Study of floristic diversity and the structural dynamics of some species providers of non woody forest products in the vegetable formations of the Centre East of Burkina Faso.

The goal of this study is to contribute to a better knowledge of certain species providing Non Woody Forest Products (NWFP) in the Centre East of Burkina Faso. This study aims to determine the state of the resources in Vitellaria paradoxa, Balanites aegyptiaca, Tamarindus indica and Lannea microcarpa. For this purpose, an inventory of the vegetation was carried out in circular pieces of land of 1250 m2, as a sample of the zone of work, based on the chart of occupation of the grounds. We are identified 158 species comprising 90 genera and 47 families. Those species represent more than 90% of the trees from which various parts are used in food, traditional pharmacopeia and the craft industry. We also showed that because of the strong anthropisation of the zone, the bad pedoclimatic conditions and the permanent bush fires, the regeneration and growth of Vitellaria paradoxa, Balanites aegyptiaca, Tamarindus indica and Lannea microcarpa are disturbed.

Medicinal plants used in traditional medicine in the centre east region of Burkina Faso.

The present research focused on the inventory and the use of plants in traditional medicine for the treatment of diseases in this area. The method was based on ethnobotanical surveys with semi-directing interview, conducted from November 2006 to December 2007 among a sample of 50 people aged between 40 and 80 years and very experienced in traditional medicine in the municipalities of Bissiga, Lalgaye and Tenkodogo. We identify 73 phytogenetic species and 175 therapeutic indications used to treat 52 diseases and the principal ones are the gastrointestinal diseases, the malaria, the various fevers, the jaundice, the skin diseases, the respiratory affections, the reproduction diseases, the hemorrhoids and the infantile diseases. In traditional veterinary pharmacopoeia, 18 phytogenetic species are used with 33 therapeutic indications to treat diseases including trypanosomiasis, tuberculosis, diarrheas and wounds. The interest of people of this area for medicinal plants, command a special attention to organize the actors and preserve the plant genetic resources.

Contribution a la connaissance des plantes medicinales utilisees dans les soins infantiles en pays San; au Burkina Faso

La presente etude contribue a la connaissance des plantes medicinales et des recettes medicamenteuses utilisees dans les soins infantiles au Pays San; situe au Nord-ouest du Burkina Faso. A la suite d'enquetes ethnobotaniques; 50 tradipraticiens de sante; ayant au moins 15 ans d'experience ont ete interroges. La technique utilisee etait l'entretien semi-directif a partir d'un questionnaire elabore. Au total 79 especes medicinales ont ete recensees; reparties en 69 genres et 34 familles dont les mieux representees sont les Ceasalpiniaceae (7 genres et 9 especes); les Mimosaceae (6 genres et 9 especes); les Combretaceae (4 genres et 8 especes) et les Anacardiaceae (4 genres et 5 especes). Quelques 90de ces especes sont des plantes ligneuses (arbres; arbustes; lianes et sous-arbrisseaux). Isolees ou en association; ces plantes entrent dans la formulation de 167 recettes medicamenteuses; et les feuilles constituent les principaux organes sollicites. La decoction et la boisson sont predominantes pour l'acquisition et l'administration des remedes respectivement. Le paludisme et la diarrhee sont les plus cites sur les 34 maladies infantiles recensees

Etiology of urethral discharge in West Africa: the role of Mycoplasma genitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the etiological role of pathogens other than Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis in urethral discharge in West African men. METHODS: Urethral swabs were obtained from 659 male patients presenting with urethral discharge in 72 primary health care facilities in seven West African countries, and in 339 controls presenting for complaints unrelated to the genitourinary tract. Polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to detect the presence of N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Mycoplasma genitalium, and Ureaplasma urealyticum. FINDINGS: N. gonorrhoeae, T. vaginalis, C. trachomatis, and M. genitalium--but not U. urealyticum--were found more frequently in men with urethral discharge than in asymptomatic controls, being present in 61.9%, 13.8%, 13.4% and 10.0%, respectively, of cases of urethral discharge. Multiple infections were common. Among patients with gonococcal infection, T. vaginalis was as frequent a coinfection as C. trachomatis. M. genitalium, T. vaginalis, and C. trachomatis caused a similar clinical syndrome to that associated with gonococcal infection, but with a less severe urethral discharge. CONCLUSIONS: M. genitalium and T. vaginalis are important etiological agents of urethral discharge in West Africa. The frequent occurrence of multiple infections with any combination of four pathogens strongly supports the syndromic approach. The optimal use of metronidazole in flowcharts for the syndromic management of urethral discharge needs to be explored in therapeutic trials.

A survey of leprosy impairments and disabilities among patients treated by MDT in Burkina Faso.

Since 1990, Burkina Faso, a West African country, has carried out a national leprosy control program treating with WHO/MDT nearly 12,000 patients between 1990 and 1994. A sample survey of 600 cases among these patients showed that 29.8% were disabled cases. There was a predominance of males, older patients, the multibacillary form of leprosy, and former cases treated with dapsone before MDT. The actual rate increased 8.5% compared to the frequency of disabilities at detection (21.3%). The need for disability care was estimated, respectively, at 24.4% and 5% for primary and secondary grades of disability. These important needs were so great that the authors recommend the planning and initiation of a physical rehabilitation and disability prevention program in this country.