[Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Tananarive, Madagascar]. / Prévalence de l'infection à Helicobacter pylori à Tananarive, Madagascar.

During a 8-month period, Helicobacter pylori infection has been studied in 140 patients who presented upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Helicobacter pylori was searched in antral biopsy specimens using standard bacteriological methods (Gram-staining, urea-test, culture) and histological staining techniques (hematoxylin-eosin-saffron, undifferentiated Giemsa). The global prevalence of H. pylori infection was 59%. The prevalence rates did not seem to differ with age and sex but H. pylori infection was significantly more frequent in patients with an active duodenal ulceration (30 of 41) compared with those with a normal endoscopy (21 of 47) (p < 0.02).

[Preliminary study of the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Tananarive, Madagascar and the antibacterial activity in vitro of 13 Malagasy medicinal plants on this germ]. / Etude préliminaire de la prévalence d'Helicobacter pylori à Tananarive, Madagascar et de l'activité anti-bactérienne in vitro sur ce germe de 13 plantes médicinales malgaches.

Helicobacter pylori infection has been studied in 60 patients who were suffering from either a peptic ulcer disease or a gastritis complaint. Helicobacter pylori was searched in antral biopsy specimens using standard bacteriological methods (Gram-staining urea-test, culture) and histological staining techniques (hematoxylin-eosin-saffron, undifferentiated Giemsa). The culture was successful in 40 cases. The antibacterial activity of 13 malagasy medicinal plants has been tested versus Helicobacter pylori using disc method on agar culture. For five extracts, we observed an anti-Helicobacter pylori activity which would deserve further investigations.

[Rapid diagnosis of rabies by the ELISA method. Its application in Madagascar: advantages and disadvantages]. / Le diagnostic rapide de la rage par méthode ELISA. Son application à Madagascar: avantages et inconvenients.

ELISA technique in the rabies rapid diagnosis is compared with other methods used in the PASTEUR Institute of MADAGASCAR (immunofluorescence, mouse inoculation, and histopathology). The results of the comparative study of 80 samples of suspect animals show that ELISA sensibility is better than immunofluorescence one. Sensibility, specificity and viability of ELISA are comparable with those of the two confirmation techniques. In MADAGASCAR, ELISA is adapted to testing samples not conserved in good conditions, exposed to heat, after a big travelling time. It is to be hoped that samples are numerous to control rabies: in this condition price of ELISA is not expensive.

[Epidemiology of malignant tumors of the facial tissue in Madagascar]. / Epidémiologie des tumeurs malignes du massif facial (T.M.F.) à Madagascar.

The authors reported 117 cases of malignant tumors of the facial structure diagnosed from 1981 to 1988 in the six provinces of Madagascar. These tumors represented 19% of ORL cancers, and histological examination prove that 38.5% are sarcomas. In these cases, environment and particular etiologies should be taken into account. None of the registered patients is in contact with wood in their profession. The delay of the first consultation and the onset treatment is due to the fact that patients come from far away places; and this is the cause of far-reaching evolution of these cancers with dire prognosis. The association of radiotherapy and surgery is the main treatment. There is no hope of survival beyond three years.

[Cyto-microbiologic study of cervico-vaginal specimens, associated with a serologic study to detect sexually transmissible diseases in Madagascan prostitutes]. / Etude cyto-microbiologique de prélèvements cervico-vaginaux, associée à une enquête sérologique de dépistage de maladies sexuellement transmissibles chez des prostituées malgaches.

A microbiological survey of cervical and vaginal smears associated with a serological survey of sexual diseases was carried out on 298 prostitutes at the four principal Malagasy sea ports. This survey leads us to these conclusions: The great frequency of specific inflammations (72.1%) with Trichomonas vaginalis in the first place (39.2%). The serological tests proved a high rate of positive treponemical serologies (25.2%), whose the half of the cases are evolutive forms. Nevertheless prevalence of HBs-antigene among this population does not exceed the rate recorded in the other African countries, while the rate of anti HIV antibodies' carriers is lower than the rates recorded in those African countries. A comparative survey with tests carried out at IPM on Malagasy women showed clearly higher figures of inflammations, cervical and vaginal infections and positive treponemical serologies among prostitutes.

[Burkitt's lymphoma in Cameroon. Anatomo-clinical and epidemiologic considerations of 66 cases seen from 1980 to 1986]. / Le lymphome de Burkitt au Cameroun. Considérations anatomo-cliniques et épidémiologiques sur 66 cas recensés de 1980 à 1986.

An epidemiological study of 66 cases of Burkitt's lymphoma, a census taken between 1980 and 1986 permitted us to ascertain that, in Cameroon, this disease does not only affect children under the age of 15 years, and that the distribution is almost the same in both sexes. Geographically, the littoral and the western region are more affected than the rest of the country. Clinically although the maxillo-facial localisations are not negligible (29.6%), the abdomen involvement is more common (50%; particularly ovary in women). The clinical aspects met are fairly often advanced or generalized cases.

[2 cases of sarcoidosis in Yaounde (Cameroon)]. / Deux cas de sarcoidose à Yaoundé (Cameroun).

Two new cases of sarcoidosis are reported from Cameroon. The first one concerned a man, 53 years old, who presented multiple dermal nodules of the face, polyadenopathy , splenomegaly, exertional dyspnea, reticular and micronodular aspect of lungs X-ray. Diagnosis was confirmed by histology of skin, ganglions and bronchus biopsies. Patient was treated by corticotherapy. The other one concerned a woman, 28 years old, who presented successively mediastinal adenopathies, then, 9 months later, reticular and micronodular aspect of lungs X-ray. During this period, a treatment against tuberculosis had been established. Bronchus biopsies confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was also treated by corticosteroids. The authors wonder whether sarcoidosis is actually or apparently rare in Negro-Africans, owing to the fact of frequent failure to recognize this affection, or confusion with tuberculosis. Correct incidence of sarcoidosis in Negro-Africans should be defined.