Baobab Index

To evaluate seasonal malaria chemoprevention with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and amodiaquine in a semi-nomadic community in north-western Kenya, and to examine the relationship between parasite resistance and breakthrough infections. A parallel cohort study conducted during the peak malaria season in 2024 involved 10 randomly selected villages in Turkana Central subcounty, where children younger than 5 years received seasonal malaria chemoprevention, and 10 matched villages in Turkana North subcounty (non-intervention cohort). We conducted surveillance of malaria symptoms weekly. The primary outcome was malaria-like symptoms plus a positive rapid diagnostic test result. We analysed Children (198 in the intervention cohort and 200 in the non-intervention cohort) were followed until four weeks after the last chemoprevention cycle. In the intervention cohort, 72% (143/198) completed all five cycles. The incidence of malaria was significantly lower in the intervention than non-intervention cohort (adjusted incidence rate ratio 0.29; 95% confidence interval: 0.13-0.67). Seasonal malaria chemoprevention with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and amodiaquine was associated with substantial protection against malaria in children in an area where sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine resistance was common. Treated children were more likely to harbour resistant parasites. Évaluer la chimioprévention saisonnière du paludisme à base de sulfadoxine-pyriméthamine et d’amodiaquine au sein d’une communauté semi-nomade du nord-ouest du Kenya et examiner la relation entre la résistance parasitaire et les infections survenues sous traitement. Une étude de cohortes parallèles menée pendant le pic de la saison paludéenne en 2024 a porté sur 10 villages sélectionnés au hasard dans le sous-comté de Turkana Central, où les enfants de moins de 5 ans ont bénéficié d’une chimioprévention saisonnière contre le paludisme, et sur 10 villages appariés du sous-comté de Turkana Nord (cohorte de contrôle). Nous avons assuré une surveillance hebdomadaire des symptômes du paludisme. Le critère d’évaluation principal était la présence de symptômes de type paludique associée à un résultat positif au test de diagnostic rapide. Nous avons analysé l’ADN génomique de Les enfants (198 dans la cohorte d’intervention et 200 dans la cohorte de contrôle) ont fait l’objet d’un suivi jusqu’à quatre semaines après le dernier cycle de chimioprévention. Dans la cohorte d’intervention, 72% d’entre eux (143/198) ont achevé les cinq cycles. L’incidence du paludisme était significativement plus faible dans la cohorte d’intervention que dans la cohorte de contrôle (rapport du taux d’incidence ajusté: 0,29; intervalle de confiance à 95%: 0,13–0,67). L’analyse de l’ADN génomique de La chimioprévention saisonnière du paludisme par la sulfadoxine-pyriméthamine et l’amodiaquine était associée à une bonne protection contre le paludisme chez les enfants dans une région où la résistance à la sulfadoxine-pyriméthamine était courante. Les enfants traités étaient davantage susceptibles d’héberger des parasites résistants. Evaluar la quimioprofilaxis estacional contra la malaria con sulfadoxina–pirimetamina y amodiaquina en una comunidad seminómada del noroeste de Kenia, y estudiar la relación entre la resistencia de los parásitos y las infecciones posvacunación. Durante el período de mayor incidencia de la malaria en el año 2024, se realizó un estudio de cohortes paralelas en el que se incluyó a 10 aldeas elegidas aleatoriamente en el subcondado de Turkana Central (donde los niños menores de 5 años recibieron quimioprofilaxis estacional contra la malaria) y 10 aldeas con características similares del subcondado de Turkana Norte (cohorte sin intervención). Semanalmente llevamos a cabo una vigilancia