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This study was carried out on seven flocks of ewes suffered from late abortion and neonatal mortality with the prevalence rate of infection reported as 13.95%. The blood and tissue samples were collected from the aborted ewes in several flocks of Duhok province, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Serological analysis indicated that all the aborted ewes were confirmed positive for agglutination to Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii)antibody. The investigation of the aborted fetuses showed the blood-stained fluid in the thoracic and abdominal cavity. Most of the aborted fetuses had also enlarged, congested, and friable livers and lungs. The placenta was swollen, reddish, and friable, and its cotyledons also spotted with whitish foci. T. gondii tachyzoites were also demonstrated in the placental sections of some aborted ewes. Severe congestion, necrosis, and infiltration of multinucleated cells were the most predominant histopathological changes of the aborted fetuses, as well as presented tissue cysts, tachyzoites, and bradyzoites in the liver, brain, heart, and lung. There were also several clusters of dark purple banana-shaped T. gondii tachyzoites within the brain and heart tissues in most of the examined aborted fetuses in different flocks. T. gondii tachyzoites were also detected from the peritoneal ascites of mice inoculated experimentally 12 days following the infection. Moreover, T. gondii tissue cysts were detected from the impression smears of the mice brains 32 days after the infection. Accordingly, the demonstration of T. gondii in Giemsa-stained impression smears associated with characteristic histopathological changes of different organs is a great fundamental method for the diagnosis of T. gondii in aborted cases.

Background: Lyme disease (LD) is emerging in many parts of central and eastern Canada. Serological testing is most commonly used to support laboratory diagnosis of LD. Standard two-tiered testing (STTT) for LD involves detection of Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) followed by IgM and/or IgG immunoblots. However, improved sensitivity has been demonstrated using a modified two-tiered testing (MTTT) approach, in which a second EIA instead of the traditional immunoblot is used. This article summarises the evidence supporting the MTTT versus STTT for laboratory diagnosis of LD in Canada. Methods: Peer reviewed literature on the sensitivity and specificity of different EIAs were compared by Canadian experts in LD diagnostic for MTTT vs STTT in patients with clinical history of LD residing in LD endemic areas or in samples from the LD serum repository. Results: The MTTT approach consistently demonstrated improved sensitivity to detect early infections with B. burgdorferi and also maintained high specificity vs STTT. Conclusion: Diagnostic improvements in sensitivity of LD testing without significant loss of specificity have been consistently reported when MTTT is compared with STTT in studies conducted in highly LD endemic regions. Our working group agrees with the recommendation by the United States Centers for Disease Control that serological testing for LD using MTTT is an acceptable alternative to STTT. This recommendation is contingent on development and implementation of comprehensive validation studies on the performance of MTTT vs STTT within the Canadian context, including evaluation of the test performance in areas of low endemicity for LD.

Primary pleural hydatid cyst remains very rare, even in endemic countries. Pneumothorax can be a revealing sign of this pathology, which poses a diagnostic and therapeutic problem compared to other frequent etiologies of pneumothorax, especially as hydatid serology is often negative. We report an observation of a primary pleural hydatid cyst discovered in a 21yearold man following a pneumothorax, with emphasis on its mechanism of genesis and the suggestive clinical, radiological and biological aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ethnologie Française is the property of Presses Universitaires de France and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Tabetic arthropathy is a destructive neurogenis affection, currently rare thanks to the early treatment of syphilis with penicillin G. The germ in question is Treponema pallidum. The diagnosis is evoked in the face of the discrepancy between the importance of joint damage and the absence of pain and confirmed by the positivation of syphilitic serologies. Observation: 58-year-old patient, with a history of a syphilitic chancre twice, consulting for chronic pain in the left knee with arthritis. Knee radiography showed destruction of the internal tibial acetabulum and CT scan of the same limb revealed lesions of osteolysis of the two tibial plates and tibial spines with detachment of bone fragments. The diagnosis was confirmed by the positivation of syphilitic serologies in the blood and the CSF. The evolution was marked by the patient’s death from sepsis following a nosocomial infection. Conclusion: Even if it has become exceptional, tabetic arthropathy should not be overlooked. Its treatment is based on penicillin G intravenously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to French recommendations for serological screening of toxoplasmosis, some profiles must be confirmed by additional methods, extending the time taken to produce results. Thus, the Laborizon Bretagne technical platform in Nantes studied the place of the LDBIO Diagnostics® TOXOPLASMA ICT IGG-IGM (ICT) test in addition to Siemens Atellica® serology. IgG-/IgM+ and equivocal or weak positive IgG/IgM- (IgGEq/IgM-) profiles on Atellica® will be confirmed by ICT, Alinity® Abbott and Platelia® Biorad. Among the 66 IgGEq/IgM- profiles, the concordance is perfect between ICT and complementary techniques: 21 weak positives were confirmed positive, 8 equivocal were considered negative and 37 were confirmed positive. Concerning the 76 IgG-/IgM+ profiles, 68 are negative and 7 are positive by complementary techniques and ICT. One discordance was observed. The Atellica®/ICT combination allows excellent discrimination of IgG-/IgM+ and IgGEq/IgM serological profiles with consistent diagnostic orientation in 99.3% of cases. Only 1 sample was found to be discordant but required monitoring at 15 days. The observed performances are compatible with routine use. This test simplifies the analytical process, improves the time to obtain results, while guaranteeing an excellent level of quality.

