Original Research

Epidemiological, virological and clinical features of SARS-CoV-2 among individuals during the first wave in Cameroon: Baseline analysis for the EDCTP PERFECT-Study RIA2020EF-3000

Joseph Fokam, Désiré Takou, Alex D. Nka, Aude C. Ka’e, Bouba Yagai, Collins A. Chenwi, Ezechiel N.J. Semengue, Grâce A. Beloumou, Sandrine C.D. Ndjeyep, Aissatou Abba, Willy Pabo, Davy Gouissi, Michel C.T. Tchouaket, Laeticia Yatchou, Krystel Zam, Lucien Mama, Regine C. Ekitti, Nadine Fainguem, Rachel Kamgaing, Samuel M. Sosso, Nicaise Ndembi, Vittorio Colizzi, Carlo-Federico Perno, Alexis Ndjolo
Journal of Public Health in Africa | Vol 13, No 1 | a396 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/jphia.2022.2142 | © 2024 Joseph Fokam, Désiré Takou, Alex D. Nka, Aude C. Ka’e, Bouba Yagai, Collins A. Chenwi, Ezechiel N.J. Semengue, Grâce A. Beloumou, Sandrine C.D. Ndjeyep, Aissatou Abba, Willy Pabo, Davy Gouissi, Michel C.T. Tchouaket, Laeticia Yatchou, Krystel Zam, Lucien Mama, Regine C. Ekitti, Nadine Fainguem, Rachel Kamgaing, Samuel M. Sosso, Nicaise Ndembi, Vittorio Colizzi, Carlo-Federico Perno, Alexis Ndjolo | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 10 April 2024 | Published: 24 May 2022

About the author(s)

Joseph Fokam, Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé; Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
Désiré Takou, Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Alex D. Nka, Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé; University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Evangelical University of Cameroon, Bandjoun, Cameroon
Aude C. Ka’e, Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé; University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Evangelical University of Cameroon, Bandjoun, Cameroon
Bouba Yagai, Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon; University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Collins A. Chenwi, Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé; Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
Ezechiel N.J. Semengue, Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé; University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Evangelical University of Cameroon, Bandjoun, Cameroon
Grâce A. Beloumou, Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Sandrine C.D. Ndjeyep, Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Aissatou Abba, Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Willy Pabo, Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Davy Gouissi, Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Michel C.T. Tchouaket, Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Laeticia Yatchou, Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Krystel Zam, Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Lucien Mama, Cite Verte Health District, Delegation of Public Health, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Regine C. Ekitti, Police Medical Centre, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Nadine Fainguem, Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé; University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Evangelical University of Cameroon, Bandjoun, Cameroon
Rachel Kamgaing, Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Samuel M. Sosso, 1Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon
Nicaise Ndembi, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Vittorio Colizzi, Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé; University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Evangelical University of Cameroon, Bandjoun, Cameroon
Carlo-Federico Perno, Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé; IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy
Alexis Ndjolo, Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaoundé; Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

Full Text:

PDF (538KB)

Abstract

In Cameroon, COVID-19 infection spread rapidly and nationwide, with up to 721 deaths reported. To the best of our knowledge, no study reported the on-theground data using a large patients’ dataset to give a comprehensive knowledge on COVID-19 pandemic in Cameroon. The objective of this study was to shade lights on the epidemiological, virological and clinical features of COVID-19 in the Cameroonian context. An observational study was conducted among symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals tested for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR on nasopharyngeal samples from April 22nd, 2020 to January 5th, 2021. Out of 14119 individuals (59.8% male), overall SARS-CoV-2 positivity was 12.7% (from 7.9% in 60 years, p10%) and was associated with the presence of symptoms and older age. Most of the infection is among young and asymptomatic individuals, suggesting the “track-and-test” strategy should target these potential transmitters.

Keywords

COVID-19; epidemiology; positivity; viraemia; symptoms; Cameroon

Metrics

Total abstract views: 2527
Total article views: 900

 

Crossref Citations

1. Performance characteristics of INDICAID antigen rapid diagnostic test on SARS-CoV-2 samples during the omicron wave in Cameroon
Joseph Fokam, Désiré Takou, Ezechiel Ngoufack Jagni Semengue, Evariste Molimbou, Collins Chenwi Ambe, Alex Durand Nka, Sandrine Djupsa Ndjeyep, Grace Angong Beloumou, Christelle Aude Ka'e, Davy-Hyacinthe Gouissi Anguechia, Audrey Rachel Mundo Nayang, Larissa Gaëlle Moko Fotso, Aurelie Minelle Kengni Ngueko, Naomi-Karell Etame, Pamela Patricia Tueguem, Carlos Michel Tommo Tchouaket, Nadine Fainguem, Cyrille Abega Abega, Aissatou Abba, Derrick Tambe Ayuk Ngwese, Rina Djubgang Djoukwe, Blaise Akenji, Marie-Claire Okomo Assoumou, Nadia Mandeng, Linda Esso, Giulia Cappelli, Judith Shang, Clement Ndongmo, Georges Alain Etoundi Mballa, Nicaise Ndembi, Vittorio Colizzi, Carlo-Federico Perno, Alexis Ndjolo
Heliyon  vol: 10  issue: 9  first page: e29937  year: 2024  
doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29937

