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Khemiri H, Mangone I, Gdoura M, Mefteh K, Chouikha A, Fares W, Lorusso A, Ancora M, Pasquale AD, Cammà C, Halima SB, Krichen H, Smaoui H, Boubaker IBB, Bahri O, Touzi H, Sadraoui A, Meddeb Z, Hogga N, Safer M, Alaya NB, Triki H, Haddad-Boubaker S. Dynamic of SARS-CoV-2 variants circulation in Tunisian pediatric population, during successive waves, from March 2020 to September 2022. Virus Res 2024; 344:199353. [PMID: 38490581 PMCID: PMC10966772 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has led to several cases among children. However, limited information is available from North African countries. This study describes the SARS-CoV-2 strains circulating in Tunisian pediatric population during successive waves. A total of 447 complete sequences were obtained from individuals aged from 13 days to 18 years, between March 2020 and September 2022: 369 sequences generated during this study and 78 ones, available in GISAID, previously obtained from Tunisian pediatric patients. These sequences were compared with 354 and 274 ones obtained from Tunisian adults and a global dataset, respectively. The variant circulation dynamics of predominant variants were investigated during the study period using maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis. Among the studied population, adolescents were the predominant age group, comprising 55.26% of cases. Twenty-three lineages were identified; seven of which were not previously reported in Tunisia. Phylogenetic analysis showed a close relationship between the sequences from Tunisian adults and children. The connections of sequences from other countries were variable according to variants: close relationships were observed for Alpha, B1.160 and Omicron variants, while independent Tunisian clusters were observed for Delta and B.1.177 lineages. These findings highlight the pivotal role of children in virus transmission and underscore the impact of vaccination on virus spread. Vaccination of children, with booster doses, may be considered for better management of future emergences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haifa Khemiri
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur, BP74 1002 le Belvédère, Tunis, Tunisia; Laboratory of Virus, Host and Vectors (LR 20 IPT 02), Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
| | - Iolanda Mangone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell' Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo 64100, Italy
| | - Mariem Gdoura
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur, BP74 1002 le Belvédère, Tunis, Tunisia; Laboratory of Virus, Host and Vectors (LR 20 IPT 02), Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Khawla Mefteh
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Bechir Hamza Children's Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Anissa Chouikha
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur, BP74 1002 le Belvédère, Tunis, Tunisia; Laboratory of Virus, Host and Vectors (LR 20 IPT 02), Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Wasfi Fares
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur, BP74 1002 le Belvédère, Tunis, Tunisia; Laboratory of Virus, Host and Vectors (LR 20 IPT 02), Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Alessio Lorusso
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell' Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo 64100, Italy
| | - Massimo Ancora
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell' Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo 64100, Italy
| | - Adriano Di Pasquale
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell' Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo 64100, Italy
| | - Cesare Cammà
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell' Abruzzo e del Molise, Teramo 64100, Italy
| | - Samar Ben Halima
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur, BP74 1002 le Belvédère, Tunis, Tunisia; Laboratory of Virus, Host and Vectors (LR 20 IPT 02), Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Henda Krichen
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur, BP74 1002 le Belvédère, Tunis, Tunisia; Laboratory of Virus, Host and Vectors (LR 20 IPT 02), Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Hanen Smaoui
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Bechir Hamza Children's Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Ilhem Boutiba Ben Boubaker
- Charles Nicolle Hospital, Laboratory of Microbiology, National Reference Lab on AMR Surveillance, Tunis 1006, Tunisia; Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, LR99ES09, Research Laboratory, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1006, Tunisia
| | - Olfa Bahri
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Biochemistry, Aziza Othmana Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Henda Touzi
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur, BP74 1002 le Belvédère, Tunis, Tunisia; Laboratory of Virus, Host and Vectors (LR 20 IPT 02), Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Amel Sadraoui
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur, BP74 1002 le Belvédère, Tunis, Tunisia; Laboratory of Virus, Host and Vectors (LR 20 IPT 02), Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Zina Meddeb
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur, BP74 1002 le Belvédère, Tunis, Tunisia; Laboratory of Virus, Host and Vectors (LR 20 IPT 02), Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Nahed Hogga
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur, BP74 1002 le Belvédère, Tunis, Tunisia; Laboratory of Virus, Host and Vectors (LR 20 IPT 02), Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Mouna Safer
- National Observatory of New and Emergent Diseases, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Nissaf Ben Alaya
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, LR99ES09, Research Laboratory, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1006, Tunisia; National Observatory of New and Emergent Diseases, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Henda Triki
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur, BP74 1002 le Belvédère, Tunis, Tunisia; Laboratory of Virus, Host and Vectors (LR 20 IPT 02), Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia; Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, LR99ES09, Research Laboratory, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1006, Tunisia
| | - Sondes Haddad-Boubaker
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 13 Place Pasteur, BP74 1002 le Belvédère, Tunis, Tunisia; Laboratory of Virus, Host and Vectors (LR 20 IPT 02), Institute Pasteur of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
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Khedhiri M, Chaouch M, Ayouni K, Chouikha A, Gdoura M, Touzi H, Hogga N, Benkahla A, Fares W, Triki H. Development and evaluation of an easy to use real-time reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for clinical diagnosis of West Nile virus. J Clin Virol 2024; 170:105633. [PMID: 38103483 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2023.105633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
West Nile Virus (WNV) causes a serious public health concern in many countries around the world. Virus detection in pathological samples is a key component of WNV infection diagnostic, classically performed by real-time PCR. In outbreak situation, rapid detection of the virus, in peripheral laboratories or at point of care, is crucial to guide decision makers and for the establishment of adequate action plans to prevent virus dissemination. Here, we evaluate a Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) tool for WNV detection. Amplifications were performed comparatively on extracted viral RNA and on crude samples using a classical thermal cycler and a portable device (pebble device). qRT-PCR was used as gold standard and two sets of urine samples (n = 62 and n = 74) were used to evaluate the retained amplification protocols and assess their sensitivity and specificity. RT-LAMP on RNA extracts and crude samples showed a sensitivity of 90 % and 87 %, respectively. The specificity was 100 % for extracts and 97 % for crude samples. Using the device, the RT-LAMP on extracted RNA was comparable to the gold standard results (100 % sensitivity and specificity) and it was a bit lower on crude samples (65 % sensitivity and 94 % specificity). These results show that RT-LAMP is an efficient technique to detect WNV. RT-LAMP provides a rapid, sensitive, high-throughput and portable tool for accurate WNV detection and has potentials to facilitate diagnostic and surveillance efforts both in the laboratory and in the field, especially in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Khedhiri
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory: "Virus, Vector and Host" (LR20IPT02), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia.
