Mélika Ben Ahmed
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View article: Impact of IL10 polymorphism in chronic progression of hepatitis B virus infection
Impact of IL10 polymorphism in chronic progression of hepatitis B virus infection Open
View article: Prevalence and clinical implications of major and minor ANCAs in Tunisian (North African) patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Prevalence and clinical implications of major and minor ANCAs in Tunisian (North African) patients with systemic lupus erythematosus Open
Introduction Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) have been reported in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Their clinical significance remains unclear especially in the African populations. This study aimed to assess the prevale…
View article: Urticarial hypocomplementemic vasculitis syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report and review of the literature
Urticarial hypocomplementemic vasculitis syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report and review of the literature Open
Background Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis (HUV) syndrome is a rare form of small-vessel vasculitis characterized by a heterogeneous spectrum of clinical and biological findings. It is typically marked by chronic urticarial erupti…
View article: Anti-HMGCR myopathy: a first case report from North Africa and literature insights
Anti-HMGCR myopathy: a first case report from North Africa and literature insights Open
Anti-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (anti-HMGCR) myopathy is a rare idiopathic inflammatory myopathy characterized by severe muscle damage and minimal extra-muscular involvement. This report presents the first documented c…
View article: A deep dive into shrimp allergy: clinical spectrum of shrimp allergy in a Tunisian pilot study
A deep dive into shrimp allergy: clinical spectrum of shrimp allergy in a Tunisian pilot study Open
Shrimp allergy has emerged as a growing health concern in Tunisia, likely due to changing dietary habits. This study aimed to characterize the clinical features of shrimp-allergic patients and investigate potential cross-reactivity with ho…
View article: Molecular allergen sensitization profile and casein threshold determination predicting the persistence of cow's milk protein allergy in Tunisia (North Africa)
Molecular allergen sensitization profile and casein threshold determination predicting the persistence of cow's milk protein allergy in Tunisia (North Africa) Open
Background Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) represents a major health concern in Tunisia, with diagnostic challenges influencing disease prognosis. Molecular allergen testing has emerged as a valuable tool to enhance diagnostic accuracy a…
View article: Exploring the landscape of symptom-specific inflammatory cytokines in post-COVID syndrome patients
Exploring the landscape of symptom-specific inflammatory cytokines in post-COVID syndrome patients Open
View article: Modulation of αv integrins by lebecetin, a viper venom-derived molecule, in experimental neuroinflammation and demyelination models
Modulation of αv integrins by lebecetin, a viper venom-derived molecule, in experimental neuroinflammation and demyelination models Open
Several neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, are linked to alterations in myelin content or structure. Transmembrane receptors such as integrins could be involved in these alterations. In the pres…
View article: Changes in Physical Fitness, Muscle Damage and Cognitive Function in Elite Rugby Players over a Season
Changes in Physical Fitness, Muscle Damage and Cognitive Function in Elite Rugby Players over a Season Open
This study proposes to monitor the physical, immune and cognitive responses and adaptations of elite rugby players throughout the season based on the loads performed. Anthropometric measurements, physical fitness tests (e.g., muscle streng…
View article: Anti‐Ri‐antibodies associated paraneoplastic myelopathy revealing a woman's breast cancer: A case report
Anti‐Ri‐antibodies associated paraneoplastic myelopathy revealing a woman's breast cancer: A case report Open
Paraneoplastic myelopathy (PM) is an enigmatic immune‐mediated disorder rarely associated with breast cancer (BC) and anti‐Ri antibodies. Sometimes diagnosis is difficult due to the heterogeneity of symptoms and the timing of their onset. …
View article: Advancing understanding of the role of IL-22 in myelination: insights from the Cuprizone mouse model
Advancing understanding of the role of IL-22 in myelination: insights from the Cuprizone mouse model Open
Despite significant advancements in the field, the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) remains partially understood, with limited therapeutic options available for this debilitating condition. The precise impact of Interleukin-22 (I…
View article: Correction: Salivary Antigen SP32 Is the Immunodominant Target of the Antibody Response to Phlebotomus papatasi Bites in Humans
Correction: Salivary Antigen SP32 Is the Immunodominant Target of the Antibody Response to Phlebotomus papatasi Bites in Humans Open
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001911.].
