Evaluation of the Antifungal Activity of Five Medicinal Plants on the in vitro Growth of a Multi-resistant Strain of Candida Albicans

This study was conducted to determine the antifungal potential of plants traditionally used in the treatment of infections. Five (5) plants were collected. The anti-candida albicans activity was evaluated by the double dilution method in tilted tubes with the aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts of the different plants. The results showed that the 70% ethanolic extracts were more active than the aqueous extracts for all plants. The 70% ethanolic extract of T. ivorensis (FMC = 1.56 mg/ml) was the most active on the tested strain. It was followed by T. superba (MFC = 3.125 mg/ml) D. benthamianus (MFC = 50 mg/mL), G. arborea (MFC= 50 mg/mL) and J. secunda (MFC ˃ 50 mg/mL). The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of seven major groups of compounds, among which saponins and catechins are the most abundant in the aqueous extracts. Polyphenols, Flavonoids, Polyterpenes and Sterols as well as Tannins are equally present in the alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the different plants at variable levels. These compounds could justify its activity and its traditional use

Evaluation of the Antifungal Activity of Five Medicinal Plants on the in vitro Growth of a Multi-resistant Strain of Candida Albicans

This study was conducted to determine the antifungal potential of plants traditionally used in the treatment of infections. Five (5) plants were collected. The anti-candida albicans activity was evaluated by the double dilution method in tilted tubes with the aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts of the different plants. The results showed that the 70% ethanolic extracts were more active than the aqueous extracts for all plants. The 70% ethanolic extract of T. ivorensis (FMC = 1.56 mg/ml) was the most active on the tested strain. It was followed by T. superba (MFC = 3.125 mg/ml) D. benthamianus (MFC = 50 mg/mL), G. arborea (MFC= 50 mg/mL) and J. secunda (MFC ˃ 50 mg/mL). The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of seven major groups of compounds, among which saponins and catechins are the most abundant in the aqueous extracts. Polyphenols, Flavonoids, Polyterpenes and Sterols as well as Tannins are equally present in the alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the different plants at variable levels. These compounds could justify its activity and its traditional use

Evaluation of the Antifungal Activity of Five Medicinal Plants on the In vitro Growth of a Multi-resistant Strain of Candida albicans

This paper focuses on determining the antifungal potential of plants traditionally used to treat infections. Five (5) plants were collected. The anti-Candida albicans activity was evaluated by the double dilution method in tilted tubes with the aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts of the different plants. The results showed that 70% ethanolic extracts were more active than the aqueous extracts for all the plants. The 70% ethanolic extract of Terminalia ivorensis (MFC = 1.56 mg/mL) was the most active on the tested strain. This was followed by Terminalia Superba (MFC = 3.125 mg/mL), Distemonanthus benthamianus (MFC = 50 mg/mL), Gmelina arborea (MFC= 50 mg/mL), and Justicia secunda (MFC ˃ 50 mg/mL). The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of seven (7) major groups of compounds. Saponosides are present only in the aqueous extracts of plants. Polyphenols, Flavonoids, Polyterpenes, and Sterols as well as Tanins are present in both alcoholic and aqueous extracts. These compounds could justify its activity and its traditional use. The interesting results obtained with the hydroethanolic extract of Terminalia ivorensis incite further research with this extract. A bio-guided study on the fractions from this extract could lead to the discovery of one or more molecules of interest in the fight against pathogenic fungi

Diversity and abundance of birds devastating rice-growing in the town of Daloa and its outskirts (Centre-West, Cote d'Ivoire)

Rice devastating birds are responsible for many losses in rice fields around the world. In Côte d'Ivoire, data on these birds is almost non-existent in the interior of the country. A study on these birds was carried out from November to December 2019 in three rice fields (Zépréguhé, Abattoir and Kennedy) in the town of Daloa and its outskirts. The objective of this study was to know the population of these birds in this area. The main method used was the fixed-point, time-dependent counts or point-in-time abundance index (IPA) method. This yielded 2368 individuals of 41 species in 14 families of eight orders. The Shannon-Weaver diversity (H'); equitability (E); dominance (IDO) and IPA indices of rice devastating birds in this zone are 3.03, 0.82, 24.79 and 135 respectively. The family best represented is that of the Ploceidae with 12 species and 882 individuals. The Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus and the Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus represent the two most abundant species with numbers of 368 and 219 individuals respectively. Of the three study sites, the Zépréguhé site is the most important in terms of species richness (38 species), relative abundance (37.54%) and IPA (IPA= 156). Further studies are planned to monitor the diversity and population dynamics of these birds over the long term and to determine the extent of their impacts on rice production in this area

Diversity and abundance of birds devastating rice-growing in the town of Daloa and its outskirts (Centre-West, Cote d'Ivoire)

Rice devastating birds are responsible for many losses in rice fields around the world. In Côte d'Ivoire, data on these birds is almost non-existent in the interior of the country. A study on these birds was carried out from November to December 2019 in three rice fields (Zépréguhé, Abattoir and Kennedy) in the town of Daloa and its outskirts. The objective of this study was to know the population of these birds in this area. The main method used was the fixed-point, time-dependent counts or point-in-time abundance index (IPA) method. This yielded 2368 individuals of 41 species in 14 families of eight orders. The Shannon-Weaver diversity (H'); equitability (E); dominance (IDO) and IPA indices of rice devastating birds in this zone are 3.03, 0.82, 24.79 and 135 respectively. The family best represented is that of the Ploceidae with 12 species and 882 individuals. The Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus and the Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus represent the two most abundant species with numbers of 368 and 219 individuals respectively. Of the three study sites, the Zépréguhé site is the most important in terms of species richness (38 species), relative abundance (37.54%) and IPA (IPA= 156). Further studies are planned to monitor the diversity and population dynamics of these birds over the long term and to determine the extent of their impacts on rice production in this area

