Search

Two of the current United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim for quality education and gender equality, which are inextricably linked. Education efforts in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have rarely addressed issues of gender equality as children start school, except to expand access for girls. The authors explore how gender equality can be addressed within schools and communities in LMICs at the start of primary school. The authors offer promising strategies to make early grade education efforts more gender transformative and thus more effective.

Objective: Crimean‐Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe zoonotic arboviral disease that occurs widely in Eastern and Western Europe, Asia and Africa. The disease is becoming of growing public health importance in Senegal. However, analysis of tick infestation, CCHF virus (CCHFV) circulation extent and risk factors during ongoing outbreak are scarce. A thorough outbreak investigation was carried out during a CCHF outbreak in Podor (Northern Senegal) in August 2022. Methods: Ticks and blood samples were collected from animals (cattle, goats and sheep) randomly selected from confirmed CCHF human cases houses, neighbourhoods and surrounding villages. Blood samples were tested for CCHFV antibodies using a commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. Tick samples were screened for CCHFV RNA by RT‐PCR. Results: Overall, tick infestation rate (TIR) and CCHFV seroprevalence of livestock were 52.12% (95% confidence interval (CI): 45.54%–58.64%) and 43.28% (95% CI: 36.33%–50.44%), respectively. The TIRs were 87.7% in cattle, 57.6% in sheep and 20.0% in goats. These rates were significantly associated with location, host species and tick control (p < 0.001) but not with animal age and sex (p > 0.7). CCHFV seroprevalence was 80.4% (95% CI: 67.57%–89.77%) in cattle, 35.4% (95% CI: 25.00%–47.01%) in sheep and 21.2% (95% CI: 12.11%–33.02%) in goats. Age, sex, location, animal host and presence of ticks were significantly associated to the presence of antibodies. The 950 ticks collected included among other species, Hyalomma impeltatum (48.84%) and H. rufipes (10.21%). Five pools of Hyalomma ssp. were found CCHFV RT‐PCR positive. These infected ticks included 0.86% (4/464) of H. impeltatum collected on cattle and sheep and 1.03% (1/97) of H. rufipes collected on a sheep. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report on the extend of tick infestation and CCHFV infection in livestock during an outbreak in Senegal. The results highlight the risk of human infections and the importance of strengthening vector, animal and human surveillance as well as tick control measures in this area to prevent CCHF infections in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of strong surveillance systems in detecting and responding to public health threats. We sought to evaluate attributes of Keur Massar district's existing COVID-19 surveillance system. Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2022; desk review covered data collected from March 03, 2020 to May 31, 2022 in 18 health posts. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire completed during a face-to-face interview and a desk review of surveillance data gathered from different notification platforms (Excel, ODK, DHIS2 aggregated, and tracker). Study was conducted in Keur Massar department, in the Dakar region. We conducted face-to-face interviews with 18 nurses in June 2022. We utilized a standardized, semi-structured questionnaire adapted from CDC guidelines for surveillance evaluation. Results: All 18 head nurses targeted, responded to the questionnaire, with an average age of 41.5 years and 63% aged between 30 and 44. The sex ratio (M/F) was 0.6, and respondents had an average of 15.1 years of experience. All nurses were involved in COVID-19 surveillance and had notified at least one suspected case. While 39% conducted COVID-19 data analysis, 55.6% received feedback from the national level. The usefulness score for the surveillance system was 77.7, with the lowest score (72.9) related to describing the pandemic's magnitude. Simplicity scored 63.3, with low scores for the availability of guidelines (0) but high scores for training and equipment (94.4). Acceptability scored 76.6, with strong support for COVID-19 surveillance but weak community involvement (48.6). While no cases were reported through the DHIS2 aggregated platform, 1327 PCR-positive SARS-CoV-2 cases were reported through the national Excel sheet and 278 PCR-positive cases were reported through the COVID-19 DHIS2 tracker during the same period. Timeliness varied, averaging 3 days using ODK and 7 days with the national Excel sheet, with a combined average of 5 days across both systems. Conclusion: The study highlights challenges in COVID-19 surveillance due to limited human resources, multiple data systems, and delays in notification. While most nurses were trained and equipped, gaps in data quality, timeliness, and community support emphasize the need for streamlined processes and increased workforce capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and variability pose significant threats to agricultural production, particularly in regions heavily dependent on rainfed agriculture like Senegal. The problem addressed in this study revolves around the impact of climate-related risks on agricultural yields in the Senegalese Groundnut Basin as a key agricultural region. Daily rainfall, temperatures, and yield over 1991–2020 were used. The data were analyzed using multiple regression, trend analysis, and correlation approaches. The results indicate that the overall seasonal precipitation increases over time (98 mm in the north and 103 mm in the south). However, we found that the south Groundnut Basin has a much slower seasonal precipitation rate than the northern zone. Our results also show that the northern zone exhibits a more consistent and predictable growing season, with onset and offset, in contrast with the southern zone, which shows higher variability. The analysis further reveals that both the northern and southern zones are experiencing a warming trend, with the southern zone showing a more pronounced increase in maximum temperatures (+0.7 °C) than to the northern zone (+0.4 °C). Estimates from the regression analysis revealed that total seasonal precipitation and maximum temperature positively and significantly influence groundnut, millet, and maize yields in the northern and southern zones. All the other weather-related parameters have different influences depending on the zone. These findings highlight the heterogeneous nature of the study area and the significant role climatic factors play in crop yield variability in the Groundnut Basin. Understanding these influences is crucial for developing targeted agricultural strategies and climate adaptation measures to mitigate risks and enhance regional productivity. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers and farmers aiming to improve crop resilience and sustain agricultural outputs amidst changing climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy (LAI-ART) can offer people living with HIV (PLWH) a promising alternative to daily oral therapy. This article highlights the issues, challenges and conditions related to introducing LAI-ART into the social lives of PLWH and HIV-care practices in Senegal. