Cytokines Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) Association With Myasthenia Gravis (MG) In Algerian Patients: A Case-Control Study On A Small Group.

ABSTRACT: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease of multifactorial etiology in which genetic factors and cytokines seem to play an important role. The aim of this study was to investigate potential associations of cytokines single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and MG in Algerian patients. We performed a case-control study that included 27 patients and 74 healthy subjects. Cytokines SNPs genotyping was performed by the polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) method. Our results showed that the TNF-α -308G/A (P < 0.005) and TGF-ß1 +869T/T (P < 0.05) genotypes were more frequent among patients with MG compared with healthy individuals, whereas TNF-α -308G/G (P < 0.0001), TGF-ß1 +869T/C (P < 0.05), and IFN-γ +874A/A (P < 0.05) were less frequent. Our results also showed that IL-10 and IL-6 SNPs did not show any significant difference in distribution between MG patients and healthy individuals. Our observations support the hypothesis that implicates genetic variants of certain cytokines in MG. However, ours results should be replicated with a larger sample size. In addition, the precise underlying processes remain to be clarified. HIGHLIGHTS: TNF-α -308G/A and TGF-ß1 +869T/C genotypes predispose to MG.IFN-γ +874A/A genotype protects against MG.IL-6 -174C/G SNP is not associated with MG.

Study of the psychological determinants of COVID-19 vaccination among health workers in a Western Algeria.

INTRODUCTION: Vaccine hesitancy is a major challenge in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, with healthcare professionals playing a major role in its acceptance. AIM: To assess the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines among health workers in Sidi Bel Abbès and to identify the psychological determinants of vaccination acceptance. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from December 01, 2021 to January 31, 2022 and involved health professionals in Sidi Bel Abbès, through an anonymous questionnaire. Psychological determinants were assessed using the 5C scale (15 items), whereas the Vaccine Conspiracy Beliefs Scale (VCBS) (7 items) was used to estimate the effect of vaccine conspiracy beliefs. 5C and VCBS scores were analyzed using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve.

Psychosocial impact of COVID-19 among health workers in Algeria.

BACKGROUND: The current COVID-19 pandemic has put health care professionals in the face of increasing psychological distress, with a high risk of infection. PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence of anxiety-depressive disorders among health professionals in Algeria and determine their associated risk factors. METHOD: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from January 11 to March 09, 2021 and concerned healthcare professionals in Algeria, through an online self-assessment. The mental health rating scales used were GAD-7 (7 items) for Anxiety, and CES-D (20 items) for Depression. Resilience was estimated by the RISC-CD (10 items). An original questionnaire was used to assess three factors: fear of infection and death, isolation and stigmatization, as well as motivation and escape behaviour at work. RESULTS: A total of 1005 health professionals were included in the study, of which 51.5% were doctors, 75.6% were women and 41.1% were at the first front of the fight against COVID-19. The prevalence of Anxiety and Depression was 23.8% and 44.6% respectively. Health professionals with a high resilience score were those who were in direct contact with COVID-19 3.75 [1.11-12.7] and those who feared contracting the disease 1.22 [1.14-1.31]. Among the study population, 508 employees (50.5%) were free from anxiety-depressive disorder: Good mental health of health personnel, has been determined by the male sex 1,55 [1,07, 2,24], without co-morbidity 0,57 [0,39, 0,83], without direct intervention in the fight against COVID-19 0.63 [0.45, 0.89], having a low score of Depression and Anxiety with respectively 0.43 [0.36- 0.50], 0.50 [0.41- 0.58] while denouncing a high Resilience score 1.03 [1.01- 1.05]. CONCLUSION: In Algeria, the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the mental health of health professionals, hence the urgent need for intervention programs, for strengthening their mental health in a more sustainable and effective struggle.

Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) Genes Association in Type 1 Diabetic Nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic nephropathy is a common worldwide multifactorial disease where involvement of genetic factors is well etablished. The aim of this study was to investigate the HLA genes implication in the development of type 1 diabetic nephropathy. METHODS: We performed a case- control study where one hundred and fifty subjects were examined. Patients were divided in two groups; with and without type 1 diabetic nephropathy. HLA typing was performed using Polymerase Chain Reaction- Sequence Specific Oligonucleotide (PCR- SSO) method. HLA association to clinical phenotype and HLA haplotype analysis was also investigated. RESULTS: HLA B*51 is increased in patients without type 1 diabetic nephropathy (7.14% vs. 0 %, P <0.05, OR= 0), however no other studied alleles seem to have any effect (all P>0.05). Haplotype analysis also does not reveal any significant association, however, A*02-B*18-DRB1*03-DQA1*05- DQB1*03 haplotype shows a tendency to be associated with the development of diabetic nephropathy (P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest a protective effect of HLA B*51 allele from type 1 diabetic nephropathy. However, further studies are required in order to clarify its potential implication as a protective marker.

Functional polymorphisms of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 gene and Pott's disease risk.

OBJECTIVE: Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2), a key player in immune-mediated responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is encoded by a polymorphic gene. Functionally relevant polymorphic variations in the MCP-1 gene have been associated with both susceptibility to and protection against tuberculosis-related disorders. Here, we investigated the potential impact of some of these polymorphisms on Pott's disease risk in a patient cohort from Algeria. METHODS: DNA from 132 Algerian patients with exclusive Pott's disease and 204 healthy controls, included under a case-control design, were analyzed for the MCP1 -2518A/G (rs1024611), -362G/C (rs2857656) and int1del554-567 (rs3917887) polymorphisms. PHASE software was used for haplotype reconstruction. Genetic associations were examined using chi-square tests. RESULTS: We found that the rs1024611 -2518 GG, rs2857656 -362 CC and rs3917887 int1del554-567 del/del homozygous genotypes each were significantly more prevalent in patients than in controls (respective corrected p value [Pc]=0.01, 0.04 and 0.04) Haplotype distribution profile further confirmed this, as the homozygous combination of GCdel haplotype was also found with raised susceptibility to Pott's disease (Pc=0.03). CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm and replicate the recent data from China (which dealt essentially with rs1024611 and rs2857656) and also reinforce them by providing trans-ethnic evidence and extending the genetic association to the rs3917887.

HLA Polymorphism in Algerian Children With Lymphomas.

BACKGROUND: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) are the 2 types of lymphoma that represent the third most common childhood malignancy. Multiple etiological factors are involved in lymphoma pathogenesis, including viral infection, immune deficiencies, environmental agents, and genetic factors. Strong arguments supporting a genetic linkage between the susceptibility to lymphomas and human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are reported and give an idea about susceptibility or protection from the disease. METHODS: Seventy-one cases were included in this study: 36 cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and 35 patients with Hodgkin lymphoma. Their ages ranged from 4 to 18 years. The control group consisted of 70 unrelated healthy individuals, with a mean age of 5 to 17 years. The genotype of HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-DR, and HLA-DQ alleles was typed by means of PCR sequence-specific priming. RESULTS: HLA-B*18, HLA-DRB1*03, *07, and HLA-DQB1*02 were significantly increased in patients with lymphomas when compared with controls, whereas HLA-DRB1*13 and DQB1*03 were significantly decreased when compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that HLA-B*18, DRB1*03, *07, and DQB1*02 may contribute to lymphoma susceptibility, whereas HLA-DRB1*13 and DQB1*03 may confer protection to lymphoma in the Algerian population.