First report of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Onion (Allium cepa L.) in South Kivu, Eastern DR Congo

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797), has become one of the most devastating pests in the world with diverse host range. To develop effective integrated management strategies against S. frugiperda, it is crucial to know its alternative host plants. In this study, we provide the first information on the occurrence of S. frugiperda in onion crops in Africa. Monitoring was carried out during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons in onion monoculture and in intercropping with groundnut to detect the presence and assess the incidence of S. frugiperda. The highest average incidence (2.88%) and larval density (0.79 per 9 m2) were observed in onion monoculture. The classification of the onion leaf damage rating scale indicated low S. frugiperda infestation. This suggests that future studies will need to assess this aspect which we consider to be a survival strategy to maintain its population throughout the year, which contributes to sustain the insect in the study area during times when its preferred hosts are not present. Furthermore, genetic studies are needed to provide a better explanation of the ecology of this pest and to find out which of the two existing strain infests onions or whether it is an unknown hybrid population of S. frugiperda

Molecular detection of arboviruses in Aedes mosquitoes collected from Kyela district, Tanzania

Arboviruses belong to a group of viruses that are transmitted by arthropods, mainly mosquitoes and ticks causing clinical disease symptoms in humans and animals ranging from febrile illnesses to hemorrhagic fevers. The present study aimed at examining the circulation of Chikungunya, Dengue, Yellow fever and Rift valley fever viral genomes in Aedes mosquitoes from Kyela district in Tanzania. A systematic vector surveillance spanning two months and covering 5 sites in Kyela district was carried out in order to evaluate the potential role of Aedes spp in arbovirus transmission in the study area. Mosquitoes were collected, identified to species level by using morphological keys, pooled in respect species and collection sites and screened for arboviruses by RT-PCR. Adult mosquitoes were collected from April to May, 2015 using CO 2 -baited CDC light traps, magnet traps as well as human landing collection (HLC). The study sites included Kyela town, Kajunjumele, Ipida, Matema and Njisi villages. A total of 480 bloodfeed Aedes ssp were collected, identified and grouped in to 24 pools (1-20 mosquitoes per pool) according to species level and location. Out of the 480 Aedes spp collected, Aedes aegypti represented the most abundant species totaling 338 (70.4%), followed by Aedes africanus 102 (21.2%) and Aedes natalensis being the minority 40 (8.3%). Arboviruses were detected in 9 pools (37.5%) including Alphaviruses (8 pools) and Flaviviruses (1 pool). No sample was positive for Bunyaviruses. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) was detected in 6 (75%) alphavirus positive pools that were collected mostly in the areas where rice cultivation was common. The findings of this study suggest that people from this region are highly likely to be exposed to arbovirus infections which may represent significant public health concerns

How to improve women’s and partner’s participation to prenatal HIV counseling in rural and urban areas in Kivu, democratic republic of Congo ?

info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublishe

Prevalence of gastro-intestinal helminths in slaughtered cattle in Walungu territory, South Kivu Province, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Austin Journal of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry; 2018; Vol. 5(1): 1039An abattoir cross sectional survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic helminths in slaughtered cattle at Kankinda and Mugogo Municipal abattoirs located in Walungu territory, South Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Using qualitative and quantitative coprological examination, 200 fecal samples were tested. Gastrointestinal helminths’ eggs were detected in only 148 samples tested giving an overall prevalence of 74%. The most diversity class was nematodes with four species, followed by trematode and cestode with two species in each, both representing species abundances of 44.4%, 22.2% and 22.2% respectively and only one protozoan species was identified (11.1%). However, the prevalence of helminths in relation to sex and age group revealed no statistical difference at P value >0.05. The exotic breed presented the highest infection rate of 72.5% (OR=4.6, 95% CI: 1.9–11.1; p=0.0004) compared to the local breed. Similarly high prevalence of helminthes was found in slaughtered cattle from local farms 90.6% (OR=4.1; 95% CI: 1.9–9.5; p=0.0001) compared to cattle imported from Rwanda. The prevalent helminthes species identified were Eimeria bovis (74%), followed by Schistosoma bovis (41%); Hymenolepis diminuta (39%); Toxocara vitulorum (32.5%) and the least species observed were Fasciola gigantica (18%); Strongyloides papillosus (11.5%); Trichonstrongylus sp (7%); Haemonchus spp (6.5%); and Moniezia spp (6%). These findings reflect a growing burden of gastrointestinal parasite infections at abattoir level. Therefore, a proper management, improved hygiene and regular deworming practices should be institutionalized for prevention and control of parasitic infections in livestock

