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Biomedical subjects

M Gentilini

Publications and source records attributed to M Gentilini.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

[Filaria medinensis: differential serodiagnosis using ELISA].

An immunoenzymatic technic ELISA has been used to permit the diagnosis of Dracunculus medinensis . In effect an immunological tool to differentiate helminthiasis, particularly filariosis does not exist yet. For this purpose we have begun to prepare an homologous antigen of a filariosis species ( Dracunculus medinensis ). The antigen extract from the worm has been put in microtiter plaques at the concentration of 25 micrograms/ml with sera diluted 1/1000. The reactions has been performed with anti-G human globulin marked with peroxydase . The results showed that there exist no cross reactivity between Dracunculus medinensis and other helminthiasis even filariosis .

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1983

[Colonic amebiasis due to venereal transmission. Apropos of 2 cases].

Intestinal amebiasis is an ubiquitous disease which is hyperendemic among high promiscuity homosexual males living under temperate climates. Sexual behaviour, especially oroanal contacts which are common in this population, as well as the multiplicity and sometimes anonymity of partners are responsible for this high prevalence. Individual prophylaxis involves local hygiene before intercourse and a decrease in the number of sexual contacts with different partners. Community prophylaxis is essential and consists in information of general practitioners and "gays" about the different means of transmission of amebiasis, its clinical manifestations and the necessity of routine parasitological stool examinations at regular intervals. We report on two cases and discuss these various considerations in the light of data from the literature.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Muscular hydatidosis. Apropos of 2 cases].

Muscular hydatid disease is uncommon. It usually consists in a primary single cyst which remains asymptomatic. Diagnosis is made upon pathological examination after a surgical procedure carried out to establish the cause of a swelling. Indeed, in most cases serology is not helpful and, moreover, it rapidly becomes negative after surgery. We report two cases and discuss the features of this condition.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Pediatric advice before departure to tropical countries].

Before undertaking a trip to a tropical country, parents frequently ask their pediatrician or general practitioner about the necessary precautions for their child. Although there is no call for excessive concern, it is important to draw the parents' attention to the specific hazards of the trip. To achieve this, one can suggest: 1) before leaving, to ask specialized organizations for information on the specific risks in the areas to be visited according to the conditions of the stay, as well as on health formalities (advisory or compulsory vaccinations); 2) during the stay, to take the necessary precautions (chemoprophylaxy for malaria, precautions concerning food and bathing, treatment of diarrhea); 3) after the return home, to check the child's state of health, to continue giving antimalarials regularly, and to perform the necessary investigations if any symptom persists.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Specificity of auto-antibodies in malaria and the role of polyclonal activation.

Sera of 173 individuals living in a malaria endemic region in Upper Volta (Donsé village) were screened for the presence of 14 auto-antibodies by the indirect immunofluorescent and/or passive haemagglutination techniques. At least one auto-antibody (AAb) was detected in sera of 72% (124 out of 173) subjects. No differences in the AAb frequency was observed in the sex or age groups. Conversely, a significant relationship between a high frequency of auto-antibodies, high malaria antibody titres and high IgM levels was observed. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) (87% of total AAb) and particularly those of speckled pattern of fluorescence were by far the most frequently observed. Smooth muscle antibodies (SMA), heart and gastric parietal cell antibodies and thyroglobulin antibodies were found at a normal frequency. This selective increase in the frequency of one AAb (and not of others) cannot, in our opinion, result from a non-specific polyclonal activation. An alternative hypothesis involving both a specific antigenic and a non-specific mitogenic signal is proposed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Geographical and ethnical distribution of HBs antigen subtypes in Mauritania.

A survey conducted in sera from 515 black and 499 white individuals living in 8 villages of Mauritania showed an HBs Ag prevalence of 15.7%. Two main subtypes, ayw2 (34.7%) and ayw4 (63%), were found in this country which is a junction area between North and West Africa and where 2 ethnic groups are living close one to the other but with very rare cross-breeding. ayw2 was more prevalent in the driest part of the country (North) and ayw4 in the South. Analysis of the subtype distribution in each village indicates that there is no relationship between HBs Ag subtype and ethnic groups, but there is a correlation between HBs Ag subtype and the geographical location of the villages.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Relevance of autoantigens to autoimmunity in African trypanosomiasis: study of DNA and thyroglobulin antibodies.

