ABSTRACT
Onchocerciasis is responsible of a considerable burden of diseases, mainly because of its symptoms: visual impairment, blindness, disfiguring skin lesions, and severe itching, which are the results of the death of microfilariae. Since these infections are predominantly widespread in the poor and developing nations Ivermectin, the current drug of choice, is only microfilaricidal and suboptimal response to it, is increasingly being reported. Adult males of Onchocerca ochengi were incubated in RPMI-1640 medium supplemented of penicillin/streptomicin and plant extract or drugs. Caenorhabditis elegans were incubated at 20°C in NGM-Agar seeded and E. coli OP50 supplemented of plant extract or drugs. Worm mortality was determined biochemically by MTT/formazan colorimetry after 24, 48 and 72 h. Ivermectin and levamisole were used as positive controle. DMSO was the negative control. Acute toxicity on mice (Mus musculus) and phytochemical compounds were also determined. ELE of W. indica was lethal against O. ochengi and C. elegans. O. ocheng was the most sensitive to the extract with LC50. Values between 4.03 ± 0.51 µg/ml and 27.46 ± 0.08 µg/ml. The determination of secondary metabolites has revealed the presence of tannins, phenolic acids, saponins and flavonoids. Saponins (12.39 ± 1.00 mg/g) were the most quantified compound followed by tannins (0.96 ± 0.07 mg GAE/ 100g), phenolic acid (0.51 ± 0.07 mg/g GAE) and flavonoids (0.04 ± 0.07 mg of rutin/ 100g). The acute toxicity results showed that the LD50 is greater than 5000 mg/kg. The data indicate that the plant extract could be used to treat nematode infections even in cases of drug resistance towards established anthelmintic drugs.

ABSTRACT
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), is a highly contagious viral disease affecting livestock. It is manifested by fever and blisters in the mouth, on the teats, and between the hooves. This study was conducted in the Northern Cameroon, to assess the seroprevalence and economic impact of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in small ruminants. A total of 175 breeders were investigated and 63 serum samples were extracted from small ruminants for to detect antibodies against nonstructural proteins of the foot-and-mouth virus using the ELISA competition technique. The overall morbidity rate of foot-and-mouth disease was 96.13%. The estimated mortality rates were 20.05% in sheep and 24.22% in goats. Young lambs in the Far North had a high rate of morbidity (73.69%) and mortality (35.30%) rates compared to other regions. Total economic losses associated with the disease were high in the North and Far North regions, averaging of 433,526 ± 400,896 FCFA and 386,882 ± 577,742 FCFA respectively. Mortality losses were higher in the Far North, averaging 254 540 ± 391 655 FCFA which differs significantly from the other two regions (P < 0.05). Of the 63 analyzed, 30 were positive, resulting in an overall seroprevalence of 47.61%. The positive sample were susceptible to serotype O of aphtovirus. Due to the significant losses associated with FMD, it is crucial to rigorously implement the national program to combat this disease.

ABSTRACT
Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection represents a major public health issue. The immunosuppression it induces promotes the development of numerous opportunistic infections responsible for significant mortality. Among these infections, intestinal parasitic infections are the main causes of severe chronic diarrhea in immunocompromised patients. The opportunistic parasitic infections most often implicated in the genesis of this diarrhea include coccidiosis and microsporidiosis. Objective: This study aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasitosis in HIV-positive patients, a population particularly exposed to severe clinical forms due to their immune deficiency. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective descriptive study conducted over a three-month period, from November 2024 to February 2025, at the parasitology-mycology laboratory of the HMIMV in Rabat. Patients with positive HIV serology were included, whether or not they presented digestive symptoms. A parasitological examination of the stool was carried out for each patient, including, in addition to conventional techniques, modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining and the Baermann technique. Statistical analysis was performed using Jamovi software, version 2.6.13. Results: A total of 28 patients were included, with a mean age of 48.21 years and a male/female sex ratio of 8.33. The overall prevalence of parasitic infestations was 42.8%, consisting exclusively of protozoa. Among these, Blastocystis hominis represented 38% (n=5), intestinal coccidia 31% (n=4), amoebae 23% (n=3), and flagellates 8% (n=1). These results corroborate some studies highlighting the predominance of protozoa, parasites closely linked to fecal peril. Furthermore, no statistically significant association was observed between parasitism and the variables age, sex, CD4 count, or drinking water source, probably due to the small size of our sample. Conclusion: The intestinal parasitism observed in our pa

