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The struggle with breast cancer (BC) is often associated with positive changes after diagnosis and treatment, that are being referred to as posttraumatic growth (PTG). We aimed to examine PTG and its relationship with psychosocial (i.e., psychological distress, spiritual well-being, social support), sociodemographic and cancer-related variables in Tunisian women operated on for breast cancer. This was a cross-sectional study. Seventy-nine (79) postoperative BC women were administered the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, the Spiritual Well-being Scale, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. The changes most frequently reported by participants were discovering that they were stronger than they thought they were (70.0%), having stronger religious faith (65.0%), and being better able to accept the way things work out (63.8%). Multivariate analysis showed that anxiety and social support remained significantly associated with PTG, while no significant relationship has been found for spiritual well-being. Overall, the present study adds to the existing body of research by identifying factors related to women' s experience of PTG in a previously unexplored Arab Muslim cultural context, Tunisia. We believe that our findings may help inform strategies aiming at promoting positive psychological changes after experiencing BC, at least in our context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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aimi,1 Myriam Ayari,1 Asma Mensi,1 Linda Bel Hadj Kacem,2 Leila Achouri,3 Meriem Bouzrara,4 Yosra Said,1 Leila Mouelhi,1 Radhouane Debbeche11Department of Gastroenterology, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia; 2Department of Pathology, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia; 3Department of Oncologic Surgery, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia; 4Department of Radiology, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, TunisiaCorrespondence: Myriam AyariDepartment of Gastroenterology, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Boulevard 9 Avril 1938 Bab SaÃdoun, Tunis, 1006, TunisiaEmail [email protected] H syndrome is an extremely rare autosomal recessive affection caused by biallelic mutations in the SLC29A3 gene encoding the human equilibrative nucleoside transporter hENT3. The hallmark signs are cutaneous consisting of hyperpigmentation and hypertrichosis patches. Besides, associated systemic manifestations are highly various reflecting phenotypic pleiotropism. Herein, we report a first case of pseudo-Meigs' syndrome occurring in a young Tunisian H syndrome diagnosed patient with a novel homozygous frameshift mutation in exon 2 of the SLC29A3 gene: p.S15Pfs*86 inducing a premature stop codon. The patient developed ascites associated with left ovarian mass and she underwent surgery. After tumor resection, ascites disappeared rapidly. Histological examination showed serous cystadenoma of the ovary orienting the diagnosis towards pseudo-Meigs' syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used a combination of culture-dependent and independent approaches to study in depth the microbial community associated with the digestive tract of the terrestrial isopod Porcellionides pruinosus (Brandt, 1833). Specimens from different sampling sites in Tunisia harbored distinct microbiota profiles indicating the impact of both host origin and environmental factors on shaping the microbial flora within P. pruinosus. Our results revealed unexpected bacterial diversity especially via metagenomic analysis; a total of 819 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) assigned to two major bacterial phyla; Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. We used Nutrient Agar to isolate the cultivable fraction of bacteria associated with the gut of three geographically distant populations of P. pruinosus. The isolated bacteria belong to Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Enrichment cultures on carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) medium gave evidence that the gut of this Oniscidea harbors cellulolytic Firmicutes and Proteobacteria probably involved in the lignocellulose degradation and then in mediating the functional role of terrestrial isopods as litter decomposers and regulators of nutrient cycling in soil ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haemogregarina species are apicomplexan blood parasites infecting vertebrates such as fish, lizards, and turtles. Due to the high morphological similarity of the erythrocytic stages infecting host species, it has always been a challenge to identify the true diversity of these parasites. Therefore, taxonomic studies are presently based on the combination of morphological and molecular data. In Tunisia, two species of Haemogregarina have been reported within the freshwater turtle Mauremys leprosa (Geoemydidae) for more than 40 years. Since M. leprosa occurs in the same aquatic environments as Emys orbicularis (Emydidae) in Tunisia, our objectives were to assess parasite