The Plasmodium falciparum-specific human memory B cell compartment expands gradually with repeated malaria infections.

Immunity to Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria is only acquired after years of repeated infections and wanes rapidly without ongoing parasite exposure. Antibodies are central to malaria immunity, yet little is known about the B-cell biology that underlies the inefficient acquisition of Pf-specific humoral immunity. This year-long prospective study in Mali of 185 individuals aged 2 to 25 years shows that Pf-specific memory B-cells and antibodies are acquired gradually in a stepwise fashion over years of repeated Pf exposure.

Drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex among newly diagnosed tuberculosis cases in Burkina Faso.

Background: In Burkina Faso, there is no recent data about the level of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains among newly diagnosed tuberculosis cases.

Objective: To provide an update of the primary drug resistance of mycobacterium tuberculosis among patients in Burkina faso.

Methods: Mycobacterium strains were identified in 323 newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients between April 2005 and September 2006, and their susceptibility to isoniazid, rifampicin, streptomycin, and ethambutol was determined according to the proportions method.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug-resistance in previously treated patients in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Background: Tuberculosis drug-resistance becomes common in sub-Saharan Africa; however, very few data are available in Burkina Faso. The aim of this study is to assess the acquired resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strains identified in TB patients to four first-line drugs in Ouagadougou.

Methods: One hundred and ten (110) pulmonary tuberculosis patients with acid-fast bacilli-positive sputum and in situation of failure, relapse, or treatment abandonment were included in the study.

Isolation of a tannic acid-degrading Streptococcus sp. from an anaerobic shea cake digester.

An anaerobic digester fed with shea cake rich in tannins and phenolic compounds rich-shea cake and previously inoculated with anaerobic sludge from the pit of a slaughterhouse, enabled six months acclimatization of the bacteria to aromatic compounds. Afterwards, digester waste water samples were subject to successive culture on media with 1 g L(-1) tannic acid allowing the isolation of a bacterial strain coded AB. Strain AB was facultatively anaerobic, mesophilic, non-motile, non-sporulating, catalase and oxidase negative bacterium, namely strain AB, was isolated from an anaerobic digester fed with shea cake rich in tannins and phenolic compounds, after inoculation with anaerobic sludge from the pit of a slaughterhouse and enrichment on tannic acid.

Alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, hepcidin, C-reactive protein, and serum ferritin are correlated in anemic schoolchildren with Schistosoma haematobium.

Background: The World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the inclusion of indicators of iron status and inflammation in surveys assessing iron deficiency and/or anemia.

Objective: We examined the associations between serum alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (AGP), serum C-reactive protein (CRP), and urinary hepcidin and their relations with serum ferritin (SF), serum transferrin receptor (sTfR), and hemoglobin.

Design: At enrollment, the measurements were made in randomly selected 7-12-y-old anemic children with documented Schistosoma haematobium infection (n = 224 for AGP, CRP, SF, sTfR, and hemoglobin; n = 61 for urinary hepcidin).

Transfusion premedication to prevent acute transfusion reactions: a retrospective observational study to assess current practices.

Background: The use of premedication to prevent acute transfusion reactions has been estimated to occur in 50% to 80% of transfusions. While this practice has some biologic rationale, few clinical studies have been performed to assess the efficacy of this practice, and the methodologic quality of these studies is variable. The primary objective of this study was to describe current practices regarding transfusion premedication to prevent febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions, mild allergic transfusion reactions, and transfusion-associated circulatory overload.

[Traditional healers in the fight against HIV/AIDS infection in the health district of Fada N'Gourma (Burkina Faso)].

The purpose of this study was to evaluate collaboration between traditional healers (TH) and registered nurses (RN) in the care of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the health district N'Gourma Fada, Burkina Faso. A survey was conducted among 26 RN, 33 TH working in the health district and 96 PLHIV under treatment at the Fada N'Gourma Regional Hospital. Survey data showed that only 9.

[Snakebites in the Sudanian and Sahelian zones of Mali: epidemiology, symptoms and treatment].

The purpose of this study was to document the epidemiology, symptoms and treatment of snake envenomation in Mali between 2005 and 2006. Data was collected using two methods, i.e.

Multiple paternal origins of domestic cattle revealed by Y-specific interspersed multilocus microsatellites.

In this study, we show how Y-specific interspersed multilocus microsatellites, which are loci that yield several amplified bands differing in size from the same male individual and PCR reaction, are a powerful source of information for tracing the history of cattle. Our results confirm the existence of three main groups of sires, which are separated by evolutionary time and clearly predate domestication. These three groups are consistent with the haplogroups previously identified by Götherström et al.

[Hygienic quality of meat used in institutional food services: university cafeterias in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)].

This present study was conducted to assess the hygienic quality of meals served in three cafeterias at the national university in Ouagadougou and the compliance of kitchen staff with good hygiene practices. Microbiological analyses assessed the hygienic quality of the raw meat and of meat-based meals. The results showed poor hygiene practices by food handlers along the food chain.

Molecular diversity of cotton leaf curl Gezira virus isolates and their satellite DNAs associated with okra leaf curl disease in Burkina Faso.

Okra leaf curl disease (OLCD) is a major constraint on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) production and is widespread in Africa. Using a large number of samples representative of the major growing regions in Burkina Faso (BF), we show that the disease is associated with a monopartite begomovirus and satellite DNA complexes. Twenty-three complete genomic sequences of Cotton leaf curl Gezira virus (CLCuGV) isolates associated with OLCD, sharing 95 to 99% nucleotide identity, were cloned and sequenced.

