Colic malakoplakia : about a case with review of literature

La Malakoplakie est une affection inflammatoire chronique qui a surtout été décrite au niveau de l'appareil génito-urinaire. Nous rapportons le cas d'un patient âgé de 41 ans, en mauvais état général, ayant présenté depuis plusieurs années une diarrhée chronique mise sur le compte d'une colopathie fonctionnelle. Le reste de l'examen clinique était sans particularité et le bilan biologique montrait essentiellement une baisse modérée du fer sérique. La coloscopie met en évidence la présence de polypes et pseudo-polypes, d'ulcérations ct de pseudo-tumeurs disséminés au niveau de tout le cadre colique. L'examen histopathologique des multiples biopsies prélevées au niveau de ces différentes lésions révélaient une infiltration du chorion par des nappes constituées d'histiocytes macrophages abritant des corps de Michaelis Gutmann Von Kossa faiblement positifs et PAS fortement positifs. L'étude immuno-histochimique utilisant l'anticorps anti-CD68 montrait un immuno-marquage cytoplasmique au niveau de quelques histiocytes. Ces résultats confortent l'une des théories histopathogéniques de l'affection qui serait essentiellement due à une infection par une souche non-spécifique d'Escherichia coli et pourrait être secondaire à un défaut d'activité enzymatique phagocytaire des histiocytes. Le patient a très bien répondu au traitement par la ciprofloxacine. Il est actuellement sous surveillance régulière et bénéficiera éventuellement d'une coloscopie de contrôle. Les examens endoscopique et histopathologique ont donc été indispensables dans le diagnostic de cette affection qui a bien évolué sous traitement médical, ce qui a permis au patient de reprendre une vie normale

A genome-wide association study of pulmonary tuberculosis in Morocco

Although epidemiological evidence suggests a human genetic basis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) susceptibility, the identification of specific genes and alleles influencing PTB risk has proven to be difficult. Previous genome-wide association (GWA) studies have identified only three novel loci with modest effect sizes in sub-Saharan African and Russian populations. We performed a GWA study of 550,352 autosomal SNPs in a family-based discovery Moroccan sample (on the full population and on the subset with PTB diagnosis at <25 years), which identified 143 SNPs with p < 1 × 10(−4). The replication study in an independent case/control sample identified four SNPs displaying a p < 0.01 implicating the same risk allele. In the combined sample including 556 PTB subjects and 650 controls these four SNPs showed suggestive association (2 × 10(−6) < p < 4 × 10(−5)): rs358793 and rs17590261 were intergenic, while rs6786408 and rs916943 were located in introns of FOXP1 and AGMO, respectively. Both genes are involved in the function of macrophages, which are the site of latency and reactivation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The most significant finding (p = 2 × 10(−6)) was obtained for the AGMO SNP in an early (<25 years) age-at-onset subset, confirming the importance of considering age-at-onset to decipher the genetic basis of PTB. Although only suggestive, these findings highlight several avenues for future research in the human genetics of PTB

Argan [Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels] oil

Argan oil is extracted from the kernels of Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels, a tree that almost exclusively grows endemically in southern Morocco. If argan oil was initia11y only known around its traditional production area, major efforts combining chemical, agronomic and human sciences have led to its international recognition and marketing. In addition, to ensure the sustainable production of a sufficient quantity of argan kernels, a vast and unprecedented program that led to the reforestation of large areas of drylands has been developed in Morocco. Therefore, argan oil production is considered as an economic and ecologic success. Edible argan oil is prepared by cold-pressing roasted argan kernels. Unroasted kernels afford an oil of cosmetic grade, showing a bitter taste. Both oils, which are not refined and are virgin oils, share a similar fatty acid content that includes oleic and linoleic acids as major components. Additiona11y, argan oil is rich in antioxidants. Together, these components likely contribute to the oil pharmacological properties that, in humans, traditionally included cardiovascular disease and skin protection. Recent scientific studies have greatly expanded the scope of these pharmacological activities. Argan oil is now rewarded with a "Geographic Indication" that certifies its exclusive and authentic Moroccan origin and the compliance with strict production rules. In addition, the quality of argan oil can nowadays be ascertained by using an array of physicochemica1 methods. By-products, generated in large quantity during argan oil production, are also finding promising development routes