Tuberculosis in southern Morocco: Retrospective analysis from 2006 to 2012.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis, a global major concern, causes millions of deaths annually despite WHO strategies. A persistent gap in detection and treatment facilitates rapid spread in high-burden countries. AIMS: Analyze the clinical-epidemiological profile of tuberculosis patients in Laayoune and Tarfaya, Morocco, emphasizing risk factors and evolution of the tuberculosis Methods: Retrospective analysis of 1332 tuberculosis cases at the Respiratory Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment Center in Laayoune (2006-2012). Variables with P < 0.10 in univariate analysis were included in multivariate analysis using multiple logistic regression to define the risk factors for tuberculosis, expressed as odds ratios (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: The analysis revealed a pulmonary predominance (≈61%), with pleural (41.3%) and lymph node (31.5%) tuberculosis prevalent among extrapulmonary cases. Among 515 extrapulmonary tuberculosis cases, intestinal tuberculosis (14 cases) showed the highest mortality rate at 14.29%. The 15 to 64 age groups had a significantly higher risk of contracting pulmonary tuberculosis to children, and the 65 and over age group also had the highest risk of developing pulmonary tuberculosis (aOR=5.83 [2.43, 14.00]). Other risk factors included rural origin, personal history of tuberculosis, and smoking, all significantly associated with pulmonary tuberculosis (aOR=2.40 [1.001, 5.76]; aOR=2.00 [1.11, 3.61]; aOR=2.38 [1.40, 4.06]). Conversely, female gender was a protective factor (aOR=0.53 [0.40, 0.70]). Regarding recovery and loss to follow-up rates, they were higher in those with pulmonary tuberculosis (39.0% vs 2.1%; aOR=33.41 [17, 66.52]; 16.9% vs 10.3%; aOR=1.57 [1.02, 2.41], respectively). CONCLUSION: Holistic initiatives across various sectors will be essential to eliminate tuberculosis by 2030.

Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Salmonella isolated from food products in the region of Casablanca, Morocco.

INTRODUCTION: Salmonellosis is a foodborne bacterial disease responsible for food epidemics around the world. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence and diversity of Salmonella serotypes in several food products isolated at the Casablanca Regional Analysis and Research Laboratory and to test their resistance to different antimicrobials. METHODOLOGY: The isolation and identification of Salmonella were performed according to Moroccan standard 08.0.116. All isolates were serotyped and were then tested for antibiotic resistance using the disk diffusion method. The Salmonella isolates were further analyzed by PCR to detect the presence of virulence genes invA. RESULTS: 20 different serotypes were identified from 80 strains isolated from 2015 to 2019, the most common of which are S. kentucky (26.3%) followed by S. muenster (10%), S. typhimurium (8.7%), S. menston (7.5%) and S. enteritidis (6.3%). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that 66.25% of isolates were resistant to at least one of the 14 antimicrobial agents tested. Bacterial resistance was most frequently observed for tetracycline with 46.25%, 45% to sulfonamide, 35% to nalidixic acid, 26, 25% to ampicillin, and 25% to ciprofloxacin. Salmonella serotypes S. montevideo, S. virchow, S. amsterdam, S. anatum, and S. bloomsbury were 100% susceptible to all antimicrobials tested. Examination of Salmonella for invA gene was positive for all the strains. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study have shown that minced meat has a high level of Salmonella contamination, which can be considered one of the main potential sources of human salmonellosis in Morocco.

Chemical composition, mineral profile, anti-bacterial, and wound healing properties of snail slime of Helix aspersa Müller.

Mucus is a substance made by snails that serves a variety of purposes and is increasingly employed in the medical and cosmetic industries. It includes bioactive compounds with a range of biological characteristics that could be useful in the treatment of particular issues. This study assessed the wound-healing efficiency, antibacterial activity, chemical and mineral composition of Helix aspersa Müller slime. Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used for mineral analysis, while Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was used for chemical characterization. The findings showed that the H. aspersa Müller slime had inhibitory activity on the test samples. Additionally, it revealed significant healing activity. These findings point to the chemical composition and various biological activities of the H. aspersa Müller slime, which may be related to the animal's particular functions and be useful for medical applications. Our findings suggest that the H. aspersa Müller slime has biological effects related to antimicrobial activities and wound healing, and they pave the way for a more thorough investigation of its potential therapeutic effects.

