Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in domestic livestock of Kogo and Mbini foci (Equatorial Guinea).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infection in peri-domestic livestock from Kogo and Mbini foci (Equatorial Guinea) in order to investigate its possible implication in the sleeping sickness transmission cycle in these hypoendemic foci. METHODS: Samples from 698 domestic animals (goats, sheep and pigs) from trypanosomiasis-endemic localities of Kogo and Mbini foci were tested for animal trypanosomes and T. b. gambiense (group I) by species-specific polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Trypanosoma brucei s.l., the predominant trypanosome species, was detected in 182 (52.6%) samples from Mbini and in 127 (36.1%) samples from Kogo. T. b. gambiense was only identified in seven (2%) of the Mbini samples and one co-infection (with T. vivax) was observed. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of T. b. gambiense in peri-domestic livestock in Mbini and its absence in Kogo could explain the epidemiological differences between the two foci and could have significant implications for sleeping sickness control in Equatorial Guinea

Are allergic diseases and internalizing and externalizing behaviours in children related? A cross-sectional study

Introduction: The prevalence of allergies in children has grown in last few decades. Allergies are very often associated with physical, mental, and emotional problems that could be detected through child’s behaviour and feelings

Analysis of the urine microbiological results and its impact on the protocol of the prophylaxis of the urology department in our area

Objetivos: Analizar cuáles son los microorganismos más frecuentemente aislados en los urinocultivos realizados en nuestro centro hospitalario. Estudiar el antibiograma de dichos gérmenes para definir cuál es la mejor profilaxis preoperatoria en la cirugía urológica en nuestro medio. Material y métodos: Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo de todos los urinocultivos de pacientes adultos recogidos en el Servicio de Microbiología de nuestro hospital durante el año 2015. La identificación y estudio de sensibilidad de los microorganismos aislados se realizó mediante el sistema automático Vitek 2 (BioMèrieux), seleccionando los antibióticos en función del microorganismo aislado. Se estudió el antibiograma comparándolo con las sugerencias recogidas en la última actualización de las Guías Europeas de Urología sobre infecciones urológicas, que recomiendan ampliamente el empleo de fluorquinolonas, cotrimoxazol, aminopenicilinas/betalactamasas y cefalosporinas en la cirugía limpia-contaminada, la más frecuente en nuestra actividad quirúrgica. Resultados: Se estudió un total de 11.987 muestras de orina, de las cuales 3.457 (28%) fueron positivas en la detección de microorganismos. Los más frecuentes aislados fueron Escherichia coli (46%%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (14%) y Enterococcus faecalis (11%). En el análisis de los antibiogramas se detectaron resistencias superiores al 30% en E.coli frente a los antibióticos recomendados en las Guías de referencia. De igual forma, E. faecalis, otro de los uropatógenos más frecuentes es intrínsecamente resistente a cefalosporinas. Conclusión: El empleo de guías clínicas con grados de recomendación es de vital importancia en la patología infecciosa urológica, debiéndose adecuar al entorno microbiológico de cada área. En nuestro caso, inferimos que tanto el empleo de amoxicilina-clavulánico como fosfomicina se perfilan como la mejor opción para la profilaxis preoperatoria en pacientes de bajo riesgo así, como para el manejo empírico en casos de infección urinaria.Object: To analyze which are the more often microorganism isolated in the urine cultures in our hospital. To study the antibiogram to define which is the best preoperative prophylaxis in our urological surgeries. Material and methods: We retrospective reviewed consecutive urine culture samples assembled in adult patients in the Service of Microbiology in our hospital during 2015. The identification and study of sensibility of the isolated microorganisms was realized by means of the automatic system Vitek 2 (BioMèrieux), selecting the antibiotics according to the isolated microorganism. The antibiogram was studied comparing the suggestions gathered in the last update of the European Guides of Urología in urological infections, that recommend employment extensively: fluoroquinolones, cotrimoxazole, aminopenicillins / beta-lactamases and cephalosporins in the clean-contaminated, most frequent surgery in our daily surgical practice. Results: In total 11.987 urine samples were evaluated, 3.457 (28%) were positive. The most frequent micro-organisms isolated were Escherichia coli (46%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (14%) and Enterococcus faecalis (11%). In the antibiogram analysis resistances was detected up to 30% in E. coli, opposite to the antibiotics recommendations in the Guides of reference. Even, E. faecalis, another of the most frequent uropathogens is intrinsically resistant to cefalosporins. Conclusions: The use of clinical guides with grade of recommendation it is of vital importance in the urological infection pathology, and they should be adapted to the microbiological environment of each area. In our case, we infer that the use of Amoxicillin-clavulanic and Fosfomycin are outlined like the best option for preoperative prophylaxis in low risk patients and for empirical handling in cases of urine infection

Duffy Negative Antigen Is No Longer a Barrier to Plasmodium vivax – Molecular Evidences from the African West Coast (Angola and Equatorial Guinea)

