Trypanosomosis risk factors and impact assessment of a tsetse and trypanosomosis eradication campaign in Burkina Faso

Tsetse and animal trypanosomosis (T&T) are the main constraints to animal production in Africa, especially in Burkina Faso where the economy relies mainly on the rural sector. To eliminate this scourge in Africa, the Heads of States and Governments have decided in July 2000, during the summit of the African Union in Lomé, Togo, to create the Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Campaign (PATTEC). The experimental work that is presented in this thesis aimed at i) evaluating the parasitological and baseline situation in the Region of the Boucle du Mouhoun, the PATTEC intervention area, ii) evaluating drug resistance in the area, iii) assessing the competitiveness of irradiated male tsetse from a 40-year-old colony to be used in the Sterile Insect Technique and finally iv) assessing the impact of the campaign of elimination of T&T

Les Diatomées Sub-fossiles de L’estuaire du Saloum, Sénégal: inventaire floristique et paléo-environnement fournis par la carotte de Ndangane Babou

Dans le programme de reconstitution de l’histoire des estuaires et lagunes du Sénégal et de l’inventaire de la microflore à diatomées de la Séné-Gambie, une carotte de sondage de 400 cm de long a été réalisée à Ndangane Babou sur un des bras de l’estuaire du Saloum (14°07′53.86″ N/16°17′40.08″ W) à 95 km de l’embouchure. L’analyse comparée de la lithologie et de la microflore a montré une corrélation significative entre la fraction pélitique, l’abondance absolue des diatomées et leur diversité spécifique. Le faible taux de sable, majoritairement d’origine marine tout au long de la carotte pourrait s’expliquer par l’éloignement du site de prélèvement par rapport à l’embouchure du fleuve. L’étude a permis d’inventorier 89 espèces et variétés de diatomées appartenant à 48 genres. Les genres les plus représentés sont Nitzschia (11 espèces), Coscinodiscus (7 espèces), Amphora et Navicula (4 espèces chacune). Huit espèces sont citées pour la première fois en Séné-Gambie. La dominance des espèces euryhalines tout au long de la carotte ainsi que la présence constante des formes d’eau douce témoignent de variations de la salinité entre les saisons hivernales marquées par des apports d’eau douce et les saisons sèches. D’un milieu deltaïque ouvert aux influences marines (Zone A), le Saloum a été marqué par des upwellings qui ont apportés des sels nutritifs jusqu’à la hauteur de Ndangane Babou durant le dépôt de la zone B. Par la suite, l’installation d’un climat chaud et humide a entrainé une augmentation de la pluviométrie et permis d’atteindre une paléo-productivité primaire et une paléo-biodiversité maximales au sommet de la zone C, avant l’installation d’un climat aride à l’origine du caractère inverse de l’estuaire (zone D). Dans ce milieu, l’hydrodynamisme serait à l’origine de l’augmentation du taux de sable et corrélativement la diminution des diatomées suivie de leur disparition.   As part of the program to rebuilt the estuaries and lagoons history in Senegal and the inventory of the diatom microflora in Senegal and Gambia, a 400 cm long core was taken at Ndangane Babou on one of the arms from the Saloum estuary (14°07′53.86″ N/16°17′40.08″ W), 95 km from the ocean. The comparative analysis of the lithology and the microflora showed a significant correlation between the lutite fraction, the absolute abundance of diatoms and their specific diversity. The low rate of sand, mostly of marine origin throughout the core, could be explained by the distance of the site from the mouth of the estuary. The study allowed to inventory 89 species and varieties of diatom belonging to 48 genera. The most represented genera are Nitzschia (11 species), Coscinodiscus (7 species each), Amphora and Navicula (4 species each). Eight species are cited for the first time in Sene-Gambia. The dominance of euryhaline species throughout the core as well as the constant presence of freshwater forms attest to variations in salinity between the rainy seasons marked by freshwater inflows and the dry seasons. From a delta environment open to marine influences (Zone A), the Saloum estuary was marked by upwellings brought nutritive salts up to the height of Ndangane Babou during Zone B deposit. Subsequently, the installation of a hot and humid climate led to an improvement in rainfall and allowed to achieve maximum primary paleo-productivity and paleo-biodiversity at the top of zone C, before the installation of an arid climate at the origin of the opposite character of the estuary (zone D). In this environment, hydrodynamics would be the cause of the increase in the rate of sand and correlatively the decrease in diatoms followed by their disappearance

