Diagnosis and treatment of nonodontogenic epithelial cysts. Apropos of 14 cases collected from the Oral Surgery Service of the University Hospital Center of Fann]

Non odontogenic epithelial cyst, again called fissurary cyst, are dysembryophasic cyst of maxillary, they are born throughout the sutures line of faces. Their diagnosis is raising again association of clinic symptom, especially complementary examination and in particular dental vitality test. Their treatment is surgical. Around 14 cysts fissurary have been recorded in a seven-year period.     

Further studies on the hepatoprotective effects of Cochlospermum tinctorium rhizomes.

The hepatoprotective activity of the rhisome of Cochlospermum tinctorium was investigated using carbon tetrachloride toxicity on mouse and tert-butyl hydroperoxide in vitro induction of lipid peroxidation and hepatocyte lysis. Aqueous, hydro-ethanolic and ethanolic extracts showed significant dose-dependent hepatoprotective actions. The ethanolic extract showed a hepatoprotective activity at lower doses than silymarin. The ethanolic and hydro-ethanolic extracts exhibited remarkable effects against the induction of lipid peroxidation and hepatocyte lysis; the aqueous extract showed comparatively weaker effects. These differences were related to the chemical composition of the extracts. Among the identified constituents of the drug, phenolic and polyphenolic compounds (gallic and ellagic acids, ellagitannins, flavonoids), carotenoids, triterpenes could be related to the biological activity.     

Do insecticide-treated curtains reduce all-cause child mortality in Burkina Faso?

To evaluate whether insecticide-treated netting (ITN) reduces child mortality in different epidemiological settings, 4 large, randomized, controlled trials were conducted in Africa. Here we report the findings from the trial in Burkina Faso, in an area of hyperendemic and markedly seasonal malaria transmission. The trial involved 158 villages, with a total population of some 90,000, grouped into 16 geographical clusters. Ascertainment of mortality among children aged 6–59 months began in early 1993. In June/July 1994, 8 of the clusters, randomly selected, received permethrin-treated curtains. Follow-up of children and ascertainment of mortality continued until May 1996. A 15% reduction in all-cause mortality among children aged 6–59 months was observed over the 2-year period following the installation of the curtains (95% c.i. – 4% to 30%). In the first year, post-intervention mortality was substantially lower in the clusters receiving curtains compared with the control clusters (rate ratio = 0.74; 95% c.i. 0.57, 0.95) but in the second year, there was no difference between mortality in the two groups (rate ratio = 0.99). The overall two-year impact of the intervention is consistent with the impacts observed in other trials which have demonstrated reductions in child mortality of from 17% to 33%. However, the year-by-year analysis raises some concerns about the long-term effect of ITN. Further follow-up of this population is warranted.     

Ultrasonographic aspects of urinary schistosomiasis in children of the Dogon plateau and the Niger office; impact of praziquantel treatment

Urinary bilharziasis is a parasitic infection responsible for vesical, urethral and renal lesions. The authors demonstrate the importance of ambulatory echography on a large scale and describe various echographic lesions. Vesical attacks occurred in 27% of the wall irregularity, 44% of the masses and polyps. Pyelic and urethral abnormalities occurred in 16.6% and 29.9% of cases respectively at the baseline in 1991. These prevalence rates decreased after seven years, in 1998. The authors discuss the utility of chemotherapy with praziquantel and the necessity of a periodical mass treatment in the areas with high bilharziasis endemicity in Mali.     

Absolute CD4 T-cell counting in resource-poor settings: direct volumetric measurements versus bead-based clinical flow cytometry instruments

Flow cytometry is an accurate but expensive method to determine absolute CD4 cell counts. We compared different methods to measure absolute CD4 counts in blood samples from HIV-infected and uninfected subjects using a research/clinical flow cytometer (FACScan); a dedicated clinical instrument (FACSCount); and a volumetric, mobile, open-system flow cytometer equipped with 3 fluorescence and 2 light scatter detectors (Cyflow SL blue). The FACScan and Cyflow were used as single-platform instruments, but they differ in running cost, which is a central factor for resource-poor settings. Direct volumetric and bead-based CD4 measurements on the Cyflow were compared with 2 bead-based single-platform CD4 measurements on the FACSCount and on FACScan (TruCount) in "Le Dantec" Hospital, Dakar, Senegal, using whole blood samples from 102 HIV+ and 28 HIV- subjects. The agreement between the various measurement methods was evaluated by Bland-Altman analysis. Volumetric CD4 measurements on the Cyflow using a no-lyse-no-wash (NLNW) procedure and a lyse-no-wash (LNW) procedure correlated well with each other (R2 = 0.98) and with CD4 measurements on the FACSCount (R2 = 0.97) and FACScan (R2 = 0.97), respectively. Red blood cell lysis had no negative effect on the accuracy of absolute CD4 counting on the Cyflow. An excellent correlation was observed between bead-based CD4 measurements on the Cyflow and CD4 measurements on the FACSCount (R2 = 0.99) and FACScan (R2 = 0.99). Rigid internal and external quality control monitoring and adequate training of technicians were considered essential to generate accurate volumetric CD4 measurements on the Cyflow.     

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in Mali. Epidemiology and pathological aspects

I,858 semi quantitative G6PD determinations were done in Mali (mostly in the Point G Hospital, in Bamako). 15.7% of the men and 4.5% of the women had a G6PD deficiency. The age did not affect the incidence of the disease. G6PD deficiency was more frequent among the Sonrais than among the other ethnic groups tested. It did not occur more frequently among subjects having the sickling trait of AC hemoglobinopathy but no G6PD was found among subjects having a major hemoglobinopathy (SS or SC). Severe hemolytic anemia was rather infrequent among adults subjects. Hemolysis was induced by drugs--such as dapsone or niridazole--but it was usually mild and time-limited.     

Application of multiple methods to study the immunization programme in an urban area of Guinea

During 1988-89, studies were conducted to evaluate the immunization system in Conakry, Guinea. The first, a health facility survey, found that health staff screened the vaccination status of only 30% of children who presented for curative care. A sterile syringe and needle were used for less than half of the injections. In the second survey, key informant interviews with vaccinators and health centre chiefs showed that there were minimal lines of communication between health workers and the community, but that health workers did not perceive this to be a problem. Focus group discussions in the community revealed a high level of general knowledge about vaccine-preventable diseases. However, mothers did not know how many vaccinations their children should receive or by what age they should be completed. They complained of long waiting times in health centres, the high costs of vaccination, poor rapport with health workers, and the occurrence of abscesses after vaccination. The final study, a "knowledge, attitudes, and practice" community survey, showed that missed immunization opportunities and inappropriately timed vaccinations reduced potential vaccine coverage by almost 30% among children with vaccination cards. Higher socioeconomic status, delivery in hospital, and whether mothers perceived the vaccinations to be affordable affected whether the child began the immunization series. Once a child had entered the immunization system, completion of the series was determined by the mother's education level, employment status, and experience with vaccination services.