[Prevalence of child and teenage obesity in schools in Dakar]. / Prévalence de l'obésité de l'enfant et de l'adolescent en milieu scolaire à Dakar.

Obesity is currently viewed as a serious worldwide public health issue. In this survey, we aim to determine its prevalence among schoolchildren and teenagers in Dakar. The sample of our survey consisted of 2,356 students aged 11-17, including 1,110 boys and 1,246 girls. For each of them, we have calculated their body mass index. Based on the higher value of the norm of that index, referred to the 97th percentile of Rolland-Cachera MF's curves, we have identified obese students according to their age and sex. The prevalence of obesity within our sample is 9.34%, with 2.88% for boys and 6.46% for girls. It is at its peak in the age of 11, though there is no significance (p > 0.05) in its decrease (from age 12 to 17). There are significantly (p < 0.05) more obese students in "catholic private" schools than in "public" schools where schooling is free. Child and teenage obesity is a reality in Dakar schools. Consequently, it is advisable to determine its nationwide prevalence to take on its prevention as well as its cure.

[Prescription And Delivery's Survey Of Benzodiazepines In The Occurrence Of Addictions At Mbour's District]. / Evaluation De La Prescription Et De La Delivrance Des Benzodiazepines Dans La Survenue Des Addictions Dans Le District Sanitaire De Mbour.

Impact of the prescription and delivery of benzodiazepines in the occurrence of addictions in the district of Mbour. INTRODUCTION: Benzodiazepines (BZD) are widely used nowadays and are at the origin of an addiction. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to evaluate the quality of benzodiazepine prescribing and delivery in the Mbour department of Senegal and subsequently to implement an addictovigilance strategy. Thus, we studied the prescribing habits, the quality of delivery and identified the consumption habits of these drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a cross-sectional, prospective study with two questionnaires: addressed to patients and prescribers, conducted in pharmacies, hospitals, districts and Mbour health posts. RESULTS: 44% of BZD prescriptions were prescribed by doctors and especially general practitioner. 31.1% did not comply with the rules of prescription (marketing authorization). As for the dispensing rules, (85.3%) were dispensed without a prescription. The level of consumption was high in the 30-40 age group (43.95%) predominantly female (59%). Insomnia predominated as a reason for prescription (16.4%) on anxiety (11.94%) with (65.5%) dependence. CONCLUSION: The abuses observed in the prescription, the delivery and consumption of BZD, constitutes a real health problem. Half of the consumers become addicted, hence the need for a national addictovigilance program.

INTRODUCTION: Les benzodiazépines (BZD) sont très utilisées de nos jours et sont à l'origine d'une addiction. OBJECTIFS: L'objectif était d'évaluer la qualité de la prescription et de la délivrance des benzodiazépines dans le département de Mbour au Sénégal et ultérieurement mettre en place une stratégie d'addictovigilance. Ainsi, nous avons étudié les habitudes de prescription, la qualité de délivrance et identifié les habitudes de consommation de ces médicaments. MATÉRIELS ET MÉTHODES: Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale, prospective avec deux questionnaires : adressé aux patients et prescripteurs, menée dans des pharmacies, hôpital, district et postes de santé de Mbour. RÉSULTATS: 44% des ordonnances de BZD étaient prescrites par des médecins et particulièrement des généralistes. 31,1% ne respectaient pas les règles de prescriptions (hors AMM). Quant aux règles de délivrance, 85,3% étaient délivrées sans ordonnance. Le niveau de consommation était élevé dans la tranche d'âge 30-40 ans (43,95%) avec une prédominance féminine (59%). L'insomnie prédominait comme motif de prescription (16,4%) sur l'anxiété (11,94%) avec (65,5%) de dépendance. CONCLUSION: Les abus observés dans la prescription, la délivrance et la consommation des BZD, constitue un véritable problème de santé. La moitié des consommateurs deviennent addictes, d'où la nécessité de mettre en place un programme d'addictovigilance à l'échelon national.

[Contribution of ATP-dependent potassium channels, nitric oxide and prostaglandins in increase of diaphgram arteriolar blood fow during diaphgram contraction]. / Contribution des canaux potassiques ATP-dépendant, du monoxyde d'azote et des prostaglandines dans l'augmentation du débit artériolaire lors de la contraction du diaphragme.

ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels and nitric oxide (NO) have been suggested to contribute in mediating active hyperemia in diaphragm. However, no data is available in the current literature concerning their comparative contributions to arteriolar dilation during muscle contraction. The aim of this study was therefore to examine, by video microscopy in rats, the effects of superfusing the muscle with Krebs solution alone (group C), or Krebs solution containing either glybenclamide (3mdeltaM, a blocker of K(ATP), group GLY), or Nwdelta-nitro-L-arginine (300 mdeltaM, a NO synthase inhibitor, group NNA), or mefenamic acid (50 mdeltaM, a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, group MA) on second and third order of diaphragm (A2 and A3 respectively) arteriolar dilation elicited by 3 min muscle stimulation (40 Hz, train duration: 300 milliseconds, 90 cycles per min). In group C, A2 diameters increased by 67.5 +/- 1.9% referring to baseline at the end of the stimulation. This increase was significantly reduced in groups GLY and NNA (16.7 +/- 2.5% and 47.3 +/- 2.2% respectively, p < 0.001 as compared to group C) and was more important in group GLY than in group NNA (p < 0.001). By contrast, no difference in post-contraction diameter was observed between groups C and MA. Similar results were observed in A3 vessels. These results indicate that K(ATP) are more important mediators of functional diaphragm arteriolar dilation in rat than NO, whereas prostaglandins are not involved in this phenomenon.

Th1/Th2 Dichotomy in Obese Women with Gestational Diabetes and Their Macrosomic Babies.

The aim of the study was to assess T cell differentiation and the modulation of inflammatory cytokines in obese and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) women and their macrosomic newborns. Hence, immediately after delivery, blood samples were collected through the mother's arm vein and the umbilical cordon vein. Biochemical parameters measured were HbA1C, glucose, insulin, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (Tchol), HDL cholesterol (HDLchol), and LDL cholesterol (LDLchol). T lymphocytes were purified from the total blood with Ficoll-Paque. The mRNA expression of inflammatory markers in T cells was determined by RT-qPCR. We observed that diabetic mothers exhibited higher HbA1C, glycemia, insulinemia, TG, Tchol, HDLchol, and LDLchol levels than control mothers. Glycemia was not significantly different between macrosomic and control newborns. However, insulinemia was high in macrosomic babies. TG, Tchol, HDLchol, and LDLchol were not significantly different between macrosomic and control babies. In diabetic mothers, mRNA expression of the Th1 cell subtype was significantly increased. Th1 markers were upregulated in babies born to diabetic women than in control newborns. However, expression of two Th2 markers (GATA3 and IL-4) was not significantly different between control and GDM women and between their respective newborns. Interestingly, IL-10 mRNA expression was decreased in diabetic mothers and their offsprings. The Th1/Th2 cytokine ratio was increased in GDM obese mothers and their macrosomic newborns, suggesting a proinflammatory status in these subjects.

[Impact of sickle cell trait on arterial stiffness in African subjects]. / Impact du trait drépanocytaire sur la rigidité artérielle des sujets africains.

Sickle cell trait (SCT) is the benign condition of sickle cell disease. Often asymptomatic, the carriers of the sickle cell trait have hemorheological disturbances with increased oxidative stress compared to healthy subjects. These disturbances can lead to structural and functional changes in large vessels. The aim of the study was to measure arterial stiffness, an independent marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, SCT carriers compared to sickle cell anemia (SCA) subjects. Nine SCT carriers aged 32±9 years (7 men) were compared to 14 SCA subjects aged 29±9 years (2 men) and 22 control subjects aged 34±9 years (11 men) recruited by the National blood transfusion center (CNTS) in Dakar (Senegal). Arterial stiffness was assessed by measurement of the finger-toe pulse wave velocity (PWVft) using pOpmètre® (Axelife SAS-France). The cardiovascular risk (CVR) was assessed according to the Framingham Laurier score. The SCT carriers had a higher PWVft (m/s) than SCA subjects (8.2±2.2 vs 6.1±0.9m/s, P=0.004) but not different from that of healthy controls (8.2±2.2 vs 7.4±1.8m/s, P=0.33). Linear regression showed a positive relationship between PWVft and the pulse pressure (PP) (P˂0.001; r2=0.39; F=13.20). The results show that the SCT carriers have stiffer arteries than SCA subjects. Linear regressions adjusted for age, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and PP, showed that only age and PP were independently correlated with arterial stiffness in the entire population.

