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PubMed2003

Congo red analogues as potential anti-prion agents.

'Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies' (TSE) are a group of degenerative, progressive and fatal disorders of CNS which affect both humans and animals, characterised by a long incubation time. The pathogenetic mechanism in TSE is the conversion of normal prion protein (PrP(sen)) to an altered protease resistant isoform (PrP(res)) that accumulates in amyloid deposits into the brain; therefore, PrP(res) is the primary target for therapeutic strategies. The discovery that the sulphonated azo dye Congo red (CR) is able to inhibit the replications of TSE agents and the accumulation of PrP(res) in animals and in scrapie infected mouse neuroblastoma cells induced us to designe molecules structurally related to CR (1a-f, 2f,g). The compounds were tested in vitro to evaluate their interaction with 263K PrP(res). Six of the tested compounds were found to interact with PrP(res) molecules and to over-stabilise the PrP(res) aggregates, as CR does. However, none of them induced the reversion of PrP(res) to PrP(sen).

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Congo red-negative amyloidosis-like glomerulopathy.

Three cases of amyloidosis-like glomerulopathy are presented in which renal amyloidosis was initially diagnosed on the basis of ultrastructural findings, despite negative Congo red staining. The histologic and immunofluorescence findings and, on careful examination, ultrastructural features of this amyloidosis-like glomerulopathy all serve to distinguish it from true amyloidosis. The clinical behavior suggests that it is a primary glomerulopathy since, with time, no other systems become involved.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Crimean Congo-haemorrhagic fever treated with oral ribavirin.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is an often-lethal haemorrhagic fever caused by a tick-borne virus. There are no published data on ribavirin treatment of CCHF-infected patients, despite established in-vitro and in-vivo sensitivity. We report three health workers--two surgeons and a hospital worker--infected with CCHF virus in Pakistan who were treated with oral ribavirin 4 g/day for four days, then 2.4 g/day for six days. Intravenous ribavirin was unavailable. All three patients were severely ill with low platelet and white-cell counts, raised aspartate transaminase and evidence of impaired haemostasis. Based on published reports, all had an estimated probability of death of 90% or more. The patients became afebrile, and their haematological and biochemical abnormalities returned to normal within 48 h of ribavirin treatment; all made a complete recovery, and developed IgG and IgM antibody to CCHF virus. Our experience with ribavirin treatment is encouraging, but does not constitute evidence of efficacy. Given the difficulties in gathering adequate treatment data, we propose a consensus protocol for both intravenous and oral treatment of CCHF. This protocol could be distributed to key medical personnel in areas endemic for CCHF and used to provide a firm basis for effective treatment recommendations.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2002

Detection of slime production by means of an optimised Congo red agar plate test based on a colourimetric scale in Staphylococcus epidermidis clinical isolates genotyped for ica locus.

This investigation was conduced on a collection of 113 S. epidermidis strains isolated from biomaterial-associated infections. All strains were examined both for the presence of icaA and icaD genes responsible for slime synthesis by a PCR method and for the in vitro slime production ability by the Congo red agar (CRA) plate test. In the present study, the original CRA test was optimised adopting a six-colour reference scale for a fine classification of colonies colours. The six-colour tones of the scale were as follows: very black (vb), black (b), almost black (ab), which were considered as positive results, and bordeaux (brd), red (r), and very red (vr), interpreted as negative. 57.5% of all the strains were found to be icaA icaD-positive as well as slime-forming onto CRA, exhibiting the following colonies colours: vb (35.4%); b (15.9%); ab (6.2%). The percentage of icaA icaD-negative strains was 42.5% and all of them were negative onto CRA: brd (19.5%), r (14.2%), vr (8.8%). The comparison of colour classification with the information on ica genes confirmed the validity of the scale adopted, providing support to the criteria used for a correct interpretation of the colonies colour during the execution of the CRA test. Overall these results indicate a fine consistency between these two experimental methods and a good reliability of CRA plate test, especially when this is supported by a colourimetric scale.

