Absence of association between polymorphisms in the pfcoronin and pfk13 genes and the presence of Plasmodium falciparum parasites after treatment with artemisinin derivatives in Senegal.

Due to resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine, treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria switched to artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in 2006 in Senegal. Several mutations in the gene encoding the kelch13 helix (pfk13-propeller) have been identified as associated with in vitro and in vivo artemisinin resistance in Southeast Asia. Additionally, three mutations in the pfcoronin gene (G50E, R100K and E107V) have been identified in two culture-adapted Senegalese field isolates that became resistant in vitro to artemisinin after 4 years of intermittent selection with dihydroartemisinin. The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of pfcoronin and pfk13 mutations in Senegalese field isolates from Dakar and to investigate their association with artemisinin derivative clinical failures. A total of 348 samples of P. falciparum from 327 patients, collected from 2015-2019 in Dakar, were successfully analysed. All sequences had wild-type pfk13 allele. The three mutations (G50E, R100K and E107V), previously identified in parasites with reduced susceptibility to artemisinin, were not found in this study, but a new mutation (P76S) was detected (mean prevalence 16.2%). The P76S mutation was identified in 5 (31.3%) of 16 isolates collected from patients still parasitaemic on Day 3 after ACT treatment and in 31 samples (15.3%) among 203 patients considered successfully cured. There was no significant association between in vivo reduced efficacy to artemisinin derivatives and the P76S mutation (P = 0.151, Fisher's exact test). These data suggest that polymorphisms in pfk13 and pfcoronin are not the best predictive markers for artemisinin resistance in Senegal.

[Sjögren's Syndrome: Epidemiological, Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Evolutionary Aspects in the Aristide-Le-Dantec Teaching Hospital of Dakar, Senegal (2012-2016)]. / Le syndrome de Sjögren : aspects épidémiologiques, diagnostiques, thérapeutiques et évolutifs au CHU Aristide-Le-Dantec de Dakar, Sénégal (2012‒2016).

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune epithelitis, rarely described in black Africa. We report its epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects in a Senegalese hospital environment. A retrospective, crosssectional study was carried out in the rheumatology and internal medicine departments of Aristide-Le-Dantec University Hospital of Dakar, between January 2012 and September 2016, where the observations of SS whose diagnosis, in line with the American-European consensus criteria of 2002, were enrolled. We collected 370 observations of SS, 327 women and 43 men, a sex-ratio of 1:9. These were 251 primitive forms (pSS) and 119 secondary forms (sSS). The hospital prevalence of pSS was 5%. The mean age was 42 ± 15 years and the time taken for diagnosis was 7 years. The familial forms totaled 47 index cases with a relative risk of occurrence of the disease estimated at 6.3% for firstdegree relatives. The juvenile forms totaled 7 cases of pSS. Dry syndrome was constant: oral (87%) and ocular (84%). Extra glandular manifestations were present in 87%. Arthritis was erosive in 75 cases and secondary to Rheumatoid arthritis. Autoantibodies (rheumatoid factors [49/147], anti-CCP [24/79], Sjögren's syndrome autoantigen A [anti- Ro/SSA] 41/140, Sjögren's syndrome autoantigen B [anti-La/SSB] [22/140], anti-nuclear [14/55] and cryoglobulin 1) were objectified. The histology practiced in 253/370 patients was contributory in 229 of them. According to the ESSPRI score (Eular Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index), 77% of patients had unbearable symptoms. NHP (Nottingham Health Profile) and SF-36 (Short Form [36] Health Survey) confirmed this deterioration in the quality of life. The ESSDAI score (Eular Sjögren Syndrome Disease Activity Index) showed persistent activity of the disease. The evolution was overall favorable. The hospital prevalence of pSS was 5%. It is predominant in women with an average age of 42 years. Glandular and systemic manifestations are frequent. The functional repercussions and the alteration of the quality of life are notable.

