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Biomedical subjects

G Martet

Publications and source records attributed to G Martet.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

[Research on three parasitic infestations in rats captured in Marseille: evaluation of the zoonotic risk].

A cross sectional survey was carried out on a population of 82 rats (Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus alexandrinus) trapped in Marseille. The main histopathological finding was the presence of adults or eggs of Capillaria hepatica in 44% of the animals. 21% were found with fleas (Xenopsylla cheopis). There was no evidence of trichinosis in any of the rats examined. Hepatic capillariasis is a zoonosis seldom described in human beings. About 30 human cases have been reported in the world. Human infestation occurs first by consumption of raw rat liver containing un-embryonated eggs causing only pseudoparasitism without disease. The genuine mode of infestation is the consumption of sullied soil with rats feces containing embryonated eggs. Therefore parasites provoke, true as in rat inflammatory lesions, necrosis and fibrosis of the liver. The treatment associates antiparasitic drugs such as ivermectine, disophenol or pyrantel tartrate. The presence of a large population of infested synanthropic rats requires epidemiological monitoring and extermination of rats. All physicians must be informed of this potential risk.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[Malaria epidemic during a military-humanitarian mission in Africa].

A malaria epidemic broke out among French servicemen during a humanitarian military mission carried out in Central Africa in 1996. The purpose of this study was to determine compliance with drug prophylaxis for malaria by measuring blood levels of antimalarial drugs (combination treatment using chloroquine-proguanil or treatment with doxycycline) as well as to assess the conditions of vector control. The incidence density rate of malaria over a 60-day period was 3.1 cases per month per 100 men. Only reinforcement troops were affected. The risk of developing malaria was 5 times higher among new arrivals than in servicemen who had been in the zone for several months (95% CI relative risk = [2.9-7.8]). Type of prophylactic treatment had no effect on the incidence density rate. Study data showed that 40.2% of those treated for malaria were not in compliance with prophylactic treatment at the time of the malarial attack and that those who were in compliance with prophylaxis, i.e. the remaining 59.8%, presented a strain of plasmodium that was resistant to the prophylactic drugs at doses used. Findings also indicated the epidemic occurred mainly because operating conditions prevented implementation of proper vectorial control. The risk of epidemic could probably have been reduced by improving compliance with prophylactic treatment and changing standard vectorial control techniques, e.g. by using insecticide-treated uniforms.

Africa, Central↗
PubMed1997

[Malaria and travelers: protection and information].

With the increasing drug resistance of Plasmodium falciparum especially to agents used for chemoprophylaxis, every precaution must be taken to protect travelers from contracting malaria. Prevention of mosquito bites is a fundamental goal that can be achieved by a variety of means including pyrethrinoid-impregnated bed nets, insecticide strips, liquid vaporizers, repellents, insecticide-impregnated garments, and air-conditioning. There are no contraindications for vector control. Chemoprophylaxis depends of individual criteria as determined by clinical and laboratory examinations and on travel conditions (destination, season, duration of stay, and local living conditions). Stand-by medication should be prescribed for self-treatment of fever in areas where medical care is not readily available. Chemoprophylaxis must be continued after the traveler returns and medical attention should be sought if symptoms occur. To ensure proper compliance with preventive measures, pre-travel counseling is a mandatory and integral part of prevention. Information provided to travelers must be clear, reliable, and up-to-date.

Antimalarials↗
PubMed1997

[A tropical pulmonary nodule].

The authors report a case of american pulmonary histoplasmosis discovered by chance on a chest radiograph in a non immunocompromised patient, back from a stay in French Guyana. Confronted with the negativity of usual mycotic research, diagnosis has been made thanks to wedge excision by video-assisted thoracic surgery. The authors briefly sum up the recent facts regarding this imported infection, stressing the interest of a direct approach by surgical practices not very invasive that allow to eliminate with certainty neoplasm or tuberculosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Glucose transport and equilibrium across alveolar-airway barrier of rat.