de los síntomas de malaria. El resultado primario fueron síntomas similares a los de la malaria junto con un resultado positivo en una prueba de diagnóstico rápido. Analizamos el ADN genómico del Se hizo un seguimiento de los niños (198 en la cohorte con intervención y 200 en la cohorte sin intervención) hasta cuatro semanas después del último ciclo de quimioprofilaxis. En la cohorte con intervención, el 72% (143/198) de los niños completaron el total de cinco ciclos. La incidencia de la malaria fue significativamente inferior en la cohorte con intervención en comparación con la cohorte sin intervención (cociente de tasas de incidencia ajustada: 0,29; intervalo de confianza del 95%: 0,13–0,67). Los análisis de muestras de ADN genómico de La quimioprofilaxis estacional contra la malaria con sulfadoxina–pirimetamina y amodiaquina se asoció a una protección significativa contra la malaria en niños de una zona en la que era frecuente la resistencia a la sulfadoxina–pirimetamina. Los niños a los que se administró el tratamiento tenían más probabilidades de ser portadores de parásitos resistentes. تقييم الوقاية الكيميائية الموسمية من الملاريا باستخدام سلفادوكسين-بيريميثامين وأمودياكوين في مجتمع شبه بدوي في شمال غرب كينيا، ودراسة العلاقة بين مقاومة الطفيليات والعدوى الاختراقية. أجريت دراسة أترابية مقارنة بين مجموعتين متوازيتين خلال ذروة موسم الملاريا عام 2024، شملت 10 قرى مختارة عشوائيًا في مقاطعة توركانا الوسطى، حيث تلقى الأطفال دون سن الخامسة وقاية كيميائية موسمية من الملاريا، و10 قرى مماثلة في مقاطعة توركانا الشمالية (مجموعة غير خاضعة للتدخل). أجرينا رصدًا أسبوعيًا لأعراض الملاريا. تمثلت النتيجة الأولية في ظهور أعراض شبيهة بالملاريا بالإضافة إلى نتيجة إيجابية لاختبار التشخيص السريع. قمنا بتحليل الحمض النووي (DNA) الجينومي تمت متابعة الأطفال (198 في مجموعة التدخل و200 في مجموعة عدم التدخل) لمدة أربعة أسابيع بعد آخر دورة من العلاج الكيميائي الوقائي. في مجموعة التدخل، أكمل %72 (143/198) جميع الدورات الخمس. كان معدل الإصابة بالملاريا أقل بكثير في مجموعة التدخل مقارنةً بمجموعة عدم التدخل (نسبة معدل الإصابة المعدلة 0.29؛ فاصل الثقة %95: 0.13 إلى 0.67). إن تحليل الحمض النووي (DNA) الجينومي ارتبط استخدام الوقاية الكيميائية الموسمية من الملاريا باستخدام سلفادوكسين-بيريميثامين وأمودياكوين بحماية كبيرة ضد الملاريا لدى الأطفال في منطقة كانت مقاومة سلفادوكسين-بيريميثامين شائعة. وكان الأطفال الذين تم علاجهم أكثر عرضة للإصابة بالطفيليات المقاومة. 评估在肯尼亚西北部的半游牧社区使用磺胺多辛‑乙胺嘧啶和阿莫地喹进行季节性疟疾化学预防的效果，研究寄生虫耐药性与突破性感染之间的关系。. 在 2024 年疟疾高发季进行了一项平行队列研究，在图尔卡纳中部县随机选择 10 个村庄，在这些村庄中，不满 5 岁的儿童接受季节性疟疾化学预防，并另外纳入图尔卡纳北部县的 10 个相匹配村庄（非干预队列）。我们每周开展一次疟疾症状监测。主要结局是疟疾样症状，并且快速诊断检测结果呈阳性。我们分析了出现症状感染儿童的干血斑样本中的 我们对儿童（干预队列中的 198 人，非干预队列中的 200 人）进行随访，直至最后一轮化学预防周期结束后 4 周。在干预队列中，72% (143/198) 的儿童完成全部 5 个预防给药周期。干预组疟疾发病率大大低于非干预组（校正发病率比 0.29；95% 置信区间：0.13–0.67）。我们对 68 例感染儿童样本进行了 使用磺胺多辛‑乙胺嘧啶和阿莫地喹的季节性疟疾化学预防，在磺胺多辛‑乙胺嘧啶耐药普遍流行的地区与儿童获得显著的疟疾防护有很大关系。接受治疗的儿童更有可能携带耐药虫株。. Оценить эффективность сезонной химиопрофилактики малярии с применением сульфадоксин-пириметамина и амодиахина в полукочевом сообществе на северо-западе Кении, а также изучить взаимосвязь между устойчивостью паразитов к лекарственным препаратам и прорывными инфекциями. Параллельное когортное исследование, проведенное в период пика сезона малярии в 2024 году, включало 10 случайно отобранных деревень в подокруге Центральная Туркана, где дети младше 5 лет получали сезонную химиопрофилактику малярии, и 10 сопоставимых деревень в подокруге Северная Туркана (когорта без вмешательства). Авторы еженедельно проводили наблюдение за симптомами малярии. Первичным исходом считалось наличие симптомов, сходных с симптомами малярии, в сочетании с положительным результатом диагностического экспресс-теста. Авторы анализировали геномную ДНК Наблюдение за детьми (198 в когорте вмешательства и 200 в контрольной когорте) продолжалось до четырех недель после последнего цикла химиопрофилактики. В когорте вмешательства 72% детей (143 ребенка из 198) прошли все пять циклов. Заболеваемость малярией была значительно ниже в когорте вмешательства, чем в контрольной когорте (скорректированное отношение показателей заболеваемости 0,29; 95%-й ДИ: 0,13–0,67). Анализ геномной ДНК Сезонная химиопрофилактика малярии с применением сульфадоксин-пириметамина и амодиахина была связана со значительной защитой детей от малярии в районе, где устойчивость к сульфадоксин-пириметамину была широко распространена. У детей, получавших лечение, с большей вероятностью обнаруживались устойчивые паразиты.

