Oral pathology and overweight among pupils in government primary schools in Cameroon: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Tooth decay and periodontal diseases are the main oral pathologies in the world. The prevalence of overweight in children has increased worldwide. Overweight children have alterations in the composition of saliva and excessive consumption of saturated fatty acids tend to slow the metabolism of carbohydrates in the oral cavity leading to tooth decay, periodontal disease and others oral disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between oral pathologies and overweight in pupils of primary schools of Cameroon. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out from June to August 2020 in four government primary schools selected through cluster sampling in Yaounde. 650 pupils aged between 6 and 11 years were enrolled. Data collected included anthropometric, oral pathologies, quality of oral hygiene and feeding habits. Data were analysed with the SPSS 26.0 statistical software and binary logistic regression was used to determine the risks of oral pathologies in overweight pupils. P-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight was 27% (95% CI: 23.5-30.5). The main oral pathologies was tooth decay (60.3%). Binary logistic regression revealed that overweight pupils were significantly 1.5 times more likely to develop tooth decay than non-overweight pupils (95% CI: 1.1-2.4). CONCLUSION: Overweight, tooth decay are prevalent among pupils. Overweight pupils have a higher risk of developing tooth decay compared to non-obese pupils. An integrated package of oral and nutritional health promotion activities is necessary in primary schools in Cameroon.

Survey of the use of traditional and complementary medicine among children with cancer at three hospitals in Cameroon.

INTRODUCTION: There is lack of diagnostic and treatment resources with variable access to childhood cancer treatment in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), which may lead to subsequent poor survival. The primary aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and types of traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) used in Cameroon. Secondarily, we explored determinants of T&CM use, associated costs, perceived benefits and harm, and disclosure of T&CM use to medical team. METHODS: A prospective, cross-sectional survey among parents and carers of children younger than 15 years of age who had a cancer diagnosis and received cancer treatment at three Baptist Mission hospitals between November 2017 and February 2019. RESULTS: Eighty participants completed the survey. Median patient age was 8.1 years (IQR4.1-11.1). There was significant availability (90%) and use (67.5%) of T&CM, whereas 24% thought T&CM would be good for cancer treatment. Common T&CM remedies included herbs and other plant remedies or teas taken by mouth, prayer for healing purposes and skin cutting. Living more than five hours away from the treatment center (P = 0.030), anticipated costs (0.028), and a habit of consulting a traditional healer when sick (P = 0.006) were associated with the use of T&CM. T&CM was mostly paid for in cash (53.7%) or provided free of charge (29.6%). Of importance was the fact that nearly half (44%) did not want to disclose the use of TM to their doctor. CONCLUSION: Pediatric oncology patients used T&CM before and during treatment but were unlikely to disclose its use to the child's health care team.

Relationship between periodontal diseases and newly-diagnosed metabolic syndrome components in a sub-Saharan population: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Oral health is a frequently ignored aspect of global health in sub-Saharan patients. Periodontitis, a very frequent oral disease has been proven to be associated to development of the metabolic syndrome. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between periodontal disease and metabolic syndrome components in a sub-Saharan population. METHODS: We performed a cross sectional study in 3 Yaounde hospitals. Consenting adults aged 21 years and above were recruited. Participants who presented with a tooth loss of at least 50% or any condition which could alter values of biological and periodontal parameters (tobacco smoking, pregnancy, chronic kidney disease, cancer) were excluded. Metabolic syndrome elements (glycaemia, arterial pressure, HDL cholesterol, abdominal circumference, triglycerides) and periodontal variables were recorded (plaque and gingival index of Silness and Loe, periodontal pocket depth and clinical attachment loss). These variables were compared using Fisher's exact Test and odds ratio calculated with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The prevalence of periodontitis and metabolic syndrome were 43.4% and 10.8% respectively. Age (37.75 ± 13.25, P < 0.001) and poor accessory brushing methods were associated risk factors for development of periodontal disease. Sub-Saharan sindividuals with periodontitis had increased odds of having obesity (OR 11.1 [95% CI 3.97-31.03], P < 0.001) and low HDL (OR 4.58 [95% CI 1.79-11.70], P = 0.001) CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest an association between periodontal disease and metabolic syndrome in Sub-Saharan subjects. Increasing age and poor accessory brushing methods are associated risk indicators.

