EFFET DE L’ASSOCIATION DE DIFFÉRENTS CULTIVARS DE BANANIERS (MUSA SPP.) TOLÉRANTS SUR L’INCIDENCE DE LA CERCOSPORIOSE NOIRE CHEZ LE CULTIVAR SENSIBLE "ORISHELE" EN CÔTE D’IVOIRE

The cultivation of bananas in the classical systems by smallholders is seriously threatened by the Black Leaf Streak Disease (BLSD). The chemical and genetic fight methods against this disease showed some limitations and disadvantages. That suggests the possibility of the efficient use of susceptible banana in combination of tolerant hybrids as fight methods. This study is carried out to assess the performances of various prototypes or associations of banana on the control of BLSD. These protocols can reduce pest pressure in banana farm and increase the yield of the cultivar "Orishele" which is susceptible to BLSD. During eight months of vegetative growth, the varietal association prototypes of banana had shown variable effectiveness face the disease according to the pathological descriptors. "Orishele" cultivar in association plots showed high tolerance level against BLSD than those of non-association plots. In the prototype with a low density of the cultivar "Orishele", the severity indices of the disease were low. When "Orishele" was associated with the tolerant hybrid PITA 3 or the variety "Figue Sucrée", the severity indices were respectively 10.99 % and 11.07 %.When "Orishele" is on non-association plots the severity indices was high (33.47 %). Banana cultivation in combination of susceptible and tolerant varieties in almost equal proportions seems an ideal strategy to slow the spread of the fungus causing BLSD and provide better yield at harvest of susceptible cultivars to the BSD

Impact of routine vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae type b in The Gambia: 20 years after its introduction.

BACKGROUND: In 1997, The Gambia introduced three primary doses of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine without a booster in its infant immunisation programme along with establishment of a population-based surveillance on Hib meningitis in the West Coast Region (WCR). This surveillance was stopped in 2002 with reported elimination of Hib disease. This was re-established in 2008 but stopped again in 2010. We aimed to re-establish the surveillance in WCR and to continue surveillance in Basse Health and Demographic Surveillance System (BHDSS) in the east of the country to assess any shifts in the epidemiology of Hib disease in The Gambia. METHODS: In WCR, population-based surveillance for Hib meningitis was re-established in children aged under-10 years from 24 December 2014 to 31 March 2017, using conventional microbiology and Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). In BHDSS, population-based surveillance for Hib disease was conducted in children aged 2-59 months from 12 May 2008 to 31 December 2017 using conventional microbiology only. Hib carriage survey was carried out in pre-school and school children from July 2015 to November 2016. RESULTS: In WCR, five Hib meningitis cases were detected using conventional microbiology while another 14 were detected by RT-PCR. Of the 19 cases, two (11%) were too young to be protected by vaccination while seven (37%) were unvaccinated. Using conventional microbiology, the incidence of Hib meningitis per 100?000-child-year (CY) in children aged 1-59 months was 0.7 in 2015 (95% confidence interval (CI)?=?0.0-3.7) and 2.7 (95% CI?=?0.7-7.0) in 2016. In BHDSS, 25 Hib cases were reported. Nine (36%) were too young to be protected by vaccination and five (20%) were under-vaccinated for age. Disease incidence peaked in 2012-2013 at 15 per 100?000 CY and fell to 5-8 per 100?000 CY over the subsequent four years. The prevalence of Hib carriage was 0.12% in WCR and 0.38% in BHDSS. CONCLUSIONS: After 20 years of using three primary doses of Hib vaccine without a booster Hib transmission continues in The Gambia, albeit at low rates. Improved coverage and timeliness of vaccination are of high priority for Hib disease in settings like Gambia, and there are currently no clear indications of a need for a booster dose

Long-term cellular immunity of vaccines for Zaire Ebola Virus Diseases

Recent Ebola outbreaks underscore the importance of continuous prevention and disease control efforts. Authorized vaccines include Merck’s Ervebo (rVSV-ZEBOV) and Johnson & Johnson’s two-dose combination (Ad26.ZEBOV/MVA-BN-Filo). Here, in a five-year follow-up of the PREVAC randomized trial (NCT02876328), we report the results of the immunology ancillary study of the trial. The primary endpoint is to evaluate long-term memory T-cell responses induced by three vaccine regimens: Ad26–MVA, rVSV, and rVSV–booster. Polyfunctional EBOV-specific CD4+ T-cell responses increase after Ad26 priming and are further boosted by MVA, whereas minimal responses are observed in the rVSV groups, declining after one year. In-vitro expansion for eight days show sustained EBOV-specific T-cell responses for up to 60 months post-prime vaccination with both Ad26-MVA and rVSV, with no decline. Cytokine production analysis identify shared biomarkers between the Ad26-MVA and rVSV groups. In secondary endpoint, we observed an elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines at Day 7 in the rVSV group. Finally, we establish a correlation between EBOV-specific T-cell responses and anti-EBOV IgG responses. Our findings can guide booster vaccination recommendations and help identify populations likely to benefit from revaccination

