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PubMed2004

Expression of CTLA-4 in nonhuman primate lymphocytes and its use as a potential target for specific immunotoxin-mediated apoptosis: results of in vitro studies.

T-cell-mediated immunoregulation is one of the main mechanisms implicated in induction and maintenance of transplantation tolerance. In this regard, deletion or modulation of xeno/alloantigen-specific T cells, as well as blocking of their interactions with other cell populations, are currently being pursued for tolerance induction in humans as well as nonhuman primates. In order to investigate whether cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) may represent a suitable target for a T cell depletion approach in nonhuman primate models, we analysed CTLA-4 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from nonhuman primates and the potential role of two anti-CTLA-4 saporin-conjugated immunotoxins. The analysis was performed in PBMCs from 8 cynomolgus monkeys from Philippines and from Mauritius both at protein level by flow cytometry and at transcriptional level by RT-PCR. In addition, the apoptotic role of the immunotoxins was investigated. The results showed that CTLA-4 was expressed at variable levels depending on the origin of the cynomolgus monkeys and the resting or activated cell condition. CTLA-4 was not expressed on resting Mauritius PBMCs and showed a lower up-regulation upon PMA/PHA activation compared to the Philippines PBMCs that expressed CTLA-4 also before activation. Two CTLA-4 RNA transcripts (672 and 550 bp) were detected with levels variations after cell stimulation. Two anti-CTLA-4 immunotoxins induced in vitro apoptosis of activated PBMCs from both sources of cynomolgus monkeys. This is the first report that documents CTLA-4 expression both at protein and transcriptional level by nonhuman primate PBMCs and provides novel perspectives of xeno/allograft rejection immunotherapy based on CTLA-4 targeting.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Anti-pig antibody levels in non-human primates of various origin.

BACKGROUND: Natural anti-porcine antibodies play a major role in hyperacute solid organ xenograft rejection in the pig-to-non-human primate model. Work from other groups and our experience in transplantation experiments has shown that antibody levels are highly variable between non-human primate species, and that extremely high levels can mediate hyperacute rejection even if organs from animals transgenic for human decay-accelerating factor are used. METHODS: Sera were obtained from cynomolgus monkeys wild-caught in Mauritius, captive-bred in the Philippines, captive-bred in Indonesia (Indonesia-Ind), and originating from Indonesia but colony-bred in USA (Indonesia-USA), from baboons wild-caught in Kenya, and from rhesus monkeys originating from India but colony-bred in USA (10 animals in each group). Antibody levels were determined using assays for haemolytic antibody (APA), IgM and IgG class anti-Galalpha1-3Gal antibody, and IgM and IgG class anti-endothelial cell antibody. RESULTS: Cynomolgus monkeys from the Philippines and Indonesia-USA and rhesus monkeys showed median APA and IgM antibody levels in the same range as a pooled human serum standard, and median IgG levels well below the level in this standard. Cynomolgus monkeys from Mauritius and Indonesia-Ind showed extremely high APA levels (median seven to 10 times the human serum standard): IgM class antibodies were also higher, while IgG class antibodies were in the range of the level in the human serum standard. Antibody levels in baboons were in between these two categories. The results of the APA assay showed a highly statistically significant correlation with the assays of IgM antibody, and this was also the case for the IgM antibody assays, indicative of the assessment of the same antibodies in these assays. The same was observed for the assays for IgG antibody. Taking body weight as an indicator for age, there was no relationship between body weight and levels of antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: Natural antibody levels show a significant variation between various groups of non-human primates, with levels in some groups well above those in a human serum standard.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

