Impact of pre-analytical factors on mycobacterium cultures contaminations rates in Burkina Faso, West Africa

Introduction: for a high quality level diagnosis, mycobacterium culture must comply with the pre-analytical and analytical conditions recommended by the WHO and the country National Tuberculosis Program (NTP). In this study, we determined whether temperature and duration of sputum storage were associated with culture contamination in Burkina Faso. Methods: sputa were collected in 5 districts labs in Burkina Faso. Temperature and duration of sputum storage were recorded. After the collection, sputa were decontaminated using Petroff modified method, and the pellet was inoculated on LJ media and LJ media supply with 2% sodium pyruvate. Risk of culture contamination associated with temperature and duration of sputum storage was measured by Chi2 test and logistic regression. Results: out of 404 specimens, 61% (246/404) were stored between 2 and 8°C, and 15% (61/404) were processed within three days. The global contamination rate was 24%, with only 8% for samples respecting WHO recommendations, up to 35% for others. Storage at room temperature was associated with a significantly higher risk of contamination compared to storage at 2-8°C (OR 2.24, p=0.001, IC 95%). Conclusion: the recommendations about the temperature and the duration of sputum storage before cultures are not completely respected. This leads to high contamination rate of mycobacterium culture. It will be necessary to take logistics measures in peripherals health services or to develop more selective medium for mycobacterium culture in low income countries

Linkage between ACE2 Gene Polymorphisms and SARS-CoV-2 infection in Burkina Faso, sub-Saharan Africa

The ACE2 gene polymorphisms (rs143936283, rs146676783, and rs4646116) in infected and noninfected persons by SARS-CoV-2 in Burkina Faso. Our cross-sectional study population comprised 137 SARS-CoV-2 infected persons and 181 non-infected persons. Three ACE2 gene polymorphisms rs143936283, rs146676783, and rs4646116, were genotyped using the real-time PCR standard TaqMan allelic discrimination technique. The association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the polymorphisms were evaluated by a binary logistic regression. There was no association between the polymorphisms rs143936283, rs4646116 haplotypes, and SARS-CoV-2 infection in our study population. However, in the female population, the heterozygous genotype CT of rs146676783 increased by two and half the risk (OR=2.58 95%CI (1.2-5.48), p= 0.014) of being infected by SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, carrying the homozygous minor allele (genotype TT) of rs146676783 increased by more than five and half the risk (OR=5.57 95%CI (1.64-18.78), p=0.006) of being infected by SARS-CoV-2 among females. This study showed that the ACE2 gene variant rs146676783 was associated with an increased risk of being infected by SARS-CoV-2 in females, suggesting a need for further investigation to contribute to a better understanding of the African COVID-19 enigma

Food tree species selection for nutrition-sensitive forest landscape restoration in Burkina Faso

Modern food systems push agriculture to focus on a small number of commercial crops, while there is a very large diversity of untapped edible plants that could be used to address food security and nutrition. Poor and monotonous diets are closely linked to the complex burden of multiple forms of malnutrition and dietary risk. In some contexts, such as West Africa, micronutrient deficiency risks are particularly pronounced. Hence, there is an urgent need to provide people with healthy diets supported by sustainable food systems. Within this context, using nutrition-sensitive forest landscape restoration to combat environmental degradation could contribute towards ensuring the year-round availability of nutritious tree-based food

Safety and Immunogenicity of ChAd63 and MVA ME-TRAP in West African Children and Infants.

Malaria remains a significant global health burden and a vaccine would make a substantial contribution to malaria control. Chimpanzee Adenovirus 63 Modified Vaccinia Ankara Multiple epitope thrombospondin adhesion protein (ME-TRAP) and vaccination has shown significant efficacy against malaria sporozoite challenge in malaria-naive European volunteers and against malaria infection in Kenyan adults. Infants are the target age group for malaria vaccination; however, no studies have yet assessed T-cell responses in children and infants. We enrolled 138 Gambian and Burkinabe children in four different age-groups: 2-6 years old in The Gambia; 5-17 months old in Burkina Faso; 5-12 months old, and also 10 weeks old, in The Gambia; and evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of Chimpanzee Adenovirus 63 Modified Vaccinia Ankara ME-TRAP heterologous prime-boost immunization. The vaccines were well tolerated in all age groups with no vaccine-related serious adverse events. T-cell responses to vaccination peaked 7 days after boosting with Modified Vaccinia Ankara, with T-cell responses highest in 10 week-old infants. Heterologous prime-boost immunization with Chimpanzee Adenovirus 63 and Modified Vaccinia Ankara ME-TRAP was well tolerated in infants and children, inducing strong T-cell responses. We identify an approach that induces potent T-cell responses in infants, which may be useful for preventing other infectious diseases requiring cellular immunity

