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Research Article
Genetic Diversity and Clonal Dissemination of
ESBL-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae from Clinical, Food, and Animal Sources in Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 5, October 2026
Pages:
105-110
Received:
13 August 2026
Accepted:
31 August 2026
Published:
9 October 2026
Abstract: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a major opportunistic pathogen responsible for multidrug-resistant infections in both hospital and community settings. The emergence and spread of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing strains have become a major public health concern due to limited treatment options and their potential spread among human, animal, and food reservoirs. This study aimed to assess the genetic relatedness of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae isolates collected from human clinical samples, ready-to-eat foods, and animal sources using ERIC-PCR profiling. A total of 98 ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae isolates were included, comprising 96 clinical isolates from hospitalized (n = 91) and non-hospitalized (n = 5) patients at Bouaké University Hospital, one isolate from ready-to-eat food, and one isolate from raw cow’s milk. Identification was performed using conventional bacteriological methods, and ESBL production was confirmed using CHROMagar ESBL medium and the double-disk synergy test. ERIC-PCR analysis revealed a high level of genetic diversity, with 25 distinct ERIC profiles identified, including nine common types and 16 unique types. Several dominant clonal lineages were observed among the clinical isolates, distributed across different hospital departments and outpatient settings. One foodborne isolate shared an ERIC profile identical to that of three clinical isolates, while the animal-derived isolate exhibited a unique genotype. Overall, most isolates showed genetic heterogeneity, although clonal dissemination was observed among hospital strains. These results indicate a predominance of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae in the hospital setting and suggest limited genetic relatedness between human and non-human isolates. However, the interpretation of relationships involving food and animal isolates remains limited by their low representation in the study. These results underscore the importance of strengthening infection prevention and control measures and confirm the need for ongoing molecular surveillance of multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae.
Abstract: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a major opportunistic pathogen responsible for multidrug-resistant infections in both hospital and community settings. The emergence and spread of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing strains have become a major public health concern due to limited treatment options and their potential spread among human, animal, ...
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Research Article
Storage Insect Pests and Their Effects on Cereal and Pulse Crops in Southern Ethiopia: A Review
Daniel Abebe Geletu*
,
Firew Meka Mentso
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 5, October 2026
Pages:
111-117
Received:
10 September 2026
Accepted:
22 September 2026
Published:
9 October 2026
Abstract: Storage insect pests are important causes of post-harvest losses in cereal and pulse crops in Southern Ethiopia. Smallholder farmers commonly store harvested grain for several months using traditional storage structures and locally available materials, which may favor insect infestation and population development. This review synthesizes available evidence on major storage insect pests affecting cereal and pulse crops in Southern Ethiopia, their occurrence, damage, and effects on grain quantity, quality, food security, and farmers’ livelihoods. Literature was compiled from scientific databases and other relevant sources, with emphasis on studies conducted in Southern Ethiopia and Ethiopia. Important pests of stored cereals include maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais), rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae), lesser grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica), larger grain borer (Prostephanus truncatus), and Angoumois grain moth (Sitotroga cerealella), while pulse crops are particularly vulnerable to bruchids such as Acanthoscelides obtectus and Callosobruchus spp. Infestation causes grain weight loss, kernel damage, reduced germination, contamination, nutritional deterioration, and reduced market value. Pest occurrence and damage are influenced by crop type, grain moisture, temperature, storage duration, storage structure, hygiene, and initial infestation. Management options include improved storage, sanitation, hermetic storage, botanical materials, inert dusts, and appropriate insecticides. Integrated storage pest management and farmer participation are essential for reducing post-harvest losses and improving food security in Southern Ethiopia
Abstract: Storage insect pests are important causes of post-harvest losses in cereal and pulse crops in Southern Ethiopia. Smallholder farmers commonly store harvested grain for several months using traditional storage structures and locally available materials, which may favor insect infestation and population development. This review synthesizes available ...
