To evaluate lead and cadmium contamination in Moringa oleifera leaves powders marketed in Cotonou and health risks associated with its consumption, cross-sectional and analytical study were done from October 23 th , 2012 to June 20 th , 2013. Samples of Moringa powders were purchased at different outlets (health centers, supermarkets, pharmacy, etc.). Assays were performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry after digestion according calcination method. Pb and Cd levels were compared with Codex Alimentarius standards, using the Student t test. Daily Exposure Doses (DDE) and Hazard Quotients (HQ) specific to each contaminant were calculated using a conventional method. Results revealed that the mean concentration of lead for all samples (1.526 mg/kg) exceeded of about 5.08 times the maximum allowable limit whereas cadmium levels (0.246 mg/kg) was not statistically higher than the standard. The highest concentrations of Pb and Cd are respectively 4.263 mg/kg and 0.354 mg/kg. Children are 2.3 to 3.8 times in greater danger * Corresponding author. A. K. Aissi et al. 771than adults although all QD calculated are less than 1, reflecting that there is a low risk to consumers in general. For both metals, DJE specifically linked to the consumption of Moringa was less than 2% compared to other kinds of food intake. In conclusion, the current level of contamination (with lead and cadmium) of Moringa leaves powders marketed in Cotonou is not yet an alarming threat to consumers' health. However, care must be taken to reduce chemical pollution especially soils where these plants grow.
Background Little data exist on the presence of resistant pathogens in day-old chicks imported into Benin. The occurrence of pathogenic bacteria was assessed in 180 one-day-old chicks imported from Belgium and received at the Cardinal Bernardin Gantin International Airport in Cotonou (Benin). The samples included swabbing the blisters of 180 chicks, followed by 18 pools of 10 swabs for bacterial isolation. Classic bacteriological methods based on Gram staining, culture on specific media and biochemical characterization were used. Antibacterial susceptibility screening to antibiotics was conducted using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method, and the results were interpreted according to guidelines from the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST). DNA extraction was performed by the heat treatment method. Resistance genes were screened by real-time PCR. Results We isolated 32 bacteria, including Escherichia coli (50%), Enterococcus spp. (28%), and coagulase-negative staphylococci (10%). The isolates were investigated for antibiotic resistance against antibiotics using the disk diffusion method and showed that in the Escherichia coli strains isolated, the highest rate of resistance was obtained against ciprofloxacin (81%), followed by trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole (62%). Enterobacter cloacae was sensitive to all the antibiotics tested. Pseudomonas spp. resistant to amoxicillin and trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole was noted. The SulII gene was found in all cloacal samples, while the SulI and blaTEM genes were present at 44.44% and 16.67%, respectively. Conclusion This study confirms that imported day-old chicks can be a potential source of dissemination of resistant bacteria in poultry production. A system for immediate detection of resistant bacteria in chicks upon arrival in the country is thus needed.
ObjectivesWe assessed the current status of blood culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) practices in clinical laboratories in Benin, and how the laboratory results are used by physicians to prescribe antibiotics.MethodsThe qualitative study covered twenty-five clinical laboratories with a bacteriology unit and associated hospitals and pharmacies. Altogether 159 laboratory staff, physicians and pharmacists were interviewed about their perceptions of the state of laboratory diagnostics related to sepsis and the use of antibiotics. Face-to-face interviews based on structured questionnaires were supported by direct observations when visiting five laboratories in across the country.ResultsOnly 6 laboratories (24%) conducted blood cultures, half of them with a maximum of 10 samples per month. The most common gram-negative bacteria isolated from blood cultures were: Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi while the most common gram-positives were Enterococcus spp. and Staphylococcus aureus. None of the laboratories listed Klebsiella pneumoniae among the three most common bacteria isolated from blood cultures, although other evidence indicates that it is the most common cause of sepsis in Benin. Due to limited testing capacity, physicians most commonly use empirical antibiotic therapy.ConclusionsMore resources are needed to develop laboratory testing capacity, technical skills in bacterial identification, AST, quality assurance, and communication of results must be strengthened.
Recent ethnopharmacological data cited Senna siamea as one of the most widely used medicinal plants in the management of salmonellosis in Benin. However, data related to its activity on non-typhoidal Salmonella spp are limited. This study aimed to assess the antibacterial activity of Senna siamea on multidrug-resistant Salmonella. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of S. siamea were tested for their antibacterial activity on four multidrug-resistant Salmonella: Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028 and three Salmonella spp. isolated from animals intended for human consumption in Benin. Well diffusion technique combined with the determination by microdilution of Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) were used for antibacterial testing. From antibacterial testing, inhibition diameters of the extracts ranged from 7 to 11 mm, for the susceptible strains. Colistin (reference antibiotic) was active on all Salmonella spp. with inhibition diameters between 18 and 19 mm. The MICs ranged from 3.125 to 25 mg/ml while MBCs of the extracts are greater than 100 mg/ml, so none of the extracts have antibacterial power (p.a). From these results, it appears that the use of Senna siamea in the traditional treatment of salmonellosis is justified. These results must be valued in the development of anti-salmonella phytomedicines.
Jatropha multifida L. is a plant widely used in traditional medicine in Benin including some voodoo ritual practices, to stop bleeding. In this study, we investigated in vitro haemostatic properties of the sap of J. multifida L. Morphological observations and determination of some biochemical and hematological parameters were performed on whole blood, plasma and serum before and after addition of sap. Results obtained showed sap contains tannins, flavonoids, saponins, leucoanthocyanes, mucilage and reducing compounds. When added to plasma or serum, proteins precipitated sap and led to (<1 s) their constitution network very quickly. On whole blood, the addition of sap led to an instantiated coagulation. Microscopic observations have revealed that cells have reached (<1 s) the protein network formed which led to the formation of a cell aggregate. Apart from fibrinogen, which was significantly reduced, other coagulation factors are not modified by sap. The sap has a proven hemostatic property and its mechanism of action is different from the cascade reaction of coagulation.
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