Detection of AmpC and ESBL-producing Enterobacterales isolated from urinary tract infections in Tunisia

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most frequent human infections in community and hospitals. This study aimed to determine the distribution of bacterial uropathogens among urinary tract infections diagnosed within the regional hospital Houcine Bouzaiene (Gafsa, South West Tunisia) during a survey of 54 days from the 8th of November to the 31st of December 2017. Enterobacterales strains were tested for antimicrobial resistance by disk diffusion method and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production was tested by double-disc synergy test. Strains were further subjected to a molecular assessment of ESBL and AmpC beta-lactamase production by PCR. Overall, 173 bacterial isolates were studied, out of which 91.3% were Enterobacterales. Escherichia coli was the dominant pathogen, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae. High to moderate resistance rates were observed, ranging from 66% to 90.7% for penicillin, from 6.7% to 18.6% for cephalosporins and from 16.2% to 25.4% for fluoroquinolones. Enterobacterales with decreased susceptibility to third-generation cephalosporins (3rd GC) carried several resistance genes: bIaCTX-M group 1 and group 9, and ACC and FOX AmpC beta-lactamase genes. Overall, ESBLs and AmpC beta-lactamases were detected in 57% and 14% of the 3rd GC-resistant isolates, respectively. This study proved the high potential of K. pneumaniae species to develop resistance against commonly used antibiotics. Thus, rigorous monitoring of the antibiotic resistance of clinical pathogens have to be implemented in Tunisia. Our results are very relevant to evaluate efficiency of the Tunisian therapeutic strategies against UTIs and adapt them to the emerging problem of antimicrobial resistance

Contamination risks control of food products by B. cereus group.

Cette thèse s’est intéressée à évaluer le niveau de risque représenté par les bactéries du groupe Bacillus cereus dans des aliments tunisiens et à tester l’efficacité de leur contrôle par le traitement des surfaces industrielles par des bactériophages. Une collection de 191 isolats a été créée à partir de 687 matrices alimentaires. Près de 40 % des isolats se sont avérés appartenir au groupe, avec une forte diversité génétique (143 profils PFGE et 99 profils ERIC-PCR) et un profil thermique intermédiaire (signatures 16S rDNA-1 m et-2 p). Près de 60 % des isolats du groupe appartiennent au groupe phylogénétique III, potentiellement pathogène. Les spores présentent majoritairement un taux d’adhésion plus fort que les cellules végétatives. Douze groupes toxinogènes ont été mis en évidence.Au moins un des gènes de chacun des complexes NHE et HBL sont présents, associés ou non à bceT, cytK 2 et ces. Après 18 h d’incubation à 30°C, près de 71% des isolats sont cytotoxiques. Différentes combinaisons de facteurs de virulence sont associées au potentiel cytotoxique et un lien apparait clairement entre cytotoxicité et type d’aliment. La collection s’est montrée sensible à de nombreux antibiotiques, alors qu’elle présente une résistance à l'ampicilline et à la novobiocine. Sur les 7 bactériophages sélectionnés, 5 possèdent un profil protéique unique alors qu’ils présentent tous une taille de génome et des profils de restriction similaires. Ils permettent de prévenir et de les traiter la formation de biofilms. Ce travail confirme le risque sanitaire lié à la présence du groupe B. cerThis thesis focused on evaluating the level of risk represented by Bacillus cereus group bacteria in Tunisian food and testing the effectiveness of their control by treating industrial surfaces with bacteriophages. A collection of 191 isolates was created from 687 food matrices. Nearly 40% of the isolates were found to belong to the group, with high genetic diversity (143 PFGE profiles and 99 ERIC-PCR profiles) and an intermediate thermal profile (signatures 16S rDNA-1 m and-2 p). Nearly 60% of the group's isolates belong to the phylogenetic group III, which is potentially pathogenic. Spores have a higher rate of adhesion than vegetative cells. Twelve toxigenic groups have been identified.At least one of the genes of each of the NHE and HBL complexes are present, whether or not associated with bceT, cytK 2 and these. After 18 hours of incubation at 30°C, nearly 71% of the isolates are cytotoxic. Different combinations of virulence factors are associated with cytotoxic potential and a clear link appears between cytotoxicity and food type. The collection has been shown to be sensitive to many antibiotics, while it is resistant to ampicillin and novobiocin. Of the 7 bacteriophages selected, 5 have a unique protein profile while all have similar genome size and restriction profiles. They are used to prevent the formation of biofilms and to treat them. This work confirms the health risk associated with the presence of the B. cereus group in Tunisian foods and the promising role of bacteriophages as biocontrol tools

Maitrise des risques de contamination des produits alimentaires tunisiens par le groupe Bacillus cereus

