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A Benslimane

Publications and source records attributed to A Benslimane.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Variants of the human NRAMP1 gene and susceptibility to tuberculosis in Morocco.

It has been well established that the host genetic background is an important modulator of tuberculosis susceptibility. The NRAMP1 (alias SLC11A1) gene has been associated with tuberculosis susceptibility in several ethnic groups. Here we studied the association and linkage of NRAMP1 with tuberculosis in 116 nuclear families, comprising 211 affected offspring, from Casablanca, Morocco. All enrolled tuberculosis cases were culture-positive. No evidence was found of linkage or association of NRAMP1 with tuberculosis. These findings suggest heterogeneity in the genetic control of tuberculosis susceptibility.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Chronic cases of tuberculosis in Casablanca, Morocco.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and patterns of drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates collected from patients with chronic tuberculosis in Casablanca, Morocco. METHODS: Between February 1996 and September 2001, 122 isolates were recovered from 112 different patients. The male to female ratio was 2.4. RESULTS: From February 1996 to May 1997, 77.5% of isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB), compared to 69.4% from February 1999 to May 2000 and 78.7% from June 2000 to September 2001. The prevalence of MDR-TB is similar from the initial to the last period of this study. Analysis of the 69 bp hypervariable region of the rpoB gene by DNA sequencing on 42 M. tuberculosis isolates (37 resistant, 5 sensitive) showed nine different types of mutations on codons rpoB 513, rpoB 516, rpoB 522, rpoB 523 and rpoB 526. A new point mutation was observed on codon rpoB 523 on one isolate. No mutation was detected on this rpoB region for four resistant isolates. CONCLUSION: The high rate of MDR-TB illustrates a serious problem. The public health authorities have introduced a new regimen protocol consisting of 3 months of kanamycin, ofloxacin, pyrazinamide and ethionamide, followed by 18 months of ofloxacin, pyrazinamide and ethionamide (3KOZEA/18OZEA) for this category of patients, and it is hoped that the additional use of ofloxacin during the intensive phase of treatment will reduce the rate of resistance.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Study of human leukocyte antigen class I phenotypes in Moroccan patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Previous reports demonstrated an association between the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and risk for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) among the Chinese in Singapore, a population with a high incidence of this malignancy. In our study, we assess the association between HLA and NPC in Morocco, a median-prevalence area for this cancer, where NPC presents the particularity of also affecting young individuals. Using the standard microlympho-cytotoxicity test, we typed a total of 154 Moroccan NPC patients and 257 unrelated healthy controls for their HLA-A and B antigens. The results of these analyses show that the frequencies of HLA-A10, HLA-B13 and HLA-B18 were found to be higher in the NPC group than in the control group, whereas HLA-A9 was associated with a decreased risk. After correction for the number of specificities tested, these differences were statistically significant only for HLA-B18 (corrected p value [pc] < 0.023, relative risk [RR] = 4.14) and HLA-A9 (pc < 0.023, RR = 0.45). The comparison of the distribution of the HLA antigens in younger and older cohorts of patients shows that the incidence of HLA-A10 and HLA- B18 was higher in the older group, whereas the frequencies of HLA-A19 and HLA-B13 were significantly higher in younger patients compared with controls. The presence of both HLA-A19 and HLA-B13 phenotypes correlated with an increased risk of developing NPC among overall patients compared with controls. According to the sex distribution, increased frequency of HLA-B18 was found in male and female NPC patients compared with controls, whereas the frequency of HLA-A10 was higher only in male NPC patients compared with controls.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Direct genotyping and nucleotide sequence analysis of VS1 and VS2 of the Omp1 gene of Chlamydia trachomatis from Moroccan trachomatous specimens.

