[Lung cancer in Dakar, Senegal]. / La cancer bronchique a Dakar, Sénégal.

A prospective, multicenter was conducted in all specialized centers in the city of Dakar. The objective was to describe the epidemiology to assess the management of lung cancer. 45 patients were included. The sex ratio M/F = 8. The average age of patients was 57.5 years. Smoking was found in 84.4% of cases. The average time for consultation after the onset of symptoms was 6 months. The average time to diagnosis was 2 months. Two out of three patients (66%) had seen beyond the stage III B. Improved diagnostic performance for early diagnosis of cancer is needed. Emphasis should be on prevention through tobacco control.

[Etiology of spontaneous pneumothorax in Senegal: prospective study in Dakar University Hospital]. / Etiologies du pneumothorax spontané au Sénégal: étude prospective au CHU de Fann-Dakar.

Pneumothorax is defined as the presence of air in the pleural space. There is a paucity of data on pneumothorax in Senegal. The purpose of this prospective study conducted over a 18-month period was to determine the etiological and clinical characteristics of spontaneous pneumothorax in Senegal. This study was conducted in the respiratory disease unit of Dakar University Hospital between June 2005 and November 2006. All patients over the age of 15 years admitted with a diagnosis of spontaneous pneumothorax were included. Sociodemographic, clinical, radiological and biological data were recorded for all patients. Of the 1,053 patients admitted to the unit during the study period, 73 (6.93%) presented spontaneous pneumothorax that was classified as primary in 8 cases and secondary in 65. Median patient age was 32 years (range, 16 to 86). The male-to-female ratio was 3.6/1. The most common cause of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax was pulmonary tuberculosis followed by emphysema. The findings of this study indicate that secondary spontaneous pneumothorax is predominant in Senegal. Pulmonary tuberculosis that is endemic in the country is the main cause of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax and accounts for almost 3/4 of cases.

[Smoking among students at the School of Health and Social Development and the Health Service Institute in Senegal]. / Le tabagisme chez les élèves de l'Ecole de Développement Sanitaire et Social et de l'Institut Santé Service.

We have undertaken a transverse study of smoking among students at the National School of Health and Social Development (ENDSS) and the Health Service Institute (ISS) in Senegal. 683 out of 1142 students were questioned. 609 (89%) replied, of whom 313 (52%) were at the ENDSS and 293 (48%) at the ISS. Senior technical students were most strongly represented at 37.8%, followed by student nurses (27.4%) and midwifery students (23.3%). There were more women (n=378) than men with a sex ratio of 0.61. The average age of the population was 27.5 +/- 6.8 years (range 15 to 58). The average age was 26.2 +/- 5.6 years in the women and 29.6 +/- 8 in the men. The group aged 25-34 was significantly the most affected in both men and women (p=0.0000). The population comprised 502 non-smokers (82.4%), 62 ex-smokers (10.2%) and 45 smokers (7.4%).We found variable alcohol consumption in 119 subjects (19.2%) and 5 students admitted using cannabis. The 62 ex-smokers made up 10.2% of the population. The average age was 31.4 years. 25 ex-smokers (40.3%) drank alcohol, with a sex ratio of 1.95. The reasons for stopping smoking were illness and guilt in 27.4% of cases respectively, economic in 24.2%, medical statements on the effects of smoking on health in 17.7% and personal wishes in only 11.3%. The smokers, numbering 45 (7.4%), had an average age of 27.6 +/- 6.6 years with a sex ratio of 2 (p=0.00000). The age of starting smoking was 20.7 +/- 4.2 years for the women and 19.9 +/- 2.9 years for the men. The latter had smoked for an average of 9.2 years. Cigarettes were used by the great majority of smokers. It was associated with alcohol consumption in 35.6% and cannabis in 11.1% of cases. In the men the motives for starting smoking were stress (60%), pleasure (55.2%) and social influence (53.3%). By contrast, among the women, the two main reasons were stress and fashion in 60% (p=0.04). Our students smoked mostly in public places and in their homes. 34 smokers (75.6%) wished to stop (p=0.02) but only 27 of them expressed the need for medical or psychological support to do this. Dependence, quantified by the Fagerström Score, was medium (score 5-6) in 60% (n=27) and strong (score 7-10) in 31.1% (n=14).The estimated monthly cost of smoking increased with the degree of dependence. It was, on average, 12,143 F CFA (18.5euro) in cases of high dependence, representing 37% of the minimum wage in Senegal which is 33000F CFA (50euro). The students understood well the diseases caused by smoking (whether they were smokers, ex-smokers or non-smokers). These comprise mainly pulmonary diseases (96.2%) and cardio-vascular diseases (78.3%) All the recommended methods of the fight against smoking presented in the media, the publicity, national anti-smoking campaigns, personal contact and consultation, received more than 60% of favourable opinions among the total population studied.

