Parasitic Capabilities of Trichogrammatoidea sp. and Habrobracon hebetor for biological control of Noorda blitealis, a defoliating caterpillar of Moringa oleifera

The damage caused by Noorda blitealis Walker (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on Moringa, Moringa oleifera (Capparales: Moringaceae), a very important leafy vegetable in Niger, pushes producers to excessively use synthetic chemical pesticides. The present study was carried out in the laboratory for the parasitism test and at the station for the evaluation of the dynamics of predatory arthropods. The work aims on the one hand to test the parasitic capacities of two Trichogrammatoidea parasitoids sp. and Habrobracon hebetor respectively on the eggs and on the caterpillar of N. blitealis and on the other hand to evaluate the dynamics of the abundance of predator colonies in a Moringa plot, from a biological control perspective. At the end of these activities, the results obtained made it possible to determine that the average rate of emergence of individuals from a female of Trichogrammatoidea sp., on C. cephalonica eggs is 82.3% per day of infestation, or 13.6 individuals emerged per day of infestation. While the number of adults emerged from N. blitealis eggs is 4.1 individuals emerged per day of infestation (with a rate of 62.2% per day), significantly lower compared to the emergence rate obtained eggs of C. cephalonica. We observe that a total of 32.8 individuals on average emerged from a batch of ten larvae of C. cephalonica, from a female of H. bracon significantly higher than the nine individuals emerged from a batch of ten larvae of N. blitealis. In short, H. hebetor and Trichogrammatoidea sp. do not appear to be good candidates for biological control agents against N. blitealis. The study of the dynamics of insect colonies predatory on the larvae and eggs of N. blitealis, namely, ants, spiders and mantises, shows that their populations are present on the plants of two varieties of M. oleifera almost all during the year, with abundances varying greatly from one season to another. Keywords: Noorda blitealis, Trichogrammatoidea sp, Habrobracon hebetor, Moringa oleifera, biological control, Nige

Effets sanitaires aigus de l'exposition aux pesticides en milieu rural : étude dans un pays du nord : étude PhytoRiv : étude dans un pays du sud : PhytoNiger

Pesticides are widely used in agriculture worldwide. However, it is now recognised thatoccupational pesticide exposure, especially in agriculture, can pose serious health concerns. Weaimed to study short term respiratory symptoms in general populations exposed to pesticidesused in agriculture.Here we present results of two epidemiological studies, Phytoriv, performed in Bordeaux area,France, and Phytoniger, performed in a Sahelian African country, both among rural adult andchildren populations.Higher pesticide levels in ambient air were observed in the surrounding of vineyards in Phytoriv.However, no major effect was observed on resident’s respiratory health. This need to beconfirmed by studies with improved temporal and spatial exposure assessment.Phytoniger allowed us to show the feasibility of environmental health studies in a developingcountry. Unauthorized and hazardous pesticides are widely used in Niger, for agricultural as wellas for residential purposes, and concerns are growing on their potential health effects. Some ofthe short term respiratory symptoms were more frequent in the agricultural wetland area,compared to the Sahelian agro-pastoral area. Pesticides are more susceptible to be used in thefirst area, but it is also more subject to mosquito control fires.Finally in both surveys, higher risks of respiratory symptoms have been observed for peopleliving in houses treated with indoor pesticides, and especially in children.All these results warrants further studies to improve assessment of sources, exposure levels anddeterminants of pesticide exposure in the general population, in order to improve knowledge onits respiratory and short term health effects. Thus, relevant public health interventions could beperformed.L’utilisation des pesticides peut être à l’origine de graves nuisances pour la santé humaine,comme l’ont montré les études en milieu professionnel agricole.L’objectif de cette thèse était d’étudier les manifestations, principalement respiratoires etsurvenant à court terme, dans la population générale exposée aux pesticides utilisés enagriculture.Les résultats de deux études épidémiologiques, Phytoriv, menée en Gironde et Phytoniger, plusexploratoire, sont présentés, toutes deux menées au sein de population d’adultes et d’enfantsvivant en milieu rural.L’étude Phytoriv a mis en évidence la présence de concentrations faibles mais plus élevées depesticides dans l’air ambiant à proximité de zones viticoles traitées et a permis de recueillir surune période de une à trois semaines les symptômes ressentis par les riverains de manièrejournalière. L’absence d’effet majeur de l’exposition sur la santé respiratoire chez les riverainsobservée dans cette étude demande à être confirmée, en améliorant notamment l’estimationtemporelle et spatiale de l’exposition.L’étude Phytoniger a permis de démontrer la faisabilité d’une étude de santé environnementaledans un pays en développement. L’utilisation de pesticides non autorisés et potentiellementdangereux, pour des usages agricoles mais également domestiques, est importante au Niger etpose la question de leur impact sur la santé des populations. Certains symptômes respiratoiresétaient plus fréquemment observés en zone agricole humide, où les usages de pesticides, maiségalement les feux de démoustication, sont plus importants qu’en zone sahélienne agropastorale.Enfin, dans les deux études Phytoriv et Phytoniger, des risques plus élevés de symptômesrespiratoires étaient observés, notamment chez les enfants, en lien avec l’utilisation domestiquede pesticides.A l’avenir, une caractérisation plus précise des sources, niveaux et déterminants d’exposition dela population générale permettrait d’améliorer les connaissances sur le lien avec la survenue desymptômes et pathologies respiratoires et d’identifier les axes d’intervention les plus pertinents