Assessment of Sodium and Potassium Intakes in Children Aged 6 to 18 Years by 24 h Urinary Excretion in City of Rabat, Morocco.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) has greatly increased, mainly due to high level of dietary sodium. Thus, reduction of sodium intake in population has been recognized as one of the most cost-effective strategies to reduce NCDs. The aim of this study was to estimate sodium and potassium consumption in a sample of Moroccan children as a baseline study to implement national strategy for salt intake reduction. METHODS: The study was conducted on 131 children aged 6-18 years recruited from Rabat and its region. Sodium excretion and potassium excretion were measured on 24 h urinary collection, and the creatinine excretion was used to validate completeness of urine collections. RESULTS: The average of urinary sodium was 2235.3 ± 823.2 mg/day, and 50% of children consume more than 2 g/d of sodium (equivalent to 5 g/day of salt), recommended by the WHO. However, daily urinary excretion of potassium was 1431 ± 636.5 mg/day, and 75% of children consume less than adequate intake. Sodium consumption increased significantly with age. Of particular interest, 46.7% of children aged 6-8 years and 49.3% of children aged 9-13 years consume more than the corresponding upper limits. CONCLUSIONS: Children have high sodium and low potassium status. There is evidence of the urgent need to implement a strategy for reduction of dietary sodium intake in Morocco.

Dietary Calcium Intake in Sample of School Age Children in City of Rabat, Morocco.

Calcium is an important mineral playing a vital role to maintain bone health. Calcium intake is considered as one of the most important determinants to assess the calcium status and to evaluate the calcium deficiency in the human body. Our study aims at estimating calcium intake in a sample of children and adolescent to be used in the global strategy to reduce calcium deficiency disorders in Morocco. Thus, 131 children and adolescents were recruited from public schools at Rabat and its regions in the framework of a descriptive cross-sectional study. For each participant, anthropometric parameters were measured. Calcium status was assessed by 24 h dietary recall. Food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate children's nutritional habits and to assess the consumption of calcium-rich food. Overall, the mean calcium intake was 522.0 ± 297.0 mg/day, and 85.5% of subjects highlighted calcium deficiency, with no significant difference between boys and girls. Calcium intake was significantly different according to age groups, and high consumption of calcium was found in subjects aged from 14 to 18 years (776.86 ±290.07 mg/day), giving evidence of the low calcium status of the studied population. Daily food intake and food frequency analysis showed that bread, vegetables, and fruits are the most consumed food and the main source of daily calcium intake. Consumption of dairy products, considered as the best source of calcium, is lower and represents only 14% of total calcium intake. Our study clearly showed that calcium status is very lower in Moroccan children and adolescents and a large proportion of this population have inadequate calcium intake. Hence, there's an urgent need of specific strategies, including children sensitisation and nutritional education, to increase calcium intake and therefore reduce calcium deficiency disorders impacting the whole body during childhood and in adult age.

Acceptance of sugar reduction in yoghurt among Moroccan population

Introduction: Morocco has recently developed a plan of reducing sugar consumption to reinforce prevention of non-communicable diseases and to contribute to the achievement of global voluntary targets for non-communicable diseases set by ICN2 by 2025. The objective of the present study was to assess acceptance of yogurts with different percentage reduction of sugar by the Moroccan population.Methods: a total of 201 participants (age > 15 y.) were recruited to determine the level of sugar reduction in yogurt. Sucrose was added to a plain yoghurt in the following different concentrations 166.5; 149.8; 133.2; 116.5; 99; 83.2 mM/l, corresponding to the reduction of sugar of 0%, -10%, -20%, -30%, -40% and -50%, respectively, compared available yogurt in local market. Overall, the acceptability scores of the different yoghurts were based on liking, "Just About Right" (JAR) and purchase intent scales was used to score the different yoghurts.Results: yogurts containing -20% and -30% added sugar were highly accepted by 81% and 74% of respondents. Based on JAR score, yoghurt with 20% (133.2mM/l) and 30% (116.5 mM/l) reduction were considered as "just about right" by 42.7% and 44.3% respectively. Best average score of purchase intent was obtained for sucrose concentration of 149.8 mM/l. 35.8% and 40.3% for yoghurt with sucrose concentration of 133.2 mM/l and 116.5 mM/l respectively.Conclusion: the finding from this study indicated that yogurts containing -20% and -30% added sugar were most accepted by respondents. Advocacy before dairy industry to have them commit towards sugar reduction in yogurt is needed, in order to help achieving the national sugar reduction strategy in Morocco

