Search

Scientific information on antioxidant properties and phenolic content of Nauclea latifolia used in ethnoveterinary medicine in Burkina Faso are limited. Therefore, the quantification of the antioxidant activity of different parts of this specie remains an interesting and useful task, particularly for finding new sources for natural antioxidants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity and total polyphenols of Nauclea latifolia Smith (Rubiaceae) acetonic fractions from Burkina Faso. n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of leaves, barks and root barks were tested for their antioxidant activities using DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods. Folin-Ciocalteu and AlCl3 reagents were used to quantify the polyphenols. n-butanol fraction of barks (58.16 ± 0.76 mg GAE/100 mg), dichloromethane fraction of barks (51.13 ± 0.99; 26.14 mg GAE/100 mg) have presented the best total phenolic contents while the best total flavonoid contents were found in n-butanol fraction of leaves and n-hexane fraction of leaves with 4.85 ± 0.14 mg EQ/100mg and 2.92 ± 0.13 mg EQ/100mg, respectively. It was observed that n-hexane fraction of leaves was scavenge more DPPH free radicals with a value of 1011.98± 17,01 µmol EAA/g. That of n-butanol fractions of barks was showed the best ferric reduction power (3056.37 ± 96.66 µmol EAA/g) and the highest ABTS cation radicals scavenging capacity (7031.52 ± 254.98 µmol EAA/g). Nevertheless, this work encourages investigations on Burkina Faso plant species used in the ethnoveterinary medicine as sources of antioxidants. Keywords: Fraction; Ouagadougou; Barks, Total Polyphenols Contents; Radicals.

In vitro and ex vivo cultivation of Plasmodium (P) falciparum has facilitated active research into the malaria parasite toward the quest for basic knowledge and the discovery of effective drug treatments. Such a drug discovery program is currently difficult for P. malariae simply because of the absence of in vitro and ex vivo cultivation system for its asexual blood stages supporting antimalarial evaluation. Despite availability of artemisinin combination therapies effective on P. falciparum, P. malariae is being increasingly detected in malaria endemic countries. P. malariae is responsible for chronic infections and is associated with a high burden of anemia and morbidity. Here, we optimized and adapted ex vivo conditions under which P. malariae can be cultured and used for screening antimalarial drugs. Subsequently, this enabled us to test compounds such as artemether, chloroquine, lumefantrine, and quinine for ex vivo antimalarial activity against P. malariae.

Summary Background Over the past 20 years, schistosomiasis control has been scaled up. Preventive chemotherapy with praziquantel is the main intervention. We aimed to assess the effect of preventive chemotherapy on schistosomiasis prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa, comparing 2000–10 with 2011–14 and 2015–19. Methods In this spatiotemporal modelling study, we analysed survey data from school-aged children (aged 5–14 years) in 44 countries across sub-Saharan Africa. The data were extracted from the Global Neglected Tropical Diseases database and augmented by 2018 and 2019 survey data obtained from disease control programmes. Bayesian geostatistical models were fitted to Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni survey data. The models included data on climatic predictors obtained from satellites and other open-source environmental databases and socioeconomic predictors obtained from various household surveys. Temporal changes in Schistosoma species prevalence were estimated by a categorical variable with values corresponding to the three time periods (2000–10, 2011–14, and 2015–19) during which preventive chemotherapy interventions were scaled up. Findings We identified 781 references with relevant geolocated schistosomiasis survey data for 2000–19. There were 19 166 unique survey locations for S haematobium and 23 861 for S mansoni, of which 77% (14 757 locations for S haematobium and 18 372 locations for S mansoni) corresponded to 2011–19. Schistosomiasis prevalence among school-aged children in sub-Saharan Africa decreased from 23·0% (95% Bayesian credible interval 22·1–24·1) in 2000–10 to 9·6% (9·1–10·2) in 2015–19, an overall reduction of 58·3%. The reduction of S haematobium was 67·9% (64·6–71·1) and that of S mansoni 53·6% (45·2–58·3) when comparing 2000–10 with 2015–19. Interpretation Our model-based estimates suggest that schistosomiasis prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa has decreased considerably, most likely explained by the scale-up of preventive chemotherapy. There is a need to consolidate gains in the control of schistosomiasis by means of preventive chemotherapy, coupled with other interventions to interrupt disease transmission. Funding European Research Council and WHO.

Objectif : Dans un contexte de ressources limitées, la connaissance du profil des germes contaminant les blocs opératoires et leur résistance aux antibiotiques constitue un maillon de la prévention des infections associées aux soins. Ainsi, l'objectif de notre étude était de déterminer la sensibilité aux antibiotiques des bactéries isolées de l'environnement du bloc opératoire de l'Hôpital National de Zinder. Matériels et Méthodes : Nous avions mené une étude prospective, transversale et descriptive de Janvier à Mars 2020. Les prélèvements avaient été réalisés par écouvillonnage le matin avant le début des activités et avaient concerné les mains et blouses des chirurgiens, le matériel de chirurgie et les équipements du bloc opératoire. Nous avions effectué l'isolement, l'identification et l'antibiogramme des souches bactériennes au niveau du laboratoire de biologie par des techniques conventionnelles classiques. Résultats : Au total, 74 prélèvements avaient été effectués. La culture était positive dans 58,10% des cas (43/74). Les bactéries isolées étaient constituées de 25 souches de Bacillus spp (58,13%), 10 souches de bactéries Gram négatif non fermentaires avec Acinetobacter bamanii (14,0%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7,0%) et Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (2,3%) et 8 souches d'entérobactéries représentées par Serratia marcescens (4,7%), Enterobacter cloacae (4,7%), Enterobacter aerogenes (4,7%), Escherichia coli (2,3%) et Klebsiella pneumoniae (2,3%).Concernant la sensibilité des souches aux antibiotiques, une seule souche d'Enterobacter aerogenes était résistante à l'Imipenème et 3 des 9 entérobactéries isolées étaient productrices de bétalactamase à spectre élargi. Conclusion : Au vu de résultats de cette étude, il convient de mettre en place des procédures adaptées en vue d'une meilleure surveillance microbiologique des blocs opératoires. Cela contribuera sans doute à la prévention des infections associées aux soins.

Fresh vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. Consumed raw, they could be agents of transmission of intestinal parasites. The frequency and variability of parasites eggs on thirty-two samples each of lettuce, tomato and cucumber form irrigated vegetable farms in Bamako, Kati, Baguineda, Samanko, Sikasso and Niono were evaluated. The parasite load was assessed using Uga et al. method, which consist the counting of parasite eggs and cysts in 100 g of vegetable. The overall prevalence of parasitic contamination of vegetables was 20.83% of which 41.66% for lettuce and 16.66% for tomato. Cucumber was free of parasites eggs. Parasites found on the vegetables were Entamoeba coli and Trichomonas intestinalis (24.19% each), Ascaris lumbricoides (13.25%), Giardia intestinalis (12.9%), Balantidium coli (11.29%), Entamoeba histolitica (7.26%), Fasciola hepatica (3.23%), Trichinella spiralis (1.61%), Ancylostoma duodenale and Schistosoma intercalatum (1.04% each). The frequency of parasites on lettuce was 83.33% each in Bamako and Niono; 50% in Kati; 16.66% each in Baguineda and Samanko and 0% in Sikasso. Consumption of vegetables contaminated by parasites can cause a health risk for consumers. Key words: Parasitic contamination, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, health risk.

