First Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in White Rhinoceros during a Small-Scale Coronavirus Surveillance in the Bandia Reserve, Senegal.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has heightened interest in the monitoring and surveillance of coronaviruses in wildlife. Testing for the virus in animals can provide valuable insights into viral reservoirs, transmission, and pathogenesis. In this study, we present the results of the molecular surveillance project focused on coronaviruses in Senegalese wildlife. During the project, we screened fecal samples of the wild animals living in the Bandia Reserve (ten non-human primates, one giraffe, and two white rhinoceros) and the free-living urban population of African four-toed hedgehogs in Ngaparou. The results showed the absence of coronaviruses in hedgehogs, non-human primates, and a giraffe. A single positive sample was obtained from a white rhinoceros. The sequencing results of amplified RdRp gene confirmed that the detected virus was SARS-CoV-2. This study represents the first documented instance of molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 in white rhinoceros and, therefore, extends our knowledge of possible SARS-CoV-2 hosts.

Genetic guidelines for translocations: Maintaining intraspecific diversity in the lion (Panthera leo).

Conservation translocations have become an important management tool, particularly for large wildlife species such as the lion (Panthera leo). When planning translocations, the genetic background of populations needs to be taken into account; failure to do so risks disrupting existing patterns of genetic variation, ultimately leading to genetic homogenization, and thereby reducing resilience and adaptability of the species. We urge wildlife managers to include knowledge of the genetic background of source/target populations, as well as species-wide patterns, in any management intervention. We present a hierarchical decision-making tool in which we list 132 lion populations/lion conservation units and provide information on genetic assignment, uncertainty and suitability for translocation for each source/target combination. By including four levels of suitability, from 'first choice' to 'no option', we provide managers with a range of options. To illustrate the extent of international trade of lions, and the potential disruption of natural patterns of intraspecific diversity, we mined the CITES Trade Database for estimated trade quantities of live individuals imported into lion range states during the past 4 decades. We identified 1056 recorded individuals with a potential risk of interbreeding with wild lions, 772 being captive-sourced. Scoring each of the records with our decision-making tool illustrates that only 7% of the translocated individuals were 'first choice' and 73% were 'no option'. We acknowledge that other, nongenetic factors are important in the decision-making process, and hence a pragmatic approach is needed. A framework in which source/target populations are scored based on suitability is not only relevant to lion, but also to other species of wildlife that are frequently translocated. We hope that the presented overview supports managers to include genetics in future management decisions and contributes towards conservation of the lion in its full diversity.

Same Invasion, Different Routes: Helminth Assemblages May Favor the Invasion Success of the House Mouse in Senegal.

Previous field-based studies have evidenced patterns in gastrointestinal helminth (GIH) assemblages of rodent communities that are consistent with "enemy release" and "spill-back" hypotheses, suggesting a role of parasites in the ongoing invasion success of the exotic house mouse (Mus musculus domesticus) in Senegal (West Africa). However, these findings came from a single invasion route, thus preventing to ascertain that they did not result from stochastic and/or selective processes that could differ across invasion pathways. In the present study, we investigated the distribution of rodent communities and their GIH assemblages in three distinct zones of Northern Senegal, which corresponded to independent house mouse invasion fronts. Our findings first showed an unexpectedly rapid spread of the house mouse, which reached even remote areas where native species would have been expected to dominate the rodent communities. They also strengthened previous insights suggesting a role of helminths in the invasion success of the house mouse, such as: (i) low infestation rates of invading mice by the exotic nematode Aspiculuris tetraptera at invasion fronts-except in a single zone where the establishment of the house mouse could be older than initially thought, which was consistent with the "enemy release" hypothesis; and (ii) higher infection rates by the local cestode Mathevotaenia symmetrica in native rodents with long co-existence history with invasive mice, bringing support to the "spill-back" hypothesis. Therefore, "enemy release" and "spill-back" mechanisms should be seriously considered when explaining the invasion success of the house mouse-provided further experimental works demonstrate that involved GIHs affect rodent fitness or exert selective pressures. Next steps should also include evolutionary, immunological, and behavioral perspectives to fully capture the complexity, causes and consequences of GIH variations along these invasion routes.

[Blood biomarkers of early diagnosis for neonatal bacterial infections: back from Senegal cohort]. / Biomarqueurs sanguins du diagnostic précoce des infections néonatales bactériennes : retour d'expérience d'une cohorte sénégalaise.

In Senegal, reducing neonatal mortality remains a challenge. The management of neonatal infections remains problematic and presents a strong clinical focus. Indeed, like all developing countries, the difficulty of acquiring state-of-the-art infrastructure and the financial cost impact on the routine use of biomarkers. It is in this context that we conducted this study to identify the best biological strategy for making a reliable diagnosis. Ninety-nine newborns were recruited at the pediatric service of the Diamniadio Children's Hospital (Senegal). CRP was assayed by latex immuno-agglutination method, IL-6 and IL-8 using Luminex® technology, PCT by chemiluminescence, orosomucoid by immunoturbidimetry and SAA by ELISA technique. 20 newborns had probable infection and six established infection. Deaths and complications were significantly greater in these groups. With an optimal decision threshold of 16.3 mg/L, CRP performed better (compared to the other tested blood biomarkers) with AUC, sensitivity and specificity of 94%, 88% and 99%, respectively. With the performance obtained from CRP in the diagnosis of neonatal bacterial infections, the installation of panels with other biomarkers with advanced and expensive technology is not necessary. Thus, optimal care and within a reasonable timeframe can be done in our health facilities, with this accessible marker that is CRP.

Repeated evolution of camouflage in speciose desert rodents.

