[Sanitary work in Spanish Guinea].
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Equatorial Guinea↗
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Molecular evidence for host specificity of parasitic nematode microfilariae in some African rainforest birds.
Here we describe, determine the prevalence, and examine the host-specificity of some parasitic nematode microfilariae in selected bird species from West and Central Africa. We used microscopy to determine the prevalence of microfilariae in 969 host individuals representing 121 rainforest bird species from Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire and Equatorial Guinea. Thirteen (11%) of these potential host species harboured microfilariae, and 35 individuals (3.6%) were infected. From the 35 infected individuals, we identified eight distinct morphological microfilarial forms. Sixteen of the 35 infected individuals were of one host species, the Fire-crested Alethe (Alethe diademata), at a prevalence rate of 62%. To examine host and geographical specificity, we sequenced a portion of the LSU rDNA gene from representative microfilariae drawn from different hosts and collecting locations. Identical sequences of the nematode LSU rDNA gene were found in A. diademata collected from locations in Côte d'Ivoire and Equatorial Guinea, locations separated by the Dahomey Gap and associated with different hypothesized refugial areas. In contrast, several other bird species collected at the same sites harboured different microfilaria lineages. We sequenced the mitochondrial ATP synthase genes of the host species A. diademata, and found a 5.4% sequence divergence between the birds sampled in Côte d'Ivoire, and those from Cameroon. Thus, despite this split between the two populations, they harbour microfilariae with identical lineages. These data provide evidence that the microfilariae found in A. diademata may be highly host specific. This apparent specificity may have important implications for the evolutionary and ecological interactions between parasitic nematodes and their avian hosts.
Animals↗
Human enzyme polymorphism in the Canary Islands. II. African influence.
The genetic polymorphism of eight red cell enzymes was examined in three samples from Gran Canaria and one from Equatorial Guinea. The presence of African genes in the Gran Canaria population showed an African admixture estimated to 6-9%. The genetic distance between Gran Canaria and Equatorial Guinea was 0.033, and that between Gran Canaria and the Spanish mainland only 0.007.
Africa, Central↗
[The focus of human trypanosomiasis in Campo (Cameroon). History and endemic situation in 1998].
For the first time in the last thirteen years, the human sleeping sickness focus at Campo, spanning the Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea border areas, has been prospected. The screening was carried out simultaneously on both sides of the border. This focus has been known since the beginning of the century but, contrary to what took place in other well-known foci in bordering countries south of Cameroon, either in the 1920s or the 1980s--there has never been an epidemic outbreak in that area. Such an epidemiological situation makes this focus particularly interesting. Though still active, trypanosomiasis is not very manifest. According to passive screening carried out in recent years, the estimated prevalence ranges between 0.2 and 0.5%. For this screening, 5,255 persons were examined on the Cameroonian side of the focus (90.6% of the census population). The serological screenings were carried out with the CATT 1.3, which is the CATT generally used in screening, and with the latex CATT which associates LiTat 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6. The search for trypanosomes was made by testing the lymph nod juice in presence of adenopathy and in the blood by Quantitative Buffy Coat (QBC), the mini anion exchange centrifugation (mAEC), as well as the in vitro culture using the kit for in vitro isolation of trypanosomes (KIVI) for individuals suspected to be serologically positive. 16 patients were identified in Cameroon but none in Equatorial Guinea. The results show that the Campo focus is active only on the Cameroonian side, centred on the village of Ipono with a limited prevalence (0.3%). The persisting epidemic is most likely to be associated with the presence of pigs carrying the Trypanosoma brucei gambiense which was identified during the study in Ipono. The strain that we isolated was studied by isoenzyme electrophoresis on cellulose acetate. Its zymodeme is the same as that of the human strain isolated in Campo. With the collected epidemiological data, a concerted medical and entomological action could be planned within the limits of the village of Ipono to eradicate the disease. This action may be organised by the existing local health structures. During this study, the latex CATT proved to be more cost-effective than the CATT 1.3 since a similar result was reached requiring eight times less work at a lower cost. This remains to be confirmed in a hyperendemic focus.
Animals↗
Molecular epidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 sub-subtype A3 in Senegal from 1988 to 2001.
