Ulcère de Buruli : Connaissance et Rôle des Plantes dans la Transmission de la Maladie dans Quatre Villages des Districts Sanitaires de Daloa et Bouaké (Côte d’Ivoire)

L’ulcère de Buruli est une maladie tropicale négligée qui se manifeste par des ulcérations graves de la peau, des muscles et des os, pouvant conduire à des amputations. Des efforts ont été faits pour éradiquer cette maladie. Cependant, de nouveaux cas sont diagnostiqués chaque année et les foyers endémiques ne font que se multiplier. La pénétration dans l’organisme de l’agent pathogène, Mycobacterium ulcerans, se ferait suite à une effraction cutanée causée notamment par les plantes. L’objectif de ce travail est d’évaluer le niveau de connaissance de l’ulcère de Buruli des populations et du rôle des plantes dans la transmission de cette maladie afin de mieux sensibiliser sur les modes de prévention. Des entretiens basés sur la méthode Connaissance, Attitudes et Pratiques (CAP) ont été réalisés dans les Districts sanitaires de Daloa et de Bouaké (Côte d’Ivoire). Les données démographiques, la connaissance des signes, des causes et des appellations de l’ulcère de Buruli dans les langues locales ont été obtenues. Il en ressort que les populations ont une connaissance fragmentaire de l’ulcère de Buruli. Les appellations de la maladie sont liées à la taille de la plaie sur la peau. Les populations ont identifié des espèces végétales telles que Elaeis guineensis, Imperata cylindrica, Chromolaena odorata et Combretum racemosum comme pouvant causer des effractions cutanées. La cause mystique de la maladie est fréquente. Il serait donc urgent d’accentuer les campagnes de sensibilisation dans les zones endémiques d’ulcère de Buruli. Buruli ulcer (BU) is a neglected tropical disease leading to severe ulcerations of the skin, muscles and bones leading to amputations if not earlier detected. Despite efforts to eradicate this disease, new cases are diagnosed every year and endemic foci are increasing. The penetration into the body of the pathogen agent Mycobacterium ulcerans, would occur after a skin injures due to plants materials. The objective of this work was to assess the level of knowledge of the populations and the role that plants could play in the transmission of Buruli ulcer. Interviews were conducted in four villages belonging to two Health Districts in Côte d'Ivoire, based on knowledge, attitude, and the practice (KAP) method. Demographic data set, knowledge of the signs, causes and names of Buruli ulcer in the local language were obtained. Plants that can cause injuries have been identified. It appears that populations have a fragmentary knowledge of Buruli ulcer. The names of the disease are related to the size of the wound on the skin. Populations have identified plant species such as Elaeis guineensis, Imperata cylindrica, Chromolaena odorata and Combretum racemosum as causing openings on the skin. The mystical cause of the disease is frequent. Thus, it would therefore be urgent to increase awareness campaigns in the endemic areas of Buruli ulcer

Morphological characteristics and distribution of Colletotrichum isolates morphotypes infecting mango (Mangifera indica L.) in the north of Côte d'Ivoire

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum species is the most important field and postharvest disease infecting mango worldwide. A survey was conducted in the seven mango producing districts in the north of Côte d'Ivoire to identify and characterize Colletotrichum species isolates associated with mango leaves necrosis and fruit rots. A total of 70 isolates were identified based on morphological and cultural characters. Most of isolate colour were grey or grey whitish (36%), cottony (71%) with cylindrical conidia (97%) rounded on both ends (57%). Three texture types were observed in colonies of the seventy isolates. Most of the isolates were cottony (71%) followed by abundant aspect (23%) and closely appressed (6%). According to conidia shape, two species of Colletotrichum; Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (97%) and C. acutatum(3%) were identified in the seventy isolates. Conidia length and width varied respectively from 15.4to 19.7μm and 4.8 to 5.2 μm. The Average Linear Growth Rate (ALGR) 7 days after culture varied from 0.76 to 0.91 cm day-1. Multivariate analysis grouped the 70 isolates into four morphotypes containing, respectively: 5 (7%), 7 (10%), 17 (24%) and 41 (59%) isolates. Isolates of morphotype 1 were characterized by whitish obverse and reverse colour with an abundant mycelia aerial aspect. The second morphotypes were represented by isolates with obverse and reverse brownish grey colour and contained both conidia with two rounded ends, and one rounded and one sharped ends. The third morphotype consisted of isolates with obverse and reverse grey whitish colour. The fourth morphotype consisted of isolates with obverse and reverse respectively dark grey and grey or vice versa. Conidial length and width of morphotypes varied, respectively, from 14.5 to 17.2 μm and 4.6 to 5.2 μm. ALGR of morphotypes varied from 0.84 to 0.87 μm day-1. The present study highlighted that morphological variation of Colletotrichum species existed among the different isolates and the districts surveyed. However, to overcome the inadequacies of this traditional morphological identification, sequence analyses are needed to be carried out to confirm the identity of these Colletotrichum species isolates