Despite their public health importance, data on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus lacking mec genes (MRLM) is not common in Africa. Here, we provide genome-based insights into two porcine MRLM isolates from Ogbomoso, southwestern Nigeria. Antibiotic susceptibility testing (Vitek2) and Illumina whole genome sequencing revealed closely related (ANI value of 99.997%) CC5/t002 strains showing resistance to methicillin without a corresponding mec gene, but with mutation (D105N) in gdpP associated with β-lactam resistance among MRLM isolates. Further, both isolates carried blaZ, arsBC, cadC, and the enterotoxin gene sel30 on identical mobilizable plasmids. Additional virulence genes detected in both isolates include serine proteases (splA, splB), and three copies of the staphylococcal complement inhibitor gene scn. One scn was part of the immune evasion cluster (IEC) genes on prophages which also carried PVL at the 5' end. The prophages were incorporated in the β-hemolysin region as commonly found in human-adapted isolates, and a truncated phage autolysin was inserted between the chp and sak genes at the IEC region. Our results showed a concerning presence of animal-adapted isolates with enhanced human pathogenic potentials in the food animal production chain in the study area.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in environmental systems represents an emerging One Health challenge, with anaerobic digesters potentially serving as reservoirs of resistance-associated genetic features. This study analysed four publicly available anaerobic digester shotgun metagenomic datasets (M2, M3, M12 and M17) retrieved from the NCBI Sequence Read Archive to characterise microbial functions, resistance-associated annotations and antibiotic target loci. The datasets were generated using Illumina HiSeq 2000 sequencing and analysed through quality assessment, assembly, functional annotation and resistome profiling. A total of 1082 resistance-associated annotations were identified, with the highest abundance detected in M2 (348), followed by M12 (276), M17 (259) and M3 (205). Detected annotations were associated with diverse antimicrobial categories, including aminoglycosides, quinolones, beta-lactams, tetracyclines, glycopeptides, macrolides and sulfonamides. Several frequently detected loci, including rpoB, rpoC, gyrA, gyrB, EF-Tu, EF-G, Ddl and KasA, were interpreted as antibiotic target or housekeeping loci rather than confirmed acquired resistance genes. Exploratory co-abundance analysis identified strong associations among functionally linked loci, including rpoB-rpoC and gyrA-gyrB, likely reflecting shared genomic occurrence or functional relationships. These findings highlight the resistome potential of anaerobic digesters while emphasising the need for host-resolved metagenomics, mobile genetic element analysis and mutation-level characterisation to clarify environmental AMR risks.