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Introduction: Stem bark of Lannea kerstingii is used in Togo for its anti-anemic effect. The aim of this study was to verify the efficacy of extracts of L. kerstingii’s bark in the treatment of anemia and to explore its mechanism of action. Materials and Method: L. kerstingii stem bark was collected in the city of Kpalimé, located at 120 km northwest of Lomé. Hydromethanolic extract was obtained by evaporation. Two protocols were carried out and 20 twelve-week-old rats that had an average weight of 175.17±16.8 grams were used. The first protocol consisted of inducing anemia in rats by intraperitoneal injection of phenylhydrazine, then force-feeding them with L. kerstingii extract and measuring the effect of this extract on their hemoglobin levels. The second protocol investigated the effect of the extract on the serum hepcidin level, after oral administration of carbon tetrachloride to rats. Hepcidin levels were measured by the ELISA technique. Results: L. kerstingii stem bark extract significantly corrected the anemia induced by phenylhydrazine use: in fact, the anemia of rats that received L. kerstingii extracts was corrected. Control rats that received folic acid had a correction of their anemia too. But, rats that received only saline remained anemic. However, no correlation between the level of extract consumption and the level of hepcidin was established. Conclusion: L. kerstingii bark hydroethanolic extracts increase hemoglobin levels in anemic rats. The main challenge that needs to be solved is determining the minimum dose to be consumed to ensure its effectiveness. Keywords: Lannea kerstingii, anemia, hepcidin, wistar rat.

Objective. This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of Dialium guineense Willd fruit pulp powder on diarrhea induced by castor oil in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods. Three different tests were carried out. A preventive test by administration of a single dose of 250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 mg/kg before the induction of diarrhea by castor oil. Another preventive test after repeated administration of Dialium guineense at 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg/day for 8 days, before the induction of diarrhea, was done. The third test was a curative test with a single dose of 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg after the induction of diarrhea by castor oil. Results. D. guineense fruit pulp at 1000, 2000, and 4000 mg/kg administered before the induction of diarrhea, has significantly delayed diarrhea; reduced the frequency of defecation, reduced the amount of diarrheal stools, and also reduced the purging index, with a degree of inhibition comparable to that of loperamide. But the water content of the stools of the group treated with D. guineense does not change significantly compared to the controls. D. guineense has reduced significantly from 500 mg/kg the diarrhea induced by castor oil after 8 days of treatment. It appears that the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg, which were not effective with the single-dose preventive test, significantly delayed diarrhea; reduces the frequency of diarrheal stools and also reduces the purging index. D. guineense administered, after the induction of diarrhea, by castor oil has significantly reduced the diarrhea from 250 mg/kg. Conclusion. The fruit pulp of D. guineense has showed antidiarrheal activities in Wistar rats by reducing the frequency of defecation, the amount of diarrheal fecal matter emitted as well as the water content. It also delayed the onset of diarrhea and significantly reduced the purging index like loperamide.

Background In Togo, malaria remains a major public health problem and the management of suspected cases requires confirmation with appropriate biological methods. Indeed, malaria diagnosis has been improved through the introduction of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for areas where microscopy is not available. To be used, these RDTs must meet performance criteria defined by the WHO. This study was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic performance of two RDTs: Advantage P.f. Malaria Card® detecting HRP2 antigen and Advantage Malaria Pan + Pf Card® detecting both HRP2 and pLDH antigens. Methods This was a cross sectional analytical study conducted from December 2019 to February 2020 on malaria suspected cases seen in three sentinel sites in Togo and from whom capillary blood was collected to perform the two RDTs according to the procedures described by the manufacturer. The performance was estimated comparing to thick/thin blood smear and molecular biology (PCR), considered as gold standard. Results The sensitivity of both Advantage P.f. Malaria Card® and Advantage Malaria Pan + Pf Card® compared to thick /thin blood smear was 91.8% and 91.3% respectively and for both the specificity was 94.7%. Compared to PCR, the sensitivity decreased to 89.4% and 88.9% respectively and their specificity to 72.2%. Conclusion The performance of the Advantage P.f. Malaria Card® and Advantage Malaria PAN + Pf Card® compared to microscopy, considered as the gold standard, according to WHO criteria were acceptable. They can therefore be used for the biological diagnosis of malaria.

