Variabilités et Tendances des Paramètres Hydroclimatiques dans le Bassin Versant de la Rivière Banco au Sud de la Côte d’Ivoire

This study conducted in the basin of Banco river in Abidjan (5°20’ and 5°26’ at latitude north and between 4°1’ and 4°5’ at longitude west) in the south of Cote d’Ivoire aims at underlining the existence of climate variability on the basis of fluctuations and trends in hydro climatic data ( rainfalls, temperatures and discharges). To reach this goal, diverse data (pluviometric, thermometric and hydrometrical) and methods (Nicholson rating/index, Mann Kendall test; Cusum test; t-student test and Sen incline/slope estimator) are used. In light of the results, a climatic variability characterized by the alternation of humid, normal and dry years have been revealed in the area under study. The statistical indexes/ratings and methods show the continuity of the rainfall recession established since 1970 before a resumption of the pluviometry from the year 2000 onwards. Concerning the temperatures, we notice a slight fall of the annual average temperature triggered by the regression of minimal temperatures. The average temperature in the hole basin has decreased of 1.4°C in the last 34 years. The manifestations of this climate variability hardly impact on the flow of the river. An important increase in the superficial outflow appears in the basin with a rate of change of 71.25%, indicating therefore sufficient water availability.La présente étude menée sur le bassin versant de la rivière Banco à Abidjan (5°20’ et 5°26’ de latitude Nord et entre 4°1’et 4°5’ de longitude Ouest) dans le sud de la Côte d’Ivoire vise à mettre en exergue l'existence d'une variabilité climatique, à partir des fluctuations et des tendances dans les données hydroclimatiques (pluies, températures et débits). Pour atteindre cet objectif, diverses données (pluviométriques, thermométriques et hydrométriques) et méthodes (indice de Nicholson, tests de Cusum, de tstudent, de Mann-Kendall et de l’estimateur de la pente de Sen) ont été utilisées. A la lumière des résultats acquis, une variabilité climatique caractérisée par une alternance d’années humides, normales et sèches a été mise en évidence dans la zone d’étude. Les indices et méthodes statistiques montrent la continuité de la récession pluviométrique établie depuis 1970 avant une reprise pluviométrique à partir de l’année 2000. En ce qui concerne les températures, on assiste à une légère baisse de la température moyenne annuelle provoquée par la régression des températures minimales. La température moyenne dans le bassin versant a baissé de 1,4°C au cours des 34 dernières années. Les manifestations de cette variabilité climatique affectent peu le débit de la rivière. Une augmentation importante de l’écoulement superficielle apparaît dans le bassin avec un taux de changement de 71,25%, indiquant ainsi une bonne disponibilité en eau

Patterns of Diversity and Distribution of Arboreal Social Bees’ Beehives within Chimpanzees’ Home Range in a Forest-Savanna Mosaic (Comoé National Park, Côte d’Ivoire)

The goal of this study was to explain the patterns of diversity and distribution of arboreal social bees nesting in forest habitats of the Comoé National park, within the home-ranges of wild chimpanzees that consume their honey. Investigations were done using a total sixteen plots, one hectare each, established in three habitat types (mature forest island, secondary forest island and gallery forest). The diversity and distribution of arboreal social bees was estimated with visuals searches. The exploitation of the beehives of these bee by the chimpanzees was also evaluated using chimpanzees’ honey dipping tools as indicators. Results revealed five bees’ species belonging to two tribes; Meliponini (Meliponula ferruginea, Meliponula togoensis, Meliponula bocandei, Hypotrigona gribodoi) and Apini (Apis mellifera). Frequent exploitation of the honey of stingless bees by the chimpanzees was observed, except for H. gribodoi. Meliponula ferruginea was the most exploited species by chimpanzees. A total of 114 beehives were found in the overall established plots leading to an estimated density of 2.4 beehives/ha in the study area. Among the surveyed habitats, mature forest island was found to harbor the highest beehive density (4.2 beehives/ha), followed respectively by secondary-forest island (1.9 beehives/ha) and gallery forest (1.1 beehives/ha). Finally, all bee species were found nesting in cavities of trees with a DBH ranging from 15 to 87.3 cm, with a special preference for Dialium guinneense. However, the DBH of nesting trees and beehives’ height, measured from the ground level, did not significantly influence the honey exploitation by chimpanzees. In sum bee species diversity and distribution might be important in the survival of chimpanzees of a forest savanna landscape

