Northern Regions Of Cameroon Research Articles

Neuro-Architecture in Service of the Autism Spectrum: Designing a School Complex Adapted to Autistic Children in Northern Cameroon

This research explores the application of neuro-architecture in the design of a school complex adapted for autistic children in the northern region of Cameroon. The literature review highlights the specific characteristics of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and the particular sensory needs of children with this condition in an educational setting. It analyzes how architecture, through the management of light, colors, materials, and spatial arrangement, can positively influence the well-being and learning of these children. By integrating the principles of neuro-architecture, the design of optimized school spaces can help reduce sensory overload and improve the social and educational inclusion of autistic children. This review also examines international case studies and potential adaptations to the geographic and cultural context of northern Cameroon, which is characterized by a lack of suitable educational infrastructure. The objective of this research is to propose architectural design solutions that meet the specific needs of autistic children while considering local constraints.

Emergency Preparedness for Waterborne Diseases in the Wake of Floods in Northern Cameroon: A Call for Immediate Action

Severe flooding in Northern Regions of Cameroon (Far North, North and Adamawa Regions), triggered by torrential rains, has led to widespread displacement, destruction of infrastructure, and significant disruptions in essential services, particularly water, sanitation, and healthcare. This article, issued by public health researchers from Science For Life Foundation and Pinnacle University Institute, highlights the heightened risk of waterborne diseases following the recent floods and underscores the urgent need for enhanced emergency preparedness and response measures. Floods create conditions conducive to the spread of diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, and viral hepatitis by contaminating drinking water supplies with sewage and waste. Vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions, are at increased risk. Overcrowding in temporary shelters further exacerbates the potential for disease outbreaks. The impact of climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of such flooding events, making timely and effective intervention critical. This article reviews best practices for preventing and mitigating waterborne disease outbreaks, offering guidance to government authorities, health agencies, humanitarian organizations, and local communities. It aims to catalyze immediate action to safeguard public health and prevent a major crisis in the aftermath of the flooding Keywords: Waterborne Diseases, Flooding, Emergency Preparedness.

Implications of Farm Production and Farmers' Characteristics on Poverty Reduction in Benue Division, Cameroon

The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of farm production and Farmers' Characteristics on Poverty Reduction in the Benue division in the Northern region of Cameroon. Data were collected from 399 respondents using a self-administered questionnaire through a stratified sampling technique of 12 sub-divisions in the Benue division. We adopted a survey research design. To estimate our results, we used Multiple correspondent analysis (MCA) and the OLS technique. The results reveal that there is a positive relationship between farm production and poverty reduction in Benue state. An increase in farm production will lead to a 2.19% reduction in farmers' poverty in Benue and this result is significant at a 5% level of significance. Similarly, the farmer's characteristics reveal that gender, farmers' experience, and educational level also significantly affect poverty reduction. In this light, there is a need for the government to train and deploy more extension workers in the various sub-divisions and communities in Benue division, to increase farmers' access to these services. This can be done by imparting specific skills to produce dominant food crops and livestock in the Benue division through workshops and seminars.

Plasmodium falciparum dhps and dhfr markers of resistance to sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine five years (2016–2020) after the implementation of seasonal malaria chemoprevention in Cameroon

Background Antimalarial drug resistance is a major challenge in the fight against malaria. Cameroon implemented seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) with sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine and amodiaquine (SPAQ) to over 1.5 million children aged 3–59 months from 2016, raising concerns whether drug pressure may lead to a selection of known parasite resistance mutations. This study aimed at assessing the profiles of plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and plasmodium falciparum dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) gene mutations that encode enzyme targeting SP before and 5 years after the introduction of SMC in the northern part of Cameroon. Methods Dried blood spots were prepared from symptomatic P. falciparum-positive children prior to SPAQ administration in 2016 and after the SMC round of 2020. DNA was extracted using the Chelex-100 method, and dhfr and dhps mutations were determined after a nested polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique and agarose gel electrophoresis. Results 405 children with acute uncomplicated malaria were recruited. Of 405 samples, 201/405 (49.63%) were collected in 2016 and 204/405 (50.37%) were collected in 2020. High levels of mutant alleles S108N, C59R, N51I of dhfr were obtained both in 2016 and 2020 (174 (100%), 166 (95.4%), 131 (75.3%)); (140 (99.4%), 131 (92.2%), 114 (80.3%)) while the frequency of dhps mutant alleles in the A437G and K540E loci stood at 93 (51.9%) and 6 (3.4%) in 2016 and 73 (52.5%) and 4 (2.8%) in 2020, respectively. The quintuple resistant haplotype IRNGE was found in two (1.1%) and one (0.7%) in 2016 and 2020, respectively. No significant difference was observed in the frequency of the studied mutations between the two time points, although we noted a rise in the resistance conferring haplotype IRNG in 2020. Conclusions Continuous monitoring is recommended to preempt the widespread occurrence of high-grade resistance bearing parasites in the northern regions of Cameroon.