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 42 PLWH in two hospital care units in Dakar and with 13 healthcare providers and 6 peer educators. Interviews were transcribed, thematically coded and analysed using a cross-sectional approach. We found three key issues. First, simplifying living with HIV: PLWH respondents perceive LAI-ART as an opportunity to ease the burden associated with taking tablets. This enthusiasm may however be qualified by an ambivalent relationship with injections and is subject to certain conditions. Second, certain constraints linked to the medicalisation of care are to be anticipated, including the obligation to go to the hospital every two months for injections. These findings foreshadow the new management work for medical follow-up expected to fall on PLWH and caregivers. Third, the challenges of introducing LAI-ART in Senegal are to ensure adequate organisation of care and supply and sustainability of the program. These results clarify how to implement programs to introduce LAI-ART into real life in the West African context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic pathogen with various hosts, including pigs, which act as reservoirs. In industrialized countries, sporadic cases caused by genotype 3, contracted by ingesting contaminated uncooked or undercooked meat, have been reported. However, in developing countries, HEV infection is mainly dominated by genotype 2 and often associated with poor hygiene conditions and drinking water supplies. HEV infection and its circulation in domestic fauna in West Africa are poorly documented. This study aimed to assess the presence of HEV in pork sold in Saint-Louis, Senegal. Meat products (250 g samples, n = 74) were purchased in August 2022 from three locations. Then, 2 g/sample was minced to extract total nucleic acids using the Purelink™ Viral DNA/RNA kit. RT-PCR reactions were performed using the One-Taq™ One-Step RT-PCR kit targeting the HEV ORF2 genomic region. The products obtained were visualized on a 1% agarose gel. Of a total of 74 samples, divided into pork meat (n = 65) and pork liver (n = 9), 5.4% (n = 4) tested positive for HEV. In both cases, two samples were positive, representing a rate of 3.1% and 22.2% for meat and pork liver, respectively. All new viral sequences were obtained from a monophyletic group within HEV genotype 3. This study is the first to report the presence of HEV in pork sold in Senegal and the results reveal a potential circulation of HEV in the pig population. The high proportion of contamination in the pork liver samples highlights a major risk associated with their consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cahiers Santé - Médecine Thérapeutique is the property of John Libbey Eurotext Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background/aim: The evolution of sickle cell disease (SCD) is marked by the occurrence of painful episodes linked to the obstruction of microvessels by sickle cells, known as vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). The aim of this work was to report the practical aspects of the management of acute pain in adults with SCD. Recommendations based on these practices are also provided. Materials and methods: This prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study was conducted over a four-month period of all sickle cell patients admitted to emergency departments for VOC. The parameters studied were sociodemographic, clinicobiological, therapeutic, and evolutionary. Results: There were 118 cases of VOC identified, representing a prevalence of 78.14% of sickle cell emergencies. The mean age of the patients was 28.41 years. The SS sickle cell phenotype accounted for 86.61% of the cases. Osteoarticular pain was the reason for admission for 88.39% of the patients; it was located in the lower limbs in 39.08% and in the spine in 27.1%. Pain intensity was moderate in 6.25% of the patients, intense in 31.25%, and unbearable in 55.55%. Multimodal analgesia was the most commonly used treatment method, combining those of levels one and two (74.31%) and levels one and three (8.25%). The mean dose of morphine administered was 17.14 mg when morphine alone was prescribed for titration, 13.57 mg when paracetamol and morphine were combined, and 15.83 mg when nefopam and morphine were combined. Clinical outcome was favorable in 68.87% of the cases. Conclusion: Wide variability was observed in the modalities of analgesic treatment of sickle cell VOC. These variations reflect different views on the appropriateness of opioids. This study highlights the efficacy of multimodal analgesia in the management of acute pain in patients with SCD, particularly in regard to morphine sparing. Context-specific recommendations will be needed to harmonize practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this project was to compare in the field conditions two strategies of re‐nutrition of children with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) aged from 6 to 24 months, targeting the microbiota in comparison with a standard regimen. A three‐arm, open‐label, pragmatic randomised trial was conducted in four countries (Niger, CAR, Senegal and Madagascar). Children received for 12 weeks either fortified blended flour (FBF control) = arm 1, or FBF + azithromycin (oral suspension of 20 mg/kg/day daily given with a syringe) for the first 3 days at inclusion = arm 2 or mix FBF with inulin/fructo‐oligosaccharides (6 g/day if age ≥12 months and 4 g if age <12 months) = arm 3. For each arm, children aged from 6 to 11 months received 100 g x 2 per day of flours and those aged from 12 to 24 months received 100 g × 3 per day of FBF. The primary endpoint was nutritional recovery, defined by reaching a weight‐for‐height z‐score (WHZ) ≥ −1.5 within 12 weeks. Overall, 881 children were randomised (297, 290 and 294 in arm 1, arm 2 and arm 3, respectively). Three hundred and forty‐four children were males (39%) and median/mean age were 14.6/14.4 months (SD = 4.9, IQR = 10.5–18.4). At inclusion, the three arms were comparable for all criteria, but differences were observed between countries. Overall, 44% (390/881) of the children recovered at week 12 from MAM, with no significant difference between the three arms (41.4%, 45.5% and 45.9%, in arm 1, arm 2 and arm 3, respectively, p = 0.47). This study did not support the true advantages of adding a prebiotic or antibiotic to flour. When using a threshold of WHZ ≥ −2 as an exploratory endpoint, significant differences were observed between the three arms, with higher success rates in arms with antibiotics or prebiotics compared to the control arm (66.9%, 66.0% and 55.2%, respectively, p = 0.005). Key messages: Re‐nutrition of children with MAM is still a concern as the duration of recovery is always long and recurrences are frequent.Literature suggests that prebiotics and antibiotics show potentially useful properties to speed this process of recovery.However, in this open‐label study, prebiotics and antibiotics did not lead to advantages on the recovery rates defined by reaching the WHZ (−1.5) cut‐off. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of African Journal of Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Valid indigenous language assessments are needed to further our understanding of how children learn language around the world. We assessed the psychometric properties and performance of two caregiver-report measures of Wolof language skill (language milestones achieved and vocabulary knowledge) for 500 children (ages 0;4 to 2;6) living in rural Senegal. Item response models (IRM) evaluated instrument- and item-level performance and differential function by gender. Both caregiver-report measures had good psychometric properties and displayed expected age and socioeconomic effects. Modest concurrent validity was found by comparing the caregiver-report scores to transcribed child language samples from a naturalistic play session. The caregiver-report method offers a valid alternative to more costly tools, such as direct behavioral assessments or language sampling, for measuring early language development in non-literate, rural African communities. Recommendations are made to further improve the performance of caregiver-report measures of child language skill in these settings.

