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Biomedical subjects

A Meheus

Publications and source records attributed to A Meheus.

131 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Isolation of Mycoplasma hominis from genital ulcerations of patients in Eastern and Southern Africa.

In three separate surveys involving 413 patients in Mbabane (Swaziland), Nairobi (Kenya), and Carletonville (South Africa), Mycoplasma hominis was isolated from the base of ulcers in 41 (16%) of 251 men with genital ulcer disease. Antibodies to M. hominis were detected by indirect hemagglutination in 89 (51%) of 176 such patients. Of these male patients, 15% and 6% had indirect hemagglutinating antibodies at titers of greater than or equal to 160 and greater than or equal to 640, respectively. The rate of isolation of M. hominis and the results of serologic tests for antibodies to this organism were the same whether or not a cause of genital ulcer disease was identified.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The shift in prevalence of hepatitis A immunity in Flanders, Belgium.

The purpose of this study was to obtain data on the prevalence of hepatitis A in Flanders, Belgium, in order to analyse any change in the epidemiological pattern of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in the region, and to determine at which age pre-vaccination testing would be useful. To meet these goals, a sero-epidemiological survey was conducted: 4058 serum samples were collected from a random sample of the general population in 1993-94. The overall age-standardised prevalence was 51.3%. Among non-Belgians (N = 245), the age-standardised anti-HAV prevalence was 66.4%, significantly higher than the 49.6% anti-HAV prevalence found in Belgians (N = 3186). Among Belgians, seroprevalence increased with age: from 5.4% in the youngest age group (0-14 years) to over 80% in the two oldest age groups (55-64 years and > or = 65 years). Prevalence rates were as high as 31.7% in the 25-34 year old age category, and 60.8% in the 35-44 year old age category. The age-specific prevalence figures among Belgians and non-Belgians reflect two different epidemiological patterns: the epidemiological pattern of a low endemic region for Belgians and the epidemiological profile of an intermediate endemic region forn non-Belgians. The age-specific prevalence figures in Belgians were compared with the 1979 and 1989 anti-HAV prevalence figures in Belgian first-time blood donors. A clear epidemiological shift showing decreasing HAV prevalence in the youngest age groups was found. If we accept that pre-vaccination screening is useful at a 35% prevalence rate, all persons over 35 years of age should be screened before vaccination.

Adolescent↗