[Value of fast indirect immunofluorescence diagnosis of respiratory viruses]. / Intérêt de la détection rapide par immunofluorescence indirecte des virus à tropisme respiratoire.

Four hundred and three nasopharyngeal aspirates from hospitalized children have been analysed for RSV, influenza A and B, parainfluenza 3, adenovirus, with Monofluor Kits Diagnostics Pasteur. One hundred and seventeen positive samples were found, RSV: 69, influenza A: 17, influenza B: 12, parainfluenza 3: 2 and adenovirus: 17. Rapid diagnosis of viral diseases allows to decrease the incidence of nosocomial infections, to watch over infants carrying RSV who might develop severe bronchiolitis. This technique combined with anatomic examination showed that sudden death occurred, in 7 of 15 infants, during an acute respiratory infection (RSV: 6).

Resistance of two strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae to pristinamycin associated with 16-membered macrolides.

Two strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from haemocultures show a phenotype resistance which has never been described within this species. This a is a dissociation between resistance and sensitivity within the macrolides group, associated with global resistance as regards pristinamycin (SA + SB).

Infection with hepatitis A and B viruses in French volunteers working in tropical Africa.

The risks of developing hepatitis A and B virus infections were studied in 233 French volunteers working for 18 to 35 months in the field in West and Central Africa. During their stay in Africa, the seroconversion rates to antibody to hepatitis A virus of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) class and hepatitis B marker(s) were 48.1% and 10.5%, respectively; 21.5% of the volunteers developed jaundice, and 78.0% of the jaundice cases were associated with hepatitis A seroconversion, 14.0% with hepatitis B seroconversion, 4.0% with seroconversion to both, and 4.0% without seroconversion. Male health workers were at lower risk than other male occupations for hepatitis A infection. Female health workers were at higher risk than other female occupations for hepatitis A infection. Health workers were at a lower risk of hepatitis B infection, but the significance was borderline. Populations such as these volunteers should receive immunoprophylaxis against hepatitis A and B infections.

[Incidence of isolation and antibiotic resistance of E. coli responsible for urinary infections outside hospitals, in specialized hospitals and in general hospitals]. / Fréquences d'isolement et résistance aux antibiotiques des E. coli responsables d'infections urinaires en ville, en centre hospitalier spécialisé et centre hospitalier général.

E. coli is the agent most frequently isolated in urinary infection. In 1982, rates of E. coli isolation were 87% in outpatient laboratories, 63% in general hospitals and 41% in specialized hospitals. Susceptibility to ampicillin was less frequent in outpatients (43%) than in hospitalized patients (67%). In both, isolated strains were susceptible to the major urinary antiseptics ( furans , nalidixic acid, pipemidic acid) and even more so to aminoglycosides. Resistance to beta-lactams was compared in outpatients (1981) and general hospital patients (1982):TEM plasmid resistance was found in 72% and 57% of strains respectively. Resistance to quinolones was unremarkable for all strains studied except for one NALs PIPr phenotype strain recovered from an outpatient.

[Course of ampicillin sensitivity in Haemophilus influenzae responsible for purulent meningitis in children. Therapeutic consequences]. / Evolution de la sensibilité à l'ampicilline des Haemophilus influenzae responsables de méningites purulentes chez l'enfant. Conséquences thérapeutiques.

Bacterial meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae observed from 1976 to 1980 (10 cases) are compared with those observed in 1981 (9 cases). From 1976 to 1980, 9 strains (90%) are ampicillin-sensitive. In 1981, 5 strains (55,5%) are ampicillin-sensitive and 4 strains (45,5%) are ampicillin-resistant and betalactamase positive. These 9 strains are serotype b. Therefore, since 1981, initial treatment of bacterial meningitis in infancy is a new cephalosporin, in this study is cefotaxime.