Association analysis of T and B-cell epitopes with humoral alloimmunisation in kidney transplantation: A Tunisian cohort study.

Introduction: HLA matching is critical for successful kidney transplantation. This study aimed to investigate the impact of eplet mismatches and Predicted Indirectly Recognizable HLA Epitopes (PIRCHE-II) scores on the development of de novo donor-specific antibodies (dnDSA) and graft survival in a Tunisian cohort, characterized by a high prevalence of living donors and significant genetic diversity in HLA profiles.

Methods: This retrospective study included 112 adult kidney transplant recipients who underwent transplantation between 2012 and 2018.

Update on the epidemiology of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in Central Eastern Tunisia over 11 years.

Introduction: obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. Knowledge about OSAS incidence trends could be extremely useful in assessing health needs and implementing preventive measures accordingly. This study aimed at the epidemiological and clinical specificities of OSAS and to give an update on its current chronological trends.

Direct medical cost related to the management of pemphigus: A pilot Tunisian study.

Introduction: Pemphigus is a therapeutically challenging disease with high morbidity and economic burden. First-line prescription of rituximab remains limited in Tunisia due to its high cost. Systemic steroids remain the standard of care but are associated with a major risk of morbidities and higher treatment costs.

Tacrolimus trough level and oxidative stress in Tunisian kidney transplanted patients.

Background: The effect of tacrolimus (TAC) on oxidative stress after kidney transplantation (KT) is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of TAC trough levels of oxidative stress status in Tunisian KT patients during the post-transplantation period (PTP).

Methods: A prospective study including 90 KT patients was performed.

Predictive factors of bladder tumor recurrence after radical treatment of upper urinary tract cancer.

Introduction: The main problem after Radical Nephroureterectomy (RNU) for localized non-metastatic upper urinary tract urothelial cancer (NM-UUT-UC) is bladder recurrence.

Aim: To identify factors of bladder recurrence of localized NM-UUT-UC after radical treatment.

Methods: It is an analytical and observational study that was conducted in the department of urology of La Rabta Hospital in Tunis.

Dorfman-Chanarin Syndrome with Renal Involvement: A Rare Case Report and Literature Review.

Dorfman-Chanarin syndrome (DCS) is a rare autosomal recessive disease. It is a multisystemic disease in which renal involvement is uncommon. We report the case of a woman with nephrotic syndrome associated with DCS.

Impact of Therapeutic Education on the Management of High Blood Pressure: A Quasi-experimental Survey From Southern Tunisia.

Introduction: The prevalence of arterial hypertension (HTA) was continuously increased with a low percentage of pressure control blood pressure among treated patients. Therapeutic education (TE) was one of the inventive methods in the management of high blood pressure (HBP) worldwide. The objective was to assess the impact of TE on the control and management of HBP.

Low back-pain among school-teachers in Southern Tunisia: prevalence and predictors.

Objectives: In the professional environment, low back pain (LBP) is a multifactorial symptomatology, despite scientific and technological advances in the design and the arrangement of increasingly ergonomic workstations. Teachers are not exempt from this risk, due to prolonged sitting or standing. In light of this, this study aimed to estimate LBP prevalence among teachers in Southern Tunisia and to identify their determinants.

Effectiveness of a training program on health-care professionals' knowledge and practices regarding thermo-sensitive reusable medical devices disinfection: A quasi-experimental study.

Introduction: Appropriate knowledge of healthcare professionals (HCPs) on the various aspects of disinfection and reuse of medical devices is a basic requirement to ensure proper disinfection and to minimize the risk of healthcare associated infections. In this regard this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a training intervention on knowledge and practices regarding thermosensitive reusable medical devices (TRMD) disinfection among HCPs.

Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study including a pre-test, an intervention (workshops, demonstrations, posters), and a post-test evaluation of the HCPs' knowledge and practices regarding the disinfection of TRMD.

[Socio-demographic and clinical profile of a population of patients coming for consultation to the psychiatric department of a general hospital in southern Tunisia].

Introduction: mental disorders are a very common health condition and a major public health issue. The purpose of this study was to examine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients coming for consultation to the psychiatric department of the Regional Hospital of Gabes, and to identify risk factors for the main mental disorders.

Methods: we conducted a retrospective study, including all patients consulting the psychiatry department of Gabes for the first time between 01/01/2010 and 31/12/2013.

COVID-19-Related Fear and Mental Distress Among Tunisian Primary, Middle and High School Teachers: Prevalence and Predictive Factors.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictive factors of fear of COVID-19 and serious mental distress among teachers in public schools of Southern Tunisia. This was a cross sectional study among a representative sample of 525 teachers. The level of Fear was assessed using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S).

