[Shigella and Salmonella isolated in Burundi from 1980 to 1985]. / Etude des Shigella et Salmonella isolées au Burundi de 1980 à 1985.

Data are presented on 633 strains of Shigella, and 197 strains of Salmonella, isolated in Bujumbura, capital of Burundi, between 1980 and 1985. The epidemiology of shigellosis is dominated by the resurgence of the Shiga bacillus and by its increasing resistance against all available antibacterial drugs. Salmonellosis is caused by a limited range of serotypes, most of them, with the exception of the typhoid bacillus, becoming multiresistant. Bacteriaemia with S. enteritidis is a frequent complication in patients with AIDS.

A simple indirect immunofluorescence micromethod for cell typing.

We describe a simple indirect immunofluorescence micromethod for cell typing. Cells are layered on 18-well immunofluorescence slides coated with high polymer poly-L-lysine. Expressed cell surface membrane markers are detected by indirect immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibodies and the cells are stained with Evans blue dye to permit easy morphological identification under fluorescence and light microscopy. We compared this method with a conventional method for lymphocyte typing in 16 blood samples and 10 bronchoalveolar lavage samples. The results of the two methods did not differ and correlated closely (r = 0.988 for blood samples; r = 0.995 for bronchoalveolar lavage samples). The principal advantages of this micromethod are: the small amounts of cells (10(4) cells) and reagents needed, the ease with which numerous antibodies can be tested and the convenience offered by fixation and staining of cell preparations for reading.

[Micromethod of leukocyte typing using monoclonal antibodies and indirect immunofluorescence: cell adsorption on support slides treated with poly-L-lysine]. / Une microméthode pour le typage leucocytaire par les anticorps monoclonaux en immunofluorescence indirecte: adsorption cellulaire à des lames supports traitées par la poly-L-lysine.

A micromethod of indirect immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies to study surface markers of leukocytes and precursors, is described. This method consists of attaching non specifically living cells on a slide, previously treated with a high molecular weight polymer (L-lysin). The advantage of this method consists of using only 1.10(4) cells by typage, and low amounts monoclonal antibodies (twenty to forty less). In addition, this common method can be used in most biology laboratories.

[Imported malaria in Brest hospitals from 1974 to 1980]. / Le Paludisme d'importation dans les hopitaux de Brest de 1974 à 1980.

From 1974 to 1980, 42 confirmed hospital cases of imported malaria occurred in Brest. For 4 cases, we have no information. For the others, 24 care Europeans and 14 non-Europeans. Among the Europeans, the merchant-seamen are the most exposed group. A high proportion of infections are due to Plasmodium falciparum, mainly from black Africa. One patient had a neuropaludism and three had serious attacks. In about half of patients, the initial diagnosis was not malaria. All cases of P. falciparum were due to lack or inadequate chemoprophylaxis.

[A case of actinomycetes mycetoma in Burundi]. / Un cas de mycétome à actinomycète au Burundi.

The authors report the first case in Burundi of mycetoma due to Nocardiae. The diagnosis was made by histopathology. There was a good efficiency of the sulfone-sulfamid treatment.

Screening blood donors for Plasmodium falciparum malariae. Application of ready-to-use homologous antigens.

Prevention of post-transfusion malaria remains a worrying problem. Until now it was very difficult to obtain homologous antigens, and immunologic methods used to detect malaria were expensive. We tested the ready-to-use Plasmodium falciparum prepared slides using the IFA (indirect fluorescent antibody) test on 866 selected potentially dangerous donors and known malaria cases. We found that it is a simple, quick, reliable and inexpensive method that can be easily used by blood banks and improve blood transfusion safety.

[Identification of blood donors capable of transmitting P. falciparum. Use of homologous antigenic preparations ready for use]. / Dépistage des donneurs de sang susceptibles de transmettre P. falciparum. Utilisation de préparations d'antigènes homologues prêts à l'emploi.

The smears of P. falciparum parasited blood ready to be employed, that we have tested in indirect immunofluorescence to detect blood donors who can be at the origin of post transfusional paludism, seem to offer a very important progress to us for the improvement of transfusion security. Their routine use can be recommended because their easy way of using allows their adoption by very many transfusion centers.