Usutu virus in Africa.

Usutu virus (USUV) was discovered in South Africa in 1959. Since then, it has been reported in several African countries including Senegal, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, and Morocco. In 2001, USUV has been identified for the first time outside of Africa, namely in Europe, where it caused a significant mortality among blackbirds in Vienna, Austria. In 2009, the first two human cases of USUV infection in Europe have been reported in Italy, causing encephalitis in immunocompromised patients. The host range in Africa includes mainly Culex mosquitoes, birds, and also humans with one benign and one severe case. Given its role as a potential human pathogen and the similar appearance compared with other emerging arboviruses, it is essential to investigate the natural history and ecology of USUV in Africa. In this regard, we review the emergence of USUV in Africa, summarizing data about isolations, host range, and potential vectors, which should help to improve our understanding of the factors underlying the circulation of USUV in Europe and Africa

Antibiotic susceptibility profile of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from acute respiratory infection in Dakar: a cross sectional study

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a pathogen causing pneumonia, meningitis, otitis and bacteraemia. Nowadays, S. pneumoniae is developing antibacterial resistance, particularly for those with reduced susceptibility to penicillin. The objective of this study was to assess the susceptibility profile of S. pneumoniae strains isolated from acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in children younger than 5 years of age in Dakar, Senegal. S. pneumoniae strains were isolated from broncho-alveolar lavages (BALs), nasopharyngeal swabs, and middle ear secretion from children in the Paediatric Department of Abass Ndao University Teaching Hospital and Paediatric Department of Roi Baudouin Hospital in Dakar, Senegal. The strains were cultivated on Columbia agar supplemented with 5% of horse blood and gentamicin (6 mg/L). Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using E-test method. A total of 34 strains of S. pneumoniae were isolated and identified in this study, among them 7 strains (20.58%) showed penicillin-resistance. Antibiotics such as amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (MIC90=0.036 μg/mL), cefuroxim (MIC90=0.38 μg/mL), cefixim (MIC90=1.5 μg/mL), as well as macrolides (azithromycin MIC90=1.5 μg/mL, clarithromycin MIC90=0.125 μg/mL) and fluoroquinolone (levofloxacin MIC90=1 μg/mL, ofloxacin MIC90=2 μg/mL) were mostly active. However, all S. pneumoniae strains were resistant to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (MIC90: 32 μg/mL). Except of S. pneumoniae strains penicillin-resistance or reduced susceptibility, most strains were susceptible to β-lactams antibiotics commonly used in ARI treatment. Continuous surveillance of antimicrobial resistance patterns of pneumococcus strains is still crucial for effective control of ARIs in children

Antibiotic Susceptibility of Isolated from Respiratory Tract Infections in Dakar, Senegal

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is one of the major causes of respiratory tract infections. The objectives of this study were to identify isolates of S. pyogenes obtained from respiratory tract infections, and to assess their susceptibility to several antibiotics. A total of 40 strains were isolated and their susceptibility to 17 antibiotics was tested using a standard disk diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined using the E-test. All isolates were sensitive to β-lactam antibiotics including penicillin, amoxicillin, and cephalosporins. Macrolides remain active with the exception of spiramycin, which showed reduced susceptibility. Out of the 40 isolates, 100% of the isolates were resistant to tetracycline. Interestingly, isolates were sensitive to chloramphenicol, teicoplanin, vancomycine, and levofloxacin, providing potential alternative choices of treatment against infections with S. pyogenes

Trend in Antibiotic Resistance of and Strains Isolated from Community Acquired Respiratory Tract Infections in Dakar, Senegal between 2005 and 2008

Development of antibiotic resistance among common respiratory pathogens is a major cause of concern worldwide. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae are among the most common respiratory pathogens. In this study, representative samples obtained from 3 different medical centers in Dakar, Senegal were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing. The samples were collected from 2005 to 2008 and the data obtained was compared to establish resistance patterns between the two years (i.e. 2005–2006 to 2007–2008). S. pneumoniae exhibited a significant increase in the resistance to azithromycin and the intermediate susceptibility to penicillin G and cotrimoxazole. H. influenzae also exhibited a significant increase in resistance to azithromycin and intermediate susceptibility to chloramphenicol. None of H. influenzae samples were resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cephalosporin and fluroquinolones and most of the S. pneumoniae isolates demonstrated high susceptibility to the antibiotics tested. Results from this study will provide greater insights to antibiotic therapy during respiratory tract infections in Dakar, Senegal. This study also establishes the importance of continuous monitoring of antibiotic susceptibility patterns that are often region-specific

