Ischemic strokes revealing neurosyphilis: Study of six (6) observations at the neurology Department of the University Hospital of Conakry.

Introduction: In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), stroke is a major public health problem and the etiological aspects are poorly studied and documented because of under-medicalization; the syphilitic etiology is rarely mentioned. Patients and methods: We performed a retrospective study of 472 patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke between 2016 and 2021 in the Neurology Department of the University Hospital of Conakry, confirmed by neuroradiological explorations (brain CT, MRI-Angio) and a biological workup including VDRL-TPHA serological reactions in blood and CSF. Results: Syphilitic etiology was retained for six (6) patients (4 men and 2 women) with a mean age of 43 years (extremes 36 and 49 years). The clinical picture was dominated by carotid syndromes: superficial and deep sylvian syndrome, anterior cerebral artery syndrome and vertebro-basilar syndromes and one case of lacunar syndrome.The diagnosis was based on the positivity of serological reactions (VDRL-TPHA) in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the presence of a predominantly lymphocytic hypercellularity and a hyperproteinorachy in the CSF in the absence of any other etiology. Conclusion: These neurological vascular syndromes consecutive to a cerebral treponematous attack are often the result of a still poorly conducted management of primary and secondary syphilis in our country.

Pruritus in chronic hemodialysis patients in the nephrology department of the Point G University Hospital (Bamako-MALI).

The purpose of this work is to describe pruritus in chronic hemodialysis patients at the G-University Hospital Center. METHOD AND PATIENTS: This a descriptive cross-sectional study included 30 patients receiving chronic hemodialysis. RESULTS: Among 90 chronic hemodialysis patients, the study selected 30, including 22 men (73.3%) and 8 women (26.7%), with an average age of 46.60 years (range: 24-82 years). All had pruritus: it was localized in 23.3 % (n=7) and diffuse in 76.7% (n=23). It occurred during dialysis sessions for half of them. It could be nocturnal (50%), diurnal (30%) intermittent (10%), or constant (10%). The dermatological signs associated with pruritus were cutaneous hyperpigmentation in 13.3% of cases, contact eczema in 3.3%, and cutaneous xerosis in 53.3%. CONCLUSION: Pruritus is still the most common sign of dermatological conditions in chronic hemodialysis. Treatment remains symptomatic.

[Depression To The Chronic Hemodialysis Of the University Hospital OF Point G (Bamako-Mali)]. / Depression Chez Les Hemodialyses Chroniques Du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Du Point G (Bamako-Mali).

OBJECTIVE: Determine prevalence of the depression in a population of patients chronic hemodialysis. Look for the associated sociodemographic, clinical and biological factors. METHOD: It was a transverse study. She concerned the at least 18-years-old patients, followed in the center of Hemodialysis of the CHU at the rate of 2 - 3 sessions a week. The patients having agreed, were in dialysis at least for 3 months and benefited from an individual interview through an index card of investigation based of Hamilton's scale French version in 17 items. RESULTS: On a sample of 107 patients, the average age was 43, 24 ± 14 years old with extremes between 20 and 75 years. The average duration in dialysis was of ±40, 37 36, 5 months with extremes between 4 and 144 months. Prevalence of the depression was 88 %. The depression was light in 78, 5 %, moderated in 6,5% and severe in 3 %. The anemia was present at 94 patient's among whom 76 had a light depression. CONCLUSION: We observed that prevalence of the depression remains high to the chronic hemodialysis.