Résumé: En France, entre 2009 et 2015, le nombre moyen annuel estimé de cas de borréliose de Lyme (BL), liée à la piqûre de tique, était de l'ordre de 29 000 cas avec une incidence moyenne annuelle estimée à 46 pour 100 000 habitants au niveau national et une grande disparité régionale et départementale avec des incidences estimées élevées (> 100 cas/100 000) dans l'Est et le Centre et basses (< 50/100 000) à l'ouest et au sud méditerranéen. La Bl est principalement diagnostiquée au stade primaire de la maladie par les généralistes et les dermatologues. Le manque de spécificité des signes cliniques des phases secondaire et tertiaire et le manque de standardisation des tests sérologiques en font un diagnostic difficile à ces stades. Comment confirmer le diagnostic et avec quelle fiabilité ? Que dire à nos patients pour se prémunir et que faire après une morsure de tique ? In France, between 2009 and 2015, the estimated annual average number of cases of Lyme borreliosis (BL), related to tick bite, was in the order of 29,000 cases with an estimated average annual incidence of 46 cases per 100 000 inhabitants at the national level and a large regional and departmental disparity with estimated high incidences (> 100 cases/100 000) in the East and Center and low (<50/100 000) in the west and south Mediterranean. Bl is mainly diagnosed at the primary stage of the disease by general practitioners and dermatologists. The lack of specificity of the clinical signs of the secondary and tertiary phases and the lack of standardization of the serological tests make it a difficult diagnosis at these stages. How to confirm the diagnosis and with what reliability? What to tell our patients to guard against and what to do after a tick bite? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the identification of the first enteroviruses, the classification and the nomenclature of these viruses were modified several times. Even the base of the classification was changed during the 2000s when genetic criteria superseded the historical serological criteria used to identify enteroviruses. Product of these modifications, the current classification and nomenclature are confusing for students, researchers and practitioners who discover them for the first time; coxsackieviruses A and B, echoviruses and polioviruses are gathered into different species while surprisingly, in view of the etymology, the rhinoviruses now belong the genus Enterovirus. This review aims to summarize the history of the methods and concepts that were used to elaborate the successive classifications and to feature the discoveries that led to their modifications. Mostly slight, sometimes drastic, these modifications underline the history of our knowledge about the enteroviruses and their diversity; indirectly, they highlight our profound ignorance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are the main components of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. They are glycolipids containing a lipid moiety called lipid A, more often made of a bis-phosphorylated glucosamine disaccharide, carrying fatty acids in ester and amide linkages. Lipid A is linked to a core oligosaccharide of about 10 sugars, substituted in the wild-type strains, by long-chain oligosaccharide repetitive units, extending outside the bacteria and representing their main antigens. In addition to determine the serotype of the bacterium, LPS are highly potent biological molecules, capable of eliciting at the level of minute amounts, beneficial, as well as deleterious activities.

