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J Gardon

Publications and source records attributed to J Gardon.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Comparison between various methods of pregnancy screening during a large-scale ivermectin treatment in Cameroon].

During a mass treatment with ivermectin which is contraindicated to pregnant women, authors made a screening for pregnancy by questioning 2,580 women from 15 to 45 years old. 1,409 of these women were also interrogated by a female physician assisted by a native matron to detect pregnant women. In 1,798 women, at least one immunological pregnancy test has been used in the field. A nine months follow-up was made to check answers. Women's knowledge led to a good appreciation of pregnancy as they correctly appreciated their pregnancy from the second month: specificity was good (98%) but sensitivity was moderate (71%). Conclusions made by gynecological team after detailed questionnaire were more sensitive (80%), but specificity decrease dramatically to 59%. Combinations of several items in the questionnaire showed no benefit. Sensitivity of the various immunological pregnancy tests tried was included in 70 to 90% and specificity was varying from 87 to 97%. Simple questioning of women was the most efficient method (efficiency value was 94% against 63% for interview and 92% for pregnancy tests). However, the use of this method induced the risk that about 29% of women have been treated although they were pregnant.

Adolescent↗

[Epidemiological features of retroviral infection by HTLV-1 in central Africa].

Subsaharian Africa is the most important reservoir of HTLV1 virus but its epidemiology is not well-known. The authors have studied from 1987 to 1990 the situation in 6 countries in Central Africa. The already described routes of transmission are present: through blood transfusions (but it's not such a common practice), heterosexual transmission (but it doesn't seem to be as important as in other continents), and mother to child transmission through breast feeding. Nevertheless, environmental factors--which have to investigated--could play a role for transmission, among them one could think to vectors and parasites.

Adolescent↗

Proposals for a new therapeutic strategy for simple Plasmodium falciparum malaria attacks in Cameroon.

From simplified in vivo tests, authors set up a cartography of the sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum to amino-4-quinolines in Cameroon; they also evaluated the clinical and parasitological efficacy of different therapeutic protocols which make use of amino-4-quinolines, quinine, mefloquine and halofantrine. All these drugs are administered orally. They recommend maintaining home medication with chloroquine at the dose of 25 mg/kg over 3 days, conserving quinine for use in the case of a possible failure. The use of most recent antimalarials can be proposed only as a last resort.

Administration, Oral↗

Efficacy of repeated doses of ivermectin against Mansonella perstans.

Treatment of Mansonella perstans infection, although seldom necessary, is difficult. In a 3 year's trial of normal and high-dose annual and 3-monthly ivermectin treatment against Onchocerca volvulus, the effects on M. perstans were recorded and related to the cumulative dose received. The World Health Organization's African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control may thus reduce the endemicity of M. perstans.

Adult↗

Ivermectin-based control of onchocerciasis in northern Cameroon: individual factors influencing participation in community treatment.

A study aimed at determining individual factors associated with participation in community treatment with ivermectin was conducted in a village hyperendemic for onchocerciasis in northern Cameroon. The respective influences of sex, age, place of residence, distance between the compound and the dosing point, compound size, and participation in treatment by authoritative individuals in the compound was evaluated using univariate and multivariate analysis. Participation in treatment was closely associated with the attitude of the compound heads. Participation of compound heads in treatment increased as the household size increased, and as the distance to the distribution point diminished. This may be explained by the fact that getting information on health programmes is easier in large households whose members are involved in various social activities, and in compounds located near the village centre. Staff involved in health education should take this issue into account, and try to ensure circulation of information particularly to those living in small or remote compounds.

Adolescent↗

Tonate virus infection in French Guiana: clinical aspects and seroepidemiologic study.

Two recent cases of human infection with Tonate virus, one of which was a fatal case of encephalitis, have renewed interest in these viruses in French Guiana. The clinical aspects of confirmed and probable cases of infection with this virus indicate that it has pathogenic properties in humans similar to those of other viruses of the Venezuelan equine encephalitis complex. To determine the prevalence of antibodies to Tonate virus in the various ethnic groups and areas of French Guiana, 3,516 human sera were tested with a hemagglutination inhibition test. Of these, 11.9% were positive for the virus, but significant differences in seroprevalence were found by age, with an increase with age. After adjustment for age, significant differences were found between places of residence. The prevalence of antibody to Tonate virus was higher in savannah areas, especially in the Bas Maroni (odds ratio [OR] = 22.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 15.2-32.4) and Bas Oyapock areas (OR = 13.4; 95% CI = 9.8-18.4). The ethnic differences observed in this study were due mainly to differences in place of residence, except that whites were significantly less frequently infected than other ethnic groups. This study indicates that Tonate virus infection is highly prevalent in French Guiana, especially in savannah areas.

Adult↗