Essai clinique preliminaire de l'activite de la poudre d'ecorce de pteleopsis suberosa Engl. et Diels (combretaceae) dans le traitement des ulceres gastro-duodenaux

Les auteurs de cet article presentent les resultats d'un essai clinique de type II d'une preparation galenique a base de poudre d'ecorce de tige de Pleleopsis suberosa; utilisee par les therapeutes traditionnels maliens dans le traitement des epigastralgies. Vingt Trois (23) malades ont participe a l'etude; selectionnes apres un examen fibroscopique confirmant le diagnostic d'ulcere gastroduodenal. Treize (13) des malades soit 56;52 pour cent ont completement cicatrise au bout de 30 jours de traitement. Le produit semble agir egalement sur les anorexies; les nausees et les vomissements. Le seul effet secondaire note semble etre la constipation

[Differences in rubella immunity in Mali and Hamburg and their consequences]. / Die Unterschiede in der Rötelndurchseuchung in Mali und Hamburg und ihre Konsequenzen.

The rare occurrence of rubella embryopathy in Mali stimulated us to investigate the rubella immunity of the population. Sera from females from Hamburg (n = 97) between 16 and 42 years old were in 84,5% seropositive (hemolysin-in-gel test) whilst a sample of Malien females (n = 99) were positive in 92,9%. Our investigations showed that the Malien children were significantly (p = less than 0.001) earlier infected by rubella than in Hamburg (Mali: children under 8 years [n = 196] in 46.9%; Hamburg [n = 151] in 20.5%). In Mali 7-8 years old children were already in 87.5% seropositive (Hamburg: only in 46.7%). The early immunity in childhood is due to the bigger African family in comparison with the smaller European family. The height of rubella serum titers was in grown-ups identical, but the relationship was vice versa in both studied newborn populations. Newborns from Mali showed lower rubella antibody titers than their mothers (newborns from Hamburg had a tendency to higher titers). Similar relationships were found already in the amount of neutralizing polioantibodies in newborns from both countries. A rubella immunisation in Mali seems not to be indicated.

Prevalence of antibodies against respiratory viruses in children of Koulikoro (Mali).

The prevalence of antibodies to viruses associated with respiratory illnesses (influenza, corona, R.S., adeno, parainfluenza Mycoplasma pneumoniae) has been investigated in 119 children under 3 years of age (Koulikoro region Mali) and 50 persons 15-19 years of age (Bamako/Mali). In the surveillance period (March 1982-September 1982) an outbreak of respiratory disease in association with RS virus took place. A rise of CF titer has been found in 90.8% of the children; 59.1% of them presented a fourfold or greater increase of titer. The GMT values rose from 1:7 to 1:48. Concerning influenza viruses a higher incidence of positive reactions has been observed only for H3N2 viruses. A fourfold CF rise of titer has been observed for adenovirus and mycoplasma pneumoniae in 3 cases each, for parainfluenza type I and III in 2 cases each, and for parainfluenza II in 1 case. In persons 15-19 years of age the incidence of positive CF reactions was relatively high (68%-98%), but the GMT values were moderate (1:12-1:25). These data confirm that the frequency of viral respiratory diseases is the same in tropical countries as in countries with a temperate climate.

[Serum conversion rate following oral poliomyelitis immunization in Mali, Africa 1982]. / Serokonversionsrate nach Polioschluckimpfung in Mali/Afrika 1982.

118 infants under 3 years of age were thrice orally immunised against poliomyelitis at 2 months interval. Before the vaccination 26% were triple negative and 24% triple positive. 44% had neutralising polio antibodies type 1, 53% type 2 and 52% type 3. At the end of the vaccinations 59% of the vaccinees were triple positive and only 3.4% triple negative. 82% had polio antibodies type 1, 85% antibodies type 2 and 76% antibodies type 3. At the start of the trial 54% of the vaccinees excreted enteroviruses. Only in 12% young infants had enterovirus in anal swabs and seroconverted well. In view of the prevalence of paralytic poliomyelitis in tiny babies an early oral polio immunisation in the tropics is highly recommended.

[Naturally acquired tetanus antitoxin in the serum of children and adults in Mali]. / Uber natürlich erworbene Tetanusantitoxine im Serum von Kindern und Erwachsenen in Mali.

Among 48 adults without a history of tetanus immunization, we found with the aid of indirect hemagglutination test 20 individuals with protective tetanus antibody titers, 23 with low levels of antitoxin (under 0,1 I.U./ml) and 5 devoid of tetanus antitoxin. In two blood samples of 99 unvaccinated children under 3 years of age (taken at 7 months intervall) 12,1% showed tetanus antitoxin in the first serum sample and 16,2% in the second sample. Protective antibody titers could be found only in 4 children in each of the first and second serum sample. The data suggest a silent oral immunization by tetanus bacilli thus boosting under unhygienic conditions the tetanus immunity with advancing age.