Dynamics of residual malaria transmission in Central Western Senegal: Mapping the breeding sites of Anopheles gambiae s. l

AbstractDespite the use of several effective control interventions in the central western Senegal, residual malaria transmission still occurring in some hotspots. In order to better understand the factors associated with this situation to better tailor targeted control actions, it is critical to unravel environmental and geographical factors underlying the persistence of the disease in study hotspot villages. Hotspots villages were defined as those reporting more than six indigenous malaria cases during the previous year. A total of ten villages, including seven hotspots and three non-hotspots, were surveyed. All potential mosquito breeding sites identified in and around the tenth study villages were regularly monitored between 2013 and 2017. This monitoring concerned the presence of anophelines larvae and the collection of epidemiological, hydrogeological, topographical and biogeographical data. Throughout the study area, the number of larval breeding sites inventoried and monitored over the study period ranged from 50 to 62. They were higher, with no significant difference, in hotspot sites than in non-hotspot sites for each year of monitoring with 62.3% (56/62) in 2013, 90.9% (50/55) in 2014, 90.3% (56/62) in 2015 and 86% (43/50) in 2017 (Fisher’s exact test; p = 1). The Hotspot villages were mostly characterized by saline or moderately saline hydro-morphic and halomorphic soils allowing water retention and a suitable presence of potential larval breeding sites. Whereas non-hotspot villages are characterized mainly by a high proportion of extremely permeable sandy-textured soils due to their porosity, which reduces water retention. The annual number of confirmed malaria cases was corelated relatively with the frequency and extent of breeding sites. Malaria cases were much more higher in the hamlets located near to the breeding sites of An. gambiae s.l then gradually decreases with their remoteness. This study has shown that the dynamics of larval breeding sites by their longevity, stability, proximity to houses and their positiveness rate for the presence of Anopheles larvae could be a determining factor in the persistence of malaria hotspots in central western Senegal. The results of this study shed more light on the environmental factors underlying the residual transmission and should make it possible to better organize vector control interventions for malaria elimination in west-central Senegal.

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Mapping the breeding sites of Anopheles gambiae s. l. in areas of residual malaria transmission in central western Senegal

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0236607 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. e0236607

Author(s):

Assane Ndiaye ◽

El Hadji Amadou Niang ◽

Aminata Niang Diène ◽

Mohamed Abderemane Nourdine ◽

Pape Cheikh Sarr ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Malaria Transmission ◽

Water Retention ◽

Effective Control ◽

Annual Number ◽

Fisher Exact Test ◽

Breeding Sites ◽

Exact Test ◽

Residual Malaria Transmission ◽

Anopheline Larvae ◽

Mosquito Breeding

Despite the deployment of several effective control interventions in central-western Senegal, residual malaria transmission is still occurring in some hotspots. To better tailor targeted control actions, it is critical to unravel the underlying environmental and geographical factors that cause the persistence infection in hotspot villages. “Hotspots villages” were defined in our study as those reporting more than six indigenous malaria cases during the previous year. A total of ten villages, including seven hotspots and three non-hotspots, were surveyed. All potential mosquito breeding sites identified in and around the ten study villages were regularly monitored between 2013 and 2017. Monitoring comprised the detection of anopheline larvae and the collection of epidemiological, hydrogeological, topographical, and biogeographical data. The number of larval breeding sites described and monitored during the study period ranged from 50 to 62. Breeding sites were more numerous in hotspot sites in each year of monitoring, with 90.3% (56/62) in 2013, 90.9% (50/55) in 2014, 90.3% (56/62) in 2015 and 86% (43/50) in 2017 (Fisher exact test; p = 1). In the non-hotspot areas, the data for the same years were, respectively, 9.7% (6/62), 9.1% (5/55), 9.7% (6/62) and 14% (7/50) (p = 1). The Hotspot villages were characterized mostly by saline or moderately saline hydro-morphic and halomorphic soils allowing water retention and a potential larval breeding sites. By contrast, non-hotspot villages were characterized mainly by a high proportion of extremely permeable sandy-textured soils, which due to their porosity had low water retention. The annual number of confirmed malaria cases was correlated with the frequency and extent of breeding sites. Malaria cases were significantly more frequent in the hamlets located near breeding sites of An. gambiae s.l., gradually decreasing with increasing remoteness. This study shows that the characteristics of larval breeding sites, as measured by their longevity, stability, proximity to human habitation, and their positivity in Anopheles larvae are likely determining factors in the persistence of malaria hotspots in central-western Senegal. The results of this study shed more light on the environmental factors underlying the residual transmission and should make it possible to better target vector control interventions for malaria elimination in west-central Senegal.

