[Tests for evaluating the effectiveness of pediculicides: importance and limitations]. / Tests d'évaluation de l'efficacité des pédiculicides : intérêt et limites.

The obligation to prove pediculicides efficacy is relatively recent. Two tests are required by the authorities to obtain registration. In vitro test (with Pediculus humanus humanus) is the first step to evaluate the efficacy of new molecules. It must be followed by bio-clinical tests (with infested children by Pediculus humanus capitis). For those tests the authors advise to respect the "three units rule": unit of time (no more than 2 days for the test), unit of place (same environment) and unit of action (only one team to apply and evaluate products). This type of tests is possible only in countries with high infestation (at least 60% of prevalence). A third test is consequently advised, the ex vivo test using Pediculus humanus capitis obtained from infested children in France. This test can be useful also to re-evaluate current products in the light of increased resistance or decreased sensitivity of the lice. Finally some other tests can be advised to prove some other activities like remanence or repellent properties or to estimated lice resistance.

[Scalp pediculosis and its treatment: bioclinical trials of different pediculicides and repellents in Antananarivo]. / La pédiculose du cuir chevelu et son traitement: essais bio-cliniques de différents pédiculicides, lenticides et répulsifs à Antananarivo.

After a recall of different existing kinds of louse, pediculicides and their mode of action, the authors report the bio-clinical trials they carried out in Antananarivo using different associations and galenic forms of medicines. The objectives of these studies on the treatment of scalp pediculosis is either the development of efficient insecticides or the application for the official permit of sale.

[Current epidemiology of pediculosis capitis]. / Epidémiologie actuelle de la pédiculose à Pediculus capitis.

In schools of Touraine-France--usually more than 15% of the children are infected with capitis (investigation performed in 1987 and 1988). This number (rate) is rather close to the one that obtained in previous two investigations (1974 and 1981). Hence Pediculosis is not progressing. It may however be noticed that, as more and more families become aware of this problem, more and more cures are undertaken (4,656,000 units sold in 1989 versus 2,793,000 in 1984. Then it seems that the most employed pediculosides (pyrethroïds) are less efficient than a few years ago. In fact lices are becoming resistant to these drugs. 4 kinds of complementary actions are in fact necessary: information of the public about the lice biology and necessity of SIMULTANEOUS COMMUNITY cures; prevalence analysis by means of standard sample grids; coordination of all the partners: city administration, medical, paramedical and social staff, family workers, teachers, even children judges... in view of actions from the personal level up to the global one; estimate of the effectiveness of these activities. This strategy, which has been experimented in Touraine, has proved its efficiency at short and long term: we have observed a durable decrease of pediculosis the prevalence of which has diminished from 18.3% down to 5.5% in the 3 school chosen as experiment locations.

[Anti-nuclear factor and anti-toxoplasma antibodies detected using the Toxo-M Abbott kit]. / Facteur anti-nucléaire et anticorps antitoxoplasmiques détectés par le kit Toxo-M abbott.

The antibody capture IgM Toxo Abbott is a specific method. But serum specimens had false positive results. These serum specimens have been studied. There was no Forssman antibodies, no rheumatoid factors. The IgM level was normal but for some of them there were antinuclear antibodies and natural agglutinins. To interfare the assay, the antinuclear antibodies have to be IgM.

[Treatment of bilharziasis due to Schistosoma mekongi with praziquantel]. / Traitement de la bilharziose à Schistosoma mekongi par le Praziquantel.

After a review of the mechanisms of anti-schistosomal activity of praziquantel and the treatment of Schistosoma mekongi with this drug, the authors report two cases of Schistosoma mekongi treated with praziquantel with failure. Rectal mucosa biopsies are performed and eggs are present. Light microscopic, electron microscopic and on ultra-thin sections examination of these samples don't reveal morphological alterations of Schistosoma mekongi eggs after treatment.

[Schistosoma mekongi bilharziasis along the Mekong River and its affluents, the Mun and Tonle Sap Rivers. General review]. / La bilharziose à Schistosoma mekongi le long du Mékong et de ses affluents Mun et Tonle Sap. Revue générale.

First cases of Schistosomiasis in the South East Asian were described 30 years ago but the existence of a particular species in this area: Schistosoma mekongi has been discussed for a long time. During the last few years, emigration of Laotian and Cambodian people allowed a better knowledge of this affection. Through recent literature the authors make a restatement of the epidemiology, biology and treatment of this disease.

[A new molecule in antiparasitic therapy: alpha-difluoromethylornithine]. / Une molécule nouvelle en thérapeutique antiparasitaire: l'alpha-difluorométhylornithine.

Alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) is a specific irreversible inhibitor of ornithine-decarboxylase (ODC), key enzyme in the biosynthesis of polyamines, physiological compounds involved in cell multiplication. Pharmacokinetic studies of the drug revealed good oral absorption, low metabolisation and mainly urinary excretion. Short half-life (3 hrs to 3 hrs 30) implicates daily repeated administrations. DFMO is well tolerated, side effects being reversible on discontinuing drug therapy. They chiefly include diarrheas, hematological perturbations (thrombocytopenia) and hear losses (high dosages). Experimental studies show best results on trypanosomes: curative action in mice infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. DFMO is effective too against infection with sporozoïtes of Plasmodium berghei. Early clinical observations in African patients with Trypanosoma brucei gambiense sleeping sickness show favorable results: efficacy in both stages of the disease, without significant toxicity. Further trials are required to define optimal therapeutic applications. By the way, DFMO already seems to be a promising alternative to conventional therapy of African trypanosomiasis, expecting other indications in the field of antiparasitic chemotherapy.

