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Mancon A, Raccagni AR, Gagliardi G, Moschese D, Rizzo A, Giacomelli A, Cutrera M, Salari F, Bracchitta F, Antinori S, Gori A, Rizzardini G, Castagna A, Gismondo MR, Nozza S, Mileto D. Evaluation of analytical performance of the STANDARD TM M10 MPX/OPX assay for the simultaneous DNA detection and clade attribution of Monkeypox virus. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2337666. [PMID: 38572513 PMCID: PMC11018020 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2337666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Monkeypox virus (MPXV) infection confirmation needs reliable polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays; in addition, viral clade attribution is a key factor in containment measures, considering a more severe syndrome in clade I and the possibility of simultaneous circulation. This study evaluates the performance of all-in-one STANDARD M10 MPX/OPX (SD BIOSENSOR, South Korea - M10). Frozen samples from 205 subjects were selected and stratified according to routine test results (RealStar® Orthopoxvirus PCR Kit 1.0, Altona DIAGNOTICS, Germany - RS; RS-1): in detail, 100 negative skin lesions (SL) and 200 positive samples at the variable stage of infection were analysed. Positive samples were retested with RS (RS-2). Positive and Negative Percent Agreements (PPA, NPA) were calculated. The median (IQR) Ct values of RS and M10 (OPXV target) assays were highly similar. The PPA of M10 compared to RS-1 was 89.5% considering system interpretation, and 96.0% when the operator classified results as positive if any target was detected; NPA was 100%. Comparing the RS-2 run and M10, an overall concordance of 95.3% between assays was found; however, considering operator interpretation, M10 returned more positive results than RS-2. The occurrence of False-Negative results was likely associated with the influence of thawing on low viral concentration; no False-Positive tests were observed. All samples collected at the time of Mpox diagnosis were positive and M10 correctly attributed the clade (West-Africa/II). The M10 MPX/OPX assay demonstrated high reliability in confirming MPXV infection and clade attribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Mancon
- Laboratory of Clincal Microbiology, Virology and Bioemergencies, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Davide Moschese
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Rizzo
- Laboratory of Clincal Microbiology, Virology and Bioemergencies, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Giacomelli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Spinello Antinori
- University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Gori
- University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuliano Rizzardini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonella Castagna
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Rita Gismondo
- Laboratory of Clincal Microbiology, Virology and Bioemergencies, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
- University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Nozza
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Mileto
- Laboratory of Clincal Microbiology, Virology and Bioemergencies, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
- CNR-SCITEC, Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche “Giulio Natta”, via C. Golgi 19, 20133Milan, Italy
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2
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Pashkevich MD, Marshall CAM, Freeman B, Reiss-Woolever VJ, Caliman JP, Drewer J, Heath B, Hendren MT, Saputra A, Stone J, Timperley JH, Draper W, Gbarway A, Geninyan B, Goll B, Guahn M, Gweh AN, Hadfield P, Jah MT, Jayswen S, Jones T, Kandie S, Koffa D, Korb J, Koon N, Manewah B, Medrano LM, Palmeirim AF, Pett B, Rocha R, Swope-Nyantee E, Tue J, Tuolee J, Van Dessel P, Vincent A, Weah R, Widodo R, Yennego AJ, Yonmah J, Turner EC. The socioecological benefits and consequences of oil palm cultivation in its native range: The Sustainable Oil Palm in West Africa (SOPWA) Project. Sci Total Environ 2024; 926:171850. [PMID: 38521255 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Agriculture is expanding rapidly across the tropics. While cultivation can boost socioeconomic conditions and food security, it also threatens native ecosystems. Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), which is grown pantropically, is the most productive vegetable oil crop worldwide. The impacts of oil palm cultivation have been studied extensively in Southeast Asia and - to a lesser extent - in Latin America but, in comparison, very little is known about its impacts in Africa: oil palm's native range, and where cultivation is expanding rapidly. In this paper, we introduce a large-scale research programme - the Sustainable Oil Palm in West Africa (SOPWA) Project - that is evaluating the relative ecological impacts of oil palm cultivation under traditional (i.e., by local people) and industrial (i.e., by a large-scale corporation) management in Liberia. Our paper is twofold in focus. First, we use systematic mapping to appraise the literature on oil palm research in an African context, assessing the geographic and disciplinary focus of existing research. We found 757 publications occurring in 36 African countries. Studies tended to focus on the impacts of palm oil consumption on human health and wellbeing. We found no research that has evaluated the whole-ecosystem (i.e., multiple taxa and ecosystem functions) impacts of oil palm cultivation in Africa, a knowledge gap which the SOPWA Project directly addresses. Second, we describe the SOPWA Project's study design and-using canopy cover, ground vegetation cover, and soil temperature data as a case study-demonstrate its utility for assessing differences between areas of rainforest and oil palm agriculture. We outline the socioecological data collected by the SOPWA Project to date and describe the potential for future research, to encourage new collaborations and additional similar projects of its kind in West Africa. Increased research in Africa is needed urgently to understand the combined ecological and sociocultural impacts of oil palm and other agriculture in this unique region. This will help to ensure long-term sustainability of the oil palm industry-and, indeed, all tropical agricultural activity-in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Pashkevich
- Insect Ecology Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom; Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Latokartanonkaari 9, 00790 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Cicely A M Marshall
- Forest Ecology and Conservation Group, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom
| | - Benedictus Freeman
- William R. Tolbert, Jr. College of Agriculture and Forestry, Fendall Campus, University of Liberia, Montserrado County, Liberia
| | - Valentine J Reiss-Woolever
- Insect Ecology Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Pierre Caliman
- Sinar Mas Agro Resources and Technology Research Institute (SMARTRI), Jalan Teuku Umar 19, Pekanbaru, 28112, Riau, Indonesia
| | - Julia Drewer
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Bush Estate, Penicuik, EH26 0QB, United Kingdom
| | - Becky Heath
- Insect Ecology Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew T Hendren
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Ari Saputra
- Golden Veroleum Liberia, 17(th) St, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Jake Stone
- Insect Ecology Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan H Timperley
- Insect Ecology Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom
| | - William Draper
- William R. Tolbert, Jr. College of Agriculture and Forestry, Fendall Campus, University of Liberia, Montserrado County, Liberia
| | - Abednego Gbarway
- Forestry Development Authority of the Government of Liberia, Whein Town, Mount Barclay, Liberia
| | - Bility Geninyan
- Forestry Development Authority of the Government of Liberia, Whein Town, Mount Barclay, Liberia
| | - Blamah Goll
- Forestry Development Authority of the Government of Liberia, Whein Town, Mount Barclay, Liberia
| | - Marshall Guahn
- William R. Tolbert, Jr. College of Agriculture and Forestry, Fendall Campus, University of Liberia, Montserrado County, Liberia
| | - Andrew N Gweh
- William R. Tolbert, Jr. College of Agriculture and Forestry, Fendall Campus, University of Liberia, Montserrado County, Liberia
| | - Peter Hadfield
- Ecology Solutions Ltd, Unit 4 Cokenach Estate, Royston, SG8 8DL, United Kingdom
| | - Morris T Jah
- Forestry Development Authority of the Government of Liberia, Whein Town, Mount Barclay, Liberia
| | | | - Tiecanna Jones
- Graduate School of Environmental Studies and Climate Change, University of Liberia, Capitol Hill, Monrovia, Liberia
| | | | | | - Judith Korb
- Evolutionary Biology & Ecology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg D-79104, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Ana F Palmeirim
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - Brogan Pett
- SpiDiverse, Biodiversity Inventory for Conservation (BINCO), 3380 Walmersumstraat, Glabbeek, Belgium; Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, UK
| | - Ricardo Rocha
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Abraham Vincent
- Forestry Development Authority of the Government of Liberia, Whein Town, Mount Barclay, Liberia
| | - Romeo Weah
- Forestry Development Authority of the Government of Liberia, Whein Town, Mount Barclay, Liberia
| | - Rudy Widodo
- Golden Veroleum Liberia, 17(th) St, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Alfred J Yennego
- William R. Tolbert, Jr. College of Agriculture and Forestry, Fendall Campus, University of Liberia, Montserrado County, Liberia
| | - Jerry Yonmah
- Forestry Development Authority of the Government of Liberia, Whein Town, Mount Barclay, Liberia
| | - Edgar C Turner
- Insect Ecology Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom
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Kamau L, Bennett KL, Ochomo E, Herren J, Agumba S, Otieno S, Omoke D, Matoke-Muhia D, Mburu D, Mwangangi J, Ramaita E, Juma EO, Mbogo C, Barasa S, Miles A. The Anopheles coluzzii range extends into Kenya: detection, insecticide resistance profiles and population genetic structure in relation to conspecific populations in West and Central Africa. Malar J 2024; 23:122. [PMID: 38671462 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04950-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anopheles coluzzii is a primary vector of malaria found in West and Central Africa, but its presence has hitherto never been documented in Kenya. A thorough understanding of vector bionomics is important as it enables the implementation of targeted and effective vector control interventions. Malaria vector surveillance efforts in the country have tended to focus on historically known primary vectors. The current study sought to determine the taxonomic status of samples collected from five different malaria epidemiological zones in Kenya as well as describe the population genetic structure and insecticide resistance profiles in relation to other An. coluzzii populations. METHODS Mosquitoes were sampled as larvae from Busia, Kwale, Turkana, Kirinyaga and Kiambu counties, representing the range of malaria endemicities in Kenya, in 2019 and 2021 and emergent adults analysed using Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) data processed in accordance with the Anopheles gambiae 1000 Genomes Project phase 3. Where available, historical samples from the same sites were included for WGS. Comparisons were made with An. coluzzii cohorts from West and Central Africa. RESULTS This study reports the detection of An. coluzzii for the first time in Kenya. The species was detected in Turkana County across all three time points from which samples were analyzed and its presence confirmed through taxonomic analysis. Additionally, there was a lack of strong population genetic differentiation between An. coluzzii from Kenya and those from the more northerly regions of West and Central Africa, suggesting they represent a connected extension to the known species range. Mutations associated with target-site resistance to DDT and pyrethroids and metabolic resistance to DDT were found at high frequencies up to 64%. The profile and frequencies of the variants observed were similar to An. coluzzii from West and Central Africa but the ace-1 mutation linked to organophosphate and carbamate resistance present in An. coluzzii from coastal West Africa was absent in Kenya. CONCLUSIONS These findings emphasize the need for the incorporation of genomics in comprehensive and routine vector surveillance to inform on the range of malaria vector species, and their insecticide resistance status to inform the choice of effective vector control approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luna Kamau
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development (CBRD), Kenya Medical Research Institute, PO Box 54840, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya.
