FcγRIIa polymorphism and anti-malaria-specific IgG and IgG subclass responses in populations differing in susceptibility to malaria in Burkina Faso.

FcγRIIa is known to be polymorphic; and certain variants are associated with different susceptibilities to malaria. Studies involving the Fulani ethnic group reported an ethnic difference in FcγRIIa-R131H genotype frequencies between the Fulani and other sympatric groups. No previous studies have addressed these questions in Burkina Faso. This study aimed to assess the influence of FcγRIIa-R131H polymorphism on anti-falciparum malaria IgG and IgG subclass responses in the Fulani and the Mossi ethnic groups living in Burkina Faso. Healthy adults more than 20 years old belonging to the Mossi or the Fulani ethnic groups were enrolled for the assessment of selected parasitological, immunological and genetic variables in relation to their susceptibility to malaria. The prevalence of the Plasmodium falciparum infection frequency was relatively low in the Fulani ethnic group compared to the Mossi ethnic group. For all tested antigens, the Fulani had higher antibody levels than the Mossi group. In both ethnic groups, a similar distribution of FcγRIIa R131H polymorphism was found. Individuals with the R allele of FcγRIIa had higher antibody levels than those with the H allele. This study confirmed that malaria infection affected less the Fulani group than the Mossi group. FcγRIIa-R131H allele distribution is similar in both ethnic groups, and higher antibody levels are associated with the FcγRIIa R allele compared to the H allele.

Microsatellite analysis characterizes Burkina Faso as a genetic contact zone between Sahelian and Djallonke sheep.

A total of 123 sheep belonging to the Djallonke, Mossi, and Burkina-Sahel breeds, along with 41 Spanish Xalda sheep were genotyped for 27 microsatellites. The pair Djallonke-Mossi had the highest between breeds molecular coancestry. Admixture analysis informed on the parental role of the Burkina-Sahel and Djallonke breeds. The Mossi breed was a hybrid population nearer to the Djallonke breed. Only half of the Mossi individuals were correctly assigned to their breed. The Burkina-Sahel and Djallonke breeds can be considered ancestrally different genetic entities. Differentiation between the Djallonke and Mossi breeds may be due to introgression of Sahelian sheep.

Analysis of mitochondrial DNA diversity in Burkina Faso populations confirms the maternal genetic homogeneity of the West African goat.

To date, no comprehensive study has been performed on mitochondrial genetic diversity of the West African goat. Here, we analysed a 481-bp fragment of the HVI region of 111 goats representing four native West African populations, namely the three main Burkina Faso breeds, zoo-farm kept Dwarf goats and endangered Spanish goat breeds used as the outgroup. Analyses gave 83 different haplotypes with 102 variable sites. Most haplotypes (65) were unique. Only three haplotypes were shared between populations. Haplotypes were assigned to cluster A except for H45 (belonging to the Spanish Bermeya goat) which was assigned to cluster C. amova analysis showed that divergence between groups (Phi(CT)) was not statistically significant regardless of whether the partition in two hierarchical levels that was fitted included Spanish samples or not. The West African goat scenario shown here is consistent with that previously reported for the species: haplogroup A is predominant and has a very high haplotype diversity regardless of the geographic area or sampled breed. The large phenotypic differences observable between the West African Dwarf and Sahelian long-legged goat populations are not detectable with mitochondrial markers. Moreover, a previously suggested introgression of Sahelian goat southwards because of desertification could not be assessed using mtDNA information.

[Knowledge and perception of cardiovascular risk factors in Africa South of the Sahara]. / Connaissance et perception des facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire en Afrique subsaharienne.

The objectives of our study were to evaluate the perception and the knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) by the population and their management by health care workers (HCW) in Burkina Faso. The survey targeted specific socio-professional groups representative of Burkina Faso. The survey team administrated a questionnaire and measured some constants. The sampling method was empiric selection by quotas. The sample was composed of 2,000 subjects: 1,073 men, 927 women, 1,800 represents of the general population and 200 HCW. Of 1,800 non health workers, 1,475 had ever heard about hypertension. The representation of hypertension as "a disease" decreased with instruction level while its reprentation "a risk factor" increased with instruction level (p < 0.001). The main sources of information on CVRF were talks with parents and friends, radio broadcasting and discussion with HCW. One hundred and forty of 200 HCW defined hypertension as an elevation of blood pressure, mainly systolic (130 cases) according to WHO criteria. Hypertension was classified after alcohol, tobacco smoking, obesity as the fourth CVRF. One hundred and seventy seven of 302 cases of hypertension were previously unknown: 97 of the 125 old cases were treated and 74 had not normal blood pressure levels. Hypertension and other CVRF are not well-known in Burkina Faso population and are not well-managed by HCW. Political decision makers and donor institutions should pay more attention on the public health problem represented by hypertension and other CVRF in developing countries because of they are not communicable.