Effect of fruit and host fly species on the associative learning by Fopius arisanus.

Parasitoids, released in augmentative biological control programmes, which display a rapid host-location capacity, have a higher likelihood of successfully controlling target pest species. By learning to associate sensory cues to a suitable oviposition site, might parasitoids used as biological control agents, locate hosts more rapidly, and perhaps increase the efficacity of e.g. Tephritidae fruit fly management. We studied associative learning of Fopius arisanus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and tested its range of learning in natural and conditional hosts and host fruits, i.e. Bactrocera dorsalis, Zeugodacus cucurbitae, Ceratitis capitata and Ceratitis cosyra (Diptera: Tephritidae) and on fruits (papaya, tomato, banana). Naïve female F. arisanus were compared with experienced wasps, which had been offered infested and non-infested fruit, and been allowed to oviposit. Preferences for olfactory cues from infested fruits were thereafter assessed in a two-choice olfactometer. Naïve and trained parasitoids preference differed in general and non-responders to infested fruits were higher among naïve parasitoids. The trained wasps preferred the fruit infested in the training more than the control fruit, for all combination, except when C. cosyra infested the fruits, hence avoidance behavioural response was observed towards the odour of the infested fruit. Fopius arisanus was capable of behaviourally respond to the learned information, e.g. associative odour learning was achieved, yet limited depending on interaction level, fruit fly and fruit combination. To create F. arisanus preference of an associated odour, it might hence be needed to ensure oviposition in perceived suitable host and host fruit, for the parasitoid learning to become favourable in a biological control setup.

Blastocystis in Côte d'Ivoire: molecular identification and epidemiological data.

Blastocystis is an enteric protozoan infecting humans and animals in both developed and developing countries at all latitudes. Despite this, data on Blastocystis infection are not available for several geographical areas, including many African countries. In this study, a survey was conducted on Blastocystis among humans and domestic animals in rural and urban localities in Côte d'Ivoire, in order to investigate the prevalence, the subtype distribution, and the zoonotic potential in association with sociodemographic factors, seasonality, symptoms, and co-infections. A total of 110 fecal samples were collected from patients living in four localities. Molecular and phylogenetic analyses were conducted for Blastocystis detection and subtyping. Positive samples from symptomatic patients were tested by Luminex xTAG® Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel (GPP) to evidence the presence of other common intestinal pathogens. Overall, a prevalence of 58.2% was observed in humans and subtypes ST1(50.0%), ST2 (22.0%) and ST3 (28.1%) were identified. The prevalence values varied significantly among the sites but not in relation to the subtype. The seasonal rains significantly increase the infection rate in all localities. No significant differences in the ST distribution between asymptomatic and symptomatic subjects were observed. As regard the zoonotic transmission, an additional sampling was conducted in another village where fecal samples were simultaneously collected from humans and animals. Blastocystis STs 1-3 and ST7 were identified in eight humans and four chickens, respectively. This study provides the first exhaustive data on the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of Blastocystis in Côte d'Ivoire.

[Surgery of congenital clubfoot in Don Orione, Health Center for physical handicaps of Ivory Coast (About 554 feet)]. / Chirurgie du pied-bot varus équin congénital au centre pour handicapés physiques Don Orione de Côte-d'Ivoire (A propos de 554 pieds).

OBJECTIVES: Treatment of congenital clubfoot improved in occidental country. We have studied the epidemiology, clinical and therapeutic aspects of this malformation in the context of Africa. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study. Two thousand five hundred and sixty-two patients were hospitalised and operated during 12 years, 362 of them were diagnosed with congenital clubfoot. This represented 14,1% of the surgical diseases, with an incidence of 30,2 cases per year. The male to female ratio was 1,6:1, and ages ranged from 4 months to 38 years old, 59% of which were less than 15 years old. Two hundred and four (56,3%) patients had bilateral disease, 93 (25,7%) had right side disease and 65 (18%) had left sided disease. Considering the classification types we noted in our patient population 82% type III, 5% type II, 3% type I and 10% were undefined. RESULTS: Posteromedial approach describe by Codivilla was used in 45,5% of cases. Codivilla approach associated with lateral access to the foot in 44,4% of cases, with dorsal access in 2,3%. Few patients (7,8%) have had another approach. One hundred and seventeen patients received physiotherapy prior, but all the patients operated have postoperative physiotherapy while wearing orthopaedic shoes. Results obtained were: good in 510 cases (92%), quite good in 35 cases (6,3%), fairly good in 7 cases (1,3%) and mediocre in 2 cases (0,4%). CONCLUSION: The surgical aspect is still only a fraction of the entire treatment. It is imperative that physiotherapy is started immediately and orthopaedic shoes be worn postoperatively.

[Pygomelus. An African surgical case report]. / La pygomélie. A propos d'un cas african opéré.

Pygomelus is a malformation characterized by the presence of one or more extra-extremities in the pelvic region. This article describes a case of pygomelus involving a child in Cote d'Ivoire. It is the tenth operated case to be reported in the literature. The malformation consisted of a well developed third lower extremity attached to the right iliac crest, without a rudimentary pelvis, and of a poorly developed upper extremity attached to the subpubic region. The two extra-extremities were removed surgically without complications. Pygomelus is an uncommon malformation whose nosologic limits are unclear since it is comparable to lower extremity duplication and dipygus. According to the authors pygomelus is a more appropriate term than caudal duplication which is widely used in English-speaking physicians.