International trends in mortality from stroke, 1968 to 1994.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The World Health Organization data bank is an invaluable source of information for international comparison of mortality trends. We present rates and trends in mortality from stroke up to 1994, with a particular emphasis on the last 10-year period. Data are presented for men and women in 51 industrialized and developing countries from different parts of the world. METHODS: We included all deaths from cerebrovascular disease for the population aged 35 to 84 years from all the countries in which death certificates were estimated to be available for at least 80% for the period from 1968 to 1994. Age-standardized mortality rates from stroke were calculated for each country for the last available 5 years. Time trends were calculated by using ordinary linear regression and are presented for the entire study period and for 3 separate time periods: 1968 to 1974, 1975 to 1984, and 1985 to 1994. The last 10-year period was further subdivided into 2 parts of 5 years each. We analyzed data separately for men and women and for groups aged 35 to 74 years and 75 to 84 years. RESULTS: The highest rates at the end of the study period for the population aged 35 to 74 years were observed in eastern Europe and previous Soviet Union countries (309 to 156/100 000 per year among men and 222 to 101/100 000 per year among women), Mauritius (268/100 000 per year among men and 138/100 000 per year among women), and Trinidad and Tobago (185/100 000 per year among men and 134/100 000 per year among women). Relatively low to average rates (<100/100 000 per year among men and <70/100 000 per year among women) were reported for Western Europe, with an exception of Portugal (162/100 000 per year among men and 95/100 000 per year among women). The countries with lowest stroke mortality rates at the end of the study period, such as the United States, Canada, Switzerland, France, and Australia, experienced steep declining trends. However, the slope of the decline was substantially reduced during the last 5 years in these countries. Mortality from stroke increased most in the eastern European countries, especially during the last 5 years. Among other high-risk populations, no change in stroke mortality trends was observed in Mauritius, whereas somewhat declining trends were seen in Trinidad and Tobago. CONCLUSIONS: We observed large differences in mortality rates from stroke around the world together with a wide variation in mortality trends. A widening gap was observed between 2 groups of nations, those with low and declining stroke mortality rates and those with high and increasing mortality, in particular, between western and eastern Europe. Eastern European countries should initiate actions aiming at the reduction of stroke risk, perhaps by looking at the examples of Japan and Finland and the other countries that have been the most successful in reducing previously very high mortality from stroke.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Experience with indium-111 and yttrium-90-labeled somatostatin analogs.

The high level expression of somatostatin receptors (SSTR) on various tumor cells has provided the molecular basis for successful use of radiolabeled octreotide / lanreotide analogs as tumor tracers in nuclear medicine. Other (nontumoral) potential indications for SSTR scintigraphy are based on an increased lymphocyte binding at sites of inflammatory or immunologic diseases such as thyroid-associated ophthalmology. The vast majority of human tumors seem to over-express the one or the other of five distinct hSSTR subtype receptors. Whereas neuroendocrine tumors frequently overexpress hSSTR2, intestinal adenocarcinomas seem to overexpress more often hSSTR3 or hSSTR4, or both of these hSSTR. In contrast to In-DTPA-DPhe(1)-octreotide (OctreoScan(R)) which binds to hSSTR2 and 5 with high affinity (Kd 0.1-5 nM), to hSSTR3 with moderate affinity (K(d) 10-100 nM) and does not bind to hSSTR1 and hSSTR4, (111)In / (90)Y-DOTA-lanreotide was found to bind to hSSTR2, 3, 4, and 5 with high affinity, and to hSSTR1 with lower affinity (K(d) 200 nM). Based on its unique hSSTR binding profile, (111)In-DOTA-lanreotide was suggested to be a potential radioligand for tumor diagnosis, and (90)Y-DOTA-lanreotide suitable for receptor-mediated radionuclide therapy. As opposed to (111)In-DTPA-DPhe(1)-octreotide and (111)In-DOTA-DPhe(1)-Tyr(3)-octreotide, discrepancies in the scintigraphic results were seen in about one third of (neuroendocrine) tumor patients concerning both the tumor uptake as well as detection of tumor lesions. On a molecular level, these discrepancies seem to be based on a "higherrdquuo; high-affinity binding of (111)In-DOTA-DPhe(1)-Tyr(3)-octreotide to hSSTR2 (K(d) 0.1-1 nM). Other somatostatin analogs with divergent affinity to the five known hSSTR subtype receptors have also found their way into the clinics, such as (99m)Tc-depreotide (NeoSpect(R); NeoTect(R)). Most of the imaging results are reported for neuroendocrine tumors (octreotide analogs) or nonsmall cell lung cancer ((99m)Tc-depreotide), indicating high diagnostic cabability of this type of receptor tracers. Consequently to their use as receptor imaging agents, hSSTR recognizing radioligands have also been implemented for experimental receptor-targeted radionuclide therapy. Beneficial results were reported for high-dose treatment with (111)In-DTPA-DPhe(1)-octreotide, based on the emission of Auger electrons. The Phase IIa study "MAURITIUS" (Multicenter Analysis of a Universal Receptor Imaging and Treatment Initiative, a eUropean Study) showed in progressive cancer patients (therapy entry criteria) with a calculated tumor dose > 10 Gy / GBq (90)Y-DOTA-lanreotide, the proof-of-principle for treating tumor patients with peptide receptor imaging agents. In the "MAURITIUS" study, cummulative treatment doses up to 200 mCi (90)Y-DOTA-lanreotide were given as short-term infusion. Overall treatment results in 70 patients indicated stable tumor disease in 35% of patients and regressive tumor disease in 10% of tumor patients with different tumor entities expressing hSSTR. No acute or chronic severe hematological toxicity, change in renal or liver function parameters due to (90)Y-DOTA-lanreotide treatment, were reported. (90)Y-DOTA-DPhe(1)-Tyr(3)-octreotide may show a higher tumor uptake in neuroendocrine tumor lesions and may therefore be superior for treatment in patients with neuroendocrine tumors. However, there is only limited excess to long-term and survival data at present. Potential indications for (90Y-DOTA-lanreotide are radioiodine-negative thyroid cancer, hepatocellular cancer and lung cancer. Besides newer approaches and recent developments of 188)Re-labeled radioligands, no clinical results on the treatment response are yet available. In conclusion, several radioligands have been implemented on the basis of peptide receptor recognition throughout the last decade. A plentitude of preclinical data and clinical studies confirm their potential use in diagnosis as well as "proof-of-principle" for therapy of cancer patients. However, an optimal radiopeptide formulatioents. However, an optimal radiopeptide formulation does not yet exist for receptor-targeted radionuclide therapy. Ongoing developments may result in peptides more suitable for this kind of receptor-targeted radionuclide therapy.

