Scientific Day 2025

Every year, Epicentre's Scientific Day offers an opportunity to learn about our ongoing activities and projects. Each session fosters in-depth reflection on the impact of the studies conducted and their practical applications.

The last Scientific Day took place on 4 June 2025 at the Institut Pasteur (Paris, France).

Sessions

Cancer

Moderation: Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika, Vice-Chancellor MUST & Claire Rieux, MSF France

Implementing HPV screening in a high burden of cervical cancer setting - MSF experience of PAVE in Malawi | Huiwu Chen, Epicentre et Isabel Amoros Quiles MSF-France | Read the abstract | Watch the video
Survival of patients with cervical or breast cancer followed up from 2019 to 2024 in three University Hospital Centers (CHU) in Bamako, Mali | David Goore, Epicentre & Hélène Marjiron, MSF-France | Read the abstract | Watch the video
Childhood cancer in Uganda: experience and patient cohort at Mbarara Regional Hospital | Barnabas Atwiine, Mbarara Regional Hospital-MUST | Read the abstract | Watch the video

Cervical cancer and breast cancer remain major causes of female mortality in Mali and Malawi. Since 2017, MSF has been supporting a cervical cancer screening program in Malawi. In HPV-positive women aged 25-49, the first study assesses the accuracy of different triage methods (VIA, HPV16/18/45 genotyping, combined approach) against confirmed CIN2+. HPV genotyping improves detection of precancerous lesions, supporting the need for context-specific guidelines.

In Mali, five years after the launch of the “Oncology Project”, the 2nd study shows some of the highest 3-year survival rates in resource-limited settings, underlining the importance of early detection and multidisciplinary management.

In Uganda, significant delays between first symptoms and management of children with cancer, shown in the 3rd presentation, contribute to low survival rates in the primary care unit of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. Earlier diagnosis is crucial to improving outcomes.

Tuberculosis

Moderation: Cathy Hewison, MSF France & Marc Biot, APH-MSF

New treatment decision algorithms for TB in children: diagnostic accuracy, impact, and considerations for implementation | Helena Huerga, Epicentre & Emily Briskin, Epicentre | Read the abstract | Watch the video
endTB-Q: final results of a Phase 3 randomized controlled trial in pre-XDR tuberculosis | Lorenzo Guglielmetti, MSF France | Read the abstract | Watch the video
Medium- and long-term post-tuberculosis sequelae burden in sub-Saharan Africa: Post-TB SIQ project | Gino Agbota, IRD | Read the abstract | Watch the video

This session begins with findings from the TBalgoPed study, which assessed new WHO-recommended treatment decision algorithms for diagnosing TB in children in five sub-Saharan African countries. These algorithms improved diagnostic accuracy, led to increased treatment initiation and helped health workers diagnosing tuberculosis in children. The second presentation covers results from the endTB-Q trial, showing excellent outcomes with a shortened regimen for patients with limited pre-XDR-TB. The session closes with new data on the long-term burden of post-TB lung disease (PTLD) in adults, highlighting its high prevalence and negative impact on quality of life, even years after treatment.

Outbreak

Moderation: Steve Ahuka, INRB-RDC & Yap Boum II, Deputy Incident Manager continental Mpox Response Africa CDC & MSF-WaCA

Retrospective study of diphtheria outbreak, Kano state, Nigeria 2023-2024 | Jonathan Polonsky, Epicentre | Read the abstract | Watch the video
Multidimensional study of the epidemiology and prevention practices of Mpox in Budjala Health Zone in the Democratic Republic of the Congo | Sophie Meakin, Epicentre and Cheick Oumar Doumbia, MSF WaCA | Read the abstract | Watch the video
Mpox clade Ib: epidemiological highlights from the Uvira outbreak, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, 2024-2025 | Isidro Carrion-Martin MSF-Amsterdam | Read the abstract | Watch the video

In Nigeria, early care-seeking and home-based care for mild cases helped reduce deaths during the ongoing diphtheria outbreak in Kano. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the TRACK-MPOX study revealed high attack rates and low vaccine coverage, with key risk factors including crowded households, living in high-density areas, and young age in Budjala - where the Mpox is endemic and where a notable increase in suspected cases due to clade Ia was observed in 2024. The 3rd study describes key indicators to better understand the epidemiology of the novel monkeypoxvirus clade Ib in South Kivu, DRC and to inform outbreak response activities.

Violence

Moderation : Tristan Le Lonquer, Sahel Program Manager, MSF-France & Jean-Guy Vataux, MSF-France

Mixed-methods approach to describing violence and mortality among Malian refugees and host populations: a cross-sectional and participatory study in the Bassiknou district, Mauritania| Gaston Komanda, Epicentre & Pascale Lissouba, Epicentre | Read the abstract | Watch the video
Mortality, morbidities and access to care among families of MSF staff, Gaza Strip, Occupied Palestine Territory | Jomaa Younis, Operational Research Focal Point, MSF France, Gaza | Watch the video

The first presentation presents the results of a quantitative and qualitative survey on violence and mortality among Malian refugees arriving in Mauritania in 2023. Fleeing extreme violence, they face a high mortality rate. Urgent responses are needed in terms of health, protection, psychosocial and economic support.

The other presentation focuses on a survey of MSF staff in Gaza, conducted between October 7, 2023 and January 19, 2025, concerning mortality, morbidity and access to care. Compared with the pre-war period, the study reveals a five-fold increase in mortality among all staff members, and a ten-fold increase in mortality among children under 10. Neonatal mortality was six times higher.

