Ahlem Djebbi

Phylogenetic Analysis of Hepatitis C Virus Isolates from Tunisian Patients

There is little information on the epidemiology characterisation of HCV isolates in Tunisia. Previous report showed predominance of genotype 1b. In this study, 32 HCV isolates from genotypes 1a (n = 10), 1b (n = 14), 2 (n = 4), 3a (n = 3) and 4 (n = 1) were genotyped by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis on the non-structural 5b (NS5b) region. The isolates originated from 14 patients with chronic hepatitis, 10 haemophiliacs and eight healthy blood donors. NS5b sequence grouping was concordant with previous 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR) genotyping results in 91% of cases. Most of the Tunisian isolates were closely related to the European ones, except for genotype 4 which seems to be related mostly to isolates from Egypt. Isolates from genotype 1a obtained from haemophiliacs showed distinct clustering and nucleic divergence from those obtained from non-haemophiliac patients, this underlines the particular mode of contamination of this group of patients.

Molecular characterization of rabies virus isolated from dogs in Tunisia: Evidence of two phylogenetic variants

In an attempt to explain temporal and geographical rabies incidence fluctuations in Tunisia, a molecular epidemiological study of rabies virus (RV) was carried out. A panel of RV isolates from dogs, collected between 1992 and 2003, from different regions in Tunisia have been analysed by direct sequencing of PCR-amplified products coding for the nucleoprotein gene. New sequences have been compared to prototype sequences of Lyssavirus species and nine lineages of species 1. All Tunisian isolates belonged to species rabies virus and segregated into two rabies lineages geographically distinct: NCS lineage characterizing Northeast, Central and Northern areas of the country and NW lineage more restricted to the North-Western regions. Phylogenetic analyses showed that Tunisian RV clustered most closely to Africa 1a lineage: NCS lineage showed nucleic affiliation with isolates from Algeria and Morocco, whereas, NW lineage shared a strong relationship with Ethiopian and Sudanese strains.

Phylogenetic Analysis and Epidemic History of Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 2 in Tunisia, North Africa

HCV genotype 2 (HCV-2) has a worldwide distribution with prevalence rates that vary from country to country. High genetic diversity and long-term endemicity were suggested in West African countries. A global dispersal of HCV-2 would have occurred during the 20th century, especially in European countries. In Tunisia, genotype 2 was the second prevalent genotype after genotype 1 and most isolates belong to subtypes 2c and 2k. In this study, phylogenetic analyses based on the NS5B genomic sequences of 113 Tunisian HCV isolates from subtypes 2c and 2k were carried out. A Bayesian coalescent-based framework was used to estimate the origin and the spread of these subtypes circulating in Tunisia. Phylogenetic analyses of HCV-2c sequences suggest the absence of country-specific or time-specific variants. In contrast, the phylogenetic grouping of HCV-2k sequences shows the existence of two major genetic clusters that may represent two distinct circulating variants. Coalescent analysis indicated a most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) of Tunisian HCV-2c around 1886 (1869–1902) before the introduction of HCV-2k in 1901 (1867–1931). Our findings suggest that the introduction of HCV-2c in Tunisia is possibly a result of population movements between Tunisia and European population following the French colonization.

Correlation of IFNL4 ss469415590 and IL28B rs12979860 with the hepatitis C virus treatment response among Tunisian patients

A from being an orphanage, Pinnawala, Sri Lanka now is considered as destination for local and international tourists. Out of 88, 5 elephants at Pinnawala had been diagnosed to be having tuberculosis antibodies in their blood possibly due to human elephant interactions. Considering that elephant keepers are at high risk in contacting Tuberclosis (TB), a zoonotic disease, a chest screening program for elephant keepers was held with special emphasis on TB. Preliminary screening was done in February 2017 at Pinnawala, as a mobile chest clinic arranged with Chest Clinic, Kandy in which 121 employees were examined by 3 experienced chest medical officers. They identified one keeper with mMrc score 1. A total of 25 workers including suspected keepers, other workers and veterinary surgeons in Pinnawala who are in close contact with elephants were referred to the chest clinic for further examination. Among such referred individuals, 6 were long time smokers and one keeper had chronic asthma. These individuals were screened under the supervision of a chest consultant, for general respiratory diseases, chest Xrays, Mantoux test and AFB for strongly suspected individuals. Routing chest x-rays and other examinations suggested that all individuals were free from TB and other forms of occupational respiratory diseases. This finding urges a need to question the suspicion in the past of elephant keepers being at high risk to contract TB from elephants in Pinnawela elephant orphanage.