BackgroundPraziquantel at 40 mg/kg in a single dose is the WHO recommended treatment for all forms of schistosomiasis, but 60 mg/kg is also deployed nationally.Methodology/Principal FindingsFour trial sites in the Philippines, Mauritania, Tanzania and Brazil enrolled 856 patients using a common protocol, who were randomised to receive praziquantel 40 mg/kg (n = 428) or 60 mg/kg (n = 428). While the sites differed for transmission and infection intensities (highest in Tanzania and lowest in Mauritania), no bias or heterogeneity across sites was detected for the main efficacy outcomes. The primary efficacy analysis was the comparison of cure rates on Day 21 in the intent-to-treat population for the pooled data using a logistic model to calculate Odd Ratios allowing for baseline characteristics and study site. Both doses were highly effective: the Day 21 cure rates were 91.7% (86.6%–98% at individual sites) with 40 mg/kg and 92.8% (88%–97%) with 60 mg/kg. Secondary parameters were eggs reduction rates (ERR), change in intensity of infection and reinfection rates at 6 and 12 months. On Day 21 the pooled estimate of the ERR was 91% in both arms. The Hazard Ratio for reinfections was only significant in Brazil, and in favour of 60 mg/kg on the pooled estimate (40 mg/kg: 34.3%, 60 mg/kg: 23.9%, HR = 0.78, 95%CI = [0.63;0.96]). Analysis of safety could not distinguish between disease- and drug-related events. 666 patients (78%) reported 1327 adverse events (AE) 4 h post-dosing. The risk of having at least one AE was higher in the 60 than in the 40 mg/kg group (83% vs. 73%, p<0.001). At 24 h post-dosing, 456 patients (54%) had 918 AEs with no difference between arms. The most frequent AE was abdominal pain at both 4 h and 24 h (40% and 24%).ConclusionA higher dose of 60 mg/kg of praziquantel offers no significant efficacy advantage over standard 40 mg/kg for treating intestinal schistosomiasis caused by either S. mansoni or S. japonicum. The results of this study support WHO recommendation and should be used to inform policy decisions in the countries.Trial Registration Controlled-Trials.com ISRCTN29273316 ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00403611

Aim:This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of Artemisia herba-alba (white wormwood) or olive leaf (Olea europaea) powder supplementation on growth performance, carcass yield, and serum biochemical parameters in broilers.Materials and Methods:The study was conducted from April to May 2017 in Chemini region, Northern Algeria. A total of 60 1-day-old Ross 308 male chicks were divided into three groups consisted of 10 chicks, in each of two replications. The chicks in Group 1 were fed with a standard commercial diet (SCD); Group 2 received the same SCD with 2% supplementation of A. herba-alba powder; and Group 3 received the same SCD with 2% supplementation of O. europaea powder. Growth performance was measured with body weights every 2 weeks, daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and carcass yield at the end of 42 days of rearing. Blood samples were collected to analyze serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, and total protein levels.Results:Results showed that, at 42 days of rearing, supplementation of O. europaea and A. herba-alba significantly increased (p<0.001) mean body weight (2230.10±26.38 g and 2117.42±26.38 g, respectively, vs. 2336.66±27.88 g in chicks of Group 1), but there was no significant difference (p≥0.05) among the three diets for FCR or percentage carcass yield. Among the serum biochemical parameters, glucose was significantly affected (p<0.01) by supplementation of olive leaf powder (1.90 g/L: Group 3), compared to the SCD (2.24 g/L: Group 1) or Artemisia powder (2.05 g/L: Group 2). Moreover, the supplementation of olive leaf powder in Group 3 broilers significantly affected (p<0.05) the serum cholesterol level (0.95 g/L), compared to the control diet (1.13 g/L). There was no significant difference (p≥0.05) for the other selected serum biochemical concentrations, namely triglycerides, urea, and total protein.Conclusion:The supplementation of Artemisia or olive leaf powder into the diet for broilers improved body weight by about 5% or 10%, respectively, at slaughter with moderate changes in blood biochemical parameters.

Les performances de poulets de chair recevant un aliment dans lequel le tourteau d’arachide a été totalement substitué par la fève de coton glandless  (FCG) ont été comparées à celles d’animaux recevant un aliment témoin expérimental (Tém_E), un aliment de commerce (Tém_C) et une ration de formulation très simple composée uniquement de maïs, de FCG, et de concentré minéral et vitaminé. Dès le démarrage, les animaux Tém_C et FCG ont présenté les meilleures croissances. Après 43 jours d’élevage, les différences de poids vifs ont été très importantes entre les lots, essentiellement suite aux différences de consommation alimentaire, de telle sorte que les meilleures vitesses de croissance n’ont pas été nécessairement liées à de meilleurs indices de consommation. De faibles performances pondérales, de faibles ingestions et des mortalités importantes ont été observées avec la ration simplifiée.

L’insuffisance des ressources fourragères naturelles constitue une contrainte majeure au développement de l’élevage des ruminants dans le Centre et Nord bassin arachidier sénégalais. Pour y faire face, il faut recourir à des techniques telles que la culture fourragère. L’objectif est donc d’étudier la production de fourrage de Mucuna pruriens dans la zone et de déterminer sa valeur nutritive. Du fourrage frais de 79-84 jours et des foins de 60, 75 et 90 jours ont été produits. Les rendements ont été mesurés, les fourrages analysés, les compostions chimiques et les valeurs nutritives déterminées. Les rendements sont globalement faibles, 1,16 à 1,50 t MS/ ha, mais comparables à certains rapportés dans la littérature. Le fourrage frais est plus riche en protéines brutes que les foins, soit 19,56 contre 14,16 à 18,65% de la MS, moins fibreux, soit 27,26 contre 33,82 à 35,27% de la MS et plus nutritif, soit 150,65 contre 96,60 à 141,48 g/ kg MS de protéine brute digestible et 0,70 contre 0,67 à 0,69 UF/ kg MS. Parmi les foins, celui de 75 jours offre un léger avantage. En définitive, cette culture reste possible dans cette zone et peut y être préconisée en vue d’une atténuation du déficit fourrager. Mots clés : Rendement, composition chimique, fourrage frais, foins, valeur azotée, valeur énergétique. English Title: Production and nutritional value of Muscat pea fodder (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var. utilis (Wall. ex Wight) Baker ex Burck) cv. Ghana cultivated in the Center and North senegalese groundnut basin The insufficiency of natural fodder resources constitutes a major constraint to the development of ruminant farming in the Central and Northern senegalese groundnut basin. To deal with this, techniques such as forage cultivation must be used. The objective is therefore to study the forage production of Mucuna pruriens in the area and determine its nutritional value. Fresh forage of 79-84 days and hay of 60, 75 and 90 days were produced. Yields were measured, forages analyzed, chemical compositions and nutrient values determined. Yields are generally low, 1.16 to 1.50 t DM / ha, but comparable to some reported in the literature. Fresh forage is richer in crude protein than hay, 19.56 against 14.16 to 18.65% DM, less fibrous, 27.26 against 33.82 to35.27% DM and more nutritious, 150.65 against 96.60 to 141.48 g/kg DM of digestible crude protein and 0.70 against 0.67 to 0.69 UF /kg DM. Among the hays, that of 75 days offers a slight advantage. Ultimately, this crop remains possible in this area and can be recommended there with a view to reducing the fodder deficit.Keywords: Yield, chemical composition, fresh fodder, hay, nitrogen value, energy value.

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