OBJECTIF: Déterminer la prévalence de la dépression dans une population de patients hémodialysés chroniques. Rechercher les facteurs sociodémographiques, cliniques et biologiques. MÉTHODE: Il s'est agi d'une étude transversale. Elle a concerné les patients âgés d'au moins 18 ans, suivis au Centre d'Hémodialyse à raison de 2 ­ 3 séances par semaine. Les patients ayant acceptés, étaient en dialyse au moins depuis 3 mois et ont bénéficiés un entretien individuel à travers une fiche d'enquête basé sur l'échelle d'Hamilton version française à 17 items. RÉSULTATS: Sur un échantillon de 107 patients, l'âge moyen était de 43,24 ± 14 ans avec les extrêmes entre 20 et 75 ans. La durée moyenne en dialyse était de 40,37 ±36,5 mois avec les extrêmes entre 4 et 144 mois. La prévalence de la dépression était de 88 %. La dépression était légère dans 78,5 %, modéré dans 6,5 % et sévère dans 3 %. L'anémie était présente chez 94 patients dont 76 avaient une dépression légère. CONCLUSION: Nous avons observé que la prévalence de la dépression reste élevée chez les hémodialysés chroniques.

Tuberculosis specific responses following therapy for TB: Impact of HIV co-infection.

Characterizing perturbations in the immune response to tuberculosis in HIV can develop insights into the pathogenesis of coinfection. HIV+ TB+ and TB monoinfected (TB+) subjects recruited from clinics in Bamako prior to initiation of TB treatment were evaluated at time-points following initiation of therapy. Flow cytometry assessed CD4+/CD8+ T cell subsets and activation markers CD38/HLA-DR. Antigen specific responses to TB proteins were assessed by intracellular cytokine detection and proliferation. HIV+ TB+ subjects had significantly higher markers of immune activation in the CD4+ and CD8+ T cells compared to TB+ subjects. HIV+ TB+ had lower numbers of TB-specific CD4+ T cells at baseline. Plasma IFNγ levels were similar between HIV+ TB+ and TB+ subjects. No differences were observed in in-vitro proliferative capacity to TB antigens between HIV+ TB+ and TB+ subjects. Subjects with HIV+ TB+ coinfection demonstrate in vivo expansion of TB-specific CD4+ T cells. Immunodeficiency associated with CD4+ T cell depletion may be less significant compared to immunosuppression associated with HIV viremia or untreated TB infection.

[Amoebic liver abscess in general surgery at the Gabriel Touré teaching hospital, Bamako, Mali]. / Abces amibien du foie en chirurgie generale du CHU gabriel toure, Bamako, Mali.

The objectives were to determine the frequency, and to describe the clinical and therapeutic aspects of amoebic liver abscess. This was a retrospective study in the general surgery department of the Gabriel Touré teaching hospital from 1 January 2004 to December 2008. Included in this study, were all patients hospitalized and treated for amoebic liver abscess. We collected 53 cases a frequency of 1.3%. This was 45 men (84.9%) and 8 women (15.1%). The sex ratio was 5.6. The average age was 39.5 years. The average consultation time was 3 weeks. The signs observed were fever 96.2% (51 cases), the hepatalgia 94.3% (50 case), hepatomegaly 90.6% (48 cases) and anorexia 88.7% (47 cases). Collections of objectified abscess in abdominal ultrasound were located in the right lobe in 79.2% (42 cases), unique in 92.5% (49 cases) and 100 mm in diameter on average. Pulmonary radiography found an elevation of the right diaphragmatic dome 66.7% (14 cases). Amoebic serology was performed in 60.4% of cases, was negative in 2 cases (6.2%). Medical treatment alone was effective in the majority of cases - 62.7% (32 cases), an ultrasound-guided paracentesis associated with medical treatment was required in 31.4% (16 cases). Surgical methods were very rarely recommended 5.9 % (3 cases). The average amount of pus was 637.6ml. Average duration of treatment was 11 days. We recorded three deaths, including one due to a sepsis on peritonitis from ruptured liver abscess and 2 cases due to HIV. CONCLUSION: The amoebic liver abscess is uncommon in our service. Negative serology does not exclude the diagnosis. Medical treatment is usually curative in the absence of complications.

