Gestational diabetes and endothelial function: impact of gestational insulin resistance on reactive hyperhemia index

Our aim was to characterize endothelial function in gestational diabetes by evaluating the reactive hyperemia index (RHI, LnRHI). A prospective, descriptive and comparative study was conducted on a population of pregnant women aged over 20 and under 36, located in the gestational age group 24-38th week of amenorrhea. They were divided into two groups. Group 1 (G1): group of pregnancies without diabetes, consists of pregnant women with no risk factor for gestational diabetes and with normal fasting blood glucose. Group 2 (G2): group of pregnancies with diabetes, includes pregnancies whose oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) came back positive. Anthropo-physiological parameters (age, weight, height, blood pressure (PA) and biochemical parameters (glycemia, insulinemia, HOMA-IR, cholesterol, triglycerides) were measured. RHI and LnRHI were determined at Endopat 2000. The two groups were matched for age, weight, heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP). Levels of glucose (G1:0.76±0.11; G2:1.11±0.11; p˂0.0001), insulin (G1:7.67±4.35; G2:22.9±3.75; p˂0.0001), HOMA-IR (G1:1.51±0.97; G2:6.29±1.23; p˂0.0001), total cholesterol (G1:1±0.81; G2:2.49±0.74; p=0.002), HDL cholesterol (G1:0.45±0.23; G2: 0.8±0.19; p=0.004, LDL cholesterol (G1:0.42±0.54; G2:1.39±0.6; p=0.004), triglycerides (G1:0.65±0.49; G2:1.48±0.27; p=0.0018), were significantly higher in the diabetic group. Both RHI and LnRHI were negatively correlated with HOMA-IR (respectively, r=-0.8931, p<0.0001; r=-0.8938; p<0.0001). HOMA-IR index was independently associated with levels of RHI and LnRHI (respectively r²=0.797; p<0.0001); (r²=0.804; p<0.0001)). Thus, gestational insulin resistance would be associated with a change in endothelial function such as a decrease in endothelium-dependent vasodilatation reflecting endothelial dysfunction, hence an increase in cardiovascular risk

An open dataset of Plasmodium falciparum genome variation in 7,000 worldwide samples.

MalariaGEN is a data-sharing network that enables groups around the world to work together on the genomic epidemiology of malaria. Here we describe a new release of curated genome variation data on 7,000 Plasmodium falciparum samples from MalariaGEN partner studies in 28 malaria-endemic countries. High-quality genotype calls on 3 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and short indels were produced using a standardised analysis pipeline. Copy number variants associated with drug resistance and structural variants that cause failure of rapid diagnostic tests were also analysed.  Almost all samples showed genetic evidence of resistance to at least one antimalarial drug, and some samples from Southeast Asia carried markers of resistance to six commonly-used drugs. Genes expressed during the mosquito stage of the parasite life-cycle are prominent among loci that show strong geographic differentiation. By continuing to enlarge this open data resource we aim to facilitate research into the evolutionary processes affecting malaria control and to accelerate development of the surveillance toolkit required for malaria elimination

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

Shifts in Mycobacterial Populations and Emerging Drug-Resistance in West and Central Africa.

In this study, we retrospectively analysed a total of 605 clinical isolates from six West or Central African countries (Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Guinea-Conakry, Niger and Senegal). Besides spoligotyping to assign isolates to ancient and modern mycobacterial lineages, we conducted phenotypic drug-susceptibility-testing for each isolate for the four first-line drugs. We showed that phylogenetically modern Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains are more likely associated with drug resistance than ancient strains and predict that the currently ongoing replacement of the endemic ancient by a modern mycobacterial population in West/Central Africa might result in increased drug resistance in the sub-region

