Mycoplasma genitalium screening in a specialized French unit: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) infection accounts for 10-35% of non-gonococcal non-chlamydial (NGNC) urethritis. However, given that most people infected with MG do not develop symptoms and that antimicrobial resistance is increasing worldwide, there is no evidence of any benefits of screening asymptomatic individuals. We conducted this study to describe MG screening practices and outcomes at a French Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) center in which MG testing was performed selectively and multiplex assays were not carried out [i.e., simultaneous screening for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and MG]. METHODS: A retrospective, observational, single-center study was conducted at the STI unit of Saint-Louis Hospital in Paris. The records of all patients undergoing MG testing from January 1st, 2017, to December 31st, 2018, were reviewed. The primary aim of the study was to describe and evaluate the proportion of MG-positive (MG+) patients among those tested. Secondary objectives were determination of the prevalence of MG+ status among symptomatic patients, risk factors associated with MG infection, and therapeutic modalities and efficacy. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-nine patients underwent MG testing, 28 (11%) of whom were positive (MG+). The prevalence of MG+ status among symptomatic NGNC patients was 12%. HIV-positive (HIV+) status was significantly associated with MG+ status in univariate and multivariate analyses (Odds Ratio=7.3, 95% Confidence Interval 1.3-41.7; P=0.02). Twenty-three patients (85%) received antibiotics. Eighteen (67%) received azithromycin for 5 days, but 7 had clinical resistance. No quinolone resistance was reported. CONCLUSION: Despite unavailability of multiplex testing at our facility, which led to targeted-only screening for MG, its relatively high local prevalence is in keeping with what is generally observed at similar facilities across the world, where use of multiplex tests enables systematic screening for MG alongside NG and CT. This reinforces the current recommendations in Europe, France and the US against systematic MG testing or treatment in asymptomatic patients.

[Two cases of baboon-like exanthema in primary parvovirus B19 infection]. / Exanthème à type de « syndrome babouin ¼ au cours d'une primo-infection par le parvovirus B19 : deux cas.

INTRODUCTION: Primary parvovirus B19 infection may present a wide variety of dermatological features. We report two cases of parvovirus infection presenting as flexural erythema of baboon syndrome induced by various drugs, but associated with purpuric or oedematous features. CASE REPORTS: A pregnant 23-year-old woman at 39 weeks of amenorrhoea and a 49-year-old woman consulted for flexural eruption in a setting of fever. In both cases, clinical examination revealed erythematosus rash in the major skin folds, with vesicles and elements of purpura in the former patient and bullous oedema in the latter. In both cases, the diagnosis of primary parvovirus B19 infection was confirmed by positive PCR screening of viral genome and by seroconversion after two weeks. The skin lesions regressed spontaneously within several days. DISCUSSION: Although initially linked solely with systemic drug toxicity, baboon syndrome has since been reported in connection with other allergens (drug reactions, contact dermatitis, viral and streptococcal infection). Among these causes, parvovirus B19 infection merits particular interest.

[Primary cutaneous aspergillosis in an immunocompetent farmworker]. / Aspergillose cutanée primitive chez un agriculteur immunocompétent.

INTRODUCTION: Aspergillosis is an uncommon fungal infection in which primary cutaneous sites are very rare. Most cases occur in immunodepressed patients and are disseminated in the blood. We report a case of primary cutaneous aspergillosis in a 37-year-old immunocompetent farmworker presenting as a kerion-like lesion. CASE REPORT: A 37-year-old farmworker presented erythematous and nodular lesions of the face. These lesions were not associated with any general symptoms and failed to respond to antibiotic treatment. Histological examination of a skin biopsy sample showed a granulomatous reaction in the dermis associated with an extensive neutrophilic infiltrate. PAS staining revealed the presence of right-angled branched hyphae with conidia. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated and identified in cultures. Clinical and biological examinations did not reveal any systemic localisation of aspergillosis, ruling out the hypothesis of blood dissemination. This primary cutaneous infection occurred in an immunocompetent patient, in whom laboratory tests ruled out any underlying immunosuppression. Systemic antifungal treatment with voriconazole led to complete resolution. DISCUSSION: Reports in the literature of primary cutaneous aspergillosis in immunocompetent patients are extremely rare. Clinical lesions may comprise often painful weeping or necrotic macules or papules or subcutaneous nodules that can progress towards abscess or necrosis. The semiological similarity between these lesions and kerions can lead to misdiagnosed cases and delayed treatment.

Prognostic factors for the response to treatment in males with genital warts.

BACKGROUND: Factors predicting an unfavourable course of genital warts to treatment have not been determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Behavioural and baseline disease characteristics were recorded from 246 males with anogenital warts. Urethral swabs were obtained and examined using the Hybrid Capture 2 Microplate assay. Patients were treated for their anogenital warts with cryotherapy, imiquimod cream 5% or podophyllotoxin. They were followed up every 3 months for 1 year. RESULTS: Patients with a negative or low-risk initial test tended to respond earlier to treatment than those with a high/intermediate-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) or with a dual infection (P = 0.028). The response rate was unrelated (P > 0.05) to the duration, number and anatomical location of the lesions and to the patient's age and sexual orientation, and only marginally to the initial extent of the lesion (P = 0.046). However, the type of treatment predicted a favourable response (P < or = 0.001), with patients who received both imiquimod and crotherapy responding worse. Considering all factors simultaneously in logistic regression, only the type of treatment and extent of the disease were found to influence the response rate. CONCLUSION: The type of treatment and extent of the disease were the only factors found critical for patients' response.

Assessment of the efficacy of cryosurgery in the treatment of granuloma faciale.

BACKGROUND: Granuloma faciale (GF) is an uncommon dermatosis of unknown pathogenesis. Multiple treatments have been proposed with varying results. We report nine cases treated successfully with cryosurgery and we review the literature. OBJECTIVES: To study the efficacy, tolerability and safety of cryosurgery techniques in the treatment of GF. METHODS: Nine immunocompetent adults with GF were treated by cryosurgery. The initiation of the therapy was preceded by a 60-day washout period in all subjects using other medication. Two different techniques were used (open-spray and contact cryo-probe). RESULTS: All patients were treated successfully. Apart from mild postinflammatory hypopigmentation in two patients that resolved within 4 months, no other adverse event was mentioned. During an average 24-month follow-up period after the integration of therapy, no recurrences were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Cryosurgery is an efficient, safe, inexpensive, easily used method for this uncommon dermatosis, which can be proposed as a treatment of first intention.

'Dalmatian dog'-like skin eruption (two cases of multifocal fixed drug eruption induced by mefenamic acid).

Mefenamic acid is a common widely prescribed drug with analgesic activity. Authors report two cases of multifocal fixed drug eruption induced by mefenamic acid. Cases were diagnosed on basis of clinical examination and histopathology of skin lesion. Only a few cases have been reported in the literature and these are the first two described in Greece.