Eosinophils: a putative marker of immunodepression in HIV-infected African patients with tuberculosis?
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to G Soula.
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Web applications provide access to a tremendous amount of information: hypertext, hypermedia and on-line databases. However, since users' knowledge, motivation and goals are different, they cannot find the relevant information in the data being diffused. Giving the users applications or environments that will take their differences into account is one way of improving their access to knowledge. The authors' objective is to improve knowledge navigation by adapting users' navigation. Adaptive hypermedia is one way of returning information adapted to the user. This paper presents an adaptive hypermedia system based on user representation with the stereotype model. Both adaptive presentation and navigation techniques are also implemented. This paper focuses on the architecture of the general adaptive hypermedia system as well as adaptivity management. A-TOP, a medical adaptive hypermedia prototype implemented in a hospital intranet system, is described. Adaptive hypermedia is a preliminary approach to the vast problem of user access to knowledge. In conclusion, we hope to extend our reflections to the problems involved in access to knowledge on the World Wide Web (Web).
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Genitourinary infections have a major impact on public health, especially in Africa. Relative distribution of the different pathogens is unknown in Bobo-Dioulasso. GOAL: To describe the etiology of genitourinary infections, to establish the sensitivity of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to antibiotics, and to provide epidemiologic and biologic evidence to optimize the treatment of genitourinary infections. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical and biologic diagnoses were performed on 223 women with genitourinary infections. RESULTS: Etiologies found were trichomoniasis (27.8%), chlamydia (26.9%), bacterial vaginosis (19.7%), candidiasis (16.6), and N. gonorrhoeae infection (10.9%). Human immune deficiency virus antibodies were present in 42% of the patients. Spectinomycin or ceftriaxone should be recommended for the treatment of gonorrhoeae in Bobo-Dioulasso. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis is higher than that of N. gonorrhoeae in Bobo-Dioulasso. This should be taken into account in clinical management of sexually transmitted diseases in this setting.
This study reports the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among gynaecological outpatients presenting at the Bobo-Dioulasso Hospital (Burkina Faso) with genital infections and examines the factors associated with HIV infection in this population. Of 245 eligible non-pregnant women, 220 consented to participate in the study. Seventy-seven per cent had sexually transmitted infections. The most common were: Trichomonas vaginalis (28%), Chlamydia trachomatis (27%), bacterial vaginosis (20%), Candida albicans (17%), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (11%). The prevalence of HIV infection was 42% (95% c.i. 35.3, 48.3). Logistic regression analyses revealed Neisseria gonorrhoeae to be the only STD significantly associated with infection with HIV (P = 0.04). A sedimentation rate greater than or equal to 100 mm in the first hour was also associated with HIV infection (P < 0.001). Women consulting for genital infections constitute a high risk group for HIV infection and other STDs. Management of these women should focus on the early diagnosis and treatment of STDs.
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Three groups of male Wistar rats were compared: one group received injections of Misonidazole (MISO) (200 mg/kg, i.p.), another group was treated by whole-body irradiation, and the third population received both treatments. Irradiation induced an important decrease of monooxygenase (O-demethylase) activity of hepatic microsomes seven days after the treatment. Cyt. P-450 levels hardly decreased, whereas lipid peroxidation was two-fold three days after irradiation. These different parameters were not modified neither after misonidazole treatment nor after association of irradiation and MISO regimen. The presence of oxygen in liver may explain that a radiosensitizer such as MISO does not increase irradiation damage on liver microsomes enzymes, oxygen preventive activation of MISO by radiation: the nitro groupment of MISO was not reduced in nitroso and amine compounds.
I,858 semi quantitative G6PD determinations were done in Mali (mostly in the Point G Hospital, in Bamako). 15.7% of the men and 4.5% of the women had a G6PD deficiency. The age did not affect the incidence of the disease. G6PD deficiency was more frequent among the Sonrais than among the other ethnic groups tested. It did not occur more frequently among subjects having the sickling trait of AC hemoglobinopathy but no G6PD was found among subjects having a major hemoglobinopathy (SS or SC). Severe hemolytic anemia was rather infrequent among adults subjects. Hemolysis was induced by drugs--such as dapsone or niridazole--but it was usually mild and time-limited.
1. The hypoxic cell radiosensitizers misonidazole (RO 07-0582; Miso) and desmethylmisonidazole (RO 05-9963; Desmiso) were administered by the intraperitoneal route at a single dose of 250 mg/kg to Wistar rats bearing a chemo induced sarcoma. Plasma, tissues and urinary concentrations were measured by HPLC analysis. Pharmacokinetic parameters of the two drugs were compared. 2. The time for diffusion of both drugs in different tissues and the tumor was very short: plasmatic and tissular peak levels were obtained 10 to 30 min after injection. 3. Miso and Desmiso levels, measured in brain, reached 51% and 5% respectively of their plasma concentrations. This observation suggests that Desmiso may penetrate the central nervous system to a lesser extent than the parent compound. 4. No significant differences of both drug concentrations were observed between the central and the peripheral zone of the tumor. However, the half-life of nitroimidazole drugs in the center of tumor was much shorter than in the peripheral zone, demonstrating radiosensitizing properties. 5. Compared with Miso, a greater proportion of injected Desmiso is recovered in the urine: 34% for Desmiso and 22,5% for Miso.
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A randomized double-blind study, in order to evaluate effectiveness and tolerance of albendazole, was carried out in 186 african subjects presenting intestinal nematode infections in Mali and Senegal. The drug, well tolerated, given as a single dose of 0.4 g (adolescents and adults) or 0.2 g (children) is curative in more than 90% for ascariasis. For ancylostomiasis and trichuriasis, the effectiveness is less satisfactory in children, probably due to insufficient dosage in this age group.