| | - Kelly L Bennett
- Malaria Vector Genomic Surveillance, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Eric Ochomo
- Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Jeremy Herren
- International Center for Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Silas Agumba
- Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Samson Otieno
- Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Diana Omoke
- Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Damaris Matoke-Muhia
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development (CBRD), Kenya Medical Research Institute, PO Box 54840, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya
- Pan African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - David Mburu
- Pwani University Biosciences Research Centre (PUBReC), Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Joseph Mwangangi
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research-Coast (CGMR-C), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Edith Ramaita
- Ministry of Health-National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Elijah O Juma
- Pan African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Charles Mbogo
- Pan African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sonia Barasa
- Malaria Vector Genomic Surveillance, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
- Pan African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Alistair Miles
- Malaria Vector Genomic Surveillance, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
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4
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Albano PG, Schultz L, Wessely J, Taviani M, Dullinger S, Danise S. The dawn of the tropical Atlantic invasion into the Mediterranean Sea. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2320687121. [PMID: 38557179 PMCID: PMC11009679 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2320687121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The Mediterranean Sea is a marine biodiversity hotspot already affected by climate-driven biodiversity collapses. Its highly endemic fauna is at further risk if global warming triggers an invasion of tropical Atlantic species. Here, we combine modern species occurrences with a unique paleorecord from the Last Interglacial (135 to 116 ka), a conservative analog of future climate, to model the future distribution of an exemplary subset of tropical West African mollusks, currently separated from the Mediterranean by cold upwelling off north-west Africa. We show that, already under an intermediate climate scenario (RCP 4.5) by 2050, climatic connectivity along north-west Africa may allow tropical species to colonize a by then largely environmentally suitable Mediterranean. The worst-case scenario RCP 8.5 leads to a fully tropicalized Mediterranean by 2100. The tropical Atlantic invasion will add to the ongoing Indo-Pacific invasion through the Suez Canal, irreversibly transforming the entire Mediterranean into a novel ecosystem unprecedented in human history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo G. Albano
- Department of Marine Animal Conservation and Public Engagement, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples80121, Italy
| | - Lotta Schultz
- Department of Marine Animal Conservation and Public Engagement, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples80121, Italy
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen5006, Norway
| | - Johannes Wessely
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Vienna1030, Austria
| | - Marco Taviani
- Institute of Marine Sciences, National Research Council, Bologna40129, Italy
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples80121, Italy
| | - Stefan Dullinger
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Vienna1030, Austria
| | - Silvia Danise
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Florence50121, Italy
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5
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Junker J, Quoss L, Valdez J, Arandjelovic M, Barrie A, Campbell G, Heinicke S, Humle T, Kouakou CY, Kühl HS, Ordaz-Németh I, Pereira HM, Rainer H, Refisch J, Sonter L, Sop T. Threat of mining to African great apes. Sci Adv 2024; 10:eadl0335. [PMID: 38569032 PMCID: PMC10990274 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl0335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
The rapid growth of clean energy technologies is driving a rising demand for critical minerals. In 2022 at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15), seven major economies formed an alliance to enhance the sustainability of mining these essential decarbonization minerals. However, there is a scarcity of studies assessing the threat of mining to global biodiversity. By integrating a global mining dataset with great ape density distribution, we estimated the number of African great apes that spatially coincided with industrial mining projects. We show that up to one-third of Africa's great ape population faces mining-related risks. In West Africa in particular, numerous mining areas overlap with fragmented ape habitats, often in high-density ape regions. For 97% of mining areas, no ape survey data are available, underscoring the importance of increased accessibility to environmental data within the mining sector to facilitate research into the complex interactions between mining, climate, biodiversity, and sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Junker
- Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Re:wild, 500 N Capital of Texas Hwy Building 1, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78746, USA
| | - Luise Quoss
- Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jose Valdez
- Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mimi Arandjelovic
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Max-Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primate Behavior and Evolution, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Abdulai Barrie
- Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, 55 Wilkinson Road, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Geneviève Campbell
- Re:wild, 500 N Capital of Texas Hwy Building 1, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78746, USA
| | - Stefanie Heinicke
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Member of the Leibniz Association, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Tatyana Humle
- Re:wild, 500 N Capital of Texas Hwy Building 1, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78746, USA
- Durrell of Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NR, UK
| | - Célestin Y. Kouakou
- Université Jean Lorougnon Guédé, BP 150 Daloa, Côte d'Ivoire
- Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques (CSRS), 17 Rte de Dabou, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Hjalmar S. Kühl
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Senckenberg Museum for Natural History Görlitz, Am Museum 1, 02826 Görlitz, Germany
- International Institute Zittau, Technische Universität Dresden, Markt 23, 02763 Zittau, Germany
| | - Isabel Ordaz-Németh
- Re:wild, 500 N Capital of Texas Hwy Building 1, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78746, USA
- Senckenberg Museum for Natural History Görlitz, Am Museum 1, 02826 Görlitz, Germany
| | - Henrique M. Pereira
- Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - Helga Rainer
- Independent consultant, PO Box 4107, 759125 Kampala, Uganda
| | - Johannes Refisch
- Great Apes Survival Partnership, United Nations Environment Programme, P.O. Box 30552, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Laura Sonter
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, St Lucia 4072, Australia
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia 4072, Australia
- Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia 4072, Australia
| | - Tenekwetche Sop
- Re:wild, 500 N Capital of Texas Hwy Building 1, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78746, USA
- Senckenberg Museum for Natural History Görlitz, Am Museum 1, 02826 Görlitz, Germany
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Liu X, Husby M, Stahelin RV, Pienaar E. Evaluation of fendiline treatment in VP40 system with nucleation-elongation process: a computational model of Ebola virus matrix protein assembly. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0309823. [PMID: 38407984 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03098-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Ebola virus (EBOV) infection is threatening human health, especially in Central and West Africa. Limited clinical trials and the requirement of biosafety level-4 laboratories hinder experimental work to advance our understanding of EBOV and the evaluation of treatment. In this work, we use a computational model to study the assembly and budding process of EBOV and evaluate the effect of fendiline on these processes in the context of fluctuating host membrane lipid levels. Our results demonstrate for the first time that the assembly of VP40 filaments may follow the nucleation-elongation theory, as this mechanism is critical to maintaining a pool of VP40 dimers for the maturation and production of virus-like particles (VLPs). We further find that this nucleation-elongation process is likely influenced by fluctuating phosphatidylserine (PS), which can complicate the efficacy of lipid-targeted therapies like fendiline, a drug that lowers cellular PS levels. Our results indicate that fendiline-induced PS reduction may actually increase VLP production at earlier time points (24 h) and under low fendiline concentrations (≤2 µM). However, this effect is transient and does not change the conclusion that fendiline generally decreases VLP production. In the context of fluctuating PS levels, we also conclude that fendiline can be more efficient at the late stage of VLP budding relative to earlier phases. Combination therapy with a VLP budding step-targeted drug may therefore further increase the treatment efficiency of fendiline. Finally, we also show that fendiline-induced PS reduction more effectively lowers VLP production when VP40 expression is high. Taken together, our results provide critical quantitative information on how fluctuating lipid levels (PS) affect EBOV assembly and egress and how this mechanism can be disrupted by lipid-targeting molecules like fendiline. IMPORTANCE Ebola virus (EBOV) infection can cause deadly hemorrhagic fever, which has a mortality rate of ~50%-90% without treatment. The recent outbreaks in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo illustrate its threat to human health. Though two antibody-based treatments were approved, mortality rates in the last outbreak were still higher than 30%. This can partly be due to the requirement of advanced medical facilities for current treatments. As a result, it is very important to develop and evaluate new therapies for EBOV infection, especially those that can be easily applied in the developing world. The significance of our research is that we evaluate the potential of lipid-targeted treatments in reducing EBOV assembly and egress. We achieved this goal using the VP40 system combined with a computational approach, which both saves time and lowers cost compared to traditional experimental studies and provides innovative new tools to study viral protein dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Liu
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Monica Husby
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Robert V Stahelin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Elsje Pienaar
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
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7
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Banjar WM, Alaqeel MK. Monkeypox stigma and risk communication; Understanding the dilemma. J Infect Public Health 2024; 17 Suppl 1:4-7. [PMID: 37002063 PMCID: PMC10014508 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2023.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Monkeypox (MPX) is a viral zoonotic disease that is endemic in Central and West African countries had affected countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, and South and North America. Some globally reported cases were linked to history of recent travel to endemic regions, however, official reports revealed homosexual practices among the majority of reported cases. In response to global increase MPX burden and number of cases, the WHO declared MPX a Public Health Emergency with International Concern (PHEIC) on July 23, 2022. The first MPX case in Saudi Arabia was a returning traveler from Europe to Riyadh on July 14, 2022. It is essential for policy makers to maintain neutral tone for health education messages and inform the public that MPX transmits via physical contact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weam M Banjar
- Global Health Indicators and Reports Unit, Vision Realisation Office, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Meshal K Alaqeel
- Department of Psychiatry, Ministry of The National Guard - Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
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8
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Zwerts JA, Sterck EHM, Verweij PA, Maisels F, van der Waarde J, Geelen EAM, Tchoumba GB, Donfouet Zebaze HF, van Kuijk M. FSC-certified forest management benefits large mammals compared to non-FSC. Nature 2024; 628:563-568. [PMID: 38600379 PMCID: PMC11023928 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07257-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
More than a quarter of the world's tropical forests are exploited for timber1. Logging impacts biodiversity in these ecosystems, primarily through the creation of forest roads that facilitate hunting for wildlife over extensive areas. Forest management certification schemes such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) are expected to mitigate impacts on biodiversity, but so far very little is known about the effectiveness of FSC certification because of research design challenges, predominantly limited sample sizes2,3. Here we provide this evidence by using 1.3 million camera-trap photos of 55 mammal species in 14 logging concessions in western equatorial Africa. We observed higher mammal encounter rates in FSC-certified than in non-FSC logging concessions. The effect was most pronounced for species weighing more than 10 kg and for species of high conservation priority such as the critically endangered forest elephant and western lowland gorilla. Across the whole mammal community, non-FSC concessions contained proportionally more rodents and other small species than did FSC-certified concessions. The first priority for species protection should be to maintain unlogged forests with effective law enforcement, but for logged forests our findings provide convincing data that FSC-certified forest management is less damaging to the mammal community than is non-FSC forest management. This study provides strong evidence that FSC-certified forest management or equivalently stringent requirements and controlling mechanisms should become the norm for timber extraction to avoid half-empty forests dominated by rodents and other small species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joeri A Zwerts
- Ecology and Biodiversity, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Animal Behaviour & Cognition, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - E H M Sterck
- Animal Behaviour & Cognition, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Animal Science Department, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Pita A Verweij
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fiona Maisels
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Global Conservation Program, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Emma A M Geelen
- Animal Behaviour & Cognition, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Marijke van Kuijk
- Ecology and Biodiversity, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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9
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Hailu S, Hurst C, Cyphers G, Thottunkal S, Harley D, Viney K, Irwin A, Dean J, Nourse C. Prevalence of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Trop Med Int Health 2024; 29:257-265. [PMID: 38263374 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The burden of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) is not well quantified in TB endemic countries such as those in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to quantify that burden via a systematic review of the prevalence of EPTB in African countries. METHODS Studies were retrieved by searching five databases; 105 studies published between 1990 and 2023 were included. The studies described the prevalence of EPTB among the general population (4 studies), TB patients (68) and patients with other conditions, including HIV (15), meningitis (3), renal failure (3) and other comorbidities, some of which are cancer (12). Due to the low number of studies reporting EPTB in patients with conditions other than TB, the meta-analysis was performed on studies reporting on EPTB among TB patients (68 studies). Meta-analysis was performed on the 68 studies (271,073 participants) using a random-effects model to estimate the pooled prevalence of EPTB. Meta-regression was used to explore possible explanations for heterogeneity according to regions and time periods. RESULTS The pooled prevalence of EPTB among TB patients was 26% (95% CI 23-29%). There was substantial heterogeneity of prevalence for the five African regions. The Eastern region had the highest prevalence of 32% (95% CI 28-37%) and the lowest in Western Africa, 16% (95% CI 10-24%). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of EPTB between the 3 eleven-year time periods. CONCLUSIONS Our systematic review and meta-analysis give insight into the burden of EPTB in Africa. This review could inform clinical and programmatic practices-a higher suspicion index for clinicians and more effort for better services. This could contribute to efforts aiming to end TB, which have historically been focused on PTB.Coordinated efforts that target both EPTB and PTB are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Semira Hailu
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Cameron Hurst
- Molly Wardaguga Research Centre, Charles Darwin University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Griffin Cyphers
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Stefan Thottunkal
- ANU College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - David Harley
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Kerri Viney
- ANU College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Adam Irwin
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Infection Management and Prevention Service, Queensland Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Judith Dean
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Clare Nourse
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Infection Management and Prevention Service, Queensland Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
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10
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Klein JD, Weber I, Zagheni E. Stop, in the Name of COVID! Using Social Media Data to Estimate the Effects of COVID-19-Related Travel Restrictions on Migration. Demography 2024; 61:493-511. [PMID: 38526178 DOI: 10.1215/00703370-11229946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Organization for Migration has postulated that international migrant stocks fell short of their pre-pandemic projections by nearly 2 million as a result of travel restrictions. However, this decline is not testable with migration data from traditional sources. Key migration stakeholders have called for using data from alternative sources, including social media, to fill these gaps. Building on previous work using social media data to analyze migration responses to external shocks, we test the hypothesis that COVID-related travel restrictions reduced migrant stock relative to expected migration without such restrictions using estimates of migrants drawn from Facebook's advertising platform and dynamic panel models. We focus on four key origin countries in North and West Africa (Côte d'Ivoire, Algeria, Morocco, and Senegal) and on their 23 key destination countries. Between February and June 2020, we estimate that a destination country implementing a month-long total entry ban on arrivals from Côte d'Ivoire, Algeria, Morocco, or Senegal might have expected a 3.39% reduction in migrant stock from the restricted country compared with the counterfactual in which no travel restrictions were implemented. However, when broader societal disruptions of the pandemic are accounted for, we estimate that countries implementing travel restrictions might paradoxically have expected an increase in migrant stock. In this context, travel restrictions do not appear to have effectively curbed migration and could have resulted in outcomes opposite their intended effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan D Klein
- Office of Population Research, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Ingmar Weber
- Saarland University, Saarland Informatics Campus, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Emilio Zagheni
- Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany
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Ndiaye M, Lespez L, Tribolo C, Rasse M, Hadjas I, Davidoux S, Huysecom É, Douze K. Two new Later Stone Age sites from the Final Pleistocene in the Falémé Valley, eastern Senegal. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0294346. [PMID: 38547134 PMCID: PMC10977785 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The understanding of cultural dynamics at work at the end of the Final Pleistocene in West Africa suffers from a significant lack of excavated and dated sites, particularly in the Sahelian and Sudanian ecozones. While the Later Stone Age shows varied behavioral developments in different parts of the continent, the chrono-cultural framework of this period remains largely unknown in West Africa. We report on archaeological, geomorphological, and chronological research on two Final Pleistocene Later Stone Age sites in the Falémé Valley, eastern Senegal. Optically stimulated luminescence ages place the site of Toumboura I-2017 between 17 ± 1 and 16 ± 1 ka and the Ravin de Sansandé site between 13 ± 1 ka and 12 ± 1.1 ka. The excavated lithics show typical Later Stone Age industries, characterized by chaînes opératoires of core reduction mainly producing flakes and bladelets as well as blades and laminar flakes. Segments dominate the toolkits but a few backed bladelets and end-scrapers on flake blanks were recognized. Local raw materials were used, with a preference for chert and quartz, as well as greywacke. These Later Stone Age lithic assemblages are the oldest known in Senegal so far and add to the small number of sites known in West Africa for this period, which are mainly located farther south, in sub-tropical ecozones. The Later Stone Age sites of the Falémé Valley are contemporaneous with typical Middle Stone Age technologies in Senegal dated to at least the Pleistocene/Holocene transition. Our results thus provide new archaeological evidence highlighting the complex cultural processes at work during the Final Pleistocene in West Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matar Ndiaye
- Department of Human Sciences, Laboratory of Prehistory and Protohistory, Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noire (IFAN), University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Laurent Lespez
- Department of Geography, Laboratory of Physical Geography (LGP), CNRS-UMR 8591, University Paris-Est Creteil, Meudon, France
| | - Chantal Tribolo
- Department of Archaeosciences Bordeaux, University Bordeaux-Montaigne, Pessac, France
| | - Michel Rasse
- Department of Geography, Maison de l’Orient et de la Méditerranée (ARCHÉORIENT), University Lumière - Lyon II, Lyon, France
| | - Irka Hadjas
- Laboratory of Ion Beam Physics (LIP), ETH-Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Davidoux
- Department of Geography, Laboratory of Physical Geography (LGP), CNRS-UMR 8591, University Paris-Est Creteil, Meudon, France
| | - Éric Huysecom
- Laboratory of Archaeology of Africa & Anthropology (ARCAN), University of Geneva, Genève, Switzerland
| | - Katja Douze
- Laboratory of Archaeology of Africa & Anthropology (ARCAN), University of Geneva, Genève, Switzerland
