[Virus and Atypical Pathogens Detected in Community-Acquired Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Infants and Children of Sfax Region, Tunisia].

Little is known about viral and atypical bacteria pathogen spectra of community-acquired lower respiratory tract infection in children in Tunisia. Thus, a prospective study was carried out between January 2009 and March 2010 in Sfax. Nasopharyngeal aspirates collected from 368 patients (78 with pneumonia and 290 with acute bronchiolitis) were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence assay and PCR to detect influenza viruses, parainfluenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus, human rhinovirus, human enterovirus, adenovirus, coronavirus, (Mpn) and (Cpn).

Detection of Shigella spp. nucleic acids in the synovial tissue of Tunisian rheumatoid arthritis patients and other forms of arthritis by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Enterobacterial components in the joints of patients are believed to contribute to a perpetuating inflammation leading to a reactive arthritis (ReA), a condition in which microbial agents cannot be recovered from the joint. At present, it is unclear whether nucleic acids from Shigella spp. are playing a pathogenic role in causing not only ReA but also other forms of arthritis.

Culture-independent genome sequencing of from a native heart valve of a Tunisian patient with severe infective endocarditis.

We report draft genome of a strain sequenced from the native valve of a patient presenting with severe endocarditis in Tunisia. The genome could be sequenced without a cellular or axenic culture step. The MST5 strain was demonstrated to be closely related to the published reference genome of CbuK_Q154.

Macrophagic activation syndrome related to an infection by Rickettsia conorii in a child.

Since the Arab Spring, a resurgence of zoonotic diseases such as rickettsiosis, endemic in the Mediterranean basin, has been observed. It preferentially infects microvascular endothelial cells of mammalian hosts inducing vasculitis with endothelial injury. Rickettsioses are considered benign infectious diseases.

Sero-epidemiological survey of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in Tunisia.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne disease associated with a high case fatality rate and transmitted mainly by Hyalomma marginatum. The geographical distribution of H. marginatum covers most of the Western Mediterranean basin.

Molecular diagnosis of Rickettsia infection in patients from Tunisia.

Diagnosis of rickettsioses had largely benefited from the development of molecular techniques. Unfortunately, in Tunisia, despite the large number of rickettsial cases registered every year, the Rickettsia species remain unidentified. In this study, we aimed to detect the Rickettsia species in clinical samples using molecular tests.

Serologic evidence of exposure to Rift Valley fever virus detected in Tunisia.

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFv) is capable of causing dramatic outbreaks amongst economically important animal species and is capable of causing severe symptoms and mortality in humans. RVFv is known to circulate widely throughout East Africa; serologic evidence of exposure has also been found in some northern African countries, including Mauritania. This study aimed to ascertain whether RVFv is circulating in regions beyond its known geographic range.

Comparison of two quantitative real time PCR assays for Rickettsia detection in patients from Tunisia.

Background And Objectives: Quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) offers rapid diagnosis of rickettsial infections. Thus, successful treatment could be initiated to avoid unfavorable outcome. Our aim was to compare two qPCR assays for Rickettsia detection and to evaluate their contribution in early diagnosis of rickettsial infection in Tunisian patients.

Coxiella burnetii-positive PCR in febrile patients in rural and urban Africa.

Objectives: Q fever has been reported throughout the African continent. The objective of this study was to detect the presence of Coxiella burnetii in febrile patients from Africa.

Methods: Blood samples from febrile and non-febrile patients from six African countries and from France were investigated retrospectively for Q fever infection by molecular assays targeting the IS1111 and IS30A spacers.

Molecular detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and other sexually transmitted bacteria in semen of male partners of infertile couples in Tunisia: the effect on semen parameters and spermatozoa apoptosis markers.

This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasmas, and Ureaplasmas in semen samples of the male partners of infertile couples and to investigate whether Chlamydia trachomatis could initiate apoptosis in human spermatozoa. A total of 85 males partners of infertile couples undergoing routine semen analysis according to World Health Organization guidelines were included. Specimens were examined for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma urealyticum and Ureaplasma parvum by Real time PCR (qPCR).

