[Histologic kidney lesions during pure nephrotic syndrome in adults in Conakry]. / Lesions histologiques renales au cours du syndrome nephrotique pur de l'adulte a Conakry.

INTRODUCTION: Nephrotic syndrome represents a significant part of chronic kidney disease in Black Africa. Our work aimed to determine the frequency and type of kidney lesions in an adult carrying pure nephrotic syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective and descriptive study (2003-2004), 40 patients were recruited on the basis of the presence of a pure nephrotic syndrome. Proteinuria was plentiful, selective to albumin greater than 3 g/24h, not accompanied by hematuria, or high blood pressure, or kidney failure. Cases of bacterial, parasitic and viral infections (hepatitis B, C, HIV) were excluded. By following contra-indications of renal biopsy, samples were taken under local anesthesia by means of percutaneous lumbar and fixed in two tubes, one containing "Michel's medium" and the other 12% Formalin. These techniques and readings were carried out in the pathological anatomy Laboratories of Nantes (France) and Conakry (Guinea). RESULTS: There were 24 men and 16 women with an average age of 26.2 ± 8 years [range: 20-51]. Clinical symptoms were dominated by weight gain characterized by edema. Proteinuria was between 3-3.5 g/24h in 16 (40%); between 3.6-5 g in 2 cases (5%) and greater than 5 g/24h in 22 cases (55%). The number of glomeruli was on average 11 ± 9 [range: 3-36]; glomerular permeability was on average 10.4 ± 10. Renal impairment was glomerular in 22 cases, tubulointerstitial in 12 cases and vascular in 6 cases. Immunofixation was positive in 30/40 cases for IgA IgG IgM; in 26 cases for C1q C3; in 4 cases for C1q C3 C4; and finally for fibrin in 28 cases. Histological renal lesions were FSGS (40%), MDC (35%), MGN (5%), MPGN (5%) and undetermined (15%). CONCLUSION: A regular practice of renal anatomopathological examination "on the spot" will lead us to carefully assess the causes of kidney failure associated with nephrotic syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Le syndrome néphrotique représente une part importante d'insuffisance rénale chronique en Afrique noire. Notre travail avait pour but de déterminer la fréquence et le type de lésions histologiques rénales chez un adulte porteur d'un syndrome néphrotique pur. PATIENTS ET MÉTHODES: Au cours d'une étude prospective et descriptive (2003­2004), 40 patients ont été sélectionnés sur la base de la présence d'un syndrome néphrotique pur. La protéinurie était abondante, sélective à l'albumine, supérieure à 3 g/24h, non accompagnée d'hématurie, ni d'hypertension artérielle, ni d'insuffisance rénale. Les cas d'infections bactériennes, parasitaires et virales (hépatites B, C, HIV) ont été volontiers exclus. En respectant les contre indications de la biopsie rénale, les prélèvements ont été effectués sous anesthésie locale, par voie lombaire percutanée, puis fixés dans deux tubes dont un contenait du « liquide de Michel ¼ et l'autre du Formol à 12%. Les techniques et lectures ont été effectuées aux Laboratoires d'anatomie pathologique de Conakry (Guinée) et de Nantes (France). RESULTATS: Il s'agissait de 24 hommes et de 16 femmes âgés en moyenne de 26,2 ± 8 ans [20­51]. La symptomatologie clinique était dominée par une prise de poids marquée par les œdèmes. La protéinurie était comprise entre 3­3,5 g/24h dans 16 cas (40%); entre 3,6­5 g dans 2 cas (5%) et supérieure à 5 g/24h dans 22 cas (55%). Le nombre de glomérules était en moyenne de 11 ± 9 [3­36]; la perméabilité des glomérules était en moyenne de 10,4 ± 10. L'atteinte rénale était glomérulaire dans 22 cas, tubulo-interstitielle dans 12 cas et vasculaire dans 6 cas. L' immunofixation a été positive dans 30 cas /40 pour les IgA IgG IgM; dans 26 cas pour C1q C3; dans 4 cas pour C1q C3 C4; et en fin pour la fibrine dans 28 cas. Les lésions histologiques rénales étaient une HSF (40%), une LGM (35%), une GEM (5%), une GNMP (5%) et indéterminée (15%). CONCLUSION: Une pratique régulière de l'examen anatomo-pathologique rénal «sur place" nous amènerait à apprécier judicieusement les causes d'insuffisance rénale en rapport avec un syndrome néphrotique.

