[Cervical pains in Pott's disease: Epidemiological, clinical and radiological aspects concerning 26 cases in Abidjan]. / Atteinte cervicale dans le mal de Pott: Aspects epidemiocliniques et radiologiques a propos de 26 cas a abidjan.

In this study, we report the results of the experience of the Rheumatology Department of Cocody University Hospital in the management of the cervical spinal tuberculosis in Abidjan area. This was a retrospective study of 26 cases collected over a 7 year period (January 2006 to December 2013). The objective of this work was to illustrate the epidemiological, clinical and radiological profile of the cervical localization of tuberculosis in our practice. The prevalence of cervical disease was 4.87%. The average age of our patients was 48.27 years, with a slight male predominance (60.7%). The duration of disease progression was long (8 months on average); symptomatology was dominated by pain associated with stiffness in all patients (100%). One third of patients had already consulted at the stage of neurological complications (1 case of Brown Sequard syndrome, 2 cases of tetraparesis, 5 cases of paraplegia). Computer tomography was performed in all patients, followed by an MRI scan for 6 patients, which revealed the predominance of damage to the C3-C4 floor (34.62%) and 3 cases of sub occipital localization. Spondylodiscitis was the main radiological anatomical lesion (88.46%), lesions were multi-stage in 61.54% of cases, the prevalence of retropharyngeal abscess was high (84.61% of cases), that of the epiduritis was 76.92% and radiological spinal cord compression was recorded in a third of cases. All patients benefited from an antituberculous treatment associated with cervical immobilization.

Nous rapportons dans cette étude, les résultats de l'expérience du service de Rhumatologie du CHU de cocody dans la prise en charge du mal de pott cervical dans la région d'Abidjan. Il s'agissait d'une étude rétrospective de 26 cas colligés sur une période de 8 ans (janvier 2006 au décembre 2013). L'objectif de ce travail était d'illustrer les différents aspects épidémiologiques, cliniques et radiologiques de la localisation cervicale de la tuberculose dans notre pratique. La prévalence de l'atteinte cervicale était de 4,87% .L'âge moyen de nos patients était de 48,27 ans, avec une légère prédominance masculine (60,7%). La durée d'évolution de la maladie était longue (8 mois en moyenne); la symptomatologie était dominée par la douleur associée à une raideur chez tous nos patients (100%). Un tiers des patients consultait déjà au stade de complications neurologiques (1 cas de Syndrome de Brown Séquard, 2 cas de tétraparésie, 5 cas de paraplégie). La TDM a été réalisée chez tous nos patients, et complétée par l'IRM chez 6 patients, ce qui a permis de déceler la prédominance de l'atteinte à l'étage C3-C4 (34,62%) et une localisation sous occipitale dans 3 cas .La spondylodiscite était la principale lésion anatomo radiologique (88,46 %), Les lésions étaient pluri-étagées dans 61,54 % des cas, la prévalence des abcès retro pharyngiens était élevée (84,61 % des cas), une épidurite dans 76,92 %, et une compression médullaire radiologique dans un tiers des cas. Tous nos patients ont bénéficié d'un traitement antibacillaire associé à une immobilisation du foyer pottique.

[Ocular manifestations in rheumatoid arthritis: 24 cases in Abidjan]. / Manifestations oculaires au cours de la polyarthrite rhumatoide: a propos de 24 cas vues a Abidjan.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the prevalence and the main ocular manifestations in rheumatoid arthritis in Abidjan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective and descriptive study of 24 patients with rheumatoid arthritis fulfilling the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology, views from September 2003 to August 2004 in department of rheumatology at the University Hospital of Cocody. The patients performed an eye examination including: visual acuity examination at the slit lamp, ocular fundus, color vision and visual field. RESULTS: Ocular manifestations were observed in 9 of 24 patients representing a prevalence of 37.5%. There were 03 cases of decreased visual acuity, 03 cataract, 02 keratitis cases and 01 cases of anterior uveitis. No fundus abnormality in color vision and visual field was highlighted. These manifestations were found between 5 and 10 years (04 cases) and after 10 years (05 cases) of evolution of the disease. The term rheumatoid arthritis influenced the occurrence of ocular manifestations (P = 0.00). CONCLUSION: Ocular manifestations in rheumatoid arthritis are rare in our practice and were mainly affected by visual acuity, annexes and anterior segment of the eye.

