[Epidemiology of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Algeria through Molecular Characterization]. / Épidémiologie de la leishmaniose cutanée en Algérie à travers la caractérisation moléculaire.

Three distinct noso-epidemiological cutaneous leishmaniasis (LC) entities coexist in Algeria: the so-called sporadic form of the North (LCN), the zoonotic form (LCZ) and the chronic form (LCC). The precise identification of the parasitic species involved in each of the forms makes it possible to specify the geographical distribution of each of the forms raised, to distinguish their clinical aspects, to guide the therapeutic behaviors and to adapt the control programs. Ninety-seven (97) human strains from 97 cases of LC were subjected to molecular characterization by PCR-ITS1 followed by sequencing of this inter-gene space. Our results confirm the endemicity of the three forms. The LCN, caused by L. infantum (17 isolates/97 i.e. 17.52%) is limited to the North of the country mainly (16 isolates/17). Its geographical distribution is superimposable to that of visceral leishmaniasis with an extension more and more reported in previously unaffected areas, such as the regions of Tlemcen and Oran in the West, Setif, Annaba and Collo in the East. The LCZ, due to L. major (70 strains/97 i.e. 72.16%), remains the dominant form in the arid and semi-arid zones (47 strains/70) with a progression towards the North (20/70 strains). Indeed, long confined to the Sahara, it shows a geographical extension outside its historic homes of Biskra and Abadla. This form is progressing dangerously towards the highlands and the steppe regions of the country. The most interesting fact was the identification of L. tropica for the first time in North-Central and North-West Algeria in Algerian patients who had never left the national territory. Out of the 10 strains of L. tropica identified, 8 belonged to patients of Syrian origin and 2 to Algerian patients. L. tropica was reported for the first time in 2008 in 6 patients living in Constantine (North-East Algeria) and in 2017, still in the North-East of the country, in Annaba. The observation of L. tropica in the North and Northeast center of the country, where L. infantum and L. major coexist, suggests changes in the epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Algeria, which highlights the interest of more investigations to better understand the transmission cycle of the different entities.

Trois entités nosoépidémiologiques distinctes de leishmaniose cutanée (LC) coexistent en Algérie : la forme dite du nord, dite sporadique (LCN), la forme zoonotique (LCZ) et la forme chronique (LCC). L'identification précise des espèces parasitaires impliquées dans chacune des formes permet de préciser la répartition géographique de chacune de ces trois formes, de distinguer leurs aspects cliniques, d'orienter les conduites thérapeutiques et d'adapter les programmes de lutte. Quatre-vingt-dix-sept souches humaines ont fait l'objet d'une caractérisation moléculaire par une PCR-ITS1, suivie d'un séquençage de cet espace intergénique. Nos résultats confirment l'endémicité des trois formes. La LCN, causée par Leishmania infantum (17 isolats/97, soit 17,52 %), est limitée au nord du pays principalement (16 isolats/17). Sa répartition géographique est stable et superposable à celle de la leishmaniose viscérale. La LCZ, due à Leishmania major (70 souches/97, soit 72,16 %), reste la forme dominante au niveau des zones arides et semi-arides (47 souches/70) avec une progression vers le nord (20 souches/70). Cette forme connaît une extension géographique en dehors de ses foyers historiques et progresse vers les Hauts Plateaux et les régions steppiques du pays. Le fait remarquable est l'identification de Leishmania tropica pour la première fois au centre nord et nord-ouest de l'Algérie, chez des patients algériens n'ayant jamais quitté le territoire national. L'observation de L. tropica au centre nord et nord-ouest du pays, où coexistent L. infantum et L. major, suggère des modifications de l'épidémiologie de la LC en Algérie, ce qui souligne l'intérêt de plus d'investigations pour mieux comprendre le cycle de transmission des différentes entités.

[Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in Annaba, Algeria]. / Séroprévalence de la toxoplasmose chez les femmes enceintes dans la wilaya d'Annaba, Algérie.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to estimate the seroprevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in the department of Annaba, Algeria. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study with analytical purposes. The study was collaboration between the laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine of Annaba and Parasite Biology Department at the Pasteur Institute of Algeria. A total of 1028 pregnant women who underwent prenatal diagnosis/visit were included over a period of 4 years from January 2006 to December 2009. Immunoglobulin G and M were assayed, using the microparticle enzyme method. The avidity test was used to determine the date of contamination according to age of pregnancy. Search for the parasite was made by inoculation of the placenta and cord blood in white mice. The study compared mother-to-child serological profiles using Western Blot (WB) IgG and IgM. Direct (not well-cooked meat) and indirect (presence of cat, gardening) indicators were recorded to search for parasite exposure. RESULTS: Seroprevalence was 47.8 % (95 % CI: 44.8 to 51.0) and the rate of active toxoplasmosis was 1.1 % (95 % CI 0.6 to 1.8). According to their immune status, this was the first serology for 41 % (CI95 %: 38.0-44.0) of women; 12 % (CI95 %: 10.5-14.6) of primiparous women had only one serology test during their entire pregnancy. Major risk factors were consumption of poorly-cooked meat and exposure to cats. CONCLUSION: Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy is a serious issue and an effective prevention program is needed.

[Leishmaniasis diagnosis: role of a simple medium for the culture of Leishmania]. / Diagnostic des leishmanioses: intérêt d'un milieu simple pour la culture des leishmanies.

Leishmaniasis, Zoonoses or Anthroponoses, according to the focus, know an extension through the world and Algeria counts unfortunately more among countries who where touched. Parallelement to this extension the eco-epidemiology of leishmaniasis knex some important modifications and that. We can't surround theme if we don't dispose of a simple culture medium permeting the shoot of all species to leishmania.

[Cryptococcosis. Report of 4 cases diagnosed at the El-Hadi FLICI hospital]. / La cryptococcose à propos de quatre cas diagnostiqués à l'hôpital El-Hadi FLICI.

The cryptococcosis is an opportunist infection, frequent during Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrom (A.I.D.S.). It increases in the same way as the increase of immunodepression factors. This infection is due essentially to Cryptococcus neoformans. This paper deals with the analysis of four (04) cases of cryptococcosis admitted in El-Hadi FLICI hospital in Algiers from November 1997 to February 1998. Among these cases we have taken note of two patients struck doxn by A.I.D.S., one of them have undergone a kidney transplant, whereas the other suffered from sarcoidose and pulmonary tuberculosis. The diagnostic of cryptococcosis have been based essentially on C.S.E. examination.