HPV infection in women with and without cervical cancer in Conakry, Guinea.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer incidence in western Africa is among the highest in the world. METHODS: To investigate human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in Guinea, we obtained cervical specimens from 831 women aged 18-64 years from the general population of the capital Conakry and from 77 locally diagnosed invasive cervical cancers (ICC). Human papillomavirus was detected using a GP5+/6+ PCR-based assay. RESULTS: Among the general population, the prevalence of cervical abnormalities was 2.6% by visual inspection and 9.5% by liquid-based cytology. Fourteen of 15 high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were visual inspection-negative. Human papillomavirus prevalence was 50.8% (32.1% for high-risk types) and relatively constant across all age groups. Being single or reporting > or =3 sexual partners was significantly associated with HPV positivity. HPV16 was the most common type, both among the general population (7.3%) and, notably in ICC (48.6%). HPV45 (18.6%) and HPV18 (14.3%), the next most common types in ICC, were also more common in ICC than in HPV-positive women with normal cytology from the general population. CONCLUSION: The heavy burden of HPV infection and severe cervical lesions in Guinean women calls for new effective interventions. Sixty-three per cent of cervical cancers are theoretically preventable by HPV16/18 vaccines in Guinea; perhaps more if some cross-protection exists with HPV45.

Performance of colposcopy in five sub-Saharan African countries.

OBJECTIVE: The performance of colposcopy provided in a screening study in five African countries was evaluated. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Burkina Faso, Congo Brazzaville, Guinea Conakry, Mali and Niger. POPULATION: Women aged 25-59 years. METHODS: A total of 29 294 women participated in a cervical screening study in the five study sites, and newly trained local doctors performed colposcopy and directed biopsies as indicated. Using meta-analytical tools, four measures of colposcopy performance at different thresholds of colposcopic abnormalities were assessed. Sources of heterogeneity were also assessed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportions of women receiving biopsies, adequate biopsies and women diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). RESULTS: Among 28 553 women with satisfactory colposcopy, 3101 had a colposcopic diagnosis of probable low-grade or worse lesions and 1128 probable high-grade or worse lesions. Overall, the measures that reached the set standards were proportion of biopsy taken at colposcopy threshold of probable high-grade or worse lesions (95%, 95% CI 90-100%) and proportion of adequate biopsy samples. The set standards were not met for the proportions of women diagnosed with CIN at different colposcopic abnormality thresholds. Detection of CIN2 or worse lesions increased with increasing colposcopic abnormality. CONCLUSIONS: The performance of colposcopy in some of the African sites studied was comparable to that previously observed in other studies. With appropriate training, monitoring, continuing practice and quality assurance, adequate standards of colposcopy can be attained in sub-Saharan Africa.

[Clinical and tomographic aspects of 29 cases of phakomatosis in Guinea]. / Aspects clinique et scannographique de 29 observations de phacomatoses en Guinée.

The purpose of this report is to describe 29 cases of phakomatosis including 18 cases of tuberous sclerosis (Bourneville) and 11 cases of neurofibromatosis (von Recklinghausen) observed over a 10-year period at the Neurology Department of the University Hospital Centre in Conakry, Guinea. Findings during this period were consistent with those classically reported in the literature: high frequency of advanced skin lesions coalescing into massive tumours, occurrence of seizures of all types and development of a wide variety of complications as a result of late diagnosis. Our experience underscores the need for follow-up and surveillance of these patients by somatic studies based on neurological, ophthalmologic and tomographic data depending on clinical findings.

