An evaluation of tolerance of roxithromycin in adults.

This review deals with tolerance of a new macrolide, roxithromycin from data collected from a number of studies in adults. A total of 2917 adults, 2519 given roxithromycin 150 mg bid, were recruited into 17 multicentre comparative or non-comparative studies. Nine studies were double-blind, against doxycycline, erythromycin estolate (EES), lymecycline or cephradine. Overall the drug was well tolerated: side-effects possibly or probably related to roxithromycin were noted in only 4.1% (120/2917) of all patients, and in 3.1% (15/480) of elderly subjects. The gastrointestinal tolerance of roxithromycin was significantly better than that of doxycycline in four trials, and better than that of erythromycin ethylsuccinate in one study. The incidence of drug-related liver function test abnormalities following roxithromycin therapy was low and compared favourably with data published on erythromycin. Roxithromycin shows a satisfactory safety profile at the recommended daily dosage of 150 mg bid in adults.

[Behavioral disorders secondary to benzodiazepine therapy]. / Troubles comportementaux secondaires à la prise de benzodiazépines.

This report adds three cases to those previously published of paradoxical reactions to benzodiazepines. The clinical syndrome, more or less complete, is fairly stereotyped, with behavioural disorders, tendency to feelings of hostility and aggressiveness and total anterograde amnesia. Personal and environmental factors seem to play a prominent role in its development. The classical contra-indication of benzodiazepines following such reactions is discussed, and the hypothesis that mamillary-thalamic benzodiazepine receptors play a part in their genesis is envisaged.

[Paradoxical embolism through a patent foramen ovale. 4 cases]. / Embolies paradoxales à travers un foramen ovale perméable. Quatre observations.

Four cases of paradoxical embolism through a patent foramen ovale associated with massive pulmonary embolism are reported. In two cases, patency of the foramen ovale was demonstrated by a new technique: cross-sectional contrast echocardiography potentiated by coughing. The conventional surgical treatment included arterial embolectomy followed by insertion of a caval filter. Embolism recurred on three occasions under mechanical ventilation prior to insertion of the filter. A new sequence of investigations to facilitate detection of paradoxical embolism in patients with unexplained arterial embolism is suggested: (1) blood gas measurements, which reveal associated pulmonary embolism; (2) cough-potentiated cross-sectional contrast echocardiography, which demonstrates a patent foramen ovale and excludes emboligenic cardiopathies; (3) phlebography and pulmonary angiography which complete the diagnosis. To reduce the risk of recurrent embolism, it is recommended to begin treatment by blocking the vena cava without mechanical ventilation. This can be done by inserting a filter through the jugular vein under local anaesthesia. Arterial embolism can then be treated at lesser risk under mechanical ventilation.

[Toxic-shock syndrome. Three cases (author's transl)]. / Le syndrome de choc toxique staphylococcique. 3 observations.

Several cases of toxic shock syndrome (T.S.S) have been recently reported from the U.S.A. Clinical features of this new syndrome include fever, desquamative scarlatiniform rash, hypotension and involvement of central nervous system, liver, kidney and muscles. More than 90% of cases are women with staphylococcic vaginitis using tampons during menstruations. A toxin produced by staphylococcus aureus is thought to be the causative agent, because the germ has been isolated in local (vaginal, pharyngeal, subcutaneous or other sites) but not systemic (blood, cerebrospinal fluid) cultures. The mortality rate is 3-10%, and relapse can occur. We report the first three french cases of T.S.S.: a 17 year old girl with typical tampon-associated vaginitis, a 36 year old woman with a postoperative peritonitis and a 20 year old man with a popliteal abscess. Staphylococcus aureus of type I or IV was identified at the site of infection in all cases, but never in blood cultures. These three patients recovered with antistaphylococcic antibiotics and supportive therapy, but local treatment of infections seems to have been of utmost importance. These cases suggest that T.S.S. can occur with several staphylococcus serotypes and confirm that this syndrome is not always associated with tampons and vaginitis.

[Comparison of two E.E.C. baths by study of the oncotic pressure-pulmonary artery pressure gradient]. / Comparaison de deux bains de C.E. C. par l'étude du gradient pression oncotique-pression artérielle pulmonaire.

Variations in oncotic pressure-pulmonary artery diastolic pressure gradient and in intrapulmonary shunt were studied in two groups of patients undergoing surgery with extracorporeal circulation for aortocoronary bypass of excision of an aneurysm. The two groups, differed only in terms of the E.C.C. bath (Group A: Ringer Lactate; Group B: DDextran 60,000). The effects of E.C.C. on these parameters were as follows: - decrease in both groups in the gradient (OP-PAP) (respectively P < 0.001 and P < 0.01) but with a more marked decrease in group A than in group B (P < 0.05) with non-negativisation of the gradient in that group; - non-significant variations in Qs/Qt in both groups without any correlation with gradient (OP-PAP). The onset of pulmonary oedema associated with a decrease in gradient (OP-PAP) leads to the suggestion of the use of Dextrans in pathological situations where OP is low or PAP high and all the more so when both of these factors are present.