Evaluation of antibody response to Plasmodium falciparum in children according to exposure of Anopheles gambiae s.l or Anopheles funestus vectors

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In sub-Saharan areas, malaria transmission was mainly ensured by <it>Anopheles. gambiae </it>s.l. and <it>Anopheles. funestus </it>vectors. The immune response status to <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>was evaluated in children living in two villages where malaria transmission was ensured by dissimilar species of <it>Anopheles </it>vectors (<it>An. funestus vs An. gambiae </it>s.l.).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A multi-disciplinary study was performed in villages located in Northern Senegal. Two villages were selected: Mboula village where transmission is strictly ensured by <it>An. gambiae </it>s.l. and Gankette Balla village which is exposed to several <it>Anopheles </it>species but where <it>An. funestus </it>is the only infected vector found. In each village, a cohort of 150 children aged from one to nine years was followed during one year and IgG response directed to schizont extract was determined by ELISA.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Similar results of specific IgG responses according to age and <it>P. falciparum </it>infection were observed in both villages. Specific IgG response increased progressively from one-year to 5-year old children and then stayed high in children from five to nine years old. The children with <it>P. falciparum </it>infection had higher specific antibody responses compared to negative infection children, suggesting a strong relationship between production of specific antibodies and malaria transmission, rather than protective immunity. In contrast, higher variation of antibody levels according to malaria transmission periods were found in Mboula compared to Gankette Balla. In Mboula, the peak of malaria transmission was followed by a considerable increase in antibody levels, whereas low and constant anti-malaria IgG response was observed throughout the year in Gankette Balla.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study shows that the development of anti-malaria antibody response was profoundly different according to areas where malaria exposure is dependent with different <it>Anopheles </it>species. These results are discussed according to i) the use of immunological tool for the evaluation of malaria transmission and ii) the influence of <it>Anopheles </it>vectors species on the regulation of antibody responses to <it>P. falciparum</it>.</p

A Rare Cause of Obstructive Chronic Hydrocephalus in an Adult Patient: A Case Report of Fourth Ventricle\'s Foramina Idiopathic Stenosis

Background & Importance: Idiopathic stenosis of the foramina of Magendie and Luschka is a rare cause of obstructive hydrocephalus involving the fourth ventricle. Case Presentation: We reported the case of a 40-year-old woman who developed headaches and vertigo for several months and more recently gait disturbance. The CT scan showed quadri-ventricular hydrocephalus involving mainly the fourth ventricle with dilated lateral recesses. Craniocervical MRI confirmed hydrocephalus and also showed the brainstem and cerebellar tonsil herniation through the foramen magnum with hydromyelia and a hyperintense signal on T2 weighted MRI of cervical spinal cord. Biological analyses were normal. She underwent endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). No complication was observed. The patient became asymptomatic during the weeks following the surgical procedure and remained stable at a mean follow-up interval of 20 months. Postoperative MR images demonstrated regression of the hydrocephalus; complete disappearance of brainstem and cerebellar tonsil herniation, hydromylia and the hyperintense signal on T2 weighted MRI of cervical spinal cord. Conclusion: This case confirms the existence of hydrocephalus caused by idiopathic fourth ventricle outflows obstruction in adult and the efficacy of ETV for this rare indication

Pituitary Abscess: a Report of Two Cases

Background and Importance: Abscess of the hypophysis or pituitary adenoma is a very rare entity, and its preoperative diagnosis could be challenging. The clinical presentation is less specific, and despite the recent advancement in imaging, diagnosis before surgery is still difficult. Case Presentation: We reported two cases of pituitary abscesses in patients aged 38 and 42 years. The first patient was managed for maxillary sinusitis associated with pituitary adenoma whose diagnosis was made following surgery. For the second patient, the diagnosis was proposed before surgery following an MRI which showed a ring enhancement lesion of the hypophysis. Both patients benefitted from surgery where one had sub-labial rhino-septal trans-sphenoidal approach and the other through endoscopic endonasal trans-sphenoidal approach. Both received intravenous broad spectrum antibiotics.   Conclusion:  Post-operative evolution was good with control MRI showing complete disappearance of the sellar lesion. Early diagnosis and treatment improved the prognosis

