scholarly journals Environmental determinants ofE. coli, link with the diarrheal diseases, and indication of vulnerability criteria in tropical area (Kapore, Burkina Faso)

Author(s):  
Elodie Robert ◽  
Manuela Grippa ◽  
Dayangnéwendé Edwige Nikiema ◽  
Laurent Kergoat ◽  
Hamidou Koudougou ◽  
...  

AbstractIn 2017, diarrheal diseases were responsible for 606 024 deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa. This situation is due to domestic and recreational use of polluted surface waters, deficits in hygiene, access to healthcare and drinking water, and to weak environmental and health monitoring infrastructures.Escherichia coli(E. coli) is an indicator for the enteric pathogens that cause many diarrheal diseases. The links betweenE. coli, diarrheal diseases and environmental parameters have not received much attention in West Africa, and few studies have assessed health risks by taking into account hazards and socio-health vulnerabilities. This case study, carried out in Burkina Faso (Bagre Reservoir), aims at filling this knowledge gap by analyzing the environmental variables that play a role in the dynamics ofE. coli, cases of diarrhea, and by identifying initial criteria of vulnerabilities. A particular focus is given to satellite-derived parameters to assess whether remote sensing can provide a useful tool to assess health hazard.Samples of surface water were routinely collected to measureE. coli,enterococci and suspended particulate matter (SPM) at a monitoring point (Kapore) during one year. In addition, satellite data were used to estimate precipitation, water level, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and SPM. Monthly epidemiological data for cases of diarrhea from three health centers were also collected and compared with microbiological and environmental data. Finally, semi-structured interviews were carried out to document the use of water resources, contacts with elements of the hydrographic network, health behaviors and conditions, and water and health policy and prevention in order to identify the initial vulnerability criteria.A positive correlation betweenE. coliand enterococci in surface waters was found indicating thatE. coliis an acceptable indicator of fecal contamination in this region.E. coliand diarrheal diseases were strongly correlated with monsoonal precipitation, in situ SPM, and Near Infra-Red (NIR) band between March and November. Partial least squares regression showed thatE. coliconcentration was strongly associated with precipitation, Sentinel-2 reflectance in the NIR and SPM, and that the cases of diarrhea were strongly associated with precipitation, NIR,E. coli, SPM, and to a lesser extent with NDVI.Moreover, the use of satellite data alone allowed to reproduce the dynamics ofE. coli, particularly from February to mid-December (R²= 0.60) and those of cases of diarrhea throughout the year (R²= 0.76). This implies that satellite data could provide an important contribution to water quality monitoring.Finally, the vulnerability of the population is found to increase during the rainy season due to reduced accessibility to healthcare and drinking water sources and increased use of water of poor quality. At this period, surface water is used because it is close to habitations, free and easy to use irrespective of monetary or political constraints. This vulnerability particularly impacts the Fulani, whose concessions are often close to surface water (river, lake) and far from health centers, a situation aggravated by marginality.Author summaryIn 2017, diarrheal diseases were responsible for 1.57 million deaths, principally in Sub-Saharan Africa. Many diarrheal diseases are caused by the presence of enteric pathogens in surface water includingEscherichia coli (E. coli), a frequently used indicator of the presence of these pathogens. Yet, few studies have been carried out in West Africa to verify this link or to study the relationship between diarrheal diseases,E. coliand environmental parameters. These diarrheal diseases also depend on socio-health vulnerabilities. This case study addresses the dynamics ofE. colialong with another fecal indicator bacteria, enterococci, as well as diarrheal diseases (from three health centers) and socio-health vulnerability (from three villages and Fulani settlements) and their relationship with hydro-meteorological parameters derivable by satellite. The study site is located in the Bagre reservoir in Burkina Faso where Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) andE. coliwere monitored over one year. Water was generally polluted by bacteria of fecal origin throughout the year and more so during the rainy season. We observed a significant relationship betweenE. coliand enterococci.E. coliconcentrations were strongly correlated to, and predicted by, precipitation, satellite reflectance in the NIR band by Sentinel-2, and SPM measured in-situ. Diarrheal diseases were also strongly correlated with these variables as well asE. coli. Vulnerability of the population to diarrhea increases during the rainy season. The microbiological health risk is more important during the rainy season, from June to September, and especially concerns the Fulani settlements.

