The characterization of Brucella strains isolated from cattle in Algeria reveals the existence of a B. abortus lineage distinct from European and Sub-Saharan Africa strains

: Cissus aralioides is a medicinal plant used in sub-Saharan Africa for treatment of infectious diseases; however the chemical constituents of the plant have not been investigated. Thus, in this study, attempt was made at identifying predominant phytochemical constituents of the plant through chromatographic purification and silylation of the plant extract, and subsequent characterization using spectroscopic and GC-MS techniques. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs) for the antibacterial activities of the plant extract, chromatographic fractions and isolated compounds were also examined. Chromatographic purification of the ethyl acetate fraction from the whole plant afforded three compounds: β-sitosterol (1), stigmasterol (2) and friedelin (3). The phytosterols (1 and 2) were obtained together as a mixture. The GC-MS analysis of silylated extract indicated alcohols, fatty acids and sugars as predominant classes, with composition of 24.62, 36.90 and 26.52% respectively. Results of MICs indicated that friedelin and other chromatographic fractions had values (0.0626-1.0 mg/mL) comparable with the standard antibiotics used. Characterization of natural products from C. aralioides is being reported for the first time in this study.

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The Orphan Crop Crassocephalum crepidioides Accumulates the Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid Jacobine in Response to Nitrogen Starvation

Frontiers in Plant Science ◽

10.3389/fpls.2021.702985 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Sebastian Schramm ◽

Wilfried Rozhon ◽

Adebimpe N. Adedeji-Badmus ◽

Yuanyuan Liang ◽

Shahran Nayem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Close Relative ◽

Environmental Cues ◽

N Deficiency ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Rate Limiting ◽

Homospermidine Synthase ◽

Orphan Crop

Crassocephalum crepidioides is an African orphan crop that is used as a leafy vegetable and medicinal plant. Although it is of high regional importance in Sub-Saharan Africa, the plant is still mainly collected from the wild and therefore efforts are made to promote its domestication. However, in addition to beneficial properties, there was first evidence that C. crepidioides can accumulate the highly toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) jacobine and here it was investigated, how jacobine production is controlled. Using ecotypes from Africa and Asia that were characterized in terms of their PA profiles, it is shown that the tetraploid C. crepidioides forms jacobine, an ability that its diploid close relative Crassocephalum rubens appears to lack. Evidence is provided that nitrogen (N) deficiency strongly increases jacobine in the leaves of C. crepidioides, that this capacity depends more strongly on the shoot than the root system, and that homospermidine synthase (HSS) activity is not rate-limiting for this reaction. A characterization of HSS gene representation and transcription showed that C. crepidioides and C. rubens possess two functional versions, one of which is conserved, that the HSS transcript is mainly present in roots and that its abundance is not controlled by N deficiency. In summary, this work improves our understanding of how environmental cues impact PA biosynthesis in plants and provides a basis for the development of PA-free C. crepidioides cultivars, which will aid its domestication and safe use.

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Genetic characterization of the first detected human case of low pathogenic avian influenza A/H9N2 in sub-Saharan Africa, Senegal

Emerging Microbes & Infections ◽

10.1080/22221751.2020.1763858 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 1092-1095

Author(s):

Mamadou Malado Jallow ◽

Amary Fall ◽

Mamadou Aliou Barry ◽

Boly Diop ◽

Sara Sy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Avian Influenza ◽

Influenza A ◽

Genetic Characterization ◽

Human Case ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

Sub Saharan

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Pteropine Orthoreovirus in an Angolan Soft-Furred Fruit Bat (Lissonycteris angolensis) in Uganda Dramatically Expands the Global Distribution of an Emerging Bat-Borne Respiratory Virus

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v12070740 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 740

Author(s):

Andrew J. Bennett ◽

Tony L. Goldberg

Keyword(s):

Southeast Asia ◽

Respiratory Virus ◽

Rectal Swab ◽

Geographic Distance ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Zoonotic Virus ◽

Fruit Bat ◽

Dsrna Genome ◽

Sub Saharan

Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV; Reoviridae: Spinareovirinae) is an emerging bat-borne zoonotic virus that causes influenza-like illness (ILI). PRV has thus far been found only in Australia and Asia, where diverse old-world fruit bats (Pteropodidae) serve as hosts. In this study, we report the discovery of PRV in Africa, in an Angolan soft-furred fruit bat (Lissonycteris angolensis ruwenzorii) from Bundibugyo District, Uganda. Metagenomic characterization of a rectal swab yielded 10 dsRNA genome segments, revealing this virus to cluster within the known diversity of PRV variants detected in bats and humans in Southeast Asia. Phylogeographic analyses revealed a correlation between geographic distance and genetic divergence of PRVs globally, which suggests a geographic continuum of PRV diversity spanning Southeast Asia to sub-Saharan Africa. The discovery of PRV in an African bat dramatically expands the geographic range of this zoonotic virus and warrants further surveillance for PRVs outside of Southeast Asia.

