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Biomedical subjects

A Diallo

Publications and source records attributed to A Diallo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Peste des petits ruminants has been widely present in southern India since, if not before, the late 1980s.

Because previous authorities had suggested that small ruminants were playing a part in the dissemination of rinderpest, and a rinderpest-eradication campaign was about to begin, it was necessary to make precise virus identifications from a number of small-ruminant "rinderpest" outbreaks. When this was done using a database created from passive disease reports, we found that epidemics-reportedly due to rinderpest-were in fact due to peste des petits ruminants (PPRs). Although such cases had been common in India for a number of years, earlier clinical and laboratory reports no longer should be regarded as definitive. PPR outbreaks have been frequent in recent years. Further, we suggest that PPR is not a recent invader of India.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Rapid and sensitive detection of peste des petits ruminants virus by a polymerase chain reaction assay.

A rapid and specific test was developed for the diagnosis of peste des petits ruminants disease. This assay is based on the rapid purification of RNA on glass beads followed by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). To that effect, a set of primers (NP3/NP4) was used to amplify specifically a fragment of about 350 bp in the 3' end of the RNA messenger that encodes the nucleocapsid protein of the peste des petits ruminants virus. The PCR-product was detected by UV illumination after electrophoresis on agarose gel or by hybridisation with a digoxigenin-11-dUTP labelled oligonucleotide probe after a blot transfer. In comparison with the conventional titration technique on Vero cells, this RT-PCR assay was 1000-fold more sensitive. Compared with the popular Chomczynski and Sacchi's method [Anal. Biochem. 162 (1987) 156], the purification of the RNA on the glass beads offers the advantage of being more rapid and also avoiding the use of solvents.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Functional expression of the catalytic domains of two cysteine proteinases from Trypanosoma congolense.

The catalytic domains of two closely related cysteine proteinases (CP1 and CP2) from Trypanosoma congolense, referred to as C1 and C2, were expressed as proforms in Escherichia coli (C1) and in the baculovirus system (C1 and C2). While the bacterial expression system did not allow recovery of active C1, the baculovirus system led to secretion of inactive zymogens which could be processed at acidic pH into mature enzymes. Active C1 and C2 were purified from serum-free culture supernatants by anion-exchange chromatography and characterised. Their kinetic parameters and pH activity profiles confirmed the relatedness between C2 and native CP2 (congopain). These properties also underline major functional differences between C1 and C2, that appear to relate to discrete but essential sequence differences. It is likely that these two enzymes perform distinct roles in vivo, in the parasite and/or in the host-parasite relationships.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Breast-feeding is associated with improved growth in length, but not weight, in rural Senegalese toddlers.

BACKGROUND: Prolonged breast-feeding is frequently associated with malnutrition in less-developed countries, even after adjustment for socioeconomic confounders. However, in rural Senegal, breast-feeding is prolonged when the child is stunted. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to test whether the lower height-for-age of children weaned late is explained by their height before weaning or whether prolonged breast-feeding is associated with impaired growth. DESIGN: A cohort of 443 Senegalese children recruited from dispensaries at 2 mo of age were visited in their homes at 6-mo intervals when they were approximately 1.5 to 3 y of age. Weight, length, arm circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness were measured. Six-month increments were analyzed in relation to breast-feeding (breast-fed compared with weaned children or breast-feeding duration), season, and maternal housing with use of multiple linear regression. RESULTS: The mean duration of breast-feeding was 24.1 mo (quartiles 1 and 3: 21.9 and 26.4). Height-for-age at the age of 3 y was negatively associated with age at weaning (P < 0.01), but this association disappeared after adjustment for height-for-age in infancy. Length increments were significantly greater in both the second and third years of life in children breast-fed for longer durations (P < 0.05) and tended to be greater in breast-fed than in weaned children in the second year of life (P = 0.05). In the third year of life, breast-fed children had greater length increments than did weaned children in the subgroup with poor housing (P for interaction < 0.05). Growth in weight did not differ significantly according to breast-feeding. CONCLUSION: Prolonged breast-feeding improved linear growth, and the negative relation between height-for-age and duration of breast-feeding was due to reverse causality.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2001

Children's height, health and appetite influence mothers' weaning decisions in rural Senegal.

