Buruli ulcer (BU) is a neglected mycobacterial skin infection caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. This disease mostly affects poor rural populations, especially in areas with low hygiene standards and sanitation coverage. The objective of this study was to identify these risk factors in the districts of Zio and Yoto of the Maritime Region in Togo. We conducted a case-control study in Zio and Yoto, two districts proved BU endemic from November 2014 to May 2015. BU cases were diagnosed according to the WHO clinical case definition at the Centre Hospitalier Régional de Tsévié (CHR Tsévié) and confirmed by Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) microscopy and IS2404 polymerase chain reaction (PCR). For each case, up to two controls matched by sex and place of residence were recruited. Socio-demographic, environmental or behavioral data were collected and conditional logistic regression analysis was used to identify and compare risk factors between BU cases and controls. A total of 83 cases and 128 controls were enrolled. The median age was 15 years (range 3–65 years). Multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis after adjustment for potential confounders identified age (< 10 years (OR =11.48, 95% CI = 3.72–35.43) and 10–14 years (OR = 3.63, 95% CI = 1.22–10.83)), receiving insect bites near a river (OR = 7.8, 95% CI = 1.48–41.21) and bathing with water from open borehole (OR = 5.77, (1.11–29.27)) as independent predictors of acquiring BU infection. This study identified age, bathing with water from open borehole and receiving insect bites near a river as potential risk of acquiring BU infection in Zio and Yoto districts of the Maritime Region in south Togo.

Wastewater represents a health risk for the population. For sanitary safety, it is important to know its physico-chemical and microbiological qualities in order to better understand the risks incurred by the population. The aim of this study was to analyze Adétikopé’s domestic wastewater from a microbiological and physico-chemical standpoint. Twelve wastewater samples were taken in Adétikopé from December 2022 to February 2023. Physico-chemical parameters were determined in accordance with AFNOR and the French NF standard. In microbiology, AFNOR was used as a reference for the detection of germs contaminating wastewater. Results were assessed in relation to European Union Criteria 98/83/EC. The wastewater analyzed has a pH close to neutral, with an average pH of 7.05. The pollutant load generated ranged from 32 mG/L to 201 mg/L for BOD5, from 660 mG/L to 900 mG/L for COD and from 408 mG/L to 2080 mG/L for suspended solids. The highest levels of germs were detected in the samples taken, with values of 68,000 CFU/100 mL and 47,000 CFU/100 mL for thermotolerant coliforms and fecal streptococci, respectively. The results show that fecal contamination originates from both animal and human sources. Concentrations of fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci are very high, far exceeding WHO guidelines. While a short-term solution would be to disinfect household sanitation systems on a daily basis, in the long term, the construction of collective sanitation systems, backed up by environmental education, remains a sustainable solution for the health and safety of populations.

Background: Wastewater represents a health risk for populations. For sanitary safety, it is important to know their physico-chemical and microbiological qualities in order to better understand the risks incurred by the population. Objective: The aim of this study is to analyse the microbiological and physico-chemical quality of domestic wastewater in Adétikopé. Methodology: 12 wastewater samples were collected in Adétikopé from December 2022 to February 2023. Physico-chemical parameters were determined in accordance with AFNOR T90-105/ T90-023 and French standard NF T 90101. In microbiology, AFNOR was used as a reference for the detection of germs contaminating wastewater. Results were assessed in relation to European Union Criteria 98/83/EC. Results: The wastewater analyzed had a pH close to neutral, with an average pH of 7.05. The pollutant load generated ranged from 32 mg/l to 201 mg/l for BOD5, from 660 mg/l to 900 mg/l for COD and from 408 mg/l to 2080 mg/l for suspended solids. Concentrations of fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci are very high, far exceeding WHO guidelines for population health safety.

Escherichia ruysiae is a recently characterized species within the Escherichia genus, often misclassified as E. coli due to limitations in existing operating procedure and diagnostic databases. In this study, we report the first isolation and genomic characterization of E. ruysiae in Togo, from a five-year-old female patient who was hospitalized with gastro-enteritis and bloody diarrhea and subsequently died after eight days. Biochemical tests and MALDI-TOF initially identified the microorganism as E. coli, but phylogenomic and Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) analysis confirmed it to be E. ruysiae, Clade IV with enteroaggregative associated genes. Whole genome sequencing of the strain FK53-34 enables the identification of resistance genes including blaPBP, blaampH, acrA, emrF, baeS et tolC and various aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes, blaEC-15, eptA and pmrF. The virulence profile of the strain included but not limited to, aap, aatABC, senB, prmF genes which support its pathogenicity and virulence. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) did not match any known sequence type, which is obvious for a newly characterized mi-croorganism. This study highlights the critical need for enhanced diagnostic tools and surveillance systems to identify emerging pathogens, including Escherichia ruysiae

The regular growth of the population and the change in consumption patterns lead to significant production of urban waste, the management of which is becoming an environmental concern. The rapid population growth and changing consumption patterns have led to significant urban waste production, making waste management a pressing environmental concern. This study aims to improve solid household waste management in Vogan through a diagnostic analysis. Conducted from June to August 2022, the cross-sectional study surveyed household knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to waste management. Data were collected through an opinion survey of 350 households across 20 districts, using semi-structured questionnaires, interviews, and field observations. Additionally, heavy metal content in waste samples was analyzed in the laboratory. Results showed that 85.43% of households had trash cans, yet 62.26% disposed of their waste in illegal dumpsites due to a lack of pre-collection services. Furthermore, 10.57% used waste as backfill in streets. Knowledge about waste management was moderate, with 62.29% having heard of it, and 70% of these respondents recognizing the importance of subscribing to a pre-collection service. Laboratory analyses revealed contamination of a landfill with cadmium, lead, and copper, along with widespread zinc pollution across all selected sites. Raising awareness and installing proper waste management infrastructure are critical to improving public health and enhancing the town's environmental quality.

Escherichia ruysiae is a recently characterized species within the Escherichia genus, often misclassified as E. coli due to limitations in existing operating procedures and diagnostic databases. In this study, we report the first isolation and genomic characterization of E. ruysiae in Togo, from a five-year-old female patient who was hospitalized with gastroenteritis and bloody diarrhea and subsequently died after eight days. Biochemical tests and MALDI-TOF initially identified the microorganism as E. coli, but phylogenomic and Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) analysis confirmed it to be E. ruysiae, Clade IV with enteroaggregative associated genes. Whole genome sequencing of the strain FK53-34 enables the identification of resistance genes, including bla_EC-15, eptA, and pmrF. The virulence profile of the strain included, but was not limited to aap, aatABC, and senB genes, which may support its pathogenicity and virulence. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) did not match any known sequence type, which is obvious for a newly characterized microorganism. This study highlights the critical need for enhanced diagnostic tools and surveillance systems to identify emerging pathogens, including Escherichia ruysiae.