Network analyses to quantify effects of host movement in multilevel disease transmission models using foot and mouth disease in Cameroon as a case study.

The dynamics of infectious diseases are greatly influenced by the movement of both susceptible and infected hosts. To accurately represent disease dynamics among a mobile host population, detailed movement models have been coupled with disease transmission models. However, a number of different host movement models have been proposed, each with their own set of assumptions and results that differ from the other models. Here, we compare two movement models coupled to the same disease transmission model using network analyses. This application of network analysis allows us to evaluate the fit and accuracy of the movement model in a multilevel modeling framework with more detail than established statistical modeling fitting methods. We used data that detailed mobile pastoralists' movements as input for 100 stochastic simulations of a Spatio-Temporal Movement (STM) model and 100 stochastic simulations of an Individual Movement Model (IMM). Both models represent dynamic movement and subsequent contacts. We generated networks in which nodes represent camps and edges represent the distance between camps. We simulated pathogen transmission over these networks and tested five network metrics-strength, betweenness centrality, three-step reach, density, and transitivity-to determine which could predict disease simulation outcomes and thereby be used to correlate model simulation results with disease transmission simulations. We found that strength, network density, and three-step reach of movement model results correlated with the final epidemic size of outbreak simulations. Betweenness centrality only weakly correlated for the IMM model. Transitivity only weakly correlated for the STM model and time-varying IMM model metrics. We conclude that movement models coupled with disease transmission models can affect disease transmission results and should be carefully considered and vetted when modeling pathogen spread in mobile host populations. Strength, network density, and three-step reach can be used to evaluate movement models before disease simulations to predict final outbreak sizes. These findings can contribute to the analysis of multilevel models across systems.

The bat meat chain and perceptions of the risk of contracting Ebola in the Mount Cameroon region.

BACKGROUND: Local people's interaction with bats render them vulnerable to Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). This paper examines perceptions of risk involved in the hunting, handling, processing and consumption of bat meat in the Mount Cameroon region of Southwest Cameroon. It focuses on the myriad cultural beliefs, gendered patterns of activity and institutional arrangements in which the bat meat production chain is embedded. METHODS: We conducted 30 ethnographic interviews with a sample of purposively selected men and women involved in the bat meat trade. The interviews were tape recorded, transcribed verbatim and inductive analysis was performed on the data. FINDINGS: The findings suggests that more urban men than villagers and hunters consume bat meat. Different practices and behaviours expose the mostly uneducated, young, single men and women to the risk of Ebola infection depending on their differential level of intervention in the human-bat interaction and value chain linking hunters, sellers and customers. The killing of bats with the mouth during hunting expose hunters (young men) while the preparation of bat carcasses for consumption also put women, (mostly young and unmarried) at risk. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the complexity and nuances of gender, poverty and Ebola outcomes predispose some marginal groups to the risk of infection with zoonotic diseases. There is the need to improve public health intervention and health education among the rural masses in the Mount Cameroon region.

Determinants of periodontitis according to the immunological and virological profiles of HIV-infected patients in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

BACKGROUND: HIV infection is associated to different oral manifestations (including periodontal diseases), which have decreased with the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Yet, the occurrence of periodontitis is still consistent among patients with HIV living in sub Saharan-Africa, with limited evidence on the driven factors and mitigating measures in these settings. We aimed at evaluating the occurrence of periodontitis and its associated immunological and virological factors in patients with HIV living in Yaoundé, Cameroon. METHODS: We included 165 (44 ART-naïve and 121 ART-experienced) patients > 18 years old attending the Yaoundé Central Hospital and the Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre, from January-April 2018. The periodontal status was assessed by measuring the clinical attachment loss, periodontal pocket depth, plaques index and gingival bleeding index. CD4+/CD8+ cells and viremia were measured using the fluorescence-activated cell sorting method (FACS Calibur) and the Abbott m2000 RT HIV-1 RNA kit respectively. A standard-questionnaire concerning participants' medical records and oral hygiene methods was filled. Data was analyzed and p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There was a significantly high prevalence of periodontitis in the ART-naïve (53.2%) compared to the ART-experienced group (37.3%), with a twofold increased risk of the ART-naïve population presenting with periodontitis than the ART-experienced population (OR 2.06, p = 0.03). More importantly, ART-naïve, patients with CD4 < 200 cells presented with higher risk of having periodontitis compared to those with higher CD4-values, with a threefold difference (OR 3.21). Worth noting, males presented with a higher risk of having clinical attachment loss (OR 6.07). There was no significant association between the occurrence of periodontitis and the CD8 (p = 0.45) or viremia (p = 0.10). CONCLUSION: In the Cameroonian context, a considerable number of adults infected with HIV suffer from periodontitis regardless of their treatment profile. Nonetheless, ART-naïve patients have a higher risk, indicating the protective role of ART. Interestingly, severely immune-compromised patients and men are vulnerable to periodontitis, thereby highlighting the need for clinicians to refer patients for regular periodontal screening especially male patients and those with low CD4. Such measures could greatly improve the quality of life of the population living with HIV in Cameroon.

