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Biomedical subjects

J L Perret

Publications and source records attributed to J L Perret.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Epidemiological and molecular characteristics of HIV infection in Gabon, 1986-1994.

OBJECTIVE: To describe trends in the prevalence of HIV-1 infection in different populations in Gabon, and the molecular characteristics of circulating HIV strains. METHODS: Data were collected on HIV prevalence through sentinel surveillance surveys in different populations in Libreville (the capital) and in Franceville. In Libreville, a total of 7082 individuals (hospitalized patients, tuberculosis patients, pregnant women, asymptomatic adults, prisoners) were recruited between 1986 and 1994. In Franceville, we tested 771 pregnant women and 886 healthy asymptomatic adults (1986-1988). Sera were screened for HIV antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and confirmed by Western blot or line immunoassay (LIA). Reactive samples in ELISA were tested for the presence of antibodies to HIV-1 group O viruses by ELISA using V3 peptides from HIV-1 ANT-70 and HIV-1 MVP-5180 followed by confirmation by LIA and a specific Western blot. Seventeen HIV-1 strains were isolated (1988-1993) and a 900 base-pair fragment encoding the env region containing V3, V4, V5 and beginning of gp41 was sequenced and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. RESULTS: HIV prevalence was relatively low and remained stable (0.7-1.6% in pregnant women, 2.1-2.2% in the general population). The prevalence was also stable among prisoners (2.1-2.6%). Among hospitalized and tuberculosis patients prevalence was higher and increased (1.8-12.7% and 1.5-16.2%, respectively). Only three sera had antibodies to HIV-1 group O. The 17 HIV-1 strains represent six different genetic subtypes including type O. CONCLUSION: Our data from 1986 to 1994 show a stable and low HIV prevalence in Gabon, and a high genetic diversity of HIV-1 strains. This, also observed in Cameroon, is in contrast to that found elsewhere in Africa. Differences in rate of spread of HIV infection are probably explained by interplay between numerous factors. The role of different HIV subtypes in the dynamics of the HIV epidemic should be examined further.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Types of sugar diabetes encountered in internal medicine in Gabon].

In the 108 patients with diabetes (75 men and 33 women between the ages of 15 and 86 years) hospitalized in the Internal Medicine Department of the Libreville Hospital Center between January 1, 1989 and December 31, 1991, 53 were easily classified, 12 being due to alcohol-induced chronic calcific pancreatitis, two to insulin-dependent diabetes, and 39 to non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Fifty-five patients treated with insulin were not immediately classifiable including 11 who were obese and probably should not have required insulin. In the remaining 44 patients who were not overweight, the youngest often presented features comparable to those observed in patients with chronic calcific pancreatitis except with regard to calcification. Most of the older patients were women in whom diagnosis was coincidental. These findings indicate that authentic insulin-dependent diabetes is uncommon, that non-insulin-dependent diabetes are frequent, and that the endocrine pancreas is particularly susceptible to alcohol abuse.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Mycosis fungoides in a Gabonese patient infected with HTLV-I].

Association of human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) with T-cell malignancy is well-known but its relationship with mycosis fungoides is controversial. Typical mycosis fungoides was diagnosed at tumor stage in a 58-year-old Gabonese woman also infected with HTLV-1. Infection with lymphoma of the skin is uncommon in Africa but it is probably underestimated. Association of mycosis fungoides with retrovirus infection could be coincidental since there is a high prevalence of HTLV-1 in Gabon and the only currently recognized association is T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. However recent data indicate the presence of similar retrovirus particles and a common tax gene in the monocytes of most patients presenting mycosis fungoides.

Fatal Outcome↗
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↗
PubMed1993

[Evaluation of 3 tests applied in the immunological diagnosis of hepatic amebiasis in Gabon].

The diagnosis of hepatic amoebiasis is not always easy. In case of suspicion of hepatic amoebiasis in an endemic area, the patient is immediately treated with a 5-nitroimidazole. Immunological diagnosis is indispensable. After a comparative study of BLA, IHA and IFA reactions, the BLA test has shown to be well adapted to the context of a country with insufficient sanitary infrastructure. The BLA test is easily performed and enables rapid detection of antibodies. The result obtained in about 5 minutes allows to adjust the therapeutic conduct.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Results of a systematic search for Plasmodium in internal medicine in Gabon].

Among 158 adults hospitalized at the University Hospital of Libreville who did not receive any treatment against malaria before blood screening, 20 were carriers of malaria parasites. Plasmodium falciparum was seen in 19 cases with a parasitic density lower than 1,000 trophozoits/mm3 of blood in 18 cases. The most important prevalence was observed into the group of older people. In most cases symptoms related to malaria did not occur during the hospitalization. We conclude that, in such patients, a parasitic density lower than 1,000 trophozoits/mm3 is not sufficient to assess the diagnosis of malaria and does not deserve systematic treatment.

Adolescent↗