| | - Melek Chaouch
- Laboratory of Medical Parasitology, Biotechnology and Biomolecules (LR16IPT06), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Laboratory of BioInformatics, BioMathematics and BioStatistics Laboratory (LR16IPT09), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Kaouther Ayouni
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory: "Virus, Vector and Host" (LR20IPT02), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Anissa Chouikha
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory: "Virus, Vector and Host" (LR20IPT02), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Mariem Gdoura
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory: "Virus, Vector and Host" (LR20IPT02), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Henda Touzi
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory: "Virus, Vector and Host" (LR20IPT02), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Nahed Hogga
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory: "Virus, Vector and Host" (LR20IPT02), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Alia Benkahla
- Laboratory of Medical Parasitology, Biotechnology and Biomolecules (LR16IPT06), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Wasfi Fares
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory: "Virus, Vector and Host" (LR20IPT02), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Henda Triki
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory: "Virus, Vector and Host" (LR20IPT02), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia
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Haddad-Boubaker S, Arbi M, Souiai O, Chouikha A, Fares W, Edington K, Sims S, Camma C, Lorusso A, Diagne MM, Diallo A, Boubaker IBB, Ferjani S, Mastouri M, Mhalla S, Karray H, Gargouri S, Bahri O, Trabelsi A, Kallala O, Hannachi N, Chaabouni Y, Smaoui H, Meftah K, Bouhalila SB, Foughali S, Zribi M, Lamari A, Touzi H, Safer M, Alaya NB, Kahla AB, Gdoura M, Triki H. The Delta variant wave in Tunisia: Genetic diversity, spatio-temporal distribution and evidence of the spread of a divergent AY.122 sub-lineage. Front Public Health 2023; 10:990832. [PMID: 36684874 PMCID: PMC9846204 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.990832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
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 1.2.4 and scorpio version 3.4.X. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses were achieved using IQ-Tree and Beast programs. Results The age distribution of the infected cases showed a large peak between 25 to 50 years. Twelve Delta sub-lineages were detected nation-wide with AY.122 being the predominant variant representing 94.6% of sequences. AY.122 sequences were highly related and shared the amino-acid change ORF1a:A498V, the synonymous mutations 2746T>C, 3037C>T, 8986C>T, 11332A>G in ORF1a and 23683C>T in the S gene with respect to the Wuhan reference genome (NC_045512.2). Spatio-temporal analysis indicates that the larger cities of Nabeul, Tunis and Kairouan constituted epicenters for the AY.122 sub-lineage and subsequent dispersion to the rest of the country. Discussion This study adds more knowledge about the Delta variant and sub-variants distribution worldwide by documenting genomic and epidemiological data from Tunisia, a North African region. Such results may be helpful to the understanding of future COVID-19 waves and variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sondes Haddad-Boubaker
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El-Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Viruses, Hosts and Vectors, Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Marwa Arbi
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El-Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Biomathematics and Biostatistics, Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El-Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Oussema Souiai
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Biomathematics and Biostatistics, Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El-Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Anissa Chouikha
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El-Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Viruses, Hosts and Vectors, Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Wasfi Fares
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El-Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Viruses, Hosts and Vectors, Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Kate Edington
- New Variant Assessment Platform (NVAP), UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sam Sims
- New Variant Assessment Platform (NVAP), UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cesare Camma
- Department of Virology, Instituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale (IZSAM), Teramo, Italy
| | - Alessio Lorusso
- Department of Virology, Instituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise G. Caporale (IZSAM), Teramo, Italy
| | | | - Amadou Diallo
- Department of Virology, Pasteur Institute of Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Ilhem Boutiba Ben Boubaker
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
- Laboratory Research Antimicrobial Resistance, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El-Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Sana Ferjani
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
- Laboratory Research Antimicrobial Resistance, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El-Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Maha Mastouri
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia
- Laboratory Research Laboratoire des Maladies Transmissibles et Substances Biologiquement Actives, Faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Salma Mhalla
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia
- Laboratory Research Laboratoire des Maladies Transmissibles et Substances Biologiquement Actives, Faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Hela Karray
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Habib Bourguiba Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Saba Gargouri
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Habib Bourguiba Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Olfa Bahri
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Biochemistry, Aziza Othmana Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | - Ouafa Kallala
- Laboratory of Virology, Sahloul Hospital of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Naila Hannachi
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Farhat Hached Hospital of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Yassine Chaabouni
- Laboratory of Medical Biology, Ibn El Jazzar Hospital, Kairouan, Tunisia
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Hanen Smaoui
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Microbiology of Children and Immunocompromised, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Bechir Hamza Children's Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Khaoula Meftah
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Microbiology of Children and Immunocompromised, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Bechir Hamza Children's Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Sophia Besbes Bouhalila
- Laboratory of Medical Biology and Blood Bank, Institute Mohamed Kassab d'orthopédie, Manouba, Tunisia
| | - Soumaya Foughali
- Laboratory of Medical Biology, Menzel Bourguiba Hospital, Bizerte, Tunisia
| | - Mariem Zribi
- Laboratory of Microbiology, La Rabta Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Asma Lamari
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El-Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Viruses, Hosts and Vectors, Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Henda Touzi
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El-Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Viruses, Hosts and Vectors, Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Mouna Safer
- National Observatory of New and Emergent Diseases, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Nissaf Ben Alaya
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- National Observatory of New and Emergent Diseases, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Alia Ben Kahla
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Biomathematics and Biostatistics, Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El-Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Mariem Gdoura
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El-Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Viruses, Hosts and Vectors, Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Henda Triki
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles for the EMR, Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El-Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Viruses, Hosts and Vectors, Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institute Pasteur de Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
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4
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Chelbi I, Abdi A, Depaquit J, Fares W, Abbas MAS, Dachraoui K, Zhioua E. Investigation of the Sandfly Fauna of Central Arid Areas and Northern Humid Regions of Tunisia, with Morphological and Molecular Identification of the Recently Established Population of Phlebotomus ( Larroussius) perfiliewi. Insects 2022; 13:insects13111057. [PMID: 36421960 PMCID: PMC9696294 DOI: 10.3390/insects13111057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Based on nucleotide sequences, we re-identified representative samples of Phlebotomus perfiliewi originating from two different biogeographical areas of Tunisia, whose populations had previously been identified based on morphological criteria. A partial region of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene was targeted, and sandfly species was determined by analogy with DNA sequences available in the GenBank database via a BLAST analysis, taking into account the query coverage and percentage identity. The recognized species presents the most substantial homology with the analyzed sequence. The results of the molecular identification showed complete agreement with the morphological identifications, and Phlebotomus perfiliewi is genetically variable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ifhem Chelbi
- Unit of Vector Ecology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, 13 Place Pasteur BP 74, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Amani Abdi
- Unit of Vector Ecology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, 13 Place Pasteur BP 74, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Jérôme Depaquit
- Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, ANSES, SFR Cap Santé, EA4688 ESCAPE–USC «Transmission Vectorielle et Épidémiosurveillance de Maladies Parasitaires (VECPAR)», 51 rue Cognacq-Jay, CEDEX, 51096 Reims, France
| | - Wasfi Fares
- Unit of Vector Ecology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, 13 Place Pasteur BP 74, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, 13 Place Pasteur BP 74, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | - Khalil Dachraoui
- Unit of Vector Ecology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, 13 Place Pasteur BP 74, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Elyes Zhioua
- Unit of Vector Ecology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, 13 Place Pasteur BP 74, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia
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5