The global human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)epidemic is characterized by significant genetic diversity in circulating viruses. We have recently characterized a group of viruses that form a distinct sub-subtype within the subtype A radiation, which we have designated HIV type 1 (HIV-1) sub-subtype A, circulating in West Africa. A prospective study of a cohort of female sex workers (FSW) in Dakar, Senegal over an 18-year period indicated that an A3-specific sequence in the C2-V3 region of the env gene was found in 46 HIV-1-infected women. HIV-1 sub-subtype A3 appeared in the FSW population as early as 1988 and continued to be transmitted as of 2001. We also found that HIV-1 A3 is not confined to the FSW cohort in Senegal but is also circulating in the general population in Dakar. Furthermore, analyses of viral sequences from a few other West and Central African countries also demonstrated evidence of HIV-1 A3 sequence in isolates from HIV-1-infected people in Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Niger, Guinea Bissau, Benin, and Equatorial Guinea. Overall, because of the evidence of sub-subtype A3 in the general population in Senegal, as well as in a few neighboring West and Central African countries, along with the increasing incidence of infection with A3-containing viruses in the Dakar high-risk FSW population, we feel that HIV-1 sub-subtype A3 viruses are important to distinguish and monitor.
Base Sequence↗
Decree-Law guaranteeing the ownership of rural land to property grantees, 1987.
This Decree-Law provides that a buyer may become the owner of abandoned land by paying 10% of the land price to the Government of Equatorial Guinea. The buyer is required to present and carry out a five-year plan for cultivation and may not sell the land to a third person. If these conditions are not fulfilled, the land must be returned to the State, which will then distribute the land to villages.
Africa↗
Integration of disease control programmes.
In Equatorial Guinea the structures of the Trypanosomiasis Control Programme and the primary health care network are being used by the country's campaign against schistosomiasis. The benefits--and considerable difficulties--of this endeavour are discussed in the present article.
Communicable Disease Control↗
HIV-1 subtype J recombinant viruses in Spain.
Genetic characterization of HIV-1 was carried out in two women who originated in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, respectively, and who were diagnosed more recently as HIV-1 seropositive in Madrid, Spain. Phylogenetic studies showed that the protease-encoding gene from both individuals clustered with subtype J sequences with a high bootstrap. However, env sequences clustered with subtypes A and C, respectively. This work represents the first characterization of HIV-1 containing subtype J-like genomic regions in Spain.
Base Sequence↗
[A survey of the prevalence of leprosy in 5 countries in central Africa].
The authors report the results of national surveys conducted in 5 Central Africa states: Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and RCA. The method used was cluster sampling among random populations. Only adults (greater than 15 years of age) took part in the study. The prevalence rates were between 6 and 14 per thousand. They are markedly higher than the official data.
Adolescent↗
[Paragonimiasis and pulmonary tuberculosis].
Paragonimiasis (infestation by the Paragonimus species) in Spain is a very infrequent entity within the group of imported infectious diseases. A native, resident of Equatorial Guinea who was affected by pulmonary and probably extrapulmonary paragonimiasis together with active pulmonary tuberculosis is described. This association is relatively common and may complicate the diagnostic process. The identification of the parasite was established from samples of pulmonary secretion obtained by natural expulsion and by fiber bronchoscopy in which Kinyoun carbonfucsine dye, Giemsa dye and argentic impregnation were used. The possibility of neurological disease existing (medullar and cerebral) produced by the same parasite is also discussed. Antituberculous treatment and the use of praziquantel satisfactorily control both infections.
Adult↗
Cytotaxonomy, morphology and molecular systematics of the Bioko form of Simulium yahense (Diptera: Simuliidae).
Cytotaxonomic analysis of the polytene chromosomes from larvae of the Simulium damnosum Theobald complex from the island of Bioko in Equatorial Guinea is reported, and a new endemic cytoform is described. Chromosomally this cytoform is close to both S. squamosum (Enderlein) and S. yahense Vajime & Dunbar, but is not identical to either. However, it is morphologically and enzymatically identical to S. yahense. The Bioko form was also found to differ from other cytoforms of the S. damnosum complex in West Africa in the copy number or RFLP pattern of several different repetitive DNA sequences. It is clear that the Bioko form is genetically distinct from other populations of the S. damnosum complex, and whilst it is closest to S. yahense, it shows features that suggest a high degree of geographical and genetic isolation. Such isolation is an important consideration in the assessment of the potential for onchocerciasis vector eradication on Bioko.
Animals↗
Obstructed inguinal hernia: role of technical aid program.
