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62 rhinopharingeal samples from malagasy children, aged of 6 days to 14 years old, hospitalized because of acute respiratory infections, with doubtful viral etiology case, during June to August 1992, at the "Hôpital des Enfants" in Antananarivo, were examined by two methods: inoculation by embryonned eggs and inoculation by MDCK cells. 24.1% of the samples were positive. The repartition of the cases by age and by sex were studied. The children aged of 1 to 12 months were the most affected with 65.7% of all cases (male: 60%, female: 40%). One subtype was detected: A(H3N2).

Although 65% of domesticated birds in the Cameroon are kept in traditional chicken farms, very little attention is given to this important sector by the administration as well as by the farmers themselves. This could be detrimental to the modern poultry sector where a lot of investments have been made during recent years. In order to estimate the danger of neglecting traditionally-raised chickens and the health threat they represent for the poultry population of the country, a study was conducted to evaluate the impact of Newcastle disease in traditional farms. A total of 180 chicken blood serum samples from three provinces of the Cameroon were submitted to the haemagglutination inhibition test; 51.66%, 48.33% and 46.66% of birds respectively from the East, West and North provinces reacted positively to the test. The consequences of such a situation are emphasised.

Authors studied the disappearance of mothers measles antibodies among 286 babies from Ivory Coast 250 of which were living in Adzopé, a town with 30,000 inhabitants at 100 km up North from Abidjan and the 36 other babies in Abidjan. The study of antibodies by IHA showed a higher serum incidence rate of mother antibodies among 4 months aged babies in Abidjan. The more sensitive study of antibodies by the Mann serum neutralisation, shows that when 6 months aged, 60% babies from Adzope still have antibodies and when 10 months aged, none of the babies is positive. Serum negativation is late compared to Brazzaville when antibodies level is lower.

During the dengue 3 epidemic which occurred in French Polynesia between September 1989 and March 1990, number of cases of Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) were reported among children and infants. Of interest, five cases of neonatal infections were recorded and involved the transmission of the virus from mother to child as the end of the pregnancy. Detailed observations on these cases are presented in this paper. Fever in mother, when delivering or just a few days before, represents the circumstances of the diagnosis. Analysis of the clinical features shows that fever and vasomotor troubles (blotches) were the dominating traits of the disease in the newborns. Also, hepatomegaly was constantly observed. Concerning the biological results, thrombopenia (platelets count: 100,000/mm3) was reported for all cases. According to these data, all cases were classified into DHF cases. Laboratory confirmation was obtained by serological investigations (antidengue IgM immunocapture ELISA and Haemagglutination Inhibition Tests) and/or virus isolation in both mother and child. Thus, virus was recovered in two newborns while IgM were detected in all infants and in four mothers. Severity of the disease was variable. However, out of five cases one fulfills the WHO definition of Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSC). Moreover, the authors discuss about the difficulties encountered to classify the cases according to WHO criteria for the grade classification of DHF.

Three monoclonal antibody (anti-HN Mab 3115) resistant variants of the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) La Sota strain, were selected (a25, b23, a16); once cloned and shown by haemagglutination inhibition, ELISA and Western blot, not to bind to Mab 3115 they were used as experimental vaccines for chicken. The intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI) of a25 and b23 variants was low (0.2 and 0.0 respectively). Three to 4 weeks post-administration of alive variants or inactivated b23, respectively administered via eye drop and subcutaneously, the protection against a challenge was not different from that following La Sota vaccination. Antibody titers induced by a25 and b23, as measured by 2 ELISA blocking tests (the first employing a NDV specific Mab 2114, the second employing Mab 3115), were significantly lower (P less than 0.001) than post-challenge antibody titers. On the contrary, the difference between post-La Sota vaccination antibodies and post challenge antibodies was weak (P less than 0.02). Following 3 successive exposures by contact of chickens to live b23 variant, no variation in antibody titers was observed as measured by ELISA employing Mab 3115. This constituted a necessary criterion, but insufficient to test the stability of the b23 variant. At the same time, the latter exhibited poor ability to diffuse. Vaccination with these variants should be considered in differentiating post-vaccinal from post-infectious antibodies.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a vaccine strain of Newcastle disease as antigen has been developed. It allows the control of the drop in the maternal antibody level of 1 and 28 days old chicks. Thus it can be used as alternative to the inhibition of hemagglutination method. A comparative study has shown a good correlation between the enzyme-linked-immunosorbent-assay and the inhibition of hemagglutination.

