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Biomedical subjects

M Sow

Publications and source records attributed to M Sow.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Detection by broad-range real-time PCR assay of Chlamydia species infecting human and animals.

BACKGROUND: Tests available for molecular diagnosis of chlamydial infections detect Chlamydiatrachomatis, but do not find other Chlamydia species associated with genital, ophthalmic, cardiovascular, respiratory or neurological diseases. The routine detection of all Chlamydia species would improve the prognosis of infected people and guide therapeutic choices. AIM: To design and validate a sensitive, specific, reproducible, inexpensive and easy-to-perform assay to quantify most Chlamydia species. METHODS: Primers and probe were selected using the gene coding for the 16S rRNA. The detection limits were assessed for suspensions of Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia pneumoniae. The performance of this test was compared with that of two commercial kits (Amplicor-Roche and Artus) on 100 samples obtained from children with trachoma. RESULTS: The detection capacities for Chlamydia trachomatis of the broad-range real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were similar or slightly better than those obtained with commercial kits (0.2 copies of DNA/microl). Only the broad-range PCR identified specimens containing Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia pneumoniae. The commercial kits and the broad-range assay detected Chlamydia species in 5% and in 11%, respectively, of samples from children with trachoma. CONCLUSIONS: This new real-time PCR offers a sensitive, reproducible assay that produces results in <3 h. With panels of quantified Chlamydia species, this real-time PCR can be run with all real-time PCR equipment. Larger trials are needed to confirm the utility of this test in diagnosis and for therapeutic follow-up.

Animals↗

The distribution and inversion polymorphism of chromosomally recognized taxa of the Anopheles gambiae complex in Mali, West Africa.

Data from polytene chromosome studies on the Anopheles gambiae complex in Mali were reviewed. The banding pattern was successfully scored in 17,705 specimens from 76 sampling sites representing the main ecological strata of the country. Two members of the complex, namely An. arabiensis and An. gambiae, were found widespread and frequently sympatric, with the latter prevalent in most localities. Population genetic analysis of the inversion polymorphisms indicated the existence of panmictic conditions for An. arabiensis only, whereas the parallel study of An. gambiae supported its splitting into at least three reproductive units, characterized by different 2R chromosome arrangements, designated Bamako, Mopti and Savanna. The chromosomal evidence was consistent with the hypothesis of complete reproductive isolation between Bamako and Mopti. Partial isolation between these two taxa and Savanna was suggested by the scoring of hypothetical hybrid 2R heterokaryotypes in various samples, but the actual hybrid origin of these specimens was not confirmed. Different patterns of geographical and seasonal distribution were shown as follows. An. arabiensis prevails in arid savannas (Sahel and Northern Sudan savanna) out of the flooded or irrigated zones; it is able to withstand the most arid conditions of Saharan localities and its breeding might extend throughout the dry season. An. gambiae Savanna and Bamako prevail in relatively humid savannas (Southern Sudan savanna) and their breeding generally occurs only during the rainy season. The Savanna taxon was almost absent in flooded or irrigated zones and in riverine localities; the Bamako taxon is distributed along the upper river Niger and its tributaries. An. gambiae Mopti extends its range in all ecological zones present in Mali including the Sahel and predesertic areas, showing high relative frequencies up to absolute dominance in flooded or irrigated areas; its breeding is highly successful also during the dry season. Rainfall at the sampling sites was found to correlate positively with the frequency of Savanna and negatively with the frequency of Mopti. The remarkable ecological flexibility of the latter was found associated with wide seasonal and geographical variations in its 2R inversion polymorphism bc/u. Higher frequencies of the bc arrangement were recorded both in the Southern localities during the dry season and in the Northern more arid localities during the rainy season. The absence or scarcity of An. arabiensis and An. gambiae Savanna in most flooded or irrigated zones suggests their competitive exclusion by An. gambiae Mopti.

Animals↗

Ecological genetic studies in the chromosomal form Mopti of Anopheles gambiae s.str. in Mali, west Africa.

