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Several previous studies concluded that linkage disequilibrium (LD) in livestock populations from developed countries originated from the impact of strong selection. Here, we assessed the extent of LD in a cattle population from western Africa that was bred in an extensive farming system. The analyses were performed on 363 individuals in a Bos indicus × Bos taurus population using 42 microsatellite markers on BTA04, BTA07 and BTA13. A high level of expected heterozygosity (0.71), a high mean number of alleles per locus (9.7) and a mild shift in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were found. Linkage disequilibrium extended over shorter distances than what has been observed in cattle from developed countries. Effective population size was assessed using two methods; both methods produced large values: 1388 when considering heterozygosity (assuming a mutation rate of 10−3) and 2344 when considering LD on whole linkage groups (assuming a constant population size over generations). However, analysing the decay of LD as a function of marker spacing indicated a decreasing trend in effective population size over generations. This decrease could be explained by increasing selective pressure and/or by an admixture process. Finally, LD extended over small distances, which suggested that whole-genome scans will require a large number of markers. However, association studies using such populations will be effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Very little research has been devoted to the design of epidemiological tools for the monitoring and evaluation of National Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) Control Programmes and daily management decisions are made in the absence of accurate knowledge of the situation. This paper identifies key indicators necessary to make decisions in the field and constantly adjust control activities to changing situations. Examples are derived from the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) HAT Control Programme in Adjumani, Uganda. Based on the principles of quality assurance, the focus is placed on process indicators. A conceptual framework derived from a system view/planning cycle perspective is also described for the construction of indicators. Finally, some specific challenging aspects of the epidemiology of HAT are presented and the limitations of the interpretation of the indicators discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the war in Congo-Brazzaville and how the war has affected the health of civilians in the area. How fighting in the Congolese capital, Brazzaville, caused the displacement of a third of the city's inhabitants who sought shelter in the forests; Efforts of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), or Doctors Without Borders, to help feed and establish medical screenings for the displaced population; Statistics regarding the number of rapes, murders and deaths caused by malnutrition.

In November 1999, a Medecins Sans Frontieres team based in the southeastern part of Sierra Leone reported an increased number of cases of bloody diarrhoea. Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 (Sd1) was isolated in the early cases. A total of 4218 cases of dysentery were reported in Kenema district from December, 1999, to March, 2000. The overall attack rate was .5%. The attack rate was higher among children younger than years than in the rest of the population. The case fatality was 3.1%, also higher for children younger than 5 years. Among 583 patients regarded at increased risk of death who were treated with ciprofloxacin in isolation centres, case fatality was 0.9%. A 5-day ciprofloxacin regimen, targeted to the most severe cases of bloody diarrhoea, was highly effective. This is the first time a large outbreak caused by Sd1 has been reported in west Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied thrombocytopenia during acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria in 64 traveller children from Paris (France), 85 children from Dakar (Senegal) with an intermittent exposure (69 with severe attack or cerebral malaria), and 81 children from Libreville (Gabon) with a perennial exposure (43 with severe attack or cerebral malaria). Initial thrombocytopenia was present in 43-58% of children with P falciparum malaria but was not more frequent in severe outcome or cerebral malaria. Low parasitaemia may lead to the misdiagnosis of malaria and delayed treatment when there is associated thrombocytopenia