Cytomegalovirus isolations from cell cultures derived from Epstein-Barr virus-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) was isolated in cell cultures derived from 2 of 11 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) biopsy specimens from North African patients. All these cases were Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated NPC. Morphologic cytopathic changes and viral replication not associated with EBV were observed after 2 months in culture. Virus identification was achieved by immunofluorescence studies, and cell culture antigens were tested by the use of complement fixation and indirect hemagglutination. All these NPC patients had been infected by herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, and CMV, but the antibody titers determined by complement fixation and immunofluorescence were normal. CMV, which is not associated with this cancer, could nevertheless favor carcinogenesis in facilitating fusion between epithelial cells and EBV-positive lymphocytes.

[Polio immunity in North African children hospitalized for paralytic poliomyelitis due to type 1: relative deficiency in humoral immunity compared with European children (author's transl)]. / Immunité antipoliomyélitique acquise par les enfants d'Afrique du Nord après poliomyélite paralytique à type 1. Déficience relative de l'immunité humorale comparée à celle des enfants européens.

Three points may be emphasized: 1. The antibody titers in North African children are lower than previously reported for European children during the period 1950-1960. 2. In both groups of children, there is a positive correlation between the antibody titers and the age of infection (paralysis or vaccination). 3. The non polio enterovirus present in the intestine of paralyzed children at the same time as the poliovirus seem to suppress the polio immunity. This last point should be confirmed on a larger scale.

[Serological cardiolipid development of early syphilis treated with a single injection of benzathine-penicillin of 2,400,000 I.U]. / L'évolution sérologique cardiolipidique de la syphilis précoce traitée par une injection unique de benzathine-pénicilline de 2.400.000 U. I.

For one year, the authors have observed the clinical and biological development of early syphilis on 205 patients infected between 1971 and 1979 and treated by a single injection of Benzathine-Penicilline of 2,400,000 U.I. The serological negativeness has been obtained in the proportions as follow: - 91,43 p. 100 of primary syphilis (blood test positive), - 88,57 p. 100 of secondary syphilis, - 67,69 p. 100 of latent syphilis. These results compared to those obtained by other more time-consuming and expensive methods, can be considered as satisfactory.

[Study of ninety strains of serogroup A Neisseria meningitidis isolated from cerebrospinal fluid (25) and rhinopharynx (65) in Morocco (December 1989-April 1990)]. / Etude de quatre-vingt dix souches de Neisseria meningitidis de sérogroupe a isolées du liquide céphalorachidien (25) et du rhinopharynx (65) au Maroc (décembre 1989-avril 1990).

Ninety strains of Neisseria meningitidis were recovered from cerebrospinal fluid and nasopharyngeal specimens during the outbreak which occurred in Morocco between December 1989 and April 1990. All the strains recovered belonged to serogroup A. Serotype determination carried out using the "whole cell ELISA" method showed that all strains were serotype 4, subtype P1.9. Antigenic formula of the strains was therefore A:4:P1.9. Electrophoretic characterization of outer membrane proteins demonstrated proteins belonging to classes 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6, with a few rare exceptions which are discussed.

Isolation of a virus responsible for an outbreak of acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis in Morocco.

An epidemic of acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis occurred in Morocco in 1970-1. It was caused by an enterovirus which appeared to be a new antigenic type similar to a virus isolated in South East Asia during the same period.

[False reactions in hydatic serology in order to improve its value (author's transl)]. / Sérologie de l'hydatidose. Etude des fausses réactions négatives et positives.

We have studied false reactions in hydatic serology in order to improve its value. We have found false positive reactions in two cases of tumor (hepatic sclerocholangiomatosis and pleural mesothelioma) and among children showing cor's milk protein intolerance when serum is tested with an antigen extracted from ox's lung. As for false negative reactions, they are scarcely due to circulating antigens. We have found, for 34 falsely negative serums, IgG, IgM and above all IgE levels lower than the levels of patients showing a positive serology.