Analyse descriptive et facteurs agronomiques d’avant-garde de l’état sanitaire des vergers anacardiers (Anacardium occidentale L.) en Côte d’Ivoire

Une étude a été réalisée dans les Régions de la Bagoué, du Poro et du Tchologo pour évaluer les facteurs d’avant-garde du niveau sanitaire des vergers anacardiers en Côte d’Ivoire. Les données ont été recueillies dans 250 plantations sélectionnées au hasard sur des fiches de relevés sanitaires. Le niveau sanitaire de dix pieds par hectare a été évalué sur la diagonale en zigzag dans chaque verger d’anacardier. Les techniques d’analyse utilisées comprenaient des statistiques descriptives pour les caractéristiques des arbres et un modèle de régression linéaire pour déterminer les principaux facteurs qui influencent le niveau sanitaire des vergers. Il resort de cette étude que le nombre de plantes par hectare, l’âge du verger, la source des semences, la nature du sol et l’utilisation de pesticides ont eu une influence significative sur le niveau sanitaire des vergers. Les exploitations de plus de 100 arbres par hectare et le manque d’entretien des vergers ont augmenté l’infestation de plus de 5%. Les vergers qui respectent cette densité ont réduit l’incidence des agents pathogènes à moins de 25%. Les efforts d’amélioration de la production de la noix d’anacarde en Côte d’Ivoire doivent tenir compte de ces facteurs d’avant-garde. L’étude a recommandé une meilleure formation des producteurs sur les techniques de lutte agronomique en cajouculture pour une production saine. A study was carried out in Bagoué, Poro and Tchologo Regions to assess the determinants of the cashew orchards sanitary level in Cote d’Ivoire. Data were collected from 250 randomly selected plantations through the use of structured sanitary sheet. The sanitary level of ten trees per hectare was assessed on the zigzag diagonal in each cashew tree orchard. Analytical techniques employed included descriptive statistics to analyze the characteristics of respondent cashew orchards, and linear regression model to examine the determinants of orchards sanitary level among the farms visited. From this study, it appears that the number of plants per hectare, farm age, source of seeds, nature of soil and the use of pesticides were found to significantly influence sanitary level of cashew orchards. In a priori expectation, the farms with more than 100 trees per hectare and the lack of maintenance of orchards were found to be increased the infestation more than 5%. The farms which respect this line reduced the incidence of pathogens less than 25%. Efforts to improve cashew nut production in Cote d'Ivoire must take  these leading factors into account. The study recommended better training of producers on cashew nut agronomic control techniques for healthy production

Phenotypic and Pathogenic Characterization of Leaf Fungi of Yam (Dioscorea spp) Varieties Grown In Côte D’Ivoire

Yam (Dioscorea spp) occupies an important place in the diet of the populations of Côte d’Ivoire. It is a real source of starch and therefore generates enormous commercial potential. However, the decrease in production due to pest attacks represents a real threat to this crop. This study was conducted with the aim of improving yam production in Côte d’Ivoire. To do so, isolations carried out on yam leaves showing symptoms of foliar diseases have allowed us to identify 9 fungal genera. These were Colletotrichum sp., Fusarium sp., Pestalotiopsis sp., Pestalotia sp., Botryodiplodia sp., Aspergillus sp., Mucor sp., Curvularia sp. and Phytophtora sp. Among these fungi, the genus Colletotrichum sp. was the most isolated with a rate of 56% followed by the Fusarium and Pestalotia genera (8%). Pathogenicity tests performed on healthy leaves of two yam varieties revealed that the Dioscorea alata is more susceptible to fungi compared to Dioscorea rotundata. The largest average diameter of necrosis was caused by Pestalotiopsis sp. (5.97 cm) on the Dioscorea alata variety while the smallest was caused by Colletotrichum sp.9 on Dioscorea rotundata (0.5 cm). Combatting these fungi need to be developed for effective management of leaf diseases of yam in Côte d’Ivoire