Mutual detection of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus and Epstein-Barr virus in blood and saliva of Cameroonians with and without Kaposi's sarcoma.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, together with HIV; the consequent burden of disease is grave. The cofactors driving transmission of the two viruses and pathogenesis of associated malignancies are not well understood. We measured KSHV and EBV DNA in whole blood and saliva as well as serum antibodies levels in 175 Cameroonians with Kaposi's sarcoma and 1,002 age- and sex-matched controls with and without HIV. KSHV seroprevalence was very high (81%) in controls, while EBV seroprevalence was 100% overall. KSHV DNA was detectable in the blood of 36-46% of cases and 6-12% of controls; EBV DNA was detected in most participants (72-89%). In saliva, more cases (50-58%) than controls (25-28%) shed KSHV, regardless of HIV infection. EBV shedding was common (75-100%); more HIV+ than HIV- controls shed EBV. Cases had higher KSHV and EBV VL in blood and saliva then controls, only among HIV+ participants. KSHV and EBV VL were also higher in HIV+ than in HIV- controls. Cases (but not controls) were more likely to have detectable KSHV in blood if they also had EBV, whereas shedding of each virus in saliva was independent. While EBV VL in saliva and blood were modestly correlated, no correlation existed for KSHV. Numerous factors, several related to parasitic coinfections, were associated with detection of either virus or with VL. These findings may help better understand the interplay between the two gammaherpesviruses and generally among copathogens contributing to cancer burden in sub-Saharan Africa.

Age-related tooth wear in African rainforest hunter-gatherers.

OBJECTIVES: Central African small-scale foragers subsist primarily on hunting game activities and wild plant-food gathering. Starch-rich tubers are underground storage organs (USOs) and staple food resources in savanna and tropical rainforests. However, little is known about the effect of USO consumption on tooth wear development in living hunter-gatherers. We report age- and sex-dependent tooth wear rates in forest-dwelling Baka Pygmies with well-documented wild-yam-tuber-based diet to explore the long-term impact of USO mechanical hardness and abrasiveness on the wearing down of the teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Percentages of dentine exposure (PDEs) of permanent left mandibular first molars (M1 ) were recorded using in vivo high-resolution replicas of Baka individuals (aged 8-33 years), inhabiting Le Bosquet district in Cameroon (Western Africa). Regression and covariance analyses were used to test the effect of individual aging by sex on PDE rates. RESULTS: We found a strong increase of PDE by age among Baka individuals. No evidence of sexual dimorphism in wear patterns suggests similar sex-related dietary and masticatory demands during growth. Overall, greatest dentine exposure values ≈4% denote unexpected slow wear down rates for foraging diets relying on USO consumption. DISCUSSION: The low molar wear rates with age found in Baka Pygmies contrast with extensive wear rates in savanna-dwelling foragers, reflecting differences in thermal processing techniques affecting fracture toughness and grittiness of mechanically challenging foods. Our findings reveal that culture-specific dietary proclivities influence tooth wear among foraging behaviors with important implications in hominin dietary versatility and abrasive stress on chewing surfaces.

Tooth dimensions and body size in a Pygmy population.

Background: The relationship between tooth size and stature has been analysed extensively at the interspecies level but has received less attention at the intraspecies level. The relationship between these two parameters does not seem to be the same among modern human populations.Aim: The aim of this study is to analyse the relationship between tooth dimensions and body measurements in the Baka Pygmies.Subjects and methods: Height, weight, and tooth dimensions were obtained for 45 adult Baka females and 17 males from Le Bosquet (Cameroon). Correlations were obtained between the variables and compared to results for other human populations.Results: The Baka population is distinctive in the small number of significant correlations. Only two buccolingual diameters among Baka females show any significant correlation with height. The lack of significant correlations between tooth dimensions and body dimensions among the Baka means that changes in body size are accompanied by random variations in tooth dimensions.Conclusion: The absence of correlations may be accounted for by the impact of environmental effects on the somatic growth of the Baka producing a Pygmy phenotype adapted to live in the forest. It is worth noting that many correlations become significant when sexes are pooled.

