Prevalence and determinants of hypertension and associated cardiovascular risk factors: data from a population-based, cross-sectional survey in Saint Louis, Senegal.

Background: The incidence of cardiovascular disease is growing worldwide and this is of major public health concern. In sub-Saharan Africa, there is a lack of epidemiological data on the prevalence and distribution of risk factors of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors among an urban Senegalese population.

Monocyte activation and T cell inhibition in Plasmodium falciparum-infected placenta.

Background: During healthy pregnancy, T helper (Th) 1-type and inflammatory-type responses are down-regulated, and Th2-type and proinflammatory-type responses predominate. In Plasmodium falciparum-infected females, these responses induce enhanced production of tumor necrosis factor- alpha and interferon- gamma.

Methods: To assess the respective implication of monocytes and T cells in this placental immunomodulation, we cocultured cells from delivering females living in an area where malaria is endemic.