View article: Snapshot of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibodies in COVID-19 Recovered Patients in Guinea
Snapshot of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibodies in COVID-19 Recovered Patients in Guinea Open
Background: Because the regular vaccine campaign started in Guinea one year after the COVID-19 index case, the profile of naturally acquired immunity following primary SARS-CoV-2 infection needs to be deepened. Methods: Blood samples were …
View article: Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after natural infection: insights from a study on Pasteur Institute of Tunis employees
Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after natural infection: insights from a study on Pasteur Institute of Tunis employees Open
This study aimed to assess the kinetics of antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2, following natural infection in a cohort of employees of the Institut Pasteur de Tunis (IPT) and to assess the risk of reinfection over a 12-months follow-up peri…
View article: Snapshot of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in Covid-19 recovered patients in Guinea
Snapshot of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in Covid-19 recovered patients in Guinea Open
Naturally-acquired immunity following primary SARS-CoV-2 infection was investigated from 200 patients (90% of African extraction) who recovered from Covid-19 since at least ~ 2.4 months (72 days). The detection of IgG antibodies to SARS-Co…
View article: A novel approach to designing viral precision vaccines applied to SARS-CoV-2
A novel approach to designing viral precision vaccines applied to SARS-CoV-2 Open
Efficient precision vaccines against several highly pathogenic zoonotic viruses are currently lacking. Proteolytic activation is instrumental for a number of these viruses to gain host-cell entry and develop infectivity. For SARS-CoV-2, th…
View article: A Longitudinal Study in Tunisia to Assess the Anti-RBD IgG and IgA Responses Induced by Three Different COVID-19 Vaccine Platforms
A Longitudinal Study in Tunisia to Assess the Anti-RBD IgG and IgA Responses Induced by Three Different COVID-19 Vaccine Platforms Open
Background: Vaccination constitutes the best strategy against COVID-19. In Tunisia, seven vaccines standing for the three main platforms, namely RNA, viral vector, and inactivated vaccines, have been used to vaccinate the population at a l…
View article: Immunogenicity and Tolerance of BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients
Immunogenicity and Tolerance of BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients Open
Background: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) induces acquired immunodeficiency, potentially altering vaccine response. Herein, we aimed to explore the clinical tolerance and the humoral and cellular immune response…
View article: Whole-exome sequencing reveals novel variants of monogenic diabetes in Tunisia: impact on diagnosis and healthcare management
Whole-exome sequencing reveals novel variants of monogenic diabetes in Tunisia: impact on diagnosis and healthcare management Open
Introduction: Monogenic diabetes (MD) accounts for 3%–6% of all cases of diabetes. This prevalence is underestimated due to its overlapping clinical features with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Hence, genetic testing is the most appropriate t…
View article: Development of an Optimized Process for Functional Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Spike S1 Receptor-Binding Domain Protein Produced in the Baculovirus Expression Vector System
Development of an Optimized Process for Functional Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Spike S1 Receptor-Binding Domain Protein Produced in the Baculovirus Expression Vector System Open
To map the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and evaluate immune response variations against this virus, it is essential to set up efficient serological tests locally. The SARS-CoV-2 immunogenic protein…
View article: Inflammatory Bowel Disease Increases the Severity of Myocardial Infarction after Acute Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury in Mice
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Increases the Severity of Myocardial Infarction after Acute Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury in Mice Open
(1) Background: Increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI) has been linked to several inflammatory conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the relationship between IBD and MI remains unclear. Here, we implemented…
View article: Development of an Optimized Process for Functional Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Spike S1 Receptor-Binding Domain Protein Produced in the Baculovirus Expression Vector System
Development of an Optimized Process for Functional Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Spike S1 Receptor-Binding Domain Protein Produced in the Baculovirus Expression Vector System Open
To map Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV 2) spreading and evaluate immune responses variations against this virus, it was essential to locally set up efficient serological tests. The SARS-CoV2 immunogenic proteins w…
View article: A novel approach to designing viral precision vaccines applied to SARS-CoV-2
A novel approach to designing viral precision vaccines applied to SARS-CoV-2 Open
Efficient precision vaccines against several highly pathogenic zoonotic viruses are currently lacking. Here, we describe a new approach to developing viral precision vaccines based on specific antigen selection through its application to t…
View article: Immunogenicity of Mix-and-Match CoronaVac/BNT162b2 Regimen versus Homologous CoronaVac/CoronaVac Vaccination: A Single-Blinded, Randomized, Parallel Group Superiority Trial
Immunogenicity of Mix-and-Match CoronaVac/BNT162b2 Regimen versus Homologous CoronaVac/CoronaVac Vaccination: A Single-Blinded, Randomized, Parallel Group Superiority Trial Open
(1) Background: This study aimed to compare the immunogenicity of the mix-and-match CoronaVac/BNT162b2 vaccination to the homologous CoronaVac/CoronaVac regimen. (2) Methods: We conducted a simple-blinded randomized superiority trial to me…
View article: Natriuretic-like Peptide Lebetin 2 Mediates M2 Macrophage Polarization in LPS-Activated RAW264.7 Cells in an IL-10-Dependent Manner
Natriuretic-like Peptide Lebetin 2 Mediates M2 Macrophage Polarization in LPS-Activated RAW264.7 Cells in an IL-10-Dependent Manner Open
Snake natriuretic peptide (NP) Lebetin 2 (L2) has been shown to improve cardiac function and reduce fibrosis as well as inflammation by promoting M2-type macrophages in a reperfused myocardial infarction (MI) model. However, the inflammato…
View article: VISTA+/CD8+ status correlates with favorable prognosis in Epithelial ovarian cancer
VISTA+/CD8+ status correlates with favorable prognosis in Epithelial ovarian cancer Open
Immunotherapy by blocking immune checkpoint regulators has emerged as a new targeted therapy for some cancers. Among them V-domain Ig suppressor of Tcell activation (VISTA) which is identified as a novel checkpoint regulator in ovarian can…
View article: Development and comparative evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD and N based ELISA tests in various African endemic settings
Development and comparative evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD and N based ELISA tests in various African endemic settings Open
View article: Incidence and risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 infection among workers in a public health laboratory in Tunisia
Incidence and risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 infection among workers in a public health laboratory in Tunisia Open
View article: PpSP32, the Phlebotomus papatasi immunodominant salivary protein, exerts immunomodulatory effects on human monocytes, macrophages, and lymphocytes
PpSP32, the Phlebotomus papatasi immunodominant salivary protein, exerts immunomodulatory effects on human monocytes, macrophages, and lymphocytes Open
Background The saliva of sand flies, vectors of Leishmania parasites, contains several components that exert pharmacological activity facilitating the acquisition of blood by the insect and contributing to the establishment of infection. P…
View article: Immunogenicity of Heterologous Versus Homologous Prime Boost Schedule with mRNA and Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccines: A Single-Blinded, Randomized, Parallel Group Superiority Trial
Immunogenicity of Heterologous Versus Homologous Prime Boost Schedule with mRNA and Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccines: A Single-Blinded, Randomized, Parallel Group Superiority Trial Open