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Afferri A, Dierickx S, Allen H, Bittaye M, Marena M, Pacey A, Balen J. 'It's about time': policymakers' and health practitioners' perspectives on implementing fertility care in the Gambian health system. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:282. [PMID: 38443896 PMCID: PMC10916196 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10701-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infertility is a major health issue worldwide, yet very few examples of interventions addressing infertility in the Global South have been documented to date. In The Gambia, West Africa, infertility is recognised as a burden and the health authorities have included it in several health policies and the new National Reproductive Health Strategy however, a detailed operationalisation plan for fertility care has not yet been established. Here, we aim to understand and document the factors that influence the implementation of fertility care in The Gambia. METHODS We conducted 46 semi-structured interviews with policymakers, implementers, and health practitioners in both the public and private sectors from July to November 2021. The interviews were transcribed, anonymised and analysed with NVivo Pro version 1.6.1. The analysis was initially inductive, with themes arising from the coding categorised according to the WHO health systems building blocks framework. RESULTS This study identified several barriers to a successful implementation of fertility care in The Gambia, including (i) a lack of routinely collected infertility data; (ii) an absence of financial protection mechanisms for patients, and/or a specific budget for infertility; (iii) limited cooperation between the public and private sectors in the provision of fertility care; and (iv) gaps in fertility care training among health practitioners. Conversely, enablers included: (i) strong national infertility leadership; and (ii) the integration of infertility care within public reproductive health services. CONCLUSION The Gambian health system is not yet in the position to support a comprehensive fertility care package in its public health facilities. Several aspects of the implementation of fertility care must be considered in operationalising the health strategy including the systematic collection of infertility data, fertility awareness, and the provision of specialised fertility care training. Furthermore, a stronger partnership between the public and private sectors must be developed. Given the increasing availability of assisted reproductive technologies in the sub-Saharan Africa region, and the tendency to locate these technologies in the private sector, further research is needed to understand and identify the processes underlying the implementation of fertility care and to foster better integration with the existing health system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Afferri
- School of Health and Related Research- ScHARR, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
| | - Susan Dierickx
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Research Centre Gender, Diversity and Intersectionality - RHEA, Vrije Universiteit, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Haddijatou Allen
- Medical Research Council- MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Mustapha Bittaye
- The Gambia Ministry of Health, Banjul, The Gambia
- School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of The Gambia, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Musa Marena
- The Gambia Ministry of Health, Banjul, The Gambia
- School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of The Gambia, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Allan Pacey
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Julie Balen
- Medical Research Council- MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM, Fajara, The Gambia
- School of Allied and Public Health Professions, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, UK
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Ruberg FL, Maurer MS. Cardiac Amyloidosis Due to Transthyretin Protein: A Review. JAMA 2024; 331:778-791. [PMID: 38441582 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.0442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Importance Systemic amyloidosis from transthyretin (ATTR) protein is the most common type of amyloidosis that causes cardiomyopathy. Observations Transthyretin (TTR) protein transports thyroxine (thyroid hormone) and retinol (vitamin A) and is synthesized predominantly by the liver. When the TTR protein misfolds, it can form amyloid fibrils that deposit in the heart causing heart failure, heart conduction block, or arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation. The biological processes by which amyloid fibrils form are incompletely understood but are associated with aging and, in some patients, affected by inherited variants in the TTR genetic sequence. ATTR amyloidosis results from misfolded TTR protein deposition. ATTR can occur in association with normal TTR genetic sequence (wild-type ATTR) or with abnormal TTR genetic sequence (variant ATTR). Wild-type ATTR primarily manifests as cardiomyopathy while ATTR due to a genetic variant manifests as cardiomyopathy and/or polyneuropathy. Approximately 50 000 to 150 000 people in the US have heart failure due to ATTR amyloidosis. Without treatment, heart failure due to ATTR amyloidosis is associated with a median survival of approximately 5 years. More than 130 different inherited genetic variants in TTR exist. The most common genetic variant is Val122Ile (pV142I), an allele with an origin in West African countries, that is present in 3.4% of African American individuals in the US or approximately 1.5 million persons. The diagnosis can be made using serum free light chain assay and immunofixation electrophoresis to exclude light chain amyloidosis combined with cardiac nuclear scintigraphy to detect radiotracer uptake in a pattern consistent with amyloidosis. Loop diuretics, such as furosemide, torsemide, and bumetanide, are the primary treatment for fluid overload and symptomatic relief of patients with ATTR heart failure. An ATTR-directed therapy that inhibited misfolding of the TTR protein (tafamidis, a protein stabilizer), compared with placebo, reduced mortality from 42.9% to 29.5%, reduced hospitalizations from 0.7/year to 0.48/year, and was most effective when administered early in disease course. Conclusions and Relevance ATTR amyloidosis causes cardiomyopathy in up to approximately 150 000 people in the US and tafamidis is the only currently approved therapy. Tafamidis slowed progression of ATTR amyloidosis and improved survival and prevented hospitalization, compared with placebo, in people with ATTR-associated cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick L Ruberg
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Amyloidosis Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mathew S Maurer
- Cardiac Amyloidosis Program, Seymour, Paul, and Gloria Milstein Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York
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14
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Fiorentino M, Yanwou N, Gravier-Dumonceau Mazelier R, Eubanks A, Roux P, Laurent C, Spire B. Sexual behaviours and risk with women in MSM in sub-Saharan Africa. AIDS 2024; 38:273-287. [PMID: 38300157 PMCID: PMC10842665 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), MSM - a high HIV prevalence group - experience strong social stigma and pressure to have female partners. Accordingly, they could constitute a bridging group for HIV transmission to cisgender women. We developed a multilevel summary of MSM sexual behaviors and risk with women in various SSA regions. Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a mixed-method systematic review of data of sex with women in MSM in SSA. We performed meta-analyses on quantitative data (i.e. percent of recent sex and condomless sex with women) for each SSA region (when proportions reported in ≥4 studies). Pooled proportions were calculated using random-effects models. Qualitative data were analyzed using the three-step thematic synthesis methodology. The pooled proportion of MSM who had sex with women was 58% (33-83%) in East Africa (in the previous 3 months), and 27% (13-48%) in Southern Africa and 50% (95% CI 39-62%) in West Africa (in the previous 6 months); 23% (16-32%) of MSM in West Africa had condomless sex with a woman (during the most recent encounter). Approximately one quarter of MSM had recent multiple female partners. MSM reported having sex with women because of heteronormative pressure, erotic/romantic attraction, or financial needs leading to transactional sex. MSM may act as a bridging population to women in SSA, as they commonly practice sex with women and risky sexual behaviors with them. HIV programmes and community-based support for MSM should be adapted to this population to reduce this risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Fiorentino
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, Inserm, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale, ISSPAM
| | - Nathan Yanwou
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, Inserm, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale, ISSPAM
- ORS PACA, Observatoire régional de la santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Marseille
| | | | - August Eubanks
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, Inserm, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale, ISSPAM
| | - Perrine Roux
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, Inserm, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale, ISSPAM
| | | | - Bruno Spire
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, Inserm, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale, ISSPAM
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Ramharter M, Butler J, Mombo-Ngoma G, Nordmann T, Davi SD, Zoleko Manego R. The African eye worm: current understanding of the epidemiology, clinical disease, and treatment of loiasis. Lancet Infect Dis 2024; 24:e165-e178. [PMID: 37858326 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(23)00438-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Loa loa, the African eye worm, is a filarial pathogen transmitted by blood-sucking flies of the genus Chrysops. Loiasis primarily affects rural populations residing in the forest and adjacent savannah regions of central and west Africa, where more than 20 million patients are chronically infected in medium and high transmission regions. For a long time, loiasis has been regarded as a relatively benign condition. However, morbidity as measured by disability-adjusted life-years lost might be as high as 400 per 100 000 residents, and the population attributable fraction of death is estimated at 14·5% in highly endemic regions, providing unequivocal evidence for the substantial disease burden that loiasis exerts on affected communities. The clinical penetrance of loiasis is variable and might present with the classic signs of eye worm migration or transient Calabar swellings, but might include common, unspecific symptoms or rare but potentially life-threatening complications. Although adult worm migration seems most closely linked to symptomatic disease, high levels of microfilaraemia are associated with clinically important complications and death. Loiasis remains difficult to diagnose, treat, and control due to an absence of reliable point-of-care diagnostic assays, safe and efficacious drugs, and cost-effective prevention strategies. This Review summarises the major advances in our understanding of loiasis made over the past decade and highlights the many gaps that await to be addressed urgently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Ramharter
- Department of Clinical Research, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany; Division of Tropical Medicine, I Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Centre de Recherche Médicale de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon; German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany.
| | | | - Ghyslain Mombo-Ngoma
- Department of Implementation Research, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany; Division of Tropical Medicine, I Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Centre de Recherche Médicale de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon; German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tamara Nordmann
- Department of Clinical Research, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany; Division of Tropical Medicine, I Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Saskia Dede Davi
- Department of Clinical Research, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany; Division of Tropical Medicine, I Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rella Zoleko Manego
- Department of Clinical Research, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany; Division of Tropical Medicine, I Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Centre de Recherche Médicale de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
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16
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Mayhew M, Wolovich C, Saho L, Barry S, Barry M, Njie I, Bah B, Sidibeh A, Badjie Z, Cramer JD, Linder J. Researchers join forces to conserve red colobus (Piliocolobus badius temminckii) in West Africa. Am J Primatol 2024; 86:e23576. [PMID: 37971061 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The recent development of the Red Colobus Conservation Action Plan has spurred momentum to promote site-based conservation of red colobus while forging partnerships among researchers and building local capacity. Communities for Red Colobus (C4RC) is a community-centered conservation organization in The Gambia, West Africa, that aims to protect Temminck's red colobus (Piliocolobus badius temminckii) while advancing opportunities for local people. We highlight the inception and initial development of C4RC with its educational and ranger teams and describe how local and international collaborations have positively impacted the organization through training and mentoring programs. This conservation program has the potential to become sustainable with plans for continued ecological monitoring, reforestation efforts, use of alternative methods of cooking, and the expansion of ecotourism. We hope that the dissemination of project information through Gambian broadcast and social media channels and wider community outreach activities will improve perceptions and conservation of primates and inspire the development of other red colobus initiatives at suitable forest sites based on the C4RC model of community-based conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Mayhew
- Communities for Red Colobus Project, Sambel Kunda, The Gambia
- Institute of Science, Natural Resources and Outdoor Studies, University of Cumbria, Carlisle, Cumbria, UK
| | - Christy Wolovich
- Department of Biology, Florida Southern College, Lakeland, Florida, USA
| | - Lamin Saho
- Communities for Red Colobus Project, Sambel Kunda, The Gambia
| | - Samsideen Barry
- Communities for Red Colobus Project, Sambel Kunda, The Gambia
| | - Meta Barry
- Institute of Science, Natural Resources and Outdoor Studies, University of Cumbria, Carlisle, Cumbria, UK
| | - Idrissa Njie
- Institute of Science, Natural Resources and Outdoor Studies, University of Cumbria, Carlisle, Cumbria, UK
| | - Buba Bah
- Institute of Science, Natural Resources and Outdoor Studies, University of Cumbria, Carlisle, Cumbria, UK
| | - Abdourahman Sidibeh
- Institute of Science, Natural Resources and Outdoor Studies, University of Cumbria, Carlisle, Cumbria, UK
| | - Zainab Badjie
- Institute of Science, Natural Resources and Outdoor Studies, University of Cumbria, Carlisle, Cumbria, UK
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Ajibola FO, Afolayan SA. Impacts of improved horizontal resolutions in the simulations of mean and extreme precipitation using CMIP6 HighResMIP models over West Africa. Environ Monit Assess 2024; 196:328. [PMID: 38424296 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12492-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
We conducted an analysis of 16 historical simulations from the High-Resolution Model Intercomparison Project (HighResMIP) as part of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) phase 6 (CMIP6). These simulations encompass both high- and low-resolution models and aim to investigate the impact of improved horizontal resolution on mean and extreme precipitation in West Africa between 1985 and 2014. Six Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI) were used to charactererize extreme indices. Bias adjustment was used to detect and adjust the biases in the models. Our observations indicate that the southeastern and southwestern regions of West Africa experience the most significant precipitation, which aligns with the simulations from HighResMIP. The enhanced horizontal resolution notably influences the simulation of orographically induced rainfall in elevated areas and intensifies precipitation in various aspects. When examining the highest 1-day precipitation, our observations reveal that most of the Guinea Coast region had 1-day rainfall exceeding 100 mm. However, this was overestimated and in some simulations underestimated by HighResMIP simulations. Furthermore, an increase in horizontal resolution appears to enhance the ability of high-resolution models to replicate the observed patterns of heavy precipitation (R10mm) and very heavy rainfall (R20mm) days. Spatial and temporal analysis suggests that uncertainty exists in the simulation of extreme precipitation in both high- and low-resolution simulations over West Africa. Also, bias adjustment shows a significant bias in the simulations. To address this issue, we employed a bias adjustment approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Olabamiji Ajibola
- National Weather Forecasting and Climate Research Centre, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, PMB 615, Nigeria.
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Crawford KE, Hedtke SM, Doyle SR, Kuesel AC, Armoo S, Osei-Atweneboana MY, Grant WN. Genome-based tools for onchocerciasis elimination: utility of the mitochondrial genome for delineating Onchocerca volvulus transmission zones. Int J Parasitol 2024; 54:171-183. [PMID: 37993016 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2023.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
National programs in Africa have expanded their objectives from control of onchocerciasis (river blindness) as a public health problem to elimination of parasite transmission, motivated by the reduction of Onchocerca volvulus infection prevalence in many African meso- and hyperendemic areas due to mass drug administration of ivermectin (MDAi). Given the large, contiguous hypo-, meso-, and hyperendemic areas, sustainable elimination of onchocerciasis in sub-Saharan Africa requires delineation of geographic boundaries for parasite transmission zones, so that programs can consider the risk of parasite re-introduction through vector or human migration from areas with ongoing transmission when making decisions to stop MDAi. We propose that transmission zone boundaries can be delineated by characterising the parasite genetic population structure within and between potential zones. We analysed whole mitochondrial genome sequences of 189 O. volvulus adults to determine the pattern of genetic similarity across three West African countries: Ghana, Mali, and Côte d'Ivoire. Population genetic structure indicates that parasites from villages near the Pru, Daka, and Black Volta rivers in central Ghana belong to one parasite population, indicating that the assumption that river basins constitute individual transmission zones is not supported by the data. Parasites from Mali and Côte d'Ivoire are genetically distinct from those from Ghana. This research provides the basis for developing tools for elimination programs to delineate transmission zones, to estimate the risk of parasite re-introduction via vector or human movement when intervention is stopped in one area while transmission is ongoing in others, to identify the origin of infections detected post-treatment cessation, and to investigate whether persisting prevalence despite ongoing interventions in one area is due to parasites imported from others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie E Crawford
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shannon M Hedtke
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia; Department of Environment and Genetics, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Stephen R Doyle
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Annette C Kuesel
- UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/World Health Organization Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Samuel Armoo
- Biomedical and Public Health Research Unit, CSIR-Water Research Institute, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Council Close, Accra, Ghana
| | - Mike Y Osei-Atweneboana
- Biomedical and Public Health Research Unit, CSIR-Water Research Institute, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Council Close, Accra, Ghana
| | - Warwick N Grant
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia; Department of Environment and Genetics, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
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Sabounji MM, Ndiaye A, Diallo S. Profile of HLA-B27-positive enthesitis/spondylitis-related arthritis in Senegal, West Africa. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2024; 22:31. [PMID: 38424655 PMCID: PMC10903049 DOI: 10.1186/s12969-024-00969-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Enthesitis/spondylitis-related arthritis (ERA) is a type of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) frequently associated with HLA-B27. In sub-Saharan Africa, HLA-B27-positive ERA hasn't been the subject of a specific study. OBJECTIVES We aimed to describe the clinical features, disease activity, functional disability and treatment of HLA-B27-positive ERA at diagnosis in Senegal and compare the findings to other populations. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study by reviewing the medical records of patients diagnosed with ERA with an age of symptom onset < 18 years according to the 2019 PRINTO provisional criteria for ERA from January 2012 to December 2022. We collected demographic, clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic data. Disease activity score was assessed by Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). Functional disability was assessed using Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI). RESULTS A total of 31 patients with HLA-B27-positive ERA were included. Twenty of 31 (64.5%) were males. Twenty-seven (87%) were Fula (ethnicity). The median age at symptom onset and at diagnosis was 12 years and 19 years, respectively. Seven patients had a family history of Spondyloarthritis. Peripheral arthritis and enthesitis were the most common presenting features at disease onset. Peripheral arthritis was present in 29 (93.5%) and located in the lower limbs in 27/29 (93.1%) patients. Heel enthesitis was present in 26 (83.8%) patients. Axial involvement was present in 27 (87%) patients, dominated by low back pain and sacroiliac pain/ buttock pain in 24 (88.8%) and 22 (81.5%) patients, respectively. Seven (22.5%) patients had anterior uveitis. The ESR and CRP were elevated in 65.5% and 57.1% of cases, respectively. On imaging, sacroiliitis was found in 22 patients. The mean BASDAI was 5.5/10 (77.2% of patients had a high active disease; BASDAI ≥ 4/10). The mean ASDAS-ESR/CRP was 3.8. The mean BASFI was 5.4/10 (80% of patients had high functional disability; BASFI ≥ 4/10). Twenty-seven (87%) patients were treated with methotrexate and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. After 6 months of treatment, mean BASDAI was 3/10 and mean BASFI was 2.5/10. CONCLUSION In our study, HLA-B27-positive ERA was found in our Senegalese cohort mainly in adolescents of the Fula ethnic group. 22 (70.9%) patients developed ankylosing spondylitis at adulthood. The disease was very active at the time of diagnosis with significant functional disability. Treatment was mainly based on methotrexate and NAISDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mounib M Sabounji
- Department of Rheumatology, Aristide Le Dantec Hospital, Dakar, Senegal.
