Isolation and Identification of Fungal Strains from Fresh and Smoked Fish from the Sassandra River in Côte d’Ivoire

Introduction: Fresh and smoked fish are widely consumed in Côte d'Ivoire as everywhere in West Africa. However, these foodstuffs, due to certain processing conditions, are likely to be contaminated by molds that produce dangerous mycotoxins. Objective: This study aimed to isolate and identify fungal strains contaminating fresh and smoked fish from the Sassandra River in Côte d'Ivoire. Place and Date of the Study: Sampling was carried out in various processing sites around the Sassandra River, particularly in the towns of Soubré and Guessabo. The microbiological analysis was carried out at Jean Lorougnon Guédé University in Daloa (Ivory Coast). Methods: A total of 108 samples of fresh and smoked fish were collected. Isolation and purification of fungal strains were carried out on Sabouraud medium with chloramphenicol. The identification of isolated strains was made on the basis of morphological and cultural criteria. Results: A total of 126 fungal strains were isolated, including 87 from the Guessabo samples and 39 from the Soubré samples from 54 fresh fish and 54 smoked fish. The predominant species were Aspergillus of the Glaucus group (39%), Aspergillus niger (36%) and Penicillium sp. (25%). Conclusion: This study shows that fresh and smoked fish from the Sassandra River in Côte d'Ivoire are contaminated by several strains of molds, some of which produce mycotoxins that can cause illness in consumers depending on their concentrations. It would therefore be appropriate to improve processing techniques.

Dépistage de la stéatose hépatique par le Fibroscan/CAP chez les sujets noirs africains porteurs d'une Hépatite Virale B chronique en Côte d'Ivoire / Fibroscan/CAP screening for hepatic steatosis in black African subjects with chronic Viral Hepatitis B in Ivory Coast

Context and objectives As the global epidemic of obesity and metabolic syndrome progresses, the coexistence of fatty liver disease in patients with chronic viral hepatitis B (VHB) becomes significant. The objective of this work was to determine the frequency of hepatic steatosis assessed by Fibroscan/CAP (Controlled Attenuation Parameter) in patients with chronic VHB in Côte d'Ivoire. Methods. The study included 83 patients with chronic VHB. These were black patients who had performed a Fibroscan/CAP during the recruitment period and were willing to participate in the study. Patients with significant alcohol consumption, a secondary cause of hepatic steatosis, another liver disease regardless of the etiology associated with VHB were not included. Results. The frequency of hepatic steatosis in chronic HBV carriers assessed by CAP in our study population was 48.19 %, including 24.10 % of severe steatosis. Obesity was statistically correlated with the presence of steatosis in our patients. Patients who had steatosis on ultrasound were 5 times more likely to have steatosis on CAP. Significant fibrosis was insignificantly associated with steatosis. Conclusion. The frequency of fatty liver disease detected by fibroscan/CAP is high in patients with chronic VHB.

Contexte et objectifs Avec la progression de l'épidémie mondiale d'obésité et du syndrome métabolique, la coexistence d'une stéatose hépatique chez les patients porteurs d'une hépatite virale B chronique devient non négligeable. L'objectif de ce travail était de déterminer la fréquence de la stéatose hépatique chez les patients porteurs d'une hépatite virale B (HVB) chronique. Méthodes. Il s'agissait d'une série des cas de HVB de race noire, ayant réalisé un Fibroscan/CAP pendant la période du recrutement et consentants à participer à l'étude. Les patients ayant une consommation d'alcool significative, une cause secondaire de stéatose hépatique, une autre hépatopathie quelle que soit l'étiologie associée à l'hépatite B n'ont pas été inclus. Résultats. Quatre-vingt-trois patients porteurs d'une HVB ont été inclus. La fréquence de la stéatose hépatique chez les porteurs du VHB chronique était de 48,19 % dont 24,10 % de stéatose sévère. L'obésité était statistiquement corrélée à la présence d'une stéatose chez nos patients. Les patients qui avaient une stéatose à l'échographie étaient 5 fois plus à risque d'avoir une stéatose au CAP. La fibrose significative était associée de façon non significative à la stéatose. Conclusion : Près de la moitié des patients porteurs d'une hépatite virale B chronique présente une stéatose hépatique.

Profil des diabétiques de 20 ans a 79 ans de l'enquête nationale sur la prévalence et caractéristiques du diabète en Côte d'Ivoire / NA

Le diabète constitue un problème de santé publique en Côte d'Ivoire. L'objectif général de la présente étude est de dresser le profil des diabétiques de l'enquête nationale sur la prévalence et les caractéristiques du diabète en Côte d'Ivoire chez les personnes de 20 ans à 79 ans.Il s'agit d'une étude transversale à visée analytique à partir d'une analyse secondaire des données de l'enquête nationale sur la prévalence et les caractéristiques du diabète en Côte d'Ivoire,réalisée du 25 Novembre au 22 Décembre 2017. Elle concerne193 sujetssur un total de 197 ayant participéà l'étude. Les facteurs associés au statut de diabétique(diabétique connu ou diabétique méconnu) ont été recherchés par la régression logistique binaire. L'étude primaire a porté sur 3198 personnes âgées de 20 ans à 79 ans.Les participants,en majorité de sexe féminin (59,05),avaient un âge moyen de 48,72 ans, vivaient en milieu urbain (78,1) et n'avaient pas de protection sociale ou assurance maladie (92,51%). De l'analyse multivariée, la probabilité d'ignorance de l'état d'hyperglycémie chronique chez les personnes âgées de 20 ans et 79 ans était plus élevée chez les diabétiques vivant en zone rurale, grignotant entre les principaux repas, non hypertenduset sans antécédent de diabète familial (p<0,05, OR>1). Cependant celle-ci est faible chez les diabétiques de plus de 50 ans (p<0,05, OR<1). Cette étude souligne la nécessité de l'adoption de stratégies appropriées et de la mise en œuvre d'interventions en faveur de la prévention, du dépistage, du diagnostic du diabète et de la prise en charge précoce des diabétiques en Côte d'Ivoire.

