[Invasive infections neisseria meningitidis in children in Tunis: about 79 cases]

We conducted a retrospective study of meningococcal invasive diseases [MID] contracted in children in Tunis between January 1997 and January 2006. The purpose of this study is to specify the clinical, epidemiological, therapeutic and evolutionary features of these infections and to determine antimicrobial susceptibility and the antigenic formula of N. meningitidis isolates. During the study period, we have collected 79 cases of MID arising in children aged 3 days to 11 years. The majority of children's were less than of 4 years [57.3%]. We note a frequency of the MID in winter and in spring. The most frequent clinical shape was meningitis [53%]. Twenty one patients [26.6%] had a fulminant meningococcal disease. In our series, the rate of lethality was equal to 17.7%. Among the 46 meningococcal isolates, the most frequent serogroup was the B [73%] followed by C and A. A high heterogeneousness of the antigenic formulae was observed. The most frequent phenotype was NT: NST for the group B isolates and 4:P1.13 for the group C ones. N. meningitidis with reduced susceptibility to penicillin and to amoxicillin account for 54% and 10% of all isolates respectively. The cefotaxim and the rifampin were uniformly active

[Primary lung abscess: unusual situation in child a case report and review of literature]

Lung abscess is a localized area of non tuberculosis suppurative necrosis of the parenchyma of lung, resulting in formation of cavity containing purulent materiel. It is uncommun in child. A 3 years boy was admitted with prolonged fever and dyspnea. Chest X ray showed a thick walled hydric cavitation opacity containing an air-fluid level. Chest ultrasound examination showed collection of 6,8 cm of diameter in the right pulmonary field with an air-fluid level. Hemoculture showed Staphylococcus aureus. Patient presented septic shock and surgical drainage was indicated. Histological examination confirmed diagnosis of lung abscess. Any inderlying condition was noted and diagnosis of primary abscess was made. Patient demonstrated complete recovery. He's asymptoamtic with normal chest X ray and pulmonary function after 3 years of evolution. Lung abscess represent a rare cause of prolonged fever in child. An underlying condition must be excluded to eliminate secondary abscess. Long term follow up of pulmonary function is capital

[Barakat syndrome a report of two cases]

Barakatsyndrome or HDR syndrome [Hypoparathyroidism, sensorineural deafness and renal disease] is an inherited condition. It's a very rare disease. Patients may present with tetany or convulsions due to hypocalcemia at any age. Deafness is usually bilateral and may range from mild to profound impairment. Renal disease has several manifestations. We report the cases of a girl [Ferdaous] and a boy [Taha] which are respectively of 16 years old and 6 years old. The girl only was born of intermarriage. Her brother and sister were treated for hypoparathyroidism. Both of our patients had sensorineural deafness and a nephropathy: a nephrotic syndrome in Ferdaous's case and a proteinury in Taha's case. The girl was treated for hypoparathyroidism since she was 12 while the boy was admitted in emergency for tonico-clonic seizures, reported to a profound hypocalcaemia. Hypoparathyroidism was confirmed by a very low parathormone rate. The endocrinal and cerebral radiological investigations were normal. By this case report, the authors remember the Barakat syndrome: its clinical and biological features, and its different possible progressions. The mode of inheritance is believed to be autosomal dominant. Mutations in the GATA3 gene, mapped to chromosome 10p [gene map locus 10p15, 10p15.1-p14], have been identified in several families with Barakat syndrome. Possibilities of antenatal diagnostic are offered to theses families

[Chronic hepatitis B: a study of 15 cases]

The aim of this study is to describe clinical, biological, histological aspects and outcome of children with chronic hepatitis B [CHB], and to analysis treatment modalities. a retrospective study of 15 children with CHB was conducted between January 1992 and December 2003. All patients had HBs Ag> 6 months, fourteen had Hbe Ag. Initial histological examination was performed in eight cases. intrafamilial horizontal transmission was noted in five cases. Fifty three percent of patients presented symptoms: asthenia [57 percent], anorexia [1 case], loss of weight [1 case], digestive disturbance [3 cases], abdominal pain [5 cases]. Cytolysis was noted in eight patients [53, 3 per cent], they had positive Ag Hbe. Liver emzymes were increased in eight cases [53.3%], they had positive Hbe Ag, mean rate of AST was 95.6 UI/I [extremes: 56 -251], mean rate of ALT was 118,8 Ul/l [extremes: 50 - 204]. Four patients had chronic active hepatitis and four had chronic persistent hepatitis. Three patients received I'interferon a; seroclearance was noted in two patients without negativation of HBs Ag. Twelve patients didn't receive any antiviral therapy, liver emzymes were decreased in three patients, seroclearance of HBe Ag was noted in five cases and HBs Ag elimination was noted in only one patient. Chronic hepatitis B is often asymptomatic and transmitted horizontaly. Antiviral therapy must be indicated in children with viral replication and active chronic hepatitis. Large vaccination at birth reduces vertical transmission and prevalence particularly in endemic areas

[Inaugural diabetic acido-ketosis: rare endocrine complication in thalassemia child]

Diabetes is a sparse endocrine complication of f3 thalassemia major. We report the case of a 14year-old boy with beta thalassemia major, who was polytransfused without regular iron-chelation therapy. He was admitted to hospital with acidosic dyspnoea and severe deshydratation without signs of cardiac failure. Urine examination showed glucosuria and acetonuria. On laboratory exams, glycemia was 39 mmol/l with severe metabolic acidosis. The diagnosis was a diabetic acido-ketosis requiring insulin therapy. Diabetes was hardly controlled; serum ferritin level was 4500 mg/l. Serum ferritin level is the main risk factor for diabetes in patients with beta thalassemia. Thus, an adequate iron-chelation therapy can prevent this complication

[Acute poisoning in the pediatric service at the infant hospital of Tunis. report of 325 cases]

We reported a retrospective study concerning 325 cases of acute poisoning in the pediatric service at the infant hospital of Tunis during a period of one year from 1 January to 31 December. The aim of this report is to evaluated the epidemiologic, clinical and evolutive aspects. They were 194 boys and 131 girls. 60 per cent of the infants are aged under 3 years. The chemical products occupied the first place with 153 infants [49.7 per cent], the inhalation of petroleum represented 62 cases, the water of javel 58 cases. The medicines occupied the second place with 128 infants [39 per cent]. The evolution was favourable in 277 infants [85 per cent]. 12 patients [3.6 per cent] are presented a pneumonia after inhalation of petroleum. In 4 patients [1.2 per cent], we constated a caustic oesophagitis. One case of death was occurred in a patient with medicinal polypoisoning.The prevention stays the better way to fight this phenomenon

[Digeorge syndrome in a new born: DEL22q11.2 IN Tuple1 Locus]

The DiGeorge syndrome is a genetic anomaly due to the microdeletion 22q11.2. This syndrome is characterized by a large variability in the clinical features. In this report we describe a DiGeorge syndrome diagnosed in a new born of a diabetic mother. He presented mild dysmorphia, ventricular septal defect and hypocalcaemia due to hypoparathyroidism. The diagnosis was confirmed by the cytogenetic study