Kinetics of circulating antigens in pigs experimentally infected with Taenia solium eggs.

Three groups of four piglets were experimentally infected with different doses (10(3), 10(4) and 10(5)) of Taenia solium eggs whereas a fourth group of two pigs received gravid proglottids. At autopsy 6 months post infection, the two latter pigs were heavily infected with more than 3000 living cysts per kg of muscle. Ten of the 12 other pigs harboured light infections, i.e. between 2 and 107 cysticerci, 42.4% of which were degenerated. The two remaining pigs had no detectable cysts at post mortem examination. Circulating antigens (CA) were detected in the sera of all pigs harbouring living cysticerci using a monoclonal antibody based ELISA. CA were first detected between 2 and 6 weeks post infection and remained present generally throughout the entire observation period even in pigs carrying only five to eight living cysts, although strong fluctuations of the level of CA were observed in some pigs. In animals without living cysts at post mortem CA were only detected for a short period and disappeared presumably when the cysticerci became degenerated. The minimum number of living cysts, which could be detected using this ELISA, was 1.

[Transvaginal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding in women of reproductive age. Comparison with transvesical ultrasonography]. / L'échographie endovaginale dans le diagnostic des saignements utérins anormaux de la femme en activité génitale. Comparaison avec l'échographie transvésicale.

We undertook this study to compare the diagnostic value of endovaginal sonography and transvesical sonography in the diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding in reproductive age women in Yaoundé (Cameroon). 130 consecutive patients were included in this prospective study. Inclusion criteria were the presence of a missed period and abnormal uterine bleeding, absence of local or vaginal lesion on speculum examination, and the performance of transvaginal and transabdominal sonography within 12 hours. The results of each technique were compared for image quality and diagnostic information. The diagnoses included ovarian cyst (33), abnormal intra-utérine pregnancy (22), ectopic gestation (14), endometrial abnormality (14), fibroids (11), normal intra-uterine pregnancy (4), appendicitis (1), no abnormality (12). Transvaginal sonogram was of better image quality in 108 patients (83.1%). It provided more diagnostic information in 99 patients (76.1%). For 38 patients (29.2%), it provided pertinent information which altered the diagnosis made after transvesical sonography. Our results suggest that endovaginal sonography should be considered the first sonographic technique to use for reproductive age patients with abnormal uterine bleeding in Yaoundé (Cameroon).

[Arnold-Chiari malformation. Contribution of cerebral echography in the pretherapeutic evaluation]. / Malformation d'Arnold-Chiari. Apport de l'échographie cérébrale dans le bilan préthérapeutique.

From August 1988 to August 1989, we performed pre-operative sonographic examinations on eleven children who had Arnold-Chiari malformation (ACM). All children presented with myelomeningocele. ACM was the leading cause of hydrocephalus in infants and newborns. For eight children, hydrocephaly was particular by the discrepancy between the dilated atrium and the relatively small temporal horns. Two children have associated extra-neurologic malformations. Five patients were operated upon, with poor results in four. In our experience, ultrasonography was found very useful in patients presenting with myelomeningocele.

[Diagnostic value of abdominal echography in cirrhosis of the African black. A study of 99 cases]. / Valeur diagnostique de l'échographie abdominale dans la cirrhose du noir africain. Une étude de 99 cas.

We reviewed sonographic findings and evaluated the impact of conventional ultrasound (US) in the management of 99 consecutive black africans with liver cirrhosis. Patients were studied in the University teaching Hospital of Yaoundé (Cameroon). There were 73 males and 26 females, with a mean age of 49 years (range 15 to 71 years). 90 p. cent patients presented with symptoms suggestive of liver disease. The commonest sonographic liver abnormalities were: echo coarseness with poor depiction of intrahepatic vessels, irregularity of the liver surface, hypertrophy of caudate lobe, hepatomegaly, and decreased beam penetration through the liver. Ascitis and other signs of portal hypertension were present respectively in 44 p. cent and 33 p. cent of subjects. 15 p. cent of subjects had hepatocellular carcinoma. Choletithiasis was seen in 6 subjects (6%), and chronic pancreatitis in 3 patients (3 p. cent). For 21 patients (21 p. cent), US depicted significant abdominal disease which was not clinically suspected, and for 10 patients (10 p. cent), it discovered silent liver cirrhosis. Our findings suggest that conventional US may be a useful tool in the management of some black african subjects with liver cirrhosis.