Cholera

Moderation: Christopher Mambula, MSF-France & Kate Alberti, WHO

Integration of cholera Rapid Diagnostic Tests into surveillance systems: results from a multisite mixed-methods study in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Niger | Wendelin Moser, Epicentre | Read the abstract | Watch the video
Cholera outbreak dynamics and reactive vaccination campaigns in South Sudan: key insights and challenges | Abou Aissata Soumah, Epicentre | Read the abstract | Watch the video

The first study highlights how integrating rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) into surveillance improves early cholera detection and monitoring. A new threshold and sampling method offer reliable incidence estimates, but training and supervision are essential for quality data.
The second study shares lessons from the 2024–2025 South Sudan outbreak, where spatiotemporal surveillance and decentralized care strengthened the response. Tailored sensitization is key to reducing delays and stigma.

Malaria

Moderation Saschveen Singh, tropical infectious disease advisor, MSF-France & Dr Mahamat Saleh Issakha Diar, PNLP Tchad, Dr Antoinette Demian Mbailamen, Director of Vaccination, Disease Control, and Epidemiological Surveillance, MSP Chad

Prevalence of pfhrp2/3 deletions in South Sudan: results of a 10-site national survey | Erwan Piriou | Read the abstract | Watch the video
Modelling malaria routine surveillance data to inform seasonal malaria chemoprevention strategy in Moïssala, Southern Chad | Jessica Sayyad Hilario, Epicentre & Nicholas Putney, Swiss TPH | Read the abstract | Watch the video

MSF conducted a cross-sectional survey, which is the subject of the 1st presentation, at 10 geographically distinct sites across South Sudan to estimate the prevalence of P. falciparum with pfhrp2/3 gene deletions, and their impact on diagnosis of P. falciparum by HRP2 RDT. It showed reassuring results, with site-specific prevalence of pfhrp2/3 double deletions leading to missing cases when using HRP2 RDT, remaining well under the WHO recommended cut-off of 5%.

The 2nd presentation details an optimal strategy for seasonal malaria chemoprevention in Southern Chad identified using a mathematical model informed by routine surveillance and climate. The end of the session looks at the introduction of Vaccine 21 in Chad and how to optimize the administration strategies for this promising vaccine.

Malnutrition

Moderation: Elizabeth Ledger, Pediatric advisor MSF-France, Stéphane Doyon, MSF-France

GASTROSAM: Exploring the best rehydration strategies for malnourished children with moderate to severe dehydration | Kemi Ogundipe, Pediatric/ Child Health Adviser at MSF Belgium & Roisin Connon, University College London | Read the abstract | Watch the video
A qualitative approach to explore the challenges of diagnosis and management of the bilateral pitting edema in children living in Mali and Democratic Republic of Congo | Giulia Scarpa, Epicentre | Read the abstract [ Watch the video
Understanding Kwashiorkor Better: New Clues from Advanced Biological Research | Bryan Gonzales, Ghent University | Read the abstract | Watch the video

Children hospitalised with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) often present with gastroenteritis and dehydration.

The first presentation investigates whether IV rehydration for severely malnourished children with dehydration is beneficial and whether standard ORS can be given safely to malnourished children with dehydration.

The 2nd study focuses on bilateral oedemas, often Kwashiorkor but not exclusively, and on the role of health professionals in their diagnosis. the 3rd study explores how OMICs can help us better understand Kwashiorkor. It shows that it could be a combination of malnutrition and an inflammatory syndrome leading to the disruption of the extracellular matrix and sphingolipid metabolism, with possible implications for capillary permeability and for the function of the lymphatic system.

Diagnostics for Antibiotic Stewardship: Guiding Better Prescriptions

Moderation: Rupa Kanapathipillai, MSF-France & Didier Guillemot, Institut Pasteur

Integrating rapid and laboratory STI diagnostics tests into symptomatic management in an adolescent clinic, Zimbabwe | Gerald Hangaika, MSF Zimbabwe Read the abstract | Watch the video
Cumulative antibiogram and retrospective chart review of antibiotic stewardship for pediatric patients at Barnersville Junction Hospital, Monrovia, Liberia | Emily Lynch, Epicentre | Read the abstract | Watch the video
Evaluation of a laboratory rapid test for confirmation and characterisation of carbapenemase-producing bacteria in MSF laboratories | Céline Langendorf, Epicentre Read the abstract | Watch the video

The first study assessed the added value of integrating rapid and lab-based STI diagnostics into syndromic management for adolescents in Mbare, Harare. Findings support expanding diagnostic access—particularly for adolescent girls, regardless of symptoms—to reduce missed infections and inappropriate treatments.

The second study highlights the role of cumulative antibiograms in understanding antimicrobial resistance. While clinicians at BJH in Liberia effectively follow empiric treatment guidelines for suspected sepsis, the study shows that additional clinical data is essential to refine treatment and improve the use of targeted antibiotics in a context of high multidrug-resistant and nosocomial infections.

The third study focuses on carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacilli (CP-GNB), a growing global health threat. Preliminary findings suggest the Carba-5 test is a promising diagnostic tool for confirming CP-GNB (including Enterobacterales and P. aeruginosa) in MSF labs. Ongoing analysis will help determine its potential for routine integration.

Abstracts

Abstract booklet

Posters

Discover the posters presented during the Scientific Day. If you have any questions, you can click on the name of the person to send them a message.

The posters below are taken from the training course for epidemiologists who took part in the FETCH (Field Epidemiology Training in Humanitarian Contexts) 2024 cohort.