Chelonitoxism in breast-fed child: cases in Mahajanga, Madagascar.

Chelonitoxism is a form of food poisoning due to the consumption of sea turtle flesh or viscera, which contain marine toxins called chelonitoxins. Because the passage of these toxins into breast milk is thought to be fatal to breastfed babies, we sought to confirm the possibility of this transmission of toxins through breastfeeding and to determine the symptoms of mothers and the severity of poisoning in babies. A recent case of collective consumption of sea turtle meat from the species Eretmochelys imbricata in western Madagascar affected 76 victims. We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of the lactating women and their babies (7 of each) in that group. The maximum latency period was 24 hours for all breastfed babies. The initial clinical signs of mothers and babies differed. Signs of severity were present in the four breastfed babies who died. No maternal deaths were reported. Breast milk seems to be as toxic as turtle meat, especially when a large amount of milk is consumed; prognosis was good for the babies whose mothers did not breast-feed them after they ate sea turtle. During cases of poisoning by marine animals or episodes of chelonitoxism, breastfeeding must be suspended immediately.

[Extrathoracic forms of tuberculosis in Mahajanga hospitals (Madagascar)]. / Les formes extra-thoraciques de la tuberculose en milieu hospitalier à Mahajanga (Madagascar).

Pathological samples issued from patients suspected of extrapulmonary tuberculosis were examined in Laboratories of Mycobacteria and of Histopathology at the Androva Hospital in the University Hospital Centre of Mahajanga. A retrospective study was carried out from 1989 to 1993. During this period, 64 cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis were recorded. Samples came from Androva Hospital, from Lutherian Hospital of Antanimalandy and from the Medical Centre of Mahabibo. The sex-ratio was of 1.28/1, mean age was 28 years old (extreme ages: 1-78 years old). The diagnosis was confirmed by bacteriological and/or histopathological examinations. Ganglial tuberculosis were the most frequent (53.1%), then digestive tract tuberculosis (20.2%) and anal fistula tuberculosis (14%). In front of chronic lesions, biopsies must be performed to obtain confirmation of diagnosis.

[The in vitro biological behavior of TiNb30 alloy treated with hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphates]. / Le comportement biologique in vitro d'un alliage TiNb30 traité avec hydroxyapatite et phosphates tricalciques.

An in vitro study has been carried out in different cell systems to determine the biological response of TiNb30 alloy before and after a surface treatment with hydroxyapatite (HA) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) by the sol-gel method. TiNb30 pure Ti induce favorable cell viability with respect to pure Ni showing a high cytotoxic effect. After surface treatment with HA or HA-TCP mixtures, no difference in cell proliferation can be observed between amorphous and cristalline forms. However, HA decreases (75 +/- 15%) and HA-TCP mixtures increase (133 +/- 11%) significantly cell proliferation compared with controls.

[The electrochemical behavior of TiTa30 and TiNb30 alloys for implantology]. / Etude du comportement électrochimique des alliages TiTa30 et TiNb30 pour l'implantologie.

The electrochemical behavior in artificial saliva of TiNb30 and TiTa30 alloys were compared with that of commercial pure titanium. The anodic potential, the current density, the passivation potential and the galvanic corrosion vs. Au were determined. Both alloys have a similar behavior to that of pure titanium. Crevace corrosion, which is very weak in pure Ti, is completely inhibited by the addition of Nb or Ta.

Erytheme noueux et tuberculose ganglionnaire. [Lettre]

Des lesions cutanees et sous-cutanees a type de nodules sous une peau erythemateuse et douloureuse sont les caracteristiques de l'erytheme noueux. Il est souvent la manifestation de la maladie systematique. Plusieurs etiologies sont relevees; en particulier la tuberculose; bien que dans 50 pour cent des cas on ne trouve pas de cause. Les auteurs rapportent le cas d'une patiente porteuse de lesions d'erytheme noueux et une tuberculose ganglionnaire sus-claviculaire dont le diagnostic a ete evoque a l'examen histopathologique et la presence de Mycobacterium tuberculosis confirmee par la culture. En cette periode de recrudescence de la maladie tuberculeuse; il est opportun de penser a cette association

[Tuberculosis in the province of Mahajanga]. / La tuberculose dans la province de Mahajanga.

Comparative study of compulsory declarations registered at the provincial level and at the central level between January 1st 1993 and 31st December 1994 showed a high prevalence of tuberculosis in the province of Mahajanga and an under-declaration of cases at the provincial level was almost 25% with regard to data collected at the central level. Smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients were the most frequent (86%), which showed respect towards the National Control Programme instructions. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis were under-estimated (less than 10%) because of the weak diagnosis means. Smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis under treatment in the city of Mahajanga were cured globally at 80%. The difference between the centres diminished between 1992 and 1993, then it persisted requiring the improvement of tubercular management conditions within the province structures and most particularly within the city of Mahajanga structures which are at the present taking charge of more than 50% of the province tubercular.