Publications by authors named "Amarir F"

Staphylococcal infections challenge current treatments due to adverse effects and drug resistance, prompting the exploration of plant-derived compounds for their promising properties. This study aimed to analyze Syzygium aromaticum essential oil (SA-EO), aqueous (AE-SA) and ethyl acetate (EAE-SA) extracts for antioxidant and antistaphylococcal effects against sensitive and resistant clinical isolates. Erythrocytes were used as model cells for biocompatibility.

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Background And Purpose:  Onychomycosis is a common nail infection characterized by the discoloration, thickening, and detachment of nails. This study aimed to provide valuable insights into this pathology by assessing its prevalence, clinical aspects, related comorbidities, and causative agents in patients from a Moroccan population.

Materials And Methods:  This retrospective study was conducted on 1,606 subjects at the Mycology-Parasitology laboratory of the National Institute of Hygiene in Rabat, Morocco, over five years (2016-2020).

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Article Synopsis
  • The review focuses on toxoplasmosis rates in Panama and Colombia, analyzing data on seroprevalence and risk factors.
  • Studies showed seroprevalence in Ciudad de Panamá ranged from 22% to 44%, with higher rates linked to poverty and closeness to water.
  • Heat maps and mathematical models were created to pinpoint areas that need targeted healthcare campaigns for congenital toxoplasmosis and infections.
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Article Synopsis
  • The purpose of the review was to develop and assess educational materials aimed at reducing disease burdens from infections in Panama, Colombia, and the USA.
  • Recent findings indicate that educational programs in these countries have not yet been evaluated for their effectiveness, despite being implemented for various demographics like high school students and pregnant women.
  • The summary highlights that these educational materials have shown short-term benefits in disseminating information, with future goals focusing on conducting long-term studies, updating materials based on new research, and increasing access to these resources for broader public health impact.
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Purpose Of Review: Review building of programs to eliminate infections.

Recent Findings: Morbidity and mortality from toxoplasmosis led to programs in USA, Panama, and Colombia to facilitate understanding, treatment, prevention, and regional resources, incorporating student work.

Summary: Studies foundational for building recent, regional approaches/programs are reviewed.

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Article Synopsis
  • The review discusses international efforts to create a global public health initiative for toxoplasmosis, aiming to enhance maternal and child health by preventing and treating the disease.
  • Recent findings indicate that some countries are making progress in eliminating toxoplasmosis but face significant challenges.
  • Key issues include the high costs and inaccessibility of diagnostic tests and treatment, especially for marginalized communities, as well as delays in essential medical procedures and insurance processes.
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Morocco had reached the level of schistosomiasis elimination 16 years ago. However the spread of freshwater snails in several breeding sites, and imported schistosome infection, still exist. Therefore, snail survey is a crucial component to sustain elimination progress.

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Point-of-care (POC) testing for infection has the potential to revolutionize diagnosis and management of toxoplasmosis, especially in high-risk populations in areas with significant environmental contamination and poor health infrastructure precluding appropriate follow-up and preventing access to medical care. Toxoplasmosis is a significant public health challenge in Morocco, with a relatively heavy burden of infection and, to this point, minimal investment nationally to address this infection. Herein, we analyse the performance of a novel, low-cost rapid test using fingerstick-derived whole blood from 632 women (82 of whom were pregnant) from slums, educational centres, and from nomad groups across different geographical regions (i.

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Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an important cause of human morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in Morocco and other North African countries.

Methodology/principal Findings: We investigated the potential of three strategies to reduce Echinococcus granulosus transmission: (1) 4-monthly treatment of dogs with praziquantel, (2) vaccination of sheep with the EG95 vaccine and (3) a combination of both measures. These measures were implemented during four consecutive years in different areas of the Middle Atlas Mountains in Morocco.

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Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a major zoonosis in Morocco. Despite a national hydatidosis control programme (NHCP) established in 2005, CE burden is still high nationwide. The aim of this study was to carry out an NHCP stakeholders' analysis to identify weak points and propose improvement strategies.

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The purpose of this study is to describe the epidemiological profile and evolution of urinary schistosomiasis in Morocco, from the first confirmed case in 1960 until disease elimination, and control snails. During this period, 129,526 cases were recorded in Morocco. A majority of cases were reported in Agadir province (25%), Errachidia (18%), and Beni Mellal (13%).

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Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a major zoonosis in Morocco despite the launch of a national control programme in 2005. As its economic consequences have not been studied yet in Morocco, this study estimated CE impact in terms of monetary losses, disability-adjusted life years (DALY), and DALY for zoonotic diseases (zDALY) in the entire country and in specific regions for the 2011 to 2014 period. The direct monetary losses were related to organ seizure from infected animal in slaughterhouses, and to healthcare expenses as well as lost wages for infected humans.

