Search

Morinda morindoïdes est une plante très utilisée dans la pharmacopée traditionnelle congolaise, dans le traitement de nombreuses maladies telles que le paludisme, le diabète, les éruptions cutanées, les infections microbiennes et le prurit. L’étude de son activité sur le système immunitaire a permis de révéler que l’extrait aqueux, administré pendant dix jours, réduisait de façon significative (p < 0,05) le nombre de polynucléaires basophiles, cellules effectrices de l’hypersensibilité de type I ou anaphylaxie. Cette action sur les polynucléaires basophiles, associée à l’action inhibitrice de l’activation du complément reconnue à la plante, conférerait à Morinda morindoïdes (Back) une activité anti-allergique. Morinda morindoïdes (Back) is a plant of traditional Congolese pharmacopeia widely used in the treatment of many diseases such as malaria, diabetes, dermatitis, bacterial disease and pruritus. The study of the immunologic activity of Morinda morindoïdes shows that the aqueous extract, administered to patients over a period of 10 days, significantly reduces (p < 0,05) basophiles polynudears, a task cells for anaphylactic reaction. This effect on basophiles polynuclears, associated with anticomplementary activity would suggest the antiallergic activity of Morinda morindoïdes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The OpenProt proteogenomic resource (https://www.openprot.org/) provides users with a complete and freely accessible set of non-canonical or alternative open reading frames (AltORFs) within the transcriptome of various species, as well as functional annotations of the corresponding protein sequences not found in standard databases. Enhancements in this update are largely the result of user feedback and include the prediction of structure, subcellular localization, and intrinsic disorder, using cutting-edge algorithms based on machine learning techniques. The mass spectrometry pipeline now integrates a machine learning-based peptide rescoring method to improve peptide identification. We continue to help users explore this cryptic proteome by providing OpenCustomDB, a tool that enables users to build their own customized protein databases, and OpenVar, a genomic annotator including genetic variants within AltORFs and protein sequences. A new interface improves the visualization of all functional annotations, including a spectral viewer and the prediction of multicoding genes. All data on OpenProt are freely available and downloadable. Overall, OpenProt continues to establish itself as an important resource for the exploration and study of new proteins., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.)

Back Ground: Helicobacter pylori infection is involved in several gastroduodenal diseases which can be cured by antimicrobial treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection and its bacterial resistance to clarithromycin, fluoroquinolones, and tetracycline in Brazzaville, Congo, by using molecular methods., Material and Methods: A cross- sectional study was carried out between September 2013 and April 2014. Biopsy specimens were obtained from patients scheduled for an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and were sent to the French National Reference Center for Campylobacters and Helicobacters where they were tested by molecular methods for detection of H. pylori and clarithromycin resistance by real-time PCR using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer-melting curve analysis (FRET-MCA) protocol, for detection of tetracycline resistance by real-time PCR on 16S rRNA genes (rrnA and rrnB), for detection of point mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDR) of H. pylori gyrA gene, associated with resistance to quinolones, by PCR and sequencing., Results: This study showed a high H. pylori prevalence (89%), low rates of clarithromycin and tetracycline resistance (1.7% and 2.5%, respectively), and a high rate of quinolone resistance (50%)., Conclusion: Therefore, the use of standard clarithromycin-based triple therapy is still possible as an empiric first-line treatment as well as prescription of bismuth-based quadruple therapy, which includes tetracycline, but not a levofloxacin-based triple therapy because of the high rate of resistance to fluoroquinolones., (© 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: The authors report epidemiologic, clinical, para clinical, and evolutive aspects of arthritis related to HIV in an AIDS endemic country., Material and Methods: A retrospective study was made in the rheumatology department of the Brazzaville University Teaching Hospital during 15 years and 6 months, on 3.042 in-patients among whom 306 (10%) were positive for HIV, 220 (7.2%) presented with a rheumatologic manifestation, and 158 (71.8%) with HIV related arthritis., Results: The 158 patients included 91 men (57.6%), 67 women (42.4%), average 34.5 years of age, ranging from 15 to 61, all heterosexual. 99 patients (62.7%) were in the B stage, 40 (25.3%) in the C stage, and 19 (12.2%) in the A stage. Arthritis was polyarthritis (83.5%) or oligoarthritis (16.5%), symmetrical (97.5%), prevailing on the lower limbs (99.3%) with involvement of the great toe in 23% of cases. There was an important inflammatory syndrome with an erythrocyte sedimentation rate exceeding 100 mm for the 1st hour in 63.3% of the cases. Rhumatoid factors were negative. Synovial fluid was sterile, without microcrystals, and inflammatory. X-rays were normal. This non-destructive arthritis, evolved by successive bouts, and resolved in 2 to 5 weeks with NSAIDs and did not meet Amor nor European spondyloarthropathy criteria., Conclusion: Arthritis related to HIV represents the principal expression of nonseptic rheumatologic HIV manifestations in Congo.