| | - Aïssatou Ndiaye
- Department of Rheumatology, Aristide Le Dantec Hospital, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Saïdou Diallo
- Department of Rheumatology, Aristide Le Dantec Hospital, Dakar, Senegal
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Catry T, Correia E, Gutiérrez JS, Bocher P, Robin F, Rousseau P, Granadeiro JP. Low migratory connectivity and similar migratory strategies in a shorebird with contrasting wintering population trends in Europe and West Africa. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4884. [PMID: 38418600 PMCID: PMC10901768 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55501-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Migratory shorebird populations are declining worldwide, showing an apparent inability to respond to the interplaying challenges emerging along their flyways. Within the East Atlantic Flyway, non-breeding populations show moderate to strong declines in Sub-Saharan Africa, contrasting with stable or increasing trends in Europe. Local factors are insufficient to explain the opposite tendencies and, therefore, investigating migratory strategies and connectivity of these populations may help identifying the drivers of their demography. We followed the migratory journeys of 20 grey plovers (Pluvialis squatarola) from their wintering grounds in Guinea-Bissau (West Africa), Portugal and France (Europe) using tracking devices. Grey plovers wintering in Africa and Europe were found to share breeding grounds at European Russia and Western Siberia, revealing low migratory connectivity in the Eastern Atlantic population. All individuals followed a "skipping" migratory strategy, flying mostly mid-distance bouts, and using an unexpected large network of stopover sites to re-fuel usually for short periods. We identified 66 different stopover sites along the West African, European and Russian/Siberian coasts. All birds stopped at the Wadden Sea in both migratory periods, highlighting the importance of this region and the risk for a potential bottleneck. Low migratory connectivity and similar migratory strategies shared by grey plovers wintering in Europe and West Africa do not support their contrasting population trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Catry
- Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Edna Correia
- Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jorge S Gutiérrez
- Departamento de Anatomía, Biología Celular y Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
- Ecología en el Antropoceno, Unidad asociada CSIC-UEX, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Pierrick Bocher
- Laboratory Littoral Environnement et Sociétés UMR LIENSs 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle University, La Rochelle, France
| | - Frédéric Robin
- Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO), Rochefort, France
| | - Pierre Rousseau
- National Nature Reserve of Möeze-Oléron, Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO), Saint-Froult, France
| | - José P Granadeiro
- Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
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Tomlinson MM, Wallis AB, Harris MJ, DuPré NC, Baumgartner RN, Okonofua F. Menstrual hygiene management among adolescent girls in West Africa: A systematic review. Afr J Reprod Health 2024; 28:123-156. [PMID: 38308560 DOI: 10.29063/ajrh2024/v28i1.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
A systematic literature review was conducted to examine all recent academic, peer-reviewed studies of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) across adolescent girls in Anglophone West Africa. The objective was to assess the status of the scholarship surrounding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of MHM across English-speaking West African countries and identify gaps in the literature for further research. The authors searched the epidemiological literatures indexed in PubMed and cross-referenced bibliographies for studies published between 2010-2022. Of 59 abstracts and articles screened, 35 met the final inclusion criteria. Despite differences in study design, setting, and data sources, the study results concurred on an average age of menarche between 12-15 years old among adolescent girls. The knowledge of MHM came from multiple sources, most commonly mothers, female siblings, and teachers and higher knowledge was associated with age, source, wealth, religion, and education level. Less than half of the adolescent girls knew about menstruation before menarche. Many studies showed that girls were shocked by their first period and fearful of staining. Menstruation was associated with dysmenorrhea, fear/embarrassment, and missing school. The existing studies suggest that more implementation and evaluation of menstrual hygiene management materials, education, and facilities are needed to address the educational, physical, and social disparities that exist among girls in West African countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline M Tomlinson
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Anne B Wallis
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Muriel J Harris
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Natalie C DuPré
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Richard N Baumgartner
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Friday Okonofua
- Centre for Excellence in Reproductive Health Innovation, Benin City, Nigeria, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
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Ahoyo CC, Houéhanou TD, Yaoitcha AS, Akpi BP, Natta A, Houinato MRB. How do plant demographic and ecological traits combined with social dynamics and human traits affect woody plant selection for medicinal uses in Benin (West Africa)? J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2024; 20:15. [PMID: 38336725 PMCID: PMC10854095 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-024-00655-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several hypotheses have been used in ethnobotany to explain the plant's selection criteria by people for their daily needs. Thus, it is important to assess synergy and complementarity among them, especially, those concerning the plant use value, social dynamics and human traits. The study aims to (i) highlight people's socio-economic factors, and plant ecological traits that affect the plant use-availability dynamic (PUD); and (ii) assess the available species diversity effect on ethno-medicinal knowledge diversity in Benin. METHODS Ethnobotanical interviews were carried out to quantify the importance of local species in different ecological zones of Benin with 590 traditional medicine actors. Vegetation surveys were done to assess species availability within 337 plots of 50 m x 40 m or 60 m x 30 m, depending on the climatic zone, for a total of 61.6 ha, established in 15 forests distributed within the 10 phytodistricts of Benin. The plant use availability hypothesis was quantified as a dynamic link between species use value and availability (PUD). A general and mixed linear models were used to assess the significance of each factor's effect on PUD. Pearson correlation test was applied on Shannon diversity index considering inventoried species in the field and those which were cited by people, for the available species diversity effect on ethno-medicinal knowledge diversity assessment. RESULTS A hundred and twenty woody medicinal plants, mostly trees (68.33%), were sampled. Growth form and its interaction with phytodistrict have a significant effect (p: 0.005) on PUD. The less available trees were the most used in the phytodistricts 3, 4, 8 and 10. PUD varies significantly according to social factors (p: 0.007). Ethnicity, age and main activity were the most quoted social factors which influenced the PUD. Ethnicity and age have various effects considering the phytodistricts. Moreover, the influence of age changes following the main activity. Plant selection did not solely link to the surrounding diversity (r: - 0.293; p: 0.403). Within some phytodistricts, especially those of 3, 4, 8 and 10, the less available tree species were the most requested. CONCLUSION It is urgent to reforest vegetation patches in some phytodistricts (3, 4, 8 and 10) of Benin with widely requested and no available species to avoid the extinction of their wild populations. This concerns Cassia sieberiana DC., Anonychium africanum (Guill. & Perr.) C. E.Hughes & G. P. Lewis, Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir., Cola millenii K. Schum., Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss., Pseudocedrela kotschyi (Schweinf.) Harms, Treculia africana Decne. ex Trécul, Uapaca heudelotii Baill., Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn., Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth. and Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv.) Seem. ex Bureau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Cédric Ahoyo
- Laboratory of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin.
| | - Thierry Dèhouegnon Houéhanou
- Laboratory of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
- Laboratory of Ecology, Botany and Plant Biology, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin
- Laboratoire de Biomathématiques et d'Estimations Forestières, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
| | | | - Bénédicte Perpétue Akpi
- Laboratory of Ecology, Botany and Plant Biology, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin
| | - Armand Natta
- Laboratory of Ecology, Botany and Plant Biology, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin
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Houetohossou SCA, Ratheil Houndji V, Sikirou R, Glèlè Kakaï R. Finding optimum climatic parameters for high tomato yield in Benin (West Africa) using frequent pattern growth algorithm. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297983. [PMID: 38330000 PMCID: PMC10852257 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Tomato is one of the most appreciated vegetables in the world. Predicting its yield and optimizing its culture is important for global food security. This paper addresses the challenge of finding optimum climatic values for a high tomato yield. The Frequent Pattern Growth (FPG) algorithm was considered to establish the associations between six climate variables: minimum and maximum temperatures, maximum humidity, sunshine (Sun), rainfall, and evapotranspiration (ET), collected over 26 years in the three agro-ecological Zones of Benin. Monthly climate data were aggregated with yield data over the same period. After aggregation, the data were transformed into 'low', 'medium', and 'high' attributes using the threshold values defined. Then, the rules were generated using the minimum support set to 0.2 and the confidence to 0.8. Only the rules with the consequence 'high yield' were screened. The best yield patterns were observed in the Guinean Zone, followed by the Sudanian. The results indicated that high tomato yield was associated with low ET in all areas considered. Minimum and maximum temperatures, maximum humidity, and Sun were medium in every Zone. Moreover, rainfall was high in the Sudanian Zone, unlike the other regions where it remained medium. These results are useful in assessing climate variability's impact on tomato production. Thus, they can help farmers make informed decisions on cultivation practices to optimize production in a changing environment. In addition, the findings of this study can be considered in other regions and adapted to other crops.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vinasetan Ratheil Houndji
- Laboratoire de Biomathématiques et d’Estimations Forestières, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
- Institut de Formation et de Recherche en Informatique, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Rachidatou Sikirou
- Laboratoire de Défense des Cultures, Centre de Recherches Agricoles d’Agonkanmey, Institut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin (INRAB), Cotonou, Republic of Benin
| | - Romain Glèlè Kakaï
- Laboratoire de Biomathématiques et d’Estimations Forestières, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
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Fiorentino M, Coulibaly B, Couderc C, Keita BD, Anoma C, Dah E, Mensah E, Aka TN, Touré JR, Camara D, Kokouba AR, Maradan G, Mora M, Bourrelly M, Riegel L, Rojas-Castro D, Spire B, Laurent C, Sagaon-Teyssier L. Men Who Have Sex with Both Men and Women in West Africa: Factors Associated with a High Behavioral Risk of Acquiring HIV from Male Partners and Transmission to Women (CohMSM ANRS 12324-Expertise France). Arch Sex Behav 2024; 53:757-769. [PMID: 37973698 PMCID: PMC10844348 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02715-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
HIV is highly prevalent in men who have sex with men (MSM) in West Africa. Many MSM in the region also have sex with women (MSMW). Accordingly, they are a potential bridge subpopulation for HIV transmission to women. We aimed to evaluate the proportions and characteristics of West African MSMW at high behavioral risk of acquiring HIV from male partners and transmitting it to female partners (HBRMF). The cohort ANRS-12324 CohMSM Study included 630 HIV-negative MSM in Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, and Togo. Among MSMW (i.e., with ≥ 1 female partner) in the cohort, HBRMF was identified using trajectory models based on seven at-risk sexual practices with male and female partners, including inconsistent condom use, multiple partnerships, and receptive same-sex anal intercourse. To assess the relevance of using trajectory models, we compared the proportions of participants who seroconverted during the cohort follow-up among those at HBRMF and those not at HBRMF. Factors associated with HBRMF were identified using a generalized estimation equation logistic regression model accounting for longitudinal data. Approximately half (47%) of the 304 MSMW (22% of all CohMSM study participants) were at HBRMF. This group accounted for 75% of the 28 HIV seroconversions observed during follow-up (p = 0.001). HBRMF was positively associated with being aged < 25 years (aOR 95% CI 1.67 [1.23-2.27]), being sexually attracted only to men (1.97 [1.38-2.78]), feelings of loneliness (1.92 [1.38-2.65]), and homonegative violence score (1.22 [1.05-1.41]). HBRMF was negatively associated with having had both stable and casual female partners in the previous 6 months (0.34 [0.20-0.60] vs. only a stable female partner). HBRMF tended to be negatively associated with having ≥ 4 sexual intercourses with female partners in the previous four weeks (0.54 [0.27-1.06] vs. no intercourse). Establishing official relationships with women might be a strategy for young and/or stigmatized MSMW to comply with social pressure to display a heterosexual lifestyle. However, this seems to increase the risk of HIV transmission to female partners. In the present study, almost half of MSMW were at HBRMF. This result stresses the need to adapt HIV research and prevention to MSMW and their female partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Fiorentino
- IRD, Inserm, Sciences Economiques and Sociales de la Santé and Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, 13385, France.
