Prévalence du téniasis échinococcique chez les chiens errants dans la région de Constantine,Nord-Est algérien

In North Africa, the domestic dog is regarded as the main reservoir for infection by Echinococcus granulosus of domestic livestock and man. In Algeria, there is very little data on the rate of infestation of dogs, while the prevalence of E. granulosus in the definitive host is a very reliable marker of the potential risk of transmission of cystic tapeworm to humans and livestock. To find out this information, a survey was conducted to assess the prevalence of infection with E. granulosus in stray dogs in the region of Constantine (North-East Algeria). We autopsied and examined 120 stray dogs, 22 (18.3%) of which were infected with E. granulosus, with an average intensity of infestation of 249 worms. The prevalence in the area of survey was evaluated: 15.5% (14/90) and 26.6% (8/30) dogs were parasitized by E. granulosus in urban and rural areas respectively. The influence of age on the rate of infection was very marked. In addition, the appreciation of the prevalence of parasitism by cestodes as a whole showed that 56 (46.6%) animals out of 120 were infected. Facing such a situation of endemic tapeworm parasitism, with a potential risk of transmission to humans, there is an urgent need to take measures to control and break the epidemiological cycles of the parasite.     

Détection de la macroprolactine à l’aide d’un gel protéine-A-Sépharose : comparaison à la précipitation au polyéthylène glycol

All serum samples showing apparent hyperprolactinemia should be examined for macroprolactin. We compared the results of polyethylen glycol (PEG) precipitation with the results of immunoprecipitation with a protein A-sepharose suspension. As PEG test, protein A precipitation test involves a short incubation time and is well suited to samples with moderate hyperprolactinemia and even to normoprolactinemic samples. In 76 samples negative according with the PEG test, Protein A-precipitated PRL was not significantly different from zero (0.4 ±6.8, range from –13 to +14). Thirty-one PEG positive samples were also positive according with the protein A results ranging from 24 to 92%. Among 9 samples in the gray zone of the PEG test, with the protein A test, 4 were negative, 2 positive and 3 intermediate (14 < precipitated PRL % < 24). More expensive than the PEG test, the protein A test should be only used to evaluate borderline samples after PEG precipitation. However, gel filtration chromatography remains the reference method for macroprolactin identification in these samples.     

Intérêt de l’étude du gène bêtaglobine dans le dépistage des hémoglobinopathies

As part of hemoglobinopathy’s study in the hospital of Saint-Denis, we search β globin gene mutations to complete standard techniques with the assay “βglobin Strip A^ssay” of Vienna Lab Labordiagnostika, sold by Ingen. This assay allows the detection of 20 frequent β thalassemia mutations, hemoglobin S and C. This assay is executed for β thalassemia and in a number of sickle cell diseases (SS and S-β thalassemia). Mutation was found in 38% of β thalassemia. In sickle cell diseases: SS and S-β+ thalassemia in newborns were confirmed. Nevertheless, considering the origin of our sickle cell disease’s patients, it is essential to complete this assay with African mutations.     

Identification des gîtes larvaires d’anophèles dans les foyers résiduels de faible transmission du paludisme « hotspots » au centre-ouest du Sénégal

Malaria incidence has markedly declined in the Mbour, Fatick, Niakhar and Bambey districts (central and western Senegal) thanks to a scaling up of effective control measures namely LLINs (Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Net), ACTs (Artesunate Combination Therapy) and promoting care seeking. However malaria cases are now maintained by foci of transmission called hotspots. We evaluate the role of anopheles breeding sites in the identification of malaria hotspots in the health districts of Mbour, Fatick, Niakhar and Bambey. Surveys of breeding sites were made in 6 hotspot villages and 4 non-hotspot villages. A sample was taken in each water point with mosquito larvae by dipping method and the collected specimens were identified to the genus level. Additional parameters as name of the village and breeding sites, type of collection, original water turbidity, presence of vegetation, proximity to dwellings, geographic coordinates, sizes were also collected. Sixty-two water collections were surveyed and monitored between 2013 and 2014. Temporary natural breeding sites were predominant regardless of the epidemiological status of the village. Among the 31 breeding sites located within 500 meters of dwellings in hotspots villages, 70% carried Anopheles larvae during the rainy season while 43% of the 21 breeding sites located at similar distances in non-hotspot villages carried Anopheles larvae during the same period (P = 0.042). At the end of the rainy season, the trend is the same with 27% of positive breeding sites in hotspots and 14% in non-hotspots villages. The breeding sites encountered in hotspots villages are mostly small to medium size and are more productive by Anopheles larvae than those found in non-hotspot area. This study showed that the high frequency of smallest and productive breeding sites around and inside the villages can create conditions of residual transmission.     

