Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental pathology characterized by the impairment of social interaction, difficulties in communication, and repetitive behaviors. Alterations in the metabolism of amino acids have been reported. We performed a chromatographic analysis of fecal amino acids, ammonium, biogenic amines, and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in Tunisian autistic children from 4 to 10 years, and results were compared with their siblings (SIB) and children from the general population (GP). ASD presented significantly higher levels of fecal amino acids than SIB and GP; differences being more pronounced in younger (4–7 years) than in older (8–10 years) individuals whereas no changes were found for the remaining compounds. Lower levels of histidine were the only difference related with severe symptoms of autism (CARS scale). A linear discriminant analysis (LDA) based on fecal amino acid profiles clearly separated ASD, SIB, and GP at 4 to 7 years but not at more advanced age (8–10 years), evidencing more pronounced alterations in younger children. The relationship of fecal amino acids with autism needs deeper research integrating blood analytical parameters, brain metabolism, and intestinal microbiota. Fecal amino acids could be targeted for designing personalized diets to prevent or minimize cognitive impairments associated with ASD.

Objective: The aims of the study were to determine the prevalence of ADHD in a population of high school students and to explore the factors associated with this disorder. Method: This was a cross-sectional study that had included 447 high school students. The diagnosis of ADHD was made by the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale translated in Arabic language. The sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were evaluated by a preestablished questionnaire. The self-esteem was assessed by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Results: The prevalence of ADHD was 18.1%. The logistic regression analysis showed an association between the diagnosis of ADHD and the bad relationships with parents (odds ratio [OR] = 16.43; p < 10-3), the presence of personal psychiatric antecedents (OR = 12.16; p < 10-3), internet misuse (OR = 2.39; p = .014), and maltreatment antecedents (OR = 3.16; p = .009). Conclusion: The prevalence of ADHD in this study was one of the highest prevalence reported. The factors associated with ADHD may have diagnostic and therapeutic implications.

Research on the microbiota–gut–brain axis in autism has primarily focused on bacteria, with limited attention to fungi. There is a growing interest in understanding the involvement of fungi, particularly Candida, in patients with autism spectrum disorder. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, antifungal susceptibility profiles and virulence factors of Candida isolates from the guts of Tunisian children with autism. Twenty-eight children with autism and forty-six controls were enrolled. Candida isolates from the faecal samples were identified using biochemical and molecular methods; antifungal susceptibility testing was determined by the EUCAST broth microdilution method and virulence factors, including biofilm formation, cell surface hydrophobicity and phospholipase and proteinase activities, were assessed in vitro. As a result, Candida was detected in 13 children with autism (46.4%) and 14 control children (30.4%). Candida albicans was found to be the most common species isolate in the faeces of both groups of children. Antifungal susceptibility profiles showed that one Candida isolate was resistant to amphotericin B and anidulafungin (3.7%), six were resistant to micafungin (22.2%) and five were resistant to fluconazole (18.5%). All Candida isolates were biofilm producers. Of the twenty-seven isolates, only four showed phospholipase activity (14.8%), eight showed aspartyl-proteinase activity (29.6%) and nine were hydrophobic (33.3%). These results highlight the presence of Candida in the guts of children with autism, as well as the ability to express multiple virulence factors and the antifungal resistance, and they emphasize the need for further studies to confirm intestinal Candida colonization and its potential role in autism.

Alterations in faecal lactobacilli in autistic children have been reported, but little is known related to age and disorder severity. We used a culture-based method and partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing to isolate and identify lactobacilli strains from faeces of Tunisian autistic children (ASD group) and compared them with strains isolated from siblings (SIB) and children from the general population (GP). The ASD group displayed an increased number of different species compared to SIB and GP. Differences in species abundance with age accounted for a significant decrease in the abundance of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum/Lactiplantibacillus pentosus isolates in the GP at the age of 8–10 years compared to the age of 4–7 years, and to a significantly lower abundance of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus in the ASD group with respect to SIB and the GP at the age of 8–10 years. Simpson’s and Shannon–Wiener indices showed a more pronounced species diversity increase with age in the GP group compared to the ASD and SIB groups. Minor differences were found in lactobacilli prevalence and in species diversity between children with severe and mild-to-moderate ASD. Overall, we found substantial differences in the profile of faecal lactobacilli species in the ASD and GP groups at the age of 8–10 years.

To further explore and discuss the characteristics of exposure to screens in Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Tunisian context. This case control study explored the exposure to TV in 150 children with ASD, aged 1 to 4 years old in comparison to a comparable group of 150 typically developing children. Results showed Significant differences were observed between groups regarding the age of television viewing onset (4 vs. 14 months) and daily viewing duration (7 h vs. <1 h). Children with ASD predominantly viewed television alone, showing preference for repetitive content such as music videos, with viewing occurring throughout the day. Television exposure served as both a child-occupying strategy and a parental soothing technique, and was associated with increased autistic symptomatology. While acknowledging methodological limitations, this study suggests that the impact of early intensive screen exposure warrants further investigation in ASD populations.