Uniparental (mtDNA, Y-chromosome) polymorphisms in French Guiana and two related populations--implications for the region's colonization.

Blood samples collected in four Amerindian French Guiana populations (Palikur, Emerillon, Wayampi and Kali'na) in the early 1980s were screened for selected mtDNA and Y-chromosome length polymorphisms, and sequenced for the mtDNA hypervariable segment I (HVS-I). In addition, two other Amerindian populations (Apalaí and Matsiguenga) were examined for the same markers to establish the genetic relationships in the area. Strong dissimilarities were observed in the distribution of the founding Amerindian haplogroups, and significant p-values were obtained from F(ST) genetic distances. Interpopulation similarities occurred mainly due to geography. The Palikur did not show obvious genetic similarity to the Matsiguenga, who speak the same language and live in a region from where they could have migrated to French Guiana. The African-origin admixture observed in the Kali'na probably derives from historical contacts they had with the Bushinengue (Noir Marron), a group of escaped slaves who now lead independent lives in a nearby region. This analysis has identified significant clues about the Amerindian peopling of the North-East Amazonian region.

Molecular identification by "suicide PCR" of Yersinia pestis as the agent of medieval black death.

Medieval Black Death is believed to have killed up to one-third of the Western European population during the 14th century. It was identified as plague at this time, but recently the causative organism was debated because no definitive evidence has been obtained to confirm the role of Yersinia pestis as the agent of plague. We obtained the teeth of a child and two adults from a 14th century grave in France, disrupted them to obtain the pulp, and applied the new "suicide PCR" protocol in which the primers are used only once. There were no positive controls: Neither Yersinia nor Yersinia DNA were introduced in the laboratory. A negative result is followed by a new test using other primers; a positive result is followed by sequencing. The second and third primer pair used, coding for a part of the pla gene, generated amplicons whose sequence confirmed that it was Y. pestis in 1 tooth from the child and 19/19 teeth from the adults. Negative controls were negative. Attempts to detect the putative alternative etiologic agents Bacillus anthracis and Rickettsia prowazekii failed. Suicide PCR avoids any risk of contamination as it uses a single-shot primer-its specificity is absolute. We believe that we can end the controversy: Medieval Black Death was plague.

[Primates: another source of grafts?]. / Les primates: une autre source de greffons?

The catarrhini primates of the genus Papio, and particularly Papio anubis, may be a source of transplants whose compatibility with the human receptor doesn't induce acute rejection. The risk of zoonosis transmission is not higher than with pig transplants.

[The anopheles of Niger]. / Les anophèles du Niger.

Nineteen species of Anopheles have been observed in the Republic of Niger but only Anopheles gambiae, An. arabiensis and An. funestus are of epidemiological importance as malaria vectors. The two species of the An. gambiae complex have the same breeding sites. But in a large part of the country they disappear all during the dry season because of the lack of adequate pools of water. Their survival is as yet an unexplained phenomenon. The most northern wet season distribution of An. gambiae complex, depending on the latitude of the intertropical front. An. funestus was no longer found after 1970 because its breeding places were destroyed both by dryness and human activity. The Republic of Niger is a border area between the palearctic Mediterranean biogeographical region and the Afrotropical one. Two different vectorial systems of malaria transmission are separated by the Sahara desert. The risk of importation of an African vector such as An. gambiae and a parasite such as Plasmodium falciparum must be considered. For the time being, the low volume of road traffic limits the risk but the construction of a paved Transsaharian highway with new human settlements and developing cultivated areas with irrigation increases the dangers of epidemic outbreaks in these oases.

[Two cases of inexplicable autochthonous malaria in Toulouse, France]. / Deux cas inexpliqués de paludisme autochtone a Toulouse, France.

Malaria involving both Plasmodium falciparum and vivax was observed in two patients hospitalized in the same room of the Cardiology Department of the Purpan University Hospital in Toulouse, France. One patient was in coma without fever by the time of diagnosis. None of the patients had traveled to malaria areas within the last 33 years. Epidemiological investigations failed to detect malaria in family members, hospital staff, or other patients. Transmission due to transfusion of infected blood, use of contaminated surgical instrumentation, or bite of an autochthonous anopheles mosquito was reasonable ruled out. Since Toulouse International Airport is located less than three kilometers from the Purpan University Hospital, the most likely explanation was airport-acquired malaria due to the bite of a mosquito imported by an aircraft coming from abroad. The hypothesis that an Anopheles mosquito survived the plane trip and then was blown into the patients' room was supported by temperature and wind conditions prevailing at the time of infection.