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Gdoura M, Abouda I, Mrad M, Ben Dhifallah I, Belaiba Z, Fares W, Chouikha A, Khedhiri M, Layouni K, Touzi H, Sadraoui A, Hammemi W, Meddeb Z, Hogga N, Ben Fadhel S, Haddad-Boubaker S, Triki H. SARS-CoV2 RT-PCR assays: In vitro comparison of 4 WHO approved protocols on clinical specimens and its implications for real laboratory practice through variant emergence. Virol J 2022; 19:54. [PMID: 35346227 PMCID: PMC8959265 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-022-01784-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction RT-PCR testing on nasopharyngeal swabs is a key component in the COVID-19 fighting, provided to use sensitive and specific SARS-CoV2 genome targets. In this study, we aimed to evaluate and to compare 4 widely used WHO approved RT-PCR protocols on real clinical specimens, to decrypt the reasons of the diverging results and to propose recommendations for the choice of the genome targets. Methods 260 nasopharyngeal samples were randomly selected among the samples tested between Week-16, 2020 and week-16 2021, in the Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunisia, one of the referent laboratories of COVID-19 in Tunisia. All samples were tested by Charité, Berlin protocol (singleplex envelop (E) and singleplex RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp)), Hong Kong Universiy, China protocol (singleplex nucleoprotein (N) and singleplex Open reading frame Orf1b), commercial test DAAN Gene® (using the CDC China protocol), (triplex N, Orf1ab with internal control) and Institut Pasteur Paris protocol (IPP) (triplex IP2(nsp9) and IP4 (nsp12) with internal control). For IPP, a selection from samples positive by IP2 but negative with IP4 was re-tested by exactly the same protocol but this time in singleplex. New results were described and analyzed. Results In vitro analysis showed discordant results in 29.2% of cases (76 out of 260). The most discordant protocol is DAAN Gene® due to the false positive late signals with N target. Discordant results between the two protocol’s targets are more frequent when viral load are low (high Ct values). Our results demonstrated that the multiplexing has worsened the sensitivity of the IP4 target. Conclusion We provide concise recommendations for the choice of the genome targets, the interpretation of the results and the alarm signals which makes suspect a gene mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariem Gdoura
- Faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia. .,Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia. .,Research Laboratory « Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health» LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
| | - Imen Abouda
- Faculty of Pharmacy of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.,Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Mehdi Mrad
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Hormonology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Imen Ben Dhifallah
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.,Research Laboratory « Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health» LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Zeineb Belaiba
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.,Research Laboratory « Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health» LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Wasfi Fares
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.,Research Laboratory « Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health» LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Anissa Chouikha
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.,Research Laboratory « Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health» LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Maroua Khedhiri
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.,Research Laboratory « Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health» LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Kaouther Layouni
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.,Research Laboratory « Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health» LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Henda Touzi
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.,Research Laboratory « Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health» LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Amel Sadraoui
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.,Research Laboratory « Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health» LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Walid Hammemi
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.,Research Laboratory « Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health» LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Zina Meddeb
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.,Research Laboratory « Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health» LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Nahed Hogga
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.,Research Laboratory « Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health» LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Sihem Ben Fadhel
- Laboratory of Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics (LR16IPT05), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Sondes Haddad-Boubaker
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.,Research Laboratory « Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health» LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Henda Triki
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.,Research Laboratory « Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health» LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
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6
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Chouikha A, Fares W, Laamari A, Haddad-Boubaker S, Belaiba Z, Ghedira K, Kammoun Rebai W, Ayouni K, Khedhiri M, Ben Halima S, Krichen H, Touzi H, Ben Dhifallah I, Guerfali FZ, Atri C, Azouz S, Khamessi O, Ardhaoui M, Safer M, Ben Alaya N, Guizani I, Kefi R, Gdoura M, Triki H. Molecular Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Tunisia (North Africa) through Several Successive Waves of COVID-19. Viruses 2022; 14:624. [PMID: 35337031 PMCID: PMC8956073 DOI: 10.3390/v14030624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Documenting the circulation dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 variants in different regions of the world is crucial for monitoring virus transmission worldwide and contributing to global efforts towards combating the pandemic. Tunisia has experienced several waves of COVID-19 with a significant number of infections and deaths. The present study provides genetic information on the different lineages of SARS-CoV-2 that circulated in Tunisia over 17 months. Lineages were assigned for 1359 samples using whole-genome sequencing, partial S gene sequencing and variant-specific real-time RT-PCR tests. Forty-eight different lineages of SARS-CoV-2 were identified, including variants of concern (VOCs), variants of interest (VOIs) and variants under monitoring (VUMs), particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, A.27, Zeta and Eta. The first wave, limited to imported and import-related cases, was characterized by a small number of positive samples and lineages. During the second wave, a large number of lineages were detected; the third wave was marked by the predominance of the Alpha VOC, and the fourth wave was characterized by the predominance of the Delta VOC. This study adds new genomic data to the global context of COVID-19, particularly from the North African region, and highlights the importance of the timely molecular characterization of circulating strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anissa Chouikha
- Reasearch Laboratory “Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health”, LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (W.F.); (A.L.); (S.H.-B.); (Z.B.); (K.A.); (M.K.); (H.T.); (I.B.D.); (M.G.); (H.T.)
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (S.B.H.); (H.K.)
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (M.A.); (I.G.)
| | - Wasfi Fares
- Reasearch Laboratory “Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health”, LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (W.F.); (A.L.); (S.H.-B.); (Z.B.); (K.A.); (M.K.); (H.T.); (I.B.D.); (M.G.); (H.T.)
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (S.B.H.); (H.K.)
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (M.A.); (I.G.)
| | - Asma Laamari
- Reasearch Laboratory “Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health”, LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (W.F.); (A.L.); (S.H.-B.); (Z.B.); (K.A.); (M.K.); (H.T.); (I.B.D.); (M.G.); (H.T.)
| | - Sondes Haddad-Boubaker
- Reasearch Laboratory “Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health”, LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (W.F.); (A.L.); (S.H.-B.); (Z.B.); (K.A.); (M.K.); (H.T.); (I.B.D.); (M.G.); (H.T.)
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (S.B.H.); (H.K.)
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (M.A.); (I.G.)
| | - Zeineb Belaiba
- Reasearch Laboratory “Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health”, LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (W.F.); (A.L.); (S.H.-B.); (Z.B.); (K.A.); (M.K.); (H.T.); (I.B.D.); (M.G.); (H.T.)
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (S.B.H.); (H.K.)
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (M.A.); (I.G.)
| | - Kais Ghedira
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Biomathematics and Biostatistics (BIMS), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia;
| | - Wafa Kammoun Rebai
- Laboratory of Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics (LR16IPT05), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia; (W.K.R.); (R.K.)
| | - Kaouther Ayouni
- Reasearch Laboratory “Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health”, LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (W.F.); (A.L.); (S.H.-B.); (Z.B.); (K.A.); (M.K.); (H.T.); (I.B.D.); (M.G.); (H.T.)
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (S.B.H.); (H.K.)
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (M.A.); (I.G.)
| | - Marwa Khedhiri
- Reasearch Laboratory “Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health”, LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (W.F.); (A.L.); (S.H.-B.); (Z.B.); (K.A.); (M.K.); (H.T.); (I.B.D.); (M.G.); (H.T.)
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (S.B.H.); (H.K.)
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (M.A.); (I.G.)
| | - Samar Ben Halima
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (S.B.H.); (H.K.)
| | - Henda Krichen
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (S.B.H.); (H.K.)
| | - Henda Touzi
- Reasearch Laboratory “Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health”, LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (W.F.); (A.L.); (S.H.-B.); (Z.B.); (K.A.); (M.K.); (H.T.); (I.B.D.); (M.G.); (H.T.)
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (S.B.H.); (H.K.)
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (M.A.); (I.G.)
| | - Imen Ben Dhifallah
- Reasearch Laboratory “Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health”, LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (W.F.); (A.L.); (S.H.-B.); (Z.B.); (K.A.); (M.K.); (H.T.); (I.B.D.); (M.G.); (H.T.)
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (S.B.H.); (H.K.)
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (M.A.); (I.G.)
| | - Fatma Z. Guerfali
- Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LTCII) (LR16IPT02), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia; (F.Z.G.); (C.A.)
| | - Chiraz Atri
- Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LTCII) (LR16IPT02), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia; (F.Z.G.); (C.A.)
| | - Saifeddine Azouz
- Genomics Plateform, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia;
| | - Oussema Khamessi
- Laboratoire de Venins et Biomolécules Thérapeutiques (LR16IPT08), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia;
| | - Monia Ardhaoui
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (M.A.); (I.G.)
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology & Experimental Pathology (LR16IPT04), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
| | - Mouna Safer
- National Observatory of New and Emergent Diseases, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (M.S.); (N.B.A.)
| | - Nissaf Ben Alaya
- National Observatory of New and Emergent Diseases, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (M.S.); (N.B.A.)
| | - Ikram Guizani
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (M.A.); (I.G.)
- Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology & Experimental Pathology (LR16IPT04), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
| | - Rym Kefi
- Laboratory of Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics (LR16IPT05), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia; (W.K.R.); (R.K.)
| | - Mariem Gdoura
- Reasearch Laboratory “Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health”, LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (W.F.); (A.L.); (S.H.-B.); (Z.B.); (K.A.); (M.K.); (H.T.); (I.B.D.); (M.G.); (H.T.)
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (S.B.H.); (H.K.)
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (M.A.); (I.G.)
| | - Henda Triki
- Reasearch Laboratory “Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health”, LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (W.F.); (A.L.); (S.H.-B.); (Z.B.); (K.A.); (M.K.); (H.T.); (I.B.D.); (M.G.); (H.T.)
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (S.B.H.); (H.K.)
- Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia; (M.A.); (I.G.)
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Walmsley A, Fares W, Clegg N, Duriez A, Singh M, Thakur P, Al-Mansoori M, Al-Arfi S, Bazuhair M, Baloushi MA, Gohary ME, El-Abd S. High Resolution 3D Electromagnetic Inversion in a Mature Carbonate Field. EAGE GeoTech 2022 First EAGE Workshop on Reservoir Management of Mature Fields 2022. [DOI: 10.3997/2214-4609.20224008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
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8
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Zayani R, Rezig D, Fares W, Marrakchi M, Essafi M, Raouafi N. Multiplexed Magnetofluorescent Bioplatform for the Sensitive Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Viral RNA without Nucleic Acid Amplification. Anal Chem 2021; 93:11225-11232. [PMID: 34338520 PMCID: PMC8353888 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c01950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Rapid and sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus genetic material is of paramount importance to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and lower the death toll. Herein, we report the design of a magnetofluorescent bioplatform for the direct and specific detection of the viral RNA of SARS-CoV-2 in the total RNA extracted from nasopharyngeal swabs of COVID-19-positive patients. A higher fluorescence response was achieved using two capture probes tethered to magnetic beads using a biotin/streptavidin linkage, targeting two specific sites in the ORF1a and S genes. Two horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated reporter sequences, complementary to the loci of the S and N genes, were used to reveal the presence of the viral RNA through the oxidation of o-phenylenediamine to fluorescent 2,3-diaminophenazine. Under optimal conditions, the bioplatform showed high selectivity and sensitivity and was able to detect as low as 0.01 ng of viral RNA (1 × 103 copies/μL) with a linear dynamic range varying from 0.01 to 3.0 ng (1 × 103 to 9 × 107 copies/μL). The bioplatform was also able to discriminate the SARS-CoV-2 RNA from those of other related viruses such as hepatitis C, West Nile, measles, and non-polio viruses. Furthermore, the developed biosensor was validated in 46 clinical samples (36 COVID-19-positive patients and 10 COVID-19-negative subjects, as assessed with the gold standard RT-qPCR method). Both sensitivity and specificity of the developed method reached 100%. Finally, making such a simple and specific method available in the field, at a primary point of care, can better help the detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection in low-resource settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riham Zayani
- Sensors
and Biosensors Group, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry & Electrochemistry
(LR99ES15), Faculty of Science, University
of Tunis El Manar, 2092 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Dorra Rezig
- Laboratory
of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and
Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 1068 Tunis, Tunisia
- Research
Laboratory “Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and
Technological Innovation for a Better Health”, LR20IPT02, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, 1006 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Wasfi Fares
- Laboratory
of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and
Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 1068 Tunis, Tunisia
- Research
Laboratory “Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and
Technological Innovation for a Better Health”, LR20IPT02, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, 1006 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Mouna Marrakchi
- Sensors
and Biosensors Group, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry & Electrochemistry
(LR99ES15), Faculty of Science, University
of Tunis El Manar, 2092 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Makram Essafi
- Laboratory
Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections (LTCII, LR11
IPT02), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Noureddine Raouafi
- Sensors
and Biosensors Group, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry & Electrochemistry
(LR99ES15), Faculty of Science, University
of Tunis El Manar, 2092 Tunis, Tunisia
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9
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Fares W, Chouikha A, Ghedira K, Gdoura M, Rezig D, Boubaker SH, Dhifallah IB, Touzi H, Hammami W, Meddeb Z, Sadraoui A, Hogga N, Abouda I, Kwasiborski A, Hourdel V, Mikaty G, Caro V, Manuguerra JC, Alaya NB, Triki H. Whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of six SARS-CoV-2 strains isolated during COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia, North Africa. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:540. [PMID: 34261445 PMCID: PMC8278182 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07870-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In Tunisia a first SARS-CoV-2 confirmed case was reported in March 03, 2020. Since then, an increase of cases number was observed from either imported or local cases. The aim of this preliminary study was to better understand the molecular epidemiology and genetic variability of SARS-CoV-2 viruses circulating in Tunisia and worldwide. Methods Whole genome sequencing was performed using NGS approach on six SARS. CoV-2 highly positive samples detected during the early phase of the outbreak. Results Full genomes sequences of six Tunisian SARS-CoV-2 strains were obtained from imported and locally transmission cases during the COVID-19 outbreak. Reported sequences were non-identical with 0.1% nucleotide divergence rate and clustered into 6 different clades with worldwide sequences. SNPs results favor the distribution of the reported Tunisian sequences into 3 major genotypes. These SNP mutations are critical for diagnosis and vaccine development. Conclusions These results indicate multiple introductions of the virus in Tunisia and add new genomic data on SARS-CoV-2 at the international level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasfi Fares
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur, University Tunis-El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
| | - Anissa Chouikha
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur, University Tunis-El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Kais Ghedira
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Biomathematics and Biostatistics (BIMS), Institut Pasteur Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Meriam Gdoura
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur, University Tunis-El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Dorra Rezig
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur, University Tunis-El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Sondes Haddad Boubaker
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur, University Tunis-El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Imen Ben Dhifallah
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur, University Tunis-El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Henda Touzi
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur, University Tunis-El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Walid Hammami
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur, University Tunis-El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Zina Meddeb
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur, University Tunis-El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Amel Sadraoui
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur, University Tunis-El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Nahed Hogga
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur, University Tunis-El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Imen Abouda
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur, University Tunis-El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Aurélia Kwasiborski
- Laboratory for Urgent Response to Biological Threats (CIBU), Environment and Infectious Risks (ERI) research and expertise unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Véronique Hourdel
- Laboratory for Urgent Response to Biological Threats (CIBU), Environment and Infectious Risks (ERI) research and expertise unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Guillain Mikaty
- Laboratory for Urgent Response to Biological Threats (CIBU), Environment and Infectious Risks (ERI) research and expertise unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Valérie Caro
- Laboratory for Urgent Response to Biological Threats (CIBU), Environment and Infectious Risks (ERI) research and expertise unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Claude Manuguerra
- Laboratory for Urgent Response to Biological Threats (CIBU), Environment and Infectious Risks (ERI) research and expertise unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Nissaf Ben Alaya
- National Observatory for New and Emerging Diseases, Ministry of Health, Tunis, Tunisia.,Faculty of Medicine, University Tunis-El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Henda Triki
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur, University Tunis-El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.,Faculty of Medicine, University Tunis-El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
