Inappropriate bradycardia in Ebola virus disease.

BACKGROUND: As part of French assistance for the outbreak of Ebola virus disease in west Africa, a military treatment center for infected healthcare workers was deployed in Conakry, Guinea. Although some cases of bradycardia have been reported since the first Ebola outbreak, they have never been documented to our knowledge. We studied heart rhythm in patients with Ebola virus disease to analyze inappropriate bradycardia and discuss its mechanism. METHODS: Nine patients who tested positive for Ebola were admitted in March 2015. Baseline clinical data were noted at admission and twice a day during follow-up, and laboratory analyses (with troponin testing) were performed. RESULTS: At admission, patients had no or moderate tachycardia (pulse = 82 ± 27 bpm). Among them, a 32-year-old midwife admitted on her fourth day of symptoms had marked bradycardia: 43 bpm. ECG showed sinus bradycardia with no conduction disturbances or repolarization anomalies; findings were similar for the three other patients with bradycardia (< 60 bpm). During follow-up, her pulse gradually increased, as it did for the other three; all four recovered. DISCUSSION: Despite several factors likely to promote tachycardia, we observed no or only moderate tachycardia in all patients with Ebola. In our study, ECG recorded sinus rhythm, without significant node dysfunction or atrioventricular block. In the absence of any evidence of myocarditis, we discuss the possibility of a central nervous system cause, associated with encephalitis. CONCLUSION: We observed relative or marked bradycardia in our patients infected with Ebola. We hypothesize that its causal mechanism was encephalitis.

[Noroviruses: leading cause of gastroenteritis]. / Les norovirus: une cause majeure des gastro-entérites.

Although noroviruses were the first viral agents to be linked to gastrointestinal disease, they were long considered a secondary cause far behind rotaviruses. Development of molecular-based diagnostic techniques has provided clearer insight into the epidemiological impact of noroviruses that are now recognized not only as the leading cause of non-bacterial gastroenteritis outbreaks but also as an important cause of sporadic gastroenteritis in both children and adults. Norovirus infection is generally characterized by mild acute vomiting and diarrhea usually lasting for only a few days, but it can lead to more severe and potentially life-threatening symptoms in high-risk groups such as young children, elderly, and immunodeficient persons. It has been demonstrated that they are present in tropical countries. Molecular epidemiological studies have documented the great genetic diversity of noroviruses with regular emergence of variants. Since no vaccine is available, prevention on norovirus infection depends mainly on strict personal and community hygiene measures.

Noroviruses: a challenge for military forces.

For military forces, the control of infectious acute gastroenteritis constitutes an old, constant and unsolved concern. Recent epidemiological studies suggest that the common bacterial causes are being overtaken by viruses. Norviruses are the most alarming group and norovirus outbreaks in military forces are regularly reported. Illness is generally mild and characterised by acute vomiting and diarrhoea, which lasts for a few days on average, but may be severe and potentially life-threatening in subjects who are already dehydrated due to daily activity. Moreover, outbreaks may diminish operational effectiveness. Prevention of norovirus infection currently relies on strict application of personal and collective hygiene rules including isolation of the cases, to the greatest possible extent. Although noroviruses are frequently mentioned as the cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks in troops deployed overseas, laboratory diagnosis is rarely done. So their real burden in military forces remains unclear and further epidemiological studies are required to determine the full impact of norovirus gastroenteritis on troops.

[Diagnosis of tuberculosis in developing countries: new perspectives]. / Diagnostic biologique de la tuberculose dans les pays à faibles ressources: perspectives nouvelles.

Tuberculosis (TB) is still a major public health problem in the world despite the ambitious goals of the DOTS strategy, i.e., detection of 70% of new cases and successfully treatment of at least 85% of those cases. One of the main reasons for this relative failure is lack of a sensitive method for reliable diagnosis particularly in HIV-positive patients. Development of new diagnostic tools is a top priority in the WHO's "Global plan to stop TB, 2006-2015". Numerous avenues of research have been proposed including development of immunological tests to detect antigens and antibodies, cutaneous tests, respiratory tests, improved solid or liquid culture techniques, alternatives to culture techniques, molecular biology techniques, etc. Some of these techniques will require long-term development and others will probably never be suitable for routine diagnosis. However a few innovations such as optimization of direct microscopic examination using new lower-priced fluorescence microscopes are ready for rapid deployment. Another promising area of research involves immunoenzymatic testing on urine samples. In any event clinical trials will be necessary to demonstrate the efficacy of these new diagnostic tools. These trials must be conducted and controlled under field conditions in the geographical zones where they will be used, i.e. in low-income countries with high incidences of TB.