Les objectifs étaient de déterminer la fréquence, de décrire les aspects cliniques et thérapeutiques de l'abcès amibien du foie.Il s'agissait d'une étude rétrospective réalisée dans le service de chirurgie générale du CHU Gabriel Touré du 1er Janvier 2004 au Décembre 2008. Ont été inclus dans cette étude tous les patients hospitalisés et traités pour abcès amibien du foie. Nous avons colligé 53 dossiers soit une fréquence de 1,3%. Il s'agissait de 45hommes (84,9%) et 8femmes (15,1%). Le sex-ratio a été de 5.6 et la moyenne d'âge 39.5 ans. Le délai moyen de consultation a été de 3 semaines. Les signes observés ont été la fièvre 96.2% (51cas), l'hépatalgie 94.3%(50cas), l'hépatomégalie 90.6% (48cas) et l'anorexie 88.7%(47cas). Les collections d'abcès objectivées à l'échographie abdominale étaient localisées dans le lobe droit dans 79.2%(42cas), uniques dans 92.5%(49cas) et de 100 mm de diamètre en moyenne. La radiographie pulmonaire de face a retrouvé une surélévation de la coupole diaphragmatique droite 66,7% (14cas). La sérologie amibienne effectuée dans 60.4% des cas, a été négative dans 2 cas (6.2%). Le traitement médical seul a été efficace dans la majorité des 62.7% (32cas), une ponction évacuatrice échoguidée associé au traitement médical a été nécessaire dans 31,4% (16 cas). Les méthodes chirurgicales ont été très peu recommandées 5,9%(3cas). La quantité moyenne de pus a été de 637.6ml. La durée Moyenne de traitement a été de 11 jours. Nous avons enregistré 3 décès dont l'un suite à une septicémie sur péritonite par rupture d'abcès du foie et les 2cas sur terrain VIH. CONCLUSION: L'abcès amibien du foie est peu fréquent dans notre service. La négativité de la sérologie n'exclut pas le diagnostic. Le traitement médical est habituellement curatif en l'absence de complication.

Genetic barrier to the development of resistance to rilpivirine and etravirine between HIV-1 subtypes CRF02_AG and B.

OBJECTIVES: It has been demonstrated for some drugs that the genetic barrier, defined as the number of genetic transitions and/or transversions needed to produce a resistance mutation, can differ between HIV-1 subtypes. We aimed to assess differences in the genetic barrier for the evolution of resistance to the second-generation non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors etravirine and rilpivirine in subtypes B and CRF02_AG in antiretroviral-naive patients. METHODS: An analysis was undertaken of 25 substitutions associated with etravirine and rilpivirine resistance at 12 amino acid positions in 267 nucleotide sequences (136 HIV-1 B and 131 HIV-1 CRF02_AG subtypes) of the reverse transcriptase gene. RESULTS: The majority (7/12) of amino acid positions studied were conserved between the two HIV-1 subtypes, leading to a similar genetic barrier. Different predominant codons between the subtypes were observed in 5/12 positions (90, 98, 179, 181 and 227), with an effect on the calculated genetic barrier only at the V179D and V179F codons (2.5 versus 3.5 for V179D, and 2.5 versus 5 for V179F, respectively, for subtype B versus subtype CRF02_AG). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of amino acids involved in etravirine and rilpivirine resistance showed a high degree of conservation of the predominant codon between the B and CRF02_AG subtypes. For rilpivirine, the genetic barrier was the same between the two subtypes. Nevertheless, subtype CRF02_AG showed a higher genetic barrier to acquiring mutations V179D and V179F (mutations associated with resistance to etravirine) compared with subtype B, suggesting that it would be more difficult to produce resistance to etravirine in the CRF02_AG subtype than the B subtype.

[Cutaneous drug eruption at hospital in Bamako]. / Toxidermie Medicamenteuse En Milieu Hospitalier A Bamako.