Analyse des aspects épidémiologiques du choléra dans la région de Zinder au Niger en 2021

Contexte : Le choléra reste à l’échelle mondiale une menace pour la santé publique. Il évolue sur un mode endémo-épidémique. L’objectif de l’étude était d’analyser les aspects épidémiologiques de choléra dans la région de Zinder en 2021. Méthodologie : Il s’est agi d’une étude transversale descriptive et analytique menée à partir des données collectées sur les cas suspects de choléra en 2021 entre les semaines épidémiologiques 27 et 42 dans 5 districts sanitaire de la région de Zinder. L’analyse des données a été faite sur les logiciels SPSS. En bivariée, le test de Chi Carré de Pearson a été utilisé au seuil de significativité de 5% à la recherche d’éventuelles associations entre le décès dus au choléra et les variables explicatives. Résultats : Au total, 600 cas suspects de choléra ont été notifiés. La moyenne d’âge était 26,39 ans avec des extrêmes allant de 0 à 95 ans. L’âge ≥ 15 ans représentait 65,5%. Parmi les patients, 59,5% étaient de sexe féminin avec un ratio de 1,46. Le district sanitaire de Mirriah avait notifié 68,8% des cas. A la semaine 34, 18,8 % de cas ont été déclarés. Sur les 27 cas testés, 24 étaient positifs (88,88%). Le taux de létalité était de 3,3%. L’âge (p = 0,020), les districts sanitaires de provenance (p <0,001) et les semaines épidémiologiques (p = 0,020) étaient statistiquement associés au décès des patients. Parmi les 20 patients décédés, 14 soit 70% provenaient du district sanitaire de Mirriah. Conclusion : La prise en charge médicale et communautaire précoce a permis de réduire la létalité dans notre étude. La mise en œuvre des mesures de promotion de l’hygiène, la surveillance, le renforcement du système d’approvisionnement en eau potable et la vaccination sont les piliers de lutte contre le choléra.   Context: Cholera remains a global threat to public health. It evolves in an endemo-epidemic mode. The aim of the study was to analyze the epidemiological aspects of cholera in the Zinder region in 2021. Methodology: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study based on data collected on suspected cases of cholera in 2021 between epidemiological weeks 27 and 42 in 5 health districts of the Zinder region. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. In bivariate analysis, Pearson's Chi-Square test was used at the 5% significance level to search for possible associations between cholera deaths and explanatory variables. Results: A total of 600 suspected cholera cases were reported. The average age was 26.39 years, with extremes ranging from 0 to 95 years. Age ≥ 15 years accounted for 65.5%. Of the patients, 59.5% were female, with a sex ratio of 1.46. The Mirriah health district had notified 68.8% of cases. By week 34, 18.8% of cases had been reported. Of the 27 cases tested, 24 were positive (88.88%). The case-fatality rate was 3.3%. Age (p = 0.020), health district of origin (p <0.001) and epidemiological week (p = 0.020) were statistically associated with patient death. Of the 20 patients who died, 14 or 70% came from the Mirriah health district. Conclusion: Early medical and community management reduced case fatality in our study. The implementation of hygiene promotion measures, surveillance, reinforcement of the drinking water supply system and vaccination are the pillars of the fight against cholera

