[Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and HIV infection in the district of Diré in Mali]. / Prévalences de la tuberculose pulmonaire et de l'infection par le VIH dans le cercle de Diré au Mali.

In 1990, a study was made in the district of Diré, North Mali in West Africa, to determine the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and HIV infections in general population. From 1,814 subjects tested, 1.1% (n = 20) have active pulmonary tuberculosis and 0.2% (n = 4) were seropositive with HIV1 or HIV1 + 2. No relation was made between the two diseases.

[Seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) in Mali on 3,496 sera]. / Etude de la séroprévalence de l'infection par le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine (VIH) au Mali sur 3,496 sérums.

Our main objective has been geared toward the appreciation of the importance of the infection by human immunodeficiency virus in Mali. Our study was based on 3,496 sera deducted from March 1987 to January 1989. All positive sera at ELISA have been confirmed by Western Blot. The total seroprevalence of the study is 8.41%. This fact has been noticed higher in prostitutes, young men, more in women than in men in widows and divorced couples, in traders, in travellers of high endemic countries. The seropositivity is proportional to the number of sexual partners. The heterosexual way of transmission has been dominant. There has been no relationship between seropositivity and transfusion, antecedent of surgery, sexually transmitted diseases, of sexual intercourse type. The HIV2 has been more frequent than HIV1. Taking into account the importance of this infection, precautionary measures must be taken to avoid an evolution toward a catastrophic situation.

[Transmission of hepatitis B virus from mother to child in Bamako-Mali]. / Transmission du virus B de l'hépatite de la mère a l'enfant a Bamako au Mali.

Results of a study about mother-infant transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) confirm the high degree of positivity of HBV markers in Bamako, Republic of Mali. Among 372 sera of mother-newborn pairs, seroprevalence of HBs Ag has been around 11% in mothers. The lack of anti HBc IgM in all sera agree probably with a relative old contamination. Pre-S2 epitope marker has been found in more than 70% of HBs Ag positive mothers and 50% of their children. Large discordance has been noted between the prevalence rate of this marker and the HBe Ag and viral DNA, other markers of HBV replication. Further studies are necessary for the clear understanding of HBV transmission systems in our country.

[Does human distomiasis due to Fasiola gigantica exist in the delta of the Niger river in Mali? (apropos of a serological survey)]. / La distomatose humaine à Fasciola gigantica existe-t-elle dans la zone inondée de l'Office du Niger au Mali? (à propos d'une enquête sérologique).

Finding of specific anti-Fasciola antibodies in persons living in the central area of the delta of Niger shows that human fascioliasis is a reality in Mali. Fasciola gigantica, the single species affecting livestock is probably the parasite concerned. We think that this parasitic disease in humans is underestimated, obscured by schistosomiasis which is hyperendemic in the country. Complementary studies are much needed for better identification of the problem.

[Prevalence of hepatitis B virus in women of childbearing age in Mali]. / Prévalence du virus de l'hépatite B chez les femmes en age de procréer au Mali.

A serological investigation on adult female in Mali show a high degree of positivity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers, of which 42% HBs Ag +. Only 6% exhibit active replication. The low prevalence of anti-HBs (+) with a high degree of anti-HB (+) explain a high incidence of infection with a low immune response to HBs antigen. The existence of anti-Delta (+) asymptomatic carriers is an additional support to a vaccination programme.

[Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Mali]. / L'infection par le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine (VIH) au Mali.

This review summarises epidemiological and clinical data of HIV infection who was recognized in Mali since 1985. The most important rate of seropositivity for HIV is observed in the prostitutes group (40%). The estimated seroprevalence for adult population is between 1% and 5%. 46 cases for AIDS are reported in both sexes. The mean age is 35 years. Main signs are weight loss (91%), fever (80%), diarrhea (70%) and lymphadenopathy (50%). Three among the five cases of Kaposi's sarcoma are aggressive. 19.5% of AIDS have antibodies to HIV1, 41.3% to HIV2 and 39.1% to HIV1 and HIV2. Death rate is more than 50%. These data are compared with other countries of Africa.

[Value and limits of serological methods: electrosyneresis and E.L.I.S.A. for the study of the prevalence of histoplasmosis in Mali]. / Intérêt et limites des méthodes sérologiques: électrosynérèse, E.L.I.S.A. pour l'étude de la prévalence de l'histoplasmose au Mali.

The authors have looked for circulating antibodies on 168 subjects for the study of the prevalence of histoplasmosis in Mali. Two serologic systems were employed: with counter-immunoelectrophoresis precipitating bands were detected in 42% of sera, while 57% were positive with Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. E.L.I.S.A. appear less specific because many cross-reactions were observed with other diseases.