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Biomedical subjects

A Meheus

Publications and source records attributed to A Meheus.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

[The campaign against sexually transmissible diseases and endemic treponematoses].

From the moment WHO was established in 1948, the control of venereal diseases was felt to deserve highest priority, together with activities to control malaria and tuberculosis. International action was needed in view of the high morbidity and mortality from venereal diseases, their serious human and social consequences, and the prevalence of congenital syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhoea, chancroid, venereal lymphogranulomatosis, granuloma inguinale). WHO immediately set up a global programme for the control of STDs and, with the participation of other agencies, especially UNICEF, furnished countries with assistance in the form of personnel, equipment and funds for the operation of programmes to assess the extent and impact of STDs and to plan and implement practical measure of control. The 1950s witnessed a steady and considerable decline in syphilis and gonorrhoea and many health authorities relaxed their control activities and efforts to maintain public awareness of the problem. In contrast to the prevailing optimism, WHO repeatedly stressed the possibility of a renewed upsurge of STDs. In the 1960s and 1970s, there was a sharp rise in STDs, both in the "classic" diseases (the five venereal diseases mentioned above) and also in the "second generation" STDs (chlamydial infection, genital herpes, human papillomavirus and other infections). Through its programme for the control of STDs, WHO put forward suitably designed control strategies, essentially based on information and education for health, screening for STDs, diagnosis and treatment of cases, contact tracing, and the training of health personnel. By the end of the 1970s, the bacterial, but not the viral STDs, had been contained in the industrialized countries. In many of the developing countries, STDs remained a priority public health problem, above all on account of the seriousness of their sequelae. In 1981, a new sexually transmitted disease-the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-was identified. As of 1982, the WHO Programme on STDs organized meetings to define the extent of the problem, compare experience, promote and coordinate research and propose strategies for prevention. In 1987, WHO established a Global Programme on AIDS. It is clear that the control of STDs is now more than ever a priority. We have strategies for the prevention and control of STDs and the WHO Programme will continue to collaborate closely with countries in strengthening their national control programmes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

Prevalence of anti-delta antibodies in pregnant women in Bandung, Indonesia.

Knowledge of the epidemiology of hepatitis D virus (HDV)-infection is very scarce in many parts of the world. The endemicity of delta-infection is believed to be maintained and spread through the network of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers in the community. In the Far East and the Pacific area, the prevalence of chronic HBsAg carriers is mostly high. Markers of HDV infection are very frequent in some regions (e.g. parts of China, Fiji Isles, Samoa), in other regions they are almost absent (e.g. Taiwan, Thailand, parts of China). In the Bandung region (West Java, Indonesia) we found 26 (2.8%) HBsAg carriers among 926 pregnant women. Most of them are chronic carriers (anti hepatitis B core (HBc) IgM negative). Although HBsAg is frequent in this Indonesian population, we could not find any anti-HD positive. This data warrants the conclusion that HDV infection has not yet been introduced in that densely populated area of Indonesia.

Carrier State↗
PubMed1987

Importance of chlamydial antibodies in acute salpingitis in central Africa.

Of 35 women with acute salpingitis on laparoscopy, 86% had chlamydial antibodies at a titre of 1/16 or higher and 49% at a titre of 1/512 or higher. Geometric mean titres of chlamydial antibodies correlated significantly with a laparoscopic observation of chronic salpingitis (p less than 0.001), with a history of infertility (p less than 0.05), and with severe inflammation (p less than 0.10), but not with a history of salpingitis or a positive cervical culture for Chlamydia trachomatis. In the subgroup of infertile women, the geometric mean titre of antibodies to chlamydiae correlated significantly with the presence of chronic salpingitis (p less than 0.005). These data indicate that chlamydial infections play a major part in salpingitis and infertility in central Africa. In this area, which is known as the "infertility belt", programmes to control chlamydial infections should be implemented.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1987

Immunogenicity of a recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine in neonates.

Infants of HBsAg-positive mothers (Group I) as well as those born to women without HBV markers (Group II) were vaccinated with a 10 micrograms dose of a recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours after birth according to a 0, 1, and 2 month schedule, with a booster dose planned 12 months later. Vaccination results in 14 (Group I) and 47 (Group II) neonates showed that at two months after the third dose of vaccine, 86% (6/7) and 100% (37/37), respectively, seroconverted, with anti-HBs geometric mean titres of 80 IU/l and 266 IU/l in the respective groups. No adverse reactions to the vaccine were observed. These preliminary results indicate that the recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine is safe and highly immunogenic in newborns.

Antigens↗
PubMed1987

Prevalence and determinants of hepatitis B virus markers in pregnant women in West Java, Indonesia.

In Bandung, West Java, 300 consecutive pregnant women were screened for hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers at a prenatal consultation. The prevalence of HBsAg and of anti-HBs/anti-HBc was 4.7% (14/300) and 35.6% (107/300) respectively, while 59.7% (179/300) was sero-negative. Prevalence of HBV markers increased significantly with both age and parity. Women with less schooling and a low socioeconomic class seemed to be at higher risk for HBV infection (HBV-markers prevalence of 49.3% (35/71) and 58.3% (21/36) respectively). Among employed women, the subgroup of school-teachers had a significantly higher HBV-markers prevalence of 54.8% (23/42), with a HBsAg carrier rate of 11.9% (5/42). This could indicate an important nonparenteral transmission of HBV in schools. The prevalence of HBeAg in HBsAg positive women was 64.3% (9/14). Based on historical data on perinatal HBV transmission, this would lead to a HBV carriership in 2.4 to 3.5% of all newborns. Possible strategies of prevention of HBV infection in newborns are briefly discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Antimicrobial activity of seven metallic compounds against penicillinase producing and non-penicillinase producing strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

The in vitro activity of seven metallic compounds was tested against penicillinase (beta lactamase) producing strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) and non-PPNG strains. On a weight basis, the mercurials showed the greatest in vitro activity. Phenylmercuric borate, thiomersal, and mercuric chloride inhibited 90% of all strains at concentrations of 5 mg/l, 5 mg/l, and 20 mg/l respectively. Silver nitrate inhibited 90% of the strains at 80 mg/l and the MIC90 for mild silver protein was 200 mg/l. Copper and selenium salts had lower in vitro activities, inhibiting 90% of all the strains at 320 mg/l and 640 mg/l respectively. Silver nitrate and the six other compounds tested showed equal activities against PPNG and non-PPNG strains. This finding supports the recommendation for prophylaxis of gonococcal conjunctivitis of the newborn with 1% silver nitrate eye drops.

Copper↗
PubMed1986

AIDS in Indonesia.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1985

[Urethritis in men in Belgium. Results of registration by a network of general practitioners].

Through a network of 100 general practitioners, all cases of gonococcal and non-gonococcal urethritis in males were registered over a period of one year. This study permitted us to estimate the annual number of cases in the whole country at 25,375 cases which is 66.8 cases per 10,000 males aged 15 years and over. The highest incidence was observed between 25 and 34 years of age and among bachelors. In more than 70% of cases, the contact could be traced. The most frequently identified contacts were casual partners and prostitutes, totalling 61.4% of known contacts.

Adolescent↗