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10
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Fares W, Gdoura M, Dhrif H, Touzi H, Hogga N, Hannachi N, Mhalla S, Kacem S, Karray H, Bougatef S, Ben-Alaya N, Triki H. Genetic characterization of West Nile Virus strains during neuroinvasives infection outbreak in Tunisia, 2018. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:2414-2421. [PMID: 33128297 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
West Nile Virus (WNV) is an arbovirus transmitted by mosquito bite involving birds as reservoirs, humans and equines as accidental hosts. Eight distinct lineages (WNV-1 to WNV-8) have been identified: WNV-1 and WNV-2 infect humans and animals, and WNV-3 to WNV-8 have been identified only in vectors. WNV has been implicated in neuroinvasives infections, especially meningitis and encephalitis. Tunisia experienced three epidemics in 1997, 2003 and 2012. Serological studies on humans, equines and birds as well as the detection of the virus in the vector favour a fairly frequent circulation in the country. A new epidemic has been observed in Tunisia between August and November 2018. The obtained sequences of the VWN from Tunisia 2018 grouped in a distinct monophyletic group within the Mediterranean subtype in Cluster 1, with a maximum of 2% nucleotide divergence. These sequences were clearly distinct from the Tunisia 1997, which grouped with sequences mainly from USA in Cluster 2. This work reports the genetic characterization of the Tunisia 2018 strain in comparison with the previously identified strains in Tunisia and worldwide. The epidemic virus Tunisia 2018 was genetically close to the Mediterranean basin and Eastern Europe sequences but distinct from the Tunisia 1997 closely related to the American sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasfi Fares
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Mariem Gdoura
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Haifa Dhrif
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Henda Touzi
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Nahed Hogga
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Naila Hannachi
- Laboratory of Microbiology, CHU Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Salma Mhalla
- Laboratory of Microbiology, CHU Fattouma Bourguiba, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Saoussen Kacem
- Laboratory of Microbiology, CHU Sahloul, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Hela Karray
- Laboratory of Microbiology, CHU Habib Bourguiba, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Souha Bougatef
- National Observatory for New and Emerging Diseases, Ministry of Health, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Nissaf Ben-Alaya
- National Observatory for New and Emerging Diseases, Ministry of Health, Tunis, Tunisia.,Faculty of Medicine, University Tunis-El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Henda Triki
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia.,Faculty of Medicine, University Tunis-El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
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Fares W, Dachraoui K, Cherni S, Barhoumi W, Slimane TB, Younsi H, Zhioua E. Tick-borne encephalitis virus in Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks, Tunisia. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 12:101606. [PMID: 33189912 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the etiologic agent of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and transmitted by Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Europe. The geographical distribution of I. ricinus in the Palearctic region covers also northern Africa, including northwestern Tunisia. While the eco-epidemiology of TBE in Europe is well documented, no data concerning TBEV from northern Africa are available. We investigated whether TBEV is circulating in Tunisia. A total of 877 adult I. ricinus collected from northwestern Tunisia were examined in pools for the presence of TBEV by nRT-PCR. Viral RNA was detected in one pool of three engorged ticks, yielding a minimum infection rate of 0.11 % (1/877). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Tunisian TBEV strain belongs to the European lineage. We report for the first time the presence of TBEV in I. ricinus from northern Africa. Therefore, more studies are needed to assess the public health importance of TBEV in northern Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasfi Fares
- Vector Ecology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | | | - Walid Barhoumi
- Vector Ecology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | - Hend Younsi
- Institut Supérieur des Sciences Biologiques Appliquées, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Elyes Zhioua
- Vector Ecology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia.
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12
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Younsi H, Fares W, Cherni S, Dachraoui K, Barhoumi W, Najjar C, Zhioua E. Ixodes inopinatus and Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) Are Sympatric Ticks in North Africa. J Med Entomol 2020; 57:952-956. [PMID: 31751458 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjz216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, we report the sympatric occurrence of Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Ixodes inopinatus (Estrada-Peña, Nava, and Petney, 2014) in Tunisia. In total, 173 adult Ixodes ticks were collected from four sites (El Jouza, Tamra, Aïn Soltan, and Jbel Zaghouan) between February and April 2017, a period corresponding to the peak of activity of I. ricinus in North Africa. The morphological characters corresponded to both species; thus, we generated a total of 28 16S rRNA sequences and compared them with previously published data in GenBank. The two species were sympatric in Tamra, Aïn Soltan, and El Jouza, whereas collections in Jbel Zaghouan only yielded I. inopinatus. These results indicate that the two taxa are widespread in the humid area of northern Tunisia. The one tick collected in Jbel Zaghouan suggests that the distribution of at least I. inopinatus might extend to the sub-humid area. More studies are needed to fully comprehend the systematic status of the two taxonomic entities using multiple molecular markers and morphological characters; integrating these two identification methods are a necessary step toward a better understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of tick-borne diseases in Tunisia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hend Younsi
- Institut Supérieur des Sciences Biologiques Appliquées de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Wasfi Fares
- Unit of Vector Ecology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Saifedine Cherni
- Unit of Vector Ecology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Khalil Dachraoui
- Unit of Vector Ecology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Walid Barhoumi
- Unit of Vector Ecology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Chawki Najjar
- Unit of Vector Ecology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Elyes Zhioua
- Unit of Vector Ecology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
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13
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Fares W, Dachraoui K, Barhoumi W, Cherni S, Chelbi I, Zhioua E. Co-circulation of Toscana virus and Leishmania infantum in a focus of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis from Central Tunisia. Acta Trop 2020; 204:105342. [PMID: 31954137 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In the Mediterranean basin, sand flies are vectors of Leishmania parasites and phleboviruses affecting humans and animals. In this study, we aimed to investigate phlebovirus and Leishmania parasites circulating in a focus of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) located in a highly irrigated area within the arid Central Tunisia, known mainly to be endemic for zoonotic cutaenous leishmaniasis (ZCL) caused Leishmania major and transmitted by Phlebotomus papatasi. Sand flies were collected using CDC light traps in the village of Saddaguia, an emergent focus of ZVL located in Central Tunisia during September-October 2014, 2015, and 2016. Pools of live female sand flies were screened for phleboviruses and Leishmania by nested PCR in the polymerase gene and kinetoplast minicircle DNA, respectively. Dead sand flies were identified morphologically to species level. Sand flies of the subgenus Larroussius mainly Phlebotomus perfiliewi, Phlebotomus perniciosus, and Phlebotomus longicuspis were predominant in this ZVL focus compared to P. papatasi. A total of 1932, 1740, and 444 sand flies were tested in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. Pathogen screening performed on 4116 sand flies distributed in 148 pools revealed the presence of Leishmania infantum and Toscana virus. The minimum infection rates of sand flies with TOSV in 2014, 2015, and 2016 were 0.05%, 011%, and 0.22%, respectively. The minimum infection rates of sand flies with L. infantum in 2014, 2015, and 2016 were 0.25%, 012%, and 0.79%, respectively. No L. major was detected during the 3-years investigation in this ZVL focus. Our results showed clearly the endemic co-circulation of TOSV and L. infantum in this emergent ZVL focus. However, no co-infection of TOSV and L. infantum was detected in any of the sand fly pools investigated during the three years period. TOSV was isolated from positive pools in 2015. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Tunisian strains of TOSV belonged to the sublineage A. Based on the present findings, our results provided strong evidence that TOSV and L. infantum are transmitted by the same predominant sand fly species of the subgenus Larroussius, and subsequently, humans and dogs could be co-infected through co-infected or successive infected bites. Our results showed clearly that the development of irrigation in arid areas contributed significantly to the establishment of stable transmission cycles of L. infantum and TOSV and subsequently to the emergence of a ZVL focus within this arid bio-geographical area characterized by the presence of multiple foci of ZCL located outside the study site. Thus, more studies are needed to better understand the impact of RNA viruses shared by vectors and reservoir hosts of L. infantum on the development of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis.
