[Does the sickle cell trait (heterozygous carrier status) confer protection against malaria?]. / L'hémoglobine S protège-t-elle du paludisme ?

The high frequency of the gene for sickle-cell hemoglobin in malaria-endemic regions is believed to be due to an advantage in surviving malaria. We report the case of a woman with both malaria and hemoglobin S.

[Hemophagocytic syndrome due to Herpes simplex virus after hysteroscopy]. / Syndrome d'activation macrophagique à Herpes simplex virus après hystéroscopie.

Hemophagocytic syndrome is an uncommon but life-threatening complication of Herpes simplex virus type 1 or 2 infection. Diagnosis is difficult to establish given the low specificity of clinical and biological signs.

Staphylococcus simulans osteitis in a diabetic patient.

Staphylococcus simulans was identified as the aetiological agent of osteitis in a diabetic woman. Its identifying characteristics and antibiogram were confirmed. Diabetic foot frequently becomes infected and the spread of infection to bone is a major causal factor behind lower-limb amputation. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential in such cases.

[Serum transferrin receptor in the assessment of iron status]. / Apport du dosage du récepteur soluble de la transferrine.

This report is devoted to the soluble transferrin receptors. We analyzed the comparison between ferritin, soluble transferrin receptors and C reactive protein. The soluble receptor measurement represents a significal advance in assessment of iron status, especially in the diagnosis of iron deficiency associated with inflammation, and in the evaluation of red blood mass during erythroid hyperplasias.

[Significations of extremely elevated C-reactive protein: about 91 cases in a French hospital center]. / Significations d'une protéine C-réactive supérieure à 500mg/l: à propos de 91 prélèvements dans un centre hospitalier brestois.

This report is devoted to 91 extremely elevated protein C-reactive levels. Patients characteristics, etiologies of inflammation, comorbidities and microbiology are subjected to wide variations. Mortality is high (37 % and 51 %, 30 and 90 days later).

[Evaluation of two automated methods for blood lactate levels]. / Evaluation de deux méthodes de dosage de la concentration sanguine de lactate.

We evaluated two automated methods for measuring blood levels of lactates with Integra 800 (Roche Diagnostics) and ABL 725 (Radiometer). Our evaluation had shown a within run imprecision of 1% (Intégra 800) and 2% (ABL 725) and a between-assay imprecision of 2% (Intégra 800) and 5% (ABL 725). The two methodologies appeared very well associated. The selective electrode remains expensive but it is very interesting because it saves a blood sample.

[Drepanocytosis with alpha and beta(o) thalassemia: a case report]. / Drépanocytose beta(o) thalassémique associée à une alpha thalassémie: à propos d'un cas.

We describe the case of a Sickle Cell Trait associated with alpha and beta(o) thalassemia at an young man without clinical abnormality. Capillary electrophoresis showed S haemoglobin at 67%, F haemoglobin at 29%, A2 haemoglobin at 4% and an absence of A haemoglobin. Accurate diagnosis was found by techniques of molecular biology.

[Biological signifiance of 410 microcytosis]. / Signification biologique de 410 microcytoses de découverte fortuite chez des adultes jeunes.

We have detected 410 microcytosis among biological tests of military people. These microcytosis are principally coumpounded by haemoglobin's abnormalities (minor thalassemia, sickle cell diseases, E haemoglobin cases and cases of C haemoglobin) and cases of iron deficiency, usually among women.

[Analytical interference in determination of procalcitonin by PCT-Q (Brahms)]. / Interférence analytique dans le dosage semi-quantitatif de la procalcitonine (PCT-Q Brahms).

Procalcitonin (PCT) is a biological marker of infection. We present the cas of a patient who has presented a high concentration of PCT with PCT-Q test (Brahms). At the same time, the concentration of CRP is remained low, which is no physiological. Then, PCT concentration has been determinated with an automatic system (Kryptor-Brahms) and finded at low than 0.5 microg/l. Brahms company has searched an analytical interference: human anti-mouse antibodies (HAMA) were positive. If PCT concentration stay a marker of infection for the most part, this case show that biologists have to keep in mind that immunological assays remain submitted to interferences.

[Evaluation of an automated method for measuring low-density lipoprotein cholesterol]. / Evaluation du dosage direct du cholestérol des lipoprotéines LDL.

We evaluated an automated method for measuring low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) with Integra 800 (Roche Diagnostics). This method uses detergents which show selectivity for the different lipoproteins. Our evaluation has shown a within run imprecision of 2% and a between-assay imprecision of 1.2%. This method was not perturbed by haemoglobin, bilirubin or lipids. However, the reagents remain expensive: we will use it when calculation or interpretation of lipid results are not possible.