Kienböck's disease in a 6-year-old boy.

A case of avascular necrosis of the lunate bone in a 6-year-old boy is reported. This is the youngest child reported in literature with Kienböck's disease. Clinical and radiological healing was obtained with conservative treatment.

[The fight against rabies in Africa: from recognition to action].

As a follow-up to the first AfroREB (Africa Rabies Expert Bureau) meeting, held in Grand-Bassam (Côte-d'Ivoire) in March 2008, African rabies experts of the Afro-REB network met a second time to complete the evaluation of the rabies situation in Africa and define specific action plans. About forty French speaking rabies specialists from Northern, Western and Central Africa and Madagascar met in Dakar (Senegal), from March 16th to 19th, 2009. With the participation of delegates from Tunisia, who joined the AfroREB network this year, 15 French speaking African countries were represented.

[Epidemiologic and therapeutic study of amputations consecutive of the complications of the diabetes].

Introduction: Diabetes complications constitute the 2nd cause of amputations after the sequels of traditional treatment for traumatism of the members with negative functional, aesthetic and psychological effect. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of the amputations consecutive to the complications of the diabetes, and describe the operating suites and the type of used equipment.

Materials And Method: 20 cases of amputations consecutive to the complications of the diabetes (ACCD), from October 1st, 2006 to September 30th, 2007 in Nianankoro Fomba hospital of Segou.

[Epidemiologic and therapeutic factors of postoperative incisional hernia at CHU Gabriel Touré].

Introduction: The incisional hernia is a frequent complication of the opened abdominal surgery. The objectives of this study were to determine the hospital frequency and the favoritizing factors, to analyze the therapeutic aspects.

Materials And Methods: We realized a retrospective study from January, 1999 to December, 2005 in the services of general and paediatric surgery of teaching hospital Gabriel Touré.

[Stoma use in the general surgery service of CHU Gabriel Touré].

Objectives: Were to determine the frequency, to describe the clinical and therapeutic aspects digestive stoma.

Material And Methods: It was about six months an exploratory study from January 1st to June 30th, 2008 in the department of surgery general of the CHU Gabriel Touré. Were included in this study all the patients carrying a enter stoma or a colostomy, old of more than 15 ans.

[Omphalocele in general and pediatric surgery in Gabriel Touré].

Introduction: the omphalocèle is an evolution of the extra embryonic coulombs between the 32th and the 72th days of the pregnancy. The treatment depends on his volume. In Mali; few works were published on the omphalocèle and its treatment.

[Major cardiovascular risk factors according to gender in the hospital environment].

Aim: The study aims to describe cardiovascular risk factor according to gender in hospital.

Material And Methods: Il was a prospective study from april 2007 to march 2008 including 146 highblood pressure patients from 2 medical centre in Bamako. Gathering and analysis were performed with SPSS 11.

[Lymphocytic meningitis in Bamako, Mali].

We conducted a prospective survey from January 2001 to March 2002. Our objective was to study etiologic, clinic, and prognostic aspect of lymphocytic meningitis in hospital of Point G to Bamako. We included 35 patients with 25 male (71.

[Social anthropological approach to tuberculosis in Mopti (Mali): popular representations and use of treatment].

In Mali, there were 4508 new cases of tuberculosis in 2003, and 5222 in 2006. Tuberculosis (TB) is thus an important public health problem, decreasing the physical, financial and social capital of individuals, their families and society. Because responses to TB have not yet applied a sufficiently integrated approach that can improve patients' access to quality care, this FORESA project advocates a patient-centered approach.

[Hepcidin and Plasmodium falciparum malaria in anemic school children in Mali].

Hepcidin is a peptide produced by hepatocytes and detectable in blood and urine. Urinary hepcidin excretion appeared to be significantly increasing in humans with acute and chronic infections or inflammatory diseases. However, the effects of common tropical parasitic infections on hepcidin have not been sufficiently examined.

[Plant viruses RNA silencing suppressors: characterization and mechanism of action].

RNA silencing or Post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) in plants is a fundamental defence mechanism against viruses, transgenes and transposons. Most viruses, if not all, are able to overcome RNA-silencing through the production of so-called "silencing suppressors" with counterdefence ability". This strategy is well known for plant and animal viruses.

Antiplasmodial activity and toxicity of crude extracts from alternatives parts of plants widely used for the treatment of malaria in Burkina Faso: contribution for their preservation.

In order to prevent the destruction of the ecology and to sustain the flora mainly for medicinal plants, we investigated on alternative parts taken from four plants already known to display antiplasmodial activities and largely used by traditional healers in sub-Saharan Africa. The evaluated parts are bark of trunk for Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides and leaves for Sarcocephalus latifolius instead of roots, and leaves for Combretum molle and Anogeissus leiocarpus instead of stem bark. The antiplasmodial activity of extracts of these plants was evaluated in vitro using the multi-resistant strain (W2) of Plasmodium falciparum.

Y-specific microsatellites reveal an African subfamily in taurine (Bos taurus) cattle.

Five cattle Y-specific microsatellites, totalling six loci, were selected from a set of 44 markers and genotyped on 608 Bos taurus males belonging to 45 cattle populations from Europe and Africa. A total of 38 haplotypes were identified. Haplogroups (Y1 and Y2) previously defined using single nucleotide polymorphisms did not share haplotypes.