Factors associated with acquisition of glycopeptide-resistant enterococci during a single-strain outbreak.

The aim of our study was to describe and to investigate the factors associated with glycopeptide-resistant enterococci (GRE) acquisition during a single-strain outbreak which occurred in several wards of hospital from September 2013 to January 2014. We designed a case-control study. Analyses were performed using Bayesian methods. Univariate logistic regressions with informative priors from published studies were conducted. A multivariate model was build including variables with a probability of odd-ratio exceeding one (Pr) >85% or <15%. Thirteen cases and 52 controls were recruited. The description of this outbreak highlighted the importance to quickly detect patients at risk of GRE carriage in order to implement the isolation measures and to transfer to dedicated department if they are effectively carriers. Following multivariate analysis, antibiotics during hospitalisation (Pr = 0.968), number of hospitalisation days in the year (Pr = 0.964), antacids intake (Pr = 0.878) (with a risk increase), immunosuppression (Pr = 0.026) and isolation measures (Pr = 0.003) (both with protective effect) were associated with GRE acquisition. The use of Bayesian statistics was useful because of our study's small population size and prior information availability.

Landscape and climatic characteristics associated with human alveolar echinococcosis in France, 1982 to 2007.

Human alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a severe hepatic disease caused by Echinococcus multilocularis. In France, the definitive and intermediate hosts of E. multilocularis (foxes and rodents, respectively) have a broader geographical distribution than that of human AE. In this two-part study, we describe the link between AE incidence in France between 1982 and 2007 and climatic and landscape characteristics. National-level analysis demonstrated a dramatic increase in AE risk in areas with very cold winters and high annual rainfall levels. Notably, 52% (207/401) of cases resided in French communes (smallest French administrative level) with a mountain climate. The mountain climate communes displayed a 133-fold (95% CI: 95-191) increase in AE risk compared with communes in which the majority of the population resides. A case-control study performed in the most affected areas confirmed the link between AE risk and climatic factors. This arm of the study also revealed that populations residing in forest or pasture areas were at high risk of developing AE. We therefore hypothesised that snow-covered ground may facilitate predators to track their prey, thus increasing E. multilocularis biomass in foxes. Such climatic and landscape conditions could lead to an increased risk of developing AE among humans residing in nearby areas.

Is exposure to night-time traffic noise a risk factor for purchase of anxiolytic-hypnotic medication? A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that road traffic noise increases risks of sleep disturbances, anxiety and depressive symptoms, but few have focused on psychotropic drug use. We examined whether exposure to night-time road traffic noise in Marseilles (France) is associated with an increased risk of purchasing anxiolytic or hypnotic medications. METHODS: Cohort of 190,617 inhabitants of Marseilles (aged 18-64 years) covered by the National Health Insurance Fund. We used the CadnaA noise propagation prediction model to calculate a potential road noise exposure indicator at dwellings for the night-period: Ln. Association between the number of purchases of anxiolytics-hypnotics in 2008-9 and the Ln was analysed with a zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) model adjusted for characteristics of individuals (sociodemographic, consultations with general practitioners, presence of chronic psychiatric disorder), prescribers (demographic, specialty, workload) and neighbourhoods (medical density, complaints filed for environmental noise). Analyses were stratified by the deprivation level of the census block of residence to control for the confounding effects of neighbourhood socio-economic status. RESULTS: The ZINB model showed a small but significant increase in the risk of purchasing higher numbers of anxiolytics-hypnotics for Ln greater than 55 dB(A) only in the low deprivation stratum. CONCLUSION: We found some evidence that potential exposure to night-time road traffic noise might affect individual use of anxiolytics-hypnotics. Further research based on strictly individual approaches is warranted to assess exposure to road traffic noise more precisely and reliably than allowed by noise propagation prediction models.

Interlaboratory reproducibility of Etest amphotericin B and caspofungin yeast susceptibility testing and comparison with the CLSI method.