Toxoplasmosis and Chlamydophilosis in Small Ruminant Farms in Cameroon: Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Perception of Zoonotic Risks of Farmers.

Zoonotic abortive diseases represent a significant health and economic risk for national public health. This cross-sectional survey was conducted from April to October 2021 among 200 selected small ruminant farmers in the three northern regions of Cameroon. Data collection was done through questionnaires administered by exchange with the herder, and responses were coded and recorded on an Excel spreadsheet. The data were then analyzed with R software, version 2.13.0. An ANOVA test was used to assess significant differences in mean of Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Perception of zoonotic risks (KAPP) scores between regions. Pearson correlations were used to calculate the association between KAPP scores within regions. Small ruminant farmers surveyed had low mean scores for knowledge of abortive toxoplasmosis and chlamydophilosis (0.1 ± 0.2), desirable attitude (0.32 ± 0.07), appropriate practice (0.36 ± 0.13) in managing abortion, and positive perception of zoonotic risks of toxoplasmosis and chlamydophilosis in small ruminants (0.12 ± 0.33), respectively. KAPP was significantly (P < 0.01) and positively associated with knowledge (r = 0.98) and risk perception (r = 0.99). However, attitudes (r = 0.06), practices (r = 0.05), and risk perception of toxoplasmosis (r = 0.07) and chlamydophilosis (r = 0.08) were not associated with farmers' knowledge. This study revealed significant knowledge gaps, low levels of desired attitudes, and high-risk behavioral practices. These results therefore call for capacity building of health professionals and farmers to better integrate the One Health concept in the management of neglected zoonotic diseases.

The Effect of Agricultural Policies on Farm Production in Benue Division, North Region of Cameroon.

The main objective of this study is to determine the effect of government agricultural policies on farm production in the Benue division in the Northern region of Cameroon. Data was collected from 399 respondents using a self-administered questionnaire through a stratified sampling technique of 12 sub-divisions in the Benue division. We adopted a binary logistic regression estimation technique to estimate the model. The empirical results of the binary logistic model for the overall sample revealed that Government extension and advisory services (GEAS) have a positive effect on farm production. Specifically, increasing GEAS in the Benue division will lead to a 0.09419 increase in farm production and it is significant at a 5% level of significant. Government agricultural infrastructure (GAIF), a unit increase in GAIF, will lead to a 0.3790 increase in farm production in the Benue division and it is significant at a 10% level of significance. The last significant government agricultural policy on farm production is the government agricultural financial policy (GAFP). The result revealed that an increase or improvement of GAFP in the Benue division, will increase farm production by 0.3366 and it is significant at a 5% level of significant. Meanwhile, government agricultural climate policy has an insignificant effect on farm production. In this light, there is a need for the government to train and deploy more extension workers in the various sub-divisions and communities in Benue division, to increase farmers’ access to these services. This can be done by giving specific skills on how to produce dominant food crops and livestock in the Benue division through workshops and seminars.