Diversity and abundance of birds devastating rice-growing in the town of Daloa and its outskirts (Centre-West, Cote d'Ivoire)

Rice devastating birds are responsible for many losses in rice fields around the world. In Cote d'Ivoire, data on birds in inland are almost non-existent. A study on these birds was carried out from November to December 2019 in three rice fields (Zepreguhe, Abattoir and Kennedy) in the town of Daloa and its outskirts. The study aimed to know the population of those birds in this area. The main method used was the fixed-point, time-dependent counts or point-in-time abundance index (PIA) method. It was possible to count 2368 individuals of 41 species belonging to 14 families of eight orders. The Shannon-Wiever diversity (H'); equitability (E); dominance (IDO) and IPA indices of rice devastating birds in this zone are 3.03, 0.82, 24.79 and 135 respectively. The best-represented family is the Ploceidae with 12 species and 882 individuals. The Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus and the Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus represent the two most abundant species with numbers of 368 and 219 individuals respectively. Of the three study sites, the Zepreguhe site is the most important in terms of specific richness (38 species), relative abundance (37.54%) and PIA (PIA = 155). Further studies are planned to monitor the diversity and population dynamics of these birds over the long term and to determine the extent of their impact on rice production in this area

Usefulness of Noninvasive Predictors of Oesophageal Varices in Black African Cirrhotic Patients in Côte d'Ivoire (West Africa)

Aims. To determine the usefulness of platelet count (PC), spleen diameter (SD) and platelet count/spleen diameter ratio (PC/SD ratio) for the prediction of oesophageal varices (OV) and large OV in black African patients with cirrhosis in Côte d’Ivoire. Materials and Methods. Study was conducted in a training sample (111 patients) and in a validation sample (91 patients). Results. Factors predicting OV were sex: (OR=0.08, P=0.0003), PC (OR = 12.4, P=0.0003), SD (OR = 1.04, P=0.002) in the training sample. The AUROCs (±SE) of the model (cutoff ≥ 0.6), PC (cutoff 140) and PC/SD ratio (cutoff ≤ 868) were, respectively; 0.879 ± 0.04, 0.768 ± 0.06, 0.679 ± 0.06, 0.793 ± 0.06. For the prediction of large OV, the model’s AUROC (0.850 ± 0.05) was superior to that of PC (0.688 ± 0.06), SD (0.732 ± 0.05) and PC/SD ratio (0.752 ± 0.06). In the validation sample, with PC, PC/SD ratio and the model, upper digestive endoscopy could be obviated respectively in 45.1, 45.1, and 44% of cirrhotic patients. Prophylactic treatment with beta blockers could be started undoubtedly respectively in 36.3, 41.8 and 28.6% of them as having large OV. Conclusion. Non-invasive means could be used to monitor cirrhotic patients and consider treatment in African regions lacking endoscopic facilities

Socializing One Health: an innovative strategy to investigate social and behavioral risks of emerging viral threats

In an effort to strengthen global capacity to prevent, detect, and control infectious diseases in animals and people, the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Emerging Pandemic Threats (EPT) PREDICT project funded development of regional, national, and local One Health capacities for early disease detection, rapid response, disease control, and risk reduction. From the outset, the EPT approach was inclusive of social science research methods designed to understand the contexts and behaviors of communities living and working at human-animal-environment interfaces considered high-risk for virus emergence. Using qualitative and quantitative approaches, PREDICT behavioral research aimed to identify and assess a range of socio-cultural behaviors that could be influential in zoonotic disease emergence, amplification, and transmission. This broad approach to behavioral risk characterization enabled us to identify and characterize human activities that could be linked to the transmission dynamics of new and emerging viruses. This paper provides a discussion of implementation of a social science approach within a zoonotic surveillance framework. We conducted in-depth ethnographic interviews and focus groups to better understand the individual- and community-level knowledge, attitudes, and practices that potentially put participants at risk for zoonotic disease transmission from the animals they live and work with, across 6 interface domains. When we asked highly-exposed individuals (ie. bushmeat hunters, wildlife or guano farmers) about the risk they perceived in their occupational activities, most did not perceive it to be risky, whether because it was normalized by years (or generations) of doing such an activity, or due to lack of information about potential risks. Integrating the social sciences allows investigations of the specific human activities that are hypothesized to drive disease emergence, amplification, and transmission, in order to better substantiate behavioral disease drivers, along with the social dimensions of infection and transmission dynamics. Understanding these dynamics is critical to achieving health security--the protection from threats to health-- which requires investments in both collective and individual health security. Involving behavioral sciences into zoonotic disease surveillance allowed us to push toward fuller community integration and engagement and toward dialogue and implementation of recommendations for disease prevention and improved health security

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance.

Investment in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences that have been generated and used to track the pandemic on the continent, a number that now exceeds 100,000 genomes. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries that are able to sequence domestically and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround times and more-regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and illuminate the distinct dispersal dynamics of variants of concern-particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron-on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve while the continent faces many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century