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Biomedical subjects

C Tourte-Schaefer

Publications and source records attributed to C Tourte-Schaefer.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Complement to the epidemiologic study of the focus of Schistosoma mansoni bilharziasis in Kara (northern Togo)].

The present study on the focus of schistosomiasis mansoni of Kara (Northern Togo) complements a report already published in the Bulletin de la Société de Pathologie Exotique in 1988 (9). The following results were obtained through different experiments carried out with snails collected in Kara. According to the season, 3 to 15% of the Biomphalaria pfeifferi studied, were infected. The maximal release of cercariae was observed between 11 am and 1 pm. The survival of cercariae and their ability to infect mice were not superior to 16 hours. Data obtained with the chaetotaxy of miracidia of the Kara strain were compatible with those obtained with african strains by other authors. Moreover, B. pfeifferi from Kara was more susceptible to the Kara strain of Schistosoma mansoni than B. pfeifferi collected in the south of Togo or than B. glabrata from the new world. On the contrary, B. pfeifferi from Kara was susceptible to a strain of S. mansoni from Brazil and was able to produce infectious cercariae. In addition, the search for an animal reservoir was carried out; 3 of the 112 (2.7%) wild rodents captured around the river Kara, were infected. This relatively low number of infected rodents was compatible with the usual findings in Africa where the animal reservoir is considered from human origin and has no importance in the transmission of S. mansoni as it could have in South America and West Indies.

Animals↗

Comparative value of polymerase chain reaction and conventional biological tests for the prenatal diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis.

When toxoplasmosis is acquired during pregnancy, there is a risk of severe congenital defect in the foetus. Maternal treatment with spiramycin limits the transplacental passage of the parasite to the foetus but does not prevent infection in all cases. Prenatal diagnosis should be based on specific and fast methods to prescribe the more potent combination of sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine. This study evaluates PCR in the prenatal diagnosis of toxoplasmosis; PCR was based on the detection of the gene coding for the P30 surface protein. Amniotic fluid from 44 women with suspected foetal infection was tested by PCR and results were compared to those of conventional diagnostic tests on foetal blood and amniotic fluid. PCR was positive in 7 out of 10 samples from proven congenital toxoplasmosis cases. Sensitivity of PCR was similar to cell culture and mouse inoculation of amniotic fluid but was superior to tests carried out on foetal blood (specific IgM, eosinophil and platelet counts, gamma glutamyl transferase, mouse inoculation). In two cases, PCR was positive with no detected infection of the foetus. In this study, the combination of fast detection methods, ie cell culture and PCR of amniotic fluid, eosinophil and platelet counts, GGT activity and specific IgM, enabled us to confirm 10/10 cases of congenital toxoplasmosis in less than a week. PCR therefore appears to be an additional test which improves early prenatal diagnosis of toxoplasmosis.

Amniotic Fluid↗

[First case of human toxocariasis (?) with adult worms in the circulatory system, detected by the presence of embryonated eggs in hemolysis concentration].

Ascarids's eggs were found by blood concentration in a Cameroonese patient with hypereosinophilia. Eggs, similar to those of Toxocara canis or cati, were present in 6 blood concentrations carried out during 7 weeks. These eggs (70-75 x 100-112 microns) contained embryos and hatching of 437-504 microns long larvae was sometimes observed. The presence of adult worms in a well oxygenated localization (e.g.; the left ventricle) was supposed. A pleural effusion was also observed but the low number of eosinophils in the pleural fluid (3%) eliminated the responsibility of the parasite. The treatment by thiabendazole for an associated strongyloidosis was well tolerated but inefficient. On the contrary, the treatment by diethylcarbamazine, well tolerated, induced the disparition of the circulating eggs. This result was confirmed by 6 blood concentrations carried out during 6 months.

Adult↗

[Evaluation of the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis in Togo].

The authors compare the seropositivity against Toxoplasma gondii in 618 women from 13 to 55 years old coming from 6 different regions of Togo. The sera were examined for the presence of IgG by ELISA technic. The results show a significant difference with regions (extremes: 62 and 88% seropositive subjects) but religion, ethnic origin and diet do not seem to have any influence.

Adolescent↗

[Longitudinal epidemiologic study of dracunculosis in the south of Togo].

Through an exhaustive study, the authors have demonstrated a clearly defined area of endemic infection in the North West of the ZIO prefecture, in which 80% of the population centers are affected. The rate of incidence can exceed 50%. Transmission occurs mostly in September and October, by means of ponds; the areas of impounded water appear no to be involved. The spontaneous evolution of the endemic infection was followed in two hamlets for four or five years, respectively. After an "epidemic flash", the rate of incidence decreases in the following year to levels near zero thereafter. They only increase violently after the water sources are reinfected by outsiders to the zone. The observation led the authors to put forth the hypothesis of acquired provisional immunity or a temporary decimation of disease vectors. Finally, the authors underline that presently, all the conditions have been met to allow a control of dracunculiasis in this prefecture.

Adult↗

[An epidemiologic study of a focus of Schistosoma mansoni bilharziasis in Kara (North Togo)].

