The infection cushion of Botrytis cinerea: a fungal 'weapon' of plant-biomass destruction

The necrotrophic plant-pathogen fungus Botrytis cinerea produces multicellular appressoria dedicated to plant penetration, named infection cushions (IC). A microarray analysis was performed to identify genes upregulated in mature IC. The expression data were validated by RT-qPCR analysis performed in vitro and in planta, proteomic analysis of the IC secretome and biochemical assays. 1231 upregulated genes and 79 up-accumulated proteins were identified. The data support the secretion of effectors by IC: phytotoxins, ROS, proteases, cutinases, plant cell wall-degrading enzymes and plant cell death-inducing proteins. Parallel upregulation of sugar transport and sugar catabolism-encoding genes would indicate a role of IC in nutrition. The data also reveal a substantial remodelling of the IC cell wall and suggest a role for melanin and chitosan in IC function. Lastly, mutagenesis of two upregulated genes in IC identified secreted fasciclin-like proteins as actors in the pathogenesis of B. cinerea. These results support the role of IC in plant penetration and also introduce other unexpected functions for this fungal organ, in colonization, necrotrophy and nutrition of the pathogen.

[About 98 cases of dengue hospitalized in a private clinic of Ouagadougou: epidemiology, diagnostic and evolution]

Extremely widespread, the dengue is a reemerging infectious disease. In Burkina Faso, dengue is a reality that was little known. The aim of this study was to study epidemiology, diagnostic and outcomes of dengue patients in Ouagadougou. A retrospective study covered a period of two years, from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2014 in a private clinic in Ouagadougou. Patients included in the study were hospitalized for fever and painful syndrome with a positive test to the dengue non-structural antigen 1 (NS1 Ag). Ninety-eight cases of dengue on 343 suspected cases were registered. The average age of patients was 35.9 years. The sex-ratio (M/F) was 1.18. According to the professional activity, there was a predominance of civil servants (35.7%). The pain syndrome was found in 93.9% of patients. Leukopenia (73.5%), neutropenia (56.1%) and severe thrombocytopenia (57.1%) were the predominant hematological disturbances. Of the patients, 18.4% had hemorrhagic dengue and 11.2%, a dengue shock syndrome. Four patients died. The use of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs was associated with the severity of the infection (p=0.04). Dengue fever occurs in our context and constitutes a risk of mortality. The diagnosis of dengue should be performed systematically in front of a painful and febrile syndrome. The vector control is the best way of prevention against dengue pending the development of a vaccine.

[Prevalence of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Aïoun hospital (Hodh El Garbi)]

In this retrospective study in the regional hospital Aioun from 1st January 2010 to 31st April 2014, the objective was to determine the prevalence of smear-positive PTB. In total, 320 cases have been identified giving a proportion of 9%. The male subjects (74%) were three times higher than for female subjects with a sex-ratio man/woman of 2.8. The average age of patients was 41±16 years with extremes of 15 and 90 years and the most affected age group was 15-30 years (41%). The majority of our patients (85%) came from rural areas. No patient had been screened for HIV infection. There was a statistically significant relationship between gender, age group (P=0.005) and resistant cases after 6months of anti-TB treatment (P=0.04). Tuberculosis remains a public health problem in our country. Many efforts will still be provided for screening and epidemiological surveillance for a good control of the disease.

[Inventory of fixtures on the tolerance of the treatment) of the resistant multi-tuberculosis (Burkina Faso)]

OBJECTIVES

Estimate the tolerance of antituberculous drugs prescribed in the treatment of multi resistant tuberculosis on patients followed in the service of Pneumology of the University hospital of Yalgado Ouedraogo.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

It was a retrospective and prospective longitudinal investigation. The files of patients allowed to inform the questionnaire for the retrospective phase (2010-2011), the follow-up of patients during the prospective phase (2011-2013) allowed for data collection. All the patients under antituberculous treatment of 2nd line between January 1st, 2010 and the August 31st, 2013 were included.

RESULTS

71 cases of multi resistant tuberculosis (MRT) were included. The sex-ratio was 3.4. The age bracket from 30 to 39 was the most represented (39.4 %). A notion of tubercular contage was found in 18 (25.3%) patients. All MRT patient had histories of treatment including aminoside lasting more than 2 months. Intolerance of the treatment was reported in 57 patients. Intolerance predominated in 30 to 39 years olds and in Tuberculosis/HIV co-infected patients. The neurological (47.9%) and psychiatric (47.9%) infringements were the most represented. Vestibulocochlear impact was seen in 42.3% of cases with 18.3% reporting of total deafness.