Profil épidémiologique de la Tuberculose, Sénégal, 2009-2018: Epidemiological profile of Tuberculosis, Senegal, 2009-2018

Introduction: Le fardeau de la tuberculose (TB) pose un grave problème de santé publique au Sénégal. Nous avons analysé les données de surveillance de la tuberculose pour décrire le poids et la tendance de la tuberculose au Sénégal. Méthodes: Nous avons effectué une analyse secondaire des données de surveillance de la tuberculose du 1er janvier 2009 au 31 décembre 2018 du programme national de lutte contre la tuberculose (PNT). Résultats: Au total, 128 836 cas de tuberculose toutes formes ont été analysées dont 67,42% de nouveaux cas de TB pulmonaire confirmée par microscopie. Les personnes âgées de 25-34 ans représentaient 29,66%. Le sex-ratio H/F était de 2,33. Dakar avait rapporté la plupart des cas 44,17%. L'incidence pour 100 000 habitants était de 91, 87 et 86 en 2009, 2008 et 2011, de 93, 95 et 95 en 2012, 2013 et 2014 et de 92, 86, 87 et 84 en 2015, 2016, 2017 et 2018. La majorité des cas (77%) avaient été testés pour le VIH, dont 6,84% co-infectés. Le taux de TB multirésistante (TB-MR) était de 11%. Conclusion: Au Sénégal, l'incidence de la tuberculose a légèrement diminué en raison du faible taux de détection qui était de 62% en 2018. Le nombre de cas détecté a augmenté entre 2013 et 2014, mais elle restait inférieure à celle estimée par l'organisation mondiale de la santé. Une surveillance accrue de la tuberculose et un suivi des tuberculeux pour éviter la pharmaco-résistance sont nécessaires. Introduction: The burden of tuberculosis (TB) is a serious public health problem in Senegal. We analysed TB surveillance data to describe the burden and trend of TB in Senegal. Method: We conducted a secondary analysis of TB surveillance data from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2018 from the national TB control programme (NTP). Results: A total of 128,836 cases of all forms of tuberculosis were analysed, of which 67.42% were new cases of microscopically confirmed pulmonary TB. Persons aged 25-34 years accounted for 29.66%. The sex ratio M/F was 2.33. Dakar reported most cases 44.17%. The incidence per 100 000 populations was 91, 87 and 86 in 2009, 2008 and 2011, 93, 95 and 95 in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and 92, 86, 87 and 84 in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. The majority of cases (77%) had tested positive for HIV, with 6.84% co-infected. The rate of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) was 11%. Conclusion: In Senegal, the incidence of TB has slightly decreased due to the low detection rate which was 62% in 2018. The number of detected cases increased between 2013 and 2014, but it remained below that estimated by the World Health Organization. Increased surveillance of TB and monitoring of TB patients to avoid drug resistance is needed. &nbsp

About a case of a specific complication of monoamniotic twin pregnancy: umbilical cord entanglement

Monoamniotic twin pregnancies are uncommon and often complicated by umbilical cord entanglement. It is important to investigate a umbilical cord entanglement during antenatal ultrasound examinations. The diagnosis is based on ultrasound with color and pulsed Doppler. Despite the high percentage of cord entanglement, the perinatal mortality rate remains very low. Rigorous ultrasound monitoring and recording of fetal heart rhythms can improve the prognosis. We report a case of umbilical cord entanglement in a monoamniotic twin pregnancy discovered during a caesarean section with a favorable outcome

Impact of day of delivery on obstetric and perinatal outcome: a 10 years retrospective descriptive and analytical study at the Phillipe Maguilen Senghor Health Centre, Dakar, Senegal