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of death worldwide, with Nigeria among the top five high-burden countries. This cross-sectional laboratory-based study performed high-resolution genotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (16S rRNA) polymorphisms in Southwest Nigeria. DNA was extracted from 50 archived clinical isolates obtained through convenience sampling from four tertiary hospitals in Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos States (January 2023-March 2024). The 16S rRNA gene was amplified using primers 27F/1525R (58°C annealing, 35 cycles) and sequenced directionally (Phred > 20). After quality filtering, 46 high-quality sequences (1439 bp) were analyzed by BLASTn, aligned with ClustalW, and a neighbor-joining tree (1000 bootstraps, Kimura 2-parameter [K2P + G4 model) was constructed. Genetic diversity, neutrality tests (Tajima's D, Fu's Fs), and mismatch distribution (sum of squared deviations [SSD], raggedness) were computed using DnaSP v6.12.03 and Arlequin v3.5.2.2. GC content and nucleotide frequencies were calculated in R v4.5.3. All 50 isolates were confirmed as M. tuberculosis (99.86%-100% identity, 99%-100% coverage, E = 0). Four sequences were excluded, leaving 46 with 7 polymorphic sites. Eighteen haplotypes were identified; Haplotype I was most frequent (12 isolates). Mean K2P distance was 0.122% (0%-0.484%). Haplotype diversity (Hd) was 0.876 ± 0.034 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.808-0.944), nucleotide diversity 0.00124 ± 0.00019. Tajima's D was - 1.428 ( P = 0.108), Fu's Fs - 3.842 ( P = 0.072). Mismatch distribution fit a sudden expansion model (SSD = 0.0032, P = 0.41; raggedness = 0.021, P = 0.68). The phylogenetic tree showed a single cluster with 100% bootstrap support for 45/46 isolates. Mean GC content was 58.1% ( A = 0.219, T = 0.200, G = 0.341, C = 0.240). No nontuberculous mycobacteria or drug resistance-associated mutations were detected. 16S rRNA sequencing reliably confirms M. tuberculosis in Southwest Nigeria and reveals high Hd despite extremely low nucleotide diversity, consistent with recent population expansion. However, this method cannot detect drug resistance mutations, necessitating integration with whole-genome sequencing or targeted resistance gene analysis for effective TB surveillance.

With dramatic advancements in biological data generation, genetic rescue and reproductive technologies, and inter-institutional coordination of care across entire animal populations, zoos, aquariums, and their collaborators are uniquely positioned to lead population-wide research benefiting animal wellbeing and species survival. However, procedural and inter-institutional barriers make it exceedingly difficult to access existing zoological biospecimens and data at scale. To address this, the Zoonomics Working Group, representing diverse roles across three zoological associations (AZA, EAZA, WAZA), proposes a biodiversity biobank alliance that develops and delivers shared resources to support the collection, storage, and sharing of biological samples and associated data across the zoological and conservation community. By biobank alliance, we mean a community-guided effort that develops shared resources, standards, ethos, and practices for collecting, storing, and sharing biological samples and associated data voluntarily through transparent processes, consistent with professional accreditation standards and international best practices. While initially focused on addressing the needs and regulatory landscape of U.S. institutions, the alliance is designed to create frameworks that are adaptable and adoptable for international expansion. Such a framework would help the zoological community navigate the ethical, legal, and practical challenges of managing biospecimen collections, making access more efficient, reliable, and robust. Achieving this vision requires collective agreement on ethical principles such as reciprocity, transparency, and data stewardship, ensuring that research is both feasible and proactively supported. Such coordination will drive advances in fundamental biology and accelerate progress in animal health, welfare, management, and biodiversity conservation.