2. Viral dynamics and factors associated with duration of COVID-19 positivity: evidence from the first-three epidemiological waves in Cameroon
Joseph Fokam, Aurelie Minelle Kengni Ngueko, Alex Durand Nka, Collins Ambe Chenwi, Ezechiel Ngoufack Jagni Semengue, Yagai Bouba, Désiré Takou, Nadine Fainguem, Michel Carlos Tommo Tchouaket, Aude Christelle Ka’e, Grace Angong Beloumou, Sandrine Claire Djupsa Ndjeyep, Willy Leroi Togna Pabo, Davy-Hyacinthe Gouissi Anguechia, Naomi-Karell Etame, Evariste Molimbou, Rachel Audrey Nayang Mundo, Aissatou Abba, Samuel Martin Sosso, John Otshudiema Otokoye, Christian Ngongang Ouankou, Claudia Alteri, Luna Colagrossi, Maria-Mercedes Santoro, Francesca Ceccherini-Silberstein, Yap Boum, Edie Gregory Halle Ekane, Alfred K. Njamnshi, Vittorio Colizzi, Nicaise Ndembi, Alexis Ndjolo, Carlo-Federico Perno
BMC Infectious Diseases  vol: 25  issue: 1  year: 2025  
doi: 10.1186/s12879-025-11048-5

3. Viral and Bacterial Etiology of Common Respiratory Infections in Children in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review
Jordy Exaucé Demboux Lyelet, Pembe Issamou Mayengue, Félix Koukouikila-Koussounda, Eric M. Leroy, Pierre Becquart, Fabien Roch Niama
Children  vol: 12  issue: 9  first page: 1212  year: 2025  
doi: 10.3390/children12091212

4. Evaluation of archived drug resistance mutations in HIV‐1 DNA among vertically infected adolescents under antiretroviral treatment in Cameroon: Findings during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Aude Christelle Ka'e, Joseph Fokam, Willy Le Roi Togna Pabo, Aubin Nanfack, Ezechiel Ngoufack Jagni Semengue, Yagai Bouba, Alex Durand Nka, Suzie Tetang, Grace Beloumou, Desire Takou, Collins Chenwi, Michel Carlos Tommo Tchouaket, Aissatou Abba, Sandrine Djupsa, Samuel Martin Sosso, Nounouce Bouba Pamen, John O. Otshudiema, Yap Boum, Vittorio Colizzi, Alexis Ndjolo, Carlo‐Federico Perno, Francesca Ceccherini‐Silberstein, Maria M. Santoro
HIV Medicine  vol: 24  issue: 6  first page: 691  year: 2023  
doi: 10.1111/hiv.13459

5. Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and Associated Factors Among Individuals During the Second Wave of Infection in Yaounde, Cameroon
Philippe Salomon Nguwoh, Christian Taheu Ngounouh, René Ghislain Essomba, Julienne Louise Ngo Likeng, Blaise Akenji Mboringong, Ibrahima Halilou, Nafissatou Ibnou Moussa, Amina Al-Mayé Bit Younouss, Patrice Zanga Olinga, Gilbert Nguepidjo, Sandrine Chimène Tonmeu Douyong, Désiré Tchoffo, Henri Lucien Kamga, Marie Claire Assoumou Okomo, Joseph Fokam
European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences  vol: 6  issue: 5  first page: 35  year: 2024  
doi: 10.24018/ejmed.2024.6.5.2177

6. Epidemiological situation of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Douala, the most populated and highly heterogeneous town of Cameroon: a post-vaccination update
Arlette Flore Moguem Soubgui, Elisee Libert Embolo Enyegue, Loick Pradel Kojom Foko, Wilfried Steve Ndeme Mboussi, Gildas Deutou Hogoue, Suzy Pascale Mbougang, Sandra Michelle Sanda, Isaac Ulrich Fotso Chidjou, Valery Fabrice Fotso, Steve Armand Nzogang Tchonet, Christiane Medi Sike, Martin Luther Koanga Mogtomo
Acta Tropica  vol: 241  first page: 106864  year: 2023  
doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106864