The weight-length relationship and the condition factors are fundamental parameters with several uses in biology, fish ecology and fisheries management. Thus, in the Special Wildlife Reserve of Gueumbeul (SWRG) in Senegal, the weight-length relationship and condition factor were established forMugil cephalus(Linnaeus 1758). A total of 311 individuals (97 females and 214 males) ofM. cephaluswere collected by the artisanal fishery using cast nets. The total length and weight ranged from 11.1 to 25 cm and 15.9 to 145.26 g, respectively. The results showed that in the SWRG, both in females (b = 2.60) and males (b = 2.899),M. cephalushad negative allometric growth. The analysis of variance showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the coefficients of determination between females (R = 0.96) and males (R = 0.84). Condition factors (K) were 3.07 and 1.23 for males and females respectively forM. cephalusin the reserve.

Soil Transmitted Helminths (STHs) are Neglected Tropical Diseases of global public health importance. This study evaluated the efficacy of albendazole (ALB) amongst primary school children aged 6 – 16 years in STH-endemic communities in Ogun State, Nigeria. Demographic characteristics were obtained and stool samples were collected and analysed by Kato-Katz at baseline and 15 and 21 days post-treatment. All study participants were treated with a single ALB 400 mg tablet. A total of 282 participants were screened at baseline, of which 151 were found to be excreting STH (51.4%) of which A. lumbricoides was the most prevalent STH (n = 137, 48.6%), followed by hookworm (n = 60 children, 21.3%) and T. trichiura (n = 3; 1.1%). The prevalence across the four schools varied from 31.3% to 73.9% for A. lumbricoides, from 6.8% to 56.3% for hookworm, and from 0.0% and 2.2% for T. trichiura infections. Of the 151 children excreting any STH infection at baseline, 131 (86.8%) provided a stool sample 15 and 21 days after treatment. The mean fecal egg counts across these complete cases at baseline was 5,096 (± 13,735) eggs per gram (EPG) for A. lumbricoides, 2,202 (±7,849) for hookworms and 288 (±375) for T. trichiura. Fifteen days after drug administration the therapeutic efficacy, measured as the reduction in mean fecal egg count (FEC) following drug administration (ERR), was 99.7% (95CI: 99.4-99.9) for A. lumbricoides and 69.2% (95CI: 28.7-92.8) for hookworms. The hookworm ERR at day 14 was reduced due to the continued high egg output of one highly infected individual. One week later, 21 days following drug administration, ERR for hookworm also reached satisfactory levels (99.4% (95CI: 98.7-99.8)). This study highlights that ALB still shows satisfactory efficacy to Ascaris and hookworm infections in Ogun State, Nigeria.

Antisepsis and disinfection have always played an important role in the fight against infectious diseases. The use of these products has been effective in breaking the chain of transmission of microorganisms. Today, with the advent of COVID-19, the main recommendations are, among other things, physical distance and the use of antiseptic products, including hydro-alcoholic products. In Senegal, with poor regulations on the acquisition and distribution of antiseptics and disinfectants, this situation has led to a proliferation of antiseptics and disinfectants on the national market. this work aimed to study the quality of hydroalcoholic products found in the trade. We evaluated ten samples of hydro-alcohol products collected during the month of March 2020. Physical and microbiological controls were performed at the National Drug Control Laboratory. The alcohol content of the samples ranged from 63 to 85% and were consistent with WHO recommendations except for samples E3 and E5. The pH values varied between 4.02 and 6.64 and the densities of the hydro-alcoholic gel samples ranged from 0.84 to 0.92 g/cm3; E2, E4, E5, E6 samples had densities greater than 0.89 g/cm3. The samples of hydro-alcoholic products all conformed to the sterility test and no microbiological contamination was observed. Antimicrobial activities of the hydro-alcoholic samples tested ranged from 58.3 to 100% with two samples showing no activity (E2 and E5). In view of the results of this study, it would be relevant to expand and deepen investigations by a significant increase in the number of samples and by carrying out as complete an analysis as possible.

In West Africa, weeds are major production constraints in rain-fed lowland rice systems — often located in the inland valleys. Weed management technologies have been developed and promoted in such rice systems, but adoption by farmers lags behind, probably because of insufficient considerations of the system diversity or the farm-specific characteristics during technology development or promotion. This study aimed to identify farm-type specific entry points for innovations in weed management practices of smallholders in rice-based systems in inland valleys. We conducted farm surveys in the Mono Couffo region of Benin in 66 fields in 2010 and 2011 in a range of socio-economic settings typical for smallholder farms. A combination of multivariate analyses using Principal Component Analysis and Agglomerative Hierarchical Cluster is helpful in constructing farm typologies. This categorization, in turn, enables the assessment of farm-type specific weed management strategies and consequently the identification of entry points for innovation. Specific entry points for innovations in weed management include: (i) complementing the existing range of curative options by more preventive measures, (ii) diversifying the existing range of curative measures (mainly hand weeding and herbicide application) by measures that are both non-chemical and labor-saving, and (iii) improving women farmers’ access to information and inputs by targeted training endeavors and conducive credit systems.

The objective of this study was to improve rice and maize yields using native Azospirillum-based biofertilizer. To reach this objective, samples of rhizosphere soil, non-rhizosphere soil and roots of maize plants were collected from the particular locations of Samanko and Bamako of the south Mali. Thirty-three different colonies of bacteria were isolated from the different samples. Based on their better growth in nitrogen free semi-solid medium, their morphological, biochemical and plant growth promotion characteristic, ten bacterial isolates were identified as Azospirillum isolates following the Bergey?s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology. Ten isolates were selected: Az1, Az2, Az3, Az4, Az5, Az6, Az7, Az8, Az9 and Az10. Strain Az6 showed great potential on both rice and maize production. Therefore, this strain is suggested for large scale rice and maize fields? application. While the Azospirillum sp. Az5, Az6 and Az10 strains are suggested for large scale application in maize field, which may reduce production cost. Top dressing with 25% of the recommended nitrogen-fertilizer was found to decrease maize grain yield. Made available in DSpace on 2020-07-03T11:11:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Malian-native.pdf: 796657 bytes, checksum: 54a72c006d3f2334350ccc293b08cdc0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2020

International audience; The intensification of biological processes coping with salt stress became a major issue to mitigate land degradation. The Sine-Saloum Delta in Senegal is characterized by salt-affected soils with vegetation dominated by salt-tolerant grass Sporobolus robustus and shrubs like Prosopis juliflora. Plant experiments in controlled conditions suggested that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi might be the key actors of facilitation process observed between S. robustus and P. juliflora, but the AM fungal community determinants are largely unknown. The current field-based study aimed at (1) characterizing the environmental drivers (rhizosphere physico-chemical properties, plant type and season) of the AM fungal community along an environmental gradient and (2) identifying the AM fungal taxa that might explain the S. robustus-mediated benefits to P. juliflora. Glomeraceae predominated in the two plants, but a higher richness was observed for S. robustus. The pH and salinity were the main drivers of AM fungal community associated with the two plants, negatively impacting richness and diversity. However, while a negative impact was also observed on mycorrhizal colonization for S. robustus, P. juliflora showed opposite colonization patterns. Furthermore, no change was observed in terms of AM fungal community dissimilarity between the two plants along the environmental gradient as would be expected according to the stress-gradient and complementary hypotheses when a facilitation process occurs. However, changes in intraspecific diversity of shared AM fungal community between the two plants were observed, highlighting 23 AM fungal OTUs associated with both plants and the highest salinity levels. Consequently, the increase of their abundance and frequency along the environmental gradient might suggest their potential role in the facilitation process that can take place between the two plants. Their use in ecological engineering could also represent promising avenues for improving vegetation restoration in saline Senegalese's lands.

