Conference abstract
SARS-COV-2 detection rate and variant frequency in Yaoundé, Cameroon from 2020 to 2022
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2023:18(167).03
Oct 2023.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2023.18.167.2285
Archived on: 03 Oct 2023
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, variant, COVID-19
Oral presentation
SARS-COV-2 detection rate and variant frequency in Yaoundé, Cameroon from 2020 to 2022
Pauliana Vanessa Ilouga1,2,&, Moumbeket Henri2, Monamele Gwladys2, Madaha Estelle2, Pieme Constant Anatole3, Ngoupo Tagnouokam Paul Alain2, Njankouo Ripa2, Sadeuh Mba Serge2, Njouom Richard2
1Ecole des Science de la Sante, Universite Catholique de l´Afrique Centrale, Yaoundé, Cameroun, 2Centre Pasteur du Cameroun, Yaoundé, Cameroun, 3Université de Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroun
&Corresponding author
Introduction: significant concern has been raised due to the identification of several variants in the SARS-CoV-2 genome resulting in reduced efficacy of treatments, potential diagnostic impact, increased transmissibility, or disease severity. In Cameroon, the CCOUSP reported 124 667 COVID-19 cases and 1968 deaths from 02 to 08th March 2023. This study aimed to determine the frequency of the SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) in Cameroon.
Methods: samples collected between 2020 and 2022 in the Central region of Cameroon in the framework of the COVID-19 response were used for the study. COVID-19 diagnosis was performed at the Centre Pasteur of Cameroon using RT-PCR. Positive samples were further subjected to SARS-COV-2 VOC specific mutation screening using SNP followed by Whole genome sequencing and analysis on NGS platforms.
Results: from 16th March 2020 to 31st December 2022, 142,718 samples were tested among which 17,458 (12.2%) were positive for COVID-19. We obtained 15.6% (7255/46466) of positivity in 2020 and 12.6% (8855/69869) in 2021. The positivity rate decreased in 2022 with 5% (1348/26383) positive rate. Only samples from 2021 (Total 803) and 2022 (Total 261) were screened for SARS-COV-2 VOC and 643 (80%) were positive for delta variant and 259 (99%) for omicron. Delta variant was predominant in 2021 (80%) while omicron was predominant in 2022 (99%). Similar results were obtained by the analysis of full genome sequences generated with NGS.
Conclusion: the positivity rate of SARS-CoV-2 in Cameroon decreased in 2022 despite the emergence of VOC. Delta and omicron SARS-COV-2 variants were predominant for the last two years. Late screening and sequencing techniques implementation in our context could explain the dominance of the delta variant in 2021.
SARS-COV-2 detection rate and variant frequency in Yaoundé, Cameroon from 2020 to 2022
Pauliana Vanessa Ilouga1,2,&, Moumbeket Henri2, Monamele Gwladys2, Madaha Estelle2, Pieme Constant Anatole3, Ngoupo Tagnouokam Paul Alain2, Njankouo Ripa2, Sadeuh Mba Serge2, Njouom Richard2
1Ecole des Science de la Sante, Universite Catholique de l´Afrique Centrale, Yaoundé, Cameroun, 2Centre Pasteur du Cameroun, Yaoundé, Cameroun, 3Université de Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroun
&Corresponding author
Introduction: significant concern has been raised due to the identification of several variants in the SARS-CoV-2 genome resulting in reduced efficacy of treatments, potential diagnostic impact, increased transmissibility, or disease severity. In Cameroon, the CCOUSP reported 124 667 COVID-19 cases and 1968 deaths from 02 to 08th March 2023. This study aimed to determine the frequency of the SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) in Cameroon.
Methods: samples collected between 2020 and 2022 in the Central region of Cameroon in the framework of the COVID-19 response were used for the study. COVID-19 diagnosis was performed at the Centre Pasteur of Cameroon using RT-PCR. Positive samples were further subjected to SARS-COV-2 VOC specific mutation screening using SNP followed by Whole genome sequencing and analysis on NGS platforms.
Results: from 16th March 2020 to 31st December 2022, 142,718 samples were tested among which 17,458 (12.2%) were positive for COVID-19. We obtained 15.6% (7255/46466) of positivity in 2020 and 12.6% (8855/69869) in 2021. The positivity rate decreased in 2022 with 5% (1348/26383) positive rate. Only samples from 2021 (Total 803) and 2022 (Total 261) were screened for SARS-COV-2 VOC and 643 (80%) were positive for delta variant and 259 (99%) for omicron. Delta variant was predominant in 2021 (80%) while omicron was predominant in 2022 (99%). Similar results were obtained by the analysis of full genome sequences generated with NGS.
Conclusion: the positivity rate of SARS-CoV-2 in Cameroon decreased in 2022 despite the emergence of VOC. Delta and omicron SARS-COV-2 variants were predominant for the last two years. Late screening and sequencing techniques implementation in our context could explain the dominance of the delta variant in 2021.
