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PubMed2004

First report of a microcystin-containing bloom of the cyanobacteria Microcystis spp. in Lake Oubeira, eastern Algeria.

Lake Oubeira has been used as the main source of drinking water for many communities in the East of Algeria. In this lake, nutrient loading coupled with year-round warm weather favors the growth of cyanobacteria, several of which can produce cyanotoxins, especially the potent liver toxins called microcystins (MCYSTs). The present study evaluated microcystin levels and characterized the different microcystin variants present in the raw water during a 17-month period (April 2000-September 2001), as measured by protein phosphatase inhibition assays and by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, respectively. The results showed that microcystin concentrations in the lake water varied between 3 and 29,163 microg microcystin-LR equivalent per liter. The microscopic examination of the phytoplankton samples showed the dominance of the Microcystis genus in the cyanobacterial bloom. The highest MCYST concentration was observed in August 2001, at 29,163 microg/l. Therefore, the highest total MCYST content per phytoplankton biomass was found in August 2001, with 4,590 microg MCYST-LR equivalents/g dried bloom material. Analysis of the field bloom extract by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry demonstrated the presence of four variants of microcystins: microcystin-LR (MCYST-LR), microcystin-YR (MCYST-YR), microcystin-RR (MCYST-RR), and a demethylated variant of MCYST-LR (D-MCYST-LR).

Algeria↗
PubMed1997

Absence of the hemochromatosis gene Cys282Tyr mutation in three ethnic groups from Algeria (Mzab), Ethiopia, and Senegal.

A Celtic origin for hemochromatosis, a common genetic iron metabolism disorder, has been postulated for a long time. To check whether the two mutations recently identified in the HLA-class I candidate gene for this disease were found only in Caucasians, we examined their frequencies in individuals originating from Algeria, Ethiopia, and Senegal. The presumably disease-causing mutation, responsible for the Cys282Tyr substitution, was not found in any member of these ethnic groups, although it was shown to be highly prevalent in populations of European ancestry. This geographic distribution supports the previously suggested Celtic origin for the disease. In contrast, the mutation responsible for the His63Asp substitution is not restricted to European populations. Although absent in the Senegalese, it was found on about 9% of the chromosomes of the Central Ethiopians and Algerians (Mzab) genotyped for this study. This second mutation, which probably represents a common variant unrelated to hemochromatosis, thus appears to have occurred earlier than that responsible for the Cys282Tyr substitution. More detailed population studies are needed to provide information on the age of these two mutations and eventually show how the hemochromatosis-causing mutation chronologically spread throughout Europe.

Algeria↗
PubMed2004

Preliminary studies on the prevalences of natural fasciolosis in cattle, sheep, and the host snail (Galba truncatula) in north-eastern Algeria.

Three series of investigations on natural infections with Fasciola hepatica were carried out in north-eastern Algeria): (1) on different samples from cattle and sheep slaughtered at Constantine and Jijel from 1994 to 1996, (2) from 31 cattle- and sheep-breeding farms from 1999 to 2001, using serology on blood samples, and (3) on overwintering Galba truncatula from four populations, in 2002 and 2003. Significantly higher prevalences of fasciolosis were found in the cattle and sheep from Jijel (27.0% in slaughtered cattle and 27.3% in cattle from farms, compared to 9.1% and 6.3%, respectively, in cattle from Constantine). No significant differences in the prevalences were recorded between 1994 and 1996 and 1999 and 2001 for each species of ruminant, whatever the department considered. The infection rates for overwintering snails were also higher in the two populations from Jijel compared with those from the department of Constantine (a mean of 4.6-5.9% instead of 2.6-3.1%)). These results may be explained by the climatic conditions in the department of Jijel (an annual rainfall of 750-900 mm instead of 350 mm at Constantine), and the mode of anthelminthic treatment (the periods of treatment would be inappropriate in the case of Jijel).

Algeria↗
PubMed2006

A new species of Prohatschekia Nunes-Ruivo, 1954 (Copepoda: Hatschekiidae) parasitic on Scorpaena elongata (Cadenat) off Algeria.

