Analysis of natural female post-mating responses of Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii unravels similarities and differences in their reproductive ecology.

Anopheles gambiae and An. coluzzii, the two most important malaria vectors in sub-Saharan Africa, are recently radiated sibling species that are reproductively isolated even in areas of sympatry. In females from these species, sexual transfer of male accessory gland products, including the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), induces vast behavioral, physiological, and transcriptional changes that profoundly shape their post-mating ecology, and that may have contributed to the insurgence of post-mating, prezygotic reproductive barriers.

Additional Screening and Treatment of Malaria During Pregnancy Provides Further Protection Against Malaria and Nonmalarial Fevers During the First Year of Life.

Background: Although consensus exists that malaria in pregnancy (MiP) increases the risk of malaria in infancy, and eventually nonmalarial fevers (NMFs), there is a lack of conclusive evidence of benefits of MiP preventive strategies in infants.

Methods: In Burkina Faso, a birth cohort study was nested to a clinical trial assessing the effectiveness of a community-based scheduled screening and treatment of malaria in combination with intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (CSST/IPTp-SP) to prevent placental malaria. Clinical episodes and asymptomatic infections were monitored over 1 year of follow-up to compare the effect of CSST/IPTp-SP and standard IPTp-SP on malaria and NMFs.

Malaria incidence and prevalence during the first year of life in Nanoro, Burkina Faso: a birth-cohort study.

Background: Infants are thought to be protected against malaria during the first months of life mainly due to passage of maternal antibodies. However, in high transmission settings, malaria in early infancy is not uncommon and susceptibility to the infections varies between individuals. This study aimed to determine malaria morbidity and infection during early childhood in rural Burkina Faso.

Targeted application of an organophosphate-based paint applied on windows and doors against Anopheles coluzzii resistant to pyrethroids under real life conditions in Vallée du Kou, Burkina Faso (West Africa).

Background: A novel strategy applying an organophosphate-based insecticide paint on doors and windows in combination with long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) was tested for the control of pyrethroid-resistant malaria vectors in a village setting in Vallée du Kou, a rice-growing area west of Burkina Faso.

Methods: Insecticide Paint Inesfly 5A IGR™, comprised of two organophosphates and an insect growth regulator, was applied to doors and windows and tested in combination with pyrethroid-treated LLINs. The killing effect was monitored for 5 months by early morning collections of anophelines and other culicids.

Native entomopathogenic Metarhizium spp. from Burkina Faso and their virulence against the malaria vector Anopheles coluzzii and non-target insects.

Background: Genetically enhanced Metarhizium pingshaense are being developed for malaria vector control in Burkina Faso. However, not much is known about the local prevalence and pathogenicity of this fungus, so we prospected mosquitoes and plant roots (a common habitat for Metarhizium spp.) for entomopathogenic fungi.

[Patient complaints: an opportunity to improve the quality of care of older people with multimorbidity in Burkina Faso].

Introduction: Little data exist on patient complaints to identify the strategy for the improvement of the quality of care of older people with multimorbidities. The aim of this study was to investigate the complaints of older people with multimorbidities at the health care facilities in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in the health care facilities in Bobo-Dioulasso from November 2013 to February 2014.

Microbead-based spoligotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from Ziehl-Neelsen-stained microscopy preparations in Ethiopia.

The worldwide dissemination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains has led to the study of their genetic diversity. One of the most used genotyping methods is spoligotyping, based on the detection of spacers in the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) locus. This study assessed the performance of a microbead-based spoligotyping assay using samples extracted from Ziehl-Neelsen-stained smear-microscopy preparations and described the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis among new TB patients in Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Region (SNNPR) in Ethiopia.

Exclusive breastfeeding promotion and neuropsychological outcomes in 5-8 year old children from Uganda and Burkina Faso: Results from the PROMISE EBF cluster randomized trial.

Background: The beneficial effects from exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) have been widely acknowledged. We assessed the effect of exclusive breastfeeding promotion by peer counsellors in Uganda and Burkina Faso, on cognitive abilities, social emotional development, school performance and linear growth among 5-8 years old children.

Methods: Children in the PROMISE EBF trial (2006-2008) were re-enrolled in the follow-up PROMISE Saving Brains (SB) study (2013-2015).

Changes in nutritional state and dysphagia in stroke patients monitored during a 14-d period in a Burkina Faso hospital setting.

Introduction: Dysphagia and undernourishment are common in cerebrovascular accident (stroke) patients in developed countries. Despite the dietary transition, there is little information available in Africa on this topic. This study aims to assess the prevalence of undernourishment and dysphagia in stroke patients in two Burkina Faso teaching hospitals at a starting point (D0), on the eighth day, and on the 14th (D14) and to specify factors related to undernourishment at day 14.

The challenges of timely and safe HIV disclosure among perinatally HIV-infected adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa.

Purpose Of Review: Improved access to antiretroviral therapy has resulted in an emerging population of adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. Full disclosure of an HIV diagnosis includes naming HIV/AIDS and is an important step in coping with HIV. We reviewed the recent trends in the rates of children/adolescents who have been informed of their HIV infection according to age groups, the barriers and the evaluated interventions aimed at improving the HIV disclosure process to ALHIV in sub-Saharan Africa.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis D virus Coinfection in Western Burkina Faso and molecular characterization of the detected virus strains.

