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Biomedical subjects

M Le Bras

Publications and source records attributed to M Le Bras.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[First observations on the main plasma parameters of oxidative stress in homozygous sickle cell disease].

The present study report 7 cases of sickle homozygous disease which have been analysed using markers of the oxidative-stress, 26 african male subjects were studied: 7 Hb SS subjects (age: m = 20) and 19 control subjects (Hb AA, age: m = 40). Plasma concentrations of F-MDA, T-MDA, TBARS, alpha tocopherol, retinol and beta carotene were measured. Plasma MDA and TBARS mean levels increased in sickle homozygous patients more than in controls. However, only TBARS mean concentrations were significantly increased between patients and controls: TBARS: 4.14 +/- 1.49 nMol/ml for Hb SS versus 2.10 +/- 1.21 nMol/ml for Hb AA (P less than 0.005). Vitamin A and vitamin E concentrations were significantly lower in Hb SS than in Hb AA. Beta carotene was significantly increased in patients vs controls. The significant increase of TBARS explains the great importance of the oxidative damage, whereas the significant decrease of vitamins A and E, may contribute, at least for a part, to maintain the autoxidation process or reveals its intensity in these patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Failure of falciparum malaria prophylaxis by mefloquine in travelers from West Africa.

Due to the spread of chloroquine-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum in French speaking parts of Africa, we have found it necessary to prescribe mefloquine for antimalaria prophylaxis to travelers to this area. Weekly doses of 125 or 250 mg have been recommended for short journeys. In spite of this regimen, 16 documented cases of falciparum malaria in travelers have been recorded in the Bordeaux hospital center since October, 1988. Fifteen of these patients were tourists returning from West African countries, and one was an Ivorian student who had been on vacation to his home country. Nine of these patients were evaluated and found to have high plasma mefloquine levels. This report strongly supports the existence of mefloquine-resistant falciparum malaria in West Africa, especially in Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, and Cote d'Ivoire.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Imported malaria in Bordeaux: evaluation of the risk of infection with Plasmodium falciparum as a function of country visited].

This study of imported cases of malaria, which was carried out in Bordeaux (France) in 1987-89, emphasizes the major part played by Plasmodium falciparum, especially in areas lying south of the Sahara in Africa, from where falciparum malaria is mainly imported to other countries. The study of these imported cases is strengthening our understanding of the epidemiology of malaria in relation to the country or area, whether the transmission occurs without interruptions or seasonally. The number of cases of P. falciparum per 1000 travellers (seen for vaccination against yellow fever at Bordeaux) gives an index for evaluating the risk of malaria. This risk changes with the epidemiological profile of falciparum malaria in the three major African ecosystems (rain forest, savannah, and sahelian belts), and is related to the progression of chloroquine resistance in Africa and influenced by the type of chemoprophylaxis proposed to travellers. The use of mefloquine for stays shorter than one month in Central Africa reduced the risk of malaria in 1988 and 1989, compared to 1987. [Editorial note. Recent data indicate some undesirable side-effects of mefloquine, e.g., its use during early pregnancy could lead to congenital defects.] Appropriate chemoprophylaxis and advice to travellers to areas lying south of the Sahara are therefore more and more necessary in order to arrest the increase in the number of imported falciparum malaria cases and reduce the number of serious cases, which are costly in terms of public health.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Multiple pitted nodule images in AIDS. Apropos of a case].

A new semiological aspect of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is reported in an AIDS patient. This pneumopathie is unusual because of its pitted nodules and its occurrence in a patient under prophylactic aerosol pentamidine therapy.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

[Imported malaria in Bordeaux in 1989. Epidemiologic, clinical and therapeutic study of 71 cases].