Anaemia in Children aged 6-59 Months in the Eastern and Northern Regions of Cameroon

Early childhood is a very critical period for the future growth and development of children whose care is fundamentally urgent. Thus, the elimination of nutrition-related diseases such as anaemia that is likely to delay the achievement of targets 3.2 and 4.2 of the SDGs fits-in at the right time in this logic. Cameroon, like the rest of developing countries, has a high prevalence rate of anaemia. The situation is alarming in the three Northern and Eastern regions of the country. The objective of this article is to make a comparison of the explanatory factors of anaemia in the three Northern and Eastern regions through a three-level logistic regression. It appears from the individual characteristics that the anaemic state of the mother, her level of education, the age of the child explain anaemia in the study regions, except the nutritional state and the duration of breastfeeding which explain it distinctly in the three Northern and Eastern regions respectively. With regard to household characteristics, one and only one characteristic determines anaemia in each region, namely the main activity of the household head in the three Northern regions and the household standard of living in the Eastern region. No community characteristic was found to explain anaemia in the three Northern regions, unlike in the Eastern region where the type of place of residence, the proportion of educated women and the level of immunization coverage in the community are determining factors. The contribution of the article is to shed light on the common and specific determinants of anaemia in children aged 6-59 months three Northern and Eastern regions of Cameroon.

Carbon Stock Assessment of Psiduim guajava L. (Myrtaceae) Agroforestry Systems in Septentrion Zone of Cameroon

The present study aims to quantify carbon storage in different biomass pools of Psidium guajava agroecosystems in the northern region of Cameroon in order to understand their contribution to climate change mitigation. The destructive and non-destructive methods were used according to a random complete Fisher block device with 4 repetitions. The results obtained show that the average total carbon stock of Psidium guajava agroecosystems in the northern zone of Cameroon is 44.44 ± 4.96 tC/ha. The total carbon stock varies by region; in the Adamawa region (46.30 ± 4.91 tC/ha); North (46.34 ± 4.93 tC/ha) and Far North (40.69 ± 4.98 tC/ha). These results show the considerable contribution of Psidium guajava agroecosystems in the fight against the mitigation of climate change in the Septentrion zone of Cameroon.

Inclusion of partly purified protease from Abrus precatorius Linn in Ca-alginate gel beads

Abrus precatorius is an edible endemic plant in Cameroon. In the northern regions of Cameroon, the leaves of this plant are used as traditional medications, for the liquefaction of wort obtained after mashing of sorghum or millets for processing the local fermented beer called bili-bili, and to sweeten gruels made from red millet. Abrus precatorius has also being explored as a potential source of proteolytic enzymes. In this work, a partially purified protease from the leaves and stems of the plant was immobilized in a calcium alginate gel beads and the protease activity (PA), investigated using a central composite design plan under the conditions: alginate content (1–5%) (w/v), enzyme/alginate ratio (10–30%) (v/v), and CaCl2 concentration (100–400 Mmol/L). Results showed that the optimum activity was obtained for an alginate content of 1% (p/v), an enzyme/alginate ratio of 10% (v/v) and a CaCl2 concentration of 400 mmol/L. At the optimum, kinetic parameters of the immobilized enzyme (KM: 6.83 mg mL−1; Vmax: 46.95 g.L−1. min−1) were comparable to those of free enzyme (KM: 1.26 mg mL−1; Vmax: 153.85 g.L−1. min−1). The beads have been preserved at room temperature and reused for four days before loosing 88% of its activity. This indicates that the protease activity of the leaves and stems of A. precatorius can be immobilized in calcium alginate beads and preserve four days at ambient temperature.

Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Zoonotic Risk Perception of Bovine Q Fever (Coxiella burnetii) among Cattle Farmers and Veterinary Personnel in Northern Regions of Cameroon.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, practices and zoonotic risk perception of Q fever among 484 selected cattle farmers (438) and veterinary personnel (46) in three northern regions of Cameroon. Data collection was conducted using questionnaires and responses were recoded into binary scale. An ANOVA test was used to assess significant differences in mean knowledge, attitude, practice and zoonotic risk perception (KAPP) scores between regions, while Linear regression was done to explore the relationship between demographic characteristic and KAPP. Overall, surveyed had low mean scores for knowledge (0.02 ± 0.11), desirable attitude (0.30 ± 0.16), appropriate practice (0.43 ± 0.13) and negative perception of zoonotic risks (0.05 ± 0.11). The means knowledge, attitude, practice and risks perception scores of cattle farmers were lower than those of veterinary personnel. The nature of respondent was negatively associated to knowledge and risks perception, while regions were negatively correlated to attitude and practice. These results revealed significant knowledge gaps, low levels of desired attitudes, and high-risk behavioral practices. To improve awareness, control programs are needed to update knowledge on medical personnel and to prevent animal-to-human transmission.