| | - Bakary Coulibaly
- ARCAD Santé PLUS, Centre Intégré de Recherche, de Soins et d'Action Communautaire, Bamako, Mali
| | | | - Bintou Dembélé Keita
- ARCAD Santé PLUS, Centre Intégré de Recherche, de Soins et d'Action Communautaire, Bamako, Mali
| | | | - Elias Dah
- Association African Solidarité, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | | | | | | | - Drissa Camara
- ARCAD Santé PLUS, Centre Intégré de Recherche, de Soins et d'Action Communautaire, Bamako, Mali
| | | | - Gwenaëlle Maradan
- IRD, Inserm, Sciences Economiques and Sociales de la Santé and Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, 13385, France
- Observatoire régional de la santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France
| | - Marion Mora
- IRD, Inserm, Sciences Economiques and Sociales de la Santé and Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, 13385, France
| | - Michel Bourrelly
- IRD, Inserm, Sciences Economiques and Sociales de la Santé and Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, 13385, France
| | - Lucas Riegel
- Coalition PLUS, Laboratoire de recherche communautaire, Pantin, France
| | - Daniela Rojas-Castro
- IRD, Inserm, Sciences Economiques and Sociales de la Santé and Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, 13385, France
- Coalition PLUS, Laboratoire de recherche communautaire, Pantin, France
| | - Bruno Spire
- IRD, Inserm, Sciences Economiques and Sociales de la Santé and Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, 13385, France
| | | | - Luis Sagaon-Teyssier
- IRD, Inserm, Sciences Economiques and Sociales de la Santé and Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, 13385, France
- ARCAD Santé PLUS, Centre Intégré de Recherche, de Soins et d'Action Communautaire, Bamako, Mali
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Diop-Ndiaye H, Sène PY, Coulibaly K, Diallo M, Diallo S, Diop K, Sow-Ndoye A, Fall M, Ndiaye AJS, Mathebula E, Ba AA, Lejeune C, Manga NMP, Camara M, Ndour CT, Kane CT. m-PIMA™ HIV1/2 VL: A suitable tool for HIV-1 and HIV-2 viral load quantification in West Africa. J Virol Methods 2024; 324:114872. [PMID: 38128833 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2023.114872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Point-of-Care for HIV viral RNA quantification seems to be a complementary strategy to the existing conventional systems. This study evaluated the performance of the m-PIMA™ HIV1/2 Viral Load for the quantification of both HIV-1 and HIV-2 RNA viral load. A total of 555 HIV-1 and 90 HIV-2 samples previously tested by Abbott RealTime HIV-1 (Abbott, Chicago, USA) and Generic HIV-2® Charge virale (Biocentric, France) were tested using the m-PIMA™ HIV1/2 Viral Load at the HIV National Reference lab in Senegal. For HIV-1, Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman plots showed a coefficient r = 0.97 and a bias of -0.11 log10 copies/ml (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.086 to -0.133 log10 copies/ml) for the m-PIMA™ HIV1/2 Viral Load, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity at 3 log10 copies/ml (threshold of virological failure) were 93.6% (95%[CI]: 91.5% to 95.6%) and 99.1% (95%[CI]: 98.3% to 99.9%), respectively. For HIV-2, a correlation of r = 0.95 was also noted with a bias of - 0.229 log10 copies/ml (95%[CI]: -0.161 to -0.297 log10 copies/ml). Sensitivity and specificity at 3 log10 copies/ml were 97.6% (95%[CI]: 94.3% to 100%) and 93.9% (95%[CI]: 88.9% to 98.8%), respectively. These results confirmed that m-PIMA™ HIV1/2 VL could be a good alternative for HIV-1 and HIV-2 viral load testing in decentralized settings in Senegal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halimatou Diop-Ndiaye
- Cheikh Anta Diop University and Bacteriology-Virology UTH Aristide le Dantec, Dakar, Senegal.
| | | | | | | | - Sada Diallo
- Bacteriology-Virology UTH Aristide le Dantec, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Karim Diop
- Division de Lutte contre le SIDA/IST, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Aissatou Sow-Ndoye
- Institut de Recherche en Santé, de surveillance épidémiologique et de Formation, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Mengue Fall
- Bacteriology-Virology UTH Aristide le Dantec, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Evans Mathebula
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | | | | | - Makhtar Camara
- Cheikh Anta Diop University and Bacteriology-Virology UTH Aristide le Dantec, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Coumba Toure Kane
- Institut de Recherche en Santé, de surveillance épidémiologique et de Formation, Dakar, Senegal
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Kamani J, Nachum-Biala Y, Bukar L, Shand M, Harrus S. Molecular detection of Bartonella quintana, Acinetobacter baumannii and Acinetobacter haemolyticus in Pediculus humanus lice in Nigeria, West Africa. Zoonoses Public Health 2024; 71:48-59. [PMID: 37787179 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
The human lice Pediculus humanus is distributed worldwide but, it thrives and flourishes under conflict situations where people are forced to live in crowded unhygienic conditions. Molecular methods were used to identify and screen human lice for the DNA of pathogens of public health importance in an area that has been under insurgency related to religious and political conflicts with tens of thousands of internally displaced people (IDP). DNA of Bartonella quintana, Acinetobacter baumannii and Acinetobacter haemolyticus was detected in 18.3%, 40.0% and 1.7%, respectively, of human lice collected from children in Maiduguri, Nigeria. More body lice than head lice were positive for pathogen's DNA (64.3% vs. 44.4%; χ2 = 1.3, p = 0.33), but the difference was not significant. Two lice samples were found to harbour mixed DNA of B. quintana and A. baumannii. Phylogenetic analysis of the cytochrome b (cytb) gene sequences of the positive lice specimens placed them into clades A and E. This is the first report on the molecular identification of human lice and the detection of the DNA of pathogens of public health importance in lice in Nigeria, West Africa. The findings of this study will assist policy makers and medical practitioners in formulating a holistic healthcare delivery to IDPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Kamani
- National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria
| | - Yaarit Nachum-Biala
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Laminu Bukar
- National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria
| | - Mike Shand
- School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Shimon Harrus
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
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Amarteyfio KNAA, Bondzie EPK, Reichenberger V, Agyepong IA, Ansah EK, Diarra A, Mirzoev T, Perel P, Yaogo M, Antwi E. Factors influencing primary care access, utilisation and quality of management for patients living with hypertension in West Africa: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e077459. [PMID: 38262652 PMCID: PMC10824043 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hypertension, one of the most prevalent non-communicable diseases in West Africa, can be well managed with good primary care. This scoping review will explore what is documented in the literature about factors that influence primary care access, utilisation and quality of management for patients living with hypertension in West Africa. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The scoping review will employ the approach described by Arksey and O'Malley (2005) . The approach has five stages: (1) formulating the research questions, (2) identifying relevant studies, (3) selecting eligible studies, (4) charting the data and (5) collating, summarising and reporting the results. This review will employ the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis extension for scoping reviews to report the results. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cairn Info and Google Scholar will be searched for publications from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2023. Studies reported in English, French or Portuguese will be considered for inclusion. Research articles, systematic reviews, observational studies and reports that include information on the relevant factors that influence primary care management of hypertension in West Africa will be eligible for inclusion. Study participants should be adults (aged 18 years or older). Clinical case series/case reports, short communications, books, grey literature and conference proceedings will be excluded. Papers on gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia will be excluded. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This review does not require ethics approval. Our dissemination strategy includes peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, presentations at conferences, dissemination to stakeholders and intervention co-production forums.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Veronika Reichenberger
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Centre of Global Change and Health, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Tolib Mirzoev
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Centre of Global Change and Health, London, UK
| | - Pablo Perel
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Centre of Global Change and Health, London, UK
| | - Maurice Yaogo
- Universite Catholique de L'Afrique de L'ouest (UCAO) UBB, Bobodialassou, Burkina Faso
| | - Edward Antwi
- Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Accra, Ghana
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Tran PB, Ali A, Ayesha R, Boehnke JR, Ddungu C, Lall D, Pinkney-Atkinson VJ, van Olmen J. An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the lived experience of people with multimorbidity in low- and middle-income countries. BMJ Glob Health 2024; 9:e013606. [PMID: 38262681 PMCID: PMC10823928 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
People living with multimorbidity (PLWMM) have multiple needs and require long-term personalised care, which necessitates an integrated people-centred approach to healthcare. However, people-centred care may risk being a buzzword in global health and cannot be achieved unless we consider and prioritise the lived experience of the people themselves. This study captures the lived experiences of PLWMM in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) by exploring their perspectives, experiences, and aspirations.We analysed 50 semi-structured interview responses from 10 LMICs across three regions-South Asia, Latin America, and Western Africa-using an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach.The bodily, social, and system experiences of illness by respondents were multidirectional and interactive, and largely captured the complexity of living with multimorbidity. Despite expensive treatments, many experienced little improvements in their conditions and felt that healthcare was not tailored to their needs. Disease management involved multiple and fragmented healthcare providers with lack of guidance, resulting in repetitive procedures, loss of time, confusion, and frustration. Financial burden was exacerbated by lost productivity and extreme finance coping strategies, creating a vicious cycle. Against the backdrop of uncertainty and disruption due to illness, many demonstrated an ability to cope with their conditions and navigate the healthcare system. Respondents' priorities were reflective of their desire to return to a pre-illness way of life-resuming work, caring for family, and maintaining a sense of independence and normalcy despite illness. Respondents had a wide range of needs that required financial, health education, integrated care, and mental health support.In discussion with respondents on outcomes, it appeared that many have complementary views about what is important and relevant, which may differ from the outcomes established by clinicians and researchers. This knowledge needs to complement and be incorporated into existing research and treatment models to ensure healthcare remains focused on the human and our evolving needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuong Bich Tran
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Ayaz Ali
- Institute of Psychiatry, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Rubab Ayesha
- Institute of Psychiatry, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Jan R Boehnke
- School of Health Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Charles Ddungu
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Dorothy Lall
- Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Josefien van Olmen
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
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Tokponnon TF, Ossè R, Yovogan B, Guidi E, Adoha CJ, Sominanhouin A, Ahouandjinou J, Sidick A, Akogbeto MC. Presence of Plasmodium vivax in Anopheles gambiae and absence in other malaria vectors in Cove-Zagnanando-Ouinhi health zone in southern Benin, West Africa. Malar J 2024; 23:20. [PMID: 38225627 PMCID: PMC10790420 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04834-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria remains a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Benin. The present study aims to evaluate the different Plasmodium species transmitted by malaria vectors in the communes of Cove, Zagnanado and Ouinhi, Southern Benin. METHODS The study was conducted between December 2021 and October 2022 in 60 villages spread over the three study communes. Adult mosquitoes were collected from four houses in each village using human landing catches (HLCs). After morphological identification, a subsample of Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles funestus and Anopheles nili was analysed by PCR to test for their infection to the different Plasmodium species. RESULTS Anopheles gambiae was collected at higher frequency in all the three study communes, representing 93.5% (95% CI 92.9-94) of all collected mosquitoes (n = 10,465). In total, five molecular species were found, An. gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.) and Anopheles coluzzii of the Gambiae complex, An. funestus and Anopheles leesoni of the Funestus group, and An. nili s.s., the sole species of the Nili group. From the five molecular species, four (An. gambiae s.s., An. coluzzii, An. funestus s.s. and An. nili s.s.) were found to be infected. Plasmodium falciparum was the main Plasmodium species in the study area, followed by Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale. Only An. gambiae s.s. was infected with all three Plasmodium species, while An. coluzzii was infected with two species, P. falciparum and P. vivax. CONCLUSIONS Plasmodium falciparum was the only species tested for in malaria vectors in Benin, and remains the only one against which most control tools are directed. It is, therefore, necessary that particular attention be paid to secondary Plasmodium species for an efficient control of the disease. The presence of P. vivax emphasizes the need for an update of case management for malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatchémè Filémon Tokponnon
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Ministère de la Santé, Cotonou, Benin.
