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PubMed2000

Features of the metabolic syndrome predict higher risk of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance: a prospective study in Mauritius.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the independent and joint effects of the components of the metabolic syndrome, including leptin, which is a recently proposed addition to this syndrome, in predicting the cumulative incidence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and diabetes among individuals with normal glucose tolerance. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This prospective study involved 2,605 residents of Mauritius with normal glucose tolerance who were followed for 5 years for IGT or diabetes onset in relation to total and regional adiposity (BMI, waist-to-hip ratio [WHR]), fasting and 2-h 75-g oral glucose load glucose and insulin, total and HDL cholesterol, blood pressure, serum uric acid, triglyceride, and leptin levels. RESULTS: A multivariate logistic regression model adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, and diabetes family history showed a significantly higher linear increase in risk of IGT and diabetes in association with the following variables only: fasting glucose (odds ratio 1.89 [95% CI 1.51-2.34]), 2-h glucose (1.68 [1.50-1.88]), WHR (1.30 [1.10-1.52]), BMI (1.04 [1.00-1.08]), and serum uric acid (1.37 [1.20-1.57]). However, a nonlinear increase was seen with serum triglyceride and plasma leptin concentrations. No risk factors resulted in joint effects that were greater than expected from combining individual effects. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic syndrome features independently predict a higher risk of diabetes or IGT in normoglycemic subjects but in combination confer no higher-than-expected risk of these outcomes. At higher concentrations of triglycerides and leptin, risk plateaus and even declines slightly.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Melioidosis in Mauritius.

We report the first case of human melioidosis from Mauritius, where Burkholderia pseudomallei has never been isolated. The patient was immunocompromised, had never traveled abroad, and had a history of regular exposure to mud. She became ill at a time when rainfall was higher than the monthly average.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Method switching and not using modern methods lead to abortions in Mauritius.

Contraceptive prevalence in Mauritius (76%) is among the highest in the world. Yet, it is estimated that each year there are some 20,000 cases of induced abortion, which is illegal in the country. A study based on a sample of 475 women admitted to three hospitals with complications due to induced abortion revealed considerable use of unreliable methods (e.g., withdrawal and natural methods), frequent method switching, and inconsistent use of modern methods. The study also found that women seeking abortion were usually under 30 years of age, and 20% of women with abortion complications were not using any method, and some 50% were using an unreliable method at the time they became pregnant. It emerged that with increasing numbers of women employed, their work schedules hindered their going to a family planning clinic and resulted in abortion being used as a back-up to contraception failure. Among the women with abortion complications, 25% had already had a previous abortion. These findings came as a big surprise to the family planning services. To discuss the findings, a national symposium was held in July, 1993. The symposium was attended by government ministers, members of parliament, and international personalities in the field of family planning. A discussion of the results of the study also took place in the National Assembly, where a motion was tabled to decriminalize abortion. The findings also facilitated, albeit indirectly, the approval of Norplant in the country.

Abortion, Induced↗

PubMed1964

"SALTWATER ANOPHELES GAMBIAE" ON MAURITIUS.

In this paper the author reports the results of three months' study of the saltwater-breeding member of the Anopheles gambiae complex of sibling species on Mauritius.There is evidence for the views that this form's distribution on the island is limited by the availability of suitable breeding areas, that it does not usually disperse far from the breeding grounds or coast, and that it is probably not an important vector except, perhaps, in the near vicinity of its breeding places.Some new evidence is presented in support of the view that this form (and forms A and B) are distinct species. This turns on the observed close coexistence of these three forms on Mauritius, supported by a theoretical consideration of what would be expected to happen in such circumstances if a system of random mating prevailed.Evidence is given that the Mauritian saltwater-breeding form of the A. gambiae complex is conspecific with the form occurring on the east coast of Africa.The practical importance of reaching general agreement on the evolutionary status of the members of the A. gambiae complex is emphasized.

Africa↗

PubMed1992

Susceptibility of Macaca fascicularis monkeys from Mauritius to different species of Plasmodium.

Macaca fascicularis monkeys from Mauritius were shown to be susceptible via sporozoite inoculation to 7 species of Plasmodium (P. fragile, P. coatneyi, P. gonderi, P. inui, P. cynomolgi, P. knowlesi, and P. fieldi), indigenous to macaques in southeastern Asia. Four monkeys were sequentially infected with different species of Plasmodium to determine maximum and course of parasitemia. In 2 nonsplenectomized monkeys, P. fragile developed maximum parasite counts of only 134 and 155/microliters. For Plasmodium knowlesi, a parasite that is life-threatening to rhesus monkeys, maximum parasite counts were 4,278 and 7,440/microliters. Plasmodium coatneyi developed to what must be considered as moderate levels. After animals underwent splenectomy, parasite counts of P. coatneyi were 58,280, 89,094, 4,464, and 43,524/microliters. The maximum parasite counts for P. gonderi (13,508 and 21,576/microliters) and P. fieldi (1,767 and 17,836/microliters) were lower than would be expected in M. mulatta. In 2 monkeys that developed patent parasitemia with P. inui, the maximum parasite counts (95,046 and 728,748/microliters) indicated that this parasite may be the best adapted species for development in these animals once infection is established. Finally, the reinfection of 2 monkeys with P. cynomolgi suggested that some animals may be basically more resistant than others, whether splenectomized or not, to the production of high-density parasitemia.