Résumé L’exploration d’une hyperéosinophilie sanguine (HES) au retour de voyage est une démarche complexe qui requiert une collaboration étroite entre cliniciens et biologistes. La prise en charge du patient nécessite de rechercher dans un premier temps une cause fréquente (médicamenteuse, allergique ou parasitaire), mais aussi de s’assurer de l’absence d’effet délétère liée à l’HES elle-même. Dans un second temps, pourront être évoquées des étiologies plus rares telles que maladies de systèmes, maladies immunitaires et pathologies tumorales. Même au retour d’un séjour en zone tropicale où le risque parasitaire apparaît plus élevé, cette attitude diagnostique devra être respectée afin de ne pas écarter trop rapidement une étiologie non parasitaire. L’interrogatoire du patient devra préciser la symptomatologie (fièvre, diarrhées, prurit…), rechercher la prise de médicaments, préciser les antécédents allergiques et recueillir des arguments épidémiologiques (origine géographique, profession, mode de vie, voyages, etc.). Une numération-formule sanguine de contrôle sera prescrite dans tous les cas, afin de confirmer l’HES. L’étude de la cinétique de cette dernière est d’ailleurs un élément important dans l’orientation diagnostique. L’examen parasitologique des selles, associé à la technique de Baermann si le patient a séjourné en zone tropicale ou intertropicale, sera renouvelé en cas de négativité. Des sérologies parasitaires seront ensuite prescrites, ciblant notamment anguillulose et toxocarose, respectivement première cause d’HES chez le voyageur et première étiologie autochtone. En cas de négativité du bilan parasitaire, un traitement d’épreuve anti-helminthique est parfois proposé. The investigation of eosinophilia in returning travellers is a complicated process requiring a close collaboration between clinician physicians and biologists. First, a common cause (iatrogenic, allergic or parasitic etiology) should be investigated, but the absence of deleterious effects related to the eosinophilia itself should also be considered. Secondly, significant non-infective conditions such as sytemic, immune or tumoral diseases, should be discussed. Indeed, a non-parasitic etiology should not be too quickly excluded, even when returning from a high parasitic endemic area. Symptoms of the patient (fever, diarrhea, pruritus, etc.), as well as medications and history of allergy should be collected. Besides, epidemiological arguments (native country, occupation, lifestyle, travel, etc.) should be rigorously considered. Eosinophilia have to be confirmed on a complete blood count. Moreover, kinetic study of the eosinophils level is an important element of etiological diagnosis. Three stool examinations will be carried out, along with Baermann’s technique if the patient comes from the tropics. Serological tests will then be performed, first targeting strongyloidiasis and toxocarosis. Empirical treatment targeting helminths may be considered for patients with negative results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A fim de analisar a discussão sobre a eficácia do soro antipestoso produzido pelo Instituto de Manguinhos no começo do século XX, faz-se breve apreciação da atuação de Oswaldo Cruz à frente da Diretoria de Saúde Pública e, em seguida, aborda-se a polêmica propriamente por meio da sua correspondência com Miguel Pereira, Vital Brazil, Chapot Prévost e Francisco Fajardo. Evidencia-se, nessas cartas, o grau de incerteza e experimentação que marcava a bacteriologia no Brasil daquele momento, embora, publicamente, ela se apresentasse como conhecimento seguro e inquestionável. Mostra-se como argumentos de natureza extracientífica interferem no desenvolvimento de pesquisas e na aceitação dos produtos médicos.This analysis of the discussion surrounding the efficacy of the plague serum produced by Manguinhos Institute in the early twentieth century begins with an overview of Oswaldo Cruz's service as head of the Public Health Directorship (Diretoria de Saúde Pública). The controversy itself is then addressed, through an exploration of correspondence exchanged by physicians Oswaldo Cruz, Miguel Pereira, Vital Brazil, Chapot Prévost, and Francisco Fajardo. Their letters reveal how bacteriology in Brazil was then marked by uncertainty and experimentation, even while this field of knowledge publicly touted itself as safe and incontestable. The article shows how arguments of an extra-scientific nature interfere with both research development and the acceptance of medical products.