BACKGROUND: In many developing countries, breastfed children have a lower nutritional status than those weaned from 12 months of age. Reverse causality, that is, earlier weaning of healthy and well-nourished children, is a possible explanation. METHODS: Maternal reasons for early and late weaning were investigated in a cohort of 485 rural Senegalese children using structured interviews during two rounds at the ages of 18--28 and 23--33 months, respectively. Length, weight and height were assessed, and dates of weaning were monitored. RESULTS: The mean duration of breastfeeding was 24.1 months (quartiles 21.9 and 26.3). Two-thirds of mothers of breastfed children under 2 stated that they would wean at the age of 2, while for breastfed children aged 2 years, a 'tall and strong' child was the most prevalent criterion. The main reasons for weaning prior to 2 years (N = 244) were that the child ate well from the family plate (60%), that the child was 'tall and strong' (46%) and maternal pregnancy (35%). The main reasons for weaning later than the age of 2 were: a 'little, weak' child (33%), food shortage (25%), illness of the child (24%) and refusal of family food (14%, N = 120). Children breastfed above the age of 2 because they were 'small and weak' had lower mean height-for-age and a greater prevalence of stunting than children breastfed late for other reasons (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The habit of postponing weaning of stunted children very likely explains why breastfed children have lower height-for-age than weaned children in this setting.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2000

Long-term outcome of childhood hearing deficiency.

This report is based on the questionnaire responses of 95 young hearing-impaired adults (39 with moderate, 20 with severe and 36 with profound hearing loss) who were investigated in the department of paediatric audiology during childhood. Half of the individuals were educated in ordinary school (integration) and half in an institution for hearing-impaired children. Responses on social and professional insertion were compared with audiometric threshold and educational setting. Results indicate that both hearing level and educational environment influence current mode of communication and use of hearing aids. Familial factors also seem to have an influence. Oral communication is a poor predictor of employment, whereas professional qualifications enhance the chances of finding a job. Obtaining a non-professional degree appears to be unsuited for improving the employment rate of the hearing-impaired child.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Hepatitis C virus and chronic hepatopathies in Dakar: case-control study].

In Black Africa, the role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the onset of chronic hepatic disease is unclear. This is particularly true in Senegal where the prevalence of HCV is moderate. To gain insight into this question, a case-control study including 73 patients and 73 controls was carried out at Principal Hospital in Dakar in 1995. The patients included in this study presented chronic hepatitis in 2 cases cirrhosis in 25 and hepatocellular carcinoma in 46. Patients and controls underwent serologic testing for HCV (ELISA screening test followed by 3rd generation ELISA test in case of positive results and confirmation by immunoblot) with determination of HCV serotype using the immunoenzymatic method. Testing also included research for infection by hepatitis B virus and for anti-delta antibodies. Anti-HCV antibodies were detected in two patients (3 p. 100) and serology was suspicious in two others. Serotype 2 was detected in one of these patients. No positive results were recorded in controls. Fifty-four patients (74 p. 100) and 15 controls (21 p. 100) presented the HBs antigen including 13 patients (24 p. 100) and I control (7 p. 100) with anti-delta antibodies. This study shows that HCV currently plays a minor role in the onset of hepatic disease in hospitalized patients in Senegal. It also confirms the predominant role of hepatitis B and complicating effect of the delta hepatitis virus. These findings are compared with reported data for Black African countries. The impact of HCV appears to be lower in Senegal than in central Africa.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Periodontal infection in pregnant women and low birth weight babies].