[Study of cellularity in bronchoalveolar fluid and bronchial reactivity to histamine in a model of asthma in guinea pig]. / Etude de la cellularité bronchoalvéolaire et de la réactivite des voies aériennes a l'histamine dans un modèle d'asthme chez le cobaye.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies showed that the guinea pig represents the animal of choice in the study of the asthma and more exactly in the study of the bronchial hyperreactivity. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In our model of asthma, guinea pigs were made sensitive with ovalbumine (OVA), a protein extracted from the white of egg, and provoked in a way repeated with aerosol challenge of OVA for the group OVA (1 challenge a day during six days). This group was compared with the group controls (C), animals injected with a salt solution (NaCl 0.9%) and receiving aerosol challenge of salt solution. The OVA group was subdivided into two groups: A studied group 6 hours after the aerosol challenge of OVA. A studied group 24 hours after the aerosol challenge of OVA. RESULTS: We showed an increasing increase of airway hyperresponsiveness to increasing doses of histamine in all groups of animals. This increase was significantly more important 6 hours after the last aerosol challenge of OVA (early airway hyperreactivity, OVA-6 group, n = 8) that at 24 hours after the last aerosol challenge (late airway hyperreactivity, OVA-24 group, n = 8). We had also noted a modification of cellularity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid with an increase of the total number of cells essentially by increase of the rate of eosinophilia in OVA-6 group (n = 6) compared with OVA-24 group (n = 6) and Control group (n = 6). CONCLUSION: The model of bronchial hyperreactivity and modification of cellularity in guinea pig will allow us to envisage studies on the origin of differences of ability to react in the group OVA-6 and OVA-24 and to study the medicinal efficiency of plants used in Senegal in the treatment of the asthma.

[Comparative study of the effect of fasting during Ramadan on the glycaemia at rest in sportsmen and sedentaries]. / Etude comparative de l'effet du jeûne du ramadan sur la glycémie au repos chez des sportifs et des sédentaires.

The fast of Ramadan submits body to transient metabolic modifications; and decrease of glycaemia can be one of results. Physical exercise modifies rate of plasmatic hormones responsible for its regulation. The purpose of this study is to appreciate the influence of the fast on this biologic parameter in sportsmen and sedentaries. Thirty (30) healthy subjects (15 sportsmen of stamina and 15 sedentaries), with 25 years of average age were recruited. They have all a comparable diet. We excluded subjects having practised a physical exercise the day of the test. Capillary glycaemia was measured after weighed and physical exam, in 2 periods: in second Ramadan's fortnight, 15 minutes before food intake, two (2) months after Ramadan at least 4 hours at distance of the last meal. Comparisons were remitted in the test of Student, significant for p value lower than 0.05. During Ramadan, the glycaemia of the sportsmen at rest, is at one exception always superior or equal to that of the sedentaries. However, there is non significant difference as much during the fast as in normal food intake. Respective averages are 4.6 mmol/l, 0.15 and 4.5 mmol/l, 0.01 during Ramadan. They cross then in 4.8 mmol/l, 0.2 and 4.8 mmol/l, 0.4 in normal food intake. Landmark, the comparison of the averages from period to the other one in every group shows a significant difference only for the sedentaries. The return to normal food intake was expressed by an important gain in weight for all subjects. The fast of Ramadan has no notorious influence on sportsman's glycaemia contrary to that of sedentary. In other words, the sportsman administers better his stocks of glucose. Previous works however strongly advised against sports practice during Ramadan and more particularly the competitions, because, exercises of strong intensity can induce dehydration.

[Physical performance and thermoregulatory study of subjects with sickle cell trait during a sub-maximal exercise]. / Etude de la performance physique et de la thermoregulation des sujets porteurs du trait drepanocytaire au cours d'un exercice sous maximal.

The sickle cell trait is a genetic abnormality of red blood cells. It is due to the mutation of a parental gene, which rest Its to the substitution of glutamic acid by valin on beta globin chain of haemoglobin. The possibility for sickle cell trait carriers (SCT) to present any disturbance during predominantly anaerobic and aerobic exercises is unclear. Ten (10) subjects with sickle cell trait and 10 subjects control were studied during exercise test on cycloergometer. They were all students of the National Institute of Popular Education and Sport of Dakar. The mean of environmental temperature was 26 degrees C and humidity was 60 to 80%. After haematological analysis, a submaximal muscular exercise for one hour with 75% of maximal heart rate was done. We have determined heart rate, blood pressure, rectal and skin temperature during exercise. Haematological parameters shown any significant difference between the two groups. No significant difference was found in cardiocirculatory variables during maximal exercise in cycloergometer between control group and sickle cell trait group. The two groups have done submaximal exercise during 1 hour without particular difficulty. We have not observed a significant difference between the two groups in cardiovascular variables, rectal and skin temperature during exercise, and after 3 minutes of rest. These results show that subjects with SCT have physical capacity comparable with control subjects during a sub maximal exercise for 1 hour. We can assure that subjects with SCT in our country may participate in sports competition, as well as normal subjects (HbAA).

