The Plasma Proteome of Children Recovering From Severe Malarial Anaemia

The majority of malaria-associated deaths occur in children less than 5 years of age and severe malaria accounts for up to 90% of such deaths. We are interested in dissecting why some children develop either one of the severe malarial syndromes or the uncomplicated Malaria (UM). We studied a total of 1,622 plasma and 519 DNA samples from our pediatric Nigerian cohort. By monitoring and comparing the differences in the plasma proteome in the UM group to each of the severe syndromes at both onset and through convalescence we found that congenitally low plasma Haptoglobin (Hp), low/stable plasma level of sCD163, sub-optimal plasma Hemopexin (HPx) level and low plasma clusterin (CLU) levels could be put forward as predictors of acute/insidious onset of severe malarial anaemia (SMA) and Cerebral Malaria (CM). We show that low plasma CLU is a very specific marker of CM at acute onset and propose a mechanism through which high CLU levels can protect from CM. We also propose that circulatory HPx level is useful as both diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of severe malaria as its level varies among the severe malaria forms at acute onset and also increases sensitively with response to treatment in all the malaria groups. We show that Hp phenotypes could be linked to the pathological differences that underlie the acute onset of UM, severe malaria and disease progression among subjects: Hp phenotypes seem to modulate response to malarial infection and might be responsible for contradictory reports on the pathophysiology of severe malaria. We also show for the first time that Hp gene sequence variants/deletions at sites in both the distal and proximal upstream region are significantly associated with protection from and susceptibility to malaria, whether or not they are associated with plasma Hp levels

Analysis of a mathematical model of the population dynamics of drug addiction among youths

Drug addiction amongst youths has been identified as one of the global menace that has affected negatively the development and productivity of young people which has come to stay from time pass to the present day and has resulted to various behavioural disorder such as criminality, psychiatric issues and death. In this paper, a 5 sub-class model is formulated to analyze the population dynamics of drug addiction among youths and the effect of addiction on their development and productivity towards contributing their quota to the human population. The model was developed using ordinary differential equations approach. It was determined that the basic reproduction number which is a vital tool for measuring the impact of drug addiction in human was obtained using the next generation operator method. Stability analysis was carried out and it was discovered that drug-free equilibrium exists and it was shown to be locally and globally asymptotically stable whenever effective basic reproduction number is less than one; and unstable whenever effective basic reproduction number is greater than one. It was discovered that drug abuse persisted among youths and are both locally and globally asymptotically stable whenever effective basic reproduction number is greater than one and unstable whenever effective basic reproduction number is less than one

Pattern of venous thromboembolic diseases in a resources-limited setting in Cameroon

Introduction: Admission for a medical illness is associated with an increased risk of venous thrombo-embolism; however reports addressing at this issue are rare in Cameroon. We sought to assess the pattern of thrombo-embolism among in-medical patients of a semi-urban hospital. Methods: We prospectively included 79 hospitalized medical patients of the Military Hospital of Bamenda (north-west region-Cameroon). From July 2010 and December 2013, we collected baseline demographic data, risk factors of venous thromboembolism, clinical presentation, diagnostic process and treatment. Results: In the 1445 patients admitted for medical illnesses, a total of 79 venous thrombo-embolic diseases were detected (55 deep vein thrombosis, 14 pulmonary embolism, 9 post-phlebitic syndrome and 1 cerulae alba dolens). The leading risk factors were prolonged immobilization (100%), age > 40 years (78.9%), obesity (43%), long distance travel (30.4%) and HIV-AIDS (21.5%). Thirty one (40.5%) had ≤ 2 cumulative risk factors, and 8 (10.1%) more than 4. All the patients in the group had a significant risk of deep vein thrombosis: 5 (6.3%), 34 (43%) and 40 (50.6%) with moderate, high and very high risk respectively. Increasing number of deep vein thrombosis was associated with increasing level of the risk and the clinical probability scores. Lower limb location of deep vein thrombosis was the most frequent with 75 (94.9%) cases. Almost all the patients received appropriate therapy with heparin and oral anticoagulant during their hospital stay. The mean length of hospital stay was 17.5 +/-15 (range 4- 62) days; disability and death occurred in 15 (19%) and 17 (21.5%) respectively. Conclusion: Venous thromboembolism is also a common concern in a semi-urban practice of our country. Long distance travel, one of the leading risk factors merits to be more specifically studied.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

“Silent” circulation of Trypanosoma spp. in Tabanids (Diptera: Tabanidae) and Cattle in a Tsetse free Range land of Ngaoundere (Adamawa-Cameroon)

The Adamawa region falls within the tsetse belt of Cameroon but harbours isolated pockets of tsetse free range lands like Ngaoundere. There is no report on the occurrence of tsetse and bovine trypanosomosis in Ngaoundere. To provide information on this subject, two Vavoua traps were used to trap vectors of bovine trypanosomiasis and at the same time, blood was collected from cattle. Genomic DNA was extracted from buffy coat of cattle blood (n=42) and biting flies (n=53). The nested PCR was used to screen the samples for Trypanosoma spp. During the 14 days of trapping in November and December 2017 in Ngaoundere, 127 flies were documented and classified under two taxa: Tabanidae and Stomoxyini. Three Trypanosoma spp. DNA was isolated from tabanid (18.9%) samples and identified as T. theileri, T. vivax and T. evansi and two of them that is T. theileri (4%) and T. vivax (3%) were also detected in cattle (7%). There was no case of trypanosome DNA isolated from all the screened Stomoxyini. This result indicates the “silent” transmission of T. theileri and T. vivax by tabanids in the absence of glossines in Ngaoundere.Keywords: Trypanosomes, tabanids, stomoxyini, PCR, Ngaoundere, Adamawa-Cameroon