A new species of parasitic copepod, Prohatschekia mediterranea n. sp. (Siphonostomatoida: Hatschekiidae), is described from a scorpaenid fish, Scorpaena elongata, collected off Algeria. This is the seventh species of Prohatschekia Nunes-Ruivo, 1954 to be described and the first record of the genus from the Mediterranean Sea. The new species is most closely related to P. cremouxi Nunes-Ruivo, 1954, known from a congeneric host collected in Senegal. A key is provided to distinguish the new species from other members of the genus.

Algeria↗
PubMed1990

Chronic childhood spinal muscular atrophies in Algeria. A genetic study.

This paper describes a genetic study of the chronic spinal muscular atrophies of late infancy and early childhood in Algeria. There were 50 index patients occurring in 44 kindreds and fourteen secondary cases. Genetic and nosological studies indicated that 52% of the patients constitute a genetically homogeneous subgroup with an age of onset between 3 and 24 months and an autosomal recessive mode of transmission. They also indicated that a large subgroup of index patients (48%) had a late age of onset, between 3 and 14 years. Such a large number of late presenting cases has not been reported in previous series. The majority of these cases are probably due to an autosomal recessive gene. A small proportion may represent new dominant mutations or nongenetic phenocopies. A possible sex influence on disease manifestations is discussed. A trend toward later male onset has been noted, and the degree of disability is more marked in males at or after the age of 10. Finally, some empirical risks for use in genetic counselling are presented.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Polio outbreak in Algeria: epidemiological, virological and vaccinational aspects.

During a poliomyelitis outbreak (October 1983) in El Oued territory (Algeria) 28 cases were diagnosed. All the patients were under 4 years old. The ratio of females to males was 0.33. No deaths occurred during this epidemic. 25 of the 28 polio cases were diagnosed by cell culture and 81% were polio type 1. The epidemiological survey established that the epidemic was due to the insufficiency of vaccination coverage, since the consumption of antipolio vaccine in the epidemic area had dropped by 25% from 1982 to 1983. 7 of the 28 polio cases had been given at least 3 injections of vaccine at the correct intervals. 5 of 8 vaccine samples from the epidemic area had an insufficient titre of polio type 1. These observations showed that the nature of the vaccine, whether killed or live virus, was less important for controlling poliomyelitis than providing medical and sanitary facilities to ensure good vaccination coverage.

Algeria↗
PubMed1991

Short-course chemotherapy for pulmonary tuberculosis under routine programme conditions: a comparison of regimens of 28 and 36 weeks duration in Algeria. Algerian Working Group/British Medical Research Council Cooperative Study.

Two chemotherapy regimens of 28 weeks (6M) and 36 weeks (8M) duration were compared in patients with previously untreated pulmonary tuberculosis in 30 health districts of Algeria. In the 6M regimen, patients received isoniazid plus rifampicin daily throughout with streptomycin and pyrazinamide in addition for the first 8 weeks. In the 8M regimen patients received isoniazid daily throughout plus rifampicin for the first 16 weeks and streptomycin and pyrazinamide as well for the first 8 weeks. The districts were allocated to apply either the 6M or the 8M regimen to all eligible patients. However, 22% of eligible patients were not admitted, the most common reason being oversight on the part of the personnel in the local health centres. A total of 2218 (977 6M, 1241 8M) patients was admitted and the results were assessed 2 years after the due date of completion of chemotherapy, irrespective of whether or not management had deviated from the study protocol. An appreciable proportion of patients (25% of 6M, 29% of 8M) could not be assessed because they failed to attend for follow-up or the collection of specimens was overlooked or because of difficulties in the transport of specimens to the reference laboratory in Algiers, and a further 5% and 4% of patients died. Of those who were assessable 7 (1%) of 731 6M and 15 (2%) of 875 8M were classified as having an unfavourable response during or after chemotherapy because they had one or more positive cultures. In addition 16 (2%) 6M and 18 (2%) 8M patients had received additional chemotherapy for failure, relapse or the development of non-pulmonary lesions but had achieved a favourable status. Of 1018 (488 6M, 530 8M) patients assessed who had fully sensitive strains pretreatment and completed treatment as planned, 97% in both series had a favourable status 2 years after their chemotherapy was due to be completed. In patients with initial strains resistant to isoniazid the results were less good in the 8M than the 6M series: none of the 19 6M compared with 5 of 26 in the 8M series having an unfavourable outcome suggesting that the duration of rifampicin may have been important in patients with initial isoniazid resistance. A slightly higher proportion of patients on the 8M regimen defaulted during chemotherapy (9.3% compared with 6.7% in the 6M regimen) but there was no difference between the regimens in other measures of compliance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Quantization test of the evolution trend of Paleocosta pervinquieri (Ostracode) during a 10-million year period (Djebel-Dyr section, Paleogene, Algeria).