Amelogenesis imperfecta in the dentition of a wild chimpanzee.

This report describes a case of amelogenesis imperfecta in the dentition of a female chimpanzee. Amelogenesis imperfecta is a group of rare genetic conditions that create severe enamel defects, which, although well researched in humans, has not yet been investigated in wild non-human primates.

Effects of nonsurgical periodontal treatment on glycated haemoglobin on type 2 diabetes patients (PARODIA 1 study): a randomized controlled trial in a sub-Saharan Africa population.

BACKGROUND: There is a burglar association between diabetes and periodontitis. Many studies has shown that periodontitis treatment can help improving glycemic control in diabetes patients but little evidence of non-surgical treatment benefit is available in sub Saharan african diabetes patients. We aimed to assess the effects of non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) of chronic periodontitis on glycaemic control in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes patients (T2D) in a sub-Saharan Africa urban setting. METHODS: A total of 34 poorly controlled T2D patients with chronic periodontitis aged 51.4 ± 8.8 years (mean ± SD), with known duration of diabetes of 55.5 ± 42.6 months, and HbA1c of 9.3 ± 1.3% were randomly assigned to two groups. The treatment group (Group 1, n = 17) received immediate ultrasonic scaling, scaling and root planning along with subgingival 10% povidone iodine irrigation, whereas the control group (Group 2, n = 17) was assigned to receive delayed periodontal treatment 3 months later. Pharmacological treatment was unchanged and all participants received the same standardized education session on diabetes management and dental hygiene. The primary outcome was the 3-month change in HbA1c from baseline. Plaque index (PI), gingival bleeding index (GBI), pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL) were also assessed prior to, at 6 and 12 weeks after enrolment. RESULTS: Two subjects in each group were excluded from the study. Data were analyzed on thirty patients (15 per group). Non-surgical periodontal treatment with education for better dental hygiene (group 1) significantly improved all periodontal parameters whereas education only (group 2) improved only the plaque index among all periodontal parameters. Immediate non-surgical periodontal treatment induced a reduction of HbA1c levels by 3.0 ± 2.4 points from 9.7 ± 1.6% at baseline to 6.7 ± 2.0% 3 months after NSPT, (p ˂ 0.001) but the change was not significant in group 2, from mean 8.9 ± 0.9% at baseline vs 8.1 ± 2.6% after 3 months (p = 0.24). CONCLUSION: Non-surgical periodontal treatment markedly improved glycaemic control with an attributable reduction of 2.2 points of HbA1c in poorly controlled T2D patients in a sub Saharan setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02745015 Date of registration: July 17, 2016 'Retrospectively registered'.

Detection of Plasmodium falciparum DNA in saliva samples stored at room temperature: potential for a non-invasive saliva-based diagnostic test for malaria.

BACKGROUND: Current malaria diagnostic methods require blood collection, that may be associated with pain and the risk of transmitting blood-borne pathogens, and often create poor compliance when repeated sampling is needed. On the other hand, the collection of saliva is minimally invasive; but saliva has not been widely used for the diagnosis of malaria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of saliva collected and stored at room temperature using the OMNIgene®â€¢ORAL kit for diagnosing Plasmodium falciparum malaria. METHODS: Paired blood and saliva samples were collected from 222 febrile patients in Cameroon. Saliva samples were collected using the OMNIgene®â€¢ORAL (OM-501) kit and stored at room temperature for up to 13 months. Thick blood film microscopy (TFM) was used to detect P. falciparum blood-stage parasites in blood. Detection of P. falciparum DNA in blood and saliva was based on amplification of the multi-copy 18 s rRNA gene using the nested-polymerase chain reaction (nPCR). RESULTS: Prevalence of malaria detected by TFM, nPCR-saliva and nPCR-blood was 22, 29, and 35%, respectively. Using TFM as the gold standard, the sensitivity of nPCR-saliva and nPCR-blood in detecting P. falciparum was 95 and 100%, respectively; with corresponding specificities of 93 and 87%. When nPCR-blood was used as gold standard, the sensitivity of nPCR-saliva and microscopy was 82 and 68%, respectively; whereas, the specificity was 99 and 100%, respectively. Nested PCR-saliva had a very good agreement with both TFM (kappa value 0.8) and blood PCR (kappa value 0.8). At parasitaemia > 10,000 parasites/µl of blood, the sensitivity of nPCR-saliva was 100%. Nested PCR-saliva detected 16 sub-microscopic malaria infections. One year after sample collection, P. falciparum DNA was detected in 80% of saliva samples stored at room temperature. CONCLUSIONS: Saliva can potentially be used as an alternative non-invasive sample for the diagnosis of malaria and the OMNIgene®â€¢ORAL kit is effective at transporting and preserving malaria parasite DNA in saliva at room temperature. The technology described in this study for diagnosis of malaria in resource-limited countries adds on to the armamentarium needed for elimination of malaria.