Monitoring the elimination of gambiense human African trypanosomiasis in the historical focus of Batié, South-West Burkina Faso

The World Health Organisation has targeted the elimination of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) as zero transmission by 2030. Continued surveillance needs to be in place for early detection of re-emergent cases. In this context, the performance of diagnostic tests and testing algorithms for detection of the re-emergence of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense HAT remains to be assessed. We carried out a door-to-door active medical survey for HAT in the historical focus of Batié, South-West Burkina Faso. Screening was done using three rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). Two laboratory tests (ELISA/T. b. gambiense and immune trypanolysis) and parasitological examination were performed on RDT positives only. In total, 5883 participants were screened, among which 842 (14%) tested positive in at least one RDT. Blood from 519 RDT positives was examined microscopically but no trypanosomes were observed. The HAT Sero-K-Set test showed the lowest specificity of 89%, while the specificities of SD Bioline HAT and rHAT Sero-Strip were 92% and 99%, respectively. The specificity of ELISA/T. b. gambiense and trypanolysis was 99% (98-99%) and 100% (99-100%), respectively. Our results suggest that T. b. gambiense is no longer circulating in the study area and that zero transmission has probably been attained. While a least cost analysis is still required, our study showed that RDT preselection followed by trypanolysis may be a useful strategy for post-elimination surveillance in Burkina Faso.</p

R ES EA R CH Open Access Phenetic and genetic structure of tsetse fly populations (Glossina palpalis palpalis) in southern Ivory Coast

Abstract Background: Sleeping sickness, transmitted by G. p. palpalis, is known to be present in the Ivory Coast. G. p. palpalis has recently been reported to occur in several places within the town of Abidjan, including: (i) the Banco forest, (ii) the Abobo Adjamé University campus and (iii) the zoological park. Could these three places be treated sequentially, as separate tsetse populations, or should they be taken as one area comprising a single, panmictic population? Methods: The amount of gene flow between these places provides strategic information for vector control. It was estimated by the use of both microsatellite DNA and morphometric markers. The idea was to assess the interest of the faster and much less expensive morphometric approach in providing relevant information about population structure. Thus, to detect possible lack of insect exchange between these neighbouring areas of Abidjan, we used both genetic (microsatellite DNA) and phenetic (geometric morphometrics) markers on the same specimens. Using these same markers, we also compared these samples with specimens from a more distant area of south Ivory Coast, the region of Aniassué (186 km north from Abidjan). Results: Neither genetic nor phenetic markers detected significant differentiation between the three Abidjan G. p. palpalis samples. Thus, the null hypothesis of a single panmictic population within the city of Abidjan could not be rejected, suggesting the control strategy should not consider them separately. The markers were also in agreement when comparing G. p. palpalis from Abidjan with those of Aniassué, showing significant divergence between the two sites. Conclusions: Both markers suggested that a successful control of tsetse in Abidjan would require the three Abidjan sites to be considered together, either by deploying control measures simultaneously in all three sites, or by a continuous progression of interventions following for instance the &quot;rolling carpet&quot; principle. To compare the geometry of wing venation of tsetse flies is a cheap and fast technique. Agreement with the microsatellite approach highlights its potential for rapid assessment of population structure