diversity and specificity on the basis of both morphological and molecular approaches. The turtles were surveyed and sampled across six aquatic areas of Tunisia. Among the 39 specimens of M. leprosa and seven of E. orbicularis that were trapped and investigated, the presence of haemogregarines was detected in the blood of turtles only at sites where leeches were observed. Three 18S variants were identified, which corresponded to three distinct Haemogregarina species, among which one was identified as Haemogregarina stepanowi. The two other species that were detected are likely new to science. Because we show the occurrence of more than one blood parasite species within a single host specimen, our study provides the first report of coinfection with molecularly distinct Haemogregarina spp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shallow water benthic communities from the Bizerte lagoon (northern Tunisia) were investigated at 33 stations sampled in April and July of 2016 and 2017. A total of 18 amphipod species were recorded among which two new species were recorded: one for Tunisian coasts (Jassa marmorata) and a second one for the Mediterranean Sea (Serejohyale spinidactylus). In addition, and compared to previous studies, nine amphipod species were collected for the first time in this lagoon. Amphipod assemblages were numerically dominated by the families Melitidae (28%), Caprellidae (14.5%) and Ampithoidae (11.7%). Three species: Cymadusa filosa, Dexamine spinosa and Elasmopus rapax were numerically dominant. According to their biogeography, most of the recorded amphipod species (11–18) showed an Atlantic–Mediterranean distribution, whereas four were cosmopolitan and three lessepsian Indo-Pacific migrants, but no species were Mediterranean endemic. Specimens of both Jassa marmorata and Serejohyale spinidactylus are illustrated and described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For more than 20 years, the cosmopolitan species Porcellionides pruinosus (Brandt, 1833) has been characterised by a controversial taxonomic status. This "species" has a high ecological plasticity, which enabled it to conquer different kinds of habitats. Besides that, this "species" exhibits a geographical variation in its morphological features and its reproduction pattern. In fact, some Tunisian populations had a seasonal reproductive period and while others showed a reproductive activity. A genetic analysis of rDNA 16S sequences has been performed to compare eight populations of P. pruinosus from different geographical sites, located in the north, centre, and south of Tunisia. Results reveal that the population of Tunis shows considerable variation in the primary structure of the sequences and has a substantial genetic diversity (FST = 0.98 and FCT = 0.97). However, the genetic variation is low for the populations of Bella Regia and Bousalem (0.00041), and null between populations of Elfeija, Chebba, Monastir, Sbiba and Sned. Moreover, the genetic distance of the population of Tunis (≥ 0.35) compared to the other populations raises questions about the taxonomic status of this population. Also, in this latter population transitions are the most dominant variations, whereas for the other seven populations there are only two types of transversion substitutions. The results of the current study emphasise the controversial taxonomic status of Porcellionides pruinosus in Tunisia. Consequently, it would appear that the taxonomic status of P. pruinosus from Tunisia needs a re-evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of four isopods – Idotea balthica basteri (Pallas, 1772), Idotea chelipes mediterranea Charfi-Cheikhrouha, 1996, Sphaeroma serratum (Fabricius, 1787), and Paracerceis sculpta (Holmes, 1904) – at Menzel Jemil (Bizerte Lagoon, North Tunisia) was analysed and then related to the variation of temperature, depth and plant biomass. The abundance of isopods showed monthly fluctuations with maxima in August and minima in December 2010. The most dominant species was I. b. basteri followed by S. serratum, with a spatial gradient in the distribution pattern of isopod species in the study area. The high density of juveniles in algae and seagrass highlights the important role played by this habitat as a nursery for species. Both dominant species were tolerant to temperature variations, with some preference values (19.73–27.73°C in I. b. basteri; up to 28°C in S. serratum) and salinity (36.7–38.6 psu in I. b. basteri; 39–39.2 psu in S. serratum). Multiple regression analysis between environmental variables and species abundance showed a positive relationship with biomass of Gracilaria bursa-pastoris and Ulva lactuca for the two species of Idotea and Sphaeroma, respectively, while abundance of P. sculpta was positively related to temperature. Biotic and environmental linking (BIOENV) analysis confirmed the greatest influence of temperature and vegetation biomass on the temporal distribution of these isopod species. A spatial distribution pattern according to successive depths was revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iso-enzymatic polymorphism