Natural spices play an essential role in human nutrition and well-being. However, their processing on different scales can expose them to potential sources of contamination. This study aimed to describe the bacterial community genomic footprint in spices sold in Senegal. Spice samples were collected in August 2022 in Saint-Louis, Senegal. The genomic region coding bacterial 16S rRNA was then amplified and sequenced using Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT). Sequencing was carried out on two batches of samples, one containing part of the "Local Spices or Herbs" (n = 10), and the other, a mixture of 7 spices, Curcuma, Thyme and the other part of the "Local Spices or Herbs" (n = 39). Results showed high bacterial diversity and the predominance of Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica in samples, with total reads of 65,744 and 165,325 for the two batches, respectively. The sample category "Homemade mixture of food condiments ", which includes all "Local Spices or Herbs" samples, showed remarkable bacterial diversity. These were followed by Curcuma, a blend of 7 spices and thyme. Also, the different categories of spices studied show similarities in their bacterial composition. These results highlight the microbial community's highly diverse genomic profile, including pathogenic bacteria, in spice samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sahelian transhumance is a type of socio-economic and environmental pastoral mobility. It involves the movement of herds from their terroir of origin (i.e., their original pastures) to one or more host terroir, followed by a return to the terroir of origin. According to certain pastoralists, the mobility of herds is planned to prevent environmental degradation, given the continuous dependence of these herds on their environment. However, these herds emit Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) in the areas they cross. Given that GHGs contribute to global warming, our long-term objective is to quantify the GHGs emitted by Sahelian herds. The determination of these herds' GHG emissions requires: (1) the artificial replication of the transhumance, and (2) precise knowledge of the space used during their transhumance. This article presents the design of an artificial replication of this transhumance through an agent-based model called MSTRANS. MSTRANS determines the space used by transhumant herds, based on the decision-making process of Sahelian transhumants. MSTRANS integrates a constrained multi-objective optimization problem and algorithms into an agent-based model. The constrained multi-objective optimization problem encapsulates the rationality and adaptability of pastoral strategies. Interactions between transhumants and their socio-economic network are modelled using algorithms and diffusion processes within the multi-objective optimization problem. The dynamics of pastoral resources are formalized at various spatio-temporal scales using equations that are integrated into the algorithms. The results of MSTRANS have been validated using GPS data collected from transhumant herds in Senegal. The MSTRANS results highlight the relevance of integrated models and constrained multi-objective optimization for modelling and monitoring the movement of transhumant herds in the Sahel. We can state that specialists in calculating greenhouse gas emissions now have a reproducible and reusable tool for determining the space occupied by transhumant herds in a Sahelian country. In addition, decision-makers, pastoralists, veterinarians and traders have a reproducible and reusable tool to help them make environmental and socio-economic decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Senegal River delta, the expansion of irrigated land to meet the growing food demands, combined with the effects of climate change will lead to an increasing in the demand for agriculture water. Hence, it is essential to assess the agricultural water requirements of main crops in order to optimize the management of water resources and contribute to sustainable development in the delta. This study aims to evaluate the irrigation water requirements of the main crops of the Senegal river Delta. The determination of irrigation water requirements is based on the Penman–Monteith method, crop coefficient of the main crops, and irrigation efficiency. Data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources was used to calculate reference evapotranspiration. The spatial analysis of the crop water requirements was carried out using the inverse distance weighting method. The results showed that irrigation water requirements vary according to season, sowing date, and variety. In the hot dry season, the 115- and 125-day cycle Sahel varieties have irrigation water requirements ranging from 12,823 to 16,634 m3/ha. For the 150-day cycle varieties sown in the warm season, water requirements vary from 15,191 to 19,996 m3/ha. During the cold season, onions have irrigation water requirements that vary from 10,891 to 13,166 m3/ha. For tomato, they range from 8460 to 10,418 m3/ha. Irrigation water requirements increase gradually from the northwest to the northeast of the delta for all seasons and crops. This study could contribute to the development of strategies for optimizing irrigation water management based on sowing dates and crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying heavy metal and pesticide contaminants is an essential step in assessing the health indicators of rice cultivation and consumption in Africa. Information on the contaminant levels of the imported and cultivated rice consumed in Senegal seems lacking. In this study, we assessed heavy metals, pesticides, ash, and protein in rice using rice samples from India, Thailand, South America, Vietnam, and China. Arsenic, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cu, Mo, Co, Cr, and Al are usually found in the soils used for rice cultivation in northern Senegal. While the heavy metal levels measured in soils were above the threshold limit, only Pb, Cd, and Al were found in cultivated rice. In all the analyzed rice samples from each country, there were certain amounts of Pb, As Al, and Cd. The concentration ranges in the six countries were as follows: 0.635–1.165 mg kg−1 for Pb, 0.047–0.438 mg kg−1 for As, 2.22–95.54 mg kg−1 for Al, and 0.002–0.082 mg kg−1 for Cd. The protein content in cultivated rice in Senegal was 7.31 mg kg−1, while the average from the imported rice ranged between 6.42% and 7.32%. The humidity levels in imported rice ranged between 11.12% and 12.95%. The fat content for the rice from six countries ranged between 0.22% and 0.67%, and the ash content ranged between 0.23% and 0.48%. These results allowed for the determination of the carbohydrate concentration, which varied between 79.18% and 80.82%. Indeed, freshly harvested rice grains typically contain around 80% carbohydrates. We noticed the presence of pesticides in all rice samples. The levels of three pesticides (total Pyrethrin, Bensulfuron-methyl, Propanyl, and 2,4D) were found to be beyond their maximum residue limits (MRLs) from the Codex Alimentarius, whereas deltamethrin was found to be below its MRL. This study indicates the presence of heavy metals carcinogenic to humans (Al, As, Cd, and Pb). Additionally, this study reveals the presence of deltamethrin, which is classified as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, which is classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2020, a sylvatic dengue virus serotype 2 infection outbreak resulted in 59 confirmed dengue cases in Kedougou, Senegal, suggesting those strains might not require adaptation to reemerge into urban transmission cycles. Large-scale genomic surveillance and updated molecular diagnostic tools are needed to effectively prevent dengue virus infections in Senegal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In some areas of rural Africa, long-standing cultural traditions and beliefs may discourage parents from verbally engaging with their young children. This study assessed the effectiveness of a parenting program designed to encourage verbal engagement between caregivers and infants in Wolof-speaking villages in rural Senegal. Caregivers (n = 443) and their 4- to 31-month-old children were observed at baseline in 2013 and 1 year later at follow-up. Results showed that caregivers in program villages nearly doubled the amount of child-directed speech during a play session compared to baseline, whereas caregivers in matched comparison villages showed no change. After 1 year, children in program villages produced more utterances, and showed greater improvement in vocabulary and other language outcomes compared to children in comparison villages.

