Molecular characterization of intestinal protozoan parasites from children facing diarrheal disease and associated risk factors in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire

Diarrheal diseases are very common in children under 5 years and may lead to a delay of physical and mental development. Despite this knowledge, data on diarrheal diseases and socioeconomic determinants are still scarce in Côte d’Ivoire. This study is then conducted with the objective to fill part of this gap and specifically assess link between infant diarrhea occurrence and some major socioenvironmental factors. Stool samples were collected from children less than five suffering from diarrhea at Yamoussoukro Regional Hospital in central Côte d’Ivoire. Molecular species specific diagnosis was used to detect Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba histolytica, three major protozoan parasites which cause diarrhea. Out of 306 stool samples examined, 62.75% were detected as positive at least for one of the protozoan parasite studied. Species specific prevalence was 36.93% for C. parvum, 20.92% for G. intestinalis and 22.55% for E. histolytica. Infection was more prevalent in children whose mothers were not educated although the difference was not statistically significant. No link was found between gender and infection while sanitation infrastructures, mother and children ages and water sources were found significantly associated with diarrhea occurrence. Awareness is then needed for women on lack of hygiene rules that could lead to diarrheal diseases burden.Key words: Diarrheal diseases, children development, parasitic protozoan, molecular characterization, socioenvironmental factors

Investigation of rodent reservoirs of emerging pathogens in Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa

Background: One of the main health problems in West Africa remains upsurge of emerging pathogens. Ebola virus disease outbreak occurred in 2014 in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, Monkeypox virus in Nigeria in 2017 and most recently Lassa virus in Nigeria, Togo and Benin in 2018.  These pathogens have animal reservoirs as vectors for transmission. Proper investigation of the pathogens in their rodent vectors could help  reduce and manage their emergence and spread. Methodology: This study was conducted with an approval from the Côte d’Ivoire Bioethics Community. Small mammal trappings were carried out in  9 sites within three zones namely, peri-urban, peri-rural and protected areas. Liver, lung and kidney tissues from trapped small mammals were  sampled in accordance with the recommended conditions of biosafety and bioethics. The organs were transported in liquid nitrogen to the  laboratory. Molecular tests were used to detect pathogens. Orthopoxviruses and Monkeypox virus were detected in the organs by PCR using  consensus primers targeting the virus surface membrane haemagglutinin (HA) genes, while Leptospira species were detected by PCR using primers  targeting the rrs and lfb1 genes. Results: Out of 4930 night-traps, 256 (5.19%) small mammals were trapped including Crocidura, Rattus, Lophuromys, Praomys, Mus and Mastomys.  Leptospira species were detected in 6 genera from 7 study sites and the infected small mammals accounted for 13.3%. Leptospira sp was detected  mainly in the rodent vector genera Rattus (32.3%), Lophuromys (29.0%), and Praomys (16.1%). Three species of Leptospira were detected and  Leptospira interrogans was the most common frequent species (74.2%). Monkeypox virus was not detected from studied small mammals. Conclusion: The initial data from our investigation indicates the presence of Leptospira sp in rodent vectors, Rattus, Lophuromys and Praomys,  which are the potential small mammalian reservoirs of this pathogen in Cote d’Ivoire

Induction et prolifération de cals à partir de l’axe embryonnaire du Voandzou [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. Fabaceae] : effet de la segmentation de l’explant, des phytohormones, de la source de carbone et du génotype

