Neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 give important information on Covid-19 epidemic evolution in Rabat, Morocco, March 2020-February 2021.

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 is an extremely contagious and acute viral disease mainly affecting humans. Objective: To estimate seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) for illegible armed force individuals living in Rabat, Morocco. Method: A convenience sample (N = 2662) was conducted from May 2020 to February 2021. We used the standard neutralization assay to quantify the NAbs titers. A serum was positive when the titer was 1:4. High positive NAbs titers were defined when ≥ 1:32. Results: Demographic and socioeconomic status did not affect seroprevalence data. An overall seroprevalence of 24,9% was found. Sera from blood donors, young recruits and auto-immune population had lower NAbs titers. However, titers were above 1:16 in 9% of the population with high risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Seropositivity increased over time with values reaching peaks after the epidemic waves (2.4% in May 2020; 16.2% in August 2020; 22.7% in December 2020 and 37% in February 2021). Conclusion: And increase of NAbs was observed over time and correlated with the post-epidemic waves of COVID-19 in Morocco.

[Peripheral neuropathy during Infliximab therapy: a case study]. / Neuropathie périphérique sous Infliximab: étude d'une observation.

Anti TNF alpha treatments are wide spectrum therapies. Multiple side effects have been reported in recent years, particularly peripheral neuropathies. We report a case of axonal neuropathy occurring three months after starting treatment with Infliximab. Our study focused on a 60-year old female patient treated for therapy-resistant hemorrhagic rectocolitis, requiring treatment with infliximab. Three months later, the patient had sensory axonal neuropathy. Etiologic assessment remained negative and dose reduction was accompanied by an improvement in symptoms. The time between initiation of treatment with Infliximab and the onset of clinical manifestations as well as improvement after dose reduction advocate the responsibility of infliximab in the occurrence of sensory neuropathy. Its management is not standardized and should be discussed case by case.

[Granulomatous spondylodiscitis: due mainly to tuberculosis but lymphoma cannot be excluded]. / Spondylodiscite granulomateuse: surtout la tuberculose mais ne pas omettre le lymphome.

Lower back pain is due to multiple etiologies that make diagnosis difficult. Primitive spinal lymphoma is rare and its diagnosis often requires ultrasound-guided biopsy. A 30-year old man hospitalized for inflammatory lumbago evolving within the context of an impaired general condition. Phisical examination revealed pain on palpation of the L2-L3 vertebral apophysis without peripheral tumor syndrome. Laboratory tests showed an inflammatory syndrome. Morphological assessment was in favour of a spondylodiscitis. The first biopsy showed granulomatous osteitis.Clinical and radiological worsening during antibacillary treatment led to reconsider the original diagnosis and a second biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of lymphoma. The diagnosis of skeletal tuberculosis in particular spinal tuberculosis requires bacteriological or histological confirmation in order not to overlook a primitive bone lymphoma.