Seroprevalence and Risks Factors Associated with Coxiella burnetii Infection in Slaughterhouse Zebu Cattle (Bos indicus) from Northern Regions of Cameroon.

A study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risks factors of Coxiella burnetii in zebu cattle from the northern regions of Cameroon. From a total of 2016 (1754 females and 262 males) sera sampled, 801, 762 and 453 were collected, respectively, from Adamawa, North and Far North, and screened for Coxiella burnetii using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). A total of 23.76% (479/2016) were serologically positive. The seroprevalence of Adamawa, North and Far North were 29.09% (233/801), 19.95% (152/762) and 20.75% (94/453); respectively. The seropositivity of male and female were 4.58% and 26.62%; respectively. Cattle from Adamawa region were more likely to have been exposed to C. burnetii than animals from Far North region (OR = 3.28; 95%CI: 1.13-7.85; p = 0.02). The Gudali breed was significantly more infected than Aku (OR =2.52; 95%CI: 1.06-5.99; p = 0.03), and animals aged of (6-9) years were 1.89 times more likely to have been infected to C. burnetii than young animals (p = 0.03). The seropositivity to this bacterium was significantly associated to pregnant cattle than non-pregnant (OR = 1.71; 95%CI: 1.01-2.90; p = 0.04). Female cattle were more likely to have been infected by C. burnetii than male and the rainy season were 1.66 more associated to this disease than dry season. The linear regression model indicated that C. burnetii seropositivity were positively correlated to the regions (0.09, CI: 0.04; 0.18; p = 0.007), age (0.01, CI: -0.01; 0.04; p = 0.02), sex (0.19, CI: 0.08-0.32, p = 0.001) and physiological status (0.11, CI: -0.04; 0.26; p = 0.006). This study revealed that C. burnetii infection is widespread among zebu cattle of Adamawa, North and Far North of Cameroon.

Prevalence of African Horse Sickness in Donkeys in Three Northern Regions of Cameroon

African Horse Sickness (AHS) is a non-contagious viral disease that is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa countries and poses an important production and health threats of equines. AHS can induce up to 95% mortality in horses and 10% in donkeys. However, there is dearth of information of its epidemiology in donkeys in Cameroon. This study was therefore carried out to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of AHS in donkey in three Northern regions of Cameroon. Donkey sera were subjected to the ELISA blocking test for the determination of antibodies against African Horse Sickness Virus (AHSV) and positive samples were subjected to Capture-ELISA to determine the presence of antigens. Spleen samples were collected from fifteen donkey carcasses, of unknown causes of death, were screened using capture ELISA and positive reactors confirmed using conventional PCR. Potential risk factors associated with AHS were assessed based on the information collected in the field. The Chi-Square test and the Odd ratio were used to test the association between prevalence and the different variables. Of the 266 sera obtained, 219 were positive for anti-AHS virus antibodies corresponding to a sero-prevalence of 82.33% [95%CI: 77.30 – 86.44] and no antigen detected from the corresponding whole blood. Locality (p&lt;0.001, χ2= 22.96) and age (p&lt;0.001, χ2= 24.31) significantly influenced sero-positivity of the donkeys. The sero-prevalence was higher (p&lt;0.05) in the North (87.18% [95%CI: 81.03 – 91.55]) and Far North regions (84.81% [95%CI: 75.30 – 91.09]) than in the Adamawa region (51.61% [95%CI: 34.84 – 68.03]). Donkeys that were at least 3 years old (89.42% [95%CI: 84.22 – 93.05]) were at higher risk of AHS (p&lt;0.0001, χ2 = 22.54, OR: 4.56 [95%CI: 2.36 – 8.82]) compared to young animals of less than 3 years old (32.14% [95%CI: 27.15-37.13, OR: 0.15]). The study highlights that AHS is highly endemic in all age groups and both sexes of donkey populations in Northern Cameroon and donkeys maybe playing important roles in the maintenance of the disease in equine populations in the country.

