0106: Association of lipoproteina and cholesteryl ester transfer protein-TaqIB polymorphism in Tunisian type 2 diabetes

Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is a plasma lipoprotein consisting of a LDL-like particle with a molecule of apolipoprotein B100 covalently linked to a very large additional glycoprotein known as apolipoprotein(a). Elevated Lp(a) levels constitute an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in the general population. Several studies have examined the possibility that type 2 diabetes could influence Lp(a) concentrations. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) plays a key role in lipoprotein metabolism, promoting the exchange of triglycerides (TGs) and cholesteryl esters (CEs) between lipoprotein particles. The CETP TaqIB polymorphism in type 2 diabetes may have an increased risk for coronary artery disease.The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of the genetic polymorphism TaqIB of the CETP on the Lp(a) concentrations and the risk of coronaropathy in a cohort of type 2 diabetes.Plasma Lp(a) levels are not significantly associated with CETP TaqIB polymorphism in type 2 diabetes: no significant difference in the plasma Lp (a) between the diabetics having the genotype B1B1 and those having the genotype B2 (365.8±259 vs. 317±250.1mg; p=0.20). For the diabetics with genotype B1B1, Lp (a) was correlated significantly with the LDL (n=90, r=0.32; p=0.002) and the apoB (n=90, r=0.24, p=0.01). The proportion of the diabetics having the allèle B2 and Lp (a) superior to 300mg/l, is clearly more important at those having coronaropathy (51.1 vs. 29.2%; odds ratio=2.53; p=0.03).Lp(a) levels is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetic patients. This atherogenic risk seems to depend on the genetic polymorphism TaqIB of the CETP

Change of Diet, Plasma Lipids, Lipoproteins, and Fatty Acids during Ramadan: A Controversial Association of the Considered Ramadan Model with Atherosclerosis Risk

Different Islamic populations have different alimentary habits, notably during Ramadan. The paper reports the change of diet, lipids, and lipoproteins produced during Ramadan in one Tunisian population. During Ramadan, the study subjects consumed more proteins, cholesterol, vitamin E (p<0.01), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (p<0.05). At the same time, they exhibited an increase in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (p<0.01) and apoprotein B (p<0.05) and a decrease in the ratio of apoprotein AI to apoprotein B (p<0.01). All assayed saturated fatty acids were unaffected by Ramadan fasting while three unsaturated fatty acids (C18:1cis9, C18:2n-6, and C30:4n-6) increased significantly. A return to the habitual diet for a four-week period was not sufficient to restore the pre-fasting patterns. For the study subjects, Ramadan was clearly associated with a change of diet and biochemical profile but its effective impact on atherosclerosis risk was unclear, perhaps, because other non-alimentary changes ought to be considered too. Future studies considering the non-alimentary factors, such as sleep and physical activity, would be useful to clarify the contribution of dietary change in the observed modification of biological profile

Association of SNP3 polymorphism in the apolipoprotein A-V gene with plasma triglyceride level in Tunisian type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein A-V (Apo A-V) gene has recently been identified as a new apolipoprotein involved in triglyceride metabolism. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP3) located in the gene promoter (-1131) was associated with triglyceride variation in healthy subjects. In type 2 diabetes the triglyceride level increased compared to healthy subjects. Hypertriglyceridemia is a risk factor for coronary artery disease. We aimed to examine the interaction between SNP3 and lipid profile and coronary artery disease (CAD) in Tunisian type 2 diabetic patients. RESULTS: The genotype frequencies of T/T, T/C and C/C were 0.74, 0.23 and 0.03 respectively in non diabetic subjects, 0.71, 0.25 and 0.04 respectively in type 2 diabetic patients. Triglyceride level was higher in heterozygous genotype (-1131 T/C) of apo A-V (p = 0.024). Heterozygous genotype is more frequent in high triglyceride group (40.9%) than in low triglyceride group (18.8%) ; p = 0.011. Despite the relation between CAD and hypertriglyceridemia the SNP 3 was not associated with CAD. CONCLUSION: In type 2 diabetic patients SNP3 is associated with triglyceride level, however there was no association between SNP3 and coronary artery disease

Change of Diet, Plasma Lipids, Lipoproteins, and Fatty Acids during Ramadan: A Controversial Association of the Considered Ramadan Model with Atherosclerosis Risk

Different Islamic populations have different alimentary habits, notably during Ramadan. The paper reports the change of diet, lipids, and lipoproteins produced during Ramadan in one Tunisian population. During Ramadan, the study subjects consumed more proteins, cholesterol, vitamin E (p&lt;0.01), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (p&lt;0.05). At the same time, they exhibited an increase in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (p&lt;0.01) and apoprotein B (p&lt;0.05) and a decrease in the ratio of apoprotein AI to apoprotein B (p&lt;0.01). All assayed saturated fatty acids were unaffected by Ramadan fasting while three unsaturated fatty acids (C18:1cis9, C18:2n-6, and C30:4n-6) increased significantly. A return to the habitual diet for a four-week period was not sufficient to restore the pre-fasting patterns. For the study subjects, Ramadan was clearly associated with a change of diet and biochemical profile but its effective impact on atherosclerosis risk was unclear, perhaps, because other non-alimentary changes ought to be considered too. Future studies considering the non-alimentary factors, such as sleep and physical activity, would be useful to clarify the contribution of dietary change in the observed modification of biological profile

Diagnosis of lymph node tuberculosis using the GeneXpert MTB/RIF in Tunisia

Introduction: GeneXpert MTB/RIF is a fully-automated diagnostic molecular test which simultaneously detects tuberculosis (TB) and rifampicin (RIF) drug resistance. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of the GeneXpert MTB/RIF test for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in lymph node specimens and to show the place of Mycobacterium bovis as a major cause of TB lymphadenitis. Material and methods: This study was conducted simultaneously in the National Reference Laboratory for Mycobacteria of Ariana and the Central Laboratory of Sfax, from January to December 2013. In total, 174 lymph node specimens were processed simultaneously for Ziehl–Neelsen, auramine and immuno-histochemical staining. Conventional culture on both Lowenstein–Jensen and liquid medium (Bactec MGIT 960 BD system) and the new molecular-based GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay system were performed. Positive cultures were confirmed using molecular identification (Genotype MTBC Hain Lifescience). Results: Among the 174 samples tested, the GeneXpert detected the DNA of MTBC in 134 samples (77%). Standard bacteriological assays, including AFB microscopy and culture, were positive, respectively, in 41 (23.6%) and 79 (45.4%) specimens. M. bovis was isolated in 76% of positive cultures. GeneXpert sensitivity and specificity results were assessed according to smear and culture results, clinical and histological findings. The sensitivity and specificity of the Xpert assay were 87.5% (126/144) and 73.3%, respectively. Conclusion: The implementation of the GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay may dramatically improve the rapid diagnosis of lymph node TB

Data_Sheet_1_The Delta variant wave in Tunisia: Genetic diversity, spatio-temporal distribution and evidence of the spread of a divergent AY.122 sub-lineage.PDF

IntroductionThe 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.MethodsViral 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.ResultsThe 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.DiscussionThis 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.</p