[Carbohydrate deficient transferrin: what's new 20 years later?].

The clinical diagnosis of alcohol abuse has frequently to be supported by biological data. These data help the practitioner to establish the diagnosis and to monitor the alcohol withdrawal and possible relapses. They also can help to demonstrate to the patient the existence of a denied alcohol abuse.

Evolution of grass-cutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) inflammation markers: comparison with rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and rat (Rattus norvegicus).

An inflammatory reaction was induced in grass-cutters (Thryonomys swinderianus) by injecting turpentine. The changes in the plasma haptoglobin, fibrinogen, alpha 2 macroglobulin and immunoglobulin G was followed for 23 days by immunonephelometry. The results were compared to rat and rabbit.

[Selection criteria for the establishment of reference values in tropical zones. Application to specific proteins: C-reactive protein, haptoglobin, transferrin in gabonese children].

About 220 children (110 boys and 110 girls) aged 18 months to 10 years, 65.9% have been selected from anamnesis, clinical, and biological criteria to produce reference values on specific proteins dependent inflammatory, anemia and hemolysis (C-reactive protein = CRP; Transferrin = TRF and Haptoglobin: HPT). Specimens have been analysed by Nephelometric immuno-chemical method.

Detection of circulating antigens in Gabonese patients with Loa loa filariasis.

Circulating antigens were detected in sera of Gabonese patients with Loa loa filarial infection by co-electrosyneresis (Co-ES). The serum samples selected for this study were exposed to rabbit hyperimmune antifilarial antisera and human immune antisera: specific arcs were observed in 35/60 filarial patients, of whom 24/47 were microfilaraemic and 11/13 amicofilaraemic. The identity of rabbit hyperimmune antisera and loiasial immune sera was confirmed by the continuity of precipitation arcs.