[Molecular diagnosis by real-time PCR of Leishmania isolated from the Phlebotomus vector]. / Diagnostic moléculaire par PCR en temps réel des leishmanies isolées à partir du vecteur (Phlebotomus).

The authors report the demonstration of Leishmania in the tissue of Phlebotomus samples captured in the region of Constantine in 2010. The four species that could be identified were: Phlebotomus larroussius, P. perfiliewi, P. longicuspis, and Sergentomyia minuta.

[Demonstration of the Leishmanicidal activity of Stachys guyoniana against Leishmania major in eastern Algeria]. / Mise en évidence de l'activité antileishmanienne de Stachys guyoniana contre Leishmania major dans l'Est algérien.

The authors report the results of the assessment of the Leishmanicidal activity of a plant species of the Lamiaceae family, Stachys guyoniana. This in vitro study used the species endemic in Algeria, Leishmania major. Both the butanolic and ethyl acetate extracts showed strong activity against this strain.

[Utility of real-time PCR for the diagnosis of infantile visceral leishmaniasis in Algeria]. / Contribution de la PCR en temps réel au diagnostic de la leishmaniose viscérale infantile en Algérie.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a parasitic disease and serious public health problem. The most severe form of all leishmaniases, it is fatal if untreated. Currently, it affects close to 540 people per year in Algeria, mainly in Kabylie, where it is fatal in 6% of all cases. This disease primarily affects children. Its diagnosis is based principally on visualization of parasites in bone marrow aspirate. Serologic studies are also used to diagnose VL, as is molecular biology, which has been demonstrated to be both faster and more sensitive. The aim of our study was to evaluate the utility of real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the diagnosis of VL in endemic areas. Of the 108 samples analyzed, 32 were positive according to RT-PCR (29.6%); microscopy yielded positive result in 24% and serology in 25.9%. RT-PCR increased the overall number of diagnoses detected from 26 to 32, a 20% improvement over microscopic methods. In view of the lethal consequences of failure to diagnose this disease, any improvement in diagnostic methods provides direct medical benefit.

[Outsourced real-time PCR diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the outbreak region of Constatine, Algeria]. / Diagnostic delocalise par PCR temps réel de la leishmaniose cutanée sévissant dans le foyer de Constantine (Algérie).

Taking into account the re-emergence of leishmaniasis in the world, the geographic variability of its epidemiology and the growing numbers of travellers, a pilot study on the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis was undertaken in Constatine, one of the outbreak regions in eastern Algeria. A total of 143 specimens were collected on blotters and tested by real-time PCR. Results were compared with those of direct examination. Diagnosis was positive for leishmaniasis in 81% of cases using PCR versus 48% of cases using microscopy. Real-time PCR showed a significant quantitative difference between patients for whom microscopic diagnosis was positive and those for whom direct examination was negative. The results presented in this study demonstrated the effectiveness and sensitivity of PCR in the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis from blotter specimens. This technique enabled in-field collection of specimens from each patient and provided prompt results. North-South cooperation based on the use of simple means for transmission of specimens for molecular diagnosis allowed creation of an effective partnership for daily diagnosis and promoted exchange between investigators in preparation for technology transfer.

Diagnostic delocalise par PCR temps reel de la leishmaniose cutanee sevissant dans le foyer de Constantine (Algerie)

Compte tenu de la reemergence de la leishmaniose dans le monde; de la variabilite geographique de l'epidemiologie et de l'augmentation du nombre de voyageurs; une etude pilote sur le diagnostic de la leishmaniose cutanee a ete realisee a Constantine; l'un des foyers de l'est-algerien. 143 prelevements ont ete recoltes sur buvards et testes par PCR en temps reel et les resultats compares a ceux de l'examen direct. Le diagnostic de leishmaniose par PCR a ete positif dans 81des cas pour la PCR contre 48pour la microscopie. La PCR en temps reel a montre une difference quantitative significative entre les patients pour lesquels le diagnostic microscopique a ete positif et ceux dont l'examen direct a ete negatif. Les resultats presentes dans cette etude ont montre l'efficacite et la sensibilite de la PCR dans le diagnostic de la leishmaniose cutanee a partir des buvards. Avec cette technique; il a ete possible de realiser sur place un prelevement a chaque malade et d'obtenir des resultats dans un delai court. Une collabo ration Nord-Sud basee sur l'utilisation de moyens simples de transmission des echantillons pour le diagnostic moleculaire a permis de creer un partenariat efficace en terme de diagnostic quotidien et de favoriser ainsi l'echange de chercheurs afin de preparer le transfert de technologie