Genomic stability prevails in North-African hepatocellular carcinomas.

The molecular pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma, a tumour characterized by a vast clinical heterogeneity, remains unexplored outside Europe and Eastern Asia. We analysed by direct sequencing or loss of heterozygosity assay, the common targets of genomic alterations in 42 hepatocellular carcinomas collected in western North-Africa. Overall, genomic instability was uncommon, allelic losses affecting mostly chromosomes 1p, 4q, 8p and 17p (24-28% of cases). CTNNB1 and TP53 were infrequently mutated (9 and 17% of cases, respectively). Surprisingly, TP53 mutation R249S, diagnostic of aflatoxin B1 exposure, usually frequent in Africa, was exceptional (one case), indicating that in western North-Africa, hepatocellular carcinoma genetics differs markedly from that of the remainder of the continent.

Reemerging threat of epidemic typhus in Algeria.

We report a case of epidemic typhus in a patient from the Batna region of Algeria, who presented with generalized febrile exanthema. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by serological cross-adsorption followed by Western blotting. Our report emphasizes the threat of epidemic typhus in the highlands of Algeria.

[In vitro activity of trovafloxacin (CP-99,219) against 434 bacterial strains: comparative study with other fluoroquinolones]. / Activité in-vitro de la trovafloxacine (CP-99,219) vis à vis de 434 souches bactériennes: étude comparative avec d'autres fluoroquinolones.

We have evaluated the activity of a new fluoroquinolone, trovafloxacin (CP-99,219), against 434 strains; 24 of them are resistant to ciprofloxacin. Against gram-negative bacteria, trovafloxacin has the same activity as the others fluoroquinolones. Against gram-positive bacteria, this antibiotic agent is very active. (MIC = 0.016 to 0.5 microgram/ml); Streptococcus is the most sensitive species. The ciprofloxacin resistant strains are also resistant to trovafloxacin.