Publications by authors named "Boundenga Larson"
Article Synopsis
- - A study was conducted to assess the risk of infectious disease transmission at the Primatology Centre in Franceville, focusing on non-human primate (NHP) conservation.
- - Staff completed a questionnaire about risks linked to their work, and various pathogens found in NHPs were analyzed using Kiviat and Pareto diagrams.
- - Results revealed several zoonotic pathogens present, with animal handlers being the most exposed, highlighting the need for strict biosecurity measures to prevent disease transfer between staff and animals.
Article Synopsis
- This study investigates the prevalence of protozoan parasites infecting rodents and domestic chickens in Franceville, Gabon, highlighting the risk of zoonotic diseases to humans.
- A total of 285 animal samples were analyzed, revealing an overall prevalence of 55.8% for oocysts, significantly higher in rodents (72.4%) compared to chickens (25%).
- The findings emphasize the need for further research to identify the specific species involved and assess their potential public health implications in the region.
Article Synopsis
- - The study analyzed malaria epidemiology in Gabon from 1980 to 2023 using five databases to track prevalence, drug resistance, and insecticide resistance markers.
- - Gabon faces a significant public health challenge with high malaria rates, showing persistent resistance to chloroquine (CQ) and emerging resistance to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP), while artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) remain effective.
- - Recent findings indicate a high frequency of insecticide resistance markers, with alternatives like organophosphates and carbamates suggested for vector control.
Investigation of caliciviruses and astroviruses in Gabonese rodents: A possible influence of national and international trade on the spread of enteric viruses.
Clark Mbou-Boutambe Illich Manfred Mombo Virginie Rougeron Fanny Degrugillier Philippe Gauthier Larson Boundenga
Infect Genet Evol
August 2024
Article Synopsis
- - Caliciviruses and astroviruses are major causes of non-bacterial foodborne illnesses and gastroenteritis in humans, with rodents being key hosts for these viruses and many zoonotic pathogens that can affect humans.
- - A study screened 245 rodent intestine samples for these viruses, finding no caliciviruses but detecting astroviruses in 18 samples, specifically from the Rattus rattus species.
- - Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the detected astroviruses are closely related to strains found in Gabon, Kenya, and Asia, indicating that transportation methods may promote the spread of these viruses through rodent populations.
Article Synopsis
- * Researchers found that 4 out of 163 tested wild ruminants were positive for RVFV, with a genetic link to a virus from Namibia, indicating RVF's presence in Gabon's wildlife.
- * In a separate survey of 306 domestic animals, they found 15.4% had RVFV-specific antibodies, predominantly in goats, emphasizing the need for improved surveillance and control measures for RVF in the region.
Risk Factors Associated with Opportunistic Infections among People Living with HIV/AIDS and Receiving an Antiretroviral Therapy in Gabon, Central Africa.
Augustin Mouinga-Ondeme Neil Michel Longo-Pendy Ivan Cyr Moussadji Kinga Barthélémy Ngoubangoye Pamela Moussavou-Boundzanga Larson Boundenga
Viruses
January 2024
Article Synopsis
- HIV/AIDS remains a leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa, but antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) have improved health outcomes and reduced morbidity, mortality, and opportunistic infections (OIs) among patients.* -
- A study was conducted in Gabon using data from 2017 to 2019 to identify risk factors for OIs in HIV patients on ART, analyzing 223 participants through various biological tests and statistical methods.* -
- The findings revealed that 57.9% of patients developed OIs, with a significant prevalence of bacterial and viral infections, and highlighted a link between low CD4 T-cell counts and male gender as risk factors for OI occurrence.*
Article Synopsis
- - Coronaviruses are a diverse group of viruses that can infect various animals, including humans, with some strains like SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2, and MERS-CoV affecting global health significantly and originating from bats through intermediary hosts.
- - A study in Gabon screened 229 faecal samples from wild great apes and mandrills for coronaviruses using nested PCR, but all samples tested negative for CoVs.
- - The negative results might be due to a small sample size, the temporary nature of infections, or the unsuitability of faecal samples for detection, indicating the need for future studies using larger sample sizes and alternative non-invasive methods to better understand CoV circulation
Article Synopsis
- - The study addresses the issue of antibiotic resistance in Central Africa, highlighting the lack of data due to limited research, and focuses on creating a comprehensive overview of resistance in humans, animals, and environmental samples.
- - A systematic review of literature from 2005 to 2020 identified 517 studies, with 60 relevant studies being analyzed from eight Central African countries, revealing various resistance genes, particularly beta-lactamase and carbapenemase.
- - The findings emphasize the need for improved data gathering and health policies using a 'One Health' approach to effectively combat antibiotic resistance in the region.
Article Synopsis
- National control programs for onchocerciasis are in place in endemic countries, but Gabon still needs to implement effective control measures.
- Current research on the disease in Gabon is limited, primarily focused on the Lastourville region, revealing significant variability in disease distribution across the country.
- The study highlights the need for better understanding of the disease's ecology to create effective health policies aimed at eliminating onchocerciasis in Gabon.
Article Synopsis
- - The study focused on screening astroviruses (AstVs), enteroviruses (EVs), and caliciviruses (CaVs) in domestic animals to understand their potential to spread zoonotic diseases in rural Central Africa, where these animals interact closely with wildlife.
- - Researchers collected rectal swabs from 123 goats, 41 sheep, and 76 dogs across 10 villages in northeastern Gabon, using PCR to detect various viruses by amplifying specific genes.
- - Out of 240 samples, 23 tested positive for the viruses, with the majority found in goats, and some sequences clustering with known viruses that could pose a risk to humans, suggesting these animals could harbor pathogens that affect human health.
