Changes in the Transmission Dynamic of Chikungunya Virus in Southeastern Senegal.

In Senegal, chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is maintained in a sylvatic cycle and causes sporadic cases or small outbreaks in rural areas. However, little is known about the influence of the environment on its transmission. To address the question, 120 villages were randomly selected in the Kedougou region of southeastern Senegal. In each selected village, 10 persons by randomly selected household were sampled and tested for specific anti-CHIKV IgG antibodies by ELISA. We investigated the association of CHIKV seroprevalence with environmental variables using logistic regression analysis and the spatial correlation of village seroprevalence based on semivariogram analysis. Fifty-four percent (51%-57%) of individuals sampled during the survey tested positive for CHIKV-specific IgG. CHIKV seroprevalence was significantly higher in populations living close to forested areas (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.90 (1.42-2.57)), and was negatively associated with population density (OR = 0.76 (0.69-0.84)). In contrast, in gold mining sites where population density was >400 people per km2, seroprevalence peaked significantly among adults (46% (27%-67%)) compared to all other individuals (20% (12%-31%)). However, traditional gold mining activities significantly modify the transmission dynamic of CHIKV, leading to a potential increase of the risk of human exposition in the region

Fine-scale vertical structure of sound-scattering layers over an east border upwelling system and its relationship to pelagic habitat characteristics

Understanding the relationship between sound-scattering layers (SSLs) and pelagic habitat characteristics is a substantial step to apprehend ecosystem dynamics. SSLs are detected on echo sounders representing aggregated marine pelagic organisms. In this study, SSL characteristics of zooplankton and micronekton were identified during an upwelling event in two contrasting areas of the Senegalese continental shelf. Here a cold upwelling-influenced inshore area was sharply separated by a strong thermal boundary from a deeper, warmer, stratified offshore area. Mean SSL thickness and SSL vertical depth increased with the shelf depth. The thickest and deepest SSLs were observed in the offshore part of the shelf. Hence, zooplankton and micronekton seem to occur more frequently in stratified water conditions rather than in fresh upwelled water. Diel vertical and horizontal migrations of SSLs were observed in the study area. Diel period and physicochemical water characteristics influenced SSL depth and SSL thickness. Although chlorophyll-a concentration insignificantly affected SSL characteristics, the peak of chlorophyll a was always located above or in the middle of the SSLs, regularly matching with the peak of SSL biomass. Such observations indicate trophic relationships, suggesting SSLs to be mainly composed of phytoplanktivorous zooplankton and micronekton. Despite local hypoxia, below 30 m depth, distribution patterns of SSLs indicate no vertical migration boundary. The results increase the understanding of the spatial organization of mid-trophic species and migration patterns of zooplankton and micronekton, and they will also improve dispersal models for organisms in upwelling regions.publishedVersio

Surgical complications of Pica syndrome: About 3 cases

The Pica syndrome is an eating disorder characterized by an excessive or abnormal desire to consume a non-nourishing substance which can be relatively harmless, or potentially harmful for the health. It is a rare affection secondary to the accumulation of diverse natured foreign bodies inside the digestive tract and more especially at the stomach level. Gastro-intestinal localization is the most frequent, and can remain asymptomatic for a long time. Treatment is surgical. We report 3 cases of digestive complications of Pica syndrome

Concordance of vaccination status and associated factors with incomplete vaccination: a household survey in the health district of Segou, Mali, 2019

Introduction: the region of Segou recorded 36.8% of children were incompletely vaccinated in 2018. In 2019, the district of Segou was one of the districts with the lowest vaccination coverage in the region, with 85.1% coverage for the three doses of the pentavalent vaccine and 85.4% for the measles vaccine. This study was initiated to better understand this low vaccination coverage, in the absence of specific studies on vaccination coverage in the district of Segou. Methods: a prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from May to August 2020 with 30 clusters. We performed Kappa coefficient, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: findings showed that 18.46% (101/547) [15.44-21.93] of children were incompletely vaccinated. Mothers correctly reported the vaccination status of their children in 67.30% of cases (Kappa coefficient). Uneducated (OR[IC95%]=2.13[1.30-3.50]), living in rural area (OR[IC95%]=2.07[1.23-3.47]), lack of knowledge of Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) target diseases (OR[IC95%]=2.37[1.52-3.68]), lack of knowledge of vaccination schedule (OR[IC95%]=3.33[1.90-5.81]) and lack of knowledge of the importance of vaccination (OR[IC95%]=3.6[2.35-6.32]) were associated with incomplete vaccination. In multivariate analysis, uneducated (ORa[IC95%>]=1.68[1.004-2.810]) and lack of knowledge of the importance of vaccination were associated with incomplete vaccination (ORa[IC95%]=3.40[2.049-5.649]). Conclusion: findings showed a good concordance of the vaccination status. Living in a rural area, no education, lack of the knowledge of EPI target diseases, lack of the knowledge of vaccination schedule and lack of knowledge of the importance of vaccination were associated with incomplete vaccination

Assessment of the effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas as a restoration tool of marine resources and fish stock management : the West African experience