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. e0009634
Author(s):  
Elodie Robert ◽  
Manuela Grippa ◽  
Dayangnéwendé Edwige Nikiema ◽  
Laurent Kergoat ◽  
Hamidou Koudougou ◽  
...  

In 2017, diarrheal diseases were responsible for 606 024 deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa. This situation is due to domestic and recreational use of polluted surface waters, deficits in hygiene, access to healthcare and drinking water, and to weak environmental and health monitoring infrastructures. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is an indicator for the enteric pathogens that cause many diarrheal diseases. The links between E. coli, diarrheal diseases and environmental parameters have not received much attention in West Africa, and few studies have assessed health risks by taking into account hazards and socio-health vulnerabilities. This case study, carried out in Burkina Faso (Bagre Reservoir), aims at filling this knowledge gap by analyzing the environmental variables that play a role in the dynamics of E. coli, cases of diarrhea, and by identifying initial vulnerability criteria. A particular focus is given to satellite-derived parameters to assess whether remote sensing can provide a useful tool to assess the health hazard. Samples of surface water were routinely collected to measure E. coli, enterococci and suspended particulate matter (SPM) at a monitoring point (Kapore) during one year. In addition, satellite data were used to estimate precipitation, water level, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and SPM. Monthly epidemiological data for cases of diarrhea from three health centers were also collected and compared with microbiological and environmental data. Finally, semi-structured interviews were carried out to document the use of water resources, contact with elements of the hydrographic network, health behavior and condition, and water and health policy and prevention, in order to identify the initial vulnerability criteria. A positive correlation between E. coli and enterococci in surface waters was found indicating that E. coli is an acceptable indicator of fecal contamination in this region. E. coli and diarrheal diseases were strongly correlated with monsoonal precipitation, in situ SPM, and Near Infra-Red (NIR) band between March and November. Partial least squares regression showed that E. coli concentration was strongly associated with precipitation, Sentinel-2 reflectance in the NIR and SPM, and that the cases of diarrhea were strongly associated with precipitation, NIR, E. coli, SPM, and to a lesser extent with NDVI. Moreover, E. coli dynamics were reproduced using satellite data alone, particularly from February to mid-December (R2 = 0.60) as were cases of diarrhea throughout the year (R2 = 0.76). This implies that satellite data could provide an important contribution to water quality monitoring. Finally, the vulnerability of the population was found to increase during the rainy season due to reduced accessibility to healthcare and drinking water sources and increased use of water of poor quality. During this period, surface water is used because it is close to habitations, easy to use and free from monetary or political constraints. This vulnerability is aggravated by marginality and particularly affects the Fulani, whose concessions are often close to surface water (river, lake) and far from health centers.


Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 339
Author(s):  
Denise Dekker ◽  
Frederik Pankok ◽  
Thorsten Thye ◽  
Stefan Taudien ◽  
Kwabena Oppong ◽  
...  

Wound infections are common medical problems in sub-Saharan Africa but data on the molecular epidemiology are rare. Within this study we assessed the clonal lineages, resistance genes and virulence factors of Gram-negative bacteria isolated from Ghanaian patients with chronic wounds. From a previous study, 49 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 21 Klebsiellapneumoniae complex members and 12 Escherichia coli were subjected to whole genome sequencing. Sequence analysis indicated high clonal diversity with only nine P. aeruginosa clusters comprising two strains each and one E. coli cluster comprising three strains with high phylogenetic relationship suggesting nosocomial transmission. Acquired beta-lactamase genes were observed in some isolates next to a broad spectrum of additional genetic resistance determinants. Phenotypical expression of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase activity in the Enterobacterales was associated with blaCTX-M-15 genes, which are frequent in Ghana. Frequently recorded virulence genes comprised genes related to invasion and iron-uptake in E. coli, genes related to adherence, iron-uptake, secretion systems and antiphagocytosis in P. aeruginosa and genes related to adherence, biofilm formation, immune evasion, iron-uptake and secretion systems in K. pneumonia complex. In summary, the study provides a piece in the puzzle of the molecular epidemiology of Gram-negative bacteria in chronic wounds in rural Ghana.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 832 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Rondy ◽  
Mamadou Tamboura ◽  
Fati Sidikou ◽  
Issaka Yameogo ◽  
Kambire Dinanibe ◽  
...  

