IntroductionDrug-drug interactions (DDIs) are defined as two or more drugs interacting in such a manner that the effectiveness or toxicity of one or more drugs is altered. Patients with cardiovascular disorders are at higher risk for DDIs because of the types and number of drugs they receive. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of DDIs in patients admitted to the cardiology department of a hospital in Morocco.MethodsA prospective observational study from June 2016 to September 2016 was carried out in the cardiology department of a hospital in Morocco. Those patients who were taking at least two drugs and had a hospital stay of at least 48 hours were included in the study. The medications of the patients were analysed for possible interactions. All the prescriptions of the study population were screened for drug-drug interactions using a computerized DDI database system (Theriaque®).ResultsDuring the study period, 138 patients were included; 360 interactions were detected among 94 patients, with an average number of drugs taken of 5.2. The prevalence of DDIs was estimated at 68.11%, the most common of which concerned Kardegic/Plavix (12.22%), Kardegic/Heparin (8.33%), and Lasilix/Spironolactone (5.83%). Among the 726 prescribed drugs, (372 [51.24%]) were drugs of the cardiovascular system, followed by blood and hematopoietic organ drugs (288 [39.67%]) according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification codes. These interactions were categorized on the basis of level of severity: interactions with major severity accounted for 11.11% (40) of the total DDIs while those with moderate and minor severity accounted for 37.22% (134) and 51.66% (186), respectively.ConclusionThis study reports the prevalence of DDIs in patients admitted to the cardiology department of a hospital in Morocco. This study shows that DDIs are frequent among hospitalized cardiac patients and highlights the need to screen prescriptions of cardiovascular patients for possible DDIs, as this helps in their detection and prevention.Pan African Medical Journal – ISSN: 1937- 8688 (www.panafrican-med-journal.com)Published in partnership with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET). (www.afenet.net)Pan African Medical Journal – ISSN: 1937- 8688 (www.panafrican-med-journal.com)Published in partnership with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET). (www.afenet.net)

Background and objective. Chemical spermicides currently marketed and widely used are known to have many side effects. Thereby, and in order to look for more tolerated natural spermicidal agents, the aim of this work was to evaluate the spermicidal potential of saponin extracts from the roots of Saponaria officinalis / Caryophyllaceae, Glycyrrhizia glabra / Fabaceae, and Herniaria glabra / Caryophyllaceae by studying their in vitro effects on sperm mobility and vitality. Methods. Methanolic saponin extracts from the plants roots were performed. Sperm suspensions were prepared by centrifugation on a PureSperm® density gradient (70 and 45%) and incubated with various concentrations of saponin extracts (50, 250, 500 and 750 mg/mL) at 37°C. The spermicidal activity was evaluated by studying the mobility and vitality of spermatozoa at different time intervals ranging from 10 to 240 minutes. Results. A dose and time dependent effect on sperm mobility and vitality was observed for our extracts. Extracts from Saponaria officinalis roots induced an irreversible immobilization and a total non-viability of sperm within 10 minutes at a concentration of 750 mg/mL. A similar effect was observed within 30 minutes at 750 mg/mL for Herniaria glabra extract and within 90 minutes at 500 mg/ml for Glycyrrhizia glabra extract. Conclusion. The results of our study showed that the saponin extracts of our plants roots possess potent in vitro dose and time dependant spermicidal effect. These natural products could therefore represent a safer and better tolerated alternative to chemical spermicides.

Context and objective. In Morocco, autism is a frequent disorder and no epidemiological studies have been carried out. The aim of this work is to analyze the characteristics of the onset of autism in children. Settings and Design. We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective study, spread over a period of 10 months. Methods. We included in our survey children who, according to the DSM 5 definition, had one of the autism spectrum disorders and had a well-defined diagnosis. For the statistical analysis we used Excel® software. We used the percentages for the description of the qualitative variables. Results. Of the parents of children with ASD, 49% were biological mothers. Of these, 30% women had their child when they were between 30 and 35 years of age. Males accounted for 61% of children with a sex ratio of 2.6. The first autistic traits appeared at the age of 18 months for 22% of our population. Of mothers with children with ASD, 83% had regular medical follow-up throughout their pregnancy. All autistic children in our population were vaccinated according to the National Immunization Program. According to parent reports, 70% affirmed that the first autistic features appeared after vaccination with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, knowing that this statement is not based on evidence. Conclusions. The quality of care depends on the age at which the diagnosis of autism is established.

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