To determine the range of ocular strains of Chlamydia trachomatis circulating in southern Morocco, where trachoma is endemic, and to compare the value of the molecular methods for genotyping C. trachomatis, ocular specimens were subjected to a direct Omp1 PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-based analysis and direct sequencing. PCR-RFLP analysis shows that the Ba genotype represents the most frequent one (63%), followed by genotype A (45%), whereas no B or C genotypes were identified among the 53 out of 108 specimens that were strongly positive in the Omp1 CT1-CT5 PCR. Our results further show that the notion of interfamily and intrafamily transmission is very likely. To confirm the genotype identity of C. trachomatis as determined by PCR-RFLP, 16 selected specimens were sequenced across variable sequence 1 (VS1) and 2 (VS2). No discrepancies were found between PCR-RFLP typing and the genotype identity confirmed by nucleotide sequencing of the PCR product. Our results clearly indicate that both molecular methods of typing chlamydiae (i.e., PCR-RFLP and sequencing) are important and have specific applications for clinical epidemiological purposes. This is the case for individuals infected with more than one clonal population of C. trachomatis. The unambiguous nucleotide sequencing therefore defines an important epidemiologic descriptor for the infected patient whether the source is from a clonal population of organisms or whether it represents a more dynamic process of strain dominance or genetic change. Furthermore, Omp1 genotyping affords the necessary approach to epidemiologic investigations in areas of the world endemic for trachoma, where only one or two serovars are known to predominate.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗
PubMed2001

Antibody responses to recombinant Epstein-Barr virus antigens in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients: complementary test of ZEBRA protein and early antigens p54 and p138.

Serological tests based on the antibodies directed against the Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EA) and viral capsid antigen (VCA), which have been recognized as tumor markers for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), are routinely used to help in the diagnosis of this malignancy. The detection of these antibodies reveals very low titers, found only in a small proportion of young compared with older NPC patients. This is a problem for the diagnosis of NPC, especially among Maghrebians, among whom young people are also affected, and emphasizes the necessity to search for more reliable markers. The present study reports results of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA responses of NPC patients to recombinant EA antigens p54 (BMRF1) and p138 (BALF2), VCA complex antigens p18 (BFRF3) and p23 (BLRF2), and EBNA antigen p72 (BKRF1). Our results show that IgA-EA-p54 and -p138 (IgA-EA-p54+138) antibodies have a diagnostic value for detection of NPC (70%), compared with IgA-VCA-p18+23 and IgA-EBNA-p72, which have limited diagnostic value, especially in young patients. It is also noteworthy that IgA-EA-p54+138 can detect a high percentage (64%) of NPC cases negative by immunofluorescence. These results, however, clearly show that a single test cannot achieve the objective of detecting all NPC patients, and it seems advisable to combine different tests for the diagnosis of NPC. The combination of IgG-ZEBRA with IgA-EA-p54+138 improved the sensitivity of detection of NPC to 95% in the overall NPC population. The use of IgA-EA-p54+138 in combination with IgG-ZEBRA will facilitate detailed studies on the pattern of antibody response, which may result in the development of useful serological markers to guide the treatment of NPC.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Different cytokine profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with persistent and self-limited hepatitis C virus infection.

