Aqueous Methanol Extracts of Cochlospermum tinctorium (A. Rich) Possess Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activities

Cochlopermum tinctorium A. Rich. (Cochlospermaceae) is a commonly used medicinal plant in the West Africa sub-region for the management of various conditions including pain and inflammatory conditions. In the present study, we report the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous methanol leaf (20–80 mg/kg), root (7.5–30 mg/kg), and root bark (20–80 mg/kg) extracts of the plant. The analgesic potentials of the extracts were studied using acetic acid induced writhing and hot plate tests in mice while the anti-inflammatory activity was investigated using carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats.The extracts significantly and dose dependently inhibited the acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. However, the highest protection against writhing was produced by aqueous methanol leaf extract at the dose of 80 mg/kg (96.65%) which even was greater than that of the standard agent, ketoprofen (82.30%). The extracts did not significantly increase mean latency of response in the hot plate test. However, aqueous methanol root bark extract at the dose of 20 mg/kg significantly (P < 0.05) increased the mean latency of pain response. While the extracts of the root and root bark extracts of the plant afforded non dose-dependent protection against carrageenan-induced edema, the aqueous methanol leaf extract significantly and dose-dependently inhibited carrageenan-induced hind paw edema at the end of the third hour.The present study suggests that the aqueous methanol leaf, root, and root bark extracts of Cochlopermum tinctorium possess analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities which lend some credence to the ethnomedical claim of the use of the plant in the management of pain and inflammatory conditions

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance.

Investment in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences that have been generated and used to track the pandemic on the continent, a number that now exceeds 100,000 genomes. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries that are able to sequence domestically and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround times and more-regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and illuminate the distinct dispersal dynamics of variants of concern-particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron-on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve while the continent faces many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Diversity in grain physico-chemical characteristics of West African rice, including NERICA genotypes, as compared to cultivars from the United States of America

Landraces from West Africa (WA), NERICA progenies derived from crosses between Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima, and improved O. sativa lines from Africa Rice Center were introduced to the Beaumont Rice Research Center in Texas, United States of America (USA) (29o57’ N and 94o30’ W) for in-situ evaluation and characterization. Milled samples of rice produced in Côte d’Ivoire (CI) (7.5o N - 8.5o N and 4.5o W and 5.5o W) were also introduced for chemical analysis. RVA profiles showed that Jaya has unusually strong paste viscosity features. Apparent Amylose content varied from 15% for Khao Dawk Mali 105 originally from Thailand, to 26% for CG 14, an O. glaberrima type. WAB 56-104, an improved O. sativa variety from Africa Rice Center, had the longest cooking time of 24 minutes. Jaya can be compared to Dixiebelle, a USA variety grown commercially under contract for the canning and processing industries. Total milling yield varied from 78% for Gnanle Gnan-Man, a landrace from WA, to 70% for the USA check Saber. Sierra, a USA check, had the highest value of 2-AP (1258 ng/g), followed by Bakue Danane and Cocote, both from CI. Comparing WA samples grown in CI with those grown in Texas, cooking and pasting parameters were not generally strongly affected by the environment. The variable most affected by environment was the setback which predicts the hardness of cooked rice. Diverse sources for grain quality traits were found in WA germplasm for use in the USA

Les envenimations ophidiennes dans une clinique privee « Néné » de kati et revue de la litterature