The role of traditional healers in the diagnosis and management of Burkitt lymphoma in Cameroon: understanding the challenges and moving forward.

BACKGROUND: Burkittlymphoma(BL) is the most common childhood cancer in Cameroon with a reported incidence of 3 per 100,000 children under 15 years in the Northwest region. Treatment at three Baptist mission hospitals has a recorded cure rate of over 50%. Traditional medicine(TM) is recognized by the national health system, but its scope is undefined and entraps children with BL. The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes and practices of parents and traditional healers (TH) towards TM in children with BL in order to develop recommendations for an integrative approach and improved access to life-saving treatment for children with BL. METHODS: This is a descriptive case series of children diagnosed with BL treated at Banso, Mbingo, and Mutengene Baptist Hospitals between 2003 and 2014. A questionnaire was used to obtain the following information: demographic information, religion, the rate of use of TM, reasons why guardians chose to use TM, the diagnoses made by the TH, treatment offered, and the type of payment requested, based on the accounts of patient caregivers. Data was analyzed using Center for Disease Control Epi Info 7. RESULTS: Three hundred eighty-seven questionnaires were completed by parents/guardians. 55% had consulted a TH, of whom 76.1% consulted the TH as first choice. Common diagnoses provided by TH included liver problem, abscess, witchcraft, poison, hernia, side pain, mushroom in the belly and toothache. Methods of management included massage, cuts, concoctions, and incantations. The fee for these services included chickens, farm tools, and cash ranging from 200FCFA (0.4USD) to 100,000FCFA(200USD). The choice of TM was based on accessibility, failed clinic/hospital attendance, recommendation of relatives, and belief in TM. CONCLUSIONS: TH are involved in BL management in Cameroon. TH are ignorant about BL, resulting in non-referral, and thus delay in diagnosis and treatment. Collaboration with TH could reduce late diagnosis and improve cure rates of BL and other childhood cancers.

Ritual tooth modification among the Baka pygmies in Cameroon.

INTRODUCTION: Ritual tooth mutilation is a relatively understudied human body mutilatory practices. The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of ritual tooth modification, teeth cleaning measures and herbal medications for their oral health problems among the Baka pygmies in Cameroon. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and March, 2012 using semi-structured questionnaire as the tool of data collection. Intra-oral examinations were carried out to determine the dental hard tissue loss using Smith and Knight Tooth Wear Index (TWI). RESULTS: Fifty-six pygmies with ritual tooth modification made of 34 males (60.7%) and 22 females (39.3%) with a mean age of 31 years were interviewed and had oral health examination. The reported age at which the tooth modification was done was between 10 and 15 years with mean age as 12 ± 1.66 years. More than half (58.9%) of the participants reported the tooth filing as painful and nearly two-thirds (64.3%) of the participants reported having persistent pain afterwards. The upper right central and lateral incisors were the most commonly modified teeth. A total of 42.9%, 12.5% and 7.1% of the participants had Smith and Knight TWI scores of 2, 3 and 4 respectively. All the participants reported cleaning their teeth at least once-daily with about two-thirds (66.1%) of them doing so with chewing stick. The majority (67.9%) of the participants reported cleaning their teeth for cosmetic reasons [to remove dirt' (60.7%) and 'to remove stains' (7.1%)]. The oral health problems among the participants in form of tooth sensitivity, toothache and dental abscess were treated with plant-based traditional medicines from Irvingia gabonensis, Ricinodendron heudoletti, Pterocarpus soyauxii, Alchornea cordifolia and Piptadeniastrum africanum. CONCLUSION: Ritual tooth modification is a painful mutilatory practice which is culturally significant for the Baka pygmies without health benefit. There is need for intervention to stop this harmful traditional practices among the pygmies. Further studies is recommended to elucidate the medicinal and pharmaceutical benefits of plants used for tooth sensitivity and other oral health problems by the pygmies.