An imbalance between T helper cell Th1 and Th2 like cytokines has been described in several chronic infectious diseases. In an attempt to characterise the mechanism responsible for viral persistence in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related chronic infection, we analyzed Th1 cytokines (IL-2, IL-12, IFN-gamma) and Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) production by phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) derived from ten patients with viremic chronic hepatitis C, five healthy HCV seropositive individuals and four HCV seronegative individuals. Cytokine production was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after 72 h of stimulation. The results showed that the production of IFN-gamma by PHA-stimulated PBMC was decreased in patients with hepatitis C infection (P=0.05). IL-4 production was not detected in both patients and controls, while no difference was observed for IL-2, IL-10 and IL-12 production between patients and controls. Furthermore, IL-12 and IFN-gamma production was weaker in patients with viremic chronic hepatitis C than in subjects who were able to clear the virus (P=0.01; P=0.03, respectively). These results clearly indicate that a defect both in IL-12 and IFN-gamma production may contribute to the persistence of HCV infection.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus transactivator protein (ZEBRA) as a valuable biomarker in young patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) generally occurs in adults, especially in high-prevalence populations such as the Chinese and Eskimos. In Maghrebian populations, young patients affected with this malignancy represent 25% of the total NPC cases. In adults with NPC, relatively high titers of IgA antibodies to the EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) and early antigen (EA) represent important markers. However, nearly 50% of young NPC patients are negative for IgA-anti-VCA and -EA or exhibit very low titers of these antibodies. We report here that 92% of sera from young NPC patients negative for IgA-EA and 89% of those negative for IgA-VCA were positive for IgG antibodies to the EBV transactivator protein (ZEBRA) at very high titers. Our results show that in young patients with NPC these antibodies represent the most reliable marker for diagnosis and prognosis, particularly when compared with conventional NPC markers, i.e., IgA-VCA (58%) and anti-EA (25%). The titers of IgG-ZEBRA antibodies increased along with lymph node involvement only in the young patient group, suggesting a prognostic value of this marker in this patient group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Stenting of bifurcation lesions: classification, treatments, and results.

Percutaneous transluminal balloon coronary angioplasty (PTCA) of coronary bifurcations is associated with a low success rate, high rate of complications, and high incidence of target vessel revascularization (TVR). The strategy of systematic coronary stenting in bifurcation lesions involving a side branch >/= 2.2 mm in diameter was prospectively evaluated in a single-center observational study during a 35-month inclusion period. All patients meeting these criteria were consecutively included. Bifurcation lesions and treatment were predefined in the study. The study included 366 patients (12.1% of PTCA) with 373 bifurcation lesions, mean age 63.7 +/- 11.6 years, 79.2% male, 46.7% with unstable angina, and 8.3% acute MI. The left anterior descending/diagonal bifurcation was involved in 55.2% of cases, circumflex/marginal 22. 2%, PDA/PLA 10.4%, left main bifurcation in 6.8%, and others 5.4%. The main branch (2.78 +/- 0.42 mm reference diameter) was stented in 96.3% of cases and the side branch (2.44 +/- 0.43 mm) in 63.2% (the two branches were stented in 59.5% of cases). Procedural success was obtained in 96.3% in both branches and 99.4% in the main branch. At1-month follow-up, The major cardiac event rate (MACE) was 4.8% (death 1.1%, emergency CABG 0.6%, Q-wave MI 0.9%, acute or subacute closure 1.4%, repeat PTCA 1.1%, and non-Q-wave MI 2.3%). At 7-month follow-up, the total MACCE rate was 21.6%, including a TVR rate of 17.2%. Analysis of the 7-month outcome according to two study periods (period I, 1 January 1996 to 31 August 1997, 182 patients; period II, 1 September 1997 to 30 June 1998, 127 patients) showed that the TVR rate decreased from 20.6% to 13.8% (P = 0.04) and the MACE rate from 29.2% to 17.1% (P < 0.01) in period I and II, respectively. This was associated by univariate analysis with an increasing use of tubular stents deployed in the main branch (94.2% vs. 59.1%, P < 0.001) and kissing balloon inflation after coronary stenting (75.4% vs. 18.1%, P < 0.001). Bifurcation lesions are frequent. Procedural success of coronary stenting is high with a low rate of in-hospital MACE. TVR rate at follow-up is relatively low. In-hospital and follow-up results are influenced not only by the learning curve but also by the use of tubular stents in the main branch and final kissing balloon inflation.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Genetic variation among populations of the Hessian fly Mayetiola destructor (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in Morocco and Syria.

