[Plasma and erythrocyte membrane phospholipids in children with Plasmodium falciparum malaria: relation to blood parasite counts and lactate levels]. / Phospholipides plasmatiques et de la membrane érythrocytaire chez les enfants atteints de paludisme à Plasmodium falciparum.

BACKGROUND: Plasmodium falciparum infection modifies the distribution of phospholipids on both sides of the erythrocyte-plasma membrane. We sought to understand the action of the parasite on both plasma and membrane phospholipids and their relation to parasite counts in the blood. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted this study from 1 February through 30 June 2007 in the Malaria Clinical Research Unit of the Libreville General Hospital Centre, measuring phospholipids in plasma and erythrocyte membranes of children affected by P. falciparum malaria and assessing their relation to blood parasites, lactates and hemoglobin. RESULTS: The study included 60 children. The mean blood parasite count was 1.07 x 105 per ml. Mean plasma phospholipids were 2.6+/-0.9 mmol/l and lactates 4.7+/-3.7 mmol/l. At the membrane level, we found 2.8+/-1.2 mmol/l of phospholipids per 106 red blood cells. Phospholipids in these two compartments were positively correlated with one another (r=0.392; p=0.023). Plasma phospholipids were also correlated positively with hemoglobin (r=0.36; p=0.032) and negatively with the number of parasites (r=0.442; p=0.002). The latter, in turn, was positively correlated with lactates (r=0.527; p=0.022) and negatively with membrane phospholipids (r=0.542; p=0.006). The mean hemoglobin level (8.9 g/dl) suggests permanent blood loss in these children, although they may be considered new malaria patients. The relations revealed here between membrane phospholipids, blood parasite counts, and lactate levels are due to the increased energy needs of erythrocytes, but also to the need to synthesize substances intended for cellular defense. P. falciparum thus leads to a decrease in plasma phospholipids, which could be estimated and correlated with blood parasites in a study with a wider range of parasite counts.

[Vitamin A in Gabonese children not receiving supplements: relation to ocular and nutritional diseases]. / Vitamine A chez les enfants gabonais non supplémentés : relation avec les pathologies oculaires et nutritionnelles.

To define vitamin A status in Gabonese children before the supplementation campaigns by UNICEF and the Gabonese Ministry of Health. We conducted an epidemiological, clinical and laboratory study at two of the main child health centers of Libreville and included 150 children aged from 0 to 156 months. We assessed their nutritional and ophthalmological status, their consumption of food rich in vitamin A and their blood levels of vitamin A (retinol). The latter was below the normal level (0.76 mmol/l) for 70% of the children. We observed the following eye diseases correlated with retinol levels: nyctalopia (16%), conjunctiva xerosis (6.7%), Bitot's spots (1.3%), corneal xerosis (3.3%), leukoma (0.7%) and blindness (1.3%). Moreover, 48.7% of the children had delayed growth, positively correlated with low retinol concentrations (0.643 mmol/l), 10% kwashiorkor and 19.9% marasmus. Among the mothers interviewed, 56% were unemployed and 69.3% knew little about vitamin A-rich food, which indeed is a rare part of the population's diet. This prospective study showed that the vitamin A deficiency is a major public health problem in Libreville. Supplementation campaigns are certainly necessary to fight it, but also and especially improved nutrition, including regular consumption of the vitamin A-rich food available in Gabonese market places.