The Diamniadio Institute for Health Research, Epidemiological Surveillance, and Training (Iressef): One Man's Vision and a Bet on the Future.

To reduce congestion in its capital, Dakar, Senegal decided in 2012 to construct a new city in Diamniadio, in the suburbs. This new urban center, an integral part of the Emerging Senegal Plan (PSE), is a major first step towards the organization of land use planning. The Institute for Health Research, Epidemiologic Surveillance and Training (Iressef) is one of the very first new operational buildings in this new city. Conceived and directed by Professor Souleymane Mboup, Iressef was made possible by the support of the government of Senegal and the GILEAD Foundation. The vision of its sponsors is to make it a hub of excellence for research in the domain of tropical infectious diseases, with expertise and technical equipment and facilities comparable to those in research institutes in developed countries. The existing platforms include, among others, several state-of-the-art laboratories, a health and demographic surveillance system covering a population of 30 000 inhabitants, a clinical trial center, a dynamic community participation program, and a training center. To achieve this vision in the short- and long-terms, Iressef has developed a strategic 5-year plan focusing on two principal objectives, that is: (i) to conduct research programs according to the strictest ethical standards, and (ii) to train an elite group of Senegalese and African scientists, competitive and capable of developing health research in Africa. To attain these objectives, international partners will play an essential role.

[Clinical, biological and radiological spectrum of newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis]. / Profil clinique, biologique et radiologique des nouveaux cas de tuberculose pulmonaire au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Fann-Dakar.

The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical, biological and the chest-X ray presentations of newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis. A retrospective study of 200 patients was performed from January to October 2004 in the respiratory diseases unit of Dakar's University Teaching Hospital. Among the 200 cases, 140 (70%) were male, giving a sex ratio of 2.3. The mean age of our patients was 35.5 years (range: 14-81 years). The group age of 20 to 39 years was the most affected (55,5% of patients). The median diagnostic delay was 4 months (range: 7 days to 2 years). Haemoptysis revealed the disease in 27% of cases. The chest X-ray showed bilateral lesions in 65% of cases. When they were unilateral, the right side was the most concerned. Of the 200 patients, the lesions interested all parts of at least one lung in 106 (53%). Among our patients, 153 (76.5%) had cavitations and 145 (72.5%) had infiltrates. A pleural effusion was associated to the lung lesions in 10% of the patients. Biologically, we reported 80% cases (n=160) of hypochromic microcytic anaemia. Of the 27 HIV tests done, 18 (66.7%) were positive all for HIV1. Delay in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis was very long and our data illustrate the need for improved education of the community and event of healthcare workers about the benefit of early diagnosis of tuberculosis.

[Familial tuberculosis: tracing the contacts of an infectious case]. / Tuberculose familiale: dépistage parmi les sujets contacts autour d'un cas index contagieux.

INTRODUCTION: This is a prospective study of 30 cases of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis, with at least two sputum positive members of the family, seen in the respiratory clinic between January 2003 and June 2004. METHODS: They constitute the index cases who represent 3.5% of the cases of tuberculosis (n=850) and 2.9% of hospital admissions (n=1034) during the same period. Four patients were HIV positive. In the family circle, all contacts received an intradermal tuberculin test (IDTT) of 10 IU and/or a chest x-ray and/or sputum examination for AFB. RESULTS: Of the 601 contacts 359 (60%) had a positive IDTT with a mean diameter of 13 mm. Active pulmonary tuberculosis was found in 16 contacts giving a prevalence of 2.7% and an incidence of 4.5% (16/359). 67% of the contacts were adults aged 16-87 with a mean age of 35 years. The IDTT was positive with a mean diameter of 12.3 mm. The chest x-ray was abnormal in 40 adults (16.7%) and sputum examination confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis in 14 cases. 33% of the contacts were children (n=119) aged from 3 months to 15 years with the majority (85%) aged under 10. The IDTT was positive with a mean diameter of 12 mm and the chest x-ray was abnormal in 22 cases (18.5%). Two children of 15 years had active tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: The contacts identified were treated according to the tuberculosis protocol of Senegal (2RHEZ/6EH) with the intensive phase dispensed in hospital. It is of major importance therefore to develop effective strategies of information, education, diagnosis and management for cases of infectious pulmonary tuberculosis.

