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Biomedical subjects

A Trabelsi

Publications and source records attributed to A Trabelsi.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

In vitro antiviral activity of dermaseptins against herpes simplex virus type 1.

The in vitro antiviral activity of dermaseptins (S1-S5) against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) was investigated. These peptides were incubated with the virus and its target cells under various conditions, and their effects were examined by the cytopathic effect inhibition assay or by reduction in virus yield in Hep-2 cell cultures as well as by direct immunofluorescence. Dermaseptin S4 displayed the strongest antiviral effect against HSV1, at micromolar doses. Experiments including acyclovir as a reference antiviral agent were performed to investigate the mode of action of this dermaseptin. In contrast to acyclovir, dermaseptin S4 showed its inhibitory effect only when applied to the virus before, or during virus adsorption to the target cells. This suggested that the activity of this dermaseptin was exerted at a very early stage of the viral multiplication cycle, most likely at the virus-cell interface.

Acyclovir↗

[Orthopedic treatment of fifth metacarpal neck fractures: prospective study].

Many methods of treatment have been proposed for the metacarpal neck fractures of the little finger, from early mobilisation to open or closed surgical techniques. A prospective studies of 20 cases treated by a non surgical technique is presented. The reduction was performed by manipulation under local anesthesia according to the Jahss technique and a modified Thomine brace was applied for four weeks. All patients were reviewed for follow-up at 30, 60, and 180 days. The fracture displacement was initially 34 degrees. It was reduced by manipulation to 12 degrees. All fractures healed with an average final displacement of 20 degrees. At 6 months for final examination, average T.A.M. was 245 degrees, T.P.M. was 276 degrees, grip strength reached 96% of the other hand. There were 19 excellent and one bad results. In conclusion, ambulatory non surgical treatment by reduction and local immobilisation of the fractures of the fifth metacarpal provide a good final result with a low cost.

Absenteeism↗

[Intramedullary interlocking nailing for humeral fractures: report of 38 cases treated by Russel and Taylor nail].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: We assessed outcome after intramedullary interlocking nailing for humeral fractures to identify problems and indications in comparison with reports in the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We implanted the Russel and Taylor nail to treat 38 fresh humeral shaft non-pathological fractures using 33 anterograde insertions and 5 retrograde insertions. RESULTS: All patients were examined at a mean follow-up of 16.3 months. Problems and complications involved 3 open procedure conversion, 3 peroperative re-fractures, 2 locking errors, 2 secondary dismantelings, 2 regressive iatrogenic palsies, and 4 cases of pain due to protruding material. First intention bone healing was achieved in 34 cases and following a revision procedure in 2. Two cases of nonunion were not reoperated. The Neer and Constant scores, used to assess functional outcome, identified 5 non-satisfactory results. DISCUSSION: The risk of infection with locking nails is low, as is the risk of nervous complications which are generally related to traction manoeuvres during reduction. Bone healing is easily achieved if the assembly is perfectly stable. The risk of disassembly or nonunion is related to technical errors: defective locking, insufficient hold in the bone fragments. The risk of stiffness or rotator cuff tears is low, generally related to protrusion of the material and not to insertion through the cuff muscles. Retrograde insertion can be recommended for fractures of the distal third of the humeral shaft. CONCLUSION: Insertion of the Russel and Taylor intramedullary locking nail requires a learning curve to minimize the risk of iatrogenic complications. It can be proposed for fractures of the mid-third of the humeral shaft and can be discussed for the proximal and distal thirds if perfect stability can be obtained on the short bony fragment.

Adolescent↗

Distribution of rotavirus VP7 serotypes and VP4 genotypes circulating in Sousse, Tunisia, from 1995 to 1999: emergence of natural human reassortants.

Rotavirus strains circulating in Sousse, Tunisia, between 1995 and 1999 were characterized antigenically by monoclonal antibodies to the VP6 subgroup and the VP7 serotype. The VP4 genotype was determined by reverse transcription-PCR, as were the strains with untyped VP7. Only 17% of 375 children were shedding rotavirus as determined by latex agglutination assay. Most rotavirus strains were G1P[8] (50%), followed by G4P[8] and G4P[6]. Reassortant G1P[4] strains emerged in Sousse during the 1998-1999 season.

Antigens, Viral↗

Evaluation of an enterovirus group-specific anti-VP1 monoclonal antibody, 5-D8/1, in comparison with neutralization and PCR for rapid identification of enteroviruses in cell culture.