Lack of initiative and interest in Alzheimer's disease: a single photon emission computed tomography study.

Apathy is defined as a lack of motivation. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between two major dimensions of apathy (lack of initiative and lack of interest) and brain perfusion. in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Brain perfusion was measured by single photon emission tomography (SPECT). Thirty-one AD patients were included. Lack of initiative and interest were assessed with the Apathy Inventory. Nineteen AD subjects presented a lack of initiative and interest pathological score whereas 12 AD subjects did not. The lack of initiative and interest score correlated significantly with the right frontal and the right inferior temporal lobes. The AD patients with lack of initiative and interest showed a significantly lower perfusion in the right anterior cingulate than the AD patients without lack of initiative and interest. These results derive from rather small subgroups of patients but have the interest to dismantle the complementary aspects of emotion and motivation in apathy and suggest that the latter one is more related to cingulate area.

Aspects clinique et scannographique de 29 observations de phacomatoses en Guinee

Les auteurs rapportent 29 observations de phacomatoses dont 18 cas de sclerose tubereuse de Bourneville et 11 cas de neurofibromatose de Recklinghausen; observees dans le service de neuro l ogie du centre hospitalo-universitaire de Conakry; sur une periode de 10 ans. Dans cette peri o d e;les donnees classiques de la litterature sont retrouvees : frequence elevee des lesions dermatologiques evoluees atteignant de volumineuses tumeurs royales; des crises epileptiques sous toutes ses formes et les complica-tions diverses en raison du retard du diagnostic. Nos resultats soulignent la necessite de suivi et de surveillance de ces patients par un examen somatique (neurologique; ophtal- mologique) et un examen scannographique dicte par les donnees cliniques

[Anatomoclinical study of prostate benign tumors a the urology service of the CHU Ignace Deen]. / Etude anatomoclinique des tumeurs bénignes de la prostate au service d'urologie du CHU Ignace Deen.

OBJECTIVE: It was to compare picture and results of anatomopathological exams of the operated organs, given the individualization of new procedures in recent years. METHODS: One hundred and eighty-two patients, aged from 50 to 98 years, were hospitalized for prostatic tumors. After a complete clinical exam followed by surgery, the operated organs were the subject of a conventional histological study. Data from the rectal touch (RT) were compared with the histological results. RESULTS: In the diagnosis of benignancy, RT and the histology are in agreement in 93% of the cases, though only in 75% of the cases of suspected malignancy. Seven percent of the occult cancers are observed, of which ten cases (6%) are adenocarcinoma at Stage A, and two cases (1%) of carcinoma in situ. We observe as well one case of prostatic localization of leukemia and one case of leiomyosarcoma. Prostatitic-type inflammatory lesions and malpighian metaplasias are very frequent 18 and 7%, respectively). Basal cell hyperplasia is rare. CONCLUSION: The RT keeps its place in the exploration of the prostate, within the framework of individual screening and patient follow-up. Transrectal echography and protein-specific antigen (PSA) dosing are certainly necessary but expensive in our country. Histology, which remains irreplaceable, allows us to make a definitive diagnosis at low cost.

[Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. Study of 32 cases observed in Conakry, Guinea]. / Panencéphalite sclérosante subaiguë. Etude de 32 cas observés à Conakry, Guinée.

Thirty two cases of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis were reported. Diagnosis was based on epidemiological, clinical and electroencephalographic data; myoclonies and alterations of intellectual functions were the most frequent symptoms.

[Aspects of genital tuberculosis in women]. / Aspects de la tuberculose génitale de la femme.

Thirteen cases of genital tuberculosis are reported to make emphasis onto the difficulties of diagnosis, management and prognosis of the disease. The average age of the patients is 31 years. Most of them were under 30. The circumstances of diagnosis were variable. The diagnosis was essentially made thanks to histology. The evolution was favorable under antibiotics. But clinical sequels as amenorrhea and infertility are frequent.

Differential transferrin receptor density in human colorectal cancer: A potential probe for diagnosis and therapy.