Vitis vinifera gene expression differential analysis assessing microarrays data pre-processing dynamism by RNA-Seq approach

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Diversité des pratiques paysannes en zones cotonnières du Mali : portée et limites des gestions d'itinéraires techniques observées

Portée et limites des gestions d'itinéraires techniques observées. L'enquête conduite au cours de la campagne 1998 et 1999 révèle que les écarts aux recommandations techniques relatives à l'utilisation des intrants ne sont pas importants en moyenne mais cette situation moyenne cache une grande diversité des parcelles. L'enquête met en évidence des écarts à d'autres recommandations techniques dont les incidences peuvent être plus importantes sur le rendement que l'emploi des intrants chimiques (faiblesse relative des densités de peuplement, défaut de démariage, retard dans l'apport des engrais, ou encore l'arrêt trop précoce des traitements phytosanitaires). Ces pratiques résultent certainement, au moins en partie, des contraintes diverses des paysans, en ce sens, elles interpellent pour la mise au point de pratiques plus compatibles avec ces contraintes. On peut aussi penser qu'elles résultent d'un manque de formation et d'information des paysans

Composition floristique et diversité du peuplement ligneux en zone de savane soudanienne de la Côte d’Ivoire

The woody flora of the Ivorian savannahs, despite botanical harvests carried out by some authors, is not much studied. Thus, the floristic potential of the woody region of Tchologo, with the city of Ferkessédougou as its capital, is not yet sufficiently known. This study aimed to characterize the flora of the Tchologo region in the north of the Ivory Coast. For this purpose, woody species have been identified and measured in areas of one hectare (200 m x 50 m) near three main areas of study. This inventory showed that the area is rich with 88 species, spread over 69 genera and 30 families. The average number of species ranges from 19.20 ± 4.7 on the Ferkessedougou-Tafiré axis to 22.66 ± 2.77 on the Ferkessédougou-Sinématiali axis. The dominant families are the Caesalpiniaceae (13%), the Combretaceae (8%) and the Euphorbiaceae (7%). A comparison of stem density indicated that the Korhogo-Ferkessédougou axis has the highest value. Analysis of floristic diversity has shown a higher diversity around the Ferkessedougou-Tafiré axis. These results attest that the flora of Sudan has a great ecological valu

Comparison of trace element contamination levels (Cu, Zn, Fe, Cd and Pb) in the soft tissues of the gastropods Tympanotonus fuscatus fuscatus and Tf radula collected in the Ebrié Lagoon (Côte d'Ivoire): Evidence of the risks linked to linked to lead and

A comparative survey of the levels of contamination of the two gastropods, of the Potomidae family, has been done in the lagoon Ebrié close to the city of Abidjan. It revealed that Tympanotonus fuscatusradula (TFR), adapt better to the conditions of the lagoon environment than Tympanotonus fuscatus fuscatus (TFF). Besides, T. fuscatus radula shows a higher bioaccumulation capacity of the trace elements than T. fuscatus fuscatus: the ratios of contamination index of T. fuscatus radula to those of T. fuscatus fuscatus are in the order of 1.5 for copper (Cu), 4.9 for iron (Fe), 3.2 for zinc (Zn), 95.9 forlead (Pb) and 6.7 for cadmium (Cd). Therefore T. fuscatus radula could be a better metallic pollution indicator than T. fuscatus fuscatus. A hierarchical classification analysis permitted, on the basis oftrace elements contents in the soft tissues of T. fuscatus radula higher than 10%, to determine the polymetallic character of the pollution in the different sampling stations (with the exception of Biét 3) aswell as the differences in the bioavailability of the trace elements. Besides, possible health risks linked to the consumption of T. fuscatus radula exist because of the lead concentrations which, in 35.57% ofthe samples, are higher than the consumption standards of the European Union (EU) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Even if the contents in cadmium are lower than the consumption standardsof the EU and the WHO, the health risks linked to this trace element still remains because of its cumulative character in some vital organs of human