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Cytobacteriological urine examinations (CBEU) are frequently ordered for the older adults, sometimes without straightforward indication and with the risk of prescribing empirical antibiotics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relevance of the CBEU prescription and empiric antibiotic therapy in our geriatric hospital. Among 129 patients (mean age 84 years, sex ratio 0.69), 229 CBEU were collected with 20.9% of inappropriate indication. Cultures were sterile in 43% (n = 99) of cases and positive in 57% (n = 130) cases. Gram-negative bacilli dominated the isolated bacteria (76.9%) followed by gram-positive cocci (17.6%). In 113 patients, probabilistic antibiotic therapy was prescribed of which 68 treatments were initiated before the CBEU. Ceftriaxone and amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid were the main therapeutic option used representing 70.8% of cases. Antibiotic therapy was re-evaluated after 3 days in 74.3% of patients. Efforts to reduce the number of useless ECBUs by training doctors to follow official guidelines are a priority.

Entre novembre 1997 et septembre 1998, un essai de lutte anti-vectorielle portant sur l'efficacité et l'acceptabilité de l'ICON® 10 WP (lambda-cyhalothrine en poudre mouillable à 10 %), comparé à du DDT 75 % WP en aspersions intra-domiciliaires, a été réalisé sur la marge ouest de la zone de paludisme instable des plateaux centraux de Madagascar, à l'extérieur de la région couverte depuis cinq ans par les opérations de pulvérisation de DDT (OPID). Quatre zones d'étude ont été définies : deux zones traitées, l'une par du DDT 2 g m.a./m2, l'autre par de la lambda-cyhalothrine 30 mg m.a./m2, une zone témoin où aucun traitement n'a été appliqué et une zone incluse dans le programme OPID (5èmecycle annuel de pulvérisations).

Nous avons réalisé, entre novembre 1997 et septembre 1998 à Madagascar, un essai de lutte anti-vectorielle portant sur l'efficacité en aspersions intra-domiciliaires de l'ICON® 10 WP (lambda-cyhalothrine en poudre mouillable à 10 %) et l'avons comparé à du DDT 75 % WP. Cet essai s'est déroulé sur la marge ouest de la zone de paludisme instable des plateaux, à l'extérieur de la région couverte depuis cinq ans par l'Opération de Pulvérisations Intra-domiciliaires de DDT (OPID) du Ministère de la santé.

Mathematical models are effective tools for evaluating the impact of predicted climate change on agricultural production, but it is difficult to test their applicability to future weather conditions. We applied the SWAP model to assess its applicability to climate conditions, differing from those, for which the model was developed. We used a database obtained from a winter wheat drought stress experiment. Winter wheat was grown in six soil columns, three having optimal water supply (NS), while three were kept under drought-stressed conditions (S). The SWAP model was successfully calibrated against measured values of potential evapotranspiration (PET), potential evaporation (PE) and total amount of water (TSW) in the soil columns. The Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency coefficient (N-S) for TWS for the stressed columns was 0.92. For the NS treatment, we applied temporally variable soil hydraulic properties because of soil consolidation caused by regular irrigation. This approach improved the N-S values for the wetting-drying cycle from -1.77 to 0.54. We concluded that the model could be used for assessing the effects of climate change on soil water regime. Our results indicate that soil water balance studies should put more focus on the time variability of structuredependent soil properties.

Drosophila sumais a flower breeding species widespread in the Afrotropical region. We describe an original and so far unique feeding behavior in that species. Strong black spines on the fore tarsus of both sexes are used for scratching the surface of the petals: the juice pouring out from the scratched cells is immediately ingested and this might be the only source of food. D. sumahas been investigated on two kinds of flowers, Ipomoea and Crinum. In spite of the very different shape and color of these flowers, the feeding behavior of the flies is the same. Various morphological and anatomical adaptations are described, especially those related to laying a few very big eggs. The taxonomic position of D. sumahas long remained and still is elusive. Further taxonomic and phylogenetic investigations would thus be needed to understand how adaptation to flower breeding has evolved.

The effects of the 26 December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami on the island of Madagascar were surveyed in July and August of 2005. Runup and inundation were obtained at 52 sites, covering most of the eastern coast of the country, ranging from a maximum runup of 5.4 min the south to locations where the tsunami was not observed by eyewitnesses present on the day of the event. The data set is characterized by significant heterogeneity, suggesting the importance of local factors in controlling runup. The report of a 50-m vessel breaking its moorings in the port of Toamasina several hours after the maximum visible activity of the wave underscores the complexity of harbor responses and the need to re-evaluate civil defense policies in port environments. Important factors are how the Malagasy population responded to the warning issued during the Nias earthquake, on 28 March 2005, and the hazard posed to Madagascar by possible future mega-earthquakes in south Sumatra.

AbstractRed locusts frequently cause crop damage in Madagascar. This problem has worsened in recent years, likely due to the intensive deforestation that is under way. Little is known about this locust In Madagascar, contrary to continental Africa. Several studies have been carried out in southwestern Madagascar, where locust damage is regularly reported, with the aim of determining the cause of recent outbreaks and improving control strategies—they included surveys of rural inhabitants and an analysis of over 25 years of archival data at the Centre national antiacridien (Malagasy locust control centre). The results revealed several zones between which the red locust—a single-generation species that undergoes imaginal diapause in the dry season—seasonally migrates on a northeast to southwest track, and vice versa, depending on rainfall and wind patterns. The migration dynamics and interannual variations associated with rainfall irregularity certainly partially account for the recurrence of red locust outbreaks in Madagascar.

