Genetic polymorphism of Merozoite Surface Protein 1 (msp1) and 2 (msp2) genes and multiplicity of Plasmodium falciparum infection across various endemic areas in Senegal

Introduction: Despite a significant decline in Senegal, malaria remains a burden in various parts of the country. Assessment of multiplicity of Plasmodium falciparum infection and genetic diversity of parasites population could help in monitoring of malaria control.Objective: To assess genetic diversity and multiplicity of infection in P. falciparum isolates from three areas in Senegal with different malaria transmissions. Methods: 136 blood samples were collected from patients with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in Pikine, Kedougou and Thies. Polymorphic loci of msp1 and 2 (Merozoite surface protein-1 and 2) genes were amplified by nested PCR.Results: For msp1gene, K1 allelic family was predominant with frequency of 71%. Concerning msp2 gene, IC3D7 allelic family was the most represented with frequency of 83%. Multiclonal isolates found were 36% and 31% for msp1et msp2 genes respectively. The MOI found in all areas was 2.56 and was statistically different between areas (P=0.024). Low to intermediate genetic diversity were found with heterozygosity range (He=0,394-0,637) and low genetic differentiation (Fst msp1= 0.011; Fst msp2= 0.017) were observed between P. falciparum population within the country.Conclusion: Low to moderate genetic diversity of P.falciparum strains and MOI disparities were found in Senegal.Keywords: Senegal, MOI, Genetic diversity, msp1, msp2

Traduire pour l’Afrique. Une approche géo-traducto-logique

Ce texte entend s’engager en faveur d’un traduire africain. Pour ce faire, il part du projet de traduction, initié par Daouda Ndiaye, de textes de la diaspora afro-américaine/européenne en langue wolof pour en interroger le geste même : que signifie le fait de restituer à l’Afrique l’héritage de ses fils perdus, ce que le traducteur compte accomplir à travers ses traductions? Est-il possible, par ces traductions en une langue africaine, ici le wolof, de rendre compte de ce qui a été perdu ou retenu durant le terrible voyage, mais aussi de ce qui a été (re)créé sur les nouveaux territoires (la nouveauté des créolisations)?Mots-clés : Afrique, wolof, Middle Passage, traversée, traduire.Translating for Africa: a Geo-translato-logical Perspective - This article actively supports the idea of an African translation. Taking as its point of departure the project of translation of Afro-American/European texts back into wolof initiated by Daouda Ndiaye, this article questions the meaning of such a journey: what does bringing back the legacy of Africa’s abducted sons, one of the translator’s aims, really mean? Is it possible, through these translations into an African language, in the case at hand wolof, to express what was lost or retained during the terrible journey, but also what was (re)created in the new territories (the novelty of creolisations)?Keywords: Africa, Wolof, Middle Passage, crossing, translation

Genetic polymorphism of Merozoite Surface Protein 1 (msp1) and 2 (msp2) genes and multiplicity of Plasmodium falciparum infection across various endemic areas in Senegal

Introduction: Despite a significant decline in Senegal, malaria remains a burden in various parts of the country. Assessment of multiplicity of Plasmodium falciparum infection and genetic diversity of parasites population could help in monitoring of malaria control. Objective: To assess genetic diversity and multiplicity of infection in P. falciparum isolates from three areas in Senegal with different malaria transmissions. Methods: 136 blood samples were collected from patients with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in Pikine, Kedougou and Thies. Polymorphic loci of msp1 and 2 (Merozoite surface protein-1 and 2) genes were amplified by nested PCR. Results: For msp1gene, K1 allelic family was predominant with frequency of 71%. Concerning msp2 gene, IC3D7 allelic family was the most represented with frequency of 83%. Multiclonal isolates found were 36% and 31% for msp1et msp2 genes respectively. The MOI found in all areas was 2.56 and was statistically different between areas (P=0.024). Low to intermediate genetic diversity were found with heterozygosity range (He=0,394-0,637) and low genetic differentiation (Fst msp1= 0.011; Fst msp2= 0.017) were observed between P. falciparum population within the country. Conclusion: Low to moderate genetic diversity of P.falciparum strains and MOI disparities were found in Senegal

Effet du greffage horticole et de l’inoculation mycorhizienne sur la croissance du baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) en Moyenne et Haute Casamance (Sénégal)

