Search

Clinical cases of Moroccan residents have been recorded since 2004, indicating successful interruption of transmission of S. haematobium infection at national level. The first national survey initiated in 2009 for Schistosomiasis haematobium among children born after 2004, applied diagnostic test was the HAMA-EITB, based on the Western blot technology, and molecular malacological diagnostic tools clearly confirm transmission stop. In 2015, a recent, small survey utilizing an HAI, ELISA tests and an ultrasensitive antigen test, FTCUP CAA, in a group of individual with a past history of infection. However, obviously follow-up surveys to prevent reemergency and for certification of the schistosomiasis elimination require vigilant diagnosis strategies. Here we discuss diagnosis story line in the national laboratory and challenges based on the available tools in relation to their clinical parameters (sensitivity/specificity; Sn/Sp), practicability and associated costs. When transmission stop has been achieved, survey cost and speed are likely to benefit from cost effective pooling strategies and ultrasensitive assays indicating active infection in all potential risk groups. Similarly molecular pooling strategies to monitor infections in the snail vectors.

Background: Leishmaniasis is considered among the main endemic diseases in Morocco. However, further knowledge about epidemiological aspects of this disease is needed in several provinces to plan control and preventive strategies to tackle the disease. The present study aims to determine the epidemiological aspect of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in Taza Province from 2007-2014 and to identify the circulating species in this province. Results: The temporal study from 2007 to 2014 showed that the number of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases increased since 2010. During the period of study, most leishmaniasis cases were detected in both urban and rural areas with 34% of cases detected in two urban localities, Bab Zitouna and Bab tété with 297 and 106 cases, respectively. The molecular study of cutaneous leishmaniasis showed the presence of non-sporadic Leishmania infantum and Leishmania tropica in this province. Regarding visceral leishmaniasis, Leishmania infantum is the species that has been identified. Conclusions: The epidemio-molecular study of leishmaniasis in Taza Province showed the coexistence of two species of Leishmania in the same foci. They also indicated that CL due to Leishmania infantum is more prevalent than reported in the literature. These results will be helpful for the implementation of control strategies by targeting dogs that constitute a reservoir of Leishmania infantum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cybium: International Journal of Ichthyology is the property of Societe Francaise d'Ichtyologie (SFI) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background. Due to their location between the continent and the sea and their shallow depths, lagoons play an important ecological role in coastal ecosystems by providing a selection of habitat types for many species, functioning as nursery areas and feeding grounds for marine opportunistic fi shes. The fi sh fauna of the Nador Lagoon (NE Morocco), as in the majority of southern Mediterranean lagoons, has been insufficiently studied, even though the lagoon itself supports important commercial fi sheries. The presently reported study investigated the spatial and seasonal uses of shallow habitats for fi sh fauna in the Nador Lagoon. Materials and methods. Sampling was done using a beach seine net at six stations covering almost entire lagoon and representing habitats differing in many parameters such as the distance from the inlet, bottom sediment characteristics, presence of macroalgae, etc. The fi sh abundance was standardized as catch per unit effort (CPUE) and the fi sh community was analysed both in terms of its taxonomic and functional composition (by making use of both ecological and dietary preference guilds). Results. A total of 2872 individuals, representing 15 species from 12 families, was collected during the four seasons. Only six species were always present in all seasons. Fish abundance peaked in spring and the species diversity was higher in spring and summer. The fi sh assemblage was largely dominated in terms of ecological guild by the resident and benthivorous species. Spatial and seasonal fi sh assemblages differed both in terms of fi sh abundance and diversity and also in terms of functional guilds composition. In autumn, the fi sh assemblage was dominated by the marine juvenile migrants whereas in winter, spring, and summer, resident species were the most abundant. Conclusion. The combination of taxonomic and functional characteristics of the fi sh assemblages, determined in the presently reported study, may contribute to a better understanding of the ecological networks of the Nador Lagoon, thus providing useful data for its conservation and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim. Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health issue in Romania. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential demographic, socioeconomic and behavioral risk factors for TB among hospitalized patients in Romania. Methods. This is a case-control study conducted between March 1st 2014 and March 30th 2015 at Leon Daniello Clinical Hospital of Pneumology, Cluj Napoca. A total of 150 TB patients defined as "cases" were matched for age, sex and county of residence to 150 controls selected from patients attending the same hospital with respiratory diseases other than TB. Data collection was obtained through patient interviews using a structured questionnaire. Factors potentially associated with TB infection were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results. Factors independently associated with TB were illiteracy (OR=2.42, 95% CI 1.09-5.37), unemployment (OR=2.08, 95% CI 1.23-3.53), low household income (OR=4.12, 95% CI 2.53-6.71), smoking (more than 20 cigarettes per day) (OR=2.12, 95% CI 1.20-3.74), poor knowledge of TB (OR=3.46, 95% CI 1.97-6.07), presence of TB patient in household (OR=4.35, 95% CI 1.42-13.36), prior TB treatment (OR=2.2, 95% CI 1.93-2.5) and diabetes (OR=3.32, 95% CI 1.36-8.08). Conclusion. This study provided useful information that might help to develop and adapt effective policies for TB control in Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection remains one of the world's major causes of illness and mortality. A clear understanding of the host defense against Mtb is imperatively needed for the control of this epidemic. When tuberculosis (TB) infection occurs, a variety of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines play a vital role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is one of the most important anti-inflammatory cytokines reported to suppress the protective immune response against tuberculosis. Aim. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association of plasma IL-10 levels with various disease stages of TB and the possible effects of treatment on these levels. Materials and methods. A group of 30 patients with active pulmonary TB and a control group of 21 healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. The levels of IL-10 were measured before, during, and after treatment using commercially available enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA). Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism version 5.0. Results. The results showed that the levels of IL-10 had significant differences between the TB and control groups (p<0.05). The patients with abnormal chest X-Ray findings had higher IL-10 levels when compared to patients with normal X-Rays (p=0.03). A subgroup of 18 patients were followed during the treatment and the mean plasma concentration of IL-10 in patients before therapy was higher than in patients at 3 months of therapy and in patients after 6 months of therapy (p=0.01). However, the IL-10 level remained significantly higher in patients at the end of treatment compared with controls. These findings could be used in follow-up as clinical biomarker of the success of tuberculosis therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A longitudinal study was carried out in Middle atlas, Morocco (locality of Had Oued Ifrane) in a population of 255 dogs from three localities, including two categories of dogs (owned and stray dogs). The dogs were investigated three times over a period ranging from 4 to 8 months between December and August. At each investigation, dogs were treated with arecoline, inducing defecation and allowing feces collection. Dogs were further treated with praziquantel to clear them from Echinococcus granulosus . Microscopic examination of feces was performed to assess the infection status of dogs at each investigation, and positive samples underwent copro-PCR to determine the circulating strain of E. granulosus . A high prevalence of infestation ranging from 23.5% to 38.8% and from 51.3% to 68.5% was, respectively, found in owned and in stray dogs. The PCR results revealed the presence of G1 strain in all positive samples. A logistic regression model was used to determine the incidence of infestation and showed that stray dogs underwent a significantly higher risk of infection (odds ratio = 14; 95% confidence interval: 6-30; p  < 0.001) compared with owned dogs. Only anthelmintic treatment intervals of 2 months efficiently prevented egg shedding in owned and stray dogs. The seasonal effect was also significant, with the highest risk of reinfestation in winter and the lowest risk in summer. This study confirms that stray dogs undergo an increased risk of infestation by E. granulosus and indicate that infective pressure is influenced by season.

Introduction: The aim of our study was to assess a standardized supervisory grid as a new supervision tool being used in the laboratories of leishmaniasis., Methods: We conducted a pilot trial to evaluate the ongoing performances of seven provincial laboratories, in four provinces in Morocco, over a period of two years, between 2006 and 2014. This study detailed the situation in provincial laboratories before and after the implementation of the supervisory grid. A total of twenty-one grids were analyzed., Results: In 2006, the results clearly showed a poor performance of laboratories: need for training (41.6%), staff performing skin biopsy (25%), shortage of materials and reagents (65%), non-compliant document and local management (85%). Several corrective actions were conducted by the National Reference Laboratory (LNRL) of Leishmaniasis during the study period. In 2014, the LNRL recorded a net improvement of the performances of the laboratories. The need for training, the quality of the biopsy, the supply of tools and reagents were met and an effective coordination activity was established between the LNRL and the provincial laboratories., Conclusion: This trial shows the effectiveness of the grid as a high quality supervisory tool and as a cornerstone of making progress on fight programs against leishmaniases.