Nexus between prevalence of Taenia solium (Cysticercus cellulosae) in pigs and retrospective study of humans cysticercosis cases in Benin hospitals.

The cysticercosis is a major zoonotic disease in many developing countries. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of porcine cysticercosis and to identify potential risk factors associated and their seroprevalence as well in Benin. The tongue palpation was performed on 4150 pigs from the pig farmers were randomly selected to diagnose cysticercosis and to assess the risk factors associated. In slaughterhouses, 792 pigs were inspected. Serum samples from 460 pigs were tested of the presence of Taenia solium cysticercosis using the HP10 antigen-ELISA (Ag-ELISA). A logistic regression model with a 95% confidence interval was used to analyse the main risk factors associated. The tongue palpation revealed a prevalence of 4.79% at the level of slaughterhouses versus 7.82% in the post-mortem inspection. The Ag-ELISA revealed that more than 40% of the pigs were positive. The risk factors identified were the origin area of pigs, the history of cysticercosis in the farms, the presence or absence of a latrine, the pig-farming systems, the age class of pigs and the source of watering. In addition, 34.48% individuals was tested for taenia versus 13.79% for cysticercosis in the hospitals surveyed. Our results showed the major revelation of porcine cysticercosis and its very high level of risk for a public health in all departments of Benin. Therefore, this study suggests the need to continue epidemiological and sociological surveys with a "One Health" approach in order to design and implement effective control measures in this country of high consumption of pigs.

Digitalized mass distribution campaign of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) in the particular context of Covid-19 pandemic in Benin: challenges and lessons learned.

BACKGROUND: In 2020, Benin has implemented a digitalized mass distribution campaign of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) in the particular context of COVID-19 pandemic. This paper describes the implementation process as well as the challenges and lessons learned from this campaign. METHODS: A descriptive design was used for reporting the planning and implementation process of ITNs campaign. Moreover, the changes and adaptations related to COVID-19 pandemic are described. RESULTS: A total of 3,175,773 households were registered corresponding to a total of 14,423,998 persons (13.55% more from projection). Moreover, 94.16% (13,581,637 people) of enumerated population were protected. A total of 7,652,166 ITNs were distributed countrywide. CONCLUSIONS: High political commitment, engagement and support add to the financial and technical supports from partners were the essential factors that make 2020 ITNs mass campaign success in Benin despite the particular context of COVID-19 pandemic. It is essential to maintain the prevention activities for malaria and this could substantially reduce the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for the populations at malaria risk.

[Evaluation of Knowledge-Attitudes-Practices of the populations in the health districts of Benoye, Laoukassy, Moundou and South N'Djamena towards canine rabies in Chad]. / Evaluation des Connaissances-Attitudes-Pratiques des populations des districts sanitaires de Benoye, Laoukassy, Moundou et N'Djaména Sud sur la rage canine au Tchad.

INTRODUCTION: Canine rabies remains a concern in Africa as well as in Chad. Our study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the populations towards the appropriate management of people exposed to canine rabies and effective fight against it. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive study in four health districts in Chad in July and in September 2015. Data were collected from households recruited by three-stage random sampling by means of a questionnaire. RESULTS: We conducted a survey of 2428 individuals having completed at least primary education level (54,12%). The average age was 36 ± 13.50 years. Surveyed individuals were farmers (35,17%), merchants (18,04%), households (12.81%). Rabies was defined as a disease transmitted from the dog to the man (41.43%), an alteration in brain function (41.27%), an undernourishment (10.26%). The cat was little-known to be a reservoir(13.84%) and a vector (19,77%) as well as licking was little-known to be a transmission medium (4.61%) and cat vaccination to be a preventive measure (0.49%). First aid for a bite at home was the traditional practice (47,69%), wounds washing (19.48%) or no action undertaken (20.43%). Households consulted the Health Service (78.50%), the Animal Health Service (5.35%) and the traditional healers (27%). CONCLUSION: A communication campaing for implementing first aid at home in the event of a bite, knowledge about the cat as a reservoir and a vector and licking as a transmission medium as well as the promotion of the consultation of veterinary services in the event of a bite are necessary.

Cost Description and Comparative Cost Efficiency of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis and Canine Mass Vaccination against Rabies in N'Djamena, Chad.

Rabies claims approximately 59,000 human lives annually and is a potential risk to 3.3 billion people in over 100 countries worldwide. Despite being fatal in almost 100% of cases, human rabies can be prevented by vaccinating dogs, the most common vector, and the timely administration of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to exposed victims. For the control and prevention of human rabies in N'Djamena, the capital city of Chad, a free mass vaccination campaign for dogs was organized in 2012 and 2013. The campaigns were monitored by parallel studies on the incidence of canine rabies based on diagnostic testing of suspect animals and the incidence of human bite exposure recorded at selected health facilities. Based on the cost description of the campaign and the need for PEP registered in health centers, three cost scenarios were compared: cumulative cost-efficiency of (1) PEP alone, (2) dog mass vaccination and PEP, (3) dog mass vaccination, PEP, and maximal communication between human health and veterinary workers (One Health communication). Assuming ideal One Health communication, the cumulative prospective cost of dog vaccination and PEP break even with the cumulative prospective cost of PEP alone in the 10th year from the start of the calculation (2012). The cost efficiency expressed in cost per human exposure averted is much higher with canine vaccination and One Health communication than with PEP alone. As shown in other studies, our cost-effectiveness analysis highlights that canine vaccination is financially the best option for animal rabies control and rabies prevention in humans. This study also provides evidence of the beneficial effect of One Health communication. Only with close communication between the human and animal health sectors will the decrease in animal rabies incidence be translated into a decline for PEP. An efficiently applied One Health concept would largely reduce the cost of PEP in resource poor countries and should be implemented for zoonosis control in general.