Objectives To assess the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), antimicrobial resistance and cervical lesions among women from Sikasso, Mali. Methods Women infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (n=44) and HIV-negative women (n=96) attending cervical cancer screening were included. Screening for human papillomavirus (HPV), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) was performed using polymerase chain reaction assays, and herpes simplex virus (HSV-1/2) serological status was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Antibiotic resistance tests were performed for MG- and NG-positive cases. Results A high prevalence of high-risk HPV (hrHPV) infection (63%) was found. This was associated with cervical lesions in 7.5% of cases. An unusual distribution was found, with HPV31, HPV56 and HPV52 being the most prevalent. The hrHPV distribution differed by HIV status, with HIV-positive cases having HPV35/31/51-52-56 and HIV-negative cases having HPV31/56/52. The seroprevalence of HSV-2 was 49%, and the prevalence of other STIs was as follows: CT, 4%; MG, 9%; NG, 1%; and TV, 7%. Five of nine MG-positive specimens and the NG strains obtained were resistant to fluoroquinolone. Conclusions These results showed high prevalence of hrHPV and fluoroquinolone resistance in several NG and MG strains. Further studies are required to confirm these data in Mali, and to improve prevention, screening and management of cervical cancer and other STIs in women.

Plasmodium falciparumerythrocyte membrane protein-1s (PfEMP1s), diverse malaria proteins expressed on the infected erythrocyte surface, play an important role in pathogenesis, mediating adhesion to host vascular endothelium. Antibodies to particular non-CD36-binding PfEMP1s are associated with protection against severe disease. We hypothesized that given lifelongP. falciparumexposure, Malian adults would have broad PfEMP1 serorecognition and high seroreactivity levels during follow-up, particularly to non-CD36-binding PfEMP1s such as those that attach to endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Using a protein microarray, we determined serologic responses to 166 reference PfEMP1 fragments during a dry and subsequent malaria transmission season in Malian adults. Malian adult sera had PfEMP1 serologic responses throughout the year, with decreased reactivity to a small subset of PfEMP1 fragments during the dry season and increases in reactivity to a different subset of PfEMP1 fragments during the subsequent peak malaria transmission season, especially for intracellular PfEMP1 domains. For some individuals, PfEMP1 serologic responses increased after the dry season, suggesting antigenic switching during asymptomatic infection. Adults were more likely to experience variable serorecognition of CD36-binding PfEMP1s than non-CD36-binding PfEMP1s that bind EPCR or ICAM-1, which remained serorecognized throughout the year. Sustained seroreactivity to non-CD36-binding PfEMP1s throughout adulthood amid seasonal fluctuation patterns may reflect underlying protective severe malaria immunity and merits further investigation.

The present study aimed to quantify the polyphenols and evaluate the antioxidant activity of methanolic and aqueous extracts from eight medicinal plants used by the poultry farmers to manage avian diseases in Burkina Faso. Total phenolics and total flavonoids were quantified using Folin-Ciocalteu and AlCl3 reagents, respectively. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using three methods: 1,1-dipheenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2’-2-azino-bis (3-eethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The results obtained showed that aqueous extracts contain more total phenolics than methanolic extracts in contrary to the total flavonoids where methanolic extracts presented the best contents. The evaluation of the antioxidant activity by the three methods showed that the extracts exhibited an interesting activity. The methanolic and the aqueous extracts of Parkia biglobosa, Sclerocarya birrea, and Detarium microcarpum, are distinguished by a good capacity to scavenge free DPPH radicals than those of the standards (trolox and quercetin). The methanolic extracts of all plant samples have shown their superiority in terms of their ability to scavenge the ABTS radical cations compared to aqueous extracts. Compared to other plant extracts and quercetin the methanolic and aqueous extracts of D. microcarpum bark presented the best reducing power with the values of 5360.23 and 4584.55 µmol EAA / g extract, respectively. These different results could justify the traditional uses of these plants in the treatment of avian pathologies. Key words: Medicinal plants, total phenolics, total flavonoids, antioxidant, poultry diseases.

Diagnosis and minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) by flow cytometry currently requires multiple antibody panels. We added CD23 and CD200 to the EuroFlowT...

Porcine cysticercosis is a major public health issue in Burkina Faso. This study investigated farmers’ awareness and ethno-veterinary practices regarding this disease in Boulkiemde province, Burkina Faso. A survey was done with 132 randomly selected pig farmers in 10 villages of two municipalities of Boulkiemde province, using a semi-structured questionnaire. The majority of interviewed farmers (54%) were from the Koudougou municipality and female (77%). The average number of pigs per farm was 5.4, and all pigs were roaming free during the dry season. All farmers already heard about porcine cysticercosis and the condition had various names in local languages in the study area. In the area, 66% of farmers observed porcine cysticercosis in their pigs, and among them 85% have noted cysticercosis cases in their farms during a period of six months before the survey. During the survey, farmers stated that, on average, infected pigs lost 62% of their market value. Among farmers, 77% knew some traditional treatments based on plants. Fourteen plants species were documented as used in the treatment of this disease. The most commonly used plant species is Parkia biglobosa, with a frequency index of 37%. In general, the leaves (44%), bark (30%), seeds (23%) and roots (3%) are used in treatments that are administered only orally. Key words: Burkina Faso, Sabou, Koudougou, Taenia solium, plant, treatment.

Background In malaria-endemic areas, pregnant women and especially first-time mothers are more susceptible to Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria diagnosis is often missed during pregnancy, because many women with placental malaria remain asymptomatic or have submicroscopic parasitemia, masking the association between malaria and pregnancy outcomes. Severe maternal anemia and low birthweight deliveries are well-established sequelae, but few studies have confirmed the relationship between malaria infection and severe outcomes like perinatal mortality in high transmission zones. Methods Pregnant women of any gestational age enrolled at antenatal clinic into a longitudinal cohort study in Ouelessebougou, Mali, an area of high seasonal malaria transmission. Follow-up visits included scheduled and unscheduled visits throughout pregnancy. Blood smear microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis were employed to detect both microscopic and submicroscopic infections, respectively. Intermittent preventative treatment in pregnancy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) was documented and prompt treatment regardless of symptoms given upon malaria diagnosis. Results Of the 1850 women followed through delivery, 72.6% of women received 2 or more IPTp-SP doses, 67.2% of women experienced at least 1 infection between enrollment up to and including delivery. Malaria infection increased the risks of stillbirth (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 3.87, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18–12.71) and preterm delivery (aHR 2.41, 95% CI: 1.35–4.29) in primigravidae, and early neonatal death (death within 7 days) in secundigravidae and multigravidae (aHR 6.30, 95% CI: 1.41–28.15). Conclusions Malaria treatment after diagnosis, alongside IPTp-SP, is insufficient to prevent malaria-related stillbirth, early neonatal death and preterm delivery (PTD). Although IPTp-SP was beneficial in Mali during the study period, new tools are needed to improve pregnancy outcomes. Clinical Trials Registration NCT01168271.

During the 2018-2020 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, EVD was diagnosed in a patient who had received the recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus-based vaccine expressing a ZEBOV glycoprotein (rVSV-ZEBOV) (Merck). His treatment included an Ebola virus (EBOV)-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb114), and he recovered within 14 days. However, 6 months later, he presented again with severe EVD-like illness and EBOV viremia, and he died. We initiated epidemiologic and genomic investigations that showed that the patient had had a relapse of acute EVD that led to a transmission chain resulting in 91 cases across six health zones over 4 months. (Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and others.).

