Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “CONGO”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Evaluation of a Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus recombinant antigen expressed by Semliki Forest suicide virus for IgM and IgG antibody detection in human and animal sera collected in Iran.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is transmitted to humans by ticks or by direct contact with infected blood. It causes severe, often fatal, hemorrhagic diseases in humans but infection in animals is asymptomatic. CCHFV can spread from person to person and has caused many nosocomial outbreaks. Because the virus is very pathogenic for humans it must be manipulated in a biosafety level 4 (BSL4) laboratory, rendering the production of antigen for serological diagnosis difficult. To replace the native antigen, we produced a recombinant nucleoprotein expressed in mammalian cells via the recombinant Semliki Forest alphavirus replicon and developed an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) as well as an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) by immunocapture to detect IgM and IgG in human and animal serum. Using these methods, we analyzed clinical samples from human patients and sera from domestic animals collected in Iran and we show that this novel antigen provides a novel, sensitive and specific tool for CCHF diagnosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Cytokine levels in Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

BACKGROUND: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus causes severe disease in humans with a mortality reaching 30%. A CCHF outbreak took place in Albania in 2003. As in other viral hemorrhagic fevers cytokines may be involved and play a role in the pathogenesis and outcome of the disease. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the levels of TNF-alpha, sTNF-R, IL-6 and IL-10 in serum samples obtained from laboratory confirmed CCHF cases and relate them to the severity of the disease. STUDY DESIGN: A study population of 51 was divided into three groups: group A, consisting of PCR-positive cases; group B, consisting of PCR-negative and serology-positive cases; group C, consisting of doubly negative cases. Concentrations of serum TNF-alpha, sTNF-R, IL-6 and IL-10 were measured during the illness. RESULTS: High levels of all cytokines tested were present in one fatal case. Statistically significant differences between the groups were obtained for TNF-alpha and IL-6: TNF-alpha was detected in 3 cases in group A, and in none of the other groups, while IL-6 was elevated in 10/16 patients in group A, 4/9 in group B, and 4/26 in group C. sTNF-R was not significantly different for the three groups. High concentration of IL-10 was detected only in the fatal case. CONCLUSIONS: TNF-alpha and IL-6 are the cytokines most often detected during a CCHF viral infection. TNF-alpha was associated with the severe form of CCHF, while IL-6 was elevated in both severe and mild cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

In vitro antiplasmodial activity of 18 plants used in Congo Brazzaville traditional medicine.

Sixty-six extracts of 18 plants commonly used by traditional healers in Congo Brazzaville for the treatment of malaria have been investigated for in vitro antiplasmodial activity. Ethanolic and dichloromethane extracts of 7 among the 18 studied plants were moderately active (10 microg/ml<IC(50)<50 microg/ml). These extracts concerned Cassia siamea (bark), Cogniauxia podolaena (root), Landolphia lanceolata (root and leaves), Millettia versicolor (leaves), Pseudospondias microcarpa (leaves), Uapaca paludosa (leaves) and Vernonia brazzavillensis (leaves). These results support their traditional use as antimalarial plants. The bark extract of Uapaca paludosa showed a good activity (<10 microg/ml) and the extracts from Quassia africana (root and leaves) even exhibited IC(50) values less than 1 microg/ml. Except for Quassia africana, for which the three solvents (water, ethanol and dichloromethane) present an effective extraction, no aqueous extract was highly active. The cytotoxicity of aqueous, DCM and ethanol extracts of Quassia africana was tested on KB cell lines.

Antimalarials↗
PubMed2006

Removal of congo red from aqueous solution by adsorption onto acid activated red mud.