Biological Assay↗
PubMed2004

Organisation of health care during an outbreak of Marburg haemorrhagic fever in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 1999.

Organising health care was one of the tasks of the International Scientific and Technical Committee during the 1998-1999 outbreak in Durba/Watsa, in the north-eastern province (Province Orientale), Democratic Republic of Congo. With the logistical support of Médecins sans Frontières (MSF), two isolation units were created: one at the Durba Reference Health Centre and the other at the Okimo Hospital in Watsa. Between May 6th, the day the isolation unit was installed and May 19th, 15 patients were admitted to the Durba Health Centre. In only four of them were the diagnosis of Marburg haemorrhagic fever (MHF) confirmed by laboratory examination. Protective equipment was distributed to health care workers and family members caring for patients. Information about MHF, modes of transmission and the use of barrier nursing techniques was provided to health care workers and sterilisation procedures were reviewed. In contrast to Ebola outbreaks, there was little panic among health care workers and the general public in Durba and all health services remained operational.

Delivery of Health Care↗
PubMed1998

The use of a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for the detection of viral nucleic acid in the diagnosis of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.

A reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was applied retrospectively to 80 stored serum samples from 45 confirmed Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) patients in southern Africa, and it was found that viral RNA could be detected in a proportion of samples up to day 16 of illness. Early in the disease there is relatively good correlation between the results obtained by RT-PCR and virus isolation, but after the first week it appears that infective virus is progressively cleared from serum while nucleic acid remains demonstrable in a proportion of patients well into convalescence. A further 47 serum samples from 38 patients with suspected viral haemorrhagic fever, 19 of whom proved to be cases of CCHF, were tested prospectively on being received at the laboratory. The combined use of RT-PCR with ethidium bromide stained gels for the detection of viral RNA, plus indirect immunofluorescence for the detection of IgG and IgM antibodies to CCHF virus, permitted a presumptive diagnosis to be reported within 8 h of receiving the first specimen from 18/19 cases of the disease studied prospectively. The nineteenth case was confirmed within 48 h when antibody response was demonstrated in a second serum sample. Viral nucleic acid was not detected in serum samples from 19 patients in whom alternative diagnoses were established.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Congo red effect on cyst viability and cell wall structure of encysting. Entamoeba invadens.

BACKGROUND: The cell wall of Entamoeba invadens cysts is composed of chitin microfibrils as the main structural component. It has been demonstrated in yeast that the chitin cell wall assembly is altered by dyes such as Congo red (CR) and Calcofluor. METHODS: The purpose of this work was to study the cell wall assembly under the effect of CR dye on encysting E. invadens by means of light and electron microscopy, after the amebas were subjected to the effect of 100-2,000 micrograms CR/mL. Experiments were performed either in BI-S-33 or in mLG media. RESULTS: Trophozoite growth was not inhibited by 100-1,000 micrograms/mL CR after 8 days of incubation in BI-S-33 medium. However, low levels of growth were observed with 2,000 micrograms/mL of dye. No significant differences in morphologically viable (hyaline) cyst production occurred after 24-48 h, when 100 micrograms CR/mL was used, while the highest concentration of CR (2,000 micrograms/mL) resulted in a significant decrease of hyaline cyst yield; dead cysts prevailed in cultures, particularly at 72 h of CR treatment. Differentiation of amebas incubated in the presence of 500-2,000 micrograms/mL CR produced abnormal chitin deposits, rendering irregularly thick or double cell walls, as shown by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Cyst cultures obtained under 100 micrograms/mL CR produced as many trophozoites as did the control when they were incubated in BI-S-33, but only low numbers of trophozoites were found in culture cysts obtained under higher CR doses. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that CR affects E. invadens encystment, alters the cell wall formation, and also affects the cyst viability.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A model for structure-dependent binding of Congo red to Alzheimer beta-amyloid fibrils.