To characterise the phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles and genomic diversity of vaginal Prevotella bivia isolates obtained from South African women and to compare them with publicly available genomes. P. bivia isolates were recovered from lateral vaginal wall swabs and identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing against metronidazole, clindamycin, azithromycin, amoxicillin and doxycycline was performed using MIC test strips (MTS). Whole-genome sequencing was undertaken using the Illumina MiSeq platform to investigate genomic diversity, AMR gene carriage and mobile genetic elements. Thirty-five P. bivia isolates from 30 vaginal samples underwent phenotypic characterisation, and 33 high-quality genomes were included in genomic analyses. Resistance to metronidazole and clindamycin was low (11.4% and 8.6%, respectively). The tetQ and cfxA genes were the most frequently detected AMR determinants (90.9% and 72.7% of genomes, respectively), whereas ermF and nimK were rare (3.0% each). Comparative genomic analysis revealed generally low within-sample diversity, although one participant harboured genetically distinct strains, and strain persistence was observed in another participant over a 16-week interval. South African isolates clustered separately from most publicly available isolates originating from the United States. One isolate harboured nimK within a previously described Tn6456-like mobile element, representing, to our knowledge, the first identification of nimK in a South African vaginal P. bivia isolate. Vaginal P. bivia isolates from South African women exhibited low genomic diversity, evidence of strain persistence and occasional co-colonisation with multiple P. bivia strains. Although resistance to standard bacterial vaginosis therapies remained low, the presence of mobile AMR determinants highlights the importance of continued genomic and phenotypic surveillance of vaginal P. bivia populations.

Pollination is a key ecological process sustaining biodiversity and food security, yet global patterns of plant-pollinator specialization remain unresolved. Using a global dataset of quantitative plant-pollinator networks (>3,400 networks, >110,000 interactions), we show that specialization is latitudinally structured, but not as a single directional pattern. We find no consistent monotonic increase or decrease in specialization towards the Equator. Instead, network-level and pollinator specialization peak at low northern latitudes near the tropical-subtropical boundary, whereas plant specialization is hemispherically asymmetric. Climate is most often the best-supported predictor of specialization compared with latitude, biodiversity and environmental productivity. Network-level specialization declines with increasing mean annual temperature, with strong group-specific differences. Precipitation exerts nonlinear effects: plant specialization peaks at intermediate precipitation but is lower at the wettest sites, whereas pollinator specialization is lower at intermediate precipitation, although often in interaction with temperature. Pollinator groups diverge strongly, especially in contrasting precipitation-related patterns between birds and insects. These findings show that global plant-pollinator specialization is structured by latitude and climate in complex and taxon-specific ways, with implications for uneven responses of pollination networks to future climatic change.

Increased intensity and duration of drought as a consequence of global warming is resulting in increased crop failure and food insecurity. This is particularly prevalent in regions where agriculture is rain fed, as the resultant water deficit in crop tissues as a consequence of insufficient soil moisture to sustain metabolic integrity results in subcellular damage and, ultimately tissue death. Different plants can perceive moisture stress stimuli from their environment and develop adaptive mechanisms to cope with water stress. However, the response of tef [

Human genetic studies have identified key regulators of fetal haemoglobin (HbF) expression, including BCL11A, resulting in therapeutic advances

Ceratonia siliqua L. (C. siliqua), commonly known as the carob tree, is an evergreen species of the Fabaceae family native to the Mediterranean basin and increasingly cultivated worldwide. Traditionally valued as animal feed and a natural sweetener, it has recently gained recognition as a multifunctional plant resource with nutritional, pharmaceutical, and industrial relevance. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the botany, phytochemistry, nutritional profile, bioactivity, and traditional uses of C. siliqua, and discusses its economic and industrial significance. Emphasis is placed on its rich content of polyphenols, flavonoids, dietary fiber, proteins, and essential minerals, which have been associated with antioxidant, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, and cardiometabolic-related activities. Beyond its nutritional potential, carob is increasingly used in food processing, functional foods, and pharmaceutical formulations, with locust bean gum as a key industrial derivative. Despite its long history, recent advances highlight new applications and the need for systematic quality control, valorization of genetic resources, and sustainable exploitation strategies. Overall, this review provides an integrative perspective that bridges traditional knowledge with modern scientific findings, aiming to guide future research and support broader utilization of carob as a natural bioresource in health, nutrition, and industry.