INVESTIGATION OF AN OUTBREAK OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISEASE IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE IN APRIL 2007

Background: This study aim was to investigate an outbreak of human cases of unexplained influenza-like illness and fatal acute respiratory infection (ARI), with simultaneous poultry illness and high mortality raising concerns of possible influenza A (H5N1), virus in Cote d’Ivoire in February and March 2007. Materials and Methods: To investigate the outbreak, we conducted active surveillance in the community and reviewed health registries. Persons meeting the case definition were asked to provide nasopharyngeal specimens. On the basis of clinical and epidemiological information, specimens were tested using conventional RT-PCR for the M gene of the influenza viruses and hemagglutinin H5 of avian influenza A (H5N1), virus; negative samples were tested for other respiratory viruses. Specimens from healthy animals were also collected. Results: Between October 2006, and February 2007, 104 suspected cases of Acute Respiratory Disease that included; 31 deaths recorded. We collected and tested 73 nasopharyngeal specimens; of which, 2, were positive for human Coronavirus OC43 and 1 for influenza C virus. No pathogens were identified in animal specimens. Conclusions: The investigation quickly ruled out influenza A (H5N1), virus as the cause and found laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza C virus and human Coronavirus OC 43 for the first time in both Côte d’Ivoire and in a Sub-Saharan African country. However we were not able to show that these viruses caused the outbreak. Monitoring of influenza viruses must be a priority but other respiratory viruses and non-viral causes may be of interest too

Beta-Lactamase-Producing Genes and Integrons in <em>Escherichia coli</em> from Diarrheal Children in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

This study aimed to determine the resistance of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) strains to β-lactams antibiotics and to perform the molecular characterization of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and integrons genes. It was carried out from August 2013 to October 2015 and involved 31 DEC strains isolated from diarrheal stools samples collected from children less than 5 years. The identification and characterization of DEC strains were done through the standard biochemical tests that were confirmed using API 20E and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The antibiogram was realized by the disk diffusion method, then an amplification of the β-lactamase resistance genes and integrons by PCR was done. Out of the 419 E. coli, 31 isolates (7.4%) harbored the DEC virulence genes. From these DEC, 21 (67.7%) were ESBL-producing E. coli. Susceptibility to ESBL-producing E. coli showed that the majority of isolates were highly resistant to amoxicillin (77.4%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (77.4%), and piperacillin (64.5%). The following antibiotic resistance genes and integron were identified: blaTEM (6.5%), blaSHV (19.4%), blaOXA (38.7%), blaCTX-M (9.7%), Int1 (58.1%), and Int3 (19.4%). No class 2 integron (Int2) was characterized. Because of the high prevalence of multidrug-resistant ESBL organisms found, there is a need of stringent pediatric infection control measures

Bacillus subtilis Strains Isolated from Cocoa Trees (Theobroma cacao L.) Rhizosphere for their use as Potential Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria in Côte d’Ivoire

International audiencePlant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are important for agriculture through their activity in stimulating and facilitating plant growth. The rhizobacteria were screened for molecular characterization and followed by their indole acetic acid (IAA) production, phosphate solubility, antibiosis activity. In this study, 162 soil samples were collected from the cocoa rhizosphere to isolate Bacillus subtilis strains using Mössel agar medium with an additional egg yolk and identified by sequencing the ytcP gene. The ability of each strain to form biofilms was obtained in a tube. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production was estimated in Yeast Peptone Dextrose (YPB) broth. Phosphates were solubilized by each strain on Pikovskaya agar medium. The detection of lipopeptide genes using the molecular method has established the possession of isolates by antimicrobial genes. Fifty (50) B. subtilis strains were isolated and identified using the ytcP gene. Ninety percent (90%) of the strains were able to form a biofilm. All isolates produced an IAA. Forty (40 (80%)) of B. subtilis were solubilized phosphate with phosphate solubilizing index (PSI) of 0 to 97.33 ± 0.70%. Of all B. subtilis strains, 45 (90%) have the srfAA gene, 19 (38%) have the fenD gene and 12 (24%) have the ituC gene. B. subtilis strains from cocoa rhizosphere would be beneficial for agricultural production by their PGPR activities

Towards a re-emergence of chloroquine sensitivity in Côte d’Ivoire?

Abstract Background Resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to anti-malarial drugs has hampered efforts to eradicate malaria. Recent reports of a decline in the prevalence of chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum in several countries, including Malawi and Zambia, is raising the hope of reintroducing chloroquine in the near future, ideally in combination with another anti-malarial drug for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. In Côte d’Ivoire, the decrease in the clinical efficacy of chloroquine, in addition to a high proportion of clinical isolates carrying the Thr-76 mutant allele of the pfcrt gene, had led to the discontinuation of the use of chloroquine in 2004. Previous studies have indicated the persistence of a high prevalence of the Thr-76 mutant allele despite the withdrawal of chloroquine as first-line anti-malarial drug. This present study is conducted to determine the prevalence of the Thr-76T mutant allele of the Pfcrt gene after a decade of the ban on the sale and use of chloroquine in Côte d’Ivoire. Results Analysis of the 64 sequences from all three study sites indicated a prevalence of 15% (10/64) of the Thr-76 mutant allele against 62% (40/64) of the Lys-76 wild-type allele. No mutation of the allele Thr-76 was observed at Anonkoua Kouté while this mutant allele was in 31% (5/16) and 25% (5/20) of isolate sequences from Port-Bouët and Ayamé respectively. Conclusion More than a decade after the discontinuation of the use of chloroquine in Côte d’Ivoire, the proportion of parasites sensitive to this anti-malarial seems to increase in Anonkoua-kouté, Port-bouët and Ayamé