Characterization of M. tuberculosis strains from west African patients by spoligotyping.

Analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains was carried out using isolates collected from 69 Senegalese and 20 Ivory Coast tuberculosis patients. These 89 isolates were typed by means of the spoligotyping technique, showing clusterized populations of bacterial strains. In the Senegalese patients, 35 genetic profiles were observed with 10 clusters of spoligotypes from 44 isolates. Among Ivory Coast patients, 11 spoligotypes were found for 20 isolates. A particular cluster of isolates was evident both in Senegalese (10) and Ivory Coast (11) patients. These results show the existence of polymorphism of the direct repeat region for African M. tuberculosis strains. However they suggest that additionnal markers are needed for accurate epidemiological studies in areas that are highly endemic for tuberculosis.

Serological evidence of human infection with the paramyxovirus Yucaipa in Senegal, West Africa.

Sera from 353 people resident in Dakar, Senegal, West Africa, were tested for hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies against the avian paramyxovirus Yucaipa. Antibodies were demonstrated in five sera (1.4%), providing new evidence that this virus may infect humans.

Anesthetic concentrations of riluzole inhibit neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity, but not expression, in the rat hippocampus.

We hypothesized that anesthetic dose of riluzole, an inhibitor of glutamate neurotransmission, may affect the activity and/or expression of neuronal NOS (nNOS). Riluzole, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME) and 7-nitro indazole (7-NI) produced a concentration-related inhibition of nNOS activity in vitro. Riluzole competed with 7-NI for inhibition of nNOS activity, but had no effect on nNOS or endothelial NOS (eNOS) protein expression. Also, nNOS activity was significantly decreased in riluzole-anesthetized rats (40 mg kg(-1) i.p., -32+/-6% from controls, P<0.05). Therefore, blockade of nNOS activity may be involved in the anesthetic effects of riluzole in vivo.

Risk factors for negative sputum acid-fast bacilli smears in pulmonary tuberculosis: results from Dakar, Senegal, a city with low HIV seroprevalence.

SETTING: Two teaching hospitals in Dakar, Senegal, a West African country with a low prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patients with HIV-associated pulmonary tuberculosis have fewer acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in their sputum as assessed by routine microscopy, and to correlate the findings with systematically obtained clinical, radiographic and laboratory variables. DESIGN: Prospective study from November 1995 to October 1996 of 450 consecutive patients diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. RESULTS: Tuberculosis was diagnosed in 380 patients (84.4%) by positive bacteriology, in 61 (13.6%) by a favorable response to anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy, and in nine (2.0%) by the presence of a miliary radiographic pattern. Forty (8.9%) patients were HIV-seropositive. AFB-negative smears were found in 14/40 (35.0%) of the HIV-seropositive patients with pulmonary tuberculosis compared with 71/410 (17.3%) of the seronegative patients (risk ratio [RR] = 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-3.24, P = 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that AFB smear negativity was associated with absence of cavitation (P = 0.002), lack of cough (P = 0.005), the presence of HIV seropositivity (P = 0.02), a CD4+ cell count above 200/mm3 (P = 0.02), and age over 40 years (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with HIV-seronegative patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, seropositive patients in Dakar, Senegal, are more likely to have negative sputum-AFB smears. This phenomenon has now been observed in seven of eight sub-Saharan African countries with varying HIV seroprevalence from which reports are available.

