[Clinical features of rotavirus infections: influence of child age on clinical manifestations]

The aim of the present study was to describe clinical features of rotavirus infections in children and to compare the observed symptoms according to the age of the patients. Clinical files of 278 rotavirus-positive children under 5 years of age were retrospectively examined. The presence of group A rotavirus antigens in stool samples collected from children was detected by direct sandwich enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay. Pearson's correlation tests were used to determine the relationship between each clinical sign noticed and patients' age. Among the 278 rotavirus-positive children, 93.9% presented with diarrhea, 79.1% vomiting, 71.6% fever, 37.4% respiratory troubles, and 33.1% neurological signs. Intravenous rehydration was needed for 59.7% of the children. The comparison of clinical signs according to the age showed that diarrhea [p = 0.001], vomiting [p = 0.007], fever [p = 0.045], respiratory troubles [p = 0.01] and dehydration [p<0.001] were significantly more frequent in infants of 1 to 24 months old. The severity of rotavirus illness seems to be directly influenced by child's age. Interestingly, infants of 1 to 5 years old often presented with disease as severe as babies of 6 to 24 months old

[Clinical and evolutive features of invasive pneumococcal infections in child abot 10 cases]

Currently, pneumococcal infections are an important public health problem in Tunisia and through the world. The aim of this study is to analyze clinical and evolutive profile of penicillin-resistant pneumococci in children in our region. We studied retrospectively 10 cases enrolled in the paediattics department of Sousse during an 11 years period [1993-2003]. There were eight boys and two girls [sex-ratio 4] aged from 5 to 42 months [mean age: 13 months]. Four children were carriers of purulent meningitis, three a pneumonia, two an osteo-articular infection and one an isolated septicemia. The pneumococcus was isolated in pathological products and the oxacillin disk screening test detected all penicillin-resistant isolated germs The survey of penicillin sensitivity was completed by determination of minimal inhibitory concentration [MIC] by E. Test [R] every time that the diameter of inhibition was lower to 26 mm. After antipneum000ceal antibiotics treatment adapted to infections sites, six patients presented severe complications and two among them died, Frequency gravity and resistance of pneumococcal infections give a renewal interest for antipneumococcal vaccination in patients with risk

[Clinical and evolutive features of invasive pneumococcal infections in child. About 10 cases]

Currently, pneumococcal infections are an important public health problem in Tunisia and through the world. In order to analyze the epidemiological, clinical and evolutive profile of penicillin-resistant pneumococci in children, we studied retrospectively 10 cases enrolled in the pediatrics department of Sousse during 11 years period [1993-2003]. There were eight boys and two girls [sex - ratio = 4] aged 5 to 42 months [mean age: 13 months]. Four children were carriers purulent meningitis, three a pneumonia, two an osteo-articular infection and one an isolated septicemia. The pneumococcus was isolated in pathological products and the oxacillin disk screening test detected all penicillin-resistant isolated germs. The survey of penicillin sensitivity was completed by determination of minimal inhibitory concentration [MIC] by E.Test[trademark] every time that the diameter of inhibition was lower to 26 mm. After antipneumococcal antibiotics treatment adapted to infections sites, six patients presented severe complications and two among them were died. Frequency, gravity and resistance of pneumococcal infections give a renewal interest for antipneumococcal vaccination in patients with risk

[Purulent pleural effusion in children. About 47 cases]

The authors report retrospectively 47 cases of purulent pleural effusion, collaged in paediatrics department CHU Sahloul Sousse in 11 years [1994-2004]. It's about 30 boys and 17 girls. The symptomatology was dominated by fever, cough and dyspnea. The bacteria is identified in 18 cases: staphylococcus in 11 cases, streptococcus pneumonia in 3 cases and haemophilus in 3. The treatment was based in double antibiotherapy associated with kinetherapy in all cases; the drainage was required in 15 cases. The outcome is good in 38 cases; 7 cases of sequelle were noted. Two children were dead

Methode rapide de groupage des streptocoques beta-hemolytiques par coagglutination extemporanee

Extemporaneous coagglutination procedure for the serological grouping of beta-hemolytic streptococci is reported. Streptococcal group antigens were extracted with nitrous acid. 250 strains of groups A, B, C, F and G streptococci were tested with this method. An agreement of 100% was found between this method and the Lancefield capillary precipitation procedure Extremporaneous coagglutination method was found to be rapid, reliable, easy and economical and could he adopted in any routine diagnostic laboratory

Identification rapide de streptococcus pyogenes serotype M12 dans les prelevements de gorge part coagglu tination extemporanee

A rapid procedure for identification of Streptococcus pyogenes serotype M. 12 directly in throat swabs, is reported and compared with standard culture method on blood agar plates and typing of group A Streptococci isolated with double gel immuno-diffusion This procedure consist of chlorhydric acid extraction of swabs and testing of the extract towards specific M. 12 protein serum using extemporaneous coagglutination technique. We have tested 1100 throat swabs, with this procedure and with standard culture Procedure Identification of group A Streptococci serotype M. 12 with reported method is obtainable within 30 to 45 minutes of receipt of the clinical specimen. This method is easy to perform with a sensitivity and a specificity respectively: 89.7% and 98,8%

Extraction de l'ADN chromosomique de staphylococcus et de listeria par une methode rapide a l'achromopeptidase

A rapid and simple method for preparation of chromosomal DNA from Gram-positive bacteria is reported. Susceptibility to lyses with Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate [SDS] increases when undergoing treatment with acetone before being digested by bacteriolytic enzymes. Rapid lyses of Staphylococcus and Listeria cells is obtained through a respective treatment by lysozyme with lysostaphine and by lysozyme with achromopeptidase, adding to that the effect of SDS in Tris-HcI buffer. This procedure of preparing chromosomal DNA provides to 4 mg of DNA out of 1 g of bacterial cells in a day

Antibioresistance des salmonella au cours des annees 1982 et 1983

The antibiotics susceptibility of 480 Salmonella collected in 1982 and 1983, in the National center of salmonella of Pasteur institute of Tunis was tested. High level of resistance was found. Nalidix acid, Colistin and Gentamicin were the most active.Resistance and multiple resistance was most frequently found in strains of Salmonella wien and Salmonella saint paul