Efficacy of chloroquine, amodiaquine and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria: revisiting molecular markers in an area of emerging AQ and SP resistance in Mali

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To update the National Malaria Control Programme of Mali on the efficacy of chloroquine, amodiaquine and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine in the treatment of uncomplicated <it>falciparum </it>malaria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>During the malaria transmission seasons of 2002 and 2003, 455 children – between six and 59 months of age, with uncomplicated malaria in Kolle, Mali, were randomly assigned to one of three treatment arms. <it>In vivo </it>outcomes were assessed using WHO standard protocols. Genotyping of <it>msp1</it>, <it>msp2 </it>and CA1 polymorphisms were used to distinguish reinfection from recrudescent parasites (molecular correction).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Day 28 adequate clinical and parasitological responses (ACPR) were 14.1%, 62.3% and 88.9% in 2002 and 18.2%, 60% and 85.2% in 2003 for chloroquine, amodiaquine and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine, respectively. After molecular correction, ACPRs (cACPR) were 63.2%, 88.5% and 98.0% in 2002 and 75.5%, 85.2% and 96.6% in 2003 for CQ, AQ and SP, respectively. Amodiaquine was the most effective on fever. Amodiaquine therapy selected molecular markers for chloroquine resistance, while in the sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine arm the level of <it>dhfr </it>triple mutant and <it>dhfr</it>/<it>dhps </it>quadruple mutant increased from 31.5% and 3.8% in 2002 to 42.9% and 8.9% in 2003, respectively. No infection with <it>dhps </it>540E was found.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this study, treatment with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine emerged as the most efficacious on uncomplicated falciparum malaria followed by amodiaquine. The study demonstrated that sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine and amodiaquine were appropriate partner drugs that could be associated with artemisinin derivatives in an artemisinin-based combination therapy.</p

Impact of changing the measles vaccine vial size on Niger's vaccine supply chain: a computational model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many countries, such as Niger, are considering changing their vaccine vial size presentation and may want to evaluate the subsequent impact on their supply chains, the series of steps required to get vaccines from their manufacturers to patients. The measles vaccine is particularly important in Niger, a country prone to measles outbreaks.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We developed a detailed discrete event simulation model of the vaccine supply chain representing every vaccine, storage location, refrigerator, freezer, and transport device (e.g., cold trucks, 4 × 4 trucks, and vaccine carriers) in the Niger Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). Experiments simulated the impact of replacing the 10-dose measles vial size with 5-dose, 2-dose and 1-dose vial sizes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Switching from the 10-dose to the 5-dose, 2-dose and 1-dose vial sizes decreased the average availability of EPI vaccines for arriving patients from 83% to 82%, 81% and 78%, respectively for a 100% target population size. The switches also changed transport vehicle's utilization from a mean of 58% (range: 4-164%) to means of 59% (range: 4-164%), 62% (range: 4-175%), and 67% (range: 5-192%), respectively, between the regional and district stores, and from a mean of 160% (range: 83-300%) to means of 161% (range: 82-322%), 175% (range: 78-344%), and 198% (range: 88-402%), respectively, between the district to integrated health centres (IHC). The switch also changed district level storage utilization from a mean of 65% to means of 64%, 66% and 68% (range for all scenarios: 3-100%). Finally, accounting for vaccine administration, wastage, and disposal, replacing the 10-dose vial with the 5 or 1-dose vials would increase the cost per immunized patient from $0.47US to$0.71US and $1.26US, respectively.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The switch from the 10-dose measles vaccines to smaller vial sizes could overwhelm the capacities of many storage facilities and transport vehicles as well as increase the cost per vaccinated child.</p

Efficacy and effectiveness of an rVSV-vectored vaccine in preventing Ebola virus disease: final results from the Guinea ring vaccination, open-label, cluster-randomised trial (Ebola Ça Suffit!).

