[Immunofluorescence reaction of antibodies directed against the intestinal epithelium of Schistosoma mansoni. VI. Immunolocalization of a carbohydrate epitope at different developmental stages]. / Etude par la réaction d'immunofluorescence des anticorps dirigés contre l'épithélium intestinal de Schistosoma mansoni. VI. Immunolocalisation d'un épitope glucidique aux différents stades évolutifs.

In the course of previous works, we described an IgM monoclonal antibody directed to a carbohydrate epitope located on the gut epithelium surface of the Schistosoma mansoni adult worm. We provided evidence that this epitope was present in all stages of the parasite and was particularly abundant in eggs. The current work was performed in order to specify the epitope localisation, at each stage, by immunohistochemical techniques. The epitope appears to be located on the peripheral membranes of the adult worm, while it is produced by the alive miracidium in the eggs located in the tissues and subsequently spread out inside the periovular granuloma. Moreover, in adult worms, the observed structure presents itself as a soluble form in organic solvents; on the other hand, in eggs, the epitope was essentially found made of an hydrosoluble substance. These datas can explain why, in experimentally infected mice, the epitope is mainly determined in urines at the sixth week of infestation, when eggs are settled down in the tissues. Besides, the inhibition of the monoclonal antibody fixation by a pentose which contains the Lewis X antigen, painted out that the carbohydrate structure recognised by the monoclonal antibody could be the Lewis X antigen or a very closed structure.

[Epidemiology of certain endemic parasitic diseases in the town of Guadalupe (Republic of Sao Tome and Principe). II. Other endemic parasitic diseases]. / Epidémiologie de certaines endémies parasitaires dans la ville de Guadalupe (République de Saõ Tomé et Príncipe). II. Autres endémies parasitaires.

Stool, blood and urine specimens have been collected from 380 inhabitants of all age groups living in the small town of Guadalupe in May 1992. The seroprevalence of Falciparum malaria (96%), toxoplasmosis (73.3%), have been measured.

[Epidemiology of certain endemic parasitic diseases in the town of Guadalupe (Republic of Sao Tome and Principe) I. Schistosomiasis intercalatum and intestinal worms]. / Epidémiologie de certaines endémies parasitaires dans la ville de Guadalupe (République de Saõ Tomé et Príncipe). I. Schistosomose à S. intercalatum et verminoses intestinales.

Schistosomiasis intercalatum in known to exist in Saõ Tomé since 1988, (Corachan et al.). It is transmitted by Bulinus forskalii, (Brown et al., 1989). Stool, blood and urine specimens have been collected from 380 inhabitants of all age groups living in the small town of Guadalupe close to the Agua Traz river and Agua Polino. The prevalence of schistosomiasis by detection of S. intercalatum eggs in a 10 mg stool thick smear (Kato technique) is 25.5%. An excreted Schistosoma polysaccharide antigen, detected by means of a monoclonal antibody (Ripert et al., 1992), is found in 49.1% of the urine samples. Patients voiding S. intercalatum eggs in stools have been treated with praziquantel (40 mg/kg body weight), as recommended by WHO Expert Committee on Schistosomiasis, but it might be wise to also treat persons excreting antigen in urine. The prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis, ascariasis (73.7%), trichuriasis (73.7%) and necatoriasis have been measured.

[Evaluation of an indirect hemagglutination test for the serodiagnosis of amebiasis]. / Evaluation d'un test d'hémagglutination indirecte amibiase (HAI) pour le serodiagnostic de l'amibiase.

167 sera have been tested to appreciate the value of an indirect hemagglutination test (Amibiase HAI FUMOUZE) comparatively to an agglutination test of sensibilized particles of latex (Bichro latex Amibe Fumouze BLA) Amibiase HAI test comes out as sensitive and specific for the detection of antibodies in patients suffering from visceral amoebiasis. But some antibodies are also detected in patients with an antecedent of amoebiasis, as it is usually the case with some other techniques. A high positivity of the indirect hemagglutination test, and the concordance between the test HAI and the BLA one are in favour of a visceral amoebiasis. While lower rates or discrepancy between the two tests may evoke an hidden infestation in patients coming out or originated from endemic zones.

[Epidemiological study of bancroftian filariasis in the Logone Valley (North Cameroon) (author's transl)]. / Etude epidémiologique de la bancroftose dans la Vallee du Logone (Nord Cameroun).

In the Logone Valley, Yagoua and the surrounding area, the prevalence of the bancroftian filariasis was measured by means of determinating the microfilarian rate: 22,1 p. 100 in males and 9,8 p. 100 in females. The immunofluorescence test on D viteae frozen sections showed the presence of antibodies in 61,5 p. 100 of the males and 68,2 p. 100 of the females. A balance between the microfilarial rate and the percentage of inhabitants with specific antibodies was observed. Parasitological and immunological examinations appeared to be complementary. The microfilarial density is 19 microfilariae/20 microliter of blood in males and 13 microfilarae/20 microliter in females. Elephantoid extremities of scrota was observed in 13,2 p. 100 of the adult males, all of them having more than 40 years of age. Females are less affected than males. At the beginning of the rainy season, females of A. gambiae were the mosquitos the most frequently caught in the houses.