Tuberculosis-associated severe CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia in HIV-seronegative patients from Dakar. SIDAK Research Group.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency and associated features of severe CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia (<300 cells/mm(3)) in HIV-seronegative patients with tuberculosis. METHODS: Statistical analysis of 430 consecutively enrolled HIV-seronegative inpatients with tuberculosis in two teaching hospitals in Dakar, Senegal. RESULTS: The mean CD4 + cell count was 602+/-318.3 cells/mm(3). CD4 + cell counts were below 300 cells/mm(3)in 62 patients (14.4%). Patients with fewer than 300 CD4+ cells/mm(3)differed from those with higher counts in being less likely to have a positive smear for acid-fast bacilli; in having a higher frequency of extrapulmonary involvement (pleural effusion, adenopathy and miliary disease) and oral candidiasis; and in having smaller tuberculin reactions, lower haemoglobin levels, less cavitation and less patchy infiltration. After adjustment for gender and age, all differences remained except miliary disease. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial percentage (14.4%) of HIV-seronegative hospitalized patients for tuberculosis in a West African country presented with severe CD4 + T-lymphocyte depletion and had clinical and radiographic features indicative of more advanced disease and accompanying immunodepression. These results and those already published suggest that tuberculosis should be regarded as one of the diseases associated with a subgroup of patients with "idiopathic CD4 + T-lymphocytopenia".

New branched-chain fatty acids from the Senegalese gorgonian Leptogorgia piccola (white and yellow morphs).

Fatty acids from total lipids of the gorgonian Leptogorgia piccola (white and yellow morphs), collected from the same area at two different periods with regard to the average water temperature, were studied. More than fifty fatty acids were identified as methyl esters and N-acyl pyrrolidides by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Three new, branched-chain unsaturated fatty acids were identified in addition to the unusual 7-methyl-6-hexadecenoic acid, namely 10-methyl-6-hexadecenoic, 7,9-dimethyl-6-hexadecenoic, and 10-methyl-6,9-heptadecadienoic acids. Also 6,9-heptadecadienoic acid was identified. The fatty acid patterns of specimens harvested in colder waters were quite different from those harvested in warmer waters in that the former contained high amounts of methylene-interrupted polyunsaturated acids, including tetracosapolyenoic acids, especially 6,9,12,15,18-24:5 (up to 15.8% of the total acid mixture) and 6,9,12,15,18,21-24:6 (up to 5.3%). Arachidonic acid was, nevertheless, a major component in all the fatty acid mixtures studied (13.6-20.5%). Based on gas chromatography/Fourier transform infrared experiments, the double bonds were assigned the (Z) configuration. Several fatty aldehydes and their dimethyl acetals were also detected, of which the most abundant was octadecanal.

[In vitro sensitivity to antibiotics in 178 strains of genital mycoplasma isolated from gynecology consultants in Dakar]. / Sensibilité in vitro aux antibiotiques de 178 souches de mycoplasmes génitaux isolées chez des consultantes en gynécologie à Dakar. Avec La Collaboration Technique de K. Drame.

The susceptibility to antibiotics of 144 strains of Ureaplasma urealyticum and 34 strains of Mycoplasma hominis isolated in Dakar, Senegal, was determinated by MIC determination in a medium. Doxycyclin and minocyclin are active on more than 90% of the strains of U. urealyticum, and more than 80% of M. hominis strains. Over 93% of U. urealyticum strains are susceptible to all the macrolids and apparented tested (erythromycin, pristinamycin, josamycin), but the activity of lincomycin, pristinamycin and josamycin on M. hominis was found only for 70% of the strains. Fluoroquinolones, once adequately studied, could turn out to be a useful alternative in therapeutics.

[Antibiotic sensitivity of Salmonella strains isolated in a pediatric population in Dakar. Research of beta-lactamase and plasmids]. / Sensibilité aux antibiotiques des souches de Salmonella isolées en milieu pédiatrique dakarois. Recherche de bêta-lactamase et de plasmides.

114 strains of Salmonella were isolated from many samples in the Pediatric Hospital (Hôpital d'Enfants Albert Royer) of Dakar between January 1985 and December 1991. The sensibility to antibiotics were tested, and we studied the production of beta-lactamase and the presence of plasmids in the resistant strains. 27 serovars of Salmonella were identified and Salmonella typhi predominates with 45%. Only 28% of the strains were susceptible to all of the antibiotics, and 17% were found multiresistant; 8% of the strains produce beta-lactamase and plasmids were found in 6 multiresistant strains.

[Bacteriological study of purulent otitis media in children in CHU in the tropical zone]. / Etude bactériologique des otorrhées purulentes de l'enfant dans un CHU en zone tropicale.

