Prevalence of HBsAg among Moroccan HIV-1 infected patients and APOBEC3G variant frequencies in HIV-1/HBV co-infection.

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) / hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes higher rates of liver disease compared to infection with just one virus. Co-infection can accelerate the progression to liver fibrosis or hepatocellular carcinoma and disturb the treatment response. APOBEC3G is a host defense factor which interferes with HIV-1 and HBV.

Pre-pandemic antibodies screening against SARS-CoV-2 and virus detection among children diagnosed with eruptive fevers.

Objectives: This study aims to assess the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) IgG antibodies against the spike (S) and nucleocapsid (NP) proteins, as well as neutralizing antibodies against the receptor-binding domain (RBD). Additionally, it aims to detect viral RNA of SARS-CoV-2 in pre-pandemic archival pediatric specimens collected before the announcement of the COVID-19 pandemic spread on March 20, 2020, in Morocco. The objective is to investigate the existence of pre-pandemic immunity to SARS-CoV-2.

Assessment of two POC technologies for CD4 count in Morocco.

Background: In the era of "test and treat strategy", CD4 testing remains an important tool for monitoring HIV-infected individuals. Since conventional methods of CD4 count measurement are costly and cumbersome, POC CD4 counting technique are more affordable and practical for countries with limited resources. Before introducing such methods in Morocco, we decided to assess their reliability.

Seroprevalence of measles vaccine antibody response in vertically HIV-infected children, in Morocco.

Background: The widespread use of an effective and safe vaccine to measles has substantially decreased morbidity and mortality from this epidemic. Nevertheless, HIV-infected children vaccinated against measles may develop an impaired vaccine response and remain susceptible to this disease. In Morocco, infants are routinely vaccinated against measles, regardless of their HIV serostatus.

Assessment of the HBV vaccine response in a group of HIV-infected children in Morocco.

Background: Since its development in the early 1980s, Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine has been proven to be highly protective. However, its immunogenicity may be ineffective among HIV-infected children. In Morocco, HBV vaccine was introduced in 1999, and since then all infants, including vertically HIV-infected infants, have been following the vaccination schedule, implemented by the Moroccan ministry of health.

HIV-1 Subtype distribution in morocco based on national sentinel surveillance data 2004-2005.

Background: Little is known about HIV-1 subtype distribution in Morocco. Some data suggest an emergence of new HIV subtypes. We conducted phylogenetic analysis on a nationally representative sample of 60 HIV-1 viral specimens collected during 2004-2005 through the Morocco national HIV sentinel surveillance survey.

Evaluation of a dry format reagent alternative for CD4 T-cell enumeration for the FACSCount system: a report on a Moroccan-Canadian study.

Background: Efforts to improve alternative CD4 T-cell counting methods are critical to accelerate the implementation of HIV antiretroviral therapy in resources limited regions. Substituting liquid format reagents to eliminate cold-chain transportation and refrigerated storage with dry format reagents contributes to higher efficiency supply management solution especially for laboratories at remote locations. ReaMetrix has developed dry format reagent kits compatible with the FACSCount system, a dedicated flow cytometer for T-cell subset enumeration widely used in resource limited settings.

HIV epidemiology in Morocco: a nine-year survey (1991-1999).

The first case of HIV/AIDS in Morocco was notified in 1986. The Moroccan Ministry of Health has set up a system of management of HIV/AIDS cases and surveillance of the epidemic. Between 1991 and 1999, we studied 12,981 sera from patients in different Moroccan regions, who attended with high risk and/or symptoms of HIV/AIDS.