Soil gas radon, indoor radon and its diurnal variation in the northern region of Cameroon

ABSTRACT Soil gas radon and indoor radon measurements have been carried out in Mayo-Louti and Benoué Divisions in northern Cameroon. Concentrations of radon in soil have been measured using Markus 10 at the depth of about 1 m. Radon concentration in soil varies from 0.9 to 13.8 kBq m−3 with a mean value of 4.6 kBq m−3. Average daily indoor radon concentrations measured with RadonEye+2 detectors vary from 7 to 60 Bq m−3 with an average of 17 Bq m−3. Indoor radon concentrations measured with passive RADTRAK detectors range between 15 and 104 Bq m−3 with a geometric value of 38 Bq m−3 and a geometric standard deviation of 1.5. This geometric value is lower than the value of 30 Bq m–3 given by UNSCEAR. Indoor radon inhalation dose ranges between 0.28 and 1.97 mSv a−1 with geometric value of 0.72 mSv a−1 (at 0.03 standard deviation). Outdoor radon inhalation ranges between 0.02 and 0.26 mSv a−1 with a mean value of 0.09 mSv a−1. The total annual effective dose due to indoor and outdoor radon exposure for this study area is 0.81 mSv a−1, less than 1.15 mSv a−1 the world average value given by UNSCEAR. There is no significant radiological risk for the inhabitants.

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Toxoplasma gondii and Chlamydophila abortus Infection in Domestic Small Ruminants in Cameroon

Toxoplasmosis and chlamydiosis remain among the primary causes of abortion and fetal loss in small ruminants. Consequently, they are a source of considerable economic losses for farmers. The objectives of this study were to determine the seroprevalence and highlight the risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii and Chlamydophila abortus infection in small ruminants in Cameroon. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 200 small ruminant farms during a period from April to October 2021. A total of 1061 small ruminants were sampled, and the sera obtained were analyzed using the indirect ruminant multi-species ELISA test for specific IgG antibody detection for T. gondii and C. abortus at the National Veterinary Laboratory. A questionnaire was constructed to collect information about flock management and risk factors possibly associated with T. gondii and C. abortus infection in goats and sheep. Overall, 329 small ruminants tested positive for T. gondii-specific IgG antibodies and 45 for C. abortus-specific IgG antibodies with a seroprevalence of 31.1% (95% CI: 28.2–33.8) for T. gondii and 4.2% (95% CI: 3.0–5.5) for C. abortus, respectively. However, a significant co-infection of 1.8% (95% CI: 0.37–3.3) was obtained between T. gondii and C. abortus (p = 0.02). Linear regression model analysis revealed that, the seroprevalence of T. gondii at the flock level was significantly correlated with the region (0.22 CI: 0.17; 0.26) the breeding objectives (0.36 CI: 0.17; 0.56) the level of hygiene (0.11 CI: 0.01; 0.21) and presence abortions (0.55 CI: 0.46; 0.64) on the farms and that of C. abortus was significantly correlated with the regions (0.01 CI: 0.00–0.02) and degree of abortion on the farms (−0.26 CI: −039; −0.14). At the individual level, a significant correlation was observed between the seroprevalence of T. gondii and region (−0.09 CI: −0.14; −0.04), species (0.07 CI: 0.01–0.14), sex (−0.11 CI: −0.18; −0.03), age (0.08 CI: 0.04–0.12) and physiological status (0.21 CI: 0.18; 0.24). For C. abortus seroprevalence, a significant correlation was observed with the regions (0.02 CI: 0.00; 0.03) and breed (0.01 CI: 0.01; 0.02) of small ruminants reared in the northern regions of Cameroon. These results could be used to implement efficient management measures to prevent and control T. gondii and C. abortus infection in goats and sheep in Cameroon.

Rabies in Non-Canine Species: A Retrospective Study of Laboratory Detected Cases in the Sahelian Zone of Cameroon from 2014 To 2020

A seven years retro-prospective study (2014–2020) was conducted to determine non-canine rabies cases detected at the LANAVET, in the Northern regions of Cameroon. Information was collected from laboratory registers and reports within the defined period. The main results show that 76/278 (27.3%) non-canine rabies cases have been detected (63/218 in DFAT: 28.9%; 13/60 in PCR: 21.7%). Five groups (Chiroptera: 88.2%; Felines: 6.6%; Primates, Bovidae and Suidae: 5.3%) and ten animal species were concerned. These results highlight the necessity to conduct an active surveillance of rabies in dogs and bats, to minimise other mammal cases.

