[Etiology of the first African case of systemic blastomycosis]. / A propos de l'étiologie du premier cas africain de blastomycose systémique.

Several authors have suggested that african and north american forms of Blastomyces dermatitidis appeared separate taxa. Morphologic and pathogenic differences not only prevail, but also the failing to mate between them. African forms lose their mycelium-yeast conversion capability in old cultures. So I propose to create the complementary appellation Blastomyces dermatitidis tunisiens nov.subsp. from the african forms, in memory of the first case of systemic blastomycosis in this continent, discovered in Tunisia.

[Argas and arbovirus update]. / Argas et arbovirus actualités.

At the opportunity of the recent discovery of a new Phlebovirus, Tunis virus, the authors discuss the importance of the genus Argas as for its potential role in the transmission of arboviruses: twelve species of Argas are known to carry about twenty viruses. The wide distribution of Argas reflexes hermanni prompt us to explain its position in the Argas reflexes "complex" group: this species seems to be more liable to infection by viruses. Some ecological and entomological data are added to facilitate its typing. The Tunisian specimens recollected are remarkable by the lack of seta n degree 5 on basis capituli.

[Tick-transmitted arbovirus in Maghreb]. / Arbovirus transmis par des tiques au Maghreb.

The problem of arbovirus infections in Maghreb has been relatively neglected in the pst in spite of a rich diversity of biotopes, the presence of potential reservoirs and vectors, and their position on the flight path of the Palearctic-african bird migration systems, western branch. Moreover, West Nile virus has been isolated from southern Algeria since 1968. From 1979 to 1989, ticks were collected from wild birds, pigeons, bats, rodents, poultry, camels, wild boars, domestic mammals and man, and assayed for viruses. On the whole, 424 ticks were virologically studied from Morocco, 582 from Algeria and 601 from Tunisia. Four tick-borne arboviruses have been isolated so far: three from Morocco, Soldado (Nairovirus), Essaouria (Orbivirus) and Kala Iris (Orbivirus) from Ornithodoros (A.) maritimus ticks parasitizing marine birds, and one from Tunisia, Tunis (Phlebovirus), from Argas reflexus hermanni infesting domestic pigeons. Soldado virus may infect man working into colonies of gulls for ornithological or entomological purposes and this infection is associated with a self-limited febrile illness and pruritus. In addition, antibody to Essaouira virus was detected in a wild rodent in Morocco. On the contrary it is unlike that Tunis virus may infect man because A. r. hermanni is a strickly ornithophilic tick. However, Uukuniemi group antibody has been previously evidenced in wild rodents in Tunisia. Finally, it is not excluded that other, more pathogenic, arboviruses such as Congo-Crimean haemorrhagic fever might be accidentally introduced in this sensitive geographical area.

Tunis virus: a new Phlebovirus from Argas reflexus hermanni ticks in Tunisia.

A new Phlebovirus provisionally named Tunis virus has been isolated from Argas reflexus hermanni ticks parasitizing domestic pigeons. It is the first isolation of an arbovirus from Tunisia and the fourth tick-borne virus to be isolated from the Moghreb following Soldado, Essaouira and Kala Iris in Morocco. The pathogenic potential of this virus is briefly discussed according to the behaviour of its vector and previous serosurveys in the country.

[Does Boutonneuse fever in France have equivalents outside the Mediterranean area?]. / La fièvre boutonneuse en France a-t-elle des équivalents hors du périmètre méditerranéen?

In western of France, outside of mediterranean spotted fever area, several sera from autochthonous patients were positive for the presence of anti-R. conori antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence test. What is it all about: authentic rickettsiosis or paraspecific seroreactions with other microorganisms? We discuss these hypothesis.

[The stimulation of tumoricidal peritoneal macrophages can be directly induced by peritoneal implantation of unicellar algae in humans]. / La stimulation des macrophages péritoneaux tumoricides peut être directement provoquée par l'implantation péritonéale d'algues unicellulaires chez l'humain.

The authors explain by what means they have been conducted to use the anti-tumoral power shown by the peptido-glycans produced in the wall of unicellular algae. The first human trials when the algae are introduced in the peritoneal cavity have shown a good tolerance.

[Babesiasis, pediatric malaria: does confusion exist in Africa?]. / Babésiose, paludisme infantile: la confusion existe-t-elle en Afrique?

The authors describe a case of febrile disease acquired by a nursling in Africa: was it induced by Pl. falciparum or by Babesia sp.? In spite of numerous microscopic and serological appraisals from veterinary and medical authorities, it is difficult to state definitively this subject, but it is more probably a babesiosis of canine or rodent origin.