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B virus is responsible for 50%-80% of Hepatocellular carcinoma cases worldwide. In Nigeria, vertical transmission remains a major route of Hepatitis B virus infection. Primary (vaccines and post-exposure prophylaxis) and secondary prevention of HBV transmission by appropriate sexual and sanitary practices are not yet optimal in the country yet measures for early detection (serological, molecular) and treatment of infected pregnant women is not a practice.This study aimed at identifying the prevalence and risk factors for Hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria. METHODS: a cross-sectional study was done at the Ante-natal clinic of the University College Hospital Ibadan. One hundred and eighty pregnant women were recruited from March to August 2013, and tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen (BIORAD FRANCE) using third generation ELISA, as well as HIV-1 and 2 using Uni-Gold Recombigen and ALERE determine (a rapid immunoassay designed to detect antibodies to HIV 1 and/or 2). Positive HBsAg samples were tested for Hepatitis B envelope antigen, antibody and Hepatitis B core antibody (DIAPRO Italy) while serum HBV DNA was detected using PCR. Data were obtained using questionnaires to establish and analysis was performed using SPSS version 20. RESULTS: the seroprevalence of HBsAg was 8.3% out of which 26.7% were positive for HBeAg, 53.3% had HBeAb, 20% had neither HBeAg nor HBeAb, 100% had total HBcAb and 86.7% had HBV DNA in their serum. The mean age was 32.1years, the highest HBV infection rate occurred in 25-29 year age group. Multiple sexual partners (OR- 3.987, P- value=0.026) and early age at sexual debut (OR 11.996, P- value=0.022) were independent risk factors for HBV infection. CONCLUSION: Hepatitis B virus infection is of high endemicity in Nigeria thus early detection, treatment of infected pregnant women,immunoprophylaxis for exposed newborns and surveillance for those with chronic infection is essential. Health education programs on prevention and control measures must be instituted.

Copyright of Bulletin de la Société de Pathologie Exotique is the property of John Libbey Eurotext Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Résumé Les laboratoires d’analyses et de biologie médicale ont un rôle clé dans la prévention de la toxoplasmose congénitale en assurant le dépistage sérologique obligatoire des femmes enceintes. La découverte d’une primo-infection ou séroconversion toxoplasmique au cours de la grossesse doit faire craindre la possibilité de survenue d’une infection fœtale, la toxoplasmose congénitale. En cas de suspicion d’infection récente au cours de la grossesse, l’infection devra être confirmée et datée afin d’estimer le risque de transmission et de sévérité de l’infection fœtale. Les sérums de la patiente pourront être adressés à un laboratoire expert. Si l’infection est confirmée, la femme devra être orientée vers un centre clinique de référence présentant une expertise reconnue dans le domaine de la toxoplasmose congénitale. En France, le Centre national de référence de la toxoplasmose a pour mission, entre autres, d’informer sur l’épidémiologie, le diagnostic et la prise en charge de la toxoplasmose congénitale ( http://cnrtoxoplasmose.chu-reims.fr ). Summary The laboratories of medical biology play an important role to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis by ensuring the compulsory serological screening of pregnant women. A primo-infection or seroconversion during pregnancy might lead to a foetal infection, congenital toxoplasmosis. In case of acute infection during pregnancy, the infection has to be confirmed and dated in order to evaluate the risks of vertical transmission and severity of the infection. The serum samples of the women would be sent in an expert laboratory. If the infection is confirmed, the woman would be addressed in a clinical reference center having an expertise in congenital toxoplasmosis. The French national reference center of toxoplasmosis is dedicated, among others, to inform about the epidemiology, the diagnosis and the management of congenital toxoplasmosis ( http://cnrtoxoplasmose.chu-reims.fr ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serological Investigation on Five Fowl Diseases in the North Region of Guera (CHAD). A serological survey concerning five fowl diseases are carried out from three subprefectures (Mangalme, Bitkine, Mongo) of the North Guera, localites situated at 550 km in the North of N'Djamena. A total of 270 chickens of approximatly 12 months old are bought which 103 around Mangalme, 93 around Mongo and 82 around Bitkine. The results show low rate of infection for Newcastle disease (7.33 %), Gumgoro disease (8.66 %) and Salmmonella pullorum infection (8.73 %). Higher rates are found for infectious bronchitis (32 %) and Mycoplasma synoviae infection (36.66 %). Different type (2, 3 or 5) of anti-bodies are found sometimes in the same chicken showing that several infections circulate in the same hen house. As far as the are concerned, infectious bronchitis (83 %) and Mycoplasma synoviae infection (72 %) have very high rate followed by pullorosis (55 %). These results prove that these diseases sometimes unkown by field veterinary agents are widespread. Any improvement fowl production need a best control of the diseases by training field veterinary agents and poultryman on prevention poultry disease.