The authors studied the leucocytes count of 173 French people living in Mali (West Africa) during 4 years. 8.3% of these subjects presented neutropenia under 1,800/mm3, 12.2% had lymphocytosis over 4,000/mm3 and 11.6% hypereosinophilia over 500/mm3. These abnormalities differ considerably from one year to another in the same subject; their frequency does not depend upon the age, the sex, the duration of the stay in Africa. Eosinophilia is secondary to helminthiasis. Neutropenia and lymphocytosis are probably secondary to unknown evironmental factors.
1. The hypoxic cell-radiosensitizing drug misonidazole or 2 nitro imidazole was administered by intraperitoneal way at a dose of 25 mg/100 g to Wistar rats bearing a chimio-induced sarcoma. Drug plasma and tissues concentrations were determined by HPLC analysis. The diffusion of the drug in different tissues and tumor was very short: plasmatic and tissular peak levels were obtained 10 to 30 min. after injection. 2. Misonidazole concentrations in muscle, brain, tumor, liver and kidney were 50%, 47%, 36%, 9% and 13% of plasma level. No significative difference of the drug concentration were observed between the center and the outside zone of the tumor. 3. However, half-life of misonidazole in the center of tumor was much shorter than in the outside of the tumor, demonstrating its radiosensitizing properties.
In the village population of Mali situated in the sudan savanna, malariometric indices and hematocrit values were performed before and after mass drug administration given every 15 days by a nurse to three-quarters of the population, with the remaining quarter receiving a placebo. In this population, endemic malaria was stable and high, essentially caused by Plasmodium falciparum. The "protected" population showed a decrease of parasite rate and spleen rate with concomitent rise in hematocrit values. Following the rainy season, when transmission of malaria is highest, the normally observed increase in malariometric indices with lowered hematocrit values were not seen during chemoprophylaxis. While splenomegaly found in rural children is related to malaria, the main etiology of anaemia observed in this age group is probably malaria but a role is played by others factors.
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Recent meningitis epidemics in West Africa have drawn attention to shortcomings in the response of the health services. The health ministries of the countries involved have identified particular requirements. Following WHO recommendations, OCCGE organized a meeting of experts at CERMES, Niamey, in January 1998. The aim of this workshop was to consider the problems common to these countries, identify their needs and to produce concrete recommendations defining the roles of OCCGE and CERMES. Difficulties in mobilization, as no procedure had been established, and a lack of resources limited the efficiency of the response to epidemics. There was also insufficient training of personnel and laboratory facilities were often inadequate. OCCGE could draft a procedure manual specifying tasks and responsibilities for the control of an epidemic. It was suggested that a sub-regional stock of drugs, vaccines and injection equipment should be set up at CERMES. This should improve the speed of the response and complement national and international distribution systems. The group stressed the importance of improving the surveillance of meningitis epidemics. This approach depends on a structured network based around a reference laboratory. CERMES plans to support government initiatives by training and by maintaining the network. Efforts will be made to report and make best use of epidemiological information at all levels of the "health pyramid". Some OCCGE institutes (e.g. IPR and CERMES) have computer tools such as the Geographical Information System, which can be made available to governments. Analysis of sub-regional epidemics demonstrated the limitations of an alert threshold of 15 cases per 100,000 people. The sensitivity and specificity of this threshold differs between climatic zones OCCGE recommends that each country carry out its own research to determine the most appropriate alert threshold for each zone. Epidemics are currently managed by treatment with short courses of chloramphenicol in oil (injected into muscle). This approach may change as ceftriaxone becomes more affordable. The systematic use of ceftriaxone in infants under the age of 1 year presenting with meningitis is justified by the frequency of non-meningococcal bacterial causes. A consensus was reached on the most appropriate vaccination strategies: Emergency vaccination implemented rapidly in response to an epidemic. The entire population of a district between the age of 6 months and 30 years are vaccinated. Prophylactic vaccination in high-risk zones. This is carried out in the zone itself or in neighboring regions where there was an epidemic the preceding year. There is evidence that those not infected during an epidemic are at high risk the following year. These vaccinations should be carried out as soon as possible, at least before the start of the next epidemic season. Systematic vaccination is currently limited to special groups (e.g. school children, military personnel and pilgrims). It is hoped that the conjugated vaccine will become available for integration into the infant vaccination program.
We performed a cross-sectional study of populations from two areas of Mali, in May and June 1996. The aim of the study was to assess the extent to which leprosy causes physical disability in Mali. One area was rural (Circle of Bougouni), the other urban (Bamako District). We used a cluster sampling method, with 500 households selected for study in each of the two areas. All members of the households randomly selected were included in the study. For all survey sites, the number of households was proportional to the number of inhabitants. The total study population was 8,175, including 172 cases of physical handicap, 76 in Bamako and 96 in Bougouni. The prevalence of physical handicap was 21 per 1,000 inhabitants (25.3 per 1,000 in rural areas and 17.3 per 1,000 in the city). The difference in the prevalence of physical handicap between the two areas was statistically significant (p = 0.01). Ten per cent of the disabilities were caused by leprosy. The most common causes of disability other than leprosy were trauma and poliomyelitis. Leprosy mostly caused disabilities in rural areas. In both areas, leprosy caused more disabilities in men and boys (64% of cases) than in women and girls. The frequency of disabilities caused by leprosy increased with age, whereas the frequency of handicaps with other causes decreased with age. This study shows that leprosy is still a major cause of disability in countries in which it is endemic, such as Mali. Disability prevention measures and physical rehabilitation programs should be incorporated into the national program for the elimination of epilepsy.