INTRODUCTION: The incidences of cutaneous drug eruption constitute a real public health problem. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the cutaneous drug eruption in Gabriel Touré Hospital in Bamako. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This is a prospective longitudinal study from 1 July 2005 to August 31, 2006. The study included patients with a lesion cutaneous Contemporary taking medication, without other cause and consent. RESULTS: We included 61 cases of toxdermies. The mean age was 28 ± 14.8 years with extremes of 18 and 77 years. The sex ratio was 2.4 for women. Self-medication was most often found in 51% of cases. The fixed drug eruption (EPF) with 26 cases (30.6%); acne with 23 cases (27%), erythema multiforme with 14 cases (16.5%) are the predominant manifestations toxidermy. The causative drugs are molecules with 12.6% with analgesics, NSAIDs with 12.6%, 13.6% with ARVs; sulfonamides with 9.5% with 7.4% beta-lactam; anticonvulsants with 5.2%. The therapeutic management was simple for minor forms. Severe forms have been hospitalized and often the help of intensive care and ophthalmology. Mortality was 2.3%. CONCLUSION: The toxidermy exist in Mali with a frequency more and more increasing. We recommend the systematic toxidermy consultations especially among HIV patients in Mali.

[Knowledge and attitudes of medical personnel in blood transfusion in Bamako, Mali]. / Connaissances et attitudes du personnel médical en matière de transfusion sanguine au Mali.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: We undertook a study to determine the level of knowledge and practice of medical staff personnel on transfusion medicine in Mali at Bamako and Kati. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted from January to April 2010 in the three main teaching hospitals of Bamako and Kati and in the six referral health centers of the district of Bamako. Medical staff knowledge and practice were assessed using a questionnaire. The study population consisted of specialized practitioners (15%), general practitioners (21.4%), nurses (41.6%), and midwives (22%). RESULTS: Overall, 70.9% of the staff did not receive any training in blood transfusion since their graduation. The general knowledge about blood transfusion was insufficient in 53.9% of staff and excellent in 46.1%. Only 42.9% of medical staff has a good basic knowledge of blood products, their indications, and related accidents. CONCLUSION: Our study showed weaknesses in the transfusion system in Bamako, with insufficient knowledge of the medical staff in blood transfusion and little experience.

Molecular strain typing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in Bamako, Mali.

OBJECTIVE: To identify strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) circulating in Bamako and to examine the relationship between the strains and their drug susceptibility profiles. METHODS: Between 2006 and 2010, we conducted a cross-sectional study using spoligotyping to identify strains of MTC recovered from 126 tuberculosis (TB) patients under treatment in Bamako, Mali. RESULT: Three members of the MTC were isolated: M. tuberculosis (71.4%), M. africanum (27.8%) and M. bovis (0.8%). Of these, three strains were found to be the most prevalent: M. tuberculosis T1 (MTB T1; 38.9%), M. africanum F2 (MAF2; 26.2%) and M. tuberculosis Latin American and Mediterranean 10 (MTB LAM 10; 10.3%). MAF2 and MTB LAM 10 strains have a lower risk of multidrug resistance (MDR) than MTB T1 (respectively OR 0.1, 95%CI 0.03-0.4 and OR 0.1, 95%CI 0.01-0.8). Age ≥ 32 years (OR 1.4, 95%CI 0.4-3.9), negative human immunodeficiency virus status (OR 0.4, 95%CI 0.1-2.5) and male sex (OR 4, 95%CI 0.9-16.5) were not associated with MDR. The prevalence of MDR among treatment and retreatment failure patients was respectively 25% and 81.8% compared to new patients (2.9%). CONCLUSION: This study indicates a low level of primary drug resistance in Bamako, affirms the importance of using correct drug regimens, and suggests that the MTB T1 strain may be associated with the development of resistance.

[Frequency of red blood cell alloimmunization in polytransfused patients at the university teaching hospital of Point G, Bamako, Mali]. / Fréquence de l'allo-immunisation érythrocytaire chez les malades polytransfusés au centre hospitalo-universitaire du Point G, Bamako, Mali.