Incidence and predictors of death among adult patients treated for tuberculosis in two regions of Cameroon: 2010 to 2015

Objectives: Mortality during tuberculosis (TB) remains high in Africa. The purpose of our study was to determine the incidence and predictors of death during TB treatment in Cameroon. Materials and Methods: Data of subjects aged ≥15 years were retrospectively extracted from registers in all TB diagnostic and treatment centers in the Western and Northern regions of Cameroon from 2010 to 2015. Cox regression models were used to determine predictors of death during TB treatment. Results: Of the 19,681 patients included, 12,541 (63.7%) were male and their median age (25th-75th percentile) was 34 (26–45) years. The cumulative incidence (95% confidence interval [CI]) of death during TB treatment was 8.0% (7.5–8.5%). The predictors (hazard ratios [95% CI]) of death were: Age &gt;34 years (1.479 [1.295–1.688], P &lt; 0.001), female sex (1.471 [1.286–1.683], P &lt; 0.001), extra-pulmonary TB (1.723 [1.466–2.026], P &lt; 0.001), human immunodeficiency virus infection (3.739 [3.269–4.276], P &lt; 001]), TB treatment in the Western region (2.241 [1.815–2.768], P &lt; 0.001), treatment before 2012 (1.215 [1.073–1.376], P = 0.002)and low body weight (1st quartile and 2nd quartile) (2.568 [2.133–3.092], [P &lt; 0.001]) and (1.569 [1.298–1.896], P &lt; 0.001) respectively. Conclusion: The incidence of death during TB was relatively high in the Western and Northern regions of Cameroon. Recognition of these persons at greatest risk may improve care and reduce death durinng TB treatment.

The Role of a Rich Landscape Vegetation on kob Antelope (Kobus kob) Group Feeding Activity in Bouba Ndjidda National Park, North Region, Cameroon

Thorough knowledge of the ecological requirements of ungulates provides the basis for the formulation of an appropriate programme of management actions directed at that species. More so, the identification of the minimum habitat requirements for a species is essential before specific management actions can be instituted. However, the relationship between antelopes and habitat plays a crucial role in the ecology of any species. The association between a herbivore and its habitat not only encompasses the availability of preferred food plants and their particular growth stages in its home range, it is also intimately linked to other features of the habitat. Hence, the key objective of this study was to assess the role of landscape vegetation on antelopes’ sustainability. Data collection was initiated immediately after a thorough study was done. The kob antelopes groups were visited regularly to record both feeding activity and ecological factors. The study showed a significance between kob antelope group and vegetation, X2 = 7.383 df=8, P&lt;0.05. The antelope-group strength was dominated by 1-5 antelopes 89%, but larger group-sizes were equally recorded though not common. The three vegetation types most used by the antelopes were grassland 49%, shrub-land 36%, and forest patches 11%. Nonetheless, the antelope-group activity showed a significance on vegetation type X2 = 11.510 df=4, P&lt;0.05. The most significant animal activities recorded were movement 49%, feeding 35%, and resting 16% respectively. Similarly, antelope-group activity revealed a significance on photo-period X2 = 5.348 df=2, P&lt;0.05. Additionally, the antelope-group size showed a significance on landscape X2 = 7.364 df=8, P&lt;0.05. Bouba ndjidda national park in the northern region of Cameroon has three landscape types useful to the kob antelopes, flat 73%, slope 25%, and hill 2% respectively. More so, there was a positive correlation significance between vegetation and food resources r = 0.248, P&lt;0.05. The landscape of the national park has very little escapement that could obstruct movement of these mediumsized antelopes. Furthermore, their vigilance, speed against predators, and prolific nature might help the antelope achieve a high population in the national park in future. Most of these antelopes have received very little research attention, however, more study is needed to explore the social organization, feeding and population ecology.

African swine fever in the northern regions of Cameroon: seroprevalence survey and spatiotemporal analysis of outbreaks from 2010 to 2017.