OBJECTIF: Déterminer la prévalence et les principales manifestations oculaires au cours de la polyarthrite rhumatoïde à Abidjan. PATIENTS ET MÉTHODE: Etude prospective descriptive de 24 polyarthrites rhumatoïdes répondant aux critères de l'American College of Rheumatology, vues de Septembre 2003 à Août 2004 au service de rhumatologie du CHU de Cocody. Les patients ont effectué un examen ophtalmologique comprenant: acuité visuelle, examen à la lampe à fente, fond d'œil, vision des couleurs et champ visuel. RÉSULTATS: Les manifestations oculaires étaient observées chez 9 des 24 patients soit une prévalence de 37,5 %. Il s'agissait de 03 cas de baisse de l'acuité visuelle, 03 cas de cataracte, 02 cas de kératite et 01 cas d'uvéite antérieure. Aucune anomalie au fond d'œil, à la vision des couleurs et du champ n'a été mise en évidence. Ces manifestations ont été découvertes entre 5 et 10 ans (04 cas) et après 10 ans (05 cas) d'évolution de la maladie. La durée de la polyarthrite rhumatoïde influençait la survenue des manifestations oculaires (P=0,00). CONCLUSION: Les manifestations oculaires au cours de la polyarthrite rhumatoïde sont peu fréquentes dans notre pratique et étaient principalement des atteintes de l'acuité visuelle, des annexes et segment antérieur de l'œil.

[Sub-occipital Pott's disease (C1-C2): about 3 news cases seen in Abidjan]. / Mal de Pott sous-occipital (C1-C2): a propos de 3 nouveaux cas vus a Abidjan.

We report three new cases of sub-occipital Pott disease (C1-C2) seen at the University Hospital of Cocody (Abidjan) with their clinical features. In the first case, the mode of revelation was original and unique: an incomplete Brown-Séquard syndrome. The second case provided warning about the dangers of self-medication and untimely antibiotic usage. The third case informed about the imperative to make the differential diagnosis. The histological or bacteriological arguments led to the diagnosis in the first two cases, associated with a visceral localization. Therapeutic evidence was required in the third case. The sub-occipital Pott's disease remains a rare localization.

Nous rapportons trois nouveaux cas de mal de Pott sous-occipital (C1-C2) vus au CHU de Cocody (Abidjan) avec leurs particularités cliniques. Dans le premier cas, le mode de révélation était original et unique: un syndrome de Brown-Séquard incomplet. Le second cas alerte sur le danger de l'automédication et de l'antibiothérapie intempestive. Le dernier cas instruit sur le caractère impératif de faire le diagnostic différentiel. Les arguments histologique ou bactériologique ont permis le diagnostic dans deux cas, associés à une localisation viscérale. La preuve thérapeutique a été nécessaire dans le dernier cas. Le mal de Pott sous-occipital demeure une localisation rare.

[The uteropelvic junction in children: from the clinical problems to the morphogenetic approach]. / La jonction pyélourétérale chez l'enfant: de la problématique clinique à l'approche morphogénique.

The responsibility of the uteropelvic junction (UPJ) syndrome or abnormalities for renal affections and also for high obstructive uropathy is well-known. But, controversies still remain about the anatomic approach of this clinical feature. Our purpose is to elucidate the developmental anatomy of UPJ and eventually to set the steps of the anatomic approach of the UPJ abnormalities. This study also leads to a better understanding of the mechanism of the intrinsic ureteropelvic junction obstructions. A total number of 122 post-mortem specimens with ages ranging from 1 day to 30 months in both sexes underwent formalin treatment for histological investigation. We performed both transverse and longitudinal sections. Hematein-eosin-safran and Masson's trichrome staining were used. Histological examination revealed that myoarchitecture of UPJ set increasingly up. Circular muscle fibers were first to put in. They had an initial arrangement as a ring in neonates and infants. We conclude that circular layer appears first and sooner than others. On the other hand, coincidence in time between ages of our specimens and ages of patients sufferning from UPJ syndrome leads to further investigations to determine the implication of ring-shaped circular layer in intrinsic ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

