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Biomedical subjects

A Ghram

Publications and source records attributed to A Ghram.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

[Incidence and seroprevalence of canine ehrlichiosis in the Medjez El Bab region (northwestern Tunisia during 1994, 1995 and 1996].

A sero-epidemiological survey, realized in the Medjez El Bab region (North-West of Tunisia), has concerned 180 dogs which status has been determined during the study. The animals were identified, then underwent an annual blood sampling during three successive years, in order to search for antibodies against E. canis and E. chaffeensis by indirect immunofluorescence. The results show that, in all sero-positive dogs, the levels of antibodies against E. canis were higher than those against E. chaffeensis. The sero-prevalence of E. canis was 42.8%, 50% and 48.9%, in 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively, and was higher than that against E. chaffeensis during the three year studies. The incidence of E. canis infection was 12.6% during the three years whereas E. chaffeensis infection did not exceed 4.7%.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2001

[Epizootic equine influenza in Tunisia].

The authors describe an equine influenza epizootic that occurred in Tunisia during February and March 1998 in the regions of Tozeur, Sousse and Tunis. They relate the symptoms, the different stages of diagnosis and the serological results.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Production of avian infectious bursitis virus by in vivo DNA genomic transcription].

Generation of infectious particles of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) has been essentially performed by transfecting susceptible cells with in vitro synthesized cRNAs of genomic segments A and B. In the present study, we have explored the possibility to proceed directly in vivo without taking into account the extra-genomic vector-derived sequences. For this purpose, cDNAs of segments A and B were subcloned into an eucaryotic expression vector under the control of the immediate early CMV promoter. Upon transfection of primary culture of chicken embryonic fibroblasts with both constructs, a cytopathic effect (CPE) typical of that produced by IBDV could be observed, indicating that the 5'- and 3'- vector-derived extra-nucleotides did not interfere with the replication and packaging process. Finally, in order to develop a GFP-based packaging assay, we first tried to express this fluorescent protein in the context of the IBDV polyprotein encoded by the genomic segment A. Our initial results indicate that the presence of IBDV specific sequences upstream of the GFP polypeptide dramatically decreased the fluorescence of the latter protein.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Characterization of a Cl. Perfringens type D strain, isolated in the field and optimization of epsilon toxin biosynthesis in a cell culture].

A field strain of cl. perfringens, named Dt001, was isolated from kidney of ovine enterotoemia case. The isolate characterized as Cl. perfringens, type D was based on its cultural and biochemical characters and its factors of virulence. The strain was very toxinogenic and well adapted to culture conditions of biofermentation when the parameters related to ptt, incubation time, substrat ... were optimized. Thus, the use of carbon source as polymer (destrine), the continuous control of pH allowed improvement of the rate of biosynthesis of Epsilon toxine by 10 times. The study of the immunogenicity of the isolate showed that preparations of anacultures were more immunogenic then those of anatoxine type. The fact that the two forms of epsilon antigens (protoxin and active toxin) show similar immune response in rabbits, indicates that the proteolytic action of trypsin is limited only to the toxic sites and does not affect the immunogenic epsitopes of the toxin. It also suggests a molecular organization of epsilon toxin in which the immunogenic epsitopes and the toxin sites are apart. The biotechnological performances and the immunogenicity and toxinogenical of the Dt001 isolate are in favor of its possible use as a component of an inactivated vaccine against enterotoxenia.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Seroepidemiological survey of influenza and infectious anemia in Equidae in northeastern Tunisia].

Using the haemagglutination inhibition and immunodiffusion tests, a national serological survey was carried out to detect antibodies to equine influenza (EI) (A/equi/1/Prague 56 and A/equi/2/Miami 63) and equine infectious anaemia (EIA) in horse sera collected in northeastern Tunisia. 533 samples were analysed for EIA antibodies. All were negative. 13.6% of 433 equine sera tested for EI antibodies were positive. These results are discussed and compared with others obtained in Tunisia and bordering countries.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effects of bovine respiratory disease viruses and isoprinosine on bovine leukocyte function in vitro.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from 4- to 6-month-old-calves were inoculated in vitro with bovine herpesvirus-1, parainfluenza-3, or bovine virus diarrhea viruses. No increase in infectious virus progeny was observed; however, the viruses were detected in the cells for at least 96 h post-infection without any significant reduction in cell viability. The three viruses, either alone or in combination, suppressed phytohemagglutinin-induced proliferation of the mononuclear cells. The greatest suppression was observed in cultures inoculated with bovine virus diarrhea virus. Addition of isoprinosine partially restored this viral-induced suppression of proliferative response, and the efficiency of reversal was greater in bovine virus diarrhea virus-infected cells. Interleukin-2 activity was higher in cultures of virus-infected mononuclear cells than in cultures of non-infected cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Bovine herpesvirus-1 and parainfluenza-3 virus interactions: clinical and immunological response in calves.

