[Occupational asthma in the Tunisian central region: etiologies and professional status]. / L'asthme professionnel dans la région du centre tunisien : étiologies et devenir professionnel.

OBJECTIVE: To study the etiologies of occupational asthma and determine its impact on the professional status of asthmatic subjects. METHODS: The authors carried out a descriptive study on all of the cases of asthma recognized as an occupational disease and declared in the private sector over nine years (2000-2008) in the Tunisian central region. RESULTS: Cases (219) of occupational asthma were listed, accounting for 16.8% of all of the occupational diseases recognized during the period studied. Occupational asthma concerned young adults (40±8.2 years), with a predominance of women (67.7%). The textile sector dominated (74.9%). The majority of the employees were exposed to high molecular weight allergens (82.3%) and cotton dust was the principal offending agent (75.3%). Involuntary unemployment was observed in about half of the cases (46.6%) and was associated with an age lower or equal to 35 years (p = 0.01) and under 15 years of professional seniority (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Occupational asthma in the Tunisian central region prevails in the textile sector thereby justifying the reinforcement of preventive measures in this branch of industry.

[Primary malignant melanoma of the rectum. A case report]. / Mélanome malin primitif du rectum. A propos d'une observation.

The authors report a case of primary malignant melanoma of the rectum seen in an 84-year-old woman. This blackish tumour measuring 3 cm in diameter and situated 8 cm from the anal margin was treated by surgical excision. The patient died during the immediate postoperative period.

[Small intestine occlusion caused by the silent opening of liver hydatid cysts into the peritoneum. Apropos of an uncommon case]. / Occlusion du grêle par ouverture de Kystes hydatiques du foie dans le péritoine à bas bruit. A propos d'un cas exceptionnel.

The authors report one exceptional case of organic small bowel occlusion. The etiological diagnosis was performed by ultrasonographic examination and showed two hydatid cysts of the liver opened into the peritoneum and a peritoneal fluid collection corresponding to the hydatid fluid. The authors emphasize the absence of clinical symptoms during the opening of the hydatid cysts of the liver into the peritoneum and the usefulness of emergency ultrasonographic examination of the entire abdomen in cases of small bowel obstruction without any evident etiology.

[Caroli's disease associated with hepatocarcinoma. A case report and review of the literature]. / Maladie de Caroli associée à un hépatocarcinome. A propos d'une observation et revue de la littérature.

The authors report a case of liver cell carcinoma arising in Caroli's disease. A review of the literature shows that this association is quite rare. The etiology of the malignant transformation is discussed.

[Alveolar echinococcosis in Tunisia. Apropos of 2 cases]. / L'échinococcose alvéolaire en Tunisie. A propos de 2 cas.

The authors report the first two cases of Echinococcus multilocularis observed in Tunisia, in two patients from the North-West of the country, who never travelled abroad. The diagnosis was reached by histopathologic examination of a partial hepatectomy section. The appearance of this disease in this geographic area where unilocularis hydatic cyst is endemically present needs further epidemiologic study.