L’objectif de ce travail est d’étudier l´effet du greffage et de l’inoculation mycorhizienne sur la croissance du baobab dans les régions de Kolda et de Sédhiou. Pour ce faire, un dispositif experimental en bloc aléatoire complet constitué de quatre traitements sur des plants de baobab (greffé inoculé, greffé non inoculé, non greffé inoculé et non greffé non inoculé) a été mis en place dans huit (8) sites. Le greffage a été effectué avec la méthode de fente terminale et l’inoculation avec un mélange de souches de champignons mycorhriziens arbusculaires (Glomus aggretatum, G. intraradices et G. Fasciculatum) en pépinière. Deux ans après plantation, les traitements ont montré que les plus gros diamètres et le plus grand nombre de rameaux sont obtenus avec les plants greffés (inoculés et non inoculés) alors que les hauteurs les plus élevées avec ceux non inoculés (non greffés et greffés). Le nombre de feuilles le plus imporatant est observé sur les plants non greffés non inoculés. Par ailleurs, des différences significatives entre les sites ont ausssi été constatées. Tel est le cas pour les taux de coissance selon les lequels pour la plupart des sites les plants non greffées inoculés donnent les meilleurs résultats en hauteur et en diamétre. L’inoculation n’a pas eu d’effet significatif. Les résultats de cette étude contribueront à une meilleure maîtrise des techniques de raccourcissement du cycle de production du baobab, par conséquent, au développement de politiques de rajeunissement des parcs à baobab au Sénégal pour mieux répondre à la demande du marché national et international de plus en plus croissant. The aim of this work is to study the effect of grafting and mycorrhizal inoculation on recovery, survival and success rates and on certain baobab growth variables in the Kolda and Sedhiou regions. To do this, a complete randomized experimental block consisting of four treatments on baobab plants (grafted inoculated, grafted uninoculated, ungrafted inoculated and ungrafted uninoculated grafted) was placed in eight (8) sites. Grafting was performed using the terminal slit method and inoculation with a mixture of archaeal mycorrhizal fungi strains (Glomus aggretatum, G. intraradices and G. Fasciculatum) in the nursery. Two years after planting, the largest diameters and the largest number of branches are obtained with the grafted plants (inoculated and uninoculated) whereas the highest heights with those not inoculated (ungrafted and grafted). On the other hand, the number of leaves did not give any significant difference. Moreover, there are significant differences between the sites related inter alia to their mode of management. This is the case of the growth rates, which ungrafted inoculated plants have the more important diameter and height in most of the sites. There is no significant effect‘s inoculation. The results of this study will contribute to a better control of the techniques of shortening the cycle of production of baobab by horticultural grafting and, consequently, to the development of rejuvenation policies of baobab parks in Senegal to better meet the demand of the national market and more and more international

Evaluation of decreased haematocrit and haemoglobin levels in Plasmodium falciparum infected individuals from South-western Nigeria

Objective: Plasmodium parasite is responsible for the breakdown of red blood cells, resulting into life threatening situation. Thus, an observational study of the parasitaemic impact of P. falciparum on some haematological parameters in comparison to non-infected individuals was carried out in two endemic state of Nigeria (Edo and Lagos).Methodology and Results: Blood samples collected from individuals (from September 2016-March, 2017) aged 2 years and above, were subjected to rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and microscopy assay to determine the presence of P. falciparum. Further, auto-haematology analyser and/or microcentrifuge where available were employed to acquire information on the haematocrit and haemoglobin levels. Of the 2376 collected samples, three hundred (12.6%) were positive by RDT, out of which Plasmodium falciparum was detected microscopically in 137. The mean haematocrit (PCV) level (37.36±0.37) of the negative samples was significantly higher (p<0.001) than the positive samples (29.6± 0.6). Same relationship was observed when the mean haemoglobin of negative samples (12.08±0.12) was compared with those of positive samples (9.9± 0.2). Those with high parasite density had significantly (p<0.001) low haematocrit (PCV) as well as haemoglobin (p<0.001).Conclusion and application of findings: The findings from this study reveals serious impact of high P. falciparum burden on haemoglobin and haematocrit in infected individuals, the need to intensify efforts in delivering malaria control interventions especially to priority need areas such as in Edo State cannot be overemphasized. Thus, concerted efforts by all stakeholders in such areas is highly needed if malaria infection will ultimately be eliminated from the country.Keywords: malaria burden, Plasmodium falciparum, vulnerable, parasite density, haemoglobin, haematocrit, anaemi

