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E H Benzerroug

Publications and source records attributed to E H Benzerroug.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Indoor and outdoor nebulization of DDT in the campaign against cutaneous zoonotic leishmaniasis in Algeria].

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis is expanding in certain regions of Algeria. Since 1981, when the disease was confined to the foci of Biskra and Abadla, it spread to the neighbouring departments (wilayas) and especially to the wilaya of M'sila. The authors report the results of a large campaign against the disease, using DDT house spraying, in this wilaya. The annual incidence, which was 426 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in January 1983, dropped to 17.9 in January 1984. In addition, the efficacy of DDT in the reduction of the sandfly population was tested in two localities. One was sprayed with DDT and the other was not. In the sprayed locality the sandfly population decreased markedly as compared to the control locality. From these observations the authors believe that DDT plays a major role in the interruption of transmission, a hypothesis which needs to be confirmed by case-control studies. They further recommend that an interdisciplinary approach should be developed for the control of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Aerosols↗
PubMed1991

[Seroepidemiological study of malaria in the Algerian Sahara].

On the basis of geoclimatic characteristics, the Saharan region of Algeria (area, 2 million km2) is made up of several subregions; analysis of the historical data on malaria in this region seems to show that the epidemiological situation is closely linked to climatic and hydrographic conditions. A longitudinal sero-epidemiological study was conducted in this vast region from September 1983 to April 1985. The general findings do not appear to support the existence of active foci of transmission, but analysis of the data for certain oases and localities leads to a quite different assessment of the epidemiological situation. At Ouargla, for example, the serological results obtained by indirect immunofluorescence show prevalence of under 5% in the four successive surveys, whereas in Heïha oasis over 50% of subjects over 30 years of age were found to be seropositive. The results of the longitudinal seroepidemiological surveys conducted in a number of localities and oases in the Saharan region reflect the diversity of epidemiological settings and provide evidence that there is low-level malaria transmission in some oases such as Heïha, Yakou, Ihérir and probably in In-Salah. These surveys confirm that malaria transmission has been halted in the former foci such as Ouargla and Timimoune. Finally, the longitudinal sero-epidemiological study shows there are movements of potential parasite carriers from countries south of the Sahara and therefore that oases associated with trans-Saharan trade are vulnerable.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Seroepidemiological study of urogenital schistosomiasis in Algeria: the focus of Khemis el Kechna].

Two foci of schistosomiasis are known to be active in Algeria, first in the north of the country, at wadi El Hamiz in relation with the dam of El Hamiz river in the commune of Khemis el Kechna; and the other in the south, in the Tassili N'Ajjer region (Djanet, Ihérir, Tamadjert). In relation with a preparatory phase of a control programme of the disease a sero-epidemiological study was performed in the focus of Khemis el Kechna in 1987-1988; 1,876 parasitological samples and 1,760 serological samples were collected. The parasitological prevalence was 4.90%, the serological prevalence was 15.6% with a wider distribution by age.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Detection of antibodies to Plasmodium vivax by indirect immunofluorescence: influence of the geographic origin of antigens and serum samples.

The results of a double-blind serological study of 15 sera sampled in a residual focus of vivax malaria transmission in Algeria, and of 7 sera from patients with slide-proven P. vivax infections acquired in India, are analyzed. The reactivity of each of these serum samples was tested by indirect immunofluorescence using 6 different batches of antigen, including 3 batches of P. vivax antigen prepared with isolates from Zaire (Africa), India and the Solomon Islands, respectively. The geometric mean of reciprocal titers (GMRT) calculated on the 7 sera from proven vivax infections fell from 289.8 using the homologous antigen from the same geographic origin (India) to 48.7 using a homologous (vivax) antigen originating from a different continent (Africa). Among the 15 samples from Algeria, the percentage of seropositives decreased from 100% using the homologous P. vivax antigen originating from the same continent (Africa) to 53.3% using a homologous antigen from India. Two aspects are included in the discussion: in seroepidemiological studies, sensitivity could be improved by the use of a homologous antigen from the same geographic origin; in detection of clinical cases of malaria and species identification based on serology, our results stress the need for caution in interpreting serological titers and for taking into account the geographic origin of the isolates used as antigen.

Antigens, Protozoan↗
PubMed1985

[Seroepidemiology of malaria in a residual focus in Algeria: Khemis El Kechua district].

The residual focus of Khemis el Kechna represented in 1981 nearly the totality of the autochtonous cases detected in Algeria that year (51 cases/53 cases). Control measures were applied during 3 successive years, the number of cases dropped from 51 in 1981 to 18 in 1982 and to 0 in 1983. In order to confirm the interruption of malaria transmission a sero-epidemiological study was carried out in 1984. The analysis of serological results by age, time and place of residence led to the conclusion that malaria transmission no longer occurs. A comparison of the serological results obtained by two blood sampling techniques (serum/dried blood on filter paper) confirmed the reliability of the results when eluted dried blood is used. A statistically significant difference was observed between the proportions of positives sera according to the antigen species used (P. falciparum culture strain or P. vivax obtained from patient originating from India.

Adolescent↗