Seroprevalence and Molecular Characterisation of Human Hepatitis A virus in Serum Samples of Tunisian Patients with Clinical Symptoms of Viral Hepatitis.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence of Hepatitis A virus antibodies in patients with clinical symptoms of viral hepatitis and molecular characterization of the detected isolates. The present study deals with the seroprevalence and the genetic diversity of HAV in 400 Tunisian patients presenting in dispensaries (160 patients) and in University Hospitals (240 patients) with hepatitis symptoms between 2006 and 2008. The patients with acute hepatitis were mainly from rural regions.

Characterization of outbreak hepatitis a isolates in five Tunisian childcare centers.

In the present study, epidemiological survey and molecular characterization of hepatitis A virus during an outbreak in five Tunisian childcare centers in El-Mahres during October and November 2006 were carried out. Five well-water and five drinking water samples were included in the present study. Serological investigation and molecular characterization were carried out.

[Detection of enteric viruses in wastewater of Monastir region by RT-PCR method].

Background: Wastewater frequently has been contaminated by enteric viruses, which can cause gastroenteritis, hepatitis, and other viral diseases. Since current water treatments do not ensure their complete removal and they become contaminants of the water environment.

Aim: In order to monitor and assess the prevalence and the seasonal incidence of enteric viruses contaminating wastewater, a total of 93 samples were collected from the stations of Sayada-Lamta-Bouhjar and El Frina.

Enterovirus circulation in wastewater and behavior of some serotypes during sewage treatment in Monastir, Tunisia.

Enteroviruses were monitored in three wastewater plants that used activated-sludge, trickling-filter, and oxidation-ponds processes, respectively, from October 2000 to September 2001 in the region of Monastir, a tourist zone situated in the center of the Tunisian coast. Isolation and serotyping were conducted as recommended by the World Health Organization. Enteroviruses were present during the whole period of investigation.

Genetic analysis of HAV strains in Tunisia reveals two new antigenic variants.

To evaluate the genetic variability of hepatitis A virus (HAV) isolates in Tunisia, serum samples were collected from 99 patients in different Tunisian areas in 2003 containing 92 cases with acute hepatitis, five with severe acute hepatitis and two with fulminant hepatitis. The entire VP1 gene was amplified and sequenced. Sequences were then aligned and a phylogenetic analysis was performed.

Hepatitis A in Tunisia: phylogenetic analysis of hepatitis A virus from 2001 to 2004.

Tunisia is a highly endemic area for hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. In the present study, the phylogenetic characterization of the VP1 gene (882 nucleotides) and of the VP1/2A junction (336 nucleotides) of Tunisian strains were examined. One hundred strains isolated from patient with anti-HAV IgM from 2001 to 2004 were amplified by RT-PCR, sequenced at the VP1 and at the VP1/2A junction and aligned with the published sequences to establish phylogenetic analysis.