Using a computerised technique that estimates differences or changes in the pattern defined by the distribution of 24 pore-canals of left valves of Paleocosta pervinquieri (Ostracode), we can speculate about the phylogenic evolution of the species ranging in age from Danian (66 My) to Ypresian (54 My) from the Djebel-Dyr section (North East of Algeria). This method is combined with traditional biometric and statistical studies and the analysis of architectural patterns of shells. Firstly, it reveals that Paleocosta pervinquieri is individualised in 6 morphs which evolve from the 'libyaenisis morph' to the 'mokkatamensis morph', between the P1 zone (66 My) to the P4 zone (56 My). During the P5 zone (55 My), we suggest that there has been a genation between the Paleocosta pervinquieri 'mokkatamensis morph' and the Reymensticosta sp. 'semi-reticulated morph'. Furthermore, the Theta-Rho method could be adapted and used for numerous paleontological and biological studies.

Algeria↗
PubMed2006

First report of CTX-M-15 and CTX-M-3 beta-lactamases among clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae in Béjaia, Algeria.

We assessed the prevalence and phenotypic characteristics of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producers among 365 clinical isolates of members of the family Enterobacteriaceae recovered from two hospitals in Béjaia, Algeria, between March 2004 and April 2005. Twenty-one strains were resistant to cefotaxime and/or ceftazidime. A double-disk synergy test yielded a positive result in five cases (three Escherichia coli, one Klebsiella pneumoniae and one Enterobacter cloacae). Using polymerase chain reaction and sequencing, the three E. coli isolates and the K. pneumoniae isolate were found to produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamase CTX-M-15 and the E. cloacae isolate produced CTX-M-3. The three CTX-M-15-producing E. coli isolates were not isolated in the same wards, although genotyping by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis revealed that they were clonally related. The bla(CTX-M-15) genes were transferred from E. coli by conjugation, whilst conjugative transfer of bla(CTX-M) genes from K. pneumoniae and E. cloacae was not detectable.

Algeria↗
PubMed2006

Adsorption of zinc on natural sediment of Tafna River (Algeria).

The environmental impact of metal additions to sediment depends on its sorption ability. The paper presents a study of zinc adsorption using the experiment data on natural sediment of Tafna River in northwest of Algeria. The effect of various operating variables, namely initial concentration, mass of sediment, and contact time, have been studied. The optimum contact time needed to reach equilibrium is of the order of 30 min and is independent of initial concentration and mass of zinc ions. The extent of adsorption increases with increase of concentration, and with decrease of adsorbent mass. The content of carbonate in sediment increases the adsorption indicating the active support material towards zinc ions. A batch sorption model, which assumes the pseudo-second-order mechanism, is developed to predict the rate constant of the sorption, the equilibrium sorption capacity and the initial sorption rate with the effect of initial zinc ion concentration and sediment dose. Various thermodynamic parameters, such as DeltaG degrees , DeltaH degrees and DeltaS degrees , have been calculated. The thermodynamics of zinc ion/sediment system indicates spontaneous, endothermic and randomness nature of the process.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2005

[Plague in Algeria: about five strains of Yersinia pestis isolated during the outbreak of June 2003].