BACKGROUND: rVSV-ZEBOV is a recombinant, replication competent vesicular stomatitis virus-based candidate vaccine expressing a surface glycoprotein of Zaire Ebolavirus. We tested the effect of rVSV-ZEBOV in preventing Ebola virus disease in contacts and contacts of contacts of recently confirmed cases in Guinea, west Africa. METHODS: We did an open-label, cluster-randomised ring vaccination trial (Ebola ça Suffit!) in the communities of Conakry and eight surrounding prefectures in the Basse-Guinée region of Guinea, and in Tomkolili and Bombali in Sierra Leone. We assessed the efficacy of a single intramuscular dose of rVSV-ZEBOV (2×107 plaque-forming units administered in the deltoid muscle) in the prevention of laboratory confirmed Ebola virus disease. After confirmation of a case of Ebola virus disease, we definitively enumerated on a list a ring (cluster) of all their contacts and contacts of contacts including named contacts and contacts of contacts who were absent at the time of the trial team visit. The list was archived, then we randomly assigned clusters (1:1) to either immediate vaccination or delayed vaccination (21 days later) of all eligible individuals (eg, those aged ≥18 years and not pregnant, breastfeeding, or severely ill). An independent statistician generated the assignment sequence using block randomisation with randomly varying blocks, stratified by location (urban vs rural) and size of rings (≤20 individuals vs >20 individuals). Ebola response teams and laboratory workers were unaware of assignments. After a recommendation by an independent data and safety monitoring board, randomisation was stopped and immediate vaccination was also offered to children aged 6-17 years and all identified rings. The prespecified primary outcome was a laboratory confirmed case of Ebola virus disease with onset 10 days or more from randomisation. The primary analysis compared the incidence of Ebola virus disease in eligible and vaccinated individuals assigned to immediate vaccination versus eligible contacts and contacts of contacts assigned to delayed vaccination. This trial is registered with the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry, number PACTR201503001057193. FINDINGS: In the randomised part of the trial we identified 4539 contacts and contacts of contacts in 51 clusters randomly assigned to immediate vaccination (of whom 3232 were eligible, 2151 consented, and 2119 were immediately vaccinated) and 4557 contacts and contacts of contacts in 47 clusters randomly assigned to delayed vaccination (of whom 3096 were eligible, 2539 consented, and 2041 were vaccinated 21 days after randomisation). No cases of Ebola virus disease occurred 10 days or more after randomisation among randomly assigned contacts and contacts of contacts vaccinated in immediate clusters versus 16 cases (7 clusters affected) among all eligible individuals in delayed clusters. Vaccine efficacy was 100% (95% CI 68·9-100·0, p=0·0045), and the calculated intraclass correlation coefficient was 0·035. Additionally, we defined 19 non-randomised clusters in which we enumerated 2745 contacts and contacts of contacts, 2006 of whom were eligible and 1677 were immediately vaccinated, including 194 children. The evidence from all 117 clusters showed that no cases of Ebola virus disease occurred 10 days or more after randomisation among all immediately vaccinated contacts and contacts of contacts versus 23 cases (11 clusters affected) among all eligible contacts and contacts of contacts in delayed plus all eligible contacts and contacts of contacts never vaccinated in immediate clusters. The estimated vaccine efficacy here was 100% (95% CI 79·3-100·0, p=0·0033). 52% of contacts and contacts of contacts assigned to immediate vaccination and in non-randomised clusters received the vaccine immediately; vaccination protected both vaccinated and unvaccinated people in those clusters. 5837 individuals in total received the vaccine (5643 adults and 194 children), and all vaccinees were followed up for 84 days. 3149 (53·9%) of 5837 individuals reported at least one adverse event in the 14 days after vaccination; these were typically mild (87·5% of all 7211 adverse events). Headache (1832 [25·4%]), fatigue (1361 [18·9%]), and muscle pain (942 [13·1%]) were the most commonly reported adverse events in this period across all age groups. 80 serious adverse events were identified, of which two were judged to be related to vaccination (one febrile reaction and one anaphylaxis) and one possibly related (influenza-like illness); all three recovered without sequelae. INTERPRETATION: The results add weight to the interim assessment that rVSV-ZEBOV offers substantial protection against Ebola virus disease, with no cases among vaccinated individuals from day 10 after vaccination in both randomised and non-randomised clusters. FUNDING: WHO, UK Wellcome Trust, the UK Government through the Department of International Development, Médecins Sans Frontières, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (through the Research Council of Norway's GLOBVAC programme), and the Canadian Government (through the Public Health Agency of Canada, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, International Development Research Centre and Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development)