Chlamydia trachomatis infection increases the expression of inflammatory tumorigenic cytokines and chemokines as well as components of the Toll-like receptor and NF-κB pathways in human prostate epithelial cells.

Inflammation has been reported to play a major role in prostate carcinogenesis. Several bacterial infections can lead to prostate inflammation; however, until now, the precise molecular and cellular mechanisms linking inflammation to carcinogenesis have remained unclear. We therefore investigated the initiation of inflammation induced by Chlamydia trachomatis (C.

Multispacer typing of Rickettsia isolates from humans and ticks in Tunisia revealing new genotypes.

Background: Rickettsioses are important remerging vector born infections. In Tunisia, many species have been described in humans and vectors. Genotyping is important for tracking pathogen movement between hosts and vectors.

Detection of Rickettsia in Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks and Ctenocephalides felis fleas from southeastern Tunisia by reverse line blot assay.

Ticks (n = 663) and fleas (n = 470) collected from domestic animals from southeastern Tunisia were screened for Rickettsia infection using reverse line blot assay. Evidence of spotted fever group Rickettsia was obtained. We detected Rickettsia felis in fleas, Rickettsia massiliae Bar 29 and the Rickettsia conorii Israeli spotted fever strain in ticks, and Rickettsia conorii subsp.

Common epidemiology of Rickettsia felis infection and malaria, Africa.

This study aimed to compare the epidemiology of Rickettsia felis infection and malaria in France, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa and to identify a common vector. Blood specimens from 3,122 febrile patients and from 500 nonfebrile persons were analyzed for R. felis and Plasmodium spp.

Murine typhus in Tunisia: a neglected cause of fever as a single symptom.

Objectives: We had for aim to describe the epidemiologic and clinic characteristics of murine typhus in a series of 43 serologically confirmed cases, in our region.

Patients And Methods: Serologic screening for IgG and IgM against Rickettsia typhi was performed in 1024 patients during three years (2006-2008). The characteristics of patients with a positive serology were examined retrospectively.

Chlamydia trachomatis genovar distribution in clinical urogenital specimens from Tunisian patients: high prevalence of C. trachomatis genovar E and mixed infections.

Background: This epidemiological study was carried out in Sfax (south of Tunisia) and focused on genital Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) genovar distribution.

Methods: One hundred and thirty seven genital samples from 4067 patients (4.

[The role of neutrophils in the formation of peritoneal adhesions].

Background: The use of antibiotics during peritonitis appears to decrease the formation of postoperative intra peritoneal adhesions and reduce their severity. The effect of this antibiotic is still controversial.

Aim: To study the relationship between the decrease postoperative adhesions induced by rifamycin, and the number of neutrophils and the number of intraperitoneal bacteria.

Development and application of an in-house reverse hybridization method for Chlamydia trachomatis genotyping.

Aim: To develop and evaluate an in-house reverse hybridization technique for Chlamydia trachomatis genotype identification.

Methods And Results: The evaluation of the developed and optimized reverse hybridization method on reference strains showed the specific detection of all genotypes. This technique showed its ability to type one inclusion-forming unit of C.

Diversity of β-lactamases in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates producing metallo-β-lactamase in two Tunisian hospitals.

This study was conducted to identify the β-lactamase content of 30 metallo-β-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated in 2007 from two Tunisian hospitals and to investigate their genetic relatedness. All these isolates produced VIM-2. bla(PER-1), bla(PSE-1), bla(OXA-2), and bla(OXA-10) were identified in 17, 5, 21, and 1 isolates, respectively.

Sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in Tunisia: high prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) in female sex workers (FSW) in Tunisia.

Methods: 188 prostitutes from three Tunisian towns were enrolled at their weekly medical visit. Demographic and sexual behaviour data were collected.