Spatial and temporal variation of malaria entomological parameters at the onset of a hydro-agricultural development in central Côte d'Ivoire

A deeper understanding of the ecology and small-scale heterogeneity of malaria transmission is essential for the design of effective prevention, control and elimination interventions. The spatial and temporal distribution of malaria vectors was investigated in five villages in close proximity to a hydro-agricultural system in Côte d'Ivoire over the course of construction and the early phase of irrigated rice farming.; The study was carried out in five villages (Raffierkro, N'Douakro, Ahougui, Kpokahankro, Koffikro) near Bouaké, central Côte d'Ivoire, between early 2007 and late 2009. In each village, mosquitoes were collected by human landing catches and identified morphologically at genus and species level, and entomological parameters were determined. Plasmodium infection was assessed by dissection and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.; A total of 19,404 mosquitoes belonging to the genus Anopheles were sampled during 328 human-night catches. Before the construction of the hydro-agricultural system, comparable densities of Anopheles gambiae were observed in all villages. In subsequent years, densities in Raffierkro and Ahougui were significantly higher than the other villages [Kruskal-Wallis (KW) test = 31.13, p > 0.001]. The density of Anopheles funestus in the five villages was comparable in the early stage of the project, while a high density was reported in Koffikro at the end (KW test = 11.91, p = 0.018). Transmission of Plasmodium falciparum is perennial in the study area. Over the course of the study, high entomological inoculation rates (EIRs) were found: 219-328 infectious bites per person per year with An. gambiae. For An. funestus considerably lower EIRs were observed (5.7-39.4). Changing patterns of An. gambiae were not correlated with malaria transmission.; In this study setting, located in the bioclimatic transition zone of Côte d'Ivoire, rice cultivation was not observed to increase malaria transmission. The entomological parameters recorded until the onset of rice-growing activities in a hydro-agricultural system presented considerable heterogeneity both in space and time; a strong increase of Anopheles mosquitoes was observed in two of the five villages located in close proximity to the dam and irrigated rice fields. Malaria still is a main public health problem in all villages that require adequate control measures

Efficacy and safety of praziquantel in preschool-aged children in an area co-endemic for Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium

BACKGROUND: In sub-Saharan Africa the recommended strategy to control schistosomiasis is preventive chemotherapy. Emphasis is placed on school-aged children, but in high endemicity areas, preschool-aged children are also at risk, and hence might need treatment with praziquantel. Since a pediatric formulation (e.g., syrup) is not available outside of Egypt, crushed praziquantel tablets are used, but the efficacy and safety of this treatment regimen is insufficiently studied.METHODOLOGY: We assessed the efficacy and safety of crushed praziquantel tablets among preschool-aged children (>6 years) in the Azaguié district, south Côte d'Ivoire, where Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium coexist. Using a cross-sectional design, children provided two stool and two urine samples before and 3 weeks after treatment. Crushed praziquantel tablets, mixed with water, were administered at a dose of 40 mg/kg. Adverse events were assessed and graded 4 and 24 hours posttreatment by interviewing mothers/guardians.PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Overall, 160 preschool-aged children had at least one stool and one urine sample examined with duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears and a point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) cassette for S. mansoni, and urine filtration for S. haematobium diagnosis before and 3 weeks after praziquantel administration. According to the Kato-Katz and urine filtration results, we found high efficacy against S. mansoni (cure rate (CR), 88.6%; egg reduction rate (ERR), 96.7%) and S. haematobium (CR, 88.9%; ERR, 98.0%). POC-CCA revealed considerably lower efficacy against S. mansoni (CR, 53.8%). Treatment was generally well tolerated, but moderately severe adverse events (i.e., body and face inflammation), were observed in four Schistosoma egg-negative children. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Crushed praziquantel administered to preschool-aged children at a dose of 40 mg/kg is efficacious against S. mansoni and S. haematobium in a co-endemic setting of Côte d'Ivoire. Further research is required with highly sensitive diagnostic tools and safety must be investigated in more depth.TRIAL REGISTRATION: Controlled-Trials.com ISRCTN53172722

Agromorphological characterization of three (3) hybrid carrot varieties (Daucus carota), cultivated in the commune of Korhogo, in northern Côte d'Ivoire

The carrot (Daucus carota) is a biennial plant whose pivoting root plays a major role in feeding populations worldwide. Few studies have been carried out on the characterization of the agromorphological diversity of this species. Varieties were collected, in order to assess their agromorphological performances under the ecological conditions of Korhogo. The Amazonia, Pamela+, Bahia and Madona varieties were evaluated. The Amazonia variety, which is the most cultivated in the Korhogo region, was used as a control. The study was carried out using a completely randomized Fisher block system, comprising 4 treatments and 4 repetitions. The blocks were separated by a distance of 80 cm. In the same block, the elementary plots were spaced 50 cm apart. Each elementary plot consists of 6 seeding lines, spaced 25 cm, and comprising 72 plants. The measurements concerned some vegetative and agronomic characteristics. The results obtained showed that the Pamela+ variety, with a yield of 25 t/ha, was the most productive. It is also distinguished from other varieties by the length of the roots and the high number of leaves produced. The Bahia and Madona varieties showed similar characteristics and less efficient than those of the control (Amazonia). On the basis of the characteristics evaluated, the Pamela+ variety was the most efficient and adapted to the agroecological conditions of the Korhogo region. However, the evaluation of certain characteristics will confirm the results of this study