Transferrin receptor density was investigated in human colorectal surgical specimens. Crude membranes were prepared from 23 cancer tumors (adenocarcinoma or malignant villous tumor) and 3 non-cancer tumors (polyadenoma or villous tumor) and 26 adjacent control mucosa. Contrary to non-cancer tumors, Scatchard analysis of 125I-transferrin binding data evidenced higher maximal transferrin binding capacity and lower dissociation constant in cancer tissues (Bmax cancer 1.828+/-0.320 nmol/g, Kd 24.1+/-4.7 nM), as compared to paired control colonic mucosa (Bmax contol 0.851+/-0.182 nmol/g, Kd 30.7+/-7.3 nM), paired t-tests: Bmax p<0.001, Kd p<0.05). As the cancer/control Bmax ratio was 2.6+/-0.4,transferrin carrier constructs should be proposed for cancer imaging or therapy.

[Apparently isolated case of African Burkitt lymphoma localized in the breast]. / Lymphome de Burkitt africain à localisation mammaire apparemment isolée.

We report a case of unilateral primary Burkitt lymphoma of the breast. It occurred in a young woman with a history of recent abortion, as a painful mass confused with an abscess. The diagnostic was suggested after fine needle aspiration. Biopsy allowed confirmation, by revealing a B-phenotype lymphoma with intranuclear Epstein-virus small RNA (EBER) in all cells. Additional investigations (clinical and radiographic) were negative (no lymphadenopathy). Chemotherapy induced rapid and complete remission. Patient is in good health (no local recurrence) 5 years later.

Cancer incidence in Conakry, Guinea: first results from the Cancer Registry 1992-1995.

We have registered 2,064 cases of cancer among the inhabitants of Conakry, Guinea, during 1992-1994, corresponding to age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) of 83.3 per 100,000 in men and 110.5 per 100,000 in women. As elsewhere in West Africa, the principal cancer of men was liver cancer (ASR 32.6), with modest rates of stomach (ASR 6.2) and prostate (ASR 8.1) cancers. In women, cervix cancer was the dominant malignancy (ASR 46.0), followed by liver cancer (ASR 12.5) and breast cancer (ASR 10.9). In contrast to contemporary East and Central Africa, Kaposi's sarcoma remained rare (only 4 cases). In the childhood age group, relatively high incidence rates were found for Hodgkin's disease, Burkitt's lymphoma and, especially, retinoblastoma.

[Peritoneal mesothelioma]. / Mésothéliome péritonéal.

On the basis of 5 personal cases with illustrations and a review of the literature, the authors emphasize the clinicopathological features of peritoneal mesotheliomas, rare primary tumors for which the histological diagnosis is often difficult. The classical evidence by contact with asbestos fibers is obtained in every second case only. The tumor is often associated with a pleural lesion. Ultrasound and CT currently aid in the diagnosis, usually in a context of extensive ascites. The prognosis is poor. For technical reasons, surgical exeresis most often remains partial in the diffuse forms. Chemotherapy is rarely effective.

[Fibroblasts of the normal human periodontium. Morphology and functional behavior in lattice collagen]. / Le fibroblaste du parodonte humain normal. Morphologie et comportement fonctionnel en lattis de collagène.

In this preliminary report, we studied human periodontal normal fibroblasts cultured on a fibrillary tridimensional net of collagen (lattice). As demonstrated by scanning and transmission electron microscope, cells were closely binded to this fibrillar net. They kept their functional activities (oxidatives enzymes, leucine aminopeptidase). As seen in monolayer cultures by immunocytochemical methods, the majority of these cells secreted type I collagen (70 to 80% of them: 15 to 25% secreting type III collagen). Besides, the capacity of retraction of collagen lattices, quite similar to that of skin lattices, was expressed by a decreasing curve up to the 8th day. In order to study the possible role of fibroblastic biological changes in periodontal disease, later on we shall compare the characteristics of normal fibroblast to those of fibroblast taken in periodontal disease.