Towards innovative solutions for monitoring precipitation in poorly instrumented regions: real-time system for collecting power levels of microwave links of mobile phone operators for rainfall quantification in Burkina Faso

Since the 1990s, mobile telecommunication networks have gradually become denser around the world. Nowadays, large parts of their backhaul network consist of commercial microwave links (CMLs). Since CML signals are attenuated by rainfall, the exploitation of records of this attenuation is an innovative and an inexpensive solution for precipitation monitoring purposes. Performance data from mobile operators’ networks are crucial for the implementation of this technology. Therefore, a real-time system for collecting and storing CML power levels from the mobile phone operator “Telecel Faso” in Burkina Faso has been implemented. This new acquisition system, which uses the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), can simultaneously record the transmitted and received power levels from all the CMLs to which it has access, with a time resolution of one minute. Installed at “Laboratoire des Matériaux et Environnement de l’Université Joseph KI-ZERBO (Burkina Faso)”, this acquisition system is dynamic and has gradually grown from eight, in 2019, to more than 1000 radio links of Telecel Faso’s network in 2021. The system covers the capital Ouagadougou and the main cities of Burkina Faso (Bobo Dioulasso, Ouahigouya, Koudougou, and Kaya) as well as the axes connecting Ouagadougou to these citie

Temporal variation in body measurements in three Taurine cattle populations of Burkina Faso supports introgression of Zebu genes into West African Taurine cattle

A total of 769 adult females belonging to 3 taurine and one zebu cattle populations sampled in 3 provinces of Burkina Faso were assessed for 19 body measurements during two different years (2014 and 2018). The aim of this research was to identify temporal morphological variation in cattle bred in the humid southern zones to obtain empirical evidence supporting a possible introgression of zebu cattle genes into Gourounsi and Lobi taurine cattle breeds. Zebu cattle samples were used as out-group for both 2014 and 2018 subsets. Least square means of body measurements allowed to classify Burkina Faso taurine cattle into three subgroups according to body size (Gourounsi–Sanguié –GourS-, Gourounsi-Nahouri –GourN- and Lobi from the tallest to the smallest respectively). Principal Component Analysis suggested that in 2014, taurine populations were structured. Dispersion map constructed using the two first factors informed that the GourS population was well separated from both the Lobi and the GourN, which, in turn, overlapped. However, in 2018 a strong signal of homogenization was identified, with GourN partially overlapping the other two populations. Linear Discriminant Analysis suggested that about 20% of both GourS and GourN individuals were reciprocally misclassified. Clues for such increase have been pointed out by MANOVA analysis. Although on 2014, Lobi cattle was clearly smaller than Gourounsi and both GourS and GourN populations showed clear differences on body traits, on 2018 it could be assessed an increase in size in Lobi cattle and a strong homogenization signal within Gourounsi cattle. Zebu cattle gene flow southwards in Burkina Faso is likely to have caused these changes, suggesting a fast erosion of taurine cattle genetic background. Keywords: Body traits, quantitative traits, Gourounsi cattle, Lobi, Burkina Faso

Clinical presentation, outcomes and factors associated with mortality: A prospective study from three COVID-19 referral care centres in West Africa

OBJECTIVES: The overall death toll from COVID-19 in Africa is reported to be low but there is little individual-level evidence on the severity of the disease. This study examined the clinical spectrum and outcome of patients monitored in COVID-19 care centres (CCCs) in two West-African countries. METHODS: Burkina Faso and Guinea set up referral CCCs to hospitalise all symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 carriers, regardless of the severity of their symptoms. Data collected from hospitalised patients by November 2020 are presented. RESULT: A total of 1,805 patients (64% men, median age 41 years) were admitted with COVID-19. Symptoms lasted for a median of 7 days (IQR 4-11). During hospitalisation, 443 (25%) had a SpO2 < 94% at least once, 237 (13%) received oxygen and 266 (15%) took corticosteroids. Mortality was 5% overall, and 1%, 5% and 14% in patients aged <40, 40-59 and ≥60 years, respectively. In multivariable analysis, the risk of death was higher in men (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1; 3.6), people aged ≥60 years (aOR 2.9, 95% CI 1.7; 4.8) and those with chronic hypertension (aOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2; 3.4). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 is as severe in Africa as elsewhere, and there must be more vigilance for common risk factors such as older age and hypertension

Prévalence globale des pathologies majeures liées à la production laitière bovine en système d'élevage intraurbain à Hamdallaye (Ouagadougou)

