PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Verdier

Publications and source records attributed to M Verdier.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

HIV infection and leprosy: a four-year survey in Ethiopia.

Between 1988 and 1992 three cross-sectional surveys for antibodies to HIV were done in 644 Ethiopian patients with histologically proven leprosy. Whereas the frequency of HIV-1 infection gradually increased from 3.2% to 6.5%, the clinical presentation, number of new patients, and frequency of relapse did not differ between HIV negative and positive patients. Thus HIV appears unlikely to have a significant impact on the incidence of leprosy in sub-Sahelian populations.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

HTLV-1 antibody class and subclass distribution in African TSP and control populations.

The humoral immune responses in 44 sera from HTLV-1 seropositive African subjects were compared. The sample population was composed of 12 patients with HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), 12 patients with other neurological conditions and 20 asymptomatic carriers. Samples HTLV-1 antigens were tested against all immunoglobulin classes and IgG subclasses, using the Western blot technique with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. Whilst IgG reacted with gag, env and tax products for the three groups studied, IgM and IgA were found to react more frequently with HTLV-1 in HAM/TSP patients. For these patients, IgM and IgA were particularly directed against tax and env proteins. Among IgG subclasses, IgG1 was most sensitive to gag, env and tax products reacting in similar proportions in all three groups. IgG2 and IgG4 were apparently not involved. IgG3 was most responsive in HAM/TSP patients. These data are similar to those observed in AIDS patients, LAS and HIV asymptomatic carriers and emphasize the role of HTLV-1 in HAM/TSP.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1993

Discrimination between human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I and II (HTLV-I and HTLV-II) infections by using synthetic peptides representing an immunodominant region of the core protein (p19) of HTLV-I and HTLV-II.

We describe enzyme immunoassays that use synthetic oligopeptides to discriminate serologically between human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I and II (HTLV-I and HTLV-II) infections. The peptides represented 20-amino acid segments between residues 111 and 130 (MA1) and residues 116 and 135 (MA2) of the p19 gag proteins of HTLV-I and HTLV-II, respectively. The assays were sensitive since 69 of 74 HTLV-positive sera were reactive to at least one of the two matrix (MA) peptides (sensitivity, 93.2%). By using the ratio of the optical density of MA1 to the optical density of MA2, which represents for every serum sample the ratio between the absorbance value obtained in the MA1 assay and the absorbance value obtained in the MA2 assay, 59 of the 69 reactive serum samples were clearly and easily typed as positive for either antibody to HTLV-I or antibody to HTLV-II. Eight of the 10 remaining reactive serum samples were analyzed further by an inhibition procedure, and their type specificities were then clearly identifiable. Therefore, the results indicate that all MA-reactive sera were serologically distinguished by our peptide assays.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

A survey of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in Ethiopia.

Antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV) were measured in 1,580 Ethiopian subjects representing urban and rural populations. Sera found positive by a repeated second generation enzyme immunoassay (EIA) were subjected to three additional confirmatory tests. The overall confirmed seroprevalence was 2.0%. Less than 1% were confirmed to be seropositive in rural communities, with 1.4% positive among blood donors, 1.6% positive among patients with dermatologic disorders, 3.6% among leprosy patients, and 6.0% among patients attending a University Hospital clinic for neurologic disorders. The patients in the groups with leprosy and neurologic disorders have most likely been in ill health for many years and have sought relief by traditional healers or treatment at poorly equipped clinics. This group of patients demonstrated a high prevalence of antibodies to HCV. In Ethiopia, especially in small clinics, there is a shortage of syringes and needles and they have to be reused many times often with inadequate sterilization. Therefore, these syringes and needles may be contaminated, thus being a risk factor for HCV and HIV infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Interactions between six psychotherapeutic drugs and plastic containers. Influence of plastic material and infusion solutions.

The interactions of chlorpromazine, clomipramine, maprotiline and viloxazine hydrochlorides, and of clorazepate dipotassium salt and diazepam with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and Stedim 6 infusion bags were studied. Stedim 6, is anew multilayer film whose inner layer is made of polyethylene. The drugs were in 5% dextrose and 0.9% sodium chloride isotonic solutions and the influence of these was also considered. The remaining concentrations of each drug were determined at regular time intervals in a 24-h period, by a spectrofluorometric method for chlorpromazine hydrochloride and by ultraviolet spectrophotometric methods for the other drugs. No binding was observed for viloxazine and maprotiline hydrochlorides whatever the infusion solution and the plastic container. A slight retention in PVC bags, but not in Stedim 6 ones, was noted for clomipramine hydrochloride and clorazepate dipotassium salt. This was more marked in the sodium chloride solution than in the dextrose one. Diazepam and chlorpromazine hydrochloride were bound both in PVC and Stedim 6 bags, but more in the former and more again in the sodium chloride solution than in the dextrose one. The results were explained in terms of the degree of crystallinity of the plastic material and the degree of lipophilicity of the drugs. Practical consequences are discussed.

Chlorpromazine↗
PubMed1992

[Vertical transmission of HTLV-I].