Aspects épidémiologiques, cliniques et évolutifs du choléra dans la région de Zinder au Niger en 2021

Contexte :  Le choléra reste à l’échelle mondiale une menace pour la santé publique. Il évolue sur un mode endémo-épidémique. L’objectif de l’étude était d’analyser les aspects épidémiologiques, cliniques et évolutifs du choléra dans la région de Zinder en 2021. Méthodologie : Il s’est agi d’une étude transversale descriptive et analytique menée à partir des données collectées sur les cas suspects de choléra en 2021 entre les semaines épidémiologiques 27 et 42 dans 5 districts sanitaire de la région de Zinder. L’analyse des données a été faite sur les logiciels SPSS version 25.0. En bivariée, le test de Chi Carré de Pearson a été utilisé avec un seuil de significativité de 5% à la recherche d’éventuelles lien statistiquement significatif entre le décès dû au choléra et les variables explicatives. Résultats : Au total, 600 cas suspects de choléra ont été notifiés de la semaine 27 à 42 en 2021.La moyenne d’âge des patients était 26,39 ans +/-21,59 avec des extrêmes allant de 3 mois à 95 ans. Les patients de 15 ans et plus représentaient 65,5%. Étaient de sexe féminin, 59,5% des patients avec un ratio de 1,46. Le district sanitaire de Mirriah avait notifié le plus de cas (68,8%). Sur les 27 cas suspects testés, 24 étaient positifs (88,88%). Le taux de létalité était de 3,3%. Parmi les 20 patients décédés, 70% provenaient du district sanitaire de Mirriah. L’âge (p = 0,020), les districts sanitaires de provenance (p <0,001) et les semaines épidémiologiques (p = 0,020) étaient statistiquement associés au décès des patients. Conclusion : La prise en charge médicale et communautaire précoce a permis de réduire la létalité dans notre étude. La mise en œuvre des mesures de promotion de l’hygiène, la surveillance, le renforcement du système d’approvisionnement en eau potable et la vaccination sont les piliers de lutte contre le choléra.   Context: Cholera remains a global public health threat. It is evolving in an endemo-epidemic mode. The objective of the study was to analyze the epidemiological, clinical and evolutionary aspects of cholera in the Zinder region in 2021. Methodology: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study conducted using data collected on suspected cholera cases in 2021 between epidemiological weeks 27 and 42 in 5 health districts in the Zinder region. The data analysis was done on SPSS version 25.0 software. In bivariate cases, the Pearson Chi-square test was used with a significance level of 5% to look for a statistically significant link between cholera deaths and explanatory variables. Results: A total of 600 suspected cholera cases were reported from week 27 to 42 in 2021.La mean age of patients was 26.39 years +/-21.59 years with extremes ranging from 3 months to 95 years. Patients aged 15 years and older accounted for 65.5%. Female, 59.5% of patients with a ratio of 1.46. The health district of Mirriah had reported the most cases (68.8%). Of the 27 suspected cases tested, 24 were positive (88.88%). The case fatality rate was 3.3%. Of the 20 patients who died, 70% were from the Mirriah health district. Age (p = 0.020), health districts of origin (p <0.001) and epidemiological weeks (p = 0.020) were statistically associated with patient death. Conclusion: Early medical and community management reduced lethality in our study. The implementation of hygiene promotion measures, surveillance, strengthening of the drinking water supply system and vaccination are the pillars of the fight against cholera

HIV infection and hepatitis B seroprevalence among antenatal clinic attendees in Niger, West Africa

This transversal study was suggested in order to estimate the nationwide seroprevalences of HIV infection and hepatitis B among 495 pregnant women in Niger in 2008. The study detected anti-HIV antibodies with Genscreen® Plus HIV Ag/Ab Ultra Kit (Bio-Rad; Hercules, CA), Vironostika® HIV Uni-Form II Ag/Ab (bioMérieux; Marcy-l’Etoile, France), and ImmunoComb® II HIV 1 and 2 BiSpot (Orgenics; Yavne, Israel). HBsAg was detected by Monolisa® HBsAg Ultra (Bio-Rad) and ImmunoComb® II HBsAg (Orgenics). The rates obtained were 2.02% (95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.03%–3.81%) and 16.16% (95% CI: 13.09%–19.77%), respectively. There were no significant variations according to environment, region, age, marital status, educational level, antecedent of surgery and transfusion. But these data need a large sample, and periodic updates for a better planning of activities in the framework of a national reproductive health program, including prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission

How Can Health Systems Better Prepare for the Next Pandemic? Lessons Learned From the Management of COVID-19 in Quebec (Canada)

The magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic challenged societies around our globalized world. To contain the spread of the virus, unprecedented and drastic measures and policies were put in place by governments to manage an exceptional health care situation while maintaining other essential services. The responses of many governments showed a lack of preparedness to face this systemic and global health crisis. Drawing on field observations and available data on the first wave of the pandemic (mid-March to mid-May 2020) in Quebec (Canada), this article reviewed and discussed the successes and failures that characterized the management of COVID-19 in this province. Using the framework of Palagyi et al. on system preparedness toward emerging infectious diseases, we described and analyzed in a chronologically and narratively way: (1) how surveillance was structured; (2) how workforce issues were managed; (3) what infrastructures and medical supplies were made available; (4) what communication mechanisms were put in place; (5) what form of governance emerged; and (6) whether trust was established and maintained throughout the crisis. Our findings and observations stress that resilience and ability to adequately respond to a systemic and global crisis depend upon preexisting system-level characteristics and capacities at both the provincial and federal governance levels. By providing recommendations for policy and practice from a learning health system perspective, this paper contributes to the groundwork required for interdisciplinary research and genuine policy discussions to help health systems better prepare for future pandemics

Acute Sanitary effects of Pesticides exposure in rural areas : a study in a Northern Country : PhytoRiv : a Study in a Southern Country : PhytoNiger

L’utilisation des pesticides peut être à l’origine de graves nuisances pour la santé humaine,comme l’ont montré les études en milieu professionnel agricole.L’objectif de cette thèse était d’étudier les manifestations, principalement respiratoires etsurvenant à court terme, dans la population générale exposée aux pesticides utilisés enagriculture.Les résultats de deux études épidémiologiques, Phytoriv, menée en Gironde et Phytoniger, plusexploratoire, sont présentés, toutes deux menées au sein de population d’adultes et d’enfantsvivant en milieu rural.L’étude Phytoriv a mis en évidence la présence de concentrations faibles mais plus élevées depesticides dans l’air ambiant à proximité de zones viticoles traitées et a permis de recueillir surune période de une à trois semaines les symptômes ressentis par les riverains de manièrejournalière. L’absence d’effet majeur de l’exposition sur la santé respiratoire chez les riverainsobservée dans cette étude demande à être confirmée, en améliorant notamment l’estimationtemporelle et spatiale de l’exposition.L’étude Phytoniger a permis de démontrer la faisabilité d’une étude de santé environnementaledans un pays en développement. L’utilisation de pesticides non autorisés et potentiellementdangereux, pour des usages agricoles mais également domestiques, est importante au Niger etpose la question de leur impact sur la santé des populations. Certains symptômes respiratoiresétaient plus fréquemment observés en zone agricole humide, où les usages de pesticides, maiségalement les feux de démoustication, sont plus importants qu’en zone sahélienne agropastorale.Enfin, dans les deux études Phytoriv et Phytoniger, des risques plus élevés de symptômesrespiratoires étaient observés, notamment chez les enfants, en lien avec l’utilisation domestiquede pesticides.A l’avenir, une caractérisation plus précise des sources, niveaux et déterminants d’exposition dela population générale permettrait d’améliorer les connaissances sur le lien avec la survenue desymptômes et pathologies respiratoires et d’identifier les axes d’intervention les plus pertinents.Pesticides are widely used in agriculture worldwide. However, it is now recognised thatoccupational pesticide exposure, especially in agriculture, can pose serious health concerns. Weaimed to study short term respiratory symptoms in general populations exposed to pesticidesused in agriculture.Here we present results of two epidemiological studies, Phytoriv, performed in Bordeaux area,France, and Phytoniger, performed in a Sahelian African country, both among rural adult andchildren populations.Higher pesticide levels in ambient air were observed in the surrounding of vineyards in Phytoriv.However, no major effect was observed on resident’s respiratory health. This need to beconfirmed by studies with improved temporal and spatial exposure assessment.Phytoniger allowed us to show the feasibility of environmental health studies in a developingcountry. Unauthorized and hazardous pesticides are widely used in Niger, for agricultural as wellas for residential purposes, and concerns are growing on their potential health effects. Some ofthe short term respiratory symptoms were more frequent in the agricultural wetland area,compared to the Sahelian agro-pastoral area. Pesticides are more susceptible to be used in thefirst area, but it is also more subject to mosquito control fires.Finally in both surveys, higher risks of respiratory symptoms have been observed for peopleliving in houses treated with indoor pesticides, and especially in children.All these results warrants further studies to improve assessment of sources, exposure levels anddeterminants of pesticide exposure in the general population, in order to improve knowledge onits respiratory and short term health effects. Thus, relevant public health interventions could beperformed