Oral health status of diabetes mellitus patients in Southwest Cameroon.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus affects virtually all tissues and organs the body including the hard and soft issues of the oral cavity, manifesting with several complications. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of oral diseases in diabetics and non-diabetics and to correlate oral diseases with glycaemic control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational study involving 149 diabetic patients recruited from hospitals in Southwest Region of Cameroon and 102 non-diabetic controls drawn from the general population. The study participants were aged 18 years and above. Data were collected using questionnaires, oral examination and laboratory tests. Oral examination was conducted to assess dental plaque, calculus, dental caries, periodontitis, gingivitis and candidiasis. Glycemic status was assessed by measuring glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels using standardized methods. RESULTS: Thirty five out of 149 (23.5%) diabetic patients had gingivitis; 37 (24.8%) had periodontitis; 29 (19.5%) had dental caries and 32 (21.5%) had oral candidiasis. Gingivitis, periodontitis and oral candidiasis was significantly higher in diabetics than non-diabetics (P < 0.001). Also, more diabetic patients presented with poor oral hygiene than non-diabetics. Poorly controlled diabetics presented more with gingivitis and candidiasis than well-controlled diabetics and this relationship was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of oral disease was significantly higher in diabetics than in non-diabetic controls and hyperglycaemia seemed to be a major contributor to oral health in diabetic patients in the study area. Proper management of blood sugar levels might improve on the oral health of diabetes mellitus patients.

Prevalence and unmet treatment need of traumatized incisor among Cameroonian schoolchildren in North West Province.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and unmet treatment need of traumatized incisor in 12-13 years old among Cameroonian Schoolchildren in the North West Province. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional survey among 12-13 years old children of selected rural and urban secondary schools in North West province of Cameroon was conducted between March and November, 2010. RESULTS: The majority of the 2287 studied children were females (50.2%) and urban dwellers (51.8%). Of the 2287 studied children, 45 of them exhibited evidence of incisor trauma giving a prevalence of 2.0%. This prevalence was higher in males than females (2.3% versus 1.7%) and also higher in urban than rural schools (2.2% versus 1.7%). Upper central incisor was the predominantly traumatized tooth and enamel fracture constituted 62.2% of incisor trauma. Fall and sports were the leading cause of incisor trauma in this study. Some minor variations in the causes of incisor trauma were found among gender and location. The prevalence of unmet treatment need was 91.1% which were mainly acid etch restoration. Males and rural dwellers had more unmet treatment need. CONCLUSION: Data revealed a low prevalence of traumatized incisor with high prevalence of unmet treatment needs among Cameroonian Schoolchildren in North West Province. Findings of this survey provide baseline information on prevalence and unmet treatment need for traumatized incisor among Cameroonian Schoolchildren in the North West Province.

The tadpoles of nine Cameroonian Leptodactylodon species (Amphibia, Anura, Arthroleptidae).

We describe and compare the tadpoles of nine Leptodactylodon species from Cameroon. The tadpoles of Leptodactylodon bicolor, L. mertensi, L. ovatus, L. perreti and L. ventrimarmoratus are herein reinvestigated, partly based on larger series than previously available. In addition we present first descriptions for the tadpoles of L. boulengeri, L. erythrogaster, L. ornatus, and L. cf. polyacanthus. The morphology of these exotrophic, lotic and neustonic tadpoles is discussed in comparison with other stream-dwelling tadpoles. Based on the assumed biology of these tadpoles, living in interstices of gravel or debris, the functioning of several special morphological features, in particular the funnel-mouth of Leptodactylodon tadpoles, are interpreted.