Global prevalence of main pathologies related to dairy cattle production in urban flocks of Hamdallaye (Ouagadougou). The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of three main diseases related to dairy production in urban cattle herds: brucellosis, tuberculosis and mastitis. Serum samples collected from 290 bovines have been tested for brucellosis using antigen buffered test. A global prevalence of 13.2 % has been observed, and the females were significantly (p < 0.05) more infected than the males (14.3 % vs 5.6 %). Simple IntraDermoTuberculination (IDT) test with the PPD tuberculin was used on 325 cows. The global prevalence of the infection was 27.7 %, with a very high significant variation (p < 0.001) between 2 years old animals and those over 6 years. From 98 individual milk samples submitted to California Mastitis Test (CMT), mean cellular concentration was 5385. 103 ± 1061.103 TCN/ml. The prevalence of the three studied diseases is important enough to retain the attention of farmers, as well as technical and city authorities. This is particularly the case for tuberculosis and brucellosis which are major zoonosis and which can seriously damage consumer health

Clinical, Paraclinical, and Evolutionary Profiles of Kidney Failure in Gold Miners Hospitalized in a Nephrological Service in a Sub-Saharan African Country

Introduction. The purpose of this preliminary study is to describe the clinical, paraclinical, and evolutionary profiles of gold miner patients with kidney failure hospitalized in the nephrology and haemodialysis service in the Yalgado Ouédraogo University Hospital of Ouagadougou (CHU-YO). Patients and Methods. This was a longitudinal and descriptive study with a retrospective collection of data for the period from February 1, 2013, to March 31, 2018. Included were all gold miner patients who stayed and worked at an artisanal gold mining site for at least three months and who were diagnosed with acute or chronic kidney failure during hospitalization in the nephrology service. We collected sociodemographic, clinical, and paraclinical variables at admission and then three months later. Results. We included 50 patients; all were male and the average age was 29.4 ± 7.7 years. All patients were exposed to mercury and/or cyanide for an average of 4.5 ± 2.8 years. The average consultation/referral time for patients at the CHU-YO was 25.4 ± 14.9 days. The average of creatininemia was 2338.0 ± 791.4 μmol/L. Kidney failure was acute in five cases (10%) and chronic in the remaining 45 cases or 90%. Extrarenal purification was indicated in 43 cases (86%). It was not performed in nine of the 43 cases due to lack of financial resources for patients (six cases) or death prior to the onset of haemodialysis (three cases). Thirty-two of the 50 patients in the study (64% of cases) died. Conclusion. Chronic kidney failure in gold miners appears to be common and late-managed. A prospective study of kidney disease and its causes at gold mining sites and surrounding areas will assess the extent of the problem in the country and better clarify the prevention of these diseases in our country

Corrélations entre les caractéristiques phénotypiques et détermination d’une formule barymétrique chez le taurin Kouri du Niger

Objectif: Cette étude vise à contribuer à la connaissance des caractéristiques phénotypiques du taurin Kouri du Niger.Méthodologie et résultats: Les caractéristiques phénotypiques du taurin Kouri du Niger ont fait l’objet d’une étude conduite dans la région de Diffa au niveau des sites situés aux alentours de Kinjandi dans la commune de Gueskerou et au Centre Secondaire de Multiplication du Bétail de Sayam. Des mensurations ont été effectuées directement sur des animaux et ont permis d’enregistrer des paramètres quantitatifs. Des paramètres qualitatifs ont été renseignés sur la base de l’observation des animaux. Un total de 475 animaux (423 femelles, 36 mâles entiers et 16 mâles castrés) âgés d’au moins 4 ans a été concerné par l’étude. Les moyennes des paramètres phénotypiques quantitatifs suivants ont été notées : Hauteur au garrot (HG) : 125,65±6,08 cm ; Périmètre thoracique (PT) : 157,95±10 cm ; Hauteur au sacrum (HS) : 133,50±6,10 cm ; Largeur aux ischions (LI) : 14,41±2,75. Des différences significatives ont été observées entre les sexes. Le PT est le paramètre le plus corrélé au poids avec un coefficient de corrélation de 0,843. Trois modèles barymétriques sont proposés et ont permis de noter des coefficients d’ajustement de R12=0,79 ; R22= 0,74 et R32= 0,71. Les paramètres phénotypiques qualitatifs ont fait ressortir un profil rectiligne dominant (85,86%) ; des oreilles à orientation latérale (99,79 %) ; des cornes présentes (97,89%) et fixées (97,41%), un dos rectiligne chez 86,50% des animaux. Aussi la couleur blanche de la robe domine avec 50,84 %. Conclusion et application des résultats: En somme, le taurin Kouri du Niger peut être considéré comme une race assez hétérogène sur le plan phénotypique. Cette variabilité pourrait être favorable à une sélection en vue d’une amélioration génétique de la race.Mots clés: phénotype, formule barymétrique, taurin Kouri, NigerEnglish Title: Correlations between Phenotypic measurements and determination of a Barymetric Formula in Niger Kuri cattle breedEnglish AbstractObjective: The main objective of this study is to contribute to increase knowledge on Niger Kuri phenotypic characteristics.Methodology and Results: Phenotypic characteristics of Niger Kuri cattle breed have been assessed in the region of Diffa, Niger, including sampling sites around Kinjandi in Gueskerou commune, and in the Sayam Cattle Secondary Multiplication Center. Measurements were made directly on animals and allowed to record quantitative parameters. Qualitative parameters were given based on the observation of the animals. A total of 475 individuals (423 females, 36 males and 16 castrated males) with at least 4 years age have been sampled. The means values of phenotypic traits measured were as follow: quantitative phenotypic parameters were measured. Height at withers: 125.65 ± 6.08 cm, Heart girth: 157.95 ± 10 cm, height at hips: 133. 50 ± 6.10 cm, Ischium width: 14.41 ± 2.75. Significant differences were observed between sexes. Heart girth is the most correlated parameter to the weight with a correlation coefficient of 0.843. Three barymetric models were used and showed adjusted coefficients of R12 = 0.79, R22 = 0.74 and R32 = 0.71. The qualitative phenotypic parameters revealed à dominant straight profile (85.86%), lateral oriented ears (99.79%), presence of horns (97.89%) and fixed (97.41%), straight back (86.50%) among the individuals. Besides, the white color pattern is predominant (50.84 %).Conclusion and application of results: Overall, Niger Kuri cattle breed may be considered as heterogeneous breed at phenotypic level. This variability may be favorable for selection strategy for this valuable breed improvement.Keywords: phenotype, barymetric formula, Kuri, Nige