- Ecole Polytechnique d'Abomey Calavi, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
| | - Razaki Ossè
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Ministère de la Santé, Cotonou, Benin
- Ecole de Gestion et d'Exploitation des Systèmes d'Elevage, Université Nationale d'Agriculture, Ketou, Benin
| | - Boulais Yovogan
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Ministère de la Santé, Cotonou, Benin
- Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université d'Abomey Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Ella Guidi
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Ministère de la Santé, Cotonou, Benin
- Ecole Polytechnique d'Abomey Calavi, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Constantin J Adoha
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Ministère de la Santé, Cotonou, Benin
- Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université d'Abomey Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - André Sominanhouin
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Ministère de la Santé, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Juvenal Ahouandjinou
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Ministère de la Santé, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Aboubakar Sidick
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Ministère de la Santé, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Martin C Akogbeto
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Ministère de la Santé, Cotonou, Benin
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Owusu DN, Duah HO, Dwomoh D, Alhassan Y. Prevalence and determinants of diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections among children aged under five years in West Africa: evidence from demographic and health surveys. Int Health 2024; 16:97-106. [PMID: 37387288 PMCID: PMC10759282 DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihad046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diarrhoea and pneumonia are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children aged <5 y (under five) globally. This study sought to investigate the prevalence and determinants of diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections (ARIs) among children under five in West Africa. METHODS The most recent demographic and health survey (DHS) standard for 13 West African countries was used in the study. We calculated the prevalence of diarrhoea and ARIs (2 wk prior to the survey) and performed multivariable complex logistic regression analysis to identify possible predictors of diarrhoea and ARIs. RESULTS The weighted prevalence of diarrhoea and ARI was 13.7% and 15.9%, respectively. The prevalence of comorbid diarrhoea and ARI was 4.4%. Children aged <2 y (p<0.001), mothers aged <30 y (p<0.003), mothers without formal education (p<0.001), poor households (p<0.001) and poor nutritional status, wasting (p=0.005) and underweight (p<0.001), were the independent predictors of diarrhoea. The independent predictors of ARIs were children with no childhood vaccinations (p=0.002), use of solid fuel in the household (p=0.007), being underweight (p=0.05) and diarrhoea (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The findings imply the need for holistic public health interventions such as increased vaccination coverage, population-based nutritional programmes and campaigns on the use of cleaner cooking fuel targeted at high-risk subgroups in the population to reduce the burden and adverse effects of diarrhoea and ARIs in the West African region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derrick Nyantakyi Owusu
- Research Department, FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital, P.O.Box KD 779, Accra-Ghana
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, P.O. Box LG 118, Accra, Ghana
| | - Henry Ofori Duah
- College of Nursing, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati 45221, Ohio
| | - Duah Dwomoh
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, P.O. Box LG 118, Accra, Ghana
| | - Yakubu Alhassan
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, P.O. Box LG 118, Accra, Ghana
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Correia E, Granadeiro JP, Santos B, Mata VA, Dias E, Regalla A, Catry T. Diet of the critically endangered blackchin guitarfish Glaucostegus cemiculus revealed using DNA metabarcoding. J Fish Biol 2024; 104:324-328. [PMID: 37787164 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
We present the first assessment of the diet of the blackchin guitarfish Glaucostegus cemiculus (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1817) for West Africa using DNA metabarcoding on stomach contents of individuals captured in the Bijagós Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau. The diet was dominated by crustaceans, particularly caramote prawn Penaeus kerathurus (frequency of occurrence [FO] = 74%, numerical frequency [NF] = 54%) and fiddler crab Afruca tangeri (FO = 74%, NF = 12%). Bony fishes were present in 30% of the stomachs. We highlight the importance of conservation action for intertidal habitats and their associated benthic invertebrates for the survival of the critically endangered blackchin guitarfish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edna Correia
- Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - José Pedro Granadeiro
- Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Bárbara Santos
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Vanessa A Mata
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Emanuel Dias
- Instituto da Biodiversidade e das Áreas Protegidas, Dr. Alfredo Simão da Silva (IBAP), Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
| | - Aissa Regalla
- Instituto da Biodiversidade e das Áreas Protegidas, Dr. Alfredo Simão da Silva (IBAP), Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
| | - Teresa Catry
- Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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Sogbossi ES, Arnould C, Kpadonou TG, Batcho CS, Bleyenheuft Y. Measuring global activity performance in children with cerebral palsy in West Africa: validation of an adapted version of the ACTIVLIM-CP questionnaire. Disabil Rehabil 2024; 46:170-179. [PMID: 36495153 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2154083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To calibrate a West-African version of the ACTIVLIM-CP questionnaire (ACTIVLIM-CP-WA) for children with cerebral palsy (CP). MATERIALS AND METHODS We recruited 287 children with CP of various age range: 2-6 years (n = 117, preschoolers), 6-12 years (n = 96, children) and 12-19 years (n = 74, adolescents). Caregivers of children of each age range completed the experimental version of the ACTIVLIM-CP-WA including 76 (preschoolers), 78 (children) and 76 (adolescents) global daily life activities. Responses were analyzed using the Rasch RUMM2030 software. RESULTS The final West-African version of ACTIVLIM-CP including 31 items (both common and age-specific items) defined a unidimensional, linear scale with well-discriminated response categories. It presented a high internal consistency (R = 0.94). Moreover, all items were locally independent and the item difficulty hierarchy was invariant regarding caregivers' education, children's age and gender, MACS and GMFCS levels. The ACTIVLIM-CP-WA measures were significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with Gross Motor Function Classification System (ρ = -0.77), Manual Ability Classification System (ρ = -0.75), Box and Block test (dominant hand r = 0.51; non-dominant hand r = 0.49), One-minute walking test (r = 0.28), and Timed up and Go test (r = -0.40). CONCLUSIONS The ACTIVLIM-CP-WA questionnaire provides a valid and reliable tool that has the potential to follow children's evolution and quantify changes consecutive to neurorehabilitation in Sub-Saharan Africa.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThe West-African version of the ACTIVLIM-CP questionnaire (ACTIVLIM-CP-WA) measures global activities requiring a combination of lower and upper extremities in children with cerebral palsy.As a Rasch-built scale, measures are unidimensional and linear to document changes in children with cerebral palsy from 2 to 19 years in Sub-Saharan Africa.Rehabilitation professionals are encouraged to use the ACTIVLIM-CP-WA questionnaire as a psychometrically robust assessment tool measuring the global performance in daily life activities in children with cerebral palsy in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Segnon Sogbossi
- Motor Skill Learning and Intensive Neurorehabilitation Lab, Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Carlyne Arnould
- Forme & Fonctionnement Humain Lab, Physical and Occupational Therapy Departments, Haute Ecole Louvain en Hainaut, Montignies-sur-Sambre, Belgium
| | - Toussaint G Kpadonou
- School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
- Clinique Universitaire de Médecine Physique et Réadaptation, Centre National Hospitalier et Universitaire Hubert Koutoukou MAGA (CNHU-HKM) de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Charles Sebiyo Batcho
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration, Laval University, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, Canada
| | - Yannick Bleyenheuft
- Motor Skill Learning and Intensive Neurorehabilitation Lab, Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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Nguyen LBL, Lemoine M, Ndow G, Ward ZJ, Hallet TB, D'Alessandro U, Thursz M, Nayagam S, Shimakawa Y. Treat All versus targeted strategies to select HBV-infected people for antiviral therapy in The Gambia, west Africa: a cost-effectiveness analysis. Lancet Glob Health 2024; 12:e66-e78. [PMID: 38097300 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(23)00467-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Global elimination of hepatitis B virus (HBV) requires expanded uptake of antiviral therapy, potentially by simplifying testing algorithms, especially in resource-limited countries. We evaluated the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and budget impact of three strategies that determine eligibility for anti-HBV treatment, as compared with the WHO 2015 treatment eligibility criteria, in The Gambia. METHODS We developed a microsimulation model of natural history using data from the Prevention of Liver Fibrosis and Cancer in Africa programme (known as PROLIFICA) in The Gambia, for an HBV-infected cohort of individuals aged 20 years. The algorithms included in the model were a conventional strategy using the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) 2017 criteria, a simplified algorithm using hepatitis B e antigen and alanine aminotransferase (the Treatment Eligibility in Africa for the Hepatitis B Virus [TREAT-B] score), a Treat All approach for all HBV-infected individuals, and the WHO 2015 criteria. Outcomes to measure effectiveness were disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and years of life saved (YLS), which were used to calculate incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) with the WHO 2015 criteria as the base-case scenario. Costs were assessed from a modified social perspective. A budget impact analysis was also done. We tested the robustness of results with a range of sensitiviy analyses including probabilistic sensitivity analysis. FINDINGS Compared with the WHO criteria, TREAT-B resulted in 4877 DALYs averted and Treat All resulted in 9352 DALYs averted, whereas the EASL criteria led to an excess of 795 DALYs. TREAT-B was cost-saving, whereas the ICER for Treat All (US$2149 per DALY averted) was higher than the cost-effectiveness threshold for The Gambia (0·5 times the country's gross domestic product per capita: $352). These patterns did not change when YLS was the outcome. In a modelled cohort of 5000 adults (aged 20 years) with chronic HBV infection from The Gambia, the 5-year budget impact was $1·14 million for Treat All, $0·66 million for TREAT-B, $1·03 million for the WHO criteria, and $1·16 million for the EASL criteria. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicated that among the Treat All, EASL, and TREAT-B algorithms, Treat All would become the most preferred strategy only with a willingness-to-pay threshold exceeding approximately $72 000 per DALY averted or $110 000 per YLS. INTERPRETATION Although the Treat All strategy might be the most effective, it is unlikely to be cost-effective in The Gambia. A simplified strategy such as TREAT-B might be a cost-saving alternative. FUNDING UK Research and Innovation (Medical Research Council). TRANSLATION For the French translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liem B Luong Nguyen
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unité d'Épidémiologie des Maladies Émergentes, Paris, France; CIC Cochin Pasteur, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Maud Lemoine
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Division of Digestive Disease, Liver Unit, St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College London, UK; Medical Research Council Unit, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Gibril Ndow
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Division of Digestive Disease, Liver Unit, St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College London, UK; Medical Research Council Unit, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Zachary J Ward
- Center for Health Decision Science, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Timothy B Hallet
- Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Umberto D'Alessandro
- Medical Research Council Unit, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Mark Thursz
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Division of Digestive Disease, Liver Unit, St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Shevanthi Nayagam
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Division of Digestive Disease, Liver Unit, St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College London, UK; Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Yusuke Shimakawa
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unité d'Épidémiologie des Maladies Émergentes, Paris, France.
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Ouedraogo P, Kanzyemo L, Razza R, Pietra V, Belemsobgom E, Schumacher RF. Transition of adolescents living with HIV from pediatric to adult care, a retrospective 12-year Single Center Study from the Sahel Region in West-Africa. AIDS Care 2024; 36:53-59. [PMID: 36942457 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2023.2190955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACTTransition is the next major hurdle in the field of HIV-infected youth, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. At St Camille Hospital in Ouagadougou, fully informed and compliant patients over 13-years-old were eligible for referral to the adult HIV/AIDS service, after completion of an individualized preparatory process. Transition consisted in at least two consecutive "joined-service" appointments in the respective facilities. We retrospectively compared immunological, clinical, and therapeutical data one year before transition, at transition and one year after transition. Between 2008 and 2019 73 patients (34 females, 39 males) were transitioned. All had been previously in pediatric care for at least 1 year and 66 were on HAART. Matched paired analysis of CD4 counts revealed a modest drop in CD4 cells over time (p < 0.05). Clinical data also showed strong fluctuation between WHO clinical stages over the three time points, with a clear trend towards increased severity especially post transfer. This large retrospective 12-year single-center experience from a Sahel country showed a 95.8% retention rate at one year. It demonstrates how a comprehensive plan, carefully implemented, can provide excellent retention, even in a low-resource setting. However, mild immunological decline was associated with a worrisome clinical deterioration, underlining the importance of assessing the latter after transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Ouedraogo
- Pediatric HIV service, "Hôpital St Camille de Ouagadougou", Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Lolita Kanzyemo
- Pediatric HIV service, "Hôpital St Camille de Ouagadougou", Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Rossana Razza
- Pediatric HIV service, "Hôpital St Camille de Ouagadougou", Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- University Children's Hospital, "Ospedale dei Bambini", ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
- Medicus Mundi Italy, Office of Ouagadougou, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Virginio Pietra
- Medicus Mundi Italy, Office of Ouagadougou, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- Adult HIV service, "Hôpital St Camille de Ouagadougou", Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Eric Belemsobgom
- Adult HIV service, "Hôpital St Camille de Ouagadougou", Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Richard Fabian Schumacher
- University Children's Hospital, "Ospedale dei Bambini", ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
- Medicus Mundi Italy, Office of Ouagadougou, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
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Djihouessi MB, Sossa F, Djihouessi BM, Degan BAS, Djondo M, Djidohokpin G, Odountan OH, Houngue R, Houessou L, Lougbegnon TO, Tigo BA, Fousseni AR, Aina MP. Environmental Flows Assessment Based on the Coupling of Water Level and Salinity Requirements for Maintaining Biodiversity: A Case Study from the Ouémé delta in West Africa. Environ Manage 2024; 73:115-129. [PMID: 37891387 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-023-01899-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
The present study carried out on the Ouémé delta in West Africa, addresses the implementation of the BBM approach for the determination e-flows in a context of high data limitation. It also highlights the potential challenges for the implementation of the recommended e-flows in West Africa countries. To do this, we first established the current ecological status of the delta based on data collection, measurements and scientists' observations. Then, we formulated ecological objectives for e-flows based on the environmental management vision for the delta. And finally, we determined the water requirements for the sustainability of the biodiversity and ecosystem services using a simple 2D hydrodynamic model. The results indicate that 100 and 50% of the average natural flows are required respectively in low-water and high-water periods (3.4 billion m3 per year) to maintain the Ouémé Delta in its current environmental management class. This recommendation for e-flows allocation is in direct competition with the water requirements for the economic development of the delta, which is estimated to be over 3.0 billion m3 per year in the Master Plan for Water Development and Management. While it is clear that the establishment of e-flows recommendations must be accompanied by measures to limit the degradation of ecological habitats, it is even more clear that the economic development remained the main concern of policymakers. The integration of environmental flows into water resources management policies in developing countries requires linking water needs for economic development with water needs for the ecological sustainability of rivers and their associated ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Metogbe Belfrid Djihouessi
- Laboratoire des Sciences et Techniques de l'Eau et de l'Environnement, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey Calavi, Benin.
- Chaire UNESCO en Sciences, Technologies et Environnement, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey Calavi, Benin.
| | - Fidèle Sossa
- Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Appliquée et d'Education au Développement Durable, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey Calavi, Benin
| | - Berneed Mahounan Djihouessi
- École des Sciences et Techniques de Production Végétale, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey Calavi, Benin
| | - Berenger Arcadius S Degan
- Laboratoire d'Hydrologie Appliquée, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey Calavi, Benin
- Laboratoire d'Energétique et de Mécanique Appliquée, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey Calavi, Benin
| | - Maximin Djondo
- Department of Water Resources and Ecosystems, IHE-Delft, Delft, The Netherlands
- Benin Environment and Education Society, Porto-Novo, Benin
| | - Gildas Djidohokpin
- Laboratoire de Recherche sur les Zones Humides, Departement de Zoologie, Université d'Abomey Calavi, Abomey Calavi, Benin
- Institut de Recherches Halieutiques et Océanologiques du Bénin, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Olaniran Hamed Odountan
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie et de Management des Ecosystèmes Aquatiques, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey Calavi, Benin
| | | | - Laurent Houessou
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie, Botanique et Biologie Végétale, Université de Parakou, Parakou, Benin
| | | | - Beatrix A Tigo
- Laboratoire des Sciences et Techniques de l'Eau et de l'Environnement, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey Calavi, Benin
| | - Abdoul Rachad Fousseni
- Laboratoire des Sciences et Techniques de l'Eau et de l'Environnement, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey Calavi, Benin
| | - Martin Pepin Aina
- Laboratoire des Sciences et Techniques de l'Eau et de l'Environnement, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey Calavi, Benin
- Chaire UNESCO en Sciences, Technologies et Environnement, Université d'Abomey-Calavi, Abomey Calavi, Benin
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Fortes-Lima CA, Burgarella C, Hammarén R, Eriksson A, Vicente M, Jolly C, Semo A, Gunnink H, Pacchiarotti S, Mundeke L, Matonda I, Muluwa JK, Coutros P, Nyambe TS, Cikomola JC, Coetzee V, de Castro M, Ebbesen P, Delanghe J, Stoneking M, Barham L, Lombard M, Meyer A, Steyn M, Malmström H, Rocha J, Soodyall H, Pakendorf B, Bostoen K, Schlebusch CM. The genetic legacy of the expansion of Bantu-speaking peoples in Africa. Nature 2024; 625:540-547. [PMID: 38030719 PMCID: PMC10794141 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06770-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
The expansion of people speaking Bantu languages is the most dramatic demographic event in Late Holocene Africa and fundamentally reshaped the linguistic, cultural and biological landscape of the continent1-7. With a comprehensive genomic dataset, including newly generated data of modern-day and ancient DNA from previously unsampled regions in Africa, we contribute insights into this expansion that started 6,000-4,000 years ago in western Africa. We genotyped 1,763 participants, including 1,526 Bantu speakers from 147 populations across 14 African countries, and generated whole-genome sequences from 12 Late Iron Age individuals8. We show that genetic diversity amongst Bantu-speaking populations declines with distance from western Africa, with current-day Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo as possible crossroads of interaction. Using spatially explicit methods9 and correlating genetic, linguistic and geographical data, we provide cross-disciplinary support for a serial-founder migration model. We further show that Bantu speakers received significant gene flow from local groups in regions they expanded into. Our genetic dataset provides an exhaustive modern-day African comparative dataset for ancient DNA studies10 and will be important to a wide range of disciplines from science and humanities, as well as to the medical sector studying human genetic variation and health in African and African-descendant populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar A Fortes-Lima
- Human Evolution Program, Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Concetta Burgarella
- Human Evolution Program, Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- AGAP Institut, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Institut Agro, Montpellier, France
| | - Rickard Hammarén
- Human Evolution Program, Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anders Eriksson
- cGEM, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mário Vicente
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, University of Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecile Jolly
- Human Evolution Program, Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Armando Semo
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Hilde Gunnink
- UGent Centre for Bantu Studies (BantUGent), Department of Languages and Cultures, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Leiden University Centre for Linguistics, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sara Pacchiarotti
- UGent Centre for Bantu Studies (BantUGent), Department of Languages and Cultures, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Leon Mundeke
- University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Igor Matonda
- University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Joseph Koni Muluwa
- Institut Supérieur Pédagogique de Kikwit, Kikwit, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Peter Coutros
- UGent Centre for Bantu Studies (BantUGent), Department of Languages and Cultures, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | | | - Vinet Coetzee
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Minique de Castro
- Biotechnology Platform, Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Peter Ebbesen
- Department of Health Science and Technology, University of Aalborg, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Joris Delanghe
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mark Stoneking
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
- Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, UMR 5558, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Lawrence Barham
- Department of Archaeology, Classics & Egyptology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Marlize Lombard
- Palaeo-Research Institute, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Anja Meyer
- Human Variation and Identification Research Unit, School of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Maryna Steyn
- Human Variation and Identification Research Unit, School of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Helena Malmström
- Human Evolution Program, Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Palaeo-Research Institute, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jorge Rocha
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Himla Soodyall
- Division of Human Genetics, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Academy of Science of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Koen Bostoen
- UGent Centre for Bantu Studies (BantUGent), Department of Languages and Cultures, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Carina M Schlebusch
- Human Evolution Program, Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Palaeo-Research Institute, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa.
