Evaluation de la qualité sanitaire des poudres de feuilles de Moringa oleifera Lam. commercialisées au profit des Personnes Vivant avec le VIH à Cotonou (Bénin)

Face au péril des carences nutritionnelles, la promotion des compléments alimentaires prend de l’ampleur au Bénin. L’objectif de cette étude est d’évaluer la qualité hygiénique des poudres de feuilles de Moringa oleifera commercialisées à Cotonou. 24 échantillons ont été achetés dans 12 points de vente et soumis à des analyses de laboratoire. L’enquête a révélé que, 25% des échantillons ne sont pas scellés, 58% des emballages sont non opaques, les dates de conditionnement et dates limites d’utilisation ne figurent pas sur 50% des échantillons. 43% des poids marqués ne sont pas conformes aux poids nets réels. La concentration moyenne des germes aérobies mésophiles (1,4.106 à 3.106 UFC/g) dépasse significativement la limite maximale d’acceptation du produit au plan microbiologique. Cette insalubrité des échantillons se confirme par la forte présence de Staphylocoques à coagulase positive (3.104), Escherichia coli (1,5.103 à 30.103), levures (1,1.103 à 15.103) et moisissures (3,4.103 à 30.103) respectivement dans 100%, 92%, 50% et 17% des poudres analysées. Par ailleurs, les bactéries Anaérobies Sulfito-Réductrices sont dans les limites d’acceptation de l’aliment. Au total, l’innocuité des poudres de Moringa commercialisées n’est pas garantie et il importe que les fabricants corrigent les failles en matière d’hygiène dans le processus de fabrication.Mots clés : Moringa oleifera, Complément alimentaire, nutrition, qualité, hygiène

Comparative Study of Malaria Prevalence among Travellers in Nigeria (West Africa) Using Slide Microscopy and a Rapid Diagnosis Test

Malaria is a major disease in Africa and leads to various public health problems. A study was carried out at the Aviation Medical Clinic Laboratory, Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria, in 2014. The work aimed to determine the prevalence of malaria among patients attending the laboratory. Blood samples were therefore collected from 51 patients and subjected to both blood smear microscopy and a rapid immunochromatographic diagnostic test (SD BIOLINE Malaria Ag) for detection of, respectively, malaria parasites and antigens. At the end of the study, 22% of the patients were detected positive by the microscopic examination while 9.8% were tested positive when using SD BIOLINE Malaria Ag. The outcomes of the study show a high prevalence of malaria at the airport. This represents a serious risk factor leading to a high likelihood of spread and occurrence of malaria in other countries including Western countries whereby the disease is nonendemic. It also pointed out that the blood smear microscopy seems to be better than Rapid Diagnosis Test (RDT) for malaria diagnosis

Recherche de la staphylocoagulase libre à partir du plasma d’animaux tropicaux : influence du type d’anticoagulant, de la température et de la durée de conservation

L’identification biochimique de Staphylococcus aureus nécessite la recherche de la staphylocoagulase libre, réalisée grâce au plasma lyophilisé de lapin. Cette étude vise à promouvoir l’utilisation de plasma frais d’animaux tropicaux et déterminer l’influence des anticoagulants, de la température et de la durée de conservation de ces plasmas dans la révélation de la staphylocoagulase libre.Cinq (5) échantillons de sang de rats wistar, 3 de porc, 10 de poulets et 10 de lapins ont été recueillis sur anticoagulants. Après caractérisation biochimique d’une souche de référence de S. aureus ATCC 25923, la recherche de la staphylocoagulase libre a été faite à partir des plasmas d’animaux tropicaux conformément aux critères bactériologiques classiques. Des résultats obtenus, seuls les échantillons de plasma de lapins et de porcs ont permis la révélation de la staphylocoagulase libre. De tous les anticoagulants testés, l’EDTA et Citrate de sodium ont été les plus efficaces. Une part des plasmas de lapins recueillis sur EDTA a été conservée au réfrigérateur et l’autre part à température ambiante durant sept jours. La recherche de la staphylocoagulase a été faite tous les jours de conservation à partir des plasmas. Il découle de cette conservation que la température n’a pas d’influence majeure sur les échantillons de plasma sauf que leur conservation à température ambiante ralentit l’obtention des résultats. Il est donc préférable pour l’obtention de résultats dans un temps relativement court et pour éviter les risques de contamination des plasmas, de les conserver au réfrigérateur entre 2° et 8°C pendant un maximum de 6 jours

Microbiological Characterization of Grilled Meat “Tchatchanga” in Cotonou (Southern Benin): Enumeration, Isolation and Resistance Profile of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