The Gueumbeul Special Wildlife Reserve (RSFG) is a very important eco-geographic area. It is frequented by a variety of predominantly piscivorous birds that come to occupy its waters for reproduction and food needs. The present study aimed to make an inventory of the ichthyofauna of the RSFG in order to make available the database of the different species present in this body of water. The ichthyofauna were sampled monthly from March 2019 to February 2020 with the help of artisanal fishermen. The fish populations were studied using statistical analyzes and population descriptors (species richness, density, biomass and diversity indices). In total 16 species of fish divided into 15 genus and 11 families have been identified, cichlids (4 species), mugilids (3 species) being the most diverse families. The most abundant species in the catches were: Sarotherodon melanotheron and Mugil cephalus. The presence of marine species has been noted. These are Dicentrarchus punctatus, Eucinostomus melanopterus and Lichia amia but catches are very low. The calculated diversity indices showed that the ichthyofauna in the reserve has moderate diversity and a poor distribution of individuals within families. The ecosystem of the Gueumbeul basin shows signs of degradation. This degradation is materialized by an overexploitation of fishery resources by the fishing populations and a decrease in mangroves. La Réserve Spéciale de la Faune de Gueumbeul (RSFG) est une zone éco-géographique très importante. Elle est fréquentée par une diversité d’oiseaux majoritairement piscivores qui viennent occuper la zone pour des besoins de reproduction et d’alimentation. La présente étude visait à faire l’inventaire de la faune ichtyologique de la RSFG afin de rendre disponible la base de données des différentes espèces présentes dans ce plan d’eau. L’ichtyofaune a été échantillonnée de mars 2019 à février 2020 avec l’aide de pêcheurs artisans. Les peuplements de poissons ont été étudiés au moyen d’analyses statistiques et de descripteurs populationnels (la richesse spécifique, la densité, la biomasse et les indices de diversité). Au total 16 espèces de poisson réparties en 11 familles ont été recensées. Les cichlidés (4 espèces), les mugilidés (3 espèces) étant les familles les plus diverses. Les espèces les plus abondantes dans les captures sont : Sarotherodon melanotheron et Mugil cephalus. La présence d’une très faible quantité de poissons d’espèce marine a été notée, il s’agit de Dicentrarchus punctatus, Eucinostomus melanopterus et Lichia amia. Les indices de diversité calculés ont montré que l’ichtyofaune de la réserve a une diversité modérée et une mauvaise répartition des individus au sein des familles. L’écosystème de la cuvette de Gueumbeul présente des signes de dégradation. Cette dégradation est matérialisée par une surexploitation des ressources halieutiques par les populations de pêcheurs et une diminution de la mangrove.

A total of 184 Djallonke (West African Dwarf) sheep of Burkina Faso were analysed for Copy Number Variations (CNV) using Ovine 50 K SNP BeadChip genotyping data and two different CNV calling platforms: PennCNV and QuantiSNP. Analyses allowed to identify a total of 63 candidate Copy Number Variations Regions (CNVR) on 11 different ovine chromosomes covering about 82.5 Mb of the sheep genome. Gene-annotation enrichment analysis allowed to identify a total of 751 potential candidate ovine genes located in the candidate CNVR bounds. Functional annotation allowed to identify five statistically significant Functional Clusters (FC; enrichment factor > 1.3) involving 61 candidate genes. All genes forming significantly enriched FC were located on ovine chromosome (OAR) 21. FC1 (22 genes including PAG4 and PAG6) and FC5 (three genes: CTSC, CTSW and CTSF), coding proteases (peptidases and cathepsins, respectively), were involved in reproductive performance and modulation of gestation. Both FC3 and FC4 were involved in inflammatory and immunologic response through coding serum amyloid A and B-box-type zinc finger proteins, respectively. Finally, FC2 consisted of 27 genes (including OR10G6 and OR8B8) involved in olfactory receptor activity, key for animals adapting to new food resources. CNVR identified on at least 15% of individuals were considered CNVR hotspots and further overlapped with previously reported quantitative trait loci (QTL). CNVR hotspots spanning genes putatively involved with lipid metabolism (SKP1, TCF7, JADE2, UBE2B and SAR1B) and differential expression in mammary gland (SEC24A and CDKN2AIPNL) on OAR5 and dairy traits (CCDC198 and SLC35F4) on OAR7 overlapped with QTL associated with lipid metabolism, milk protein yield and milk fat percentage. Information obtained from local sheep populations naturally adapted to harsh environments contributes to increase our understanding of the genomic importance of CNV.

This present study was conducted to determine fry production in different male-female sex ratios of Oreochromis niloticusbroodstock in order to improve fry production, which handicapped the development of fish farming in northern Senegal. A total of 180 broodfish (47 males and 133 females) were stocked at a density of 2 fish /m2and was replicated three times for each sex ratio of 1:2, 1:3and 1:4 (male : female). Mean body weight ranges from 136.47±2.13 and 107.27±2.14 g for female and male O. niloticusbroodstock, respectively. The experiment was conducted for 90 days and the broods were fed on commercial diet containing 32% crude protein.Fish were held in 9 rectangular tanks of 30 m3 each (10 × 3 × 1) and half-filled. The results showed that number of fry produced at different sex ratios were significantly different, with sex ratio of 1:2 producing a highest number of fry (279.67) per female, followed by the 1:3and 1:4 treatment recorded the lowest.Broodstock sex ratios also did not affect female survival rates and all treatments had 100% survival rates. Temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH values obtained were suitable for good water quality and normal tilapia reproduction.In conclusion, the results of the present study recommend to stock Oreochromis niloticus brooders when stocked at a density of 2 fish /m2 at a sex ratio of 1 male : 2 female in order to obtain the highest fry production.

High‐throughput genomic markers provide an opportunity to assess important indicators of genetic diversity for populations managed in livestock breeding programs. While well‐structured breeding programs are common in developed countries, in developing country situations, especially in West Africa, on‐farm performance and pedigree recordings are rare, and thus, genomic markers provide insights to the levels of genetic diversity, inbreeding and introgression by other breeds. In this study, we analysed key population parameters such as population structure, admixture and levels of inbreeding in three neighbouring populations of African taurine and taurine × Zebu crosses managed by community‐based breeding programs in the South‐West of Burkina Faso. The three populations were pure Baoulé (called Lobi locally) in sedentary production systems, Baoulé x Zebu crossbreds in sedentary systems and Zebu × Baoulé crossbreds in transhumant production systems, respectively. The total sample analysed included 631 animals and 38,207 single nucleotide polymorphisms after quality control. Results of principal component and admixture analyses confirmed the genetic background of two distinct ancestral populations (taurine and zebuine) and levels of admixture in all three breeding populations, including the presumably pure Baoulé group of animals. Inbreeding levels were moderate, compared to European dairy and beef cattle populations and higher than those of Brazilian Nellore cattle. Very few animals with inbreeding levels indicating parent–offspring or full sib mating were observed, and inbreeding levels indicating half sib mating were also rare. For the management of breeding populations, farmers were advised to exchange best young bulls. The crossbreeding levels of presumably pure Baoulé animals are of concern to the breeding program due to the high level of endangerment of pure African taurine cattle populations across West Africa. Future rounds of bull selection in the community‐based breeding program will make use of genomic information about admixture levels.

