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Biomedical subjects

J P Boutin

Publications and source records attributed to J P Boutin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Chikungunya fever in La Reunion Island--2006].

The epidemic of Chikungunya fever that has affected the population of La Reunion since Christmas 2005 will be remembered as the most serious public health crises in the island's history. A number of lessons have been learned from this experience with a disease initially considered as benign. In addition to providing a concise chronological account of epidemiological events from the beginning of the outbreak in March 2005, this article describes what was done, what has been learned up to now, what could have been done and what remains to be done. After this outbreak Chikungunya fever can no longer be considered as transient strictly benign disease. Nor can the population or authorities of La Reunion ever again consider that economic development protects them from the hazards of the tropical environment.

Alphavirus Infections↗
PubMed2005

[Correlation between rainfall and meningococcal meningitis in Niger].

The term "meningitis belt" was coined by Lapeyssonnie in 1963 to describe a zone in Africa where epidemic meningitis occurs sporadically during the dry season. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the recorded rainfall and reported incidence of meningococcal meningitis in Niger from 1996 to 2002. A total of 58 277 cases of meningococcal meningitis were reported in Niger during the study period. The mean annual incidence was 82.2 per 10(5) inhabitants. Two epidemic years occurred during the study period, i.e., 1996 with 183 cases per 105 inhabitants and 2000 with 140 cases per 10(5). The incidence increased during the dry season and decreased at the beginning of the rainy season. Calculation of the correlation coefficient between rainfall and incidence of meningococcal meningitis showed a statistically significant negative correlation (r = -0.27; P = 0.01). Neisseria meningitidis sero-group A was predominant but strains of Neisseria meningitidis sero-group W135 have been found in specimens collected since 2002. Outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis epidemics are multi-factorial. Multivariate analysis of all factors would allow implementation of preventive measures earlier than the epidemic prediction strategy based on threshold rates proposed by the World Health Organization.

Humans↗
PubMed2004

[Measures of impact in epidemiology].

After establishing a link between an exposure factor and occurrence of a disease, it is necessary to measure the impact on public health. The etiologic fraction, preventable fraction, and number of cases avoided can be used to measure such impact. The purpose of this article is to present the calculation and interpretation of these indicators using an example taken from the journal of Médecine Tropicale.

Disease Transmission, Infectious↗
PubMed2004

[Communicating about risks to public health].

The goals of public health risk communication are to explain the risks, to inform a community without causing a crisis, to implicate the population in decision-making, and to improve dialogue between organizations and communities. Based on a document entitled "Communicating about risks to public health: pointers to good practice", the authors of this article review the main principles relevant to health risk communication and present a list of key points for effective management of this communication.

Communication↗
PubMed2004

[Is there a tropical specificity of public health? Post face attempts!].

Public Health is not only a Medical speciality. It is a wide duty area, gathering together professional issued from various jobs. Worldwide is object is to implement, to manage and to assess policies aiming to better health for people. Since few decades these policies are mainly thought and imposed by national, sometimes international offices. Results are not these expected. In tropics, we must include anthropologic aspects and wide sociologic variability to adapt Public Health policies to community needs.

Anthropology, Cultural↗
PubMed2003

[Use of satellites for public health purposes in tropical areas].

The epidemiological hallmark of the new millennium has been the emergence or recrudescence of transmissible diseases with high epidemic potential. Disease tracking is becoming an increasingly global task requiring implementation of more and more sophisticated control strategies and facilities for sustainable development. A promising initiative involves the use of satellite technology to monitor and forecast the spread of disease. The Health Early Warning System (HEWS) was designed based on successful application of satellite data in food programs as well as in other areas (e.g. weather, farming and fishing). The HEWS integrates data from communications, remote-sensing and positioning satellites. The purpose of this review is to present the main studies containing satellite data on public health in tropical areas. Satellite data has allowed development of more reactive epidemiological tracking networks better suited to increasing population mobility, correlation of environmental factors (vegetation index, rainfall and ocean surface color) with human, animal and insect factors in epidemiological studies and assessment of the role of such factors in the development or reappearance of disease. Satellite technology holds great promise for more efficient management of public health problems in tropical areas.

Cholera↗
PubMed2003

[Management of American cutaneous leishmaniasis. Outcome apropos of 326 cases treated with high-dose pentamidine isethionate].

The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the outcome of pentamidine isethionate treatment (4 mg/kg of Pentamidine by the intramuscular route on Days 1 and 3) of cutaneous leishmaniasis in 326 cases that occurred during an outbreak among French military personnel in French Guyana from 1998 to 1999. A great difference was found between the 205 patients treated in French Guyana (series G) and 32 patients treated at the Laveran Military Hospital in Marseille, France (series L). Failure rate, i.e. 25% in series L versus 5% in series G, was significantly correlated with the delay to treatment which was much longer in series L. Extensive rhabdomyolysis was observed in all cases tested: this side-effect has not been reported. Based on these findings and a review of the literature on pentamidine isethionate, the authors recommend prompt treatment using lower doses. Other treatment alternatives for American cutaneous leishmaniasis are also presented including two of the latest developments in the field, i.e., oral treatment using miltefosine and topical treatment using agents such as paromomycine.

Antiprotozoal Agents↗
PubMed2003

[Correlation measures in epidemiology].

When a significant correlation has been noted between the occurrence of a disease and exposure to a risk factor, it becomes necessary to measure the strength of the correlation. This can be done using either relative risk or odds ratio techniques depending on the type of study. The purpose of article this article is to present guidelines for calculation and interpretation of these indicators using examples taken from the Médecine Tropicale journal.

Confidence Intervals↗
PubMed2002

[What are incidence and prevalence].

Morbidity indicators are basic tools of epidemiology. In this short technical presentation, examples from tropical medicine are used to illustrate and explain the concepts of incidence, incidence rate, cumulative incidence or attack rate, incidence density rate, prevalence, prevalence rate and the link between disease prevalence and incidence.

Dengue↗
PubMed2002

[Rift Valley fever: sporadic infection of French military personnel outside currently recognized epidemic zones].

For three years the arbovirus surveillance unit of the Tropical Medicine Institute of the French Army Medical Corps (French acronym IMTSSA) in Marseille, France has been investigating causes of benign non-malarial febrile syndromes in French military personnel serving outside mainland France. The methodology used in N'Djamena consisted of sending frozen specimens collected concomitant with viremia, to Marseille for culture. During the rainy season of 2001, specimens were collected from a total of 50 febrile soldiers. Cultures allowed isolation and identification of two strains of Rift Valley virus. The risk of contamination exists not only in the field but also in mainland hospital departments treating infected patients. Routine serological diagnosis for Rift Valley fever must be DISCUSSED for all patients in the field or returning from Africa.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Military Bioforce, example of governmental humanitarian action].

Governmental humanitarian action is an old concept in France, that is a topic of current interest. To conduct humanitarian action, the French government has deployed various facilities. The military biological risk team was established to control epidemics, provide expertise during epidemiological emergencies, and conduct mass vaccination programs. The author describe the missions carried out by the biological risk team during the 1990s as an illustration of governmental humanitarian action.

Altruism↗