Occupational exposure to pesticides and respiratory health

This article aims to review the available literature regarding the link between occupational exposure to pesticides and respiratory symptoms or diseases. Identification of epidemiological studies was performed using PubMed. 41 articles were included, 36 regarding agricultural workers and five regarding industry workers. Among the 15 cross-sectional studies focusing on respiratory symptoms and agricultural pesticide exposure, 12 found significant associations with chronic cough, wheeze, dyspnoea, breathlessness or chest tightness. All four studies on asthma found a relationship with occupational exposure, as did all three studies on chronic bronchitis. The four studies that performed spirometry reported impaired respiratory function linked to pesticide exposure, suggestive of either obstructive or restrictive syndrome according to the chemical class of pesticide. 12 papers reported results from cohort studies. Three out of nine found a significant relationship with increased risk of wheeze, five out of nine with asthma and three out of three with chronic bronchitis. In workers employed in pesticide production, elevated risks of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (two studies out of three) and impaired respiratory function suggestive of an obstructive syndrome (two studies out of two) were reported. In conclusion, this article suggests that occupational exposure to pesticides is associated with an increased risk of respiratory symptoms, asthma and chronic bronchitis, but the causal relationship is still under debate

Environmental exposure to pesticides and respiratory health

Respiratory effects of environmental exposure to pesticides are debated. Here we aimed to review epidemiological studies published up until 2013, using the PubMed database. 20 studies dealing with respiratory health and non-occupational pesticide exposure were identified, 14 carried out on children and six on adults. In four out of nine studies in children with biological measurements, mothers' dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) blood levels during pregnancy were associated with asthma and wheezing in young children. An association was also found between permethrin in indoor air during pregnancy and wheezing in children. A significant association between asthma and DDE measured in children's blood (aged 7–10 years) was observed in one study. However, in three studies, no association was found between asthma or respiratory infections in children and pesticide levels in breast milk and/or infant blood. Lastly, in three out of four studies where post-natal pesticide exposure of children was assessed by parental questionnaire an association with respiratory symptoms was found. Results of the fewer studies on pesticide environmental exposure and respiratory health of adults were much less conclusive: indeed, the associations observed were weak and often not significant. In conclusion, further studies are needed to confirm whether there is a respiratory risk associated with environmental exposure to pesticides

Larva Migrans Cutanée: 3 cas de localisation au front [Cutaneous Larva migrans: 3 cases at the forehead]

Cutaneous Larva migrans, known as creeping dermatitis, is a parasitic disease caused by an hookworm larvae in a dead end in moist soil. It is a very common condition in tropical countries, especially among children playing in sand and among travelers. The body contact with soil contaminated with larvae in certain religious practices may expose individuals to contamination. We report three cases of CML at the forehead in three Muslim religious practitioners. Contamination was made by contact with dirty soil in unfenced mosques during overwintering. The presence of stray cats was confirmed by the 3 patients. Treatment with albendazole resulted in complete healing. La Larva Migrans Cutanée (LMC) connue sous le nom de larbisch ou creeping disease est une maladie parasitaire due à une larve d’ankylostome en impasse dans le sol humide. C’est une affection très fréquente dans les pays tropicaux notamment chez les enfants jouant dans le sable et chez les voyageurs. Le contact du corps avec le sol souillé de larves dans certaines pratiques religieuses, peut exposer les individus à la contamination. Nous rapportons 3 cas de LMC à localisation au front chez 3 pratiquants de religion musulmane. La contamination a été faite par contact avec le sol souillé par les excréments d’animaux dans des mosquées non clôturées pendant l’hivernage. La présence de chats errants a été confirmée par les 3 patients. Le traitement par l’albendazole a entrainé la guérison totale