The glucose concentration in the epithelial lining fluid (ELF) results from a balance between cellular uptake and paracellular leakage. The present study examines whether the ELF glucose concentration can be predicted from the kinetics of glucose transport obtained in fluid-filled lungs. Isolated rat lungs were filled via the trachea with instillate containing 0-10 mM glucose; the perfusate glucose concentration was 10 mM. The rate of glucose removal from airspaces depended on luminal glucose concentration and was saturable [maximum uptake rate = 101 +/- 8.6 mumol.h-1.g dry lung wt-1; apparent Michaelis constant K(m) = 1.5 +/- 0.43 mM; R2 = 0.79]. Glucose removal was inhibited by phloridzin but not by phloretin or by inhibiting glycolysis. The steady-state concentration in fluid-filled lungs was estimated to be 0.15 +/- 0.034 mM. It agreed with that (< 1/20 plasma) calculated using glucose transport kinetics and paracellular permeability. The ELF glucose concentration obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage was 0.39 +/- 0.012 plasma in vivo and 0.39 +/- 0.021 perfusate in air-filled isolated lungs. The equilibrium ELF/perfusate distribution ratio of alpha-methyl-glucose was similar to that of glucose. Thus there is a major difference between the alveolar steady-state glucose concentration in air- and fluid-filled lungs despite similar mechanisms of airspace glucose removal. This suggests that glucose kinetics or access to uptake sites differ in air- and fluid-filled lungs.

Air↗
PubMed1996

Effect of changes in paracellular permeability on airspace liquid clearance: role of glucose transport.

The role of the pulmonary sodium-glucose cotransport is unknown. We hypothesized that altering glucose balance (the level of passive vs. active transport) across the airspace epithelium might affect luminal liquid clearance (Jw). A mathematical model was developed to calculate Jw from the rate of epithelial glucose uptake and paracellular permeability. The model predicted that steady-state luminal glucose concentration in fluid-filled lungs should be very low (< 0.5 mM, plasma concentration being 10 mM) and that selective changes in paracellular permeability might affect Jw. Protamine was used to increase paracellular permeability in fluid-filled isolated rat lungs. Protamine modified the glucose equilibrium across the epithelium and increased Jw (P < 0.001) in lungs instilled with fluid that contained no glucose. This increase was accurately described by the model (R2 = 0.92). Jw increased because the entry into airspaces of one glucose molecule and its reuptake results in the net absorption of four osmolytes as long as the cotransport has Na-to-glucose stoichiometry of 2:1, operates below saturation, and the barrier selectivity is preserved. Thus modulating paracellular permeability to small solutes might aid in the removal of edema fluid and participate in the regulation of epithelial lining fluid volume and composition.

Absorption↗
PubMed1996

[Leptospirosis: a cause of pseudo-malarial fever in Gabon].

A first case of leptospirosis has been recently described in Gabon where bioclimatological characteristics could favour the transmission of that disease. Therefore, a search for antibodies to leptospirae was conducted among 55 military Frenchmen with unexplained fever during a four-month stay in Gabon. Three (5.5%) were positive with IgM levels attesting for recent contamination. A screening antigenic battery identified L. bataviae in two cases and L. sejroe in one case. The three patients were employed outside in the precedent weeks. Travelers are exposed to leptospirosis in numerous Third-World countries. Clinical and biological similarities between leptospirosis and P. falciparum malaria could induce misdiagnosis. Co-infection could also be encountered. Doxycycline, whose activity against P. falciparum is well known, is also effective against leptospirae. Therefore, this drug seems valuable for prophylactic and therapeutic actions in areas exposed to the both diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Goodpasture syndrome: role of an epidemiological factor? Apropos of two cases].

Goodpasture's syndrome is a rare pneumorenal syndrome. Although the antigenic target of this auto-immune disorder is now known, its etiology remains debated. We report two cases of Goodpasture's syndrome occurring in similar epidemiologic conditions concerning the moment the disease began, the age and sex of the patients, their place of residence and work and manipulation of chemicals. Thus, a common environmental factor could have been the trigger event of the Goodpasture's syndrome. The epidemiologic features of this disease are reviewed.

Adult↗