Prevalence and influences of diabetes and prediabetes among adults living with HIV in Africa: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract Introduction In people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV), traditional cardiovascular risk factors, exposure to HIV per se and antiretroviral therapy (ART) are assumed to contribute to cardiometabolic diseases. Nevertheless, controversy exists on the relationship of HIV and ART with diabetes. To clarify the relationship between HIV and type 2 diabetes, this review determined, in PLHIV in Africa, diabetes and prediabetes prevalence, and the extent to which their relationship was modified by socio‐demographic characteristics, body mass index (BMI), diagnostic definitions used for diabetes and prediabetes, and HIV‐related characteristics, including CD4 count, and use and duration of ART. Methods For this systematic review and meta‐analysis (PROSPERO registration CRD42021231547), a comprehensive search of major databases (PubMed‐MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar and WHO Global Health Library) was conducted. Original research articles published between 2000 and 2021 in English and French were included, irrespective of study design, data collection techniques and diagnostic definitions used. Observational studies comprising at least 30 PLHIV and reporting on diabetes and/or prediabetes prevalence in Africa were included. Study‐specific estimates were pooled using random effects models to generate the overall prevalence for each diagnostic definition. Data analyses used R statistical software and “meta” package. Results Of the 2614 records initially screened, 366 full‐text articles were assessed for eligibility and 61 were selected. In the systematic review, all studies were cross‐sectional by design and clinic‐based, except for five population‐based studies. Across studies included in the meta‐analysis, the proportion of men was 16–84%. Mean/median age was 30–62 years. Among 86,412 and 7976 participants, diabetes and prediabetes prevalence rates were 5.1% (95% CI: 4.3–5.9) and 15.1% (9.7–21.5). Self‐reported diabetes (3.5%) was lower than when combined with biochemical assessments (6.2%; 7.2%). Discussion While not statistically significant, diabetes and prediabetes were higher with greater BMI, in older participants, urban residents and more recent publications. Diabetes and prediabetes were not significantly different by HIV‐related factors, including CD4 count and ART. Conclusions Although HIV‐related factors did not modify prevalence, the diabetes burden in African PLHIV was considerable with suboptimal detection, and likely influenced by traditional risk factors. Furthermore, high prediabetes prevalence foreshadows substantial increases in future diabetes in African PLHIV

Prevalence of gastro-intestinal helminths in slaughtered cattle in Walungu territory, South Kivu Province, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Austin Journal of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry; 2018; Vol. 5(1): 1039An abattoir cross sectional survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic helminths in slaughtered cattle at Kankinda and Mugogo Municipal abattoirs located in Walungu territory, South Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Using qualitative and quantitative coprological examination, 200 fecal samples were tested. Gastrointestinal helminths’ eggs were detected in only 148 samples tested giving an overall prevalence of 74%. The most diversity class was nematodes with four species, followed by trematode and cestode with two species in each, both representing species abundances of 44.4%, 22.2% and 22.2% respectively and only one protozoan species was identified (11.1%). However, the prevalence of helminths in relation to sex and age group revealed no statistical difference at P value >0.05. The exotic breed presented the highest infection rate of 72.5% (OR=4.6, 95% CI: 1.9–11.1; p=0.0004) compared to the local breed. Similarly high prevalence of helminthes was found in slaughtered cattle from local farms 90.6% (OR=4.1; 95% CI: 1.9–9.5; p=0.0001) compared to cattle imported from Rwanda. The prevalent helminthes species identified were Eimeria bovis (74%), followed by Schistosoma bovis (41%); Hymenolepis diminuta (39%); Toxocara vitulorum (32.5%) and the least species observed were Fasciola gigantica (18%); Strongyloides papillosus (11.5%); Trichonstrongylus sp (7%); Haemonchus spp (6.5%); and Moniezia spp (6%). These findings reflect a growing burden of gastrointestinal parasite infections at abattoir level. Therefore, a proper management, improved hygiene and regular deworming practices should be institutionalized for prevention and control of parasitic infections in livestock

Evaluation of a turbidimetric C-reactive protein assay to monitor early-onset neonatal sepsis in South Kivu (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Objectives: Neonatal sepsis, a condition defined as bacteremia within the first month of life accompanied by signs of systemic infection, is the most preventable cause of infant mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the development of new infection markers, C-reactive protein (CRP) is the most extensively studied acute phase reactant so far and the preferred index in many neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The aim of the present study was to evaluate an affordable, non-commercial turbidimetric CRP assay for monitoring early-onset neonatal sepsis (EOS). Methods: A total of 148 neonates admitted at the NICU of the Hopital Provincial General de Reference de Bukavu to diagnose and to monitor EOS were enrolled in the study. CRP was assayed using a functional turbidimetric assay based on the interaction of CRP with phosphocholine containing particles (Intralipid (R)). Results: In total, 62/148 (41.9%) cases were identified as blood culture-proven EOS. Different serum CRP slopes were observed among the different birth weight categories. Moreover, the serum (CRP 48 h-CRP 12 h) difference and the birth weight predicted the outcome of these septic newborns. Conclusions: Our turbidimetric CRP assay is a potential novel tool that can be used in the management of EOS in sub-Saharan Africa. The simplicity of the assay and the extremely low price make the CRP method very well suited for developing countries

Prevalence, risk factors and adverse pregnancy outcomes of second trimester bacterial vaginosis among pregnant women in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Background Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common gynecological condition in women of reproductive age and associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), neonatal mortality rate is as high as 2.8 percent with preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) as leading causes. Because no studies have addressed BV in DRC, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of BV, the risk factors and the association between BV and adverse pregnancy outcomes in a population of pregnant women from Bukavu, DRC. Methods A total of 533 pregnant women in the second trimester of pregnancy were recruited in the Provincial Reference Hospital of Bukavu, DRC, between January and October 2017, and followed until delivery. Clinical and sociodemographic data of mother and newborn, and data on (vaginal) hygiene practices, sexual behavior and reproductive history were collected. BV was diagnosed by Nugent scoring of Gram-stained vaginal smears. Two multivariate regression models were built to identify risk factors for BV and to investigate BV as a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Results The prevalence of BV was 26.3% and approximately half of the women with BV were asymptomatic. Independent risk factors for BV were the use of alternatives to water for intravaginal washing, concurrent partners, unemployed status, the presence of vaginal Candida and clay consumption. BV was independently associated with both LBW and PTB of an infant with LBW. Conclusion The prevalence of BV in Bukavu is high but in line with the global average. BV was associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in our study population. Hence, research on modifiable risk factor-based interventions to reduce the prevalence of BV, and on screening/treatment of BV during antenatal care should be explored to reduce neonatal mortality and morbidity