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Abstract Background The frequency of primary resistance to antibiotics in H. pylori isolates is increasing worldwide. In Tunisia, there are limited data regarding the pattern of H. pylori antibiotic primary resistance. Aim To evaluate the primary resistance of H. pylori to clarithromycin, metronidazole and amoxicillin and to detect the mutations involved in clarithromycin resistance. Materials and methods 273 strains isolated from adults and children were enrolled. The primary resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole and amoxicillin was evaluated by means of E-test minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). The real-time PCR using Scorpion primers was performed in all cases to assess clarithromycin primary resistance and point mutations involved. Results No resistance to amoxicillin was detected. For adults, resistance to clarithromycin and metronidazole was found respectively in 14.6% and 56.8%, and respectively in 18.8% and 25% in children. Overall, the rates of global primary resistance to clarithromycin and metronidazole in Tunisia were respectively determined in 15.4% and 51.3%. By the use of Scorpion PCR, the A2143G was the most frequent point mutation observed (88.1%), followed by the A2142G (11.9%); the A2142C was not found and 18 of 42 patients (42.8%) were infected by both the resistant and the susceptible genotype. The association of clarithromycin resistance with gender was not statistically significant, but metronidazole resistant strains were isolated more frequently in females (67.8%) than in males (32.2%) and the difference was significant. As for gastroduodenal diseases, the difference between strains isolated from patients with peptic ulceration and those with non peptic ulceration was not statistically significant. When about the distribution of resistant strains to clarithromycin and metronidazole between the three Tunisian cities (Tunis, Menzel Bourguiba and Mahdia), the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion Local data regarding the primary resistance of H. pylori to clarithromycin, metronidazole and amoxicillin and the main genetic mutation involved in clarithromycin resistance in vivo (A2143G) are necessary to prove a clear need for a periodic evaluation of antibiotic consumption and new therapeutic strategies in Tunisia in order to avoid the emergence of resistant strains.

Abstract Background The immune responses to bacterial products through the pattern recognition receptor (PRR) play a pivotal role in pathogenesis of Crohn's disease. A recent study described an association between CD and some gene coding for bacterial receptor like NOD2/CARD15 gene and TLR4. In this study, we sought to determine whether TLR4 gene was associated with Crohn's disease (CD) among the Tunisian population and its correlation with clinical manifestation of the disease. Methods 90 patients with CD and 80 healthy individuals are genotyped for the Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Results The allele and genotype frequency of the TLR4 polymorphisms did not differ between patients and controls. The genotype-phenotype correlation permitted to show that the Thr399Ile polymorphism was associated with early onset disease. Conclusion this study reported the absence of association between CD and TLR4 gene in the Tunisian population, but this gene could play a role in clinical expression of the disease.

Background: The frequency of primary resistance to antibiotics in H. pylori isolates is increasing worldwide. In Tunisia, there are limited data regarding the pattern of H. pylori antibiotic primary resistance. Aim: To evaluate the primary resistance of H. pylori to clarithromycin, metronidazole and amoxicillin and to detect the mutations involved in clarithromycin resistance. Materials and methods: 273 strains isolated from adults and children were enrolled. The primary resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole and amoxicillin was evaluated by means of E-test minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). The real-time PCR using Scorpion primers was performed in all cases to assess clarithromycin primary resistance and point mutations involved. Results: No resistance to amoxicillin was detected. For adults, resistance to clarithromycin and metronidazole was found respectively in 14.6% and 56.8%, and respectively in 18.8% and 25% in children. Overall, the rates of global primary resistance to clarithromycin and metronidazole in Tunisia were respectively determined in 15.4% and 51.3%. By the use of Scorpion PCR, the A2143G was the most frequent point mutation observed (88.1%), followed by the A2142G (11.9%); the A2142C was not found and 18 of 42 patients (42.8%) were infected by both the resistant and the susceptible genotype. The association of clarithromycin resistance with gender was not statistically significant, but metronidazole resistant strains were isolated more frequently in females (67.8%) than in males (32.2%) and the difference was significant. As for gastroduodenal diseases, the difference between strains isolated from patients with peptic ulceration and those with non peptic ulceration was not statistically significant. When about the distribution of resistant strains to clarithromycin and metronidazole between the three Tunisian cities (Tunis, Menzel Bourguiba and Mahdia), the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Local data regarding the primary resistance of H. pylori to clarithromycin, metronidazole and amoxicillin and the main genetic mutation involved in clarithromycin resistance in vivo (A2143G) are necessary to prove a clear need for a periodic evaluation of antibiotic consumption and new therapeutic strategies in Tunisia in order to avoid the emergence of resistant strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SS) is an autoimmune disorder that may result in diverse esophageal motor disorders. Typical manometric disorders include decreased lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, absent contractility and ineffective peristalsis., Aims: The aims of the study were to assess esophageal motor abnormalities in SS patients using high resolution manometry and to evaluate clinical and endoscopic features that are associated with manometric findings., Methods: Patients with SS who underwent esophageal high-resolution manometry (HRM) between December 2016 and August 2020 were enrolled in the study. Data regarding demographics and symptom frequency were obtained through a questionnaire. Chicago classification criteria (V3.0.) were used for defining esophageal dysmotility., Results: A total of 49 patients were enrolled in the study. Median age was 56 ±13.4 years. High-resolution manometry showed that absent contractility (n= 24; 49%) and ineffective motility (n=14; 28.6%) were the most frequent motor abnormalities. One case of esophageal gastric junction (EGJ) outflow obstruction was observed in a female patient. A hypotensive LES was observed in 18 patients (36.7%). Absent contractility was associated with regurgitations (=0.013), and erosive esophagitis (p=0.003)., Conclusion: Absent contractility and ineffective motility were the most common esophageal contractile patterns among our patients. Patients with absent contractility experienced more frequently regurgitations and had more often erosive esophagitis.

