93.6%) were detected by PCR, 199 (43.9%) by ELISA and 40 (8.8%) by viral culture. While seasonal influenza A(H1N1) virus strains were prominent, only four 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) cases were detected. Use of molecular biology method (rtRTPCR) increased sensitivity and diagnosis capabilities. Among all three methods used, rRT-PCR was the most sensitive and rapid method. More capacity building is still required for viral culture. Need to collect denominator data in order to have an accurate estimate of the burden of influenza. There was delayed introduction of pandemic influenza A(H1N1)2009 in Cote d'Ivoire.Item Delayed 2009 pandemic influenza a virus subtype H1N1 circulation in West Africa, May 2009-April 2010(Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2012-12) Ampofo, W.; Nzussouo, N.T.; Michalove, J.; Diop, O.M.; Njouom, R.; Monteiro, M.D.L.; Adje, H.K.; Manoncourt, S.; Amankwa, J.; Koivogui, L.; Sow, S.; Elkory, M.B.; Collard, J.-M.; Dalhatu, I.; Coker, B.To understand 2009 pandemic influenza A virus subtype H1N1 (A[H1N1]pdm09) circulation in West Africa, we collected influenza surveillance data from ministries of health and influenza laboratories in 10 countries, including Cameroon, from 4 May 2009 through 3 April 2010. A total of 10 203 respiratory specimens were tested, of which 25% were positive for influenza virus. Until the end of December 2009, only 14% of all detected strains were A(H1N1)pdm09, but the frequency increased to 89% from January through 3 April 2010. Five West African countries did not report their first A(H1N1)pdm09 case until 6 months after the emergence of the pandemic in North America, in April 2009. The time from first detection of A(H1N1)pdm09 in a country to the time of A(H1N1)pdm09 predominance varied from 0 to 37 weeks. Seven countries did not report A(H1N1)pdm09 predominance until 2010. Introduction and transmission of A(H1N1)pdm09 were delayed in this region. © 2012 The Author.Item Incidence of medically attended influenza among residents of Shai-Osudoku and Ningo-Prampram Districts, Ghana, May 2013 - April 2015(BioMed Central Ltd., 2016) Ntiri, M.P.; Duque, J.; McMorrow, M.L.; Frimpong, J.A.; Parbie, P.; Badji, E.; Nzussouo, N.T.; Benson, E.-M.; Adjabeng, M.; Dueger, E.; Widdowson, M.-A.; Dawood, F.S.; Koram, K.; Ampofo, W.Background: Influenza vaccination is recommended by the World Health Organization for high risk groups, yet few data exist on influenza disease burden in West Africa. Methods: We estimated medically attended influenza-associated illness rates among residents of Shai-Osudoku and Ningo Pram-Pram Districts (SONPD), Ghana. From May 2013 to April 2015, we conducted prospective surveillance for severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) and influenza-like illness (ILI) in 17 health facilities. In 2015, we conducted a retrospective assessment at an additional 18 health facilities to capture all SONPD SARI and ILI patients during the study period. We applied positivity rates to those not tested to estimate total influenza cases. Results: Of 612 SARI patients tested, 58 (9%) were positive for influenza. The estimated incidence of influenza-associated SARI was 30 per 100,000 persons (95% CI: 13-84). Children aged 0 to 4years had the highest influenza-associated SARI incidence (135 per 100,000 persons, 95% CI: 120-152) and adults aged 25 to 44years had the lowest (3 per 100,000 persons, 95% CI: 1-7) (p<0.01). Of 2,322 ILI patients tested, 407 (18%) were positive for influenza. The estimated incidence of influenza-associated ILI was 844 per 100,000 persons (95% CI: 501-1,099). The highest incidence of influenza-associated ILI was also among children aged 0 to 4ears (3,448 per 100,000 persons, 95% CI: 3,727 - 3,898). The predominant circulating subtype during May to December 2013 and January to April 2015 was influenza A(H3N2) virus, and during 2014 influenza B virus was the predominant circulating type. Conclusions: Influenza accounted for 9% and 18% of medically attended SARI and