Le Voandzou [Vigna subterranea, (L.) Verdc.], occupe une place importante dans les stratégies élaborées pour assurer la sécurité alimentaire en Afrique subsaharienne. Le développement de systèmes de régénération in vitro de plantes, préalable au transfert de gènes nécessite l’établissement de conditions optimales de la callogenèse. Au cours du présent travail, l’étude des facteurs influençant l’induction et la prolifération des cals chez le Voandzou a été réalisée. L’axe embryonnaire issu de graines matures a été placé sur le milieu de base de Murashige et Skoog (1962) additionné avec les vitamines B5 et supplémenté avec différentes concentrations et combinaisons de phytohormones. Après quatre semaines de culture, les résultats ont montré que l’induction et la prolifération de cals ont été favorisées avec le 2,4-D (0,5 mg/l). La partie basale de l’axe embryonnaire a été la zone la plus favorable à la callogenèse. La meilleure source de carbone a été le saccharose à la concentration optimale de 84 mM. Les meilleurs taux d’induction (100 %) et de prolifération de cals (3) ont été exprimés avec les écotypes Ci2, Ci3, Ci4, Ci5, Ci6, Ci7, Ci10 et Ci21.Mots-clés : voandzou, axe embryonnaire, callogenèse, phytohormones.Callus induction and proliferation from embryonic axis in Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. Fabaceae]: effect of explants section, plant growth regulators, carbon source and genotypeBambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. ] contributes to food security in sub-Saharan Africa. Development of efficient systems of in vitro plant regeneration a prerequisite to gene transfer requires establishment of optimal conditions for callus formation. In this work, factors influencing callus induction and proliferation in Bambara have been studied. Embryonic axis derived mature seeds were placed on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium supplemented with vitamins B5 (MSB5), including different concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators. After four weeks of culture, results showed that 2,4-D (0.5 mg/L) exhibited the best frequency and proliferation index of callus. Basal part of embryonic axis was the explants of choice for callus induction and proliferation. Sucrose at optimum concentration of 84 mM was favorable to the process of callus formation. Highest callus induction frequency (100 %) and proliferation index (3) were expressed by ecotypes Ci2, Ci3, Ci4, Ci5, Ci6, Ci7, Ci10 and Ci21.Keywords : bambara groundnut, embryonic axis, callogenesis, plant growth regulators

Application d’un modèle conceptuel et d’un modèle de réseaux de neurones artificiels à la simulation des débits annuels dans le bassin versant du N’zi-Bandama (Côte d’Ivoire)

Cette étude présente la comparaison de deux approches de modélisation de la transformation pluie-débit à l'échelle annuelle : un modèle conceptuel et un réseau de neurones artificiels (RNA). Les deux modèles sont appliqués sur trois sous-bassins du fleuve N’zi-Bandama en Côte d'Ivoire. L’analyse comparative est basée sur les performances de simulation en termes de critère de Nash-Sutcliffe. Les modèles ont été testés sur deux périodes, l’une sèche (1973-1997) et l’autre humide (1961-1972). Les données d’entrée des deux modèles sont la pluie et l’évapotranspiration potentielle au pas de temps annuel. Les principaux résultats de ce travail montrent que les performances des deux modèles (conceptuel et neuronal) restent en général satisfaisantes avec des critères de Nash-Sutcliffe supérieurs à 60%. Ces modèles se sont révélés aussi robustes et adaptés pour la simulation des débits annuels des rivières. La comparaison des deux modèles a montré que le réseau de neurones a obtenu des résultats significativement meilleurs que le modèleconceptuel.Mots-clés : modélisation pluie-débit, modèle conceptuel, réseaux de neurones artificiels, N’zi-Bandama, Côte d’Ivoir.Application of a conceptual model and a model of artificial neural networks for the simulation of annual flows in the N'Zi-Bandama watershed (Ivory Coast).This study presents the comparison of two approaches of modelisation of the rainfall-runoff transformation on an annual scale: a conceptual model and an artificial neural network. The two models are applied to three watersheds of the N’zi-Bandama river in Ivory Coast. The comparative analysis is based on the performances of simulation in terms of criterion of Nash-Sutcliffe. The models were tested over two periods, one dries (1973-1997) and the other wet one (1961-1972). The data input of the two models are the rain and the potential evapotranspiration with the step of annual time. The principal results of this work show that the performances of the two models (conceptual and neuronal) remain satisfactory in general with criteria of Nash-Sutcliffe higher than 60%. These models appeared also robust and adapted for the simulation of the annual flow of the rivers. The comparison of the two models showed that the network of neurons had results significantly better than the conceptual model.Keywords : rainfall-runoff modelling, conceptual model, artificial neural network, N’zi-Bandama, Ivory Coast

Détermination du Niveau de Contamination en Métaux Lourds (Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercure et Plomb) de Quatre Espèces de Poissons Consommées par les Familles de Pêcheurs de Jacqueville

