[Socioemotional disorders in children living in Konzo-affected areas, an epidemic paralytic disease associated with cyanide poisoning from food in sub-Saharan Africa].

Introduction: the aim of this study was to describe the socioemotional profile of children living in Konzo-affected areas, an epidemic toxico-nutritional palsy in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: we evaluated the socioemotional profile of 210 children, 123 with Konzo and 87 presumed to be healthy (4-17 years) based on a structured interview conducted with their parents during an epidemioclinic survey of Konzo in Congo-Kinshasa in 2011. Neurocognitive profile was identified by the KABC-II, the BOT-2 and the global neurological symptom index of Konzo.

Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum parasites resistant to sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: emergence of highly resistant pfdhfr/pfdhps alleles.

Background: In 2005, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) switched to artesunate/amodiaquine as the first-line antimalarial in response to increasing sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine resistance and adopted intermittent preventive treatment using sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine in pregnancy.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of molecular markers of sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine resistance in southwestern DRC 10 years after the new policy was instituted.

Methods: From March 2014 to December 2015, blood samples were collected from symptomatic patients presenting to outpatient centres in urban and rural areas.

Antioxidant potentiality of three herbal teas consumed in Bandundu rural areas of Congo.

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the cellular antioxidant activities of Lantana montevidensis, Lippia multiflora, and Ocimum gratissimum leaves often consumed as herbal teas in a rural area of Bandundu severely affected by konzo, which is related to oxidative damage. Consequently, dietary supplements with proven antioxidant potentialities could be of real interest to promote in this area. Phytochemical screening by TLC and HPLC-DAD of extracts revealed the presence of verbascoside as a major phenolic compound.

Burden of Mycobacterium ulcerans disease (Buruli ulcer) and the underreporting ratio in the territory of Songololo, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Background: Cutaneous infection by Mycobacterium ulcerans, also known as Buruli ulcer (BU), represents the third most common mycobacterial disease in the world after tuberculosis and leprosy. Data on the burden of BU disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo are scanty. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence rate and the distribution of BU in the Songololo Territory, and to assess the coverage of the existing hospital-based reporting system.

Neuropsychological effects of konzo: a neuromotor disease associated with poorly processed cassava.

Background: Konzo is an irreversible upper-motor neuron disorder affecting children dependent on bitter cassava for food. Although the neuroepidemiology of konzo is well characterized, we report the first neuropsychological findings.

Method: Children with konzo in the Democratic Republic of Congo (mean age 8.

G8 rotavirus strains isolated in the Democratic Republic of Congo belong to the DS-1-like genogroup.

Several G8P[6] and G8P[8] rotavirus strains were isolated from hospitalized patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2003. To investigate their overall genomic relatedness and to determine to which genogroup they belonged, the complete genomes of strains DRC88 (G8P[8]) and DRC86 (G8P[6]) were determined. Genomic comparison of these two African G8 strains revealed that 10 out of their 11 gene segments, except for VP4, were nearly identical (>98.