analysis was carried out on Tunisian populations of Porcellionides pruinosus to clarify their confused taxonomic status, previously revealed by reproductive and morphological approaches. Seventeen allozyme loci were studied, using horizontal starch gel electrophoresis, in 230 adult specimens belonging to nine populations of P. pruinosus located in north, central and south Tunisia, to assess the levels of their intra-genetic and inter-genetic diversity, and to analyse their genetic structure. Our results indicate a low genetic variability with a polymorphism ratio ranging from 29.4% in Tabarka to 47.1% in the Garat Nâam and Raccada populations, and the mean number of alleles per locus was estimated at 1.51 ± 0.15. The direct-count of heterozygosity ranged between 8.1% and 15%. Substantial estimates of demic structuring were found at the total population (FST = 0.198), with a generalized and significant heterozygote deficiency detected in every population (with a mean value for all populations of FIS = 0.372). Genetic distances between the studied populations were low, indicating that they belong to the same species. Nevertheless, the genetic analyses showed the divergence of the population of Tabarka from all the other studied populations, with the lowest mean gene flow, 0.58, and the highest mean genetic distance, (0.182) obtained also by the morphological and reproductive approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We assessed the diversity of terrestrial isopods according to habitat and altitude in the wadi of Moula-Bouterfess catchment area. The most representative habitat types for the area were selected within altitudinal range from 6 to 550 m a.s.l. In total nine sites were sampled: four with maquis and garrigue vegetation, one at a meadow and four sites with forest vegetation. In each sampled habitat, individuals were collected by hand in April 2005 using 30 replicates of a quadrate of 0.5 × 0.5 m. During the study, 582 individuals belonging to 11 terrestrial isopod species from five families were collected. Among these, three species were newly mentioned in Tunisia. The genus Armadillidium was the most abundant genus (60% of the total number of collected specimens) and P. variabilis was the most common species as it was sampled in eight of the nine studied habitats. Terrestrial isopod community structure differs among the nine sampling habitats. Abundance and species richness values are low in the different studied habitats. The Shannon-Wiener H′ varied from 0.67 to 2.06. The Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) applied to our data showed that the majority of terrestrial isopod species seem to be more sensitive to vegetal associations than to altitude. No relationship was found between species richness/diversity (Shannon-Wiener index H') and altitude. The studied sites were separated into open and closed areas based on the Bray-Curtis index for similarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Talaromyces thermophilus stolk a thermophilic fungus isolated from soil samples collected in Tunisia. The single xylanase from this strain was purified to complete homogeneity. Several enzyme immobilization methods were then tested and compared for residual enzyme activity. The most efficient immobilization was achieved by gelatin (10%) using glutaraldehyde as a bifunctional agent. This method gave an immobilization yield of 98.8% and a xylanase activity recovery of 99.2%. The immobilized enzyme exhibited a shift in the optimal pH from 7 to 8 but the optimal temperature of activity was not affected. The immobilized enzyme retained about 94.0% of its initial catalytic activity even after being used during 13 successive cycles of hydrolysis at 50°C. The main hydrolysis products yielded from xylan were xylobiose and other xylo-oligosaccharides such as xylotriose. The immobilized enzyme was then used for the large-scale continuous production of xylobiose, starting from the hemicellulose of lignocellulosic material waste as wheat bran. The co-immobilization of the β-xylosidase and the xylanase of T. thermophilus allowed the increase of xylan saccharification efficiency by liberation of xylose, proving the synergistic action of both enzymes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Until now, no investigations have been made on the diversity of woodlice in any region of Tunisia. In the framework of the "MEDCORE" project, particular emphasis has been put on the study of terrestrial isopod diversity in the Berkoukech area (north-west of Tunisia). Two sites were selected for this study: the beach dune system and an inland site located in Rabouet Bou Ali. In the beach dune system, isopods were studied in three biotopes: a grazed meadow (biotope 1), a maquis of Pistacia lentiscus, Quercus coccifera, Erica arborea, Phylleria angustifolia, and Callycotome villosa (biotope 2), and a climax forest of Quercus coccifera, Juniperus oxycedrus, Juniperus phoenicea, and Callycotome villosa (biotope 3). In Rabouet Bou Ali, a Quercus suber forest (biotope 4) was chosen for study. In the Berkoukech area, 12 species of terrestrial isopods belonging to five families were collected: Tylidae, Porcellionidae, Philosciidae, Platyarthridae, and Armadillidiidae. Among these, two species are reported as new for Tunisia. Furthermore, this study indicates that isopods are not evenly distributed in the various biotopes: they vary in number of species as well as in number of specimens. Biotope 2 shows the highest diversity and is the most homogeneous (Is = 3.16; H′ = 1.76; J′ = 0.88), while biotope 4 exhibits the lowest values (Is = 1.2; H′ = 0.475; J′ = 0.3). The similarity between the various communities, estimated by the Bray-Curtis index, shows that the biotopes cluster according to their plant associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The cosmopolitan species, Porcellionides pruinosus (Brandt, 1833), exhibited a geographical variation of its morphological features and its reproduction pattern. In fact, some Tunisian populations had a seasonal reproductive period and other ones showed a reproductive activity. A phenetic analysis has been performed to compare populations belonging to P. pruinosus from different geographical localities. For this, nineteen quantitative characters in 800 specimens of P. pruinosus issued from nine populations located in the North, the Centre, and the South of Tunisia, and one population from Athens (Greece) were studied. These populations were characterized by different reproductive behaviours. The populations of Tabarka, Korba, and Tamerza showed reproductive activity, whereas those of Garat Nâam, Raccada, Sahline, Gafsa, Rdayef, Gabès, and Athens exhibited a seasonal reproductive period. The variability of the first three axes of the principal components analysis (PCA) and their significance showed an intraspecific variability structure. The graphical representation of the population''s dispersion generated by the two first axes (63.55% of the total variability) revealed a great heterogeneity among females of the different populations of P. pruinosus. The Garat Nâam population was set apart from the other ones by its cephalic width and length and also by its apophysis length. Furthermore, cephalic and uropod length separated the Garat Nâam and Tabarka populations. The dendrogram, based on Euclidean coordinates, confirms an isolation of the populations of Tabarka and Garat Nâam, exhibiting respectively reproductive activity and seasonal reproduction. However, the other populations do not show any relationship with the reproduction behaviour. They were clustered in two groups. The first one is represented by the populations of the Southeast and the West of Tunisia. The second pooled the populations of the Northeast and the Centre of Tunisia with the population of Athens (Greece). Phenetic analysis of Tunisian populations exhibits an important heterogeneity, which is worth noting. Thus, we need to complete and deepen this study by genetic analysis and crossbreeding tests in order to define the taxonomic status of these populations. To cite this article: M.S. Achouri, F. Charfi-Cheikhrouha, C. R. Biologies 331 (2008). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The biology and population dynamics of two sympatric species of Oniscidea, Porcellionides pruinosus and P. sexfasciatus from the population of Garat Nâam (Kasserine, Tunisia) have been studied based on monthly sampling carried out from July 1996 to June 1998. P. pruinosus was more abundant on the sampling locality. Both species show a seasonal reproduction period. The population of P. pruinosus showed two distinct breeding peaks, while P. sexfasciatus exhibited only one spring breeding, from March to May. In P. pruinosus, larger ovigerous females were present during the first reproduction period, while gravidity in smaller females was restricted to the second breeding wave. Juveniles derived from different breeding waves showed remarkable differences in size. Also, a striking variability in the size of juveniles of the same age was observed between these two species. During the study period, analysis of size frequency distributions allowed the identification of 14 cohorts in each species. Three of these cohorts were followed in P. sexfasciatus, and four in P. pruinosus. The growth rate varied with developmental stage and with season. In winter, low temperature reduces the growth rate by decreasing moulting frequency, while in spring the increase in temperature induces growth. Sexual maturation of females is reached at approximately 2.5 months and at an average length of 4.23 ± 0.21 mm in P. pruinosus, and 5.5 months or 6.83± 0.23 mm in P. sexfasciatus. The total number of hatched eggs or embryos is positively correlated with body length of ovigerous females. In P. pruinosus, ovigerous females show distinct strategies of reproduction: the first one in spring with large females and high fecundity and fertility; the second in autumn characterized by small females and low fecundity and fertility. Reproduction strategies, K for P. sexfasciatus and r for P. pruinosus, the reproduction potential, and effort could explain the abundance of P. pruinosus at the station of Garat Nâam. Also, this difference