[Tuberculosis in the mother and child]. / La Tuberculose dans le couple mère-enfant.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis is a scourge in our region; it is particularly dangerous in young children, above all those of tuberculous mothers. The object of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of tuberculosis in the children of tuberculous mothers and to determine how to increase their chances of survival and healthy development. METHODS: Between 1 January and 31 July 2002, 45 women were admitted to hospital with a child of less than 5 years. They received (mothers and children) an intradermal tuberculin test (IDTT) of 10 i.u., chest x-ray, and sputum examination for the mothers. RESULTS: 45 women (aged from 18 to 45 years) were hospitalised for sputum positive tuberculosis, an average IDTT of 13 mm and a high bacterial load (1 to>10 bacilli/hpf). Almost all (96%) presented with cavitating parenchymatous disease. We found no cases positive for HIV. Progress was satisfactory in 43 mothers treated with SRHZ. There were 2 deaths. In the children who were systematically examined, 82% (37) were less than 20 months old, there were 23 boys (51%), and 26 children (58%) were symptomatic at the first consultation. All the children were breast fed, explaining their admission with their mother. Evidence of tuberculous contact was found, 6 times with the father and 4 times with the grandparents. The most common physical signs were fever (92%) cough and weight loss (77%), malnutrition (69%). The IDTT was positive in 38/45 (84.5%) and pustular in 16/38 (42%). The chest x-ray was normal in 16/45 (35.6%), revealed mediastinal adenopathy in 19/29 (65.5%), accompanied by ipsilateral ventilatory problems in 11/29 (38%) and by parenchymal involvement in 3/29 (10.3%). Progress was satisfactory in 44 children on antituberculous treatment (RHE). There was one death on account over severe malnutrition. CONCLUSION: Treatment of tuberculosis in the mother and child is a guarantee of recovery for the mother and healthy development for the child. S: streptomycin, R: rifampicin, H: isoniazid, E: ethambutol, Z: pyrazinamide.

[Tuberculosis and diabetes]. / Tuberculose et diabète.

INTRODUCTION: We performed a retrospective case control study for the period between 1st January 1999 and 31st August 2004, comparing the radiological appearances of tuberculosis in 100 diabetics to those in patients matched for age and sex, with pulmonary TB alone presenting to The Chest clinic of the National Hospital of Fann. METHODS AND RESULTS: Diabetes was present in 4.7% of the 2116 patients hospitalized for pulmonary tuberculosis during the period of study and occurred more commonly in men (60%) with an average age of 51 years (73%). 82% had type II, non-insulin dependent diabetes. The various types of radiological lesions classically described in tuberculosis were found in nearly identical proportions in the two groups of patients, with parenchymal shadowing the most frequent appearance in both diabetics (N=86) and controls (N=88). Cavitation occurred significantly less frequently in diabetics (72%) than controls (88%) (p=0.04). Where radiological abnormalities were bilateral, they were worse on the left in the diabetics (27% versus 15% in controls). There was a trend for basal lesions to occur more frequently in diabetics (15%) than controls (3%) (p=0.06). CONCLUSION: Mortality was higher in diabetics (18%) than controls (6%), with death generally occurring within the first 24 hours of hospitalization.

[Preliminary study of smoking in medical and paramedical staff at the Centre Hospitalier National de Fann Dakar]. / Etude préliminaire sur le tabagisme chez le personnel médical et paramédical du CHN de Fann.

