Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-up in Moroccan Arabic dialect.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder is increasing worldwide, making screening and early intervention necessary. Several screening instruments have been developed in recent years. The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers Revised with Follow-up (M-CHAT-R/F) is considered to be one of the specific measures designed to identify toddlers at risk for autistic spectrum disorder. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to translate and adapt the original version of M-CHAT-R/F from the English to the Moroccan Arabic language. STUDY DESIGN: Specialized translators and clinicians ensured forward and backward translation of the scale into Moroccan Arabic. Then, a two-stage screening of the M-CHAT-R/F-T was applied to a study sample comprised of 56 toddlers with autistic spectrum disorder (category I) and 96 toddlers with normal development (category II). "Kappa test", "Cronbach's alpha" test, the intra class correlation coefficient, and the area under the curve were determined. RESULT: The average score results of M-CHAT-R/F were 13.12 for category I, while it was 2.24 for category II. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the checklist was 0.929. The kappa values ranged from k=0.78 to k=0.97 with a confidence interval of 95% indicating good convergence. The intra-class correlation coefficient ranged from 0.97 to 0.99, which is excellent. The area under the curve in our study was 0.988, an excellent result. CONCLUSION: Efficiency of the Moroccan Arabic version of the MCHAT was demonstrated for screening in the general population.

Erratum to: Development of novel multiplex microsatellite polymerase chain reactions to enable high-throughput population genetic studies of Schistosoma haematobium.

Unfortunately, the original version of this article [1], contained a mistake. In Table 1, the primers for Sh6 and Sh9 were included incorrectly. Instead of GGGATGTATGCAGACTTG TTGTTTGGCTGCAGTAAC and GCTGAGCTTGAGATTG CTTCTGTCCCATCGATACC they should have been Sh6 Forward Primer GGTGGATTACGCAATAG, Sh6 Reverse Primer TTTAATCAACCGGGTGTC and Sh9 Forward Primer GGGATGTATGCAGACTTG, Sh9 Reverse Primer TTGTTTGGCTGCAGTAAC respectively. A corrected version of Table 1 is included below

Development of novel multiplex microsatellite polymerase chain reactions to enable high-throughput population genetic studies of Schistosoma haematobium.

BACKGROUND: Human urogenital schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma haematobium is widely distributed across Africa and is increasingly targeted for control and regional elimination. The development of new high-throughput, cost-effective molecular tools and approaches are needed to monitor and evaluate the impact of control programs on the parasite populations. Microsatellite loci are genetic markers that can be used to investigate how parasite populations change over time and in relation to external influences such as control interventions. FINDINGS: Here, 18 existing S. haematobium microsatellite loci were optimised to enable simultaneous amplification across two novel multiplex microsatellite PCR's, each containing nine loci. Methods were developed for the cost effective and rapid processing and microsatellite analysis of S. haematobium larval stages stored on Whatman-FTA cards and proved robust on miracidia and cercariae collected from Zanzibar and Niger. CONCLUSION: The development of these novel and robust multiplex microsatellite assays, in combination with an improved protocol to elute gDNA from Whatman-FTA fixed schistosome larval stages, enables the high-throughput population genetic analysis of S. haematobium. The molecular resources and protocols described here advance the way researchers can perform multi locus-based population genetic analyses of S. haematobium as part of the evaluation and monitoring of schistosomiasis control programmes.

Field evaluation of rapid diagnostic tests for meningococcal meningitis in Niger.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dipstick rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for meningococcal meningitis in basic health facilities. METHODS: Health facility staff received a one-day training. During the meningitis season, they performed RDTs on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens from suspected cases of meningitis. A frozen aliquot of CSF was later tested using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to establish the reference diagnosis. RDTs used in health facilities were archived to allow checking the concordance between reported diagnosis and observed results. Reported diagnosis was also compared to PCR diagnosis. A second RDT was performed on each CSF specimen at the reference laboratory. RESULTS: Using RDTs, health facilities reported 382 negative results (73.9%), 114 NmA (22.1%), 12 NmW135 (2.3%) and nine uninterpretable results (1.7%), the latter corresponding to the misuse of a reagent by three agents. The agreement between reported diagnosis and archived dipsticks was excellent (kappa = 0.98). The agreement between PCR diagnosis and reported RDTs results was strong (kappa = 0.82). In health facilities, the sensitivity of RDTs for N. meningitidis A was Se = 0.91. The kappa coefficient measuring the agreement between RDTs operated in the reference laboratory and RDTs operated in health facilities was kappa = 0.78. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that dipstick RDTs to identify N. meningitidis serogroups A, C, W135 and Y can be reliably operated by non-specialized staff in basic health facilities. RDTs proved very useful to recommend vaccination in NmA epidemics, and also to avoid vaccination in epidemics due to serogroups not included in vaccines (NmX).

[Behaviour and HIV seroprevalence investigation in sex workers of Dirkou, Niger, 2002]. / Enquête comportementale et de séroprévalence du VIH chez les professionnelles du sexe de Dirkou, Niger, en 2002.