Nowadays, road safety is a major concern for public authorities on national, secondary and classified roads in developing countries. This paper looks at the problem of non-compliance with road signs and the deteriorating state of roads, which are the cause of many accidents. Road users sometimes miss roadside signs because their attention is focused on the road. At other times, they regularly miss certain road markings or road deformations in unfamiliar areas, which is dangerous for travelers. Ideally, therefore, drivers should be able to be alerted to road signs or deformations from a distance without having to divert their attention. This would make it possible to avoid accidents, especially on national roads between regions of a country and between countries in sub-Saharan Africa. In this paper, we propose a model for the detection and recognition of road signs and deformations using deep learning. The dataset for this model will consist of a hybrid dataset that includes Kaggle data and data from AGEROUTE (Autonomous Agency for Works and Road Management) in Senegal. In addition, the proposed model is trained on two datasets; one for training 80% and the other for testing 20%. Experimental results showed that the proposed model achieved an accuracy of 95.34% for the datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines 40 years of monthly precipitation data in Senegal (1979–2018) using Climatic Research Unit observations and ERA5 reanalyzes, aiming to understand the influence of oceanic and atmospheric factors on Senegal's precipitation in July, August and September (JAS). The variability of Senegal's precipitation is first compared with that of the broader Sahel region: although they share a significant portion of their variance, Senegal appears more closely related to the Northeastern Tropical Atlantic (NETA) Sea Surface Temperature (SST). A detailed examination of this region reveals that Senegal's increased precipitation is linked to the northward shift of the InterTropical Convergence Zone, consistent with numerous previous studies. Over the continent, this shift corresponds to a northward shift of the African Easterly Jet (AEJ) and, consequently, the mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) responsible for most precipitation. It seems primarily driven by the northward shift of the Heat Low. Over the ocean just west of Senegal, there is a comparable shift of the AEJ, accompanied by an increase in low‐level moisture transport convergence within the West African Westerly Jet (WAWJ) which explains the majority of the increase in JAS precipitation in Senegal. This phenomenon is triggered by a negative pressure anomaly in the NETA, located above a positive SST anomaly: we suggest that the latter is the origin of the former, forming a feedback mechanism that potentially significantly influences Senegal's precipitation. The mechanism involves a geostrophic adjustment of the WAWJ to the southern gradients of the SST anomaly. Plain Language Summary: This study, spanning 40 years of monthly precipitation data in Senegal, explores the intricate relationship between oceanic and atmospheric factors shaping precipitation patterns from July to September. The increased summertime precipitation in the Western Sahel is primarily of continental origin, associated with the northward shift of mesoscale convective systems linked to lower pressure in the Sahara. However, over the ocean west of Senegal, there is also an increase in inland moisture transport that explains a significant part of the intensified precipitation from July to September in Senegal. This transport is reinforced by a low‐pressure system over the ocean, potentially caused by warmer sea surface temperatures between 10°N and 20°N off West Africa. This close connection between Senegal's precipitation and ocean surface temperature in the Northeastern Tropical Atlantic could help enhance crucial seasonal forecasts for agricultural planning, the economy, and food security in West Africa. Key Points: Wet summers in Senegal are preceded by La Niña events and warming in the Mediterranean but also by warming in the Northeastern Tropical AtlanticMoisture transport convergence within a stronger West African Westerly Jet (WAWJ) explains this increase in precipitationFeedback between the North Tropical Atlantic surface temperature and atmospheric pressure is proposed to explain this WAWJ acceleration [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease and one of the deadliest affecting wild goats, sheep, and small ruminants; however, goats are generally more sensitive. The causative agent is the Peste des Petits Ruminants virus (PPRV), which is a single-stranded RNA virus of negative polarity belonging to the Paramyxoviridae family. In February 2020, an active outbreak of PPR was reported in a herd of a transhumant farmer in the village of Gainth Pathé (department of Kounguel, Kaffrine region, Senegal). Of the ten swabs collected from the goats, eight returned a positive result through a quantitative real-time PCR. The sample that yielded the strongest signal from the quantitative real-time PCR was further analyzed with a conventional PCR amplification and direct amplicon sequencing. A phylogenetic analysis showed that the sequence of the PPR virus obtained belonged to lineage IV. These results confirm those found in the countries bordering Senegal and reinforce the hypothesis of the importance of animal mobility between these neighboring countries in the control of PPRV. In perspective, following the discovery of this lineage IV in Senegal, a study on its dispersion is underway throughout the national territory. The results that will emerge from this study, associated with detailed data on animal movements and epidemiological data, will provide appropriate and effective information to improve PPR surveillance and control strategies with a view to its eradication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), the most widespread tick-borne viral human infection, poses a threat to global health. In this study, clinical samples collected through national surveillance systems were screened for acute CCHF virus (CCHFV) infection using RT-PCR and for exposure using ELISA. For any CCHF-positive sample, livestock and tick samples were also collected in the neighborhood of the confirmed case and tested using ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. Genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses were also performed on samples with positive RT-PCR results. In Eastern Senegal, two human cases and one Hyalomma tick positive for CCHF were identified and a seroprevalence in livestock ranging from 9.33% to 45.26% was detected. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the human strain belonged to genotype I based on the available L segment. However, the tick strain showed a reassortant profile, with the L and M segments belonging to genotype I and the S segment belonging to genotype III. Our data also showed that our strains clustered with strains isolated in different countries, including Mauritania. Therefore, our findings confirmed the high genetic variability inside the CCHF genotypes and their introduction to Senegal from other countries. They also indicate an increasing CCHF threat in Senegal and emphasize the need to reinforce surveillance using a one-health approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report an imported Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever case in Senegal. The patient received PCR confirmation of virus infection 10 days after symptom onset. We identified 46 patient contacts in Senegal; 87.7% were healthcare professionals. Strengthening border crossing and community surveillance systems can help reduce the risks of infectious disease transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strategies for equitably managing savannas are urgently needed as these ecosystems undergo significant social and ecological changes that threaten their sustainability and the livelihoods of those that depend upon them. Using snowball sampling, we interviewed 28 key informants in Velingara, Senegal, to quantify the relative socio-cultural importance of savanna species and understand the drivers and impacts of environmental change as experienced by local people. We identified 43 species of particularly high socio-cultural importance, only eight of which are considered highly important in other areas of Senegal and West Africa, which underscores the need for local-scale ethnobotanical studies of how livelihoods and cultural values intersect with biophysical changes in West African savannas. Respondents identified a drying trend associated with declines in tree and grass biodiversity. Biodiversity loss was further associated with changing market forces, fire regimes, and an invasive herb. We situate our results within a broader West African ethnobotanical context, and