[Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive osteoarticular infections]. / Infections ostéoarticulaires à Staphylococcus aureus portant le gène de la leucocidine de Panton-Valentine.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequency of osteoarticular infections with Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive (PVL) Staphylococcus aureus (PVL-SA) among patients admitted to the orthopedic ward at the Sahloul University Hospital (Sousse, Tunisia) and to study the characteristics of these strains and patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective descriptive study over a 5-year period. Bacterial identification, antibiotic susceptibility, and molecular study (PCR to detect of the luk-PV gene that encodes PVL) were performed for 44 S. aureus isolates. RESULTS: Panton-Valentine toxin was found in 41% of S. aureus cases, mainly males, and 39% of the PVL(+) cases were methicillin-sensitive (MSSA). These strains constitute a reservoir of PVL genes that can lead to the emergence and spread of PVL-SA clones resistant to methicillin (MRSA). In our series, PVL-MRSA accounted for 9% of all S. aureus isolates. Their profile and antibiotic resistance is that of clone ST80, frequently isolated in Europe and also reported in Algeria and Tunisia. CONCLUSION: It is desirable to test for PVL routinely in the laboratory to implement appropriate treatment and to monitor the epidemiology of these PVL-SA strains actively. Further measures should be undertaken to prevent and fight infections by these strains.

[Tumoral form of abdominal actinomycosis: a retrospective case series of seven patients]. / Actinomycoses abdominales à forme tumorale : une série rétrospective de sept observations.

PURPOSE: Abdominal actinomycosis is an uncommon chronic infectious disease due to Actinomyces, a Gram-positive bacteria. This saprophytic bacteria of digestive tract and genital mucosa can occasionally become pathogenic mimicking a digestive neoplasia. The aim of this study was to underline diagnostic features of abdominal actinomycosis and to summarize data about clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic approach of this type of infection. PATIENTS: From January 1995 to December 2007, retrospective data concerning patients with abdominal actinomycosis who were followed-up in the University Hospital Sahloul (Sousse, Tunisia) were analysed. RESULTS: Seven patients with abdominal actinomycosis were identified during the study period. All presented with an abdominal mass. The diagnosis of actinomycosis was obtained after surgical resection in all cases. The histological study permitted the diagnosis in six cases, and the surgical samples grew up Actinomyces in two patients. For the five patients who received prolonged and adapted antibiotic therapy, a favourable outcome was observed. CONCLUSION: Actinomycosis must be included in the differential diagnosis of invasive abdominal lesions with "malignant appearance".

Salmonella non typhoidique : une cause rare d'infection urinaire

Le but de notre travail est d'analyser les aspects cliniques; bacteriologiques et therapeutiques des infections urinaires a Salmonella non typhi (SNT) dans notre region. Patients et methodes : Il s'agit d'une etude descriptive retrospective ayant concerne les cas d'infections urinaires a SNT diagnostiques a l'hopital Sahloul (Sousse; Tunisie) recenses sur une periode de six ans et demi (Janvier 2003-Juin 2009). Les souches ont ete identifiees grace a leurs caracteres morphologiques; biochimiques et antigeniques. Un antibiogramme a ete effectue. Resultats : 9 cas d'infection urinaire a SNT ont ete ainsi recenses; soit 0;079des infections urinaires colligees au laboratoire de microbiologie durant la meme periode. L'age moyen des patients etait de 45 ans. Un terrain debilite etait note chez 8 des 9 patients. Les facteurs favorisants notes etaient variables et parfois associes chez un meme patient: diabete (4 cas); traitement corticoide et immunosuppresseur (3 cas); insuffisance renale (3 cas); reflux vesico-uretral (1 cas); pathologie tumorale (4 cas); lupus erythemateux systemique (1 cas); hypertrophie prostatique (1 cas). Les serotypes notes etaient Salmonella enteritidis (8 cas); Salmonella typhimurium (1 cas). L'evolution sous antibiotherapie adaptee (duree moyenne de 16.4 jours) etait favorable dans 7 cas. Conclusion : L'infection urinaire a SNT survient en regle sur un terrain predispose notamment un diabete sucre; une uropathie ou un etat d'immunodepression. Le traitement antibiotique doit etre suffisamment prolonge pour eviter les complications et les recidives

[Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection]. / Syndrome opsoclonie-myoclonie associé à une infection à Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

UNLABELLED: Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is associated with various manifestations involving the central nervous system but it has never been reported as a potential aetiology of opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS) in children. OBSERVATION: We report on a case in a 4-year-old girl who presented neurological manifestations compatible with an OMS, after a respiratory tract disease. Aetiological investigations revealed M. pneumoniae infection as specific IgM were present in the serum (Elisa). Evolution after corticosteroid, intravenous immunoglobulins and macrolide therapy was favourable as clinical symptoms disappeared. After a 12-month follow-up, the patient has no neurological sequela. CONCLUSION: M. pneumoniae infection should be added to the list of causes to be screened in OMS. Its pathophysiology remains unknown but may involve a dysimmune postinfectious mechanism.

Successful Treatment of Homozygous Cystinuria with Captopril

Objective : Cystinuria is an autosomal recessive hereditary disorder associated with nephrolithiasis and its attendant complications. Traditional management using oral alkali; D-penicillamine; or mercaptopropionyglycine in an attempt to increase urinary cystine solubility is often unsuccessful due to intolerable side-effects. The aim of this study was to determine; if captopril could reduce urinary cystine excretion in homozygous cystinuric patients. Patients and methods : Three cystinuric patients with a history of multiple cystine stones despite previous traditional therapy were treated with 150 mg captopril daily for 3 years after determination of their baseline 24-hour urine cystine excretion. Cystine excretion studies were repeated subsequently at 6-month intervals. Results : The baseline 24-hour urine cystine excretion was within the expected limits for homozygous cystinuria in all patients (1072; 862 and 959 mg cystine per gm creatinine per 24 hours). After institution of captopril treatment; all patients had a significant decrease in urinary cystine levels (374; 313 and 451 mg cystine per gm creatinine per 24 hours). No patient experienced recurrent nephrolithiasis or adverse drug effects. Conclusion : We conclude that captopril can significantly decrease urinary cystine excretion in patients with homozygous cystinuria. Captopril should be considered an alternative to traditional drug management of cystinuria