in abundance was due to the growth difference between the two species, the presence of two breeding peaks, and a female-biased sex ratio, which was often in equilibrium in P. sexfasciatus, but which was always skewed in favour of females in P. pruinosus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six populations of Porcellionides pruinosus from different geographical localities, belonging to five bioclimatic areas in Tunisia, showed a variable reproductive behaviour. Some populations presented seasonal reproduction while other ones exhibited continuous reproduction. Populations with seasonal reproduction showed two distinct breeding peaks. The first peak in spring was characterized by large gravid females with the greatest fecundity and fertility, the second one, in autumn by small females, exhibiting low fecundity and fertility. Females are able to produce two or three broods per reproductive cycle in populations showing seasonal reproduction, and between four and five in continuously breeding populations. Although oscillating throughout the year, the sex ratio was female-biased in most populations, and differences were highly significant in populations with continuous reproduction. Analysis with the scanning electron microscope showed important phenotypic variation between the populations studied in the form of the pleotelson and its lateral borders that seem to exhibit reliable differences between the specimens examined. These features can be used as discriminating characters between populations of Porcellionides pruinosus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biology, population structure, and field growth rates of Porcellionides pruinosus were studied at Garat Nâam (Kasserine, Tunisia). Recruitment occurred from April/May to November. The proportion of ovigerous females in the population was positively correlated with day length, and the proportion of juveniles was positively correlated with day length and temperature. Female size was positively correlated with fecundity (number of eggs per brood) and fertility (number of embryos hatched per brood). We estimated losses during embryonic development at ± 2.5%. Sex ratio was always in favour of females. We analysed size frequency distributions for recognizable cohorts. Field growth data were used to calibrate a growth model. Minimum average length of newly born cohorts ranged from 3.3 ± 0.148 mm to 4.14 ± 0.159 mm total length (TL). Life span was estimated at 11 to 14 months. Cohorts born in summer and autumn survived longer (13 to 14 months) than cohorts born in spring (11 to 12 months). Females took approximately 1 month to reach sexual differentiation (3.96 ± 0.09 mm TL), while males took slightly less (3.24 ± 0.14 mm TL). Females from cohorts born in spring took less time (± 2.5 months corresponding to 3.58±0.21 mm TL) than females from cohorts born in late summer and autumn, to reach sexual maturity (± 3.5 months corresponding to 4.99 ± 0.23 mm TL). P.pruinosus behaved as a semi-annual species (two or three broods per year), with iteroparous females, and a bivoltine life cycle. A comparison with other studies exhibits the occurrence of large intra-specific variation in the species' reproductive pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents of a study that dealt with the morphological description and geographical distribution of Porcellionides sexfasciatus in Tunisia. Description of the specimens from Garat Nâam in the Kasserine area; Delimitation of the distribution of the species; Background on the species' biology and ecology.

Species of Haemogregarina are apicomplexan blood parasites that use vertebrates as intermediate hosts. Due to limited interspecific morphological characters within the genus during the last decade, 18S rRNA gene sequences were widely used for species identification. As coinfection patterns were recently reported from nuclear molecular data for two sympatric freshwater turtles Mauremys leprosa and Emys orbicularis from Tunisia, our objectives were to design COI specific primers to confirm the presence of three distinct species in both host species. Blood samples were collected from 22 turtles, from which DNAs were extracted and used as templates for amplification. Following different rounds of PCR and nested PCR, we designed specific Haemogregarina COI primers that allowed the sequencing of nine distinct haplotypes. Phylogenetic Bayesian analysis revealed the occurrence of three well-differentiated sublineages that clustered together into a single clade. Based on pairwise genetic distances (p-distance), we confirmed the occurrence of three distinct but phylogenetically closely related species coinfecting M. leprosa and E. orbicularis in the same aquatic environments. Our results demonstrate that the use of fast evolving genes within Haemogregarina will help to investigate the parasite diversity within both intermediate vertebrate and definitive invertebrate hosts, and to assess the evolution, historical biogeography and specificity of haemogregarines. [Display omitted] • Species of Haemogregarina are blood parasites infecting, among