The COMBAT project : controlling and progressively minimizing the burden of vector-borne animal trypanosomosis in Africa

Vector-borne diseases affecting livestock have serious impacts in Africa. Trypanosomosis is caused by parasites transmitted by tsetse flies and other blood-sucking Diptera. The animal form of the disease is a scourge for African livestock keepers, is already present in Latin America and Asia, and has the potential to spread further. A human form of the disease also exists, known as human African trypanosomosis or sleeping sickness. Controlling and progressively minimizing the burden of animal trypanosomosis (COMBAT) is a four year research and innovation project funded by the European Commission, whose ultimate goal is to reduce the burden of animal trypanosomosis (AT) in Africa. The project builds on the progressive control pathway (PCP), a risk-based, step-wise approach to disease reduction or elimination. COMBAT will strengthen AT control and prevention by improving basic knowledge of AT, developing innovative control tools, reinforcing surveillance, rationalizing control strategies, building capacity, and raising awareness. Knowledge gaps on disease epidemiology, vector ecology and competence, and biological aspects of trypanotolerant livestock will be addressed. Environmentally friendly vector control technologies and more effective and adapted diagnostic tools will be developed. Surveillance will be enhanced by developing information systems, strengthening reporting, and mapping and modelling disease risk in Africa and beyond. The socio-economic burden of AT will be assessed at a range of geographical scales. Guidelines for the PCP and harmonized national control strategies and roadmaps will be developed. Gender equality and ethics will be pivotal in all project activities. The COMBAT project benefits from the expertise of African and European research institutions, national veterinary authorities, and international organizations. The project consortium comprises 21 participants, including a geographically balanced representation from 13 African countries, and it will engage a larger number of AT-affected countries through regional initiatives.The European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.https://open-research-europe.ec.europa.euam2023Veterinary Tropical Disease

Epidemiology, diagnostics and factors associated with mortality during a cholera epidemic in Nigeria, October 2020-October 2021: a retrospective analysis of national surveillance data.

OBJECTIVES: Nigeria reported an upsurge in cholera cases in October 2020, which then transitioned into a large, disseminated epidemic for most of 2021. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology, diagnostic performance of rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits and the factors associated with mortality during the epidemic. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of national surveillance data. SETTING: 33 of 37 states (including the Federal Capital Territory) in Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS: Persons who met cholera case definition (a person of any age with acute watery diarrhoea, with or without vomiting) between October 2020 and October 2021 within the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control surveillance data. OUTCOME MEASURES: Attack rate (AR; per 100 000 persons), case fatality rate (CFR; %) and accuracy of RDT performance compared with culture using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). Additionally, individual factors associated with cholera deaths and hospitalisation were presented as adjusted OR with 95% CIs. RESULTS: Overall, 93 598 cholera cases and 3298 deaths (CFR: 3.5%) were reported across 33 of 37 states in Nigeria within the study period. The proportions of cholera cases were higher in men aged 5-14 years and women aged 25-44 years. The overall AR was 46.5 per 100 000 persons. The North-West region recorded the highest AR with 102 per 100 000. Older age, male gender, residency in the North-Central region and severe dehydration significantly increased the odds of cholera deaths. The cholera RDT had excellent diagnostic accuracy (AUROC=0.91; 95% CI 0.87 to 0.96). CONCLUSIONS: Cholera remains a serious public health threat in Nigeria with a high mortality rate. Thus, we recommend making RDT kits more widely accessible for improved surveillance and prompt case management across the country

Assessment of Waste Management Practices among Residents of Benue South

This study aims to assess waste management practices among residents of Benue South employing a descriptive cross-sectional approach. This involves investigating the sources and types of waste generated, the disposal methods used, residents’ perceptions of current waste management practices, and the problems associated with these practices. Through a multi-stage sampling technique, a total of 440 residents were randomly selected and assessed using self and interviewer-administered questionnaires. The major types of household waste generated included food residues, agricultural waste, vegetables, ash, plastics, papers, and urine/excreta. Poor waste management practices were prevalent; 87% of residents engaging in open dumping and 88.6% resorting to burning. The primary challenges identified were lack of waste collection services, lack of funding, lack of environmental awareness, and ineffective enforcement of waste management regulations. The study revealed that the current waste management practices were not satisfactory, as majority of respondents reported encountering environmental problems, such as odors and leachate pollution. The study identified gender-specific differences in awareness, knowledge, and attitude towards waste management practices. Education, income, and age were found to significantly impact awareness, knowledge, and attitude in waste management. Based on the results of the study, it is recommended that the local government should provide more adequate waste collection services, create awareness campaigns to educate the public on the importance of proper waste management, and strengthen the enforcement of existing waste management regulations. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the waste management practices in Benue South