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Biomedical subjects

F Mesnier

Publications and source records attributed to F Mesnier.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Possible sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus].

The development of hepatitis C virus (HCV) serology has made it possible to identify high-risk populations. The predominant mode of contamination is parenteral, but the relative frequency of the so-called sporadic hepatitis C cannot be explained in this way, and this raises the question of possible sexual contamination. The risk of HCV being transmitted by sexual intercourse has been studied in 30 couples, each with one infected partner. Among the 30 HCV seropositive subjects, 18 were followed up for chronic hepatitis and 2 for haemophilia; 10 were recruited in sessions of blood donation. The other 30 partners were tested for HCV seropositivity and investigated for other possible risk factors by means of a questionnaire. Three of them had antibodies to HCV, but only one, whose partner had chronic hepatitis, showed no other source of contamination. The prevalence of HCV positivity was 3.3 percent overall and 5.5 percent in the chronic hepatitis group. Thus, the risk of HCV heterosexual contamination is low when compared with that of the other sexually transmitted diseases. However, the prevalence of HCV in this population seems to be 5 to 10 times higher on average than in the general population.

Adult

[Prevalence and epidemiologic features of subjects found to be infected with HIV when donating blood. CTS of the "Retrovirus" Study Group of the Société Nationale de Transfusion Sanguine].

HIV seroprevalence decreased from 0.62% in 1985 to 0.11% in the first 1990 semester. However, the number of regular blood donors screened as seropositive remains constant since 1988: 48 in 1988, 49 in 1989 and 25 in the first 6 months of 1990. From these data, from reports on recipients and due to the exclusion of 30% of such donors by anti-HBc screening, the residual risk to transmit HIV by blood transfusion was estimated to 17 blood donations per year in France. No significant change was observed throughout these years either in sex ratio or in the repartition into age groups. The number of HIV-infected subjects through the heterosexual route has not increased. The number of homosexuals and of IVDA has dramatically decreased since 1985, homosexuals still representing the major at-risk group.

Adult

HIV 2 infection among blood donors and other subjects in France. The "Retrovirus" Study Group of the French Society of Blood Transfusion.

During a 3 year period, from August 1985 to August 1988, 18 HIV 2-infected blood donors were detected in France as a result of systematic HIV 1 screening. These sera were characterized as HIV 2 by specific Western blot and synthetic peptides. Within the same period, 40 other HIV 2 infected subjects were identified by our study group, independently of blood donations. Thirty of these 58 subjects living in France originate from West Africa (8 blood donors), 3 (I blood donor) are Portuguese men who had lived in West Africa and 25 (9 blood donors) are of French origin; among these, 16 have had a known close contact with West Africa. When HIV 2-infected subjects were asymptomatic, cross reactivity between antibodies to HIV 2 and HIV 1 proteins was generally observed with the two-step ELISA assays using total HIV 1 proteins; it was poor with the competitive assays and variable with the assays using recombinant proteins. When the subjects had signs of immunodeficiency, cross reactivity decreased. The data confirm that HIV 2 is not widespread in France and that most of HIV 2-infected but asymptomatic subjects are recognized by several HIV 1 ELISA assays. Accordingly, systematic screening for HIV 2 with an additional test cannot be recommended at the present time, but a combined HIV 1 and HIV 2 test will be useful when available.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Technical aspects of different donor plasmapheresis systems and biological results obtained in collected plasma.

Four plasmapheresis systems were comparatively studied: a centrifugation system (Haemonetics Model 50) and three filtration ones (Dideco BT 810, Organon Teknika PLASMAPUR and HemaScience Autopheresis Plasmacell). For each separator we studied the technical conditions for plasma separation, the biological characteristics of the collected plasma and the in vitro recovery of factor VIIc after preparation of cryoprecipitates. Concerning the plasma extraction rate, the HemaScience apparatus was the most efficient but values were quite similar to those obtained with the Organon Teknika machine. Contaminating cells were only found in plasma separated with the Haemonetics. Total protein and immunoglobulin levels were higher in plasma collected with the Haemonetics and HaemaScience systems. Factor VIIIc activity was comparable in plasma separated by filtration or by centrifugation while fibrinopeptide A levels were higher in plasma collected by Haemonetics. Whatever the machine, no statistical difference was observed when in vitro recovery of factor VIII was studied.

Blood Donors

[Rapid and simultaneous screening and quantitation of antitetanus and anti-HBs antibodies using Laurell's method].

Every transfusion Center which must hunt out anti-tetanus and anti-HBs antibodies to obtain specific corresponding immunoglobulins, is submitted to rapidity, precision and low cost necessity. In order to satisfy these obligations, the authors describe a simple and rapid method, allowing use of the same serum, through a single stage, and simultaneously, screening and quantitation of anti-tetanus antibodies (according to Laurells' method) and of fractionation suitable anti-HBs antibodies (through electro immunodiffusion). Technical conditions exposed in this paper allow direct quantitation of anti-tetanus antibodies from 1 to 30-40 IU; dilutions can be made for upper titers. False negative reactions due to zone effect, as observed in EID and passive haemagglutination do not occur while using this method. Its routine use contributes to the increase of the percentage of fractionation suitable plasmas, without overloading the screening laboratory's tash.

Antibodies, Bacterial

[Excretion in rat urine of substances derived from the basal glomerular membrane].

We have prepared in rabbits antibodies against rat GBM, with GBM prepared from isolated glomeruli issued from rat renal cortex. It is shown with immunodiffusion technique the excretion of basement membrane-like fragments into the normal rat urine. This result confirms the earlier works studying the human and rabbit urines. The origin and the nature of this patterns, the signification of this presence into the mammalian urines are discussed.

Animals

[IgD myeloma].

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Bone Neoplasms