ILI, respectively. Rates were substantive among young children and suggest the potential value of exploring the benefits of influenza vaccination in Ghana, particularly in this age group.Item Sentinel surveillance for influenza and other respiratory viruses in Côte d'Ivoire, 2003-2010(Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses, 2012-08) Kadjo, H.A.; Ekaza, E.; Coulibaly, D.; Kouassi, D.P.; Nzussouo, N.T.; Kouakou, B.; Ouattara, A.; Adjogoua, E.V.; Akoua-Koffi, C.G.; Elia, G.A.; Victoir, K.; Bretin-Dosso, M.C.; Mott, J.A.Many countries in Africa have lacked sentinel surveillance systems for influenza and are under-represented in data used for global vaccine strain selection. Objectives We describe 8years of sentinel surveillance data and the contribution of influenza and other viruses to medically attended influenza-like illness (ILI) in Côte d'Ivoire. Methods Sentinel surveillance was established in 2003. Nasopharyngeal (NP) specimens and epidemiologic data are collected from persons of all ages presenting with ILI at sentinel sites. Respiratory specimens have been tested for influenza using various viral and molecular diagnostic methods. A subset of 470 specimens collected from children aged 0-5years were tested for multiple respiratory viruses using RT-PCR. Results From 2003 to 2010, 5074 NP specimens were collected from patients with ILI. Overall, 969/5074 (19%) of these specimens tested positive for influenza. Seasonal influenza A(H1N1) viruses predominated during 5years and influenza A(H3N2) viruses predominated during 3years. Influenza B viruses cocirculated with influenza A viruses during each year from 2004 to 2010. Seasonal peaks in influenza circulation were observed during the months of May, June, and October, with the largest peak corresponding with the primary rainfall season. Of 470 specimens collected from children under aged 5 who were tested for multiple respiratory viruses, a viral respiratory pathogen was detected in 401/470 (85%) of specimens. Commonly detected viruses were RSV (113 of 470 specimens, 24%), rhinoviruses (85/470, 18%), influenza (77/470, 16%), and parainfluenza (75/470, 16%). Conclusion In Côte d'Ivoire, there is a significant annual contribution of influenza and other respiratory viruses to medically attended ILI. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.Item Virological surveillance of influenza-like illness among children in Ghana, 2008-2010(Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2012-12) Bonney, J.H.K.; Kronmann, K.C.; Lindan, C.P.; Asante, I.A.; Parbie, P.; Aboagye, J.; Amankwah, J.; Odoom, J.K.; Adjabeng, M.; Nzussouo, N.T.; Ahadzie, L.; Barthel, R.V.; Cornelius, C.; Amofah, G.; Oyofo, B.; Ampofo, W.K.Background The global annual attack rate for influenza is estimated to be 10%-20% in children, although limited information exists for Africa. In 2007, Ghana initiated influenza surveillance by routine monitoring of acute respiratory illness to obtain data on circulating strains. We describe influenza surveillance in children <11 years old who had influenza-like illness (ILI) from January 2008 to December 2010.Methods Oropharyngeal swabs from pediatric outpatients with ILI attending any of 22 health facilities across the country were submitted. We tested swabs for influenza virus using molecular assays, virus isolation, and hemagglutination assays.Results Of the 2810 swabs, 636 (23%) were positive for influenza virus. The percentage of positives by gender was similar. The proportion of ILI cases positive for influenza increased with age from 11% (31/275) in infants (aged 0-1 years) to 31% (377/1219) among children aged 5-10 years (P <. 001). The majority of cases were influenza A (90%), of which 60% were influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. In all 3 years, influenza activity appeared slightly higher during May through July.Conclusions During the 3 years of influenza surveillance in Ghana, children aged <11 years bore a high burden of influenza-associated ILI. © 2012 The Author.