Evaluation De La Toxicite Aigue De Boerhavia Diffusa Chez La Souris

Une enquête ethnopharmacologique en pays Krobou a révélé que Boerhavia diffusa, est une herbe, sollicitée en médecine traditionnelle, pour traiter le diabète et diverses autres pathologies. Ce travail a pour but de déterminer les paramètres toxicologiques du décocté aqueux des tiges feuillées de la plante, en vuede parvenir à contrôler la posologie et prévenir les cas d'intoxications. La toxicité aiguë a été évaluée, en administrant, par voie orale, à des souris, des doses croissantes d'extrait brut (1 200 à 6 000 mg kg-1 de poids corporel). L'administration orale du phytomédicament, à différentes doses, a entraîné certains signes cliniques tels que : manque d'appétit, difficultés motrices et dyspnée. Les valeurs des paramètres toxicologiques obtenues ont été les suivants: dose maximale tolérée, DMT (1 200 mg kg-1 p.c./vo), dose létale 50 %, DL50 (2749,4 mg kg-1 p.c./vo) et dose létale 100 %, DL100 (6 000 mg kg-1 p.c./vo). La DMT a été nettement supérieure à 44,57 mg kg-1 p.c./vo, la dose quotidienne recommandée par les tradithérapeutes. Ainsi, l'etude montre clairement que le phytomédicament n'est pas toxique, justifiant l'usage de la plante dans les conditions traditionnelles de préparation et d'administration orale.Mots clés: DMT, DL50, DL100, phytomédicament, tradithérapeutes, paramètres toxicologiques.An ethnopharmacological investigation conducted among Krobou people revealed that Boerhavia diffusa, is an herb used in a wide range of traditional medicine to cure various diseases. This work is aimed to determine the toxicological parameters of the stem-leaves aqueous decoction of the plant, in order to control posology and prevent intoxication. The acute toxicity of the stem-leaves aqueous decoction from Boerhavia diffusa was assessed after a process consisting in giving orally, to mice, the crude decoction at increasing doses ranging from 1 200 to 6 000 mg kg-1 of body weight (b.w.). The use of herbal medicine, through oral route (or), can induce some clinical signs such as: lack of appetite, motor problems and dyspnea). The toxicological parameters had the following characteristics : tolerated maximal dose, TMD (1 200 mg kg-1 b.w./or), lethal dose for 50 %, LD50 (2 749, 4 mg kg-1 b.w./or) and lethal dose for 100 % or LD100 (6 000 mg/kg b.w./or). The TMD has been by far higher than 44.57 mg kg-1 b.w./or, daily dose traditional healers recommended. Therefore, the dosage prescribed by traditional healers was not found to be not toxic, justifying the use of the plant in traditional conditions of preparation for oral administration

Influence de Thonningia sanguinea (THOS) sur la productivité d’un élevage de poules pondeuses

L’élevage des poules a connu ces dernières années un développement rapide dans nombre de pays d’Afrique grâce à une assistance sanitaire des animaux. L’objectif de ce travail était d’évaluer l’influence de Thonningia sanguinea (codifié THOS) sur le rendement des poules pondeuses dans un élevage. Pour ce faire, nous avons étudié les effets de THOS sur l’indice de consommation (IC), le poids moyen des animaux, le taux de ponte, le poids et l’épaisseur de la coquille des oeufs. Pour chaque paramètre étudié, deux lots dont l’un traité avec THOS (lot expérimental) et l’autre non traité (lot témoin) ont été constitués. Le traitement s’est étendu sur deux semaines au cours desquelles chaque poule traitée a reçu quotidiennement 500 mg de THOS. Les résultats obtenus ont montré que THOS active la croissance pondérale et améliore la qualité et la quantité de la ponte. Dans ces conditions, il pourrait donc être utilisé comme un excellent produit vétérinaire pouvant contribuer à l’augmentation de la productivité dans un élevage.Mots clés: poule pondeuse, THOS, amélioration, productivité, Côte d’Ivoir

Effect of rain drop washes on soil fertility in cotton production zone of Burkina Faso