Objective: We report epidemiologic, clinic, para clinic, therapeutic and evolution aspects of septic arthritis in African tropical zone., Material and Methods: Retrospective survey in rheumatologic department of Brazzaville University Teaching Hospital over a period of 15 years and 6 months carrying on 176 septic arthritis observed among 3042 hospitalized patients., Results: 70 men (39.77%) and 106 women (60.23%) average 35.25 years old, extremes 6 and 81 years. It was 158 cases of banal germ arthritis (89%) and 18 cases of tuberculosis arthritis (11%). The arthritis localised on knee in 42% of cases, hip 30%, sacroiliac joint 17% and shoulder 7%. Localization was multiple in 12%. A portal of entry was identified in 54% of cases. It was cutaneous in 21.5% and obstetrical in 16.5%. Risk factors were alcohol and tobacco (5.6%), diabetes mellitus (4%), sickle cell anaemia (4%) and HIV (3%). The diagnosis delay beyond of one month has been noted in 2/3 of cases. The causal germ can be isolated only in 30% of cases. It was staphylococcus aureus in 46.4% of cases, streptococcus in 10,7% and enterobacteria in 10.7% of cases. Koch bacillus has been isolated in 32% of cases. Inflammatory syndrome was important with an erythrocyte sedimentation rate upper 50 mm in 71% of cases. On X-ray, we noted in 64% of cases cartilaginous destruction signs and erosions in mirror. Antibiotics treatment associated to plastered immobilization were successful in 78% of cases but with functional prognostic in half of cases. The middle length of hospitalization was 25 days. Four patients died., Conclusion: Septic arthritis are very frequent in African tropical environment, localized to knee, hip and sacroiliac joint. Staphylococcus is recovered in the half of cases and Koch bacillus in 1/3 of cases. Late diagnosis explains cartilaginous destructions and ulterior functional prognostic.

An internal review of the expanded program of immunisation undertaken on the basis of daily data collected over the past five years from 1993 to 1997 in the region of Kouilou revealed a weak coverage level for all the antigens, associated with a strong dropout rate. In August 1999, a vaccination coverage survey was carried out on three strata of the Kouilou area in order to determine the proportion of children vaccinated by antigens. The method used is that of sampling clusters. It concerned 663 children aged between 12 and 23 months chosen among 30 urban, 30 periurban and 30 rural clusters. The BCG scar was found in 82.8% children while 71.8% had received the third dose of VIP-OPV. Some 62.6% were immunised against measles. Within the region, the coverage rates varied from 87.9 to 57.1% for BCG; 80.3 to 41% for DTP-OPV3 and 7.3 to 41% for measles. A considerable variation of dropout rates was observed at area level: 8.9 to 14.7% for DTP-OPV3 and 9 to 11% for measles immunisation. The average interval observed between VPT-OVP 1 and VPT-OVP 2 was, respectively, 6.1 and 6.2 weeks in urban areas against 6.4 and 6.9 weeks in periurban areas. On the other hand in rural zones, the interval was of 7.6 weeks between VPT-OVP and DPT-OPV2 and of 10.1 weeks between DPT-OVP2 and DPT-OVP3. The median interval was of 5 weeks for the different DPT-OVP doses in all the strata. The vaccination card was found in 90% of cases in urban areas, 96% in urban zones and 55% in rural zones. The coverage level attained per antigen is satisfactory, but remains to be strengthened. Dropout rates are high enough and they should be corrected. Follow-up actions should focus on raising a strong awareness for vaccination in rural areas. Besides, the vaccination of target populations living in remote areas by way of mobile and outreach strategies could improve the immunisation coverage rate., (Copyright John Libbey Eurotext 2003.)