BACKGROUND: Smoking represents a major threat to public health, being responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality. We undertook this study to establish the prevalence of smoking among personnel at the Centre Hospitalier National de Fann, their smoking habits and the attitude of staff to the problems caused by smoking as well as their understanding of their role in promoting smoking cessation. METHODS: A prospective study was undertaken between February and April 2004 in which a standardised, anonymous, self-completion questionnaire in French was administered to 262 medical and paramedical staff at the CHN de Fann. RESULTS: The response rate was 95%. The biggest single group of respondents came from the infectious diseases service (24.5%). 63% of participants were paramedical and 54% of respondents were male. The mean age of respondents was 39.2 for men and 35.9 for women. 11.6% were smokers and 13.3% were ex-smokers. The mean age of ex-smokers was 43.8 years with a male/female ration of 7.25 to 1. Among the ex-smokers 51.7% had stopped smoking within the last 10 years with health problems the most commonly cited reason for quitting (24.2%), followed by guilt (21.2%). Smokers had a mean age of 38.6 with a male to female ratio of 8.6 to 1. Mean age at which they had started to smoke was 14.3 for women and 21 for men with a mean duration of smoking of 21 in women and 17 in men. 96.6% smoked cigarettes with 31% smoking > 20 cigarettes per day. 75.9% of our smokers had tried to quit at least three times. 86.2% wished to stop but only 48.3% considered getting medical and or psychological support to help them to quit. The Fagerström score showed a high level of dependency in 27.6% of smokers. More than half the total population studied (65.6%) thought that healthcare workers should help others to stop smoking and 75.5% thought that they had influence to do this. CONCLUSION: Healthcare workers in Senegal have an opportunity and a responsibility to promote smoking cessation. Legislative proposals and smoking cessation clinics should help to combat the tobacco epidemic.

[Knowledge of the risks of smoking in patients admitted to a respiratory clinic in Senegal]. / Connaissances des risques liés au tabagisme chez des patients hospitalisés à la Clinique de Pneumologie du CHN de Fann de Dakar.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco smoking is truly a modern plague. The WHO estimates that there are 1.3 billion smokers worldwide, about a third of the world's population. In various studies in Senegal the prevalence of smoking has varied between 16 and 36%. The risks associated with smoking are well established. However it is also well established that 'knowledge of risks alone is not sufficient to modify behaviour.' We undertook a study to assess knowledge of the risks of smoking among patients admitted to The Pulmonology Clinic of the Centre Hospitalier National de Fann de Dakar. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients admitted to the clinic between 1st December 2003 and 31st May 2004 were enrolled into this prospective, cross-sectional study. A questionnaire in French was administered together with the Fagerstrom test of clinical addiction. RESULTS: Of 343 patients admitted 75 (22%) were smokers. Only 2 (2.6%) of the smokers were female. As in previous studies, smoking was associated with social disadvantage. 34.7% of smokers had attended school to primary level only and 33.3% had had no schooling at all. Mean age of starting smoking was 16 (range 9 to 38 years). The monthly cost of smoking to individuals was estimated at between 2 and 45% of the Guaranteed Minimum Wage (SMIG). 44% of smokers also consumed alcohol and 2.6% smoked cannabis. More than two thirds of patients (68%) thought that smoking caused ill health. The majority of subjects (93.3%) had stopped smoking, at least since admission, though 6.7% continued to smoke. Previous consumption was estimated as a mean of 20 pack-years. Nicotine dependence was defined as medium in 37 patients (49.3%). CONCLUSION: Certain diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS exist at endemic levels producing considerable morbidity and mortality. We should not allow the epidemic of smoking to continue. Collective action, particularly by pneumologists is required.

[Skin tuberculin test (STT) for screening tuberculosis in contacts of tuberculosis patients]. / Interet de l'intradermoreaction a la tuberculine (IDRT) dans le depistage de la tuberculose chez les sujets contacts.