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Bisphenol A Acts As Developmental Agonist in Culex Quinquefasciatus Say

10.21203/rs.3.rs-401763/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ayana Gayathri ◽

Evans DA

Keyword(s):

Bisphenol A ◽

Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽

Atmospheric Temperature ◽

Pupal Development ◽

Breeding Sites ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Mosquito Breeding ◽

Summer Rain ◽

Dose Dependent ◽

Embryonic And Larval Development

Abstract Plastic – derived Bisphenol A (BPA) contaminated sewages in Trivandrum, Kerala, India are mosquito breeding sites. After summer rain, BPA in the stagnant water samples ranged between 0.86 and 1.14ppm. 1.0 ppm BPA is considered as environmentally relevant concentration. Present study revealed that BPA is a developmental agonist of Culex quinquefasciatus. Embryonic and larval development are shortened by BPA but pupal development is unaffected. Under the atmospheric temperature of 26 to 310C lifecycle was completed within 312 hours but during summer it was completed within 278 hours, meanwhile atmospheric temperature ranged between 30 and 370C. Reduction in the duration of development due to BPA was 50 to 70 hours during summer and 60 to 80 hours in other seasons. Larval – pupal stadium of the mosquito has three surges of 20-hydroxy ecdysone(20-HE), at 24,32 and 48th hour of the 4th instar. BPA resulted dose-dependent advancement of 20-HE peaks, Phospholipase A2 induction and expression of Ecdysone receptor EcRA and Ecdysone inducible gene E75A, which culminated in early pupation. Adults emerging from 1.0 ppm BPA treatment did not show significant difference in sanguivory and fecundity compared to control but pupae developed in 2 and 4 ppm BPA were significantly small.

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Studies on Malaria Vector Population Density in Three Selected Areas in Sokoto Metropolitan, Sokoto State - Nigeria

International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health ◽

10.9734/ijtdh/2020/v41i830305 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 11-17

Author(s):

F. A. Maikano ◽

S. Y. Lema ◽

M. A. Yahaya ◽

J. Suleiman ◽

J. Ibrahim

Keyword(s):

Population Density ◽

Total Population ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Effective Control ◽

Mosquito Larvae ◽

Breeding Sites ◽

Vector Population ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Medical Importance ◽

Water Tanks

This study is conducted to determine the population density of mosquitoes in three selected area (Kofar Taramniya, Mabera and Bello Way) in Sokoto metropolis. To identified and count the population of mosquito, different breeding sites were investigated for the preferences of mosquitoes. Mosquito larvae were collected using dipper, ladle spoon from drainages, stagnant water, gutters, open wells, local pots, water tanks and cattle sheds. A total population of 4,764 mosquito larvae were collected and identified From the three (3) selected areas larvae and pupae were encounters in abundance. In Mabera area, a total of 1799 (37.7%) larvae are collected in which 1199 (45.8%) belonging to Anopheles genera and 600 (27.9%) belong to culex genera. In kofar Taramniya a total of 1649 (34.6%) larvae are collected in which 1000 (38.2%) belong to Anopheles genera and 649 (30.2%) belong to culex genera, in Bello Way, A total of 1317 (27.5%) larvae were collected, 417 (15.9%) belong to Anopheles genera and 900 (41.9%) belong to culex genera. Statistical analysis conducted indicated a significant difference (p<0.05) between the three collections. Mosquitoes encountered belong to two genera of Anopheles and Culex. The predominant genus was Anopheles with a total of 2,615 larvae while Culex has a total of 2149 larvae in all the three study areas. Considering the medical importance of mosquitoes, the information provided from this study will serve as a basis for understanding the implication of mosquitoes nuisance and provide effective control strategies against the vector and to reduce mosquitoes born disease.

