Background: The first-line diagnosis of malaria in Mali is based on the use of rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) that detect the Histidin Rich Protein 2 (HRP2) antigen specific to Plasmodium falciparum. Our study, based on a real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) gold standard, aimed to describe the distribution of the Plasmodium species in each administrative region of Mali and to assess the performance of RDTs. Methods: We randomly selected 150 malaria-negative and up to 30 malaria-positive RDTs in 41 sites distributed in 9 regions of Mali. DNA extracted from the RDT nitrocellulose strip was assayed with a pan-Plasmodium qPCR. Positive samples were then analyzed with P. falciparum-, P. malariae-, P. vivax-, or P. ovale-specific qPCRs. Results: Of the 1496 RDTs, 258 (18.6%) were positive for Plasmodium spp., of which 96.9% were P. falciparum. The P. vivax prevalence reached 21.1% in the north. RDT displayed acceptable diagnostic indices; the lower CI95% bounds of Youden indices were all ≥0.50, except in the north (Youden index 0.66 (95% CI [0.44–0.82]) and 0.63 (95% CI [0.33–0.83]. Conclusions: Overall, RDT diagnostic indices are adequate for the biological diagnosis of malaria in Mali. We recommend the use of RDTs detecting P. vivax-specific antigens in the north.

Rice bran supplementation provides nutrients, prebiotics and phytochemicals that enhance gut immunity, reduce enteric pathogens in mice and diarrhea in neonatal pigs, and warranted attention for improvement of environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) in children at risk. EED is a condition that drives childhood stunting via intestinal dysbiosis and impaired nutrient metabolism. This study investigated effects of rice bran supplementation on growth, EED biomarkers, gut microbiome and metabolome in weaning infants from 6 to 12 months old in Nicaragua and Mali. Healthy infants were randomized to a control group or rice bran group that received daily supplementation at increasing doses each month. Stool microbiomes were characterized using 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing. Stool metabolomes were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid-chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry. Statistical comparisons were completed at 6, 8, and 12 months of age. Daily consumption of rice bran was safe and feasible for infant growth, decreasing alpha-1 antitrypsin levels, and modulating gut microbiome and metabolome when compared to control. Rice bran merits investigation as a practical intervention strategy that could decrease EED prevalence and risk for children from low- and middle-income countries where rice is grown as a staple food, and bran is used as animal feed or wasted. One Sentence Summary: Dietary rice bran supplementation during infant weaning from 6-12 months of age improved growth outcomes, modulated environmental enteric dysfunction biomarkers, and supported metabolism by the gut microbiome. The authors declare no competing financial or non financial interests to disclose as defined by Nature Research. There are also no other interests that might be perceived to influence the results and/or discussion reported in this paper. Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to Dr. Elizabeth Ryan ( e.p.ryan@colostate.edu ).

Introduction. Antibiotic resistance is a major global health challenge that disproportionately affects low-resource countries, particularly those in West Africa. E. coli, a major pathogen in childhood diarrhea, is both a prominent infectious agent and a reservoir of resistance genes, including resistance to last-resort antibiotics such as carbapenems. Methodology. The study focused on 98 clinical E. coli isolates collected from stool samples of patients in a hospital setting in Bamako. The analyses included screening for DEC-specific virulence genes, detection of resistance genes across various classes of antibiotics (e.g., beta-lactams, carbapenems, fluoroquinolones), and identification of class I, II, and III integrons. The bla_NDM gene was sequenced to identify mutations associated with carbapenem resistance. Results. Among the isolates, 85.7% carried at least one virulence gene. Of these, half involved co-infections, commonly combining EPEC, EAEC, and ETEC strains. Regarding antibiotic resistance, 94.9% of isolates harbored at least one resistance gene, and 50% were multidrug-resistant. The most frequently detected genes were bla_TEM, qnrS1, and aphA3. Class II integrons were significantly associated with multidrug resistance (p = 0.01). Sequencing of the bla_NDM gene revealed point mutations likely to affect protein function, suggesting an evolution toward increased resistance to carbapenems. Conclusion. The high prevalence of multidrug-resistant diarrheagenic E. coli strains in this study highlights the local antibiotic pressure and the serious health threat it represents. This study shows that the new β-lactamase bla_NDM gene has disseminated in the hospital environment of Bamako. It should be noted that this will become a major challenge for clinicians.