In 1989 there were 71 cases of imported malaria admitted to the hospital in Bordeaux. This is 16.5% and 29% lower than in 1988 and 1987 respectively, thanks to the widespread use in Africa of mefloquine chemoprophylaxis. Sub-Saharan Africa is involved in 95% of cases, mainly West Africa (70% of cases), unlike the situation in 1987, and the first cases of paludism despite mefloquine chemoprophylaxis appeared during the second semester from the seasonal mid-summer recrudescence onwards, in travellers returning from this region. The most frequent species is still Plasmodium falciparum (80% of declared cases). This imported disease especially affects young adults despite regular prophylaxis in 59% of cases. It is therefore important to recommend rigorous protection against anopheles. Male predominance (sex ratio: 5.5) was greater in 1989 than in the previous two years, and French nationals represented 85% of the population. Falciparum malaria presents symptoms in 95% of cases before the end of the month following the patient's return to France, while for P. ovale the time for symptoms to appear is between 39 days and two years after return. Management of patients on their return poses a problem of information, since in 40% of cases diagnosis is made more than a week after the first symptoms. Attacks are mild in most cases (93%); among the serious cases death occurred in a 3-year-old child. Thrombopenia is the most frequent biological sign (22.5% of cases), followed to a lesser degree by anaemia and leukopenia. Mild attacks respond well to classical treatment (halofantrine, mefloquine, quinine, chloroquine), while two cases of more complicated symptoms required exchange transfusion.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Information campaign in Aquitaine about protection against malaria for travelers going to tropical regions].

The incidence of imported malaria is increasing in France, in relation to the increasing frequency of travel to tropical areas and the extension of chemoresistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum throughout the world. Worsening morbidity and mortality due to this parasite in the last 5 years is having an impact in socioeconomic terms; this is all the more prejudicial in that a young healthy population is concerned. Traditional chemoprophylaxis is at present insufficient for adequately controlling this recrudescence. Both the public and general practitioners should be made more aware of the measures to be taken during, and especially after foreign travel, in order to reverse the present tendency concerning imported malaria, and to improve travellers' protection.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[The inhibiting effect of anticholera vaccination carried out simultaneously or at short intervals on yellow fever immunization. Is it real or assumed? Results of a retrospective study].

121 serum samples from African adults previously immunised with 17 D yellow fever vaccine alone (control group) or simultaneous yellow fever and cholera vaccines were tested for yellow fever antibodies by seroneutralization and haemagglutination inhibition assays. Comparison of the rates of seroconversion and antibody titers between the groups vaccinated the same day or into a short (less than or equal to 10 days) or a long time interval with both vaccines and the control group gave no significant difference. The association of cholera and yellow fever vaccines do not influence the long-term efficiency of yellow fever vaccination.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

[Total atrophy of the villi during primary agammaglobulinemia in adults. Therapeutic problems (author's transl)].

A 21-year-old man presented with a 10-year history of a malabsorption syndrome of moderate severity, splenomegaly, and recurrent respiratory infections. Investigations revealed total atrophy of the villi and primary agammaglobulinemia. A gluten-free diet was ineffective. In spite of the absence of lambliasis, treatment with metronidazole produced objective clinical improvement and biological signs of healing of the malabsorption syndrome, but no alteration in the agammaglobulinemia. The authors discuss the relationship between total villous atrophy and primary agammaglobulinemias and the mode of action of metronidazole.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1977

[Primary liver carcinoma: deficiency of alpha 1-antitrypsin].

A preliminary study involving 12 subjects suffering from carcinoma of the liver indicates the value of the estimation of alpha-1 antitrypsin and the determination of its phenotype by bidimensional electrophoresis. Alpha-1 antitrypsin was greater than 3.3 g/l in all cases, with a normal of 2.5 g/l. The MZ phenotype was found in 9 cases out of 12, the MM phenotype in the three recent cases and in particular in the only case of secondary carcinoma. In the Pi system, the Z trait would seem to be a genetic risk factor in primary carcinoma of the liver. Determination of the phenotype of alpha-1 antitrypsin may aid in its laboratory diagnosis.

Hepatitis B Surface Antigens↗
PubMed1975

[14 cases of constrictive endocardial fibrosis (or endomyocardial fibrosis].

Constrictive endocardial fibrosis (CEF) or endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) was studied on 14 files of this rather frequent disease in Ivory Coast. On the basis of the data derived from angiocardiography, catheterization and mechanograms, the clinical signs are interpreted better. Thus one is able to describe with accuracy some clinical forms, the commonest of which being a right heart restriction combined with left-sided signs. It seems important underline how useful the external pulse recordings might be useful for the diagnosis in view of their analogy with the pressure curves. In this disease with a severe course, bold surgical treatments provide some hope. On the contrary, its aetiology remains mysterious. Our best landmark being the link of CEP with tropical ecology, and in particular, in our cases, with the warm and damp forest ecology of some areas.

Adolescent↗