Typology of goat feeding systems in Benin

Feeding is one of the limiting factors of productivity in goat production in developing countries. That’s why this study was carried out to characterize the feeding systems used in goat farming in Benin. Accordingly, a semi-structured survey was conducted among 533 goat farmers in 6 agro-ecological zones in Benin. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, breeding practices and feeding methods. A typology of goat feeding systems was developed using a factorial analysis of mixed data followed by an ascending hierarchical classification. The results of the study revealed three main types of feeding systems. These are feeding systems based on the use of: (i) natural pasture in a free-grazing system, (ii) natural pasture, crop residues and concentrates in a semi-controlled breeding system, and (iii) natural pasture, crop residues and concentrates in a controlled breeding system. The implementation of a programme to improve goat feeding and management systems will contribute significantly to increasing goat productivity. It will also contribute to food security in the rural community. Keywords: Benin, Capra hircus, feeding practices, management practice

Using rapid diagnostic tests as source of malaria parasite DNA for molecular analyses in the era of declining malaria prevalence

BACKGROUND: Malaria prevalence has recently declined markedly in many parts of Tanzania and other sub-Saharan African countries due to scaling-up of control interventions including more efficient treatment regimens (e.g. artemisinin-based combination therapy) and insecticide-treated bed nets. Although continued molecular surveillance of malaria parasites is important to early identify emerging anti-malarial drug resistance, it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain parasite samples from ongoing studies, such as routine drug efficacy trials. To explore other sources of parasite DNA, this study was conducted to examine if sufficient DNA could be successfully extracted from malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), used and collected as part of routine case management services in health facilities, and thus forming the basis for molecular analyses, surveillance and quality control (QC) testing of RDTs. METHODS: One hyper-parasitaemic blood sample (131,260 asexual parasites/μl) was serially diluted in triplicates with whole blood and blotted on RDTs. DNA was extracted from the RDT dilution series, either immediately or after storage for one month at room temperature. The extracted DNA was amplified using a nested PCR method for Plasmodium species detection. Additionally, 165 archived RDTs obtained from ongoing malaria studies were analysed to determine the amplification success and test applicability of RDT for QC testing. RESULTS: DNA was successfully extracted and amplified from the three sets of RDT dilution series and the minimum detection limit of PCR was <1 asexual parasite/μl. DNA was also successfully amplified from (1) 70/71 (98.6%) archived positive RDTs (RDTs and microscopy positive) (2) 52/63 (82.5%) false negative RDTs (negative by RDTs but positive by microscopy) and (3) 4/24 (16.7%) false positive RDTs (positive by RDTs but negative by microscopy). Finally, 7(100%) negative RDTs (negative by RDTs and microscopy) were also negative by PCR. CONCLUSION: This study showed that DNA extracted from archived RDTs can be successfully amplified by PCR and used for detection of malaria parasites. Since Tanzania is planning to introduce RDTs in all health facilities (and possibly also at community level), availability of archived RDTs will provide an alternative source of DNA for genetic studies such as continued surveillance of parasite resistance to anti-malarial drugs. The DNA obtained from RDTs can also be used for QC testing by detecting malaria parasites using PCR in places without facilities for microscopy

Etude des sérotypes des pneumocoques rencontrés dans les méningites purulentes au C.H.U. d'Abidjan et application de la vaccination pneumococcique

De janvier 82 à décembre 86, 188 souches de pneumocoques ont été typées, les 11 types les plus fréquents représentent 91% de l'ensemble des sérotypes. Le vaccin à 14 valences couvre 86% des souches celui à 23 valences 97% des souches rencontrées. (Résumé d'auteur

Etude des sérotypes des pneumocoques rencontrés dans les méningites purulentes au C.H.U. d'Abidjan et application de la vaccination pneumococcique

De janvier 82 à décembre 86, 188 souches de pneumocoques ont été typées, les 11 types les plus fréquents représentent 91% de l'ensemble des sérotypes. Le vaccin à 14 valences couvre 86% des souches celui à 23 valences 97% des souches rencontrées. (Résumé d'auteur

Diversity and antibiotic resistance of uropathogenic bacteria from Abidjan

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the major causes of prescribing and antibiotic consumption. In order to use the best antibiotic treatment for their patients, reliable and recent data about epidemiology and antibiotic resistance profile of uropathogenic bacteria must be available for clinicians. Therefore regular monitoring in each country is required. Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate the bacterial pathogenic diversity and antimicrobial resistance rates of uropathogenic bacteria at the Treichville Teaching Hospital (Abidjan, Ivory Coast) over a 12-year period (2000–2011) and also to contribute to the monitoring and the geographical adaptation of antibiotic therapy. Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of 12,175 urine samples over a 12-year period 2000–2011 at Treichville Teaching Hospital was carried out according to the routine protocol of urinalysis. The results were processed to obtain the profile prevalence of UTI, the rate of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, the trend of their evolution over time and the rate of multidrug resistance. Results: The presence of bacteria was detected in about 25% of samples in which 3071 bacterial germs belonging to 12 species were identified. Escherichia coli was the dominant species (28.7%) but much lower than observed in European countries (70–80%). Other main detected species were Staphylococcus aureus (17.4%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (14.9%) and Enterobacter aerogenes (10%). These genera were responsible of 71% of the UTI. Resistance tests to antibiotics indicated very high rates of resistance to amoxicillin (78.9%), tetracyclin (76.4%), and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (77.9%). Only a few molecules maintain their effectiveness such as cefotaxime and netilmicin which respectively exhibit 13.9% and 3.1% of bacterial resistance. However bacterial resistance is increasing over a time for all antibiotics except chloramphenicol. Conclusions: The diversity of uropathogenic bacteria obtained appeared to be a characteristic of sub-Saharan African countries. Their resistances to different antibiotics were following a dramatic trend. Waiting to be confronted with therapeutic dead end with the advent of multi-resistant bacteria, identifying the region-specific causes is crucial to adapt antibiotic therapy

Investigation on Biochemically Processed Castor Seed Meal in Nutrition and Physiology of Japanese Quail

Native de-oiled and treated castor seed meal was subjected to proximate analysis and quantification of antinutrients (phytochemicals). Seed cake was treated by biochemical technique of solid state fermentation with Aspergillus niger and addition of calcium oxide (CaO) to give treated castor seed meal (TCSM). One hundred and twenty Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were fed four (4) iso-nitrogemous and iso-caloric diets containing 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5% TCSM corresponding to the diet 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. While the feeding trial lasted for 56 days, feed and water were supplied ad libitum. Data on proximate composition showed that raw seed, defatted residue (cake) and the processed castor seed meal contained valuable nutrients like dry matter, crude protein, fat, fibre, mineral matter and soluble carbohydrate (NFE). Phytochemical quantification gave high levels of the anti-nutrients such as ricin, allergens, ricinine in the raw seed. However, levels of these phytochemicals were reduced by defatting and treatments of the cake meal by solid state fermentation, A. niger and CaO. Performance traits indicated decreases in feed intake, weight gain, growth and increases in mortality rates especially on the diet with the highest (7.5%) inclusion of TCSM compared to the control diet (P0.05). Enzyme activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) showed decreasing trend with increasing level of CSM in diets (P<0.05). Profiling electrolytes in the fed quails showed significant variations in concentrations of Ca++ and HCO3- on TCSM based diets (P<0.05) comparable with the control diet values. Conclusively, despite treating CSM by solid state fermentation with A. niger and CaO addition in this trial, TCSM addition still appears to induce toxic and deleterious effects on the quails. Subsequent works to enable inclusions at acceptable and higher levels after treatments are on-going