Plasmodium falciparum malaria co-infection with tick-borne relapsing fever in Dakar

Abstract Background West African tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) due to Borrelia crocidurae and malaria are co-endemics in Senegal. Although expected to be high, co-infections are rarely reported. A case of falciparum malaria and B. crocidurae co-infection in a patient from Velingara (South of Senegal) is discussed. Case A 28\ua0year-old-male patient presented to Aristide Le Dantec Hospital for recurrent fever. He initially presented to a local post health of Pikine (sub-urban of Dakar) and was diagnosed for malaria on the basis of positive malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) specific to Plamodium falciparum . The patient was treated as uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Four days after admission the patient was referred to Le Dantec Hospital. He presented with fever (39\ua0\ub0C), soreness, headache and vomiting. The blood pressure was 120/80\ua0mmHg. The rest of the examination was normal. A thick film from peripheral blood was performed and addressed to the parasitology laboratory of the hospital. Thick film was stained with 10% Giemsa. Trophozoite of P. falciparum was identified at parasite density of 47 parasites per microlitre. The presence of Borrelia was also observed, concluding to malaria co-infection with borreliosis. Conclusions Signs of malaria can overlap with signs of borreliosis leading to the misdiagnosis of the latter. Thick and thin smear or QBC test or molecular method may be helpful to detect both Plamodium species and Borrelia . In addition, there is a real need to consider co-infections with other endemics pathogens when diagnosing malaria

Biodiversité Et Structure Des Ligneux De La Forêt Classée De Maka Diama Dans Le Delta Du Fleuve Sénégal

Le barrage anti-sel de Diama, érigé dans la zone centrale du delta du fleuve Sénégal, a créé de profondes mutations au niveau de l’environnement de la vallée. La Forêt Classée de Maka Diama (FCMD), aménagée au niveau de ce delta en 1934 par l’administration coloniale n’est pas épargnée. La présente étude fait l’état de lieux de la forêt, elle décrit la composition floristique et la structure des ligneux. La base de sondage a été des images satellitaires indiquant les différentes entités écologiques de cette forêt. La végétation ligneuse a été caractérisée par inventaire suivant une approche dendrométrique. Les résultats de cette étude montrent que la FCMD présente une biodiversité relativement faible avec 13 espèces appartenant à 11 genres et 9 familles. L’espèce Acacia tortilis var.raddiana (Savi) Brenan (39,67 %) est la plus abondante, elle est suivie de Salvadora persica L. (16,99%) et de Tamarix senegalensis DC (12,13 %), Euphorbia balsamifera Ait. (11,21 %) et Prosopis juliflora (SW.) (10,38 %). La présence de T. senegalensis considéré comme un indicateur de salinité, pourrait aussi expliquer cette faible biodiversité des ligneux. La FCMD est globalement arbustif. C’est un bassin versant constitué d’une relique de savane arborée au centre du bassin qui constitue son noyau (F1) et qui évolue en une steppe arbustive vers la périphérie (F3). Avec la diversité des activités menées autour de la forêt, il semble indispensable de prendre des mesures appropriées de limitation ou d’interdiction d’accès, dans l’intérêt de la protection de la biodiversité. The Diama anti-salt dam, built in the central zone of the Senegal River delta, has created profound changes in the environment of the entire valley. The Maka Diama Classified Forest (FCMD), developed at the level of this delta in 1934 by the colonial administration is not spared. This study presents an inventory of the forest, describing the floristic composition and structure of ligneous trees. The sampling frame was satellite images showing the different ecological features of this forest. Woody vegetation was characterized by inventory using a dendrometric approach. The results of this study show that the FCMD has a relatively low biodiversity with only 13 species belonging to 11 genera and 9 families. Acacia tortilis var.raddiana (Savi) Brenan (39.67%) is more abundant, followed by Salvadora persica L. (16.99%), Tamarix senegalensis DC (12.13%), Euphorbia balsamifera Ait. (11.21%) and Prosopis juliflora (SW.) (10.38%). The presence of T. senegalensis, considered as an indicator of salinity, could also explain the low plant biodiversity observed on ligneous trees. The FCMD is generally shrubby. It is a catchment area made up of a relic of savannah trees in the centre of the basin which constitutes its nucleus (F1) and which evolves towards a shrub steppe towards the periphery (F3). With the diversity of activities carried out around the forest, it seems essential to take appropriate measures to limit or prohibit access, in the interestn of protecting biodiversity