propose four guiding principles to facilitate equitable and sustainable management of Sudano-Guinean savanna: (1) Monitor migration as an adaptation strategy for both humans and plants, (2) Pursue a biocultural approach to savanna restoration, (3) Co-create collaborative strategies for governing the commons, and (4) Develop international, market, and policy-based strategies for curbing local timber harvesting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims to assess the effects of the application of feed and health technological packages on the zootechnical-economic performance of local breeds pigs in Casamance. It involved 253 young pigs, provided by 44 traditional farms. The feed and health technological package group (FHT) pigs were kept in permanent confinement and fed ad-libitum with a diet containing 15% of dried cashew apple pulp, while the controls and health technological package (HT) pigs were raised in a free-range area and fed in the usual way by the farmers. The zootechnical and economic parameters were collected and processed by ANOVA test and linear regression. The results showed a significant improvement in health status, live body weight, carcass weight of pigs, daily weight gain mean of the pigs in the FHT group compared to the HT and controls (p < 0.05). The production costs of the FHT pigs were lower than those of the HT and control pigs' groups. They generated on average a gain for the selling in live body weight and a loss for those in carcass weight. The use of feed and health technological packages is advised in pig farming and price incentives are necessary to make the fattening activity sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Over the past two decades, preventive chemotherapy (PC) with praziquantel (PZQ) is the major strategy for controlling schistosomiasis in Senegal. The objective of this analysis was to update the endemicity of schistosomiasis at community level for better targeting mass treatment with PZQ in Senegal. Methods: Demographic and epidemiological data from 1610 community health areas were analyzed using the schistosomiasis community data analysis tool of Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases which developed by World Health Organization/Africa Office (WHO/AFRO). The tool uses a WHO/AFRO decision tree for areas without epidemiological data to determine whether mass treatment should be continued at community level. Descriptive analysis was performed. Results: Overall, the endemicity of 1610 community health areas were updated based on the data from the district endemicity (33.5%) and the form of Join request for selected PC medicine (40.5%). Up to 282 (17.5%) and 398 (24.7%) of community health areas were classified as moderate and high endemicity. 41.1% of communities were non endemic. High endemicity was more important in Tambacounda, Saint Louis, Matam, Louga and Kedougou. A change in endemicity category was observed when data was disagregted from district level to community level. Implementation units classified non endemic were more important at community level (n = 666) compared to district level (n = 324). Among 540 areas previously classified high endemic at district level, 392 (72.6%) remained high prevalence category, while 92 (17.0%) became moderate, 43 (8.0%) low and 13 (2.4%) non-endemics at community level. Number of implementation units requiring PC was more important at district level (1286) compared to community level (944). Number of school aged children requiring treatment was also more important at district level compared to community level. Conclusions: The analysis to disaggregate data from district level to community level using the WHO/AFRO schistosomiasis sub-district data optimization tool provide an update of schistosomiasis endemicity at community level. This study has allowed to better target schistosomiasis interventions, optimize use of available PZQ and exposed data gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The overlap in the epidemiology of malaria and helminths has been identified as a potential area to exploit for the development of an integrated control strategy that may help to achieve elimination of malaria and helminths. A randomized, controlled, observer-blind trial was conducted to assess the feasibility and safety of combining mass drug administration (MDA) for schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminths (STH) with seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) among children living in Senegal. Methods: Female and male children aged 1–14 years were randomized 1:1:1, to receive Vitamin A and Zinc on Day 0, followed by SMC drugs (sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and amodiaquine) on Days 1–3 (control group); or praziquantel and Vitamin A on Day 0, followed by SMC drugs on Days 1–3 (treatment group 1); or albendazole and praziquantel on Day 0, followed by SMC drugs on Days 1–3 (treatment group 2). Safety assessment was performed by collecting adverse events from all children for six subsequent days following administration of the study drugs. Pre- and post-intervention, blood samples were collected for determination of haemoglobin concentration, malaria microscopy, and PCR assays. Stool samples were analyzed using Kato-Katz, Merthiolate-iodine-formalin and PCR methods. Urine filtration, PCR and circulating cathodic antigen tests were also performed. Results: From 9 to 22 June 2022, 627 children aged 1–14 years were randomized into the three groups described above. Mild, transient vomiting was observed in 12.6% (26/206) of children in treatment group 2, in 10.6% (22/207) in group 1, and in 4.2% (9/214) in the control group (p = 0.005). Pre-intervention, the geometric mean value of Plasmodium falciparum parasite density was highest among children who received albendazole, praziquantel with SMC drugs. Post-intervention, the parasite density was highest among children who received SMC drugs only. Children who received praziquantel and SMC drugs had a lower risk of developing severe anaemia than their counterparts who received SMC drugs alone (OR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.13–5.00, p = 0.63). Conclusions: Integration of MDA for helminths with SMC drugs was safe and feasible among Senegalese children. These findings support further evaluation of the integrated control model. Trial registration: The study is registered at Clinical Trial.gov NCT05354258. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study presented in this article focuses on the temporal dynamics of wind energy production at the Taïba Ndiaye wind farm in Senegal, with a capacity of 158.7 MW. The monthly and seasonal distribution of production shows a strong trend, with maximums recorded between December and May (winter and spring) at around 1800 MWh, and minimums between July and November (summer and autumn) with production below 500 MWh. The diurnal cycle representation exhibits variation with a marked cycle, particularly between November and April. Night-time production is higher than daytime production by more than 43%. The effects of 100-m wind on the farm production are also analysed and show a positive correlation between wind speed and production throughout the year. Production peaks observed in winter and spring are caused by strong winds (approximately 8.5 m/s), while the lowest levels recorded during the summer season are due to weather conditions characterized by weak winds (less than 4 m/s). Similarly, optimal wind directions are observed in winter and spring, periods of maximum production, when the winds blow between the northwest and northeast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tamarindus indica is a priority local forest food tree in the Sahel. It is an important source of income for many rural families. It is still in the wild, apart from a few specimens of the accessions recently introduced into the landscape of Sahelian villages. The objective of the present study is to investigate the performance and efficiency of three accession grafts and the effect of grafting to shorten the juvenal growth and fruiting periods for improving woody species diversity in agroforestry parklands and diversifying the sources of income of small producers. The design was a randomized complete block with 5 replications. Each block was composed of 5 grafts of three accessions (Niger 309, TB3, Sweet Thailand) and 5 seedlings propagated from wild tree seeds. Growth parameters (height, collar diameter, canopy width and primary branch number) were measured on all plants. The evaluation of fruiting potential was made on 5 plants of each accession in the first year and 10 plants in the second year. Cost–benefit analysis were carried out to assess the financial viability and economic profitability of planting these accessions of T. indica. The results show that Sweet Thailand accession had the best growth performance compared to Niger 309 and TB3. Fruiting of the three accession grafts started in the second year after planting, in contrast to seedlings which started to bear fruit from the fourth year. TB3 grafts had higher average fruit production in 2017 and 2018 (120 and 640 kg ha−1, respectively). The cost–benefit analysis shows that planting of the three accession grafts is financially viable and economically profitable. The results of the present study indicated that planting these three accessions might play an important role in food security, the resilience of small-scale farmers and the improvement of biodiversity in the landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) is a simple and inexpensive practice for restoring vegetation cover on degraded land, unlike reforestation. Current knowledge on the socioeconomic factors that may influence its adoption is limited. The objective of this study is to analyze the socioeconomic determinants of FMNR adoption by communities. 