[Epidemiologic study of intestinal and urinary bilharziasis in the Tala Mokolo region (Mandara Mountains, North Cameroon)]. / Etude épidemiologique des bilharzioses intestinale et urinaire dans la région de Tala Mokolo (Monts Mandara, Nord Cameroun).

In the Mandara Mountains, where small dams have been erected, people living in the Tala Mokolo district eliminate some S. haematobium eggs in 31,4% of urines samples, and some S. mansoni eggs in 38,1% of stools samples. Evaluated from hemagglutination test, bilharziosis prevalence reaches 55,7%. Male subjects are more frequently affected than female subjects, particularly as for as intestinal bilharziosis is concerned. Urinary bilharziosis prevalence or intestinal bilharziosis prevalence are subject to proximity of small water reservoirs mostly infested either by Bulinus globosus or Biomphalaria pfeifferi. These small water reservoirs are mainly "mayo" head-bays.

[Epidemiologic study of malaria in the Koza region (North Cameroon)]. / Etude épidémiologique du paludisme dans la région de Koza (Nord Cameroun).

The data obtained in the survey carried out in the villages of the Mandara mountains are as follows. P. falciparum is the only species of Plasmodium which has been found in the area. The parasitic rate in children 2 to 9 years of age is 40.8 p. 100 and the spleen rate 35.6 p. 100. The immunofluorescent test performed with an homologous P. falciparum antigen is positive in 37.7 p. 100 of the children of this class of age. The thick drop shows parasites in 25 p. 100 of the newborn children. The parasitic load rated by number of blood cells harboring parasites is high in young children, then diminishing in adults while the antibodies increased. Malaria cases are more numerous at the end of the rainy season but a new spell of the disease is also noticed at the beginning of the year while the outside temperature is especially high. Malaria, now mesoendemic in the study area, seems to decrease as far as parasite and spleen rates are concerned in comparison with the rates obtained in the Mandara mountains 20 years ago. This seems to be a consequence of an increase in the intake of chloroquine by the inhabitants.

[A serious "acetaldehyde syndrome" compounded by dopamine]. / Effet antabuse sévère aggravé par la dopamine.

Disulfiram is commonly used in the treatment of alcohol dependence. It induces aversive symptoms after alcohol ingestion: the "acetaldehyde syndrome". Most often "acetaldehyde syndrome" is moderate but severe life-threatening symptoms may occur in specific circumstances. We report the case of a serious "acetaldehyde syndrome" with shock compounded by the initial administration of dopamine. Discussion clarifies the pathophysiology and develops the therapeutic management.

[A very extensive necrotizing fasciitis]. / Une fasciite nécrosante très extensive.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe skin infection. Fluidized bed may be indicated to improve healing. We report a 36-year-old woman case, who developed an important skin emphysema on a fluidized bed that may have worsen the situation.

[Pharmacodynamic interest of ceftazidime continuous infusion vs intermittent bolus administration in patients with severe nosocomial pneumonia]. / Intérêt pharmacodynamique de la perfusion continue vs l'administration intermittente de ceftazidime dans les pneumonies nosocomiales sévères.

GOAL OF THE STUDY: It is well known today that the main determinant of beta-lactam antibiotics efficacy is the duration of the time that concentrations remain in excess of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of susceptible organism over the course of therapy. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, in term of pharmacodynamic profile, of continuous infusion versus intermittent administration of ceftazidime in intensive care unit patients with severe nosocomial pneumonia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 16 patients under mechanical ventilation with nosocomial pneumonia were randomised to receive either 60 mg/kg/day ceftazidime by constant rate infusion following a 20 mg/kg loading dose (Group A) or 20 mg/kg every 8 hour by intravenous bolus injection (Group B). In both groups, serial blood samples were collected during 48 hours (12 and 18 samples in Group A and B, respectively) after the start of drug administration. Plasma concentrations of ceftazidime were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Based on our local bacteriological conditions, the pharmacodynamic profile of ceftazidime was assessed as the duration of time the plasma concentration remained above a desired target concentration of 20 mg/l for each regimen. RESULTS: The mean time (expressed as a percentage) for which plasma ceftazidime concentrations were above 20 mg/l was 100% for the continuous infusion group (Group A) and 56+/-33% for the intermittent administration group (Group B). CONCLUSION: These findings show that ceftazidime administered by continuous infusion in critically ill patients under mechanical ventilation with nosocomial pneumonia appears to substantially improve the pharmacodynamic profile of this beta-lactam compared to the intermittent regimen.

[Effect of muramyldipeptide (MDP) on rat resistance to Schistosoma mansoni]. / Influence du muramyldipeptide (MDP) sur la résistance du rat vis-à-vis de Schistosoma mansoni.

Partial immunity to Schistosoma mansoni, in the rat, can be obtained by injection of a bilharzian antigen together muramyldipeptide (MDP) in a water in oil emulsion. This immunity is the result of both specific and non specific mechanisms.