In March 2020, following the annual International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) ratification vote on newly proposed taxa, the phylum Negarnaviricota was amended and emended. At the genus rank, 20 new genera were added, two were deleted, one was moved, and three were renamed. At the species rank, 160 species were added, four were deleted, ten were moved and renamed, and 30 species were renamed. This article presents the updated taxonomy of Negarnaviricota as now accepted by the ICTV., La lista completa de autores que integran el documento puede consultarse en el archivo., Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Centro de Investigaciones en Fitopatología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Instituto de Biotecnologia y Biologia Molecular

A study was conducted in southern Mali to contribute to the domestication of Parkia biglobosa. Three agro climatic zones (North Sudanian “NS”, South Sudanian “SS” and North Guinean “NG”) and two stands (field and fallow) were concerned. Three plots of 0.25 ha each, were installed in each stand. Diameter at Breast Height (DBH), Total Height (TH) and Crown Diameter (CD) of adult trees were measured. The effect of agro-climatic zone on growth parameters was significant. The South and North Sudanian zones showed significantly higher means of DBH, TH and CD compared to the North Guinean zone. The mean DBH varied from 45.46 cm (NG) to 65.96 cm (NS). The mean TH varied from 10.68 m (NG) to 12.59 m (NS). The mean CD in the field stand varied from 10.50 m (NG) to 16.12 m (SS) and in fallow stand it varied from 11.21 m (SS) to 13.64 m (NS). Stand effect was not significant but the interaction zone*stand was significant. The effect of agro-climatic did not display an influence of the climatic gradient, suggesting that management practices played an important role in the growth of this species. Key words: Domestication, fallow, field, growth parameters, management practices, Parkland species.

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of potassium diformate (K-diformate) supplementation in two protein levels on growth, food conversion and survival in juvenile white shrimp, litoppenaeusvannamei.Two dietary protein levels, 41% dietary protein(CP41) and 37% dietary protein(CP37) was formulated and supplemented of graded K-diformate levels 0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.8%, 1.4% and 2.0%.Post larvae white shrimp (Litopenaeusvannamei) of initial mean weight 0.82±0.08g were randomly stocked in 45 aquarium tanks with a working volume of 50 L (60×40×30 cm ) at a stocking density of 10 shrimps per aquarium.The result of this study did not show significant difference in percentage weight gain and survival rate among shrimps fed CP41 and CP37 with graded K-diformate supplemented diet. No K-diformate dose response was observed at the end of the study. The results of present study proof that K-diformate supplemented diet do not affect water pH and feeding diet stability in water.

Background : Stereospermum kunthianum Cham., is a medicinal plant from the Bignoniaceae family, used in Ferlo (Senegal) against stomach aches, as a healing agent and aphrodisiac.Aims/Objective : The aim of this study was to contribute to the valorisation of the plant by carrying out a phytochemical screening followed by an assay of the polyphenols of the hydro-ethanolic extract of the bark and its fractions.Methods : Phytochemical screening was carried out by coloring and/or precipitation reactions. The total polyphenol and tannin contents were evaluated by the Folin-Denis method and the flavonoid content by a method using aluminium chloride (AlCl 3 ) and sodium nitrite (NaNO 2 ). Results: The search for chemical compounds revealed the presence of various secondary metabolites such as gallic and catechic tannins, flavonoids, saponosides, alkaloids, sterols and polyterpenes. The total polyphenol contents of the samples ranged from 0.81 ± 0.02 to 13.52 ± 0.06 mg EAT / g. Those of tannins and flavonoids were between 0.03 ± 0.01 and 4.56 ± 0.02 mg EAT / g and between 1.13 ± 0.04 to 31.88 ± 0.19 mg ER / g respectively.Conclusion : These different metabolites would be responsible for the activities noticed for this plant.

The Special Wildlife Reserve of Gueumbeul (RSFG) consists of a water reservoir (the basin) frequented by a diversity of fish and migratory birds. The most represented in terms of abundance is the species Sarotherodon melanotheron. The objective of this study was to determine the relations weight-length and to characterize the condition factor of S. melanotheron, in the basin of Gueumbeul. A total of 628 fish were sampled including 364 males, 178 females and 86 immature individuals from March 2019 to February 2020. The total length (TL) of S. melanotheron specimens sampled in the Gueumbeul reserve ranged from 6.1 cm to 17.6 cm with an average of 11.08 ± 1.82 cm and the weight (W) from 4.8 g to 103 g with an average of 27.25 ± 12.09 g. The results of the weight-length analyses gave values of 2.69 and 2.77 for the regression coefficient (b) for males and females respectively, and 2.72 and 2.76 for the dry and wet seasons. This reflects negative allometric growth in both sexes (male and female) and by season (dry and wet season). No statistically significant difference was noted for dry and wet season b values for S. melanotheron in the Gueumbeul basin, unlike condition factors between males and females and between dry and wet season where significant differences in K values were noted.

Cucurbits are largely grown in tropical and subtropical areas for nutritional and medicinal purposes. In Senegal, two species, watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) and pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo), are cultivated and their use include consumption of flesh or the whole fruit. In general, people don’t give importance to seeds which can have nutritional properties of great interest. Hence, the relevance of this study whose objective is to assess the nutritional and therapeutic properties of seeds. For that purpose, the seeds of watermelon and pumpkin were air-dried, manually shelled, ground, and subjected to assays including physicochemical determination, characterization of oils, phytochemical screening and antioxidant analysis. Proteins (28.46 - 32.85 %), fat (36.3 - 39.7 %) and carbohydrates (23.6 - 13.9 %) were the main chemical components found in watermelon and pumpkin seeds. Micro-elements such as potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, calcium, and iron were also found with potassium showing the highest levels as 1026.07 and 635.00 mg/100 g for watermelon and pumpkin, respectively. Magnesium and phosphorous were the following minerals in terms of level content. The unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) were predominant in seed oils with the linoleic acid most representative as 73.01 and 35.90% for watermelon and pumpkin, respectively. From the saturated fatty acids (SFAs), the palmitic acid was the most important. Phytochemical components in seeds include the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, and tannins in the ethanolic extracts of pumpkin and watermelon seeds. Regarding to the radical scavenging activity, relatively close values have been obtained for fractions from the ethanolic watermelon extract, the aqueous fraction showing the highest antioxidant activity (26.82%). For pumpkin, the highest values were registered for ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions as 36.17 and 35.36%, respectively. Therefore, seeds from watermelons and pumpkin cultivated in Senegal exhibited interesting nutritional and antioxidant properties which argue in favor of their use to overcome malnutrition issues.

A total of 769 adult females belonging to 3 taurine and one zebu cattle populations sampled in 3 provinces of Burkina Faso were assessed for 19 body measurements during two different years (2014 and 2018). The aim of this research was to identify temporal morphological variation in cattle bred in the humid southern zones to obtain empirical evidence supporting a possible introgression of zebu cattle genes into Gourounsi and Lobi taurine cattle breeds. Zebu cattle samples were used as out-group for both 2014 and 2018 subsets. Least square means of body measurements allowed to classify Burkina Faso taurine cattle into three subgroups according to body size (Gourounsi–Sanguié –GourS-, Gourounsi-Nahouri –GourN- and Lobi from the tallest to the smallest respectively). Principal Component Analysis suggested that in 2014, taurine populations were structured. Dispersion map constructed using the two first factors informed that the GourS population was well separated from both the Lobi and the GourN, which, in turn, overlapped. However, in 2018 a strong signal of homogenization was identified, with GourN partially overlapping the other two populations. Linear Discriminant Analysis suggested that about 20% of both GourS and GourN individuals were reciprocally misclassified. Clues for such increase have been pointed out by MANOVA analysis. Although on 2014, Lobi cattle was clearly smaller than Gourounsi and both GourS and GourN populations showed clear differences on body traits, on 2018 it could be assessed an increase in size in Lobi cattle and a strong homogenization signal within Gourounsi cattle. Zebu cattle gene flow southwards in Burkina Faso is likely to have caused these changes, suggesting a fast erosion of taurine cattle genetic background. Keywords: Body traits, quantitative traits, Gourounsi cattle, Lobi, Burkina Faso.