Vertical transmission of the human T-cell leukemia type 1 (HTLV-1) from seropositive mothers to their offspring has been extensively studied. Transmission occurs mainly through breastfeeding. Prevention relies on screening pregnant women (and wet-nurses) for HTLV-1 antibodies and advising seropositive women to refrain breast feeding. Recently, antigen detection or genome detection (using PCR) studies on lymphocytes from neonates born to HTLV-1 positive mothers have established that prenatal vertical transmission does occur, although in only a small proportion of cases (0.5 to 7%). Studies on the HTLV-1 and improved understanding of its modes of transmission may provide new insight into the transmission of the HIV.

Cordocentesis↗
PubMed1991

Specificity of new peptide immunoassays versus other immunoassays and agglutination tests for detection of HIV antibody in African sera.

The specificity of three HIV EIAs using synthetic peptides was evaluated and compared with that of four commercial EIAs using recombinant proteins or whole virus lysates of HIV-1 or of HIV-1 and HIV-2, and of two tests based on agglutination of sensitized particles. A total of 734 West African sera were screened. The best results were obtained with tests using recombinant proteins. HIV tests using synthetic peptides able to distinguish between HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies showed comparable specificity, but some false negative results represent a major handicap of these peptide EIAs in screening for HIV antibodies.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1991

Seroepidemiology of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I/II in Benin (West Africa).

In 1988-1989, a national survey was conducted in Benin to determine the distribution of HTLV-I infection in a representative sample of adult individuals. This study comprised 2625 healthy subjects recruited in the six provinces of Benin and 1300 blood donors from Cotonou and from the other five provinces. Sera were screened for HTLV-I antibody by both immunofluorescence (IF) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Sera positive or doubtful by at least one technique were further analyzed by Western blot and radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA) when indeterminate. Samples were considered as positive if they reacted with two gene products. No blood donor was positive. Over the 2625 subjects, 39 (1.5%) were positive. We observed a statistical difference between male and female (1%, 2%, p less than 0.05). A difference was also observed according to the areas studied: the HTLV-I antibody rate increased from coastal (0.3%) to northern (5.4%) provinces. HTLV-I seroprevalence increased significantly with age. This survey shows that HTLV-I infection exists in Benin but varies according to regions.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Maternal-infant transmission of the HTLV-1 virus].

The virus is transmitted horizontally via the bloodstream or sexual intercourse but vertical transmission is also believed to be a major mode of contamination. Between 20 and 25% of children born to seropositive mothers are believed to be infected and more than 90% of mothers whose children are found to be seropositive are themselves infected. If transplacental route appears to be exceptional or poorly documented, transmission by breast-feeding has been proved by virological, experimental and epidemiological arguments and is a major mode of contamination.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Confirmatory tests for human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1): western blot compared with RIPA on African sera.

Confirmation of human T-Cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) seropositivity calls for reactivity against at least 2 proteins encoded by 2 different genes, revealed by Western blot (WB) and/or radioimmuno-precipitation assay (RIPA). To evaluate the use of WB as a basis for applying these criteria, we conducted a study of two types of WB and compared them with RIPA patterns. The first part of the work, performed with 40 African sera, used Dupont de Nemours commercialized WB and an 'in-house' WB. Both WB detected antibody to proteins encoded by 2 different genes: antibody to gag products were revealed equally by both WB, but commercialized WB detected antibody to tax protein whereas the 'in-house' WB detected antibody to env protein (gp46) more efficiently. The second part of the work, conducted with 158 African sera, compared results of an 'in-house' virus lysate WB and RIPA. Our data show a perfect concordance between the two procedures when sera were clearly positive by WB (gag + env reaction). Sera reacting to p19 and p24 (both gag) by WB were confirmed positive by RIPA in 75% of the cases. The majority of the indeterminate WB profiles not confirmed by RIPA presented isolated gag reactivity (p15 or p19 or p24).

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed1990

Comparison of immunofluorescence, particle agglutination, and enzyme immunoassays for detection of human T-cell leukemia virus type I antibody in African sera.

The effectiveness of four screening tests for detecting antibody to human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) was determined by using 2,700 African serum specimens. The tests studied were indirect immunofluorescence, particle agglutination from Fujirebio, and two enzyme immunoassays, one from Abbott Laboratories that used virus lysate from HUT 102 cells and the other from Cambridge BioScience Corp. that used an env recombinant protein. Positive and doubtful sera were confirmed by Western immunoblot and radioimmunoprecipitation assay with Food and Drug Administration seropositivity criteria. The best results were obtained with the two enzyme immunoassays, which were more sensitive (100 and 98.6% [Abbott and Cambridge, respectively]) and more specific (98.7 and 96.5%). Indirect immunofluorescence exhibited difficulties for reading and interpretation. With particle agglutination, prozone was observed for 9 of 78 HTLV-I-positive serum specimens. False-positives in any of the tests were not linked to cross-reactions with human immunodeficiency viruses. However, confirmation tests remain necessary for HTLV-I screening.

Africa↗