Clinical and seroepidemiological study of Leishmaniasis in Northern Morocco

Une étude clinique, parasitologique et sérologique entreprise de 1993 à 1996 dans trois régions (17 localités) du nord du Maroc a révélé une fréquence élevée de la leishmaniose canine. 1362 chiens ont été examinés. Les sérums ont été collectés et testés selon la technique ELISA utilisant la souche locale Leishmania infantum comme antigène. Les résultats obtenus ont révélé une séroprévalence (quand elle n’est pas nulle) allant de 3,77% à 35,7%. Six isolats ont été caractérisés : 5L eishmania infantum ont été identifiés dans les provinces de Khémisset et Taza et une souche Leishmania tropica isolé d’un cas leishmanien dans la province de Taounate. La majorité des chiens cliniquement suspects ont montré des lésions ulcératives de la peau, amaigrissement, onychogriffose et lymphadenopathie. L’alopécie, la cécité et la diarrhée ont été observés uniquement dans la province de Khémisset

A giant ureteral stone in a 32-year-old man: a case report

Mohammad Natami,1 Alireza Makarem,2 Faisal Ahmed,2 Niloofar Dastgheib,3 Ali-hossein Zahraei3 1Department of Urology, Hormozgan University of Medical Science, Bandar Abbas, Iran; 2Department of Urology, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran; 3Department of Urology, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran Abstract: Giant ureteral calculi are defined as stones greater than 5 cm in length or circumference. These giant calculi can cause blockage of the ureter, dilation of the kidney and also decreased kidney function if not treated in time. The patient in this report presented with complaints of bilateral episodic pain of the bilateral lumbar region. Kidney, ureter and bladder (KUB) X-ray test showed a large bilateral ureteral stone about 14 cm in length and 106 g weight in the left ureter and 3 cm longitudinal diameter in the right ureter and also a staghorn stone in the left upper collecting system. Thereafter, the ureteric calculi were managed successfully using the combination of open and endoscopic techniques. Keywords: ureteric calculus, ureterolithotomy, transurethral lithotrips

Advances in the pathogenesis of canine leishmaniosis: epidemiologic and diagnostic implications

Canine leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum (Syn. L. chagasi) is an important zoonosis with a complex pathogenesis. Parasite transmission occurs via female sandflies that inject promastigotes into the skin of the host. The interaction between the parasite and skin immune system is influenced by the repeated infectious bites and the simultaneous intradermal injection of sandfly saliva. Amastigotes are transported via infected macrophages to the regional lymph nodes and finally dissemination may occur. The outcome of the infection depends on host factors (genetic background, cell-mediated and humoral immune response, cytokine milieu, concurrent diseases) and parasite virulence. Resistance may be breed-associated; it is characterized by low to undetectable antibody production and effective cell-mediated immunity, and is orchestrated by cytokines such as interleukin-2, interferon-gamma and tumour necrosis factor-alpha. Susceptibility may be genetically determined or acquired (advanced age, concurrent diseases); in these dogs, parasite multiplication goes unrestricted and overproduction of specific and nonspecific antibodies occurs, leading to multiple organ pathology. Resistance or susceptibility is not an all-or-nothing phenomenon and many intermediate phenotypes may be found. From a diagnostic point of view, although clinical cases are readily identified using microscopy and serology, investigation should not stop at this point and an extensive search for underlying diseases is advised, especially in aged dogs. Conversely, microscopy and conventional serology are frequently negative in asymptomatic infected dogs; to identify such dogs, polymerase chain reaction, evaluation of cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity, in vitro lymphocyte proliferation test to Leishmania antigen, and Western blotting may be employed