Collective food-borne diseases are the reason for a considerable number of deaths in developing countries. The contamination of meat is often noticed. The purpose of the present study was to enumerate, isolate and evaluate the resistance profile of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in grilled meat consumed in Southern Benin. To achieve this goal, 30 thirty samples of grilled meat “Tchatchanga” were collected in three districts of the city of Cotonou. After collection, the samples were identified, stored in a cooler containing cold accumulator’s and sent to the laboratory for analysis. The resistance profile of the different isolated strains was then sought: 30% of the samples were contaminated with Escherichia coli and 100% with Staphylococci. In terms of hygienic quality, 70% of the samples were of unsatisfactory. Of the 30 staphylococcal strains, 11 were identified as Staphylococcus aureus. Regarding the strain resistance profile, 88.89% of the Escherichia coli strains were multi-resistant compared to 72.72% of Staphylococcus aureus. This study revealed the necessity of urgent actions to ensure food safety in Benin

Surveillance and Genomics of Toxigenic Vibrio cholerae O1 From Fish, Phytoplankton and Water in Lake Victoria, Tanzania

The occurrence of toxigenic Vibrio cholerae O1 during a non- outbreak period in Lake Victoria was studied and genetic characteristics for environmental persistence and relatedness to pandemic strains were assessed. We analyzed 360 samples of carps, phytoplankton and water collected in 2017 during dry and rainy seasons in the Tanzanian basin of Lake Victoria. Samples were tested using PCR (ompW and ctxA) with DNA extracted from bacterial isolates and samples enriched in alkaline peptone water. Isolates were screened with polyvalent antiserum O1 followed by antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics tools were employed to investigate the genomic characteristics of the isolates. More V. cholerae positive samples were recovered by PCR when DNA was obtained from enriched samples than from isolates (69.0% vs. 21.3%, p < 0.05), irrespectively of season. We identified ten V. cholerae O1 among 22 ctxA-positive isolates. Further studies are needed to serotype the remaining ctxA-positive non-O1 strains. Sequenced strains belonged to El Tor atypical biotype of V. cholerae O1 of MLST ST69 harboring the seventh pandemic gene. Major virulence genes, ctxA, ctxB, zot, ace, tcpA, hlyA, rtxA, ompU, toxR, T6SS, alsD, makA and pathogenicity islands VPI-1, VPI-2, VSP-1, and VSP-2 were found in all strains. The strains contained Vibrio polysaccharide biosynthesis enzymes, the mshA gene and two-component response regulator proteins involved in stress response and autoinducers for quorum sensing and biofilm formation. They carried the SXT integrative conjugative element with phenotypic and genotypic resistance to aminoglycoside, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, phenicol, and quinolones. Strains contained a multidrug efflux pump component and were resistant to toxic compounds with copper homeostasis and cobalt-zinc-cadmium resistance proteins. The environmental strains belonged to the third wave of the seventh pandemic and most are genetically closely related to recent outbreak strains from Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda with as low as three SNPs difference. Some strains have persisted longer in the environment and were more related to older outbreak strains in the region. V. cholerae O1 of outbreak potential seem to persist in Lake Victoria through interactions with fish and phytoplankton supported by the optimum water parameters and intrinsic genetic features enhancing survival in the aquatic environment

Larval Cytotoxic and Subacute Toxicity of Gardenia ternifolia, Rourea coccinea, and Cassytha filiformis Used in Traditional Medicine of Benin (West Africa)

The use of medicinal plants in traditional medicine is a common practice in developing countries. However, this unregulated or irrational use may pose a risk of toxicity to humans in the short and/or long term. Recent studies reported interesting ethnopharmacological, antioxidant, and phytochemical data on some medicinal plants used in the traditional treatment of male infertility in Benin. Unfortunately, very little data exist on the long-repeated dose toxicity of these medicinal plants. This study was aimed at evaluating the larval cytotoxicity and subacute toxicity of the hydroethanolic extract of Cassytha filiformis whole plant, Gardenia ternifolia roots, and Rourea coccinea leaves. The subacute toxicity of these plants was evaluated in male Wistar albino rats at three different doses (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg) according to the OECD 407 guidelines. Hematological and biochemical examinations and the histological study of the liver and kidneys were carried out. Larval cytotoxicity was assessed by the sensitivity of Artemia salina larvae to different concentrations of the studied plants extracts. The mean lethal concentration (LC50) was determined by the probit method. Subacute toxicity data indicated that there was no mortality or structural alterations of the liver and kidneys in the lot of treated animals. However, significant alterations in certain hematological and biochemical parameters (hematocrit, ASAT, and uremia) were noted. These abnormalities were observed in the lot of rats treated with Rourea coccinea and Cassytha filiformis extracts. Larval cytotoxicity data indicate that the studied plants extracts are not cytotoxic (LC50 > 0.1 mg/mL). These data suggest that the use in traditional medicine of studied plants at high doses and repeated over a long period of time requires special attention

