Human cystic echinococcosis: Serological diagnosis by indirect hemagglutination test, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunoelectrophoresis, and immunoblotting in surgically confirmed patients versus cases diagnosed by imaging techniques.

INTRODUCTION: Human cystic echinococcosis (CE) diagnosis is based on imaging findings and serology. Serology is the first-line test followed by imaging tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 268 serum samples from CE patients were included in this study. The serodiagnosis was made simultaneously by indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoblotting test (IB), and immunoelectrophoresis (IEP). RESULTS: In serum samples belonging to surgically confirmed CE patients, we observed a percentage of positivity of 83.7% [77.2%-89.0%] and 80.7% [73.9%-86.4%] for IHA and IgG-ELISA, respectively. IgG-IB was associated with a higher positivity rate than IEP with 81.3% [74.6%-86.9%] and 62.0% [54.2%-69.5%], respectively. IHA and ELISA results were analyzed using cut-off generated by receiver operating curves. The best diagnostic performances were achieved by IHA (cut-off ≥1/128) and ELISA (>1.16 index). Sensitivities reported in patients with suggestive imaging findings and positive Echinococcus IB were 86.2% [78.0%-92.2%], 72.5% [62.8%-80.9%], 49.0% [39.0%-59.1%] for IHA, IgG-ELISA, and IEP, respectively. All tests gave false negative results in the confirmed CE group. Overall, 18.6% of negative results were obtained by IgG-IB test. Cross-reactivities with non-hydatid serum samples were observed in all tests. Only one patient carrying Taenia saginata serum cross-reacted with 8/12 kDa band by IB. We observed specificity at 73% [63.2%-81.4%], 87% [78.8%-92.9%], 99% [94.6%-100.0%], and 99% [94.6%-100.0%] with IHA, IgG-ELISA, IEP, and IgG-IB, respectively. Serology was less sensitive (74%) in lung cysts. Sensitivity was better in liver cysts, especially by IgG-IB (96%).

[Cerebral and pulmonary nocardiosis to Nocardia abscessus in an immunocompetent Algerian patient]. / Nocardiose cérébrale et pulmonaire à Nocardia abscessus chez un patient algérien immunocompétent.

Nocardial brain abscess is often occurring in immunocompromised patients. It is uncommon in immunocompetent individuals. Here, the authors describe a case of cerebral and pulmonary nocardiosis mimicking a metastatic tumor in an apparently health 40-year-old Algerian male. The patient presented multiple brain abscess revealed by inaugural epileptic seizure. He was afebrile and presented with left hemiparesis. Staging imaging showed a nodular lung lesion in the apical segment of the right lower lobe. The patient underwent double craniotomy for resection of the lesion. Culture of the resected specimen isolated Nocardia abscessus. The patient was initially started on intravenous trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and intravenous amikacine. He was switched to oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. He finished seven months of antibiotic therapy with a good clinical response. Imaging revealed reduction in the brain abscess and a complete resolution of the lung lesion. Cotrimoxazole was stopped after twelve months of therapy. After two years, the health status of our patient improves day after day. He is however regularly under medical supervision for control exams.

[Parasitological study of 78 cases of human cystic echinococcosis collected between 2005 to 2012 in Mustapha hospital center of Algiers]. / Étude parasitologique de 78 cas d'échinococcose kystique humaine colligés entre 2005 et 2012 au CHU Mustapha d'Alger.

AIM: The aim of this work is to know the fertility rate of the metacestodes resulting from patients suffering from hydatidosis, the one of protoscoleces's viability and by comparing the results obtained with those found elsewhere. It reports, also, the epidemiological, clinical and diagnostically aspects of the studied patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study has carried on 78 hydatics samples resulting from 78 patients collected between 2005 and 2012 at the laboratory of parasitology of the Mustapha hospital center of Algiers. A questionnaire on the epidemiological context (contact with an animal-host of the cycle, place of residence, presence of family cases reached of hydatidosis and knowledge on the hydatic disease) concerned 69 patients. For each sample, a direct microscopic examination is made with or without vital staining. The presence of protoscoleces made qualified the fertile cyst. Those visualized moving or resistant to eosin at 0.2% are considered viables. Indirect diagnosis is based on the techniques: passive hemagglutination, electrophoresis, Elisa IgG Echinococcus granulosus and immunoblotting IgG "Echinococcus". Molecular analysis is based on PCR and sequencing the partials fragments of two mitochondrial genes with the primers COX1 and ND1. RESULTS: The results obtained show that the surgical frequency of hydatidosis is significant at the young adult and at the child. The epidemiological context associated at the disease is the conjointly presence of a dog and herbivores. The fertility rate of human hydatid cysts is 88.4% and the ones of viability of the protoscoleces is 74.5%. In this series, the serology shows global positivity at 70%. The molecular characterization of five samples identify the species: E. granulosus ss. CONCLUSION: Finally, the viability and fertility rates found here are raised. Sometimes viables protoscoleses are found after use of scolicidal solution. In front of these results, the parasitical treatment is more than necessary in order to minimize the risk of occurred of secondary echinococcosis or the relapses postoperatives.

[Hydatid fertility and protoscolex viability in humans: study of 78 hydatid samples collected between 2005 and 2012 and analyzed at the parasitology laboratory of the Mustapha University Hospital Center of Algiers]. / Fertilité des hydatides et viabilité des protoscolex chez l'homme Étude de soixante-dix-huit échantillons hydatiques collectés entre 2005 et 2012 au laboratoire de parasitologie du CHU Mustapha d'Alger.

An analysis at the Mustapha University Hospital Center of Algiers examined 78 hydatid samples collected between 2005 and 2012 to determine the fertility rate of metacestodes and the viability of protoscolices. The fertility rate of the hydatid cysts in humans was 88.4% and the protoscolex viability rate 74.5%. The fertility and viability rates found here are high, despite the use of scolicides.

[Epidemiological profile of 290 cases of human cystic echinococcosis diagnosed in the Mustapha University Hospital (Algiers) from 2006 to 2011]. / Profil épidémiologique de 290 cas d'échinococcose kystique humaine diagnostiqués au CHU Mustapha d'Alger (2006 à 2011).

THE AIM OF THE STUDY: This study reports a series of 290 cases of hydatidosis confirmed by the surgery and/or the imagery with a positive immuno-diagnosis collected between 1st January 2006 and 31 March 2011 at parasitology-mycology laboratory of hospital university center of Mustapha of Algiers. Our aim is to specify, through the listed cases, the epidemiological aspects of this affection and compared with those obtained in two previous Algerian epidemiological investigations carried out, between 1963-1964 and 1966-1975. PATIENTS AND METHODS: It is a retrospective (2006-2008) and prospective (2008-2011) study. The parasitological diagnosis was carried out by the direct macroscopic and/or microscopic identification of the parasite and indirect diagnosis based on four techniques: passive hemagglutination, Elisa IgG "Echinococcus granulosus", Western Blot IgG "Echinococcus" and electrophoresis. RESULTS: The study shows that this affection is still prerogative of the young adult. It bring out also in this study that the child of school age (ten years), in particular the boy, pays a heavy tribute. At the child, the preferential pulmonary seat of the hydatic disease is not devoid of risk. At adult, this parasitic disease mainly affect the active woman. CONCLUSION: Generally, the epidemiological and clinical characteristics join the endemic countries data and confirmed the row of our country among them. The transmission seems as strong as in the past, in spite of a much better social educational level.

[Study of 71 cases of visceral leishmaniasis diagnosed at the Mustapha University Hospital (Algiers) from 1998 to 2009]. / Étude de 71 cas de leishmaniose viscérale diagnostiqués au CHU Mustapha d'Alger entre 1998 et 2009.

OBJECTIVE: The authors retrospectively studied the epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of 71 cases of visceral leishmaniasis from 1998 to 2009. POPULATION AND METHODS: The diagnosis was made by finding Leishmania amastigotes in bone marrows smears and/or by serology. RESULTS: Most cases occur in winter (35.2%) and in spring (36.6%). The source areas are endemic ones located in the north of Algeria (74.6%) and more rarely arid or semi-arid climate areas (8.4%). 88.7% of patients are children. The sex ratio is 1.53. The clinical characteristics are: fever (77.4%), paleness (43.6%); splenomegaly (83%), hepatomegaly (57.7%). The biological anomalies are: anemia (56.3%), thrombocytopenia (33.8%), and leucopenia (28.1%). N-methylglucamine (Glucantime(®)) was most often prescribed (70.4%). Four deaths (5.6%) were recorded. CONCLUSION: Visceral leishmaniasis remains a pediatric affection but does not spare adults.

[Human infection due to Bertiella sp (cestode: Anoplocephalidae) in a man originating from Yemen in Algeria]. / Infection humaine due à Bertiella sp (cestode: Ano- plocephalidae) observée en Algérie chez un étudiant originaire du Yémen.

Bertiella is a frequent parasite in animals, particularly in nonhuman primates. The infestation occurs in man by accidental ingestion of the intermediate host, an acarus containing the cysticercoid larva of Bertiella studeri or Bertiella mucronata. The diagnosis is based on the morphology of the gravid proglottis and eggs with pyriform embryo which is characteristic of the Anoplocephalinae. Human infection is asymptomatic or can induce minor non specific digestive disturbances and the niclosamide is effective in one single dose. The authors report the first case of human bertiellosis in Algeria in a student originating from Yemen.