[Acute myelitis in the post-eruptive phase of measles]. / Myélite aiguë à la phase postéruptive d'une rougeole.

An acute isolated myelitis occurring at the post-eruptive phase of measles is reported. This unusual complication of measles has a favourable outcome in the most of cases. An immunological mechanism, identical to this responsible of perivenous encephalitis seems to be involved.

[Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL): detection and clinical significance]. / Anticorps antiphospholipides (aPL): détection et signification clinique.

Phospholipid-binding antibodies are heterogeneous immunoglobulins of G and/or M and/or A class which can be detected in association with a variety of pathologies. However they can also occur in the absence of any clinical manifestations. Despite their paradoxical in vitro anticoagulant activity, phospholipid-binding antibodies, either primary or secondary, are frequently associated with venous and/or arterial thrombotic events. Hence, their detection has to be performed in several major clinical situations, cerebral attack, myocardial infarction, recurrent fetal loss, deep vein thrombosis ... Their course has to be controlled at least every six months. Since the incidence of phospholipid-binding antibodies in auto-immune pathologies is high, immunological disorders should also be considered. As yet there is no standardized assay of phospholipid-binding antibodies, either functional with respect to their anticoagulant activity, or immunological (ELISA). It is not established whether they possess an own pathogenic potential or appear as a secondary response following cellular alterations known to be thrombogenic. However it has been suggested that they could participate in the disruption of the hemostatic balance towards procoagulant tendency resulting in thrombosis.

[Hyperthyroidism and immune hemolytic anemia following amiodarone therapy]. / Hyperthyroïdie et anémie hémolytique immune après traitement par amiodarone.

We report the cases of two patients who, after prolonged amiodarone therapy developed hyperthyroidism and immune haemolytic anaemia. Antibodies were of the IgG type and non-specific at elution. A search for other causes of haemolytic anaemia with positive Coombs' test gave negative results. Antiamiodarone antibodies have recently been discovered; they reflect an immunological disturbance due to this drug and might be responsible for some of the undersirable effects of amiodarone. In our patients, hyperthyroidism and haemolytic anaemia were induced by a dual mechanism: accumulation of amiodarone and induction of an effect of this drug on the immune system.

[Sternal site of sarcoidosis]. / Localisation sternale d'une sarcoïdose.

Sarcoidosis is seldom revealed by bone lesions since these are almost exclusively seen in the chronic forms of an already diagnosed disease. We report a case of sarcoidosis where sternal lesions were the first to appear. The diagnosis was suggested by radiological findings and confirmed by the presence of other manifestations of sarcoidosis, notably lymph node involvement. Pain and functional impairment were such that we had recourse to corticosteroid therapy.