Prediction improvement of potential PV production pattern, imagery satellite-based.

The results obtained by using an existing model to estimate global solar radiation (GHI) in three different locations in Tunisia. These data are compared with GHI meteorological measurements and PV_Gis satellite imagery estimation. Some statistical indicators (R, R2, MPE, AMPE, MBE, AMBE and RMSE) have been used to measure the performance of the used model. Correlation coefficient for the different stations was close to 1.0. The meteorology and satellite determination coefficient (R2) were also near 1.0 except in the case of Nabeul station in which the meteorology measurements (R) were equals to 0.5848 because of the loss of data in this location due to meteorological conditions. This numerical model provides the best performance according to statistical results in different locations; therefore, this model can be used to estimate global solar radiation in Tunisia. The R square values are used as a statistical indicator to demonstrate that the model's results are compatible with those of meteorology with a percentage of error less than 10%.

Multiresistance and endemic status of acinetobacter baumannii associated with nosocomial infections in a tunisian hospital: a critical situation in the intensive care units

Acinetobacter baumannii is often implicated in hospital outbreaks in Tunisia. It's a significant opportunistic pathogen associated with serious underlying diseases such as pneumoniae, meningitis and urinary tract infections. The aim of our study was to evaluate its degree of endemicity and its antibiotic resistance evolution essentially in the unit care where its isolation was predominant (57 percent). This study used 3 methods: antibiotyping, RAPD using 2 primers VIL 1, VIL5 and PFGE with ApaI restriction enzyme. The presence of integron1 and 2 was also studied. Antibiotyping showed that 92 percent of patients were resistant of all ß- lactams (except Imipenem) and that the resistance to Imipenem occurred in 47 percent of cases. RAPD profiles obtained with the 2 arbitrarily primers VIL1 and VIL5 gave respectively 5 and 4groups and PFGE fingerprinting patterns revealed 22 different pulsotypes. Integron 1 was present in 25 percent of unrelated strains and type 2 integron was not detected in any of the studied strains. Among 204 strains, multiple and heterogeneous groups were detected with the genomic studies. In addition, any correlation was obtained with the antibiotyping results. These findings demonstrate the endemic status of A. baumannii in our hospital and the persistence of a large number of multiresistant strains in the unit's care. When outbreaks of A. baumannii occur, it's essential to develop restricted hygiene procedures and a serious surveillance of critical units such as ICU for very ill patients.

[Prevalence of hepatitis G, B and C virus infections among positive HIV population in a Tunisian Hospital, La Rabta, Tunis]. / Prévalence de l'hépatite G et des hépatites virales B et C dans la population VIH (+) de l'hôpital La Rabta, Tunis, Tunisie.

OBJECTIVE: The viral hepatitis G and HIV coinfection has been largely treated in the litterature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the coinfection rate in our hospital and to compare the HGV frequency to other hepatitis viruses (B and C) in positive HIV subjects at the Rabta hospital in Tunis, Tunisia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The studied population included 125 HIV positives patients from the infectious diseases unit. The detection of the hepatitis B and C was carried out using serologic test (Elisa-Biorad). The molecular detection of the HGV was realized by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The prevalence of serological markers of hepatitis B (antibodies and/or antigens) and C (antibodies) was respectively 32.25% and 26.4%. HGV RNA was detected in 36.8% of the studied population. The unprotected intercourse was the predominant risk factor of the HGV contamination. Among the HGV (+) patients, 28.2% were carriers of the hepatitis C antibodies (anti-HCV). CONCLUSION: This work was the first study enabling to assess the coinfection rate of viral hepatitis B, C and G with HIV patients (+) in Rabta Hospital. The regular screening of HGV is recommended regarding its high frequency and the possibility of its pathogenic role.

Multiresistance and endemic status of acinetobacter baumannii associated with nosocomial infections in a tunisian hospital: a critical situation in the intensive care units.

Acinetobacter baumannii is often implicated in hospital outbreaks in Tunisia. It's a significant opportunistic pathogen associated with serious underlying diseases such as pneumoniae, meningitis and urinary tract infections. The aim of our study was to evaluate its degree of endemicity and its antibiotic resistance evolution essentially in the unit care where its isolation was predominant (57%). This study used 3 methods: antibiotyping, RAPD using 2 primers VIL 1, VIL5 and PFGE with ApaI restriction enzyme. The presence of integron1 and 2 was also studied. Antibiotyping showed that 92% of patients were resistant of all ß- lactams (except Imipenem) and that the resistance to Imipenem occurred in 47% of cases. RAPD profiles obtained with the 2 arbitrarily primers VIL1 and VIL5 gave respectively 5 and 4groups and PFGE fingerprinting patterns revealed 22 different pulsotypes. Integron 1 was present in 25% of unrelated strains and type 2 integron was not detected in any of the studied strains. Among 204 strains, multiple and heterogeneous groups were detected with the genomic studies. In addition, any correlation was obtained with the antibiotyping results. These findings demonstrate the endemic status of A. baumannii in our hospital and the persistence of a large number of multiresistant strains in the unit's care. When outbreaks of A. baumannii occur, it's essential to develop restricted hygiene procedures and a serious surveillance of critical units such as ICU for very ill patients.

[Predictors of increased cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients in frontline facilities in Sousse, Tunisia]. / Facteurs prédictifs du haut risque cardio-vasculaire chez les patients hypertendus suivis en premiere ligne à Sousse (Tunisie).

We assessed cardiovascular risk factors among 456 hypertensive patients in 7 health centres in Sousse. Cardiovascular risk was estimated according World Health Organization recommendations. Mean age was 65.6 (SD = 9.8) years, male:female sex ratio was 0.18. Cardiovascular risk was not influenced by sex, age or residence. However, patients with longer duration of hypertension and more frequent co-morbidity had a significantly higher cardiovascular risk. In addition 45.9% of patients on monotherapy had high cardiovascular risk compared with 40.6% of those treated with 2 or more drugs (P = 0.02). Non-compliance was not found to be associated with high risk.

Phenotypic and molecular epidemiology of Acinetobacter baumannii strains isolated in Rabta Hospital, Tunisia.

Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is often implicated in hospital outbreaks in Tunisia. It's a significant opportunistic pathogen that is usually associated with serious underlying diseases such as pneumoniae, meningitis and urinary tract infections. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the global state of its endemicity and the antibiotic resistance evolution. The possibility of nosocomial transmission of one or more epidemic strain(s) was investigated by means of 3 methods: biotyping, antibiotyping and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA analysis (RAPD). MIC for imipenem by Ellipsometer-test strip (E-TEST). The presence of metallo-beta-lactamases (MBL) was detected according to the double synergy test of EDTA and imipenem disks. A. baumannii strains were mainly localized in intensive care (52.2%) and surgery units (23.6%). Among 224 strains that were studied, 4 biotypes were delineated with a predominance of biotype1. Resistance to beta-lactams was mostly associated with the production of cephalosporinases and penicilinases (84.3%). 45% of strains were resistant to imipenem which were associated with MBL production. RAPD gave 5 genomic groups. This study demonstrates the epidemic behaviour airborne spread of A. baumannii in hospital wards. The multiresistance was often responsible for failure of antibiotics therapy. The prevention of nosocomial infection and severe hygiene controls must be performed.

[Predictors of increased cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients in frontline facilities in Sousse, Tunisia]

We assessed cardiovascular risk factors among 456 hypertensive patients in 7 health centers in Sousse. Cardiovascular risk was estimated according World Health Organization centres Mean age was 65.6 [SD = 9.8] years, male: female sex ratio was 0.18. Cardiovascular recommendations risk was not influenced by sex, age or residence. However, patients with longer duration of hypertension and more frequent co- morbidity had a significantly higher cardiovascular risk. In addition 45.9% of patients on monotherapy had high cardiovascular risk compared with 40.6% of those treated with 2 or more drugs [P = 0.02]. Non- compliance was not found to be associated with high risk

[The quality of first line management of arterial hypertension in the sanitary region of Sousse]. / La qualité de prise en charge de l'hypertension artérielle en première ligne dans la région sanitaire de Sousse.

The aim of the study is to value determinants of the quality of management of hypertension in structures of primary health care, a medical audit has been achieved on a representative sample of 456 hypertensive patients followed in the sanitary region of Sousse during the year 2002. It takes out again this work that the global quality of management of hypertension in primary health care have been considered satisfactory at only 28,7% of the hypertensive patients. It was statistically differential according to surroundings (farming: 40,5%, urban: 24,9%) and categories of the seniority of follow-up in primary health care (< or = five years: 34,6%, > five years: 23,9%). A survey multi varied by logistical regression controlling the other factors of confusion (kind, seniority of the illness, geographical and financial accessibility) kept these two factors: the farming middle (ORa: 1,97; P = 0,003) and the lower seniority to five years (ORa: 1,64; P = 0,023). So, the hypertensive patients followed in the urban health centres since more that five years should constitute the population targets a program of improvement of the quality of health care dispensed to hypertensive patients in extra hospital structures of health.