There are two main factors explaining variation among species and the evolution of characters along phylogeny: adaptive change, including phenotypic and genetic responses to selective pressures, and phylogenetic inertia, or the resemblance between species due to shared phylogenetic history. Phenotype-habitat colour match, a classic Darwinian example of the evolution of camouflage (crypsis), offers the opportunity to test the importance of historical versus ecological mechanisms in shaping phenotypes among phylogenetically closely related taxa. To assess it, we investigated fur (phenotypic data) and habitat (remote sensing data) colourations, along with phylogenetic information, in the species-rich Gerbillus genus. Overall, we found a strong phenotype-habitat match, once the phylogenetic signal is taken into account. We found that camouflage has been acquired and lost repeatedly in the course of the evolutionary history of Gerbillus. Our results suggest that fur colouration and its covariation with habitat is a relatively labile character in mammals, potentially responding quickly to selection. Relatively unconstrained and substantial genetic basis, as well as structural and functional independence from other fitness traits of mammalian colouration might be responsible for that observation.

Taxonomic hypotheses regarding the genus Gerbillus (Rodentia, Muridae, Gerbillinae) based on molecular analyses of museum specimens.

Methodological improvements now allow routine analyses of highly degraded DNA samples as found in museum specimens. Using these methods could be useful in studying such groups as rodents of the genus Gerbillus for which i) the taxonomy is still highly debated, ii) collection of fresh specimens may prove difficult. Here we address precise taxonomic questions using a small portion of the cytochrome b gene obtained from 45 dry skin/skull museum samples (from 1913 to 1974) originating from two African and three Asian countries. The specimens were labelled Gerbillus gerbillus, Gerbillus andersoni, Gerbillus nanus, Gerbillus amoenus, Gerbillus perpallidus and Gerbillus pyramidum, and molecular results mostly confirmed these assignations. The close relationship between Gerbillus nanus (Asian origin) and Gerbillus amoenus (African origin) confirmed that they represent vicariant sibling species which differentiated in allopatry on either side of the Red Sea. In the closely related Gerbillus perpallidus and Gerbillus pyramidum, specimens considered as belonging to one Gerbillus pyramidum subspecies (Gerbillus pyramidum floweri) appeared closer to Gerbillus perpallidus suggesting that they (Gerbillus pyramidum floweri and Gerbillus perpallidus) may represent a unique species, distributed on both sides of the Nile River, for which the correct name should be Gerbillus floweri. Furthermore, the three other Gerbillus pyramidum subspecies grouped together with no apparent genetic structure suggesting that they may not yet represent genetically differentiated lineages. This study confirms the importance of using these methods on museum samples, which can open new perspectives in this particular group as well as in other groups of interest.

[Prevalence of dyslipemia in Aristide le Dantec biochemistry laboratory in Dakar Senegal]. / Prévalence des dyslipidémies au laboratoire de biochimie du CHU Aristide le Dantec de Dakar, Sénégal.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of dyslipidemias among patients who underwent assay of a lipid parameter at the Laboratory of Biochemistry of Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital in 2013. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 1356 patients between ages 10-94 years presenting at the laboratory of Biochemistry of CHU Le Dantec from January to December 2013. All patients who had undergone at least one lipid assay whose results were recorded in the laboratory register were enrolled in the study. Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were measured using enzymatic methods (Cobas Integra 400 plus biochemistry analyzer - Roche Diagnostics). RESULTS: The prevalence of dyslipidemia in our study population was 39.30%. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia, hyper-HDL-cholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, mixed hyperlipidemia was 30,89% ; 7,30% ; 31,19% ; 0,51% ; 7,22% respectively. The subjects aged 40 to 59 years appeared to be more exposed. Moreover, there was a female predominance in hypercholesterolemia (54.17% vs 45.82%) the hypocholesterolemia (54.54% vs45,45%), and mixed hyperlipidemia (51.08% vs 48.97%). Dyslipidemias were strongly correlated to hypertension and obesity. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of dyslipidemias found in our study highlights the importance of studying the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, in particular dyslipidemias, in Senegalese population.

Lipid profile frequency and the prevalence of dyslipidaemia from biochemical tests at Saint Louis University Hospital in Senegal.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of lipid profile requests and the prevalence of dyslipidemia in patients at the biochemistry laboratory of St. Louis University Hospital, as well as their correlation with sex and age. METHODS: This was a retrospective study reviewing 14,116 laboratory results of patients of both sexes, over a period of six months (January-June 2013) regardless of the indication for the request. The lipid parameters included were: Total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides with normal values defined as follows: Total cholesterol (<2g/l), HDL- cholesterol (>0,40g/l), LDL- cholesterol (<1,30g/l) and Triglycerides (<1,50g/l). RESULTS: The average age of our study population was 55.15 years with a female predorminance (M/F = 0.60). The age group most represented was that between 55-64 years. The frequency of lipid profile request in our sample was 9.41% (or 1,329). The overall prevalence of isolated hypercholesterolemia, hyperLDLaemia, hypoHDLaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, and mixed hyperlipidemia were respectively 60.91%, 66.27%, 26.58%, 4.57% and 2.75%. Hypercholesterolemia, hyperLDLaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia and mixed hyperlipidaemia were higher in women with respectively 66.22%, 67.98%, 4.58%, 2.89% than in men (52.01%, 62.81%, 4.44% and 2.40% respectively). On the other hand, the prevalence of hypoHDLaemia was higher in males (32.19%) compared to females (23.76%). Hypercholesterolemia correlated significantly with age and sex. CONCLUSION: Our study showed a relatively low request rate for lipid profile and a high prevalence of dyslipidaemia hence the importance of conducting a major study on the prevalence of dyslipidaemia and associated factors in the Senegalese population.