[Immunofluorescent reaction of antibodies directed against antigens from the intestinal epithelium of Schistosoma mansoni. III. Study of the reactivity of monoclonal antibodies]. / Etude par la réaction d'immunofluorescence des anticorps dirigés contre les antigènes de l'épithélium intestinal de Schistosoma mansoni III--Etude de la réactivité d'un anticorps monoclonal.

A monoclonal mouse antibody of IgM class was raised against an epitope of the gut epithelium of the adult worm and was applied to the detection of antigen in parasite infection. The antigen was found in urine from mice and hamsters infected with Schistosoma mansoni; a good correlation between the concentration of antigen and worm burden was observed. The antigen was thermostable, soluble in trichloracetic acid; it was not hydrolysed by proteinase K but it was destroyed by metaperiodate. The antigen was shown to be Schistosoma genus specific. It was found in different developmental stages of the parasite. High levels were detected in egg extracts.

[Immune phenomena during experimental schistosomiasis in the rat: role of specific and non specific factors]. / Les phénomènes d'immunité au cours de la bilharziose expérimentale chez le rat: rôle des facteurs spécifiques et non spécifiques.

Partial immunity to Schistosoma mansoni in the rat can be obtained by injection of a bilharzian antigen together with Freund's complete adjuvant. The results are the same no matter what form of the parasite is used (infecting cercariae or adult). This immunity is the result of both specific and non-specific mechanisms, as is proved by the fact that a lesser but still quite clear degree of resistance to infestation can be obtained by injection of Freund's adjuvant alone.

[Effect of Bacillus Callmette Guerin (BCG) on the receptivity of nude mice to Schistosoma mansoni]. / Influence du bacille de Calmette et Guérin (BCG) sur la réceptivité de la Souris nude vis-à-vis de Schistosoma mansoni.

"Nude" mice are injected intravenously with 1 mg live BCG each. Pulmonary schistosomules, counted 5 days after infestation with Schistosoma mansoni cercaria are observed to be fewer in injected mice than in non-injected controls. This show that BCG immunostamulation can be obtained when mature T lymphocytes are absent.

[Immunofluorescence test of antibodies directed against antigens of the intestinal epithelium of Schistosoma mansoni. II. In the bilharziasis patient]. / Etude par la réaction d'immunofluorescence des anticorps dirigés contre les antigénes de l'épithélium intestinal de Schistosoma mansoni. II. Chez le sujet bilharzien.

Specific IgM antibodies to antigens present in the epithelial cells of the gut of adult S. mansoni were measured in 2 230 persons living in areas of different levels of endemicity. Significant differences were found in the prevalence of IgM antibodies in the infected patients of the compared bilharziasis foci: lower prevalences were found in high endemic foci, involving the possibility of a tolerance phenomenon.

[Study by the immunofluorescence reaction of antibodies directed against antigens of the gut epithelium of Schistosoma mansoni. V. Modulation of granulomatous reaction around the egg under the influence of an IgM monoclonal antibody]. / Etude par la réaction d'mmunofluorescence des anticorps dirigés contre les antigènes de l'épithélium intestinal de Schistosoma mansoni. V. Modulation de la réaction granulomateuse autour de l'oeuf sous l'influence d'un anticorps monoclonal de classe IgM.

The periovular granulomatous reaction has been reduced in vivo by an IgM monoclonal antibody. The granulomatous reaction has been obtained either in unsensitized, or sensitized as well as immunized mouse. The granulomatous reduction could be explained by a decrease in egg viability, owing to the fact that the monoclonal antibody is lethal against an in vitro miracidium suspension.

[Study of antibodies directed against antigens of the gut epithelium of Schistosoma mansoni using an immunofluorescence reaction. IV. Blocking action on immunity of an IgM monoclonal antibody]. / Etude par la réaction d'immunofluorescence des anticorps dirigés contre les antigènes de l'épithélium intestinal de Schistosoma mansoni. IV. Etude du pouvoir bloquant sur l'immunité d'un anticorps monoclonal de classe IgM.

The inhibitory effect on immunity is demonstrated by passive transfer experiments in mice. It can be shown in a secondary infection with Schistosoma mansoni and also in primary infection. The results indicate that blocking activity probably interfers with non specific immunity mechanisms.

Effect of a mass treatment with praziquantel on the excretion in urine of a polysaccharide antigen used for diagnosis of schistosomiasis due to S. mansoni in Cameroon.

The detection in urine, with a monoclonal antibody, of an excreted polysaccharide antigen characteristic of the genus Schistosoma, allows evaluation of the effect of praziquantel used for mass treatment, in a focus of S. mansoni infection. Inhibition of the passive haemagglutination test, which was used for detecting the polysaccharide antigen in urine, is more sensitive for measuring prevalence than the determination of eggs in stools by means of direct examination and the formalin-ether concentration technique. Nine months after anthelminthic treatment, the percentage of inhabitants excreting antigen in urine diminished markedly, while the circulating antibody levels remained high. The test for detecting the antigen in urine seems to be the most efficient way to monitor the effect of mass treatment in intestinal schistosomiasis.