Chelonitoxism in breast-fed child: cases in Mahajanga, Madagascar.

Chelonitoxism is a form of food poisoning due to the consumption of sea turtle flesh or viscera, which contain marine toxins called chelonitoxins. Because the passage of these toxins into breast milk is thought to be fatal to breastfed babies, we sought to confirm the possibility of this transmission of toxins through breastfeeding and to determine the symptoms of mothers and the severity of poisoning in babies. A recent case of collective consumption of sea turtle meat from the species Eretmochelys imbricata in western Madagascar affected 76 victims.

[Extrathoracic forms of tuberculosis in Mahajanga hospitals (Madagascar)].

Pathological samples issued from patients suspected of extrapulmonary tuberculosis were examined in Laboratories of Mycobacteria and of Histopathology at the Androva Hospital in the University Hospital Centre of Mahajanga. A retrospective study was carried out from 1989 to 1993. During this period, 64 cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis were recorded.

[The electrochemical behavior of TiTa30 and TiNb30 alloys for implantology].

The electrochemical behavior in artificial saliva of TiNb30 and TiTa30 alloys were compared with that of commercial pure titanium. The anodic potential, the current density, the passivation potential and the galvanic corrosion vs. Au were determined.

[The in vitro biological behavior of TiNb30 alloy treated with hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphates].

An in vitro study has been carried out in different cell systems to determine the biological response of TiNb30 alloy before and after a surface treatment with hydroxyapatite (HA) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) by the sol-gel method. TiNb30 pure Ti induce favorable cell viability with respect to pure Ni showing a high cytotoxic effect. After surface treatment with HA or HA-TCP mixtures, no difference in cell proliferation can be observed between amorphous and cristalline forms.

[Tuberculosis in the province of Mahajanga].

Comparative study of compulsory declarations registered at the provincial level and at the central level between January 1st 1993 and 31st December 1994 showed a high prevalence of tuberculosis in the province of Mahajanga and an under-declaration of cases at the provincial level was almost 25% with regard to data collected at the central level. Smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients were the most frequent (86%), which showed respect towards the National Control Programme instructions. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis were under-estimated (less than 10%) because of the weak diagnosis means.