[Clinical, endoscopic and histologic aspects of chronic Helicobacter pylori gastritis in Côte d'Ivoire: study of 102 patients]. / Aspects cliniques, endoscopiques et histologiques des gastrites chroniques à Helicobacter pylori en Côte d'Ivoire: étude de 102 patients.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the most frequent aetiological factor of chronic gastritis (CG). The relationship between H. pylori gastritis, gastro-duodenal ulcer and some gastric cancers (adenocarcinoma, gastric MALT lymphoma) has now been proven. AIM: Describe clinical, endoscopical and histological aspects of H. pylori gastritis in Côte d'Ivoire. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 1960 gastroscopy reports carry out between January 1994 and December 1995. Analysis of clinical and gastric histological results in 137 patients. FINDINGS: Among 137 patients with gastric biopsy, 102 had H. pylori gastritis (68 men, 38 women, mean age: 39.3 years) and 35 had chemical gastritis. Epigastric pain was the most frequent symptom. The mucosa was frequently erythematous or exsudative at endoscopy. Histological anomalies were located in the antrum, the fundus or generalised, respectively in 33.3%, 25.5% and 41.2% of cases. Mild atrophic CG was more frequent in various locations. Gastritis activity was present in 81.4%, intestinal metaplasia in 18.6% and follicular lymphoid hyperplasia in 36.3% of cases. CONCLUSION: Clinical and endoscopical aspects of H. pylori gastritis did not present any particularities. Fundic gastritis without antral localisation was not unusual. This situation could be the result of antibiotic and gastric acid secretion inhibitor treatments.

Cancer incidence in Abidjan, Ivory Coast: first results from the cancer registry, 1995-1997.

BACKGROUND: There are few data concerning cancer incidence rates in contemporary West Africa. The first data from the cancer registry of Abidjan, the capital of Ivory Coast, for the period 1995-1997 are reported in the current study. METHODS: The cancer registry attempts to record data on all new cases of cancer diagnosed in the city of Abidjan, including cases without histologic confirmation of diagnosis. RESULTS: Two thousand eight hundred fifteen new cancer cases were registered in 3 years, corresponding to age-standardized (world population) incidence rates of 83.7 per 100,000 in men and 98. 6 per 100,000 in women. As reported elsewhere in West Africa, the principal cancers in men were liver cancer (15%) and prostate cancer (15.8%), with modest rates of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (10.5%) and gastric cancer (4.5%). In women, breast cancer was the most frequent tumor (25.7%), followed by cervical cancer (24.0%) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (7.3%). In contrast to other registry data from West Africa, Kaposi sarcoma occurs with moderate frequency (7.7% of cases reported in men and 2.1% in women). In the pediatric age group, relatively high incidence rates were found for Burkitt lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS: Although there most likely is some underascertainment of cases, so that the actual incidence rates may be underestimated, the cancer profile should be a fair reflection of the true situation. In addition to tumors that are well known to be common in sub-Saharan Africa, such as cancers of the liver and cervix, this urban population shows some features of "Westernization" of cancer patterns, in particular the relatively high rates of breast cancer and prostate cancer. The effects of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic are reflected in the moderate rates of Kaposi sarcoma reported.

[Malignant melanoma in the Ivory Coast. Epidemiologic and histo-prognostic aspects. Report of 195 cases]. / Mélanomes malins en Côte-d'Ivoire aspects épidémiologiques et histopronostiques. A propos de 195 cas.

Malignant melanomas (MM) are rare tumors of very bad prognosis. Few studies have precised the anatomopathological aspects and prognosis of these tumors in Africa and especially in Côte d'Ivoire. This has prompted us to review 195 cases of MM diagnosed in our laboratories in order to precise their epidemiological and anatomical features. Biopsies and/or surgical specimens fixed in 10% buffered formalin have been studied using the paraffin embedding methods and staining with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome and Fontana. 117 men (60%) and 78 women (40%) with a medium age of 57 years were studied. Cutaneous MM were predominant (174 cases, 93%) with 57.8% located on the foot. Non classified (38.2%) and nodular (33.6%) forms were more frequent with only 19% of acral lentiginous melanomas. The prognosis of our cases was poor with 71% of levels IV or V according to Clark and Mihm, Breslow's thickness superior to 3 mm in 93% of cases and ulceration in 91.3%. Our study emphasizes the poor prognosis of MM in Côte d'Ivoire. These tumors are frequent in the elderly and located predominantly on the foot.

Squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix, invasive cervical carcinoma, and immunosuppression induced by human immunodeficiency virus in Africa. Dyscer-CI Group.