L’objectif de cette étude était de déterminer le niveau de contamination des éléments traces métalliques (ETM) toxiques (arsenic, cadmium, mercure et plomb) dans des poissons consommés par les familles des pécheurs de Jacqueville, et ce dans le cadre d’une évaluation des risques chimiques liés à la consommation de poissons. Pour ce faire, 72 échantillons de poissons prélevés auprès de 81 foyers enquêtés et repartis entre 4 espèces, ont été analysés par spectrophotométrie d’absorption atomique. Il ressort que les traces des différents métaux existent dans les muscles (chairs) à des taux variables avec un dépassement des critères de comestibilité au niveau de l’arsenic et du cadmium. D’une part, Selene dorsalis avec 1,26 mg/kg, Sarotherodon melanotheron avec 1,33 mg/kg et Chrysichthys avec 1,27 mg/kg sont les poissons les plus contaminés en arsenic. D’autre part, Selene dorsalis avec 0,063 mg/kg et Sardina pilchardus avec 0,054 mg/kg présentent des niveaux de contamination cadmique élevés. Ces valeurs sont supérieures à la limite autorisée (0,05). Le risque pour ces consommateurs peut être réel du fait du caractère cumulatif lié à la toxicité de ces métaux, si les quantités consommées sont élevées.   The purpose of this study was to determine the level of contamination of toxic trace metal elements (TME) (arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead) in fish consumed by the families of Jacqueville fishermen, as part of an assessment of chemical risks associated with fish consumption. To do this, 72 fish samples taken from 81 households surveyed and divided between 4 species, were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. It appears that traces of different metals exist in the muscles (flesh) at variable levels with edibility criteria exceeded in terms of arsenic and cadmium. On the one hand, Selene dorsalis with 1.26 mg/kg, Sarotherodon melanotheron with 1.33 mg/kg and Chrysichthys with 1.27 mg/kg are the fish most contaminated with arsenic. On the other hand, Selene dorsalis with 0.063 mg/kg and Sardina pilchardus with 0.054 mg/kg present high levels of cadmium contamination. These values are greater than the authorized limit (0.05). The risk for these consumers can be real due to the cumulative nature linked to the toxicity of these metals if the quantities consumed are high

Détermination du Niveau de Contamination Métallique (Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercure et Plomb) de Quatre Espèces de Poissons Consommées par les Familles de Pêcheurs de Jacqueville

L’objectif de cette étude était de déterminer le niveau de contamination des éléments traces métalliques (ETM) toxiques (arsenic, cadmium, mercure et plomb) dans des poissons consommés par les familles des pécheurs de Jacqueville, et ce dans le cadre d’une évaluation des risques chimiques liés à la consommation de poissons. Pour ce faire, 72 échantillons de poissons prélevés auprès de 81 foyers enquêtés et repartis entre 4 espèces, ont été analysés par spectrophotométrie d’absorption atomique. Il ressort que les traces des différents métaux existent dans les muscles (chairs) à des taux variables avec un dépassement des critères de comestibilité au niveau de l’arsenic et du cadmium. D’une part, Selene dorsalis avec 1,26 mg/kg, Sarotherodon melanotheron avec 1,33 mg/kg et Chrysichthys avec 1,27 mg/kg sont les poissons les plus contaminés en arsenic. D’autre part, Selene dorsalis avec 0,063 mg/kg et Sardina pilchardus avec 0,054 mg/kg présentent des niveaux de contamination cadmique élevés. Ces valeurs sont supérieures à la limite autorisée. Le risque pour ces consommateurs est réel du fait du caractère cumulatif lié à la toxicité de ces métaux, et des quantités consommées.   The purpose of this study was to determine the level of contamination of toxic trace metal elements (ETM) (arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead) in fish consumed by the families of Jacqueville fishermen, within the framework of an assessment of the chemical risks linked to the consumption of fish by the families of these fishermen. To do this, 72 samples taken from 81 households surveyed and divided between 4 species (each from a family) at a rate of 18 per species were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. It appears that the traces of the different metals exist in the muscles (flesh) at variable rates with an overrun of the edibility criteria at the level of arsenic and cadmium. On the one hand, Selene dorsalis with 1.26 mg/kg, Sarotherodon melanotheron with 1.33 mg/kg and Chrysichthys with 1.27 mg/kg are the fish most contaminated with arsenic. On the other hand, Selene dorsalis with 0.063 mg/kg and Sardina pilchardus with 0.054 mg/kg show high levels of cadmium contamination. These values are above the allowed limit. The risk for these consumers is real due to the cumulative nature linked to the toxicity of these metals, and the quantities consumed

Détermination du Niveau de Contamination Métallique (Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercure et Plomb) de Quatre Espèces de Poissons Consommées par les Familles de Pêcheurs de Jacqueville

