FCGR3B allele frequencies in Tunisians of sub-Saharan origin.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The importance of human neutrophil antigens (HNA) in immunogenetics and their involvement in hematologic diseases have accelerated the elucidation of their molecular basis and their allele frequencies distribution has been described in many populations over the world. In this study, our aim was to evaluate the frequency of FCGR3B alleles encoding HNA-1a, 1b and 1c among Tunisians of sub-Saharan origin and to compare them to Tunisian blood donors and to a group from sub-Saharan Africa. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We typed the DNA of 106 individuals (62 Tunisians of sub-Saharan origin, 33 Tunisian blood donors and 11 from sub-Saharan Africa) for the three FCGR3B alleles by polymerase chain reaction using sequence specific primer (PCR-SSP). RESULTS: FCGR3B*1, FCGR3B*2 and FCGR3B*3 allele frequencies were respectively 0.347, 0.573 and 0.080 among Tunisians of sub-Saharan origin, 0.379, 0.591 and 0.030 among Tunisian blood donors and 0.318, 0.546 and 0.136 among the group from sub-Saharan Africa. CONCLUSION: These allele frequencies were similar to those previously reported in other black and white populations. The frequencies found in the two Tunisian groups confirm the intermixing origin from Europe, sub-Africa and Asia of the Tunisian population. Our results provide a database for future studies of the HNA system and associated diseases in Tunisia.

[Scalp ringworm tinea capitis in Tunisian infants]. / Teignes du nourrisson en Tunisie.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to specify the epidemiological, clinical, and mycological particularities of tinea capitis in infants. DESIGN: We retrospectively collected data from the files of 245 infants presenting with tinea capitis, followed in the Hedi-Chaker hospital dermatology department and in two mycology laboratories of the Sfax hospital, between January 1995 and December 2006. We collected the epidemiological, clinical, and mycological data for each patient. RESULTS: We included 137 boys and 108 girls with trichophytic tinea in 62 % of cases and microsporic tinea in 34 % of cases. Trichophyton violaceum and Microsporum canis were identified by culture respectively in 51 and 37 % of cases. CONCLUSION: Tinea capitis is frequent observed in our region, Trichophyton violaceum and Microsporum canis are the most frequent mycological agents.

[Sporotrichoid cutaneous leishmaniasis in Tunisia: a clinical and histological study]. / Forme sporotrichoïde de leishmaniose cutanée en Tunisie: étude clinique et histologique.

BACKGROUND: The sporotrichoid variety of cutaneous leishmaniasis is defined by the presence of dermal and hypodermal nodules along the lymphatic stream, and remote from the primary inoculation lesions. This clinical form is usually considered rare. The aim of our study was to investigate the epidemiological, clinical, histological and evolutionary particularities of sporotrichoid cutaneous leishmaniasis in the south of Tunisia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During a systematic study of all cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis from the south of Tunisia diagnosed in our hospital in 2002, sporotrichoid forms were diagnosed on the basis of clinical criteria. In all cases of sporotrichoid cutaneous leishmaniasis, the principal clinical characters were systematically specified. Cutaneous biopsies of subcutaneous nodules were performed in six cases. RESULTS: Of 102 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis, 19 presented sporotrichoid cutaneous leishmaniasis, that is, a frequency of 19%. Between two and 20 painless subcutaneous nodules were arranged in linear strings on the upper leg in 79% of cases. Time to appearance varied between 12 days and one year after the primary lesions. Fourteen appeared without any preliminary treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis and five appeared after Glucantime infiltration in the primary lesions. Biopsies of the nodules showed an inflammatory infiltrate composed of lymphocytes and histiocytes. This infiltrate was particularly dense and rich in plasmocytes at the level of the deep dermis. The biopsies were deep enough to involve the hypoderm in one case and the same type of infiltrate was noted at the level of interlobular septa. A small number amastigotes was seen in one deep biopsy sample. Outcome was favourable in all cases under treatment. CONCLUSION: Sporotrichoid cutaneous leishmaniasis appears to be common in the south of Tunisia, were cutaneous leishmaniasis is dominant because of Leishmania major. It is not associated with a poor prognosis.

Group A rotavirus strains circulating in the eastern center of Tunisia during a ten-year period (1995-2004).

An epidemiological survey investigating rotavirus infections in children was undertaken in the Eastern Center of Tunisia between January 1995 and December 2004. A total of 982 faecal specimens collected from children less than 5 years in age were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or latex agglutination assay for the presence of group A rotavirus antigen. Rotavirus-positive samples were used for G and P typing by multiplex semi-nested reverse transcription-PCR. Rotaviruses were detected in 22% (n = 220) of stools. Of these, 164 were typed for VP7: G genotypes found were G1 (59%), G2 (2%), G3 (9%), G4 (10%), G8 (1%), and G9 (1%). Sixteen specimens (9%) showed mixed G profiles. A total of 119 specimens were typed for VP4. P genotypes detected were P[8] (32%), P[6] (15%), and P[4] (13%). Mixed P profiles were also detected (6%). Although the distribution of the detected genotypes appeared to change annually, G1P[8] rotavirus strains always predominated during the 10-year period of study. This is the first report of rotaviruses in Tunisia with unconventional VP7 serotypes such as G8 and G9, highlighting the need for continual surveillance of emerging strains in Northern Africa. Indeed, the new commercial vaccines only contain the VP7 genes that dictate G1 or G1 to G4 specificities. These vaccines may protect less well against unusual strains circulating in countries planning to implement a rotavirus vaccine strategy.

[Penile sporotrichoid cutaneous leishmaniasis]. / Leishmaniose sporotrichoïde de la verge.

The localisation of the cutaneous leishmaniasis of L. major at the penis level is rare, we report here a new observation. Mr K. R aged of 41, without known pathological background presented for 20 days a nodular lesion of the anterior face of the neck, 2 juxtaposed ulcerated nodular lesions of the left wrist. He presented also subcutaneous nodules ranged linearly and extended to the root of the penis. Theses lesions were covered by an erythematous or ulcerated skin. The smear made from the genital lesions of the penis confirmed the diagnosis of a cutaneous leishmaniasis. The evolution was favourable after a 21 days treatment by doxycyclin after an interval of one week. Our observation was specific by the localisation of the cutaneous leishmaniasis and by the clinical form. This shows that in our region cutaneous leishmaniasis is characterised by different clinical symptoms.

Gene frequencies of human neutrophil antigens in the Tunisian blood donors and Berbers.

Human neutrophil antigens play an important role in provoking immune neutropenia and transfusion-reactions. The aim of this study was to determine granulocyte-specific antigens on the neutrophil Fc gamma receptor IIIb (Fc gamma RIIIb, CD16b), namely, the HNA-1a(NA1) and HNA-1b(NA2) antigens and their gene frequencies in Tunisian blood donors and Berbers. One hundred and ninety-nine unrelated healthy Tunisian blood donors and Berbers were typed for HNA-1a and HNA-1b(NA1 and NA2), using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). In 24 granulocyte samples, the HNA-1a and HNA-1b phenotypes was additionally determined by the granulocyte immunofluorescence test (GIFT) and correlated with the genotyping results. A subsequent analysis of the genotyping study showed that, the HNA-1a and HNA-1b gene frequencies observed, were 0.342 and 0.658 for Berbers, and 0.311 and 0.668 for blood donors, respectively. In the genotyping study conducted, it was determined that the HNA-1a and HNA-1b gene frequencies observed in Tunisian blood donors and Berbers are similar to those previously reported in other white populations.