Among the sibling species of the Afrotropical Anopheles gambiae complex, the nominal taxon (An. gambiae s.str.) is the major malaria vector. Its bionomics suggest a man-dependent speciation process which involves, in West Africa, various incipient species chromosomally recognized by different combinations of 2R paracentric inversions. One of the most recent evolutionary steps of such a speciation process appears to be the chromosomal form Mopti, which is associated with dry season irrigation in arid zones, and is characterized by a remarkable ecological flexibility related to three 2R alternative arrangements, namely bc, u and +, whose expected karyotypes are found in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The study of this chromosomal polymorphism in samples from a 16-locality transect in Mali shows wide variations and highly significant correlation with both temporal and spatial climatic differences. Mosquitoes homokaryotypic for 2Rbc are the actual dry season and arid areas breeders. The regular rise of 2Rbc frequency, up to fixation, during each dry season, corresponds to the South-North clinal increase of the same arrangement along the transect, from about 30% in the humid savanna to near fixation in the South-Saharan zone. This coherent ecological genetics case provides full support to the hypothesis of the adaptive nature of paracentric inversions. Moreover, the very peculiar system of combinations of contiguous 2R inversions, utilized by Mopti as well as by other chromosomal forms of An. gambiae, suggests a process of polygenic reorganization based on linkage disequilibria and involving the inversions as driving selection units.

Animals↗

[Kidney tumors in Africa. Incidence and anatomo-clinical aspects. Apropos of 123 observed cases at the Central Hospital and at the University Hospital Center in Cameroon].

123 renal tumours, among which 4 benign, were observed in 13 years. Renal tumours have a low incidence in Africa and are mostly seen in young patients. Nephroblastoma is the most frequent of these tumours. The clinical and paraclinical aspects of these tumours have nothing particular but the diagnosis is usually late.

Adolescent↗

[Malignant Leydig cell tumor. A case observed at the Dakar University Hospital].

The authors report the first malignancy composed of interstitial testicular cells in a Senegalese man. Interesting features of this case include occurrence in a 58-year-old adult, short duration of the disease, development of metastases before discovery of the primary tumor, severity of pain, and absence of feminization.

Humans↗

[Conservative treatment of splenic lesions by splenorrhaphy and incomplete splenectomy in abdominal injuries].

Fifteen cases of rupture of the spleen were reported, in which a conservative form of treatment was applied with success. These consisted of 4 splenorrhaphies and 11 partial splenectomies. Collagen (PANGEN) was used in 6 of the cases to buttress the suture. In view of the relatively low incidence of post of complications, the authors are of the opinion that the above described treatment be widely applied in cases of rupture of the spleen, especially in the child where the spleen still plays a vital role.

Adolescent↗

Epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in the rural community of Tip, Senegal.

The distribution of responses to hepatitis B virus infection in the rural community of Tip, Senegal, has been determined. Children are rarely persistently infected before two years of age, at which time about 25% of the population are infected. Uninfected members continue to be at risk. Vaccination programs instituted at an early age could prevent infection in most of the population and considerably decrease the risk of chronic liver disease and primary cancer of the liver in adults.

Adolescent↗

[Epiphrenic diverticula of the esophagus. Apropos of 16 surgically-treated cases].

The authors report on a series of 14 cases (10 men and 4 women) of epiphrenic diverticula treated surgically over a period of 14 years. Size was variable and the neck was narrow in 7 cases, wide in 5, and very wide in 2. Four patients presented with a double diverticulum. The diverticula are normally found on the right side (9 cases), and underlying dyskinesia is always present, often accompanied by major or minor cardiospasm (11 cases) or reflux from sliding hiatal hernia (3 cases). No manometric exploration was carried out in this series. Management was based on physiopathological considerations - 6 diverticulectomies with 5 myotomies, 6 myotomies with no diverticulectomy. The approach was left thoracic in 7 cases and abdominal in the others. The mortality rate was zero, and functional results are good. They are all the better in that the diverticulectomy, the myotomy and the repair of the gastroesophageal reflux have now been performed.

Adult↗

[The division of the intra-parotid facial nerve. Morphologic and anthropometric study (128 dissections)].

The division of the facial nerve in the West African has been studied on 128 dissections. The point of division and the distribution into "morphological types" are fairly identical to those established in subjects of the white race, with two special features: 80% of the nerves divide above the middle of the Tragion-gonion line. 25% of the nerves are of a "triforked" morphological type. The variations of the cephalic index are in close connection with those of the angle of division of the nerve (brachycephalic: average angle 95 degrees; mesocephalic: 107 degrees; dolichocephalic: 125 degrees). On the other hand, the study of the morphological and physiognomical facial indexes does not show any definitive correlation as regards the place of division and the number of secondary branches.

Adolescent↗