La toxocarose humaine est une zoonose parasitaire cosmopolite causée par Toxocara canis et Toxocara catisqui sont des ascarides des chiens et des chats. C'est une affection le plus souvent bénigne. Nous rapportons un cas de pancréatite aigue dans le décours une toxocarose. Human toxocariasis is a cosmopolitan parasitic zoonosis caused by Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati which are roundworms of dogs and cats. It is mostly a benign condition. We here report a case of acute pancreatitis secondary to toxocariasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The French Military Blood Institute is responsible for the entire blood supply chain in the French Armed Forces. Considering, the high exposition rate of military to malaria risk, blood donation screening of plasmodium infection must be as efficient as possible. The main aim of our study was to assess our malaria testing strategy based on a single Elisa test compared with a two-step strategy implying immunofluorescence testing as confirmation test. The second goal was to describe characteristic of malaria Elisa positive donors. We conducted a prospective study: every malaria Elisa positive test was implemented by immunofluorescence testing and demographical data were recorded as usual by our medical software. We showed a significant risk of malaria ELISA positive tests among donor born in endemic area and we estimate the number of abusively 3-year rejected donors. However, based on our estimations, the two-step strategy is not relevant since the number of additionally collected blood products will be low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective We aimed to evaluate the global prevalence of hepatitis B and C among voluntary blood donor. Methods In the study, 1079 blood donors were included. The investigation was carried out from 1 January till 31 December 2010 in the central Blood Bank of Bukavu in DRC. The median age of sample was 26 years. In total, 72.4% among them were male sex and 54.5% of new blood donors. Results The prevalence of hepatitis B was 4.2% and hepatitis C was found in 3.8% case the coinfection VHB and VHC with 2.2%. VHB was prevalent in blood donor group of less than 30 years (5.0%), new blood donor (5.1%), in medical profession (7.1%) and in the male sex group (5.1%) and was significantly according to the sex (P=0.01) and the place of residence (P=0.002). A strong association was showed between the rural medium and hepatitis B OR 3,1 (1.4-6.5) and VHC OR 2.9 (1.3-6.5). After estimation with logistic regression a higher risk of seropositivity of VHB found in blood donor sex male group, married group, blood donor coming from the rural middle and having less than 30 years. Conclusion For blood safety, a particular attention must be laid in the selection of donor before a blood donation and in donation in reagent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Résumé: L’hyperéosinophilie (HE) sanguine est définie par une augmentation du nombre d’éosinophiles circulants au-dessus de 0,5G/L. Cette anomalie hématologique peut avoir de multiples étiologies mais la grande majorité d’entre elles correspondent à des HE secondaires dite « allergiques », que l’on rencontre très fréquemment au cours des helminthiases. En effet, lors d’une agression vermineuse, des cytokines dites « alarmines » sont sécrétées et vont aboutir à une surproduction d’IL-5, d’IL-13 et d’IL-4 responsables de l’HE et de l’augmentation des immunoglobulines de type E. Un haut niveau d’HE évoluant sur une longue période peut être responsable de dommages tissulaires liés à l’activation des polynucléaires éosinophiles conduisant souvent à des manifestations cliniques sévères. L’exploration d’une HE nécessite le recueil des données anamnestiques, épidémiologiques, et cliniques pour donner une orientation diagnostique et cibler au mieux le panel d’examens à réaliser. Les techniques de diagnostic optique demeurent la première ligne des investigations à exécuter, car ces examens peuvent conduire rapidement à un diagnostic de certitude lorsqu’ils sont exécutés par des opérateurs expérimentés. Les immunodiagnostics des helminthiases représentent un apport majeur dans certaines situations mais ces techniques restent complémentaires des investigations optiques classiques et sont souvent d’interprétation délicate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Résumé: La leptospirose est une anthropozoonose c’est-à-dire une maladie animale transmissible à l’homme, provoquée par un spirochète, du genre Leptospira qui vit essentiellement parmi les rongeurs, mais aussi dans les zones humides. Elle sévit dans le monde entier particulièrement en Asie, en Amérique latine et en Afrique. En Europe, son incidence est modeste (sauf en France et en Grande-Bretagne où sa fréquence s’est accrue ces dernières années) mais la fréquence peut être sous-estimée. Certaines régions d’outre-mer sont particulièrement touchées. En France, le