Institut Supérieur Pédagogique de Bukavu

The Xpert assay has revolutionized the rapid detection of resistance to rifampicin. However, Xpert has its pitfalls. We explored potential determinants of false-positive rifampicin resistance when using Xpert, aiming to refine the precision of tuberculosis diagnostics and subsequently contribute to better patient outcomes. This is a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of archived Xpert files from the South Kivu province, used to diagnose Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) between 2013 and 2018. Xpert cycle threshold was extracted for each molecular beacon probe, and ΔCt was calculated. We used the MTBDRplus line-probe assay, which covers the same 81-bp RRDR, as a reference test. Of 1900 samples positive for MTB, 220 (11.2%) were rifampicin resistant. Of the 141 patients' sputum samples that had results for both Xpert and MTBDRplus, 45 (31.9%) showed discordant results with Xpert, indicating rifampicin resistance while MTBDRplus indicated rifampicin susceptibility, suggesting false-positive rifampicin resistance detection by Xpert, predominantly in samples with very low (Ct > 28, odds ratio [OR] = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.30-3.82) or low (Ct 22-28, OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.21-2.71) bacterial loads. Probe E was the most frequently missed probe, followed by multiple probe dropouts or absence of probe binding (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: .731-3.076). Our findings indicate that low and very low MTB bacterial loads in sputum are strongly associated with discordant rifampicin resistance results when using Xpert. Further research into underlying mechanisms is needed to establish causality definitively.

Mughal, Zaib Un Nisa; Mussarat, Abdullah; Oduoye, Malik Olatunde MBBS Author Information

Lead-free antiferroelectric perovskite ${\mathrm{AgNbO}}_{3}$ is nowadays attracting extensive research interests due to its promising applications in energy storage. Although great progress has been made in optimizing the material performance, fundamental questions remain regarding the mechanism stabilizing the antiferroelectric $Pbcm$ phase. Here, combining structural symmetry analysis and first-principles calculations, we identified crucial anharmonic couplings of oxygen octahedra rotations and cation antipolar motions that contribute significantly to lowering the energy of the $Pbcm$ phase. The stabilization of this phase shows close similarities with the stabilization of the $Pbam$ phase in ${\mathrm{PbZrO}}_{3}$ except that in ${\mathrm{AgNbO}}_{3}$ the octahedra rotations are the primary distortions while the antipolar cation motions appear to be secondary. The appearance and significant amplitude of the latter are explained from the combination of hybrid-improper and triggered mechanisms.

This preliminary study aims to describe some epidemiological and clinical features of elderly patients (EPs) followed in one University hospital of Bukavu City, in The Democratic Republic of the Congo.It was a prospective and cross-sectional study that took place over two weeks in 2020.Sociodemographic, clinical, biological, therapeutic characteristics and outcomes data were analyzed by STATA software.The sample included 50 EPs aged 65 years and over.Their average age was 73.8 years with a sex ratio M:F of 1.77 (32/18).Main comorbidities were dominated by the high blood pressure (32%), diabetes mellitus (22%) and tumor pathology like benign prostatic hyperplasia (15%).Regarding the main geriatric syndromes found, we had weight loss (12%) and risk of malnutrition (52%).Also, 50% of EPs lived in houses that expose them to falls.But, EPs who received more drugs than 5 were not enormous and represent only 4%.Apart 3 predominant comorbidities that were observed, we found also cases of possible adult malnutrition and depressive syndrome as well as various abnormalities on the urine strips analysis including leukocyturia in 60%.So, among geriatric inpatients in Congolese context, at least, we suggest the screening of adult malnutrition and depressive syndrome.

Consumption of low iron bioavailability foods is the main contributing factor of iron deficiency for young children, a major public health problem especially common in our low income African countries. This study aimed at utilizing traditional foodstuffs to develop nutrient dense and iron bioavailability complementary foods in eastern D.R. Congo. Nutrient and anti-nutrient content were carried out using appropriate methods. The complementary foods were formulated by extrusion cooking and ground into flour that could be reconstituted into porridge for child feeding as recommended by Codex alimentarius. In-vitro iron availability was measured as Fe (II) bioavailability obtained by a method combining in-vitro protein digestion and dialysis (IVPD-dialysis). Phytic acid content was done by HPLC analysis method of phytic acid with modifications. The foods were formulated to meet the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for 6 month olds. Three (3) formulated complementary foods (CF0221, CF0322 and CF0423) composed of four (4) selected traditional foodstuffs: non-germinated amaranth grain (Amaranthus cruentus), maize (Zea mays), termites (Macrotermes subhylanus) and dagaa fish (Rastreneobola argentea) result in this investigation. Complementary foods developed and precooked products obtained contained 914.5-1234.0 mg/100g phytic acid and <5% bioavailability of non-heme iron. Phytate/iron molar ratio was beyond the critical limits for all the foods. The foods contained up to 3.3% bioavailable iron after pepsin digestion and up to 2.5% bioavailable iron after pepsin + pancreatin digestion. This study provides evidence that eastern D.R. Congo has traditional foodstuffs which are nutrient dense and iron bioavailability content. Traditional grains studied have anti-nutrients and reducing them is necessary before processing to complementary foods. Germinating amaranth grain may reduce phytic acid further improving mineral bioavailability. Termite and dagaa fish can be utilized in processing nutrient dense and acceptable complementary foods. It is therefore recommended that both traditional animal and plant foods be exploited. Facilitation to commercialize and patent the process and products should be done to enable full exploitation.