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Since 2004, no indigenous cases of schistosomiasis have been found in Morocco; only imported cases have been detected. The aim of the present study was to describe and analyse the epidemiological profile of imported schistosomiasis between 2005 and 2017, and, by this, attract attention to the probability of a reintroduction of this disease. During this period, 27 cases were recorded in Morocco, with a male predominance (13:1).

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A longitudinal study was carried out in Middle atlas, Morocco (locality of Had Oued Ifrane) in a population of 255 dogs from three localities, including two categories of dogs (owned and stray dogs). The dogs were investigated three times over a period ranging from 4 to 8 months between December and August. At each investigation, dogs were treated with arecoline, inducing defecation and allowing feces collection.

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Leishmaniasis is among the most important emerging vector-borne protozoal disease in terms of disability adjusted life year (DALY'S). The main objectives of this study are, firstly to evaluate the epidemiological situation of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) from 2000 to 2015 in Moulay Yacoub Province and Fez Prefecture and secondly to analyze the impact of several factors (geographical and socio-economic factors) on the distribution of CL in these provinces. In addition, this study aims to identify the circulating species of Leishmania in order to justify the cause of the case maintenance and to prevent possible epidemics.

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A rapid, sensitive and specific tool for detection of Leishmania infantum infection in Humans would be highly desirable, because it would allow control interventions in endemic areas of visceral leishmaniasis. This study was carried out at the Reference National Laboratory of Leishmaniasis (RNLL) in National Institute of Hygiene (NIH) Morocco, in order to evaluate the diagnostic potential of immunochromatographic dipstick test (ICT) rk39 in Moroccan suspected VL patients. A total of 49 admitted patients with strong clinical suspicion of VL and 40 healthy controls were investigated for the performance of the ICT rk39.

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Introduction: The aim of our study was to assess a standardized supervisory grid as a new supervision tool being used in the laboratories of leishmaniasis.

Methods: We conducted a pilot trial to evaluate the ongoing performances of seven provincial laboratories, in four provinces in Morocco, over a period of two years, between 2006 and 2014. This study detailed the situation in provincial laboratories before and after the implementation of the supervisory grid.

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Background: After alleged stop of transmission of schistosomiasis and further down the line in post elimination settings, sensitive tools are required to monitor infection status to prevent potential re-emergence. In Rahala, where transmission cycle of Schistosoma haematobium is interrupted since 2004 but where 30% of snails are still infected by S. bovis, potential human S.

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Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is widely distributed in Morocco where its geographical range and incidence are related to environmental factors. This study aimed to examine the impact of several factors on the distribution of CL in Boulemane Province, which is characterized by several microclimates, and to identify the Leishmania species circulating in these areas.

Methods: Ordinary least squares regression (OLSR) analysis was performed to study the impact of poverty, vulnerability, population density, urbanization and bioclimatic factors on the distribution of CL in this province.

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Background: Leishmaniasis is considered among the main endemic diseases in Morocco. However, further knowledge about epidemiological aspects of this disease is needed in several provinces to plan control and preventive strategies to tackle the disease. The present study aims to determine the epidemiological aspect of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in Taza Province from 2007-2014 and to identify the circulating species in this province.

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Leishmaniases are parasitic diseases frequent in the Mediterranean Basin. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a notifiable parasitic disease that increased in incidence in Morocco over the past few years and has recently emerged in several new foci, causing a public health problem in Morocco. The aim of this study is to describe the spatio-temporal distribution of VL in Morocco between 1990 and 2014 period in order to highlight important features and trends of VL and its epidemiology and to assess whether the activity of the unit reflects the situation of the disease at the national level and whether it could constitute an indicator of public health relevance.

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Background: This is the first study in Morocco to estimate snail infection rates at the last historic transmission sites of schistosomiasis, known to be free from new infection among humans since 2004. Screening of large numbers of snails for infection is one way to confirm that Schistosoma haematobium transmission has stopped and does not resurge.

Methods: A total of 2703 Bulinus truncatus snails were collected from 24 snail habitats in five provinces of Morocco: Errachidia, El Kelaa des Sraghna, Tata, Beni Mellal, and Chtouka Ait Baha.

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Article Synopsis
  • The Moroccan Health Ministry initiated a campaign to eliminate schistosomiasis in 1994, successfully interrupting disease transmission nationally by 2005-2009, with only a few remaining cases.
  • A new systematic study was conducted to assess disease transmission in areas that previously had high rates of schistosomiasis by analyzing serum samples from 2,382 children born after the last local cases.
  • The study found no specific antibodies against Schistosoma haematobium in any of the serum samples, indicating either a very low transmission rate or complete interruption of the disease in these areas.
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During the past 20 years, cutaneous leishmaniasis has emerged as a major public health threat in Morocco. We describe distribution of Leishmania major and L. tropica in Morocco and a new focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis due to L.

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