Background: For a lot of women, childbirth is still a feared moment. Despite considerable progress in the management of childbirth and its complications, maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality are still a major problem even in developed countries. To evaluate the influence of day of delivery on obstetrical and perinatal outcome.Methods: Retrospective cohort study conducted at the Philippe Maguilen SENGHOR health center maternity ward from January 1, 2011 to June 30, 2019, on patients with a pregnancy of more than 22 weeks of amenorrhea who were received for delivery management. The deliveries periods were divided according to whether they occurred on a working day (deliveries from Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays) or on weekends and public holidays (deliveries on Saturdays, Sundays and days declared as public holidays according to the Gregorian and Senegalese event calendars). The data were extracted from our E-perinatal database and analysed in the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS 24, Mac version).Results: Over 102 months, we recorded 42 870 deliveries. The average age of the patients was 27 years with extremes of 13 and 50 years. Nearly one in three deliveries took place on a holiday or weekend (n=13566-31.6%). The rate of caesarean delivery on weekends/holidays (18.8%) was lower than that on weekdays (21%). The odds ratio of having/benefiting from a weekend/holiday caesarean section was 0.87 (CI 0.83-0.92, p<0.0001). Our results suggest that patients who deliver on weekdays are more likely to receive a caesarean section than those who deliver on weekends or holidays. Perineal injury, World Health Organization obstetric complications, and neonatal outcome showed no significant difference by day of delivery.Conclusions: Our results contradict the idea that deliveries on weekends and holidays are more risky for patients and their children

A Spatio-temporal Model of African Animal Trypanosomosis Risk

[b]Background[/b]African animal trypanosomosis (AAT) is a major constraint to sustainable development of cattle farming in sub-Saharan Africa. The habitat of the tsetse fly vector is increasingly fragmented owing to demographic pressure and shifts in climate, which leads to heterogeneous risk of cyclical transmission both in space and time. In Burkina Faso and Ghana, the most important vectors are riverine species, namely Glossina palpalis gambiensis and G. tachinoides, which are more resilient to human-induced changes than the savannah and forest species. Although many authors studied the distribution of AAT risk both in space and time, spatio-temporal models allowing predictions of it are lacking.[b]Methodology/Principal Findings[/b]We used datasets generated by various projects, including two baseline surveys conducted in Burkina Faso and Ghana within PATTEC (Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomosis Eradication Campaign) national initiatives. We computed the entomological inoculation rate (EIR) or tsetse challenge using a range of environmental data. The tsetse apparent density and their infection rate were separately estimated and subsequently combined to derive the EIR using a "one layer-one model" approach. The estimated EIR was then projected into suitable habitat. This risk index was finally validated against data on bovine trypanosomosis. It allowed a good prediction of the parasitological status (r(2) = 67%), showed a positive correlation but less predictive power with serological status (r(2) = 22%) aggregated at the village level but was not related to the illness status (r(2) = 2%).[b]Conclusions/Significance[/b]The presented spatio-temporal model provides a fine-scale picture of the dynamics of AAT risk in sub-humid areas of West Africa. The estimated EIR was high in the proximity of rivers during the dry season and more widespread during the rainy season. The present analysis is a first step in a broader framework for an efficient risk management of climate-sensitive vector-borne diseases

Community of Practice (CoP) on climate informed advisory services for livestock farmers: The process of co-development and dissemination in Senegal

Livestock is an important source of income for millions of smallholder farmers, including women, in Senegal (Habanabakize, Ba, et al., 2022; Habanabakize, Diasse, et al., 2022). But drought, heat waves and extreme wet events, exacerbated by climate change, threaten food security, animal health and the livelihoods of many pastoral communities in the country. With the increased variability of the growing season, natural pasture and water availability, undernourished cattle must travel longer and longer distances.1 In order to reduce uncertainty and to protect their livelihoods and assets, herders utilise various adaptation strategies, including: (1) destocking by selling livestock at often low prices prior to and during to drought; (2) transhumance, which entails a higher risk of animal loss; (3) purchase of feeds which can be costly; (4) utilisation of residues from croplands which may lead to conflict with farmers. In this context, extension services, developed on knowledge and innovations sourced from local- national-international research, can play a vital role in building the capacity of livestock farmers to improve their productivity and profit (Pousga et al., 2022)

Factors Associated with the Prevalence of Circulating Antigens to Porcine Cysticercosis in Three Villages of Burkina Faso

Taenia solium cysticercosis is a neglected tropical infection transmitted between humans and pigs. This infection is particularly common in areas where sanitation, hygiene and pig management practices are poor, and can sometimes lead to epilepsy in humans. There is very little information about the importance of this infection in Burkina Faso, even though pork meat is widely consumed in many villages. We conducted a pilot study in three villages: two villages where pig rearing and pork consumption are common (Batondo and Pabré) but with different pig management practices, and one village with limited pig farming and pork consumption (Nyonyogo). Blood tests were done on pigs and information on pig raising was collected from farmers. Our study demonstrated that at least one third of pigs are infected with cysticercosis in villages where they are raised, and, particularly when pigs are left to roam some or all of the time. It also demonstrated that farmers may not be aware of this disease until one of their animals is found to be infected. Thus, the study concluded that there is an urgent need for improving education in order to control this tropical disease

Initial findings from a novel population-based child mortality surveillance approach: a descriptive study.