First cases of Mycobacterium leprae (Hansen’s disease) detection in Côte d’Ivoire using molecular diagnosis (PCR)

International audienceBackgroundLeprosy is a skin disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It is the second mycobacterial disease after tuberculosis still presenting a public health problem in many countries today. With the advent of multidrug therapy in 1982, much progress has been made in the fight against this disease, which causes severe social consequences. Côte d’Ivoire, like many African countries, reached the elimination threshold of disease and MDT is available throughout the country. However, Côte d’Ivoire has not managed to break the chain of transmission of M. leprae. Thus, in the country where leprosy is endemic, the number of Grade II disabilities observed remains significant.Methods and resultsThe diagnosis of infection is often made by default, based only on clinical and microscopic evidence; we are committed to implementing PCR, a previously unavailable diagnostic tool, to help confirm suspected leprosy cases. Samples consisting of nasal mucus and slits skin smears were collected from 39 suspect cases for confirmation by PCR. DNA was extracted and amplified, targeting M. leprae repeated elements (RLEP). Results showed a PCR positivity rate of 38.5%. PCR products of the repetitive elements were sequenced and BLASTn analysis confirmed that the amplified products obtained were part of the M. leprae genome.PCR is now available for confirmation of leprosy cases in Côte d’Ivoire. This will help to reduce the consequences of leprosy and promote its elimination

Community-based geographical distribution of Mycobacterium ulcerans VNTR-genotypes from the environment and humans in the Nyong valley, Cameroon

Background: Genotyping is a powerful tool for investigating outbreaks of infectious diseases and it can provide useful information such as identifying the source and route of transmission, and circulating strains involved in the outbreak. Genotyping techniques based on variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) are instrumental in detecting heterogeneity in Mycobacterium ulcerans (MU) and also for discriminating MU from other mycobacteria species. Here, we describe and map the distribution of MU genotypes in Buruli ulcer (BU) endemic communities of the Nyong valley in Cameroon. We also tested the hypothesis of whether the suspected animal reservoirs of BU that share the human microhabitat are shedding contaminated fecal matters and saliva into their surrounding environments. Methods: Environmental samples from suspected MU-risk factors and lesion swabs from human patients were sampled in BU-endemic communities and tested for the presence of MU by qPCR targeting three independent sequences (IS 2404 , IS 2606 , KR-B). Positive samples to MU were further genotyped by VNTR with confirmation by sequencing of four loci (MIRU1, Locus 6, ST1, Locus 19). Results: MU was detected in environmental samples including water bodies (23%), biofilms (14%), detritus (10%), and in human patients (73%). MU genotypes D, W, and C were found both in environmental and human samples. The micro geo-distribution of MU genotypes from communities showed that genotype D is found both in environmental and human samples, while genotypes W and C are specific to environmental samples and human lesions, respectively. No obvious focal grouping of MU genotypes was observed at the community scale. An additional survey in the human microhabitat suggests that domestic and wild animals do not shed MU in their saliva and feces in sampled communities. Conclusions: VNTR typing uncovered different MU genotypes circulating in the endemic communities of the Akonolinga district. A MU environmental genotype was found in patients, yet the mechanism of contamination remains to be investigated; and recovering MU in culture from the environment remains key priority to enable a better understanding of the mode of transmission of BU. We also conclude that excretions from suspected animals are unlikely to be major sources of MU in the Nyong Valley in Cameroon.</p

BU-like infected lesions in roaming domesticated animals.

<p>The lesions are shown as captured before any treatment on infected animals. <b>A) MU infected lesion on the abdominal part of a 3 years old female goat</b>. This BU-like lesion (1.8 cm diameter) appears reddish with undermined borders, a well circumscribed ulceration and a necrotic base. <b>B) MU infected lesion on the nape area of the neck of a 20 months aged female dog</b>. The type 1 lesion (1.4 cm diameter) characteristic of BU appears reddish in the center and whitish at the borders. The borders of this well-circumscribed lesion remain undermined.</p

Location of the sampling sites in Western and Central Africa.

<p><b>A)</b> BU endemic locality of Sedje-Denou in Benin; <b>B)</b> BU endemic locality of Akonolinga in Cameroon.</p

Distribution of MU DNA targets in animal lesions according to animal species and BU locality in Benin.

<p>Distribution of MU DNA targets in animal lesions according to animal species and BU locality in Benin.</p

Phylogenetic reconstruction of animal and human MU isolates and comparison with reference MU strains using MIRU1 orthologs.

<p>The evolutionary history was inferred using the UPGMA method in MEGA 6. The optimal tree with the sum of branch length = 1.459786 in shown. Bootstrapping values (1000 replicates) are shown in percentage next to the branches. MIRU1 reference orthologs (white triangle) were retrieved from GenBank with accession numbers given in the tree. Sequences of animal (black circle) and human (white diamond) MU isolates are clustered at the top of the tree.</p