Crop production in the Sahel is limited by nutrients availability. The study aimed to estimate the contribution of avifauna, crop rotation and trees to soil fertility and crop production improvement. Pot experiment was carried out with soils sampled in Faidherbia albida parklands in cotton production zone of West Burkina Faso. The treatments consisted of two levels of sampling sites (outside and under the crown of Faidherbia albida), three types of previous crop (fallow, maize and sorghum) and two levels of fertilization (normal rain drop and raindrop washes). Results showed that cotton plants height were affected by sampling site and previous crop between 30 and 80 days after sowing. Rain drop washes contained nutrients that can help to improve soil fertility although their nutrients level in the soil is too small to have an impact significant on cotton plant development. No significant difference was observed between factors for the number of nodes and generative branches except for sampling site. Nutrients content in cotton plants was affected by the soil sampling site, the previous crop and the fertilization

Potentiel mellifere de la flore du centre-est de la Cote d’Ivoire : Interet pour l’apiculture moderne

Le miel, produit par l’abeille mellifère (Apis mellifera L.), fait partie des aliments les plus anciens de l’humanité. Il est très largement connu et consommé. Cependant, l’apiculture moderne est récente et mal connue en Afrique en général et en Côte d’Ivoire en particulier. Cette étude vise à évaluer les atouts floristiques pour une orientation efficiente des pratiques apicoles au Centre-est de la Côte d’Ivoire. Les données ont été collectées dans le département de Dimbokro à l’aide d’inventaires floristiques et d’observations mensuelles de l’activité de butinage des abeilles durant 12 mois. Ainsi, 128 espèces mellifères ont été recensées. La majorité de ces espèces (87 p.c.) présente un seul cycle annuel de floraison, tandis que 57 p.c. fleurissent durant au moins 3 mois d’affilée par an. La flore mellifère est composée 45 p.c. d’espèces exclusivement nectarifères, 22 p.c. d’espèces uniquement pollinifères et 31 p.c. d’espèces à la fois nectarifères et pollinifères. Par ailleurs, 57 p.c. de ces plantes sont intensément butinés par les abeilles et 48 p.c. présentent une haute valeur mellifère. Lesrésultats prouvent que l’apiculture moderne peut aisément être pratiquée dans la zone d’étude. Toutefois, un rapprochement des plantes mellifères des ruches pourrait permettre d’améliorer le rendement apicole.Mots clés : Flore mellifère, Apiculture, Miel, Dimbokro  English Title: Melliferous potential of the flora of central-east of Cote d’Ivoire : interest for modern beekeepingHoney, produced by the bee (Apis mellifera L.), is one of the oldest foods of humanity. He is very widely known and consumed. However, modern beekeeping is recent and poorly known in Africa in general and in Côted’Ivoire in particular. This study aims to evaluate the floristic assets in order to an efficient orientation of beekeeping practices in the Central-East of Côte d’Ivoire. Data were collected in the Dimbokro Department using floristic inventory and monthly observations of bees harvesting activity for 12 months. Thus, 128 melliferous species have been identified. The majority of these species (87%) have a single annual flowering cycle, while 57% flower for at least 3 months of flowering per year. The melliferous flora is composed of 45% exclusively nectariferous species, 22% only  polleniferous species and 31 species of both nectariferous and polleniferous species. In addition, 57% of these plants are intensely foraged by the bees and 48% have a high honey value. The results show that modern beekeeping can easily be practiced in the study area. However, an approximation of the melliferous plants of the hives could allow to improve the beekeeping yield.Keywords: Melliferous flora, Beekeeping, Honey, Dimbokro

Contamination aux metaux lourds de la matrice eau-sediment et muscle du tilapia Oreochromis niloticus de trois fermes piscicoles en Cote d’Ivoire

La présente étude a pour objectif de déterminer le niveau de contamination du mercure, du cadmium, de l’arsenic et du plomb dans l’eau, les sédiments et le muscle du tilapia Oreochromis niloticus dans trois fermes piscicoles en Côte d’Ivoire. L’eau, les sédiments et les spécimens de poisson ont été prélevés par mois de février à juillet 2017 en cage dans la lagune Aghien (ST1), en étang continental (ST2) à Agboville et en cage dans le barrage de Taabo (ST3). Les paramètres physico-chimiques mesurés ont montré qu’à l’exception de la conductivité, des matières en suspension et des solides totaux dissous, aucune variation saisonnière n’a été observée. En revanche, les valeurs moyennes des paramètres physico-chimiques calculées sont significativement différentes entre les fermes. Les valeurs de chaque métal mesurées dans la matrice eau-sédiment-muscle varient significativement entre les deux saisons dans toutes les fermes. Cependant, aucune différence entre les fermes échantillonnées n’a été observée. Les concentrations des métaux lourds mesurées dans le muscle sont inférieures aux valeurs seuils établies par l’OMS à l’exception de l’As. Cette contamination élevée en arsenic pourrait porter atteinte à l’intégrité biologique et à la santé humaine.Mots clés : Métaux lourds, Accumulation, Oreochromis niloticus, Ferme piscicole ivoirienn