Among several factors in preterm low birth weight, we can find pre-conceptional causes and others depending on pregnant women's behaviour. In 1996 a scientific team composed by periodontists, gynaecologists and epidemiologists found that 18% of preterm low birth weight in 250,000 babies are due to periodontal infection. In our survey we used 113 pregnant women in gynaecological clinic in university hospital. By using Community Periodontal Index Treatment Needs (CPITN) in pregnant woman and by weighting babies as soon as accouchement done. In spite of percentage of preterm low birth weight, we registered 33.9% babies of normal birth weight with mother's CPITN under 1.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

The matrix protein gene sequence analysis reveals close relationship between peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) and dolphin morbillivirus.

The gene encoding the matrix protein of peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) has been cloned and its nucleotide sequence determined. This gene is 1466 nucleotides long and contains an open reading frame (ORF) capable of encoding a basic protein of 335 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular weight of 38,057 Da. This ORF starts at position 33-35 and ends with the codon TAA at position 1038-1040 thus leaving a long untranslated region (426 nucleotides) at the 3' end of the messenger RNA. This fragment is very G/C rich (68.5%) and in contrast to the ORF region appears to be least conserved in the M gene sequence of the morbilliviruses. A comparison of the PPRV M protein with those of other viruses in the group confirms the previously noted high degree of conservation for this protein sequence. The percent of identity within the group ranges from 76.7 to 86.9%, the highest being with the dolphin morbillivirus matrix protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

[Anesthesia practice by nurse anesthetists in French speaking Sub-Saharan Africa].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the practice of anaesthesia in French-speaking subsaharian countries. TYPE OF STUDY: Prospective survey. PERSONS: Two hundred seventeen nurse anaesthetists, from 11 different countries. METHODS: Anonymous questionnaire. RESULTS: One third of nurses were practising anaesthesia since less than five years and 1/3 since more than 10. Only 39 (18%) were working in the country side. Thirty seven (17%) had been trained outside subsaharian Africa (in Cuba 6%, France 5%, Morocco 5% and Germany 1% respectively). Two hundred thirteen (98%) were performing general anaesthesia and 169 (78%) regional anaesthesia. Hundred sixty eight (97%) used spinal anaesthesia, 57 (33%) epidural, 31 (18%) intravenous regional anaesthesia, 24 (14%) axillary block, 17 (10%) caudal block and 10 (6%) peripheral block respectively. For regional techniques, disposable devices were available in 50% of cases. For general anaesthesia, thiopental was administered by 193 (89%) and ketamine by 156 (72%) nurse anaesthetists respectively. In 50% of cases, these drugs were used alone. An ECG was available in 40%, a pulse oximeter in 14% and a capnographe in less than 2% of cases. A ventilator was present in 66% of the places, but used only in 30% of them because of the lack of maintenance and training. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, 50% of nurse anaesthetists were working alone. However, this rate is probably under-estimated, as the questionnaire did not consider anaesthesia practice in the country side.

Africa South of the Sahara↗
PubMed1999

[Chikungunya virus outbreak in Senegal in 1996 and 1997].

Chikungunya disease is generally recognized in Africa by serosurveys conducted in rural areas. Epidemics are rarely documented. We report two outbreaks in Senegal: one having occurred near Kaffrine in 1996 during an epidemic of yellow fever (YF), the second in Niakhar in 1997. Both diagnoses were conducted by IgM antibodies captures and confirmed by virus isolations. In Kaffrine, a randomised study was carried out on 447 blood donors whose serum was systematically tested for the most frequently encountered arboviruses in Senegal. The incidence rate was higher for the unrecognized Chikungunya infection (35.3%) than for the notified YF infection (21%). In Niakhar, Chikungunya infection was initially detected through three cases having occurred in health workers. A serosurvey was then conducted to define the area of prevalence. We report the clinical forms of Chikungunya virus infections, the interest in detecting IgM for recent arbovirus infections and the duration of these IgM. The difficulties of diagnosis of Chikungunya infection in malaria endemic areas are stressed. The occurrence of arbovirus infections, Yellow fever and Chikungunya viruses, transmitted by the same vectors (Aedes aegypti) in Kaffrine are also discussed.

Aedes↗
PubMed1999

Molecular characterization of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi isolated from an Ethiopian camel by ribotyping and PCR-ribotyping.

