Dr. Souleymane Diallo is a microbiologist, researcher, and Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, at the University of Kindia, Republic of Guinea. He holds a PhD in Applied Medical Biology (Microbiology) and serves as Scientific Secretary of the Laboratory for Applied Research in Natural Sciences (LARASCINA) at the University of Kindia. His research focuses on microbiology, infectious diseases, public health, epidemiology, environmental health, zoonoses, and microbiological risk assessment. His research activities include the investigation of bacterial and viral pathogens, infectious disease transmission, waterborne infections, and community-level health risks. His recent work has addressed hepatitis B virus epidemiology and screening, syphilis prevalence, bacteriological contamination of freshwater and bathing waters, and the circulation of pathogenic microorganisms including Vibrio species in Guinea. Through his academic teaching, laboratory research, and scientific collaborations, Dr. Diallo contributes to strengthening infectious-disease research, disease surveillance, microbiological investigation, and public-health knowledge in Guinea. His expertise provides valuable perspectives on emerging infectious diseases, pathogen transmission, laboratory-based surveillance, environmental sources of infection, and prevention strategies, particularly in the context of global and regional public health.

Prevalence of HBsAg among Patients in Consultation at Damakhanyah Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment Centre, Kindia, Republic of Guinea

                                                                                         The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an enveloped DNA virus belonging to the Hepadnaviridae family. It is responsible for one of the most serious infectious diseases of our time. The aim of our study was to assess HBsAg carriage among patients attending the Damakania Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment Centre. This was a prospective cross-sectional study lasting three months, from 1 December 2023 to 29 February 2024. During this survey, a total of 225 samples were analysed using the immunochromatographic method (lateral flow test), of which 25 were positive (11.11%). The 21–30 age group was the most affected (4.89%). Among socio-occupational categories, housewives had the highest prevalence (3.11%). Women had a higher HBsAg positivity rate (5.78%) compared with men (5.33%). In terms of marital status, married people had the highest prevalence of HBsAg carriage at 8.00%, followed by single people at 2.67%, whilst residents of Damakhanyah were the most affected (2.22%). Hepatitis B is a highly contagious infection that can cause serious liver complications. Therefore, a better understanding of the various modes of transmission of the virus, early diagnosis and appropriate medical management of infected individuals would reduce transmission as well as complications.

Keywords : Prevalence, HBsAg, Patients, Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment Centre, Damakhanyah