AIM: The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of the presence of a surgeon on the outcome of obstructed inguinal hernia at Mongomo, in Equatorial Guinea. METHODOLOGY: A prospective study of patients with obstructed inguinal hernia seen between June 1997 and May 1999 was carried out. During the same period, all uncomplicated hernias seen at the surgical outpatient clinic were noted. RESULT: Fifteen patients presented with obstructed inguinal hernia, while 138 were uncomplicated. All the 15 patients were males, and one of them died. Death resulted from lack of treatment as he presented on our arrival on a technical aid program from Nigeria. The others (N = 14) were operated upon, and eight of them had resection of the intestine because of gangrene. The duration of obstruction was more than two days among those that had bowel resection. COMMENT: Inguinal hernia is a treatable surgical condition. When done electively, the cost and the risk of treatment are very low. Operative treatment can only be offered to patients with inguinal hernia by a surgeon in the community. CONCLUSION: The study has demonstrated that the presence of a surgeon in a community changes the outcome of obstructed inguinal hernia. Sponsorship of medical aid programs should be encouraged.
Equatorial Guinea↗
The formation of the brush-sticks: modification of chimpanzees or the by-product of folding?
Based on field research and experimental treatments of trees, we investigated the formation of the brush-like shape of digging sticks used by chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes). Evidence obtained in the field consisted of digging sticks found in Mboete, Equatorial Guinea, which is a newly reported locality for this type of tool, and Campo, Cameroon. Digging sticks used by chimpanzees in these areas had a brush-like shape at one end, which was quite different from the other end that was probably used for digging. In our tree-breaking experiment, 8 out of 17 species acquired a typical brush-like shape without human modification when broken off, and the shapes of the stumps were similar to those found in the field. Other species did not acquire the brush-like shape naturally or even after human modifications, and the stumps had different shapes from those found in the field. Our findings suggest that the brush-like shapes of digging sticks are often naturally formed when broken off from trees, depending on the nature of the fibre structure, and that the brush-like end is not used as the digging tool. We conclude that the vegetation surrounding termite mounds might influence how chimpanzees combine different types of tools, i.e., digging stick, brush-stick and fishing tool, for obtaining termites.
Animals↗
[Cutaneous filariasis Loa Loa: 26 moroccan cases of importation].
INTRODUCTION: Loa Loa filariasis or loiasis is a subcutaneous and bloody vectorial parasitosis. It is endemic in forest and swamp areas of west and central Africa. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed 26 moroccan cases of importation. All patients had visited Equatorial Guinea. Transient and migratory edema with pruritus were described in all cases and seen in 5 cases. A history of eyeworm was reported in 13 patients and subcutaneous migration of adult Loa Loa in 19 patients. Other features including fever and asthenia were reported in 11 patients. Microfilaremia was positive in 8 patients and eosinophilia was present in 22 patients. Fifteen patients were treated with diethylcarbamazine alone and 9 patients with ivermectin and diethylcarbamazine. Two patients were treated with ivermectin alone. Relapses were noted in 8 cases. No visceral complications were noted excepting one case of terminal hematury. DISCUSSION: Loiasis is a filarial infection of man that occurs exclusively in central and West Africa. The most common symptoms being pruritus with temporary, localised edema, subcutaneous and subconjonctival eye passage of the adult worm, fever and fatigue. The biologic diagnosis of loaisis is made on peripheral microfilariae, filarial serology and eosinophil count. Travel and visits endemic areas were at the origin of the emergence of this pathology in Morocco. Filarial Loa Loa infection should be treated with diethylcarbamazine and/or ivermectin.
Adult↗
[The halofantrine treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Clinical experience].
UNLABELLED: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of halofantrine in the treatment of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum since the resistance of these plasmodium to chloroquine is increasing in countries of Western Africa. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between January 1991 and June 1994 we studied 50 children from Equatorial Guinea. All of them were black and between the ages of 8 months and 13 years. They were treated with 3 doses of halofantrine (8 mg/kg every 6 hours). The definitive diagnosis was made by the demonstration of the parasites on thick and thin blood smears, stained by standard methods, repeated every 24-72 yours after therapy. We considered the disappearance of fever and the clearance of plasmodium from the red blood cells as signs of response to the treatment. We also monitored the tolerance and the adverse side effects of the drug. RESULTS: All of the patients responded favorably with the disappearance of the fever after 24 hours and after 72 hours no parasites were seen in red blood cells. Only one patient had a recurrence, which occurred on the 10th day. All patient satisfactorily tolerated the drug and only 3 children showed an increase of aminotransferases that was spontaneously cured. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that halofantrine is a safe and efficient drug for the treatment of children diagnosed with malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum.
Adolescent↗
Interpretation of antibodies reacting solely with human retroviral core proteins in western equatorial Africa.
