Risk factors for mortality of children with zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis in Central Tunisia.

Background: Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) caused by Leishmania infantum is endemic with an epidemiological profile of a paediatric disease in Tunisia. In the context of a high fatality rate, identifying risk factors for in-hospital mortality in children treated for ZVL is of major epidemiological importance.

Design: A retrospective (case-control) study included 230 immuno-competent children diagnosed and confirmed with primary ZVL in the paediatric department of the University Hospital of Kairouan between 2004 and 2014.

Diagnosis of Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis by detection of Leishmania-related antigen in urine and oral fluid samples.

Implementation of simple diagnostic tests using non-invasive collection of biological specimens is of great importance in the diagnosis of pediatric visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum. Latex agglutination kit (KAtex) is widely used in the diagnosis mainly in L. donovani endemic areas.

[Epidemiological and clinical features of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Kairouan-Tunisia and characteristics in children].

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) remains highly endemic in Tunisia. The governorate of Kairouan (Center) is one of the most affected particularly by zoonotic form due to Leishmania major. The purpose of this study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic features of the disease in this governorate and to identify any particularities in children.

Report of the Tunisian Registry of Primary Immunodeficiencies: 25-Years of Experience (1988-2012).

Purpose: Primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) are a large group of diseases characterized by susceptibility to not only recurrent infections but also autoimmune diseases and malignancies. The aim of this study was to describe and analyze the distribution, clinical features and eventual outcome of PID among Tunisian patients.

Methods: We reviewed the record of 710 patients diagnosed with Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (PIDs) from the registry of the Tunisian Referral Centre for PIDs over a 25-year period.

[Epidemiological, clinical and biological features of infantile visceral leishmaniasis at Kairouan hospital (Tunisia): about 240 cases].

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an important health problem in Tunisia. It is most common in children under five years of age. The governorate of Kairouan (central Tunisia) is one of the most affected foci.