Heterocyclic Compounds↗
PubMed1990

[Historical epidemiology of malaria in the archipelago of the Mascarenes (Indian Ocean)].

The Mascarenes Islands (Mauritius, Rodrigues and Reunion) have been for the last few centuries a place of rest and convalescence for sailors, soldiers and inhabitants of the other regions of the Indian Ocean affected by "intermittent fevers". In the middle of the nineteenth century a severe and deadly malaria epidemic occurred first in Mauritius and then in Reunion Island. It took a century to bring the disease under control, but this has in no way diminished the risk of its re-introduction. Comparative study of the way the disease appeared and got established in these two islands and not in the adjoining ones (Rodrigues, Chagos, Seychelles) leads us to formulate the hypothesis that massive deforestation for sugar cane cultivation created a favourable environment for the implantation of the malaria vector, the african origin of which is beyond doubt. The evolution of the environment, subjected to natural catastrophe (cyclones) and to human activities (often as a consequence of economic development) has exerted pressure on the vector which in a way gives an answer of the development of the disease over time. This study highlights the importance of epidemiological analysis of the history of major communicable diseases not only in the cognitive context but also in predicting probable public health problem arising from environmental modifications.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Cancer in developing countries.

The developing countries are represented by incidence and mortality datasets from 16 populations. Trends are studied using age specific data from six cancer registries (three in Asia, three in Latin America) and national mortality datasets from Central and South America (three), the Caribbean (two), Asia (two) and Mauritius. In Africa, three cancer registries (in Nigeria, Uganda and Zimbabwe) provide time series of 15 years or more. Systematic examination of time trends is confined to five major sites (stomach, lung, breast, cervix uteri and colon-rectum), with a comment on observed trends in the other important cancers of developing countries (mouth/pharynx, oesophagus and liver). Although uniformity is not to be expected in such diverse material, some overall patterns emerge. Stomach cancer, as in the developed world, appears to be declining in importance. Lung cancer rates are rising, although in males, the increases are most marked in the elderly, with more recent birth cohorts in several populations showing a decline in risk. Breast cancer incidence and mortality rates are rising in most populations, with changes usually more marked in younger women. Conversely, cervix cancer, at present the most common cancer of women in developing countries, shows declines in incidence and mortality in the majority of populations studied, although Africa is clearly an exception. Cancer of the large bowel is becoming more frequent, although there are exceptions (eg Bombay, Mauritius and Trinidad). In the highest risk population (Uruguay), mortality seems to have peaked around 1965 and has since declined.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Expanded programme on immunization (EPI). Immunization schedules in the WHO African region, 1995.