This study aimed to assess the interlaboratory reproducibility at four university hospital laboratories in the southeast region of France of the Etest technique for the determination of caspofungin (CAS) and amphotericin B (AMB) MICs and to compare it to the CLSI broth microdilution reference method. Consecutive clinical yeast isolates (n = 198) were included in the study. AMB and CAS MICs were read at 24 and 48 h. Interlaboratory reproducibility was estimated by using (i) an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), (ii) essential agreement (EA), and (iii) categorical agreement (CA). For Etest interlaboratory reproducibility for CAS, ICCs were 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76 to 0.84) and 0.81 (95% CI, 0.77 to 0.85) at 24 and 48 h, respectively. For AMB, the ICCs were 0.51 (95% CI, 0.43 to 0.58) and 0.69 (95% CI, 0.63 to 0.74) at 24 and 48 h, respectively. At 48 h, the between-center EAs ranged from 94.4 to 99.0% for both antifungals. For the comparison of the CLSI method and the Etest, the between-technique ICCs were 0.69 (95% CI, 0.63 to 0.74) and 0.62 (95% CI, 0.55 to 0.68) for CAS and AMB, respectively. The EAs ranged from 76.5 to 98.5% for CAS and from 90.3 to 97.4% for AMB according to the centers. CAs ranged from 87.9% to 91.4%, with four very major errors for 2 strains (1 Candida albicans strain and 1 Candida krusei strain), for CAS and from 97.5 to 99.5%, with four major errors, for AMB. In conclusion, the Etest showed a good interlaboratory reproducibility and a good correlation with the CLSI technique. It is well suited for the routine clinical laboratory and can thus be used to monitor clinical yeast isolates' in vitro susceptibilities in this setting.

[Mucoepidermoid carcinomas of salivary glands: prognostic significance of immunohistochemistry. A study of 49 cases]. / Carcinomes muco-épidermoïdes des glandes salivaires : valeur pronostique de l'immuno-histochimie. A propos de 49 cas.

INTRODUCTION: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is considered as the most common malignant salivary gland tumor. Its prognosis is dominated by the presence of high-grade forms involving life-threatening. The aim of our study was to evaluate the usefulness of immunohistochemistry to identify the most aggressive forms and allow better discrimination between low grade, intermediate grade and high grade tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 49 cases of mucoepidermoid carcinomas of salivary glands. Two immunohistochemical markers have mainly been studied: a marker of proliferation (Ki-67) and a growth factor receptor (EGFR). Additional analyzes were performed with other markers (p53, ACE, bcl2, CD 117 and her2). Statistical analysis investigated the existence of a correlation between the presence of these factors and the histopathological grade on one hand and survival of patients on the other hand. RESULTS: Regarding the results of immunohistochemical Ki-67 and EGFR, it was observed a better survival rate when the immunostaining was less than 10%. The expression of Ki-67 and EGFR was correlated with the histological grade, but did not, in our study, allow discrimination between low-grade, intermediate grade and high grade. Our results are consistent with data of the literature, including Ki-67, which appears to be a useful but not powerful marker of prognosis of MEC. Other markers studied (p53, ACE, bcl2, CD 117 and her2) showed no contributory results. CONCLUSION: The prognosis of MEC is appreciated satisfactorily following histological criteria: histological grade, surgical margins, perineural invasion or vascular emboli. The integration of immunohistochemistry in a therapeutic algorithm could be particularly useful for the challenging assessment of prognosis of intermediate grades.

[Factors associated with loss to follow-up in HIV-infected patients, Ségou, Mali]. / Facteurs associes aux perdus de vue chez les patients infectes par le VIH, Segou, Mali.

OBJECTIVE: to study the factors associatedlost to follow-up in People Living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the Ambulatory Treatment Center (ATC). METHODS: This is a retrospective case-control study of two years. It concerned all HIV-infected patients aged 15 and over who were started on ART for at least 4 months. Each case was matched with two controls by sex and age ± 5 years. RESULTS: The proportionlost to follow-up was 21%.The median age lost to follow-up was 36 years (IQR: 30-42 years), sex ratio was 1.4 in favor of women. The median initial CD4 cell count was 151 cells / mm3 (IQR: 51-245) versus 207 (IQR: 67-482) for controls and the median lost to follow-up was 6 months (IQR: 4-9 months): 5-16) for controls. In multivariate analysis, the factors associated lost to follow-up were: unmarried (adjusted OR = 3.84, P = 0.0346); the initial CD4 <200 cells / mm3 (adjusted OR = 3.88, P = 0.0393) and the duration of ARV <= 6 months (adjusted OR = 6.59, P = 0.0047). The protective factors against lost to follow-up were: Body Mass Index of the last visited > = 18.5 kg / m2 (adjusted OR = 0.07, P = 0.0069); (OR adjusted = 0.06, P = 0.0197) and initiation to ART in the rainy season (adjusted OR = 0.21, P = 0.0220). CONCLUSION: These results can be supplemented by quantitative and qualitative studies.