In 1985 and 1986, an epidemiological survey was carried out in a focus of Schistosoma mansoni located in Kara (Togo). 412 children, 6 months to 15 years old, were examined. The prevalence of schistosomiasis mansoni, evaluated on parasitological and serological data, was of 51.5%. No parasites were found in children before the age of 4. Beyond, the prevalence increase with age; being more important in girls before 10 years and equivalent for both sexes afterwards. Moreover the number of children with hepatomegaly, was significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in patients with schistosomiasis (9.6%), confirming previous results of 1981. Since this date, the prevalence has decreased from 79.6 to 51.5% just as eggs burden in the stools and mean antibodies titers. The explanation of this phenomenon remains unknown.

Adolescent↗

[Epidemiology of tinea of the scalp in Togo].

In 1985, 374 children of primary schools in North and South Togo were examined and sample of hair were collected on all children with small sterile squares of carpet. 11% of the children in the North (dry and urban area) and 20% in the South (wet and rural area) had obvious clinical lesions. Two species of dermatophytes were isolated: Microsporum langeronii and Trichophyton soudanense; this second dermatophyte being uncommon in the South. Moreover, 15% of the children of the North and 42% of the children of the South were asymptomatic carriers. One year later, these asymptomatic carriers had frequently developed clinical lesions. A survey carried out in 131 inhabitants of a small village in the South, showed that clinical lesions were mostly observed in children between 5 and 9 years and that 7.6% of these inhabitants were asymptomatic carriers. Lastly, no dermatophyte could be isolated from 30 cats and dogs.

Adolescent↗

[Congenital toxoplasmosis. Remarks apropos of serologic surveillance in 15,000 pregnant women].

The risk of acquired toxoplasmosis during pregnancy (1.2% of susceptible women) and of transmission of Toxoplasma gondii to the fetus (1% of neonates) was estimated from results of serial serological tests done in 15 132 pregnant women from 1977 to 1982. Congenital toxoplasmosis was studied in the product of 47 induced abortions and in 34 neonates. In aborted fetuses, congenital toxoplasmosis was established by serological tests in 3 cases and based on histological findings in 4. Among the neonates, 11 cases are reported; the 5 severe cases are due to early contamination.

Abortion, Induced↗

[The peculiar features of Plasmodium vivax on the Cambodian-Thailand frontier (Sokh-Sann region)].

The authors report an untypical strain of Plasmodium vivax found in the area of Sokh-Sann (Thaï-Cambodian border). This strain is remarkable by: multiple infections and two chromatin dots occur commonly in the early trophozoite stage; the pigment is coarser and darker in the older stages, and Schüffner dots are seldom found. The incubation period is longer and the symptomatology more severe.

Cambodia↗

[Treatment of 700 cases of bilharziasis with the new drugs oxamniquine, oltipraz, praziquantel].

The authors study the results of a treatment of 700 cases of bilharziasis seen in Paris and in two foci in Togo, by oxamniquine, oltipraz or praziquantel. The three drugs are well tolerated; only a few mild side-effects were reported such as discomfort, nausea, headaches (two cases of acrodynia with oltipraz ). The three drugs are very efficacious in the case of schistosomiasis mansoni (85,5% success rate with oxamniquine, 92,9% with praziquantel, from 76,5 to 92% with oltipraz depending on the different strains) at day 180. As far as schistosomiasis haematobium is concerned, oltipraz and praziquantel have a 87,5% success rate with oltipraz and 80% with praziquantel; however, in the case of oltipraz , it is necessary to increase the dose. The action of praziquantel seems to be slower on Schistosoma haematobium than on S. mansoni. By the study of the evolution of antibodies, the fast action of praziquantel was noticed, explaining the peak of serological titers and of eosinophilia as early as day 10 after treatment; in the case of oltipraz , the apparition of this peak is only recorded at the 30th day. The slower effect of oltipraz on worms implicates not to judge its efficacy by too early controls.

Adolescent↗

[Dirofilariasis in humans. Report of a case with localization in the cheek (author's transl)].

Cutaneous dirofilariasis usually affects animals (dogs and cats) but can occur in human-beings. Occasionally, this cosmopolitan disease is seen in France. Our case-report is the sixteenth registered in France. The patient, a forty-two-year-old man, was infected in Corsica. He presented with a tumor of the right cheek from which a pregnant adult Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens was extracted.

Adult↗

[Immunological diagnosis of echinococcosis. A study of 146 cases, including 8 with bone involvement (author's transl)].

After a study about 146 cases of echinococcosis which 8 osseous localizations, indirect immunofluorescence reactions and immunoprecipitation reactions allow for comparing between right immunologic answers in hydatid cyst of liver and hydatid cyst of bone. The right immunogenicity of osseous hydatid cyst can be explained by a close contact host-parasite and by a good vascularization and a good fertility.

Antibody Formation↗

[Recrudescence of imported malaria (author's transl)].

In the light of two recent cases of severe central nervous system malaria due to neglect in chemoprophylaxis, the authors report the very marked recrudescence in imported malaria and draw attention to the frequency of cases due to P. falciparum, the agent of malignant tertian fever and of malignant episodes. The necessity of early diagnosis in such cases is mentioned, together with the treatment of simple malaria and, in particular, of malignant varieties. In order to be effective, chemoprophylaxis must be begun immediately following arrival in an endemic area, continued regularly throughout the stay there and continued for 2 months after leaving. The blood of former malaria suffers, in order to avoid the risks of transfusion malaria, should be used only after seroimmunological studies have demonstrated the absence of anti-malaria antibodies.

Africa↗