The present study was carried out to establish the spatiotemporal distribution of ASF between 2010 and 2017 in the Adamawa, North, and Far North regions of Cameroon. A retrospective study with data relating to the northern regions from epidemiological reports from target organizations in Cameroon was used to analyze outbreaks of ASF from 2010 to 2016. A prospective study consisting of risk factor analysis and serological investigation of anti-ASF antibodies and ASF RT-PCR antigen detection test in pig farms in the study regions with clinical suspicion of ASF was carried out in 2017. During the period 2010 to 2016, a total of 53 ASF outbreaks were reported and confirmed in the three northern regions of Cameroon and involved 4905 pigs (2232 deaths and 2673 slaughtered for sanitary measures). The seroprevalence for the 2017 serology survey was 5.23% (95% CI [3.57-6.89]) at the individual and 10.81% (95% CI [6.34-15.28]) at herd level. Region, management of farms system, on-farm slaughter by the owner (OR = 4.60; 95% CI [0.34-46.20]; p = 0.014), and selling of animals to community or to butchers (OR = 4.82; 95% CI [0.51-62.15]; p = 0.010) had significant effect on individual level seropositivity of ASF. The viral antigen was not detected by PCR. This study showed that ASF cases have decreased significantly in the northern regions of Cameroon following the epizootic 2010 outbreaks. The findings predict a better future for the pork farming in the regions through the enforcement of strategic measures.

DETECTION AND TYPING OF SALMONELLA SP. OF TRADITIONAL CHICKENS AT THE POULTRY SLAUGHTERHOUSE OF THE CENTRAL MARKET OF GAROUA IN BENOUE, NORTHERN REGION OF CAMEROON

In order to assess the prevalence of Salmonella contaminations in the city of Garoua, this study investigated the research and serotyping of Salmonella strains within the traditional chicken industry at the poultry slaughterhouse of the central market of Garoua in Bénoué, Northern Region of Cameroon. Still very present throughout Cameroon, this structure can represent a source of contamination as well as a zoonotic hazard. For this purpose, the study was carried out on 400 chicken carcasses and analyses were performed on cloacal swabs, by bacteriological culture and confirmed by biochemical analyses and PCR to detect the invA gene specific to Salmonella sp. Thus, 05 strains of Salmonella were isolated, a contamination prevalence of 1.3% observed. Serotyping of the isolates resulted in the identification of five different serovars, including Hadar, Idikan, Mbandaka, Infantis and Anatum (n=1, 20% each). These serotypes developed resistance to tetracycline, amikacin, nalidixic acid, Kanamycin and cephalothin. Antibiotics available on the market at low cost and used without precise diagnosis and in insufficient or overdosed doses in the veterinary environment, both in food and for the treatment of bacterial infections. This study has an important impact because it showed for the first time the presence of Salmonella in the traditional chicken industry in the Northern Region of Cameroon. The project also highlighted the role that this type of structure can have in the maintenance and circulation of pathogens within animal and human populations. Indeed, in view of the weak biosecurity measures applied, family farming systems represent an important risk factor for the spread of Salmonella in both animals and humans, and could be resistant to certain antibiotics.

English

Faidherbia albida (DEL.) A. Chev is widely grown in the northern region of Cameroon because of its many benefits to local communities. However, droughts and deforestation have led to decreases in the abundance of this species, increasing the need to identify improved genotypes for conservation, management, and breeding. The genetic diversity of F. albida in nine populations from the Sudano-Sahelian region of northern Cameroon was characterized using microsatellite (SSRs) markers. A total of 28 alleles were recorded across 8 loci and 255 samples. The effective mean number of alleles per locus was 2.3. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.24 to 0.30, while expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.22 to 0.26. For most loci, FIS was negative. Higher variation was observed within than among the northern Cameroon populations, and principal component and admixture analyses did not reveal any population substructure. Phenotypic diversity in 3-month-old seedlings was also characterized and significant within population variation was found for most morphological traits. Although some populations differed significantly for one or more traits, in general the populations were phenotypically similar. These results suggest little barrier to gene flow between populations of F. albida in northern Cameroon, and that no single provenance is likely to be superior for selection and breeding purposes. &nbsp; Key words: Faidherbia albida, phenotypic, genotypic, variation, populations, breeding.