Manifestations buccales de la maladie de Behçet. A propos de 12 cas au Sénégal

La maladie de Behçet est une affection rare, systémique, d’étiologie inconnue et d’allure polymorphe. L’objectif de cette étude est de décrire les aspects épidémiologiques, cliniques et thérapeutiques de la maladie de Behçet au Sénégal mais aussi de préciser le rôle de l’odontologiste dans le diagnostic et la prise en charge de cette affection. Les dossiers de patients ont été sélectionnés selon les critères diagnostiques du Groupe International d’Etude de la Maladie de Behçet, dans le service de Dermatologie du CHU Aristide Le Dantec de Dakar, entre décembre 1997 et mars 2006. 12 cas (8 hommes, 4 femmes) de maladie de Behçet, chez des sujets de race noire, âgés de 18 à 54 ans, ont été colligés. Les aphtes buccaux, sans caractères particuliers, étaient constants ; ils réalisaient une aphtose bipolaire dans 11 cas. Ces lésions buccales pouvaient avoir un caractère inaugural (n = 2) et contribuer à motiver la consultation (n =10). Les principales manifestations systémiques étaient oculaires (n = 8), articulaires et cutanées (n = 6 pour chacune des localisations). La maladie de Behçet chez les patients sénégalais est classique : elle se caractérise par la présence constante des aphtes buccaux, souvent associés à des aphtes génitaux (aphtose bipolaire) et à une uvéite antérieure. (Med Buccale Chir Buccale 2009 ; 15 : 183-188)

Homozygous sickle cell disease related mortality in Senegal (2011–2020)

Abstract Homozygous sickle cell disease (HSCD) is characterized by multiorgan morbidity and an increased risk of early death. We aim to describe the mortality rate, causes, and risk factors of death in HSCD between 2011 and 2020. We conducted a retrospective study with a duration of 10 years in the cohort of 2348 HSCD patients. The mortality rate was determined by reporting the number of deaths to the total number of patients followed in the year. Sociodemographic, clinical, biological data and causes of death were studied. Death risk factors were determined by a bivariate analysis comparing deceased and living HSCD patients. The mean age of death was 26 years (3–52). The sex ratio was 1.2. The mortality rate was 2.76%. The death rate was high in 2011 (3.2%) and low in 2020 (0.17%). We observed a significant reduction of mortality of 94.6%. Most of the common causes of death were acute anemia (40%), acute chest syndrome (24.6%), and infections (20%). Risk factors of death were age, vaso‐occlusive crises ≥3, acute chest syndrome, blood transfusion, and chronic complications. Mortality among HSCD has significantly decreased over the past 10 years in Senegal, and the main causes of death were acute anemia, acute chest syndrome, and infections

Manifestations buccales des toxidermies : aspects épidémiologiques, étiologiques, cliniques et thérapeutiques du spectre Stevens-Johnson / Lyell

Le syndrome de Stevens-Johnson (SSJ) et le syndrome de Lyell (SL), ou nécro-épidermolyse toxique, représentent des réactions cutanées d’hypersensibilité rares, habituellement d’origine médicamenteuse, potentiellement mortelles. L’objectif de cette étude était de décrire les aspects épidémiologiques, étiologiques, cliniques et thérapeutiques du spectre SSJ-SL au Sénégal. Les dossiers de patients atteints de SSJ, de SL et du syndrome de chevauchement (SC), hospitalisés dans le Service de Dermatologie du CHU Aristide Le Dantec de Dakar, entre janvier 2001 et décembre 2006, ont été étudiés. Les dossiers de 72 patients (32 hommes et 40 femmes), âgés de 6 à 78 ans, ont été colligés. L’étiologie était médicamenteuse dans 68,1 % des cas; les antibiotiques représentaient 34,3 % des médicaments incriminés. Dans 89,5 % des cas, les premières manifestations étaient apparues entre 1 et 15 jours après la prise médicamenteuse et, dans 62 % des cas, les manifestations buccales étaient prédominantes. Au total, les lésions buccales sont observées dans 93,1 % des cas; il s’agit le plus souvent d’ulcérations touchant surtout la demi-muqueuse labiale (respectivement dans 97 % et 61,2 % de ces cas). Les atteintes buccales au cours du spectre SSJ-SL étaient fréquentes et sévères. Leur caractère souvent inaugural devrait permettre un diagnostic précoce de la maladie

Prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal nematode infection in small ruminants in three West African countries

This study was carried out to provide missing information on the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections of small ruminants in three West African countries. The use of communal grazing areas in these countries favours the spread of GIN infections across small ruminants and may reduce production performances and herders’ income. Faecal samples of 1,235 small ruminants were collected in Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal in late dry (May), rainy (August) and early dry (November) season of 2022. Individual Faecal Egg Counts (FEC) were performed by a modified McMaster technique. Animals were selected in several villages according to the following parameters: species (sheep, goats), age (young: 6–12 months, adult: >12 months) and sex (male, female). The Kruskal-Wallis test was applied to assess the influence of these parameters on FEC intensity, expressed as eggs per gram of faeces (EPG). The overall prevalence of GIN was 70.8 %, 82.6 % and 66.8 % in Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal, respectively. In all countries, the rainy season corresponded to the highest infection period. The mean ± standard deviation of EPG across all countries was 230 ±350, 1,023 ±1,176 and 424 ±352 for late dry, rainy and early dry season. Infection intensity was higher in young than in adult animals, and in male than in female animals in the rainy season, whereas no differences could be observed between these groups in the late dry season. Similarly, there was no significant difference in the mean EPG between sheep and goats late dry season. The results indicate that better monitoring and control of GIN infections are necessary during the rainy season and especially in young and male sheep and goats. For further study it would also be interesting to learn more about anthelmintic resistance in GIN and non-allopathic control options

Schistosomiasis control in Senegal: results from community data analysis for optimizing preventive chemotherapy intervention with praziquantel

Abstract Background Over the past two decades, preventive chemotherapy (PC) with praziquantel (PZQ) is the major strategy for controlling schistosomiasis in Senegal. The objective of this analysis was to update the endemicity of schistosomiasis at community level for better targeting mass treatment with PZQ in Senegal. Methods Demographic and epidemiological data from 1610 community health areas were analyzed using the schistosomiasis community data analysis tool of Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases which developed by World Health Organization/Africa Office (WHO/AFRO). The tool uses a WHO/AFRO decision tree for areas without epidemiological data to determine whether mass treatment should be continued at community level. Descriptive analysis was performed. Results Overall, the endemicity of 1610 community health areas were updated based on the data from the district endemicity (33.5%) and the form of Join request for selected PC medicine (40.5%). Up to 282 (17.5%) and 398 (24.7%) of community health areas were classified as moderate and high endemicity. 41.1% of communities were non endemic. High endemicity was more important in Tambacounda, Saint Louis, Matam, Louga and Kedougou. A change in endemicity category was observed when data was disagregted from district level to community level. Implementation units classified non endemic were more important at community level (n = 666) compared to district level (n = 324). Among 540 areas previously classified high endemic at district level, 392 (72.6%) remained high prevalence category, while 92 (17.0%) became moderate, 43 (8.0%) low and 13 (2.4%) non-endemics at community level. Number of implementation units requiring PC was more important at district level (1286) compared to community level (944). Number of school aged children requiring treatment was also more important at district level compared to community level. Conclusions The analysis to disaggregate data from district level to community level using the WHO/AFRO schistosomiasis sub-district data optimization tool provide an update of schistosomiasis endemicity at community level. This study has allowed to better target schistosomiasis interventions, optimize use of available PZQ and exposed data gaps

A novel de novo variant in the RUNX2 gene causes cleidocranial dysplasia in a Malian girl

Key Clinical Message Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is a rare genetic skeletal disorder with only few cases reported in Africa, mostly based on clinical and radiological findings. We report the first case in Mali, caused by a novel de novo variant in the RUNX2 gene. Abstract Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is a rare autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia characterized by an aplastic/hypoplastic clavicles, patent sutures and fontanels, dental abnormalities and a variety of other skeletal changes. We report a novel de novo variant in the RUNX2 gene causing a severe phenotype of CCD in a Malian girl