197 households were surveyed. The probit model was used to identify the socioeconomic determinants of adoption. The results show that ethnicity, access to external support, receptivity to technological innovations, mode of land acquisition and the importance of production are determining factors in the adoption of FMNR. According to farmers, FMNR contributes to improving soil fertility and soil moisture conservation (21% and 17% of farmers, respectively). According to them, the FMNR improves the supply of wood (18 %) and non-timber forest products (13 %). The main constraints to the scaling up of this practice are, respectively, illegal logging (42%), animal roaming (29%), and the difficulties of using animal traction in a farm having many trees/shrubs (12 %). These results provide an overview of the considerations to be integrated for the success of FMNR as a strategy to strengthen the resilience of communities and ecosystems to climate disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The impact of COVID-19 sanitary measures on the time trends in infectious and chronic disease consultations in Sub-Saharan Africa remains unknown. Methods We conducted a cohort study on all emergency medical consultations from January 2016 to July 2020, from SOS Medecins in Dakar, Senegal. The consultation records provided basic demographic information such as age, ethnicity (Senegalese or Caucasian), and sex as well as the principal diagnosis using an ICD-10 classification ("infectious", "chronic", and "other"). We first investigated how the pattern in emergency consultation differed from March to July 2020 compared to previous years. Then, we examined any potential racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19 consultation. Results We obtained data on emergency medical consultations from 53 583 patients of all ethnic origins. The mean age of patients was 37.0 (standard deviation (SD) = 25.2) and 30.3 (SD = 21.7) in 2016-2019 and 45.5 (SD = 24.7) and 39.5 (SD = 23.3) in 2020 for Senegalese and Caucasian patients, respectively. The type of consultations between January and July were similar from 2016 to 2019; however, in 2020, there was a drop in the number of infectious disease consultations, particularly from April to May 2020, when sanitary measures for COVID-19 were applied (average of 366.5 and 358.2 in 2016-1019 and 133.0 and 125.0 in 2020). The prevalence of chronic conditions remained steady during the same period (average of 381.0 and 394.7 in 2016-2019 and 373.0 and 367.0 in 2020). In a multivariate analysis adjusted for age and sex, infectious disease consultations were significantly more likely to occur in 2016-2019 compared to 2020 (2016 odds ratio (OR) = 2.39, 2017 OR = 2.74, 2018 OR = 2.39, 2019 OR = 2.01). Furthermore, the trend in the number of infectious and chronic consultations was similar among Senegalese and Caucasian groups, indicating no disparities among those seeking treatment. Conclusions During the implementation of COVID-19 sanitary measures, infectious disease rates dropped as chronic disease rates remained stagnant in Dakar. We observed no racial/ethnic disparities among the infectious and chronic consultations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is caused by a single point variation in the β-globin gene (HBB): c.20A> T (p.Glu7Val), in homozygous state. SCA is characterized by sickling of red blood cells in small blood vessels which leads to a range of multiorgan complications, including kidney dysfunction. This case-control study aims at identifying sickle cell nephropathy biomarkers in a group of patients living with SCA from Senegal. A total of 163 patients living with SCA and 177 ethnic matched controls were investigated. Biological phenotyping included evaluation of glycemia, glucosuria, albuminuria, proteinuria, tubular proteinuria, serum creatinine, urine creatinine, urine specific gravity and glomerular filtration rate. Descriptive statistics of biomarkers were performed using the χ2 –test, with the significance level set at p<0.05. Patients living with SCA had a median age of 20 years (range 4 to 57) with a female sex frequency of 53.21%. The median age of the control participants was 29 years (range: 4–77) with a female sex frequency of 66.09%. The following proportions of abnormal biological indices were observed in SCA patients versus (vs.) controls, as follows: hyposthenuria: 35.3%vs.5.2% (p<0.001); glomerular hyperfiltration: 47.66%vs.19.75% (p<0.001), renal insufficiency: 5.47%vs.3.82% (p = 0.182); microalbuminuria: 42.38%vs.5.78% (p<0.001); proteinuria: 39.33%vs.4.62% (p<0.001); tubular proteinuria: 40.97%vs.4.73% (p<0.001) and microglucosuria: 22.5%vs.5.1% (p<0.001). This study shows a relatively high proportion of SCA nephropathy among patients living with SCA in Senegal. Microglucosuria, proteinuria, tubular proteinuria, microalbuminuria, hyposthenuria and glomerular hyperfiltration are the most prevalent biomarkers of nephropathy in this group of Senegalese patients with SCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diarrheal diseases are the second leading cause of child mortality worldwide, occurring in about one in every nine child deaths, and were associated with water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) access. In this study, we provided an overview of WASH indicators' evolution from 2000 to 2017 and their impact on the occurrence of diarrhea in children under 5 years old in Senegal. It was a retrospective cross-sectional study, in which we did a secondary analysis of data from the Joint Monitoring Program (JMP) for water supply and sanitation and from the Senegal Demographic and Health Survey 2018. Our results showed that access to safely managed services increased by 18.1 and 19.1%, respectively, for water and sanitation. The prevalence of diarrhea estimated at 18.16% was associated with straining water through a cloth (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 1.21 [1.00-1.45]) and getting water supplies from a source not located in a dwelling (AOR [95% CI]: 1.59 [1.21-2.09]). The prevalence of diarrhea among children under 5 years old was still relatively high in Senegal and was significantly associated with a lack of WASH access. Although the latter continues to increase, additional efforts to make water safer to drink will significantly reduce the occurrence of diarrheal diseases among children under 5 years old in Senegal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Our Dermatology Online / Nasza Dermatologia Online is the property of Our Dermatology Online and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The COVID-19 pandemic required massive testing of potential patients in resource-constrained areas in Senegal. The first case of COVID-19 was reported on 2 March 2020 in Dakar city and on 10 March, the first cases were reported in Touba city, the second most populous city in Senegal. Following the scale of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Touba city, the Institut Pasteur de Dakar mobile laboratory truck (MLT) was deployed on March 13 to bring diagnostics to the point of need for better management of patient and outbreak control. The MLT deployed is a 6 × 6 truck equipped with an isolator for sample inactivation, a generator and batteries to ensure energy autonomy, and a molecular platform for pathogens detection. Nasal and oropharyngeal swabs were collected from suspected COVID-19 cases and sent to the MLT located at the Touba primary healthcare center. Samples were extracted and RNA amplified by real time qRT-PCR. A total of 11,693 samples were collected from 14 regions of Senegal and tested between March to August 2021. Within the samples tested, 10.6% (1240/1693) were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, the MLT allowed the confirmation of the first cases of COVID-19 in 25 out of 79 health districts of Senegal. Thereby, the MLT deployment during the first 6 months of COVID-19 in