Calves infected with bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) or both BHV-1 and parainfluenza-3 virus (PIV-3) developed clinical signs including fever, cough, and nasal and ocular discharges. Animals infected with both viruses appeared more depressed and showed higher rectal temperature, while calves inoculated with PIV-3 alone had a very mild clinical disease. Both BHV-1 and PIV-3 were recovered from nasal secretions up to six to eight days postinoculation. However, the virus titers were lower in calves with mixed infection. An increase in serum antibodies to both BHV-1 and PIV-3 was detected by serum neutralization and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antibody responses were delayed and significantly lower in calves given mixed infection than in calves infected with a single virus. Interleukin-2 activity in cultures of lymphocytes from BHV-1 and BHV-1 plus PIV-3 infected calves was higher compared to control calves.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Propagation of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (bovine herpes-1) virus in murine primary cell cultures.

Virus synthesis in BALB/C mouse lung and kidney primary cultures infected with infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus started between 6 and 8 hours after virus inoculation and reached a maximum titer of 5.5 log10 plaque forming units (PFU) at 48 hours postinfection (PI). Cytopathic effect (CPE) in cell cultures occurred at 8-10 hours and over 90% of the cells had CPE by 48 to 72 hours PI. The bulk of the newly replicated virus (60-80%) was cell-associated as determined by plaque assay of extracellular and intracellular virus. Pulse-chase experiments demonstrated incorporation of radioactive precursors into viral DNA and protein macromolecules. Viral DNA synthesis was initiated between 2 and 4 hours PI and was maximum at 4 to 6 hours. Viral proteins were detected at 4 hours and peaked between 6 and 8 hours PI. Enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) confirmed synthesis of specific viral proteins, which gradually increased during the virus growth cycle. Abstract in French is given at the end of the article.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Neutralizing antibodies to bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) and bovine parainfluenza-3 (PI-3) viruses in cattle in Tunisia.

A serological survey was conducted in an attempt to detect antibodies to bovine respiratory viruses in cattle from several localities around Tunis. Blood was collected from approximately 10% of the animals in each of the 44 farms visited and tested for specific antibodies against bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) and bovine parainfluenza-3 (PI-3) viruses, by ELISA and serum neutralization (SN). Antibodies to PI-3 and BHV-1 viruses were demonstrated in 55.3% and 25.9% animals, respectively. An overall 21.2% of the 170 animals tested had antibodies to both viruses. The incidence of antibody presence varied at different location. A correlation of the presence of BHV-1 antibody with breed and age of the animals was observed; however, no such relationship for PI-3 antibodies appeared to exist.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Rhinopneumonia and equine viral arteritis: seroepidemiological study in the northeast of Tunisia].

A seroepidemiological survey was realized in the Nord-Est Tunisia to study the prevalence of complement fixing and neutralizing antibodies to equine rhinopneumonitis and viral arteritis of horse, respectively. Four hundred sera were tested, using complement fixation reaction and seroneutralization test. The results show that 8.75% of sera have antibodies to viral arteritis and only 1.25% are positive for equine rhinopneumonitis.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Myxomatosis in Tunisia: seroepidemiological study in the Monastir region (Tunisia)].

A sero-epidemiological study of myxomatosis, realized in the region of Monastir, confirmed the existence and the prevalence of the disease in its nodular form. Different strains of the myxomatosis virus were isolated and identified by gel immunodiffusion test (GID) using specific polyclonal sera. Serological analyses using complement fixation (FC) and (GID) tests allowed the detection of specific antibodies in sera from both healthy and sick animals. The results also confirmed the better sensitivity of the FC over the GID. Overall rates infection of herds and animals were 54.9% and 32.63% (p < 0.05), respectively, as revealed by serological testing. These rates increase with the size of herds. Geographic distribution of myxomatosis cases suggests that the disease first appeared in the coastal region then moved inside the Sabel area. Breeding and farming conditions, associated with deficiency in sanitary and medical measures, are at the origin of the introduction and the wide distribution of myxomatosis in this region.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Study of symbiotic, serological and antibiotic resistance characteristics of different Rhizobium cicerii strains].

The symbiotic performance of 24 isolates of Rhizobium Cicerii, collected from different Tunisien soils, were studied in a growth room and compared to the performance of two international strains (Som and 43). The antibiotic and serologic tests showed a large biogenetic diversity among the different isolates. Three serogroups gathering 18 isolates have been identified. Monchar strain (isolat 12) was shown to be resistant to all the six different antibiotic used. The standard strain 43 produced the greatest number of nodules and the best nitrogen yield in association with "Amdoun" roots, whereas the Menzel bouzelfa isolate brought about the best nitrogen yield in association with "Amdoun" and thus was the most efficient. An interesting result, consisted on the existence of a significant correlation (r = 0.67) between streptomycin resistance of the isolates and their capacity of nodule initiation (infectivity).

Drug Resistance, Microbial↗