En zone soudano-sahélienne, la productivité des cultures est limitée par les effets néfastes du changement climatique et la pauvreté des sols. L’insertion des plantes de couverture dans les systèmes de production pourrait être une alternative d’amélioration des rendements et de la biomasse. Pour atteindre cet objectif, la pratique conventionnelle de la culture du maïs a été comparée pendant cinq années (2014-2018), à quatre systèmes de culture associant des plantes de couverture. Le dispositif expérimental utilisé a été un bloc de Fisher avec 6 traitements en 4 répétitions. Les résultats ont montré que l’insertion du Cajanus cajan, du Stylosanthes hamata, du Brachiaria ruziziensis et Mucuna cochinchinensis dans un système de culture à base du maïs permet d’améliorer la production de biomasse fourragère sans négativement affecter son rendement. Utilisée dans la supplémentation des animaux, la biomasse produite peut nourrir pendant 90 jours 7 unités de bétail tropical (UBT) en culture pure du maïs et 8 à 13 unités de bétail tropical (UBT) en fonction du type de plantes de couverture. Dans le cadre de la production fumure organique, les mêmes tendances de variations ont été obtenues en fonction des systèmes de culture. L’insertion des plantes de couverture est un élément intégrateur agriculture-élevage.Mots clés : Changement climatique, maïs, légumineuse, biomasse fourragère, zone Soudano-sahélienne, Mali English Title: Cover crop insertion effect on productivity of maize-based cropping system in the context of crop-livestock integrationIn Sudano-Sahelian zone, crop productivity is limited by climate change effect and poor soils. Inserting cover crops into production systems could be an alternative to improve yields and biomass. To achieve this goal, conventional practice of maize cultivation was compared over a five-year period (2014-2018) with four cropping systems using cover crops. The experimental design used was a Fisher block with 6 treatments in 4 replicates. The results showed that the insertion of Cajanus cajan, Stylosanthes hamata, Brachiaria ruziziensis and Mucuna cochinchinensis in a maize-based cropping system improves biomass production without negatively affecting its yield. Used in animal supplementation, the biomass produced can feed 7 Tropical Livestock Units (UBT) of pure maize crop and 8 to 13 UBT for 90 days, depending on the type of cover crop. In the case of organic manure production, the same variations were obtained depending on cropping systems. The insertion of cover crops in cropping system is an integrating agriculture-livestock component.Keywords: Climate change, maize, legumes, fodder biomass, fodder biomass, Sudano-Sahelian zone, Mali.

Mitochondria are recognized as the main source of ATP to cover the energy demands of the cell. ATP production occurs by oxidative phosphorylation when electrons are transported through the electron transport chain (ETC) complexes and develop the proton motive force across the inner mitochondrial membrane that is used for ATP synthesis. Studies since the 1960s have been concentrated on the two models of structural organization of ETC complexes known as “solid-state” and “fluid-state” models. However, advanced new techniques such as blue-native gel electrophoresis, mass spectroscopy, and cryogenic electron microscopy for analysis of macromolecular protein complexes provided new data in favor of the solid-state model. According to this model, individual ETC complexes are assembled into macromolecular structures known as respiratory supercomplexes (SCs). A large number of studies over the last 20 years proposed the potential role of SCs to facilitate substrate channeling, maintain the integrity of individual ETC complexes, reduce electron leakage and production of reactive oxygen species, and prevent excessive and random aggregation of proteins in the inner mitochondrial membrane. However, many other studies have challenged the proposed functional role of SCs. Recently, a third model known as the “plasticity” model was proposed that partly reconciles both “solid-state” and “fluid-state” models. According to the “plasticity” model, respiratory SCs can co-exist with the individual ETC complexes. To date, the physiological role of SCs remains unknown, although several studies using tissue samples of patients or animal/cell models of human diseases revealed an associative link between functional changes and the disintegration of SCs assembly. This review summarizes and discusses previous studies on the mechanisms and regulation of SC assembly under physiological and pathological conditions.

Combretum fragrans (Combretaceae) is a Cameroonian medicinal plant containing various secondary metabolites and traditionally used for the treatment of several pathologies. Two cycloartane-type triterpenes, Combretin A and Combretin B, were isolated from this plant. This study was aimed at evaluating the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticolitis effects of these compounds. In vitro anti-inflammatory properties were evaluated by inhibition of cyclooxygenase, 5-lipoxygenase, and denaturation of the protein; antioxidant properties were assessed by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), (2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)) ABTS•+, capacity tests ferric reducing antioxidant (FRAP), and trapping nitric oxide. For in vivo analysis, we used the model of ulcerative colitis induced by Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS). Studies of the anti-inflammatory activity showed that Combretin A and Combretin B had maximal inhibitory activity on cyclooxygenase (71.92% and 89.59%), 5-lipoxygenase (76.68% and 91.21%), and protein denaturation (63.93% and 87.78%). Antioxidant activity on DPPH, ABTS•+, ferric reducing antioxidant capacity (FRAP), and nitric oxide scavenging showed that Combretin A and Combretin B showed good antioxidant activities. These compounds significantly reduced the signs of DSS-induced colitis in the treated animals by preventing the weight loss of the animals, by significantly reducing the disease activity index, improving the condition of the stool, preventing the reduction of the length of the colon, and preventing the degradation of the colon. This study revealed that Combretin A and Combretin B have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and curative properties against colitis experimentally induced by DSS in rats.

Background High coverage of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) are the cornerstones of vector control strategy in Senegal where insecticide resistance by the target vectors species is a great of concern. This study explores insecticide susceptibility profile and target-site mutations mechanisms within the Anophelesgambiae complex in southeastern Senegal. Methods Larvae of Anopheles spp. were collected in two sites from southeastern Senegal Kedougou and Wassadou/Badi in October and November 2014, and reared until adult emergence. Wild F0 adult mosquitoes were morphologically identified to species. Susceptibility of 3–5-day-old An. gambiae (s.l.) samples to 11 insecticides belonging to the four insecticide classes was assessed using the WHO insecticide susceptibility bioassays. Tested samples were identified using molecular techniques and insecticide resistance target-site mutations (kdr, ace-1 and rdl) were determined. Results A total of 3742 An.gambiae (s.l.) were exposed to insecticides (2439 from Kedougou and 1303 from Wassadou-Badi). Tests with pyrethroid insecticides and DDT showed high level of resistance in both Kedougou and Wassadou/Badi. Resistance to pirimiphos-methyl and malathion was not detected while resistance to bendoicarb and fenitrothion was confirmed in Kedougou. Of the 745 specimens of An.gambiae (s.l.) genotyped, An.gambiae (s.s.) (71.6%) was the predominant species, followed by An.arabiensis (21.7%), An.coluzzii (6.3%) and hybrids (An. gambiae (s.s.)/An.coluzzii; 0.4%). All target site mutations investigated (Vgsc-1014F, Vgsc-1014S, Ace-1 and Rdl) were found at different frequencies in the species of the Anophelesgambiae complex. Vgsc-1014F mutation was more frequent in An.gambiae (s.s.) and An.coluzzii than An.arabiensis. Vgsc-1014S was present in An.gambiae (s.l.) populations in Wassadou but not in Kedougou. Ace-1 and rdl mutations were more frequent in An.gambiae (s.s.) in comparison to An.arabiensis and An.coluzzii. Conclusions Resistance to all the four insecticide classes tested was detected in southeastern Senegal as well as all target site mutations investigated were found. Data will be used by the national Malaria Control Programme.