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Success Rate of Obturation of Root Canals by Different Techniques in Primary Molars: A Comparative Clinical Study

Current Dentistry ◽

10.2174/2542579x02999200503032916 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 36-44

Author(s):

Satyawan G. Damle ◽

Ritika Bansal ◽

Dhanashree D. Sakhare

Keyword(s):

Success Rate ◽

Study Groups ◽

Primary Molars ◽

Control Group ◽

Second Primary ◽

Chi Square ◽

Exact Test ◽

Root Canals ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Comparative Clinical Study

Objective: To compare the success rate of different obturation procedures in primary mandibular second molars clinically and also by digital radiovisiography. Methods: A total of 40 children aged between 4-8 years with deeply carious mandibular second primary molars indicated for single session pulpectomy were selected. Canals were obturated with Metapex. The 3 study groups (Endodontic plugger, Handheld lentulospiral, Navi Tip syringe) were compared with the control group (reamer) both clinically and radiovisiographically. The data collected were statistically analyzed using Pearson’s Chi-square and Fisher’s exact test. Results: The use of Navi tip syringe led to the least number of voids followed by Endodontic plugger and Reamer and the highest number of voids was reported with Lentulospiral. Navitip presented maximum number of optimally filled cases followed by Endodontic plugger and Lentulospiral and least number of optimally filled cases with reamer. However, there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) in any of the groups with clinical (pain and tenderness to percussion) and radiographic parameters (presence or absence of voids and length of obturation). Conclusion: Within the limitations of the present study, though the clinical outcome was statistically insignificant, Navitip syringe exhibited encouraging results and is a promising option for obturation in primary teeth.

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Ethyl formate and phosphine fumigations on the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae and their biochemical responses

Applied Biological Chemistry ◽

10.1186/s13765-019-0458-9 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 62 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kyeongnam Kim ◽

Yong Ho Lee ◽

Gayoung Kim ◽

Byung-Ho Lee ◽

Jeong-Oh Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tetranychus Urticae ◽

Respiratory Chain ◽

Spider Mite ◽

Ethyl Formate ◽

Treated Group ◽

Effective Control ◽

Molecular Approaches ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Target Sites ◽

Two Spotted Spider Mite

Abstract Two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, is a polyphagous pest to a variety of plants and they are hard to be controlled due to occurrence of resistance to acaricides. In this study, biochemical evaluation after ethyl formate (EF) and phosphine (PH3) fumigation towards T. urticae might help officials to control them in quarantine purposes. PH3 fumigation controlled eggs (LC50; 0.158 mg/L), nymphs (LC50; 0.030 mg/L), and adults (LC50; 0.059 mg/L) of T. urticae, and EF effectively affected nymphs (LC50; 2.826 mg/L) rather than eggs (LC50; 6.797 mg/L) and adults (LC50; 5.836 mg/L). In a longer exposure time of 20 h, PH3 fumigation was 94.2-fold more effective tool for control of T. urticae than EF fumigant. EF and PH3 inhibited cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity differently in both nymphs and adults of T. urticae. It confirmed COX is one of target sites of these fumigants in T. urticae and COX is involved in the respiratory chain as complex IV. Molecular approaches showed that EF fumigation completely down-regulated the expression of cox11 gene at the concentration of LC10 value, while PH3 up-regulated several genes greater than twofold in T. urticae nymphs treated with the concentration of LC50 value. These increased genes by PH3 fumigation are ndufv1, atpB, para, and ace, responsible for the expression of NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] flavoprotein 1, ATP synthase, and acetylcholinesterase in insects, respectively. Lipidomic analyses exhibited a significant difference between two fumigants-exposed groups and the control, especially an ion with 815.46 m/z was analyzed less than twofold in the fumigants-treated group. It was identified as PI(15:1/18:3) and it may be used as a biomarker to EF and PH3 toxicity. These findings may contribute to set an effective control strategy on T. urticae by methyl bromide alternatives such as EF and PH3 because they have shared target sites on the respiratory chain in the pest.

