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Biomedical subjects

J Lapierre

Publications and source records attributed to J Lapierre.

At least 19 recordsLinked 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

[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

Growth of poliovirus using alginate entrapped-anchorage dependent Vero cells.

Obligatory anchorage dependant Vero cells were successfully grown in gelatinous-like macrocarriers made of calcium alginate. Entrapped single cells were immobilized within the polymerized alginate matrix divide to form large spherical clumps of cells. A cell density of 17 x 10(6) cells/ml of alginate with over 95% viability was obtained after 14 days in spinner flasks. When subjected to poliovirus type I infection, spherical masses of Vero cells progressively showed extensive cytopathic effect but remained entrapped in the alginate matrix of the macrocarriers. Virus was released into a cellular debris free-like supernatant and reached a peak titer of 10(8.0) TCID50/ml after 72 hours.

Alginates

Growth of a murine coronavirus in a microcarrier cell culture system.

The growth of the murine coronavirus MHV-A59 on murine DBT cells adapted to dextran-made Cytodex 1 microcarriers was studied in comparison with cells grown on plastic dishes. With a microcarrier concentration of 5 g/l in spinner flasks, a density of 3 x 10(6) cells/ml was reached in 7 days. Under these conditions, cells supported virus growth to the same extent as when they were grown on the plastic substratum. This was shown by a similar development of virus-induced syncytia, the release of an equivalent number of infectious progeny virions per cell, similar recoveries observed after concentration and purification and an identical appearance of the purified virus under the electron microscope. On the other hand, the technical convenience of microcarriers and the ease of scale-up emphasize their potential for the growth of coronaviruses.

Animals

[The role of mefloquine in the prevention of malaria].

The use of Méfloquine in the prophylactic treatment of malaria has, up to now, been hampered by the standpoint adopted by the WHO, the Conseil Supérieur d'Hygiène and some specialists, for whom Méfloquine should be administered only for short stays in areas of strong chloroquine-resistance. This policy, which prevents many travellers and overseas residents from benefitting from one of the most effective prophylactic treatments on the market today, thereby indirectly causing a number of pernicious cases of malaria, is based on the unfounded, unproved premise that wide use of this drug would foster the development of méfloquine-resistance or on side-effects, which are in fact rarely of any consequence and always curable. The efficacity of this drug should ensure that it is used for the basic prophylactic treatment of malaria in chloroquine-resistant areas, whatever the degree of this resistance and the length of stay involved, on condition that care is taken as to the tolerance of this drug in the early stages of treatment.

Africa

Two outbreaks of trichinosis caused by horsemeat in France in 1985.

Two outbreaks of trichinosis occurred in France in August and October of 1985 and 1,073 cases in all were identified. In the first outbreak, two localities were involved: the town of Melun and the 14th district of Paris. To determine the origin of the contamination, three case-control studies were carried out: among patients' families, among the populations of these two areas, and among the inmates in the prison of Melun. In the second outbreak, cases again occurred in Paris but in a different district (the 12th), in the city's suburbs, and in other towns scattered throughout France. Although no parasites were found in any of the meat examined in either outbreak, results of the study indicate that infection was due to horsemeat consumption and led to the incrimination of two carcasses, one imported from a slaughterhouse in the United States and the other from West Germany. These findings led the French Ministry of Agriculture to order the inspection for trichinosis of all meat from horses slaughtered both in France and in countries exporting horsemeat to France.

Adolescent

[Study of specific immunoglobulins (total, IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE) in indirect immunofluorescence and ELISA in 40 patients with trichinosis followed over a 9-month period].

The evolution of the classes of specific immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE) of 40 cases of human trichinosis was followed over a nine month period by means of an indirect immunofluorescence test (IF) and ELISA. Specific IgG and IgM appear between 4 and 6 weeks after infection and were still demonstrable after 9 months (respectively in 87.5% and 38.5% of the patients with IF, in 85% and 87.5% with ELISA). Specific IgA were mainly seen on the 2nd month and specific IgE were detected in 37.5% of the patients on the 4th month. In this outbreak, specific antibodies seem to appear later than in a second outbreak observed a few weeks later.

Adolescent

[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