We evaluated the usefulness of a commercially available monoclonal antibody (MAb) directed against a group-specific epitope of the capsid protein VP1 of enteroviruses for the rapid identification of these viruses in cell culture. The MAb was assayed in an indirect immunofluorescence test with cultured cells infected by various serotypes of enterovirus; all 39 serotypes tested, including echoviruses 22 and 23, which are considered atypical enteroviruses, were reactive. The MAb was also tested with 61 strains recovered from clinical specimens inoculated into cell cultures in comparison with seroneutralization with intersecting pools of hyperimmune sera and PCR with primers from the 5' untranslated region of enteroviruses. There was total agreement between the results obtained with the MAb and those obtained by PCR, even for those strains of enteroviruses which were found to be untypeable with polyclonal antisera. These data demonstrate the usefulness of the MAb for rapid identification of enteroviruses in cell culture.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

[Prevalence of chronic open-angle glaucoma in a county in Tunis].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of open angle glaucoma in a population aged 40 years and more living in a county in Tunis (Bardo). METHODS: All subjects were examined according to the same protocol, which included applanation tonometry, examination of the anterior chambre and the optic disc. Goldmann and/or oculokinetic perimetry were performed in subjects with high intraocular pressure (22 mmHg or more) cup to disc ratio of 0.4 or more, optic disc palor, nasal deviation of vessels, presence of hemorhhage of the optic disc. Open angle glaucoma was defined by the presence of any two or all three of the following: high intraocular pressure, glaucomatous visual field defects, and the optic disc changes described above. In cases of denses media opacities the open angle glaucoma was defined when the intraocular pressure was more than 30 mmHg. RESULTS: The prevalence of open angle glaucoma in the 856 subjects was 2.68%. The prevalence increased with age: 0.54% in people 40 to 50 years, 1.71% in people 51 to 65 years and 50.63% in people 65 years or older. Glaucoma was unknown in 91% of the glaucomatous patients screened, and 30.4% had advanced glaucoma. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of open angle glaucoma in our study is slightly higher or similar to that in other white populations but lower than that reported in black populations.

Adult↗

Evaluation of four methods for rapid detection of adenovirus.

Four methods for rapid detection of adenovirus were evaluated by testing retrospectively 28 frozen clinical specimens from which an adenovirus strain had been isolated. After thawing all specimens were retested for the presence of adenovirus by conventional culture on KB cells and found to be positive. The four tests used for rapid detection of adenovirus were a 48-hour culture technique, and an immunoassay, a latex agglutination test and an immunofluorescence assay for direct detection of viral antigen using commercially available reagents. Of the 28 specimens all were positive in the 48-hour culture, 25 (89%) positive in the immunoassay and 10 (36%) positive in the latex agglutination test. Six of eight nasopharyngeal aspirate specimens were positive in the immunofluorescence assay. Twenty-five clinical specimens negative for adenovirus on conventional culture were also negative in the 48-hour culture technique. Overall, the rapid (48-hour) culture technique was 100% sensitive and 100% specific compared to conventional culture. The direct detection of viral antigen by immunoassay was less sensitive, however results were available within a few hours. Prospective comparative studies are warranted to determine whether these rapid techniques could replace conventional culture in the routine diagnosis of adenovirus infection.

Adenoviridae↗

Comparative treatment of experimental Staphylococcus epidermidis endophthalmitis.

We created experimental Staphylococcus epidermidis endophthalmitis of moderate severity in the aphakic rabbit eye by injecting 100,000 organisms of a standardized laboratory strain (ATCC 155) into the mid-vitreous cavity. This model of endophthalmitis self-sterilizes in about 4 days, but inflammatory signs continue to increase 5 to 7 days after the initial bacterial inoculum. Control eyes were compared with eyes treated with five different strategies 24 hours after bacterial inoculation: intravitreal cefazolin sodium, intravitreal cefazolin plus intramuscular corticosteroid, vitrectomy plus intravitreal antibiotics, vitrectomy plus intravitreal antibiotics and intramuscular corticosteroids, and vitrectomy plus intravitreal antibiotics and corticosteroids. Quantitative grading of inflammation and media clarity were compared at the end of weeks 1, 2, and 3 after treatment. At week 1, eyes treated with vitrectomy had significantly lower inflammatory scores; those treated with corticosteroids had significantly lower scores than those without. The two effects were independent. The best results were observed with treatment consisting of vitrectomy, intraocular antibiotics, and corticosteroids. This strategy also produced significantly more eyes with clear media at the end of week 3 than treatment with intravitreal antibiotics alone.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Spontaneous sterilization in experimental Staphylococcus epidermidis endophthalmitis.

We created a standardized model of endophthalmitis in the aphakic rabbit eye using a laboratory strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis of known characteristics (ATCC 155). Eyes were injected with the following number of organisms: 170, 3760, 8750, 170,000 and 460,000. Serial quantitative cultures, clinical grading of infection and histopathologic studies were performed on days 1, 2, 3, 7 and 14. Bacteria appeared to multiply rapidly during the first 24 hr with peak recovery at 8 to 24 hr. Fewer bacteria were cultured on the third day after injection, and positive cultures were rare after the third day. Inflammatory scores were initially higher with each increased number of injected bacteria and tended to increase for the first 3 to 5 days.

Animals↗

[Mucormycosis and diabetes: three cases reported].

Mucormycosis is a rare and often fatal fungal infection. It mainly occurs when predisposing factors such as diabetic ketoacidosis are present. We report three cases of rhino-orbito-cerebral, rhino-orbital and pulmonary mucormycosis in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis. The diagnosis was reached after identification of hypae of the order mucorales using pathology and mycology examinations. A fatal issue occured in two cases and one case survived after adequate therapy.

Adolescent↗