The aim of this study was to characterize a S. equi subspecies equi strain isolated from an Ethiopian camel by different molecular techniques (Ribotyping and PCR-Ribotyping). We compared the results obtained with those generated from two strains of the Pasteur Collection. The ribotyping showed the highest power of differentiation, distinguishing between the strains analyzed, whereas PCR-Ribotyping was able only to differentiate the camel isolate but not the strains from the Pasteur Collection. The application of this technique will be very useful to establish a clonal relationship among equine and camelids strains and help the prevention and cure of the equine and camel pathology.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Preschool stunting, age at menarche and adolescent height: a longitudinal study in rural Senegal.

OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of preschool stunting on adolescent height and age at menarche in rural West Africa. DESIGN: A longitudinal, population-based study. SETTING: The Niakhar study area in Central Senegal. SUBJECTS: 1650 children aged 12-17 y with known height-for-age at the age of 2-5 y. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Adolescent height; mean age at menarche of girls estimated by the status quo method. RESULTS: The subjects were divided into three groups of preschool height-for-age: < -2, -2 to -1 and > -1 z-score of the NCHS reference. The mean height during adolescence differed significantly according to preschool height-for-age for both boys and girls (P < 0.001). Relative risk of adolescent stunting according to preschool stunting varied from 2.0-4.0 depending on age and sex. Estimated mean age at menarche was 17.2 (95% fiducial confidence interval: 16.6-18.7), 16.5 (16.1-17.2) and 15.6 (15.2-16.0) y, respectively, for the three groups of preschool height-for-age (P < 0.001). Mean increment from age 5 y to adolescence did not differ significantly among the boys according to preschool stunting, but among the girls aged 16-17 y, the increment was higher for those who had been stunted during preschool life (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Some evidence of catch-up growth between the ages of 5 and 17 y was found for stunted girls. The significant delay in sexual maturation of the stunted girls suggests that stunted children of both sexes have a possibility of catch-up growth after the age of 17 y.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Effects of halothane on mechanical response of skeletal muscle from malignant hyperthermia susceptible patients.

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the effects of halothane on malignant hyperthermia (MH) and normal isolated muscle bundle performance during isometric contraction and relaxation phases. Mechanical parameters were measured: peak tension (PT), time to peak tension (TPT) and positive peak of isometric tension derivative (+dP/dtmax) characterized the contraction phase. Half-relaxation time (RT1/2) and negative peak of isometric tension derivative (-dP/dtmax) characterized the relaxation phase. The ratio R = (+dP/dtmax)/(-dP/dtmax) was used to study the coupling between contraction and relaxation under isometric condition. In normal muscle, halothane increased PT by nearly 40% without altering TPT. The +dP/dtmax value increased concomitantly with the -dP/dtmax values, thus no changes in R was observed. In MH muscle, PT was first potentiated (0.5-1.0 vol% halothane) and then depressed (2.0-3.0 vol% halothane). TPT and +dP/dtmax were not altered whereas RT1/2 increased progressively with concomitant decrease in -dP/dtmax, thus R increased by nearly 40%. The amplitude of MH muscle contracture with stepwise concentrations of halothane was correlated with the increase of RT1/2 and R, and the decrease of -dP/dtmax. These results suggest that halothane alters the relaxation phase more than the contraction phase in MH human skeletal muscle compared to normal muscle.

Anesthetics, Inhalation↗
PubMed1998

[Fetal renal venous thrombosis: a typical ultrasonographic aspect].

We report a case of RVT, diagnosed at 34 weeks' gestation in a case of fetal distress occurring four days after an acute maternal gastroenteritis. The typical ultrasonic pattern included renal enlargement, with parenchymal hyperechogenicity and venous echoic streaks, loss of the cortico-medullary boundary and lack of definition of renal sinus echoes. Color Doppler velocimetry confirmed the absence of venous flow with an increased vascular resistance in the renal artery. After delivery by an emergency caesarean section the infant had a full anatomical and functional recovery of his affected kidney at the seventh day of life.

Adult↗