LE BUT: de ce travail était de d'étudier les facteurs associés aux perdues de vue chez les personnes vivant avec le VIH sous traitement antirétroviral (ARV) au Centre de Traitement Ambulatoire. MÉTHODES: Il s'agissaitune étude rétrospective cas-témoins de deux ans. Elle a concerné tous les patients infectés par le VIH âgés de 15 ans et plus initiés au traitement antirétroviral depuis 4 mois. RÉSULTATS: La proportionde perdue de vue était de 21% (31/151). L'âge médian des PDV était de 36 ans (IQR:30-42ans), le sexe ratio était 1.4 en faveur des femmes. Le CD4 initial médian était 151 cellules /mm3 (IQR: 51-245) contre 207 (IQR:67-482) pour les témoins et la durée médiane PDV était de 6 mois (IQR :4-9 mois) contre 9 mois (IQR:5-16) pour les témoins. A l'analyse multivariée, les facteurs associés au PDV étaient : les non mariés (OR ajusté= 3,84, P=0.0346) ; le taux de CD4 initial < 200 cellules /mm3 (OR ajusté= 3.88, P=0.0393) et la durée sous ARV ≤ 6 mois (OR ajusté= 6.59, P=0.0047). Les facteurs associés à une diminution du risque de PDV étaient : IMC de la dernière visitée ≥ 18,5 kg/m2 (OR ajusté=0.07, P=0.0069) ; les activités associatives (OR ajusté = 0.06, P=0.0197) et l'initiation aux ARV en saison de pluie (OR ajusté=0.21, P=0.0220). CONCLUSION: D'autres études quantitatives et qualitatives représentatives de la région de Ségou sont nécessaires afin de mieux comprendre ce phénomène PDV.

Cytomegalovirus risk factors in renal transplantation with modern immunosuppression.

BACKGROUND: Immunosuppressive regimens have lowered the rate of kidney rejection, but with increasing immunodeficiency-related complications. New cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis also has become available. The impact of these 2 developments on CMV diseases has not been well evaluated. We conducted a randomized trial comparing a drug regimen common in the 1980s, cyclosporin A (CsA) with azathioprine (Aza), with a drug combination used most today, tacrolimus (Tac) with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and we analyzed CMV risk factors in kidney transplant patients. METHODS: The 300 patients included in the trial underwent the same universal prophylaxis and preemptive therapy. CMV events and risk factors were prospectively recorded. RESULTS: With preventive and preemptive strategies combined for 3 months, CMV replication was detected in 32.6% and CMV disease in 18.1% of patients. Multivariate analysis on risk factors for CMV disease were CMV donor (D)/recipient (R) matching and first month renal function (risk ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.02 [1.01; 1.04]; P=0.011), but not the immunosuppressive regimen (P=0.35). The D+/R- combination increased the risk of CMV disease by a factor of 9 (P<0.0001) when compared with D-/R- status, and a factor of 3.5 (P<0.0001) when compared with all CMV-positive recipients. Despite the 50% rate of CMV disease in the D+/R- group, no asymptomatic CMV replication was detected with the preemptive strategy. CONCLUSIONS: With modern immunosuppression, a sequential quadritherapy with Tac/MMF, and a 3-month CMV prevention strategy, the risk for CMV disease remains close to that with CsA/Aza. A CMV-negative recipient transplanted from a CMV-positive donor (D+/R-) remains a major risk factor, calling for better CMV prophylaxis or matching in negative recipients. Preemptive strategy thus appeared inefficient for this high-risk group. Transplant recipients with altered renal function should also be considered at risk.

Demography and diffusion in epidemics: malaria and black death spread.

The classical models of epidemics dynamics by Ross and McKendrick have to be revisited in order to incorporate elements coming from the demography (fecundity, mortality and migration) both of host and vector populations and from the diffusion and mutation of infectious agents. The classical approach is indeed dealing with populations supposed to be constant during the epidemic wave, but the presently observed pandemics show duration of their spread during years imposing to take into account the host and vector population changes as well as the transient or permanent migration and diffusion of hosts (susceptible or infected), as well as vectors and infectious agents. Two examples are presented, one concerning the malaria in Mali and the other the plague at the middle-age.