BACKGROUND: Haemophilus influenzae and S pneumoniae are the most common causative agents of acute otitis media in Europe and the USA. This work aimed to identify the agents in Senegal and to study their sensitivity to antibiotics. POPULATION AND METHODS: Two hundred and one patients, aged 0 to 15 years, with persistent middle-ear effusion, were included in this study from 1983 to 1993. Purulent samples aspirated from the external canal were analysed for bacteriology and sensitivity testing. RESULTS: Eighty two percent of cultures were positive for Staphylococcus aureus (37%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (25%), Proteus (18%) and Klebsiella (8%). Positive cultures were found mainly in children aged between 1 and 5 years. Amikacin and cefotaxim were the most active antibiotics against the majority of strains. Staphylococcus aureus was always resistant to penicillin. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus as the causative agent of persistent middle-ear effusion may be explained by late examination. Its resistance to penicillin favors early administration of third generation cephalosporins or pristanimycin.

[Bacteriological study of purulent nasopharyngitis in children in Senegal]. / Etude bactériologique des rhinopharyngites purulentes de l'enfant au Sénégal.

BACKGROUND: S pneumoniae, H influenzae and M catarrhalis are the main bacteria isolated from rhinopharynx in Europe. The purpose of this work was to study the frequency of potential pathogenic bacteria isolated from acute purulent rhinopharyngitis among children in Senegal. POPULATION AND METHODS: Ninety-three children from one month to 7-years old suffering from purulent rhinopharyngitis were recruited from April 1 to July 1996. The withdrawal samples were taken from the cavum with a swab which was immediately immersed in an agar shipping medium. Bacteria's grouping and serotyping were made by immunoagglutination. A standard antibiogram was made for all isolates and furthermore the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) were determined for S pneumoniae. RESULTS: Two hundred bacterial strains were isolated: S pneumoniae 28% (60% of the children), C group streptococci: 19% (41% of the children), H influenzae: 15.5% (33% of the children), S pyogenes: 9.5% (20% of the children), S aureus: 8% (17% of the children) and M catarrhalis: 6% (13% of the children). The other isolates were: B and D groups streptococci, P aeruginosa and Klebsiella spp. S pnuemoniae strains belonged to serogroups 6, 19 and 23. Only three strains of H influenzae were capsulated (serotype b). Infants aged from 6 to 18 months were the most affected. No resistance to penicillin was observed for S pneumoniae and S pyogenes. Ampicillin (81%) and chloramphenicol (96%) both inhibited the majority of H influenzae strains. CONCLUSIONS: This descriptive bacterial epidemiology study of children's rhinopharynx's flora in Senegal allowed us to identify three major pathogenic germs: S pneumoniae, H influenzae and S pyogenes contributing to a better knowledge of these microorganisms' serotypes, biotypes and antibiotypes.

[Bacteriology of neonatal septicemia in Dakar]. / Bactériologie des septicémies néonatales à Dakar.

Between February 1983 and February 1991, 471 blood cultures from newborns with neonatal infection, aged from 0 to 30 days, admitted to the Pediatric Hospital Albert Royer, Dakar, were performed. In 141 (30.3 percent) cases, one bacterium was isolated. Three major causative organisms were identified: Klebsiella spp (28.6 percent), E. coli (19.5 percent) and S. aureus (17.4 percent). Altogether, we isolated 99 (69.2 percent) enterobacteria, 7 (4.8 percent) other Gram negative bacilli and 37 (25.8 percent) Gram positive cocci among which 25 S. aureus, 10 streptococci (7 group B, 2 group D, 1 group A and 2 pneumococci). The most efficient antibiotics were amikacin and third generation cephalosporins.

[Causes of infectious gastro-enteritis in children in Dakar]. / Causes des gastro-entérites infectieuses de l'enfant à Dakar.

Between February 1983 and May 1988, 1,157 stools from children aged under 15 years presenting with diarrhoea and admitted to a paediatric hospital in Dakar, Senegal, were examined for the presence of bacterial and parasitic agents. We looked for Campylobacter and rotavirus in only 245 and 111 samples respectively. Enterobacteria were detected most frequently (162/264; 61.3 per cent). Among these, we found 92 (34.8 per cent) strains of enteropathogenic E. coli; 40 strains (15.1 per cent) of Salmonella spp. and 30 strains (11.3 per cent) of Shigella spp. V. cholerae was present in only 2 faecal specimens (0,7 per cent). Eighty-one (30.6 per cent) parasitic agents were isolated, including a high proportion (13.6 per cent) of flagellae. Campylobacter jejuni and retroviruses were found in 2 (0.8 percent) and 15 (13.5 percent) stool respectively. The frequency with which these enteropathogenic agents were isolated remains in keeping with the global situation usually observed in Dakar for several years.