A recent randomized controlled trial, the WANECAM (West African Network for Clinical Trials of Antimalarial Drugs) trial, conducted at seven centers in West Africa, found that artemether-lumefantrine, artesunate-amodiaquine, pyronaridine-artesunate, and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine all displayed good efficacy. However, artemether-lumefantrine was associated with a shorter interval between clinical episodes than the other regimens. In a further comparison of these therapies, we identified cases of persisting submicroscopic parasitemia by quantitative PCR (qPCR) at 72 h posttreatment among WANECAM participants from 5 sites in Mali and Burkina Faso, and we compared treatment outcomes for this group to those with complete parasite clearance by 72 h. Among 552 evaluable patients, 17.7% had qPCR-detectable parasitemia at 72 h during their first treatment episode. This proportion varied among sites, reflecting differences in malaria transmission intensity, but did not differ among pooled drug treatment groups. However, patients who received artemether-lumefantrine and were qPCR positive at 72 h were significantly more likely to have microscopically detectable recurrent Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia by day 42 than those receiving other regimens and experienced, on average, a shorter interval before the next clinical episode. Haplotypes of pfcrt and pfmdr1 were also evaluated in persisting parasites. These data identify a possible threat to the parasitological efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine in West Africa, over a decade since it was first introduced on a large scale.

Blood and faecal samples from 2086 Sahelian and Djallonke sheep have been collected to assess the epidemiology and spatio-temporal distribution of gastrointestinal parasites. A survey with a questionnaire allowed collecting data on individual animal and farms. Faecal samples were analysed using the McMaster technique, while anaemia was assessed using FAMACHA score test and packed cell volume. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 91%, and strongyles (70.7%), Eimeria sp. (60.4%), Moniezia sp. (5.7%), Stronyloides sp. (0.9%) were identified. There was no significant association between the region and strongyles infection (P ˃ 0.05). Animals sampled during the rainy season (n = 565; P = 82.2%, mean EPG = 154.8 ± 12.02) were mostly and heavily infected than those from the hot dry (n = 518; P = 74.2%; mean EPG = 97.7 ± 17.4) and the cold dry season (n = 392; P = 55.5%; mean EPG = 24.5 ± 19.5) (P ˂ 0.05). Females (n = 1027; P = 72.1%; mean EPG = 77.6 ± 17) were most infected than males (n = 448; P = 67.7%; mean EPG = 61.6 ± 19.5) (P ˂ 0.05). Animals that were treated, at most 3 months before sampling (n = 166; P = 61.5%; mean EPG = 41.7 ± 21.4), were less infected than those, which received this treatment after three months before sampling (n = 199; P = 74.8%; mean EPG = 89.1 ± 15.8) (P ˂ 0.05). Data from blood samples indicate that 6.5% of sheep was anaemic (PCV ≤ 19%), while 59.7% was noted anaemic regarding FAMACHA scores. PCV values varied significantly for FAMACHA scores, and the highest mean value was noted for score 1 (27.6) (P ˂ 0.05). The Cohen’s kappa score between FAMACHA and PCV was 0.02. These findings suggest that strongyles infections are significantly associated with season, and heavier infections were noted during rainy season.

Individuals with acute malaria infection generated high levels of antibodies that cross-react with the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. Cross-reactive antibodies specifically recognized the sialic acid moiety on N-linked glycans of the Spike protein and do not neutralize in vitro SARS-CoV-2. Sero-surveillance is critical for monitoring and projecting disease burden and risk during the pandemic; however, routine use of Spike protein-based assays may overestimate SARS-CoV-2 exposure and population-level immunity in malaria-endemic countries.

Desert date tea (DDT) is originated from the local Balanites aegyptiaca flowers infusion. Thus, the objectif of this work is to evaluate the antioxidant activity, phenolic contents and the sensory quality of DDT. The antioxidant activity was determined, total phenols and total flavonoids were quantified. Total phenols and flavonoids followed LC-MS analysis, and sensory evaluation were also carried out. Substantial quantities were recorded for both quantity of phenolic and flavonoids accounted for 3.06 mg galic acid /g and 21.60 mg rutin /g respectively. Compounds like narcissin, hirsutrin, quercetrin, ilixantrin, rutin, isorhamnetin and diverse flavone were identified. Lower antioxidant activity and overall acceptability of DDT were noticed than that of quercetin and commercial green tea. The sensory result showed again that the green tea and DDT scored almost the same in flavor character. It can be concluded that DDT could be widely used as a source of polyphenols with antioxidant and sensory quality potential; therefore, introducing numerous health benefits for the consumer.

Background Sound knowledge of the abundance and distribution of intermediate host snails is key to understanding schistosomiasis transmission and to inform effective interventions in endemic areas. Methods A longitudinal field survey of freshwater snails of biomedical importance was undertaken in the Niger River Valley (NRV) between July 2011 and January 2016, targeting Bulinus spp. and Biomphalaria pfeifferi (intermediate hosts of Schistosoma spp.), and Radix natalensis (intermediate host of Fasciola spp.). Monthly snail collections were carried out in 92 sites, near 20 localities endemic for S. haematobium. All bulinids and Bi. pfeifferi were inspected for infection with Schistosoma spp., and R. natalensis for infection with Fasciola spp. Results Bulinus truncatus was the most abundant species found, followed by Bulinus forskalii, R. natalensis and Bi. pfeifferi. High abundance was associated with irrigation canals for all species with highest numbers of Bulinus spp. and R. natalensis. Seasonality in abundance was statistically significant in all species, with greater numbers associated with dry season months in the first half of the year. Both B. truncatus and R. natalensis showed a negative association with some wet season months, particularly August. Prevalences of Schistosoma spp. within snails across the entire study were as follows: Bi. pfeifferi: 3.45% (79/2290); B. truncatus: 0.8% (342/42,500); and B. forskalii: 0.2% (24/11,989). No R. natalensis (n = 2530) were infected. Seasonality of infection was evident for B. truncatus, with highest proportions shedding in the middle of the dry season and lowest in the rainy season, and month being a significant predictor of infection. Bulinus spp. and Bi. pfeifferi showed a significant correlation of snail abundance with the number of snails shedding. In B. truncatus, both prevalence of Schistosoma spp. infection, and abundance of shedding snails were significantly higher in pond habitats than in irrigation canals. Conclusions Evidence of seasonality in both overall snail abundance and infection with Schistosoma spp. in B. truncatus, the main intermediate host in the region, has significant implications for monitoring and interrupting transmission of Schistosoma spp. in the NRV. Monthly longitudinal surveys, representing intensive sampling effort have provided the resolution needed to ascertain both temporal and spatial trends in this study. These data can inform planning of interventions and treatment within the region.

Introgression among parasite species has the potential to transfer traits of biomedical importance across species boundaries. The parasitic blood fluke Schistosoma haematobium causes urogenital schistosomiasis in humans across sub-Saharan Africa. Hybridization with other schistosome species is assumed to occur commonly, because genetic crosses between S. haematobium and livestock schistosomes, including S. bovis, can be staged in the laboratory, and sequencing of mtDNA and rDNA amplified from microscopic miracidia larvae frequently reveals markers from different species. However, the frequency, direction, age, and genomic consequences of hybridization are unknown. We hatched miracidia from eggs and sequenced the exomes from 96 individual S. haematobium miracidia from infected patients from Niger and the Zanzibar archipelago. These data revealed no evidence for contemporary hybridization between S. bovis and S. haematobium in our samples. However, all Nigerien S. haematobium genomes sampled show hybrid ancestry, with 3.3–8.2% of their nuclear genomes derived from S. bovis, providing evidence of an ancient introgression event that occurred at least 108–613 generations ago. Some S. bovis-derived alleles have spread to high frequency or reached fixation and show strong signatures of directional selection; the strongest signal spans a single gene in the invadolysin gene family (Chr. 4). Our results suggest that S. bovis/S. haematobium hybridization occurs rarely but demonstrate profound consequences of ancient introgression from a livestock parasite into the genome of S. haematobium, the most prevalent schistosome species infecting humans.