Out of 4176 sera from asymptomatic adults originating from Chad, equatorial Guinea and Gabon tested for HIV-1 antibodies, 146 (3.5%) were positive by an enzyme immunoassay (EIA). By Western blot (WB), 20 (0.5%) were positive, i.e. with antibodies to the core and the envelope proteins, 96 (2.3%) were indeterminate, i.e. with antibodies to the viral core proteins only and 30 (0.7%) were negative. On testing for HIV-2 by WB, two of the 96 indeterminate sera had antibodies to the HIV-2 envelope glycoproteins. Two complementary tests were used: a radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA) and a HIV EIA recombinant assay (ENVACOR) to check 53 of these indeterminate sera. Forty-one were positive for the p25 protein in RIPA, of which 34 were negative in ENVACOR; six were positive for core proteins only and one was positive for envelope and core proteins using this assay. Twelve of the 53 indeterminate sera were negative in RIPA, of which 11 were negative and one positive for core proteins in ENVACOR. Thus, 42 of these sera remained indeterminate even after the two additional tests which did not allow a distinction between retroviral infection or non-specific reactions. We were able to isolate an unusual HIV-1 virus from lymphocyte cultures of two subjects presenting antibodies directed only against the core proteins.
Africa, Western↗
Usual diet in Bubis, a rural immigrant population of African origin in Madrid.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the usual diet of an immigrant Bubis population living in Madrid, the main ethnic group from the Island of Bioco, Equatorial Guinea, and explore how different it is from the predominant diet in West Africa and from the adult population of Madrid. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. We randomly selected a sample of 213 Bubis aged 18-84 years, 83 men and 130 women, who were born in Bioco, emigrated and now live in the Madrid area. Participants were interviewed about their usual diet with the use of a food frequency questionnaire. Height and weight were also measured during interviews and prevalence of obesity was estimated as a body mass index (kg m(-2)). SETTING: The urban area of Madrid in 2001. RESULTS: The diet of the Bubis living in the metropolitan area of Madrid resembles more the urban diet observed among Spanish people than the traditional rural diet observed among people of West Africa. The percentage of calories from fat, protein and carbohydrates was 33.9, 18.3 and 47.7%, respectively. The Bubi diet presented a much higher protein intake and much lower fat intake than the usual diet in Cameroon. The usual Bubi diet also contained more protein and less fat and alcohol than the predominant diet of adult population living in the Madrid area. Women presented higher prevalence of obesity (23.2%) than men (11.0%), and even higher than that observed among Spanish women. CONCLUSIONS: The first immigrant generation of Bubis in Madrid showed food and nutrient intakes closer to the prevalent diet in Madrid than to the diet of their native land. The impact of this westernization of the diet of this and other immigrant populations in Spain needs to be monitored in the future.
Adolescent↗
Molecular analyses of HIV-1 group O and HIV-2 variants from Africa.
Genetic variation among HIV isolates creates challenges for their detection by serologic and genetic techniques. To characterize the sequence variation and its correlation to serologic diversity of HIV-1 Group O and HIV-2 isolates, samples were identified by differential reactivity in selected commercial and research assays. Analysis of sera from Equatorial Guinea (EG) led to identification of 4 HIV-1 Group O variants. Viral RNA, extracted from these samples was used to PCR amplify overlapping sequences of the entire envelope gene using multiple primer pairs. Sequence analysis indicated that the V3 loop nucleotide and protein sequences aligned more closely with HIVANT70 compared to other Group O sequences. The amino acid sequences at the octameric tip of the V3 loop were RIGPLAWY, RIGPMAWY, or GLGPLAVY. The tetrameric tip GPLA is represented only once in the published 1994 HIV database (Los Alamos) but was present in 2 of 4 of EG samples. The immuno-dominant region (IDR) sequences derived from EG sera were unique in that none of the sequences were completely homologous to other HIV-1 group O variants. Further, the HIV-1 group O sequence variation could be correlated with differential serologic reactivity using IDR peptides. Compared to HIV-1, the sequence information on HIV-2 isolates is relatively limited, though the HIV-2 isolates also show genetic variation similar to HIV-1. To further establish a correlation between the genetic diversity and serologic detection of HIV-2, plasma samples from Western Africa were evaluated. Eight samples were selected based on weak serologic reactivity to env proteins. PCR amplification and sequence analysis of the gag, env V3 loop, and env IDR regions indicated that the samples could be classified as subtypes A (4 samples), B (3 samples) and D (1 sample). Across the subtypes, there was conservation in the IDR region of the sequence WGCAFRQVCHT. This region is absolutely conserved among the majority of currently known HIV-2 and related SIV viruses (1994 HIV database). One subtype B sample had a unique sequence immediately adjacent to the IDR, however, this did not change the serologic detection using a HIV-2 IDR specific monoclonal antibody.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