The RAPD-PCR technique was used to study genetic variation within and among geographical populations of the Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), from Morocco and Syria, associated with the fly's ability to overcome resistance in three wheat cultivars containing H5, H13 and H22 resistance genes. Variation was detected both for the level of susceptibility of the cultivars and RAPD profiles of M. destructor populations. By the use of RAPD-PCR, high genetic variability was detected among individuals and populations of M. destructor within and between areas separated geographically. The DNA fingerprints of populations of M. destructor were area-specific with Nei's measures of genetic distance ranging from 0.156 (between Abda and Beni Mellal, Morocco) to 1.977 (between Marchouch, Morocco and Lattakia, Syria). Cluster analysis of the genetic distances among the populations, identified the Syrian population as an outlier. A highly significant correlation (r = 0.81) observed between the genetic and geographic distances among the populations, provided genetic support for dispersal of the fly from its presumed origin in West Asia to Morocco.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Scorpion envenomation and serotherapy in Morocco.

A clinical and biologic study was conducted in Morocco to assess the efficiency of antivenom therapy for treating victims of scorpion stings. Epidemiologic and clinical data were collected from 275 patients envenomed by Androctonus mauretanicus mauretanicus and Buthus occitanus scorpions. Patients received antivenom or other drugs. Blood samples were collected at the time of hospital admission and 1 hr and 3 hr after treatment. Serum venom levels were quantified by using an ELISA. An association was found between clinical signs of envenoming and the level of venom in serum. Patients classified as grade II (moderate envenoming) had higher serum levels of venom level than patients classified as grade I (mild envenoming). At admission to the hospital, the mean venom concentration was not significantly different between the group not treated with antivenom, the group who received 2-5 ml of antivenom, and the group who received 10 ml of antivenom. A significant decrease in serum venom levels and an improvement in the clinical conditions were observed in patients administered 10 ml of antivenom. The lower decrease in serum venom levels in patients who received 2-5 ml of antivenom was due to lower doses of antivenom. No difference in the venom concentration was observed in patients who were not treated with antivenom. The absence of administration of antivenom increased the risk of developing clinical signs at the end of the hospitalization period. However, this risk was much higher when more than 1 hr elapsed between the time of the scorpion sting and the time of hospital admission. The results demonstrate that antivenom is effective in decreasing circulating venom and morbidity. Serotherapy is more efficient when given as soon as possible after envenomation and with adequate quantities of antivenom.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Cockayne's syndrome with unusual retinal involvement (report of one family)].

Cockayne's syndrome is a very rare autosomal recessive affection. Ocular involvement is an essential element for positive diagnosis; the retina shows a typical salt and pepper retinitis with optical atrophy. We report a family with four brothers who had Cockayne's syndrome with unusual retinal involvement. The patients' parents were first cousins. Ophthalmologic examination of the mother showed unilateral left pigmentary retinopathy localized in the peripapillary region. The father's ophthalmological examination was normal. The four brothers presented disharmonious dwarfism, cutaneous hyperpigmentation of skin areas exposed to sun with old-appearance of the skin, sensorineural deafness, kyphoscoliosis, a cerebellar syndrome and mental retardation. The ophthalmological examination showed hypermetropia in all four brothers and bilateral maculopathy with no papillary or vascular abnormalities. The electroretinogram was in favor of cone dystrophy. Computed tomography showed one case of calcifications of the basal ganglia and cerebral atrophy. The karyotypes of the four brothers and the mother were normal. We discuss the ocular symptoms and the etiopathogenesis of this syndrome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Epidemiologic and virologic study of hepatitis C virus infections in Morocco].

