Prévalence d’infection des ovins par Toxoplasma gondii en Tunisie

The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in 527 sheep from 4 governorates of Tunisia by Elisa (350 animals) and PCR (177 animals). The seroprevalence in sheep was estimated to be 1.8% (N = 166) in the governorate of Siliana (North Tunisia) and 19% (N = 184) in the governorate of Kasserine (Central Tunisia) with a commercial Elisa kit. T. gondii DNA was extracted from the apex of the heart in 25.5% (N = 106) of sheep from the Sidi-Bouzid governorate (Central Tunisia) and 12.7% (N = 71) from the Ben-Arous governorate (North Tunisia). There was no statistically significant difference between different age categories’ prevalence within each locality. Our results indicate that T. gondii infection is frequent in Tunisian sheep. The implementation of a national control programme against toxoplasmosis should not neglect sheep as a frequently infected intermediate host.     

Association between RANTES polymorphisms and asthma severity among Tunisian children

The chemokine known as RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cells expressed and secreted) is an important element for the chemotaxis at the site of allergic inflammation. Many studies have made an interesting link between RANTES polymorphisms and asthma, showing that the variant in the promoter region is associated with high risk of asthma and severe airway obstruction. We conducted a case-control and family study aiming at identifying the relationship between polymorphisms (-28 C/G and -403 G/A) and haplotypes in the RANTES gene with asthma and severity. The results of the case control study suggest an association between alleles level of -28 C/G and -403 G/A promoter polymorphism (p = 0.01) (p = 0.00175) and asthma. Univariate analysis of the RANTES polymorphisms show an increased prevalence of the AC and AG haplotypes in asthmatics (p = 0.014) and (p = 0.015) respectively. Our data suggest that -28 C/G and -403 G/A polymorphisms within the RANTES promoter region play an important role in asthma predisposition and in the severity of airway obstruction.     

Primary ciliary dyskinesia gene contribution in Tunisia: Identification of a major Mediterranean allele

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetically heterogeneous disease of motile cilia. Even though PCD is widely studied, North‐African patients have been rarely explored. In this study, we aim at confirming the clinical diagnosis and explore the genetic spectrum of PCD in a cohort of Tunisian patients. Forty clinically diagnosed patients with PCD belonging to 34 families were recruited from Tunisian pediatric departments. In each proband, targeted capture PCD panel sequencing of the 40 PCD genes was performed. PCD panel sequencing identified bi‐allelic mutations in 82% of the families in eight PCD genes. Remarkably, 23.5% of patients carried the same c.2190del CCDC39 mutation. Single nucleotide polymorphism profiling in six unrelated patients carrying this mutation has revealed a founder effect in North‐African patients. This mutation is estimated to date back at least 1,400–1,750 years ago. The identification of this major allele allowed us to suggest a cost‐effective genetic diagnostic strategy in North‐African patients with PCD.     

Alcohol Use and Associated Environmental Factors Among Middle and High School Students in Sfax (Tunisia)

Our objective was to investigate the prevalence and the environmental determinants of alcohol use among students in the region of Sfax in Tunisia. We carried out a cross-sectional study among 315 middle and high school students. We used the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) to identify risky alcohol consumption, and we used the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ) to assess the students’ perceptions of their parents’ parenting styles. The results show that 19.7% reported drinking alcohol at least once in their lifetime. Among them, 21% scored as dependent alcohol users, according to the AUDIT. Those who drank alcohol at least once were more likely to have parents with a permissive parenting style (p < 0.001; Cramer’s V = 0.287), and a father (p < 0.001; Cramer’s V = 0.258), a mother (p = 0.025; Cramer’s V = 0.158), or a friend (p < 0.001; Cramer’s V = 0.341) who drinks. Students perceiving their parents’ parenting style as permissive had the highest AUDIT score (p = 0.005; partial η² = 0.132). The authoritarian style score was significantly higher for students who were current alcohol users (p = 0.028; Cohen’s d = 0.57). Our study highlights the influence of peers, family drinking, and parenting styles on alcohol use among middle and high school students. Therefore, particular attention should be given to students that are at risk of having the abovementioned environmental determinants of alcohol use. And, prevention strategies should involve parents, as well as enhanced guidance and counseling for these students.

     

Comparison of three methods to evaluate microalbuminuria in insulin-dependent diabetics: radioimmunoassay, laser-nephelometry and Laurell electroimmunodiffusion

The early detection of microalbuminuria in insulin dependent diabetes is considered as a sign of initial stage of nephropathy possibly reversible if glycemic balance is well maintained. This detection requires very accurate methods as radio-immuno-assays. Yet, they are so slow that they represent an obstacle to systemic detection. We report in this work an apparaisement of an immuno-nephelemetric and electro-immuno-diffusion of Laurell methods. Results reveal that immuno-nephelemetry and electro-immuno-diffusion are a sensitive and accurate methods (threshold of sensitivity of Laurell method is : 2.5 mg/l and nephelemetry is 1.5 mg/l). Moreover, RIA, immunonephelemetry and Laurell methods are significantly well correlated (r = 0.903: Laurell/Radio-immuno-assay, r = 0.907: Nephelemetry/Laurell). In conclusion immuno-nephelemetry and electro-immuno-diffusion of Laurell are a choice methods to test great lines of samples. Radio-immuno-assay can be used as a reference method of detection of microalbuminuria.     

Comparative effects of couscous and pasta on glycemia in normal subjects and type I diabetics

8 healthy subjects have eaten in the morning, after an overnight fast, in two separated occasions and in a randomised order 50 gr of CHO as pasta or couscous. Blood glucose after pasta ingestion was lower at 30 mn (p less than 0.05) at 45 mn (p less than 0.01) and at 60 mn (p less than 0.05). Area under the curve after pasta was significantly reduced (p less than 0.01). In a second time 6 IDDM patients have eaten in a randomised order a meal made of pasta with tomato sauce (P = 11%, F = 30%, G = 59%) or couscous with vegetables and sauce (P = 10%, F = 37%, G = 53%). Blood glucose after the pasta was lower than couscous at 90 mn (p less than 0.05) the area under the curve after the pasta ingestion was reduced of 38% but did'nt reach significance. In conclusion couscous has a higher glycemic effect than pasta although it has a similar composition. This phenomenon is still observed when the cereal products are mixed with other foods and ingested by IDDM patients.     

A case of severe paraneoplastic itch resistant to antihistamines and responding to serotonin reuptake inhibitors

This article covers an interesting topic. Paraneoplastic pruritus is rare but can be severe. It can sometimes be resistant to usual treatments. In our case, it was resistant to antihistamines but was relieved by inhibitors of serotonin scrapping.