[Mediastino-pulmonary sarcoidosis in Ivory Coast. Epidemiological and clinical significance of sixteen new cases observed in Abidjan (author's transl)]. / La sarcoidose mediastino-pulmonaire en Côte-d'Ivoire. Intérêt épidémiologique et clinique de seize nouveaux cas observés à Abidjan.

Sixteen cases of mediastion-pulmonary sarcoïdosis are reported, half of them presenting extra-thoracic associated lesions. The clinical and epidemiological study of these cases, compared to the previously published ones, demonstrates that the clinical features are similar in Africans and Black Americans and that the disease in coming out in Africa South of the Sahara.

[Prevalence of asthma and respiratory diseases in schools in Bouake (Ivory Coast): preliminary results]. / Prévalence de l'asthme et des maladies respiratoires en milieu scolaire à Bouake (Côte d'Ivoire): résultats préliminaires.

Using an auto-administered questionnaire, a cluster sample survey was carried out in January 1990 among 2433 secondary schoolchildren in Bouake (Cote d'Ivoire). The prevalence rate of asthma was fairly high (10.8%), as well as that of wheezing (19.8%), dyspnea (42.8%), broncho-pulmonary diseases (25.8%) and smoking habit (14.5%). The results are discussed with regard to the published data.

[Domestic and occupational pneumo-allergens among workers with tropical wood in Abidjan (Ivory Coast)]. / Pneumallergènes domestiques et professionnels des travailleurs de bois tropicaux à Abidjan (Côte-d'Ivoire).

The authors realized an epidemiologic research by skin test method in a furniture factory in Abidjan (Ivory Coast). 19 wood workers underwent these tests: their professional risk to wood dust exposure was over 13 years. The results show the importance of allergenic work atmosphere and mainly the high allergic potential of five exotic woods currently used. This article proposes an approach of the specific immunological pathways through a prospective allergological enquiry conducted at furniture factory in Abidjan (Ivory Coast).

[Spirometric reference values in black females]. / Valeurs de références spirométriques des femmes mélanodermes.

The aim of this paper is to give spirometric reference values for black females. Having eliminated those with abnormal hemoglobin, we studied 298 females aged between 10 to 70 years: 15 from bordering countries of the Ivory Coast and the others being Ivorian. That is, they are all from West Africa. It is shown that FVC and FEV1 are reduced in the black population when compared with European whites. Volume and flow values are also lower than those in Ivorian men. Correlations and linear regression equations were calculated between FVC, FEV1 and age, height, and weight. FVC and FEV1 (l BTPS) were found as a function of height H (m) and age A (years) as follows: from 10 to 25 years, FVC = 0.465 H3 + 0.01735 A + 0.58; FEV1 = 0.451 H3 + 0.0035 A + 0.61; from 25 to 70 years, FVC = 0.450 H3 - 0.02002 A + 1.54; FEV1 = 0.309 H3 - 0.02050 A + 1.44.

[Reference values for maximal midexpiratory flow in black females]. / Valeurs de référence pour le débit expiratoire maximal médian chez la femme noire.

The aim of this publication is to contribute to the establishment of reference values for the forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of the vital capacity (FEF25-75) among black females in West Africa. 316 of them, aged between 10 and 70 years, were submitted to this test. They were considered free from cardiopulmonary disease after a questionnaire and clinical examination. FEF25-75 in absolute value was lower than in the white Euro-americans. It increased up to 18-19 years of age, then decreased steadily thereafter. The main equations of regression for the FEF25-75 (l X s-1) were: 10-18 years, 0.177A + 1.058 and 0.157A + 0.826H + 0.005; 19-70 years, -0.028A + 4.211 and -0.025A + 2.206H + 0.512, (where A is the age in years and H the height in metres). The results are compared with the reference values published in Black Africa, Europe and the United States.

Spirometric reference values in Senegalese black adults.

Spirometric volumes and expiratory flows were measured among 448 Senegalese males and females of 25-80 yrs of age. The values obtained are similar to those reported for black Africans and black Americans in the literature. Volumes are 15-25% lower in males and 23% lower in females than in Caucasians. Forced expiratory flow between 25-75% of vital capacity (VC), (FEF25-75) is 5-18% lower in males and 19% lower in females. FEF25-75/VC ratio is higher in blacks than in Whites, but the forced expiratory volume in one second FEV1/VC ratio is similar in black and white subjects. However, we cannot use proportional factors to determine spirometric black standards from white reference values, so, equations of regression and nomograms with age and height are proposed for black Africans.