This retrospective study on the impact of diabetes on the course of pulmonary tuberculosis was conducted in 32 diabetic patients with tuberculosis treated at the Brazzaville University Hospital between January 1994 and December 1998. This group was compared with a control group of 100 non-diabetic patients with tuberculosis. HIV-positive patients were excluded from the study. Diabetes appeared to have an induction and aggravating effect on tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is more frequent in diabetics than in non-diabetics. Radiological signs of tuberculosis are more pronounced in diabetics. Treatment failure and death are also more frequent. Tuberculosis aggravates diabetes and increases the frequency of complications compared with diabetics without tuberculosis.

Measles is an infectious disease that continues to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among children in Brazzaville. A measles vaccination coverage survey was conducted for children aged 9 to 23 months. A standard EPI cluster sample was applied in two areas: urban and peri-urban. Measles coverage of children after the vaccination campaign according to history ranged from 36.6% in urban to 38.6% in peri-urban areas, compared with 34.5 and 42.8% for routine vaccination in the same areas. The overall rate of measles coverage was 75.4%. The mean age of children was 46 weeks.

In order to assess the magnitude of missed immunisation opportunities, a study was carried out at ten randomly selected health centres in Brazzaville (Congo). A survey based on interviews at discharge was conducted with 306 mothers or caretakers of children aged under 2 years. The overall rate of missed immunization opportunities was 12.8% for children and 50.6% for women. The reasons most frequently given were illness of the child, misinformation and unavailable vaccines.

During 2 years and 9 months, 74 patients were hospitalized to purulent meningitis at the Hospital of Brazzaville and 33 were bacteriologically confirmed. The pneumococcus was responsible in 24 cases (33.4%). The analysis of 74 files showed that 34 patients died, 40 were completely cured without any after effect. The factors for these bad prognosis are: the presence of signs of cerebral pains; a CSF cytology inferior to 500 cells/mm3; total CSF proteins inferior to 2 g/l and the time before hospitalisation superior to 5 days.

A 12-month prospective study of the osteo-articular complaints in HIV infected patients was carried out in the Department of Rheumatology, Brazzaville, Congo. Positivity of the HIV serology was systematically researched. And so the authors have observed rheumatic disorders in 26 patients, 12 males, 14 females, with a mean age of 36 years (ranged from 13 to 78). These disorders are as follow: linked to HIV oligo or polyarthritis, 18 cases; septic arthritis 3 cases; destructive spondylodiscitis 2 cases; bilateral sciatica with paralysis 3 cases; tropical myositis 2 cases. Contamination was heterosexual in 23 patients, iatrogenic in 3 other ones. HIV infection was at the CDC stades II (7 patients) or IV (19 patients). The prevalence of osteo-articular manifestations in HIV infected patients who are admitted in the hospital of Brazzaville, Congo is evaluated at only 4%.

Serological study of serum samples taken from pregnant women and umbilical cord and bacteriological study of vaginal secretions samples and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed in mothers: T. pallidum antibody (Tp ab) 9%, Rubella virus antibody (Ru ab) 85%; HBs Ag 16%, HIV antibody (HIV ab) 4%. Microbe culture showed: S. aureus 18%, Streptococcus sp. 9%, E. coli 4.9%, Klebsiella 3.6%, Citrobacter 3.6%, Candida albicans 15%; direct immunofluorescence: Chlamydia 26%. In infants: IgG umbilical cord: Tp ab 4.8%, Rub ab: 80.6%, HIV ab 4/4, Hbs Ag 11.3% Microbe culture in CSF: global frequency: 5.1%; Streptococcus sp. 31.8%, Staphylococcus 20.5%, enterobacteriaceae 27.2%, other Gram negative bacilli 20.5%.

