The sea urchin larva, a suitable model for biomineralisation studies in space (IML-2 ESA Biorack experiment '24-F urchin').

By the ESA Biorack 'F-24 urchin' experiment of the IML-2 mission, for the first time the biomineralisation process in developing sea urchin larvae could be studied under real microgravity conditions. The main objectives were to determine whether in microgravity the process of skeleton formation does occur correctly compared to normal gravity conditions and whether larvae with differentiated skeletons do 'de-mineralise'. These objectives have been essentially achieved. Postflight studies on the recovered 'sub-normal' skeletons focused on qualitative, statistical and quantitative aspects. Clear evidence is obtained that the basic biomineralisation process does actually occur normally in microgravity. No significant differences are observed between flight and ground samples. The sub-normal skeleton architectures indicate, however, that the process of positioning of the skeletogenic cells (determining primarily shape and size of the skeleton) is particularly sensitive to modifications of environmental factors, potentially including gravity. The anatomical heterogeneity of the recovered skeletons, interpreted as long term effect of an accidental thermal shock during artificial egg fertilisation (break of climatisation at LSSF), masks possible effects of microgravity. No pronounced demineralisation appears to occur in microgravity; the magnesium component of the skeleton seems yet less stable than the calcium. On the basis of these results, a continuation of biomineralisation studies in space, with the sea urchin larva as model system, appears well justified and desirable.

Airport malaria : four new cases in suburban Paris during summer 1999.

During the summer 1999, four clustered cases of airport malaria were observed in France. The cases analysis revealed that airport malaria, which is a rare disease whose diagnosis is difficult, can be observed outside occupations at risk, in people livin

[Biological diagnosis of malaria: dangers of the automated blood differential count]. / Diagnostic biologique du paludisme: dangers de l'automatisation de la formule sanguine.

Automated differential counting systems deprive laboratories of blood smear study and so malaria risks not to be diagnosed if plasmodium search is not prescribed by the physician. Some abnormalities (atypical lymphocytes called LUC and thrombopenia) can induce a blood smear. But a study of 96 patients shows that, during the first analysis, these abnormalities can miss for nearly a third of one's case. So it is very important to prescribe malaria search on blood smears when there is the least clinical symptom.

[Mycobacterium kansasii infection in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection]. / Infection à Mycobacterium kansasii chez des patients infectés par le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine.

We report a retrospective study of 12 caucasian men infected with HIV who had developed Mycobacterium kansasii infection (Mk). All patients had a low blood lymphocyte CD4 count (1-130, mean 15/mm3) and ten met the diagnostic criteria for AIDS. The 12 patients had pulmonary symptoms (dyspnea, cough) and fever. On chest X-ray, nodular, interstitial or diffuse parenchymal infiltrates, mediastinal and hilar adenopathies were observed. Two patients had pleural effusion, but none had cavitary lung disease. Mk was isolated by culture of sputum (n = 7), blood (n = 3), bronchial biopsy (n = 2) or bone marrow (n = 1). No patient had clinical extra-pulmonary disease. Survival after diagnosis was in average 7 months. Potential for therapeutic response is reviewed and documented.

[A systematic search for Ureaplasma urealyticum in vaginal swabs. The results (author's transl)]. / Recherche systématique d'Ureaplasma urealyticum au cours des prélèvements vaginaux. Résultats.

6.6 per cent 1.069 vaginal swabs showed Ureaplasma urealyticum in our patients. Ureaplasma does not seem to alter the cytology or the physiological flora of the vagina. On the other Hand trichomonas vaginalis was often found in association with it. There is no racial predisposition to infection of the vagina with Ureaplasma. Pregnancy, however, does seem to favour the growth of this mycoplasma. But this does not seem to have any adverse effect on the progress of the pregnancy.

[Isolation of Chlamydia trachomatis from the endometrium and endometritis. Apropos of a series of 42 patients]. / Isolement de Chlamydia trachomatis dans l'endomètre et endométrite. A propos d'une série de 42 patientes.

Most studies have been concerned with recovering Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) from the endocervix on the one hand and from the adnexae on the other hand and consider its relationship to infection of the upper genital tract. Our work is concerned with the endometrium. 42 women were examined: 22 of them had salpingitis (group I), 14 were considered possibly to have endometritis with a risk of infection with CT, or had cervicitis (group II), and 6 were in the control group (group III). Samples were taken from the endometrium that had been removed for histological examination and for searching for CT in cultures. These samples were taken routinely at the initial examination and then again 10 and/or 40 days later for women in groups I and II. These latter were all treated systemically with cyclines. A high incidence of endometrial infection with CT was found (17%). The recovery of CT from the endometrium was correlated with the presence of an intra-uterine device, with purulent discharge, with evidence of CT in the cervix, and with anti-chlamydia serology higher than or equal to 1/128. CT infection of the endometrium gave late lesions of endometritis which persisted in spite of the antibiotic therapy that had been given.

[Indigenous, introduced and airport malaria in Europe.]. / Paludisme autochtone et introduit en Europe.