Senegal allowed rapid processing of suspected case samples collected in Touba and other surrounding areas and, thus, significantly contributed to the outbreak response and early case management in Senegal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Senegal, the onion is one of the most consumed vegetables because it is used in all salty culinary preparations. The objective of the study was to assess the contribution of imported onions to exposure to pesticide residues and metallic trace elements. Composite samples of onions were taken in the seven largest markets of Dakar: Thiaroye, Keur Massar, Castors, Cambérene, Rufisque, Tilène and Dalifort. The metallic trace elements were determined by the ICP-AES, type Agilent Technology serial number AU 14110053 of 2014, while pesticide residues were detected and quantified by gas chromatograph, type Agilent Technology 6890A serial CN10721019, equipped with an Electron Capture micro-Detector with serial number 022423. The average content of the composite samples in lead (Pb) (778.22 µg/kg) was 7 to 8 times higher, in cadmium (Cd) (12.43 µg/kg) 5 times lower than the maximum residue limits determined by the European Union and the Codex Alimentarius, while the average concentration of aluminum (Al) was 13570 µg/kg. Twenty four (24) pesticide residues were tested. The average concentrations of some pesticides banned in European Union (EU) exceeded the maximum limits set by them. In fact, they are more than hundred (100) times higher for Prophenophos (2088.16 µg/kg), 25 times for Fenthion (508.01 ppb), 7 times for Tetramethrin (72.56 µg/kg), 2.5 times for Parathion methyl (50.16 ppb), 2 times for Dichlorvos (19.12 µg/kg), and 1.4 times for Endrin (14.26 µg/kg). The Dimetoate and the Malathion, although 21224 authorized, were found in onions at concentrations 25 times (250.8 µg/kg) and 2 times (40.71 µg/kg), respectively higher than the maximum limits set by the EU. Only the average content of Chlorpyrophos (4.13 µg/kg), Bifenthrin (2.99 µg/kg), Lambda Cyhalothrin (7.30 µg/kg) and Cypermethrin (8.095 ppb) were in accordance with the EU regulations. The results of the exposure assessment reveals that the calculated daily consumption of 0.158 kg of these onion samples by a 60 kg average body weight Senegalese adult would provide 56% of the Toxicological Reference Value for lead, 25% for aluminum, 66% for Dimetoate, 63% for Dichlorvos, 28% for Dieldrin, 19% for Fenthion, 18% for Endrin and Prophenophos and 13% for Parathionmethyl. This study reveals that the imported onion contributes to the exposure of the Senegalese adult to eight (8) phytosanitary active substances and three (3) metallic trace elements. Thus, the health risk cannot be ruled out and it is important to set up a monitoring plan for the imported onion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malaria is endemic in Senegal, with seasonal transmission, and the entire population is at risk. In recent years, high malaria incidence has been reported in urban and peri-urban areas of Senegal. An urban landscape analysis was conducted in three cities to identify the malaria transmission indicators and human behavior that may be driving the increasing malaria incidence occurring in urban environments. Specifically, mosquito vector bionomics and human sleeping behaviors including outdoor sleeping habits were assessed to guide the optimal deployment of targeted vector control interventions. Methods: Longitudinal entomological monitoring using human landing catches and pyrethrum spray catches was conducted from May to December 2019 in Diourbel, Kaolack, and Touba, the most populous cities in Senegal after the capital Dakar. Additionally, a household survey was conducted in randomly selected houses and residential Koranic schools in the same cities to assess house structures, sleeping spaces, sleeping behavior, and population knowledge about malaria and vector control measures. Results: Of the 8240 Anopheles mosquitoes collected from all the surveyed sites, 99.4% (8,191) were An. gambiae s.l., and predominantly An. arabiensis (99%). A higher number of An. gambiae s.l. were collected in Kaolack (77.7%, n = 6496) than in Diourbel and Touba. The overall mean human biting rate was 14.2 bites per person per night (b/p/n) and was higher outdoors (15.9 b/p/n) than indoors (12.5 b/p/n). The overall mean entomological inoculation rates ranged from 3.7 infectious bites per person per year (ib/p/y) in Diourbel to 40.2 ib/p/y in Kaolack. Low anthropophilic rates were recorded at all sites (average 35.7%). Of the 1202 households surveyed, about 24.3% of household members slept outdoors, except during the short rainy season between July and October, despite understanding how malaria is transmitted and the vector control measures used to prevent it. Conclusion: Anopheles arabiensis was the primary malaria vector in the three surveyed cities. The species showed an outdoor biting tendency, which represents a risk for the large proportion of the population sleeping outdoors. As all current vector control measures implemented in the country target endophilic vectors, these data highlight potential gaps in population protection and call for complementary tools and approaches targeting outdoor biting malaria vectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically low levels of seasonal influenza circulation were reported during the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic and were mainly attributed to implementation of nonpharmaceutical interventions. In tropical regions, influenza’s seasonality differs largely, and data on this topic are scarce. We analyzed data from Senegal’s sentinel syndromic surveillance network before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to assess changes in influenza circulation. We found that influenza shows yearround circulation in Senegal and has 2 distinct epidemic peaks: during January–March and during the rainy season in August–October. During 2021–2022, the expected January–March influenza peak completely disappeared, corresponding to periods of active SARS-CoV-2 circulation. We noted an unexpected influenza epidemic peak during May–July 2022. The observed reciprocal circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza suggests that factors such as viral interference might be at play and should be further investigated in tropical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic resistance is a public health problem. The emergence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) infections is a concern, particularly in Senegal. (1) Methods: Between January 2019 and July 2022, 240 isolates of enterobacteria resistant to third-generation cephalosporins and imipenem from biological samples from Fann Hospital (Dakar) and Hôpital Paix (Ziguinchor) were selected. The isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and susceptibility tests were performed by the disk diffusion method. Antibiotic-resistance genes for class A beta-lactamases, carbapenemases, and plasmid resistance to colistin resistance (mcr-1–8) were screened by RT-PCR. (2) Results: The 240 enterobacteria were composed of: Escherichia coli (60.83%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (21.67%), Enterobacter cloacae (13.75%), Citrobacter freundii (2.08%), Serratia marcescens (0.83%), Klebsiella aerogenes (0.42%), and Proteus mirabilis (0.42%). Class A beta-lactamase genes were found in 229 isolates (70.41% blaTEM, 37.5% blaSHV, 83.75% blaCTX-A, and 0.42% blaCTX-B). The carbapenemase genes blaOXA-48 and blaNDM were found in 25 isolates, including 14 isolates with blaOXA-48, 13 isolates with blaNDM, and 2 isolates with both genes simultaneously. The mcr-8 gene was found in one isolate of E. cloacae. (3) Conclusions: The epidemiology of antibiotic-resistance genes in enterobacteria in Senegal shows the emergence of CPEs. This phenomenon is worrying, and rigorous surveillance is necessary to avoid further spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Length-weight and length-length relationships were calculated for 48 species of freshwater fishes occurring in Senegal, based on 3352 collection specimens. The values of parameter b of the length-weight regression equations were high, with several species exceeding the threshold value of 3.4, pointing to positive allometry. However, size-dependent preservation effects may be the cause of these high values of parameter b, and only one or a few cases represent true allometry. Differences in parameter b between length-weight estimates based on standard length and total length were related to caudal fin allometry. Form factor calculations for the species studied largely coincided with expected and observed overall body form, except for one species. The results suggest that collection specimens can be used to generate length-weight relationships for species that are otherwise difficult to access, or as a preliminary estimate of length-weight relationships. However, these lengthweight relationships should be used with caution due to various and variable effects of preservation, and may not be readily comparable to results based on fresh specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Gaps in the disease knowledge of People with Haemophilia (PWH) in Senegal are important barriers to the effective management of haemophilia. Digital health systems for chronic diseases in low‐ and middle‐income countries are suggested to improve education and self‐management. Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots could improve knowledge and support symptom monitoring. Aim: Development process and usability testing of an AI chatbot to assess its future adoption in Senegal. Methods: An AI chatbot prototype was designed based on a multilingual conversational engine using Natural Language Processing. A sequential mixed method was used including a co‐creative design process with a task force made up of PWH and medical doctors. Usability was assessed through the System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire. Results: An AI chatbot in French and Wolof, named Saytù Hemophilie, was developed for Android and Apple iOS devices. It was assessed as a very usable system with a SUS score of 81.7, above average. 42% would prefer to use the Wolof version even if they were very satisfied with the French version. The level of Wolof in the app did not always correspond to users' levels. Participants praised its accessibility and reliability, and its ability to enhance self‐learning. Conclusions: Findings suggest that a culturally adapted digital conversational agent is likely to be used by PWH in Senegal and their families to improve education and self‐management of haemophilia. Relevance and impact are foreseen for other communities in Africa and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac rhythm disorder. Its prevalence is underestimated in Africa, hence the initiation of the Atrial Fibrillation Registry In Countries of Africa (AFRICA). The aim of our study was to describe, within the framework of the AFRICA registry, the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of atrial fibrillation (AF) in Africa, particularly in Senegal. Methods: we performed a cross-sectional, retrospective, multicentric study conducted from January 1st to December 31st 2017, in three referral cardiology wards in Senegal. Results: one hundred and sixtyeight patients, with a mean age of 63 years, were selected, representing a hospital prevalence of 5.99%. There was a predominance of women with sex-ratio of 0.69. High blood pressure was the most frequent risk factor (24.4%). Heart failure was the most frequent circumstance of discovery (59.52%). AF was persistent in 52.24% and valvular AF accounted for 31% and was more frequent in young people (p= 0.005). Left ventricular systolic function was impaired in 55.7%, the left atrium was dilated in 70.83%. The strategy to reduce heart rate was the most used. Patients with CHA2DS2VASC ≥ 2 received anticoagulation with LMWH and oral relay maid mostly of VKA. The complications were dominated by heart failure (66.6%) and ischemic stroke cerebral (28%). Conclusion: atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent cardiac rhythm disorder. It is a major public health concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: early infant diagnosis (EID) is crucial in the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and is an essential component for the elimination of HIV. EID can be strengthened in resource-limited countries by the introduction and the roll out of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technologies via point-of-care (POC) devices which improves treatment in remote areas and reduces turnaround time for clinicians and patients to receive results and linkage to care. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of Xpert® HIV-1 Qual Assay (Cepheid) and m-PIMA™ HIV 1/2 Detect (ABBOTT) for EID of HIV-1 and HIV-2. Methods: the performance of the Xpert® HIV-1 qual device was evaluated with 192 samples including 100 dried blood spot (DBS) samples from the National Reference Laboratory biobank (71 negative and 29 positive samples) and an additional 92 whole blood samples collected from infants from neonatal departments. These infants from seven treatment centers in the Dakar region were born to mothers infected with HIV-1 (n=91), HIV-2 (n= 8) or HIV-1/2 (n=1). The m-PIMA™ HIV 1/2 detect assay was evaluated on whole blood samples (n=100) with 92 HIV-1 samples and 8 HIV-2 samples from children born to HIV-infected mothers. The Cobas AmpliPreP/Cobas TaqMan (CAP/CTM) platform from Roche Diagnostic Laboratories was used as a reference for HIV-1 diagnosis and the Generic HIV-2 Viral Load Assay (Biocentric) was used as a reference for HIV-2 diagnosis. Performance was evaluated by calculating sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and Cohen's kappa coefficient. Results: for HIV-1 detection on GeneXpert and m-PIMA, no discordance was found on the samples tested, i.e. a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI: 93.9-100%), a specificity of 100% (95% CI: 97.5-100%), a positive predictive value (PPV) of 100% (95% CI: 93.9-100%) and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 100% (95% CI: 97.5-100%). Agreement with Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan (CAP/CTM) was 100% with a Kappa coefficient of 1 (p<0.001, 95% CI) for both techniques. Similarly, the comparison between m-PIMA and generic biocentric for the detection of HIV-2 on the 8 samples tested showed perfect agreement. Conclusion: these results confirm the excellent performance of the Xpert® HIV-1 qual and m-PIMA™ HIV1/2 detect tests for the detection of HIV-1 and HIV-2 and encourage the extension of POC tests to improve access to EID in Senegal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In West Africa, research on the hepatitis E virus (HEV) is barely covered, despite the recorded outbreaks. The low level of access to safe water and adequate sanitation is still one of the main factors of HEV spread in developing countries. HEV infection induces acute or sub-clinical liver diseases with a mortality rate ranging from 0.5 to 4%. The mortality rate is more alarming (15 to 25%) among pregnant women, especially in the last trimester of pregnancy. Herein, we conducted a multicentric socio-demographic and seroepidemiological survey of HEV in Senegal among pregnant women. A consecutive and non-redundant recruitment of participants was carried out over the period of 5 months, from March to July 2021. A total of 1227 consenting participants attending antenatal clinics responded to a standard questionnaire. Plasma samples were collected and tested for anti-HEV IgM and IgG by using the WANTAI HEV-IgM and IgG ELISA assay. The overall HEV seroprevalence was 7.8% (n = 96), with 0.5% (n = 6) and 7.4% (n = 91) for HEV IgM and HEV IgG, respectively. One of the participant samples was IgM/IgG-positive, while four were declared indeterminate to anti-HEV IgM as per the manufacturer's instructions. From one locality to another, the seroprevalence of HEV antibodies varied from 0 to 1% for HEV IgM and from 1.5 to 10.5% for HEV IgG. The data also showed that seroprevalence varied significantly by marital status (p < 0.0001), by the regularity of income (p = 0.0043), and by access to sanitation services (p = 0.0006). These data could serve as a basis to setup national prevention strategies focused on socio-cultural, environmental, and behavioral aspects for a better management of HEV infection in Senegal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used whole genome sequencing to identify and analyze mutations in SARS-CoV-2 in urban settings during the deadliest wave of the COVID-19 epidemic—from March to April 2021—in Senegal. Nasopharyngeal samples testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 were sequenced on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 sequencing system using the COVIDSeq protocol. A total of 291 genotypable consensus genome sequences were obtained. Phylogenetic analyses grouped the genomes into 16 distinct PANGOLIN lineages. The major lineage was B.1.1.420, despite circulation of the Alpha variant of concern (VOC). A total of 1125 different SNPs, identified relative to the Wuhan reference genome, were detected. These included 13 SNPs in non-coding regions. An average density of 37.2 SNPs per 1000 nucleotides was found, with the highest density occurring in ORF10. This analysis allowed, for the first time, the detection of a Senegalese SARS-CoV-2 strain belonging to the P.1.14 (GR/20J, Gamma V3) sublineage of the Brazilian P.1 lineage (or Gamma VOC). Overall, our results highlight substantial SARS-CoV-2 diversification in Senegal during the study period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]