In this study, we isolated and identified five strains of Yersinia pestis during an epidemic occurred in west of Algeria in June 2003. The bacteriological identification was confirmed by bacteriophage susceptibility. All these strains belonged to the biovar Orientalis (they did not ferment glycerol but did reduce nitrate to nitrite) which caused the current pandemic. The in vitro activities of antimicrobial agents used to treat plague and recommended for prophylaxis, showed that they are active against all strains. The comparison of these strains by plasmid profile analyse demonstrated that all isolates had three plasmids: 110, 70 and 9.5 kb, which are present in Y. pestis strains.

Algeria↗
PubMed2005

Isolation and identification of an EPS-producing Rhizobium strain from arid soil (Algeria): characterization of its EPS and the effect of inoculation on wheat rhizosphere soil structure.

The production of exopolysaccharides (EPSs) by bacterial populations in the rhizosphere has been demonstrated to contribute to water and nutrient uptake by plant roots through the modification of the physical properties of rhizosphere soil. We report here the characterization of a new EPS produced by a bacterial strain (KYGT207) isolated from an arid soil in southern Algeria (Gassi Touil), and the effect of inoculation of this strain on soil physical properties in the rhizosphere of Triticum durum L. Strain KYGT207 was assigned to the genus Rhizobium by 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing and belongs to a new species closely related to Rhizobium sullae. The EPS produced by this strain was found to be composed of glucose (Glc), galactose (Gal), and mannuronic acid (ManA) in a molar ratio of 2:1:1. The primary structure of the EPS was determined by sugar analysis, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, consisting of a tetrasaccharide repeating unit with the following original structure: [structure: see text]. A rheological analysis showed that this EPS could be considered as a thickening agent with polyelectrolyte properties. Inoculation of wheat plantlets with strain KYGT207 caused significant promotion of plant growth (+85% for shoot dry mass and +56% for root dry mass), a significant increase in root-adhering soil (RAS) dry mass (dm) per root dm (RAS/RT) up to 137%, and in RAS aggregate water stability. We demonstrate that EPS-producing bacteria were present in sandy soils subjected to water stress and that EPS-producing Rhizobium populations play an important role in the rhizosphere through their contribution to soil aggregation.

Algeria↗
PubMed2006

Repeated treatment faecal egg counts to identify gastrointestinal nematode resistance in a context of low-level infection of sheep on farms in eastern Algeria.

The efficacy of benzimidazoles and ivermectin was tested in 14 pilot farms in eastern Algeria. Resistance was detected in strongyle nematodes against benzimidazoles (five farms) and ivermectin (one farm). The main genera in the region were resistant: Teladorsagia, Trichostrongylus, Marshallagia and Nematodirus. The evaluations based on FECRT (faecal egg count reduction tests) were not always consistent due to the low-level of infection, and we developed a simplified, repeated treatment strategy to investigate resistance. The results obtained with repeated treatment faecal egg counts match globally those obtained with conventional faecal egg count reduction tests. This simplified, repeated treatment method should be investigated further since it is quicker, and this could make it possible to test larger farm samplings.

Algeria↗
PubMed1985

Acute pancreatitis in Algeria. Report of 221 Cases.

A review of 221 patients operated on for acute pancreatitis during a 16 year period showed that women predominated 2:1. This is explained by the common occurrence of biliary stones in Algerian women. In more than half the patients, primary symptoms were biliary. Only 56 percent of diagnoses were established preoperatively. Acute edematous pancreatitis predominated, occurring in 58 percent, with necrotic pancreatitis occurring in 42 percent. Edematous pancreatitis was most often treated by biliary procedures and infiltration and draining of the pancreatic area. Necrotic forms were treated by necrotectomy, whereas segmental pancreatectomy was performed in seven patients. Postoperative mortality was 9.4 percent in the whole group but 37 percent in those with necrotic hemorrhagic pancreatitis. It is noteworthy that alcoholism, which is rare in Algeria, was the cause of pancreatitis in only six patients (3 percent). The main cause was biliary disease.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

Epidemiological data, clinical admission gradation and biological quantification by ELISA of scorpion envenomations in Algeria: effect of immunotherapy.

