Journal Article > ReviewAbstract
J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 25 January 2019; Volume 80 (Issue 5); DOI:10.1097/QAI.0000000000001957
O'Brien DP, Ford NP, Djirmay AG, Calmy A, Victoria M, et al.
J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 25 January 2019; Volume 80 (Issue 5); DOI:10.1097/QAI.0000000000001957
Evidence suggests that there are important interactions between HIV and Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) that may have significant effects on individual and population health. However, the exact way they interact and the health impacts of the interactions are not well understood. In this paper we discuss what is known about the interactions between FGS and HIV, and the potential impact of the interactions. This includes the likelihood that FGS is an important health problem for HIV positive women in schistosoma-endemic areas potentially associated with an increased risk of mortality, cancer and infertility. Additionally, it may be significantly impacting the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa by making young women more susceptible to HIV. We call for immediate action and argue that research is urgently required to address these knowledge gaps and propose a research agenda to achieve this.
Journal Article > CommentaryFull Text
PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 12 November 2015; Volume 9 (Issue 11); e0004075.; DOI:10.1371/journal.pntd.0004075
O'Brien DP, Ford NP, Vitoria M, Asiedu K, Calmy A, et al.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 12 November 2015; Volume 9 (Issue 11); e0004075.; DOI:10.1371/journal.pntd.0004075
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Open Forum Infect Dis. 26 April 2014; Volume 1 (Issue 1); DOI:10.1093/ofid/ofu021
Christinet V, Rossel L, Serafini M, Delhumeau C, Odermatt P, et al.
Open Forum Infect Dis. 26 April 2014; Volume 1 (Issue 1); DOI:10.1093/ofid/ofu021
Journal Article > CommentaryFull Text
Trop Med Int Health. 20 June 2014; Volume 19 (Issue 9); DOI:10.1111/tmi.12342
O'Brien DP, Ford NP, Vitoria M, Christinet V, Comte E, et al.
Trop Med Int Health. 20 June 2014; Volume 19 (Issue 9); DOI:10.1111/tmi.12342
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Open Forum Infect Dis. 21 May 2014; Volume 1 (Issue 1); DOI:10.1093/ofid/ofu021
Christinet V, Comte E, Ciaffi L, Odermatt P, Serafini M, et al.
Open Forum Infect Dis. 21 May 2014; Volume 1 (Issue 1); DOI:10.1093/ofid/ofu021
Background: Buruli ulcer (BU) is the third most common mycobacterial disease after tuberculosis and leprosy and is particularly frequent in rural West and Central Africa. However, the impact of HIV infection on BU severity and prevalence remains unclear. Methods: This was a retrospective study of data collected at the Akonolinga district hospital, Cameroon, from 1 January 2002 to 27 March 2013. HIV prevalence among BU patients was compared to regional HIV prevalence. Baseline characteristics of BU patients were compared between HIV-negative and HIV-positive patients, and according to CD4 cell count strata in the latter group. BU time-to-healing was assessed in different CD4 count strata and factors associated with BU main lesion size at baseline were identified. Results: HIV prevalence among BU patients was significantly higher than the regional estimated prevalence in each group (children, 4.00% vs 0.68% [P < .001]; men, 17.0% vs 4.7% [P < .001]; women, 36.0% vs 8.0% [P < .001]). HIV-positive individuals had a more severe form of BU with an increased severity in those with a higher level of immunosuppression. Low CD4 cell count was significantly associated with a larger main lesion size (beta-coefficient, -0.50; P = .015; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.91 – 0.10). BU time-to-healing was more than double in patients with a CD4 cell count below 500 cell/mm3 (hazard ratio, 2.39; P = .001, 95% CI, 1.44 - 3.98). Conclusion: HIV-positive patients are at higher risk for BU. HIV-induced immunosuppression appears to have an impact on BU clinical presentation and disease evolution.
Journal Article > CommentaryFull Text
AIDS. 10 September 2013; Volume 27 (Issue 14); DOI:10.1097/QAD.0b013e32836268f4
O'Brien DP, Comte E, Ford NP, Christinet V, du Cros PAK
AIDS. 10 September 2013; Volume 27 (Issue 14); DOI:10.1097/QAD.0b013e32836268f4
Journal Article > Short ReportFull Text
BMC Infect Dis. 30 July 2014; Volume 14 (Issue 1); DOI:10.1186/1471-2334-14-423
Wanda F, Nkemenang P, Ehounou G, Tchaton M, Comte E, et al.
BMC Infect Dis. 30 July 2014; Volume 14 (Issue 1); DOI:10.1186/1471-2334-14-423
In West and Central Africa Buruli ulcer (BU) and HIV co-infection is increasingly recognised and management of these two diseases combined is an emerging challenge for which there is little published information. In this case we present a severe paradoxical reaction occurring after commencing antibiotic treatment for BU combined with antiretroviral therapy for HIV, and describe its clinical features and management. This includes to our knowledge the first reported use of prednisolone in Africa to manage a severe paradoxical reaction related to BU treatment.
Journal Article > CommentaryFull Text
Rev Med Suisse. 1 September 2012; Volume 8 (Issue 354); 1792-1793.
Christinet V, Benedetto CD, Comte E, Calmy A
Rev Med Suisse. 1 September 2012; Volume 8 (Issue 354); 1792-1793.
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Journal Article > CommentaryFull Text
Lancet Infect Dis. 2 December 2013; Volume 14 (Issue 5); DOI:10.1016/S1473-3099(13)70201-9
O'Brien DP, Comte E, Serafini M, Ehounou G, Antierens A, et al.
Lancet Infect Dis. 2 December 2013; Volume 14 (Issue 5); DOI:10.1016/S1473-3099(13)70201-9
Despite great advances in the diagnosis and treatment of Buruli ulcer, it is one of the least studied major neglected tropical diseases. In Africa, major constraints in the management of Buruli ulcer relate to diagnosis and treatment, and accessibility, feasibility, and delivery of services. In this Personal View, we outline key areas for clinical, diagnostic, and operational research on this disease in Africa and propose a research agenda that aims to advance the management of Buruli ulcer in Africa. A model of care is needed to increase early case detection, to diagnose the disease accurately, to simplify and improve treatment, to reduce side-effects of treatment, to deal with populations with HIV and tuberculosis appropriately, to decentralise care, and to scale up coverage in populations at risk. This approach will require commitment and support to strategically implement research by national Buruli ulcer programmes and international technical and donor organisations, combined with adaptations in programme design and advocacy. A critical next step is to build consensus for a research agenda with WHO and relevant groups experienced in Buruli ulcer care or related diseases, and we call on on them to help to turn this agenda into reality.