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COVD-26. TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS IN NEURO-ONCOLOGY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: LEVELS OF PATIENT SATISFACTION AND COMPARISON WITH TRADITIONAL FACE-TO-FACE CONSULTATIONS

Neuro-Oncology ◽

10.1093/neuonc/noaa215.107 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. ii26-ii26

Author(s):

Emma Toman ◽

Claire Goddard ◽

Frederick Berki ◽

William Garratt ◽

Teresa Scott ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Patient Satisfaction ◽

University Hospitals ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire ◽

Telephone Consultation ◽

Exact Test ◽

Face To Face ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Face ◽

The University

Abstract INTRODUCTION Controversy exists as to whether telephone clinics are appropriate in neurosurgical-oncology. The COVID-19 pandemic forced neuro-oncology services worldwide to re-design and at the University Hospitals Birmingham UK, telephone clinics were quickly implemented in select patients to limit numbers of patients attending hospital. It was important to determine how these changes were perceived by patients. METHODS A 20-question patient satisfaction questionnaire was distributed to patients who attended neuro-oncology clinic in person (“face-to-face”), or via the telephone. Fisher’s exact test was used to determine significance, which was set at p< 0.05. RESULTS Eighty questionnaires were distributed between June 2020 and August 2020. Overall, 50% (n=40) of patients returned the questionnaire, 50% (n=23) of face-to-face and 50% (n=17) telephone patients. Of those who received telephone consultations, 88% (n=15) felt the consultation was convenient, 88% (n=15) were satisfied with their consultation and 18% (n=3) felt they would have preferred to have a face-to-face appointment. Of those who attended clinic in person, 96% (n=22) felt their consultation was convenient, 100% (n=23) were satisfied with their consultation and 13% (n=3) would have preferred a telephone consultation. Within the face-to-face clinic attendees, only 13% (n=3) were concerned regarding the COVID risk associated with attending hospital. There was no significant difference in patient convenience or satisfaction (p=0.565 and p=0.174 respectively) between face-to-face and telephone clinics. There was no significant difference in whether patients would’ve preferred the alternative method of consultation (p > 0.999). CONCLUSION Our study suggests that careful patient selection for neuro-oncology telephone clinic is not inferior to face-to-face clinic. Telephone clinic during COVID-19 pandemic proved to be convenient, safe and effective. This global health crisis has transformed telephone neuro-oncology consultations from an experimental innovation into established practice and should be continued beyond the pandemic in select cases.

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Community-based molecular and serological surveillance of subclinical malaria in Myanmar

BMC Medicine ◽

10.1186/s12916-021-01993-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Katherine O’Flaherty ◽

Win Han Oo ◽

Sophie G. Zaloumis ◽

Julia C. Cutts ◽

Kyaw Zayar Aung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Malaria Transmission ◽

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Dried Blood Spots ◽

Molecular Testing ◽

Sample Collection ◽

Malaria Surveillance ◽

Surveillance Network ◽

Targeted Interventions ◽

Residual Malaria Transmission ◽

Serological Surveillance

Abstract Background In the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), current malaria surveillance strategies rely on a network of village health volunteers (VHVs) reporting the results of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), known to miss many asymptomatic infections. Integration of more sensitive diagnostic molecular and serological measures into the VHV network may improve surveillance of residual malaria transmission in hard-to-reach areas in the region and inform targeted interventions and elimination responses. However, data on residual malaria transmission that would be captured by these measures in the VHV-led testing and treatment surveillance network in the GMS is unknown. Methods A total of 114 VHVs were trained to collect dried blood spots from villagers undergoing routine RDTs as part of VHV-led active and passive case detection from April 2015 to June 2016. Samples were subjected to molecular testing (quantitative polymerase chain reaction [qPCR]) to determine Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax infection and serological testing (against P. falciparum and P. vivax antigens) to determine exposure to P. falciparum and P. vivax. Results Over 15 months, 114 VHVs performed 32,194 RDTs and collected samples for molecular (n = 13,157) and serological (n = 14,128) testing. The prevalence of molecular-detectable P. falciparum and P. vivax infection was 3.2% compared to the 0.16% prevalence of Plasmodium spp. by RDT, highlighting the large burden of infections undetected by standard surveillance. Peaks in anti-P. falciparum, but not P. vivax, merozoite IgG seroprevalence coincided with seasonal P. falciparum transmission peaks, even in those with no molecularly detectable parasites. At the individual level, antibody seropositivity was associated with reduced odds of contemporaneous P. falciparum (OR for PfCSP 0.51 [95%CI 0.35, 0.76], p = 0.001, PfAMA1 0.70 [95%CI 0.52, 0.93], p = 0.01, and PfMSP2 0.81 [95%CI 0.61, 1.08], p = 0.15), but not P. vivax infection (OR PvAMA1 1.02 [95%CI 0.73, 1.43], p = 0.89) indicating a potential role of immunity in protection against molecular-detectable P. falciparum parasitaemia. Conclusions We demonstrated that integration and implementation of sample collection for molecular and serological surveillance into networks of VHV servicing hard-to-reach populations in the GMS is feasible, can capture significant levels of ongoing undetected seasonal malaria transmission and has the potential to supplement current routine RDT testing. Improving malaria surveillance by advancing the integration of molecular and serological techniques, through centralised testing approaches or novel point-of-contact tests, will advance progress, and tracking, towards malaria elimination goals in the GMS.

