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Biomedical subjects

L Loutan

Publications and source records attributed to L Loutan.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Babesiosis, a little-known zoonosis].

Babesiosis or piroplasmosis is a common zoonotic disease among wild and domestic animals. Man can be infected by this hemoprotozoan parasite transmitted by ixodid ticks. More than 400 cases have been observed in the United States, but only 21 cases have been reported in Europe. The American form, caused by B. microti, ranges in severity from asymptomatic to prolonged severe illness. It is characterized by irregular fever and moderate hemolytic anemia. The European form, caused by B. divergens, is a medical emergency with lethality close to 50%, most cases of which are seen in splenectomized patients. The diagnosis requires the identification of the parasite on blood smears (Giemsa). Its morphology is different from that of Plasmodium, but the parasites can be mis-identified, as was the case for the first patient with human babesiosis reported in Switzerland, probably imported from Wales. For clinicians early identification of this disease, which may require renal dialysis and exchange transfusion is essential. The treatment of choice is clindamycin and quinine.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Inactivated virosome hepatitis A vaccine.

Immunopotentiating reconstituted influenza virosomes (IRIV) are efficient carrier systems for small virion particles such as hepatitis A virus (HAV). We evaluated immunogenicity and tolerability of an IRIV-HAV vaccine and the effectiveness of a booster by immunising 104 healthy HAV seronegative volunteers. A single dose was highly immunogenic, since 98% of volunteers had seroconverted after 2 weeks. Anti-HAV titres remained high, with 100% seroconversion rate 1 year later, when the booster was given. The vaccine was effective, with a 22-fold increase in geometric mean titres 1 month later. No serious adverse reactions were observed.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1994

[Are medical students sufficiently vaccinated? Results of a serological survey and of vaccine coverage].

A total of 143 medical students participated in a serological and immunization coverage survey in Geneva. Between 29 and 54% had not received the 6 injections recommended in Switzerland against tetanus, diphtheria and poliomyelitis. The vaccination rates remain low against measles (57%), rubella (46%) and mumps (11%). Satisfactory levels of antibodies against measles were detected in all students. Between 4 and 6% did not have antibodies against mumps, varicella and rubella. Only 5.4% of Swiss medical students had antibodies against hepatitis A. HBc antibodies were present in 4% of the students. Medical students are at risk of contracting and transmitting vaccine preventable diseases. Swiss medical schools should play a leading role in the development of screening programs encouraging immunization of students entering university.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Prevention for travel to the tropics].

The Swiss Working Group for Health Advice to Travellers regularly publishes its recommendations for malaria prophylaxis and vaccination as supplement to the 'Bulletin' of the Federal Office of Public Health. In this review the strategy with respect to information, to clever behavior abroad, to chemoprophylaxis and immunization prophylaxis is analyzed. A critical evaluation of emergency self-therapy describes remaining questions in particular.

Antimalarials↗
PubMed1992

Serum TNF in patients with severe malaria treated by exchange transfusion.

The authors report on three cases of severe P. falciparum malaria successfully treated by iv quinine and exchange transfusion. Serum concentrations of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) were determined before and during treatment. After an initial decrease, serum levels of TNF remained markedly elevated during the first 48 hours despite exchange transfusion. Though exchange transfusion accelerates the elimination of parasites from the blood, it seems to have no immediate effects on reducing serum levels of cytokines such as TNF.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Measles in a west African nomadic community.

A serological survey was conducted among Tuareg nomads to determine their level of immunity to measles. More than half (57.9%) of the children under 10 years of age did not have detectable antibodies to measles, suggesting that transmission of the disease is low in this mobile population. Mothers' reports of their children's history of measles were accurate (positive predictive value 93.9% for under-5-year-olds). Nomads are a reservoir of susceptible individuals who require immunization strategies adapted to their particular life-styles. These can be implemented at relatively low cost.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Airport malaria: mini-epidemic in Switzerland].

Five cases of airport malaria were observed in Geneva in the summer of 1989. All the patients lived within 2 km of Geneva-Cointrin International Airport. They were hospitalized between July 14 and August 2 for high fever. None had received a recent blood transfusion, an i.v. injection or traveled to a tropical country, except for one, a former pilot, whose last brief visit had been a year earlier. High minimum temperatures between July 6 and 10 in all likelihood allowed the survival of infected anopheles introduced by an aircraft. P. falciparum was identified in the blood smears of all the patients. Four had one or more symptoms of serious malaria and received intravenous treatment. In the fifth patient, treatment with cotrimoxazole for suspected acute pyelonephritis made diagnosis particularly difficult because the malaria infection was partially controlled by the antibiotic therapy. The time necessary for diagnosis of malaria varied from 5 to 31 days in the 5 cases. Airport malaria has been observed over the past twenty years in Europe, particularly in the summer, and is often serious because of late diagnosis and the type of plasmodium most frequently involved, P. falciparum. This diagnosis should be considered in patients with high fever of unknown origin, even when they have not travelled to an endemic zone.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Vaccinations for travel abroad].

Travel to the developing world by Swiss citizens has been increasing. Vaccine-preventable diseases challenges the physician to provide pre-travel advice. Each traveler's itinerary, duration of stay and medical history, including previous immunization, should be reviewed. Vaccinations are required or recommended according to the requirements and the epidemiology of countries being visited. This article summarizes updated recommendations to individual vaccines and immunoglobulins.

Child↗
PubMed1984

Seasonal variations in nutrition among a group of nomadic pastoralists in Niger.

To identify the most critical period in a normal year for nomadic Sahelian pastoralists, 54 families of Wodaabe herders in Niger were visited every 3 months for a year. At each visit an average of 366 herders were interviewed with a standard questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were made. A cohort of 32 adult men lost a mean 3.1 kg between February and May, the peak of the dry season, and 30 adult women lost a mean 2.4 kg during the same period. Both men and women regained weight progressively over the months until the next February. Children under 5 years not only stopped gaining weight between February and May but on average lost 113 g; after May normal rates of weight gain resumed. This weight loss caused an increase in the proportion with acute malnutrition (less than 80% reference median weight-for-height) to 17% in May from 7% in November.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Des 4-trans-hydroxy-glibenclamide show hypoglycemic activity?

Different doses of glibenclamide and of 4-transhydroxy-glibenclamide (main metabolite in man) were administered i.p. to rats and blood glucose was measured. The comparison of the doses capable of producing a 30% decrease of the glycemia shows that 4-trans-hydroxy-glibenclamide is about 6.5 times less potent than glibenclamide in our experimental conditions.

Animals↗