Évaluation en routine d'une nouvelle méthode pour le génotypage de la mutation 1691G>A du facteur V Leiden et du variant 20210G>A du facteur II par la technologie Invader®

The Factor V Leiden and prothrombin (20210G>A) mutations are the two most common genetic causes of venous thrombosis. Several molecular methods based on PCR have been developed for the detection of each of the mutations either separately or in combination. Here we have evaluated, the applicability in clinical routine of a rapid and semi-automated method for the detection of factor V and factor II mutations by the Invader^® Assay via comparison to a conventional PCR-RFLP assay. The Invader^® assay is a new molecular methodology for genotyping, directly applied with genomic DNA and avoiding a PCR step. The Invader^® assay is based on a novel linear signal amplification technology which uses two oligonucleotides, an “Invader” probe and two discriminatory primary probes (one wild type and one mutant), a Flap Endonuclease (Cleavase^® VIII) and a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) reporter system. The present study confirms the robustness, reliability, and accuracy of this new technology for the detection of Factor V Leiden and Factor II mutations and offers an alternative to genotyping methods based on PCR.     

Évolution des résultats du dosage du PSA total (antigène spécifique de la prostate) : données obtenues dans le cadre d'un programme de contrôle de qualité interlaboratoire

Evaluation of assay results for total PSA; Data obtained within the framework of an external quality assay survey. The measurement of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is widely used in the monitoring of patients with prostate cancer. However, the estimation of the concentrations was caracterized by large differences between kits in clinical specimen and control samples. The analysis of the results, obtained from an external quality assessment scheme for non isotopic immunoassays, shows a decrease of the total variability between 1997 and 1999. Indeed, the CV Tr, all methods mixed, were > 30 % (from 31,0 to 50,6 %) in 1997 and were < 20 % (from 9,0 to 19,1 %) in 1999 for the specimens analysed in a range from 1,0 to 40 μg L⁻¹. The decrease of the total variability is explained by the modification of some kits (use of the Stanford calibrator 90 : 10 and equimolar response to free PSA and PSA complexed to alpha 1 antichymotrypsin) and also by the composition of the commercially control samples.     

épidémiologie des démences chez les personnes agées dans le troisième arrondissement de la ville de Bangui (République Centrafricaine)

Given the gradual improvement of living conditions and aging, dementia and related syndromes are becoming serious problems in the developing countries. A cross-sectional door to door type study in neighbourhood, was conducted from October 2008 to January 2009, in the general population in Bangui, order to help get a better understanding of the prevalence and risk factors of dementia among people over 65 living in the Central African capital. Of the 496 elderly respondents, 188 had cognitive disorders. After a neuropsychological examination, 40 of these subjects were diagnosed with dementia. The prevalence of dementia was 8.1% (IC 95% = [5.7?10.5]). The average age of subjects with dementia, ranging from 65 to 90 years, was 76.0 ± 7.1 years. There was a significant risk of developing dementia for an increase of ten years old (OR = 2.6, 95% CI [1.5 to 4.5]). The sex-ratio was 6/34. 82.5% of the demented had never attended school. 70.0% showed a state of malnutrition (BMI ?? 18,5 kg/m²), significantly associated with dementia (OR = 3.3; IC 95% = [1.5?C7.3]). The blood pressure was high in 67.5% of demented which is significantly associated with dementia (OR = 2.4; IC 95% = [1.1?C5.4]). A recent change in financial status was a factor significantly associated with dementia (OR = 6.4; IC 95% = [1.8?C22.5]). These results support the existence of dementia in urban Africa. The observed prevalence is close to those found in high-income countries. Further studies should be conducted which includes both the rural and urban Africa, to better understand the problem and solutions consider to comprehensive care and prevention axes adapted to our context.