Bioecologic aspects of Phlebotomine sandflies in relation to human and canine visceral leishmaniasis in northern Tunisia

In northern Tunisia 29 sandfly collecting places were studied for two years, in five human leishmaniasis foci, seven canine foci and in the nature. Nine species were found among the 4942 specimens collected. P. perniciosus, the well known vector of visceral leishmaniasis and the herpetophile S. minuta parroti were commonest. The sandfly season extended from april to october. P. perniciosus showed a numerical curve with one peak. It occupied various types of shelters in nature and human settlements, but prefer shady and humid shelters. In settlements it is frequently found around dwellings and has been identified in human and canine leishmaniasis foci. The highest sandfly densities and greatest species diversity were noticed in towns, especially in the cracks of the old walls or old inhabited ruins, where rodents as well as the small domestic animals provide a favourable environment for the sandflies. The historical urban ruins are the main biotope of the sandfly vectors. Infantile visceral leishmaniasis occurs during summer when the children sleep in front of the houses or in large, opened rooms exposed to P. perniciosus flies which have bitten infected dogs.

[HLA markers in a Tunisian population]

HLA typing of 100 blood samples was carried out in an unrelated Tunisian population, chosen according to its aptitude in giving blood and therefore, in undergoing a complete medical examination. The results obtained show a strong similarity with those already recorded by H. Betuel and coworkers. Two haplotypes are in linkage disequilibrium; which are found in the Turks and the Sardinians.

[Syndrome of irregular maturation of the endometrium]

Following their study on biopsies in a group of tunisian women the authors insist on the unchanged histologic and clinic characters of the irregular ripening syndrome of the endometrium, as described in 1928. They suggest a mediation by the oncocyte for the use of oestrogens in glandular site.

[Appendicular taeniasis. Report of 3 cases]

The authors point out three cases of appendicular taeniasis disease into an analytical retrospective study of 5,000 appendicectomies. In these 3 cases the parasite does not induce important processes level with the appendix. The localisation of the parasite is very rare.

[Poisonous marine invertebrates on the Tunisian coast. Nature and action of their toxin. Therapeutic and prophylactic methods]

The authors present some eatable benthic Invertebrates like Muricidae and chiefly Mytilidae which could become poisonous under the action of biological et physical and chemical factors of the environment. The symptoms caused by poisonings due to ingestion of contaminated shells are described and therapeutic and prophylactic methods are proposed.

[Note on some venomous marine invertebrates of the Tunisian coast. Nature and action of their venoms and toxins. Therapeutic and prophylactic methods]

The authors give an annotated list of venomous Invertebrates occurring off Tunisian seas. They point out the action of their venom, the injuries about man, and different therapeutic and prophylactic methods. They conclude that the Cnidaria are the most abundant and most dangerous.

[Hypertension secondary to a "renin tumor". One case (author's transl)]

Eleven cases of hypertension secondary to a renal tumour secreting renin have been described in the literature between 1967 and 1978. The authors here report another case which presented with severe hypertension and a cerebrovascular accident in a 30-year-old woman. Intravenous urography and renal arteriography revealed a tumour of the upper pole of the left kidney. Estimation of renin levels in the renal veins demonstrated hypersecretion on the side of the tumour. Tumourectomy was followed by normalisation of blood pressure levels. Histological examination confirmed a diagnosis of a tumour of the juxtaglomerular apparatus.

[Bacterial pollution in the coastal waters of the suburbs north and south of Tunis]

The inshore waters of Northern and Southern suburbs of Tunis are chiefly polluted aroud urban cities. The pollution increases with temperature, men (touristes and bathers), the actions of wind and currentology.

[General facts on mastocytoma in the dog. Apropos of the first Tunisian case]

After anatomo-pathologic, épidemiologic and etiopathogenic description of canine Mast-cell tumor, the authors insist on the importance of this neoplasm in comparative pathology. Such animal model observation can be eventually used both in cancer Research and in allergo-dermatology.

[A case of hermaphroditism in Scyliorhinus stellaris (Linné, 1758) (Pisces, Scyliorhinidae): morphological and histological study]

The authors describe an hermaphrodite Scyliorhinus stellaris with both complete but juvenile male and female genital apparatus.

[Preliminary note on the study of seawater pollution of the Saharan coast of Tunisia]

The study to an analyse of 726 samples of sea water, taken monthly (1977-1978) at 23 stations. At the basis of the data concerning the NPP of total coliformas, 75,5% of the samples point out a clean water for the bathing place, 11,04% = "acceptable" and 9,96% = "dirty". Considering the data about the MPP of fecal coliformas and of fecal streptocques, the sanitary state is reported in 94,23% "clean for the bathing place", 1,77% "acceptable" and 4% dirty.

[A technique of accelerated immunization of animals producing antivenom serum]

A technique of "fast" immunization, for antivenom serum production, is reported. Comparatively to the common technique, this fast method is characterized by more numerous immunizing injections (15 instead of 8) during the two first cycles of immunisation, higher venom doses and the lack of the rest period taking place between the two first cycles of immunization in the common technique. By this fast technique one may obtain a highly efficient anti-venmous serum within 2 1/2 to 3 months whereas the common technique needs 3 1/2 to 4 months to obtain the same results.