This thesis focused on evaluating the level of risk represented by Bacillus cereus group bacteria in Tunisian food and testing the effectiveness of their control by treating industrial surfaces with bacteriophages. A collection of 191 isolates was created from 687 food matrices. Nearly 40% of the isolates were found to belong to the group, with high genetic diversity (143 PFGE profiles and 99 ERIC-PCR profiles) and an intermediate thermal profile (signatures 16S rDNA-1 m and-2 p). Nearly 60% of the group's isolates belong to the phylogenetic group III, which is potentially pathogenic. Spores have a higher rate of adhesion than vegetative cells. Twelve toxigenic groups have been identified.At least one of the genes of each of the NHE and HBL complexes are present, whether or not associated with bceT, cytK 2 and these. After 18 hours of incubation at 30°C, nearly 71% of the isolates are cytotoxic. Different combinations of virulence factors are associated with cytotoxic potential and a clear link appears between cytotoxicity and food type. The collection has been shown to be sensitive to many antibiotics, while it is resistant to ampicillin and novobiocin. Of the 7 bacteriophages selected, 5 have a unique protein profile while all have similar genome size and restriction profiles. They are used to prevent the formation of biofilms and to treat them. This work confirms the health risk associated with the presence of the B. cereus group in Tunisian foods and the promising role of bacteriophages as biocontrol tools.Cette thèse s’est intéressée à évaluer le niveau de risque représenté par les bactéries du groupe Bacillus cereus dans des aliments tunisiens et à tester l’efficacité de leur contrôle par le traitement des surfaces industrielles par des bactériophages. Une collection de 191 isolats a été créée à partir de 687 matrices alimentaires. Près de 40 % des isolats se sont avérés appartenir au groupe, avec une forte diversité génétique (143 profils PFGE et 99 profils ERIC-PCR) et un profil thermique intermédiaire (signatures 16S rDNA-1 m et-2 p). Près de 60 % des isolats du groupe appartiennent au groupe phylogénétique III, potentiellement pathogène. Les spores présentent majoritairement un taux d’adhésion plus fort que les cellules végétatives. Douze groupes toxinogènes ont été mis en évidence.Au moins un des gènes de chacun des complexes NHE et HBL sont présents, associés ou non à bceT, cytK 2 et ces. Après 18 h d’incubation à 30°C, près de 71% des isolats sont cytotoxiques. Différentes combinaisons de facteurs de virulence sont associées au potentiel cytotoxique et un lien apparait clairement entre cytotoxicité et type d’aliment. La collection s’est montrée sensible à de nombreux antibiotiques, alors qu’elle présente une résistance à l'ampicilline et à la novobiocine. Sur les 7 bactériophages sélectionnés, 5 possèdent un profil protéique unique alors qu’ils présentent tous une taille de génome et des profils de restriction similaires. Ils permettent de prévenir et de les traiter la formation de biofilms. Ce travail confirme le risque sanitaire lié à la présence du groupe B. ce

Evaluating product-based possibilistic networks learning algorithms

International audienc

Learning possibilistic networks from data: a survey.

International audienc

Learning possibilistic networks from data: a survey.

International audiencePossibilistic networks are important tools for modelling and reasoning, especially in the presence of imprecise and/or uncertain information. These graphical models have been successfully used in several real applications. Since their construction by experts is complex and time consuming, several researchers have tried to learn them from data. In this paper, we try to present and discuss relevant state-of-the-art works related to learning possibilis-tic networks structure from data. In fact, we give an overview of methods that have already been proposed in this context and limitations of each one of them towards recent researches developed in possibility theory framework. We also present two learning possibilistic networks parameters methods

Possibilistic MDL: a new possibilistic likelihood based score function for imprecise data

International audienc

#363 : Kisspeptins and Human Reproduction: New Challenges in the Management of Couple Infertility

Background and Aims: Human reproduction is strictly controlled by a complex neurohormonal system including the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) production, which stimulates anterior pituitary gonadotropes secretion and thereby gonadal function. Now, it is well known that GnRH neurons are regulated by Kisspeptins, a family of neuropeptides encoded by the Kiss1 gene and produced mainly in the arcuate and periventricular nuclei of the third ventricle in the hypothalamus. This review aims to provide an updated view in the physiological effects of kisspeptins in male and female reproduction and to highlight future research challenges in therapeutic alternatives for the management of couple infertility. Method: A non-systematic review of the literature was performed by screening PubMed up to April 2023 using the search terms including “Kisspeptin”, “gonadotropin-releasing hormone”, “male infertility”, “female infertility”, “sperm”, “oocyte”, and “Assisted Reproductive Technology”. Results: Many reports suggested the importance of kisspeptins in various aspects of male and female reproduction, from sexual differentiation and puberty onset to adult regulation of gonadotropin secretion and the metabolic control of fertility. Kisspeptin is involved in oocyte development, quality of semen, steroidogenesis in both the ovaries and testes, sexual desires and pregnancy. Recently, a potential clinical relevance of kisspeptins was noted with emerging interests in applied medicine. Some investigations are being carried out to develop these neuromodulators as a diagnostic marker in male and female infertility. Kisspeptin analogs could constitute a new therapeutic strategy based on hormonal manipulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Conclusion: Further clinical trials are needed to provide the required evidence for the use of kisspeptin to trigger reproductive axis, gonadic functions and gametes differentiation guiding future clinical practice in couple infertility