Abstract BACKGROUND Achieving the World Health Organization's (WHO) 2030 goal of eradicating Hepatitis B and C viruses must also include HIV co-infected children. However, data on the prevalence of this condition are lacking in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is considered as one of the high-prevalence countries for these viruses. The need to assess the extent of this co-infection in these children is hence important in order to capitalize on efforts to improve prevention and management. METHODOLOGY This was a comparative cross-sectional study conducted from February 04, 2015 to September 03, 2019 in a group of Reference General Hospitals with a pediatric HIV management program in South Kivu province. The study compared the frequency of hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) markers and associated factors for these two viruses in two equal groups : HIV-positive and HIV-negative children. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 software and the significance level was set at p-value less than 0.05. RESULTS The study enrolled a total of 594 children, of whom 297 were HIV-positive and 297 negative. HBsAg was found in 8.7% of HIV-positive patients and 0.7% for HCV antibodies. On the other hand, among HIV-negative patients, the proportion of HBsAg was 0.7% but no cases with anti-HCV antibodies were detected. HIV status increases by 14 times the risk of co-occurring of HBV [OR 14.1 (95% CI: 3.33–60.2); p < 0.001] and this risk is not apparent for HCV (p = 0.297). The fact that the presence of jaundice in the family environment of the patient appears to be associated with HIV status (p = 0.028) strongly suggests that the family context could play an important role in this double contamination. CONCLUSION This study documents the importance of co-infection with HBV and HCV in HIV-positive children in South Kivu. Particular attention should be paid to prevention and early detection of these co-infections in this population.

La présente étude propose une piste de solution au problème que connaît ce dernier temps un système de reconnaissance faciale en informatique. Nombreux de ce système sont trompés par une simple présentation d’une photo devant la caméra. Dans ce sens, afin de résoudre ce problème, nous avons développés une approche algorithmique basée sur la vérification du dynamisme des expressions faciales de la face détectée devant la caméra. Désormais, le système de reconnaissance faciale sera en train de vérifier ces expressions faciales afin de prendre une décision s’il s’agit d’une photo ou pas. L’algorithme consiste à stocker les informations sur la localisation des caractéristiques du contour de l’œil (ce qu’on appelle taux d’ouverture des yeux) pour les comparer avec les nouvelles informations détectées après une incrémentation de la boucle (une nouvelle séquence de capture de la caméra). Cependant, l’objectif que nous poursuivons dans ce travail, est de mettre en place un algorithme qui permettra à un système de reconnaissance faciale de distinguer une personne réelle et une photo devant la caméra. Pour l’atteindre, nous avons exploité la méthode analytique couplée de la technique documentaire.

ABSTRACTBackgroundHealth and social services utilisation is seen to be more closely related to age than to other socio-demographic characteristics. Many health problems are known to increase with age and this demographic trend may lead to an increase in the absolute number of health conditions in this population. However, questions are still emerging as to how the elderly seek care in response to their needs in the context of a war-torn region.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the behaviour of the elderly in seeking care during a time of conflict.MethodA descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the health district Goma, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), using a multistage sampling of 500 senior citizens. Eight trained field-workers were deployed in the field where they administered a structured questionnaire.ResultsThe public health sector was well known and preferred by 186 participants (37.2%), but only used by 16 (3.2%) participants. Financial support received by the elderly came from their own relatives and fellow believers in 33.5% and 20.2% of cases, respectively. Almost 71% of monetary support is the result of begging and unknown sources – there is no government involvement whatsoever. Much of the external support that the elderly receive involves support in the form of food. Disease expenses remain a main concern of the elderly themselves.ConclusionGovernment support for the elderly in the DRC is non-existent. There is an overuse of private sector and traditional medicine, despite the preference indicated for the public health sector. As a recommendation, a general increase in income-related activities could contribute to alleviating the health state of the elderly in a war situation. Further studies might explore in future the contribution of those results on the health of elders.