BRAFV600E hot spot mutation in thyroid carcinomas: first Moroccan experience from a single-institution retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing worldwide at an alarming rate. BRAFV600E mutation is described to be associated with a worse prognostic of thyroid carcinomas, as well as extrathyroidal invasion and increased mortality. OBJECTIVE: To our knowledge, there are no reported studies neither from Morocco nor from other Maghreb countries regarding the prevalence of BRAFV600E mutation in thyroid carcinomas. Here we aim to evaluate the frequency of BRAFV600E oncogene in Moroccan thyroid carcinomas. METHODS: In this Single-Institution retrospective study realized in the Anatomic Pathology and Histology Service in the Military Hospital of Instruction Mohammed V 'HMIMV' in Rabat, we report, using direct genomic sequencing, the assessment of BRAFV600E in 37 thyroid tumors. RESULTS: We detected BRAFV600E mutation exclusively in Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas 'PTC' with a prevalence of 28% (8 PTC out 29 PTC). Like international trends, Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas 'PTC' is more frequent than Follicular Thyroid Carcinomas 'FTC' and Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinomas 'ATC' (29 PTC, 7 FTC and 1 ATC). CONCLUSION: Our finding gives to the international community the first estimated incidence of this oncogene in Morocco showing that this prevalence falls within the range of international trends (30% to 90%) reported in distinct worldwide geographic regions.

Characterization of bottom ash from two hospital waste incinerators in Rabat, Morocco.

The uncontrolled disposal of bottom ash generated by the incineration units of hazardous and infected wastes in developed countries are the main cause of significant damage, such as contamination of the soil, as well as surface and underground waters, which may put both the environment and public health at risk. In Morocco, little information is available on the chemical properties of the resulting ashes. In this study, 16 hospital waste ash samples were collected from the incinerators of the two main hospitals in Rabat: Ibn Sina and Cheikh Zayd. A series of tests was conducted, including particle size distribution, mineralogical and chemical composition, and heavy metal leaching behaviour. The results showed that the samples were composed mainly of P2O5 (18%), SiO2 (17%), Na2O (16%), CaO (14%) and SO3 (10%). Moreover, chemical analysis clearly demonstrated that medical waste (MW) contains large amounts of waste generated by domestic activities in the hospital, with a lack of sorting system in the monitoring of MW. Furthermore, the ashes contained high concentrations of heavy metals such as zinc, lead, chromium and nickel with a vast range of 0.5-25071 mg/kg. Leaching tests showed that the extracted amounts of all the heavy metals were lower, with concentrations < 2.85 mg/kg. Comparison of the corresponding heavy metal concentrations with the limit values set by the Council Decision 2003/33/EC allowed us to conclude that bottom ashes meet the waste acceptance criteria regarding these heavy metals.

Prevalence of human papillomavirus genotype among Moroccan women during a local screening program.

INTRODUCTION: Many studies have indicated a causal relationship between genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and cervical cancer. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and genotypes of six high-risk oncogenic human papillomaviruses in cervical lesions from Moroccan women with normal and abnormal cytology. METHODOLOGY: The study included 938 women from the Children's and Mothers' Pathology Department of Ibn Sina Hospital, Rabat. Cytopathology examination was done by routine PAP smear testing. HPV DNA testing was conducted using DNA amplification by Polymerase Chain Reaction with subsequent typing by hybridization with specific probes for HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35 and 45. RESULTS: Cytopathology testing showed that only 16.3 % had an abnormal cytology, with a predominance of atypical squamous cell of undetermined significance (ASCUS) cases. The overall HPV prevalence was 15.7%. According to the cytology results, HPV infection was detected in 15.8% of normal and 14.38% of abnormal cases. Specific HPV genotyping showed a predominance of HPV 16 and 18. Double infection (HPV 16 + 18) was found in two cases whereas multiple infections (HPV 16+18+31) were detected in only one case. Evaluation of the relationship between HPV status and some environmental risk factors, including individual, socio-economic, and hygiene status, showed a significant association between HPV infection and oral contraceptive use. CONCLUSION: Based on these data, a combination of cytology and HPV DNA testing allows for identification of patients with a high risk of developing high-grade cervical lesions and improves cervical cancer prevention.