Emergence of Epidemic Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup X Meningitis in Togo and Burkina Faso

Serogroup X meningococci (NmX) historically have caused sporadic and clustered meningitis cases in sub-Saharan Africa. To study recent NmX epidemiology, we analyzed data from population-based, sentinel and passive surveillance, and outbreak investigations of bacterial meningitis in Togo and Burkina Faso during 2006–2010. Cerebrospinal fluid specimens were analyzed by PCR. In Togo during 2006–2009, NmX accounted for 16% of the 702 confirmed bacterial meningitis cases. Kozah district experienced an NmX outbreak in March 2007 with an NmX seasonal cumulative incidence of 33/100,000. In Burkina Faso during 2007–2010, NmX accounted for 7% of the 778 confirmed bacterial meningitis cases, with an increase from 2009 to 2010 (4% to 35% of all confirmed cases, respectively). In 2010, NmX epidemics occurred in northern and central regions of Burkina Faso; the highest district cumulative incidence of NmX was estimated as 130/100,000 during March–April. Although limited to a few districts, we have documented NmX meningitis epidemics occurring with a seasonal incidence previously only reported in the meningitis belt for NmW135 and NmA, which argues for development of an NmX vaccine

Viral Vector Malaria Vaccines Induce High-Level T Cell and Antibody Responses in West African Children and Infants.

Heterologous prime-boosting with viral vectors encoding the pre-erythrocytic antigen thrombospondin-related adhesion protein fused to a multiple epitope string (ME-TRAP) induces CD8+ T cell-mediated immunity to malaria sporozoite challenge in European malaria-naive and Kenyan semi-immune adults. This approach has yet to be evaluated in children and infants. We assessed this vaccine strategy among 138 Gambian and Burkinabe children in four cohorts: 2- to 6-year olds in The Gambia, 5- to 17-month-olds in Burkina Faso, and 5- to 12-month-olds and 10-week-olds in The Gambia. We assessed induction of cellular immunity, taking into account the distinctive hematological status of young infants, and characterized the antibody response to vaccination. T cell responses peaked 7 days after boosting with modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA), with highest responses in infants aged 10 weeks at priming. Incorporating lymphocyte count into the calculation of T cell responses facilitated a more physiologically relevant comparison of cellular immunity across different age groups. Both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells secreted cytokines. Induced antibodies were up to 20-fold higher in all groups compared with Gambian and United Kingdom (UK) adults, with comparable or higher avidity. This immunization regimen elicited strong immune responses, particularly in young infants, supporting future evaluation of efficacy in this key target age group for a malaria vaccine

Antibody responses to <i>P. falciparum</i> blood stage antigens and incidence of clinical malaria in children living in endemic area in Burkina Faso

Abstract Background High parasite-specific antibody levels are generally associated with low susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum malaria. This has been supported by several studies in which clinical malaria cases of P. falciparum malaria were reported to be associated with low antibody avidities. This study was conducted to evaluate the role of age, malaria transmission intensity and incidence of clinical malaria in the induction of protective humoral immune response against P. falciparum malaria in children living in Burkina Faso. Methods We combined levels of IgG and IgG subclasses responses to P. falciparum antigens: Merozoite Surface Protein 3 (MSP3), Merozoite Surface Protein 2a (MSP2a), Merozoite Surface Protein 2b (MSP2b), Glutamate Rich Protein R0 (GLURP R0) and Glutamate Rich Protein R2 (GLURP R2) in plasma samples from 325 children under five (05) years with age, malaria transmission season and malaria incidence. Results We notice higher prevalence of P. falciparum infection in low transmission season compared to high malaria transmission season. While, parasite density was lower in low transmission than high transmission season. IgG against all antigens investigated increased with age. High levels of IgG and IgG subclasses to all tested antigens except for GLURP R2 were associated with the intensity of malaria transmission. IgG to MSP3, MSP2b, GLURP R2 and GLURP R0 were associated with low incidence of malaria. All IgG subclasses were associated with low incidence of P. falciparum malaria, but these associations were stronger for cytophilic IgGs. Conclusions On the basis of the data presented in this study, we conclude that the induction of humoral immune response to tested malaria antigens is related to age, transmission season level and incidence of clinical malaria

