African Journal of Parasitology, Mycology and Entomology

Introduction: Urinary schistosomiasis due to Schistosoma hӕmatobium is a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. In the Ivory Coast, this disease is endemic in several regions where poor hygiene conditions, the presence of stagnant bodies of water, and children’s risk-taking behavior favor its transmission. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological features of urinary schistosomiasis in urban areas. Methods: This descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2024 in Bouaké, a city located in central Côte d’Ivoire (≈7°69′ N; 5°03′ W), characterized by a transitional subequatorial climate and the presence of several surface water bodies conducive to human–water contact. The survey included 140 children aged 5 to 14 years attending Barakat School in the Belleville neighborhood, a densely populated urban area crossed by small streams and seasonal water channels. Urine samples were collected and analyzed after centrifugation to detect Schistosoma haematobium eggs. Results: The prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was 3.6%. None of the children were aware of the disease. All positive cases regularly swam in freshwater areas, mainly during their break time. There was a statistically significant association between this exposure and the presence of eggs (p = 0.02). However, age, gender, and school level were not related to infection contagion. Conclusion: These results, although showing a low prevalence, underline the silent persistence of the disease in urban areas and the need for intensive awareness campaigns and preventative action against schistosomiasis. Full article

Introduction: Therapeutic Efficacy Studies (TESs) are crucial for detecting early changes in P. falciparum susceptibility to antimalarial drugs. Artemether–lumefantrine is one of five first-line treatments for uncomplicated malaria in Côte d’Ivoire. This study aimed to assess the temporal dynamics of artemether–lumefantrine (AL) efficacy in managing uncomplicated malaria cases in Bouna, a sentinel site. Methods: This was a comparative analysis of two controlled, randomized, and open therapeutic trials based on a 28-day follow-up period, conducted according to the 2009 WHO protocol. The surveys were conducted in 2019 and 2023. Treatment response was measured and defined following WHO guidelines, with analyses performed using intention-to-treat and per-protocol methods. Results: A 28-day follow-up was performed for 57 and 87 patients in 2019 and 2023, respectively. On day 28, the PCR-adjusted cure rates were higher in 2023 than in 2019, both in ITT analysis (96.6% versus 90.0%) and in PP analysis (97.7% versus 94.7%). However, more failures were observed after 28 days of follow-up in 2023 (23 cases) than in 2019 (9 cases). After PCR adjustment, nearly all cases were attributed to reinfection. In 2019, three cases of recurrence and six new infections were observed. In 2023, two recurrence events and 21 new infections were observed. In both surveys, AL was well-tolerated. Conclusions: This comparative assessment demonstrated that AL remains effective in treating uncomplicated malaria in Bouna. The high number of new infections highlights the need to strengthen preventive measures. Full article

Introduction: Four Plasmodium species that infect humans coexist on the island of Madagascar. P. falciparum and P. vivax are predominant while P. malariae and P. ovale remain rare. Recently, two subspecies of P. ovale were discovered through molecular analysis: P. o curtisi and P. o. wallikeri. Thus, we undertook a study that aims to assess P. o. curtisi and P. o. wallikeri infection in archived blood samples using nested PCR. Methods: Whole blood samples collected from patients with suspected malaria in Saharevo (eastern foothill area) from 1996 to 2005 were analyzed. These samples were stored at −20 °C until use. Microscopy examination of these samples had already been performed previously. Results: Of the 557 examined samples, 438 malaria infections were confirmed using nested PCR [78.6%, 95%CI: 74.9–81.9%]. Among these malaria cases, twelve patients presented singularly with P. ovale [2.7%, 95%CI: 1.5–4.9%] including six P. o. curtisi, five P. o. wallikeri, and one co-infection of P. o. curtisi + P. o. wallikeri. Conclusion: This study provides the first molecular evidence of the sympatric occurrence of P. o. curtisi and P. o. wallikeri in Madagascar. Sequencing provided definitive genotyping, confirming the nested PCR findings. Therefore, further studies assessing the prevalence of the rare species such as P. ovale are needed to better understand the distribution of this species to guide malaria control strategies. Full article

Introduction: Candida spp. are opportunistic yeasts found in various environments, including soil. Some species can cause human infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Their therapeutic management is challenging due to resistance reported in numerous studies. This study aimed to explore the diversity and antifungal susceptibility of Candida spp. strains isolated from soils in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted from August 2019 to February 2021. The soil sampling sites were chosen from uninhabited areas of the city of Ouagadougou. At each site, four composite subsamples of approximately 50 g of soil were taken from less than 10 cm deep by removing the top three (3) centimeters with a sterile spatula and placed in a sterile container. Candida species were identified using a chromogenic medium (CAN ID2) and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF) spectrometry. Antifungal susceptibility was performed by disk diffusion method and classified as susceptible, susceptible dose-dependent and resistant. Results: A total of 38 strains belonging to 6 species of the genus Candida were isolated. These species in order of frequency were Candida tropicalis (76.32%), Candida glabrata (10.53%), C. lusinatinae (5.26%), C. krusei (2.63%), C. kefyr (2.63%), and C. orthopsilosis (2.63%). The strains showed high resistance to itraconazole (93.2%) and fluconazole (48.3%) among azoles. For polyenes, the resistance of the strains was noted with amphotericin B with a high rate of 89.7%. Conclusions: This study reveals that the soils of the city of Ouagadougou harbor Candida spp. yeast species and can be a source of contamination for humans. These yeasts are resistant to some antifungals. This indicates the need to monitor their susceptibility to common antifungals. Full article

This study focuses on an experimental evaluation of the potential of rotifers to control snail intermediate hosts of Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium. Background. Biological molluscicides could represent a breakthrough for the sustainable control of snail intermediate hosts of schistosomes. This study evaluated the impact of rotifers on Biomphalaria and Bulinus snails in controlled conditions. Methodology. The impact of rotifers was assessed on Biomphalaria pfeifferi, Biomphalaria glabrata, Bulinus truncatus, Bulinus senegalensis, and Bulinus globosus. For each snail species, a group of 15 juvenile and 15 adult individuals were exposed separately to rotifers. For each condition, a control group of unexposed snails was set up. Snail shell size, egg-laying capacity, and mortality were monitored in each condition. Results. After 37 days, a decrease in egg production was observed in all snail species, although this was only significant with Bi. glabrata (p = 0.0017). Egg production was inhibited in juveniles Bi. glabrata and Bi. pfeiffeiri exposed to rotifers, while 57 and 27 egg masses were observed in their counterparts. Regardless the species and age, rotifers hampered the viability of eggs. After 50 days, growth delay was observed in all species, with a significant impact on Bi. glabrata (p = 0.001), which had an average size of 9.5 mm and 6.4 mm in unexposed adults and juveniles compared to 6.24 mm and 3.94 mm in exposed individuals. The exposure to rotifers did not cause excess mortality in any of the snail species after 40 days. Conclusions. Significant life traits of snails were altered by exposure to rotifers. Further studies are needed to better understand snail/rotifer interactions and the possibilities this would offer for malacological control. Full article