Analyse de la Structure Morphologique des Cernes de Croissance et Détermination Des Âges de Deux Espèces Sahéliennes : Acacia Tortilis (Forsk.) Hayne Ssp. Raddiana (Savi) Brenan, Acacia Senegal (L.)Willd

La connaissance de la dendrochronologie des espèces sahéliennes est très limitée. Néanmoins, elle peut constituer une voie pour mieux améliorer la connaissance de la dynamique de croissances des espèces en zone sèche africaine. Cette étude vise à mieux connaitre la structure anatomique des cernes de croissances d’espèces sahéliennes comme moyen de datation et d’estimation de l’âge des arbres et arbustes. Elle a été réalisée dans la zone du Ferlo situé au Nord du Sénégal sur 14 et 12 rondelles de bois de Acacia tortilis (Forsk.) Hayne ssp. raddiana (Savi) Brenan, et de Acacia senegal (L.)Willd. Des méthodes d’identification et de datation des cernes ont été utilisées en vue d’étudier leur structure morpho-anatomiques des cernes et de déterminer l’âge des individus. Les cernes ont été identifiés et des photos à très haute résolution (1200 dpi) ont été prises à l'aide d'une loupe binoculaire Leica (M80) équipée d’une caméra digitale. Les photos prises ont été assemblées avec le logiciel Adobe Photoshop. Les résultats ont montré que les deux espèces présentent des cernes de croissances distinctes marquées par des cellules de parenchymes. Des corrélations statistiquement significatives comprises entre 0,33 à 0,82 ont ainsi été calculées entre les rayons d’un même individu. Les âges estimés chez les Acacia raddiana sont compris entre 10 à 27 ans alors que les Acacia senegal paraissent plus âgés entre 13 à 35 ans. La lecture des cernes plus ou moins difficile chez les Acacias est liée à la structure anatomique du bois dont les limites entre les cernes sont souvent cachées par des groupes de parenchymes. Cette étude contribue à mettre en place des stratégies et des méthodes permettant de maitriser la dynamique de croissance de ces espèces afin de les valoriser. Knowledge of the dendrochonology of Sahelian species is very limited. However, dendrochronology may be a way of furthering the knowledge of the growth dynamics the African dry area species. The purpose of the study was to better understand the anatomical structure of the tress rings of the Sahelian species in order to determine the age and estimation of trees and shrubs. It was conducted out in the Ferlo, an area located in the north of Senegal, and focused on 14 and 12 wood slices of Acacia tortilis (Forsk.) Hayne ssp. raddiana (Savi) Brenan and from Acacia senegal (L.) Willd respectively. Identification and dating methods were used to study the morpho-anatomical structure of the ring and determine the age of individuals. The rings were identified and very high-resolution (1200 dpi) pictures taken with a Leica (M80) binocular magnifier equipped with a digital camera. Then the pictures were assembled with the Adobe Photoshop software.The results showed that both species had distinct growth rings with parenchymal cells. Significant correlations between 0.33 and 0.82 was then calculated between the radii of the same individual. Estimated ages of the Acacia raddiana ranged from 10 to 27 years, whereas the Acacia senegal seemed older white 13 to 35 years of age. The difficulty to read the rings of the Acacias is related to the anatomical structure of the wood because boundaries between dark circles are often hidden by parenchyma clusters. The study helps put in place strategies and methods which enable to control the growth dynamics of the species in order to valorize them. &nbsp

The role of health insurance in the coverage of oral health care in Senegal

Oral diseases costs are among the most expensive health care benefits. In Senegal, households contribute up to 37.6% of the national health spending through direct payments. The aim of this work was to study the role of health insurance in the coverage of oral health care in Senegal. The study was based on health insurance agents and policyholders. The study reveals that oral health care coverage through health insurance still does not meet requirements for treatment of oral infections. In financial terms, oral health care costs health insurance too much. As a result, carriers cover them partially. On top of that, the majority of the population’s lack of knowledge about mutual, because they have a little background on oral health care, the latter weighs heavily on health insurance leading to the use of self-medication, traditional medicine and handicraft prosthetists. The analysis reveals an unequal access to oral health care through the health insurance system. To bring under control the expenditure for oral health care, carriers and dental surgeons must work together to raise the populations’ awareness on community solidarity