Mainly due to P. vivax, the autochtonous malaria - sometimes caused by P. malaria, scarcely by P. falciparum - is spread in the whole Europe until the 18th century, decreasingly during the second part of the 19th century, while the latest documented cases were noticed in Macedonia, 1974. In France malaria spontaneously disappeared in 1943 on the mainland, and after, DDT house-spraying, in Corsica, 1959-60 (in spite of a temporarily reintroduction run in 1970). Malaria is now eradicated from Europe officially since 1975. Since 1969, approximatively 60 cases of autochtonous "airborne or airport malaria" have been officially reported from various European countries : Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain, Swiss, and France. Most of the 23 cases run into France were due to P. falciparum and appeared during summer. All patients were living, working or both, in the vicinity of an international airport or harbour (2 cases). Few of theses cases queerly involved a second-step carriage of Anopheles. The illness is usually severe and case fatality rate is therefore high, because of the subject's absence of premunition and no history of tropical travel, and then, the infection may be unfortunately misdiagnosed. According to the International Health Regulations, disinsection of aircrafts must be systematically done and even enhanced as soon as possible. On the other hand some of new methods for the aircraft disinsection and improved international vector control must be developped.

[Study of 6 cases of malaria acquired near Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle in 1994. Necessary prevention measures in airports]. / Etude de six cas de paludisme contractés près de Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle en 1994. Mesures de prévention nécessaires dans les aéroports.

During the very hot 1994 summer, six new cases of airport malaria have been observed in and around Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport. Four patients were regular or occasional airport employees. The two other cases were inhabitants of a city at 7 km. Entomological investigations suggest that cars of airport employees served to disseminate anophelines outside the airport areas. The six cases were very severe. One patient died. Apparently, W.H.O. recommendations on aircraft disinsecting procedures have not been fully followed. There is obviously a threat for areas near the airports.

[Human diffusion of arthropod disease vectors throughout the world]. / La diffusion anthropique des arthropodes vecteurs de maladie dans le monde.

The present distribution of animals and plants throughout the world is the result of an evolutionary process involving tectonic, climatic and biotic factors. Humans, since their appearance, have contributed to the spreading of many species including disease vectors and pests. When humans left their native African home, they brought with them ectoparasites such as lice and acarids. During the neolithic era, humans were leading domesticated animals which carried their own parasites into new areas. Dwelling commensals, flea, bugs, triatomids, flies, and cockroaches followed human migrations. In the second millennium, sailboats transported mosquito species which were resistant and reproduced on board, including Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti, and Ae. albopictus. Steamers further shortened the length of trips and allowed the transport of anophelines. The opening of the Tamatave-Port-Louis line was immediately followed by the transport of An. gambiae from Madagascar to Mauritius and Reunion, and epidemics of malaria occurred on the two islands which had been free of the disease. Also, An. gambiae was transported from Senegal to Brazil. Old tires destined for recycling carried Ae. albopictus to the USA, Brazil, and then Italy. The pandemic of the plague at the end of the nineteenth century was propagated from harbour to harbour by steamers carrying both infected rats and their fleas Xenopsylla cheopsis. Aircrafts have reduced the travel time so much that in less than two days an insect could reach every point of the world. As soon as the airports had been built on the islands of French Polynesia, they were all colonized by Ae. aegypti. The same phenomenon occurred with midges (Fig. 2). Also, the construction of the airport on a Galapagos Island coincided with the importation of the blackfly Simulium bipunctatum from the continent. In addition, infected malaria mosquitos imported from tropical countries reached Europe and contaminated airport employees and local inhabitants. Six cases of malaria were recorded during the summer of 1994 around the Charles de Gaulle Airport, north of Paris, suggesting that the anophelines could have been imported from West and Central African countries which are served by this airport. The serious threat of vector importation is moderated by the vector's difficulty in adapting to new conditions. However any prediction is questionable.

[Malaria in airports and their neighborhoods]. / Paludisme des aéroports et de leurs alentours.

Though very rare compared to imported malaria, airport malaria should not be disregarded considering its very special gravity often due to late diagnosis. In most cases, it could be avoided if airlines and airports applied disinsecting measures vigilantly.

[Comparison of the efficacy of 2 antiseptic solutions in the prevention of infection from peridural catheters]. / Comparaison de l'efficacité de deux antiseptiques dans la prévention de l'infection liée aux cathéters périduraux.

Two antiseptic solutions (iodine polyvidone and chlorhexidine) were compared-in a prospective non-randomized study including 294 parturient women. This study aimed to assess their efficacy against infections through epidural catheters. All catheters were subsequently cultivated. Cultures were significantly positive in 3% of cases after iodine polyvidone and 1% after chlorhexidine decontamination (not significant). No clinical or biological infections were detected. Notwithstanding some apparently unavoidable but moderate contaminations, prevention of infections post epidural analgesia depends principally on a complete adherence to asepsia rules.

[Pitfalls in inquiries relating to malaria]. / Les pièges de l'interrogatoire en matière de paludisme.

In two cases of Plasmodium falciparum which could suggest a time interval of three and four years between departure from endemic area and onset of malaria symptoms, the authors insist on the fact that epidemiologic study must be very rigorous.

[The severity of airport malaria]. / Gravité du paludisme des aéroports.

Report of a new case of airport malaria with renal failure. The evolution of the thirty cases previously described is reviewed. Most of the time, airport malaria seems to be a severe infection.

[Coexistence of myeloma and chronic myeloid leukemia]. / Coexistence d'un myélome et d'une leucémie myéloïde chronique.

The case of an eighty-one-year-old woman who had myeloma followed 18 months later by chronic myeloid leukemia with Philadelphia chromosome unrelated to therapeutic interferences is reported. This case is compared to other reports of lymphoid hemopathies associated with myeloid hemopathies found in the medical literature. The different etiopathogenic hypotheses are discussed, particularly in the light of recent studies of chromosomes. Such caryotypic studies in malignant hemopathies may improve our knowledge of the connexions between apparently dissimilar diseases and prove helpful for the understanding of cell differentiation from pathological data.