The aim was to study the immunogenicity of a plasma-derived vaccine against Hepatitis B Virus administrated in 3 injections at month 0-1-6. Only subjects without HBs Ag and anti-HBc were vaccinated. The seroconversion rates were 79.21% at day 90, 77.50% at day 180 and 87.21% at day 210. At the same dates, the mean geometric titres of anti-HBs (mUI/ml) were respectively 115.01, 100.48 and 772.78. In all subjects, the vaccine was very well tolerated. This 3 injections protocol of vaccination instead of the classical 4 injections protocol significantly reduces the cost of vaccination and may enlarge its application.

In Brazzaville (Congo), the prevalence of chronic carriage of HBs Ag (7.31%) we observed, is similar to the ones previously reported in 1981, 1982 and 1988. The sero-prevalence of anti-HBc is 67.21%. Anti-HBc are considered to be very relevant for the screening of VHB infection. Our study clearly points out that the highest prevalence of HBs Ag was observed among midwives. In all, the frequency distribution of the two serological markers we studied was similar in health workers and general population.

The combination of SMZ-TMP has recently been introduced in Congo. This year (1978), it is very used by many Physicians. To help the congolese Physicians working without antibiogram frequently, we have tested 780 strains from August 1977 to August 78. The susceptibility of these strains was: for E. coli 90%, Klebsiella 69,20%, Staphylococcus 93% and for all strains studied Gram + and Gram - the percentage was 75,51. As many authors have showed, the strains of Pseudomonas, Streptococcus faecalis and Providencia are resistant. Our results remain similar to the results obtained by some french and african authors from 1970 to 1975.

The authors make an epidemiologic analysis of the first cholera cases notified by the Congo in 1978 and 1979. Contrary to the explosive cholera, experiences by Burundi and Zaïre during the same period, the cholera, in the Congo, had a very subtle propagation, with the well-know "iceberg" phenomena. Human contacts were very important in the transmission of the disease. The cases encountered were almost exclusively of the family type. Healthy carriers represent a threat to the other countries.

The high number of the strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolated from faeces, demonstrated that this bacteria takes the first place in diarrhoea. These isolations had the same frequency all the year long. In infants, the enteropathogenic E. coli (E. P. E. C.) (28.57%) are still frequent contrary to developed countries. The E. coli with hemagglutination phenomenon (colonisation factors) but without toxin detected were also responsible (mortality 6%). The E. coli without toxin and not belonging to E. P. E. C. group were also frequent (71.42%). In adults, only the enteroinvasive E. coli (E. I. E. C.) (16.6%) and the E. coli with hemagglutination but without toxin detected (16.6%) were observed. This situation is due to bad hygienic conditions among the people and the tropical climate.

It is well known that gonococcal infections represent serious problems through the world. In developing countries, these problems are very intricate. It is time to get into working order. To contribute to the study of these infections we tested the sensitivity of 80 strains of N. gonorrhoeae isolated in Brazzaville (Congo). On the average, the proportions of strains resistant to the nine antibiotics studies were: pénicilline, 55%; ampicilline, 22,50%; kanamycine, 3,75%; gentamycine, 0%; streptomycine, 60%; chloramphénicol, 0%; tétracycline, 2.50%; spiramycine, 3,75%; triméthoprime-sulfaméthoxazole, 12,50%. Concerning the frequence it is very high in our laboratory 56,96% in a study made from 1974 to 1978 in men. It is 3,86% in women from july 1970 to september 1979. The frequence obtained by the Institut Pasteur of Brazzaville from 1941 to 1956 was 31,49% in men. As in other developing countries, in Brazzaville the hsopital attendants, the assistants to a dispensing chemist are playing a prominent part in these infections.

Serum samples taken from 6,624 blood donors since 1984 to 1987, were tested for Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBs Ag) using a microhemagglutination assay and for anti-HIV antibodies by ELISA test. The mean carrier state of HBs Ag was 10.68% and that of anti-HIV antibodies was 6.99%. The association of HBs Ag and anti-HIV antibodies was discovered in 4.84% donors but without correlation for the period of the study.

The authors report one study on the haemolytic disease of african newborn made in Brazzaville (Congo). As in the most of the african countries this disease is not very frequent and it is not very severe. Two cases have been found in two twins, born after the nineth pregnancy. These twins were premature and that can explain the severity of the disease. One of these twins because of his weight which was not impotent died. The immunization in the african wife seems to occur very late, after the fifth pregnancy at least.