Biomedical subjects

F Ben Salah

Publications and source records attributed to F Ben Salah.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in semen and urethral specimens from male members of infertile couples in Tunisia.

The sequelae to infection with Chlamydia trachomatis in women are an established cause of tubal infertility. However, little is known about chlamydial infection and male infertility. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of asymptomatic C. trachomatis infections in urethral and semen specimens from the male members of infertile couples by means of four different methods: the direct fluorescence antibodies assay, cell culture, the Roche Cobas Amplicor polymerase chain reaction, and the presence of chlamydial local IgA antibodies by the recombinant antibody-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. One or more chlamydial infection markers were detected in 42 (45.7%) of the 92 examined urethral and semen specimens from the male partners of infertile couples. C. trachomatis was detected in 23.9% (22/92) of urethral specimens and in 35.9% (33/92) of semen specimens. Although there was a significant correlation between the detection of one or more chlamydial infection markers in urethral and semen specimens (p = 0.01), no significant correlation was found between the detection of C. trachomatis DNA in these samples. Furthermore, no significant association was found between the presence of chlamydial local IgA antibodies and the detection of C. trachomatis. The discrepancies in positive results found between some techniques for the detection of C. trachomatis in urethral and semen specimens might be explained by variations in the sensitivities and specificities of the tests carried out and the use of specimens from different anatomical locations. Our findings suggest that C. trachomatis seems to be widespread among the male partners of infertile couples in Tunisia. The detection of C. trachomatis in urethral or semen specimens can serve as a marker for the presence of this organism in the genital tract, which is not necessarily the cause of male infertility. The study of the correlation between the detection of chlamydial infection markers and the parameters of male fertility seems to be necessary in order to determine the direct link between chlamydial infection and male infertility and to choose the most efficient technique and most suitable specimen with which to diagnose C. trachomatis-associated male infertility.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

[Surveillance system of maternal mortality in the Tunis region].

In the framework of a national strategy of reduction of the maternal mortality rate. Tunisia has set up a follow up system of maternal deaths occurring in public facilities to analyse their causes, the levels of deficiency and to propose solutions for preventing them. This note aims at describing the system, its results, its efficiency and its limitations in the Tunis region for the years 1999 and 2000. The results show a maternal mortality rate estimated at 80 for 100,000 births in public facilities of the region: the main causes being haemorrhage (42.1%) followed by infection (13.2%). The proportion of avoidable deaths is 87%:74% possibly avoidable and 13% certainly avoidable, factors related to women behaviour have also contributed to 45% of cases. The system flows are however intricated, and related to organization: an underestimation of risk by the patient (33%), an inadequate watch during the postpartum period (25%), a late hospitalisation (22%) and not enough reanimation equipment. Nevertheless, this control system has achieved part of its objective by starting up a quality approach to obstetrical cares and by warning health professionals such as obstetricians, anaesthetists, blood banks in charge, hospital managers and other medical teams. The limitations of the system are tied to the follow up of the real implementation of recommendations stated in reports at a local as well as central levels.

Bias↗

PubMed1997