Utility of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube assay for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in Moroccan children.

SETTING: The utility of interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs), such as the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) test, in diagnosing active tuberculosis (TB) in children is unclear and depends on the epidemiological setting. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of QFT-GIT for TB diagnosis in children living in Morocco, an intermediate TB incidence country with high bacille Calmette-Gurin vaccination coverage. DESIGN: We prospectively recruited 109 Moroccan children hospitalised for clinically suspected TB, all of whom were tested using QFT-GIT. RESULTS: For 81 of the 109 children, the final diagnosis was TB. The remaining 28 children did not have TB. QFT-GIT had a sensitivity of 66% (95%CI 5277) for the diagnosis of TB, and a specificity of 100% (95%CI 88100). The tuberculin skin test (TST) had lower sensitivity, at 46% (95%CI 3360), and its concordance with QFT-GIT was limited (69%). Combining QFT-GIT and TST results increased sensitivity to 83% (95%CI 6992). CONCLUSION: In epidemiological settings such as those found in Morocco, QFT-GIT is more sensitive than the TST for active TB diagnosis in children. Combining the TST and QFT-GIT would be useful for the diagnosis of active TB in children, in combination with clinical, radiological and laboratory data.

Factors related to unstained areas in whole ewe ovaries perfused with a metabolic marker.

STUDY QUESTION: What factors are associated with the presence of areas unexposed to the perfusate after whole ovary perfusion? SUMMARY ANSWER: Over half the ovaries perfused with the metabolic marker methylthiazolyl blue tetrazolium (MTT) were incompletely stained. Incomplete staining was statistically significantly associated with a small ovarian slice surface area, inexperience of the experimenter, and the presence of a corpus luteum. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Whole ovary cryopreservation followed by vascular auto-transplantation has provided poor outcomes as an alternative way to safeguard fertility. Perfusion, commonly used to expose the ovaries to cryoprotectants, may miss areas excluded from the vascular network, explaining subsequent poor ovarian functionality. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: An observational study of 360 ewe ovaries stained by in vitro perfusion with MTT as a qualitative marker of tissue blood supply was performed. A logistic regression model was built to identify factors associated with incomplete ovary staining. MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Whole ewe ovaries with their vascular pedicles were perfused at 0.35 ml/min with 1 g/l MTT for 2 h at 39°C under 19 experimental conditions. The pedicles were removed and the ovaries cut in half sagittally and photographed. The unstained area of the slice surface was measured. Times from ovary collection to ovary rinsing and to MTT perfusion initiation, ovary weight and slice surface area, presence of a corpus luteum and operator experience (number of ovaries previously perfused) were recorded. Pedicle MTT staining was quantified at 564 nm after solubilization in alcohol. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Unstained areas were observed in 64.4% of the ovaries. Multivariate analysis found that incomplete ovary staining was independently associated with lower experimenter experience (P < 0.02), smaller ovary slice surface area (P < 0.0001) and presence of a corpus luteum (P < 0.01). The presence of unstained areas was independent from experimental conditions. The rate of incomplete ovary staining decreased from 83 to 60% beyond the 80th perfused ovary (P < 0.0001). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Descriptive study. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Blood-supply impairments that result in incomplete perfusion might adversely affect outcomes after whole ovary cryopreservation. Improved perfusion techniques should enhance success.

[Ovarian stimulation monitoring: past, present and perspectives]. / Le monitorage de l'ovulation : passé, présent et perspectives.

Since the inception of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), knowing the moment of ovulation has always been a priority. Initially, the monitoring was accomplished by observing the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge just before ovulation. Currently, in all ART facilities, the monitoring of all stimulated ovulatory cycles is done by using the conventional two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound to measure follicle diameter and by drawing blood tests that measure estradiol, progesterone, and luteinizing hormone levels. These exams allow determination of the numbers and quality of growing ovarian follicles and evaluation of follicle maturity before choosing the appropriate time for ovulation triggering. The monitoring of ovulatory cycles has now become enhanced with the arrival of new software called SonoAVC. This software allows the utilization of 3D blocks to immediately calculate the total number and volume of the follicles inside the ovary. This automatic approach is faster, precise, and more efficient. It also has better reproducibility than the classical 2D diameters. Furthermore, certain ART professionals envision that by using the SonoVac technology, patients will no longer need to be monitored with regular ultrasounds and with systematic hormonal testing.

[Management of malignant vulvar tumors]. / Prise en charge des tumeurs malignes de la vulve.

BACKGROUND: Vulva anatomy--FIGO classification--Vulva tumors anatomopathology--Tretments of vulva cancers. METHODS: Our stady is a retrospective, longitudinal and continuous one. It concerns 11 malignant vulva tumors whith were treated in the département "C" of the centre of maternity of Tunis. The period of stady is fifty four months (2002-2006). AIM: The aim of our study is to analyse the charactéristics of the vulva cancer and to compare our results to littérature. RESULTS: Mean age of our patients is 67 years old. They are all menaused. The principal signs are vulva tuméfaction in 72.7% of the cases, vulva prurit in 27.3% of the cases and genital bleeding in 27.3% of the cases. The mean period of consultation is of 14 months. We have ten cases of vulvar epidermoid carcinoma and one melanoma. The treatment was surgical in the eleven cases (10 total vulvectomy and one hemivulvectomy) They all benefited of an inguinal bilateral curage. The adjuvant radiotérapie was indicated in 3 cases. A patient was classed stage Ib of FIGO, 7 stage II, one stage III and one stage IVa. Nine patients are in remission, 3 are dead: 2 because of their cancer and one due to a pulmonar embolism. The survival of 6 month is 72.2%. CONCLUSION: The prevention of this cancer passes by the close follow of dystrophic states and viral pathologies of the vulva.

[Trypan blue capsule staining for phacoemulsification in white cataract]. / Phacoémulsification des cataractes blanches en utilisant le bleu trypan.

OBJECTIVE: To study the results of phacoemulsification in eyes with white cataract using trypan blue for capsule staining. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients who had white cataract were included in this prospective study. They had phacoemulsification and continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis using trypan blue. Intraoperative problems related to capsulorhexis and phacoemulsification as well as postoperative outcomes where analyzed. Postoperative examinations were done at 1 day, 1 week, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The mean follow-up was 10 months. RESULTS: Complet capsulorhexis was achieved in 26 cases. Intraoperative complications included incomplet capsulorhexis in four cases (13.3%) and conversion to a conventional extraction technique in two cases. There were no cases of posterior capsular tear. Twenty-eight eyes (93.3%) had a final best corrected visual acuity at 8/10 or better. Postoperative complications included moderate transient corneal edema in six cases (20%) and iritis in three cases (10%). There were no complications related to the use of trypan blue. CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification using trypan blue was safe and effective in managing white cataract and had a high success rate.

[Subperiosteal hematoma in delivery]. / L'hématome sous-périosté de l'orbite au cours de l'accouchement.

Spontaneous subperiosteal hematoma of the orbit is uncommon and only five cases have been reported in literature. The aim is to report a new case of this exceptional complication of labour and delivery. A 28-year-old woman developed immediately after delivery exophthalmia, chemosis and diplopia. CT scan showed a subperiosteal hematoma of the orbit. Spontaneous evolution was good. For her second pregnancy, caesarean section was decided because of the risk of recurrence. Since no etiology is found, venous hyperpression occurring during labor could be the lone origin.