The estimated burden of fungal diseases in Mali.

Mali is a developing country facing several health challenges with a high rate of tuberculosis (TB) and a moderate HIV infection burden. Little is known or done about fungal diseases, yet they represent a significant public health problem in certain populations. The aim of this study was to estimate the national burden of fungal disease, and summarize data, diagnostic and treatment gaps. We used national demographics and PubMed searches to retrieve articles on published data on these infections and at-risk populations (pulmonary TB, HIV/AIDS patients, patients receiving critical care etc.) in Mali. The estimated Malian population was 21,251,000 in 2020 (UN), of which 45% were children <14 years. Among HIV patients, we estimate an annual incidence of 611 cryptococcosis, 1393 Pneumocystis pneumonia, 180 histoplasmosis and >5,700 esophageal candidiasis and some microsporidiosis cases. Our prevalence estimates for tinea capitis are 2.3 million, for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis 272,460, ∼60,000 fungal asthma and 7,290 cases of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (often mistaken for TB). Less common acute fungal infections are probably invasive aspergillosis (n=1230), fungal keratitis (n=2820), candidaemia (>1,060) and mucormycosis (n=43). Histoplasmin was found in 6% in general population. A few cases of mycetoma are described in Mali. Many WHO Essential medicines and Diagnostics are not available in Mali. This shows a marked disparity in documented and estimated cases of fungal diseases in Mali. These infections are underestimated due to the lack of accurate diagnosis tools and lack of support for fungal diseases diagnosis and management.

[Epidemiological and etiological profile of vulvovaginal candidiasis in women in consultation in the gynecology-obstetrics department, CHU Gabriel Toure, Bamako - Mali]. / Profil epidemiologique et etiologique des candidoses vulvovaginales chez les femmes en consultation dans le service de gynecologie-obstetrique, CHU Gabriel Toure, Bamako - Mali.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a fungal infection caused by yeasts of the genus Candida that leads to vulvar pruritus and vaginal discharge. METHOD: In order to evaluate the epidemiological and etiological Profile of vvc, we carried out a cross-sectional study among women in consultation in the gynecological department of the CHU-Gabriel Toure in Bamako. Two swabs were taken from each woman for mycological diagnosis. The presence of yeasts and pseudo-filaments was observed on direct examination. The culture was performed on Sabouraud-Chloramphenicol medium and at 37°C for 24 to 48 hours. Identification was based on the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the colonies, the germinative tube test and the Vitek•2 instrument. of the colonies, the germinative tube test and the VITEK® 2 instrument. RESULT: A total of 240 women were included with a mean age of 31.5 ± 3.15 [15-64 years]. Married women represented 91.67% (n=220) and 51.25% were housewises. Pruritus 49.17% (118/240) and dyspareunia 42.08% (101/240) were the most frequent clinical signs. Previous use of antifungals was demonstrated in 85.83% of women. Candida species were confirmed in 60.42% (145/240) of cases. C. albicans was the most frequent species followed by C. famata, C. dubliniensis, C. krusei.. This study allowed us to identify the most frequent cases of C. albicans, followed by C. famata, C. dubliniensis, and C. krusei..Further studies are still needed to characterize the antifungal susceptibility profile of the Candida species involved.

La candidose vulvo-vaginale (CVV) est une infection fongique causée par des levures du genre Candida provoquant du prurit vulvaire et des pertes vaginales. MÉTHODE: Afin d'évaluer le profil épidémiologique et étiologique des CVV, nous avons réalisé une étude transversale chez les femmes en consultation dans le service de gynécologie du CHU-Gabriel TOURE de Bamako. Deux écouvillons vaginaux ont été prélevés sur chaque femme pour le diagnostic mycologique. La présence de levures et de pseudo-filaments a été observée à l'examen direct. La culture a été réalisée sur milieu Sabouraud-Chloramphénicol et à 37°C pendant 24 à 48 heures. L'identification a été basée sur les caractéristiques macroscopiques et microscopiques des colonies, le test du tube germinatif et l'instrument VITEK® 2. RÉSULTAT: Un total de 240 femmes ont été incluses avec un âge moyen de 31,5 ans ± 3,15 [15-64 ans]. Les femmes mariées représentaient 91,67% et 51,25% étaient des menagères. Le prurit 49,17 % et la dyspareunie 42,08 % (101/240) étaient les signes cliniques les plus fréquents. La prise antérieure d'antifongiques a été retrouvée chez 85,83% des femmes. La présence des espèces de Candida a été confirmée dans 60,42 % des cas. L'espèce C. albicansétait lus fréquente suivies de C. famata, C. dubliniensis, C. krusei.. CONCLUSION: Les résultats de cette étude permettent d'élargir les connaissances sur l'épidémiologie du CVV au Mali. D'autres études restent nécessaires pour caractériser le profil de sensibilité aux antifongiques des espèces de Candida impliquées.

