Publications by authors named "Sameh Belgacem"

Article Synopsis
  • Study aims to investigate head lice prevalence among primary school children in Monastir, Tunisia, due to its global health impact and lack of local research.
  • A total of 2396 children from 14 schools were examined, revealing a 17.5% infestation rate, significantly higher in girls (29.1%) compared to boys (6.3%).
  • Factors such as crowded living conditions, grade level, and parents' education were linked to higher infestation risk, underlining the need for preventive measures and health programs targeting children and their communities.
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Background: Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is the most severe and fatal disease if left untreated. In people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA), VL is considered an emerging opportunistic infection. The aim of this manuscript was to report a first case in Tunisia of a concomitant presentation of visceral and oral leishmaniasis in a patient LHA.

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The biological activities of plant products are extremely correlated to the constituents present in each derivate. The present research aims to obtain by gas chromatography, the chemical profile of Prunus armeniaca L. kernel volatile fractions.

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Marine fungi communities play a crucial role in the recycling of nutrients, restoration of biological systems, and the overall functioning of ecosystems. While aquatic fungal communities do react to pollution, there is a significant lack of information regarding the changes in the fungal community's structure, caused by marine pollution. In this study, we aim to address this gap in knowledge by investigating the range and makeup of fungal species present in marine environments in a polluted bay in Tunisia, spanning a biodiversity hotspot (Monastir Bay).

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Article Synopsis
  • Microscopy is the standard method for diagnosing malaria, but its accuracy can vary based on the experience of the examiner and the level of parasites present, making molecular biology a valuable alternative.
  • A study was conducted from September 2020 to April 2021 in the Monastir region to assess the effectiveness of three detection methods for malaria in students, revealing that nested PCR identified cases missed by microscopy.
  • The findings suggest that nested PCR is more sensitive for detecting low levels of malaria parasites, highlighting the need to incorporate molecular biology techniques into malaria screening for better identification of imported cases.
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Article Synopsis
  • - This study examined how removable dentures affect the composition of oral biofilm, comparing a group of denture wearers to those without dentures among a Tunisian population.
  • - It involved 150 participants, with findings showing that wearing dentures significantly increased the number and growth of certain fungal species associated with mouth issues.
  • - The results suggest that removable dentures may contribute to conditions like denture stomatitis, especially in individuals with poor oral hygiene, highlighting the need for quality denture care.
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Despite the severe impact of uncommon yeast fungal infections and the pressing need for more research on the topic, there are still few studies available on the identification, epidemiology, and susceptibility profile of those pathogens. The aims of the current study were to define the profile of uncommon yeast species at Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital using phenotypic, molecular, and proteomic methods and to study their antifungal susceptibility profile. Pre-identified uncommon yeast species were collected from 2018 to 2021.

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Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) belonging to the genus Phlebotomus are vectors of pathogens such as arboviruses, bacteria, and parasites (Leishmania). Species of the genus Sergentomyia (Se.) transmit Sauroleishmania (Reptile Leishmania) and feed on cold-blooded vertebrates; recently, they have been incriminated in mammalian Leishmania transmission.

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Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is an inevitable complication of liver surgery and transplantation. The purpose of this study was to examine the beneficial effects of diclofenac on hepatic IRI and the mechanism behind it. Wistar rats' livers were subjected to warm ischemia for 60 min followed by 24 h of reperfusion.

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yeasts have recently gained medical importance as emerging pathogens associated with a wide range of dermatological and systemic infections. Since standardized methods for in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing have not yet been established for spp., related diseases are always treated empirically.

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Unlabelled: Over the last decade, Malassezia species have emerged as increasingly important pathogens associated with a wide range of dermatological disorders and bloodstream infections. The pathogenesis of Malassezia yeasts is not completely clear, but it seems to be strictly related to Malassezia strains and hosts and needs to be better investigated. This study aimed to assess the enzymatic activities, biofilm formation and in vitro antifungal profiles of Malassezia spp.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the characteristics of pityriasis versicolor (PV) in Tunisia, focusing on the prevalence and identification of Malassezia species in patients.
  • A total of 120 PV patients were analyzed, revealing that young adults were most affected, predominantly on the back and neck, with a significant portion experiencing itching and recurrence.
  • The most commonly isolated species were M. furfur and M. globosa, with a high concordance between phenotypic and molecular identification methods, highlighting the diagnostic importance of both approaches despite variations in regional species distribution.
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