Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to C Chastel.
An increasing number of experimental findings suggest that Spiroplasma taiwanense (Class Mollicutes) has considerable potential for inclusion in integrated mosquito vector control programmes. These experimental findings are outlined in conjunction with preferred strategies for its eventual use as a biological control agent.
The optimal management of herpes simplex stromal keratitis and uveitis is controversial. Thirty-two patients with presumptive herpetic anterior uveitis without active corneal inflammation received 3% acyclovir ophthalmic ointment five times daily and acyclovir 200mg orally five times a day. Eight of 18 patients (44.4%) who had received corticosteroids deteriorated over the first five days of therapy; one of 14 patients (7.1%) without previous corticosteroid use worsened during this time (P less than .05). The mean healing time was similar in these two groups. These results suggest that antiviral therapy may be first-line treatment in patients with herpetic keratouveitis who have not received corticosteroids.
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Sera from 269 wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.) trapped in 1985 and 1986 in Camargue and Vaucluse, France, were studied for antibody against 9 arboviruses. By inhibition haemagglutination test, positive reactions were found only against West-Nile (0.37%). By complement fixation test, antibodies were detected against Eyach (0.92%) and Tribec (0.46%). These results are discussed according to arboviruses isolated in France, to previous serosurveys in rabbits and other mammals and to potential vectors known to occur in France. Potential impact on rabbit population is also discussed.
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Comparative studies were performed on crane herpesviruses obtained from two different enzootics in Austria and France. The examined viruses appear to be identical in their physico-chemical properties, morphology and biological reactions in ovo. The crane viruses are tentatively classified as beta-herpesviruses. Crane herpesvirus antisera produced in rabbits reacted in cross neutralization tests with each other and with a herpesvirus obtained from a bobwhite quail. No reactivity was observed with other avian herpesviruses and with human herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2.
An apparently new agent, provisionally named Erve virus, was isolated in 1982 from tissues of three white toothed shrews, Crocidura russula, trapped near Saulges village in Western France. Results of virological and ultrastructural studies suggest that this virus belongs to the Bunyaviridae family and is a Bunyavirus-like agent. Serosurveys indicate that Erve virus had apparently a large geographical distribution in France and infects rodents, insectivores, wild boars (Sus scrofa), red deer (Cervus elaphus), sheep, herring gulls (Larus argentatus) and humans. Blood donors living in the vicinity of the Saulges area exhibit the highest incidence of antibody against Erve virus.
We tested 3 non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in experimental herpes keratitis in order to determine possible pro-infectious consequences. The drugs were Indomethacine, Flurbiprofen and a new non steroidal anti-inflammatory, CBS 113 A, mixed inhibitor of cycloxygenase and lipoxygenase. We studied simultaneously the evolution of the keratitis and viral excretion. We considered that an anti-inflammatory agent had a pro-infectious effect if the keratitis was more serious and/or viral excretion longer in comparison with placebo. We have shown, for the 3 drugs, in comparison with dexamethasone activity, absence of a pro-infectious effect. We compared our results on Flurpiprofen with an other study which gave this anti-inflammatory drug pro-infectious capacities; the concentration used was higher. CBS 113 A, inhibiting the metabolism of arachidonic acid via lipoxygenase and cycloxygenase and thus preventing the formation of metabolitis involved in inflammation (prostaglandins, leukotrienes,...), should have a spectrum of activity wider than that of NSAID. Subject to further studies, these 3 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory could be used in herpetic kerato-uveitis.
Reviewing three recent cases of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis, we describe the clinical symptoms, the evolution, the biological data and the histological features. We emphasize the importance of C.T. scan in the investigation of such patients. Treatment was either surgical or medical.
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Eleven strains of adenovirus 8 (Ad 8) isolated during two consecutive outbreaks of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) in the Ophthalmology Department of a University Hospital in France were compared by DNA restriction analysis. The results indicated that isolates from the two outbreaks belong to the same genome type, which is also the most predominant genome type of Ad 8. The usefulness of molecular epidemiology in Ad 8 infections is briefly discussed.
The authors did study the experimental effects on Aedes aegypti ova of different Spiroplasma strains, isolated from mosquitoes in French Savoy and in Taiwan. The SP7 strain, from Armigeres subalbatus (Taiwan), demonstrates a true pathogenic effect on the larval evolution, without sex ratio modifications, nor bacterial transmission to the adult mosquitoes. The authors present their results and emphasize the difficult use of Spiroplasmas sp.
Adenovirus 8 represents the main agent of Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) and outbreaks mainly occur in hospital wards, colleges and metallurgy industry. Adenovirus 8 conjunctivitis are generally severe lasting two to three weeks, and keratitis with persistent infiltrates may be observed for more than a year. There is no actual treatment of EKC and therefore preventive measures appear as essential to avoid and/or limit such outbreaks in hospital wards. We have observed two consecutive outbreaks of Adenovirus 8 EKC in the Ophthalmology Department of the University Hospital in Brest, France. One outbreak lasted from December 1st, 1983, to March 20, 1984, and the second from July 13, 1984, to November 6, 1984. All patients were selected on the basis of positive virus isolation and they were divided into three epidemiological groups: Group 1 concerned patients who came for EKC treatment at the Ophthalmology Department for the first time; Group 2 resembled either infected staff members or patients which came for EKC and which had already been at the Ophthalmology Department for less than a month with another disease; Group 3 corresponded to hospitalized patients which had contracted EKC during their stay in the ward. Virus isolations were attempted at the virus laboratory in Brest (Pr Chastel) using human diploid fibroblastic cells, MRC 5 strain (Bio-Mérieux, France) and virus isolates were identified by neutralisation tests.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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