- SciLifeLab, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Budu E, Ahinkorah BO, Okyere J, Seidu AA, Aboagye RG, Yaya S. High risk fertility behaviour and health facility delivery in West Africa. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:842. [PMID: 38062455 PMCID: PMC10704621 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-06107-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence suggests that women who give birth in a health facility have lower odds of experiencing pregnancy complications and significantly reduced risk of death from pregnancy-related causes compared to women who deliver at home. Establishing the association between high-risk fertility behaviour (HRFB) and health facility delivery is imperative to inform intervention to help reduce maternal mortality. This study examined the association between HRFB and health facility delivery in West Africa. METHODS Data for the study were extracted from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys of twelve countries in West Africa conducted from 2010 to 2020. A total of 69,479 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) were included in the study. Place of delivery was the outcome variable in this study. Three parameters were used as indicators of HRFB based on previous studies. These were age at first birth, short birth interval, and high parity. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between HRFB and place of delivery and the results were presented using crude odds ratio (cOR) and adjusted odds ratio (aOR), with their respective 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS More than half (67.64%) of the women delivered in a health facility. Women who had their first birth after 34 years (aOR = 0.52; 95% CI = 0.46-0.59), those with short birth interval (aOR = 0.91; 95% CI = 0.87-0.96), and those with high parity (aOR = 0.58; 95% CI = 0.55-0.60) were less likely to deliver in a health compared to those whose age at first delivery was 18-34 years, those without short birth interval, and those with no history of high parity, respectively. The odds of health facility delivery was higher among women whose first birth occurred at an age less than 18 years compared to those whose age at first birth was 18-34 years (aOR = 1.17; 95% CI = 1.07-1.28). CONCLUSION HRFB significantly predicts women's likelihood of delivering in a health facility in West Africa. Older age at first birth, shorter birth interval, and high parity lowered women's likelihood of delivering in a health facility. To promote health facility delivery among women in West Africa, it is imperative for policies and interventions on health facility delivery to target at risk sub-populations (i.e., multiparous women, those with shorter birth intervals and women whose first birth occurs at older maternal age). Contraceptive use and awareness creation on the importance of birth spacing should be encouraged among women of reproductive age in West Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Budu
- Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, P.O. Box 77, Accra, Ghana
| | - Bright Opoku Ahinkorah
- REMS Consult Limited, Sekondi-Takoradi, Western Region, Ghana
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Joshua Okyere
- Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
- Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Abdul-Aziz Seidu
- REMS Consult Limited, Sekondi-Takoradi, Western Region, Ghana
- Centre for Gender and Advocacy, Takoradi Technical University, Takoradi, Ghana
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Richard Gyan Aboagye
- Department of Family and Community Health, Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Hohoe, Ghana
| | - Sanni Yaya
- School of International Development and Global Studies, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
- The George Institute for Global Health, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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Besharati S, Akinyemi R. Accelerating African neuroscience to provide an equitable framework using perspectives from West and Southern Africa. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8107. [PMID: 38062039 PMCID: PMC10703764 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43943-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sahba Besharati
- Department of Psychology, School of Human and Community Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
- CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars Program, CIFAR, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Rufus Akinyemi
- Neuroscience and Ageing Research Unit, Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Centre for Genomic and Precision Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
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Okwor T, Mbala PK, Evans DH, Kindrachuk J. A contemporary review of clade-specific virological differences in monkeypox viruses. Clin Microbiol Infect 2023; 29:1502-1507. [PMID: 37507009 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2023.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is an emerging zoonotic virus that has had on-going public health impacts in endemic regions of Central and West Africa for over a half-century. Historically, the MPXV clade endemic in regions of Central Africa is associated with higher morbidity and mortality as compared with the clade endemic in West Africa. OBJECTIVES Here, we review the virological characteristics of MPXV and discuss potential relationships between virulence factors and clade- (and subclade-) specific differences in virulence and transmission patterns. SOURCES Targeted search was conducted in PubMed using ((monkeypox virus) OR (Orthopoxvirus)) AND (zoonosis)) OR ((monkeypox) OR (human mpox). CONTENT Forty-seven references were considered that included three publicly available data reports and/or press releases, one book chapter, and 44 published manuscripts. IMPLICATIONS Although zoonosis has been historically linked to emergence events in humans, epidemiological analyses of more recent outbreaks have identified increasing frequencies of human-to-human transmission. Furthermore, viral transmission during the 2022 global human mpox outbreak, caused by a recently identified MPXV subclade, has relied exclusively on human-to-human contact with no known zoonotic link.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tochi Okwor
- Department of Planning, Research & Statistics, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Placide K Mbala
- Département de Virologie, Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Département de Biologie Médicale, Université de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - David H Evans
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology and Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, The University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jason Kindrachuk
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
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Cadmus S, Taiwo OJ, Akinseye V, Cadmus E, Famokun G, Fagbemi S, Ansumana R, Omoluabi A, Ayinmode A, Oluwayelu D, Odemuyiwa S, Tomori O. Ecological correlates and predictors of Lassa fever incidence in Ondo State, Nigeria 2017-2021: an emerging urban trend. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20855. [PMID: 38012226 PMCID: PMC10682180 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47820-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Lassa fever (LF) is prevalent in many West African countries, including Nigeria. Efforts to combat LF have primarily focused on rural areas where interactions between rodents and humans are common. However, recent studies indicate a shift in its occurrence from rural to urban areas. We analysed secondary data of reported LF outbreaks from 2017 to 2021 in Ondo State, Nigeria to identify the distribution pattern, ecological variations, and other determinants of disease spread from the ward level using nearest neighbour statistics and regression analysis. Data utilised include LF incidence, ecological variables involving population, nighttime light intensity, vegetation, temperature, market presence, road length, and building area coverage. ArcGIS Pro 3.0 software was employed for spatial analysis. Results revealed spatio-temporal clustering of LF incidents between 2017 and 2021, with an increasing trend followed by a decline in 2021. All wards in Owo Local Government Area were identified as LF hotspots. The ecological variables exhibited significant correlations with the number of LF cases in the wards, except for maximum temperature. Notably, these variables varied significantly between wards with confirmed LF and those without. Therefore, it is important to prioritise strategies for mitigating LF outbreaks in urban areas of Nigeria and other LF-endemic countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simeon Cadmus
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
- Damien Foundation Genomics and Mycobacteria Research and Training Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
- Centre for Control and Prevention of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
| | | | - Victor Akinseye
- Damien Foundation Genomics and Mycobacteria Research and Training Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Augustine University, Ilara-Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria
| | - Eniola Cadmus
- Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Gboyega Famokun
- Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, Ondo State Ministry of Health, Ondo State, Nigeria
| | - Stephen Fagbemi
- Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, Ondo State Ministry of Health, Ondo State, Nigeria
| | - Rashid Ansumana
- School of Community Health Sciences, Njala University, Bo, Sierra Leone
| | | | - Adekunle Ayinmode
- Centre for Control and Prevention of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Daniel Oluwayelu
- Centre for Control and Prevention of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Solomon Odemuyiwa
- Centre for Control and Prevention of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Oyewale Tomori
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer's University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
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Kantele A, Riekkinen M, Jokiranta TS, Pakkanen SH, Pietilä JP, Patjas A, Eriksson M, Khawaja T, Klemets P, Marttinen K, Siikamäki H, Lundgren A, Holmgren J, Lissmats A, Carlin N, Svennerholm AM. Safety and immunogenicity of ETVAX®, an oral inactivated vaccine against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli diarrhoea: a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial amongst Finnish travellers to Benin, West Africa. J Travel Med 2023; 30:taad045. [PMID: 37099803 PMCID: PMC10658657 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taad045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND No licensed human vaccines are available against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), a major diarrhoeal pathogen affecting children in low- and middle-income countries and foreign travellers alike. ETVAX®, a multivalent oral whole-cell vaccine containing four inactivated ETEC strains and the heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit (LTB), has proved promising in Phase 1 and Phase 1/ 2 studies. METHODS We conducted a Phase 2b double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial amongst Finnish travellers to Benin, West Africa. This report presents study design and safety and immunogenicity data. Volunteers aged 18-65 years were randomized 1:1 to receive ETVAX® or placebo. They visited Benin for 12 days, provided stool and blood samples and completed adverse event (AE) forms. IgA and IgG antibodies to LTB and O78 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were measured by electrochemiluminescence. RESULTS The AEs did not differ significantly between vaccine (n = 374) and placebo (n = 375) recipients. Of the solicited AEs, loose stools/diarrhoea (26.7/25.9%) and stomach ache (23.0/20.0%) were reported most commonly. Of all possibly/probably vaccine-related AEs, the most frequent were gastrointestinal symptoms (54.0/48.8%) and nervous system disorders (20.3/25.1%). Serious AEs were recorded for 4.3/5.6%, all unlikely to be vaccine related. Amongst the ETVAX® recipients, LTB-specific IgA antibodies increased 22-fold. For the 370/372 vaccine/placebo recipients, the frequency of ≥2-fold increases against LTB was 81/2.4%, and against O78 LPS 69/2.7%. The majority of ETVAX® recipients (93%) responded to either LTB or O78. CONCLUSIONS This Phase 2b trial is the largest on ETVAX® undertaken amongst travellers to date. ETVAX® showed an excellent safety profile and proved strongly immunogenic, which encourages the further development of this vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anu Kantele
- Meilahti Vaccine Research Center, MeVac, University of Helsinki and Department of Infectious Diseases, Inflammation Center, HUS, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Human Microbiome Research Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Travel Clinic, Aava Medical Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marianna Riekkinen
- Meilahti Vaccine Research Center, MeVac, University of Helsinki and Department of Infectious Diseases, Inflammation Center, HUS, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Human Microbiome Research Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Travel Clinic, Aava Medical Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - T Sakari Jokiranta
- United Medix Laboratories/Synlab Finland Ltd, Helsinki, Finland
- Medicum, Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Mobidiag Ltd, Espoo, Finland
| | - Sari H Pakkanen
- Meilahti Vaccine Research Center, MeVac, University of Helsinki and Department of Infectious Diseases, Inflammation Center, HUS, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Human Microbiome Research Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jukka-Pekka Pietilä
- Meilahti Vaccine Research Center, MeVac, University of Helsinki and Department of Infectious Diseases, Inflammation Center, HUS, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Human Microbiome Research Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Travel Clinic, Aava Medical Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anu Patjas
- Meilahti Vaccine Research Center, MeVac, University of Helsinki and Department of Infectious Diseases, Inflammation Center, HUS, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Human Microbiome Research Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Travel Clinic, Aava Medical Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mari Eriksson
- Meilahti Vaccine Research Center, MeVac, University of Helsinki and Department of Infectious Diseases, Inflammation Center, HUS, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tamim Khawaja
- Meilahti Vaccine Research Center, MeVac, University of Helsinki and Department of Infectious Diseases, Inflammation Center, HUS, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Human Microbiome Research Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Peter Klemets
- Meilahti Vaccine Research Center, MeVac, University of Helsinki and Department of Infectious Diseases, Inflammation Center, HUS, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kati Marttinen
- Meilahti Vaccine Research Center, MeVac, University of Helsinki and Department of Infectious Diseases, Inflammation Center, HUS, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Heli Siikamäki
- Meilahti Vaccine Research Center, MeVac, University of Helsinki and Department of Infectious Diseases, Inflammation Center, HUS, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anna Lundgren
- Gothenburg University Vaccine Research Institute, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jan Holmgren
- Gothenburg University Vaccine Research Institute, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | | | - Ann-Mari Svennerholm
- Gothenburg University Vaccine Research Institute, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Furuyama W, Davey RT, Chertow DS, Marzi A. A Single Case Observation: Is the Ebola Virus Soluble Glycoprotein an Indicator of Viral Recrudescence? J Infect Dis 2023; 228:S631-S634. [PMID: 37474251 PMCID: PMC10651190 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
This case study investigated the long-term expression dynamics of Ebola virus (EBOV) soluble glycoprotein (sGP) in the serum of a patient who was infected with EBOV in West Africa and recovered from acute Ebola virus disease (EVD) at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Samples from this patient were collected during acute EVD and during convalescence up to day 361 following illness onset. Although blood samples were negative by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction after recovery from acute EVD, we detected small amounts of EBOV sGP in the serum of the patient long after recovery, potentially indicating viral recrudescence. As this was only observed in a single patient, additional longitudinal patient samples are needed to confirm our hypothesis that EBOV sGP may be an indicator of viral recrudescence long after recovery from acute EVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wakako Furuyama
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana
| | - Richard T Davey
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Daniel S Chertow
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Andrea Marzi
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana
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43
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Dadjo J, Omonaiye O, Yaya S. Health insurance coverage and access to child and maternal health services in West Africa: a systematic scoping review. Int Health 2023; 15:644-654. [PMID: 37609993 PMCID: PMC10629958 DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihad071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to the United Nations, the third Sustainable Development Goal, 'Ensure Healthy Lives and Promote Well-Being at All Ages', set numerous targets on child and maternal health. Universal health insurance is broadly seen as a solution to fulfil these targets. West Africa is known to have the most severe maternal mortality and under-five mortality rates in the world. This review seeks to understand whether health insurance provides increased access to services for mothers and children in this region. METHODS The protocol for this review is registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews database (CRD42020203859). A search was conducted in the MEDLINE Complete, Embase, CINAHL Complete and Global Health databases. Eligible studies were from West African countries. The population of interest was mothers and children and the outcome of interest was the impact of health insurance on access to services. Data were extracted using a standardized form. The primary outcome was the impact of health insurance on the rate of utilization and access to services. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool was used for methodological assessment. RESULTS Following screening, we retained 49 studies representing 51 study settings. In most study settings, health insurance increased access to child and maternal health services. Other determinants of access were socio-economic factors such as wealth and education. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that health insurance may be a viable long-term strategy to alleviate West Africa's burden of high maternal and child mortality rates. An equity lens must guide future policy developments and significant research is needed to determine how to provide access reliably and sustainably to services for mothers and children in the near and long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Dadjo
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Olumuyiwa Omonaiye
- Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood, Victoria, Australia
- Deakin University Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research – Eastern Health Partnership, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sanni Yaya
- School of International Development and Global Studies, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- George Institute for Global Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
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44
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Shaffer M, Fischer RJ, Gallogly S, Ginn O, Munster V, Bibby K. Environmental Persistence and Disinfection of Lassa Virus. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:2285-2291. [PMID: 37877545 PMCID: PMC10617325 DOI: 10.3201/eid2911.230678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Lassa fever, caused by Lassa virus (LASV), is endemic to West Africa, where ≈300,000 illnesses and ≈5,000 deaths occur annually. LASV is primarily spread by infected multimammate rats via urine and fomites, highlighting the need to understand the environmental fate of LASV. We evaluated persistence of LASV Josiah and Sauerwald strains on surfaces, in aqueous solutions, and with sodium hypochlorite disinfection. Tested strains were more stable in deionized water (first-order rate constant [k] for Josiah, 0.23 days; for Sauerwald, k = 0.34 days) than primary influent wastewater (Josiah, k = 1.3 days; Sauerwald, k = 1.9 days). Both strains had similar decay rates on high-density polyethylene (Josiah, k = 4.3 days; Sauerwald, k = 2.3 days) and stainless steel (Josiah, k = 5.3 days; Sauerwald, k = 2.7 days). Sodium hypochlorite was highly effective at inactivating both strains. Our findings can inform future risk assessment and management efforts for Lassa fever.