Mosaic virus disease is transmitted by several types of viruses such as OMD, OYVMV, OLCV, CLCuGV, and CYCrV. Among these viruses, some of them are significant threats to okra production worldwide. To develop an integrated pest management strategy against this disease, this seroprevalence study was conducted at the Rural Polytechnic Institute (RPI) of Katibougou, Koulikoro region, Mali. Symptomatic leaves of okra plants were collected in Koulikoro. The symptoms were mosaic associated or not with other symptoms. For this purpose, 52 symptomatic samples and 3 asymptomatic samples collected in the villages of Niarébougou, RPI Katibougou, and Diakitébougou were analyzed. The DAS ELIZA Okra Mosaic Virus (OkMV) kit was used. Among the symptomatic samples, the analyses showed the presence of 13 positive samples. This indicates a prevalence of 25% in the study area. Okra is infected by the okra virus disease called Okra Mosaic Virus (OkMV), which is the first time in Mali to be detected by the ELIZA test. This study shows the prevalence of the okra mosaic virus in Mali and more precisely in Koulikoro. This study shows the importance of keeping OKMV in consideration among the threats to okra cultivation in this area. Key words: Seroprevalence, okra mosaic virus, Mali. Mosaic virus disease is transmitted by several types of viruses such as OMD, OYVMV, OLCV, CLCuGV, and CYCrV. Among these viruses, some of them are significant threats to okra production worldwide. To develop an integrated pest management strategy against this disease, this seroprevalence study was conducted at the Rural Polytechnic Institute (RPI) of Katibougou, Koulikoro region, Mali. Symptomatic leaves of okra plants were collected in Koulikoro. The symptoms were mosaic associated or not with other symptoms. For this purpose, 52 symptomatic samples and 3 asymptomatic samples collected in the villages of Niarébougou, RPI Katibougou, and Diakitébougou were analyzed. The DAS ELIZA Okra Mosaic Virus (OkMV) kit was used. Among the symptomatic samples, the analyses showed the presence of 13 positive samples. This indicates a prevalence of 25% in the study area. Okra is infected by the okra virus disease called Okra Mosaic Virus (OkMV), which is the first time in Mali to be detected by the ELIZA test. This study shows the prevalence of the okra mosaic virus in Mali and more precisely in Koulikoro. This study shows the importance of keeping OKMV in consideration among the threats to okra cultivation in this area. Key words: Seroprevalence, okra mosaic virus, Mali.

Background: First-line biological diagnosis of malaria in Mali is based on the use of rapid diagnostic tests (RDT), which detect in the blood the Histidin Rich Protein 2 antigen, specific to Plasmodium falciparum. Our study, based on a real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) gold-standard diagnosis, aims to evaluate the performance of RDTs used in Mali and to describe the distribution of Plasmodium species in each administrative regions of Mali; Methods: We collected RDT cassettes in 47 sites of the nine regions of Mali. We randomly selected 150 malaria-negative and up to 30 malaria-positive RDTs from each regions. DNA was extracted from the RDTs’ nitrocellulose strip and then assayed with a pan-Plasmodium qPCR. Positive samples were then analyzed with qPCRs specific for P. falciparum, P. malariae, P. vivax, and P. ovale; Results: Of the 1,389 tested by qPCR RDTs, 258 (18.6%) were positive for Plasmodium spp. P.falciparum was the most predominant (97.3%). However, the prevalence of P.vivax reach 21.1% in the Ménaka region in the north; Conclusion: Overall, RDT diagnostic indices are adequate for the biological diagnosis of malaria in Mali. Our finding support the adjustment of RDTs to the local epidemiology.