Of the seven known species of human retroviruses only one, human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 4 (HTLV-4), lacks a known animal reservoir. We report the largest screening for simian T-cell lymphotropic virus (STLV-4) to date in a wide range of captive and wild non-human primate (NHP) species from Cameroon. Among the 681 wild and 426 captive NHPs examined, we detected STLV-4 infection only among gorillas by using HTLV-4-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The large number of samples analyzed, the diversity of NHP species examined, the geographic distribution of infected animals relative to the known HTLV-4 case, as well as detailed phylogenetic analyses on partial and full genomes, indicate that STLV-4 is endemic to gorillas, and that rather than being an ancient virus among humans, HTLV-4 emerged from a gorilla reservoir, likely through the hunting and butchering of wild gorillas. Our findings shed further light on the importance of gorillas as keystone reservoirs for the evolution and emergence of human infectious diseases and provide a clear course for preventing HTLV-4 emergence through management of human contact with wild gorillas, the development of improved assays for HTLV-4/STLV-4 detection and the ongoing monitoring of STLV-4 among gorillas and for HTLV-4 zoonosis among individuals exposed to gorilla populations.
One of the crucial public health problems today is the emerging and re-emerging of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria coupled with a decline in the development of new antimicrobials. Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) is classified among the MDR pathogens of international concern. To predict their MDR potentials, 23 assembled genomes of NTS from live cattle (n = 1), beef carcass (n = 19), butchers’ hands (n = 1) and beef processing environments (n = 2) isolated from 830 wet swabs at the Yaounde abattoir between December 2014 and November 2015 were explored using whole-genome sequencing. Phenotypically, while 22% (n = 5) of Salmonella isolates were streptomycin-resistant, 13% (n = 3) were MDR. Genotypically, all the Salmonella isolates possessed high MDR potentials against several classes of antibiotics including critically important drugs (carbapenems, third-generation cephalosporin and fluoroquinolone). Moreover, >31% of NTS exhibited resistance potentials to polymyxin, considered as the last resort drug. Additionally, ≤80% of isolates harbored “silent resistant genes” as a potential reservoir of drug resistance. Our isolates showed a high degree of pathogenicity and possessed key virulence factors to establish infection even in humans. Whole-genome sequencing unveiled both broader antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles and inference of pathogen characteristics. This study calls for the prudent use of antibiotics and constant monitoring of AMR of NTS.
Geophagy is the habit of consuming clay soil such as chalk or kaolin. Though it is globally practiced, the safety of those involved is yet to be fully established. It is thought to be highly prevalent in pregnant women because of its antinausea or therapeutic effects. This practice is also thought to be provoked by some nutritional needs, but in modern society its etiology is obscure. The mineralogical and chemical compositions of clay may vary from one region to another and even in all form of rocks clay constitutes. Published articles in geophagy indicate lack of adequate investigations into the toxicity of geophagy, though it is globally practiced and more prevalent in Africa (as a continent) or in Africans migrants. Some studies have helped to identify some minerals that are toxic to human if ingested. In most cases, the potential toxicity emphasized by these studies is based on the detection of the presence of these nuisance elements in the geophagic materials. Scientifically, a lot has been done in the light of detection of toxic matter, but more investigations on metabolic studies are still necessary. The variability of clay content with respect to source motivated this review on geophagy and its potential toxicity to human. This review is aimed at bringing out findings that would enable a better understanding of the toxicity potential of geophagy across context and taxa.
Aims: Lipids serve several important physiologic functions like energy homeostasis or biosynthesis of hormone within the human body. The deterioration of lipid metabolism which is favoured by menopause is the source of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to determine the plasma lipid profile and dyslipidemia prevalence of some Cameroonian women. Methodology: To achieve this goal, two sets of 105 postmenopausal and 127 premenopausal Nkeunen et al.; IJBCRR, 25(4): 1-11, 2019; Article no.IJBCRR.48605 2 participants were enrolled in this study. 5ml of blood were collected on EDTA coated tubes from each participant. Enzymatic methods were used to evaluate total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride, while LDL cholesterol was determined using the Friedewald equation. These biological parameters were used to determine dyslipidemia. Thereafter, they were compared within age and year since menopause subgroups. Results: There was no significant difference in the mean values of total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C as well as triglyceride between premenopausal and postmenopausal women. The mean HDL-C concentration was stable in the age subgroups while the mean total cholesterol and LDL-C were slightly increasing as postmenopausal participants got older. LDL-C level was significantly higher in women who had been in menopause for more than 15 years. The overall dyslipidemia prevalence was 53%. Dyslipidemia was significantly higher in the subgroup of women who had freshly entered menopause. Conclusion: Even though there was no change in the mean concentration of the plasma lipid parameters, of pre-and postmenopausal participants there was a general need to improve their lifestyle in order to reduce dyslipidemia prevalence. Original Research Article
Aims: A healthy skeletal system with strong bones is essential to overall health. This study aimed to assess lifestyle and bone’s biomarkers of women. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The enrollment took place at the Yaounde Military Hospital from November 2016 to July 2017. Methodology: A set of 105 postmenopausal and 127 premenopausal participants were enrolled from November 2016 to July 2017 in Yaounde. Their physical activities level was evaluated using a questionnaire. Sunlight exposure between 10:00AM and 4:00PM was assessed. Colorimetric methods were used to evaluate calcium, albumin, and alkaline phosphatase activity in plasma. These parameters were then compared within year since menopause (YSM) and osteoporosis risk assessment instrument (ORAI) sub-groups. Results: 13.4% participants were moderately active. Only 22.8% participants had at least 30 minutes sun exposure daily. A multivariable analysis of demographic, lifestyle, biochemical characteristic revealed age, BMI, albumin and calcium were the main factors that influenced bone health among our participants. A significant difference of calcium concentration was found between the two groups whereas albumin was significantly higher in premenopausal than postmenopausal. Albumin was the only variable with a significant difference in the YSM sub-groups while only calcium was non-significantly higher among the ORAI sub-groups. Conclusion: Elevated plasma level of calcium, albumin and alkaline phosphatase could be indicators of high bone turnover.
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