[Staphylococcus aureus infections carrying Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes in hospitals: which statute should be given to these strains?]. / Infections à Staphylococcus aureus porteurs du gène codant la leucocidine de Panton-Valentine à l'hôpital: quel statut donner à ces souches?

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence Staphylococcus aureus infections carrying Panton-Valentine leukocidin (LPV) genes in our hospital by screening patients that are hospitalised or admitted for consultation, as well as to study the characteristics of these strains and the respectively infected patients. METHODS: A descriptive and retrospective study over the course of a 14 month period was conducted. The isolates of S. aureus were tested for antimicrobial resistance, in which detection of the virulence gene was performed by way of PCR, such as is the case for gene luk-PV which encoding the LPV. The genetic diversity of the strains carrying gene, luk-PV, was determined by way of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and by the MLVA (Multiple Loci VNTR Analysis; VNTR, Variable Number of Tandem Repeats) method. RESULTS: 7.14% of the S. aureus isolates carried genes for LPV, which are primarily sourced from surgery, emergency, and outpatient consultation services. The nature of the reported infections is often surface, immediately collected, and more rarely deep. Genotyping revealed three principal clones that were gathering 55% of the strains, which in turn highlighted transmission to the nursing staff. COMMENTS: These strains of S. aureus LPV+ have the capacity for diffusion and pathogenicity, which leads to the need to take some specific measures at hospitals: the tracking of the LPV during repeat or deep infections with S. aureus, possibly the search for conveyance and individual measures for the eradication of the strain. Lastly, it is necessary to increase the nursing staff's awareness of the appropriate hygiene measures when they come into contact with these patients.

[Panton-Valentine leukocidin-producing Staphylococcus aureus responsible for necrotizing pneumonia]. / Pneumopathie nécrosante à Staphylococcus aureus producteur de la leucocidine de Panton-Valentine.

Panton-Valentine leukocidin-producing (PVL) Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for a highly lethal necrotizing pneumonia, which occurs predominantly in young immunocompetent patients. Hemoptysis and leucopenia often occur but are not always present. Detection of PVL gene on S. aureus strains responsible for pneumonia should help us to a better understanding of this disease, to improve its treatment with antibiotics capable of lower the toxin production and to prevent its diffusion to others persons by detection and elimination of a nasal S. aureus carriage.

[Amebic lung abscess: an unexpected diagnosis]. / Amibiase pleuropulmonaire: un diagnostic inattendu.

Pleuropulmonary amebiasis is a very rare complication of amebiasis infection and direct pulmonary involvement is exceptional. The clinical diagnosis is difficult without any intestinal or extraintestinal manifestations. A percutaneous drainage is necessary to aspirate pus. We report herein the case of a 56-year-old man presenting with an amebic lung abscess in his right lower lung and pleural effusion. The diagnosis was suspected by our laboratory from a serological assay (antiamebic antibodies reaching 320 by IHA) and established from a direct examination of the pus in which rare trophozoites of Entamoeba were detected. We pointed out the importance of the communication between the clinician and the biologist. Protozoan infection should be suspected in pleuropulmonary infection when antibiotics failed even in France. This patient left endemic area a long time ago and the way of his amebiasis contamination is unknown: recurrence of amebic infection is rare and prevalence in industrialized countries reaches only 1%. Several hypothesis are exposed.

[Bacillus licheniformis: an unusual cause of erysipelosis]. / Bacillus licheniformis: agent causal d'érysipèle.

The authors report a case of a cutaneous infection due to Bacillus licheniformis. It occurred after a wound due to a wicker splinter. The bacteriological identification was easy thanks to the very typical aspects of culture. First intention antibiotherapy given for bacterial dermo-hypodermatitis may be ineffective because Bacillus licheniformis secretes a biofilm and is frequently resistant to Beta-lactams.

[Value of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides antibodies in comparison with rheumatoid factor for rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis]. / Intérêt des anticorps antipeptides cycliques citrullinés par rapport aux facteurs rhumatoïdes pour le diagnostic de la polyarthrite rhumatoïde.

The detection of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides (CCP) antibodies is a new marker for diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. We screened 100 patients suffering from rheumatic pathologies or from other affections where rheumatoid factor is frequently detected. The screening was assessed by a second generation ELISA (Immunoscan RA) in comparison with agglutination assay (Latex and Waaler-Rose) and specific ELISA (IgM, IgG and IgA). The sensitivity of the anti-CCP is good (>70%) with an excellent specificity (98%). In our study the predictive value of the Immunoscan RA reached 71% and more among patients with joints symptoms. Anti-CCP antibody test could serve as a better diagnosis marker than rheumatoid factor.