CONCLUSION

The intolerance of the antituberculous treatment of the second line is real focus for clinicians. Shorter timeframes would avoid certain therapeutic modifications thought to be at the origin of failures.

[Survey of investigation around cases of Rift Valley Fever at Tagant, Mauritania]

BACKGROUND

Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a zoonotic arbovirosis. Among animals, it mainly affects ruminants, causing abortions in gravid females and deaths among young animals. In humans, RVF virus infection is usually asymptomatic or characterized by a moderate fever. However, in 1-3% of cases, the disease progresses to a severe form with 50% mortality.

OBJECTIVE

Search for risk factors and to propose appropriate measures to prevent the potential for extension of the epidemic, and to make recommendations for disease monitoring and control.

METHODS

This investigation involved human RVF cases reported between October 12 and November 20, 2012 in the area of Tagant in Mauritania. Arbovirosis diagnosis was established by the laboratory of the National Institute of Public Health Research in Nouakchott (Mauritania) in collaboration with the Pasteur Institute of Dakar (Senegal).

RESULTS

Of 212 subjects, RVF serology was positive in 26 (12%). Among those seropositive for RVF, 11 (42%) had severe hemorrhagic forms. The case fatality rate was 91%. A series of animal abortions (cattle, sheep and goats) was observed in the area where all but two subjects resided. Exposure to potential risk factors for RVF virus infection was found in all patients.

CONCLUSION

Mortality is very high in the hemorrhagic forms of RVF. Disease prevention is necessary by strengthening the fight against vectors, avoiding contact and consumption of organic products from diseased animals and vaccination of animals in areas where the disease is endemic. Furthermore, it is essential to establish management procedures for patients infected with the RVF virus. An appropriately equipped referral hospital is necessary, together with strengthened epidemiological surveillance by notifying all suspected cases of hemorrhagic fevers.

[Epidemiological, clinical, and prognostic study of the measles in the Aioun regional hospital in Mauritania]

Our cross-sectional study was conducted at the Aioun Regional Hospital from February 1 to April 30, 2011, and included all cases of active measles. Its objectives were to determine the epidemiological, clinical, prognostic features of this disease. The case definition was that of World Health Organization (WHO). In three months, we collected 36 cases, which accounted for 8.84% (36/407) of admissions. The M/F sex ratio was 1.25, and the patients' mean age 16.5 years (range: 1-33 years). The majority of the patients came from rural areas (72%) and 89% had not been vaccinated against measles. The maculopapular rash had irregular contours and intervals of healthy skin. The main clinical manifestations that accompanied the fever and rash were respiratory (83%) and digestive (42%) manifestations. Other associated signs included dehydration (22%), malnutrition (14%), and convulsions (8%). The average duration of hospitalization was 7.5 days ± 3 days (range: 2-12). The overall case fatality rate was 8%. The factors of poor prognosis were non-vaccination (P = 0.018), malnutrition (P = 0.0059), and convulsions (P = 0.0553). Measles remains a public health problem in Mauritania. Strong efforts should be made to improve epidemiological surveillance and vaccination for better control of this disease.

DServO: A Peer-to-Peer-based Approach to Biomedical Ontology Repositories

We present in this poster an extension of the ServO ontology server system, which adopts a decentralized Peer-To-Peer approach for managing multiple heterogeneous knowledge organization systems. It relies on the use of the JXTA protocol coupled with information retrieval techniques to provide a decentralized infrastructure for managing multiples instances of Ontology Repositories.

[State of tolerance of multi resistant tuberculosis treatment (Burkina Faso)]

OBJECTIVES

Estimate the tolerance of antituberculous drugs prescribed in the treatment of multi resistant tuberculosis on patients followed in the service of Pneumology of the University hospital of Yalgado Ouedraogo.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

It was a retrospective and prospective longitudinal investigation. The files of patients allowed to inform the questionnaire for the retrospective phase (2010-2011), the follow-up of patients during the prospective phase (2011-2013) allowed for data collection. All the patients under antituberculous treatment of 2nd line between January 1st, 2010 and the August 31st, 2013 were included.

RESULTS

71 cases of multi resistant tuberculosis (MRT) were included. The sex-ratio was 3.4. The age bracket from 30 to 39 was the most represented (39.4 %). A notion of tubercular contage was found in 18 (25.3%) patients. All MRT patient had histories of treatment including aminoside lasting more than 2 months. Intolerance of the treatment was reported in 57 patients. Intolerance predominated in 30 to 39 years olds and in Tuberculosis/HIV co-infected patients. The neurological (47.9%) and psychiatric (47.9%) infringements were the most represented. Vestibulocochlear impact was seen in 42.3% of cases with 18.3% reporting of total deafness.