The objective of this study is to remove the congo red (CR) anionic dye, from water by using the acid activated red mud in batch adsorption experiments. The effects of contact time, pH, adsorbent dosage and initial dye concentration on the adsorption were investigated. The pH of the dye solution strongly affected the chemistry of both the dye molecules and activated red mud in an aqueous solution. The effective pH was 7.0 for adsorption on activated red mud. It was found that the sufficient time to attain equilibrium was 90 min. The adsorption isotherms were analyzed using the Langmuir, the Freundlich, and the three parameter Redlich-Peterson isotherms. The Langmuir isotherm was the best-fit adsorption isotherm model for the experimental data obtained from the non-linear chi-square statistic test.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2006

Chimpanzee tool technology in the Goualougo Triangle, Republic of Congo.

With the exception of humans, chimpanzees show the most diverse and complex tool-using repertoires of all extant species. Specific tool repertoires differ between wild chimpanzee populations, but no apparent genetic or environmental factors have emerged as definitive forces shaping variation between populations. However, identification of such patterns has likely been hindered by a lack of information from chimpanzee taxa residing in central Africa. We report our observations of the technological system of chimpanzees in the Goualougo Triangle, located in the Republic of Congo, which is the first study to compile a complete tool repertoire from the Lower Guinean subspecies of chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes troglodytes). Between 1999 and 2006, we documented the tool use of chimpanzees by direct observations, remote video monitoring, and collections of tool assemblages. We observed 22 different types of tool behavior, almost half of which were habitual (shown repeatedly by several individuals) or customary (shown by most members of at least one age-sex class). Several behaviors considered universals among chimpanzees were confirmed in this population, but we also report the first observations of known individuals using tools to perforate termite nests, puncture termite nests, pound for honey, and use leafy twigs for rain cover. Tool behavior in this chimpanzee population ranged from simple tasks to hierarchical sequences. We report three different tool sets and a high degree of tool-material selectivity for particular tasks, which are otherwise rare in wild chimpanzees. Chimpanzees in the Goualougo Triangle are shown to have one of the largest and most complex tool repertoires reported in wild chimpanzee populations. We highlight new insights from this chimpanzee population to our understanding of ape technological systems and evolutionary models of tool-using behavior.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

[Human immunodeficiency virus associated arthritis in Congo Brazzaville].

OBJECTIVE: The authors report epidemiologic, clinical, para clinical, and evolutive aspects of arthritis related to HIV in an AIDS endemic country. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was made in the rheumatology department of the Brazzaville University Teaching Hospital during 15 years and 6 months, on 3.042 in-patients among whom 306 (10%) were positive for HIV, 220 (7.2%) presented with a rheumatologic manifestation, and 158 (71.8%) with HIV related arthritis. RESULTS: The 158 patients included 91 men (57.6%), 67 women (42.4%), average 34.5 years of age, ranging from 15 to 61, all heterosexual. 99 patients (62.7%) were in the B stage, 40 (25.3%) in the C stage, and 19 (12.2%) in the A stage. Arthritis was polyarthritis (83.5%) or oligoarthritis (16.5%), symmetrical (97.5%), prevailing on the lower limbs (99.3%) with involvement of the great toe in 23% of cases. There was an important inflammatory syndrome with an erythrocyte sedimentation rate exceeding 100 mm for the 1st hour in 63.3% of the cases. Rhumatoid factors were negative. Synovial fluid was sterile, without microcrystals, and inflammatory. X-rays were normal. This non-destructive arthritis, evolved by successive bouts, and resolved in 2 to 5 weeks with NSAIDs and did not meet Amor nor European spondyloarthropathy criteria. CONCLUSION: Arthritis related to HIV represents the principal expression of nonseptic rheumatologic HIV manifestations in Congo.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Determination of nucleic acids at nanogram level using resonance light scattering technique with Congo Red.