[Hepatic hematoma in neonates: about a case]. / Hématome hépatique néonatal: à propos d'un cas.

Hepatic hematoma is a condition of unrecognized origin which can become extremely serious and whose diagnosis is often made during perinatal autopsy. It is often characterised by nonspecific clinical manifestations and a long delay before biological presentation.The diagnosis is essentially based on ultrasound and treatment is often conservative.We here report a case of a full-term newborn with asymptomatic hepatic haematoma due to obstetrical trauma.

Acceptance of sugar reduction in yoghurt among Moroccan population.

INTRODUCTION: Morocco has recently developed a plan of reducing sugar consumption to reinforce prevention of non-communicable diseases and to contribute to the achievement of global voluntary targets for non-communicable diseases set by ICN2 by 2025. The objective of the present study was to assess acceptance of yogurts with different percentage reduction of sugar by the Moroccan population. METHODS: A total of 201 participants (age > 15 y.) were recruited to determine the level of sugar reduction in yogurt. Sucrose was added to a plain yoghurt in the following different concentrations 166.5; 149.8; 133.2; 116.5; 99; 83.2 mM/l, corresponding to the reduction of sugar of 0%, -10%, -20%, -30%, -40% and -50%, respectively, compared available yogurt in local market. Overall, the acceptability scores of the different yoghurts were based on liking, "Just About Right" (JAR) and purchase intent scales was used to score the different yoghurts. RESULTS: Yogurts containing -20% and -30% added sugar were highly accepted by 81% and 74% of respondents. Based on JAR score, yoghurt with 20% (133.2mM/l) and 30% (116.5 mM/l) reduction were considered as "Just about right" by 42.7% and 44.3% respectively. Best average score of purchase intent was obtained for sucrose concentration of 149.8 mM/l. 35.8% and 40.3% for yoghurt with sucrose concentration of 133.2 mM/l and 116.5 mM/l respectively. CONCLUSION: The finding from this study indicated that yogurts containing -20% and -30% added sugar were most accepted by respondents. Advocacy before dairy industry to have them commit towards sugar reduction in yogurt is needed, in order to help achieving the national sugar reduction strategy in Morocco.

Risk factors associated with a breast cancer in a population of Moroccan women whose age is less than 40 years: a case control study.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in morocco women were it occupies the first place in term of incidence and mortality. The aim of the present paper is to evaluate the risk factors associated with a breast cancer in a population of Moroccan women. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted with population women whose age is less than 40 years during 2008-2010 at the National Institute of Oncology of Rabat. These women were interviewed for Epidemiological information and risk factor for breast cancer. RESULTS: Included in this study were 124 cases and 148 age matched controls. No statistically significant case-control difference was found for the early age of menarche (OR = 2.474; CI 95%: 1.354- 4.521), and family antecedents of first degree of breast cancer (OR = 11.556; 95% CI: 2.548-52.411). However physical activity (OR = 0.507; 95% CI: 0.339 -0.757) early maternity age (OR = 0.212; 95% CI: 0.087 - 0.514), multiparity (OR = 0.742; 95% CI: 0.359 -1.539) and breastfeeding than 6 months (OR = 0.739; 95% CI: 0.357 -1.523) appear as significant protective factors. CONCLUSION: This study show the criminalization of only part of the known risk factors of breast cancer in this age group and confirms the probable protective role of physical activity and factors related to life reproductive women in our study (early childbearing, multiparity and lactation).