Recent reports of Plasmodium vivax infections, the most widely distributed species of human malaria, show that this parasite is evolving and adapting, becoming not only more aggressive but also more frequent in countries where it was not present in the past, becoming, therefore, a major source of concern. Thus, it is extremely important to perform new studies of its distribution in West and Central Africa, where there are few reports of its presence, due to the high prevalence of Duffy-negative individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of P. vivax in Angola and in Equatorial Guinea, using blood samples and mosquitoes. The results showed that P. vivax seems to be able to invade erythrocytes using receptors other than Duffy, and this new capacity is not exclusive to one strain of P. vivax, since we have found samples infected with two different strains: VK247 and classic. Additionally we demonstrated that the parasite has a greater distribution than previously thought, calling for a reevaluation of its worldwide distribution

A microsporidian impairs Plasmodium falciparum transmission in Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes

A possible malaria control approach involves the dissemination in mosquitoes of inherited symbiotic microbes to block Plasmodium transmission. However, in the Anopheles gambiae complex, the primary African vectors of malaria, there are limited reports of inherited symbionts that impair transmission. We show that a vertically transmitted microsporidian symbiont (Microsporidia MB) in the An. gambiae complex can impair Plasmodium transmission. Microsporidia MB is present at moderate prevalence in geographically dispersed populations of An. arabiensis in Kenya, localized to the mosquito midgut and ovaries, and is not associated with significant reductions in adult host fecundity or survival. Field-collected Microsporidia MB infected An. arabiensis tested negative for P. falciparum gametocytes and, on experimental infection with P. falciparum, sporozoites aren’t detected in Microsporidia MB infected mosquitoes. As a microbe that impairs Plasmodium transmission that is non-virulent and vertically transmitted, Microsporidia MB could be investigated as a strategy to limit malaria transmission

Impact of three years of large scale Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) and Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) interventions on insecticide resistance in Anopheles gambiae s.l. in Benin

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In Benin, Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) and long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are the cornerstones of malaria prevention. In the context of high resistance of <it>Anopheles gambiae </it>to pyrethroids, The National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) has undertaken a full coverage of IRS in a no-flood zone in the Oueme region, coupled with the distribution of LLINs in a flood zone. We assessed the impact of this campaign on phenotypic resistance, <it>kdr </it>(knock-down resistance) and <it>ace-1^R</it>(insensitive acetylcholinesterase) mutations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Insecticides used for malaria vector control interventions were bendiocarb WP (0.4 g/m²) and deltamethrin (55 mg/m²), respectively for IRS and LLINs. Susceptibility status of <it>An. gambiae </it>was assessed using World Health Organization bioassay tests to DDT, permethrin, deltamethrin and bendiocarb in the Oueme region before intervention (2007) and after interventions in 2008 and 2010. <it>An. gambiae </it>specimens were screened for identification of species, molecular M and S forms and for the detection of the West African <it>kdr </it>(L1014F) as well as <it>ace-1^R</it>mutations using PCR techniques.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The univariate logistic regression performed showed that <it>kdr </it>frequency has increased significantly during the three years in the intervention area and in the control area. Several factors (LLINs, IRS, mosquito coils, aerosols, use of pesticides for crop protection) could explain the selection of individual resistant <it>An. gambiae</it>. The <it>Kdr </it>resistance gene could not be the only mechanism of resistance observed in the Oueme region. The high susceptibility to bendiocarb is in agreement with a previous study conducted in Benin. However, the occurrence of <it>ace-1^R</it>heterozygous individuals even on sites far from IRS areas, suggests other factors may contribute to the selection of resistance other than those exerted by the vector control program.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results of this study have confirmed that <it>An.gambiae </it>have maintained and developed the resistance to pyrethroids, but are still susceptible to bendiocarb. Our data clearly shows that selection of resistant individuals was caused by other insecticides than those used by the IRS and LLINs.</p

Integrating education for sustainable development into a higher education institution: beginning the journey

Much of the current literature on integrating sustainability into HEIs is focussed on why HEIs should embrace sustainable development (SD) and what is still missing or hindering work and the integration of efforts. There is much less exploration of how SD has been interpreted at the individual HEI level and action taken as a result. This case study reflects on important elements of the journey Nottingham Trent University (NTU) in the UK has taken to integrate sustainability, focussing on key decisions and activity in 2009/10. In highlighting this, the authors seek to empower those looking to support and/or lead the embedding of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), separately or as part of an integrated effort, in their own institution. Today in 2019, NTU is a global leader in integrating ESD as part of a wider SD agenda. The work which this paper presents, to understand and establish a baseline of key elements of NTU’s existing ESD activity and systems, was an important turning point. Activities undertaken to review and assess ‘where are we now?’, primarily through an institution-wide survey in 2009/10, led to important insights and supported dialogue, as well as the connection and underpinning of core administrative elements of the NTU SD framework and systems. Further recommendations are given in the final section of this paper on other drivers that can help to embed ESD within an HEI