potentiel épidémique de la leptospirose est soumis aux variations climatiques, justifiant d’une surveillance constante de la maladie assurée par le Centre national de référence (CNR) des leptospires. La transmission à l’homme se fait surtout par contact avec les milieux souillés par les urines d’animaux infectés. La maladie peut atteindre le foie et les reins (hépatonéphrite) sous forme de cytolyse, cholestase et d’insuffisance rénale associée à la fièvre. Une coagulopathie accompagne généralement le tableau. Son diagnostic est difficile en raison du polymorphisme clinique. Un diagnostic précoce de la leptospirose permet une prise en charge médicale efficace, améliorant le pronostic du patient. Ce dernier repose actuellement sur amplification génique (PCR) ou par une sérologie positive par le microscopic agglutination test (MAT) qui est la méthode de référence. Son évolution est généralement favorable sous traitement antibiotique adapté (aminopénicilline). Mais 5 à 10 % des patients symptomatiques présentent une forme sévère multiviscérale. Près d’un siècle après la découverte de l’agent causal, cette zoonose reste un problème de santé publique, zoonose prioritaire, sur le plan de la virulence, sa déclaration est obligatoire dans notre pays. Nous rapportons le cas d’une forme d’hépatonéphrite sévère par contamination d’eau contaminée par leptospire observée dans le Nord de la France. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé: Les marqueurs sérologiques de sensibilité et spécificité élevées ont permis d’estimer la prévalence de la maladie cœliaque à 1 % dans les populations européennes et nord-américaines. La maladie cœliaque est un enjeu de santé publique, mais son polymorphisme de présentation explique que la majorité des cas restent non diagnostiqués. La meilleure compréhension de sa physiopathologie a permis l’amélioration des techniques diagnostiques. Le dépistage précoce des patients symptomatiques et de groupes à risque apporte un bénéfice en termes de qualité de vie et de morbimortalité. Aucune étude à ce jour ne permet pourtant d’affirmer l’intérêt d’un dépistage de masse. Différentes sociétés scientifiques française et nord-américaine ont récemment révisé leurs stratégies diagnostiques en y introduisant les sérologies. Certains marqueurs plus anciens, les anticorps anti-gliadine et anti-réticuline, dont les performances ont été jugées insuffisantes ont été radiés de la nomenclature des actes de biologie médicale au profit d’anticorps de découverte plus récente. Les anticorps anti-endomysium et anti-transglutaminase d’isotype IgA représentent aujourd’hui les marqueurs les plus sensibles et spécifiques pour diagnostiquer la maladie cœliaque et suivre les patients astreints au régime sans gluten, à l’exception du cas particulier des patients déficients en IgA chez qui la recherche d’IgG est préconisée. Une meilleure standardisation des kits pourrait permettre à ces marqueurs de bientôt remplacer la confirmation histologique sur biopsie duodénale qui reste à ce jour ű l’étalon or Ƈ du diagnostic de maladie cœliaque. Les tests sérologiques représentent en effet une alternative moins invasive, moins coûteuse, de réalisation plus aisée et d’interprétation plus objective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Summary: The identification of primary immunodeficiency is important in the prognosis and treatment of patients with these rare genetic diseases. For their diagnosis, simple screening explorations need to be carried out in case of severe, recurrent, and/or unusual infections. These include the whole blood cell count, plasmatic immunoglobulin levels, and postimmunization and/or post-infectious serologies. These examinations are used to guide the diagnosis with the joint analysis of patient''s medical history, the clinical examination, and screening of biological results. They will then guide the prescription of more specific second-line explorations depending on the type of primary immunodeficiency suspected. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Résumé: En Tunisie, malgré l’absence d’un programme national de prévention de la toxoplasmose congénitale (TC), le dépistage sérologique est régulièrement réalisé chez la femme enceinte. Nous présentons notre expérience dans la TC durant 11ans (2000–2011). Méthodes: Nous avons revu les caractéristiques cliniques et biologiques de 21 cas de TC. Résultats: L’infection a eu lieu au cours du premier trimestre dans quatre cas, du deuxième trimestre dans six cas et au cours du troisième trimestre dans quatre cas. La date de la contamination maternelle n’a pas été précisée dans sept cas. La spiramycine a été prescrite dans 16 cas et la pyriméthamine-sulfadiazine dans un cas devant une PCR positive. L’échographie fœtale était très peu contributive au dépistage anténatal. Elle a montré un retard de croissance intra-utérin dans un cas. À la naissance, 16 nouveau-nés étaient asymptomatiques, quatre ont présenté une atteinte neurologique et quatre une atteinte oculaire. Le sérodiagnostic postnatal était positif pour les 21 nouveau-nés et ce, au cours du premier mois de la vie. Les IgA étaient positives dans 76,9 % des cas et les IgM dans 66,6 % des cas. L’immunoblot a montré une néo-synthèse d’IgG et/ou d’IgM dans 57,1 % des cas. Vingt nouveau-nés ont été traités par pyriméthamine-sulfadoxine. L’évolution a été marquée par le décès précoce de deux nouveau-nés. Conclusion: Les toxoplasmoses congénitales sévères sont toujours d’actualité dans notre pays. La prise en charge des femmes enceintes à risque demande à être améliorée. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim of the study: The determination of the RhD phenotype is important in transfusion medicine. However, the complexity of the expression of the D antigen is the cause of the discrepancies observed between two serological determinations and the omission by serology of some variants that can be cause alloimmunization. Therefore, it is important to known in a population the RHD alleles responsible for partial D and weak D phenotype. The aim of the study was the screening of partial D with RHD/RHCE gene hybrid by PCR-multiplex. Materials and methods: Our study involved 308 blood donors from Tunisian Sahel (269 D positive and 39 D negative). We used the multiplex PCR assay to amplify specific exons of the RHD gene 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10. Further molecular investigations were carried to characterize the RHD variants that were detected by the multiplex. Results: In the 269 D positive samples, one case showed the absence of amplification of exons 4 and 5 of RHD gene. This variant was identified by PCR-SSP on weak D type 4. None of the RHD exons were amplified from DNA of 39 D negative samples in favor of a total deletion of the RHD gene. Conclusion: We have no found any partial D variant with RHD/RHCE gene hybrid. Results in D negative samples showed that RHD gene deletion is the most frequent mechanism of D negative phenotype in the Tunisian population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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Abstract: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the main cause of congenital infection in industrialized countries. The virological tools used for the diagnosis of congenital CMV are serology for diagnosis of primary infection in the mother, CMV PCR in amniotic fluid for diagnosis of fetal infection, PCR in urine or saliva for neonatal diagnosis and PCR in dried blood spots on Guthrie cards for retrospective diagnosis in young children. The prognostic value of viral load in amniotic fluid, fetal blood and neonatal blood will be discussed. The performance of the virological tests for antenatal or postnatal screening of congenital CMV will also be discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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Copyright of Pratique Medicale et Chirurgicale de l'Animal de Compagnie is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: The serological tests commonly used for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis raise the problem of the interpretation of the borderline immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels and discordant results between various tests. Objective: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the contribution of the immunoblotting in the detection of specific IgG in acquired toxoplasmosis of immunocompetent patients especially when levels are equivocal or discordant in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) and indirect fluorescent antigen test (IFAT). Materiel and methods: We tested three groups of sera. The first included 87 positive sera, the second 33 negative sera, and the last one 29 equivocal sera. Results: Results obtained with the first and the second group of sera led us to identify the bands 30kDa and 32kDa as markers of the toxoplasmic infection. The simultaneous presence of both bands showed a sensitivity of 91.5%, a specificity of 96.9%, a VPP of 98.7%, a VPN of 74.4% and a Youden''s index of 0.88. Our findings suggest that the presence of these two bands is a reliable criterion for the confirmation of the presence of anti-toxoplasmic IgG in the corresponding serum. The immunoblot allowed us to ascertain serological status of 27 (93.1%) patients from the third group in which results were discrepant or equivocal in Elisa and/or in IFAT. Conclusion: Immunoblot is a useful serological test for detection of very low or equivocal titers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: The authors retrospectively studied the epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of 71 cases of visceral leishmaniasis from 1998 to 2009. Population and methods: The diagnosis was made by finding Leishmania amastigotes in bone marrows smears and/or by serology. Results: Most cases occur in winter (35.2%) and in spring (36.6%). The source areas are endemic ones located in the north of Algeria (74.6%) and more rarely arid or semi-arid climate areas (8.4%). 