Objectif: Rapporter 5 observations cliniques de morsures de serpent chez des sujets admis en milieu de soins et faire une revue de la littérature. Méthodologie: Nous avons effectué une analyse d’une série de 5 dossiers médicaux de patients admis pour morsures de serpents. Résultats: Les patients de notre série étaient d’un âge moyen de 24,8 ans avec des extrêmes de 11 ans (observation 4) et 44 ans (observation 5). Un seul cas était de sexe féminin (observation 3). Les circonstances d’expositions étaient les travaux champêtres pour 2 cas, le ramassage de bois (2 cas) et la promenade nocturne pour 1 cas. Les sites de morsures étaient majoritairement le membre inferieur (4 cas). Un patient avait le site de morsure sur le pouce du doigt (observation 4). L’étape initiale de la prise en charge a été effectuée par le traditherapeutique dans tous les cas. Les délais de consultations ont été de 48 heures (2cas) 72 heures (2 cas) et de 12 heures chez 1 cas. Le syndrome hémorragique a été noté dans la majorité des cas à l’admission (4 patients) et le délabrement musculaire dans 1 cas (observation 5). Ils ont tous bénéficié de sérothérapie antivenimeux. L’évolution fut favorable pour l’ensemble des patients. Conclusion: les cas de morsures de serpent sont de plus en plus rencontrés au cours de nos activités de soins. Une meilleure connaissance et la maitrise des bonnes pratiques de la prise en charge des envenimations ophidiennes permettraient une amélioration du pronostic des cas. Mots clés: Morsures, Serpents, Sérum antivenimeux, Mali English Title: The ophidian envenomations in a private clinique “Néné”area in Kati and review of literature English Abstract Objectif: to report 5 clinical observations of snakebite in subjects admitted to healthcare settings and review literature. Methods: We performed an analysis of a series of medical records of patients for snakebite. Results: The patients in our series were of an average age of 24.8 years with extremes of 11 years (case 4) and 44 years (cases 5). Only one was female (case 3). The exposure circumstances were field work concerning 2 cases, wood collection (2 cases) and night walk for 1 case. The bite sites were mainly on the lower limb (4 cases). For 1 patient this site located on the thumb (case). In all cases, the initial step of consultation was effect to the traditional therapy pratician. They consult in the health structures only after failure of the traditional treatment thus at the stage of complications whose management remains uncertain and burdened with heavy. The consultations delay were 48 hours (2 cases), 72 hours (2 cases) and 12 hours in one 1 case. Hemorragic syndrome has been reported in the majority of cases at admission (4 patients) and muscle decay in one case (case 5). All of ours patients received antivenom serotherapy. Evolution was favorable for all patients. Conclusion: Snake bites are also encountered in our care structures. A better knowledge and mastery of good rules for taking care ophidian envenomations would improve the prognosis of cases. Keywords: Bites, Serpents, Antivenous Serum, Mal

Profil epidemio-clinique actuel des co-infections VHB/VIH et VHC/VIH au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire du Point- G, Bamako Mali

Objectif: Déterminer la place du portage des virus des hépatites B et C chez les PVVIH admis en hospitalisation. Méthodologie: L’étude était rétrospective et descriptive sur 10 ans à partir de la base de données, dans les services de références des hépatites virales B et C. Elle a concerné les patients porteurs du VIH et d’antigène HBs et/ou Ac anti-VHC. Résultats: Sur 3024 patients hospitalisés, 123 cas de coïnfections (4,07%) de VIH + VHB (n =115) et VIH+VHC (n =8) ont été recensés. L’âge moyen des patients ayant une coinfection VIH/VHB était de 40,2 ans ± 15,6 vs 43,05 ± 2,07 pour ceux ayant une co-infection VIH/VHC et le sex-ratio (H/F) de 0,33 pour les patients VIH/VHB versus 1,5 pour les patients VIH/VHC. Les facteurs de risque identifiés étaient les partenariats sexuels multiples (50,4%), la transfusion sanguine (5,69%), la sodomie (2,4%) et l’injection intraveineuse de drogues (2,4%). Les patients VIH-VHB étaient sous traitement ARV dans 67,8% des cas (35,6% par TDF/3TC/EFV) comparés aux patients VIH-VHC (traités par AZT/3TC/EFV). Aucune triple association VIH/VHB/VHC n’était diagnostiquée. Conclusion: la co-infection VIH et hépatites virale B et C reste non négligeable en hospitalisation. Le respect des normes de traitement ARV nationales réduiraitle poids de la morbi-mortalité associée à la comorbidité avec le VHB. L’espoir des prochaines subventions du traitement du VHC serait un gage de réduction de sa mortalité. Mots clés: Comorbidité, Infection à VIH, Hépatite à virus B, Hépatite à virus C English Title: Epidemiological and clinical current profile of HBV/HIV and HCV/HIV to the University Hospital Center Area of Point-g, Bamako, Mali English Abstract Objective: To determine the place of hepatitis B and C viruses infection among PLVIH admitted to hospital. . Method: Study was a retrospective and descriptive study over 10 years, from the database in the reference services of viral hepatitis B and C. Results: Of 3024 hospitalized patients, 123 co-infections (4.07%) of HIV + HBV (n = 115, 93.5%) and HIV + HCV (n = 8, 6.5%) were detected. Their mean age was 40.2 years ± 15.6 (HIV / HBV) vs 43.05 ± 2.07 for the HIV / HCV couple with a sex ratio (M / F) equal 0.33 for HIV / HBV couple and 1.5 for HIV / HCV couple. The risk factors identified were multiple sexual partnerships (50.4%), blood transfusion (5.69%), sodomy (2.4%) and intravenous drug injection (2.4%). The carriers of the HIV-HBV couple were on Antiretroviral treatment (67, 8%) particularly treat by TDF / 3TC / EFV in 36,5% compared to the HIV-HCV couple (treated with AZT / 3TC / EFV). No triple case of HIV / HBV / HCV association was diagnosed. Conclusion: HIV coinfection and viral hepatitis B and C remain significant in admission. Compliance with national ARV treatment standards would reduce the burden of morbidity and mortality associated to comorbidities of HBV. Hope for future HCV treatment grants would be a pledge to reduce mortality associated to this virus. Keywords: Comorbidity, HIV infection, Hepatite B, Hepatite

