[Dr Jean Languillon (1912-2003), a major unrecognized leprologist]. / Le Dr Jean Languillon (1912-2003), un léprologue majeur trop méconnu.

Languillon's contribution to the control of leprosy cannot be reduced to the manual of leprology which remains the reference for anyone working on this disease in sub-Saharan Africa. This would mean forgetting his works that established the immunological origin of leprosy and its cutaneous, adverse and neurological complications.Another major aspect, the importance of his contribution to the treatment of the disease, in particular through the development of polychimiotherapy (PCT), which has made Institut Marchoux in Bamako one of the five WHO's collaborating centers in the field of clinical research in leprosy.Languillon was also involved in a holistic approach of the disease by creating the first leprosy surgery unit and implementing physiotherapy, orthopedic care with appropriate equipment, and social rehabilitation… without forgetting preventive aspects of complications through the necessary regular administration of treatments, and control of patients spread over wide territories, by creating a corps of leprosy nurse monitors and leprosy specialists. These will provide essential support to the doctor most often in charge of a huge sector where the need of assistance was obvious.Languillon ended his African career by creating the ILAD, Institute of Applied Leprology in Dakar, which offers the full range of care, as he always advocated.Finally, he did not resist the call of Order of Malta which offered him to share his expertise in the different countries where the Order was involved.

Long-Term Effects of a Comprehensive Police Suicide Prevention Program.

Background: Mishara and Martin (2012) reported decreases in suicides 12 years after implementation of a police suicide prevention program. Aims: We aimed to determine whether suicide decreases were sustained 10 years later. Method: We examined coroners' investigations of police deaths from 2009 through 2018. Results: From 2009 to 2018, Montreal suicide rates increased but this was not significantly different from the previous 12 years and the rate for other Quebec police remained significantly higher than Montreal (p < .006). The 22-year Montreal postprogram rate was significantly lower than the preprogram rate (p < .002), and the 22-year rate for other police during the same years was not significantly different from earlier. Limitations: Uncontrolled factors may have influenced the rates, including the 11% increase in women in the Montreal police. The observed mean aging of the Montreal police personnel would have been expected to bias toward finding increases in suicides. However, the maintenance of decreases in suicide rates was observed. Conclusion: The decrease in suicides observed 12 years after the program was sustained for another 10 years, and appears related to the program. Rates for comparable police remained higher. A continuing comprehensive suicide prevention program tailored to the context may reduce suicides for extended time periods.

Have tsetse flies disappeared from Brazzaville town?

BACKGROUND: From 1980 to 1985, the zoological park of Brazzaville was the only tsetse resting site located in downtown which supplied others temporary sites. The last trapping survey carried out in this area in 1987 showed that there were no more tsetse flies. Knowing that areas free of tsetse used to be reinvaded many years later, we have carried out an entomological survey in the area with the aim to verify what has happened more than twenty years later; given that suitable environmental conditions for Glossina are still available. METHODS: Sixteen pyramidal traps were set out at the edge of the forest, along paths and around animal's cages and were examined twice a day, at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. during four days. RESULTS: No tsetse fly was captured. Using the formula previously described; the probability of capturing a tsetse fly is 0.002. CONCLUSION: The zoological park seems close to be free of tsetse flies. Long-lasting surveys within the town and around are required before stating a complete disappearance of tsetse in the town.

Identification and typing of Cameroonian isolates of P. malariae using monoclonal antibodies against P. brasilianum.

In the present study, monoclonal antibodies raised against Plasmodium brasilianum were used to demonstrate, for the first time, antigenic diversity in natural populations of Plasmodium malariae isolates and as diagnostic tool to detect low parasitaemia P. malariae infection. Seventeen McAbs reacting by indirect immunoflorescence antibody (IFA) assay with no other Plasmodium species than P. brasilianum, were shown to react with P. malariae and were used for typing 29 P. malariae isolates from hyperendemic areas in Yaounde and in three villages of South Cameroon with parasitaemia ranging from 0.01% to 1.8%. All 29 isolates were distinguished by their ability to react with certain antibodies and considered as representing different isolates of P. malariae. One of these McAbs (No. 14) recognized P. malariae isolates to both in Yaounde and from Mengang but not in Edou or in Nkol Mvae, which may recognize a specific epitope that is less common in strains found in these villages and provide evidence of regional variation within the P. malariae parasites. The McAbs Nos. 16 and 17 were used to determine their usefulness as diagnostic tools for 30 suspected blood samples that were collected from patients with fever and it became clear that they could detect sub-microscopical infections of P. malariae. This study supports the concept of using of P. brasilianum as a substitute for P. malariae during immuno-diagnosis of malaria in endemic areas where PCR assay cannot be used for identification of the P. malariae parasites. In addition our results for the first time provide evidence of considerable antigenic diversity of clinical P. malariae isolates in Cameroon.