88.7% of patients are children. The sex ratio is 1.53. The clinical characteristics are: fever (77.4%), paleness (43.6%); splenomegaly (83%), hepatomegaly (57.7%). The biological anomalies are: anemia (56.3%), thrombocytopenia (33.8%), and leucopenia (28.1%). N-methylglucamine (Glucantime®) was most often prescribed (70.4%). Four deaths (5.6%) were recorded. Conclusion: Visceral leishmaniasis remains a pediatric affection but does not spare adults. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Journal of Medical Mycology / Journal de Mycologie Médicale is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revue Francophone des Laboratoires is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of IBS, Immuno-analyse & Biologie Specialisee is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Medical Mycology / Journal de Mycologie Médicale is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary: During the two last decades, the risk of viral transfusion transmission for some infectious agents (HIV, HCV, HBV and HTLV) has been markedly reduced by improved donor screening, improvements of serological assays and the implementation of minipool nucleic acid testing for HIV-1 and HCV viruses. However, implementation during the year 2010 of nucleic acid testing for the detection of HIV RNA, HCV RNA and HBV DNA in a single triplex assay may provide additional safety, especially after acute infection during the window period. New Procleix® Tigris® technology (Novartis) allow the French blood screening laboratories to answer their actual requirements in terms of security and throughput and to implement nucleic acid testing in case of emergent risks requiring a direct detection of viruses. Furthermore, Tigris® is a fully automated system with high level of security during the analytical process, reducing the number of invalid or non-available results observed with the previous semi-automated technologies. Moreover, renewal of material by fully automated and secure systems, especially for the critical step of sample pipeting, may provide additional safety in blood screening laboratories. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Subject: Molecular amplification (PCR) provides adequate rapid and specific diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection (first agent responsible for community-wide bacterial pneumonia in children above 5 years of age). Method: Positive (Chlamylège®, Argène) PCR in nasopharyngeal aspirate, respiratory samples and nasopharyngeal swab and/or positive serological test (ELISA). Results: Diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infection in 39 cases: 31 between September and December 2008 (30 children and one adult) and eight since June 2009 (three adults and five children). Children (mean age: 3.6years) were hospitalized in 88.6% of cases, mean hospitalization duration was 2.9 days for respiratory tract infections, mainly due to lack of response to β-lactamines therapy (65.7%). Four adults (mean age: 29.5 years) presented a pneumonia, with hospitalization for three of them with one in intensive care unit. Twenty-eight PCR have proved positive (87%): without associated serology (13), eight negative serologies, IgG and IgM positive (five), and IgG alone (two). Seven patients had only serological test for diagnosis: IgM±IgG. For two children, IgM positive only in isolation, with a PCR probably false negative. Conclusion: The sensitivity of the serology in the diagnosis of mycoplasma infection is limited: IgM, which appear traditionally 1 week after clinical signs are mostly inexistent for adults and IgG rise at a later stage. Early diagnosis of child pneumoniae by PCR helped rapidly characterize this epidemic phenomenon and adapt the treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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Copyright of Revue Francophone des Laboratoires is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Medical Mycology / Journal de Mycologie Médicale is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revue Francophone des Laboratoires is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary: Lyme borreliosis is a zoonosis characterized by great clinical polymorphism. We report 2 cases in patients who presented ocular manifestations: one anterior uveitis in an adult, which resolved under treatment, and one posterior uveitis in a child, whose initial ophthalmologic examination already showed retinal fibrous scars including the macular area. Lyme disease is on the long list of causes that must be discussed in cases of uveitis. The diagnosis is based on a series of epidemiological, clinical, and biological arguments with Western Blot serological profile analysis. Treatment is based especially on intravenous antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]