--- - Label: BACKGROUND NlmCategory: BACKGROUND content: "Sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia contributed 81% of 5\xC2\xB79 million under-5 deaths and 77% of 2\xC2\xB76 million stillbirths worldwide in 2015. Vital registration and verbal autopsy data are mainstays for the estimation of leading causes of death, but both are non-specific and focus on a single underlying cause. We aimed to provide granular data on the contributory causes of death in stillborn fetuses and in deceased neonates and children younger than 5 years, to inform child mortality prevention efforts." - Label: METHODS NlmCategory: METHODS content: "The Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) Network was established at sites in seven countries (Baliakandi, Bangladesh; Harar and Kersa, Ethiopia; Siaya and Kisumu, Kenya; Bamako, Mali; Manhi\xC3\xA7a, Mozambique; Bombali, Sierra Leone; and Soweto, South Africa) to collect standardised, population-based, longitudinal data on under-5 mortality and stillbirths in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia, to improve the accuracy of determining causes of death. Here, we analysed data obtained in the first 2 years after the implementation of CHAMPS at the first five operational sites, during which surveillance and post-mortem diagnostics, including minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS), were used. Data were abstracted from all available clinical records of deceased children, and relevant maternal health records were also extracted for stillbirths and neonatal deaths, to incorporate reported pregnancy or delivery complications. Expert panels followed standardised procedures to characterise causal chains leading to death, including underlying, intermediate (comorbid or antecedent causes), and immediate causes of death for stillbirths, neonatal deaths, and child (age 1-59 months) deaths." - Label: FINDINGS NlmCategory: RESULTS content: Between Dec 10, 2016, and Dec 31, 2018, MITS procedures were implemented at five sites in Mozambique, South Africa, Kenya, Mali, and Bangladesh. We screened 2385 death notifications for inclusion eligibility, following which 1295 families were approached for consent; consent was provided for MITS by 963 (74%) of 1295 eligible cases approached. At least one cause of death was identified in 912 (98%) of 933 cases (180 stillbirths, 449 neonatal deaths, and 304 child deaths); two or more conditions were identified in the causal chain for 585 (63%) of 933 cases. The most common underlying causes of stillbirth were perinatal asphyxia or hypoxia (130 [72%] of 180 stillbirths) and congenital infection or sepsis (27 [15%]). The most common underlying causes of neonatal death were preterm birth complications (187 [42%] of 449 neonatal deaths), perinatal asphyxia or hypoxia (98 [22%]), and neonatal sepsis (50 [11%]). The most common underlying causes of child deaths were congenital birth defects (39 [13%] of 304 deaths), lower respiratory infection (37 [12%]), and HIV (35 [12%]). In 503 (54%) of 933 cases, at least one contributory pathogen was identified. Cytomegalovirus, Escherichia coli, group B Streptococcus, and other infections contributed to 30 (17%) of 180 stillbirths. Among neonatal deaths with underlying prematurity, 60% were precipitated by other infectious causes. Of the 275 child deaths with infectious causes, the most common contributory pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae (86 [31%]), Streptococcus pneumoniae (54 [20%]), HIV (40 [15%]), and cytomegalovirus (34 [12%]), and multiple infections were common. Lower respiratory tract infection contributed to 174 (57%) of 304 child deaths. - Label: INTERPRETATION NlmCategory: CONCLUSIONS content: Cause of death determination using MITS enabled detailed characterisation of contributing conditions. Global estimates of child mortality aetiologies, which are currently based on a single syndromic cause for each death, will be strengthened by findings from CHAMPS. This approach adds specificity and provides a more complete overview of the chain of events leading to death, highlighting multiple potential interventions to prevent under-5 mortality and stillbirths. - Label: FUNDING NlmCategory: BACKGROUND content: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation