Prevalence of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in Dromedary Camels, Tunisia.

Free-roaming camels, especially those crossing national borders, pose a high risk for spreading Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). To prevent outbreaks, active surveillance is necessary. We found that a high percentage of dromedaries in Tunisia are MERS-CoV seropositive (80.4%) or actively infected (19.8%), indicating extensive MERS-CoV circulation in Northern Africa.

Isolation and characterization of lytic phage TUN1 specific for Klebsiella pneumoniae K64 clinical isolates from Tunisia.

BACKGROUND: Multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae spp. (kp) are emerging agents of severe infections of the respiratory, urinary tract and wounds that can progress to fatal septicemia. The use of bacteriophages is currently being considered as an effective alternative or adjuvant to antibiotic therapy. RESULTS: In this study, we report capsule (K)-typing of 163 carbapenem-resistant Kp (CRKP) isolated 2014-2018 at the Military Hospital of Instruction of Tunis (MHT), Tunisia, by partial amplification and sequencing of the Kp wzi gene. The most prevalent K-type overall was K64 with 50.3% followed by K17 and K27 (22.7 and 11.0%, respectively). K64 Kp strains were most common and associated with increased case/fatality rates, especially at the intensive care unit (ICU). Using a K64 Kp strain we isolated and characterized a lytic Kp phage, vB_KpP_TUN1 (phage TUN1), from wastewater samples of the ICU at the MHT. TUN1 belongs to the Autographiviridae family and specifically digests K64 Kp capsules most probably via a depolymerase encoded by gp47. Furthermore, we successfully assembled phage TUN1 in a non-replicative host (E. coli) raising the possibility of in vitro assembly in the absence of live bacterial hosts. We propose that phage TUN1 is a promising candidate to be used as an adjuvant or an alternative to antibiotic therapy in CRKP infections, facilitating regulatory approval of phage therapy. CONCLUSIONS: K64, K17 and K27 are the most common wzi capsule types in this geographical location in Northern Africa. The lytic phage TUN1 efficiently lyses K64 Kp strains associated with increased case/fatality rates at body temperature. Together with its ability to be rescued in a non-replicative host these features enhance the utility of this phage as an antibacterial agent.

Whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic classification of Tunisian SARS-CoV-2 strains from patients of the Military Hospital in Tunis.

In the present work, two complete genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 were obtained from nasal swab samples of Tunisian SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive patients using nanopore sequencing. The virus genomes of two of the patients examined, a Tunisian soldier returning from a mission in Morocco and a member of another Tunisian family, showed significant differences in analyses of the total genome and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Phylogenetic relationships with known SARS-CoV-2 genomes in the African region, some European and Middle Eastern countries and initial epidemiological conclusions indicate that the introduction of SARS-CoV-2 into Tunisia from two independent sources was travel-related.

Bacteriological and therapeutic profile of diabetic foot infection: a prospective study of 100 patients.

BACKGROUND: Identifying the infecting bacterial flora is one of the main rules to be followed to ensure the success of antibiotherapy in the treatment of the infected diabetic foot. The aim of the work was to define the bacteriological profile of the bacteria causing the infection of the diabetic foot at the surgery unit B of Charles Nicolle's hospital in Tunis and determine the prognostic factors of this condition. METHODS: It was an open prospective study. It concerned 100 diabetic patients operated on for diabetic foot infection. All patients had bacteriological samples taken through deep scraping and swabing carried out in the operating room. RESULTS: The average age of patients was 59,5 ±11 years, with a sex-ratio of 2,4. The foot infection was represented in 82 % of cases by a wet gangrene. The enterobacteria were the most frequently isolated bacteria (73%), followed by streptococcus (10%), Staphylococcus aureus (9%). The rate of multidrug-resistant bacteria was of 9,5%. The empiric antibiotic therapy used (fusidic acid +amoxicillin/ clavulanic acid) was inactiveon 44,1% of the isolated bacteria. When we compared the group of patients with unfavourable development (who have been reoperated) and the group of patients with favourable development, we have found two poor prognosis factors : arteritis  (p=0,018 ; OR=23,7) and presence of multidrug-resistant bacteria (p=0,027 ; OR=5,8). CONCLUSION: The enterobacteria were the main bacteria causing the infection of diabetic foot. The prognostic factors found, arteritis and isolation of multidrug-resistant bacteria, outpoint the importance of multidisciplinary care.