CONCLUSION

The intolerance of the antituberculous treatment of the second line is real focus for clinicians. Shorter timeframes would avoid certain therapeutic modifications thought to be at the origin of failures.

[Pulmonary tuberculosis: knowledge, beliefs and practices of tubercular patients' carers in Ouagadougou]

OBJECTIVE

Describe the knowledge, beliefs and practices on tuberculosis of tubercular patients' carers in Ouagadougou.

METHODS

A prospective descriptive transversal study was carried out. Participants were sourced from the four Centers of Diagnosis and Treatment, the National Center for the Fight Against Tuberculosis and the department of Pneumology of the Yalgado Ouédraogo University hospital. The recruitment was exhaustive and included the carers of tubercular patients (pulmonary tuberculosis with positive microscopy).

RESULTS

The average age of the carers was 36 years ± 14, with a majority of them bring male. In 33.7% of the cases the carer was a sibling and not schooled in 45.2%. A good understanding of tuberculosis was found at 20.2 % of the carers. Among the subjects which had a good understanding, 71.4 % were schooled and 88.1% came from an urban environment. Understanding tuberculosis is associated with academic level. Knowledge of the modes of contamination of tuberculosis was low (48,1%). Among the carers, 37% did not know that the tubercular patient should not be isolated by their circle of acquaintances, 19.2% assured the supervision of medicine intake. Respectively, 1.4% and 5.8% believe that tuberculosis is associated with witchcraft and divine punishment. Approximately two thirds of the carers refused to share the same dish as the tubercular patient.

CONCLUSION

An insufficient general knowledge of tuberculosis emerges from our work and modes of contamination. The beliefs and behavioral practices of the carers towards the tubercular patients tend to increase the stigmatization of tuberculosis.

[Actor of health in Asthmatic patients management in Burkona Faso]

OBJECTIVE

Identify the obstacles with the best coverage of the patient asthmatic by the actors of the health in Ouagadougou.

METHOD

Transverse Study with descriptive aim from January till December 2012, associated with a review of the literature concerning the role of the actors of health in the coverage of the asthma.

RESULT

the technique of demonstration of the grip of the spray measuring glass was known to 46 % of the doctors. A medical prescription was required by 9 % of the pharmacists before the delivery of medicine asthmatic. The check of the conformity of the prescription was made by 30 % of the pharmacists, the demonstration of the grip of the spray measuring glass to the pharmacy was assured by 73,6 % of the pharmacists and mastered well by 34,5 %.Within the framework of the treatment of the asthma, 43,2 % of the male nurses knew that β2-mimetic and corticoids were the most used medicine. β2-mimetic inhaled by quick action was recommended by 40,6 % of the male nurses in the occasional asthma, this prescription is not in compliance with the recommendations of GINA.

CONCLUSION

A need for training / recycling is expressed by almost all of the actors of health occurring in the coverage of the asthma in Burkina Faso.

Rationality of drug prescriptions in rural health centres in Burkina Faso

The objective of this study is to investigate the quality of drug prescriptions in nine health centres of three districts in rural Burkina Faso. 313 outpatient consultations were studied by methods of guided observation. Additionally interviews were held with the health care workers involved in the study. A total of 793 drugs prescribed by 15 health care workers during the observation period and 2815 prescribed drugs copied from the patient register were analyzed. An average of 2.3 drugs were prescribed per visit. 88.0% of the prescribed drugs were on the essential drug list. 88.4% were indicated according to the national treatment guidelines. 79.4% had a correct dosage. The study revealed serious deficiencies in drug prescribing that could not be detected by assessing selected quantitative drug-use indicators as recommended by the WHO. In two-thirds of the cases the patients received no information on how long the drug had to be taken. Errors in dosage occurred significantly more often in children under 5 years. The combined analysis of choice and dosage of drugs showed that 59.3% of all the patients received a correct prescription. Seven out of 21 pregnant women received drugs contraindicated in pregnancy. We conclude that assessment of quantitative drug-use indicators alone does not suffice in identifying specific needs for improvement in treatment quality. We recommend that prescribing for children under 5 and for pregnant women should be targeted in future interventions and that the lay-out, content and distribution of treatment guidelines must be improved.