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14
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Fares W, Dachraoui K, Najjar C, Younsi H, Findlay-Wilson S, Petretto M, Dowall S, Hewson R, Zhioua E. Absence of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus in the tick Hyalomma aegyptium parasitizing the spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) in Tunisia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 26:35. [PMID: 31198174 PMCID: PMC6568017 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2019036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Free-ranging spur-thighed tortoises Testudo graeca, captured in different habitat types of Northern Tunisia from March to April 2017, were examined for tick infestation: 134/147 (91%) were infested. The overall infestation intensity and abundance was 8.5 and 7.8, respectively. From these tortoises, 1174 ticks were collected, of which 10% (n = 120) taken from 18 randomly-selected tortoises were identified at the species level; the remaining ticks were examined for the presence of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFv) by real time RT-PCR. Only adult Hyalomma aegyptium were found, suggesting a high degree of host specificity to tortoises. No CCHFv was detected in ticks. Considering the absence of CCHFv in Hyalomma aegyptium infesting its main host, the spur-thighed tortoise, this tick species is unlikely to play a major role in the epidemiology of CCHF. Therefore, more studies are needed to investigate the circulation of this arbovirus between livestock and other tick species from North Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasfi Fares
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Laboratory of Vector Ecology, 13 Place Pasteur, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Khalil Dachraoui
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Laboratory of Vector Ecology, 13 Place Pasteur, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Chawki Najjar
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Laboratory of Vector Ecology, 13 Place Pasteur, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia - Marwell Wildlife Colden Common, Thompsons Lane, Winchester, SO21 1JH Hampshire, UK
| | - Hend Younsi
- Institut Supérieur des Sciences Biologiques Appliquées de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, 9 Avenue Zouhaïer Essafi, 1009 Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | - Marie Petretto
- Marwell Wildlife Colden Common, Thompsons Lane, Winchester, SO21 1JH Hampshire, UK
| | - Stuart Dowall
- Public Health England, Manor Farm Road, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG Wiltshire, UK
| | - Roger Hewson
- Public Health England, Manor Farm Road, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG Wiltshire, UK
| | - Elyes Zhioua
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Laboratory of Vector Ecology, 13 Place Pasteur, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia
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15
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Fraihi W, Fares W, Perrin P, Dorkeld F, Sereno D, Barhoumi W, Sbissi I, Cherni S, Chelbi I, Durvasula R, Ramalho-Ortigao M, Gtari M, Zhioua E. An integrated overview of the midgut bacterial flora composition of Phlebotomus perniciosus, a vector of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis in the Western Mediterranean Basin. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005484. [PMID: 28355207 PMCID: PMC5386300 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2016] [Revised: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Leishmania developmental life cycle within its sand fly vector occurs exclusively in the lumen of the insect’s digestive tract in the presence of symbiotic bacteria. The composition of the gut microbiota and the factors that influence its composition are currently poorly understood. A set of factors, including the host and its environment, may influence this composition. It has been demonstrated that the insect gut microbiota influences the development of several human pathogens, such as Plasmodium falciparum. For sand flies and Leishmania, understanding the interactions between the parasite and the microbial environment of the vector midgut can provide new tools to control Leishmania transmission. Methodology/Principal findings The midguts of female Phlebotomus perniciosus from laboratory colonies or from the field were collected during the months of July, September and October 2011 and dissected. The midguts were analyzed by culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. A total of 441 and 115 cultivable isolates were assigned to 30 and 11 phylotypes from field-collected and colonized P. perniciosus, respectively. Analysis of monthly variations in microbiota composition shows a species diversity decline in October, which is to the end of the Leishmania infantum transmission period. In parallel, a compilation and a meta-analysis of all available data concerning the microbiota of two Psychodidae genera, namely Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia, was performed and compared to P. perniciosus, data obtained herein. This integrated analysis did not reveal any substantial divergences between Old and New world sand flies with regards to the midgut bacterial phyla and genera diversity. But clearly, most bacterial species (>76%) are sparsely distributed between Phlebotominae species. Conclusion/Significance Our results pinpoint the need for a more exhaustive understanding of the bacterial richness and abundance at the species level in Phlebotominae sand flies in order to capture the role of midgut bacteria during Leishmania development and transmission. The occurrence of Bacillus subtilis in P. perniciosus and at least two other sand fly species studied so far suggests that this bacterial species is a potential candidate for paratransgenic or biolological approaches for the control of sand fly populations in order to prevent Leishmania transmission. The use of conventional microbiological methods gave us the opportunity to investigate the richness of symbiotic bacteria that inhabit the gut of P. perniciosus during its main period of activity. Our results were subsequently analyzed in the framework of what has been done on sand flies microbiota in order to validate our results and to address the question of the definition of the core bacterial microbiota of sand flies. A meta-analysis on the respective gut microbiota of Old and New World sand flies shows that the majority of bacterial species is observed only in one host whereas less than 8% are shared by more than two hosts. Our results pinpoint the need for a more exhaustive understanding of the microbiota composition and dynamic in phlebotominae, with the aim to implement new biological approaches for the control of sand fly populations in order to prevent Leishmania transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wael Fraihi
- Laboratory of Vector Ecology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Microorganisms and Active Biomolecules, University of Tunis-El Manar, Faculty of Sciences, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Wasfi Fares
- Laboratory of Vector Ecology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Pascale Perrin
- MIVEGEC/Université de Montpellier CNRS/UMR 5244/IRD 224 - Centre IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Franck Dorkeld
- INRA - UMR 1062 CBGP (INRA, IRD, CIRAD), Montpellier SupAgro, Montferrier-Sur-Lez, France
| | - Denis Sereno
- MIVEGEC/Université de Montpellier CNRS/UMR 5244/IRD 224 - Centre IRD, Montpellier, France
- UMR177, Centre IRD de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- * E-mail: (EZ); (DS)
| | - Walid Barhoumi
- Laboratory of Vector Ecology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Imed Sbissi
- Laboratory of Microorganisms and Active Biomolecules, University of Tunis-El Manar, Faculty of Sciences, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Saifedine Cherni
- Laboratory of Vector Ecology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Ifhem Chelbi
- Laboratory of Vector Ecology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Ravi Durvasula
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Global Health, Department of Internal Medicine, UNM School of Medicine Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Marcelo Ramalho-Ortigao
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Maher Gtari
- Laboratory of Microorganisms and Active Biomolecules, University of Tunis-El Manar, Faculty of Sciences, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Elyes Zhioua
- Laboratory of Vector Ecology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
- * E-mail: (EZ); (DS)
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Dachraoui K, Fares W, Bichaud L, Barhoumi W, Beier J, Derbali M, Cherni S, Lamballerie XD, Chelbi I, Charrel R, Zhioua E. Phleboviruses associated with sand flies in arid bio-geographical areas of Central Tunisia. Acta Trop 2016; 158:13-19. [PMID: 26875761 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Revised: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
An entomological investigation was carried out in 2014 at two sites located in Central Tunisia, one irrigated and another non-irrigated situated in arid bio-geographical areas. Sand flies of the subgenus Larroussius namely Phlebotomus perfiliewi, Phlebotomus perniciosus, and Phlebotomus longicuspis are the most abundant sand fly species in the irrigated site. However, in the non-irrigated site, Phlebotomus papatasi of the Phlebotomus genus is the most abundant species. A total of 3191 sand flies were collected and pooled with up to 30 specimens per pool based on sex, trapping location and collection date, were tested for the presence of phleboviruses by nested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in the polymerase gene and sequenced. Of a total of 117 pools, 4 were positive, yielding a minimum infection rate of sand flies with phleboviruses of 0.12%. Phylogenetic analysis performed using partial nucleotide and amino acid sequence in the polymerase gene showed that these phleboviruses belonged to four different clusters corresponding to Toscana virus (TOSV), Saddaguia virus (SADV), Sandfly Fever Sicilian Virus (SFSV) and Utique virus (UTIV). This study provides more evidence that the abundance of P. perfiliewi is associated with the development of irrigation in arid bio-geographical areas of Central Tunisia which may have led to the emergence of phleboviruses. We report the first detection of TOSV from sand flies collected from Central Tunisia.