[Carcinologic outcomes after radical prostatectomy in 81 high-risk patients]. / Résultats carcinologiques de la prostatectomie totale chez 81 patients à haut risque.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate carcinologic outcomes and biologic recurrence (BR) factor after radical prostatectomy (RP) for high-risk (HR) prostate cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1996 and 2006, 81 consecutives RP (65 with standard lymphadenectomy) have been done by a single surgeon for HR cancer according to d'Amico classification. No patient received neo-adjuvant therapy. Minimum follow-up required was 2 years. The BR was defined by two consecutives PSA greater than 0.2 ng/ml. Forty patients required immediate adjuvant therapy. Thirty for patients required secondary therapy. A multivariate analysis have been done for the following factors: age at RP, TNM stage, pre- and postoperative PSA, Gleason score, number of positive core biopsy, number of HR factor, positive surgical margin and immediate adjuvant therapy. RESULTS: Mean age was 64 years. Median follow-up was 71 month. Forty-nine patients was pT3 (60.5 %), seven was pN+(8.7 %) and 40 had positive surgical margin (49.4 %). The 5 years biological recurrence free survival rate was 42 %. The Gleason score (p=0.003, RR=1.688, IC=1.193-2.387), the preoperative PSA (p=0.001, RR=1.06, IC=1.032-1.089) and the number of positive core biopsy (p=0.006, RR=5.316, IC=1.605-17.607) were significant independent prognostic factors for the BR. The number of HR factor, positive surgical margin and immediate adjuvant therapy were not significant independent prognostic factors for the BR. CONCLUSIONS: At 5 years, RP in HR prostate cancer allowed carcinologic control without BR in 34 patients (42 %). This result was not influenced by the number of HR factor, surgical positive margin and immediate adjuvant therapy.

[Criteria for evaluating the performance and utility of a diagnostic test]. / Critères d'evaluation des performances et de l'utilité d'un test diagnostique.

The informative value of a diagnostic test determines its usefulness in discriminating between subjects with or without the suspected disease. Various indicators have been proposed for assessment of diagnostic test performance including sensitivity, specificity, ROC curve, predictive values, and diagnostics odds ratio. Likelihood ratios are useful indicators of diagnostic utility of a test. The purpose of this article is to describe and present the properties and advantages of the different indicators used to evaluate diagnostic tests for severe systemic infection in patients with febrile neutropenia.

[Occupational exposure and systemic sclerosis. Literature review and result of a self-reported questionnaire]. / Evaluation de l'exposition toxique professionnelle de patients atteints de sclérodermie systémique. Revue de la littérature et résultat d'un auto-questionnaire.

Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) is a rare auto immune disease. Its physiopathology, based on various mechanisms, involves a predisposing genetic background and some exogenous factors. Among them, the role of toxic products is highly suggested according to several case-control studies. The aim of this study is to review the literature concerning occupational exposure associated with scleroderma. This review is completed by the results of a self-reported questionnaire on occupational exposures sent to 82 scleroderma patients followed in Marseille. Scleroderma associated with silica exposure should be declared as occupational disease. Moreover, the role of other toxic agents such as solvents is highly suspected and scleroderma occurring in case of high exposure should also be declared. Our study performed in Marseilles showed a occupational exposure in 10% of cases (five patients having an occupational exposure that could be involved in the genesis of the disease). One had an occupational silica exposure and was declared as occupational silica disease. Other cases had various toxic exposures including solvents and two were declared as disease of occupational nature. Occupational exposure (labour and leisure) must be searched for when faced with a scleroderma patient for two reasons: the possible declaration of an occupational disease and a better knowledge on toxics involved in scleroderma.

[Long-term results of complete atrio-ventricular canal correction]. / Résultats à long terme du traitement chirurgical du canal atrioventriculaire complet.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prognosis of surgically corrected complete atrio-ventricular canal and determine risk factors for death and redo surgery. PATIENTS: and method: From January 1984 to March 2006, 126 patients were distributed in 3 groups according to their date of intervention: group I (1984-1991), group II (1992-1999) and group III (2000-2006). They were operated at mean age of 8.35 + 13.3 months. Down syndrome was present in 99 patients (79%). A partial or total closure of the left atrio-ventricular valvular cleft was performed in 47 patients (37%). RESULTS: The in-hospital mortality was at 14.28% (18 patients), including 23.7% in group I, 16.2% in group II and 4.4% in group III (p=0.06). The predictive factors of survival were the Down syndrome (p<0.05) and surgery of the left atrio-ventricular valvular cleft (p=0.05). An early reoperation was required in 6 cases, for a severe leak of this valve (n=4) or an important residual shunt (n=2). After a mean follow-up of 9.5+6.9 years, the survival rate was at 83.6% and 10 patients (9.9%) had a redo surgery for a leak of the left atrio-ventricular valve (n=6) or sub-aortic stenosis (n=4). The rate of no-redo surgery for valve insufficiency was at 94.2% at 5 years, 91.1% at 10 years and 87.6% at 15 years. CONCLUSION: The surgical treatment of complete atrio-ventricular canal became more and more efficient with poor rates of mortality and redo surgery during these last years. The closure of the left atrio-ventricular valve cleft, mostly partial, is frequently performed. Patients with the Down syndrome have a better vital prognosis and lower rates of long-term redo surgery.

