Applying an index of biotic integrity based on fish assemblages in a west african river

A multivariate measure of river quality, the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI), was adapted to a West African river, the Konkoure (Republic of Guinea). Fish assemblages were sampled using gill-nets during the dry season to provide data for the IBI. Ten metrics were subsequently defined. The capacity of the modified IBI to assess the impact of a bauxite treatment plant was tested. The IBI decreased as expected at the impacted station. Detailed examination of the data revealed that one family, the #Mormyridae$, was almost eliminated from the impacted station, suggesting that members of this family can be considered as intolerant species in future uses of the IBI in other African rivers. (Résumé d'auteur

Causes de mortalité des bovins de race N'Dama sur le plateau du Sankaran, Faranah, Guinée en 1993-1994

Les principales causes de mortalité de 280 bovins de race N'Dama, enregistrées sur le plateau de Sankaran, Faranah, Guinée en 1993-1994, ont été identifiées. Les diarrhées ont causé 40,81 % de mortalité chez les veaux de la naissance à 6 mois et 58,62 % chez ceux âgés de 6 à 18 mois, alors que la pasteurellose a entraîné la perte de 61,88 % des animaux de plus de 18 mois. La saison chaude et la saison humide ont clairement augmenté le taux de mortalité chez les veaux de la naissance à 6 mois, tandis que ce taux a augmenté notamment pendant la saison humide chez les bovins d'un âge supérieur à 18 mois. L'insuffisance des vaccinations, des soins vétérinaires et de l'hygiène de l'élevage ont également été à l'origine des mortalités

Characteristics of Jatropha Oil and Prospective for its Valorization as Feedstock for the Development of Biodiesel Technology in Guinea

The continuous depletion of fossil fuel and petroleum products, their limited resources and environment concerns are a matter of concern. The tendency in energy sector represents a challenge as well as an opportunity to look for alternatives of fossil fuels for sustainable development and environmental benefits. Study of biodiesel has become a key objective in the effort towards energy self-reliance. Since Jatropha oil cannot be used in the food industry, its use as energy source becomes very attractive. Before oil extraction, 1000-seed weight of Jatropha was investigated on the point of view of temperature and rainfalls. Seeds were grounded and defatted by extraction using a Soxhlet device. The lipid fraction of Jatropha oil seed were extracted and analyzed for their chemical composition and properties. The content of fatty acid in the extracted lipid was determined by use of Gas Chromatography (GC). Oleic acid (44.7%) and Oinoleic acid (32.8%) represent the dominant fatty acids while palmitic and stearic ones were the saturated fatty acids in the Jatropha oil. The crude oil from an average sample was transformed into biodiesel by transesterification in which a primary alcohol replaces glycerol from crude oil molecules

Implementation of the program of measles elimination in the WHO African region

The review is devoted to the analysis of the available literature on the elimination of measles. The review focuses on the current measles epidemic situation in the African Region (AFR) and the implementation of the WHO strategic plan for the elimination of measles in AFR by 2020. Measles in the AFR is characterized by a severe course with a high risk of death due to malnutrition, vitamin A deficiency, concomitant bacterial and viral infections, and malaria. In 2015, 105,256 cases of measles were reported in the WHO African Region, most of them among children under 5 years old, 79% of whom were not vaccinated or had unknown vaccine status. Initially, the strategy for implementing the measles elimination program in AFRs was based on a combination of immunization campaigns for children under 14 years of age (coverage of more than 90%) and routine vaccination of at least 90% of children aged 9–15 months. It was recommended to repeat the campaign of mass immunization of children aged 9 months up to 4 years every 3–5 years. The use of this strategy has reduced the number of measles cases by 83–97% during the first year of additional immunization programs. The recommended age of routine measles vaccination in AFRs is 9 months — a strategy to reduce infant mortality, including that due to complications of measles. In 2016, measles vaccination was introduced into the national immunization schedule in all AFR countries, and 24 countries introduced revaccination. Currently, the measles elimination program in a number of AFR countries is based on two-dose immunization (MCV1 and MCV2). The measles prevention program in a number of AFR countries was disrupted due to the Ebola epidemic. There are some common problems in the realization of the program in AFR countries. All AFR countries are committed to the measles elimination program. The review provides information on strategies and successes in overcoming challenges to achieve the goals set for the WHO African Region in the implementation of the programme of measles elimination