others, freshwater turtles. • COI specific primers were designed to specifically amplify Haemogregarina spp. • Sequencing revealed distinct parasite haplotypes within M. leprosa and E. orbicularis. • COI will help to investigate the parasite diversity within turtles and leeches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing the extant distribution of wildlife species is a crucial step towards promoting their protection and management in the light of global biodiversity decline, and even more so when threatened, vulnerable, rare, or endemic taxa are concerned. In this context, we present an overview of the biogeography of two freshwater turtle species, namely the Mediterranean pond turtle Mauremys leprosa and the European pond turtle Emys orbicularis, as a basis for Conservation Action Plans. Mauremys leprosa is widely distributed in the north and centre of Tunisia and has viable populations in most of the study sites. Based on the evaluation of its biogeography, the size, structure and genetics of four populations, it appears that this species is currently not threatened in Tunisia. In contrast, E. orbicularis, which is represented in eastern Algeria and Tunisia by an endemic, undescribed subspecies, was absent from 11 historical sites in Tunisia, and only isolated small populations and scattered individuals were present in the extreme north of the country. Our study thus suggests that this subspecies is declining in Tunisia and its status is probably close to Endangered (EN). Therefore, it needs special attention and urgent conservation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing the extant distribution of wildlife species is a crucial step towards promoting their protection and management in the light of global biodiversity decline, and even more so when threatened, vulnerable, rare, or endemic taxa are concerned. In this context, we present an overview of the biogeography of two freshwater turtle species, namely the Mediterranean pond turtle Mauremys leprosa and the European pond turtle Emys orbicularis, as a basis for Conservation Action Plans. Mauremys leprosa is widely distributed in the north and centre of Tunisia and has viable populations in most of the study sites. Based on the evaluation of its biogeography, the size, structure and genetics of four populations, it appears that this species is currently not threatened in Tunisia. In contrast, E. orbicularis, which is represented in eastern Algeria and Tunisia by an endemic, undescribed subspecies, was absent from 11 historical sites in Tunisia, and only isolated small populations and scattered individuals were present in the extreme north of the country. Our study thus suggests that this subspecies is declining in Tunisia and its status is probably close to Endangered (EN). Therefore, it needs special attention and urgent conservation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy), a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), is due to defects in genes encoding for enzymes involved in tHcy metabolism or from inadequate status of vitamins involved in tHcy disposal. Methionine synthase (MS), a vitamin B(12)-dependent enzyme, catalyses the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine using a methyl group donated by 5-methyltetra-hydrofolate, which is the major circulating form of folate in the body. Functional genetic variants of the MS may alter tHcy as well as folate levels which are independent risk factors for CAD. The influence of a common genetic polymorphism 2756A>G of the MS gene (MTR) on plasma tHcy, folate and vitamin B(12) levels and its relation to the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in a Tunisian case-control study was investigated., Methods: A total of 321 Tunisian patients with MI and 343 healthy controls were included in the study. The 2756A>G variant of the MTR was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Plasma tHcy was assessed with a fluorescent polarising immunoassay method. Plasma vitamin B(12) and folate were determined by microparticular enzyme immunoassay and ion-capture, respectively., Results: A significant difference in genotype distribution and allele frequency was observed between patients and controls. Patients with MI had a frequency of 1.9% for the GG genotype, 26.2% for the AG genotype and 72% for the AA genotype. Controls had a frequency of only 0.9% for the GG genotype, 18.7% for the AG genotype and 80.5% for the AA genotype (chi(2)=6.97, p=0.03). The MI patient group showed a significant higher frequency of the G allele compared to controls (0.149 vs. 0.101; OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.10-2.18; p=0.008). The association between the 2756A>G variant in the gene encoding MS and MI was no longer significant after adjustment for other well-established risk factors. When clinical and laboratory values were compared amongst genotypes in the study groups, no significant differences were noted., Conclusions: The present study showed a significant but not independent association between the 2756A>G polymorphism of the MTR (presence of G allele) and MI in the Tunisian population.