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Barhoumi W, Fares W, Cherni S, Derbali M, Dachraoui K, Chelbi I, Ramalho-Ortigao M, Beier JC, Zhioua E. Changes of Sand Fly Populations and Leishmania infantum Infection Rates in an Irrigated Village Located in Arid Central Tunisia. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2016; 13:ijerph13030329. [PMID: 26999176 PMCID: PMC4808992 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13030329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2015] [Revised: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The current spread of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) throughout arid areas of Central Tunisia is a major public health concern. The main objective of this study is to investigate whether the development of irrigation in arid bio-geographical areas in Central Tunisia have led to the establishment of a stable cycle involving sand flies of the subgenus Larroussius and Leishmania infantum, and subsequently to the emergence of ZVL. Sand flies were collected from the village of Saddaguia, a highly irrigated zone located within an arid bio-geographical area of Central Tunisia by using modified Centers for Diseases Control (CDC) light traps. Morphological keys were used to identify sand flies. Collected sand flies were pooled with up to 30 specimens per pool according to date and tested by nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) DNA sequencing from positive pools was used to identify Leishmania spp. A total of 4915 sand flies (2422 females and 2493 males) were collected from Saddaguia in September and in October 2014. Morphological identification confirmed sand flies of the subgenus Larroussius to be predominant. PCR analysis followed by DNA sequencing indicated that 15 pools were infected with L. infantum yielding an overall infection rate of 0.6%. The majority of the infected pools were of sand fly species belonging to subgenus Larroussius. Intense irrigation applied to the arid bio-geographical areas in Central Tunisia is at the origin of the development of an environment capable of sustaining important populations of sand flies of the subgenus Larroussius. This has led to the establishment of stable transmission cycles of L. infantum and subsequently to the emergence of ZVL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walid Barhoumi
- Laboratory of Vector Ecology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, 13 Place Pasteur BP 74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia.
- Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia.
- Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Bizerte 7021, Tunisia.
| | - Wasfi Fares
- Laboratory of Vector Ecology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, 13 Place Pasteur BP 74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia.
| | - Saifedine Cherni
- Laboratory of Vector Ecology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, 13 Place Pasteur BP 74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia.
| | - Mohamed Derbali
- Laboratory of Vector Ecology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, 13 Place Pasteur BP 74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia.
| | - Khalil Dachraoui
- Laboratory of Vector Ecology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, 13 Place Pasteur BP 74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia.
| | - Ifhem Chelbi
- Laboratory of Vector Ecology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, 13 Place Pasteur BP 74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia.
| | | | - John C Beier
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
| | - Elyes Zhioua
- Laboratory of Vector Ecology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, 13 Place Pasteur BP 74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia.
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Bichaud L, Dachraoui K, Alwassouf S, Alkan C, Mensi M, Piorkowski G, Sakhria S, Seston M, Fares W, De Lamballerie X, Zhioua E, Charrel RN. Isolation, full genomic characterization and neutralization-based human seroprevalence of Medjerda Valley virus, a novel sandfly-borne phlebovirus belonging to the Salehabad virus complex in northern Tunisia. J Gen Virol 2015; 97:602-610. [PMID: 26704069 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
A new phlebovirus, Medjerda Valley virus (MVV), was isolated from one pool of Phlebotomus sp. (Diptera; Psychodidae) sandflies trapped in the vicinity of the Utique site, northern Tunisia. Genetic analysis based on complete coding of genomic sequences of the three RNA segments indicated that MVV is most closely related to members of the Salehabad virus species, where it is the fourth virus for which the complete sequence is available. A seroprevalence study was performed to search for neutralizing antibodies in human sera in the same region. The results demonstrate that in this area, MVV can readily infect humans despite low seroprevalence rates. Salehabad species viruses have generally been considered to be a group of viruses with little medical or veterinary interest. This view deserves to be revisited according to our human seroprevalence results, together with high animal infection rate of Adana virus and recent evidence of human infection with Adria virus in Greece. Further studies are needed to investigate the capacity of each specific member of the Salehabad virus species to cause human or animal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Bichaud
- UMR_D 190 'Emergence des Pathologies Virales', Aix Marseille University, IRD French Institute of Research for Development, INSERM U1207, EHESP French School of Public Health, 13005, Marseille, France.,Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague 2 128 44, Czech Republic
| | - Khalil Dachraoui
- Laboratory of Vector Ecology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia.,Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Bizerte, Tunisia
| | - Sulaf Alwassouf
- UMR_D 190 'Emergence des Pathologies Virales', Aix Marseille University, IRD French Institute of Research for Development, INSERM U1207, EHESP French School of Public Health, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Cigdem Alkan
- UMR_D 190 'Emergence des Pathologies Virales', Aix Marseille University, IRD French Institute of Research for Development, INSERM U1207, EHESP French School of Public Health, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Mohamed Mensi
- Regional Health Department, Governorate of Bizerte, Bizerte, Tunisia
| | - Géraldine Piorkowski
- UMR_D 190 'Emergence des Pathologies Virales', Aix Marseille University, IRD French Institute of Research for Development, INSERM U1207, EHESP French School of Public Health, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Sonia Sakhria
- Laboratory of Vector Ecology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Morgan Seston
- UMR_D 190 'Emergence des Pathologies Virales', Aix Marseille University, IRD French Institute of Research for Development, INSERM U1207, EHESP French School of Public Health, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Wasfi Fares
- Laboratory of Vector Ecology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Xavier De Lamballerie
- UMR_D 190 'Emergence des Pathologies Virales', Aix Marseille University, IRD French Institute of Research for Development, INSERM U1207, EHESP French School of Public Health, 13005, Marseille, France.,IHU Mediterranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Elyes Zhioua
- Laboratory of Vector Ecology, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Rémi N Charrel
- UMR_D 190 'Emergence des Pathologies Virales', Aix Marseille University, IRD French Institute of Research for Development, INSERM U1207, EHESP French School of Public Health, 13005, Marseille, France.,IHU Mediterranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, 13005 Marseille, France
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19
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Bosworth A, Ghabbari T, Dowall S, Varghese A, Fares W, Hewson R, Zhioua E, Chakroun M, Tiouiri H, Ben Jemaa M, Znazen A, Letaief A. Serologic evidence of exposure to Rift Valley fever virus detected in Tunisia. New Microbes New Infect 2015; 9:1-7. [PMID: 26740887 PMCID: PMC4678919 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2015.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Revised: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFv) is capable of causing dramatic outbreaks amongst economically important animal species and is capable of causing severe symptoms and mortality in humans. RVFv is known to circulate widely throughout East Africa; serologic evidence of exposure has also been found in some northern African countries, including Mauritania. This study aimed to ascertain whether RVFv is circulating in regions beyond its known geographic range. Samples from febrile patients (n = 181) and nonfebrile healthy agricultural and slaughterhouse workers (n = 38) were collected during the summer of 2014 and surveyed for exposure to RVFv by both serologic tests and PCR. Of the 219 samples tested, 7.8% of nonfebrile participants showed immunoglobulin G reactivity to RVFv nucleoprotein and 8.3% of febrile patients showed immunoglobulin M reactivity, with the latter samples indicating recent exposure to the virus. Our results suggest an active circulation of RVFv and evidence of human exposure in the population of Tunisia.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bosworth
- Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK; National Institute of Health Research, Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Liverpool, UK
| | - T Ghabbari
- Infectious Diseases Department, Farhat Hached University Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - S Dowall
- Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - A Varghese
- Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK
| | - W Fares
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - R Hewson
- Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK; National Institute of Health Research, Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Liverpool, UK
| | - E Zhioua
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - M Chakroun
- Infectious Diseases Department, F Bourguiba University hospital, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - H Tiouiri
- Infectious Diseases Department, Sfax, Tunisia
| | | | - A Znazen
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - A Letaief
- Infectious Diseases Department, Farhat Hached University Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
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20
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Fares W, Charrel R, Dachraoui K, Bichaud L, Barhoumi W, Derbali M, Cherni S, Chelbi I, de Lamballerie X, Zhioua E. Infection of sand flies collected from different bio-geographical areas of Tunisia with phleboviruses. Acta Trop 2015; 141:1-6. [PMID: 25255967 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2014.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2014] [Revised: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 09/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
An entomological investigation performed in 2013 covering different bio-geographical areas varying from humid in the north to the arid in the center showed that sand flies of the subgenus Larroussius including Phlebotomus perniciosus, Phlebotomus perfiliewi, and Phlebotomus longicuspis are abundant and widely distributed in Tunisia. A total of 3992 collected and pooled with up to 30 specimens per pool based on sex, trapping location and collection data were tested for the presence of phleboviruses by nested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Of a total of 135 pools, 23 were positive, yielding and minimum infection rate of 0.6%. Phylogenetic analysis performed using partial amino acid sequence in the polymerase gene showed that all these phleboviruses were grouped in one cluster clearly distinct from but closely related to Massilia virus and Granada virus. This putative novel virus, tentatively called Saddaguia virus (SADV), is widely distributed in Tunisia. Together with Toscana, Punique, and Utique viruses, SADV is the fourth recognized phlebovirus to be transmitted by sand flies in Tunisia. The medical and public health interest of SADV remains to be investigated.