Occurrence of conjugative IncF-type plasmids harboring the blaCTX-M-15 gene in Enterobacteriaceae isolates from newborns in Tunisia.

BACKGROUND: CTX-M-15 is the dominant type of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase in clinical isolates. This enzyme constitutes the most widespread enzymes in Tunisia. In this study, we were interested to understand the causes of the evolutionary success of CTX-M-15 in a Tunisian university hospital. METHODS: A total of of 72 cefotaxime-resistant Enterobacteriaceae were isolated from newborn patients at the hospital Taher sfar Mahdia in Tunisia and characterized their genetic support by means of molecular techniques. RESULTS: Isolates were clustered into various clonal groups, although most isolates belonged to sequence types ST39 (Klebsiella pneumoniae) and ST131 (Escherichia coli). F replicons (FIA, FIB, and FII) were the most frequently detected replicon types in our collection (91.66%). CONCLUSION: This is the first report of QnrB- and CTX-M-15-encoding large IncF-type conjugative plasmids in Tunisia.

Detection of PEr 1 extended-spectrum ß-lactamase among nosocomial providencia stuartii isolates in Tunisia.

BACKGROUND: The Emergence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) in Enterobacteriace species imparting resistance to thirdgeneration cephalosporins is a growing concern worldwide. aims: This study was undertaken to characterize ESBL producers from clinical isolates of Providencia stuartii in Tunisia. methods: We analysed ten non-duplicate ESBL positive, P. stuartii isolates collected in intensive care units of military Hospital in Tunisia from blood specimens and presented an extended-spectrum resistance phenotype . the presence of the blaPER-1 encoding genes was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. results:We detected PER-1 in three of ten isolates of P. stuartii. The gene coding for this enzyme was located on a 100 kb conjugative plasmid that encoded a ß-lactamase with a pI of 5.3. CONCLUSION: This study suggests the spreading of this gene among P. stuartii. clinical strains in the next year in Tunisia.

Prevalence of quinolone resistance determinant qnrA6 among broad- and extended-spectrum beta-lactam-resistant Proteus mirabilis and Morganella morganii clinical isolates with sul1-type class 1 integron association in a Tunisian Hospital.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and the emergence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance among broad-spectrum beta-lactam-resistant Proteus mirabilis and Morganella morganii clinical isolates recovered in the Military Hospital in Tunisia. METHODS: Of 200 strains examined, 50 exhibited resistance to quinolones. Quinolone resistance determinants (qnr and aac(6')-Ib-cr) were characterized by multiplex PCR and sequencing. Chromosomal quinolone resistance mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) and class 1 integron characterization were analysed by PCR and sequencing. The clonal relationship between the isolates was studied by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). RESULTS: Fourteen isolates harboured qnrA6 and among them 8 (57%) were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers, whilst 12 (85%) isolates harboured blaDHA-1. Mutations in the QRDR were detected in gyrA (Ser83Ile, Glu87Lys), gyrB (Ser464Phe), and parC (Ser80Ile). qnrA6 and blaDHA-1 genes were found embedded in complex sul1-type class 1 integrons. A gene cassette carrying aac(6')-Ib-cr was found located in the class 1 integron upstream of the qacEΔ1 gene. According to the PFGE analysis, the isolates were clonally unrelated. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first description in North Africa of class 1 integrons carrying blaDHA-1, qnrA6 gene, and aac(6')-Ib-cr determinants in clinical strains of Proteus mirabilis and Morganella morganii.

Viral and Bacterial Zoonotic Agents in Dromedary Camels from Southern Tunisia: A Seroprevalence Study.

The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 clearly demonstrated the potential of zoonotic diseases to cause severe harm to public health. Having limited access to medical care combined with severe underreporting and a lack of active surveillance, Africa carries a high burden of neglected zoonotic diseases. Therefore, the epidemiological monitoring of pathogen circulation is essential. Recently, we found extensive Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) prevalence in free-roaming dromedary camels from southern Tunisia. In this study, we aimed to investigate the seroprevalence, and thus the risk posed to public health, of two additional viral and two bacterial pathogens in Tunisian dromedaries: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), Coxiella burnetii and Brucella spp. via ELISA. With 73.6% seropositivity, most animals had previously been exposed to the causative agent of Q fever, C. burnetii. Additionally, 7.4% and 1.0% of the dromedaries had antibodies against Brucella and RVFV, respectively, while no evidence was found for the occurrence of FMDV. Our studies revealed considerable immunological evidence of various pathogens within Tunisian dromedary camels. Since these animals have intense contact with humans, they pose a high risk of transmitting serious zoonotic diseases during active infection. The identification of appropriate countermeasures is therefore highly desirable.

[Comparative study of patients hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection in two consecutive waves in Tunisia]. / Étude comparative de patients hospitalisés pour une infection SARS-CoV-2 au cours de deux vagues consécutives en Tunisie.

Introduction: Since December 2019, a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has triggered a global pandemic with a heavy medical and societal-economic toll. The health consequences were not similar during the successive waves that affected several countries. The aim of our study was to compare the sociodemographic, clinical and evolutionary features of COVID-19 patients hospitalized at the Military Hospital of Tunis (HMPIT) during the 2nd and 3rd waves that affected the country. Patients and methods: Observational prospective study involving 1,527 COVID-19 patients hospitalized at HMPIT over 11 months, divided into two periods: from July 2020 to December 2020 called the second wave (V2) and from January 2021 to May 2021 called the third wave (V3). We compared the epidemiological data, the clinical form and the evolution of the patients for each period. Results: The number of hospitalized patients was 636 during V2 compared to 891 during V3. Average age was 63.5 ± 15.3 years during V2 versus 65.8 ± 17.8 years during V3 (P = not significant [NS]). The percentage of young adults [18-40 years] was 6.5% during V2 compared to 6.7% during V3 (P = NS). The gender ratio (M/F) was 1.59 for V2 and 1.42 for V3 (P = NS). Comorbidities were present in 65% of V2 patients and 66.3% of V3 patients (P = NS), with hypertension being the most prevalent one in both groups (47.2% for V2 versus 44.9% for V3; P = NS), followed by overweight, dyslipidemia and diabetes (33% for V2 versus 39.3% for V3; P = 0.012). The median duration between symptoms onset and hospitalization was 7 days [5-10] during V2 versus 8.5 days during V3 [5-12] (P = 0.0004). The severe clinical form was present in 49% of patients admitted during V2 compared to 34.8% during V3 (P < 10-3). The critical form represented 18.6% of cases during V2 against 16.8% during V3 (P = NS). The average hospital length of stay in COVID units (outside of intensive care unit) was 8.4 ± 5.4 days during V2 and 9.8 ± 5.7 days during V3. The average length of stay was significantly longer for the intensive care unit (11.3 ± 3.4 days for V2 versus 13.8 ± 3.9 days for V3; P = 0.01). The case fatality rate was 24.5% during V2 and 20.7% during V3 (P = NS). Median age of death was 70.2 years [42-88] during V2 and 70.4 years [22-96] during V3 with 2 patients less than 40 years of age (1%) for the latter period. The gender ratio (M/F) of deceased patients was 3.21 for V2 and 1.5 for V3 (P = 0.001). The case fatality rate was higher in the intensive care unit (65.4% for V2 versus 69.7% for V3; P = NS). Causes of death were dominated by ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) for both periods (55.1% for V2 versus 70.8% for V3; P = 0.002), followed by septic shock (12.8% for V2 versus 10.8% for V3; P = NS) and multi-organ failure (9.6% for V2 versus 7.0% for V3; P = NS). Conclusion: This study revealed a decrease in severe and critical clinical forms during the 3rd wave, as well as a decrease in the case fatality rate compared to the previous wave, due to improved management and vaccination. On the other hand, the percentage of ARDS was significantly higher during this wave probably related to the beginning of circulation in our country of the Delta variant causing more severe clinical cases.