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Research Article
Weed Diversity and Infestation in Elaeis Guineensis Agroecosystems of Industrial Plantations in the Grands Ponts Region, Southern Ivory Coast
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 5, October 2026
Pages:
118-130
Received:
20 September 2026
Accepted:
8 October 2026
Published:
29 October 2026
Abstract: In oil palm cultivation, weeds are a major obstacle due to their negative effects on crop growth, soil fertility, and agricultural management systems. They compete with crops for the elements necessary for crop development and growth. Therefore, weed control is essential for maintaining yields. However, effective weed control requires knowledge of the weeds specific to palm oil groves and their potential harmfulness to the crop. This study aims to assess the floristic diversity and weed infestation in oil palm plantations within the Integrated Agricultural Unit (IAU) in Irobo, southern part of Côte d'Ivoire. A total of 250 floristic inventories were conducted across 5 localities, based on 2 ecological variables: age groups and toposequence, each with 3 options. Walk-through surveys using the "field walk" method were conducted within each 2500 m2 plot to identify the weed species, genera, families, and biological types present, and to assess their frequencies, abundance-dominance, and potential harmfulness. As a result, a total of 657 species were identified, comprising 373 genera distributed across 98 botanical families. The most represented families are Fabaceae (65), Poaceae (61), Cyperaceae (37), Rubiaceae (36), Asteraceae (33), Apocynaceae (32), and Malvaceae (25). Dicotyledons and hemicryptophytes were the most common, accounting for 74.58% and 20%, respectively. The infestation diagram highlighted five of the nine groups and showed their infestation levels. Nephrolepis biserrata, Pueraria phaseoloides, and Heterotis rotundifolia are the species in group G1, that could be considered the major general weeds and the most harmful in the study area. In addition, Steinchisma laxum and Croton hirtus are identified as potential general weeds belonging to group G2. This study identified the main classes, families, species, and biological types of weeds present, as well as their potential to be harmful in industrial oil palm plantations. It could help guide the development of sustainable weed management practices in industrial oil palm plantations.
Abstract: In oil palm cultivation, weeds are a major obstacle due to their negative effects on crop growth, soil fertility, and agricultural management systems. They compete with crops for the elements necessary for crop development and growth. Therefore, weed control is essential for maintaining yields. However, effective weed control requires knowledge of ...
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Research Article
Health Behaviors and Diet Quality Among Adults in Southern Togo: A Cross-sectional Study
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 5, October 2026
Pages:
131-139
Received:
24 September 2026
Accepted:
8 October 2026
Published:
29 October 2026
Abstract: Objective: To assess the association between selected health behaviors, particularly physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking, and dietary quality among adults living in southern Togo. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 12 to November 30, 2025, among 1,181 adults, including 990 urban and 191 rural residents. Data were collected using a digital questionnaire administered via the KoboToolbox platform. Diet quality was assessed using a composite score based on the consumption of ten food groups. The score ranged from 3 to 9, with a mean of 7.54 ± 1.12 and a median of 8. Participants were classified as having high diet quality (score ≥ 8) or low diet quality (score < 8). Associations between health behaviors and diet quality were examined using bivariate analyses, Pearson correlations, and multiple linear regression adjusted for key sociodemographic characteristics. Results: A weak but positive association was observed between alcohol consumption and diet quality (r = 0.119; 95% CI: 0.063-0.175; p < 0.001). This association remained significant after adjustment in the multivariate model (β = 0.314; p < 0.001). In contrast, no statistically significant association was found between physical activity and diet quality (r = −0.033; p = 0.256), or between tobacco use and diet quality (r = −0.005; p = 0.853). Conclusion: Among the adults studied in southern Togo, alcohol consumption was weakly associated with better diet quality, whereas physical activity and tobacco use were not significantly associated with the diet quality score. These findings suggest that the health behaviors considered are not necessarily interdependent in this population, and that diet quality may be influenced by other sociodemographic, economic, and cultural determinants. However, the cross-sectional design does not allow for causal inference.
Abstract: Objective: To assess the association between selected health behaviors, particularly physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking, and dietary quality among adults living in southern Togo. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 12 to November 30, 2025, among 1,181 adults, including 990 urban and 191 rural residents. Da...
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