To control the reappearance of malaria in the Madagascan highlands, indoor house-spraying of DDT was conducted from 1993 until 1998. Before the end of the insecticide-spraying programme, a surveillance system was set up to allow rapid identification of new malaria epidemics. When the number of suspected clinical malaria cases notified to the surveillance system exceeds a predetermined threshold, a parasitological survey is carried out in the community to confirm whether or not transmission of falciparum malaria is increasing. Owing to the low specificity of the surveillance system, this confirmation stage is essential to guide the activities of the control programme. For this purpose, Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS), which usually requires smaller sample sizes, seemed to be a valuable alternative to conventional survey methods. In parallel to a conventional study of Plasmodium falciparumprevalence carried out in 1998, we investigated the ability of LQAS to rapidly classify zones according to a predetermined prevalence level. Two prevalence thresholds (5% and 15%) were tested using various sampling plans. A plan (36, 2), meaning that at least 2 individuals found to be positive among a random sample of 36, enabled us to classify a community correctly with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 94%. LQAS is an effective tool for rapid assessment of falciparum malaria prevalence when monitoring malaria transmission.

The central region of Madagascar is a vast area of highlands (altitude 700–2000 m). Malaria transmission has re-established itself here since the last epidemic of 1985–1990 and has caused the deaths of 40 000 persons according to the Minister of Health. To combat the main malaria vector in the region, Anopheles funestus, annual programmes of indoor house spraying of DDT were carried out between December 1993 and January 1998 in most rural areas at altitude 1000–1500 m. A parasitological and serological study was then conducted in the highland schools to evaluate the impact of the programme and set up a database on the region. Using a cluster-sampling method 2 independent selections were conducted (one of 130 sites, the other of 40 sites). During the study, 13 462 schoolchildren were examined, 71% living in sprayed villages. Parasite prevalence among schoolchildren declined as altitude increases, from 11% at 700–900 m to 0 ·4 % at >1500 m. Below 1500 m, the impact of the spraying on the prevalence of the parasite was very clear (an average decrease of from 20% to 2 ·7 % below 1000 m and of from 4 ·5 % without spraying to 0 ·8 % at 1000–1500 m). Geographical analysis of the data showed that the marginal regions remained the most affected by malaria (especially outside spraying zones), and persistence of ‘pockets of transmission’ at 1000–1500 m, essentially in areas where spraying has never been used. In 9 schools, anti-Plasmodiumantibodies were sought by indirect immunofluorescence on thick smears of parasitized red blood cells. The seroprevalence ranged from 22% to 63%, which suggests that the parasite is still circulating in the region. Even though our data show that vector control continues to be very successful in the Madagascan highlands, rapid reinfection could occur and must be monitored following spraying. To this end, the Minister for Health, with the support of the Italian Co-operation, has placed the region under epidemiological surveillance since 1997. An alert system for the timely detection of the sources of epidemics and the targeting of the antsivectoral campaign is also in operation. Our study suggests that this strategy should be reinforced by the spraying of DDT in the marginal zones in order to consolidate the results obtained at higher altitudes.

We present a 3D shear‐wave velocity model of the southern African upper mantle developed using 30–200 s period Rayleigh waves recorded on regional seismic networks spanning the subcontinent. The model shows high velocities (∼4.7–4.8 km/s) at depths of 50–250 km beneath the Archean nucleus and several surrounding Paleoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic terranes, placing the margin of the greater Kalahari Craton along the southern boundary of the Damara Belt and the eastern boundaries of the Gariep and Namaqua‐Natal belts. At depths ≥250 km, there is little difference in velocities beneath the craton and off‐craton regions, suggesting that the cratonic lithosphere extends to depths of about 200–250 km. Upper mantle velocities beneath uplifted areas of southern Africa are higher than the global average and significantly higher than beneath eastern Africa, indicating there that is little thermal modification of the upper mantle present today beneath the Southern African Plateau. We present a 3D shear‐wave velocity model of the southern African upper mantle developed by modeling phase velocities of surface waves recorded on regional seismic networks spanning the African subcontinent. The model shows high velocities to depths of 250 km beneath the core of the Southern African Shield. At depths ≥250 km, the model shows little difference in velocities under most of southern Africa suggesting that the thickest lithosphere does not extend deeper than that. The model also shows that upper mantle velocities beneath the uplifted areas are not anomalous, indicating that there is little thermal alteration of the upper mantle present today beneath the Southern African Plateau. Surface wave phase delays were inverted to create a 3D shear‐wave velocity model of the upper mantle beneath southern AfricaKalahari Craton lithosphere is defined by high velocities (∼4.7–4.8 km/s) beneath the Archean cratons and surrounding Proterozoic terranesUpper mantle velocity structure shows little evidence for present‐day thermal anomalies supporting the Southern African Plateau Surface wave phase delays were inverted to create a 3D shear‐wave velocity model of the upper mantle beneath southern Africa Kalahari Craton lithosphere is defined by high velocities (∼4.7–4.8 km/s) beneath the Archean cratons and surrounding Proterozoic terranes Upper mantle velocity structure shows little evidence for present‐day thermal anomalies supporting the Southern African Plateau