Latent Tuberculosis Infections in Different Intensity of Exposure within Moroccan Population: Influence of Age and Bacille Calmette-Guérin Vaccination.

Background: In Morocco, latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a public health concern affected by the country's location as transit area between sub-Saharan Africa with high TB burden to Europe. This study aimed to assess the influence of exposure intensity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), age, and Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination on LTBI prevalence in Morocco.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 131 participants, including 98 non-exposed healthy volunteers (NEHV) and 33 healthcare workers exposed to active TB (exposed healthcare workers [EHCW]), was conducted.

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.

Unravelling humoral immunity in SARS-CoV-2: Insights from infection and vaccination.

Following infection and vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, humoral components of the adaptive immune system play a key role in protecting the host. Specifically, B cells generate high-affinity antibodies against various antigens of the virus. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of immunity initiation through both natural infection and vaccination, shedding light on the activation of B cell subsets in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination.

Functional characterization of small and large alveolar macrophages in sarcoidosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis compared with non-fibrosis interstitial lung diseases.

Background: Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease that mostly affects the lungs. Advanced tissue injury caused by this disease can progress to pulmonary fibrosis with similar characteristics shared with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The initial presentations of both sarcoidosis and IPF may be shared with other interstitial lung diseases (ILDs).