Based on the enhancement of the resonance light scattering (RLS) of Congo Red (CR) by nucleic acid, a new quantitative method for nucleic acid is developed. In the Tris-HCl buffer (pH 10.5), the weak light scattering of CR is greatly enhanced by addition of nucleic acid and CTMAB, the maximum peak is at 560 nm and the enhanced intensity of RLS is in proportion to the concentration of nucleic acid. The linear range is 1.0 x 10(-9) to 1.0 x 10(-6) g ml(-1), 7.5 x 10(-8) to 1.0 x 10(-6) g ml(-1) and 7.5 x 10(-8) to 2.5 x 10(-6) g ml(-1) for herring sperm DNA, calf thymus DNA and yeast RNA, and the detection limits are 0.019, 0.89 and 1.2 ng ml(-1) (S/N = 3), respectively. Actual biological samples were satisfactorily determined.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

The effect of ionic strength on the UV-vis spectrum of congo red in aqueous solution.

The major peak near 498 nm in the ultraviolet-visible spectrum of congo red in aqueous solution shifts toward the blue while the molar absorptivity of this peak decreases predictably with increasing ionic strength. The shift was observed for solutions in which ionic strength was varied from 0.0 to 1.8M using the uni-univalent ionic compounds, NaCl, NaClO(4), KNO(3) and KBr separately. A plot of the log of the absorbance at the peak versus ionic strength was linear as well as a plot of the log of the wavelength of the major peak (shifted from 498 nm) versus the ionic strength. The slopes of each of these plots were somewhat different depending on the ionic compound.

Bromides↗
PubMed2005

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever: experience at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is endemic in certain rural areas of Pakistan. Since the discovery of CCHF virus (CCHFV) in the country in the 1960s, there have been 13 outbreaks in addition to sporadic cases. An outbreak during 2000 coincided with the movement of sacrificial animals from rural to urban areas for the festival of Eid-ul-Azha. Diagnosis was suspected in patients with fever and thrombocytopenia, and confirmed retrospectively using immunoassays and reverse transcriptase-PCR. Patients were given platelet, plasma and red cell infusions. Management varied due to unfamiliarity with the condition and its treatment, lack of availability of diagnostic laboratory tests and limited supply of ribavirin. Inadequate antiviral treatment and late presentation probably contributed to the death of six of the eight patients. Renal failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation and persistent high-grade fever were associated with mortality. The nucleotide sequence of the small genomic RNA segment of the CCHFV isolated in this outbreak was found to be very closely related to the CCHFV strains previously isolated in Pakistan.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Sonophotocatalytic degradation of congo red and methyl orange in the presence of TiO2 as a catalyst.

A comparative study between the photocatalytic and sonophotocatalytic oxidation process of congo red was carried out using titanium dioxide as a catalyst. The effect of a number of parameters, such as the initial concentration of dye, the presence of oxygen and ultrasound, the TiO(2) crystalline structure and the amount of TiO(2), was studied using an inexpensive reactor. In the second part of this document, the oxidation and reduction processes of methyl orange was studied using the same reactor, but by changing the chemical environment in order to drive either the oxidation or the reduction reaction. The results showed, for all the cases studied, a sinergistic effect between sonolysis and photocatalysis when an ultrasonic bath of 80W was used as a source of ultrasound. On the other hand, the electrochemical experiments showed that the current densities for the oxidation process of the azodyes were higher when a conducting glass electrode covered with a thin film of TiO(2) was used as a working electrode instead of a platinum electrode, showing that the TiO(2) electrode is not passivated by the oxidation reaction.

Azo Compounds↗
PubMed2005

Immunogenicity of combination DNA vaccines for Rift Valley fever virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, Hantaan virus, and Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus.

DNA vaccines for Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), and Hantaan virus (HTNV), were tested in mice alone or in various combinations. The bunyavirus vaccines (RVFV, CCHFV, and HTNV) expressed Gn and Gc genes, and the flavivirus vaccine (TBEV) expressed the preM and E genes. All vaccines were delivered by gene gun. The TBEV DNA vaccine and the RVFV DNA vaccine elicited similar levels of antibodies and protected mice from challenge when delivered alone or in combination with other DNAs. Although in general, the HTNV and CCHFV DNA vaccines were not very immunogenic in mice, there were no major differences in performance when given alone or in combination with the other vaccines.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus genome L RNA segment and encoded protein.