New lateral flow tests for the diagnosis of Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) (serogroups A, C, W, X, and Y), MeningoSpeed, and Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp), PneumoSpeed, developed to support rapid outbreak detection in Africa, have shown good performance under laboratory conditions. We conducted an independent evaluation of both tests under field conditions in Burkina Faso and Niger, in 2018–2019. The tests were performed in the cerebrospinal fluid of suspected meningitis cases from health centers in alert districts and compared to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction tests performed at national reference laboratories (NRLs). Health staff were interviewed about feasibility. A total of 327 cases were tested at the NRLs, with 26% confirmed Nm (NmC 63% and NmX 37%) and 8% Sp. Sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 95% (95% CI: 89–99) and 90% (95% CI: 86–94) for Nm and 92% (95% CI: 75–99) and 99% (95% CI: 97–100) for Sp. Positive and negative predictive values were, respectively, 77% (95% CI: 68–85) and 98% (95% CI: 95–100) for Nm and 86% (95% CI: 67–96) and 99% (95% CI: 98–100) for Sp. Concordance showed 82% agreement for Nm and 97% for Sp. Interviewed staff evaluated the tests as easy to use and to interpret and were confident in their readings. Results suggest overall good performance of both tests and potential usefulness in meningitis outbreak detection.


2021 ◽  
pp. bmjsrh-2020-200944
Author(s):  
Celia Karp ◽  
Shannon N Wood ◽  
Georges Guiella ◽  
Peter Gichangi ◽  
Suzanne O Bell ◽  
...  

IntroductionEvidence from health emergencies suggests COVID-19 will disrupt women’s sexual and reproductive health (SRH). In sub-Saharan Africa, which experiences the highest rates of unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion globally, COVID-19 is projected to slow recent progress toward universal access to contraceptive services.MethodsWe used longitudinal data collected from women at risk of unintended pregnancy in Burkina Faso (n=1186) and Kenya (n=2784) before (November 2019–February 2020) and during (May–July 2020) COVID-19 to quantify contraceptive dynamics during COVID-19; examine sociodemographic factors and COVID-19 experiences related to contraceptive dynamics; and assess COVID-19-related reasons for contraceptive non-use. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to examine correlates of contraceptive dynamics amid COVID-19.ResultsMost women did not change their contraceptive status during COVID-19 (68.6% in Burkina Faso and 81.6% in Kenya) and those who did were more likely to adopt a method (25.4% and 13.1%, respectively) than to discontinue (6.0% and 5.3%, respectively). Most women who switched contraceptives were using methods as or more effective than their pre-pandemic contraception. Economic instability related to COVID-19 was associated with increased contraceptive protection in Burkina Faso but not in Kenya. Altogether, 14.4% of non-contraceptive users in Kenya and 3.8% in Burkina Faso identified COVID-19-related reasons for non-use.ConclusionsThe vast majority of women at risk of unintended pregnancy did not change their contraceptive status during COVID-19, and more women adopted than discontinued methods. A minority of women reported COVID-19-related reasons for non-use, underscoring the importance of expanding safe modes of service delivery during health crises.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Dowhaniuk