ABSTRACT
Cryptosporidiosis is a cosmopolitan food and waterborne zoonosis responsible for severe diarrhea in young animals, newborns, and immunocompromised individuals. This study was conducted from January to June 2023 in the Vina division to determine the epidemiology of the disease in calves. The search for Cryptosporidium spp oocysts in feces was conducted using the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique. Out of 405 fecal samples examined, 270 tested positive, giving an overall prevalence of 66.67%. This prevalence is very significantly higher in calves aged [0-3[months (48.1%) compared to those aged [3-6[months (29.9%) and [6-12] months (29.6%) (P=0.008). It is higher during the rainy season (40%) (P=0.004), in the Nyambaka (48.3%) and Mbe (41.7%) districts (P=0.008), in diarrheic calves (99.13%) (P=0.01), in NEC= [0-2] (38.7%) (P=0.008), and in those weighing less than 40 kg (88.9%) (P=0.001). The established risk factors are the season, the locality, the age, and the diarrheal status. These results show that the infestation of Cryptosporidium spp in the Vina department is present and significant, highlighting the urgency to improve the health and hygiene system in farms to prevent human infections.

ABSTRACT
Peptic Ulcer Disease, PUD, is a major public concern, globally, and affects every age, sex, race, and socioeconomic status. There is growing interest in phytomedicinal treatment of PUD. Patients’ compliance to orthodox drugs management of the disease declines. The psycho-economic burden worsens. The ulcers mostly occur in the stomach and proximal duodenum, characterized by mucosal damage, predominantly caused by Helicobacter pylori, antiplatelet agents, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking. Symptoms of peptic ulcer disease include abdominal pain, vomiting, reflux symptoms, and loss of appetite and weight. The disease may lead to upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage and perforation or may progress to carcinoma. The stomach itself contains hydrochloric acid, but does it cause tissue injury, very frequently? What may be the best approach to the management of PUD and the complications? We have therefore attempted a review of history, available findings, recent advances, and challenges in gastrointestinal tract research.

ABSTRACT
Introduction: Fungal infections caused by Candida glabrata have significantly increased in recent years, particularly in hospital settings, posing a serious public health issue due to their growing resistance to conventional antifungals, especially azoles. In response, combining conventional antifungal agents with natural compounds like essential oils represents an innovative and promising therapeutic strategy. Materials and Methods: This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of fluconazole and Origanum vulgare essential oil, both individually and in combination, against a clinical strain of Candida glabrata isolated from a urinary sample at the Hassan II Regional Hospital in Agadir. The study employed two complementary approaches: the disk diffusion method and liquid microdilution, allowing for the determination of inhibition zones and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of each agent. Results: The results from the diffusion method indicated that fluconazole exhibited moderate activity with an inhibition zone of 29.5 ± 0.5 mm and an MIC of 8 µg/mL, while O. vulgare essential oil demonstrated marked antifungal activity, with an inhibition zone of 62 ± 0.5 mm and an MIC of 0.0435 mg/mL. The combination of both agents resulted in an increased inhibition zone and a significant reduction in their respective MICs, with a Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI) of 0.5, indicating a synergistic effect between fluconazole and the essential oil. This combination resulted in a fourfold enhancement of fluconazole's antifungal activity. Conclusion: In conclusion, these findings suggest that Origanum vulgare essential oil could enhance the effectiveness of fluconazole against Candida glabrata, opening interesting perspectives for the development of new combined antifungal approaches, particularly in the context of resistance to conventional treatments.

ABSTRACT
Fungal infections have emerged as a significant global health concern, particularly among immunocompromised individuals, where they can lead to severe morbidity and mortality. Traditional diagnostic methods, primarily reliant on culture techniques, often fall short due to their lengthy turnaround times and inability to detect non-viable or fastidious organisms. Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized the diagnostic landscape by enabling rapid and comprehensive identification of fungal pathogens directly from clinical specimens without the need for culture. This article explores the principles of NGS, its applications in clinical mycology, and its potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes. By leveraging metagenomic approaches, NGS facilitates the detection of mixed infections, antifungal resistance profiling, and real-time monitoring of disease progression. Despite its challenges, including cost and the need for bioinformatics expertise, NGS represents a paradigm shift in the diagnosis of fungal infections, paving the way for improved patient management and outcomes.