Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and HIV infections and risk factors associated to tuberculosis in detained persons in Antananarivo, Madagascar

The incidence rate of tuberculosis in prisons is estimated to be 8 times greater than that in the general population in Madagascar. Our objectives were to estimate the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and HIV infection among prisoners and to identify risk factors associated with tuberculosis. We conducted a cross-sectional study at the central prison of Antananarivo from March to July 2021. Individual male and female inmates aged ≥ 13 years who had lived in the prison for at least three months prior to the study period were included as participants. Acid-fast bacilli detection by microscopy and/or culture, an intradermal tuberculin test, a chest X-ray, and a rapid diagnostic orientation test for HIV were performed. Among 748 participants, 4 (0.5%) were confirmed to have pulmonary tuberculosis. Overall, 14 (1.9%) patients had “confirmed” or “probable” tuberculosis [0.90–2.84, 95% CI]. The proportion of participants with latent tuberculosis infection was 69.6% (517/743) based on a positive tuberculin test without clinical symptoms or radiography images indicating tuberculosis. Out of 745 HIV screening tests, three showed reactive results (0.4%). Age (OR = 4.4, 95% CI [1.4–14.0]) and prior tuberculosis treatment (or episodes) were found to be associated with confirmed and probable tuberculosis

Antiproliferative Acetogenins from a <i>Uvaria</i> sp. from the Madagascar Dry Forest

Investigation of the endemic Madagascan plant <i>Uvaria </i>sp<i>.</i> for antiproliferative activity against the A2780 ovarian cancer cell line led to the isolation of two new acetogenins. The structures of these two compounds were elucidated on the basis of analysis of their 1D and 2D NMR spectra, circular dichroism, and mass spectrometric data, together with chemical modification. The two acetogenins display weak antiproliferative activity against the A2780 ovarian cancer, the A2058 melanoma, and the H522 lung cancer cell lines

Antiproliferative and Antiplasmodial Dimeric Phloroglucinols from <i>Mallotus oppositifolius</i> from the Madagascar Dry Forest

Bioassay-guided fractionation of an ethanol extract of the leaves and inflorescence of <i>Mallotus oppositifolius</i> collected in Madagascar led to the isolation of the two new bioactive dimeric phloroglucinols mallotojaponins B (<b>1</b>) and C (<b>2</b>), together with the known mallotophenone (<b>3</b>). The structures of the new compounds were determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence, including their 1D- and 2D-NMR spectra, mass spectrometry, and an X-ray crystal structure. Compounds <b>1</b> and <b>2</b> showed potent antimalarial activity against chloroquine-resistant <i>Plasmodium falciparum,</i> with IC₅₀ values of 0.75 ± 0.30 and 0.14 ± 0.04 μM, while <b>3</b> was inactive in this assay. Compounds <b>1</b>–<b>3</b> also displayed strong antiproliferative activity against the A2780 human ovarian cancer cell line (IC₅₀ 1.10 ± 0.05, 1.3 ± 0.1 and 6.3 ± 0.4 μM, respectively)

Antiproliferative and Antiplasmodial Dimeric Phloroglucinols from <i>Mallotus oppositifolius</i> from the Madagascar Dry Forest

Bioassay-guided fractionation of an ethanol extract of the leaves and inflorescence of <i>Mallotus oppositifolius</i> collected in Madagascar led to the isolation of the two new bioactive dimeric phloroglucinols mallotojaponins B (<b>1</b>) and C (<b>2</b>), together with the known mallotophenone (<b>3</b>). The structures of the new compounds were determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence, including their 1D- and 2D-NMR spectra, mass spectrometry, and an X-ray crystal structure. Compounds <b>1</b> and <b>2</b> showed potent antimalarial activity against chloroquine-resistant <i>Plasmodium falciparum,</i> with IC₅₀ values of 0.75 ± 0.30 and 0.14 ± 0.04 μM, while <b>3</b> was inactive in this assay. Compounds <b>1</b>–<b>3</b> also displayed strong antiproliferative activity against the A2780 human ovarian cancer cell line (IC₅₀ 1.10 ± 0.05, 1.3 ± 0.1 and 6.3 ± 0.4 μM, respectively)