OBJECTIVES: We prospectively studied 783 consecutive Moroccan patients to define: 1) the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody (Ab), 2) the prevalence of other viral infections: HBs Ag, anti-HAV IgM, anti-HGV, HGV RNA, 3) the risk factors of spreading HCV infection, and 4) the distribution of HCV genotypes. RESULTS: 60/783 (7.7%) patients had anti-HCV Ab (48 H/12 F), 26 (3.3%) HBs Ag, and 3 (0.3%) IgM anti-HAV. Anti-HGV Ab was found in 11/60 (18.3%) anti-HCV positive patients, and 6/38 (15.8%) anti-HCV negative patients. 2/22 (9%) serum anti-HCV positive and anti-HGV negative patients were positive for HGV RNA. The 60 HCV positive patients rarely had other viral infections: 3 (5%) HBs Ag, 11 (18.3%) anti-HGV positive, 2 (9%) HGV RNA positive, and none had anti-HBc, IgM anti-HAV, or anti-HIV. HCV positive patients had more often undergone transfusion of blood products (21.7 vs 5.5%; P < 0.0001), and dental treatment (55% vs 8.3%; p < 0.0001). Patients with anti-HCV Ab frequently had hepatitis lesions on liver biopsy, i.e. chronic active hepatitis (n = 44) or cirrhosis (n = 16). HCV RNA was positive in 45/60 (75%) anti-HCV positive patients. HCV genotypes were: 1b (n = 21, 47%), 2a/2c (n = 13, 29%), 1a (n = 6, 13%), et 3 (n = 1, 2%). CONCLUSIONS: In our Moroccan population, the prevalence of HCV was high (7.7%). Other viral infections (HBV, HAV, HGV) were rare.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The gene distribution in the genomes of pea, tomato and date palm.

The vast majority of genes of maize, rice, barley and wheat are contained in long gene-rich regions (collectively called the 'gene space') separated by long gene-empty regions. The gene space covers a narrow, 0.8-1.6%, GC range, possibly because of the presence of abundant transposons. Here we report that the gene space is not an exclusive property of Gramineae, because it also exists in the large genome of pea (5000 Mb). Moreover, the gene space is not just dependent upon genome size, since a gene space is found in rice (415 Mb), but not in Arabidopsis (120 Mb), nor in two other plants investigated in the present work, date palm (250 Mb) and tomato (1000 Mb).

Cell Nucleus↗
PubMed1999

The prevalence of sexually transmitted pathogens in patients presenting to a Casablanca STD clinic.

The objective of this study conducted at the sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic of the Pasteur Institute of Morocco (SCPIM) is to describe clinical complaints and biological findings in patients attending this facility. Two thousand two hundred sixty-four patients had visited the STD clinic from 1992 to 1996. The main reported symptom was genital discharge for men (44.5%) and women (68.6%). Genital eruption and ulcer were more frequent in men. The principal biological result shows a seroprevalence of 0.62% for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), 3.05% for hepatitis B virus (HBV), 51.5% for chlamydiae and 13.2% for syphilis. Factors associated with clinical findings were age and Gonococcus for men (odds ratio (OR): 1.94 and 5.96, respectively) and Trichomonas and positive TPHA for women (OR: 9.49 and 0.25, respectively). This work describes for the first time the distribution of various germs involved in sexually transmitted diseases in Moroccan population and underlines the importance of studying its sexual behavior as well as determinants of STD incidence.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Evaluation of IS6110 as amplification target for direct tuberculosis diagnosis.

We describe in the present study an evaluation of the IS6110 repetitive element in the rapid diagnosis of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A pair of oligonucleotide primers was designed to amplify a 201-bp DNA fragment of IS6110. The amplified DNA was detected by ethidium bromide stained agarose gel electrophoresis and confirmed by Sal I digestion and Southern blot hybridization with a 32P-labeled probe. To detect the presence of amplification inhibitors, an internal control DNA that used the same primers as for the target sequence was added to each PCR reaction. PCR results were compared with the results of acid fast stained smears, cultures, and clinical data in 102 sputum and 41 extrapulmonary specimens. With the exception of four samples, M. tuberculosis was detected by PCR in all smear- and culture-positive cases and in all smear-negative, culture positive cases. Additionally, PCR was able to detect 6 cases that were smear and culture negative but clinically strongly suspected of tuberculosis. The final PCR sensitivity and specificity were 93.1% and 95.18%, respectively. One M. tuberculosis strain isolated from a sputum was found to lack IS6110. This study shows that (1) PCR diagnosis based on IS6110 reached the best sensitivity and specificity but must be considered carefully since some M. tuberculosis strains lack IS6110; and (2) PCR must be interpreted in conjunction with clinical and radiological data when it is discordant with conventional methods results.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