Full genome sequence of a chrysanthemum-infecting tomato spotted wilt virus isolate from Zimbabwe obtained by next-generation sequencing.

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is an economically important pathogen of many crops worldwide. However, prior to this study, only one complete genome sequence of an African TSWV isolate was available in public databases. This limits genetic diversity and evolutionary studies of the pathogen on the continent. TSWV was detected in symptomatic Zimbabwean chrysanthemum plants using late-ral flow kits. The presence of the pathogen was subsequently confirmed by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Total RNAs for RT-PCR and next-generation sequencing (NGS) were extracted using an RNA extraction kit. NGS performed on an Illumina HiSeq platform was used to recover the full TSWV genome and analyzed by different software packages. The tripartite genome of the Zimbabwe TSWV isolate consisted of L, M and S RNAs of 8914, 4824 and 2968 nucleotides, respectively. This isolate shared highest protein and nucleotide sequence identities with the isolate LK-1 from neighboring South Africa. The Zimbabwe TSWV isolate was found to be a non-recombinant and non-resistance-breaking. This study provides the first full genome of TSWV from Zimbabwe. It also adds useful information towards understanding the evolution of the pathogen. Keywords: Africa; tospovirus; phylogenetic analysis; recombination; virus identification.

Zucchini shoestring virus: a distinct potyvirus in the papaya ringspot virus cluster.

Zucchini shoestring virus (ZSSV) has been proposed to be a putative potyvirus in the papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) cluster, based on the sequence similarity of its coat protein to those of related potyviruses. ZSSV has been associated with the outbreak of a damaging disease of baby marrow (Cucurbita pepo L.) that had been observed throughout the province of KwaZulu-Natal, in the Republic of South Africa (RSA). We report the genome sequence of ZSSV, determined by next-generation sequencing of total RNA extracted from an infected baby marrow (Cucurbita pepo L.). The ZSSV genome is 10,295 nucleotides long excluding the poly(A) tail and displays a typical potyvirus organization. Algerian watermelon mosaic virus (AWMV; EU410442.1) was identified as the closest relative of ZSSV, sharing the highest nucleotide sequence identity of 65.68%. The nucleotide and amino acid sequence identity values for each protein support the differentiation of ZSSV as a member of a distinct species in the genus Potyvirus. This taxonomic position was also confirmed using the Pairwise Sequence Comparison online tool from the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Phylogenetic analysis of the polyprotein coding sequence of ZSSV grouped ZSSV together with AWMV and Moroccan watermelon mosaic virus, but in different clusters. ZSSV is the second cucurbit-infecting virus in the PRSV cluster present in RSA.

Assessment of Imatinib in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia in Gabon: a cohort of 17 cases.

The prognosis for chronic myeloid leukemia, the first hematologic malignancy for which successful targeted therapy has been developed, has changed markedly in the West. In developing countries, however, prognosis remains poor, mainly because of lack of access to treatment. The effort made by some nongovernmental organizations to distribute first-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors free of charge has changed this situation in some regions, notably in sub-Saharan Africa and Gabon in particular. We report the results in a cohort of 17 patients.

[Family form of isolated left ventricular noncompaction; case of a mother and her son observed in Gabon]. / Forme familiale de la non compaction isolée du ventricule gauche ; cas d'une mère et de son fils observés au Gabon.

We describe a case report of a young Gabonese lady who presented an acute pulmonary oedema and we suspected a paripartum cardiomyopathy. Subsequent investigations showed isolated left ventricular noncompaction. A few months later, the same disease was disclosed at her 9 year-old son who presented a cardiac insufficiency. Therefore, we suspect a family form of left ventricular noncompaction. And it is the first description in subsaharan Africa. The hereditary character of this new form of cardiomyopathy linked to a genetic mutation on the X chromosome is well known. This disease is associated with heart failure, high incidence of systemic thromboembolism complications or ventricular arrhythmia. The echocardiography and the cardiac magnetic resonance imaging has been reported to be tools for diagnosis. In Africa, access to these techniques remains a privilege. So the discovery of illness is often late and the family screening are special. In our area, the therapeutic management is the medical treatment of heart failure. Implatable cardioverter defibrillator or heart transplantation are not available. So long-term prognosis of our patients with congestive heart failure stays poor. With best equipment in our hospitals and good training of African cardiologists, we should improve the management of our patients.

[Epidemiological and diagnostic featurers of colorectal cancer in Libreville, Gabon]. / Aspects épidemiologiques et diagnostiques des cancers colorectaux à Libreville (Gabon).

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the epidemiological profile of colorectal cancer in Gabon and to describe its clinical and laboratory features. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective monocentric descriptive study was based on all cases of colorectal cancers managed at the Libreville Hospital Center during the 10-year period from September 1996 to September 2006. Study endpoints included epidemiological characteristics, anatomoclinical forms and diagnostic methods. RESULTS: A total of 51 cases were included. Mean patient age at time of diagnosis was 48 years. The sex ratio was 1.3 with a female predominance. Mean duration of symptoms ranged from 6 months to 1 year. Abdominal pain and digestive disturbances were the most common manifestations. Lower digestive-tract endoscopy was performed in 49 patients. The tumor was located at rectosigmoid junction in 80% of cases. Lieberkühnian adenocarcinoma accounted for 98% of cases. CONCLUSION: Initially described in industrialized countries, colorectal cancer is now being reported in developing regions, even though data from the literature and Gabonese cancers register (1984-93) indicate otherwise. It often involves young adults. The rectum was the most frequent site in this study. Delayed diagnosis is the main reason for poor prognosis. Education to improve awareness of early clinical signs as well improvement of diagnostic facilities should allow early detection and better prognosis of colorectal cancer in Africa.