Quinine Treatment Selects the pfnhe-1 ms4760-1 Polymorphism in Malian Patients with Falciparum Malaria

Background. The mechanism of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to quinine is not known. In vitro quantitative trait loci mapping suggests involvement of a predicted P. falciparum sodium-hydrogen exchanger (pfnhe-1) on chromosome 13. Methods. We conducted prospective quinine efficacy studies in 2 villages, Kolle and Faladie, Mali. Cases of clinical malaria requiring intravenous therapy were treated with standard doses of quinine and followed for 28 days. Treatment outcomes were classified using modified World Health Organization protocols. Molecular markers of parasite polymorphisms were used to distinguish recrudescent parasites from new infections. The prevalence of pfnhe-1 ms4760-1 among parasites before versus after quinine treatment was determined by direct sequencing. Results. Overall, 163 patients were enrolled and successfully followed. Without molecular correction, the mean adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) was 50.3% (n = 163). After polymerase chain reaction correction to account for new infections, the corrected ACPR was 100%. The prevalence of ms4760-1 increased significantly, from 26.2% (n = 107) before quinine treatment to 46.3% (n = 54) after therapy (P = .01). In a control sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine study, the prevalence of ms4760-1 was similar before and after treatment. Conclusions. This study supports a role for pfnhe-1 in decreased susceptibility of P. falciparum to quinine in the field.Howard Hughes Medical Institute [55005502]; Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health; European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership [EDCTP IP_07_31060_002]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Lessons learned for surveillance system strengthening through capacity building and partnership engagement in post-Ebola Guinea, 2015–2019

The 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak in Guinea revealed systematic weaknesses in the existing disease surveillance system, which contributed to delayed detection, underreporting of cases, widespread transmission in Guinea and cross-border transmission to neighboring Sierra Leone and Liberia, leading to the largest Ebola epidemic ever recorded. Efforts to understand the epidemic's scale and distribution were hindered by problems with data completeness, accuracy, and reliability. In 2017, recognizing the importance and usefulness of surveillance data in making evidence-based decisions for the control of epidemic-prone diseases, the Guinean Ministry of Health (MoH) included surveillance strengthening as a priority activity in their post-Ebola transition plan and requested the support of partners to attain its objectives. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) and four of its implementing partners—International Medical Corps, the International Organization for Migration, RTI International, and the World Health Organization—worked in collaboration with the Government of Guinea to strengthen the country's surveillance capacity, in alignment with the Global Health Security Agenda and International Health Regulations 2005 objectives for surveillance and reporting. This paper describes the main surveillance activities supported by US CDC and its partners between 2015 and 2019 and provides information on the strategies used and the impact of activities. It also discusses lessons learned for building sustainable capacity and infrastructure for disease surveillance and reporting in similar resource-limited settings

Pf7: an open dataset of Plasmodium falciparum genome variation in 20,000 worldwide samples

We describe the MalariaGEN Pf7 data resource, the seventh release of Plasmodium falciparum genome variation data from the MalariaGEN network.  It comprises over 20,000 samples from 82 partner studies in 33 countries, including several malaria endemic regions that were previously underrepresented.  For the first time we include dried blood spot samples that were sequenced after selective whole genome amplification, necessitating new methods to genotype copy number variations.  We identify a large number of newly emerging crt mutations in parts of Southeast Asia, and show examples of heterogeneities in patterns of drug resistance within Africa and within the Indian subcontinent.  We describe the profile of variations in the C-terminal of the csp gene and relate this to the sequence used in the RTS,S and R21 malaria vaccines.  Pf7 provides high-quality data on genotype calls for 6 million SNPs and short indels, analysis of large deletions that cause failure of rapid diagnostic tests, and systematic characterisation of six major drug resistance loci, all of which can be freely downloaded from the MalariaGEN website