The cytotoxic A beta fibril is a logical candidate for the entity causing the initiating damage to neurons in Alzheimer's disease and Down's syndrome. We have derived a model of binding for the dye molecule, Congo red (CR), to a beta-sheet structure of beta-amyloid (1-42). This model is based on the crystal coordinates of CR binding to porcine insulin fibrils from Turnell and Finch. Intact insulin is composed of protein dimers and X-ray diffraction studies show that CR intercalates between two insulin monomers at an interface formed by a pair of antiparallel beta-strands. The intercalation of CR has disrupted the four main-chain hydrogen bonds between the two beta-strands, but they are still tethered with each other through new hydrogen bonds with the CR nitrogen atoms. The CR molecule has been aligned along the homologous stretch of amino acids in Alzheimer beta peptide (two molecules in antiparallel distorted or pseudo beta-sheet conformation) using the crystal coordinates from the Turnell-Finch paper to arrive at a putative structure for CR binding to Alzheimer's amyloid fibrils.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2004

[Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in Brazzaville, Congo. A situation analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To collect epidemiological data about Cervical Intra epithelial Neoplasia in Brazzaville, for planning strategic issues of a cancer screening programme in the Congo. METHODS: Retrospective study of the results of 5700 occasional cervical Pap smears. RESULTS: The majority of the recorded women were 21 to 30 years old (49%), with a single or multiple parity (83.20%), and with a low socio-economic status. Among the 3088 recorded pathological smears, 200 cases of CIN were identified predominantly in 20 to 29 year-old-patients. They were subdivided into 174 (87%) CIN I, and 26 (13%) CIN II and CIN III. On the same occasion, 88 invasive cancers have been observed, predominantly among 50 to 60 year-old-women; an interval of 10 years has thus been noted between the latest period when CIN occurred (30 to 39 years) and the period when most of invasive cancers came about. CONCLUSIONS: The interest of an organized national screening programme has thus been confirmed. The formulation of a national cancer strategic plan requests an updating of the present database with the results of additional epidemiological (cytological, virological) studies concerning hight-grade intraepithelial lesions, and by those of a national health system analysis concerning health of women in the post-reproductive period.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

[Erythrocyte phenotypes and gene frequency of the ABO system in the Congo population. Evaluation based on 5,400 subjects].

The purpose of this study is to determine the gene frequencies of the ABO blood groups in Congo where there is no data available. High frequency of O gene (0,7252 is noted. The frequency of gene A found to be close to the B gene's. These data are obtained from 5 400 persons and are of the same order that the published results concerning Equatorial Africa peoples.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed2000

Contribution to the ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological studies of traditionally used medicinal plants in the treatment of dysentery and diarrhoea in Lomela area, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In order to collect ethnobotanical information about antidiarrhoeal plants, we performed inquiries among traditional healers, community leaders, and native people of Lomela villages in Congo. Six medicinal plants widely used in this region were designated as having antidysenteric and antidiarrhoeal properties. These six medicinal plants were screened for groups of phytochemical compounds with antibacterial and antiamoebic activities. They were found to contain tannins, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, sterols and/or triterpenes and reducing sugars. Of the six tested plants, three showed prominent antibacterial activity whereas two acted against Entamoeba histolytica. The usefulness of the phytochemical bases and biological activities of these plants as potential source of antidiarrhoeal remedies is discussed.