Rourea coccinea (syn. Byrsocarpus coccineus)Schum. and Thonn. (Connaraceae) is a medicinal plant that is being used for the treatment of various disorders in Tropical Africa. Previously, we reported anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of ethanolic extract ofR. coccinearoot bark (EERc). The present study aimed to test protective potential effects of EERc treatments against ovalbumin-induced airway lung inflammatory and to investigate some of its possible underlying mechanism on allergic asthma. Rats were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA), and were orally treated daily with EERc at 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg from day 24 to day 27 post sensitization. The number of total and differential inflammatory cells, leakage of Evans blue dye tracer, histamine and TNF-α level in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were measured. OVA instillation induced airway lung inflammation, which was significantly suppressed by pre-treatment with EERc. Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) revealed that EERc pre-treatment significantly inhibited leukocytosis and reduced Evans blue dye content in the BAL fluid. EERc also significantly decreased the production and release of histamine and TNF-α. Our study shows that EERc possesses significant anti-allergic activity which might be attributed to reduction of histamine, TNF-α in the BAL fluid.

Background: A good knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in female students is an important element in the prevention of STI transmission. Objective: Describe the level of knowledge and practices on STI among female students at the University of Kara. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Kara from July to September 2021. Data were collected using a standard, digitalised, self-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was used to describe factors associated with the level of knowledge of STIs. Results: A total of 1,055 female students with a median age of 21 years (interquartile range: 20-24) participated in the study. More than one-third (33.7%) of the students had good knowledge of STI. Having already been tested for HIV (aOR = 3.25; 95% CI [2.36-4.52]), having already had sex (aOR = 1.56; 95% CI [1.10-2.24]) and the level of education (AOR = 3.46; 95% CI [2.10-5.85]) were significantly associated with good STIs knowledge. Among the 723 female students (68.5%) who already had sex, 32.5% reported an inconsistent use of condoms during sexual intercourse and 18.9% reported having multiple sexual partners. Conclusion: The results of this study highlight the importance of intensifying STIs prevention efforts (awareness, screening, and vaccination) among female students at the University of Kara.

Yellow fever virus is an arbovirus transmitted to humans by Aedes and Haemogogus mosquito species. To date, there is no specific treatment for yellow fever. However, an effective vaccine is available for the prevention. After a decline in yellow fever cases in Africa between 2004 and 2015, large-scale transmission of the virus was observed in Africa during 2019, with outbreaks recorded in West Africa. The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence of yellow fever cases recorded in the national reference laboratory of Togo from 2010 to 2020.Data were extracted from the National Institute of Hygiene database from 2010 to 2020 with an Excel sheet and descriptive analyses were performed.A total of 4350 samples were collected between 2010 and 2020 in Togo from yellow fever suspected cases. These cases had a median age of 12 years (IQR: 5-24), and 21% of them were from the Maritime region. Among them, 30 cases were reported by national laboratory, with a global incidence of 0.7% (confidence interval 95%: [0.4-1.0]). At the yellow fever regional laboratory, 14 cases were confirmed with an incidence of 0.33% (confidence interval 95%: [0.18-0.55]). In this population, 37.7% had been immunized against yellow fever.This study shows that Togo presents cases of yellow fever. Identification of the vectors and implementation of efficient vector control measures could help prevent this disease, as well as other diseases transmitted by the same vectors. Yellow fever vaccination should be a priority in vaccination programs.

This study is aimed at evaluating the effects ofThree different tests were carried out. A preventive test by administration of a single dose of 250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 mg/kg before the induction of diarrhea by castor oil. Another preventive test after repeated administration ofThe fruit pulp of

Aims. Pterocarpus santalinoides is used in Beninese folk medicine for treatment of gastroenteritis. This study aims to compare the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity of the hydroalcoholic extracts of the leaves, trunk bark, and root. Materials and Methods. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the broth microdilution method on 06 bacterial strains including 03 wild-type strains (Escherichia. coli 0157H, Salmonella sp., and Staphylococcus aureus sp.) and 03 reference strains (E. coli ATCC 25922, S. aureus ATCC 29213, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853), whereas the anti-inflammatory activity was performed by the carrageenan-induced paw edema method on rats. The DPPH-free radical scavenging was used to determine the antioxidant activity. Results. The MICs of the leaf extracts varied from 6.25 to 25 mg/mL for all strains. The MICs of the stem bark extracts were 6.5 to 25 μg/mL for five strains (E. coli 0157H, S. aureus ATCC 25922, Salmonella sp., E. coli ATCC 25922, and P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853) and 3.125 mg/mL for S. aureus. Concerning the root extracts, the MICs varied from 12.5 to 50 mg/mL. The best anti-inflammatory power was obtained with the stem bark extract with the percentages of inhibition of 36.09%, 38.98%, and 39.50%. The DPPH test showed that the hydroethanolic extract of the 03 parts of P. santalinoides has a moderate antiradical power compared to the control which was quercetin. Conclusion. In view of the different pharmacological activity recorded, the extract of the leaves should be recommended to treat patients suffering from gastroenteriditis.