This prospective study conducted within 9 months period aimed to determine the frequency of red cell alloimmunization among polytransfused patients of the medical Hematology and oncology ward, and the unit of hemodialysis of the Nephrology ward at the Point-G hospital. Irregular red blood cell antibody screening and identification were performed by gel-filtration method using indirect antiglobulin test and enzymatic treated cells. We did not use saline medium. A total of 78 patients were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 36.78±14.73 years (range: 11 and 77 years). The sex ratio was of 1.11 in favour of the women. The mean blood units transfused were 12.21±9.99 units (range: 4 and 45 units). The Rhesus phenotypes Dccee, DccEe and DCcee were most predominant, with the respective frequencies of 67.9, 15.4 and 10.3%. Kell antigen was found at a frequency of 1.28%. The total rate of red cell alloimmunization was 10.3%. There was no significant difference between the two wards. All the screened agglutinins were warm antibodies belonging to the Rhesus system: anti-E (7.7%), anti-C (1.3%) and anti-D (1.3%). Only Anti-E was present among hematologic patients. We did not find a significant link between the sex, the age, the number of blood units transfused and the positivity of the antibody screening. We conclude that the frequency of post-transfusional alloimmunization is high among polytransfused patients in Mali. A systematic antibody screening among these patients and the selection of red cells with known Rhesus/Kell phenotypes would allow an optimal blood transfusion safety.

[Immunity in human schistosomiasis: hope for a vaccine]. / L'immunité dans les schistosomoses humaines: perspectives vaccinales.

Schistosomiasis remains a major worldwide public health problem in several endemic areas despite implementation of control measures. Vaccination would be an effective, long-term treatment option for future control of schistosomiasis. Although several parasite antigens have been identified as schistosomiasis vaccine candidates, major hurdles must still be overcome to develop a vaccine suitable for clinical trials in the field. Better understanding of immune responses to Schistosoma infection in both animal models and humans suggests that development of a vaccine is possible. The purpose of this review is to summarize the mechanisms of protective immunity against Schistosoma infection and to provide perspective on the development of a vaccine.

High level of primary drug resistance in Mali.

BACKGROUND: As access to antiretroviral drugs increases in developing countries, it will become increasingly important to monitor the emergence of resistance and to define the molecular pathways involved to identify optimal therapeutic regimens. METHODS: We performed genotypic resistance testing on plasma obtained from 101 HIV-infected treatment-naïve individuals from Mali. Genotyping was carried out using the Virco protocols and HXB2 was used as the reference strain. RESULTS: CRF02_AG was the most common subtype, present in 71.3% of our patient population. Other subtypes included B, C, G, CRF06_CPX, CRF09_CPX, CRF01_AE, A2/CRF16_A2D, A1 and CRF13_CPX. A total of 9.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 6.9-12.9%] of patients had at least one resistance mutation. The prevalences of mutations conferring resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) and protease inhibitors (PIs) were 5% (95% CI 0.7-9.2%), 6% (95% CI 1.3-10.6%) and 0%, respectively. The most frequent mutations were T215A/Y for NRTIs and K103N/T for NNRTIs. One patient harboured three NRTI resistance mutations and one NNRTI mutation. This is the first reported case of multi-drug-resistant viral transmission in Mali. Polymorphisms at protease codons 10I/V and 33F potentially associated with resistance were observed in 18.8% and 1% of patients, respectively. Several polymorphisms in the C-terminal domain of reverse transcriptase were observed: A371V (in 63.4% of patients), G335D (76.2%), E399D (10.9%) and G333E (1%). CONCLUSION: Primary resistance was seen in 9.9% of subjects, which is higher than previously reported in Mali. Taking into consideration other polymorphisms in protease such as L10I/V and 33F, primary resistance could reach 28.7% (95% CI 19.9-37.5%). Our study reflects the need to monitor the evolution of resistance on a regular basis and trends of transmitted resistance.

Serum protein electrophoresis: any role in monitoring for antiretroviral therapy?

BACKGROUND: Developing world are always looking for monitoring tools during reagent shortage and equipments troubles which are very frequent. The aim of this study was to evaluate Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPE) as a marker for assessing HIV treatment response. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 220 participants in four distinct groups: Symptomatic HIV positive patients [specifically those on antiretroviral treatment (ART) versus those not on ART] asymptomatic HIV positive patients, and healthy blood donors. Five serum protein fractions (Albumin, Alpha-1, Alpha-2, Beta, and Gamma) were compared between these groups after measuring the density of the fractions. RESULTS: Concentration of gamma globulin was lowest among healthy blood donors, intermediate and comparable among asymptomatic HIV positive and symptomatic HIV positive on ART and highest among untreated symptomatic HIV positive. Concentration of gamma globulin was inversely correlated with the disease stage (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, conducted in a setting where the burden of infectious diseases is high, the density of gamma globulin and albumin fractions were significantly associated with HIV status, and among HIV positive patients, with stage of HIV disease and ART. These results suggest that the feasibility of using SPE for monitoring the response of ART in low resource settings should be further explored.