Abstract Background Rural access to health care remains a challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa due to urban bias, social determinants of health, and transportation-related barriers. Health systems in Sub-Saharan Africa often lack equity, leaving disproportionately less health center access for the poorest residents with the highest health care needs. Lack of health care equity in Sub-Saharan Africa has become of increasing concern as countries enter a period of simultaneous high infectious and non-communicable disease burdens, the second of which requires a robust primary care network due to a long continuum of care. Bicycle ownership has been proposed and promoted as one tool to reduce travel-related barriers to health-services among the poor. Methods An accessibility analysis was conducted to identify the proportion of Ugandans within one-hour travel time to government health centers using walking, bicycling, and driving scenarios. Statistically significant clusters of high and low travel time to health centers were calculated using spatial statistics. Random Forest analysis was used to explore the relationship between poverty, population density, health center access in minutes, and time saved in travel to health centers using a bicycle instead of walking. Linear Mixed-Effects Models were then used to validate the performance of the random forest models. Results The percentage of Ugandans within a one-hour walking distance of the nearest health center II is 71.73%, increasing to 90.57% through bicycles. Bicycles increased one-hour access to the nearest health center III from 53.05 to 80.57%, increasing access to the tiered integrated national laboratory system by 27.52 percentage points. Significant clusters of low health center access were associated with areas of high poverty and urbanicity. A strong direct relationship between travel time to health center and poverty exists at all health center levels. Strong disparities between urban and rural populations exist, with rural poor residents facing disproportionately long travel time to health center compared to wealthier urban residents. Conclusions The results of this study highlight how the most vulnerable Ugandans, who are the least likely to afford transportation, experience the highest prohibitive travel distances to health centers. Bicycles appear to be a “pro-poor” tool to increase health access equity.


1981 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 541 ◽  
Author(s):  
DM Gordon ◽  
CM Finlayson ◽  
AJ McComb

The trophic status of three shallow, freshwater lakes on the Swan coastal plain near Perth, Western Australia, was assessed from February 1975 to January 1976. Loch McNess is in a National Park, Lake Joondalup is in an area becoming urbanized, and Lake Monger is in a suburb near the centre of Perth. Monthly measurements were made of phytoplankton numbers and environmental parameters, including forms of nitrogen and phosphorus. Populations tended to be high when lake levels were low. Phytoplankton numbers were dominated by blue-green 'algae' in summer in each lake, with the lowest numbers in Loch McNess. Green algae were most prominent in autumn and winter. Diatoms were present at relatively lower numbers throughout the year. Phytoplankton numbers were strongly correlated with phosphorus levels, particularly for blue-green algae, and less so with nitrogen. Green algae were also strongly correlated with water conductivity. Nearly 80% of variance in phytoplankton numbers was accounted for in multiple linear regression by temperature, sunlight hours, depth, pH, conductivity and phosphate, organic phosphorus, ammonia, nitrate-nitrite, and organic nitrogen concentrations. Much of the variance was accounted for by the nutrients alone. Comparisons with data in the literature suggest that Lakes Joondalup and Monger are eutrophic by world standards, and are far more eutrophic than Loch McNess.


Author(s):  
Elizabeth H. Altenau ◽  
Tamlin M. Pavelsky ◽  
Michael T. Durand ◽  
Xiao Yang ◽  
Renato Prata de Moraes Frasson ◽  
...  

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 479-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharlene R. da S. Torreias ◽  
Ulisses G. Neiss ◽  
Neusa Hamada ◽  
Ruth L. Ferreira-Keppler ◽  
Frederico A.A. Lencioni

The last-stage larva of Bromeliagrion rehni Garrison in De Marmels & Garrison, 2005 is described and illustrated and bionomics and habitat information on this species are provided. The study was conducted in the Reserva Florestal Adolpho Ducke, located near Manaus, state of Amazonas, Brazil.Twelve samplings were done between April, 2003 and April, 2005: six in the rainy season and six in the dry season. In each sampling month, 12 bromeliads (Guzmania brasiliensis Ule, 1907, Bromeliaceae) were collected, six of which were terrestrial and six epiphytic, yielding144 samples. A total of 75 specimens of B. rehni were collected. The relationship between larval B. rehni abundance and the measured environmental parameters (volume (ml), pH, season and stratum) was significant (ANCOVA, F = 5.296, d.f. = 130, p < 0.001). Larvae were most abundant in the rainy season (p < 0.01) and water volume was positively related to the abundance of B. rehni. Larvae of B. rehni can be distinguished from those of B. fernandezianum (the only species in the genus with described larvae) by the number of setae in the prementum and by the color of the apical region of the femur. The association of this species with phytotelmata of G. brasiliensis is reported here for the first time.