Article Synopsis
- - The canine parvovirus type-2 (CPV-2) has evolved into several variants (CPV-2a, CPV-2b, CPV-2c) since its first detection in the 1970s, with recent variants reported globally, including in 2019.
- - A study conducted in Gabon focused on clinical cases of CPV in vaccinated dogs, collecting fecal samples that tested positive for the virus, with genetic analysis revealing the presence of CPV-2a and CPV-2c.
- - The findings indicate that these CPV variants are circulating among young vaccinated dogs in Gabon, prompting the need for further research on the epidemiology and effectiveness of existing vaccines
Article Synopsis
- Malaria is a significant public health issue in Gabon, particularly in Franceville, necessitating urgent surveillance and early diagnosis for effective treatment.
- A retrospective study from 2017 to 2019 analyzed 2,518 malaria cases, revealing a prevalence of 26.1%, with young children being the most affected demographic.
- The findings indicate a need for targeted malaria control strategies in Franceville due to seasonal and gender disparities in infection rates, alongside the prominence of multiple Plasmodium species.
Article Synopsis
- A study was conducted from August to December 2019 to identify gastrointestinal parasites in wild animals in Gabon and evaluate the potential risk to humans from consuming these animals.
- Researchers analyzed the feces and intestines of 113 wild animals and found 15 types of gastrointestinal parasites, with a high prevalence of 85.84%.
- Some identified parasites are known to be potentially harmful to humans, indicating that eating game, especially organ meat, could pose health risks.
Article Synopsis
- * It finds that antibiotic treatment in humans and non-human primates (NHPs) correlates with a higher prevalence of MRSA compared to wild species like micromammals and bats, indicating that antibiotic pressure influences resistance acquisition.
- * The research suggests that generalist MRSA strains, those that can infect various hosts, have a higher potential for spreading antibiotic resistance than specialist strains, highlighting the importance of host diversity in the dynamics of antibiotic resistance in ecosystems.
Article Synopsis
- - Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), caused by trypanosome parasites, poses a serious health threat in sub-Saharan Africa but remains a neglected tropical disease, affecting numerous individuals, particularly in Gabon.
- - A study in Gabon revealed that 19.34% of domestic animals tested were infected with trypanosomes, with varying rates among dogs (23.21%), goats (16.10%), and sheep (21.00%).
- - Molecular analysis identified at least six species of trypanosomes in domestic animals, suggesting these animals may serve as significant reservoirs for the parasites linked to HAT, emphasizing the need for further research in this area.
Article Synopsis
- Human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) co-infection is common in Gabon, and co-infected individuals tend to progress more rapidly to AIDS.
- * The study involved 299 individuals, revealing a 7.7% prevalence of HTLV-1 infection, with women and older age being risk factors for co-infection.
- * Results indicated higher CD4+ cell counts and a lower HIV-1 viral load in co-infected individuals compared to those with just HIV-1, emphasizing the need for improved prevention and management strategies for co-infections.
Article Synopsis
- * A review of 7543 articles resulted in the inclusion of 42 studies spanning 91 years and identified 41 mosquito species in Gabon's diverse environments, particularly focusing on the Gambiae, Nili, Funestus, and Moucheti groups.
- * The presence of malaria vectors in both sylvatic and urban settings indicates a complex relationship that could influence malaria transmission, highlighting the need for further entomological research to enhance vector control strategies in Gabon.
Article Synopsis
- Many diseases that can make people or animals sick start in wild animals, so scientists need to keep an eye on these animals and their germs.
- Catching samples from wild animals can be hard, but there's a cool method called xenosurveillance that uses blood-sucking bugs, like tsetse flies, to help collect these samples.
- In a study in Tanzania, scientists found that tsetse flies had fed on different animals and discovered germs, including some that can be harmful, showing that this method can help us learn more about diseases in wild animals.
Article Synopsis
- * Researchers collected 174 samples from various livestock (chickens, swine, cattle, and sheep) and assessed their antibiotic susceptibility using specific lab techniques.
- * Results indicated a very high prevalence of enterococci (>90% in all types of livestock) and significant resistance to multiple antibiotics, suggesting these animals may be key reservoirs of antibiotic resistance.
Article Synopsis
- - The study aimed to determine the presence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites in the sun-tailed monkey (Allochrocebus solatus) at a primatology center.
- - Researchers analyzed 46 fecal samples using the modified McMaster technique, finding seven different types of parasites, with strongyles being the most common at 98%.
- - The findings underscore the importance of monitoring the health of this monkey species and taking necessary steps for their management and welfare.
Article Synopsis
- Gastrointestinal parasites in wild mammals can harm their health and the health of humans due to potential zoonotic transmission.
- A study analyzed 25 fecal samples from various mammal species in Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, revealing that 60% were positive for parasitic infections.
- The research identified a wide range of parasites, many of which are zoonotic, emphasizing the ecological and health implications despite the limited sample size.
Article Synopsis
- Malaria has historically been a major health issue, causing many deaths globally each year due to protozoan parasites, primarily *Plasmodium falciparum* and *Plasmodium vivax*.
- Researchers are intrigued by the origins, global spread, and human adaptation of these parasite species, seeking to understand their evolutionary history.
- This paper reviews existing research, emphasizing genetic and genomic studies of these malaria parasites and their similarities with related species in other hosts, such as non-human primates.
Article Synopsis
- - The study examined the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) in Gabon by analyzing nearly 6,000 clinical samples and anal swabs from various hospitals between January 2016 and March 2018.
- - Findings revealed an ESBL-PE prevalence of 11.8% in clinical samples and 16.7% in anal swabs, with most isolates coming from urine, and the most common resistance genes identified were from the CTX-M group.
- - Although the prevalence of ESBL-PE in Gabon is currently not alarming, the study emphasizes the need for corrective measures and ongoing monitoring to prevent their spread.