Epidemiological profile and performance of triage decision-making process of COVID-19 suspected cases in southern Tunisia.

INTRODUCTION: During an epidemic, screening processes can play a crucial role in limiting the spread of the infection. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological profile of COVID-19 suspected cases and to evaluate the performance of the triage process in predicting COVID-19 in Southern Tunisia. METHODS: It was a prospective study including all patients consulting to the Hedi Chaker University Hospital departments from March to June 2020. A clinical triage score (CTS) was used to assess the risk of the infection and to refer patients to the appropriate part of the facility accordingly. RESULTS: Overall, 862 patients were enrolled, among whom 505 patients (58.6%) were classified as suspected cases (CTS ≥4). Of these, 46.9% (n = 237) were of mild form. Samples were collected from 215 patients (24.9%), among whom five were COVID-19 positive, representing a positive rate of 2.3%. The in-hospital cumulative incidence rate of COVID-19 was 580/100000 patients. The total daily incidence decreased significantly during the study period (p < 0.001, chi-square for linear trend = 25.6). At a cut-off of four, the CTS had a sensitivity of 40%, a specificity of 32.4%, and negative and positive predictive values of 95.8% and 1.4%, respectively. DISCUSSION: Although the triage process based on the CTS was not as performant as the RT-PCR, it was crucial to interrupt virus spread among hospitalized patients in "COVID-19-free departments".

[Acute osteomyelitis caused by community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in children: about 15 cases]. / L´ostéomyélite aiguë à Staphylocoque aureus résistant à la méthicilline d´origine communautaire chez l´enfant: à propos de 15 cas.

The treatment of acute osteomyelitis is becoming more challenging since the emergence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. We collected data on all patients with acute osteomyelitis caused by this germ over a period of 21 years (January 1995-December 2016) and we analyzed the peculiarities of this disorder. Our case series includes 15 children, with an average age of 9 years. All patients had affected lower limb. Local trauma was reported in 8 cases and skin carriage in 4 cases. Acute onset was reported in 12 cases associated with pseudo-paralysis of the affected limb. One patient had Staphylococcus aureus pulmonary infection with signs of septicopyemia. Blood culture was positive in 8 cases. In one case PCR assay for detection of Panton-Valentine leukocidin was performed with positive result. All these patients underwent surgical debridement and received secondarily adapted empirical antibiotic therapy. Outcome was good in 8 cases and poor in the other cases, with transition to a chronic state in 6 cases and one case of death. Pathological fracture was reported in 3 cases. Osteomyelitis cause by community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is associated with a pejorative outcome. Recognizing the clinical and paraclinical signs of these infections is essential for a specific and early therapeutic management.

Prevalence, chronological trends and predictors of treatment outcomes among patients with tuberculosis in Southern Tunisia across two decades (1995-2016).

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis (TB) is a communicable disease common worldwide. Influencing factors in TB outcomes include socio-demographics, as well as disease-related and treatment-related factors. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence trends of unsuccessful treatment outcomes in Southern Tunisia during 1995-2016 and to identify their risk factors. METHODS: This was a retrospective study including all notified cases from the tuberculosis center reporting registers in Southern Tunisia between 1995 and 2016. RESULTS: Overall, 2771 TB cases were notified. Unsuccessful treatment outcomes were noted in 196 cases (7%). Unsuccessful treatment outcome was associated with male gender (OR=1.4; p=0.023), elderly status (≥60 years, OR=2.3; p<0.001), joints and bones site (OR=2.2; p=0.002) as well as meningeal involvement (OR=2.4; p=0.023). Lymph node (OR=0.4; p<0.001) and therapy duration ≥6 months (OR=0.003; p<0.001) were statistically associated with lower rate of unsuccessful outcome. Multivariate regression analysis showed that elderly status (AOR=2.3; p<0.001), meningeal involvement (AOR=2.2; p<0.027) as well as bone and joints involvements (AOR=2; p=0.027) were independently associated with unsuccessful outcome. Trends analysis showed that the case-fatality rate significantly increased from 1995 to 2016 (Rho=0.4; p=0.032). CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of unsuccessful outcome suggested important inadequacies in the TB program. An effective strategy to improve therapeutic education of patients with TB is therefore urgently needed.

Survival of an immuno-competent patient from splenic and gastric mucormycosis-case report and review of the literature.

Mucormycosis is a life-threatening disease responsible for a high mortality rate. The disease usually affects immuno-compromised patients. While all sites might be involved, gastrointestinal disease is rare, occurring for 5% to 13% of all mucormycosis cases. We report herein the fifth case of splenic and gastric mucormycosis revealed after gastric perforation and the first case occurring among an immuno-competent patient, and we review all reported cases of splenic mucormycosis by searching PubMed publications till October 2020. The literature search yielded 27 cases of splenic mucormycosis including our case. The majority of the cases had underlying immuno-compromised conditions, except for 6 cases, including ours. A male predominance was noted (22 cases). Involvement of the spleen and the stomach was rare, occurring among four immuno-compromised patients. The outcome was death in more than half of the cases. Splenic and gastric mucormycosis is a rare disease. The diagnosis of splenic mucormycosis should be considered in front of splenic lesions suggesting abscess or infarction, especially among immuno-compromised patients.

Comparative analysis between tuberculous meningitis and other forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis is a multisystem disease that may affect any organ or tissue. Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most severe form of tuberculosis and commonly affects the brain. We aimed to study the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and evolutionary features of TBM among adults and to compare them with other forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study including all patients hospitalized for extrapulmonary tuberculosis in the infectious disease department in Sfax, Tunisia between 1993 and 2018. We specified the particularities of TBM cases, and we compared them with other extrapulmonary tuberculosis cases. RESULTS: We encountered 78 patients diagnosed with TBM, among 519 patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis (15%). The median age was 36 years (23-50) years. There were 44 females (56.4%). In comparison with other forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, fever [odds ratio (OR)=4.4; p<0.001], asthenia (OR=3.4; p<0.001) and anorexia (OR=2.3; p=0.001) were significantly more frequent in TBM patients. Adverse effects of antitubercular therapy were more frequent among TBM patients (OR=3.1; p<0.001). The mean duration of antitubercular therapy was 15 (12-20) months. Recovery occurred in 66 cases (84.6%), complications in 44 cases (56.4%) and death in 7 cases (9%). Comparison of the disease evolution showed that complications (OR=7.4; p<0.001) and mortality rates (OR=10.7; p<0.001) were significantly more frequent in TBM patients, while recovery was significantly more frequent in other sites of extrapulmonary tuberculosis patients (OR=0.5; p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In our country, TBM remains a disabling disease. Despite antitubercular therapy, the prognosis was more severe with the occurrence of not only complications but also a high mortality rate in comparison with other forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. When clinical and laboratory features suggest the diagnosis of TBM, clinicians should look for tuberculosis elsewhere in the body.

Breast tuberculosis: a diagnosis not to be forgotten

Objective: To study the clinical characteristics and imaging features of breast tuberculosis (TB) and to describe treatment. Material and Methods: A retrospective study including all patients hospitalized in the infectious diseases department for breast TB between 1997 and 2018. Results: Twenty-two women, with a mean age of 39±12 years, were identified. In total, 18 patients were multiparous (81.8%). Both lump and mastalgia were the presenting symptoms in 19 cases (86.3%). Ipsilateral axillary lymphadenopathy was noted in 14 cases (63.6%). The most common finding on ultrasound was a well or poorly defined mass lesion, noted in 17 cases (77.2%), followed by fistulous tracts in seven cases (31.8%). Mammography showed focal, asymmetric breast density in 17 cases (89.5%) and diffuse in two cases (10.5%). The diagnosis was confirmed based on the presence of epithelioid cell granulomas and caseous necrosis in 13 cases (59.1%). Patients received antitubercular therapy for a mean duration of 11±5 months. The disease evolution was favorable in 20 cases (91%). There were two relapsing cases (9%). Conclusion: Breast TB should be considered in the differential diagnosis of young patients presenting with palpable lump with axillary lymphadenopathy, especially in endemic regions. The diagnosis confirmation usually requires an excision biopsy providing histological or bacteriological evidence.