A behavioral and serological survey on HIV prevalence among prisoners in Benin

Cases of HIV are common in Benin, with infection rates varying according to socioeconomic and cultural factors, and by region. Certain segments of the population, such as prison inmates, sex worker clients and truck drivers are at high risk for HIV/AIDS. The aim of this study is to identify which behavioral and serological indicators contribute to the spread of HIV among prisoners. A total of 496 inmates from prisons located in all major cities in Benin were surveyed. Data was collected through interview sessions carried out using a questionnaire and through blood samples. The results show that most inmates are Beninese (83.5%), and the average age is 33 years (range: 14-80 years). No prisoner reported using a condom the last time they engaged in sexual intercourse. Blood exposure was found in 14.6% of inmates and HIV was detected in 1.4% of cases. Our analysis indicates that the length of detention and gender are factors that influence HIV status. However, age, education, nationality and HIV awareness had no significant effect on HIV prevalence among inmates. The results highlight the need to raise awareness in prisons about HIV. This can be achieved by strengthening communication strategies and by organizing HIV and sexually transmitted diseases information sessions for both prison officers and inmates

Bioactivity of essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf and Cymbopogon nardus (L.) W. Watson from Benin against Dinoderus porcellus Lesne (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) infesting yam chips

Dinoderus porcellus L. (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) is a most abundant and damageable pest of stored yam chips in West Africa. In view of the negative effects related to the use of synthetic chemical insecticide, it is important to develop alternative eco-friendly methods of control, such as the use of plant essential oils. The chemical composition and biological effects (repellent, antifeedant, contact and fumigant toxicity) of essential oils from Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf and Cymbopogon nardus (L.) W. Watson were evaluated for the first time against D. porcellus. The chemical composition of C. citratus essential oil revealed that neral (24.64%), geranial (23.46%), and beta-pinene (21.90%) were the predominant compounds whereas citronellal (37.87%), nerol (19.88%) and citronellol (9.11%) were identified in C. nardus essential oil. Data showed that both essential oils were more effective as repellents and fumigant than the commercial insecticide Actellic 50 EC. The results also revealed the low contact toxicity of C. citratus and C. nardus essential oils against D. porcellus. However, similarly to Actellic 50 EC, C. citratus essential oil presented good antifeedant activity against D. porcellus and reduced yam chips weight loss. The results obtained suggest the good potential of C. citratus as both antifeedant and fumigant toxic agent against D. porcellus. While, C. nardus essential oil could be recommended as repellent. However, further studies are required to evaluate the insecticidal activity of both Cymbopogon essential oils under farmers’ storage conditions and to develop a good formulation as biopesticide

Tilapia lake virus threatens tilapines farming and food security: socio-economic challenges and preventive measures in Sub-Saharan Africa

Tanzania Veterinary Association Proceedings Vol. 35: 19-27Tilapiais a traditional and favorite dish in almost all countries of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the second most produced fish worldwide. A deadly viral disease caused by Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) currently threatens tilapia production. This study aimed to describe TiLV disease, discuss its related socio-economic impacts in SSA, and envisage preventive measures applicable in SSA countries. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar and Research Gate were searched. Results reveal that TiLV is an RNA virus causing the disease of over 90% mortalities in tilapia. It attacks early developmental stages of tilapia, transmitted horizontally between fish, and is a potential trade-influencing transboundary animal disease. It is currently confirmed in six countries: Ecuador, Israel, Colombia, Egypt, Thailand and Taiwan. 10 SSA countries have likely imported TiLV infected tilapia fingerlings from hatcheries in Thailand and Tanzania, Burundi, Congo, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia are suspected infected with TiLV. Approximately 6 Million jobs with subsequent 18 million livelihoods are expected to be affected. Food insecurity is likely to hit over 400 Million lives in the course of TiLV disease. An estimate of US$ 3 billion per year could be lost in SSA countries due to TiLV. In SSA, technologies to achieve effective control of TiLV based on measures suggested by OIE, and FOA do not exist. There is a crucial need for capacity building among farmers and technical personnel on prompt diagnostic procedures and effective remedial action and establishment of outbreak response systems