GENERAL PARALYSIS IN A TROPICAL COUNTRY. STUDY OF 43 OBSERVATIONS

PARALYSIE GÉNÉRALE EN MILIEU TROPICAL. ÉTUDE DE 43 OBSERVATIONS RESUME Description :Les auteurs rapportent une étude de 43 cas de paralysie générale, révélés par un syndrome démentiel et des formes atypiques notamment les troubles confusionnels répétitifs et des crises épileptiformes. Objectif : L'objectif de cette étude est de réévaluer cette pathologie du point de vue clinique et paraclinique en milieu tropical. Méthode : Il s'agit d'une étude prospective. Le diagnostic a reposé sur la positivité des réactions sérologiques ( VDRL-TPHA) dans le sang et le liquide céphalo-rachidien, la présence d'une hypercellularité à prédominance lymphocytaire et d'une hyperprotéinorachie. Resultats : Les troubles cognitifs et moteurs, les états confusionnels répétitifs et les crises épileptiques constituent les formes cliniques dominantes de début. Chez tous les patients, le scanner a mis en évidence une discrète dilatation ventriculaire diffuse et un élargissement des sillons de la convexité. Le tracé électroencéphalographique était anormal dans près de 67% des cas. SUMMARY Description : The authors report a study of 43 cases of general paralysis revealed by some mental disorders and atypical forms notably repeater confessional disorders and some seizure-like attacks. Objective : The goal of this study is to revalue this pathology from the clinical and paraclinic point of view in tropical medium. Method : In this prospective study, the diagnosis was based on the serologic tests (VDRL-TPHA) in the blood and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); CSF cell count with lymphocyte predominance ; protein level in the fluid. Result : The diagnosis was based on the serologic tests (VDRL-TPHA) in the blood and the cerebrospinal fluid(CSF); high CSF cell count with lymphocyte predominance; high protein level in the fluid. The cogniture and motor troubles, the repeated confusion status and the epileptic seizures constitute the dominant clinical forms of the onset. In all the patients, the CT-scan revealed discrete diffuse ventricular dilation and widening of the grooves of the convexity. The electroencephalographic traces were abnormal in 67% of the cases. Key Words: Afrique, Guinée, paralysie générale, syphilis nerveuse, Africa, Guinea, general paralysis, neurosyphilis African Journal of Neurological Sciences Vol.23(2) 200

Pyronaridine–artesunate or dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine versus current first-line therapies for repeated treatment of uncomplicated malaria: a randomised, multicentre, open-label, longitudinal, controlled, phase 3b/4 trial

International audienc

Partnership for Research on Ebola VACcination (PREVAC): protocol of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 clinical trial evaluating three vaccine strategies against Ebola in healthy volunteers in four West African countries

International audienceAbstract Introduction The Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in 2014–2016 in West Africa was the largest on record and provided an opportunity for large clinical trials and accelerated efforts to develop an effective and safe preventative vaccine. Multiple questions regarding the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of EVD vaccines remain unanswered. To address these gaps in the evidence base, the Partnership for Research on Ebola Vaccines (PREVAC) trial was designed. This paper describes the design, methods, and baseline results of the PREVAC trial and discusses challenges that led to different protocol amendments. Methods This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 clinical trial of three vaccine strategies against the Ebola virus in healthy volunteers 1 year of age and above. The three vaccine strategies being studied are the rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP vaccine, with and without a booster dose at 56 days, and the Ad26.ZEBOV,MVA-FN-Filo vaccine regimen with Ad26.ZEBOV given as the first dose and the MVA-FN-Filo vaccination given 56 days later. There have been 4 versions of the protocol with those enrolled in Version 4.0 comprising the primary analysis cohort. The primary endpoint is based on the antibody titer against the Ebola virus surface glycoprotein measured 12 months following the final injection. Results From April 2017 to December 2018, a total of 5002 volunteers were screened and 4789 enrolled. Participants were enrolled at 6 sites in four countries (Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Mali). Of the 4789 participants, 2560 (53%) were adults and 2229 (47%) were children. Those < 18 years of age included 549 (12%) aged 1 to 4 years, 750 (16%) 5 to 11 years, and 930 (19%) aged 12–17 years. At baseline, the median (25th, 75th percentile) antibody titer to Ebola virus glycoprotein for 1090 participants was 72 (50, 116) EU/mL. Discussion The PREVAC trial is evaluating—placebo-controlled—two promising Ebola candidate vaccines in advanced stages of development. The results will address unanswered questions related to short- and long-term safety and immunogenicity for three vaccine strategies in adults and children. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02876328 . Registered on 23 August 2016