Tuberculous and Brucellar Spondylodiscitis: Comparative Analysis of Clinical, Laboratory, and Radiological Features.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective study. PURPOSE: The aim was to compare the clinical, laboratory, radiological, and evolutionary features of tuberculous spondylodiscitis (TS) and brucellar spondylodiscitis (BS). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Clinical presentation of spondylodiscitis varies according to the underlying etiology, among which brucellosis and tuberculosis represent the primary cause, in endemic countries. Only a few studies have compared the characteristics between TS and BS. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using the data of all patients hospitalized for TS and BS in the infectious diseases department between 1991 and 2018. RESULTS: Among a total of 117 patients, 73 had TS (62.4%) and 44 had BS (37.6%). Females were significantly more affected with TS than males (56.2% vs. 22.7%, p<0.001). Fever (72.7% vs. 45.2%, p=0.004) and sweating (72.7% vs. 47.9%, p=0.009) were significantly more frequent among patients with BS. The median erythrocyte sedimentation rate was significantly higher in the TS group (median, 70 mm/hr; interquartile range [IQR], 45-103 mm/hr) than in the BS group (median, 50 mm/hr; IQR, 16-75 mm/hr) (p=0.003). Thoracic involvement was significantly more frequent in the TS group (53.4% vs. 34.1%, p=0.04), whereas lumbar involvement was significantly more frequent in the BS group (72.7% vs. 49.3%, p=0.01). Initial imaging findings revealed significantly higher frequencies of posterior vertebral arch involvement, vertebral compaction, and spinal cord compression in the TS group. Percutaneous abscess drainage (20.5% vs. 2.3%, p=0.005) and surgical treatment (17.8% vs. 2.3%, p=0.01) were more frequently indicated in the TS group, with a significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of clinical, laboratory, and radiological features can be used to distinguish between TS and BS while these patients await diagnosis confirmation.

[Tuberculous bursitis of the shoulder in a patient with chronic renal insufficiency: about a case]. / Bursite tuberculeuse de l'épaule chez une insuffisante rénale chronique: à propos d'un cas.

Tuberculosis of the shoulder is rare. It encompasses all articular and periarticular tuberculouses of the shoulder. Its insidious evolution, mimicking inflammatory and degenerative diseases, reflects the frequency of its diagnostic delay. We report a rare case of tuberculous bursitis of the shoulder in a woman living in rural areas, with renal insufficiency and treated for peritoneal TB and psoas. The anamnesis revealed signs of tuberculous impregnation. Clinical examination showed painful swelling of the shoulder associated with stiffness. MRI of the shoulder objectified infectious bursal disease. Its tuberculous origin was confirmed by the histological examination of ultrasound-guided synovial biopsy. The patient underwent TB treatment with good outcome. At 9-year follow-up, the patient had satisfactory articular function with no recurrence of infectious disease.

Acute pancreatitis as initial manifestation of adult Henoch-Schönlein purpura: report of a case and review of literature.

Abdominal pain observed in Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is usually attributed to edema and hemorrhage in the small bowel wall, secondary to a small-vessel vasculitis. Pancreatitis secondary to HSP is extremely rare. Here we report a 53-year-old man presented with acute pancreatitis that developed into characteristic rashes seen during HSP at the second day of the clinical onset, together with arthritis and glomerulonephritis. HSP is a rare and benign cause of acute pancreatitis. This complication can occur as an initial manifestation of HSP. Elevated serum amylase level can be considered as the early diagnostic tool for HSP pancreatitis. The patients with HSP who have abdominal pain as their chief complaint should be evaluated for pancreatitis, by routine serum amylase and abdominal computed tomography scan, to plan the specific treatment and avoid unnecessary surgery.

Infective endocarditis in hemodialysis patients: clinical features, echocardiographic data and outcome: a 10-year descriptive analysis.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a dreaded complication in hemodialysis (HD) patients and is strongly associated with morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to investigate clinical and echocardiographic characteristics, microbiological profile, management and outcome of patients on HD in a Tunisian (Tunisia, North Africa) high-volume tertiary-care centre. METHODS: Among 182 patients who fulfilled the modified Duke criteria for infective endocarditis between January 1997 and December 2006, 16 were on chronic HD and were included in the study. RESULTS: Mean age was 52.5 +/- 22.3 years, ten were male and arteriovenous fistulas were the most commonly used access sites (12 out of 16 cases). Average duration of dialysis was 27.3 +/- 30 months. Major causative organisms were Staphylococcus species (including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) in 11 (68.7%) of the 16 cases. The mitral valve was the most commonly affected [9 patients out of 16 (56.2%)], followed by aortic valve in 4 cases (25.0%) and tricuspid valve in 1 case (6.2%). Complications were frequent, including congestive heart failure (56.2%), secondary septic localisations (31.2%), arterial emboli (18.7%), and cerebral haemorrhage (6.2%). Five patients underwent surgery and seven died during hospitalization (43.7% mortality rate). No recurrences of IE were recorded in the nine survivors after average 21.7 +/- 17.3 months follow-up. CONCLUSION: In this largest reported confirmed IE series in dialysis patients in a developing country, mortality was very high; mitral valve was the most commonly affected valve. Staphylococcus species were the major causative organisms.

Rickettsia felis infection, Tunisia.

We report, for the first time, serologic evidence of Rickettsia felis and R. aeschlimannii infections acquired in Tunisia from 1998 to 2003. We found that most patients with antibodies against both R. conorii and R. typhi had serologic evidence of R. felis infection.