An epidemiological and biological survey of scorpion envenomation was conducted in Algeria. Analysis of 182 medical files showed that 70% of the patients were stung by Androctonus australis. Most accidents occurred during the morning (40%) or the evening (30%). Two-thirds of the patients reached a hospital 1 hour after being stung. Their clinical symptoms classified 78% of them as Grade I (mild envenomation) and 17% of them as Grade II (moderate envenomation) on admission to hospital. No severe envenomation (Grade III) was reported. Most patients were treated with antivenom by the intramuscular route. Blood samples were collected before and after antivenom immunotherapy. A good correlation was observed between the grade of envenomation on admission and the blood venom concentrations measured by ELISA. The venom concentration decreased as function of the interval between the sting and blood collection (t1/2 = 2 h). Intramuscular injection of 10 ml of antivenom did not efficiently neutralize scorpion venom. Inflammation was followed by measuring IL6 concentration. IL6 peaked 1 h after scorpion envenomation. This study shows that optimization of the administration of antivenom is required to achieve clinical efficiency. In particular, intravenous injection of a larger dose of a more potent antivenom should be considered.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Leishmania infantum and L. major in Algeria.

Since 1980, the development of leishmaniasis in Algeria has been marked by a considerable increase in the number of cases of both visceral leishmaniasis (1121 cases recorded) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (more than 2000 cases per year). New Leishmania infantum and L. major foci have appeared in the north and south of the country. During this period, 100 strains of Leishmania isolated from humans, other mammals and sandflies have been identified. The presence of L. major MON-25 in Psammomys obesus and Phlebotomus papatasi had identified these species as the main reservoir and vector, respectively, of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis. Similarly, the presence of L. infantum MON-1 in Ph. perniciosus and dogs has implicated them as the vector and reservoir of visceral leishmaniasis. The isolation of the dermotropic zymodeme MON-24 of L. infantum from Ph. perfiliewi suggested that it was one of the main vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the north of the country; the reservoir has not been identified. In addition, other zymodemes of Leishmania have been identified in visceral leishmaniasis patients, frequently associated with human immunodeficiency virus (MON-24, MON-33, MON-34 and MON-78), in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (MON-80), and in dogs with leishmaniasis (MON-34 and MON-77).

Algeria↗
PubMed1998

Diversity of sequence haplotypes associated with beta-thalassaemia mutations in Algeria: implications for their origin.

We report the allelic sequence polymorphism associated with seven beta-thalassaemia mutations. Thirty-two DNAs originating from Algeria and 12 DNAs from Sardinia and Sicily were investigated. Their analysis revealed an association with a unique haplotype for three beta-thalassaemia mutations (-29, IVS-I-2 and IVS-I-1). It seems clear that these mutations have a unicentric origin. The presence of the -29 mutation could be explained by migration and founding effect. However, the local origin of IVS-I-2 seems clear. The four other mutations, FS6, IVS-I-6, IVS-I-110 and stop39 were found to be associated with at least two different sequence haplotypes. The likelihood of so many recurrent nucleotide dimorphisms in different lineages as a consequence of random mutation is very low; it is supported neither by the analysis of equivalent regions in other primates, nor by the presence of highly mutable sites such as CpG dinucleotides. The fact that these mutations are found exclusively in the Mediterranean area is not in favour of a recurrent origin of the mutation. The diversity is far more important for the preponderant thalassaemia mutations of the Mediterranean area and is higher in the 5' part of the beta-globin gene. Hence, the IVS-I-110, the preponderant beta-thalassaemia in the Eastern Mediterranean, probably emerged in the extension of the fertile crescent. For the stop39, all the data support the hypothesis of a West-Mediterranean origin. The diversity of haplotypes would then be generated by recombination events (crossing-over or gene conversions) between the original beta-thalassaemia chromosome and the other chomosomal structures present in the normal population.

Algeria↗