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Biomedical subjects

M Le Bras

Publications and source records attributed to M Le Bras.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

[Antimalarial vaccination: advances and controversies].

Since 1993 the new worldwide position of WHO is to encourage the development of an anti-malaria vaccine. The antigenic complexity of the parasite makes such development difficult. Twenty or more candidate molecules are being tested with different stages of development. They are directed against pre-erythrocyte or erythrocyte stages, or gametes, multivalent, or directed against the pathogenic metabolites of the parasite. Recent results have shown the interest of further study of the adjuvants. Controversy was crystallised by the disappointing results of the Pattaroyo vaccine, Spf66, which associates antigens of the sporozoite and the erythrocyte stage. These results nevertheless showed that vaccination against malaria is possible, but they underlined the undesirable effects of performing clinical studies too early or making premature recommendations.

Drug Approval↗
PubMed1998

[Markers of lipid peroxidation, inflammatory proteins and plasma tocopherols in homozygotic and heterozygotic sickle cell anemia].

Lipoperoxidation final products represented by the TBARS (substances reacting with the Thiobarbituric acid), inflammatory reaction proteins and sera tocopherol have been studied in homozygous forms as well as in heterozygous forms of sickle cell diseases. The significant increase of TBARS (P < 0.001) measured by spectrofluorimetry, the considerable decrease of the sera alpha gamma tocopherol, measured by HPLC (P < 0.005) in all sickle cell patients, especially in crisis homozygous form, reinforce our previous study (22, 23, 24). The absence of links between the TBARS and the tocopherols (fig. 1) suggests that other defence mechanisms occur without vitamin E. The collapse of haptoglobinemia in homozygous sickle cell patients associated with the fall of hemoglobinemia indicates a severe tissue and intravascular hemolysis as a consequence of LPO. Furthermore, the simultaneous decrease of cholesterolemia seems to indicate important lipoperoxide activity detected in sickle cell patients.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed1997

[Information and education interventions on hygiene levels of a population in which trachoma exists in a hyperendemic and serious form].

The aim of this work is to develop information and education methods in order to obtain better hygienic conditions in Tissint Zaouia (Moroccan province of Ouarzazate). 41% of the population is affected by trachoma with a rate of 18% of active trachoma, 1.6% of the population has a blindness of corneal origin. Topical treatment and surgery of trichiasis must be associated to a better hygiene of the community. Until now mothers and families have not fully perceived the connection between flies and insufficiency of narsing and trachoma transmission. Our specific goals are the following: A--information of target population, B--better understanding of hygiene by mothers and families, C--incitation to face-washing of children, D--perfect identification of trachoma signs by health workers, E--official integration of this program by local authority, F--evaluation of trachoma incidence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Oxidative stress and malaria. Apropos of 24 cases of Plasmodium falciparum malaria].

Oxidative stress has been suggested to be implicated in malaria. But it is not clear whether its major role is to kill intraerythrocytic parasites or to cause damage to host tissues. We have studied it in 24 European subjects hospitalized in Saint-André hospital, Bordeaux, France for Plasmodium falciparum access returning from a tropical trip, and in a group control of 16 subjects. Malondialdehyde, one of the oxidative stress markers is significantly increased in patients compared to the control group (m = 5.24 vs 2.14 mol/l). At the same time, it is observed a significative decrease in antioxidant factors, vitamin A and vitamin E. We found no relationship of the severity of malaria to the importance of the oxidative stress, and the question whether the oxidative stress attack host tissues or kill parasites remains entire. These observations should be completed by larger studies, particularly to improve malaria treatments available nowadays.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Concurrent herpes simplex type 1 necrotizing encephalitis, cytomegalovirus ventriculoencephalitis and cerebral lymphoma in an AIDS patient.

Unlike cytomegalovirus (CMV) ventriculoencephalitis, herpes simplex virus type 1 necrotizing encephalitis has only rarely been observed in AIDS patients. A 40-year-old bisexual man was followed for an HIV1 infection from 1987 onwards. In June 1993 he was referred for sudden confusion, left hemiparesia and fever. The blood contained less than 10 CD4 lymphocytes/mm3. The patient remained comatose and febrile, and died 4 weeks later. In coronal sections of the brain there was necrosis of the internal parts of the left temporal lobe, necrosis of certain areas of the ventricular walls and a small tumor at the top of the right frontal lobe, which proved to be a polymorphic high-grade lymphoma. CMV ventriculoencephalitis lesions were prominent in the ventricular walls of the occipital lobes and there was a strong nuclear signal for CMV using in situ hybridization. Herpes simplex virus type 1 was shown in the nuclei and cytoplasm of certain neurons and astrocytes in the borders of the necrotized temporal lobe areas by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and electron microscopy, whereas in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry for CMV were negative in such areas. Necrotizing type 1 encephalitis must not be overlooked in immunodeficient patients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1995

Relationship between red blood cell antioxidant enzymatic system status and lipoperoxidation during the acute phase of malaria.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between oxidative stress and aggrevation of the disease in patients with malaria. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the present study lipoperoxidation was demonstrated during the acute phase of malaria by a significant decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The lowest values of PUFA were obtained for C20:4 and C22:6, which were the main targets of reactive oxygen species (ROS) when parasitemia was higher than 1%. Similarly, plasma vitamins E and A were significantly reduced during the acute phase of malaria owing to their consumption in part as antioxidants. However, evaluation of the antioxidant enzymatic system in red blood cells of malaria patients indicated no significant difference from controls. Only superoxide dismutase activity tended to decrease when parasitemia increased. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that superoxide radicals are the main ROS produced during the acute phase of malaria, and that rejuvenation of RBC during hemolysis involving increased enzyme activities interacts to protect RBC from excessive superoxide radical production.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

[Sweet syndrome and Yersinia enterocolitica infection. 2 cases].

Sweet's syndrome is an acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis. Although it frequently appears as an idiopathic disorder, it may occur in association, often as presenting sign, with malignancy or more rarely with infections. We report two cases of Sweet's syndrome preceded by digestive infection due to Yersinia enterocolitica, affirmed by significant rises in serum antibody titers. Other nongastrointestinal manifestations of such infections are known, predominantly arthritis and erythema nodosum. Sweet's syndrome is a rare complication of these infections. Treatment with systemic steroids, usually effective, can be replaced by antibiotics with apparently favorable results. The search of an infectious origin should be systematic in cases of Sweet's syndrome that appear to be idiopathic.

Adult↗