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45
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Koehler JW, Stefan CP, Hall AT, Delp KL, O'Hearn AE, Taylor-Howell CL, Wauquier N, Schoepp RJ, Minogue TD. Sequence optimized diagnostic assay for Ebola virus detection. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18840. [PMID: 37914767 PMCID: PMC10620139 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29390-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapid pathogen identification is a critical first step in patient isolation, treatment, and controlling an outbreak. Real-time PCR is a highly sensitive and specific approach commonly used for infectious disease diagnostics. However, mismatches in the primer or probe sequence and the target organism can cause decreased sensitivity, assay failure, and false negative results. Limited genomic sequences for rare pathogens such as Ebola virus (EBOV) can negatively impact assay performance due to undiscovered genetic diversity. We previously developed and validated several EBOV assays prior to the 2013-2016 EBOV outbreak in West Africa, and sequencing EBOV Makona identified sequence variants that could impact assay performance. Here, we assessed the impact sequence mismatches have on EBOV assay performance, finding one or two primer or probe mismatches resulted in a range of impact from minimal to almost two log sensitivity reduction. Redesigning this assay improved detection of all EBOV variants tested. Comparing the performance of the new assay with the previous assays across a panel of human EBOV samples confirmed increased assay sensitivity as reflected in decreased Cq values with detection of three positive that tested negative with the original assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey W Koehler
- Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, MD, 20102, USA
| | - Christopher P Stefan
- Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, MD, 20102, USA
| | - Adrienne T Hall
- Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, MD, 20102, USA
| | - Korey L Delp
- Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, MD, 20102, USA
| | - Aileen E O'Hearn
- Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, MD, 20102, USA
| | - Cheryl L Taylor-Howell
- Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, MD, 20102, USA
| | | | - Randal J Schoepp
- Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, MD, 20102, USA
| | - Timothy D Minogue
- Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), 1425 Porter Street, Fort Detrick, MD, 20102, USA.
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Orman E, Bekoe SO, Asare-Nkansah S, Kralisch I, Jato J, Spiegler V, Agyare C, Bekoe EO, Hensel A. Towards the development of analytical monograph specifications for the quality assessment of the medicinal plant Phyllanthus urinaria. Phytochemistry 2023; 215:113854. [PMID: 37716546 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2023.113854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Many people in developing countries rely on herbal remedies for their primary healthcare needs. The challenge however is that several of these products lack proper documentation of quality and safety. To ensure consistent quality, validated methods are needed to establish and control quality attributes associated with identity, purity, and levels of bioactive constituents of the respective herbal materials. The present study focused on Phyllanthus urinaria (PU), a widely used medicinal plant in Ghana and West Africa that lacks the necessary quality control standards. The study aimed to develop an HPTLC identification method, which together with UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis established the identity of PU samples and differentiated PU from other closely related Phyllanthus species. Quantitative UPLC and HPTLC methods were developed to assess the contents of selected active markers in the PU samples, which invariably led to the proposal of acceptance criteria for the active markers. Prior to the content analyses, the sample extraction procedure was optimized through the use of Design of Experiment method. The effects of harvest time and geographic origin on the content of active compounds were demonstrated in the investigations. PU samples were also found to be contaminated with higher levels of pesticides like chlorpyrifos and folpet. Essentially, this study provides analytical protocols, insights into the quality status of PU samples in Ghana, and analytical specifications contained in a drafted monograph for future consideration in regional and subregional African pharmacopoeias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Orman
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstraße 48, Münster, Germany; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Samuel Oppong Bekoe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Samuel Asare-Nkansah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Ina Kralisch
- Chemical and Veterinary Inspection Office, Münsterland-Emscher-Lippe (CVUA-MEL) - AöR, Joseph-König-Str. 40, Münster, Germany.
| | - Jonathan Jato
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstraße 48, Münster, Germany; Department of Pharmacognosy and Herbal Medicine, School of Pharmacy, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana.
| | - Verena Spiegler
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstraße 48, Münster, Germany.
| | - Christian Agyare
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Emelia Oppong Bekoe
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Herbal Medicine, School of Pharmacy, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.
| | - Andreas Hensel
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstraße 48, Münster, Germany.
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Colmonero-Costeira I, Sá RM, Djaló ML, Cunha N, Cunha J, Minhós T, Russo IRM, Bruford MW, Costa S, Ferreira da Silva MJ. Notes on the conservation threats to the western lesser spot-nosed monkey (Cercopithecus petaurista buettikoferi) in the Bijagós Archipelago (Guinea-Bissau, West Africa). Primates 2023; 64:581-587. [PMID: 37656337 PMCID: PMC10651526 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-023-01090-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
The lesser spot-nosed monkey (Cercopithecus petaurista) is a widely distributed West African guenon, which is generally considered less vulnerable to local extinctions than many sympatric primate species. Guinea-Bissau harbours the westernmost populations of the species, which is thought to be very rare or even extinct on the mainland, but to have putative populations on some islands of the Bijagós Archipelago. However, due to a lack of regional studies, baseline information on these insular populations is missing. We collected baseline data on the anthropogenic activities that possibly threaten the long-term conservation of this primate by using non-systematic ethnographic methodologies. The species was reported to be decreasing in number or rare by locals on two of the islands, and we identified two main conservation threats to it: generalised habitat loss/degradation, and hunting. While subsistence hunting has been recorded before in these areas, we report, to the best of our knowledge for the first time for these islands, the presence of a semi-organised commercial wild meat trade. The carcasses of western lesser spot-nosed monkeys were observed being stored and shipped from seaports to be sold at urban hubs (Bissau and Bubaque Island). The effect of commercial trade on the species could be severe, considering the small, naturally occurring, carrying capacities typical of insular ecosystems. The results of this study highlight the importance of understanding the leading social drivers of wild meat hunting of lesser spot-nosed monkeys on the Bijagós Archipelago, and the need to conduct baseline research on these insular populations, for which qualitative and quantitative methods could be combined.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Colmonero-Costeira
- Organisms and Environment Division (ONE), School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK.
- InBIO Laboratório Associado, CIBIO (Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos), Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal.
- Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, BIOPOLIS, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal.
- Department of Life Sciences, CIAS, University of Coimbra, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - R M Sá
- Centre for Public Administration and Public Policies, Institute of Social and Political Sciences, Universidade de Lisboa, Rua Almerindo Lessa, 1300-663, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | | | - T Minhós
- Centre for Research in Anthropology (CRIA-FCSH/NOVA), 1069-061, Lisbon, Portugal
- Departamento de Antropologia, Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas-NOVA FCSH, Avenida de Berna, 26 C, 1069-061, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - I-R M Russo
- Organisms and Environment Division (ONE), School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - M W Bruford
- Organisms and Environment Division (ONE), School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - S Costa
- Department of Life Sciences, CIAS, University of Coimbra, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M J Ferreira da Silva
- Organisms and Environment Division (ONE), School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
- InBIO Laboratório Associado, CIBIO (Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos), Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
- Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, BIOPOLIS, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
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Gyimah J, Nwigwe UA, Safi DR, Opoku EO, Yao X. Achieving carbon neutrality in West Africa: The impact of financial development and good governance. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293235. [PMID: 37883376 PMCID: PMC10602346 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Achieving a net zero carbon has been one of the main agendas for all state and non-state actors. The political system of developing countries sometimes makes both internal and external actors question their efforts toward the agenda. Therefore, this study contributes to previous literature in analyzing the empirical effect of financial development and governance quality on carbon emissions. The study covers sixteen West African countries with data from 1996 to 2021. The study employs the Generalized Method of Moments for the analysis. Financial development in all the models contributes to carbon emissions. However, the effect of governance quality indicators varies depending on the model and the indicator(s) used. Nevertheless, economic governance and political governance in most models contribute to environmental pollution, but institutional governance helps promote environmental quality. Renewable energy and economic growth promote environmental quality through carbon mitigation. However, trade openness promotes environmental pollution by encouraging the release of carbon emissions. Finally, relevant policy implications are proposed based on the empirical findings of the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justice Gyimah
- College of Economics and Management, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Ujunwa Angela Nwigwe
- College of Economics and Management, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Deborah Rubuye Safi
- College of Economics and Management, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Erica Odwira Opoku
- College of Economics and Management, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xilong Yao
- College of Economics and Management, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, China
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49
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Zeng M, Niu L. Spatiotemporal patterns of healthy life expectancy and the effects of health financing in West African countries, 1995-2019: A Spatial Panel Modelling Study. J Glob Health 2023; 13:04123. [PMID: 37861131 PMCID: PMC10588290 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.13.04123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Health financing produce a broad range of healthy life expectancy (HLE) disparities. In West Africa, limited research exists on the association between health financing and HLE at ecological level during a consecutive period of time from the spatial perspectives. This study aimed to determine the existence, quantify the magnitude, and interpret the association between health financing and HLE. Methods A Dynamic Spatial Durbin model was used to explain the association between HLE and health financing level and structure during 1995-2019 in West Africa. Spatial spillover effects were introduced to interpret the direct and indirect effects caused by health financing level and structure on HLE during the long and short terms. Results Spatial dependence and clustering on HLE were observed in West Africa. Although the overall level of total health spending, government health spending, out-of-pocket health spending, and development assistance for health (DAH) increased from 1995 to 2019, government health spending per person experienced a declining trend. Out-of-pocket health spending per total health spending was the highest among other sources of health financing, decreasing from 57% during 1995-1999 to 42% during 2015-2019. Total health spending and out-of-pocket health spending affected HLE positively and negatively in the long term, respectively. Government health spending and prepaid private health spending per person had positive effects on local and adjacent country HLE in the short-term, while DAH had negative effects on the same. The short-term spatial spillover effects of government health spending, DAH, and prepaid private health spending per person were more pronounced than the long-term effects. Conclusions Spatial variations of HLE existed at country-level in West Africa. Health financing regarding government, non-government, as well as external assistance not only affected HLE disparities at local scale but also among nearby countries. Policymakers should optimise supportive health financing transition policies and narrow the national gap to reduce health disparities and increase HLE. Externalities of policy of those health financing proxies should be took into consideration to promote health equity to improve global health governance.
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Aïgnon HL, Fan YG, De Kesel A, Bahram M, Ryberg M, Yorou NS. A new species of Inosperma, and first record of I. afromelliolens (Inocybaceae, Fungi) from West Africa. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290894. [PMID: 37851619 PMCID: PMC10584187 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we present the newly identified Inosperma macrocarpa and the first record of I. afromelliolens from West Africa. Inosperma macrocarpa is nested in an Old World Tropical clade, based on a molecular phylogeny inferred from the sequences of ITS, LSU, RPB2, and TEF1. Complete descriptions and illustrations, including photographs and line drawings, of the new species are presented. Morphological and molecular analyses based on collections from Benin confirmed the presence of I. afromelliolens in West Africa. Toxicity analysis showed that neither species contained muscarine, which further supports the hypothesis that the ability to produce muscarine is a derived trait of Inosperma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyppolite L. Aïgnon
- Research Unit Tropical Mycology and Plants-Soil Fungi Interactions, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin
| | - Yu-Guang Fan
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education Tropical Environment and Health Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | | | - Mohammad Bahram
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Martin Ryberg
- Systematic Biology Program, Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Nourou S. Yorou
- Research Unit Tropical Mycology and Plants-Soil Fungi Interactions, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin
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