There are 48 countries/areas in this Region (Tables 1-3). No data are available from Reunion and Saint Helena. BCG is given at birth in 46 countries. Diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT) vaccine is used as a primary series of 3 doses in 46 countries. In 35 countries, DPT is given from 6 weeks of age; in 6 countries at 2 months of age (Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Congo, Gambia and Zambia); and in 5 countries at 3 months of age (Algeria, Mauritius, Seychelles, Swaziland and Zimbabwe). Eight countries give 4 doses of DPT (Benin, Burundi, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa and Zambia) while 2 countries give 5 doses of DPT (Algeria and Togo). Diphtheria-tetanus (DT) is given in 3 countries: in Botswana at 6 years, in Mauritius at 2 and 5 years and in South Africa at 5 years of age. No Td* is given in any of the countries in this Region. Oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) is used in a primary series of 3 doses simultaneously with DPT vaccine in all countries. Eighteen countries give OPV at birth. Measles vaccine is given at 9 months of age in 45 countries. Seychelles gives measles vaccine at 15 months of age. None of these countries give a combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Rubella vaccine alone is also not given in any of the countries in the Region. Hepatitis B vaccine is used in 7 countries (Botswana, Gabon, Gambia, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe). It is given in 2 doses in 2 countries (Gambia and Nigeria) and at birth in 4 countries (Botswana, Gabon, Gambia and Nigeria). Thirty-one countries are at risk for yellow fever. However, yellow fever vaccine is given only in 10 countries (Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Niger, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal and Togo). Six countries give yellow fever vaccine at 9 months, Chad gives it at 6 months, Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe at 1 year of age and Togo at 10 months. Tetanus toxoid (TT) is used for pregnant women or non-pregnant women of childbearing age. The schedules include 2 to 5 doses. Forty-two countries use a 5-dose schedule. TT is given to schoolchildren in 5 countries (Botswana, Comoros, Guinea, Lesotho and Madagascar).

Africa↗
PubMed1994

The Helderberg air disaster--forensic odontological investigations.

A Boeing 747-224B Combi of the South African Airways, the "Helderberg", crashed into the sea near Mauritius on 28 November 1987. All 159 people on board died and dental tissues were present in only eight of the 15 lots of human remains recovered. Ante-mortem dental records were collected by a team in Johannesburg while the post-mortem examinations were conducted in Mauritius. The special circumstances surrounding an accident at sea resulted in the low number of bodies available for identification procedures. Of the eight remains which included dental tissues, five were identified by means of simple dental restorations, advanced dentistry, anatomical features of teeth and stages of development of teeth. One of the victims was identified by a process of exclusion and radiographic evidence played a decisive role in the identification process. (J Forensic Odontostomatol 1994; 12: 15-18) The variety of record-keeping styles and abbreviations used in different countries posed a major problem during the process and it is concluded that international standardization in record-keeping requires urgent attention.

Accidents, Aviation↗
PubMed1988

National Adoption Council Act 1987 (No. 21 of 1987), 18 December 1987.

This Act creates a National Adoption Council in Mauritius with the following objectives: "1) to inquire into all demands for the adoption of citizens by noncitizens before any application is made to the Judge in Chambers; 2) to advise the Minister on all matters relating to demands specified in paragraph 1); 3) to coordinate with overseas official agencies engaged in the adoption and welfare of children." Further provisions of the Act deal with the composition of the Board of the Council, staff, the General Fund of the Council, execution of documents, service of process, and offenses, among other things. The Act also requires all foreign citizens to obtain the approval of the Council before proceeding with the adoption of Mauritian citizens.

Adoption↗
PubMed1988

Civil Status (Amendment) Act 1987 (No. 2 of 1987), 13 November 1987.