Lithology and mineralogy recognition from geochemical logging tool data using multivariate statistical analysis.

The availability of a deep well that penetrates deep into the Ultra High Pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks is unusual and consequently offers a unique chance to study the metamorphic rocks. One such borehole is located in the southern part of Donghai County in the Sulu UHP metamorphic belt of Eastern China, from the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Main hole. This study reports the results obtained from the analysis of oxide log data. A geochemical logging tool provides in situ, gamma ray spectroscopy measurements of major and trace elements in the borehole. Dry weight percent oxide concentration logs obtained for this study were SiO2, K2O, TiO2, H2O, CO2, Na2O, Fe2O3, FeO, CaO, MnO, MgO, P2O5 and Al2O3. Cross plot and Principal Component Analysis methods were applied for lithology characterization and mineralogy description respectively. Cross plot analysis allows lithological variations to be characterized. Principal Component Analysis shows that the oxide logs can be summarized by two components related to the feldspar and hydrous minerals. This study has shown that geochemical logging tool data is accurate and adequate to be tremendously useful in UHP metamorphic rocks analysis.

A fast forward algorithm for real-time geosteering of azimuthal gamma-ray logging.

Geosteering is an effective method to increase the reservoir drilling rate in horizontal wells. Based on the features of an azimuthal gamma-ray logging tool and strata spatial location, a fast forward calculation method of azimuthal gamma-ray logging is deduced by using the natural gamma ray distribution equation in formation. The response characteristics of azimuthal gamma-ray logging while drilling in the layered formation models with different thickness and position are simulated and summarized by using the method. The result indicates that the method calculates quickly, and when the tool nears a boundary, the method can be used to identify the boundary and determine the distance from the logging tool to the boundary in time. Additionally, the formation parameters of the algorithm in the field can be determined after a simple method is proposed based on the information of an offset well. Therefore, the forward method can be used for geosteering in the field. A field example validates that the forward method can be used to determine the distance from the azimuthal gamma-ray logging tool to the boundary for geosteering in real-time.

Use of spectral gamma ray as a lithology guide for fault rocks: A case study from the Wenchuan Earthquake Fault Scientific Drilling project Borehole 4 (WFSD-4).

The main purpose of the Wenchuan Earthquake Fault Scientific drilling project (WFSD) was to produce an in-depth borehole into the Yingxiu-Beichuan (YBF) and Anxian-Guanxian faults in order to gain a much better understanding of the physical and chemical properties as well as the mechanical faulting involved. Five boreholes, namely WFSD-1, WFSD-2, WFSD-3P, WFSD-3 and WFSD-4, were drilled during the project entirety. This study, therefore, presents first-hand WFSD-4 data on the lithology (original rocks) and fault rocks that have been obtained from the WFSD project. In an attempt to determine the physical properties and the clay minerals of the lithology and fault rocks, this study analyzed the spectral gamma ray logs (Total gamma ray, Potassium, Thorium and Uranium) recorded in WFSD-4 borehole on the Northern segment of the YBF. The obtained results are presented as cross-plots and statistical multi log analysis. Both lithology and fault rocks show a variability of spectral gamma ray (SGR) logs responses and clay minerals. This study has shown the capabilities of the SGR logs for well-logging of earthquake faults and proves that SGR logs together with others logs in combination with drill hole core description is a useful method of lithology and fault rocks characterization.

Crosswell electromagnetic modeling from impulsive source: Optimization strategy for dispersion suppression in convolutional perfectly matched layer.

This study applied the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method to forward modeling of the low-frequency crosswell electromagnetic (EM) method. Specifically, we implemented impulse sources and convolutional perfectly matched layer (CPML). In the process to strengthen CPML, we observed that some dispersion was induced by the real stretch κ, together with an angular variation of the phase velocity of the transverse electric plane wave; the conclusion was that this dispersion was positively related to the real stretch and was little affected by grid interval. To suppress the dispersion in the CPML, we first derived the analytical solution for the radiation field of the magneto-dipole impulse source in the time domain. Then, a numerical simulation of CPML absorption with high-frequency pulses qualitatively amplified the dispersion laws through wave field snapshots. A numerical simulation using low-frequency pulses suggested an optimal parameter strategy for CPML from the established criteria. Based on its physical nature, the CPML method of simply warping space-time was predicted to be a promising approach to achieve ideal absorption, although it was still difficult to entirely remove the dispersion.