Animals↗

PubMed1979

Recent observations on schistosomiasis in Mauritius.

Purpose of this study, carried out between 1967 and 1975, was to bring the existing knowledge on schistosomiasis in Mauritius up-to-date. The paper describes the distribution, the behaviour and the infection rates of Bulinus cernicus, the local intermediate snail host, and its role in human infection.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Major inhalant allergens in Mauritius.

BACKGROUND: Bronchial asthma appears to be an important but neglected problem in tropical countries. There is little information about the role of atopy in tropical climates and how atopy is related to asthma there. OBJECTIVE: The present work was aimed at determining the pattern of total serum IgE-titers among a group of patients suffering from asthma in Mauritius. METHOD: Twenty-five asthmatic patients and ten controls who met the criteria for the study were registered. A comprehensive clinical evaluation was followed by allergy skin testing (prick test) to common aeroallergens. Serum total IgE levels were measured in all 35 participants. RESULTS: Of 22 patients studied, 22 had significant levels of IgE when tested to airborne allergens. Positive skin tests against Dermatophagoide pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoide farinae correlated well with the presence of serum total IgE. Sixteen patients also had had moderate to severe exacerbations throughout the year. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that house dust mite is an important allergen producing symptoms throughout the year in our patients.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed1996

Incidence, increasing prevalence, and predictors of change in obesity and fat distribution over 5 years in the rapidly developing population of Mauritius.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and trends in prevalence of obesity and adverse fat distribution in Mauritius over 5 years. DESIGN: Prevalence studies were conducted in 1987 and 1992, incidence was estimated in a sub-sample of subjects attending on both occasions. SUBJECTS: 5021 Indian, Creole and Chinese Mauritian adults aged 25-74 were examined in 1987, in 1992 5111 subjects were examined, of whom 3667 had data from 1987. MEASUREMENTS: Body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR) and 75g oral glucose tolerance test. Questionnaire data were collected on parity, physical activity, smoking, education and income. RESULTS: The prevalence of 'overweight or obesity' (BMI > 25 kg/m2) increased from 26.1% to 35.7% in men and from 37.9% to 47.7% in women. The prevalence of abdominal obesity (WHR > 85 percentile in 1987 for each sex) also increased. The cumulative incidence of overweight or obesity in men ranged from 10.8% in Chinese to 18.2% in Creoles, and in women from 16.1% to 27.5% in Chinese and Creoles, respectively. The incidence of abdominal obesity exceeded 20% in Indian men and Indian and Creole women. Increases in BMI were predicted by younger age, leanness, non-diabetic glucose tolerance, smoking cessation (men) and multiparity and lower baseline income (women). Increases in WHR were predicted by ethnicity and BMI in men, and by glucose tolerance and BMI in women. CONCLUSION: The increases in obesity observed in this study occurred despite concurrent national programs promoting a healthy diet and increased physical activity. This highlights the difficulty of reversing the adverse effects of lifestyle change in rapidly modernising populations.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1998

[The island of Mauritius: insularity, tropicality, modernity, a dialogue in the form of a lesson].

Mauritius, a lost volcanic island in the indian ocean situated at the 20th degree of latitude, is a tiny state which got its independence in 1968. The isolation, the tropicality, the demographic boom, the ethnic diversity and the absence of raw materials could funnel this peaceful beauty to become a hot-bed of desperation and violence. This place which is one of the most densely populated areas, is an example of modern democracy and cultural coexistence. Owing to a skillful and pragmatic politic, its leaders have transformed handicaps into trump cards. The allocation of a part of the GNP for social and hygienic investments had been the locomotive pulling the train of improvements and raising the standard of living for the inhabitants. The ageing population, the rapidity of evolution the demographic and health transitions are expression of this skillful politic. In less than twenty years, this island conquered underdevelopment and proved that there is no tropical fatality when a programme of health accompanies development.

Developing Countries↗

PubMed1998

Maternal exposure to influenza in pregnancy and electrodermal activity in offspring: a further study from Mauritius.

This study examined the effect of mothers' exposure to the 1957 A2/Singapore influenza virus in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy on the electrodermal activity of their 15-year-old offspring. The epidemic occurred during cold months of the year. The results show that maternal viral (and cold) exposure during all trimesters of pregnancy produced a lower frequency of nonspecific electrodermal responses and diminished responsivity to 75-db and 90-db tones as compared with the offspring of mothers who were not exposed. However, there was a critical effect of second trimester exposure as indicated by an increase in frequency of nonresponses to orienting tones. The findings are compared with those from an earlier study from Mauritius involving 3-year-old children in which the effects of exposure to the 1968 A2/Hong Kong virus were examined and in which the effect of could exposure could be examined separately because viral exposure occurred during the hot months.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1977

Family planning in Mauritius: a national survey.

In the context of the Mauritian government's policy of encouraging fertility reduction, in 1975 the Ministry of Health requested the University of Mauritius to conduct the first national survey of contraceptive knowledge and use. The results for the 1,821 ever-married women under age 50 who were interviewed indicated high levels of knowledge and use of contraception. Nevertheless, there is still a need for increased efforts to retrieve dropouts and to improve the efficiency of contraceptive use.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996