Development of cellular immune responses to Plasmodium falciparum blood stage antigens from birth to 36 months of age in Cameroon.

Naturally acquired immunity to Plasmodium falciparum is related to immune system that changes during normal development and ageing. The effects of repeated infections during the early life on the maturation of the immune system are still unknown. Elucidation of these effects is of considerable interest given that malaria originates high mortality, especially during the first years of life.

Optical properties of randomly distributed soot: improved polarimetric and intensity scattering functions.

Reference scattering curves for polarization and intensity produced by aggregates and agglomerates of ethylene and kerosene soot are obtained for scattering angles in the 10-170 degrees range. The polarization measurements were obtained with the Propriétés Optiques des Grains Astronomiques et Atmosphériques instrument for particles that levitate in microgravity during parabolic flights and on the ground by an air draught technique. The intensity measurements were obtained also on the ground with a Laboratoire de Metéorologie Physique nephelometer.

Longitudinal study of Plasmodium falciparum infection and immune responses in infants with or without the sickle cell trait.

Background: Individuals may be homozygous (SS) or heterozygous (AS) sickle cell gene carriers or have normal adult haemoglobin (AA). Haemoglobin S could have a protective role against malaria but evidence is sparse and the operating mechanisms are poorly known.

Methods: We followed two cohorts of children.

Prevalence of and risk factors for anemia in young children in southern Cameroon.

Anemia during childhood remains a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. To determine the prevalence of and the main risk factors for anemia in young children, we conducted a longitudinal survey in Ebolowa in southern Cameroon. Children were enrolled in two cohorts and followed during a three-year period: the first cohort was composed of 122 children from 0 to 36 months of age and the second cohort was composed of 84 children from 24 to 60 months of age.