Endogenous recipes for controlling arthropod ectoparasites of domestic poultry.

This study is a contribution to the inventory of medicinal plants and other methods used in controlling external parasitic diseases of backyard poultry in the localities of Djougou and Ouaké (department of Donga, Benin). It consists of a survey undertaken from December 2010 to March 2011 through visits and interviews with 210 poultry famers. The results indicate that 13 species of medicinal plants are used in controlling ectoparasites. Annona senegalensis, Tectona grandis, Securidaca longepedunculata, Indigofera hirsuta, Lophira lanceolata, Hyptis spicigera, Steganotaenia araliacea, Oxytenanthera abyssinica, Nicotiana tabacum, Jatropha curcas, Ficus exasperata, Azadirachta indica and Parkia biglobosa are believed to treat external parasitic diseases in the area of this study. Annona senegalensis was the most frequently cited plant (18%, p < 0.05) used in remedies against external parasites in poultry. Other traditional recipes such as palm oil and ash have been reported.

Prevalence and zoonotic aspects of small ruminant mange in the lateritic and waterlogged zones, southern Benin.

An epidemiological survey was undertaken from March to September 2010 to assess the prevalence and zoonotic aspects of scabies in small ruminants in two agro-ecological zones in southern Benin. Small ruminant (n = 444) smallholders and 1,807 of their animals (1,233 West African dwarf goats and 574 West African dwarf sheep) were included in the study. The animals underwent physical examination and, when scabies-like lesions were found, crusts and integument scrapings were collected for microscopic parasitological tests. The samples collected in each survey were coded in accordance with the owner-animal pairings in order to assess the degree of correlation between mange cases in humans (smallholders) and their animals. The overall prevalence of scabies was 28.33% and 9.5% in animals and smallholders (human cases) respectively. Infestations were significantly (p < 0.001) more frequent in goats (39.6%) than in sheep. The uniqueness of the etiological agent (Sarcoptes scabiei), the very high predictive value of human scabies in infected farms (83.67%) and a very high odds ratio (OR = 2,019.25) indicate that small ruminant scabies has been transmitted to smallholders by their animals. Close contact between these smallholders and their animals was a determining factor in this interspecies communicability of sarcoptic mange.

Prevalence and zoonotic aspects of small ruminant mange in the lateritic and waterlogged zones, southern Benin / Prevalencia e aspectos zoonóticos de sarna em pequenos ruminantes em áreas de solo laterítico e alagados no sul do Benin

An epidemiological survey was undertaken from March to September 2010 to assess the prevalence and zoonotic aspects of scabies in small ruminants in two agro-ecological zones in southern Benin. Small ruminant (n = 444) smallholders and 1,807 of their animals (1,233 West African dwarf goats and 574 West African dwarf sheep) were included in the study. The animals underwent physical examination and, when scabies-like lesions were found, crusts and integument scrapings were collected for microscopic parasitological tests. The samples collected in each survey were coded in accordance with the owner-animal pairings in order to assess the degree of correlation between mange cases in humans (smallholders) and their animals. The overall prevalence of scabies was 28.33% and 9.5% in animals and smallholders (human cases) respectively. Infestations were significantly (p < 0.001) more frequent in goats (39.6%) than in sheep. The uniqueness of the etiological agent (Sarcoptes scabiei), the very high predictive value of human scabies in infected farms (83.67%) and a very high odds ratio (OR = 2,019.25) indicate that small ruminant scabies has been transmitted to smallholders by their animals. Close contact between these smallholders and their animals was a determining factor in this interspecies communicability of sarcoptic mange.

Um estudo epidemiológico foi realizado entre março e setembro de 2010, a fim de determinar a prevalência e aspectos zoonóticos de sarna em pequenos ruminantes em duas zonas agroecológicas no Sul de Benin. Pequenos criadores (n = 444) de ruminantes e 1.807 dos seus animais (1.233 cabras e 574 ovelhas Djallonké) fizeram parte da amostra para o estudo. Os animais foram submetidos a um exame físico e, quando detectadas algumas suspeitas de lesões da sarna, crostas e amostras cutâneas foram colhidas para exames parasitológicos por microscopia de luz. As amostras colhidas em cada inquérito foram codificadas tendo como referência os donos dos animais, a fim de estabelecer/avaliar o grau de correlação entre os casos de incidência nos humanos (criadores) e os seus respectivos animais. A prevalência de sarna foi, respectivamente, 28,33% em animais e 9,5% entre os criadores (casos humanos). Infestações foram significativamente (p < 0,001) mais comum em caprinos (39,6%) do que nos ovinos (4,2 %). A particularidade do agente etiológico (Sarcoptes scabiei), o alto valor preditivo de infestação nos humanos (83.67%) e o elevado valor da odds ratio (OR = 2019.25) indica um caráter zoonótico da sarna dos pequenos ruminantes. A proximidade entre homens e animais neste meio é um fator importante neste contato interespecífica da sarna sarcóptica.