[Serological study of toxoplasmosis and echinococcosis in cattle breeders and abattoir personnel in Benin]. / Etude sérologique de la toxoplasmose et de l'hydatidose chez les éleveurs de bovins et le personnel des abattoirs au Bénin.

In Benin, a serological study of toxoplasmosis and hydatid disease has been effected among bovine stock-breeders and the staff of the slaughter-houses in comparison with a sample of blood donors. Our results reveal the highest rate of toxoplasmosis infection (87%) among the staff of the slaughter-houses, whereas the bovine stock-breeders are the most exposed population to hydatid disease with a 9% prevalence. There is no mention of similar works in Benin in medical literature.

[17 beta-estradiol receptors in Schistosoma mansoni. Contribution to the explanation of the protective power of this hormone in Schistosoma mansoni bilharziasis in the mouse. Preliminary study]. / Recherche de récepteurs du 17 beta-estradiol chez Schistosoma mansoni. Contribution à l'explication du pouvoir protecteur de cette hormone au cours de la bilharziose a Schistosoma mansoni chez la souris. Etude préliminaire.

According to some of our experiments, in adult Schistosoma mansoni, the existence of receptors able to bind the molecules of 17 beta-estradiol might explain the protective power of this hormone in the experimental Schistosoma mansoni parasitosis in the mice and in the hamster.

[Bilharziasis caused by Schistosoma mekongi along the Mekong and its affluents Mun and Tonle Sap. Apropos of 2 cases observed at the University Hospital Center of Tours]. / La bilharziose à Schistosoma mekongi le long du Mékong et de ses affluents Mun et Tonle Sap. A propos de deux cas observés au C. H. U. de Tours.

The authors report two cases of Schistosomiasis mekongi observed in Laotian people living in Touraine. Discussions about epidemiology, clinical, biology and treatment are taken up.

[Effect of 17 beta-estradiol, progesterone and testosterone on Dipetalonema vitae parasitosis in the castrated female golden hamster Cricetus auratus]. / Etude de l'influence du 17 beta-estradiol, de la progestérone et de la testostérone sur la parasitose à Dipetalonema vitae du hamster doré femelle castré, Cricetus auratus.

In Dipetalonema viteae filariasis of Cricetus auratus, it seems that the natural estrogenic hormon, the 17 beta-estradiol as well as the progesterone have a part in the protection observed in the females.

[Effect of the administration of estrogen-antiestrogen combinations on the experimental infection of the hamster with Schistosoma mansoni]. / Influence de l'administration d'associations estrogène-antiestrogène sur la parasitose expérimentale à Schistosoma mansoni du hamster.

In the purpose of establishing if the antiestrogens may inhib the protective effects of the estrogens during an experimental infection with Schistosoma mansoni in golden female hamster, we have studied the following estrogen-anti-estrogen associations: 17 beta-estradiol + trans-tamoxifène, 17 beta-estradiol + trans-clomifène, hexestrol + trans-tamoxifène. The decrease of the number of worms in the animals under experiment shows that these associations still give a protective effect. This protection is however weaker than the one which is induced by estrogens administration only. The interpretation of these results agree with the intervention of an estrogen receptor.

[Irregular anti-P1 allo-antibodies and sinensis clonorchiasis]. / Allo-anticorps irréguliers anti-P1 et clonorchiase á Clonorchis sinensis.

A parasitological and immuno-hematological study was undertaken simultaneously in fifty South-East asian refugees at the time of their arrival in France. --in this series the frequency of individuals having a P2 erythrocyte phenotype is 80%. --54 % of these immigrants were found to be carriers of Clonorchis sinensis, a parasite rarely found in Europe. --in 40,7 % of these subjects infested by Clonorchis sinensis, the following properties were disclosed concerning the P1 allo-antibody: slow-P1 red cell agglutination at 22 degrees C, no hemolysis of P1 red cells in vitro, IgM antibody, in weak titers. The immuno-hematological study of the immuno-serums with respect to distomian antigens coupled with adsorption-elution using P1+++ red cells shows a close immunological relationship between the antibody of parasite origin and the anti-P1 allo-antibody.

[Influence of synthetic estrogens on experimental Schistosoma mansoni parasitosis in hamsters: cis and trans clomiphene isomers]. / Le rôle des estrogènes de synthèse sur la parasitose expérimentale à Schistosoma mansoni du Hamster: étude des isomères cis et trans du clomifène.

Within the framework of previous investigations concerning the protective effect of estrogens during an experimental infection with Schistosoma mansoni in female hamster, the respective actions of the cis and trans forms of clomiphene have been studied. These two forms appear to be unable to assure a protective effect, the mean numbers of parasitic worms and the seric specific antibodies levels which have been observed in the treated animals do not significantly differ from those of the control group.

[Experimental Schistosoma mansoni parasitosis in golden hamsters. Effects on the intensity of parasitism, and on the rate of antibodies' circulation, after administration of estrogen, testosterone, or progesterone (author's transl)]. / La parasitose expérimentale à Schistosoma mansoni du hamster doré. Etude de l'effet sur l'intensité du parasitisme et sur le taux d'anticorps circulants, après administration d'estradiol, de trestostérone ou de progestérone.

A reduction in the intensity of parasitism under the effect of an implantation of 20 mg of estradiol is observed again but such result is also obtained with testostérone administered in the same way and at the same dose. On the other hand, no significant variation in the number of parasites was observed in animals having received an implantation of 20 mg of progesterone. However, serological examinations showed that the animals treated with one of these hormones all have a specific antibody level higher than the untreated control group. Finally, it is impossible to establish a relationship between level of serum antibodies and the number of parasites.