BACKGROUND: Squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) of the cervix are associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, but multiple risk factors must be considered in this context. The authors performed a cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence of and the factors associated with SILs and invasive cervical carcinoma (ICC). METHODS: In Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, women were recruited from three outpatient gynecology clinics and screened for both cervical disease and HIV infection. A CD4 cell count was performed for HIV-infected women. RESULTS: A total of 2198 women were included in the study. The prevalence of HIV infection was 21.7%. Of the 2170 women who underwent a cervical screening, 254 (11.7%) presented with a dysplasia or neoplasia: 7.6% had low grade SILs (LSILs), 3.3% had high grade SILs (HSILs), and 0.8% had ICCs. In multivariate analyses, factors associated with these lesions were as follows: for LSILs, HIV-1 seropositivity, age <24 years, parity >1, consultation for genital infection, and no use of oral contraception in the past; for HSILs, HIV-1 seropositivity, chewing tobacco use, low educational level, and parity >1; and for ICCs, age >33 years, parity >3, and illiteracy. In women infected with HIV-1, the prevalence of LSILs increased with a decrease in CD4 cell count, whereas this relation was not found among patients with HSILs. ICCs were linked to HIV-2 infection, but not to HIV-1 infection, in univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In Africa, the prevalence of SILs is high. The factors associated with precancerous and cancerous lesions are different. Cancers in women infected with HIV-1 often may not reach the invasive stage. These findings could have implications for cervical screening programs in the future.

Effect of HIV infection on the incidence of lymphoma in Africa.

PIP: During a 9-month period in 1991, an autopsy was conducted on 247 cadavers of HIV-positive adult patients who died in a hospital in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The most common cause of death among adults in Abidjan is AIDS. During 8 months in 1991-92, an autopsy was also conducted on 78 HIV-positive cadavers of children 2 months to 8 years old and on 78 HIV-negative cadavers of children 2 months to 12 years old located in a morgue in Abidjan. The pathologists aimed to determine the incidence of lymphoma among HIV-infected adults and children. Seven (2.8%) adult cadavers had B-cell lymphoma, each having been diagnosed with it in the postmortem. The types were visceral (4) and primary cerebral (3) lymphomas. The researchers estimated the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma crude incidence rate among adults in Abidjan to be 84/100,000 per year. This incidence is 10 times greater than expected among HIV-negative people. With 11% HIV prevalence, the incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is expected to double. None of the HIV-positive cadavers of children had B-cell lymphoma. Two HIV-negative children (ages 5 and 9) had B-cell lymphoma of Burkitt and lymphoblastic type lymphoma, respectively. In both child cases, the viscera was involved.^ieng

HIV-associated lymphoma in Africa: an autopsy study in Cote d'Ivoire.

HIV infection predisposes to the development of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The frequency of NHL among HIV-positive adults and children in sub-Saharan Africa is not known. In 1991-1992, a representative autopsy study of HIV infection was performed in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Of 247 HIV-positive adult (> 14 years) medical patients dying in hospital, 2.8% had NHL, 1.6% with visceral NHL and 1.2% with primary cerebral lymphoma. The estimated crude incidence of NHL among HIV-positive adults in Abidjan was 84/100,000 per year, 10-fold greater than the expected pre-AIDS incidence of NHL but less than the incidence observed among HIV-positive adults in industrialised countries. None of 78 autopsied HIV-positive children (median age = 17 months) had NHL. HIV infection augments the incidence of NHL among adults in Africa, but short survival with advanced HIV disease probably prevents the major increase in HIV-associated NHL seen in industrialised countries. Survival of HIV-positive children in Africa appears too short to permit the significant development of additional NHL; classic Burkitt lymphoma is not an AIDS-associated tumour in Africa.

Contribution of tuberculosis to slim disease in Africa.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the contribution of tuberculosis to the aetiology of the HIV wasting syndrome (slim) in Africa, a condition usually considered an enteropathy. METHODS: Clinical examination and representative necropsy study of adult patients positive for HIV. SETTING: Hospital medical wards in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. SUBJECTS: Adults positive for HIV. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: CD4 T lymphocyte counts before death, clinical and anthropometric data, and gross and microscopic pathology. RESULTS: Necropsy was done on 212 HIV positive adults. Tuberculosis was found in 41 of 93 with the clinical HIV wasting syndrome and in 32 of 119 without (odds ratio 2.1, 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 4.0). A significant association existed between the prevalence of tuberculosis at necropsy and the degree of cadaveric wasting (no wasting 25% (15/59); moderate wasting 40% (23/58); skeletal wasting 44% (42/95); P = 0.02). Wasting was also associated with a history of chronic diarrhoea, but no association existed between diarrhoea and tuberculosis. Median CD4 T lymphocyte counts were lowest in wasted patients irrespective of findings at necropsy and in those with chronic diarrhoea (< 60 x 10(6)/l). CONCLUSION: Wasting and chronic diarrhoea are late stage manifestations of HIV disease in Africa. The importance of tuberculosis as a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of the slim syndrome has been underestimated. In nearly half of patients dying with severe wasting, tuberculosis was the dominant pathological finding.