Diabetes is a public health problem in Côte d'Ivoire. The general objective of this study is to profile the diabetics of the national survey on the prevalence and characteristics of diabetes in Côte d'Ivoire among people aged 20 to 79 years. This is a cross-sectional study for analytical purposes based on a secondary analysis of data from the national survey on the prevalence and characteristics of diabetes in Côte d'Ivoire, carried out from November 25 to December 22, 2017. It concerns 193 subjects out of a total of 197 who participated in the study. Factors associated with diabetic status (known diabetic or unrecognized diabetic) were investigated by binary logistic regression. The primary study involved 3,198 people aged 20 to 79. The participants, mostlyfemale (59.05%), had an average age of 48.72 years, lived in urban areas (78.1%) and had no social protection or health insurance (92.51 %). From the multivariate analysis, the probability of being unaware of the chronic hyperglycemic state in people aged20 and 79 years was higher in diabetics living in rural areas, snacking between main meals, not hypertensive and without history of familial diabetes (p<0.05, OR>1). However, this is low in diabetics over 50 (p<0.05, OR<1). This study highlights the need for the adoption of appropriate strategies and the implementation of interventions for the prevention, screening, diagnosis of diabetes and early management of diabetics in Côte d'Ivoire.

Morphological Diversity of Fungal Strains Responsible for Dessert Banana Rot, Musa Sapientum (Musaceae) Produced in the South Comoe Region on Ivory Coast

Aims: The banana dessert grown in different regions of the world, encounters important difficulties that cause it to lose its marketability especially because of the diseases related to conservation. The objective here is to identify the strains responsible for fungal diseases of bananas when it is stored. Study Design: This study was undertaken in order to ensure the competitiveness of the dessert banana from Ivory Coast on the international market which is threatened by the recurrent problem of post-harvest rot. Place and Duration of Study: Agrovalorisation Laboratory, Agroforestry Training and Research Unit, Université Jean Lorougnon GUEDE Daloa Côte d'Ivoire, between February 2021 and March 2022. Methodology: The study involved 120 bananas divided into two batches of 10 hands each, one with signs of necrosis and the other with no signs. Banana fragments (crown, epicarp and explant) were deposited on the growing media at several distinct points and slightly embedded in the agar. The resulting colonies were transplanted successively until a pure strain was obtained from a single mushroom colony per petri dish. Results: A total of 11 different genera were identified from 105 isolates. 57 are from necrotic bananas and 36 from bananas with no signs of necrosis. Fungal strains isolated there are: Trichoderma sp. (15%), Fusarium sp. (1%), Scytalidium sp. (39%), Mucor sp. (1%), Scopulariopsis sp. (1%), Alternaria sp. (4%), Aureobasidium sp. (1%), Aspergillus of the Glaucus group (10%), Cladosporium sp. (2%), Pseudallescheria sp. (6%) and Chrysosporium sp. (20%). No strains of the genus Colletotrichum musea responsible for anthracnose that can develop on both green and ripe fruit have been isolated. However, morphological characterization has not among to identify several other species (12) especially those not sporulating. Conclusion: This diversity of isolated strains in this work is identical to that most frequently isolated and cited in the literature.

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasmosis in Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics at the Center for Maternal and Child Health Care in Daloa in Ivory Coast.

Background: Serological tests remain the basis of toxoplasmosis diagnosis since direct detection of Toxoplasma gondii by microscopy is less sensitive and PCR is inaccessible for routine screening. Unfortunately, serological screening in pregnant women for T. gondii-specific antibodies is not mandatory in the assessment of antenatal care in Ivory Coast. Furthermore the latest data published are about a decade. Aim: To determine the seroprevalence in relation with certain risk factors and discuss epidemiological issue of different patterns seen among pregnant women in Daloa, in Ivory Coast. Study Design and Setting: This is a prospective study. Pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in maternal and child health care center were screened for IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii from February to August 2014. Results: Out of 385 women, 113 (29.35%) were in their first pregnancy and the average age was 26 years with 14 and 47 years of age respectively for the youngest and the oldest mother. A hundred and sixty five (42.85%) of the women had ever been in contact with cats and 305 (79.22%) had ever eaten raw vegetables. 108 (28.05%) out of 385 women were in the third trimester of pregnancy. 226 out of 385 sera (58.70%) had positive IgG and all sera were tested negative for IgM. The remaining sera 159 (41.3%) had no IgG or IgM. The seroprevalence of IgG was correlated to the presence of cats in the household (P<0.001) and age group (P<0.05), whereas no significant association was observed with the consumption of raw vegetables, education and the type of housing. Out of the 159 sera tested negative, 45 (28.3%) were collected in the third trimester of pregnancy. Conclusion: Our study shows that the prevalence of toxoplasmosis among women of reproductive age, particularly pregnant women is not insignificant in Ivory Coast and deserves more attention from the health officials.