Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the molecular epidemiology of respiratory rhinoviruses and enteroviruses in Tunisia.

Background: Rhinoviruses (RVs) and enteroviruses (EVs) are major causes of respiratory infections. The COVID-19 pandemic, marked by widespread public health interventions, disrupted viral circulation worldwide. This study assessed the impact of the pandemic on the molecular epidemiology and genetic diversity of RV/EVs in Tunisia.

Use of allele-specific qPCR and PCR-RFLP analysis for rapid detection of the SARS-CoV-2 variants in Tunisia: A cheap flexible approach adapted for developing countries.

Monitoring the emergence and propagation of SARS-COV2 variants, especially Omicron variants, remains a major concern in developing countries, including Tunisia. We here report lessons of simple approaches used to track prevalent Omicron variants in the city and district of Sfax, Tunisia, between June 2022 and April 2023. Initially, the screening approach was designed by selecting and verifying key SARS-CoV-2 mutations using publicly available sequencing data.

Reliability of the rapid antigen test for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in Tunisia.

Background: Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The rapid antigen test was developed for testing infection, and it was necessary to assess its performance before widespread use in Tunisia.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a rapid antigen test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal swabs in Tunisia.

Large spontaneous HBV DNA fluctuations and potential usefulness of a single-point measurement of combined HBV DNA and quantitative HBsAg for the exclusion of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B: A prospective Tunisian cohort study.

Background And Study Aim: During the natural course of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB), fluctuations in hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels are often observed, making the classification of patients difficult. We aimed to describe spontaneous short-term HBV DNA level fluctuations and to assess the usefulness of qHBsAg in Tunisian patients with HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection.

Patients And Methods: We included 174 treatment-naive Tunisian patients with HBeAg-negative chronic HBeAg-negative HBV infection.

Significant impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the circulation of respiratory viruses in Tunisia, 2020-2021.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic changed the typical patterns of respiratory infections globally. While SARS-CoV-2 illness exhibited explosive growth since 2020, the activity of other respiratory viruses fell below historical seasonal norms. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of seasonal respiratory viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia.

The Delta variant wave in Tunisia: Genetic diversity, spatio-temporal distribution and evidence of the spread of a divergent AY.122 sub-lineage.

Introduction: The Delta variant posed an increased risk to global public health and rapidly replaced the pre-existent variants worldwide. In this study, the genetic diversity and the spatio-temporal dynamics of 662 SARS-CoV2 genomes obtained during the Delta wave across Tunisia were investigated.

Methods: Viral whole genome and partial S-segment sequencing was performed using Illumina and Sanger platforms, respectively and lineage assignemnt was assessed using Pangolin version 1.

Development of a simple genotyping method based on indel mutations to rapidly screen SARS-CoV-2 circulating variants: Delta, Omicron BA.1 and BA.2.

The high need of rapid and flexible tools that facilitate the identification of circulating SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern (VOCs) remains crucial for public health system monitoring. Here, we develop allele-specific (AS)-qPCR assays targeting three recurrent indel mutations, ΔEF156-157, Ins214EPE and ΔLPP24-26, in spike (S) gene to identify the Delta VOC and the Omicron sublineages BA.1 and BA.

Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 symptomatic reinfection in four healthcare professionals from the same hospital despite the presence of antibodies.

Objectives: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, cases of reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 have been reported, raising additional public health concerns. SARS-CoV-2 reinfection was assessed in healthcare workers (HCWs) in Tunisia because they are at the greatest exposure to infection by different variants.

Methods: We conducted whole-genome sequencing of the viral RNA from clinical specimens collected during the initial infection and the suspected reinfection from 4 HCWs, who were working at the Habib Bourguiba University Hospital (Sfax, Tunisia) and retested positive for SARS-CoV-2 through reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) after recovery from a first infection.

Treatment of chronic hepatitis C with sofosbuvir in a hemodialysis patient: a case report.

The treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in chronic hemodialysis patients remains an issue of great concern for nephrologists. In 2008 the kidney disease improving global outcomes working group suggested the use of pegylated interferon in end stage kidney disease patients treated by dialysis. Since then, series and some clinical trials on different direct-acting antiviral agents have shown better efficacy and tolerance than interferon-based regimens.

Focus on hepatitis C virus genotype distribution in Tunisia prior to elimination: a 16-year retrospective study.

With the introduction of direct-acting antiviral treatment (DAA), Tunisia has committed to achieving the international goal of eliminating viral hepatitis. Because the specific DAA prescribed depends on viral genotype, viral genotyping remains of great importance. The aim of the present study was to outline the trends in the distribution of HCV genotypes from 2002 to 2017 in the Tunisian general population in order to guide authorities towards the most appropriate therapeutic strategies for preventing HCV infection.

The intrathecal polyspecific antiviral immune response (MRZ reaction): A potential cerebrospinal fluid marker for multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

We tested the performance of MRZ-reaction, an intrathecal humoral immune response against-Measles (M), Rubella (R) and Varicella Zoster (Z) viruses, in multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis. The MRZ-reaction was significantly more positive in MS than in non-MS group with a specificity of 91.9%.

Clinical epidemiological and molecular aspects of rubella outbreak with high number of neurological cases, Tunisia 2011-2012.

Background: A large and unusually prolonged rubella outbreak occurred in Tunisia from April 2011 to July 2012 and was characterized by a high number of neurological cases.

Objectives: To describe the outbreak and to perform virus genotyping of isolated virus strains.

Study Design: From January 2011 to December 2012, 5000 sera for serological diagnosis of acute rubella and 31 cerebrospinal fluid from patients with neurological symptoms were tested for the presence of rubella immunoglobulins G and M.