Chemical Constituents and Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Essential Oil from Dried Seeds of Xylopia aethiopica

The study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil from dried seeds of Xylopia aethiopica. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC/FID and GC/MS. The essential oil yield was 1.35%. Forty-nine compounds were identified in the essential oil with 1,8-cineole (16.3%), β-pinene (14.8%), trans-pinocarveol (9.1%), myrtenol (8.3%), α-pinene (5.9%), and terpinen-4-ol (5.6%) as major components. The antimicrobial activity of this essential oil was studied using disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods on four bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and one fungus (Candida albicans). The essential oil exhibited excellent activity against S. aureus, E. faecalis, and C. albicans and moderate activity against E. coli. Among all strains tested, C. albicans showed the best sensitivity with a MIC of 50 mg/mL. The antioxidant activity was examined using a DPPH-free radical scavenging assay. The essential oil of X. aethiopica showed low antioxidant activity (IC50 = 784.604 ± 0.320 mg/mL) compared to that of ascorbic acid and the reference compound (IC50 = 0.163 ± 0.003 mg/mL). The results indicate that consumption of X. aethiopica seeds can reduce the virulence of food-borne pathogens and their resistance to antibiotics

Evaluation of antibody response to in children according to exposure of or vectors-3

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Evaluation of antibody response to in children according to exposure of or vectors"</p><p>http://www.malariajournal.com/content/6/1/117</p><p>Malaria Journal 2007;6():117-117.</p><p>Published online 1 Sep 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2008208.</p><p></p>t (BHN) and IgG levels (ΔDO)

Evaluation of antibody response to in children according to exposure of or vectors-4

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Evaluation of antibody response to in children according to exposure of or vectors"</p><p>http://www.malariajournal.com/content/6/1/117</p><p>Malaria Journal 2007;6():117-117.</p><p>Published online 1 Sep 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2008208.</p><p></p>hildren presents for all passages (n = 62/passage in Mboula and 89/passage in Gankette Balla). Figure 1C showed median values of antibody levels (expressed in median values) in children from Mboula and Gankette Balla. NS = No Significant

Evaluation of antibody response to in children according to exposure of or vectors-1

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Evaluation of antibody response to in children according to exposure of or vectors"</p><p>http://www.malariajournal.com/content/6/1/117</p><p>Malaria Journal 2007;6():117-117.</p><p>Published online 1 Sep 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2008208.</p><p></p>d 75percentiles, and whiskers for 10and 90percentiles. The upper whisker extends to the largest value below the 75th percentile plus the box height multiplied by 1.5. n = number of children with or without malaria positive infection

Evaluation of antibody response to in children according to exposure of or vectors-2

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Evaluation of antibody response to in children according to exposure of or vectors"</p><p>http://www.malariajournal.com/content/6/1/117</p><p>Malaria Journal 2007;6():117-117.</p><p>Published online 1 Sep 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2008208.</p><p></p>and 75percentiles, and whiskers for 10and 90percentiles. The upper or lower whisker extends to the largest value below the 75percentiles plus the box height multiplied by 1.5

Evaluation of antibody response to in children according to exposure of or vectors-0

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Evaluation of antibody response to in children according to exposure of or vectors"</p><p>http://www.malariajournal.com/content/6/1/117</p><p>Malaria Journal 2007;6():117-117.</p><p>Published online 1 Sep 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2008208.</p><p></p>hildren presents for all passages (n = 62/passage in Mboula and 89/passage in Gankette Balla). Figure 1C showed median values of antibody levels (expressed in median values) in children from Mboula and Gankette Balla. NS = No Significant