The Essential oil of Eucalyptus alba L. Growing on the Salt Zone of Fatick (Senegal) as a Source of 1,8Cineole and Their Antibacterial Activity

Members of the genus Eucalyptus are potential sources of number of commercial essential oils and aromachemicals. In present study, the essential oils isolated by hydrodistillation from the leaves of Eucalyptus alba were analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. Essential oil yields ranged from 2.41 to 4.35%. In total 18 constituents were identified, accounting for 99.0 to 99.7% of the total compositions. 1,8-cineole was present in all samples as the major component (76.5-88.1%). In addition to this compound, others that were found including limonene (3.8–8.6%), α-terpineol (1.4–2.8%), globulol (1.3–6.3%) and α-pinene (1.5–1.8%). The essential oil showed a strong antibacterial activity against S. aureus ATCC 29213 which is translated by an MIC of 1.25 mg/mL and good activity against E. coli ATCC 25922 (6.25 mg/mL) and E. faecalis ATCC 29212 (6.25 mg/mL). To our knowledge, our study is the first report of E. alba essential oils characterized by a high 1,8-cineole content (>76.5%). They may have potential applications in food and pharmaceutical products. Keywords: Eucalyptus alba, essential oils, antibacterial activity, 1,8-cineole and GC-S

Chemical diversity and antimicrobial activity of volatile compounds from Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides fruits

International audienc

Genotypic characterization of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella Enteritidis isolates in Dakar, Senegal

Background: It is well established that Salmonella enterica is a major cause of food-borne disease worldwide. In Africa, according to the Who Global Salm-Surv country data bank from 2000 to 2002 Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis was the most common serotype involved in human salmonellosis. In Dakar this serotype of Salmonella has been reported as a frequent and an increasing cause of human infection.Methodology: The genetic determinants of the antimicrobial resistance of 25 selected multiresistant strains of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis referred to the National Reference Center for Enterobacteria (NRCE) in Dakar were investigated using molecular techniques.Results: All strains carried blaTEM 1 genes. Five harboured three types of class 1 integrons with gene cassettes dfrA15, dfrA1-aadA1 and dfrA7. Multiresistance was due to a 23 Kb conjugative plasmid. DNA fingerprinting by macrorestriction of genomic DNA revealed a single related group suggesting that strains might be clonal.Conclusions: The spread of resistance genes through plasmid transfer plays an important role in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance in enteric pathogens such as Salmonella Enteritidis; the risk of transmissibility of antibiotic resistance between different bacterial strains highlights the urgent need to develop strategies to limit the spread of antimicrobial resistance among bacterial enteropathogens

Viral and Bacterial Etiologies of Acute Respiratory Infections Among Children Under 5 Years in Senegal

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are the leading cause of infectious disease–related morbidity, hospitalization, and morbidity among children worldwide. This study aimed to assess the viral and bacterial causes of ARI morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years in Senegal. Nasopharyngeal samples were collected from children under 5 years who had ARI. Viruses and bacteria were identified using multiplex real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and conventional biochemical techniques, respectively. Adenovirus was the most prevalent virus (50%; n = 81), followed by influenza virus (45.68%, n = 74), rhinovirus (40.12%; n = 65), enterovirus (25.31%; n = 41), and respiratory syncytial virus (16.05%; n = 26), whereas Streptococcus pneumoniae (17%; n = 29), Moraxella catarrhalis (15.43%; n = 25), and Haemophilus influenzae (8.02%; n = 13) were the most commonly isolated bacteria. Virus pathogens seem more likely to be more prevalent in our settings and were often associated with bacteria and S. pneumoniae (6%; 16) coinfection

Campylobacter coli isolates derived from chickens in Senegal: Diversity, genetic exchange with Campylobacter jejuni and quinolone resistance.

International audienceWe used the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) method to study the genetic diversity of Campylobacter coli isolated from chickens in Senegal, and to check the presence of genetic exchange with Campylobacter jejuni. In addition, we assessed the resistance of the isolates to ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid, and their gyrA sequences. MLST revealed a low level of diversity and the absence of lineages among C. coli isolates. In addition, an exchange of alleles with C. jejuni was found. Twenty percent of the ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates lacked mutations within the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) of GyrA. There was no link between quinolone resistance and sequence type (ST)

Confirmed Case of Buruli Ulcer, Senegal, 2018

Buruli ulcer is a necrotizing skin disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans and is usually associated with tropical climates and exposure to slow-moving or stagnant water. We report a case of Buruli ulcer that may have originated in an urban semiarid area of Senegal