Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Organ Donation Among Tunisian Adults: Results of a National Survey.

Objectives: Attitudes and knowledge toward organ donation can influence a person's willingness to donate. The aim of this study was to assess attitudes and knowledge regarding organ donation among Tunisian adults.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a crosssectional survey at the national level from January 23 to February 15, 2017, among 1026 Tunisian adults.

The role of IL-23/IL-17 axis in human kidney allograft rejection.

Th17 cell subset has been implicated in autoimmune diseases, tumor immunity and, transplant rejection. In order to investigate the role of IL-17/IL-23 pathway in allograft outcome, intragraft expression of IL-17 mRNA and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-17RC, and IL23R genes were evaluated with a quantification of IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-23 plasma levels. This study revealed that recipients with acute rejection (AR) had a significant increase in IL-17A mRNA expression levels after transplantation compared to controls (P = 0.

Thirty Years of Experience at the First Tunisian Kidney Transplant Center.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to report the results of 30 years of experience at the first kidney transplant center in Tunisia.

Materials And Methods: All kidney transplants performed at the center between June 1986 and June 2016 were included. The study period was divided into 3 decades.

Prediction of T Cell Epitopes from Leishmania major Potentially Excreted/Secreted Proteins Inducing Granzyme B Production.

Leishmania-specific cytotoxic T cell response is part of the acquired immune response developed against the parasite and contributes to resistance to reinfection. Herein, we have used an immune-informatic approach for the identification, among Leishmania major potentially excreted/secreted proteins previously described, those generating peptides that could be targeted by the cytotoxic immune response. Seventy-eight nonameric peptides that are predicted to be loaded by HLA-A*0201 molecule were generated and their binding capacity to HLA-A2 was evaluated.

Risk factors and consequences of delayed graft function.

The impact of delayed graft function (DGF) on the outcome of renal transplantation remains controversial. We analyzed the risk factors for DGF and its impact on graft and patient survival. A total of 354 renal transplants performed between June 1986 and April 2000 were analyzed.

CD86 +1057G>A polymorphism and susceptibility to acute kidney allograft rejection.

Introduction: CD86 is a costimulatory molecule that participates in the regulation of T-cell lymphocytes activation. Thus, we examined a genetic marker on the CD86 gene in kidney transplant outcome.

Materials And Methods: In our retrospective study, 168 kidney allograft recipients were genotyped by direct sequencing.

[Neonatal screening of congenital toxoplasmosis. Prospective study].

Background: While toxoplasmosis infection in women is often benign, transmission of maternal infection to the fetus can lead to severe sequelae. Because the majority of patients with acute toxoplasmosis are asymptomayic, a systematic serologic screening program will needed with monthly serologic screening of all seronegative pregnant women until delivery. The aim of this study was to identify cases of congenital toxoplasmosis among all live births of women found to be seronegative in pregnancy once at least.

[Vascular trombosis of renal graft: 9 cases].

Background: Allograft renal thrombosis can occur in 1 to 6% of cases. Many predisposing factors has been identified especially alteration of coagulation.

Aim: We analyzed in this study frequency and predisposing factors of renal graft thrombosis.

Acute rejection episodes after kidney transplantation.

Acute rejection episodes (AREs) are a major determinant of renal allograft survival. The incorporation of new immunosuppressive agents explains, at least partially, the improvement seen in the results of transplantation in recent years. The objectives of this study are to analyze the incidence and severity of AREs, their risk factors and their influence on graft and patient survival.

Human platelet antigens polymorphisms and susceptibility of thrombosis in hemodialysis patients.

To investigate the association between the polymorphisms of human platelet antigen (HPA)-1,2,3,4,5 and susceptibility to develop thrombosis accident in arteriovenous fistula (AVF), genomic DNA of 112 hemodialysis (HD) patients and 100 healthy blood donors were genotyped by PCR-SSP. The patients were classified into 2 groups: G1 included 54 HD patients presented at least one thrombotic episode on the level of the AVF, and G2 included 58 HD patients without any episode of thrombosis. The allelic frequencies of HPA-1, 2, 3, and 5 among patients and controls did not reveal significant differences.

The involvement of HLA -DRB1*, DQA1*, DQB1* and complement C4A loci in diagnosing systemic lupus erythematosus among Tunisians.

Background: Genetic susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) varies among populations. Few data exist on associations of HLA class II and class III alleles of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and susceptibility to SLE in Tunisians.

Patients And Methods: We compared HLA-DRB1*, DQA1, DQB1* and C4 allotypes in 62 Tunisian SLE patients and 100 matched controls.

[The role of major histocompatibility complex genes in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases].

Genetic factors, among which the HLA class II coding genes, are implicated in IBD pathogenesis. When considering the ethnic heterogeneity of the studied population and the IBD clinical heterogeneity, UC appears more dependent to HLA genes than CD. UC and HLA genes: HLA DR 4 gene would protect from UC.

[Immunological study in sickle cell disease patients: importance of the complement system].

Ten Tunisian patients, with homozygote sickle cell disease and asplenia were studied to investigate and to determine possible immunological function defects. Obtained results directed us to an abnormality of the alternate complement pathway activation which is expressed by a decreased hémolytic activity, while the classic pathway is normal. Quantification of C3, C4, C5, C6, C7 and factor B by immunochemical assay were normal, whereas factor B functional activity was depressed to a mean level of about half of normal in eight patients, IgG was increased in one subject and IgA in two others.