ACE and LRPAP1 insertion-deletion polymorphisms in a northern Ivory Coast population

The ACE and the LRPAP1 gene insertion-deletion polymorphisms were determined in 133 healthy individuals sampled from Ouangolodougou, a village located in northern Ivory Coast. No sex differences were found in ACE and LRPAP1 gene frequencies. The ACE insertion and deletion alleles had frequencies of 0.346 and 0.654, respectively. The ACE gene was not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium because of an excess of heterozygote genotypes and a deficiency of I/I genotypes compared to the expected values. Statistical analysis showed a significantly lower frequency of I/I genotypes in the Ivory Coast population compared to Sudan, Kenya, African Americans, and African Brazilians (p < 0.05), whereas no differences were found with respect to Somalia. Conversely, the frequencies of the insertion and deletion alleles in the Ivorian population did not differ from those of other African populations. The LRPAP1 insertion and deletion allele frequencies found in our study (0.192 and 0.808, respectively) did not differ significantly from the Czech and Spanish populations, the only two populations previously characterized for this polymorphism. However, the frequency of the I/I genotype was significantly lower than the frequencies observed in the European samples. Because of the limited information on the LRPAP1 gene polymorphism distribution in worldwide populations, it was not possible to draw any conclusion.     

Selenium status in an iodine deficient population of the West Ivory Coast

Selenium is an essential trace element which is part of the active site of seleno-dependent glutathione peroxidase and type 1 deiodinase. Therefore, it plays a key role in thyroid hormone metabolism. The present work was undertaken in order to evaluate selenium status in two Ivory Coast populations: the first with high (Glanlé) and the second with low (Abidjan) prevalence of iodine deficiency. Selenium, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione and diglutathione were determined in blood and/or urine. In plasma and erythrocytes, selenium and glutathione peroxidase were dramatically low in Glanlé. Compared to Abidjan, selenium, glutathione peroxidase, vitamin E and riboflavin status were decreased whereas diglutathione was increased in Glanlé. The results clearly demonstrate a selenium deficiency and suggest an oxidant stress in Glanlé. Causes and consequences of this selenium deficiency and oxidant stress remain to be determined.     

The yeast flora of cocoa bean fermentation in the Ivory Coast

Summary The yeast flora involved in the traditional fermentation process of cocoa during four harvest seasons in the Ivory Coast was studied. Twenty-nine species belonging to 11 genera were identified. The following species were the most frequently isolated:Saccharomyces chevalieri,Pichia membranaefaciens, Candida krusei, Torulopsis holmii, Torulopsis Candida. This flora is similar to that found in other parts of the world.

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Resumen Levaduras en la fermentación del cacao en la Costa de Marfil Se estudiaron las levaduras envueltas en la tradicional fermentación del cacao durante cuatro cosechas consecutivas en la Costa de Marfíl. Las especies aisladas con mayor frecuencia fueron las siguientes:Saccharomyces chevalieri, Pichia membranaefaciens, Candida krusei,Torulopsis holmii, Torulopsis candida. Flora que es similar a la hallada en otras partes del mundo.

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Résumé La flore de levures dans la fermentation des fèves de cacao en Côte d'Ivoire La flore des levures intervenant dans la fermentation traditionnelle du cacao a été étudiée en Côte d'Ivoire au cours de quatre saisons de récolte. Vingt-neuf espèces appartenant à 11 genres ont été identifiées. Les espèces les plus fréquemment isolées sont:Saccharomyces chevalieri, Pichia membranaefaciens, Candida krusei, Torulopsis holmii, Torulopsis Candida. Cette flore est similaire à celles trouvées dans d'autres parties du monde.

     

Fish assemblages in relation to environmental gradients along a small west African coastal basin,the San Pedro River,Ivory Coast

Patterns of fish population composition were examined in the San Pedro River, Ivory Coast, in 2001 to assess whether distinct types of assemblage exist along longitudinal gradients within this small coastal basin. A total of 45 species was found: 28 in the lower and the upper courses of the river and 29 in Faé man-made lake. The environmental variables most closely associated with assemblage-level patterns were those which can be significantly modified by dam construction: transparency, conductivity, current and sampling site position on the basin. Groups were separated by means of canonical correspondence analysis and cluster analysis. Downstream assemblages were distinguished by the presence of marine and brackish water fish species and a relatively low abundance of cichlid fishes. Assemblages from Lake Faé were characterised by a predominance of cichlids.     