Profil microbiologique des infections génitales basses chez les femmes en âge de procréer dans la ville de Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

Selon l’organisation Mondiale de la Santé (oMS), l’afrique  Sub-saharienne est l’une des régions les plus touchées par les infections sexuellement transmissibles (iST). au Burkina Faso, la prise en charge des infections génitales repose sur une approche syndromique, et les données sur leurs étiologies sont rares. Cette  étude a pour objectif d’établir le profil microbiologique des   infections génitales basses chez patientes âgées d’au moins 15 ans dans la ville de Bobo-dioulasso. il s’est agi d’une transversale et prospective qui s’est déroulée d’octobre 2014 à Juillet 2015 dans le  laboratoire d’analyse de biologie médicale eXalaB. Chez chaque femme consentante se présentant avec un bulletin  d’examen, un prélèvement cervico-vaginal a été réalisé, examiné à la  microscopie, puis mis en culture pour l’identification des  pathogènes. la susceptibilité aux  antimicrobiens a été déterminée par la méthode de diffusion sur gélose selon les recommandations(2013) du comité de l’antibiogramme de la société française de microbiologie (Ca-SFM). au total, 195 femmes âgées de 16-45 ans ont été incluses dans cette étude. au moins un germe a été détecté chez 155 (79,5 %) femmes. Candida albicans (C. albicans) (34,3 %), Gardnerella vaginalis (G. vaginalis) (18,8 %),  Escherichia colis (E. colis) (13,1 %) étaient les pathogènes  prédominants. l’antifongigramme a montré une très bonne activité de la nystatine (100,0 %) et de l’amphotéricine B (97,8 %). Quant à l’antibiogramme, la gentamycine, l’imipenème et la Ceftriaxone ont montré une activité &gt; à 67 % sur les bacilles gram négatif. Sur les cocci gram positif, on notait une résistance d’environ 30 % à l’erythromycine. C. albicans représente l’agent prédominant de ces infections génitales basses et est le plus souvent associés à des bactéries.Mots-clés : infections génitales, etiologie, Bobo-dioulasso.according to who, the Sub-Saharan africa is one of the most  regions affected by STis. in Burkina Faso, the treatment of genital infections among women of childbearing age is based on a  syndromic approach, and data on their etiologies are limited. This study aims to establish the microbiological profile of lower genital infections in females aged over 15 years in Bobo-dioulasso. From october to July 2015, a cross sectional study was conducted in the medical laboratory of eXalaB. genital secretions were taken from consenting women, examined in microscopy and then cultured to identify infectious agents. The susceptibility to antimicrobial was determined by the agar diffusion method as recommended (2013) by the French Society for Microbiology (SFM). a total of 195 women aged from 16 to 45 years were included in this study.Candida albicans (34.3%), Gardnerella vaginalis (18.8%),  Escherichia colis (13.1%) were the most causative agents detected. The antifungal susceptibility showed a very good activity of the nystatin (100.0%) and the amphotericin B (97.8%). as for antibiotic susceptibility, gentamicin, imipenem and Ceftriaxone showed an activity &gt; 67% for gram negative bacilli. on gram positive cocci, resistance is noted at about 30% for erythromycin. C. albicans is the predominant agent of genital infections and is most often associated with bacteria.Keywords: genital infections, etiology, Bobo-dioulasso.