[Specificity in the relationship between Salmonella typhimurium and Schistosoma mansoni]. / Nouvelle contribution à l'étude de la spécificité dans les relations entre Salmonella typhimurium et Schistosoma mansoni.

Special interaction between Salmonella typhimurium (STM) and Schistosoma mansoni is considered under two complementary aspects, in vivo and in vitro, using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The resulting observations have obviously permitted us to discover a large specificity in these adhesion phenomena that seems to lead to the fusion of membranes between the two organisms. Microanalysis trials executed in these areas of strong affinity were attempted.

[Use of scanning electron microscopy coupled with transmission electron microscopy in comparative studies of the relation between Schistosoma mansoni and Salmonella typhimurium]. / Utilisation de la microscopie électronique à balayage couplée à la microscopie électronique à transmission dans les études comparatives des relations entre Schistosoma mansoni et Salmonella typhimurium.

Relations between Schistosoma mansoni and Salmonella typhimurium are studied in vivo and in vitro using scanning and transmission electron microscopy as complementary methods. Salmonellae adhesion is a specific process materialized in special places of male and mature schistosome tegumental surface. Interactions are marked by bacterial strong fibres creating a network all around Schistosoma where Salmonellae are dividing. Membrane junction is the last stage leading to symbiotic balance between two biologic systems.

[Studies in vivo and in vitro on relations between Schistosoma mansoni and some enterobacteria strains]. / Etudes in vivo et in vitro des relations entre Schistosoma mansoni et certaines souches d'entérobactéries.

Studies performed in vivo and in vitro, using scanning electron microscopy, on relations between Schistosoma mansoni and some enterobacteria show a strong association for certain bacterial strains (Salmonella typhimurium). Salmonellae adhesion on tegumental surface of male and mature Schistosoma is only possible in vitro owing to bacterial synthesis of strong fibres penetrating inside the worm. These interactions are not found with Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis or with young schistosomula.

[Attempts at demonstrating the Schistosoma-Salmonella relationship. In vivo and in vitro studies]. / Essais de mise en évidence des relations schistosomes-salmonelles. Etudes in vivo et in vitro.

The optical microscopy (on histological preparations) and scanning observations of Schistosoma mansoni is conducted in the presence of various species of Salmonella. It is well-obtained that the Schistosoma maturity, its metabolic activity and the action of antibodies anti-salmonella have influenced the bacterian fixation on the worm. An hypothesis about the possible mechanism of this attachment is then developed and also an hypothesis about the protection of bacteria against antibiotherapy among patients infected with Schistosoma and carriers of salmonellosis.

[New contribution on Dipetalonema viteae. Keeping adults alive in vitro. Scanning electron microscope study of the development of embryos and young larvae L1 and L2]. / Nouvelle contribution à l'étude de Dipetalonema viteae. Maintien en survie des adultes in vitro. Observation en microscopie électronique à balayage du développement des embryons et des jeunes larves L1 et L2.

The adult stages of Litosomosoides carinii, Dirofilaria uniformis and Dirofilaria immitis have been successfully maintained in vitro though microfilaria production by the worms continued only for a period of one to 18 days. In this paper we describe the results obtained in a series of experiments in which adult L1 and L2 stages of Dipetalonema viteae were maintained in vitro.

[Possible transfer between sarcomatous mouse cells (BP8) and yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, whole bodies and protoplasts)]. / Nouvelle contribution à l'étude des échanges possibles entre cellules sarcomateuses murines (BP 8) et levures (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, formes entières et protoplastes).

From our observation in vitro, we can suggest that : a direct contact between sarcomatous cells and physiologically active yeasts appears to be necessary for the transfer of the radioactive labelling; the presence of a filter with pores of 1.2 micrometer diameter prevents passage of fragments of DNA or RNA between the cells; this transfer is a very small fact, but implies about the third of the yeasts.

[Gilchrist's disease and fungal taxonomy: a thorny problem]. / Maladie de Gilchrist et taxonomie fongique: un épineux problème.

The study of iconographical data and of six american and african strains of B. dermatitidis allows us to conclude that there are several discriminating characters between the members of the Blastomyces dermatitidis complex. The african strains are distinguished by the lack of sexual forms and old strains show the lost of the M lead to Y conversion. An identical character prevails among the strains of the two continents: tuberculate conidia which are obtained on corn meal agar. The authors are insisting on the identical characters encountered on Blastomyces and Histoplasma. All the mycotic strains described from cases of Gilchrist disease possess a Chrysosporium period. The experimental Gilchrist disease performed on rodents is more often obtained with members of the genus Chrysosporium.