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AB0009 ASSOCIATION OF STAT4 RS7574865, RUNX1 RS9979383, IL6 RS1800795, IL6R RS2228145, IL6R RS4845618 WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS SUSCEPTIBILITY AND SOME LUPUS MANIFESTATIONS IN BELARUSIAN POPULATION

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-eular.2523 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 1039.2-1040

Author(s):

N. Dostanko ◽

V. Yagur ◽

R. Goncharova ◽

E. Siniauskaya ◽

T. Zybalova

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Diagnostic Odds Ratio ◽

Protective Role ◽

Fisher Exact Test ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Exact Test ◽

American College Of Rheumatology ◽

Healthy Donors ◽

Significant Difference

Background:Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has a significant genetic predisposition. Many genetic variants of susceptibility to SLE have been published and analyzed, but the clinical and functional significance of the various genotypes has not yet been clearly defined [1].Objectives:To estimate the association between some of non-HLA gene polymorphisms such as STAT4 rs7574865, RUNX1 rs9979383, IL6 rs1800795, IL6R rs2228145, IL6R rs4845618 and susceptibility to SLE in Belarusian population as well as some disease manifestations.Methods:We examined 383 healthy blood donors and 54 SLE patients (18-72 years old, median age 35) classified according to the 1997 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) revised classification criteria [2]. Deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted from peripheral blood samples by phenol-chloroform method. Genotyping was performed by real-time PCR with fluorescent probes. Differences of distribution of all the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes and their associations with secondary antiphospholipid syndrom (APS) and lupus arthritis were analyzed using Pearson χ2 (χ2) and two-way Fisher exact test (F, p2-t). Diagnostic odds ratio (dOR), likelihood ratio of positive (LR +) and negative (LR –) tests and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were also calculated.Results:We revealed significant difference in STAT4 rs7574865 genotypes in SLE patients and healthy donors (χ2=8,27, р=0,016) with significant increase of ТТ genotype frequency in SLE patients vs healthy donors (χ2=6.83 p=0.009; p2-t =0.020; dOR=3.78 (CI95% 1.36-10.55); LR+ =3.44 (CI95% 1.35-8.71); LR– =0.91 (CI95% 0.83-0.98)). Lupus arthritis was more common in risk TT-genotype SLE carriers than in other SLE patients (χ2=5.902 p=0.015; p2-t =0.027).We revealed significant increase of СТ genotype (RUNX1 rs9979383) in healthy donors vs SLE patients (χ2=4.14; p=0.042; dOR=0.53 (CI95% 0.29-0.98); LR+ =0.69 (CI95% 0.45-0.99); LR– =1.3 (CI95% 1.01-1,56)). Lupus arthritis was more common in SLE СТ-genotype carriers than in other SLE patients (χ2=4.66 p=0.031; p2-t =0.058).Significant differences in IL6 rs1800795, IL6R rs2228145 and IL6R rs4845618 genotypes distribution between studied groups were not found (χ2, p=0.427, p=0.559 and p=0.407, correspondingly) but GG-genotype (IL6 rs1800795) carriership in SLE patients was associated with increased APS frequency (χ2=4.45, p=0.035; dOR=0.19 (CI95% 0.04-0.9); LR+ =0.28 (CI95% 0.07-0.93); LR– =1.41 (CI95% 1.03-1.64).Conclusion:Our data suggest the susceptibility to SLE in ТТ genotype of STAT4 rs7574865 polymorphism, protective role of СТ genotype of RUNX1 rs9979383 for SLE and association between GG-genotype of IL6 rs1800795 and APS in SLE patients in Belarusian population. Lupus arthritis was associated with ТТ genotype of STAT4 rs7574865 and СТ genotype of RUNX1 rs9979383.References:[1]Chen L, Morris DL, Vyse TJ. Genetic advances in systemic lupus erythematosus: an update. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2017;29:423–33.[2]Hochberg MC. Updating the American College of Rheumatology Revised Criteria for the classification of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum 1997;40:1725.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