Prevalence and predictors of HIV infection amongst Malian students.

The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to assess the prevalence and identify predictors of HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection among students in three cities of Mali. Between January and June 2005, we assessed HIV knowledge, attitudes, associated sexual behaviors and tested HIV serostatus among 950 high school and university students in Sikasso, Bamako, and Koulikoro cities, using a combination of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot testing. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were used to determine predictors of infection among students. Mean HIV prevalence was 3.1%, ranging from 1.8% in Sikasso to 3.6% in Bamako. The results showed the presence of all three HIV subtypes in Bamako, though HIV-1 predominated in all cities. Infection rates were slightly higher among males (3.6%) than among females (2.8%), but the difference was not significant. The single significant predictor of HIV infection was knowledge of HIV routes of transmission (p=0.01). HIV prevalence rates observed in this population were higher than general adult prevalence rates previously reported for Mali. HIV/AIDS education and prevention campaigns should be targeted to students at both the secondary and university levels. Students may represent an informative HIV sentinel population for Mali.

Retrospective surveillance of HIV prevalence in blood donors can help in the selection of the best social group for blood donation in Mali.

The National Centre for Blood Transfusion, Bamako, Mali has collected data that characterizes trend in HIV prevalence over 10 years by gender, age, occupation, marital status and donor category. These data help to describe national HIV prevalence and assist in formulating blood donation policies. Donations from 1993 to 2002 were categorized by donor age (decade), occupation (student, military and other), marital status (single, married and other), gender and donor status (volunteer, occasional and family). Comparisons were made using conservative estimates of donation frequency/donor category. Donations increased by more than 400%. By 1999, increased HIV prevalence in donations from women was consistently present. Donations from the age group of 30-39 years showed an increased prevalence beginning in 2000, which by 2002 was almost 10 times greater than in the low-prevalence (<20 years) group (5.9 vs. 0.6%). By 2000, both categories - students and military were less likely to be HIV positive than those from other occupational categories, and donations from married persons were less likely to be HIV positive by 1997. The highest prevalence was observed in the 'occasional' donor category, which increased to >14% by 2001; volunteer donation HIV positive peaked at 2.3% in 1999. HIV prevalence in blood donations in Bamako, Mali, demonstrates important trends from 1993 to 2002. The prevalence of > 14% in donations from occasional donors and significant trends by decade, gender, marital status and occupation argue for increased analysis of the blood donor population to improve blood safety and to understand the demographics of HIV infection in Mali.

Seroprevalence of HIV/HBV coinfection in Malian blood donors.

OBJECTIVES: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and their coinfection among blood donors at the National Blood Transfusion Center in Bamako, Mali, from November 2001 to July 2002. METHODS: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques with reagents from Bio-Rad (France) were used to test the blood samples. RESULTS: 11,592 blood donors were tested for HIV and HBV surface antigens. The prevalence of HIV was 4.5% and the prevalence of HBV was 14.9%. The HIV/HBV coinfection rate was only 1.13% in this population. CONCLUSION: The coinfection rate was unexpectedly low in this blood donor population where monoinfection with HIV or HBV prevalence was high.

Confirmation of immunogenic consensus sequence HIV-1 T-cell epitopes in Bamako, Mali and Providence, Rhode Island.