[Pancreatic pseudocysts complicated by hemorrhage and infection]. / Un pseudo kyste pancréatique doublement compliqué d'infection et d'hémorragie.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of bleeding complications secondary to the development of pancreatic pseudocysts is rare but associated with high mortality. AIM: To report a case of pancreatic pseudocyst complicated by hemorrhage and infection. CASE REPORT: A 62 years old patient with history of severe acute pancreatitis two months ago consulted for abdominal pain associate with fever and internal bleeding. CT scan showed a heterogeneous PK complicated by hematoma of the ACE and hemoperitoneum. The emergency surgical treatment showed a PK superinfected with erosion of the splenic artery. It was directed by a left splenopancreatectomy. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic management of hemorrhagic complications of pancreatic pseudo cysts is surgery despite the contribution of artério-embolisation.

[Uropathies and nephropathies of Bardet-Biedl syndrome in children]. / Uropathies et Nephropathies Dans Le Syndrome De Bardet-Biedl Chez L'enfant.

BACKGROUND: The Bardet-Biedl syndrome is an autosomal recessive disease, characterised by obesity, retinal degeneration, hypogenitalism in men, polydactylism and an often moderate mental retardation. With these cardinal features, others clinical findings (secondary features) including diabetes, congenital heart defects, hypertension or syndactyly can be seen. Renal involvement is almost constant, but varies from a moderate impairment of the tubular functions to chronic renal failure caused by malformative uropathy or glomerulopathy. AIM: Report a new cases. METHODS: We report 6 patients with Bardet-Biedel syndrome who had renal involvement. RESULTS: Three patients had cystic dysplasia, one patient an increased fractional sodium excretion, one other a vesico-ureteral reflux and the last patient developed end-stage renal failure following acute post streptococcal glomerulonephritis. We insist on precocious diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment of these renal lesions, to ovoid or, at least, to slow down the evolution to the terminal renal failure, essential prognosis factor. CONCLUSION: Renal involvement, is considered as a major criteria predicting high morbidity and mortality during Bardet-Biedl disease.

[Posterior uretral valves. About a series of 44 cases]. / Valves de l'urètre postérieur. A propos de 44 cas.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the physical symptoms and radiological findings for the diagnosis of posterior urethral valves (PUV), to point of the therapeutic snags depending on gravity and delay of lesions. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 44 patients with PUV. Mean age: 2 years 1/2 (range 1 day-13 years). More than 75% of patients were less than 2 years old. RESULTS: In utero diagnosis was made in 8 patients (14%). After birth, the diagnosis was based on urological signs (as frequent as diagnosis is made belatedly) and extra urological signs. Cystourethrography (CUG) showed posterior urethral dilatation in all cases. Ultrasonography (US) showed abnormalities in 30 cases and intravenous urography (IVU), made in 21 cases, was normal in appearance in 7 of them. At diagnosis, it was a renal failure in 36 patients and 8 of them had a terminal renal deficiency. Urethroscopy made in 40 patients, showed PUV in all cases. There were 29 type I valves, 3 type II valves, 5 type III and 3 unclassifiables cases. Treatment was endoscopic in 41 cases and by lamination in the 3 others. Mean follow up is 9 years (range 16 months-19 years) and 19 patients have terminal renal failure from which 3 are deceased. CONCLUSION: PUV are dangerous obstructive uropathies in boy whom end at terminal renal failure in more than 33% of cases. Precocious diagnosis and early ablation of PUV are able to limit the complications inherent to this pathology.

Rapid diagnostic tests : Pros, cons and potential use in the COVID-19 management in Tunisia.

OBJECTIVES: Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is a major public health issue. In a context of limited diagnostic capacity with the reference technique (real-time RT-PCR), many manufacturers have developed rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). Although very promising in theory, these tests have raised many questions. This article is a rapid review that synthesizes data regarding different types of available RDTs, their performance, their limits and their potential indications in Tunisia as proposed by a multidisciplinary group of experts. METHODS: A literature review was carried out on the websites of international organizations, governmental bodies and on INAHTA database, completed by a search of relevant scientific articles up to 1 June 2020. The synthesis of the data was submitted to a panel of experts to propose recommendations for the Tunisian context. RESULTS: RDTs based on the detection of antigens and antibodies have sensitivity and specificity related issues. Few validation reports are published in the scientific literature. Pending more evidence on their performance and validity, several international organizations recommend their use only for research purposes. TDRs based on antibody detection are not appropriate for the early diagnosis of COVID-19. However, validated and specific tests could provide complementary diagnostic information to reference tests. CONCLUSION: Pending further evidence, the panel recommends the use of RDTs mainly for research purposes at the community level.

