[CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte subpopulations in bone marrow deficiency anemias]. / Etude des sous-populations lymphocytaires CD+4 et CD+8 au cours des anémies à moelle pauvre.

The study of CD4-CD8 lymphocytary sub-populations in 13 anaemic patients led the authors to note an increase in the CD8+ population in 61.5% of the cases, which resulted in the inversion of their CD4/CD8 ratio. This increase in the CD8 sub-population is connected with marrow-deficient anaemia, which leads them to suggest that marrow-deficient anaemia could well be classified according to the lymphocytary sub-populations.

[Hepato-protective effect of a plant from the Senegalese pharmacopoeia: Tinospora bakis (Menispermaceae)using and in vitro model]. / Etude de l'effet hepato-protecteur d'une plante de la pharmacopée sénégalaise: Tinospora bakis (Menispermaceae) à partir d'un modèle in vitro.

The aim of this study is to appreciate hepatoprotective properties of lyophilized aqueous extract of Tinospora bakis roots. We used hepatocytes isolated from rats and intoxicated by CCl4. Before and after intoxication cells were treated with different concentrations of Tinospora bakis extract. (1 mg to 4 mg/ml). Protection of cells was evaluated by the decrease of intracellular enzymes release (LDH and ASAT). The impact of time on the cytoprotection was also studied. From each rat we isolated 185.4 millions +/- 71.5 hepatocytes. The percent of ASAT and LDH release was significatively decreased when we compared treated and no treated hepatocytes suggesting cells protection. This cytoprotection is dose independent but is more effective for long course treatment. These results show the direct protection of isolated hepatocytes by Tinospora bakis extract.

[Value of PCR in the diagnosis of tuberculosis in samples negative by direct examination in HIV+ and HIV patients]. / Intérêt de la PCR dans le diagnostic de la tuberculose lors d'échantillons négatifs à l'examen direct chez des patients HIV+ et HIV-.

A PCR system that amplify a repetitive fragment of the insertion sequence IS6110 specific for M. tuberculosis was compared to direct examination in samples from HIV+ and HIV-patients. 138 clinical samples (90 sputa, 30 blood and 18 urines) were analyzed in Senegal, a tuberculosis and HIV endemic area. All smear positive samples were PCR positive except for 7/138 (5.07%) that were false negative because of the presence of inhibitors. However, the use of several samples for each patient minimize the false negative results. The PCR allowed the detection of more positive results in smear negative sputa from HIV- (50%) than in HIV+ patients (20.5%). In contrast, in smear negative blood samples, PCR was positive more frequently in HIV+ (30%) than in HIV- patients (12.5%). Regarding patients, 15/25 HIV+ and 13/17 HIV-patients had at least one positive sample with PCR whereas only 7/25 and 11/17 respectively for HIV+ and HIV- patients had smear positive samples. Thus with some technical cares, PCR might be a useful tool for rapid diagnosis of M. tuberculosis infection in smear negative samples particularly in HIV+ patients.