Le syndrome de Sjögren (SS) est une épithélite auto-immune, rarement décrite en Afrique noire. Nous rapportons ses aspects épidémiologiques, diagnostiques, thérapeutiques et évolutifs en milieu hospitalier sénégalais au travers d'une étude rétrospective, transversale, réalisée dans les services de rhumatologie et de médecine interne du CHU Aristide-Le-Dantec de Dakar, entre janvier 2012 et septembre 2016. Le diagnostic des observations de SS colligées était en accord avec les critères américano-européens modifiés en 2002 (critères de Vitali). Nous avons colligé 370 observations de SS chez 327 femmes et 43 hommes, soit un sex-ratio de 1/9. Il s'agissait de 251 formes primitives (SSp) et de 119 formes secondaires (SSs). La prévalence hospitalière du SSp était de 5%. L'âge moyen était de 42 ans ± 15. Le délai du diagnostic était de sept ans. Les formes familiales totalisaient 47 cas index, avec un risque relatif de survenue de la maladie estimé à 6,3 % pour les apparentés de premier degré. Les formes juvéniles totalisaient sept cas de SSp. Le syndrome sec était constant : buccal (87 %) et oculaire (84 %). Les manifestations extraglandulaires étaient présentes dans 87 % des cas. Les arthrites étaient érosives dans 75 cas, secondaires à une polyarthrite rhumatoïde. Les autoanticorps (facteurs rhumatoïdes [49/147], anticorps antipeptides cycliques citrullinés [anti-CCP] 24/79, Sjögren's syndrome autoantigen A [anti-Ro/SSA] [41/140], Sjögren's syndrome autoantigen B [anti-La/SSB] [22/140], antinucléaires [14/55] et cryoglobuline [1 cas]) étaient objectivés. L'histologie pratiquée chez 253/370 patients était contributive chez 229 d'entre eux. Selon le score ESSPRI (Eular Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index), 77 % des patients avaient des symptômes insupportables. Le NHP (Nottingham Health Profile) et le SF-36 (Short Form [36] Health Survey) confirmaient cette altération de la qualité vie. Le score ESSDAI (Eular Sjögren Syndrome Disease Activity Index) objectivait une activité persistante de la maladie. L'évolution était globalement favorable. La prévalence hospitalière du SSp était de 5 %. Il prédominait chez les femmes d'âge moyen de 42 ans. Les manifestations glandulaires et systémiques étaient fréquentes. Le retentissement fonctionnel et l'altération de la qualité de vie étaient notables.

Simultaneous determination of 200 pesticide residues in honey using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in conjunction with streamlined quantification approach.

A sensitive, accurate and reliable multi-class GC-MS/MS assay protocol for quantification and confirmation of 200 common agricultural pesticides in honey was developed and validated according to EU guidelines. A modified extraction procedure, based on QuEChERS method (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) was employed. Mass spectrophotometric conditions were individually optimized for each analyte to achieve maximum sensitivity and selectivity in MRM mode. The use of at least two reactions for each compound allowed simultaneous identification and quantification in a single run. The pesticides under investigation were separated in less than 31 min using the ultra-inert capillary column (DB-35MS). For all analytes, neat standard calibration curves in conjunction with correction for matrix effect were successfully employed. The detection limits of the assay ranged from 1.00 to 3.00 ng mL(-1) for the studied pesticides. The developed assay was linear over concentration range of 10.00-500.00 ng mL(-1), with correlation coefficient of more than 0.996. At the LOQ, 81% of the studied pesticides were efficiently recovered in the range of 70.00-120.00%, with CV% less than 15.00% while 99.3% compounds had mean percentage recovery of 60.00-140.00%, with CV% less than 21.00% (N=18, over three different days). The proposed assay was successfully applied for the analysis of the studied pesticide residues in one PT sample and 64 commercial honey samples collected over 1 year from different districts around Egypt. Results revealed that only one honey sample out of the 64 analyzed samples was contaminated with tau-Fluvalinate (10.00 µg kg(-1)). This wide scope assay protocol is applicable for monitoring pesticide residues in honey by national regulatory authorities and accredited labs; that should help ensure safety of such widely used product.

QuEChERS Method Followed by Solid Phase Extraction Method for Gas Chromatographic-Mass Spectrometric Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Fish.

A gas chromatography equipped with mass spectrometer (GCMS) method was developed and validated for determination of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fish using modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method for extraction and solid phase extraction for sample cleanup to remove most of the coextract combined with GCMS for determination of low concentration of selected group of PAHs in homogenized fish samples. PAHs were separated on a GCMS with HP-5ms Ultra Inert GC Column (30 m, 0.25 mm, and 0.25 µm). Mean recovery ranged from 56 to 115%. The extraction efficiency was consistent over the entire range where indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene and benzo(g,h,i)perylene showed recovery (65, 69%), respectively, at 2 µg/kg. No significant dispersion of results was observed for the other remaining PAHs and recovery did not differ substantially, and at the lowest and the highest concentrations mean recovery and RSD% showed that most of PAHs were between 70% and 120% with RSD less than 10%. The measurement uncertainty is expressed as expanded uncertainty and in terms of relative standard deviation (at 95% confidence level) is ±12%. This method is suitable for laboratories engaged daily in routine analysis of a large number of samples.