This Act amends the Civil Status Act 1981 to remove provisions that had pledged to give the Muslim population of Mauritius a codified personal law to regulate marriage and personal relations. The Act has the effect of making the marriage of Muslims governed by the Napoleonic Code.

Africa↗
PubMed1998

Fearlessness, stimulation-seeking, and large body size at age 3 years as early predispositions to childhood aggression at age 11 years.

BACKGROUND: Previous cross-sectional research in Western societies has linked adolescent stimulation-seeking, fearlessness, and body size to antisocial behavior. However, it is unclear how early in life these factors exert their influence, and nothing is known about their specificity to aggressive behavior per se. This study tests the hypotheses that stimulation-seeking, fearlessness, and increased body size at age 3 years predict aggression at age 11 years. METHODS: Behavioral measures of stimulation-seeking and fearlessness, together with height and weight, were measured at age 3 years and related to ratings of aggression at age 11 years in 1130 male and female Indian and Creole children from the island of Mauritius. RESULTS: Aggressive children at age 11 years were characterized by increased measures of stimulation-seeking, fearlessness, height, and weight at age 3 years. Stimulation-seeking and height were independently related to aggression, whereas the fearlessness-aggression relationship was mediated by height. Large body size at age 3 years but not 11 years was related to increased aggression at age 11 years, indicating a critical period in development for the influence of body size on aggression. CONCLUSIONS: Results (1) implicate large body size, stimulation-seeking, and fearlessness in the development of childhood aggression; (2) suggest that there may be a critical period in development in which biological processes influence later aggression; and (3) highlight the importance of early processes in the etiology of aggression.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1996

Diabetes mellitus as a cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa: results of a community-based study in Tanzania. The Adult Morbidity and Mortality Project.

The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of diabetes mellitus to all-cause mortality and diabetes mortality rates in adults 15 years and above living in one urban and two rural areas of Tanzania (Dar es Salaam, Hai and Morogoro Rural Districts). The three surveillance populations comprised 307,912 persons. Prospective monitoring of all deaths between 1 June 1992 and 31 May 1995 was carried out. Cause of death was determined by verbal 'autopsy' conducted with relatives of the deceased. In total, 4299 deaths were recorded in children (aged < 15 years) and 8054 in adults. In children there were no reported deaths associated with diabetes (due to or in children with diabetes). The adult male mortality rates associated with diabetes were 34, 30, and 15 per 100,000 per year in Dar es Salaam, Hai and Morogoro Rural Districts respectively. The figures in women were 21, 18, and 4 per 100,000 per year, respectively. The percentages of all adult male deaths associated with diabetes were 2.6%, 2.1% and 0.7% respectively. In women the percentages were 1.7%, 1.8%, and 0.2% respectively. Acute metabolic complications, infection, and stroke each accounted for approximately 30% of all diabetic deaths. Thus diabetes mortality rates varied between the three surveillance areas, being lowest in the poorest rural area. Rates were higher in men in all areas. While care is required in the comparison of mortality rates between countries, it was noteworthy that Tanzania, a country with a low diabetes prevalence, had diabetes mortality rates which were higher than or comparable to rates in Mauritius and the United States. Most patients died from preventable causes, indicating a need for improved case-management of diabetic emergencies as well as better detection and treatment of hypertension.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

A genetic marker at the glucokinase gene locus for type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in Mauritian Creoles.

The prevalence of Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus is high in Mauritius, a multiethnic island nation in the southwestern Indian Ocean. Evaluation of candidate genes in the different ethnic groups represents a means of assessing the genetic component. As glucokinase is known to be a key regulator of glucose homeostasis in liver and pancreatic Beta-cells, the human gene was isolated and a dinucleotide repeat (CA)n marker was identified at this locus. A polymerase chain reaction assay was developed, and alleles differing in size were observed in individuals, according to the number of repeats in the amplified fragment. Eighty-five Creoles and 63 Indians of known glucose tolerance status were typed by amplification of genomic DNA for this dinucleotide (CA)n repeat marker. Four different alleles were observed including Z, the most common allele, and Z + 2, Z + 4, and Z + 10, which differed from Z by 2, 4, and 10 nucleotides respectively. In Mauritian Creoles, the frequency of the Z + 2 allele was greater in Type 2 diabetic subjects than in control subjects (23.8% vs 8.9%, p = 0.008), and the frequency of the Z allele was lower in Type 2 diabetic subjects (60% vs 75.6%, p = 0.03). Analysis with univariate logistic regression models indicated that the Z + 2 allele had the highest odds ratio, 3.08 (95% confidence interval 1.14-8.35, p = 0.0416), among the other risk factors (age, sex, body mass index, and waist/hip ratio). The multivariate odds ratio for Type 2 diabetes was 2.88 (95% confidence interval 0.98-8.50, p = 0.0551).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Africa↗
PubMed1999