Endogenous recipes for controlling arthropod ectoparasites of domestic poultry / Receitas caseiras para o controle do ectoparasita artrópode nas aves domésticas

This study is a contribution to the inventory of medicinal plants and other methods used in controlling external parasitic diseases of backyard poultry in the localities of Djougou and Ouaké (department of Donga, Benin). It consists of a survey undertaken from December 2010 to March 2011 through visits and interviews with 210 poultry famers. The results indicate that 13 species of medicinal plants are used in controlling ectoparasites. Annona senegalensis, Tectona grandis, Securidaca longepedunculata, Indigofera hirsuta, Lophira lanceolata, Hyptis spicigera, Steganotaenia araliacea, Oxytenanthera abyssinica, Nicotiana tabacum, Jatropha curcas, Ficus exasperata, Azadirachta indica and Parkia biglobosa are believed to treat external parasitic diseases in the area of this study. Annona senegalensis was the most frequently cited plant (18%, p < 0.05) used in remedies against external parasites in poultry. Other traditional recipes such as palm oil and ash have been reported.

Este estudo é uma contribuição ao inventário de plantas curativas e outros métodos endógenos usados no combate aos ectoparasitos de pássaros de currais nas aldeias de Djougou e Ouaké (departamento do Donga, em Benin). A pesquisa foi conduzida entre dezembro de 2010 e março de 2011, durante visitas e entrevistas com 210 criadores de aves. Os resultados indicam que 13 espécies de plantas curativas são utilizadas no combate aos ectoparasitos. Annona senegalensis, Tectona grandis, Securidaca longepedunculata, Indigofera hirsuta, Lophira lanceolata, Hyptis spicigera, Steganotaenia araliacea, Oxytenanthera abyssinica, Nicotiana tabacum, Jatropha curcas, Ficus exasperata, Azadirachta indica e Parkia biglobosa, são usadas para tratar uma doença parasitária externa na área de estudo. Annona senegalensis foi a planta mais frequentemente usada (18%, p < 0.05) como medicação contra os parasitas externos das aves. Outras receitas tradicionais como o óleo de palma e a cinza tem sido comunicadas.

Contribution of poses screen preimpregnated (PSP) installed at openings and eaves of dwellings in the reduction of malaria transmission in the commune of Aguégués in Bénin.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the contribution of poses screen pre-impregnated (PSP) installed at openings and eaves of dwellings in the reduction of malaria transmission in the commune of Aguégués in Bénin. METHODS: The PSP were manufactured from preimpregnated Olyset Net. They were installed at windows, eaves and doors of 70 dwellings. 320 children aged 6-59 months were treated and 311 children were recruited in the control zone. Variables measured are: plasmodic index (IP), gametocyte index, parasite density (PD), fever, hemoglobin, anemia. RESULTS: The global IP was 16.62% with PSP and 72.20% without PSP. Gametocyte index did not differ significantly between the treated zone (27.8) and the control zone (29.1). The total geometric mean of DP was 309 in the treated zone and 600 in the control zone. Hemoglobin level is 8.7 in the control zone and 9.5 in the treated zone. We noted a predominance of anemia in the control zone compared to the treated zone. CONCLUSIONS: The PSP have contributed to a significant reduction in morbidity in the commune of Aguégués.

Assessment of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) on Vectors and Malaria Transmission in the Commune of Aguegues, Benin.

INTRODUCTION: To overcome the problems of periodic re-impregnation of mosquito nets and low rates of treatment, the commune of Aguegues was chosen to evaluate the effects of Olyset(®) nets on malaria transmission and against An. gambiae. METHODS: 87 old Olyset(®) nets installed five years ago were identified in the village 'Akpadon'. 10 untreated nets were installed in 10 structures of type "a bedroom and parlour" in the village 'Akodji'. Four rooms without nets were identified in the village 'Donoukpa'. Entomological and epidemiological evaluations were conducted during the May to October 2011. 24 sessions of capture or 2088 men-nights resulted in the capture of 30,608 mosquitoes. RESULTS: The entrance of anopheles was significantly reduced in the village with Olyset(®) nets. 45% of mosquitoes captured inside rooms with Olyset(®) nets were found dead after 24 hrs of obser-vation. Overall, parasitemia was very low in the treated village (4.52%). 18 (4.64%) cases of malaria fever were from Akpadon with 7.5% positive blade smear, 29 (10.98%) were from Akodji with 8.37% positive blade smear, and 80 (95.23%) come from Donoukpa with 38.09% positive blade smear. The Olyset(®) nets and untreated net were adjusted hemoglobin levels. CONCLUSION: Olyset(®) net had a very high knock down effect and is an alternative in malaria control.