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.

Pathogenicity of Soldado virus was clearly established in the past for seabirds but remained questionable for man. In a scientist, repeatedly bitten by Ornithodoros (A.) maritimus larvae at Essaouira (Morocco), the association of fever of unknown origin and of neutralizing antibody against an antigenic variant of Soldado virus isolated from the same place, lead to the conclusion that this virus may act as a pathogen for man. Epidemiological implications of such an observation are briefly discussed.

Experimental infections of the malagasy Lemur fulvus have been carried out with two yellow fever virus attenuated strains (17D and FNV vaccine strains). A viremia is detected, with FNV virus only, between the 1rst and 11th day after inoculation. Haemagglutination inhibiting, complement fixing and neutralizing antibodies appear around the 10th day; the study of their dynamics shows their persistence through less than 6 months. These preliminary experiments are the first of a series of infections of malagasy lemurs by several Flaviviruses. The results might allow to evaluate the epidemiological role played by these prosimian primates in the arbovirus cycles in Madagascar.

Members of six unrelated families from Japan, France, Belgium and Poland were studied in parallel. Major immunological features characteristic of the phenotype produced by the Cis AB complex are the following: 1) The red cell A reactivity is close to normal, is beyond the values of agglutination scores by Helix and by anti-A from B; likewise, with percent agglutination measurements, A reactive appears hiher than that of A2B cells; one sample only is slightly detected by anti-A from Dolichos. 2) The B reactivity, on the contrary, is lower than that of normal AB cells. A single sample is detected by anti-B from A1. All samples are well detected by anti-B from AW, Aend, Ax, Am but none is detected by anti-B from ABx, Cis AB, or by an auto-anti-B. Under standard conditions, percent aggutination is around 80, very close to that of normal AB cells, thus differentiating Cis AB from AB3 (some of which only reach this figure), and from ABx which are very far from this value. 3) An abnormally high reactivity to anti-H antibody is observed, higher than that of normal A2B, similar to that of A2 red cells. 4) Among secretors, A substance is found to be normal or in excess, H substance is in excess, while B substance is only detected by Cis AB red cells inhibition. 5)An anti-B antibody was identified in the samples studied; however, we recently received from Germany a Cis AB samples, the serum of which did not contain anti-B antibody. By these main characteristics, the studied samples seem to be identical; however, agglutination kinetics and thermodynamic methods show that they differ by their reaction with a same anti-B antibody in standard conditions. The reactive structures of the various samples are indeed different from one family to another. The main point is that identical values were observed in all samples within a same family. Thus, the various Cis AB can be considered as different families mutants.

2,457 serum samples collected during an epidemiological survey on treponematosis in Senegal by the W. H. O. IR051 team in five areas of Senegal between 1972 and 1975 were studied for arbovirus antibodies using hemagglutination inhibition test. In addition 998 were studied using CF test and 1012 in neutralization test with yellow fever virus. The prevalence of arbovirus antibodies is important in all the country and does not vary basically between the different areas. In group A, chikungunya antibody is the most frequent and Sindbis antibody was found only in areas where migrant birds are resting. There is evidence of recent yellow fever infection in Upper Casamance and in Eastern Senegal. Most of the children are not immune and have to be immunized. Zika and Wesselsbron viruses show activity in all the areas and West-Nile, as Sindbis, is related to areas where birds are numerous. Bunyamwera virus activity is low.

Sera of 103 small wild mammals (rodents, insectivora, cheiroptera) trapped at the beginning of 1980 in different areas of Tunisia were studied for antibody against 15 arboviruses. In inhibition haemagglutination tests, positive reactions were found against Dengue type 2 (2.2%), Tahyna (18.4%), Arumowot (42.7%) and Sicilian sandfly fever (31%) viruses. No antibody was found for 8 tick-borne viruses. In comparison with previous sero-surveys, our results indicated a fall of West Nile virus activity and the emergence of Tahyna virus. The possibility that wild cycles involving small mammals and the two phleboviruses may exist in Tunisia is discussed.

Serological studies for arbovirus antibodies were carried out on 1.279 human serum specimens collected from adults in south-eastern part of Gabon from June to September 1975 during a multipurpose epidemiological survey. More than 80% of the population surveyed have neutralizing antibodies for yellow fever virus as consequence of mass vaccination campaign. Chikungunya, Zika, Wesselsbron and Koutango virus showed some activity, especially in woodland savannahs.