In the framework of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) surveillance, seroprevalence and behavioural survey was conducted in 2002 in Dirkou, a place of concentration of female sex workers (FSW) in Niger The global HIV seroprevalence found was 50% (CI at 95%: 40.6-59.36%). The behavioural survey revealed that 98% of FSW had heard about HIV whereas 78.7% know at least one HIV transmission way and 76.9% know at least one HIV prevention means. Only 33.3% declared using condom, what show that sensitisation efforts are needed to induce a behaviour change in FSW and their clients.

[The use of dried blood spots for HIV-antibody testing in Sahel]. / Dépistage du VIH en zone sahélienne a partir de sang séché sur sérobuvard.

Undertaking a HIV seroepidemiological survey in Sahel is logistically problematic, since countries like Niger or Mali are very large with scattered populations and harsh climatic conditions. Therefore, the replacement of serum samples by whole blood dried on filter papers has been studied for HIV-antibody testing with commercial kits that are commonly used. In Niger, two tests ELISA (Genscreen HIV1/2 version 2, Vironostika HIV Uni-Form II Ag/Ab) and two rapid tests (Determine HIV1/2 et Immunocomb II HIV1&2 Bispot) were used to compare the dried blood spots and serum samples from 43 control individuals. Both ELISAs gave an excellent correlation (r = 0.99 et r = 0.98) between the dried blood spots and serum absorbance values. Using the rapid tests, the HIV status was found 100% concordant with dried blood spots and serum samples. An algorithm using three out of the four mentioned tests was defined then validated on the dried blood spots of 163 control individuals (100% concordant). In conclusion, dried blood spots may accurately and profitably replace serum samples for the serodiagnosis of HIV infection and for mass serosurveys in Sahel.

Nationwide HIV prevalence survey in general population in Niger.

A national population-based survey was carried out in Niger in 2002 to assess HIV prevalence in the population aged 15-49 years. A two-stage cluster sampling was used and the blood specimens were collected on filter paper and tested according to an algorithm involving up to three diagnostic tests whenever appropriate. Testing was unlinked and anonymous. The refusal rate was 1.1% and 6056 blood samples were available for analysis. The adjusted prevalence of HIV was 0.87% (95% CI, 0.5-1.3%) and the 95% CI of the estimated number of infected individuals was 22 864-59 640. HIV-1 and HIV-2 represented, respectively, 95.6% and 2.9% of infections while dual infections represented 1.5%. HIV positivity rate was 1.0% in women and 0.7% in men. It was significantly higher among urban populations than among rural ones (respectively, 2.1% and 0.6%, P < 10(-6)). Using logistic regression, the variables significantly related to the risk of being tested positive for HIV were urban housing, increasing age and being either widowed or divorced. The estimate from the national survey was lower than the prevalence assessed from antenatal clinic data (2.8% in 2001). In the future, the representativeness of sentinel sites should be improved by increasing the representation of rural areas accounting for more than 80% of the population. Compared with other sub-Saharan countries, the HIV prevalence in Niger is still moderate. This situation represents a strong argument for enhancing prevention programmes and makes realistic the projects promoting an access to potent antiretroviral therapies for the majority.

Rheumatological presentation of developmental bone diseases.

Developmental bone disease may be present, with rheumatological disorders as the major symptoms, even in children. The major lesions encountered are early osteo arthritis, osteo chondromatosis and vertebral involvement with two leading types, pseudo Scheuermann's disease or pseudo ankylosing spondylitis. This paper presents the different features and lists the rheumatological problems in bone dysplasia.

[Radiologic anomalies of pseudohypoparathyroidism: diagnostic importance]. / Les anomalies radiologiques de la pseudohypoparathyroïdie: importance diagnostique.

Pseudohypoparathyroidism is a congenital metabolic disorder which is often revealed by growth retardation. The diagnosis may be suggested by plain radiological findings such as short metacarpals, mainly the fourth, epiphyseal anomalies or subcutaneous calcifications. The following biological tests are mandatory to confirm this diagnosis: CaP workup and plasma level of PTH; urine cAMP measurement after PTH challenge; Evaluation of protein Gs activity In this study of 20 cases displays will be reviewed the different radiological findings seen in patients with PsHP and the relative value discussed, such as narrowing of the spinal canal and presence of bony findings of hyperparathyroidism.

[Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis in children]. / Ostéite chronique multifocale récurrente de l'enfant.

We have studied retrospectively a series of 10 children presenting with chronic multifocal osteomyelitis (8 girls, 2 boys, 7 to 16 years). All patients had plain films, bone scintigraphies and histological studies. Three had CT scan and/or MRI. compared with literature data, we observed only one case of palmoplantar pustulosis and only 2 cases of lysis of the medial extremity of the clavicle; in addition, we report one case of lateral extremity of the clavicle and 2 vertebral locations. The radiological pattern was typical: at the beginning of the disease, plain films showed lytic areas which became progressively osteosclerotic with enlargement of the bone. In all the cases, bone scintigraphy revealed high uptake areas which were often infraclinical. The diagnosis was delayed from 3 months to 3 years. This emphasizes the difficulty of the diagnosis which relies on the association of clinical, biological and radiological elements. Biopsies are required to rule out an infectious bacterial osteomyelitis or a tumoral process. The pathogenesis of OCMR remains unknown, but the relation with the SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteitis) syndrome is general accepted because of the similar features of the osteitis. The long term follow up appears to be uncertain 6 of our patients are still symptomatic after five years despite anti inflammatory treatment.