Interet du dosage de L'ALAT dans la prevention des hepatites post transfusionnelles. Etude prospective a propos de 1180 donneurs de sang du sahel Tunisien

In Tunisia, regular serological tests for prevention of blood transmitted hepatitis consist in the research of HBS antigen and HCV antibodies. Our purpose in this study is to estimate the prevalence of hypertransaminasemia in blood donors and to determinate to what extent it could prevent blood transmited hepatitis. Therefore we have assessed ALAT sera level in 1180 blood donors. It rate is considered elevated if higher than twofold the normal rate [> N= 40UI/I]. Donors with high ALAT level were summoned three months later after their blood gift to undergo clinical examination and a new serological test, researching seroconversion of HBS Ag and HCV antibodies. With regarding to estimation of residuel HCV infection risk, we were based on M.P Busch's data. Hypertransaminasemia was modified in 134 individuals [11.5%]. Only 67 had replied to our summons. Alcoholism was involved in one case. Smoking was found in most of male donors. We had discovered neither weight excess nor drug or medecines consumption which could explain increasing ALAT. New serological list had revealed seroconversion for HCV antibodies in ELISA but with undeterminated profile in immunoblot [anti NS5 solely]. PCR was not carried out. Residual infection risk being considered. Use of hypertransaminasemia detection in blood donors shoud prevent nearly 1.67 blood transmitted hepatitis per million transfusions units. However if we consider shortage in blood derivates in Tunisia, such a decision should be comprehensively weighted numerous blood donors will be moved aside

Neurological dysfunctions among workers exposed to inorganic lead

This study was carried out to detect the electroencephalographic [EEG] changes as well as its pattern and to study the relation between motor conduction and presence of EEG changes among workers exposed to inorganic lead. Twenty workers occupationally exposed to inorganic lead and another twenty workers not exposed to lead were chosen as index and control groups respectively. The following investigations were performed for both groups. haemoglobin [Hb], blood lead [BPb], urine delta aminolevulinic acid [ALA], motor nerve conduction velocity [MNCV] and distal latency [DL] of right radial nerve, and EEG. EEG chages were significantly more among exposed group [5 workers, 25%] than control group [0%]. Left temporal discharge was noticed among the five workers and generalized bilateral epileptic activity among only 2 of them. Among exposed group, no significant differences were seen between exposed workers with and those without EEG changes as regards all investigations. There were insignificant correlations between duration of exposure, BPb, urine ALA, MNCV and DL, and presence of EEG changes among exposed workers

possible role of non-specific hosts [chickens and rabbits] in the epidemiology of trichinella spiralis

During susceptibility studies of nonspecific hosts, chickens and rabbits were infected with Trichinella spiralis larvae [300-500 larvae per chicken, 700-900 larvae per rabbit]. The feces of these animals were examined at the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days post-infection. The experimental animals were slaughtered one week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 4 weeks post-infection and examined for cysts in the muscles and adult worm in the intestine. The present study revealed the ability of chickens and rabbits to pass viable larvae in the feces at the 1st and 2nd days post-infection. Trichinella spiralis larvae could not be detected in the muscles of the chickens, whereas encysted larvae were demonstrable 3 weeks post infection in different muscles and brain of the rabbits