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Genetic dissection of drug resistance in trypanosomes

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s003118201300022x ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 140 (12) ◽

pp. 1478-1491 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

SAM ALSFORD ◽

JOHN M. KELLY ◽

NICOLA BAKER ◽

DAVID HORN

Keyword(s):

Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Genetic Dissection ◽

Molecular Tools ◽

Sequencing Technology ◽

Exponential Increase ◽

Technological Developments ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Identification And Characterization

SUMMARYThe trypanosomes cause two neglected tropical diseases, Chagas disease in the Americas and African trypanosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa. Over recent years a raft of molecular tools have been developed enabling the genetic dissection of many aspects of trypanosome biology, including the mechanisms underlying resistance to some of the current clinical and veterinary drugs. This has led to the identification and characterization of key resistance determinants, including transporters for the anti-Trypanosoma bruceidrugs, melarsoprol, pentamidine and eflornithine, and the activator of nifurtimox-benznidazole, the anti-Trypanosoma cruzidrugs. More recently, advances in sequencing technology, combined with the development of RNA interference libraries in the clinically relevant bloodstream form ofT. bruceihave led to an exponential increase in the number of proteins known to interact either directly or indirectly with the anti-trypanosomal drugs. In this review, we discuss these findings and the technological developments that are set to further revolutionise our understanding of drug-trypanosome interactions. The new knowledge gained should inform the development of novel interventions against the devastating diseases caused by these parasites.

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Faecal sludge as a solid industrial fuel: a pilot-scale study

Journal of Water Sanitation and Hygiene for Development ◽

10.2166/washdev.2017.089 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 243-251 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Moritz Gold ◽

Daniel Isaac Waya Ddiba ◽

Alsane Seck ◽

Patrick Sekigongo ◽

Alassane Diene ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Calorific Value ◽

Pilot Scale ◽

Wastewater Sludge ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Clay Bricks ◽

Financial Benefits ◽

Treatment Technologies ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Faecal Sludge

Revenues from faecal sludge (FS) treatment end products could offset treatment costs and contribute to financially viable sanitation. In urban sub-Saharan Africa, energy-producing resource recovery has the potential to generate greater revenue than use as soil conditioner. In contrast with wastewater sludge, the technical feasibility of using dried FS as solid fuel in industries has not been investigated. This study evaluated it through characterization of dried FS from drying beds and by assessing the combustion performance in two pilot-scale kilns, in Kampala and Dakar. Results from the fuel characterization demonstrate that dried FS had comparable fuel characteristics as wastewater sludge considering calorific value and ash content. The calorific values and ash contents were 10.9–13.4 MJ/kg dry matter (DM) and 47.0–58.7%, respectively. Results from pilot-scale experiments suggest that dried FS can be effective in providing energy for industries. Temperatures in pilot-scale kilns fueled by FS were 800 °C, sufficient for curing of clay bricks, and 437 °C, sufficient for waste oil regeneration. In Kampala and Dakar, an estimated 20,000 tons of FS DM per year accumulate. Tapping the industrial fuel market and financial benefits could be realized through optimization of onsite sanitation and treatment technologies.

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Characterization of virulence factors of Salmonella isolated from human stools and street food in urban areas of Burkina Faso

BMC Microbiology ◽

10.1186/s12866-021-02398-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Marguerite E. M. Nikiema ◽

Solange Kakou-ngazoa ◽

Absatou Ky/Ba ◽

Aboubacar Sylla ◽

Evariste Bako ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Burkina Faso ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Virulence Genes ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Clinical Isolates ◽