Irvingia gabonensis baill. (African Mango): A comprehensive review of its ethnopharmacological significance, unveiling its long-standing history and therapeutic potential.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte ex O'Rorke) Baill. (IG) is a multipurpose tree native to tropical Africa such as Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Gabon, and Cameroon with high ethnomedicinal values. AIM OF THE STUDY: This review emphasizes the ethnopharmacological significance, phytochemical, and functional properties of African mango, focusing on its potential for human health and industrial applications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature published on IG was traced by different databases, including the Egyptian Knowledge Bank database (EKB), ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google Scholars, Research Gate, Web of Science, Elsevier, and Scopus. Numerous keywords were used to achieve an inclusive search in the databases, like 'African Mango', 'Bush Mango', 'Irvingia gabonensis', 'Wild Mango', 'Dika Nut', 'Phytochemistry', 'Traditional uses', 'Functional foods', 'Polyphenols', 'Ogbono', 'Ellagic acid and its derivatives', and 'Pharmacological activities'. RESULTS: Different parts of IG have been employed in traditional medicine and recorded a great success. The ripe fruit pulp was consumed fresh or processed into juice and wine documented for anti-diarrheal, anti-diabetic, anti-ulcer, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. The kernels, which are widely traded and incorporated into traditional dishes, remain an integral part of culinary traditions. Seeds have folkloric uses for weight loss and are popular as blood thinners and anti-diabetics. Where the bark is reported for dysentery, colic, scabies, toothache, and various skin conditions. In Senegal, the stem bark is employed for gonorrhea, hepatic disorders, and gastrointestinal ailments. The leaves possess the potential to enhance renal and hepatic functions, safeguarding these vital organs against the detrimental effects of toxic substances. Pulp is rich in vitamin C, carbohydrates, and proteins. Oil is the major constituent of the seed, which is mainly composed of myristic and lauric acids. The defatted extracts are characterized by flavonoid glycosides and ellagic acid derivatives. Despite their widespread use, IG extracts are still inadequately characterized phytochemically and merit further investigation within the realm of scientific research. Encouragingly, toxicity studies have demonstrated the relative safety of IG extract at the administered doses. CONCLUSION: The review extends our knowledge of the health benefits of IG, where these effects could be attributed to the phytochemicals present.

[Mechanisms of viral emergence and interspecies transmission: the exemple of simian foamy viruses in Central Africa]. / Mécanismes d'émergence virale et transmission interespèces: l'exemple des rétrovirus Foamy simiens chez l'Homme en Afrique Centrale.

A large proportion of viral pathogens that have emerged during the last decades in humans are considered to have originated from various animal species. This is well exemplified by several recent epidemics such as those of Nipah, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Avian flu, Ebola, Monkeypox, and Hantaviruses. After the initial interspecies transmission per se, the viruses can disseminate into the human population through various and distinct mechanisms. Some of them are well characterized and understood, thus allowing a certain level of risk control and prevention. Surprisingly and in contrast, the initial steps that lead to the emergence of several viruses, and of their associated diseases, remain still poorly understood. Epidemiological field studies conducted in certain specific high-risk populations are thus necessary to obtain new insights into the early events of this emergence process. Human infections by simian viruses represent increasing public health concerns. Indeed, by virtue of their genetic andphysiological similarities, non-human primates (NHPs) are considered to be likely the sources of viruses that can infect humans and thus may pose a significant threat to human population. This is well illustrated by retroviruses, which have the ability to cross species, adapt to a new host and sometimes spread within these new species. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic studies have thus clearly showed that the emergence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and HIV-2 in humans have resulted from several independent interspecies transmissions of different SIV types from Chimpanzees and African monkeys (including sooty mangabeys), respectively, probably during the first part of the last century. The situation for Human T cell Lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is, for certain aspects, quite comparable. Indeed, the origin of most HTLV-1 subtypes appears to be linked to interspecies transmission between STLV-1-infected monkeys and humans, followed by variable periods of evolution in the human host. In this review, after an introduction on emerging viruses, we will briefly present the results of a large epidemiological study performed in groups of Bantus and Pygmies living in villages and settlements located in the rain forest of the South region of Cameroon. These populations are living nearby the habitats of several monkeys and apes, often naturally infected by different retroviruses including SIV, STLV and simianfoamy virus. Most of the persons included in this study were hunters of such NHPs, thus at high risk of contact with infected body fluids (blood, saliva,...) during hunting activities. After reviewing the current available data on the discovery, cross-species transmission from monkeys and apes to humans of the simian foamy retroviruses, we will report the results of our study. Such infection is a unique natural model to study the different mechanisms of restriction of retroviral emergence in Humans.