Pratiques d’élevage avicole au Sud-Bénin (Afrique de l’Ouest) et impacts sur l’hygiène des fumiers produits

La précarité des systèmes d’élevage avicole en Afrique de l’Ouest peut favoriser l’introduction de germes pathogènes dans les élevages. Or, les fumiers de volaille sont très utilisés dans le maraîchage au Bénin. Par conséquent, le transfert de germes des fumiers vers les produits maraîchers est à craindre. L’objectif de cette étude était d’explorer les pratiques d’élevage avicole dans le département de l’Atlantique (Sud-Bénin). Au total, 78 fermes avicoles ont été visitées. Un questionnaire a été administré aux producteurs. La plupart d’entre eux (82,1%) ont rapporté qu’ils se lavent toujours les mains avant d’entrer dans les poulaillers. Sur les fermes disposant de pédiluves, 15,4% des producteurs ont avoué ne pas toujours y passer avant d’accéder aux poulaillers. Un seul producteur a rapporté qu’il ne fait pas la décontamination terminale des bâtiments. L’analyse du fumier prélevé sur l’une des fermes a révélé la présence de quantités très élevées de germes aérobies mésophiles d’Escherichia coli, de Clostridium perfringens et de coliformes thermotolérants. Ces résultats microbiologiques montrent que les pratiques d’hygiène en aviculture sont encore peu satisfaisantes au Bénin.© 2015 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Mots clés: Élevage avicole, bonnes pratiques, risques microbiologiques, hygièneEnglish Title: Poultry farming practices in South-Benin (West Africa) and impacts on the manures hygieneEnglish AbstractIn general, the poultry farming systems in West Africa are less sophisticated. These systems can be sources of carrying out of pathogens to the farms. But, in Benin Republic, poultry manures are widely used in market gardening. So, the transfer of pathogens from manures to vegetables is worrisome. This research aimed  at investigating the poultry farming practices in the Atlantic division (South-Benin). In total, 78 poultry farms were visited. A questionnaire was handed out to the producers. Most of them (82.1%) reported that they always wash their hands before entering poultry houses. On the farms where footbaths were present, 15.4% of producers declared that they do not always pass through it before entering poultry houses. Only one producer reported that he does not do the final decontamination of the houses. Analysis of the manure taken from one of the farms showed very high amounts of aerobic mesophile bacteria, of Escherichia coli, of Clostridium perfringens and thermotolerant coliforms. These microbiological results show that satisfying hygiene practices in poultry farming are still lacking in Benin.© 2015 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Poultry farming, good practices, microbiological risks, hygien

Assessment of blood cultures and antibiotic susceptibility testing for bacterial sepsis diagnosis and utilization of results by clinicians in Benin: A qualitative study

ObjectivesWe assessed the current status of blood culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) practices in clinical laboratories in Benin, and how the laboratory results are used by physicians to prescribe antibiotics.MethodsThe qualitative study covered twenty-five clinical laboratories with a bacteriology unit and associated hospitals and pharmacies. Altogether 159 laboratory staff, physicians and pharmacists were interviewed about their perceptions of the state of laboratory diagnostics related to sepsis and the use of antibiotics. Face-to-face interviews based on structured questionnaires were supported by direct observations when visiting five laboratories in across the country.ResultsOnly 6 laboratories (24%) conducted blood cultures, half of them with a maximum of 10 samples per month. The most common gram-negative bacteria isolated from blood cultures were: Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi while the most common gram-positives were Enterococcus spp. and Staphylococcus aureus. None of the laboratories listed Klebsiella pneumoniae among the three most common bacteria isolated from blood cultures, although other evidence indicates that it is the most common cause of sepsis in Benin. Due to limited testing capacity, physicians most commonly use empirical antibiotic therapy.ConclusionsMore resources are needed to develop laboratory testing capacity, technical skills in bacterial identification, AST, quality assurance, and communication of results must be strengthened.Peer reviewe

Tuberculosis treatment raises total cholesterol level and restores high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis

The aim of this study was to determine whether tuberculosis (TB) treatment normalizes the lipid profile strongly affected by pulmonary TB. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) were determined in 83 patients with pulmonary TB before and after treatment, and compared to results obtained from 100 control subjects without TB. Before treatment, levels of TC (p<0.005), HDL-C (p<0.005) and LDL-C (p<0.005) were significantly lower in pulmonary TB patients than normal subjects. Unlike TC and LDL-C, HDL-C decrease was correlated (r = 0.96, p<0.05) with smear positivity extent (SPE). At the end of TB treatment, which lasted six months, TC (p<0.01) and HDL-C (p<0.005) levels were significantly increased than before treatment while LDL-C stayed relatively unchanged. The treatment significantly reduced the atherogenic indices TC/HDL-C (p<0.001), LDL-C/HDL-C (p<0.001) and log (TG/HDL-C) (p<0.001) levels. Our results show that tuberculosis treatment increases TC levels and normalizes HDL while reducing atherogenic indices to below levels of controls.Keywords: Pulmonary tuberculosis, lipid profile, treatment, atherogenic indexAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(41), pp. 6019-602

Valeur Ethnobotanique De Annona Muricata Utilisee Dans Le Traitement De Certaines Pathologies Au Sud-Benin

L’utilisation d’Annona muricata dans le traitement de diverses pathologies humaines prend de plus en plus d’ampleur au Bénin. Le but de la présente étude est de faire l’inventaire des maladies traitées par l’utilisation de cette plante. Pour ce faire, une enquête ethnobotanique a été réalisée auprès de 77 herboristes et 170 tradithérapeutes des Départements de l’Ouémé et du Plateau, du Littoral, de l’Atlantique et du Mono. Les données collectées étaient relatives à la structure écologique de l’arbre Annona muricata, aux différents organes utilisés et les maladies traitées, au mode d’emploi, etc. Ces données ont été analysées avec le logiciel SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) pour la détermination des statistiques descriptives en termes de pourcentage et de moyenne. Il ressort de l’étude que les acteurs enquêtés étaient majoritairement des hommes (74,9%),non scolarisés (40,1%), d’origine Goun (27,1%), Cotafon (19,8%) et Nago (18,2%). Les caractéristiques écologiques de A. muricata ont varié significativement (p<0,05) selon les enquêtés. Le mode de multiplication de l’arbre, selon les enquêtés,se fait principalement par la graine (82,6%). Les principaux organes d’Annonamuricata utilisés pour le traitement des maladies sont majoritairement le fruit (86,2%), la feuille (66,4%) et l’écorce (62,8%). Les principaux modes de préparation des organes étaient la tisane (97,2%), ladécoction (93,5%), et la poudre (76,9%). L’Annonamuricata était majoritairement utilisé, selon les enquêtés, pour le traitement de l’insomnie (70,9%), le cancer (70%), le paludisme (59,9%), l’hypertension artérielle (58,7%), le vertige (57,5)…Ainsi, vu les résultats, ce travail a permis de connaitre la valeur ethnobotanique d’Annona muricata. The use of Annona muricata(A. muricata) in the treatment of various human pathologies is becoming more and more widespread in Benin. The aim of this study was to inventory the diseases treated by the use of this plant. For this purpose, an ethnobotanical survey was carried out among 77 herbalists and 170 traditional therapists from the Departments of Ouémé and Plateau, Littoral, Atlantic and Mono. The data collected was relative, to the ecological structure of the Annona muricata tree, the different organs used and the diseases treated, the use instructions, etc. The data was collected in the form of a questionnaire. These data had been analysed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software for the determination of descriptive statistics in terms of percentage and average. The study showed that the majority of the actorssurveyed were men (74.9%), unschooled (40.1%), ethnic groups as Goun (27.1%), Cotafon (19.8%) and Nago (18.2%). The ecological characteristics of A. muricatavaried significantly (p<0.05) according to the surveyed actors. The main method of multiplication of the tree is by seeds (82.6%). The main organs of Annona muricata used for diseases treatment were usually the fruit (86.2%), the leaf (66.4%) and the bark (62.8%). According to the actors, Annona muricata was mainly used for the treatment of insomnia (70.9%), cancer (70%), malaria (59.9%), high blood pressure (58.7%), vertigo (57.5), etc. The main method of organ preparation was herbal tea (97.2%), decoction (93.5%), and powder (76.9%). Therefore, at the results showed, this study allowed to know ethnobotanic value of Annona muricata

Molecular characterization of Enterobacteriaceae producing β-lactamase and methicillin-resistant staphylococci isolated from the hospital environment and catheters in two public hospitals in Benin, Republic of Benin

