Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) parkland mycorrhizal potential within three agro-ecological zones of Senegal

Introduction. Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) belongs to the Fabaceae family; it is a multipurpose tree with slow growth. In order to help improve its growth and development, we assessed mycorrhizal diversity of tamarind parklands in Senegal. Materials and methods. Three sites of tamarind populations were sampled for each agro-ecological zone in Senegal: the Sahelian zone (i), Sahelo-Sudan zone (ii) and Sudan zone (iii). Soil and root samples were collected in each site and used for arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) spore isolation and root colonization assessment. We identified the mycorrhizal fungi from spore collections and evaluated the root mycorrhization rate, defined as percentage of roots colonized according to agro-ecological zones. Results and discussion. The results did not reveal a specific AM fungal strain associated with tamarind plants. Three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were identified from spores on the genus level: Glomus, Scutellospora and Acaulospora. Tamarind sites with sandy soil texture (70-90%) and located in dry areas (Sahel and Sudano-Sahel zones) were shown to be rich in mycorrhizal propagules. High densities of soil AM propagules evaluated with the Most Probable Number method (MPN) were found in Niokhoul (1100 propagules per 50 g of soil), Sakal (790 propagules per 50 g of soil) and Mbassis (780 propagules per 50 g of soil). However, higher mycorrhizal colonization (11%) was observed in the Sahel agro-ecological zone compared with the Sudano-Sahelian and Sahelian zones (3%) of Senegal. Conclusion. Our study explored natural AMF diversity as a starting point to develop inocula to be used in commercial nursery production of tamarinds

Dermatomyosite avec atteinte cardiaque : A propos d’un cas observe au Senegal

Introduction : La dermatomyosite est une myopathie inflammatoire chronique caractérisée essentiellement par une faiblesse musculaire associée à des lésions cutanées caractéristiques.Cas clinique : Nous rapportons l‘observation d‘une patiente de 20 ans qui a présenté 6 mois auparavant une faiblesse musculaire d‘installation progressive associée à des troubles de la déglutition. L‘examen clinique retrouvait un déficit moteur des 4 membres à 1/5 en proximal et 3/5 en distal avec des lésions dermatologiques érythématosquameuses, et une tachyarythmie à l‘auscultation cardiaque. L‘électroneuromyogramme a montré des potentiels d‘unités motrices polyphasiques, d‘amplitude et de durée limitée, avec des vitesses de  conduction nerveuse motrice et sensitive normales. L‘écho-Doppler cardiaque a montré une fraction d‘éjection systolique à 40%. Le dosage des enzymes musculaires révélait une élévation des CPK à 1200 UI/L, LDH à 1284 UI/L et des aldolases à 35 UI/L. Le diagnostic de dermatomyosite associée à une atteinte cardiaque a été  retenu. La patiente a été traitée par corticothérapie avec une bonne évolution clinique.Conclusion : Notre observation souligne l‘intérêt de rechercher systématiquement une atteinte cardiaque chez les patients présentant un tableau de dermatomyosite. English title: Introduction : Dermatomyositis associated with cardiac involvement: A case observed in Senegal Background: Dermatomyositis is a chronic inflammatory myopathy characterized by muscle weakness associated with characteristic skin lesions.Case report: We report the case of a 20-year-old woman who presented 6 months before muscle weakness and swallowing disorders. Clinical examination showed a motor deficit of four limbs (1/5 proximal and 3/5 distal)  with dermatological lesions and tachyarrhythmia in cardiac auscultation. Electromyography showed multiphase motor unit potentials, with decreased amplitude and duration, and normal motor and sensory nerve   conduction velocities. Echocardiography showed a reduced left ventricular ejection of 40%. The dosage of the muscle enzymes revealed a high rate of Creatine Phosphokinase at 1200 IU/L, LDH at 1284 UI/L and aldolase at 35 UI/L. Diagnosis of dermatomyositis associated with cardiac involvement was retained. The patient was   treated with steroids with a good clinical response.Conclusion: Our observation underlines the value of systematically looking at cardiac involvement in patients with dermatomyositis

Provider and User Acceptability of Integrated Treatment for the Control of Malaria and Helminths in Saraya, South-Eastern Senegal.

Integration of vertical programs for the control of malaria, schistosomiasis, and soil-transmitted helminthiasis has been recommended to achieve elimination of malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTD) by 2030. This qualitative study was conducted within the context of a randomized controlled trial to explore the perceptions and views of parents/caregivers of at-risk children and healthcare providers to determine their acceptability of the integrated malaria-helminth treatment approach. Randomly selected parents/caregivers of children enrolled in the trial, healthcare providers, trial staff, malaria, and NTD program managers were interviewed using purpose-designed topic guides. Transcripts obtained from the interviews were coded and common themes identified using content analysis were triangulated. Fifty-seven study participants comprising 26 parents/caregivers, 10 study children aged ≥ 10 years, 15 trial staff, four healthcare providers, and two managers from the Senegal Ministry of Health were interviewed. Thirty-eight of the participants (66.7%) were males, and their ages ranged from 10 to 65 years. Overall, the integrated malaria-helminth treatment approach was considered acceptable, but the study participants expressed concerns about the taste, smell, and side effects associated with amodiaquine and praziquantel in the combination package. Reluctance to accept the medications was also observed among children aged 10 to 14 years due to peer influence and gender-sensitive cultural beliefs. Addressing concerns about the taste and smell of amodiaquine and praziquantel is needed to optimize the uptake of the integrated treatment program. Also, culturally appropriate strategies need to be put in place to cater for the inclusion of children aged 10 to 14 years in this approach