Sequence analysis of the L RNA genome segment and predicted encoded L polymerase protein of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus (genus Nairovirus, family Bunyaviridae) demonstrates that they are approximately twice the size of those found in viruses of other bunyavirus genera. The CCHF virus L segment and encoded protein (12,164 nucleotides and 3944 amino acids, respectively) are similar in size and sequence to those of the nairovirus Dugbe virus (12,255/62% and 4036/62% nucleotide and amino acid length/identity, respectively). The identification of an ovarian tumor (OTU)-like protease motif in the L protein amino termini of the nairoviruses Dugbe, CCHF, and Nairobi sheep disease (NSD) indicates these proteins are members of the recently described OTU-like protease family and suggests that these large proteins may be polyproteins that are autoproteolytically cleaved or involved in deubiquitination.

Amino Acid Motifs↗
PubMed2004

Sequence determination of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus L segment.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus is highly pathogenic for humans and remains the only Category A virus for which full sequence information is currently unavailable. In this study we completed CCHF genome characterization by determining the L segment sequence using Dugbe and CCHF virus-specific oligonucleotides. Sequence alignments revealed the presence of four previously described conserved regions in all Bunyaviridae polymerases. Interestingly, additional regions containing putative Ovarian Tumor (OTU)-like cysteine protease and helicase domains were identified in the L segments of CCHF and Dugbe viruses, suggesting an autoproteolytic cleavage process for nairovirus L proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2007

N-linked glycosylation of Gn (but not Gc) is important for Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus glycoprotein localization and transport.

The mature Gn glycoprotein of Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus contains two predicted glycosylation sites (557N and 755N). Of these, N-glycans are added only at 557N, as evidenced by abrogation of Gn-glycosylation by mutation of 557N but not 755N site. Mutational block of Gn-glycosylation at 557N did not significantly affect Gn proteolytic processing but did result in mislocalization and retention of Gn and other proteins synthesized from the virus M segment ORF (GP160, GP85, GP38 and Gc) in the endoplasmic reticulum. In contrast to Gn, similar mutational analysis demonstrated that, while N-glycosylation occurs at the two predicted sites in Gc, abrogation of their glycosylation did not alter localization of any of the CCHF virus glycoproteins. Studies of Gn expressed in the absence of Gc demonstrate that, while Gn processing and localization are independent of Gc, all the CCHF virus glycoproteins appear dependent on N-glycosylation of Gn for correct folding, localization and transport.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus: sequence analysis of the small RNA segments from a collection of viruses world wide.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFv) is a member of the genus Nairovirus in the family Bunyaviridae. It possesses a tripartite, single stranded RNA genome of negative polarity consisting of large (L), medium (M) and small (S) segments. CCHF virus is enzootic in life stock and wild animals in many parts of the Middle East, Asia and Africa and is also recognised in Southeast Europe. Severe disease, manifest as haemorrhagic fever and high mortality rates (up to 50%), is only recognised in humans. We have determined the complete sequence of the small genomic RNA segment from several strains of CCHF virus from outbreaks in Pakistan 2000, Baghdad 1976 and Uzbekistan 1967. Phylogenetic analysis of three datasets of sequences from the small genomic RNA segment available from a range of strains indicates that they can be divided into seven subtypes. Superimposed on this pattern are links between distant geographic locations, pointing to the existence of a global reservoir of CCHFv. In some cases these links may originate from trade in livestock, and long-distance carriage of virus or infected ticks during bird migration.

Disease Outbreaks↗
PubMed2006

Exogenous nitric oxide inhibits Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus.

Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a geographically widespread pathogen that causes severe hemorrhagic fever with high mortality. Even though one of the main objectives focuses on the progress of antiviral agents, the research on CCHFV is strongly hampered due to its BSL-4 classification. Nitric oxide (NO), a mediator with broad biological effects, has been shown to possess inhibitory properties against various pathogens. The molecule constitutes a component of the innate immunity and serves to assist in the early immunological events where it contributes to clearance of microorganisms. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory properties of exogenous NO on CCHFV. We found that NO had a significant antiviral activity against CCHFV replication. By using the NO-donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) we were able to show up to 99% reduction in virion progeny yield. In contrast, 3-morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride (SIN-1), a peroxynitrite donor, had no significant antiviral activity against CCHFV. Furthermore the expression of viral proteins; the nucleocapsid protein and the glycoprotein, were clearly reduced with increasing concentrations of SNAP. We have also shown that the amount of total vRNA in SNAP-treated cells was reduced by about 50% compared to the controls.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗
PubMed2000

Simple school questionnaires can map both Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The use of self-administered questionnaires has been shown in different African countries to be inexpensive and reliable for the rapid identification of communities at highest risk of urinary schistosomiasis. For intestinal schistosomiasis due to Schistosoma mansoni there is a clear need for a similar approach. We report the results from a large-scale study undertaken in the western part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC, formerly Zaire). Within 4 weeks questionnaires were correctly completed in 136 out of 160 schools (85%). In 57 of these schools children were screened for infections with schistosomes and geohelminths. The prevalence of 'schistosomiasis' as reported in the questionnaires showed the best correlation with the prevalence of S. mansoni infections (r = 0.77, P < 0.0001). Calculations of the diagnostic performance of reported 'schistosomiasis' to detect schools with a high risk of intestinal schistosomiasis gave positive predictive values of 87 and 62%, and negative predictive values of 74 and 87% for moderate and high infection thresholds, respectively. Reported 'blood in stool' was another useful indicator for intestinal schistosomiasis. Reported 'blood in urine' showed the best correlation with urinary schistosomiasis (r = 0.75, P < 0.001) and the positive predictive values were 81 and 50%, and the negative predictive values were 89 and 95% for moderate and high infection thresholds, respectively. We conclude that school children in DRC have a distinct perception of intestinal and urinary schistosomiasis and that questionnaires could be useful to identify high-risk schools for both parasites.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Interpretation of postvagotomy endoscopic Congo red test results in relation to ulcer recurrence 5 to 12 years after operation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to estimate, after vagotomy, the location and extension of residual vagal innervation of the gastric corpus mucosa by using the endoscopic Congo red test (ECRT) and its relation to recurrent ulcer (RU), as well as the results of quantitative gastric acid tests: basal acid output (BAO), maximal acid output (MAO), and nocturnal acid output (NAO). METHODS: A total of 271 consecutive vagotomized duodenal ulcer (DU) patients were studied 5 to 12 years (mean 8 years) after the operation. In all cases gastroscopy and ECRT were performed simultaneously. ECRT was considered positive if a red to black-blue (pH <3.0) color change of the gastric corpus mucosa occurred within the first 3 minutes, and the cases were classified as having small extension (SE), ie, one or more areas with a diameter of 1 to 30 mm, or large extension (LE), ie, 20% or more of the gastric corpus showing residual vagal innervation. No red to black-blue changes (pH >3.0) were attributed to negative ECRT. BAO, MAO, and NAO were determined preoperatively and postoperatively in 108 cases out of 271 and correspond with ECRT results. RESULTS: Recurrent ulcer occurred in 18 out of 135 ECRT-positive and in 1 out of 136 ECRT-negative cases. RU occurred 5 times more frequently in LE than SE cases (P <0.05). The postoperative mean values of BAO, MAO, and NAO were significantly higher in ECRT-positive than in ECRT-negative cases (P <0.001), and higher in LE than in SE cases (P <0.01; for NAO, P >0.05). CONCLUSION: ECRT is a practical and reliable method in the evaluation of postvagotomy DU patients: Negative ECRT practically includes recurrent ulcer risk; positive ECRT of large extension is related to fivefold higher recurrent ulcer risk compared with ECRT of small extension; and ECRT reflects BAO, MAO, and NAO results and can be used instead of them as a less time-consuming procedure, which is more convenient for the patient.

Adult↗