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21
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Sakhria S, Alwassouf S, Fares W, Bichaud L, Dachraoui K, Alkan C, Zoghlami Z, de Lamballerie X, Zhioua E, Charrel RN. Presence of sandfly-borne phleboviruses of two antigenic complexes (Sandfly fever Naples virus and Sandfly fever Sicilian virus) in two different bio-geographical regions of Tunisia demonstrated by a microneutralisation-based seroprevalence study in dogs. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:476. [PMID: 25306250 PMCID: PMC4197250 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-014-0476-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sandfly-borne phleboviruses are present in North Africa where they can infect humans in regions where Leishmania infantum, the causative agent of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis in the Western Mediterranean basin is present affecting both humans and dogs. We investigated the capacity of dogs to be used as sentinels for sandfly-borne phleboviruses as previously shown for leishmaniasis. Findings A total of 312 sera were collected from guard dogs in two different bioclimatic regions (governorates of Kairouan and Bizerte) of Tunisia where zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis has been reported. These sera were tested for the presence of neutralising antibodies against 3 phleboviruses: Toscana virus, Punique virus and Sicilian virus. In the governorate of Kairouan, seroprevalence rates of 7.5%, 43.5%, and 38.1% were observed for Toscana, Punique and Sicilian virus, respectively. A high proportion of sera from the governorate of Bizerte were hemolyzed and showed high cytotoxicity for the cells and subsequently precluded detailed interpretation of this batch. However, validated results for 27 sera were in agreement with data observed in the governorate of Kairouan. Conclusions Toscana virus is present in the governorate of Kairouan but at a lower rate compared to Punique and Sicilian viruses. These three sandfly-borne phleboviruses can infect dogs. Direct detection and isolation of the viruses are now to be attempted in animals as well as in humans. Our findings showed that guard dogs are good sentinels for virus transmitted by sandflies and strongly suggested that the high seroprevalence rates observed in dogs merit further attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Sakhria
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Laboratory of Vector Ecology, Tunis, Tunisia.
| | - Sulaf Alwassouf
- Aix Marseille Université, IRD French Institute of Research for Development, EHESP French School of Public Health, EPV UMR_D 190 "Emergence des Pathologies Virales", 13385, Marseille, France. .,IHU Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, 13385, Marseille, France.
| | - Wasfi Fares
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Laboratory of Vector Ecology, Tunis, Tunisia.
| | - Laurence Bichaud
- Aix Marseille Université, IRD French Institute of Research for Development, EHESP French School of Public Health, EPV UMR_D 190 "Emergence des Pathologies Virales", 13385, Marseille, France. .,IHU Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, 13385, Marseille, France.
| | - Khalil Dachraoui
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Laboratory of Vector Ecology, Tunis, Tunisia.
| | - Cigdem Alkan
- Aix Marseille Université, IRD French Institute of Research for Development, EHESP French School of Public Health, EPV UMR_D 190 "Emergence des Pathologies Virales", 13385, Marseille, France. .,IHU Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, 13385, Marseille, France.
| | - Ziad Zoghlami
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Laboratory of Vector Ecology, Tunis, Tunisia.
| | - Xavier de Lamballerie
- Aix Marseille Université, IRD French Institute of Research for Development, EHESP French School of Public Health, EPV UMR_D 190 "Emergence des Pathologies Virales", 13385, Marseille, France. .,IHU Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, 13385, Marseille, France.
| | - Elyes Zhioua
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Laboratory of Vector Ecology, Tunis, Tunisia.
| | - Remi N Charrel
- Aix Marseille Université, IRD French Institute of Research for Development, EHESP French School of Public Health, EPV UMR_D 190 "Emergence des Pathologies Virales", 13385, Marseille, France. .,IHU Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, 13385, Marseille, France.
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22
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Sakhria S, Alwassouf S, Fares W, Bichaud L, Dachraoui K, Alkan C, Zoghlami Z, de Lamballerie X, Zhioua E, Charrel RN. Presence of sandfly-borne phleboviruses of two antigenic complexes ( Sandfly fever Naples virus and Sandfly fever Sicilian virus ) in two different bio-geographical regions of Tunisia demonstrated by a microneutralisation-based seroprevalence study in dogs. Parasit Vectors 2014. [DOI: 10.1186/preaccept-1455562774143763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Abstract
Among Coxsackie B viruses, Coxsckievirus B5 is one of the most predominant serotypes in human, it is frequently associated with cases of neurological diseases, epidemics of meningitis and is a common cause of cardiomyopathy and diabetes. In the present study 27 isolates of Coxsackievirus B5 from North Africa, obtained from cerebrospinal fluid and stool samples of healthy individuals, patients with acute flaccid paralysis or aseptic meningitis were investigated by partial sequencing in the 5' half of the VP1 region and compared to the up-to-date published Coxsackievirus B5 sequences in the same genomic region. Four distinct genomic groups and ten different clusters were individualized. Most of the isolates from Algeria and Tunisia belonged to two clusters. For both, the sequences from North Africa clustered mainly with sequences from European countries, the majority isolated recently during the 2000s. The analysis of the alignment of amino-acids sequences in the VP1 gene revealed four major substitutions in strains from different clusters, we also noticed changes in the BC-loop region; this region is associated with viral antigenicity. This study permit to better identify circulating Coxsackievirus B5 strains throughout the world and their genetic relationship. The protein analysis showed changes that could imply some antigenic significance. J. Med. Virol. 83:1247-1254, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorra Rezig
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis, Belvédère, Tunisia.
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Fares W, Rezig D, Seghier M, Ben Yahia A, Touzi H, Triki H. Phylogenetic analysis of complete VP1 sequences of echoviruses 11 and 6: high genetic diversity and circulation of genotypes with a wide geographical and temporal range. J Med Microbiol 2011; 60:1017-1025. [DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.028795-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wasfi Fares
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory on Poliomyelitis and Measles, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Dorra Rezig
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory on Poliomyelitis and Measles, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Seghier
- Laboratory of Enteroviruses, National Laboratory for Poliomyelitis, Institut Pasteur d’Algérie, Algeria
| | - Ahlem Ben Yahia
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory on Poliomyelitis and Measles, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Henda Touzi
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory on Poliomyelitis and Measles, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Henda Triki
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory on Poliomyelitis and Measles, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunisia
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