Feasibility and safety of integrating mass drug administration for helminth control with seasonal malaria chemoprevention among Senegalese children: a randomized controlled, observer-blind trial

BACKGROUND: The overlap in the epidemiology of malaria and helminths has been identified as a potential area to exploit for the development of an integrated control strategy that may help to achieve elimination of malaria and helminths. A randomized, controlled, observer-blind trial was conducted to assess the feasibility and safety of combining mass drug administration (MDA) for schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminths (STH) with seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) among children living in Senegal. METHODS: Female and male children aged 1-14 years were randomized 1:1:1, to receive Vitamin A and Zinc on Day 0, followed by SMC drugs (sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and amodiaquine) on Days 1-3 (control group); or praziquantel and Vitamin A on Day 0, followed by SMC drugs on Days 1-3 (treatment group 1); or albendazole and praziquantel on Day 0, followed by SMC drugs on Days 1-3 (treatment group 2). Safety assessment was performed by collecting adverse events from all children for six subsequent days following administration of the study drugs. Pre- and post-intervention, blood samples were collected for determination of haemoglobin concentration, malaria microscopy, and PCR assays. Stool samples were analyzed using Kato-Katz, Merthiolate-iodine-formalin and PCR methods. Urine filtration, PCR and circulating cathodic antigen tests were also performed. RESULTS: From 9 to 22 June 2022, 627 children aged 1-14 years were randomized into the three groups described above. Mild, transient vomiting was observed in 12.6% (26/206) of children in treatment group 2, in 10.6% (22/207) in group 1, and in 4.2% (9/214) in the control group (p = 0.005). Pre-intervention, the geometric mean value of Plasmodium falciparum parasite density was highest among children who received albendazole, praziquantel with SMC drugs. Post-intervention, the parasite density was highest among children who received SMC drugs only. Children who received praziquantel and SMC drugs had a lower risk of developing severe anaemia than their counterparts who received SMC drugs alone (OR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.13-5.00, p = 0.63). CONCLUSIONS: Integration of MDA for helminths with SMC drugs was safe and feasible among Senegalese children. These findings support further evaluation of the integrated control model. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered at Clinical Trial.gov NCT05354258

Ivermectin versus benzyl benzoate applied once or twice to treat human scabies in Dakar, Senegal: a randomized controlled trial

Objective To compare the effectiveness of oral ivermectin (IV) and two different modalities of topical benzyl benzoate (BB) for treating scabies in a community setting. Methods The trial included patients aged 5-65 years with scabies who attended the dermatology department at the Institut d'Hygiene Sociale in Dakar, Senegal. The randomized, open trial considered three treatments: a single application of 12.5% BB over 24 hours (BB1. group), two applications of BB, each over 24 hours (BB2 group), and oral IV, 150-200 mu g/kg (IV group). The primary endpoint was the disappearance of skin lesions and itching at day 14. If necessary, treatment was repeated and patients were evaluated until cured. Results were analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. A pre-planned intermediate analysis was carried out after the BB1, BB2 and IV groups had recruited 68, 48 and 65 patients, respectively. Findings At day 14, 33 patients (68.8%) in the BB2 group were cured versus 37 (54.4%) in the BB1 group and 16 (24.6%) in the IV group (P < 10(-6)). Bacterial superinfection occurred more often in the IV group than in the BB1 and BB2 groups combined (28% versus 7.8%, respectively; P = 0.006). At day 28, 46 patients (95.8%) in the BB2 group were cured versus 52 (76.5%) in the BB1 group and 28 (43.1%) in the IV group (P < 10(-5)). These clear findings prompted early study cessation. Conclusion Topical BB was clearly more effective than oral IV for treating scabies in a Senegalese community

Fungal mycetoma and pregnancy: An association with costly and difficult management, about a case.

Mycetomas are endemic diseases in tropical and sub-tropical countries of Africa, Asia and America, mainly affecting rural populations living below the poverty line. We report a particular case of a mycetoma associated with pregnancy whose evolution was good, but at the cost of significant financial expenses. This was a 39-year-old woman who developed a fungal mycetoma due to Madurella mycetomatis from the ingunocrural region. The patient had to develop several previous pregnancies on this site of mycetoma, the outcome of which was favorable. The last pregnancy was accompanied by an aggravation of the mycetoma in the form of polyfistulized inflammatory swelling of the right inguino-crural region emitting black grains. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the region showed invasion of the adductor muscles at the level of the root of the thigh on its antero-internal side with no sign of pelvic extension or underlying bone lesion. The patient was treated by surgery associated with antifungal treatment. The evolution was favorable for pregnancy and mycetoma