Antimicrobial resistance is a real public health problem. All over the world, it has a considerable impact in hospitals. The present study was conducted to ascertain the bacterial ecology in two hospitals in Benin as well as the resistance genes present in the recovered isolates. A total of 146 environmental and catheter samples were collected at the University Hospital Center of Abomey-Calavi / So-Ava and at the Beninese Army Hospital of Cotonou. These samples were inoculated on Mannitol Salt and Eosin Methylene Blue agars. The colonies obtained were identified and their sensitivity to antibiotics were tested, using the Kirby Bauer technique. Four resistance genes encoding the production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (blaCTX-M1, blaCTX-M2, blaCTX-M9, blaCTX-M15) and the gene coding for methicillin resistance (mecA) were screened.  The gene coding for methicillin resistance (mecA) was sought in staphylococci. A total of 69 (53,49%) and 60 (46,51%) strains belonging to Enterobacteriaceae family and staphylococci were identified, respectively. A predominance of Staphylococcus aureus (25.6%) followed by Enterobacter cloacae (21.0%) and coagulase negative staphylococci (21.0%) was observed. These bacterial strains showed multidrug-resistance, particularly to beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, and macrolides. Beta-lactamases were identified in the genome of bacterial strains with a predominance of blaCTX-M15 (42.8%). The frequency of the mecA gene in staphylococci was 50%. These results show the magnitude of the antimicrobial resistance situation in the hospitals investigated. They can be used to support advocacy for urgent action at the national level, especially with regards to the management and efficient use of antimicrobials in Benin

Prevalence and characterization of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in healthy pregnant women and hospital environments in Benin: an approach based on Tricycle

IntroductionExtended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales are recognized as significant pathogens due to their resistance to multiple antibiotics. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) in different settings, including healthy pregnant women, the food chain, and the environment of tertiary hospitals in Benin.MethodsSamples were collected from various sources, including fecal samples from healthy pregnant women, food samples from hospital canteens, and hospital effluents from four tertiary hospitals in southern Benin. Fecal samples were plated on MacConkey agar supplemented with cefotaxime (4 μg/mL), while food and water samples were plated on Tryptone Bile X agar supplemented with cefotaxime (4 μg/mL). Urea indole tests were used for preliminary identification of E. coli colonies, followed by confirmation of ESBL production using the double disk synergy technique. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of ESBL-producing E. coli strains was conducted using the disk diffusion method on MH agar. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to investigate the presence of ESBL-encoding genes.ResultsAmong the 296 fecal samples collected from four tertiary hospitals, ESBL-producing E. coli was isolated from 22.30% (66) of the samples. All E. coli isolates from hospital effluents exhibited ESBL production, while ESBL-producing E. coli was not detected in food and drinking water samples. The analysis of variable associations showed no significant associations (p > 0.05) for the studied factors. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed high resistance rates among the ESBL-Ec isolates against several tested antibiotics, including amoxicillin, aztreonam, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. However, most isolates remained susceptible to ertapenem, amoxicillin-clavulanate, and imipenem. The most prevalent ESBL-encoding genes were blaTEM (37.50%), blaOXA-1 (19.44%), and blaSHV (11.11%), while a smaller proportion of isolates carried blaCTXM-1/blaCTXM-15 (5.55%) and blaCTXM-9.DiscussionThis study provides insights into the prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli carriage in the feces of healthy pregnant women in southern Benin. Additionally, it highlights hospital wastewater as a potential reservoir of ESBL-producing bacteria in the environment. The detection of ESBL-producing E. coli in hospital effluents raises concerns about the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes into the environment. The high resistance rates observed among ESBL-Ec isolates against commonly used antibiotics emphasize the urgent need for antimicrobial stewardship and infection control measures. The identification of prevalent ESBL-encoding genes contributes to understanding the genetic basis of ESBL resistance in the studied population. Further research is warranted to explore the mechanisms of transmission and potential interventions to mitigate the spread of ESBL-producing Enterobacterales

Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) as a Putative Reservoir Host for Survival and Transmission of Vibrio cholerae O1 Biotype El Tor in the Aquatic Environment