[Infective endocarditis on probe of pacemaker]. / L'endocardite infectieuse sur sonde de stimulateur cardiaque.

Infective endocarditis is an uncommon but potentially lethal complication of permanent cardiac pacing. Infection is mainly caused by local contamination during the implantation procedure. The most frequently detected causative microorganisms were staphylococci. The clinical presentation is often atypical causing prolonged diagnostic delay. Bacteriological data and visualisation of neostructures consistent with vegetations on transoesophageal echocardiography, strongly suggest pacemaker lead infection. Management is based on a combined approach using both prolonged antibiotic treatment and early complete device explantation. Percutaneous techniques are currently the method of choice for lead extraction but it is not without possible complications. Antibiotic prophylaxis in order to reduce infection risk related to pacemaker implantation is widely recommended.

Screening for Carbapenemases in Ertapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Collected at a Tunisian Hospital Between 2014 and 2018.

BACKGROUND: Carbapenem-resistance is frequently detected in Enterobacteriaceae isolated from patients in Tunisia. The study was performed to identify frequent carbapenemases in Tunisian isolates. METHODS: Between May 2014 and January 2018, 197 ertapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae were isolated at the microbiological department of the Military Hospital of Tunis. The strains were phenotypically characterized and then subjected to in-house polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the carbapenemase genes blaIMP, blaVIM, blaNDM, blaSPM, blaAIM, blaDIM,blaGIM, blaSIM, blaKPC, blaBIC , and blaOXA-48. RESULTS: The assessed 197 ertapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae from Tunis comprised 170 Klebsiella pneumoniae, 19 Enterobacter cloacae, 6 Escherichia coli, 1 Citrobacter sedlakii, and 1 Enterobacter asburiae. Thereby, 55 out of 197 isolates (27.9%) were from blood cultures, suggesting a systemic disease. The carbapenemase gene blaOXA-48 quantitatively dominated by far with 153 detections, followed by blaNDM with 14 detections, which were distributed about the whole study interval. In contrast, blaBIC and blaVIM were only infrequently identified in 5 and 3 cases, respectively, while the other carbapenamases were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: The carbapenemase gene blaOXA-48 was identified in the vast majority of ertapenem-resistant Tunisian Enterobacteriaceae while all other assessed carbapenemases were much less abundant. In a quantitatively relevant minority of isolates, the applied PCR-based screening approach did not identify any carbapenemases.

Occurrence and Characterization of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in a Tunisian Hospital.

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae have become of particular concern, since they were quickly disseminated in various areas in the world. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of carbapenemase production among clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae recovered from the Military Hospital of Tunisia. Bacterial isolates (n = 125) were recovered from patients in diverse services from March 2014 to February 2016 and identified by Vitek II Compact®. The multiplex PCR for blaVIM, blaIMP, blaNDM, blaKPC, and blaOXA-48 with subsequent amplicon detection by reverse hybridization was performed with the Hyplex SuperBug ID test system (AmplexDiagnostics GmbH, Gars-Bahnhof, Germany). The 125 strains showed resistance to carbapenems of which 102 strains (81.6%) were carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae and were identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae (85.2%), Enterobacter cloacae (9.8%), Escherichia coli (2.9%), Providencia stuartii (0.9%) and Enterobacter aerogenes (0.9%). These strains were isolated mainly from blood, anal, and urine samples. Patients were mainly hospitalized in the intensive care units, surgery, and medical services. All strains were resistant to ertapenem (100%) and 55.8% showed resistance to imipenem. Carbapenemases genes detected in our study were as follows: blaOXA-48 (84 isolates), blaNDM-1 (8 isolates), blaOXA-48 + blaVIM (5 isolates), and blaOXA-48 + blaNDM-1 (5 isolates). Our research provides epidemiological data showing the quick spread of carbapenem-resistant bacteria in our region, which calls for new surveillance strategies and strict hygiene rules.

First characterization of a Providencia stuartii clinical isolate from a Tunisian intensive care unit coproducing VEB-1-a, OXA-2, qnrA6 and aac(6')-Ib-cr determinants.