Preliminary results of official influenza and acute respiratory infection surveillance in two towns of Burkina Faso, 2013–2015

Abstract Background In 2010, influenza, influenza-like illness (ILI) and acute respiratory infection (ARI) surveillance was established by the government of Burkina Faso. We provide preliminary descriptive results from this surveillance activity. Methods The study period was 2013 through 2015. Two primary healthcare facilities in Bobo-Dioulasso district reported ILI in outpatients. Influenza virology, using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR), was available for a proportion of ILI patients. One hospital, in the capital Ouagadougou, reported ARI in both outpatients and inpatients (hospitalized). Inpatients admitted with ARI were considered severe ARI (SARI). We estimated the proportion of primary care outpatient visits that were ILI, and the proportion of those that were due to influenza, by age. We estimated the proportion of hospital outpatient visits that were ARI and the proportion of those that were SARI, by age. Results Among combined outpatient visits in the Bobo-Dioulasso facilities, 19.6% were for ILI. One half (49.9%) of outpatient visits in infants and 30.9% in 1–4 year-olds were ILI. Among ILI outpatient visits 14.8% were due to influenza virus and, of these, 58.5% were type A and 41.5% type B. At the Ouagadougou hospital, 6.7% of outpatient visits were ARI, and 22.3% of those were SARI. The highest proportions of ARI were among infants (19.8%) and 1–4 year-olds (16.0%). The proportion of ARI that was SARI was highest among ≥15 year-olds (31.5%) followed by 1–4 year-olds (22.4%). Overall, 4.1% of SARI patients died. Conclusions These preliminary data indicate the importance of respiratory infections among health care attendances in Burkina Faso, and influenza may be an important contributor to these

Local ancestry to identify selection in response to trypanosome infection in Baoulé x Zebu crossbred cattle in Burkina Faso

The genomes of crossbred (admixed) individuals are a mosaic of ancestral haplotypes formed by recombination in each generation. The proportion of these ancestral haplotypes in certain genomic regions can be responsible for either susceptibility or tolerance against pathogens, and for performances in production traits. Using a medium-density genomic marker panel from the Illumina Bovine SNP50 BeadChip, we estimated individual admixture proportions for Baoulé x Zebu crossbred cattle in Burkina Faso, which were tested for trypanosome infection by direct ELISA from blood samples. Furthermore, we calculated local ancestry deviation from average for each SNP across 29 autosomes to identify potential regions under selection in the trypanotolerant Baoulé cattle and their crossbreds. We identified significant deviation from the local average ancestry (above 5 and 10% genome-wide thresholds) on chromosomes 8 and 19 in the positive animals, while the negative ones showed higher deviation on chromosomes 6, 19, 21, and 22. Some candidate genes on chromosome 6 (PDGFRA) and chromosome 19 (CDC6) have been found associated to trypanotolerance in West African taurines. Screening for FST outliers in trypanosome positive/negative animals we detected seven variants putatively under selection. Finally, we identified a minimum set of highly ancestry informative markers for routine admixture testing. The results of this study contribute to a better understanding of the genetic basis of trypanotolerance in Baoulé cattle and their crossbreeds. Furthermore, we provide a small informative marker set to monitor admixture in this valuable indigenous breed. As such, our results are important for conserving the genetic uniqueness and trypanotolerance of Baoulé cattle, as well as for the improvement of Baoulé and Zebu crossbreds in specific community-based breeding programs