[Evaluation of 30-year-activity of the Virology Laboratory of the Pasteur Institute in Madagascar (1958-1987)]. / Bilan de trente ans d'activité du laboratoire de Virologie de l'Institut Pasteur de Madagascar (1958-1987).

The authors studied the different activities of Pasteur Institute virology laboratory since it was created. In general virology laboratory, 1.685 viral strains were isolated from 9.533 studied samples (17.6% of positivity). Enterovirus represented 90% of the viral strains. From 2.417 taking of rhino-pharynx, 133 myxovirus were isolated: A/H3N2 represented 76% of them. 10.776 patients, from 36.169 antirabic department consultants, were vaccinated and 600 had an antirabic serotherapy. 2.828 suspect samples were analysed for the rabies diagnostic: 1.438 were positive (51%). The Institute produced 3.410 liters of Fermi human vaccine type.

[Immunomodulating properties of an extract isolated and partially purified from Aloe vahombe. 3. Study of antitumoral properties and contribution to the chemical nature and active principle]. / Etude des propriétés immunodulatrices d'un extrait isolé et partiéllement purifié à partir de l'Aloe vahombe. 3. Etude des propriétés antitumorales et contribution à l'étude de la nature chimique du principe actif.

An immuno-modulator fraction (Alva) extracted from an endemic plant, in the south of Madagascar, the Aloe vahombe, significantly protects mice against bacterial, parasitic and fungal infections. Wishing to verify whether the fraction Alva was active in tumour reduction, we studied its effect on the development of experimental fibrosarcoma and melanoma in mice by intravenous and intracutaneous injections and injections directly into the tumour of the immunostimulant fraction. We have observed cures, only in the case of the McC3-1 tumour but it is encouraging to note that under different experimental conditions the rate of growth of tumours in animals which were treated is slower than in those not treated. The Alva fraction is a substance which is hydrosoluble, thermostabile, having a molecular weight exceeding 30 000 and is a polysaccharide. The predominant sugars are glucose and mannose in 3:1 ratio. Preliminary studies of its action seem to indicate that the Alva fraction acts upon non-specific response and could possibly stimulate the phagocyte activity of the peritoneal macrophagus.

[Pseudo-tumoral manifestations of Schistosoma-mansoni bilharziasis observed on Madagascar. 93 cases]. / Manifestations pseudo-tumorales de la bilharziose a Schistosoma mansoni observées a Madagascar. A propos de 93 observations.

Concerning respectively 93 observations got in the laboratory of "Pathology" of the Institut Pasteur (from 1954 to 1976) and the laboratory of "Pathology" of the Hospital of Befelatanana, Tananarive (from 1960 to 1975) the authors would like to point out to the medical doctors the pseudo-tumoral aspects of the bilharziasis due to Schistosoma mansoni. 1(0) The pseudo-tumoral aspects of the intestinal bilharziasis are relatively seldom complications of this parasitosis. 2(0) The malignant macroscopical aspect of these pseudo-tumors added to an often alarming symptomatology, if not possible association of cancer and bilharziosis, often brings mistakes in diagnosis. 3(0) Therefore and especially in endemic areas, biopsy is required or at least a medical proof treatment, before any surgical act at least with children or young people, in case of malignant pseudo-tumor which is actually but a bilharziasis.