Antiviral Substances in Raw Bovine Milk Active Against Bovine Rotavirus and Coronavirus.

After experimental contamination of bovine raw and heat-treated milks with bovine rotavirus and coronavirus strains, we observed a strong viral inhibition only with raw milks, from which virus recovery was 5 × 10-4%. Between 30% and 80% of the virus was recovered from the heat-treated milks, depending on the level of inoculation. The antiviral substance is heat-labile (destroyed within 30 min at 100°C), precipitated by ammonium sulfate and filtrable (0.45 µm Millipore membrane). It also has neutralizing activity on tissue culture.

[Epidemiologic study of acute infantile gastroenteritis in New Caledonia]. / Etude épidémiologique des gastro-entérites infantiles aiguës en Nouvelle-Calédonie.

In a test area (suburbs of Nouméa), a survey on acute infantile gastro-enteritis showed an annual incidence of 2.2% and a hospitalization rate of 27.5%. The 0 to 23 months age group was the most exposed. The factors of severity were: a low age, a high frequency of liquid stool, vomits, fever and associated acute respiratory infection. The etiologic diagnosis was possible in 76% of cases: 49.5% enteropathogens (22% bacteria, 27.5% viruses), 26.5% non-intestinal infections. The asymptomatic carriers were 11.5% for bacteria and 27.4% for viruses. In regard to epidemiology, the housing hygiene, the potable water supply and the presence of suitable water closet were over 90%. On the contrary, the individual hygiene was neglected, especially the hand washing. The pathogens are transmitted by the dirty hands of asymptomatic carriers. Mass media campaigns and health education of parents and children are the recommended prophylactic measures.

[Poliomyelitis in New Caledonia: epidemiological data, post-vaccinal seroconversion, prophylactic strategy]. / La poliomyélite en Nouvelle-Calédonie: données épidémiologiques, séroconversions post vaccinales, stratégie prophylactique.

After an outbreak in 1956, poliomyelitis appears to get a sporadic development. Consequently, it has not been a major medical concern. In 1982, 5 cases of paralytic manifestations due to a polio virus of type 1 underlined the relationship between this reappearance of the disease, some neglecting in mass vaccination and some deficiency in sanitary conditions of the surroundings. A serologic monitoring, complementary to that survey, has been conducted up to 1984. It has shown that, in a number of zones of the territory, a natural immunization has appeared quickly. This immunization is of the same type that in some underdeveloped tropical countries: at 6, 93,3% of the children present protective antibodies against 1 type of virus, 40% against 2 types and 6,7% against the 3 types. Vaccination with non-active vaccine, adopted because the risks of interference linked to the frequency of excretion of the enteroviruses, is efficient. After a primo-vaccination followed by a booster dose one year later, sero-conversion ranges from 95,3% to 100% for type 1, 83,3% to 96,5% for type 2, 75% to 84,9% for type 3. On the other hand, sero-conversion observed one month after the second vaccination appeared to be unsatisfactory to lighter the vaccinal time-table.

[Biochemical study of rotavirus strains isolated in New Caledonia between 1980 and 1983. Electrophoretypes]. / Etude biochimique des souches de rotavirus isolées en Nouvelle-Calédonie entre 1980 et 1983. Electrophorétypes.

Between 1980 and 1983, 150 Rotavirus strains have been identified by ELISA test. RNA was extracted from 90 strains. We used a very simple and rapid extraction technique. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis permits the separation of double stranded RNA segments. The system of classification we retained, allows to recognize 8 classes of electrophoretypes. This study confirms the great variability of human rotaviruses.

[Poliomyelitis in New Caledonia. Virological and serological data. Pre-immune status and post-vaccinal seroconversion. Prophylactic strategy]. / La poliomyélite en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Données virologiques et sérologiques. Etat préimmunitaire et séroconversions post-vaccinales. Stratégie prophylactique.

Five cases of paralytic poliomyelitis were noticed between August and November 1982 in the French Territory of New-Caledonia. An epidemiological study allowed to have a better apprehension on the coming back of poliovirus in the South Pacific where, for the past ten years, except in Papua New Guinea which remained an endemic zone, not a single case of poliomyelitis has been declared to the World Health Organization.

[Rotavirus and infantile gastroenteritis in New Caledonia]. / Rotavirus et gastro-entérites infantiles en Nouvelle-Calédonie.

A two year study, from 1981 to 1982, has been conducted in New Caledonia to estimate the importance of rotavirus infections in children with gastroenteritis. On 497 stool specimens, 71 (14.2%) were found positive by using ELISA test to demonstrate a rotavirus infection. Male children and age group six months-two years appeared to be the most affected. Rotavirus infections were more numerous during the dry fresh season (August-November). Mixed infections with enteroviruses or enterobacteriae were found respectively in 27.8% and 9.7% of the stool specimens. Enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli were also found in 3 cases. Serological conversions were noted in 18 paired sera, obtained from 159 patients (11%).

[Laboratory diagnosis of epidemic polyarthritis (Ross River virus) in New Caledonia]. / Diagnostic de laboratoire de la polyarthrite épidémique (virus Ross River) en Nouvelle Calédonie.

During an outbreak of arboviral diseases in the South-West Pacific islands, from 1979 to 1980, patients sera examined in New Caledonia revealed 43 cases of epidemic polyarthritis due to Ross River virus. Viral strains were obtained from 16 of these patients. After isolation of the virus in newborn mice, the inoculation of C6/36, PS-EK and Vero cells allowed the identification of these strains by hemagglutination inhibition and complement fixation tests. This was the first time that cases of polyarthritis caused by RR virus were observed in New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna.

Concentration and purification of human rabies vaccines : results.

Concentration of two types of rabies tissue culture vaccine has been realized with Amicon hollow fibers. The coefficient of purification obtained on Sepharose 6B chromatography is 2,3 to 4,6 with a recuperation of 25% to 30% of the haemagglutination power for one of the vaccines. The control of glycoprotein contents has been realized by means of classical technics as well as the rapid immunoenzymatic test. (I.E.T.).

[Isolation of Ilheus virus in french Guyana]. / Isolement du virus Ilheus en Guyane française.

This is the first case in man of Ilheus virus infection in french Guyana. We noted the mild febrile illness in this case. This strain of virus was shown to be closely related to Ilheus virus. The serological reactions are reported.

Purification of poliovirus obtained from human diploid cells by means of DEAE-Sepharose.

Mahoney, MEF and Saukett poliovirus strains were grown on human diploid cells (MRC 5) and concentrated on Amicon filter. Concentrated viral suspensions containing 3H-uridine labelled virus were mixed with 14C-amino acid labelled cell extracts containing calf serum and passed through a DEAE-Sepharose column. Fractions eluted at various ionic strengths were analyzed for infectivity, radio-activity and serum content by counter immunoelectrophoresis in the presence of a rabbit anti-calf serum. A peak containing 40--60% of the input infectivity was easily obtained by elution with 0.01 M phosphate buffer at pH 7. The virus peak did not contain 14C or calf serum and its purity was controlled by PAGE-SDS electrophoresis and electron microscopy. This technique may be useful in the large-scale purification of viruses used in the preparation of inactivated vaccines.