[Profile of the victims of sexual violence in child psychiatry consultation]. / Enfants victimes de violences sexuelles en consultation de pédopsychiatrie.

INTRODUCTION: Child sexual abuse is a major health problem that remains under-declared and under-reported worldwide. In this paper we have taken an interest in establishing the profile of the victims in a clinical population of children consulting for sexual abuse. METHOD: We conducted a descriptive retrospective study in the child and teenager psychiatry department of the Mongi-Slim hospital (Tunis, Tunisia). We included all patients referred for treatment or medical expertise during the period from January 2013 to June 2019 and recorded sociodemographic data and clinical characteristics on pre-established charts from patient files. RESULTS: The total number of consultants was 150 patients with 61,33 % of female subjects (n=92). The average age was 9,9 years old with extremes ranging from 2 to 18 years old. The assault was unique in 62,7 % and happened in a place known by the victim in 47,33 %. Sexual abuse with non-penetrating contact was the most frequent (48 %). The average age at which the first sexual abuse happened was 9 years old. In the vast majority of cases, the abuser was a male. Concerning the identity of the abuser, he was someone of the family in 37,3 % of the cases and in half of these cases, he was the father. In the other cases where the abuser wasn't a family member, the identity was known by the child and/or his family in 48,66 %. A psychiatric diagnosis was made in 58 % of the cases with a percentage of 52,1 % among girls and 60,3 % among boys. Main diagnoses were acute stress disorder in 10,6 %, post trauma stress disorder in 19,3 %, adjustment disorder in14,6 % and a major depressive disorder in 8 %. CONCLUSION: Knowing the profile of victims of child sexual abuse and taking into consideration the social and psychiatric impact can help in adapting the means to intervene properly in order to take care of the victims and prevent such abuse.

[Epigenetics' implication in autism spectrum disorders: A review]. / Implication de l'épigénétique dans les troubles du spectre autistique : revue de la littérature.

BACKGROUND: The etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is complex and multifactorial, and the roles of genetic and environmental factors in its emergence have been well documented. Current research tends to indicate that these two factors act in a synergistic manner. The processes underlying this interaction are still poorly known, but epigenetic modifications could be the mediator in the gene/environment interface. The epigenetic mechanisms have been implicated in susceptibility to stress and also in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders including depression and schizophrenia. Currently, several studies focus on the consideration of the etiological role of epigenetic regulation in ASD. OBJECT: The object of this review is to present a summary of current knowledge of an epigenetic hypothesis in ASD, outlining the recent findings in this field. METHODS: Using Pubmed, we did a systematic review of the literature researching words such as: autism spectrum disorders, epigenetics, DNA methylation and histone modification. RESULTS: Epigenetic refers to the molecular process modulating gene expression without changes in the DNA sequence. The most studied epigenetic mechanisms are those that alter the chromatin structure including DNA methylation of cytosine residues in CpG dinucleotides and post-translational histone modifications. In ASD several arguments support the epigenetic hypothesis. In fact, there is a frequent association between ASD and genetic diseases whose epigenetic etiologies are recognized. A disturbance in the expression of genes involved in the epigenetic regulation has also been described in this disorder. Some studies have demonstrated changes in the DNA methylation of several autism candidate genes including the gene encoding the oxytocin receptor (OXTR), the RELN and the SHANK3 genes. Beyond the analysis of candidate genes, recent epigenome-wide association studies have investigated the methylation level of several other genes and showed hypomethylation of the whole DNA in brain and blood samples of autistic patients. The changes in epigenetic marks following exposure to environmental factors known as autism risk factors are also discussed in many reports. They include nutritional (vitamin D and folate) and toxic (sodium valproate, bisphenol A) factors. Despite a considerable contribution to understanding the complexity of ASD etiology, the epigenetic studies suffer from numerous methodological biases that limit the scope of their results and make their interpretation difficult. The cell samples used in the psychiatric studies are mostly from the post-mortem tissue of the central nervous system, and factors that might change the epigenome (age, gender, treatments received…) are not taken into account. The use of blood and buccal epithelium samples raises in turn the question as to whether the epigenome of these cells reflects that of the nerve cells. DNA methylation can also be influenced by cell subcomposition variability, transcriptional variability and by DNA sequence variants. CONCLUSION: These recent discoveries in epigenetics are the beginnings of an etiopathogenic research revolution in neurodevelopmental disorders. The conceptualization of epigenetic processes is in its early stages and despite its limited means will help integrate disparate data factors previously involved in autism. It could also be the target for the development of new therapeutic modalities.