A clinical Providencia stuartii isolate SM662 was recovered from a patient hospitalized in the intensive care unit at the Military hospital, Tunisia. This isolate was resistant to penicillins, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones. A marked in vitro synergy between ceftazidime or cefotaxime and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid on Mueller-Hinton agar plates suggested the presence of an extended-spectrum-ß-lactamase. In addition, an unusual synergy was found between cefepime or aztreonam, and cefoxitin or imipenem on a double disk synergy test suggesting a VEB-type extended-spectrum-ß-lactamase. The characterization of ß-lactamases and associated resistance genes was performed by isoelectric focusing, polymerase chain reaction and nucleotide sequencing. Two ß-lactamases bands with pI values of 5.4 and 7.7, which were matched to TEM-1, VEB-1-a and OXA-2-like ß-lactamases were detected. The blaVEB-1-a gene was found to be associated with complex genetic structures, including Re elements. These ß-lactamases were not transferred by electroporation or conjugation experiments to the transconjugants and electroporants. Hybridization methods showed that the extended-spectrum-ß-lactamase encoding gene may have a chromosomal localization. The isolate SM662 produced the quinolone resistance determinants qnrA6 and aac(6')-Ib-cr which were successfully transferred. The detection of an associated chromosomal quinolone resistance revealed the presence of a gyrA mutation at codon 83 (Ser83Ile). This is the first report of the linkage VEB-1-a/OXA-2-like in P. stuartii associated with the description of qnrA6 and aac(6')-Ib-cr genes in this isolate.

Study of a Natural Mutant SHV-Type ß -Lactamase, SHV-104, from Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Klebsiella pneumoniae ML2011, a multiresistant isolate, was isolated from the Military Hospital of Tunis (Tunisia). The determination of the minimal inhibitory concentrations exhibited by K. pneumoniae ML2011 was performed by Etest. The crude extract of the isolates contains four different ß -lactamases with pI 5.5, 7.3, 7.6, and 8.6. Only the ß -lactamases with pI 7.3 and pI 8.6 were transferred by transformation and conjugation experiment. Molecular characterization of these genes was performed by PCR and sequencing. The chromosomal ß -lactamases are TEM (pI 5.5) and SHV-1 (7.6). CTX-M-28 (pI 8.6) and the novel variant of SHV named SHV-104 (pI 7.3) were encoded by bla gene located on a 50 kb highly conjugative plasmid. The SHV-104 ß -lactamase was produced in E. coli and purified. Its profile of activity was determined. Compared to SHV-1, SHV-104 contains one mutation, R202S. Their kinetic parameters were similar except for cefotaxime. The analysis of the predicted structure of SHV-104 indicated that the R202S mutation suppresses a salt bridge present in SHV-1. Therefore, the overall flexibility of the protein increased and might improve the hydrolysis of cefotaxime. We can conclude that the multiresistant phenotype of K. pneumoniae ML2011 strain is mainly linked to the production of CTX-M-28 since SHV-104 possesses a narrow spectrum of activity.

Seroprevalence of human herpesvirus 8 in kidney transplant recipients in a single-center study from Tunisia.

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) is a herpesvirus that is always associated with Kaposi sarcoma. An enzyme-linked immunoenzymatic assay was used to detect antibodies to the latent nuclear antigen of HHV8 in kidney transplant patients and kidney transplant candidates from Tunisia. A significantly high HHV8 seroprevalence was documented; 17% of kidney transplant patients and 23% in kidney transplant candidates were seropositive. This is a first report of HHV8 in Tunisia.

CTX-M-14 type ß-Lactamase producing Escherichia coli isolated from hospitalized patients in Tunisia.

Escherichia coli (E.coli) with a CTX-M resistance phenotype was selected from hospitalized patients in a university Hospital of Tunisia between January 2010 and June 2010. PCR analysis and sequencing demonstrated that it harboured CTX-M-14 ß-lactamase. Characterization of the regions surrounding the bla(CTX-M-14) showed the ISEcp1 elements located in the upstream region of the bla gene. PFGE and multilocus sequence typing revealed two different types which corresponds to sequence types ST38 complex and ST131. These results reinforce the potential for spreading of this gene among E. coli clinical strains in the coming years in Tunisia.