Usefulness of PCR in the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Tunisia

We assessed the efficiency of a PCR method in establishing the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Tunisian patients. Four hundred and thirty specimens collected passively from patients with cutaneous ulcers suggestive of leishmaniasis attending health centres for diagnosis were included in the study. Dermal scrapings were analysed both by parasitological (examination of Giemsa-stained smears and in vitro cultivation) methods and by a genus-specific PCR detecting a fragment of the 18S rRNA gene. Microscopy revealed amastigotes in 245 samples (57.0%) and in vitro cultivation gave positive results in 88 cases (20.5%), whereas PCR detected Leishmania in 301 samples (70%). The sensitivities inferred from our results were 99.3%, 80.8% and 29% for PCR, microscopic examination and in vitro cultivation, respectively. The different forms of CL in this country are caused by three species of Leishmania and are treated with the same protocol. Of 303 well-documented cases in our study, 99% were probably caused by Leishmania major and 1% by Leishmania infantum. The lack of species-specific diagnosis is not known to affect treatment or prognosis in Tunisia. These data support the incorporation of PCR into diagnostic strategies for CL, particularly in Tunisia.     

Effect of vanadate in acute metabolic acidosis

Summary: The effect of vanadate on urinary excretion of acid and electrolyte in dogs with hydrochloric acid (HCI)-induced acute metabolic acidosis was studied. Vanadate caused no changes in systemic and renal haemodynamics, blood parameters and net acid excretion (NAE) in the control group. In the acute metabolic acidosis group, metabolic acidosis per se also had no effect on haemodymic parameters. Fractional excretion of bicarbonate was decreased, while NAE was markedly increased. Following vanadate treatment, acute acid-loaded animals showed an increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP), but a decreased glomerular filtration rate and effective renal plasma flow. These animals had reduced NAE compared to that seen with HCI alone. Thus, vanadate impaired the renal adaptive responses to acute metabolic acidosis. the decreased NAE induced by vanadate might be caused by its known inhibitory effect on hydrogen-potassium-adenosine triphosphatase (H-K-ATPase) and sodium-potassium-adenosine triphosphatase (Na-K-ATPase), and by renal vasoconstriction.     

Nephrotoxicity of Kalach 360 SL: biochemical and histopathological findings

Kalach 360 SL (KL) is a commercial herbicide which contains 360?g/l of glyphosate used in both agricultural and urban areas throughout the world including Tunisia. We aimed to evaluate the effects of KL on rats’ renal system. Female Wistar rats were divided into three groups: group 1 (n?=?6) received a standard diet and served as control, groups 2 and 3 (n?=?12 each) received 0.07?ml (D1: 126?mg/kg), and 0.175?ml (D2: 315?mg/kg) of KL, respectively, for 60 d. The chronic exposure to KL induced a significant increase in plasma creatinine, urea, and uric acid levels. Creatinine clearance decreased in KL-treated groups, compared with controls. Several urine parameters, such as urine-specific gravity and urine osmolality, significantly decreased, while dieresis and urinary Na/K?+?ratio increased in KL-treated groups. These findings suggested a distal tubular damage caused by tubular necrosis. Moreover, the chronic exposure to KL induced an increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and a decrease in antioxidant status, enzymatic activities (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and non-enzymatic levels (vitamin C), which led to an oxidative stress. Histopathological studies showed a peritubular inflammatory reaction, nephrose, fragmented glomeruli, necrotic epithelial cells, and tubular dilatation. These results could have significant health implications for animal and human populations. Further data are necessary to investigate the potential consequences of chronic dose exposure during life.     

Extensive longitudinal myelitis due to cytomegalovirus infection

Journal of NeuroVirology - Neurological cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections especially extensive longitudinal myelitis are extremely rare in immunocompetent adults. However, we hereby report a case of...     

Pelvic pseudotumoral actinomycosis with multisegmental lumbosacral root failure. A case report

We report a case of pseudotumoral pelvic actinomycosis with lumbosacral spinal involvement in a 21 year-old woman. The radiological work-up showed a pseudotumoral left ovarian lesion extended to sacral spine, which involved the fifth lumbar vertebra. Diagnosis of actinomycosis was established in histopathological examination of the tubo-ovarian mass under laparotomy. After four months of treatment with ofloxacin and rifampicin evolution was marked by improvement of general health and infection, associated to a progressive recovery of motricity of the lower limbs. Early diagnosis of pelvic actinomycosis may prevent the occurrence of rare but severe neurological complications of this disease.     

Epidemiology of Pityriasis versicolor in Tunisia: Clinical features and characterization of Malassezia species

Malassezia (M.) genus includes commensal yeasts of increasing medical importance, as they result in many diseases, ranging from pityriasis versicolor (PV) to systemic infections. Previous studies reported geographical variations in distribution of Malassezia species in PV lesions. The aims of the current study were to define the clinico-demographic features of PV in Tunisia, to characterize Malassezia isolates using phenotypic and molecular techniques and to find out any association between species and clinico-demographic parameters.In total, 120 PV patients were enrolled in this study. Skin scrapings were collected and inoculated on Sabouraud agar and modified Dixon medium. Malassezia species were identified using conventional phenotypic methods and 26 s rDNA PCR-RFLP. The highest prevalence of PV was observed among young adults’ group. The most affected body areas were the back and neck. In overall, 50.8% and 35% of PV cases had pruritus and history of recurrence respectively. The overall concordance between phenotypic and molecular methods was high (80.95%). The discordant results are rather due to the presence of multiple species in a single culture than true misidentification. Using PCR-RFLP, M. furfur was the most isolated species (38.7%) followed by M. globosa (37.7%), M. restricta and M. sympodialis. No statistically significant association was noted between Malassezia spp. and clinico-demographic characteristics. Unlike many reports from temperate climate countries, M. furfur and M. globosa along together were the most frequently isolated species in Tunisian PV patients. Although phenotypic methods remain simple and cost-effective, molecular techniques are considered as fast and accurate methods for diagnosis purposes.     

A Polydimethylsiloxane Rod Extraction-Based Method for the Determination of Pharmaceuticals and Triclosan by Liquid Chromatography in Water Samples

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology - A new analytical method for the determination of naproxen, ketoprofen, diclofenac, carbamazepine, and triclosan (TCS) in water samples by...