Genetic Profile ◽

Street Food ◽

Serological Identification ◽

Sub Saharan

Abstract Background This study was undertaken to identify and functionally characterize virulence genes from Salmonella isolates in street food and stool cultures. From February 2017 to May 2018, clinical and food Salmonella strains were isolated in three regions in Burkina Faso. Salmonella was serotyped according to the White-Kauffmann-Le Minor method, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detec invA, spvR, spvC, fimA and stn virulence genes commonly associated with salmonellosis in Sub-Saharan Africa. Results A total of 106 Salmonella isolates (77 human stools; 14 sandwiches) was analyzed using a serological identification with an O-group test reagent. The presence of Salmonella was confirmed in 86% (91/106) of the samples were reactive (OMA-positive/OMB-positive). Salmonella serogroup O:4,5 was the most common serogroup detected (40%; 36/91). Salmonella Enteritidis and Typhimurium represented 5.5% (5/91) and 3.3% (3/91), respectively and were identified only from clinical isolates. Furthermore, 14 serotypes of Salmonella (12/91 human strains and 2/15 sandwich strains) were evocative of Kentucky/Bargny serotype. For the genetic profile, 66% (70/106) of the Salmonella had invA and stn genes; 77.4% (82/106) had the fimA gene. The spvR gene was found in 36.8% (39/106) of the isolates while 48.1% (51/106) had the spvC gene. Among the identified Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium isolated from stools, the virulence genes detected were invA (3/5) versus (2/3), fimA (4/5) versus (3/3), stn (3/5) versus (2/3), spvR (4/5) versus (2/3) and spvC (3/5) versus (2/3), respectively. Conclusion This study reports the prevalence of Salmonella serotypes and virulence genes in clinical isolates and in street foods. It shows that food could be a significant source of Salmonella transmission to humans. Our results could help decision-making by the Burkina Faso health authority in the fight against street food-related diseases, in particular by training restaurateurs in food hygiene.

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Food Safety Characterization of Food Enterprises for Inclusive Nutrition Sensitive Value Chain Development in Sub-Saharan Africa. A Case Study of the Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato Value Chain in Kenya

10.7176/fsqm/110-05 ◽

2021 ◽

Keyword(s):

Food Safety ◽

Sweet Potato ◽

Value Chain ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Nutrition Sensitive ◽

Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato

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New Variant of Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Associated with Invasive Disease in Immunocompromised Patients in Vietnam

mBio ◽

10.1128/mbio.01056-18 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Alison E. Mather ◽

Tu Le Thi Phuong ◽

Yunfeng Gao ◽

Simon Clare ◽

Subhankar Mukhopadhyay ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Whole Genome Sequencing ◽

Genome Sequencing ◽

Invasive Disease ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Whole Genome ◽

Phase 2 ◽

Serovar Typhimurium ◽

Sub Saharan

ABSTRACT Nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS), particularly Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, is among the leading etiologic agents of bacterial enterocolitis globally and a well-characterized cause of invasive disease (iNTS) in sub-Saharan Africa. In contrast, S. Typhimurium is poorly defined in Southeast Asia, a known hot spot for zoonotic disease with a recently described burden of iNTS disease. Here, we aimed to add insight into the epidemiology and potential impact of zoonotic transfer and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in S. Typhimurium associated with iNTS and enterocolitis in Vietnam. We performed whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic reconstruction on 85 human (enterocolitis, carriage, and iNTS) and 113 animal S. Typhimurium isolates isolated in Vietnam. We found limited evidence for the zoonotic transmission of S. Typhimurium. However, we describe a chain of events where a pandemic monophasic variant of S. Typhimurium (serovar I:4,[5],12:i:− sequence type 34 [ST34]) has been introduced into Vietnam, reacquired a phase 2 flagellum, and acquired an IncHI2 multidrug-resistant plasmid. Notably, these novel biphasic ST34 S. Typhimurium variants were significantly associated with iNTS in Vietnamese HIV-infected patients. Our study represents the first characterization of novel iNTS organisms isolated outside sub-Saharan Africa and outlines a new pathway for the emergence of alternative Salmonella variants into susceptible human populations. IMPORTANCE Salmonella Typhimurium is a major diarrheal pathogen and associated with invasive nontyphoid Salmonella (iNTS) disease in vulnerable populations. We present the first characterization of iNTS organisms in Southeast Asia and describe a different evolutionary trajectory from that of organisms causing iNTS in sub-Saharan Africa. In Vietnam, the globally distributed monophasic variant of Salmonella Typhimurium, the serovar I:4,[5],12:i:− ST34 clone, has reacquired a phase 2 flagellum and gained a multidrug-resistant plasmid to become associated with iNTS disease in HIV-infected patients. We document distinct communities of S. Typhimurium and I:4,[5],12:i:− in animals and humans in Vietnam, despite the greater mixing of these host populations here. These data highlight the importance of whole-genome sequencing surveillance in a One Health context in understanding the evolution and spread of resistant bacterial infections.

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