Cette thèse porte sur l'étude de l’efficacité d’une Aire Marine Protégée (AMP) comme outil de restauration des ressources marines et de gestion des stocks halieutiques en zone tropicale ouest africaine. L’étude concerne trois AMP. Il s’agit de l’AMP de Bamboung située en zone estuarienne (sous influence marine), à l'intérieur d'un delta et fermée à l’exploitation halieutique depuis 2004. La deuxième AMP est celle des îles d’Urok créée en 2005 et située dans la réserve de biosphère de l’archipel des Bijagos dans la partie littorale de la Guinée-Bissau. Elle est divisée en trois zones et la pêche y est autorisée avec une pression de pêche de plus en plus forte de la zone centrale vers la zone périphérique. La troisième AMP est le Parc National du Banc d’Arguin situé le long de la côte mauritanienne. Il a été créé en 1976 et les activités de pêche y sont pratiquées de façon réglementée. Beaucoup d’AMP ont été évaluées à travers le monde et les résultats obtenus sont dans la majeure partie des cas positifs. Dans les milieux tropicaux, les variabilités interannuelles et intra-annuelles des paramètres environnementaux influent sur l’organisation spatio-temporelle des peuplements de poissons. Par conséquent, la mise en place d’AMP dans une zone tropicale a suscité des interrogations quant à leur efficacité en rapport avec l’influence des paramètres de l’environnement. Selon l’AMP étudiée, une approche spatiale ou temporelle sera utilisée pour répondre aux questions posées. Les méthodes d’analyse utilisées sont de type comparatif. L’analyse des données biologiques est précédée par celle des paramètres physico-chimiques qui a mis en évidence des variabilités saisonnières dans chaque AMP. Ce résultat justifie le choix d’analyser les données biologiques par saison afin de minimiser au mieux l’influence des variations environnementales. En ce qui concerne l’AMP de Bamboung, les résultats de l’analyse suivant une approche globale ont clairement montré son rôle positif dans la restauration des ressources marines. L’approche saisonnière a mis en évidence ce rôle de restauration mais en saison froide et non en saison chaude et humide. En 9 années de protection, l'AMP de Bamboung a contribué au retour de gros poissons dans le bolon de Bamboung. Son rôle dans l’enrichissement de la zone proximale à travers le phénomène de «Spillover» n’a pas pu être mis en évidence. Une tendance à la baisse des indicateurs biologiques en fonction de la distance à l'AMP a été observée surtout en saison chaude et en saison humide. De même l’analyse des indicateurs liés à la reproduction ne montre pas que l’AMP de Bamboung améliore la reproduction des poissons. Concernant, l’AMP des îles d’Urok et le Parc National du Banc d’Arguin, les analyses n’ont pas donné de résultats clairs quant à leur rôle dans l’amélioration des rendements de pêche et de la reproduction des poissons. Cependant, pour l’AMP des îles d’Urok, les tendances observées semble montrer une forte concentration de biomasse dans la zone centrale, un rôle d’équilibre joué par la zone intermédiaire et un rôle de pourvoyeur de biomasse de poisson de la zone périphérique. Pour le PNBA, le secteur intérieur semble contribuer à l’enrichissement du secteur extérieur par un transfert de biomasse. La faible quantité de données récoltées dans les AMP pourrait être à l’origine des résultats négatifs. Ainsi, l’idée d'effectuer des suivis biologiques à court terme et d'analyser les indicateurs liés à la reproduction au niveau population ont été envisagés pour les trois AMP afin de trouver des résultats clairs quant à leur rôle dans la gestion des stocks halieutiques.This thesis focuses on the study of the effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) as restoration tools of marine resources and fish stocks management in tropical West Africa. The study involves three MPAs. The first one is the Bamboung MPA, a marine reserve located in estuarine areas (with marine influence), closed to fishing since 2004. The second is the Urok Islands MPA established in 2005 and located in the biosphere Reserve of Bijagos archipelago in the coastal part of Guinea-Bissau. It is divided into three areas and fishing is allowed there with a fishing pressure becoming stronger from the central area to peripheral area. The third MPA is the Banc d‟Arguin National Marine Park located along the coast of Mauritania. It was created in 1976 and fishing activities are restricted. Many AMP were evaluated worldwide and the results are in the main part positive. In tropical zones, the variability of environmental parameters affects the spatial and temporal organization of fish assemblage. Therefore, the MPA establishment in a tropical zone has raised questions about their effectiveness inrelation to the influence of environmental parameters. According to the AMP, spatial or temporal approach will be used to answer questions. Comparison analysis will be used. The analysis of biological data comes after those of the physicochemical parameters that show strong seasonal variability in each MPA. This result justifies the choice of seasonal analysis of biological data in order to minimize the influence of environmental variations.Regarding the Bamboung MPA, the results of global approach clearly confirm that it is an effective tool for restoring marine resources. The seasonal approach shows this role in cold season, but not in hot and wet seasons. In 9 years of protection, the Bamboung MPA contributed to attract big fish in the Bamboung bolon. The spillover effect in Bamboung MPA is not clearly demonstrated according to our results. A downward trend of biological indicators according to the distance to the MPA has been observed especially in hot season and wet season. Similarly, the analysis of indicators related to reproduction does not show that the Bamboung MPA improve fish reproduction. Regarding Urok Islands MPA and Banc d’Arguin National marine Park, the results do not confirm that these AMP are fish stock management tools (improved yields of fishing activities and fish reproduction). However, for Urok islands MPA the observed trends suggest a biomass concentration in the central area, an equilibrium role played by the intermediate area and a role of fish biomass provider of the peripheral area. For Banc d’Arguin National Marine Parc, the inside area seems to contribute to the enrichment of the external area by transferring fish biomass. Non-specific results could be explained by the small data collected in the MPAs. So the idea to conduct a short-term biological monitoring and to analyze reproduction indicators in population level has been considered for the three MPA to find clear results on their role in the management of fish stocks