The design of epitope-driven vaccines for HIV has been significantly hampered by concerns about conservation of vaccine epitopes across clades of HIV. In previous work, we have described a computer-driven method for a cross-clade HIV vaccine comprised of overlapping, highly conserved helper T-cell epitopes or "immunogenic consensus sequence epitopes" (ICS epitopes). Here, we evaluated and compared the immunogenicity of 20 ICS HIV epitopes in ELISpot assays performed using peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC) from HIV-infected donors in Providence, Rhode Island, USA and in Bamako, Mali, West Africa. Each core 9-mer HIV sequence contained in a given consensus peptide was conserved in at least 105 to as many as 2,250 individual HIV-1 strains. Nineteen of the 20 ICS epitopes (95%) were confirmed in ELISpot assays using PBMC obtained from 13 healthy, HIV-1 infected subjects in Providence, and thirteen of the epitopes (65%) were confirmed in ELISpot assays using PBMC derived from 42 discarded blood units obtained at the Central Blood Bank in Bamako. Twelve of the epitopes were confirmed in ELISpot assays performed both in Providence and Bamako. These data confirm the utility of bioinformatics tools to select and design novel vaccines containing "immunogenic consensus sequence" T-cell epitopes for a globally relevant vaccine against HIV; a similar approach may also be useful for any pathogen that exhibits high variability (influenza, HCV, or variola for example). An HIV vaccine containing these immunogenic consensus sequences is currently under development.

Mitochondrial DNA variation in Mauritania and Mali and their genetic relationship to other Western Africa populations.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation was analyzed in Mauritania and Mali, and compared to other West African samples covering the considerable geographic, ethnic and linguistic diversity of this region. The Mauritanian mtDNA profile shows that 55% of their lineages have a west Eurasian provenance, with the U6 cluster (17%) being the best represented. Only 6% of the sub-Saharan sequences belong to the L3A haplogroup a frequency similar to other Berber speaking groups but significantly different to the Arabic speaking North Africans. The historic Arab slave trade may be the main cause of this difference. Only one HV west Eurasian lineage has been detected in Mali but 40% of the sub-Saharan sequences belong to cluster L3A. The presence of L0a representatives demonstrates gene flow from eastern regions. Although both groups speak related dialects of the Mande branch, significant genetic differences exist between the Bambara and Malinke groups. The West African genetic variation is well structured by geography and language, but more detailed ethnolinguistic clustering suggest that geography is the main factor responsible for this differentiation.

[Study of antigen HBs and antivirus antibodies of hepatitis C during hepatopathies in Mali]. / Etude de l'antigène HBs et des anticorps anti-virus de l'hépatite C au cours des hépatopathies chroniques dans des services hospitaliers a Bamako, Mali.

A prospective study carried out in Bamako, Mali between July 1998 and January 1999 has assessed the seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 91 carrier patients of chronic hepatopathy at a cirrhrosis stage (53) or of hepato-cellular carcinoma (38) and to compare with in 92 blood donors as a control population. Only seroprevalence confirmed by a complementary test has been taken into account (RIBA). HCV seroprevalence reached 25% including all hepatopathies, 24% in cirrhrosis and 26% in hepato-cellular carcinomae (HCC) versus 4% in blood donors. Antigen HBs of hepatitis B virus has been found in 55% of patients, versus 25% of the control cases (p = 0.0006). On the whole, the two markers have been notified a little more often in HCC than in cirrhosis and the combination of the two markers has been more frequent during cirrhosis as well. The role of HCV played in cirrhosis and HCC onset in Mali appears to be important.

[Prevalence of antitoxoplasma antibodies in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and blood donors in Bamako]. / Prévalence des anticorps antitoxoplasmiques chez les malades atteints du syndrome d'immunodéficience acquise et les donneurs de sang à Bamako.

Toxoplasmosis is a cosmopolitan disease. Our aim was to evaluate the epidemiological importance of toxoplasmosis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and blood donors in Bamako (Mali, West Africa). A one year study of toxoplasmosis prevalence was carried out among patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and blood donors in Bamako. The toxoplasmosis prevalence was 60% from AIDS patients, 22.6% from the HIV-seropositive blood donors and 21% from the HIV-seronegative blood donors. The specific antibodies were IgG and IgA. The specific IgM were not detected.