Tuberculosis in elderly: Epidemiological profile, prognosis factors and chronological trends in Southern Tunisia, 1995-2016.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) has become a public health problem among elderly in developing countries with the gradual increase in life expectancy.

Aim/objective: This study aimed to analyze the prognosis factors and chronological trends of TB in elderly in Southern Tunisia.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted.

Acinetobacter lwoffi peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis: two cases report.

Peritonitis is an important cause of morbidity and technique failure in peritoneal dialysis. Herein, we report peritonitis related to Acinetobacter lwoffi in two patients on peritoneal dialysis. The first case is a 63-year-old patient treated by automated peritoneal dialysis admitted with abdominal pain.

[Knowledge, attitudes and practices of front-line physicians in smoking cessation assistance in Sfax, Tunisia, in 2020].

Introduction: first-line physicians should play a key role in tobacco control. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge and attitudes of front-line physicians as well as their practices for smoking cessation, assess their smoking status and determine the barriers to smoking cessation support.

Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study among a representative sample of front-line physicians practising in the governorate of Sfax in November 2020.

Prevalence and Factors Affecting Willingness to Accept or Refuse Vaccination against COVID-19 among Healthcare Professionals in Southern Tunisia.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread throughout the world causing serious morbidity and mortality. Health care professionals (HCP) are on the front line in the face of this pandemic and are identified as priorities for COVID-19 vaccination. This study aimed to estimate the acceptability rate of the COVID-19 vaccination among HCP and to identify their predisposing factors.

Adverse effects of personnel protective equipment among first line COVID-19 healthcare professionals: A survey in Southern Tunisia.

Background: Health care professionals (HCP) were obliged to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) during pandemic in order to minimize the risk of transmission of the emerging virus. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of adverse effects related to the wear of PPE among HCP and to determinate their predictive factors.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including a representative sample of 300 randomized HCP at Hedi Chaker University Hospital Sfax, Tunisia, during the period August-September 2021.

[Cutaneous leishmaniasis after renal transplantation: Report of 7 cases and review of the literature].

Leishmaniasis is a zoonosis acquired from the bite of a sandfly that introduces the amastigote forms of leishmania into the bloodstream. It is a frequent infection in the countries of the Mediterranean basin and in Tunisia, where it is rife in an endemo-epidemic mode. However, it is rare after kidney transplantation.

Unusual Cause of Peritonitis in Peritoneal Dialysis Patient Related to Streptococcus salivarius.

Peritonitis remains the most common serious complication associated with peritoneal dialysis (PD). The Gram-positive peritonitis with Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus are the most frequent causes, whereas Gram-positive and Gram-negative species remain less frequent. We report an uncommon case of PD-related peritonitis due to Streptococcus salivarius, known as nonpathogen Gram-positive bacteria of oral flora.

Epidemiological profile and performance of triage decision-making process of COVID-19 suspected cases in southern Tunisia.

Introduction: During an epidemic, screening processes can play a crucial role in limiting the spread of the infection. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological profile of COVID-19 suspected cases and to evaluate the performance of the triage process in predicting COVID-19 in Southern Tunisia.

Methods: It was a prospective study including all patients consulting to the Hedi Chaker University Hospital departments from March to June 2020.

Effectiveness of a Training Intervention about Healthcare Waste Management on the Knowledge and Practical Skills of Healthcare Professionals in a Teaching Hospital of Southern Tunisia.

This quasi-experimental study aimed to assess the impact of a training program on knowledge and practical skills of healthcare professionals(HCPs) regarding healthcare waste(HCW) management in a Teaching Hospital in Southern Tunisia.The total mean knowledge score(KS) and practice score(PS) increased significantly on post training test as opposed to pre-training test with mean changes of 17.9 ± 10.

Point prevalence survey of health-care associated infections and their risk factors in the tertiary-care referral hospitals of Southern Tunisia.

Background: Health-care associated infections (HAI) are considered a public health problem and have substantial effect on mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HAI in South Tunisian University Hospitals (UH) and to identify their risk factors.

Methods: We performed a point prevalence study, in the UH of Southern Tunisia in February 2019, including all hospitalized patients for at least 48 hours.

[Effects of continuous positive airway pressure on depression, anxiety and quality of life in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome patients].

Introduction: The obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a chronic stressor that may alter the emotional state and quality of life (QOL) of patients suffering from it. In this work, we proposed to estimate the prevalence of depression and anxiety, to assess the QOL in a Tunisian population of apneic patients, and to assess their evolution under continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

Methods: We conducted a prospective study, involving 33 apneic patients followed for SAHOS with moderate or severe class disease in the pneumology department at Hedi Chaker university hospital in Sfax, Tunisia.