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Hepatitis C virus infection in HIV-infected men who have sex with men: sustained rising incidence in Antwerp, Belgium, 2001-2009
No full textChemosensitization of Trypanosoma congolense strains resistant to isometamidium chloride by tetracyclines and enrofloxacin
No full textBACKGROUND: Because of the development of resistance in trypanosomes to trypanocidal drugs, the livelihood of millions of livestock keepers in sub-Saharan Africa is threatened now more than ever. The existing compounds have become virtually useless and pharmaceutical companies are not keen on investing in the development of new trypanocides. We may have found a breakthrough in the treatment of resistant trypanosomal infections, through the combination of the trypanocide isometamidium chloride (ISM) with two affordable veterinary antibiotics. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In a first experiment, groups of mice were inoculated with Trypanosoma congolense strains resistant to ISM and either left untreated or treated with (i) tetracycline, (ii) ISM or (iii) the combination of the antibiotic and the trypanocide. Survival analysis showed that there was a significant effect of treatment and resistance to treatment on the survival time. The groups treated with ISM (with or without antibiotic) survived significantly longer than the groups that were not treated with ISM (P<0.01). The group treated with the combination trypanocide/antibiotic survived significantly longer than the group treated with ISM (P<0.01). In a second experiment, groups of cattle were inoculated with the same resistant trypanosome strain and treated with (i) ISM, (ii) ISM associated with oxytetracycline or (iii) ISM associated with enrofloxacine. All animals treated with ISM became parasitaemic. In the groups treated with ISM-oxytetracycline and ISM-enrofloxacine, 50% of the animals were cured. Animals from the groups treated with a combination trypanocide/antibiotic presented a significantly longer prepatent period than animals treated with ISM (p<0.001). The impact of the disease on the haematocrit was low in all ISM treated groups. Yet, it was lower in the groups treated with the combination trypanocide/antibiotic (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: After optimization of the administration protocol, this new therapeutic combination could constitute a promising treatment for livestock infected with drug resistant T. congolens
Uptake of provider-initiated counselling and testing among tuberculosis suspects, Ethiopia
No full textSETTING: Twenty-seven health centres in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE: To assess the uptake of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing among tuberculosis (TB) suspects in Addis Ababa, and to determine reasons for non-acceptance of the test. DESIGN: From February to March 2009, new TB suspects identified in 27 health centres in Addis Ababa were offered HIV testing. Patients were interviewed by trained nurses using a pretested questionnaire. RESULT: Of the 506 TB suspects, 59% were tested for HIV and accepted the test result. Individuals with knowledge about HIV counselling and testing procedures were 2.5 times more likely to be tested than individuals with poor knowledge. TB suspects who had previously been tested for HIV were twice as likely to accept HIV testing and to receive the result of the test (OR = 2.0, 95%CI 1.4-2.9). Government employees (OR = 2.8, 95%CI 1.2-6.3) and merchants (OR = 2.7, 95%CI 1.2-5.7) were more likely to be tested for HIV as compared to jobless individuals. CONCLUSION: The TB control programme in Ethiopia should increase its educational efforts among all TB suspects, but especially among jobless individuals, to increase the uptake of HIV testin
Nutritional supplementation in HIV-Infected individuals can be beneficial in certain patient groups [letter]
No full textTSOL18 vaccine antigen of Taenia solium: development of monoclonal antibodies and field testing of the vaccine in Cameroon
No full text
Buruli Ulcer: advances in understanding Mycobacterium ulcerans infection
No full textBuruli ulcer (BU), caused by the environmental organism Mycobacterium ulcerans and characterized by necrotizing skin and bone lesions, poses important public health issues as the third most common mycobacterial infection in humans. Pathogenesis of M ulcerans is mediated by mycolactone, a necrotizing immunosuppressive toxin. First-line therapy for BU is rifampin plus streptomycin, sometimes with surgery. New insights into the pathogenesis of BU should improve control strategie