Isolated post-challenge hyperglycaemia confirmed as a risk factor for mortality.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to examine the possible link between isolated post-challenge hyperglycaemia (2-h post-challenge plasma glucose >/= 11.1 mmol/l, and fasting plasma glucose < 7.0 mmol/l) and mortality. METHODS: The data from three population based longitudinal studies (in Mauritius, Fiji and Nauru) were pooled and mortality rates were determined in 9179 people who were followed for between 5 and 12 years. RESULTS: There were 595 people with previously diagnosed diabetes, and 799 with newly diagnosed diabetes, of whom 243 (31) had isolated post-challenge hyperglycaemia. In comparison with people without diabetes, people with isolated post-challenge hyperglycaemia had an increased risk of all-cause mortality [Cox proportional hazards ratio (95 % CI): 2.7 (1.8-3.9) - men; 2.0 (1.3-3.3) - women], and of cardiovascular mortality [2.3 (1.2-4.2) - men; 2.6 (1.3-5.1) - women]. In addition, men with isolated post-challenge hyperglycaemia had a high risk of cancer death [8.0 (3.6-17.9)]. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: These data show that isolated post-challenge hyperglycaemia, which can only be identified by the 2-h glucose, is common, and at least doubles the mortality risk. This should be considered in the design of screening programmes that use only fasting glucose.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Holiday dreams with a downside: uncommon tapeworm infection in an infant].

Eight weeks after his return from Mauritius, a 2.5-year-old boy started to show signs of gastrointestinal illness including diarrhoea with frequent ill-smelling stools as well as restlessness, insomnia and apathy. Proglottids excreted with the faeces were diagnosed as Raillietina madagascariensis (Davain, 1870), the tropical rat tapeworm. Treatment with praziquantel (10 mg/kg BW) proved to be efficient.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The effects of age, sex and time of testing on skin conductance activity.

An investigation of the electrodermal activity of 640 subjects was carried out in Mauritius. Results of a balanced factorial design with 5 age groups, sex, season (hot versus cold), time of day of testing (a.m./p.m.), as factors, suggested the need to take account of age and sex in studies using measures of electrodermal activity. However, season and time of day of testing are seen as important mainly in interaction with sex and give rise to the suggestion that females may be more responsive to environmental conditions than men. The results also provide data which show that a rate of electrodermal non-responsivity of about 25% appears to be constant over the age groups of 5-25 years used in the study.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Screening for cytotoxic activity of plants used in traditional medicine.

A total of 260 extracts have been prepared from 75 medicinal plant species collected in Africa, Panama and Mauritius. Three different concentrations of each extract have been screened in vitro for cytotoxic activity using a colorimetric assay to determine cell survival of human colon carcinoma Co115 cells. Fifteen plants showed ED50 values between 10.0 and 1.0 micrograms/ml but more significant activities were obtained in 11 (ED50 range 1.0-0.1 micrograms/ml) and 3 (ED50 range 0.1-0.01 micrograms/ml) plant specimens. Identification of new active substances may well be aided by pre-selecting plants known to be used empirically by traditional healers.

Africa↗
PubMed1994

Antiviral activity of African medicinal plants.

Plants from Africa and Mauritius with a history of use in traditional medicine have been investigated for their antiviral activities. Extracts were tested against poliovirus, herpes simplex virus and rhinovirus in plaque reduction assays. Their general toxicity and effects on interferon production were also studied.

Animals↗