Ethnopharmacological survey of Samburu district, Kenya

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ethnobotanical pharmacopoeia is confidently used in disease intervention and there is need for documentation and preservation of traditional medical knowledge to bolster the discovery of novel drugs. The objective of the present study was to document the indigenous medicinal plant utilization, management and their extinction threats in Samburu District, Kenya.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Field research was conducted in six divisions of Samburu District in Kenya. We randomly sampled 100 consented interviewees stratified by age, gender, occupation and level of education. We collected plant use data through semi-structured questionnaires; transect walks, oral interviews and focus groups discussions. Voucher specimens of all cited botanic species were collected and deposited at University of Nairobi's botany herbarium.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Data on plant use from the informants yielded 990 citations on 56 medicinal plant species, which are used to treat 54 different animal and human diseases including; malaria, digestive disorders, respiratory syndromes and ectoparasites.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The ethnomedicinal use of plant species was documented in the study area for treatment of both human and veterinary diseases. The local population has high ethnobotanical knowledge and has adopted sound management conservation practices. The major threatening factors reported were anthropogenic and natural. Ethnomedical documentation and sustainable plant utilization can support drug discovery efforts in developing countries.</p

Issues of Scientific and Practical Support of Anti-Epidemic Activities in the Course of Ebola Virus Disease Epidemic Response in West Africa

Consideration is given to the experience of cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Guinea in the matter of Ebola fever response. Outlined are the challenging issues regarding scientific support of preventive activities. Provided is a brief characteristic of Pasteur Institute of Guinea as a unique platform for research activities. Covered are the legal aspects of collaboration and priority areas for the development of common initiatives in the sphere of epidemiological monitoring. Identified are the stages of material reinforcement and medical stuff capacity building, including training of specialists with a view to the establishment of effective system for epidemiological surveillance

Development and Testing of the Method for the Detection of Lassa virus RNA, Based on real-Time Polymerase Chain reaction with reverse Transcription

Abstract. Objective of the study was the development of a method for the detection and quantitative analysis (realtime RT-PCR) to identify genetic markers of Lassa virus - LASV-Fl. Materials and methods. We utilized all the available in the GenBank database (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank/) Lassa virus sequences that have been aligned to identify conservative sites applying the BioEdit 7.2.5 software package (IbisBiosciences, USA). To test the developed PCR kit, the control panel of Lassa virus RNA and pseudo-viral particles, 27 viral strains belonging to different fami­lies, as well as 37 serum samples from patients with feverish diseases selected in medical institutions of the Republic of Guinea in 2016-2018 and 55 samples of organ suspensions from multi-spiked mice were used. Results and discussion. The analytical sensitivity of the method varied from 103 copies/ml to 105 copies/ml and had 96.4 % diagnostic sensitivity, while the analytical and diagnostic specificity was 100 %. It is shown that the developed technique can be successfully introduced into practice for the detection of Lassa virus in the Republic of Guinea, using various types of material from small mammals, including whole blood and organ suspensions of M. natalensis, as well as samples of human blood sera collected 3-7 days after the onset of the disease. It is also suggested that this method can be used for strains of Lassa virus, common not only in Guinea but also in other endemic areas, but this fact must be confirmed in further studies

New data on the level of immune stratum against Q fever agent in population of the of Republic of Guinea

which is bacteria of the species Coxiella burnetii. One of the factors showing the possibility of pathogen circulation in a certain territory is assessed by the presence of an immune stratum in the inhabitants of the region. In the 1980s, the study of the immune structure of the population of the Republic of Guinea in relation to coxiellosis has begun. The present study, carried out in 2015—2019, has been aimed to obtain new information about the immune stratum of the population of the Republic of Guinea against the causative agent of Q fever and to compare it with previous studies. Specific IgG antibodies in the blood of the Guinea residents were detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a set of reagents manufactured at the St. Petersburg Pasteur Institute (St. Petersburg, Russian Federation). The serum samples were tested in at 1:100 dilution. Antibodies against C. burnetii were detected in 124/2346 (5.3% [CI 4.5-6.3]) samples. This study confirms the previously obtained data on the circulation of the causative agent of coxiellosis in all landscape and geographical zones of the Republic of Guinea. The natural and climatic conditions of the region, the variety of ixodic tick species currently inhabiting this territory being a reservoir and vector of infection, as well as a large amount of livestock are the factors for active circulation of the Q fever pathogen and the emergence of related disease outbreaks. The data obtained necessitate continuing further studies on distribution of C. burnetii in the territory of the Republic of Guinea. Taking into consideration the epidemiological significance of Q fever, a pressing task is to study a proportion of this infectious disease in the overall structure of diseases registered in the territory of the Republic of Guinea. It is also necessary to conduct regular epizootological monitoring in order to clarify the types of carriers and vectors of C. burnetii in different landscape and geographical zones of the Republic of Guinea as well as to assess the immune stratum against the pathogen in large and small cattle being the main sources of infection for humans. The data obtained will allow us to determine presence of a natural focus of this infection as well as its borders and develop a set of preventive (anti-epidemic) measures