[Fungal colonization in preterm neonates weighing less than 1500g admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit]. / Colonisation à levures chez les prématurés de moins de 1500g hospitalisés en réanimation néonatale.

Fungal colonization is a common occurrence in preterm neonates. Our objective was to describe the profile and characteristics of fungal colonization in preterm infants admitted to the Martinique NICU. From March 2012 to January 2013, an epidemiological prospective cohort study was conducted with 57 very low-birth-weight infants. Cutaneous, rectal, gastric, respiratory, and urinary swabs were collected on admission, then every week for 4 weeks. The prevalence of fungal colonization was 68% (39/57): 46% by Malassezia species, 28% by Candida parapsilosis, 19% by C. albicans, 5% by C. glabrata, and 2% by C. guilliermondii. The colonized patients had a duration of parenteral nutrition and antibiotic therapy longer than the others (P<0.05). Nosocomial colonization (after 2 days of life) occurred in 52% of cases: Malassezia species and C. parapsilosis were the commensal skin yeasts most frequently implicated. Forty-nine percent (28/57) had suspected invasive fungal infections that received probabilistic treatment. Only one case of invasive fungal infection with C. glabrata was diagnosed. This study highlights the important role played by nosocomial transmission in the colonization of preterm newborns. Mycological surveillance cultures in the NICU are very useful for monitoring fungal ecology and can improve the prevention of fungal colonization in preterm infants at risk of invasive fungal infection.

[Granular cell tumor of the gingiva in the newborn. Report of a case in Martinique]. / Tumeur à cellules granuleuses de la gencive chez le nouveau-né. A propos d'un cas en Martinique.

The authors report a case of a gingival granular cell tumor, also called "congenital epulis", occurring in a female newborn. It is a rare congenital, benign tumor of uncertain histogenesis, with marked predilection for female newborn. The tumor arises, as a polypoid mass, on the gingiva of the anterior maxillary or mandibular alveolar ridge. Typical histologic features are represented by sheets of large cells with pale granular cytoplasm. Despite remarkable similarities between gingival granular cell tumors and others ubiquitous granular cell tumors (granular cell myoblastoma or Abrikossoff's tumor), histogenesis of the gingival granular cell tumors seems different. Unlike those of granular cell myoblastoma, granular cells of gingival granular cell tumor do not express S-100 protein and Neuron-Specific-Enolase. Considering the positivity for oestrogen and progesterone receptors, a hormonal factor may be important in the development of gingival granular cell tumor. The generally accepted treatment is simple excision.