[Imported malaria in Bordeaux: evaluation of the risk of infection with Plasmodium falciparum as a function of country visited]. / Paludisme d'importation à Bordeaux: évaluation du risque d'infestation par Plasmodium falciparum en fonction de la destination.

This study of imported cases of malaria, which was carried out in Bordeaux (France) in 1987-89, emphasizes the major part played by Plasmodium falciparum, especially in areas lying south of the Sahara in Africa, from where falciparum malaria is mainly imported to other countries. The study of these imported cases is strengthening our understanding of the epidemiology of malaria in relation to the country or area, whether the transmission occurs without interruptions or seasonally. The number of cases of P. falciparum per 1000 travellers (seen for vaccination against yellow fever at Bordeaux) gives an index for evaluating the risk of malaria. This risk changes with the epidemiological profile of falciparum malaria in the three major African ecosystems (rain forest, savannah, and sahelian belts), and is related to the progression of chloroquine resistance in Africa and influenced by the type of chemoprophylaxis proposed to travellers. The use of mefloquine for stays shorter than one month in Central Africa reduced the risk of malaria in 1988 and 1989, compared to 1987. [Editorial note. Recent data indicate some undesirable side-effects of mefloquine, e.g., its use during early pregnancy could lead to congenital defects.] Appropriate chemoprophylaxis and advice to travellers to areas lying south of the Sahara are therefore more and more necessary in order to arrest the increase in the number of imported falciparum malaria cases and reduce the number of serious cases, which are costly in terms of public health.

[The administrative control of involuntary commitment at the department of Gironde 150 years following promulgation of the law of 30 June 1838]. / Le contrôle administratif de l'internement d'office dans le département de la Gironde 150 ans après la promulgation de la loi du 30 juin 1838.

The authors take initially stock of compulsory commitments and voluntary confinements (both types of commitment) in Gironde during 1985-1987. They note a rate of more important commitment for 100,000 inhabitants in urban zone, in particular for the voluntary confinements. The urgent procedure of compulsory commitment remains, in 1987, three time more used than the ordinary procedure. Psychiatric expertise of control on prefectoral requisition are frequently carried out before, as well as after the compulsory commitment (visits residence or in the particular hospital for the insane). 55 observations concerning medical checks at home are analyzed in the field of the origin and reasons for descriptions to the D.D.A.S.S. of Gironde as well as the diagnosis of the examined persons. The authors note finally that almost all the patients have a discontinuance of their compulsory commitment to the profit of another mode of placement during the hospitalization. They conclude that, applied and controlled well, the law of 30 june 1838 makes it possible to reconcile the protection of the public order, the care of the insane and the respect of individual freedom.