PIP: The authors explore the contribution of tuberculosis (TB) to the etiology of HIV wasting syndrome in Africa, usually considered to be an enteropathy. Clinical examinations and necropsy were performed upon 212 HIV positive adults in the medical wards of the largest hospital in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. TB was found in 41 of 93 patients with the clinical wasting syndrome and in 32 of 119 without. Significant associations were found between the prevalence of TB at necropsy and the degree of cadaveric wasting, moderate wasting, and skeletal wasting. Wasting was also associated with a history of chronic diarrhea, but no association existed between diarrhea and TB. Median CD4 counts were lowest in wasted patients irrespective of findings at necropsy and in those with chronic diarrhea. The authors note that wasting and chronic diarrhea are late stage manifestations of HIV disease in Africa and argue that researchers and practitioners have underestimated the importance of TB as a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of slim disease.

[Thoughts apropos of a case of adenomyoepithelioma of the breast]. / Réflexions à propos d'un cas d'adénomyoépithéliome du sein.

We have observed one case of adenomyoepithelioma of the breast in a 65-years-old woman. Mammography was suspicious of malignancy. Morphological features were characteristic of this tumor. The origin of tumor cells was defined by immunohistochemical study using keratin and actin. The follow-up is not sufficient to predict the prognosis of our case.

[Prevalence of pneumocystosis in HIV infected patients in a pneumology unit. Autopsy study performed in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)]. / Prévalence de la pneumocystose chez les sujets infectés par le VIH dans un service de pneumophtisiologie. Etude autopsique réalisée à Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire).

Autopsies were performed in the Pathology Department of the Treichville University Hospital, Abidjan, Ivory Coast in 70 HIV infected subjects who had died in the Department of Pneumophtisiology. The prevalence of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was determined. None of the patients had received prophylaxis against P. carinii and none had bee treated for pneumocystosis. Autopsies were performed within 6 to 48 hours after death and the diagnosis of pneumocystosis was confirmed with the Gomori-Grocott staining technique on lung specimens. Among the 70 autopsies Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was observed in 6. Thus the prevalence of P. carinii pneumonia in these patients infected with HIV was 8.57%.

The mortality and pathology of HIV infection in a west African city.

BACKGROUND: HIV disease is epidemic in Africa, but associated mortality, underlying pathology and CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts have not previously been evaluated in a representative study. Such data help to determine the management of HIV-positive people. Both HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections are prevalent in Côte d'Ivoire, and the pathology of HIV-2 infection in Africa is unclear. METHODS: Consecutive adult medical admissions to a large city hospital in Côte d'Ivoire were studied in 1991, and a sample of HIV-positive deaths autopsied. RESULTS: Of 5401 patients evaluated, 50% were HIV-positive; 38% of these died, with a median survival of 1 week. At autopsy (n = 294, including 24% of HIV-positive deaths in hospital), tuberculosis (TB), bacteraemia (predominantly Gram-negative rods) and cerebral toxoplasmosis caused 53% of deaths. TB was seen in 54% of cadavers with AIDS-defining pathology and Pneumocystis pneumonia in 4%. The median CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts in those who died was < 90 x 10(6)/l. Compared with HIV-1-positives, patients with HIV-2-positivity had a greater frequency of severe cytomegalovirus infection, HIV encephalitis and cholangitis. CONCLUSIONS: In this population, HIV-positive adults present to hospital with advanced disease associated with high mortality. The three major underlying pathologies (TB, toxoplasmosis and bacteraemia) are either preventable or treatable. TB is an underestimated cause of the 'slim' syndrome in Africa. The patterns of pathology in HIV-2-positive patients suggest a more prolonged terminal course compared with HIV-1. There is an urgent need for attention towards the issues of therapy and care for HIV disease in developing countries.

