The BD™ HLA-B27 GS145.2-based assay for flow cytometric HLA-B27 typing has been validated on earlier-generation cytometers but not on the increasingly adopted BD FACSLyric platform, highlighting the need for platform-specific validation. While prior transfer strategies relied on conversion of the source instrument's parameters, we performed a de novo analytical validation of the HLA-B27 Kit on the FACSLyric. Our strategy encompassed determination of the assay's gray zone and rigorous evaluation of analytical performance following CLSI H62 guidelines. A total of 125 patient samples were analyzed in parallel by real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and flow cytometry. Sixteen patients (12.8%) were HLA-B27 positive by RT-PCR. A ROC-derived mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) cut-off of 6627 achieved 100% sensitivity and 99.1% specificity. The empirically defined gray zone (6627-7073) was narrow, encompassing only two samples. To strengthen analytical robustness, bootstrapping was applied to derive a 95% confidence interval around the cut-off, yielding an expanded gray zone of 5779-7327. Using this interval, 7 samples (5.6%) were classified as equivocal, comprising four HLA-B27-positive cases and three samples carrying cross-reactive alleles (HLA-B*42, HLA-B*37, and HLA-B*44). Outside the gray zone, flow cytometry showed complete concordance with RT-PCR. MFI values above 7327 ensured unequivocal HLA-B27 positivity with 100% specificity. Precision was high (intra-assay 5.43%, between-run 1.84%, between-day 5.13%), with no carryover and reliable typing up to 24 h post-collection. These results establish a robust, reproducible, and scalable framework for accurate first-line HLA-B27 detection on the FACSLyric platform.
Objectif Estimer la fréquence du refus initial d’un traitement inhalé en consultation de pneumologie en Algérie et explorer le profil des patients concernés. Méthodes Étude transversale multicentrique (septembre 2022–janvier 2023) dans sept structures. L’attitude était classée en acceptation immédiate, acceptation difficile ou refus persistant ; les deux dernières modalités définissaient le « refus initial ». Résultats Trois-cent-quatre-vingt-cinq (385) patients ont été inclus (âge moyen 40,1±25,0 ans ; 49,9 % d’hommes). Un refus initial concernait 127/385 (33,0 %), dont 32/127 (25,2 %) persistants ; 95/127 (74,8 %) acceptaient après discussion. Les refuseurs étaient plus jeunes, plus souvent en nouvelle initiation et présentaient plus souvent une faible acceptation de la maladie. L’acceptation immédiate était plus fréquente avec un LABA, une association fixe CSI+LABA ou une capsule à inhaler. Les peurs et l’influence de l’entourage étaient surtout rapportées par les refuseurs ; 54/127 (42,5 %) citaient l’entourage proche comme influence principale. Le temps d’information et de conseils était plus long en cas de refus initial (6,39±3,33 contre 4,00±2,00minutes). Conclusion Une information structurée à la prescription, tenant compte des croyances du patient et de l’influence de l’entourage, pourrait réduire ces refus précoces.
OBJECTIVE:To estimate the frequency of initial refusal of inhaled treatment in Algerian pneumology outpatients and to describe the characteristics of patients presenting this refusal. METHODS:Multicenter cross-sectional study (September 2022 to January 2023) conducted in seven clinics. Attitudes were classified as immediate acceptance, difficult acceptance, or persistent refusal. Initial refusal combined the last two. RESULTS:Three hundred eighty-five (385) patients were included (mean age 40.1±25.0 years; 49.9% male). Initial refusal occurred in 127/385 (33.0%), including 32/385 (8.3%) with persistent refusal; 95/127 (74.8%) accepted after discussion. Patients with initial refusal were younger, more often in a new initiation setting, and more likely to show poor disease acceptance. Immediate acceptance was more frequent when prescriptions included a long-acting beta-2 agonist or a fixed inhaled corticosteroid plus long-acting beta-2 agonist combination, and when the device was a capsule inhaler. It was also more frequent in patients previously exposed to inhaled therapy or with a close relative using an inhaler. Fears (adverse effects, dependence, stigma) and social influences were mainly reported by refusers; 54/127 (42.5%) cited close relatives as the main influence. Time devoted to information and advice was longer in the initial refusal group (6.39±3.33 vs. 4.00±2.00minutes). CONCLUSION:One in three patients initially refuses inhaled therapy. Structured counselling at the time of prescribing, with attention to patients' beliefs and family influence, may help reduce these early refusals.
Introduction: Pediculus humanus capitis is a cosmopolitan ectoparasite that causes scalp pruritus, particularly among children in low- and middle-income countries. Transmission occurs mainly through direct head-to-head contact, and various risk factors have been implicated in increasing susceptibility to infestation. Nevertheless, epidemiological and molecular data on head lice infestation in Algeria remain limited. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional epidemiological study aimed to estimate the prevalence of pediculosis capitis and to identify associated risk factors among Algerian primary schoolchildren across 21 provinces over a 10-year period (2015–2024). A total of 34,152 children aged 8 to 11 years from 124 schools were screened for infestation. Data were collected on infestation status, demographic variables, and hair characteristics. In addition, mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequencing was performed on representative specimens to investigate phylogenetic diversity and lineage distribution. Results: The overall prevalence of head lice infestation was 3.5
Pistacia lentiscus essential oil is widely recognized for its gastroprotective and antimicrobial properties; however, there is no clear consensus on which plant part exhibits the strongest activity against Helicobacter pylori. The objective of this study was to compare essential oils extracted from leaves, berries, and sap in terms of extraction yield, chemical composition, and antibacterial activity. Essential oils were extracted, characterized by GC-MS, and evaluated for antibacterial activity against H. pylori strains J99 and F29, as well as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The sap showed the highest yield (9.218%). GC-MS analysis revealed monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes as the main constituents, with α-pinene present in all samples. The leaf essential oil exhibited the strongest inhibition against H. pylori, exceeding the tested antibiotics against the F29 strain. These findings indicate that P. lentiscus leaves represent the most promising natural source for anti-H. pylori activity and suggest that the effect is due to synergistic interactions rather than α-pinene alone.