[Human external ophthalmomyiasis: a bibliographic review apropos of cases in the Republic of Djibouti]. / L'ophtalmomyiase externe humaine: revue bibliographique à propos de cas en République de Djibouti.

Ophtalmomyiasis externa was observed in Djibouti Republic. A literature survey of agents indicates that sheep nasal bot fly larvae, Oestrus ovis, are frequent in many countries. Unusual case of oral or nasal infections are indicated.

A new approach for interpreting the genetic diversity in space: 'Mobile Site Method'. Application to Gm haplotype distribution of twenty-seven Amerindian tribes from North and Central America.

We present a new approach, called 'Mobile Site Method' (MSM), to the construction of 'genetic similarity maps' more efficient than that described in a preceding paper (Hazout et al. 1991). After building a triangular mesh between the geographical sites, the method consists of moving these locations at each iteration to reduce the overall differences between the geographic and genetic distances. The genetic similarity map, i.e. the final distorted map, allows the interpretation of the genetic diversity of a population set. We have applied this method to the study of Gm immunoglobulin allotypes of twenty-seven Amerindian groups from North and Central America. By a local weighted linear regression, we have reconstituted the distorted contour of America. This representation completes the observations of the sites during the map distortion. In this study, we have defined a large geographical factor in the genetic data (84% of the variability explained), related to a linguistic factor.

Radiographic identification of human remains through deformities and anomalies of post-cranial bones: a report of two cases.

Human remains can be identified radiographically by anomalies and deformities of the post-cranial bones when there are no old fractures and the cranium and extremities are not available. These anomalies and deformities of the sternum, vertebrae, sacrum and innominate bone are often protected from damage by scavengers. We report their use to exclude a proposed identity in one case and to confirm identity in another case. The value and number of these criteria and their pathogenesis is discussed with reference to their prevalence and their expression of inter- and intraindividual variability.

[Screening for Chagas disease by immunoenzymology: comparison of ELISA with immunofluorescence and indirect hemagglutination in 976 blood donors]. / Dépistage de la maladie de Chagas par immunoenzymologie: Comparasion de l'ELISA avec l'immunofluorescence et l'hémagglutination indirecte chez 976 donneurs de sang.

The efficiency of an immunoenzymatic technique (ELISA) for the systematic research of Chagas' disease in blood donors was compared with one of 2 well-known methods, indirect haemagglutination (IHA) and indirect fluoro immuno assay (IFA). For the ELISA technique two different antigenic extracts from epimastigote culture forms of T. cruzi, were used for sensitizing the polystyrene plates: a crude extract (Ag R) and a delipidized one (Ag B). Firstly the authors tested these 3 techniques in 5 control groups: sera from Chagas' disease, negative control sera, sera from visceral leishmaniasis, african trypanosomiasis and finally monoclonal gammapathies, the high levels of blood proteins being a possible cause of false positives. Secondly the screening of Chagas' disease was performed in the same way in 976 blood donors from Recife, Brazil. In the case of the Ag-R extract used in the ELISA technique a high cross-reactivity was found with visceral leishmaniasis sera, along a risk of false positives with gammapathic ones. The sensitivity of this technique was found to be high (3,3 +/- 1 p. cent of positive blood donors) and a very good correlation was found with the reference techniques, IFA and IHA, the sensitivity of which is lower (2,3 +/- 1 and 1,7 +/- p. cent). The use of a delipidized antigenic extract (Ag B) for the ELISA technique is not suitable, in spite of an apparent higher specificity: indeed, the positives rate is high (11,5 +/- 0,2 p. cent), but the correlation is very weak or non existent in the case of IHA or IFA. In conclusion, the ELISA technique using a crude extract of T. cruzi appears to be a very convenient method for screening blood donors with Chagas' disease, the lack of specificity due to leishmaniasis or monoclonal blood proteins not posing any real problem to blood banking.

[ELISA methods for the detection of Trypanosoma cruzi carriers. Comparative study]. / Les méthodes ELISA pour le dépistage des sujets porteurs de Trypanosoma cruzi. Etude comparative.