[Clinico-pathologic aspects of rhinosporidiosis in the Ivory Coast. Report of 9 cases observed over 18 years]. / Aspects anatomo-cliniques de la rhinosporidiose en Cote d'Ivoire. A propos de 9 cas observés en 18 ans.

The authors report 9 cases of rhinosporidiosis observed in Côte d'Ivoire. Young subjects are generally concerned with E.N.T. and eye manifestations. There is a male preponderance. Pathological aspects are classical. Surgery has been the only treatment with good results.

[Chronic gastritis and Helicobacter pylori infection on the Ivory Coast. A series of 277 symptomatic patients]. / Gastrite chronique et infection à Helicobacter pylori en Côte-d'Ivoire. Etude d'une série de 277 patients symptomatiques.

Only a few reports have established the importance of chronic gastritis and Helicobacter pylori infection in Africa. The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of chronic gastritis and Helicobacter pylori infection in a symptomatic population in Abidjan, Côte-d'Ivoire. The study included 277 consecutive patients referred for gastroscopy. Two hundred nine patients complained of abdominal pain without gastroduodenal ulcer or cancer: 26 had a duodenal ulcer, 23 had a gastric ulcer, and 6 had gastric cancer. The remaining 14 patients underwent gastroscopy for various other reasons. Chronic gastritis was present in 89 percent of cases, of which 96 percent showed signs of activity. There were four cases of lymphocytic gastritis. Patients with antral chronic gastritis were older (39.43 +/- 14.3 years) than those with normal antral mucosa (33.7 +/- 12 years, P less than 0.05). Helicobacter pylori was present in 91.3 percent of cases, representing all patients with active chronic gastritis, and 60 percent of the patients with normal gastric mucosa. Chronic gastritis was present in 86 percent of patients with abdominal pain, in 100 percent of those with duodenal of gastric ulcer, and Helicobacter pylori were observed in 90, 100, and 91 percent of the same patient groups, respectively. This study demonstrates the high prevalence of chronic gastritis and the very high level of Helicobacter pylori infection in Ivorian patients complaining of various gastrointestinal symptoms. The usefulness and feasibility of therapeutic trials still have to be investigated.

Normal levels of histamine and tele-methylhistamine in mast cell-deficient mouse brain.

To determine the contribution by mast cells to the brain content of histamine (HA) and its metabolite tele-methylhistamine (t-MH), the number of mast cells, as well as the levels of HA and t-MH were measured in brain regions of mast cell-deficient (W/Wv) and control (+/+) mice. In agreement with earlier studies, mast cells were identified in control mouse brains, whereas W/Wv brains were devoid of mast cells. Contrary to earlier studies, no differences between these strains were found in the HA levels of any brain region, implying that mouse brain mast cells do not contribute significantly to brain HA levels. Brain t-MH levels were also not different between strains, except in hypothalamus, where W/Wv levels were higher; a significantly smaller W/Wv hypothalamus accounted for this difference. It is not certain that such differences are due to the absence of mast cells, since the W/Wv mutant is pleiomorphic, and the biochemical nature of this mutation remains uncertain. However, the absence of mast cells and presence of HA in the W/Wv mouse brain is direct evidence for the existence of non-mast cell HA in the brain. These results also show that mouse brain t-MH levels are predictive of non-mast cell HA in brain.

Enhancement of Cylindrocladium crotalariae Root Rot by Meloidogyne arenaria (Race 2) on a Peanut Cultivar Resistant to Both Pathogens.

Two populations of Meloidogyne arenaria (race 2, incompatible on peanut) enhanced development of Cylindrocladium black rot (CBR) on CBR-resistant peanut cv. NC 3033 in greenhouse factorial experiments. Nematode populations 256 and 486 (0, 10(3), 10 eggs per 15-cm pot) were tested in all combinations with Cylindrocladium crotalariae (0, 0.5, 5, 50 microsclerotia per cm(3) of soil). Root-rot index increased in the presence of either population. Positions but not slope values of inoculum density-disease curves were changed by both populations, indicating increased efficiency of microsclerotia when peanuts were grown in the presence of these nematodes. Although little or no reproduction occurred with either nematode population on NC 3033, larvae of 256 and 486 penetrated roots. Meloidogyne arenaria 486 did not induce root galls and was not snccessful in establishing feeding sites. Meloidogyne arenaria 256 produced a few very small eliptical galls and had a range of success in establishing a feeding site, varying from no giant cell development to large giant cell with production of a few eggs.