Amoeba↗
PubMed2002

Correlation between chemical composition and antibacterial activity of essential oils of some aromatic medicinal plants growing in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The chemical composition of essential oils from 15 aromatic medicinal plant species growing in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been studied. More than 15 constituents in an amount higher than 0.1% were identified in each essential oil. 1,8-cineole, alpha and beta-pinene, p-cymene, myrcene, gamma-terpinene, alpha-terpineol and limonene were prevalent constituents in almost more than 10 selected plant species. Results from the antibacterial testing by the diffusion method indicate that all essential oils (5 microl per disc) inhibited the growth of selected bacteria at different extents. The most active antibacterial essential oils were those of the leaves of Eucalyptus camadulensis and Eucalyptus terticornis (12-30 mm zone diameter of inhibition). They showed particularly a most potent inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth (15-16 mm), followed by Eucalyptus robusta (12 mm). Essential oils from the leaves of Eucalyptus alba, Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus deglupta, Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus saligna, Eucalyptus robusta, Aframomum stipulatum, Cymbopogon citratus, Ocimum americanum and that of the seeds of Monodora myristica showed also a good antibacterial activity (10-18 mm). Eucalyptus propinqua, Eucalyptus urophylla and Ocimum gratissimum essential oils were the less active samples against the selected bacteria. No correlation between the amount of major constituents such as 1,8-cineol, alpha-pinene, p-cymene, cryptone or thymol and the antibacterial activity was observed.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sexual and transovarian transmission of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus in Hyalomma truncatum ticks.

Male Hyalomma truncatum ticks were inoculated with Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus, hypostomectomized and then allowed to mate with uninfected females feeding on a naive rabbit. After mating, CCHF virus was reisolated from 2 out of 3 males tested and from 4 of 6 mated, engorged females (titre greater than or equal to 2.2 log LD50/ml). Vertical transmission was then demonstrated by virus reisolation from a portion of 2 of the 6 batches of eggs laid by the positive females. From these 2 positive egg batches, 6 larvae pools were tested with successful virus reisolation from one. Attempts to reisolate CCHF virus from 15 nymph pools of this positive batch of larvae were unsuccessful. Virus reisolation from gonopore-closed female H. truncatum which cofed with preinfected males demonstrated transmission in the absence of copulation. Rabbits that served as bloodmeal sources seroconverted after infestation by infected male ticks. However, CCHF virus was not reisolated from 3 gonopore-closed, engorged females, nor from their eggs, after feeding with hypostomectomized preinfected males. Transmission of CCHF virus during mating or cofeeding of adult H. truncatum, and subsequent transovarial transmission, appear to represent additional mechanisms of infection in the tick population, and may contribute to the maintenance of transmission in nature.

Africa, Western↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus infection in birds: field investigations in Senegal.

In Senegal, wild ground-feeding birds are frequently infested with immature ticks. In two areas where numerous Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus isolations were obtained from Hyalomma marginatum rufipes adult ticks collected on ungulates, 175 birds were captured and sera collected. CCHF antibodies were detected by ELISA in 6/22 red-beaked hornbills (Tockus erythrorhynchus), 2/11 glossy starlings (Lamprotornis sp.) and 1/3 guinea fowls. The virus was isolated from H. m. rufipes nymphs collected on a hornbill. The role of wild ground-feeding birds in CCHF virus ecology in West Africa is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Biological and clinical responses of west African sheep to Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus experimental infection.

West African sheep appear to play a central role as virus hosts in the maintenance cycle of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus in endemic areas and also because of their role as a principal host of the CCHF virus tick vector. In an effort to clarify CCHF epidemiological significance in sheep, we studied the biological and clinical aspects of sheep experimentally infected with CCHF virus. West African sheep breeds were infected either by intraperitoneal inoculation or by infestation with experimentally CCHF-virus-infected ticks (Hyalomma truncatum). A total of 17 sheep including controls as well as 5 lambs from their progeny were monitored. A moderate but constant fever was observed (39.7 degrees C +/- 0.3) which correlates with the viraemia. Virus was reisolated from blood samples taken from day 3 to day 9 postinfection (p.i.) at a mean titre of 3.3 log LD50/ml. The virus was detected for a period of time of 7 days in non-immune sheep and for less than 4 days in previously immunized sheep. In non-immune sheep, antibody detected by ELISA showed an IgM response on day 7 p.i., followed by an IgG response one day later. Five infected sheep, surveyed for liver and kidney biological markers, showed hepatic dysfunction with a moderate serum aspartate transferase rise to 210 U/l. Out of four sheep tested for blood markers, two showed an abnormal blood cell count, with marked neutrophilia of up to 63% lasting for two weeks. Infected pregnant ewes produced antibodies in their milk at a significant titre (1:1,000), and antibodies were recovered in the sera of nursing lambs from their first meal to 50 days after birth. These findings are discussed; they demonstrate that, in spite of a high turnover of local sheep herds (median age of 3 years) and long-term CCHF antibody persistence (> 3 years), sheep can be infected and efficiently transmit the virus at least once in a lifetime.

