Université Polytechnique de Bobo-Dioulasso

Limited evidence exists regarding the current epidemiology of Schistosoma (S.) haematobium infection following decades of mass drug administration implementation in many areas of Burkina Faso, including the Cascades region, which is predominantly a riverine community with a high risk of schistosomiasis. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of S. haematobium infection and microhaematuria among schoolchildren in the municipality of Banfora, southwestern Burkina Faso.

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in November 2024 among schoolchildren aged 5-15 years in the Banfora municipality. Sociodemographic and water contact data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Each consenting child provided a freshly voided urine sample, which was examined for the presence of S. haematobium eggs and microhaematuria using the urine filtration technique and urine multistix reagent test strips, respectively. Correlates of S. haematobium infection and microhaematuria were determined using multivariable logistic regression.

The mean age of the children was 8.79 ± 2.22 years. Of the 300 school children tested, 11 (3.67 %) were found to be infected with S. haematobium eggs. The geometric mean intensity of S. haematobium infection was 14.94 eggs/10 mL of urine (95 % CI: 4.96-44.98), and 27.27 % of the infected participants (3/11) had a heavy infection. The prevalence of microhaematuria was 13.33 % (40/300). Being a boy was the main risk factor for S. haematobium infection (adjusted OR: 11.0, 95 % CI: 2.5-48.2), while having a urinary tract infection was significantly associated with S. haematobium infection (adjusted OR: 59.6, 95 % CI: 6.9-515.7). Risk factors for microhaematuria included living in rural areas (adjusted OR: 8.3, 95 % CI: 2.4-28.6) and S. haematobium infection (adjusted OR: 31.3, 95 % CI: 5.9-165.8).

Our findings show that S. haematobium infection is hypoendemic in the Banfora municipality. However, the high prevalence of heavy infections is a particular concern, and targeted treatment strategies and complementary measures, including health education, should prioritize school-aged children living in rural areas.

Aedes aegypti Linnaeus 1762 is the primary vector of several viruses that cause arboviral diseases. Control strategies, such as SIT, require large-scale mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) production, which depends critically on larval nutrition. However, the high cost and limited availability of conventional feed components hinder SIT implementation, particularly in resource-limited settings. Faced with this situation, it is imperative to find locally produced food sources. Here, we assessed six locally derived diets for their suitability in mass rearing Aedes aegypti. The diets include: (B) African Clarias gariepinus Burchell 1822 (Siluriformes: Clariidae) dried without additives; (C) Cirina butyrospermi Vuillet 1911 (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) dried without additives; (D) Glycine max (L.) Merr., 1917 without additives; (E) a 1:1 mixture of Clarias gariepinus and Cirina butyrospermi; (F) a 1:1 mixture of Clarias gariepinus and Glycine max; and a mixture of 50% Clarias gariepinus, (G) 25% Glycine max and 25% Cirina butyrospermi. (A) Commercial fish food formulation (TetraMin® Baby) served as the control. Diets C and D were associated with significantly delayed while diets C, D, and E yielded fewer adults than the control. In contrast, diets B and G provided the most favorable balance of development time, adult emergence, and survival, comparable to the control group. Diets D and F produced the lowest fecundity and hatch rates, whereas diet G generated large, fertile adults. Collectively, these findings indicate that diets B and G are suitable for mass rearing, with diet G emerging as a cost-effective alternative for SIT programs targeting Aedes aegypti in Burkina Faso.

Feretia apodanthera is traditionally valued for its antibacterial, antiparasitic, and antiviral properties. With Plasmodium resistance to antimalarial drugs increasing, the need for alternative therapies has become urgent. Medicinal plants like F. apodanthera offer promising candidates for new treatments.

This study investigates the antiplasmodial potential of F. apodanthera to support local malaria control strategies.

The antiplasmodial activity of F. apodanthera leaf, stem bark and root extracts were assessed in vitro using the SYBR Green assay and in vivo with Plasmodium berghei NMRI-infected mice through suppressive, curative, and prophylactic approaches. Toxicity was evaluated in mice and red blood cells, while phytochemical composition was analysed using UHPLC-HRMS and GC-MS.

F. apodanthera extracts were non-toxic (LD₅₀ > 5000 mg/kg) and exhibited strong in vitro trophozoitocidal activity (IC₅₀: 0.140 ± 0.015-0.620 ± 0.014 μg/mL) with minimal haemolysis (<1 %). In vivo, parasitaemia reduction was tissue-and dose-dependent, with leaf showing the highest chemosuppressive efficacy across suppressive (32.33 ± 9.42 % at 125 mg/kg, 68.01 ± 9.73 % at 250 mg/kg, and 76.31 ± 8.77 % at 500 mg/kg), curative (68.41 ± 12.41 % at Day 5 and 63.41 ± 12.28 % at Day 7), and prophylactic (63.60 ± 8.78 % at Day 5 and 57.10 ± 13.20 % at Day 7) tests. Root and stem bark extracts had moderate chemosuppressive efficacy across the three tests. UHPLC-HRMS analysis revealed a diverse range of bioactive compounds in leaf, stem bark and root extracts, including terpenoids, polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, carbohydrates, iridoids, and alkaloids, and GC/MS analysis found alkaloids only in leaf and root extracts. The compounds identified may contribute to their antiplasmodial activity. Notably, polyphenols and alkaloids compounds were more abundant in leaf, which may explain their higher antiplasmodial activity.

Overall, all three organs of F. apodanthera exhibited antiplasmodial activity both in vitro and in vivo while remaining non-toxic. The leaf demonstrated superior chemosuppressive and schizonticidal activity, along with strong trophozoitocidal effects, whereas the root and stem bark excelled in trophozoitocidal activity. These findings support the traditional use of F. apodanthera in malaria treatment and highlight its potential for developing antimalarial phytomedicines.