Yam mosaic, a new potyvirus infecting Dioscorea cayenensis in the Ivory Coast

The major disease affecting Dioscorea cayenensis in the Ivory Coast is caused by a virus which was transmitted by mechanical inoculation to some Dioscorea spp. and Nicotiana benthamiana . In extracts of D. cayenensis leaves infectivity was lost after 10 min at 60 C but not 55 C and after dilution to 10^-3 but not 10^-2. A purification procedure is described. The virus particles are flexuous filaments c . 785 nm long. The virus was transmitted by four aphid species in the non-persistent manner, and is serologically related to four African potyviruses. The name yam mosaic virus is proposed; the present cryptogram is: */*:*/6:E/E:S/Ve/Ap, potyvirus group.     

The disregarded West: diet and behavioural ecology of olive baboons in the Ivory Coast

Despite living under environmental conditions considerably distinct from those of savannah baboons (Papio spp.) in East and southern Africa, very little is known about western Papio populations. We monitored the abundance and group sizes of olive baboons (P. anubis) in the savannah-forest mosaic of the Comoé National Park, northern Ivory Coast, and observed 2 habituated groups of different sizes. Against expectations for the kind of habitat, the individual density was low, yielding only 1.2 baboons/km(2). The groups were small, comprising on average 15 individuals, and the proportion of 1-male groups (50-63%) was remarkably high. One-male groups were more female biased than multi-male groups. The baboons were highly frugivorous, spending about 50% of their feeding time on fruits and seeds of at least 79 woody plant species. The 2 habituated groups had comparatively large home ranges and used forests more often than expected by random. We argue that regular subgrouping of the larger focal group and different habitat quality countervailed inter-group variations. Differences from other study sites, however, are not completely explained by current models of baboon (socio)ecology. It appears that the social organization of olive baboons is more flexible than assumed from data on East African populations.     

A virus causing ringspot of Passiflora edulis in the Ivory Coast

A mechanically transmissible virus causing leaf mottling and ringspotting of Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa in the Ivory Coast is described. Its particles are flexuous rods 810–830 nm long and 15 nm wide. It infects mainly species of Passifloraceae and Leguminosae; Passiflora foetida is a good diagnostic host. Aphis gossypii and Aphis spiraecola transmit the virus after brief acquisition feeds. Seed transmission was not detected. In crude sap of P. edulis, infectivity was lost after 10 min at 65–70 °C, 12–14 days at 24 °C or dilution to 10^-7. A purification method is described, using Triton-X-100 as clarifying agent. The virus is serologically related but not identical to passionfruit woodiness virus from Queensland. The virus seems to belong to the potato virus Y group and has the cryptogram */*:*/(6):E/E:S/Ap. It is designated passionfruit ringspot virus.     

Detection of Mycobacterium ulcerans DNA in the Environment,Ivory Coast

Background

Ivory Coast is a West African country with the highest reported cases of Buruli ulcer, a disabling subcutaneous infection due to Mycobacterium ulcerans. However, the prevalence of environmental M. ulcerans is poorly known in this country.

Methods

We collected 496 environmental specimens consisting of soil (n = 100), stagnant water (n = 200), plants (n = 100) and animal feces (n = 96) in Ivory Coast over five months in the dry and wet seasons in regions which are free of Buruli ulcer (control group A; 250 specimens) and in regions where the Buruli ulcer is endemic (group B; 246 specimens). After appropriate total DNA extraction incorporating an internal control, the M. ulcerans IS2404 and KR-B gene were amplified by real-time PCR in samples. In parallel, a calibration curve was done for M. ulcerans Agy99 IS2404 and KR-B gene.

Results

Of 460 samples free of PCR inhibition, a positive real-time PCR detection of insertion sequence IS2404 and KR-B gene was observed in 1/230 specimens in control group A versus 9/230 specimens in group B (P = 0.02; Fisher exact test). Positive specimens comprised seven stagnant water specimens, two feces specimens confirmed to be of Thryonomys swinderianus (agouti) origin by real-time PCR of the cytb gene; and one soil specimen. Extrapolation from the calibration curves indicated low inoculums ranging from 1 to 10² mycobacteria/mL.

Conclusion

This study confirms the presence of M. ulcerans in the watery environment surrounding patients with Buruli ulcer in Ivory Coast. It suggests that the agouti, which is in close contacts with populations, could play a role in the environmental cycle of M. ulcerans, as previously suggested for the closely related possums in Australia.