Au Burkina Faso les informations sur la poule locale sont rares entrainant des difficultés objectives de son exploitation rationnelle. Un total de 948 individus (692 femelles et 256 mâles) provenant de 251 élevages reparties dans les 3 zones agro-écologiques du Burkina Faso a été évalué pour 13 traits corporels quantitatifs et 09 qualitatifs dans le but de caractériser la variabilité phénotypique de la poule locale. Il ressort 13 coloris de plumage avec le blanc (19,16%) et l’herminé (16,75%) comme couleurs dominantes. Le site et le sexe ont eu une influence (p

Porcine toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis. This study was conducted to establish evidence of toxoplasmosis and its associated factors among pigs in three villages of Balés province, Burkina Faso. Serums samples were collected from 182 pigs and data was collected on farmers’ sociodemographics, origin (village) of pigs, pigs’ sex, age, breed and keeping systems through a household questionnaire interview. Serum samples were analyzed using indirect ELISA targeting IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. Results of the study showed an overall sero-prevalence of 16.5 % (95% CI: 11.1% – 21.9%). The sero-prevalence was higher in Toné (23.1%; 95% CI: 12.8% – 33.3%) and Kabourou (20.7%; 95% CI: 10.3% – 31.1%) compared to Sadon Bobo (5.1%; 95% CI: 0% – 10.7%) (p=0.01). It was also higher in pigs older than 12 months (23.2%; 95% CI: 14.9% – 31.5%) compared to pigs less than 12 months (8.4%; 95% CI: 02.4% – 14.4%) (p=0.00731). During rainy season, tethered pigs (7.1%; CI95: 0.40% – 13.8%) were less infected than housed pigs (20.6%; 95% CI: 11.1% – 21.9%) (p=0.02). Multivariate logistic regression model shows that pigs older than 12 months were more likely to get infected compared to pigs less than 12 months old (OR = 2.58; 95% CI = 1.00 - 6.62; p=0.04). These results provided evidence for the presence of T. gondii in pigs in this area.Keywords: Burkina Faso, pigs, Toxoplasma gondii, seroepidemiological studies, zoonosis.

The effectiveness of the “attract and kill” approach for the management of Bactrocera dorsalis in citrus orchards using autoinoculation strategy was evaluated in three locations in Senegal (Sindia, Sebikhotane and Ndoyene), between 2016 and 2018. Attractant Contaminant Traps (ACT) were treated with 0.3 g of Metarhizium acridum, and methyl eugenol was then deployed at densities of 25, 50 and 100 ACT to infect the flies. Recovery Traps (RT) containing methyl eugenol and a toxicant, Timaye were used to monitor the B. dorsalis population and the contamination rate. Results showed that the rate of contaminated flies increases with the number of ACT, at an average daily rate of contaminated flies of 68.1%, 85.44% and 99.67% at 25, 50, 100 traps, respectively. No contaminated flies were found in the control. The number of flies caught decreased from 21.7, 4.2 and 6.2 flies per day, respectively, for 25, 50, 100 ACTs and control in the first week, to 0.64, 0.71, 0.71 and 99.9 flies per day, respectively, for 25, 50, 100 ACTs and the control. All the flies caught at M. acridum treated sites were contaminated. No significant difference between the incidence of fruit damage in the three ACT densities and the control was found in the first week; however, there was a significant difference over time, from 90.0, 96.7 and 83.3% in the first week, to 30, 50 and 46.7% at the 14th week, respectively, for 25, 50 and 100 ACTs. No significant differences were found in the control. This present study demonstrated the efficacy of autoinoculative systems based-M. acridum for the management of B. dorsalis in citrus orchards in Senegal. This strategy is economical as it uses very little amounts of inoculum with locally made materials.

A morphometric characterization study was conducted using purebred Baoulé cattle and two crossbreds’ populations in the southwestern region of Burkina-Faso. A total of 421 cattle, including 266 crossbreds from the department of Kampti and Loropeni and 155 purebred Baoulé, from the department of Bouroum-Bouroum were measured for quantitative and qualitative traits. The quantitative traits were analyzed by fitting the linear model including genotype-location, sex, age and all two-way interactions. The chi square test was performed for qualitative traits. The results provide evidence for difference between purebred and crossbred populations, and among crossbreds for all traits. The genotype-location effect showed that facial length, distance between horn tips, ear length and chest width differed between purebred and crossbred populations. For qualitative traits, coat color and horn shape showed large variation between Baoulé and crossbreds. These results will serve as basis for further characterization, conservation and improvement strategies for purebred and crossbred populations.

Parkia biglobosa, a multi-purposes species offers food, medicine and income to rural populations. This species is facing several constraints mainly aged populations, weak natural regeneration, and reduction of tree densities. A study, was undertaken in three sites from three agro-climatic zones according to the north-south climatic gradient in southern Mali, to assess dendrometric characteristics of Parkia biglobosa trees. Permanent plots of 0.25 ha each were installed in fields and fallows with three replications in each stand within each site. Adult trees in the plots were monitored, measured and also assessed for sanitary constraints. Several sanitary constraints were encountered and classified into six categories (from attacks on trunks and gross branches to damages on fruits and general attacks, infestations and damages due to wood-boring insects, human beings and other abiotic factors). Damages like those with symptoms of dieback or staghead disease pose a serious threat for production, productivity and survival of the species. Concrete actions are necessary like sanitary diagnostic at the level of the distribution area of the species in Mali, followed by identifying real cause of damages and seeking for appropriate solutions, sensitizing and training farmers, implementing a national program of regeneration of the species by planting and/or by promoting Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) approach.

To contribute to the accurate assessment of carbon of agroforest species of Sudano-sahelian ecosystems, a study based on the establishment of mono-specific allometric equations were investigated in the arboreous parks of the Far-North Cameroon. A total of 20 individual trees of Faidherbia albida was harvested in savannah and distributed across a range of diameter classes, from 10 to 60 cm. The diameter at breast height of these individuals and their height were measured. After tree cutting, biomass of compartments of leave, branches and stem were determined after drying and weighing. Various allometric equations between biomasses and two parameters of the tree (the diameter and the height) were tested. The adjusted coefficient of determination (R2adj), the residual standard error (RSE) and the Akaike Information Criteria were used for choosing the best models. The main results reveal that there is a positive and significant relationship between the height of the trees and their diameter (R2 = 0.75, n = 17 and P < 0.05). The best model for the biomass prediction of all compartments of F. albida is in the form ln(B) = a + b*ln(D2H), with ln(B) = -1.42 + 0.58*ln(D2H) for leaf biomass, ln(B) = - 5.83 + 1.11*ln(D2H) for the branch, ln(B) = - 4.01 + 0.94*ln(D2H) for the stem, and finally ln(B) = -2.83 + 0.91*ln(D2H) for the total biomass. Their adjusted coefficient of determination is 0.71, 0.90, 0.93 and 0.93 respectively. The branch biomass represents about 42.16% of the total aerial biomass and is the highest relative to the other compartments. Theses equations bring a contribution to a reliable and quick assessment of carbon stock of arboreous parks to F. albida in the framework of study on climate change mitigation in Sudano-sahelian zone in particular and in the World in general.