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Patterns of human exposure to early evening and outdoor biting mosquitoes and residual malaria transmission in Ethiopia

Acta Tropica ◽

10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.105837 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 216 ◽

pp. 105837

Author(s):

Teshome Degefa ◽

Andrew K. Githeko ◽

Ming-Chieh Lee ◽

Guiyun Yan ◽

Delenasaw Yewhalaw

Keyword(s):

Malaria Transmission ◽

Human Exposure ◽

Early Evening ◽

Outdoor Biting ◽

Residual Malaria Transmission

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Detection of AZF microdeletions and reproductive hormonal profile analysis of infertile sudanese men pursuing assisted reproductive approaches

BMC Urology ◽

10.1186/s12894-021-00834-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hassan Osman Alhassan Elsaid ◽

Tarteel Gadkareim ◽

Tagwa Abobakr ◽

Eiman Mubarak ◽

Mehad A. Abdelrhem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Y Chromosome ◽

Klinefelter Syndrome ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Control Group ◽

Male Factor ◽

Exact Test ◽

Fisher's Exact Test ◽

Infertile Men ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Fisher’S Exact Test

Abstract Background Male factor is the major contributor in roughly half of infertility cases. Genetic factors account for 10–15% of male infertility. Microdeletions of azoospermia factors (AZF) on the Yq region are the second most frequent spermatogenesis disorder among infertile men after Klinefelter syndrome. We detected in our previous study a frequency of 37.5% AZF microdeletions which investigated mainly the AZFb and AZFc. We attempted in this study for the first time to evaluate the frequencies of all AZF sub-regions microdeletions and to analyze reproductive hormonal profiles in idiopathic cases of azoospermic and oligozoospermic men from Sudan. Methods A group of 51 medically fit infertile men were subjected to semen analysis. Four couples have participated in this study as a control group. Semen analysis was performed according to WHO criteria by professionals at Elsir Abu-Elhassan Fertility Centre where samples have been collected. We detected 12 STSs markers of Y chromosome AZF microdeletions using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Analysis of reproductive hormone levels including Follicle Stimulating, Luteinizing, and Prolactin hormones was performed using ELISA. Comparisons between outcome groups were performed using Student’s t-test Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test. Results AZF microdeletion was identified in 16 out of 25 Azoospermic and 14 out of 26 of the Oligozoospermic. Microdeletion in the AZFa region was the most frequent among the 30 patients (N = 11) followed by AZFc, AZFd (N = 4 for each) and AZFb (N = 3). Among the Oligozoospermic participants, the most frequent deletions detected were in the AZFa region (N = 10 out of 14) and was significantly associated with Oligozoospermic phenotype, Fisher's Exact Test (2-sided) p = 0.009. Among the Azoospermic patients, the deletion of the AZFc region was the most frequent (N = 9 out of 16) and was significantly associated with Azoospermia phenotype Fisher's Exact Test p = 0.026. There was a significant difference in Y chromosome microdeletion frequency between the two groups. The hormonal analysis showed that the mean levels of PRL, LH, and FSH in Azoospermic patients were slightly higher than those in oligozoospermic. A weak negative correlation between prolactin higher level and Azoospermic patients was detected. (AZFa r = 0.665 and 0.602, p = 0.000 and 0.0004, AZFb r = 0.636 and 0.409, p = 0.000 and 0.025, and AZFd r = 0.398 and 0.442, p = 0.029 and 0.015). The correlation was positive for AZFa and negative for AZFb and AZFd. Conclusions We concluded in this study that the incidences of microdeletions of the Y chromosome confined to AZF a, b, c and d regions is 58.8% in infertile subjects with 31.4% were Azoospermic and 27.5% were Oligozoospermic. This might provide a piece of evidence that these specified regions of the Y chromosome are essential for controlling spermatogenesis. These findings will be useful for genetic counseling within infertility clinics in Sudan and to adopt appropriate methods for assisted reproduction.

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