Africa, Western↗
PubMed2001

The adsorption of Congo red and vacuum pump oil by rice hull ash.

Rice hull ash (RHA) of large surface area was obtained by acid wash and then calcination at 600 degrees C for 4 h. The white ash was then mixed with kaolin and starch to make pellet adsorbents with reasonable strength to be utilized in a packed column. Both ash and pellet samples showed good adsorption capacities toward the organic substances in wastewater. Furthermore, the surface nature of the white ash and pellet adsorbent could be modified through either hydration or esterification reactions. Corresponding changes in silanol concentrations were successfully correlated to changes in adsorption capacity toward either Congo red or vacuum pump oil molecules.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2006

Where have all the condoms gone in adolescent programmes in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Decades of mismanagement, combined with the withdrawal of international cooperation and a protracted war, have seriously affected the health system in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the health status of the population. As part of a Belgian development cooperation programme, we conducted a study in Kinshasa and Bukavu in April-May 2004 on how a rights-based approach could contribute to an effective and appropriate response to the sexual and reproductive health needs of Congolese adolescents. Access to condom information and supplies was studied in this context. A qualitative methodology was used, consisting of focus group discussions with adolescents and interviews with peer education programme officers. These programmes were supposed to be based on the recognition of adolescent sexual and reproductive health rights and the so-called ABC approach (abstinence, be faithful, condom use). We found, however, that sociocultural barriers and strict obedience to Vatican doctrine prevented adolescents from receiving accurate and comprehensive sexuality education and that condom supplies were blocked by peer education programme officers. The promotion of adolescent sexual and reproductive health rights is the responsibility of States, but the international community, non-governmental and faith-based organisations and donors play an essential role in assisting States in this respect and should never act in violation of adolescents' rights.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Amyloid probes based on Congo Red distinguish between fibrils comprising different peptides.

BACKGROUND: Amyloid plaques, which characterize degenerating tissue in Alzheimer's disease (brain) and type II diabetes (pancreas), were first visualized by staining with the dye Congo Red (CR). The ability of CR to recognize amyloid fibrils comprising diverse proteins suggests that the binding site includes an unidentified structural feature common to all amyloid fibrils. We set out to design and synthesize analogs of CR that could distinguish between fibrils comprising different peptides. RESULTS: Relative affinities of several CR analogs for two model amyloid fibrils were measured and compared to that of CR. Amyloid fibrils comprising peptides based on the critical carboxyl terminus of the Alzheimer's disease amyloid protein beta1-42 (beta34-42) and the critical region of the type II diabetes pancreatic amyloid protein, IAPP (IAPP20-29) were tested. The ratio of affinities of each individual CR analog for the two amyloid fibrils varied considerably. Complexation of certain metal ions (Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), Cd(II)) by a CR analog did not abolish its affinity for amyloid but changed the affinity ratio significantly. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that small organic and organometallic molecules are capable of detecting differences in amyloid fibril structure and/or amyloid protein sequence. Molecules of this type could have utility as neuropathological probes or imaging agents, since they are much easier to prepare and functionalize than antibodies and are specific for the fibrillar form of the amyloid proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