Objectives: In this study, we monitored the seroprevalence of HBV-HDV co-infection in different population groups in the Western part of Burkina Faso, and described the genetic diversity of the detected virus strains.

Methods: Between October 2013 and December 2014, venous blood samples were collected from different cohorts (blood donors, pregnant women, outpatients) in the western region of Burkina Faso. Samples were tested for HBsAg and total anti-HDV antibodies.

Malnutrition, Growth Response and Metabolic Changes Within the First 24 Months After ART Initiation in HIV-infected Children Treated Before the Age of 2 Years in West Africa.

Background: There is limited information about malnutrition, growth evolution and metabolic changes among children initiated early on lopinavir-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Africa.

Methods: HIV-1-infected children, age <2 years were initiated on ART, as part of the MONOD ANRS 12206 project, conducted in Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire. Weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height Z scores defined malnutrition [Z score less than -2 standard deviations (SDs)] using World Health Organization growth references.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with biomass fuel use in women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major and growing cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The global prevalence of COPD is growing faster in women than in men. Women are often exposed to indoor pollutants produced by biomass fuels burning during household activities.

Molecular and physiological analysis of Anopheles funestus swarms in Nchelenge, Zambia.

Background: Anopheles funestus has been recognized as a major malaria vector in Africa for over 100 years, but knowledge on many aspects of the biology of this species is still lacking. Anopheles funestus, as with most other anophelines, mate through swarming. A key event that is crucial for the An.

Evaluating dengue burden in Africa in passive fever surveillance and seroprevalence studies: protocol of field studies of the Dengue Vaccine Initiative.

Introduction: Dengue is an important and well-documented public health problem in the Asia-Pacific and Latin American regions. However, in Africa, information on disease burden is limited to case reports and reports of sporadic outbreaks, thus hindering the implementation of public health actions for disease control. To gather evidence on the undocumented burden of dengue in Africa, epidemiological studies with standardised methods were launched in three locations in Africa.

Containment Studies of Transgenic Mosquitoes in Disease Endemic Countries: The Broad Concept of Facilities Readiness.

Genetic strategies for large scale pest or vector control using modified insects are not yet operational in Africa, and currently rely on import of the modified strains to begin preliminary, contained studies. Early involvement of research teams from participating countries is crucial to evaluate candidate field interventions. Following the recommended phased approach for novel strategies, evaluation should begin with studies in containment facilities.

Studies of Transgenic Mosquitoes in Disease-Endemic Countries: Preparation of Containment Facilities.

Novel approaches to area-wide control of vector species offer promise as additional tools in the fight against vectored diseases. Evaluation of transgenic insect strains aimed at field population control in disease-endemic countries may involve international partnerships and should be done in a stepwise approach, starting with studies in containment facilities. The preparations of both new-build and renovated facilities are described, including working with local and national regulations regarding land use, construction, and biosafety requirements, as well as international guidance to fill any gaps in regulation.

Street-level workers' inadequate knowledge and application of exemption policies in Burkina Faso jeopardize the achievement of universal health coverage: evidence from a cross-sectional survey.

Background: Street-level workers play a key role in public health policies in Africa, as they are often the ones to ensure their implementation. In Burkina Faso, the State formulated two different user-fee exemption policies for indigents, one for deliveries (2007), and one for primary healthcare (2009). The objective of this study was to measure and understand the determinants of street-level workers' knowledge and application of these exemption measures.

Determinants of unmet need for family planning in rural Burkina Faso: a multilevel logistic regression analysis.

Background: Unmet need for family planning has implications for women and their families, such as unsafe abortion, physical abuse, and poor maternal health. Contraceptive knowledge has increased across low-income settings, yet unmet need remains high with little information on the factors explaining it. This study assessed factors associated with unmet need among pregnant women in rural Burkina Faso.

Early impact of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on pneumococcal meningitis-Burkina Faso, 2014-2015.

Objectives: We evaluate early impact of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) on pneumococcal meningitis in Burkina Faso.

Methods: Nationwide surveillance gathered demographic/clinical information and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) results for meningitis cases. Pneumococcal cases were confirmed by culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or latex agglutination, and strains serotyped using PCR.

Knowledge and perceptions of health and environmental risks related to artisanal gold mining by the artisanal miners in Burkina Faso: a cross-sectional survey.

Introduction: Artisanal gold mining is an activity ensuring the survival of about 700,000 families in Burkina Faso with a considerable contribution to the national economy. Techniques and chemicals used in the operation, have adverse impacts on health and the environment. Our study aims to evaluate the perceptions and knowledge of these different impacts among artisanal gold miners.

New evidence of mating swarms of the malaria vector, in Tanzania.

: Malaria mosquitoes form mating swarms around sunset, often at the same locations for months or years. Unfortunately, studies of swarms are rare in East Africa, the last recorded field observations in Tanzania having been in 1983. : Mosquito swarms were surveyed by trained volunteers between August-2016 and June-2017 in Ulanga district, Tanzania.