Usage thérapeutique du manguier (Mangifera indica L., Anacardiaceae) au Burkina Faso

Les extraits d’organes de manguier (Mangifera indica L., Anacardiacaea) présentent un potentiel d’utilisation dans des applications pharmaceutiques. Le but de cette étude est de contribuer à une meilleure connaissance des vertus thérapeutiques du manguier au Burkina Faso. Des enquêtes ethnobotaniques ont été réalisées à l’aide de questionnaire auprès des phytothérapeutes de trois régions du Burkina Faso (Centre-Ouest, Hauts-Bassins et Cascades). Les résultats ont été obtenus auprès de 45 phytothérapeutes enquêtés. Ces phytothérapeutes sont représentés par 79% d’hommes et 21% de femmes. La tranche d’âge comprise entre 31 et 40 ans est la plus représentée, soit 32,41% et 59,25% des phytothérapeutes enquêté sont non scolarisés. Les résultats obtenus ont permis de répertorier des maladies couramment traitées avec les organes du manguier. De plus, les feuilles du manguier des variétés ordinaires (Mangot vert et sabre) surtout sont les plus utilisées dans la préparation médicamenteuse. La décoction est le mode de préparation le plus sollicité et l’administration des remèdes se fait par voie orale (100%). Une étude pharmacologique devrait permettre l’incorporation des extraits des organes du manguier dans des compléments alimentaires pour traiter certaines maladies.Mango (Mangifera indica L., Anacardiacaea) organ extracts have potential use in pharmaceutical applications. The aim of this study is to contribute to a better knowledge of mango health benefits in Burkina Faso. Ethnobotanical surveys were carried out using a questionnaire among herbalists in three regions of Burkina Faso (Centre-Ouest, Hauts-Bassins and Cascades). The results were obtained from 45 herbalists surveyed. These herbalists are represented by 79% men and 21% women. The age group between 31 and 40 years is the most represented, i.e. 32.41%, and 59.25% of the herbalists surveyed are illiterate. The results obtained made it possible to list the diseases commonly treated with mango organs. Moreover, mango leaves of the ordinary varieties (green mango and saber) are the most used in the preparation of medicines. Decoction is the most popular method of preparation and the remedies are administered by oral route (100%). A pharmacological study should make it possible to incorporate extracts of mango organs into food supplements to treat diseases

Serotyping Pneumococcal Meningitis Cases in the African Meningitis Belt by Use of Multiplex PCR with Cerebrospinal Fluid▿

We reformulated a multiplex PCR algorithm for serotyping of pneumococcal meningitis directly on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Compared to established methods on isolates, CSF-based PCR had at least 80% sensitivity and 100% specificity. In regional meningitis surveillance, CSF-based PCR increased the serotype information yield from 40% of cases (isolate testing) to 90%

: Le cas de la zone sahélienne de la Grande Muraille Verte

Il s'agit de la synthèse des déclarations de l'atelier internationalPrès d’une centaine d’acteurs scientifiques, politiques et de la société civile ont participé à la rencontreinternationale « Évaluation/Suivi de la séquestration du carbone dans les pays de la GMV - Contribution desobservatoires scientifiques » (14-16 novembre 2022) organisée à Niamey par l’Université Dan Dicko Dankoulodo de Maradi (UDDM) au Niger et l’Institut français de Recherche pour le Développement. En voiciles principales conclusions.Cette rencontre s’inscrit dans la volonté de consolider le dialogue, le partenariat et la coordination entre les acteurs de la recherche et ceux du développement. Son objectif est, conformément aux préconisations portées par l’initiative internationale « 4 pour 1000 » sur les sols pour la sécurité alimentaire et le climat et celles de l’Agence Panafricaine de la Grande Muraille Verte (APGMV), de mettre en oeuvre des actions validées par une démarche scientifique, de réhabilitation des terres et de développement durable dans les territoires sahéliens