1997 ◽  
Vol 35 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 249-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. Medema ◽  
M. Bahar ◽  
F. M. Schets

Oocysts of Cryptosporidium parvum can survive for several months in surface water, one of the main factors determining their success in environmental transmission and thus their health hazard via water. Several factors in the environment, e.g. temperature, presence of predators and exo-enzymes will probably influence oocyst survival. The high persistence of oocysts may also limit the value of traditional faecal indicator bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine the rate at which C parvum oocysts, E coli, faecal enterococci and C perfringens spores die in surface water and the influence of temperature and the presence of autochthonous (micro)organisms on the die-off rate. Microcosms with autoclaved river water were inoculated with the organisms. Microcosms with untreated river water were inoculated with concentrated primary effluent containing the bacteria and with C parvum oocysts. Microcosms were incubated at 5°C or 15°C at 100rpm. Viability of oocysts was monitored by in vitro excystation and dye-exclusion; viability of the bacteria was determined on appropriate selective media. When pseudo first-order die-off kinetics were assumed, the die-off rate of oocysts at 5°C was 0.010 log10/d and at 15°C, 0.006–0.024 log10/d. These rates underestimate die-off since oocyst disintegration was not accounted for. Incubation in autoclaved or untreated water did influence the die-off rate of oocysts at 15°C but not at 5°C. The die-off rate of E coli and enterococci was faster in the non-sterile river water than in autoclaved water at both temperatures. At 15°C, E coli (and possibly E faecium) even multiplied in autoclaved water. In untreated river water, the die-off of E coli and enterococci was approximately 10x faster than die-off of oocysts but die-off rates of C perfringens were lower than those of oocysts. As for oocysts, die-off of the bacteria and spores was faster at 15°C than at 5°C. Oocysts are very persistent in river water: the time required for a 10x reduction in viability being 40–160d at 15°C and 100d at 5°C. Biological/biochemical activity influenced oocyst survival at 15°C and survival of both vegetative bacteria at 5 and 15°C. The rapid die-off of E coli and enterococci makes them less suitable as indicators of oocyst presence in water. As C perfringens survived longer in untreated river water than oocysts, it may prove useful as an indicator of the presence of C parvum.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne L Wilson ◽  
Steve W Lindsay ◽  
Alfred Tiono ◽  
Jean Baptiste Yaro ◽  
Hilary Ranson ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Burkina Faso has one of the highest malaria burdens in sub-Saharan Africa despite the mass deployment of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and use of seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) in children aged up to 5 years. Identification of risk factors for Plasmodium falciparum infection in rural Burkina Faso could help to identify and target malaria control measures. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 1,199 children and adults was conducted during the peak malaria transmission season in south-west Burkina Faso in 2017. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for microscopically confirmed P. falciparum infection. A malaria transmission dynamic model was used to determine the impact on malaria cases averted of administering SMC to children aged 5–15 year old. Results P. falciparum prevalence was 32.8% in the study population. Children aged 5 to < 10 years old were at 3.74 times the odds (95% CI = 2.68–5.22, p < 0.001) and children aged 10 to 15 years old at 3.14 times the odds (95% CI = 1.20–8.21, p = 0.02) of P. falciparum infection compared to children aged less than 5 years old. Administration of SMC to children aged up to 10 years is predicted to avert an additional 57 malaria cases per 1000 population per year (9.4% reduction) and administration to children aged up to 15 years would avert an additional 89 malaria cases per 1000 population per year (14.6% reduction) in the Cascades Region, assuming coverage of pyrethroid-piperonyl butoxide ITNs. Conclusion Malaria infections were high in all age strata, although highest in children aged 5 to 15 years, despite roll out of core malaria control interventions. Given the burden of infection in school-age children, extension of the eligibility criteria for SMC could help reduce the burden of malaria in Burkina Faso and other countries in the region.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document