Each of the serological methods used for the screening of T. cruzi carriers has its advantage and disadvantage. Owing to the detection, particularly concerning blood transfusion, a selection of techniques, as wide as possible, and which don't aim the same antibodies is now carried out. Therefore, we have tried to perfect an ELISA-like reaction. This kind of analysis appeared very sensitive, faithful and reproducible in other parasitology fields. It became evident for us to try to apply this method to the diagnosis of Chagas disease. In order to test this method , we compared the results obtained with the one given by other usual reactions: immunofluorescence and passive hemagglutination test. In an other hand, we have, for the whole three methods, estimated the possible crossed reactions, particularly with leishmaniasis, african trypanosomiasis and myeloma. From these results, it can be deduced that: --the ELISA reaction used with a total homologous antigen is sensitive and discriminant towards the other trypanosoma. The ratio of the crossed reactions with visceral leishmaniasis is the same compared to immunofluorescence. It allows the exploration of recent infestations; --the ELISA reaction done with a dislipided antigen is very sensitive. In the meantime, crossed reactions are possible with other trypanosomiasis.

Cytogenetic study of a Cercopithecus pogonias grayi x Cercopithecus mona mona hybrid.

The G- and C-banded karyotypes of hybrid born of the cross between a male Cercopithecus pogonias grayi (2 n = 72 XY) and a female C. mona mona (2 n = 68 XX) are reported. The chromosome number is 2 n = 70 and equals half the total number of parental chromosomes. A correlation between the hybrid karyotype and those of its parents is proposed. The typical autosomes of C. pogonia grayi are again found in the young hybrids.

Cytogenetic study of Cercopithecus pogonias grayi x Cercopithecus ascanius katangae hybrids.

The G-banded karyotypes of a male and a female hybrid born of the cross between a Cercopithecus pogonias grayi (2 n = 72 XY) and a C. ascanius katangae (2 n = 66 XX) are reported. The constant chromosome number 2 n = 69 of both the male and female hybrids equals the arithmetic mean of the parental chromosome. A correlation between the hybrid karyotypes and those of their parents is proposed. The typical acrocentric autosomes of C. pogonias grayi are found again in the offspring.

[Toxoplasmosis in Martinique: epidemiological considerations]. / La toxoplasmose à la Martinique: réflexions épidémiologiques.

The examination of women's 2,550 sera in Martinique (French West Indies) showed the infestation by Toxoplasma gondii was very important, for 81.5% of this population sample have fluorescent antibodies, and 84.5% haemagglutinating antibodies. Moreover, the rates of infestation observed in northern localities of the island are significantly higher than in southern ones: the intervention of climatic factors favoring the survival of the oocysts in the external environmental has to be considered, seeing that the feeding habits are identical in the whole island.

Cytogenetic study of five species of Cercopithecus.

The G- and C-banded karyotypes of five species of Cercopithecus are reported. The chromosome numbers are: for C. ascanius katangae 2 n = 66 (XX); for C. petaurista petaurista 2 n = 66 (XY); for C. mona mona 2 n = 68 (XX); for C. pogonias grayi 2 n = 72 (XY) and for C. hamlyni 2 n = 64 (XY). We always found three types of chromosome: metacentric, sub-metacentric and acrocentric. The 'marker chromosomes' typical of the Cercopithecidae are of the last type. The karyotype of C. pogonias grayi shows a characteristic pair of acrocentric autosomes which is again found in the hybrid karyotypes.

[Cytogenic study of Lophocebus albigena (Primate Catarrhini Cercopithecidae). Description of a male karyotype]. / Etude cytogénétiqu de Lophocebus albigena (Primate Catarrhini Cercopithécidae). Description du caryotype du mâle et marquage.

GTG chromosomic banding of a male and a female Lophocebus albigena is reported. The chromosome number of the karyotypes is 2 n = 42, characterized by a pair of marked chromosomes and a mediocentric Y chromosome, similar to that of the Lophocebus aterimus.

[Inventory of the Culcinae in Balagne (Corsica)]. / Inventaire faunistique des culicinae de Balagne (Corse).

We have drawn up the faunistic inventory of Culicinae in Balagne (Corsica) in late summer. The list shows the following species (in order of frequency): Culex hortensis, Culex pipiens, Culex impudicus, Culex territans (?), Culiseta longiareolata, Culiseta annulata, Culiseta subochrea, Aedes mariae, Aedes caspius, Aedes vexans, Anopheles claviger, Anopheles maculipennis. We have observed the important recession of the maculipennis complex (only one female catched indoor) and the abundance of Anopheles claviger founded in underground resting places from the sea level up to the mountains.