INTRODUCTION: Many studies have underlined the theorical and practical role of Skin Tuberculin Test (STT) as an important tool for the diagnosis and for the screening of tuberculosis in the population. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This prospective study evaluated STT in 51 smear positive tuberculosis patients and 108 contacts tuberculosis patients apparently in a good health condition. Twenty seven patients have disappeared before the end of the study and 7 patients were excluded for non suitable results. So we analysed only 73 cases. RESULTS: The mean age was 34 years, with extreme of 1 and 77 years. There were 33 male and 40 female patients for a sex-ratio of 0,8. BCG vaccination scar was found in 64% of patients. We calculated the Body-Mass-Index and we found a proteinocaloric malnutrition (BMI<18,5) in 30%. The mean diameter of STT induration was 12,3mm with extremes of 7 and 20mm. Considering a STT < 7 mm as negative, 4 patients (5%) had a negative STT and 69 (95%) a positive STT. 13 of these 69 patients had a STT > 15mm. The age group of the 10 to 50 years had more positive STT. Meanwhile, according to the sexe and to the nutritional status, there was no statistical difference. All patients with a negative STT received BCG vaccination after 2 months of follow-up. Those with STT>15mm were examinated and had a chest X-ray the day of their enrolment, at the second month and at the sixth month and we didn't find any evolutive tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: According to these results, we can conclude that STT is not an important test for the screening of pulmonary tuberculosis in contact patients. Clinical examination, chest X-ray and sputum smear remain very important for the diagnosis. Despite these results, STT remain the only validated technic between the different tuberculin tests. Its interest was twofold: the research of an acquired immunity against tuberculosis after BCG immunisation and it is clinical test for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in children.

[Determination of risk factors of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis]. / Etude des facteurs de risque de survenue d'une tuberculose pulmonaire a bacilloscopie negative.

OBJECTIVES: to compare the epidemiological, clinical and paraclinical features of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (PT-) and the smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PT+), to determine the risk factors of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: It was a prospective study, conducted from November 1995 to November 1996. Data were analysed by EPI-INFO 6.04 (OMS/CDC). RESULTS: The study included 426 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Among them, 348 (81.7%) were PT+ and 78 (18.3%) were PT-. The sex-ratio was 2.4. Age group of 26 to 45 years was more affected (58.4% for the PT+ and 52.6% for the PT-). The prevalence of HIV infection was statistically higher in PT- (p = 0.01). Cough, sputum and lung condensation syndrom were more observed in PT+ group (p = 0.01). PT- patients had best nutritional status (p = 0.01). The chest X-ray showed more cavitations in the PT+ group (p = 0.000). While, in the PT- group, extra pulmonary lesions as pleural fluid were more frequent (p = 0.02). The full blood count found an anaemia (Hb=9 g/dl) associated to a neutrophilic h yperleucocytosis and an increased e rythrocyte sedimentation at the first hour in the both groups, without significant differance. The rates of CD4, CD8 lymphocytes and the ratio CD4/CD8 were in the normal range. Negative skin tuberculin test was more found in PT- (p = 0.04). The culture of sputum for PT- patients was positive in 15 patients out of 23 (65.2%). CONCLUSION: The risk factors of PT- identified are: Age >45 years, HIV infected patients, no expectoration, no or inefficient cough, no cavitations at the Chest X-ray.

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.

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".

[Evaluation of ELISA using A60 antigen from Mycobacterium bovis BCG: specific IGG and IGM in mycobacterial infections]. / Evaluation d'un ELISA utilisant l'antigène A60 de Mycobacterium bovis BCG: IgG et IgM spécifiques au cours des infections mycobactériennes.

The authors have evaluated an ELISA (A60-Tb, Anda biologicals) allowing the detection of specific IgG and IgM against A60 antigen from Mycobacterium bovis BCG during mycobacterial infections. This study included sera from 110 african subjects and from 71 French subjects distributed in 4 clinical groups: 55 tuberculous patients (I), 41 leprous patients (II), 33 pneumopathies (III) and 52 healthy subjects (IV). Serological results were compared taking as reference for the diagnosis of tuberculosis the positivity of culture and/or that of a direct examination, and for leprosy the positivity of a direct examination associated either with a Mitsuda's reaction or with an histopathological examination. IgG were found to be more discriminative than IgM. Considering together the results of groups I and II, the authors found a sensitivity of 95.8 p. cent and a specificity of 75.3 p. cent with threshold of 200 U/ml for specific IgG. Anti-A60 antigen antibodies obtained for groups I and II were significantly higher (IgG: p less than 0.0001; IgM: p less than 0.001) than those observed in other groups. African subjects presented IgG titers higher than those obtained by French subjects (p less than 0.0001). IgM response was more frequent among group II (97.6 p. cent) than group I (21.8 p. cent). However, IgG (26.9 p. cent) and IgM titers (30.8 p. cent) were detected among group IV. This test would allow a control of therapeutic efficacy with an additional interest for classifying borderline forms of leprosy.