Studies have reported the occurrence of Vibrio cholerae in fish but little is known about the interaction between fish and toxigenic V. cholerae as opposed to phytoplankton, which are well-established aquatic reservoirs for V. cholerae. The present study determined the role of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) as a reservoir host for survival and transmission of V. cholerae in aquatic environments. Three experiments were performed with one repetition each, where O. niloticus (∼2 g) kept in beakers were inoculated with four V. cholerae strains (5 × 107 cfu/mL). Firstly, infected tilapia were kept in stagnant water and fed live brine shrimp (Artemia salina) larvae daily. Secondly, infected tilapia were kept without feeding and water was changed every 24 h. Thirdly, infected tilapia were fed and water was renewed daily. Infected tilapia and non-infected controls were sacrificed on days 1, 2, 3, 7, and 14 post-inoculation and V. cholerae were enumerated in intestinal content and water. Another experiment assessed the transmission of V. cholerae from infected to non-infected tilapia. The study revealed that El Tor biotype V. cholerae O1 and V. cholerae non-O1 colonized tilapia intestines and persisted at stable concentrations during the second week of the experiment whereas the Classical biotype was undetectable after 1 week. In stagnant water with feeding, V. cholerae counts dropped to 105 cfu/ml in water and from 107 to 104 cfu/intestine in fish after 14 days. When water was renewed, counts in water decreased from 107 to 103 cfu/ml and intestinal counts went from 106 to 102 cfu/intestine regardless of feeding. All strains were transmitted from infected to naïve fish after 24 h of cohabitation. Tilapia like other fish may play an essential role in the survival and dissemination of V. cholerae O1 in aquatic environments, e.g., the seventh pandemic strains mostly. In this study, tilapia were exposed to high concentrations of V. cholerae to ensure initial uptake and follow-up studies with lower doses resembling natural concentrations of V. cholerae in the aquatic environment are needed to confirm our findings

Physicochemical Characteristics and Microbiological Quality of Honey Produced in Benin

Honey is a very complex biological product. It has great diversity, giving it a multitude of properties, both nutritionally and therapeutically. This study aimed to study the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of honeys collected during the dry and rainy seasons in the different phytogeographical areas of Benin. The study revealed that all honeys had pH, water content, electrical conductivity, ash content, free acidity, total sugars, and reducing sugars, respectively, ranging within 3.65–4.09; 12.07–13.16%; 530.25–698.50 μs/cm; 0.42–0.53%; 35.67–40.52 meq/kg; 60–70%; and 58–70%. Moisture content, total sugars, and reducing sugars varied very significantly (p<0.05 to p<0.001) from one area to another and from one season to another. However, only the production season has a significant influence (p<0.05) on the pH of the honey. With regard to the ash content, free acidity, and electrical conduction, no significant difference (p>0.05) between the zones or between the seasons was observed. The results of the microbiological characterization showed that there is heterogeneity in the microbial load. These results have shown that these honeys meet international standards and their characterization will make it possible to obtain Beninese quality labels

Metagenomic Analysis of the Abundance and Composition of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Hospital Wastewater in Benin, Burkina Faso, and Finland

The global emergence and increased spread of antibiotic resistance threaten the effectiveness of antibiotics and, thus, the health of the entire population. Therefore, understanding the resistomes in different geographical locations is crucial in the global fight against the antibiotic resistance crisis.Antibiotic resistance is a global threat to human health, with the most severe effect in low- and middle-income countries. We explored the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the hospital wastewater (HWW) of nine hospitals in Benin and Burkina Faso, two low-income countries in West Africa, with shotgun metagenomic sequencing. For comparison, we also studied six hospitals in Finland. The highest sum of the relative abundance of ARGs in the 68 HWW samples was detected in Benin and the lowest in Finland. HWW resistomes and mobilomes in Benin and Burkina Faso resembled each other more than those in Finland. Many carbapenemase genes were detected at various abundances, especially in HWW from Burkina Faso and Finland. The bla(GES) genes, the most widespread carbapenemase gene in the Beninese HWW, were also found in water intended for hand washing and in a puddle at a hospital yard in Benin. mcr genes were detected in the HWW of all three countries, with mcr-5 being the most common mcr gene. These and other mcr genes were observed in very high relative abundances, even in treated wastewater in Burkina Faso and a street gutter in Benin. The results highlight the importance of wastewater treatment, with particular attention to HWW.IMPORTANCE The global emergence and increased spread of antibiotic resistance threaten the effectiveness of antibiotics and, thus, the health of the entire population. Therefore, understanding the resistomes in different geographical locations is crucial in the global fight against the antibiotic resistance crisis. However, this information is scarce in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), such as those in West Africa. In this study, we describe the resistomes of hospital wastewater in Benin and Burkina Faso and, as a comparison, Finland. Our results help to understand the hitherto unrevealed resistance in Beninese and Burkinabe hospitals. Furthermore, the results emphasize the importance of wastewater management infrastructure design to minimize exposure events between humans, HWW, and the environment, preventing the circulation of resistant bacteria and ARGs between humans (hospitals and community) and the environment.Peer reviewe

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