[Invasive infections by Streptococcus pyogenes]. / Infection fulminante à Streptococcus pyogenes chez l'adulte.

Invasive infections by Streptococcus pyogenes continually increase both in France and in others industrialized countries. Because of the seriousness, the rapidity of the evolution and the epidemic potentialities, guidelines for managing these infections are requested by the Superior Council of Public Hygiene of France. The authors report herein a case of an adult stricken down by a violent evolution due to Streptococcus pyogenes. They point up how diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis for family circle are difficult.

[Topicality of serologic screening of human immunodeficiency virus infections in adults]. / Actualité du dépistage sérologique de l'infection par le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine chez l'adulte.

Enzyme immunoassay is the basic method for the detection of antibodies to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). In spite of the apparent facility of the serological screening, the difficulties are real at all stages of the analysis. Specimen treatment needs defined rules to avoid contamination. The products authorized are listed by the "French Drug Agency". The specificity cannot be less than 99.5%, and the sensitivity must be of 100%. Each biologist have to acquire its own experience of the tests utilised. To the very recent seroconversions, he must define decision criteria for the pursuit or not of the investigations. False positive have been observed for patients with autoimmune pathology, but was usually related to a disparity between kit lots.

[Sensitivity to fosfomycin of multiresistant serotype 012 Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Multicenter study]. / Sensibilité a la fosfomycine des Pseudomonas aeruginosa multirésistants de sérotype O12. Etude multicentrique.

In a multicentric study including 214 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, we observed that serotype O12 is more frequently sensitive to fosfomycine than other serotypes strains (72% vs 13.2%, p < 0.000001). Time killing experiments demonstrated that combination of ceftazidime-fosfomycine and amikacine-fosfomycine have usually bactericidal and synergistic activities and could be used for the treatment of multiresistant Pa O12 infections. However, an antagonism between beta-lactams and fosfomycin in disk diffusion needs an adequate concentration of both antibiotics in the site of infection.

[Pseudomonas aeruginosa: bactericidal activity on various beta-lactam resistance phenotypes of 8 antibiotics and 7 combinations]. / Pseudomonas aeruginosa: bactéricidie sur différents phénotypes de résistance aux bêta-lactamines de 8 antibiotiques et 7 associations.

Bactericidal activities of 8 antibiotics (ticarcillin, piperacillin, piperacillin-tazobactam, ceftazidime, cefepime, imipenem, amikacin, ciprofloxacin) and of 7 combinations have been studied by time-killing curve technique for 16 Pseudomonas aeruginosa selected for their beta-lactams resistance phenotypes (3 wild strains, 5 penicillinases, 2 extended-spectrum beta-lactamases, 3 high level cephalosporinases and 3 non enzymatic resistance). Bactericidal activities of beta-lactams used alone were as follows: imipenem > cefepime > ceftazidime, piperacillin, piperacillin-tazobactam > ticarcillin. All the antibiotics combinations were synergistic or additive. However, only the combination of imipenem with amikacin was bactericidal for all strains. For the strains with penicillinases, piperacillin-tazobactam was not more effective than piperacillin. For the extended-spectrum beta-lactamases, we have observed a synergy with piperacillin-tazobactam and ciprofloxacin or amikacin.

A TEM-derived extended-spectrum beta-lactamase in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

A clinical strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, PAe1100, was found to be resistant to all antipseudomonal beta-lactam antibiotics and to aminoglycosides, including gentamicin, amikacin, and isepamicin. PAe1100 produced two beta-lactamases, TEM-2 (pI 5.6) and a novel, TEM-derived extended-spectrum beta-lactamase called TEM-42 (pI 5.8), susceptible to inhibition by clavulanate, sulbactam, and tazobactam. Both enzymes, as well as the aminoglycoside resistance which resulted from AAC(3)-IIa and AAC(6')-I production, were encoded by an 18-kb nonconjugative plasmid, pLRM1, that could be transferred to Escherichia coli by transformation. The gene coding for TEM-42 had four mutations that led to as many amino acid substitutions with respect to TEM-2: Val for Ala at position 42 (Ala42), Ser for Gly238, Lys for Glu240, and Met for Thr265 (Ambler numbering). The double mutation Ser for Gly238 and Lys for Glu240, which has so far only been described in SHV-type but not TEM-type enzymes, conferred concomitant high-level resistance to cefotaxime and ceftazidime. The novel, TEM-derived extended-spectrum beta-lactamase appears to be the first of its class to be described in P. aeruginosa.