L’objectif de cette étude était de déterminer le niveau de contamination des éléments traces métalliques (ETM) toxiques (arsenic, cadmium, mercure et plomb) dans des poissons consommés par les familles des pécheurs de Jacqueville, et ce dans le cadre d’une évaluation des risques chimiques liés à la consommation de poissons. Pour ce faire, 72 échantillons de poissons prélevés auprès de 81 foyers enquêtés et repartis entre 4 espèces, ont été analysés par spectrophotométrie d’absorption atomique. Il ressort que les traces des différents métaux existent dans les muscles (chairs) à des taux variables avec un dépassement des critères de comestibilité au niveau de l’arsenic et du cadmium. D’une part, Selene dorsalis avec 1,26 mg/kg, Sarotherodon melanotheron avec 1,33 mg/kg et Chrysichthys avec 1,27 mg/kg sont les poissons les plus contaminés en arsenic. D’autre part, Selene dorsalis avec 0,063 mg/kg et Sardina pilchardus avec 0,054 mg/kg présentent des niveaux de contamination cadmique élevés. Ces valeurs sont supérieures à la limite autorisée. Le risque pour ces consommateurs est réel du fait du caractère cumulatif lié à la toxicité de ces métaux, et des quantités consommées.   The purpose of this study was to determine the level of contamination of toxic trace metal elements (ETM) (arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead) in fish consumed by the families of Jacqueville fishermen, within the framework of an assessment of the chemical risks linked to the consumption of fish by the families of these fishermen. To do this, 72 samples taken from 81 households surveyed and divided between 4 species (each from a family) at a rate of 18 per species were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. It appears that the traces of the different metals exist in the muscles (flesh) at variable rates with an overrun of the edibility criteria at the level of arsenic and cadmium. On the one hand, Selene dorsalis with 1.26 mg/kg, Sarotherodon melanotheron with 1.33 mg/kg and Chrysichthys with 1.27 mg/kg are the fish most contaminated with arsenic. On the other hand, Selene dorsalis with 0.063 mg/kg and Sardina pilchardus with 0.054 mg/kg show high levels of cadmium contamination. These values are above the allowed limit. The risk for these consumers is real due to the cumulative nature linked to the toxicity of these metals, and the quantities consumed

Global Overview of Flora and Plant Diversity in Togo (West Africa)

The flora constitutes an important reference tool very used in biology. Its constant update is fundamental in order to promote new directions in conservation. The current study was developed as a synthesis of the analytical flora in Togo. It aims to produce an inventory of this flora by emphasizing its distribution along ecological zones. Its purpose is to make an assessment of the greatest entities of the flora including those of introduced, threatened to disappearance plant species. This synthesis was possible thanks to the use of data retrieved from the existing analytical flora associated with some reports on this flora. Information was organized according to the junctions, of introducing and threatened to disappearances species. They were analyzed on the basis of the phytogeographical types and life forms, and then classified according to ecological zone. From this synthesis it appeared that the flora of Togo would lay out 3468 species distributed among the algae (201especes), Bryophytes (13 species), Pteridophyts (129 species), Gymnosperms (13 species), and Angiosperms (2992 species). The phanerophytes, therophytes, the lianas, and hemicryptophytes dominate the biological spectrum, whereas the guineo-congolian (GC), Sudano-Zambezian (SZ), and transition zone species (GC-SZ) represents phytogeographical types. Face to the new challenges, especially economic, and environmental which fit all in a sustainable context of resources management, an update of all the flora will be a strategic element in the framework of management and conservation of biodiversity

Management of Hypertension in the Elderly Patient at Abidjan Cardiology Institute (Ivory Coast)

Background. Since the treatment of hypertension is beneficial for the elderly, we have undertaken this study that aims to evaluate the management of hypertension in elderly patient in Côte d'Ivoire. Methods. A retrospective study was conducted among 854 hypertensive elderly patients of Abidjan Cardiology Institute who were followed for a minimum of one year, between January 2000 and December 2009. Results. The patients mean age was 73.1 ± 5.3 years, and 59% were women. At the first presentation, it was mostly systolic-diastolic hypertension (51.8%) and isolated systolic hypertension (38.5%). Mean blood pressure was 169.4 ± 28.4 mmHg for systolic, 95.3 ± 15.7 mmHg for diastolic, and 74.1 ± 22.8 mmHg for pulse pressure. Pulse pressure was ≥60 mmHg in 80.4%. According to the European Guidelines stratification of the cardiovascular risk-excess attributable to high blood pressure, 82.1% of the sample had a very high added risk. The pharmacological therapy was prescribed in 93.5%. More than 66% of patients were receiving ≥2 antihypertensive drugs including fixed-dose combination drugs. The most common agents used were diuretics (63.5%) followed by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers in 61.3%. The most common agents used for monotherapy were calcium antagonists. When ≥2 drugs were used, diuretics and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers were the most common. Blood pressure control was achieved in 42.6%. Conclusion. The control of elderly hypertension can be effective in Sub-Saharan Africa. He required at least two antihypertensive drugs to meet the recommended blood pressure target