In order to investigate whether the autoantibody production in the course of African trypanosomiasis is the result of a generalized polyclonal activation or if it is a specific (antigen-dependent) phenomenon we looked for the presence of autoantibodies directed against autoantigens likely to be released (DNA) or unlikely to be released (thyroglobulin) into the circulation during human T. gambiense infection. Sera from 21 patients with African trypanosomiasis were screened for anti-native DNA or anti-denatured DNA antibodies by a Farr DNA binding radioimmunoassay. In addition, antibodies to native DNA were also assessed by indirect immunofluorescent assays using Crithidia luciliae or rat liver sections as substrates. Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies were studied by the passive hemagglutination technique. IgM levels and fluorescent anti-trypanosomal antibodies (FATA) were concomitantly evaluated. The denaturated DNA binding capacity was significantly higher in the sera from trypanosomiasis patients than in sera from healthy blood donors. These capacities were greater in patients with high IgM levels and high FATA titres. Anti-native DNA or anti-thyroglobulin antibodies were not detected. This preferential formation of anti-denatured DNA antibodies suggests a specific antigen-dependent) activation of autoreactive cells rather than a generalized polyclonal activation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

General considerations on endemic treponematosis in the rural Sahel region of Upper Volta.

A sero-immunological survey conducted by indirect immunofluorescence technique has made it possible to determine accurately the prevalence and distribution of treponematoses in the Sahel rural region of Upper Volta. The number of carriers of antitreponemal antibodies varies from one place to another, but is particularly high in a nomad community, where prevalence attains 84.2%. The magnitude of endemic foci can also be expressed in terms of maximal titer and geometric mean of antibody titers. The seropositive values increase as a function of age, but sex is not a significant factor as regards prevalence, which would appear to depend essentially on the way of life, habits and promiscuity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

[In vitro infestation of human hepatocytes by sporozoites of Plasmodium vivax: schizogony and liberation of merozoites capable of infesting human erythrocytes].

Human hepatocytes obtained by perfusion of a liver biopsy fragment, were infected in vitro with Plasmodium vivax sporozoites raised in Anopheles stephensi. On day 7 of culture, numerous hepatocytic schizonts ranging in size from 5 to 35 micrometers were observed. The schizont maturation was complete and led to the release of invasive merozoites as shown by in vitro infestation of human red cells layered on the hepatocytes cultures.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

[Evaluation of the effects of malnutrition and malaria on skin reactions in delayed hypersensitivity to tuberculin, varidase and phytohemagglutinin].

The effects of both malnutrition and malarial infection on cell mediated hypersensitivity (CMH) to tuberculin, varidase and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) has been evaluated in a group of children from a rural area of Upper Volta, aged lower than 3 years. Only the response to PHA was decreased during the course of malnutrition. In plasmodium infection associated with a low degree of parasitemia, it appeared that there was no effect on the frequency of positive responses to either these antigens or mitogen at any nutritional conditions. The high prevalence of tuberculin positive test allows to support the interest of a precocious anti tuberculin vaccination.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1983

One-step Plasmodium falciparum cultivation--application to in-vitro drug testing.

P. falciparum was cultivated by a one-step method which requires medium renewal and addition of fresh RBC only every three days and allows high proliferation rates of the parasite. The method has been used for routine maintenance of strains and applied to the in-vitro evaluation of the effect of antimalarial compounds over 3 days periods as measured by 3H-Hypoxanthine incorporation.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

[Demonstration of an abnormal increase of anti-T hemagglutinin titers in malaria infected patients].

An increased frequency of high titers of antibodies against A, B, ORh+ trypsinized, and ORh+ neuraminidase-treated human red blood cells was observed in the sera of Africans living in a malaria endemic area, and Europeans with primary malaria attacks. In the latter group, titers of agglutinins against neuraminidase treated RBC were increased in 84% of individuals and were of the IgM class. Inhibition experiments with beta-D-galactose and lactose showed that this agglutinin was directed to the T antigen of human RBC. Its possible implication in malaria related anemia is discussed.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1983

An epidemiological survey of toxoplasmosis in Mauritania.

A sero-epidemiological survey to assess the frequency and the distribution of toxoplasmosis has been conducted in schools of Mauritania. The prevalence, although very low compared to European standards, varies in the different villages, higher values being related to the presence of Arab-Berber populations. The main determinants of this difference are probably the food habits. Prevalence increases and reaches a stable level during adolescence. No difference was shown between sexes. These results are discussed in the context of the geography of toxoplasmosis in West Africa.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

[Cutaneous lesions in human African trypanosomiasis].

We report the case histories of 12 patients infected by Trypanosoma gambiense seen between 1967 and 1979. The course of the disease follows two stages, with the lymphatic and hematologic stage preceding invasion of the central nervous system. The following cutaneous lesions were recorded: 5 patients had trypanomas or chancres which are inflammatory nodules on uncovered areas; 5 patients showed trypanosomal skin rashes with erythematous, infiltrated, transient and recurring trypanids; 5 patients had soft transient edema, affecting mainly the face; 3 patients experienced pruritus, which was usually mild and limited to small areas; 3 patients had cutaneous lesions induced by melarsoprol. Thus dermatologic features are common in human African trypanosomiasis; they were found in 75% of the patients in our department.

Adult↗