Non-susceptibility trends and serotype coverage by conjugate pneumococcal vaccines in a Tunisian paediatric population: a 10-year study.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the major causative agents of invasive infectious disease in children <5 years old globally. The aim of this study was to analyze the antimicrobial resistance and the serotype distribution of S. pneumoniae isolates from the paediatric population in Tunisia and to specify the serotypes coverage by the conjugate pneumococcal vaccines. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the disk diffusion method. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of beta-lactams were determined using the E test method (AB BIODISK). Serotypes were determined by agglutination of latex particles, which identified a subset of serotypes included in pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (1, 3, 4, 5, 14) and some of the serogroups. This was followed by the Neufeld test using monovalent antisera (Statens Serum Institute) specific for the other serotypes included in pneumococcal conjugate vaccines 7, 10 and 13 (PCV7, PCV10, PCV13): 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F. During the study period, 200 invasive and 310 non-invasive pneumococcal isolates were obtained from paediatric patients ranging in age from newborn to 16 years. Among these 510 isolates, 53.4% had reduced susceptibility to penicillin. Penicillin resistance was higher among S. pneumoniae isolates recovered from samples associated with non-invasive vs. invasive disease (60.6% vs. 45%). All the strains were susceptible to pristinamycin, vancomycin, teicoplanin and fosfomycin. Serotype 14 was the most frequently isolated serotype (22.2%), followed by serotypes 19F (15.5%) and 23F (10.3%). Of all strains typed, the percentage of serotypes covered by PCV7, PCV10 and PCV13 were 66.4%, 73% and 78%, respectively (76.1% for invasive pneumococcal isolates, 79.8% for non invasive pneumococcal isolates for PVC13). Continual surveillance of antibiotic susceptibility and careful use of antibiotics are recommended. The introduction of the new conjugate vaccine should be greatly beneficial for reducing pneumococcal invasive diseases among Tunisian children.

Foraging opportunity: a crucial criterion for horse welfare?

This study aimed at determining the effect of the increase of foraging opportunities on the behaviour and welfare of breeding mares housed in individual boxes but allowed outside 6 h a day in a bare paddock. One hundred Arab breeding mares were divided into two groups of 50 according to the treatment and allowed outside in two bare paddocks at the same density (115 mare/ha) where water and shelter were provided. The treatment consisted in providing the opportunity to forage on hay. Twenty-minute animal focal samplings and scan samplings were used to determine the time budget of the mares during the period from 0900 to 1500 h and study their social behaviour. A total of 300 focal sampling (6000 min), 3300 individual scan sampling (6000 min) and 62 group observations (1240 min) corresponding to the 100 mares were recorded. Non-parametric tests were used to analyse data. Results showed that experimental mares spent more time feeding (65.12% ± 2.40% v. 29.75% ± 2.45%, P < 0.01) and less time in locomotion (11.70% ± 1.31% v. 23.56% ± 1.34%, P < 0.01), stand resting (11.76% ± 2.57% v. 27.52% ± 2.62%, P < 0.01) and alert standing (5.23% ± 1.2% v. 14.71% ± 1.23%, P < 0.01). There was more bonding among experimental mares than control ones (26 v. 14, P < 0.05). Experimental mares showed more positive social interactions (P < 0.01) and less aggression (P < 0.01). These results suggest that giving densely housed mares foraging opportunities improves their welfare.

[Phthiriasis pubis palpebrarum in children. Diagnosis and treatment]. / Phtiriase ciliaire de l'enfant. Diagnostic et traitement.