Ultracentrifugation in sucrose density gradients was used to isolate rubella specific IgM. We have studied three individual sera and twenty one couples among which at least one of the sera was positive by indirect immunofluorescent. There was significant correlation between the two technics.

Induced galactosuria is characterized by the excretion in urine of large amounts of new oligosaccharides, the structure of which are in connection with blood-group phenotypes ABH, Lewis and Secretor: O group : O-alpha-L fucopyranosyl-(1 leads to 2)-D galactopyranose et O-alpha-L fucopyranosyl-(1 leads to 2)-O-beta-D galactopyranosyl-(1 leads to 3)-[O-alpha-L fucopyranosyl-(1 leads to 4)]-O-beta-D 2-deoxy-2 acetamido-glucopyranosyl-(1 leads to 4)-[O-alpha-L fucopyranosyl-(1 leads to 6)]-D-galactopyranose. A group: O-alpha-D-2-deoxy-2 acetamido-galactopyranosyl-(1 leads to 3)-[O-alpha-L fucopyranosyl-(1 leads to 2)]-D galactopyranose et O-alpha-D-2-deoxy-2 acetamido-galactopyranosyl-(1 leads to 3)-[O-alpha-L fucopyranosyl-(1 leads to 2)]-O-beta-D galactopyranosyl-(1 leads to 3)-[O-alpha-L fucopyranosyl-(1 leads to 4)]-O-beta-D-2-deoxy-2 acetamido-glucopyranosyl-(1 leads to)-[O-alpha-L fucopyranosyl-(1 leads to 6)]-D galactopyranose. B group : O-alpha-D galactopyranosyl-(1 leads to 3)-[O-alpha-L fucopyranosyl-(1 leads to 2)]-D galactopyranose et O-alpha-D galactopyranosyl-(1 leads to 3)-[O-alpha-L fucopyranosyl-(1 leads to 2)]-O-beta-D galactopyranosyl-(1 leads to 3)-[O-alpha-L fucopyranosyl-(1 leads to 4)]-O-beta-D-2-deoxy-2 acetamido-glucopyranosyl-(1 leads to 4)-[O-alpha-L fucopyranosyl-(1 leads to 6)]-D-galactopyranose.

We show that in enterotoxic or not enterotoxic E. coli strains from various origins, enterotoxic strains of E. coli from calves only agglutin horse red cells in presence of mannose. The haemagglutinins structure, not visible with electron microscope is compatible with presence of fimbriae. It would be K 99 antigen, specific adhesiveness structure for strains from calves.

In 88 cases out of 126 (70%), antibodies to rubella were found by inhibition of viral hemagglutination in wild pigeons collected in the area of Nice. When experimentally infected with live virus, the rubella negative pigeons develop HI antibodies, thus showing that the virus replicates in these birds. The epidemiological meanings of these findings are considered.

A Raphanus sativus niger water extract was administered by intranasal instillations to mice before inoculation of the influenza virus A/PR 8/34 (H1N1) strain by the same route. The extract ensured some protection against the experimental influenza infection. A significant decrease of the hemagglutinin titre of the mouse lung homogenate was noted, as well as a decrease of the mortality rate and a significant increase of the rate of survival as compared to the untreated controls.

From the Revised Nomenclature of WHO, the fowl influenza virus A/Duck/Ukraine/63 (Hav7 Neq2) has the same neuraminidase as the equine virus A/equi 2/Miami/63 (Heq2 Neq2); the A/Chicken Germany "N"/49 virus has the same neuraminidase as the equine virus A/equi 1/Prague/56. A comparative study of the antigenic specificities confirms that the Neq2 neuraminidases are closely connected, whatever their animal origin, and that the fowl strain Hav7 Neq2 can be used for the titration of anti Neq2 antibodies in the serums of animals immunized with the equine virus Heq2 Neq2. The Neqi neuraminidases of various animal origins are connected, but the neuraminidase of the fowl strain Hav2 Neqi is slightly inhibited by the anti Neq1 antibodies of animals immunized with the Heq1 Neq1 virus: to titrate the anti Neq1 antibodies of equine origin, the H72 Neq1 recombinant should therefore be used. The antigenic characterization of the different equine influenza strains isolated since 1967 by the study of their neuraminidase has been completed: The various neuraminidases, like the hemagglutinins of the various strains belonging to the sub-type A equi2 are closely connected; a minor antigenic variation, concerning the two surface antigens, seems to exist between the strain A equi 1/Prague/56 and the strain of the same subtype isolated in 1973.

Anti-BK-virus hemagglutination inhibiting antibodies were revealed in 81.8% of the patients with parotid gland tumors. Results of the investigations conducted on oromaxillofacial tumors including the parotid gland ones are discussed from the point of view of the presence of viral antigens (herpes-, SV40 and BK-viruses) and of specific antibodies. Possible implication of the papova viruses in the etiopathogenesis of the parotid gland tumors in humans are also discussed.

A total of 3,473 serum samples were collected from healthy subjects in five geographical areas of Côte-d'Ivoire, between July 1985 and August 1986, and were analysed for the presence of rubella haemagglutination inhibition antibodies. Rubella antibodies were present in 1,994 of the samples giving a prevalence of 57.4%. The distribution of this prevalence appeared to be influenced by the climatic conditions and the density of population. The areas of Korhogo and Sinematiali in the north with a hot and dry climate had high prevalences, while the areas of Bouake and Bondoukou in the Centre and Centre-east respectively had low prevalences. The prevalence of rubella antibodies increases with age until it reaches a relatively low level from the age of 15 onward. The analysis of the data by the chi 2 test indicates that there was a statistically significant variation in the prevalence of rubella antibodies between urban and rural communities (p less than 0.001). In the areas of Korhogo and Sinematiali the rubella virus appeared to be best circulate in the rural communities, while the reverse was observed in the areas of Bouake and Bondoukou. In this study, there was not a sex influence in immunity to rubella, because no difference immunity to the virus was observed between males and females. In women of child-bearing age (15 to 44 years) the rubella immunity was relatively low (61.2%).

In 1980 and 1981, sera of 256 small wild mammals (rodentia, insectivora, carnivora) were collected in Piemonte and Southern Italy. They were then tested for antibody against 12 arboviruses by haemagglutination inhibition and complement fixation tests. In the North of the country, 42.8% of sera were found positive against Tahyna or Sicilian Sandfly fever viruses. In the Southern provinces, 44.3% of sera reacted with Bhanja, West Nile or other flaviviruses, Tahyna, Sicilian Sandfly fever and Arumowot viruses. These results lead to suspect the possible role of some small mammals (muridae, Clethrionomys glareolus, Talpa caeca, Talpa romana) in circulating these arboviruses in Italy.

Glycopeptide and oligosaccharide fractions obtained from fucosidosis urine contains more Lea activity (4-8 fold) than control urine. Both fucosidosis fractions also contained Leb and H activities, no A activity in contrast to the salivary and erythrocyte phenotypes (A, Le a+ b-). The amount of Leb activity is lower in both fractions (1) and (2) than that of Leb control children (4-16 fold decrease). Blood group A activity was not detected at any concentration used (less than or equal to 50 fold-concentrated urine) whereas A activity was found in (A, Le a- b+) control urine. On the contrary, both fucosidosis fractions contained H activity, whereas A (Le a- b+) control children fractions had none (less than or equal to 50-fold concentrated urine). H and Leb activity might originate from Lea precursor apart from the "non-secretory" type of the patient.

Serodiagnosis in current practice by the method ELISA. Utilization of commercial kits. I. - Rubella. Comparative study with hemagglutination inhibition test. A comparative study of the hemagglutination inhibition test and the method ELISA for the serodiagnosis of rubella in current practice has been achieved on 1 000 sera using commercial products in kits. The conditions of utilization, the principal factors of the reaction and the expression of results in ELISA titres are defined. The results show a higher sensibility and a higher precision for ELISA and an uncertain interpretation concerning the low titres for IHA. The use of ELISA for the serodiagnosis of rubella in routine with the kit Rubelisa does not present any particular difficulty and raises the quality of the results.

A sero-epidemiological study of Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses in a urban population of Cameroon. The authors report the results of a sero-epidemiological survey undertaken in a urban population of Cameroon and concerning Congo, Rift (RVF), Lassa, Ebola, Marburg and Yellow Fever Viruses. On 375 human sera tested, 1.06% show antibodies against RVF virus and 1.87% are positive for anti-Ebola antibodies thus yielding evidence that these two viruses are present in this area of Cameroon. 33.75% have antibodies against Yellow Fever Virus as determined with an Hemagglutination-inhibition test. This quite high percentage, in spite of the weak specificity of the method for this virus, could raise the problem of the opportunity of a vaccination campaign. No antibody to Marburg, Lassa or Congo viruses is detected.