Background: Anti-TNFα associated to seton drainage has a central role in the treatment of complex perineal Crohn's fistulas (PAF). A precise treatment protocol is lacking., Aims: to evaluate the results of this combined treatment and identify predictive factors of response., Methods: It was a retrospective study which included all patients with complex PAF treated with Anti-TNFα., Results: We included 49 patients, mean age of 31.6 years. 17 patients had an active rectal involvement. 35 patients had azathioprin. After the induction, 43 patients had a clinical response. Maintenance therapy was started in 45 cases. After a median of 19 months of Anti-TNFα, 24 patients had a clinical remission (with radiological remission in 20), 17 a partial clinical response, and 4 were in failure. After clinico-radiologic remission setons were removed in all patients, 46% of patients who stopped Anti-TNFα treatment after clinico-radiologic remission relapsed. Absence of rectal involvement and Clinical remission after induction were the independent predictive factors of achieving a clinical remission under maintenance therapy with Anti-TNFα (p=0.016) and clinico-radiological remission (p=0.028)., Conclusion: An Anti-TNFα based treatment combined with long term loose seton drainage have contributed to the high rates of both clinical and radiological responses in this study. Obtaining a "deep" clinico-radiological remission should be the target of the treatment. Stopping the Anti-TNFα should be avoided even after obtaining such response.

Background: Thiopurines have proven efficacy in inflammatory bowel disease. However, their use is limited by adverse effects in a subset of patients., Aims: The present study aimed to evaluate toxicity profile and identify clinical predictive factors of thiopurine adverse effects in inflammatory bowel disease patients., Methods: A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted among inflammatory bowel disease patients treated with thiopurines. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for thiopurine adverse effects., Results: A total of  210 patients were enrolled in the study. Mean age at disease onset was 29.8±11.4 years.  One hundred sixty-nine (169) patients had Crohn's disease, 29 had ulcerative colitis and 12 had indeterminate colitis. During a median follow-up of 28.5 ± 20 months, 56 patients (26.6%) had thiopurine-related adverse effects including digestive intolerance (n=14; 6.6%), immunoallergic reactions (n=8; 3.8%), myelotoxicity (n=25; 11.9%) and hepatotoxicity (n=8; 3.8%). Treatment withdrawal was reported in 19 patients (9%).  The only independent predictive factor for thiopurine adverse effects found in this study was steroid-dependence (OR= 3.96; 95% CI: 1.07- 14.53; p= 0.038)., Conclusions: Almost a quarter of inflammatory bowel disease patients treated with thiopurines developed adverse effects. These adverse effects lead to drug withdrawal in almost 9% of patients either as monotherapy or as in combination with biologic therapies.  Steroid-dependent patients were significantly at higher risk for thiopurine-related toxicity.

Background: Assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with cirrhosis has been increasingly reported in literature.  Aims: To compare quality of life scores between cirrhotic patients and healthy controls and to assess factors associated with the impairment of quality of life in cirrhotic patients., Methods: HRQOL was measured in cirrhotic patients by the Tunisian version of MOS 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) and the Arabic version of the Liver Disease Symptom index 2.0 (LDSI2.0). Age-and sex- matched controls were asked to complete only the SF36. The SF36 scores were compared between cirrhotic patients and controls and LDSI2.0 scores were compared across cirrhotic patients according to the characteristics of cirrhosis. Factors associated with poor perceived health status were identified by logistic regression., Results: Fifty cirrhotic patients and fifty controls were enrolled in the study. The cirrhotic group had significantly lower SF36 scores than healthy controls in all 8 dimensions (p<0.001). Most impaired LDSI items were severity of fear of complications (item 8), change in use of time (item 13), decreased sexual interest (item 14) and decreased sexual activity (item 15). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that female sex (p=0.009), diabetes (p=0.046), treatment with diuretics (p=0.022), increased levels of serum bilirubin (p=0.045) and prolonged prothrombin time (p=0.041) were associated with poorer HRQOL., Conclusions: HRQOL was significantly more impaired in cirrhotic patients than controls. Female sex, diabetes, treatment with diuretics, increased levels of serum bilirubin and prolonged prothrombin time were important factors in reducing HRQOL.