INTRODUCTION: Phtiriasis palperarum is an unusual cause of blepharitis. This ectoparasitic infestation of the lashes is more frequent in adult; a pubic attack is usually associated. It is however rare in children. The goal of our study is to bring back four observations of infantile phtiriasis palpebrarum. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four children presented themselves for palpebral itching and ocular redness. Slit lamp examination revealed evidence of small parasites attached to the proximal extreme of the eyelashes. A survey within the family was carried out and parasitological examination was realized. RESULTS: Parasitological examination had identified adult forms and nits of phtirus pubis. The bed linen was the way of contamination. Mechanical extraction of the parasite was tried but was very painful. Two patients were treated with a regimen of 1% yellow oxide of mercury ointment four times daily for 14 days, the two others was treated by Vaseline pomade because of a very important palpebral irritation. Evolution was favorable among all patients. DISCUSSION: We discuss in this work the ways of contamination of phtiriasis palpebrarum in children. In fact, eyelashes contamination in children is secondary to a contact with an adult carrier of a pubic phtiriasis. The transmission can be done following sexual maltreatments or by the means of infected clothing or bed linen. The diagnosis of phtiriasis palpebrarum is clinical confirmed by parasitological examination. Different therapeutic were proposed, the mechanical treatment must be carried out but it is seldom sufficient and it is often necessary to associate a chemical treatment (malathion to 1%, mercury oxide with 1%, fluorescein with 20%...) or physical treatment (cryotherapy, laser argon). CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of phtiriasis palpebrarum is easy and requires the detection of the source of contamination in order to prevent reinfestations.

[Acute postpartum psychoses]. / Les psychoses aiguës du post-partum.

The post-partum is a high risk period for the development of acute psychotic disorders. The frequence of post-partum psychoses is evaluated at 1 to 2 per 1,000 births. Post-partum psychosis include major affective disorders which is the most frequent diagnosis. The clinical pictures have specific characteristics: rapid change of symptomatology, liability of mood, and frequent confusional signs. The short-term prognosis is generally good but the risk of recurrence of the mental disorder, in or outside puerperal context, is high. At clinical, evolutive and genetic levels, the studies do not provide arguments for nosological autonomy of post-partum psychosis. At therapeutic level, the ECT is particularly efficient in this indication.

[Lipoma arborescens of the knee: contribution of x-ray computed tomography. Apropos of a new case]. / Le lipome arborescent du genou: apport de la tomodensitométrie. A propos d'un nouveau cas.

The authors report a case of a synovial lipoma of the knee in a 40 years old man who suffered from chronic instability of the right knee associated to an extensive joint swelling and recurrent hydarthrosis. Ultrasonography and arthrography showed a synovial process and the computerized tomography showed an inhomogeneous low density due to its fat content suggesting a synovial lipoma arborescens of the knee. Final diagnosis was confirmed by histological examination of the arthroscopic biopsy. The authors discuss, through out their case and a review of the literature, modern investigation findings and indication for surgical treatment of this disease.

[Pseudarthrosis of the humeral shaft. Apropos of 58 cases]. / Pseudarthroses de la diaphyse humérale. A propos de 58 observations.

We report 58 cases of humeral shaft non union following 28 times an orthopaedic treatment where persisted a space between the two fragments and 30 times an osteosynthesis but only 6 where satisfying. The sery contains 2 infected non union, dried in several months and 3 pseudarthrosis we did not operate because they were not inconvenienced. Among the 53 aseptic pseudoarthrosis the union has been to obtained after one operation for 42, two operations for 6 and three operations for 5. We analyse the consecutive mistakes having brought to the failures. We confirm that only an osteosynthesis not sufficient and that an associate graft is necessary. It could be an osteoperiosteum decortication, a spongious graft or a tibial graft (this last one is more safe but reserved to the iterative cases of the one with a big defect). The long evolution (more than a year for half at the cases) explains the fragment repercussions on shoulder or elbow.

[Echographic symptomatology of peritonitis encapsulans]. / Approche de la séméiologie échographique de la péritonite encapsulante.

The authors, try to establish an approach about ultrasonic pattern of capsulated peritonitis through study of four cases. The echographical semeology of this affection is based on: echoscopic signs which study the intestinal mobility and lumen, and the associated ascits: --echographic signs represented essentially by: --intestinal agglutination; --the presence of real or virtual capsula; --meso-retraction. The frequency of this affection seems to be not negligible in Tunisia. The tuberculosis is the most frequent cause, as an etiology.