[Hematologic abnormalities and immunodepression in HIV/AIDS- related pulmonary tuberculosis]. / Anomalies de l'hémogramme et immunodépression dans l'associaton VIH/SIDA-tuberculose pulmonaire.

Our objectives were to describe hemato-immunological abnormalities encountered in tuberculosis patients HIV seropositive (TBVIH+, n = 67) or not (TBVIH-, n = 39) and in HIV asymptomatic patients (aSVIH+, n = 40). We found: a great reduction of mean value of RBC and Hb in TBVIH+ and TBVIH-; a reduction of mean value of leucocytes, total lymphocytes and CD4+ lymphocytes in TBVIH+ and aSVIH+; an inversion of [formula: see text] ratio, more important in TBVIH+ than in aSVIH+. HIV and tuberculosis association, HIV1 serotype and CD4 < 200/mm3 were found to promote significantly hemato-immunological abnormalities.

[Application of the WHO chronic respiratory diseases programme in Sub-Saharian Africa: problems in Senegal]. / Application du programme "maladies respiratoires chroniques" de l'OMS en Afrique subsaharienne: problématique au Sénégal.

INTRODUCTION: To prevent and control chronic respiratory diseases, the WHO has outlined a programme to be applied in all the countries. In Sub-Saharan countries like Senegal, its application faces many barriers. METHODS: This work is a detailed analysis of the main areas of the programme based on the socio-economic, cultural and medical realities present in Sub-Saharan Africa countries, and particularly in Senegal. RESULTS: There is a lack of political engagement resulting from the precarious socio-economical situation. The demand for care is impaired because of the prevalence of illiteracy and the practice of traditional healing methods which is the first recourse for patients. The inaccessibility and lack of adequate health structures, technical equipment and qualified medical staff, and the high cost of medications for the majority of the population is the cause of this weakness of the healthcare system. These international recommendations are both not compatible with the local realities and not known to the majority of health providers. CONCLUSIONS: The mobilisation of international and national human and financial resources, the involvement of community-based structures, the adaptation and revision of the recommendations, the introduction of medications advocated by the Bamako Initiative, the training of health providers, the adaptation of regional and continental initiatives against tobacco and the creation of smoking cessation centres are needed if this chronic respiratory diseases programme is to be efficiently implemented.

[Occupational asthma in a Senegalese car sprayer. Diagnostic and medico-legal problems]. / Asthme professionnel chez un peintre sénégalais. Problèmes diagnostiques et médico-légaux.

The industrial development policy adopted by African countries since their independence has contrasted with the relative rarity of occupational asthma in workers exposed to different situations and substances known to generate occupational asthma. Asthma occurring in a Senegalese car sprayer had persisted for twenty years before the its work-related nature was recognized. This observation demonstrates the need for: 1. Education to make health care personnel, as well as workers and employers, more aware of the clinical aspects of asthma. Educational programs should include diagnostic and preventive measures for respiratory occupational diseases including occupational asthma. 2. A registration system for occupational diseases so the occupational nature of diseases can acquire legal recognition. 3. Cooperative efforts between general practitioners, occupational physicians, physiologists and lung specialists in order to create reference laboratories where tests can be performed to confirm the diagnosis of occupational asthma, a disease which has not yet been included on the list of occupational diseases.

[Anti-BCG titers of healthy and tuberculous Africans. Use of the indirect immunoperoxidase test]. / Titrage d'anticorps anti-BCG chez des africains sains et tuberculeux. Utilisation d'un test indirect à l'immuno-peroxydase.

This study was intended to assess the presence of antibodies to BCG: immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) in three homogenous african populations: 76 tuberculous patients, 55 adult healthy subjects and 46 newborn. We have used an indirect immuno-peroxidase reaction. Tuberculous patients were clearly distinguished from the other two groups by raised IgG titres, associated with severe clinical and radiological features. In the control population, the IgG anti-BCG were also present, but to a lesser degree. The IgM anti-BCG were seen in high titres (greater than 20 in this study) in healthy adults and patients. The two populations differed significantly (p less than 0.001), nevertheless some healthy adults achieved IgM titres comparable with tuberculous patients. This simple test could be an interesting contributory factor in cases of diagnostic difficult and enables a serological assessment of patients having BCG therapy.