The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of COVID-19 disease in the French national population of dialysis patients, their course of illness and to identify the risk factors associated with mortality. Our study included all patients on dialysis recorded in the French REIN Registry in April 2020. Clinical characteristics at last follow-up and the evolution of COVID-19 illness severity over time were recorded for diagnosed cases (either suspicious clinical symptoms, characteristic signs on the chest scan or a positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) for SARS-CoV-2. A total of 1,621 infected patients were reported on the REIN registry from March 16th, 2020 to May 4th, 2020. Of these, 344 died. The prevalence of COVID-19 patients varied from less than 1% to 10% between regions. The probability of being a case was higher in males, patients with diabetes, those in need of assistance for transfer or treated at a self-care unit. Dialysis at home was associated with a lower probability of being infected as was being a smoker, a former smoker, having an active malignancy, or peripheral vascular disease. Mortality in diagnosed cases (21%) was associated with the same causes as in the general population. Higher age, hypoalbuminemia and the presence of an ischemic heart disease were statistically independently associated with a higher risk of death. Being treated at a selfcare unit was associated with a lower risk. Thus, our study showed a relatively low frequency of COVID-19 among dialysis patients contrary to what might have been assumed.

An effective electrochemical influenza A biosensor based on a graphene-gold (Au) hybrid nanocomposite modified Au-screen printed electrode has been developed. The working principle of the developed biosensor relies on the measurement of neuraminidase (N) activity. After the optimization of experimental parameters like the effect of bovine serum albumin addition and immobilization times of fetuin A and PNA lectin, the analytical characteristics of the influenza A biosensor were investigated. As a result, a linear range between 10 U mL and 10 U mL was found with a relative standard deviation value of 3.23% (for 10 U mL of N, n:3) and a limit of detection value of 10 U mL N. The developed biosensor was applied for real influenza virus A (H9N2) detection and very successful results were obtained.

A study was undertaken between November 2008 and March 2010, in the focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis of Central Tunisia, to evaluate the role of Psammomys obesus (n = 472) and Meriones shawi (n = 167) as reservoir hosts for Leishmania major infection. Prevalence of L. major infection was 7% versus 5% for culture ( p = not signifiant [NS]), 19% versus 16% for direct examination of smears ( p = NS), and 20% versus 33% ( p = NS) for Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test among P. obesus and M. shawi, respectively. The peak of this infection was in winter and autumn and increased steadily with age for the both species of rodents. The clinical examination showed that depilation, hyper-pigmentation, ignition, and severe edema of the higher edge of the ears were the most frequent signs observed in the study sample (all signs combined: 47% for P. obesus versus 43% for M. shawi; p = NS). However, the lesions were bilateral and seem to be more destructive among M. shawi compared with P. obesus. Asymptomatic infection was *40% for both rodents. This study demonstrated that M. shawi plays an important role in the transmission and the emergence of Leishmania major cutaneous leishmaniasis in Tunisia.