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Human papillomavirus (HPV) was detected by using two sets of deoxyribonucleotide primers for differentiating between 'low-risk' types (HPV11 and HPV6) and 'high-risk' (hri) types (HPV16, HPV18 and HPV33). A new application of the Chemiprobe method for labeling DNA was used to detect products of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from 36 cervical biopsies. This method, first demonstrated by Uchimura et al. (submitted), is based on the sulfonation of a polycytidylic acid tail of 5-20 monomers attached to the 5' end of either one or both of the PCR primers. This procedure can increase the sensitivity of detection of PCR products more than 100-fold with respect to ethidium bromide (EtdBr) staining. Various methods were used to detect hri HPV DNA in the 36 clinical samples. The number of positive results obtained was as follows, two by Southern-blot hybridization; five by PCR amplification followed by electrophoresis and detection of products by EtdBr staining; six by PCR amplification using one or two sulfonated C-tailed primers followed by electroblotting and immunoenzymatic visualization; and five by hybridization of sulfonated genomic viral recombinant with a PCR product immobilized on a membrane. The yield of the PCR product was significantly greater when one of the primers was C-tailed than when both or neither of the primers were C-tailed. PCR employing sulfonated C-tailed oligo primers is very specific and sensitive, and the entire procedure can be employed as a nonradioactive substitute for radioactive dot-blot or Southern-blot hybridization procedures, routinely used for detection of HPV in clinical samples.

BACKGROUND:Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonosis affecting mainly tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, particularly South America and the Caribbean. As in many other countries, under-reporting of cases was suspected in the French West Indies because of inadequate access to diagnostic tests for the general population. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:In order to estimate the real incidence of leptospirosis in Guadeloupe and Martinique, a study was performed in 2011 using the three prevailing available biological tests for diagnosis: Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT), IgM ELISA and PCR. The study investigated inpatients and outpatients and used active case ascertainment from data provided by a general practitioners' sentinel network. The epidemiology of the disease was also described in terms of severity and demographic characteristics. Leptospirosis incidence was estimated at 69.4 (95%CI 47.6-91.1) and 60.6 (95%CI 36.3-85.0) annual cases per 100,000 inhabitants in Guadeloupe and Martinique, respectively, which was 3 and 4 times higher than previous estimations. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE:Inclusion of PCR and IgM ELISA tests for diagnosis of leptospirosis resulted in improved sensitivity in comparison with MAT alone. Our results highlighted the substantial health burden of the disease in these two territories and the importance of access to appropriate laboratory tests. Based on our results, PCR and IgM ELISA tests have now been included in the list of tests reimbursed by the national system of social security insurance in France. Our results also underline the relevance of implementing an integrated strategy for the surveillance, prevention and control of leptospirosis in the French West Indies.

Background The prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax malaria was very high in Corsica just before the Second World War. The last outbreak was in 1972 and the most recent indigenous case was in 2006. Results Analysis of historical data shows that anopheline vectors were abundant. Recent surveys demonstrated that potential vectors are still present in Corsica, despite the likely disappearance of Anopheles sacharovi. Moreover, P. falciparum can develop experimentally into these mosquitoes, notably Anopheles labranchiae, which is locally abundant, and parasites are regularly introduced into the island. Discussion, Conclusions The presence of vectors, the introduction of parasites and the conducive climate raise questions about the possibility of malaria re-emerging and becoming re-established in Corsica. Analysis of historic and current parasitological and entomological data shows that the current theoretical risk of indigenous cases or malaria foci is negligible, particularly since there is very little contact between humans and Anopheles mosquitoes, Plasmodium carriers are reliably treated and there is a widespread vector control on the island.