[Spatial cluster detection without point source specification: the use of five methods and comparison of their results]. / Détection de clusters spatiaux sans point source prédéfini: utilisation de cinq méthodes et comparaison de leurs résultats.

BACKGROUND: Various statistical methods have been developed to describe spatial heterogeneity, in terms of high risk zones. If no source can be determined, this heterogeneity can be globally or locally described. Global methods test a statistic estimated over the whole studied geographical area, whereas local methods estimate a statistic on each spatial unit (or regrouping unit). This paper aimed to present, and to compare results of an epidemiological application, of five methods of spatial cluster detection. METHODS: The two global detection methods were: 1) Moran's coefficient, a classically used autocorrelation coefficient; 2) Tango's statistic, a spatial generalization of the Chi(2) statistic. The three local methods were: 1) the local application of Moran's coefficient, proposed by Anselin; 2) the scan statistic, which searches for grouping of spatial units; 3) the oblique regression tree, which splits the studied zone into sub-zones of different risks. These five methods were applied to the description of the spatial heterogeneity of the malaria risk over a hyperendemic village, in Mali. RESULTS: All the methods highlighted a significant spatial heterogeneity. Both global methods (Moran's coefficient and Tango's statistic) showed weak spatial correlations. Local Moran's coefficient (with Bonferronis' adjustment) highlighted five spatial units. The scan statistic identified a single high risk cluster. The regression oblique tree split the study area into six sub-zones; the sub-zone with the higher risk was consistent with the cluster identified by the scan statistic. CONCLUSION: These presented methods do not require any previous knowledge of a source. They allow evaluating spatial risk heterogeneity over the entire geographical area under study. It is noteworthy that shape, size, and spatial heterogeneity characteristics (either global or local) of the study area, as well as the definition of the proximity, significantly influence the spatial risk analysis' outcome. Although their results should be cautiously interpreted, these methods are useful for preliminary field studies or epidemiological surveys.

Modification of cerebral vascular anatomy induced by Leo stent placement depending on the site of stenting: A series of 102 cases.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recent studies demonstrated the capacity of stents to modify cerebral vascular anatomy. This study evaluates arterial anatomy deformation after Leo stent placement according to the stenting site and the impact on the immediate postoperative and six-month degree of aneurysmal occlusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 102 stents were placed against the neck of aneurysms situated in the anterior cerebral circulation. Aneurysms were classified into two groups: The first was called the distal group (n = 62) and comprised aneurysms situated in the middle cerebral and anterior communicating arteries and the second was called the proximal group (n = 40) and comprised aneurysms in other sites. The stented arterial segment was classified as deformed or non-deformed by blinded review and superimposition of anonymised films before and after stenting. The degree of occlusion was determined immediately postoperatively and at six months. RESULTS: Significantly, anatomical deformity was observed in the distal group compared to the proximal group (85% vs 28%). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of postoperative degree of occlusion. At six months, a significant difference was observed between the two groups: three recurrences in the distal group vs 10 recurrences in the proximal group. Two (3%) recurrences were observed in the deformed group vs 11 (31%) recurrences in the non-deformed group. CONCLUSIONS: Arterial deformity induced by stenting is even more marked for distal aneurysms. The recurrence rate is smaller when the stent placement results in an arterial anatomical change. The percentage of recurrence is lower when anatomy was amended by stent implantation.

Tropheryma whipplei associated with diarrhoea in young children.

Tropheryma whipplei was detected in preliminary studies in faeces of young children with diarrhoea and also in faeces of asymptomatic persons, not only in Europe but also in Africa. In this study, the link between this bacterium and the presence of acute diarrhoea was evaluated in a large group of children. From December 2009 to January 2013, rectal swabs collected from 3796 children in the emergency departments of university hospitals in Marseille, France, were analysed: 555 children (245 female and 310 male, from 6 days to 6 years old) with acute diarrhoea defined as at least three loose stools per day for <1 week and 3241 children (1444 female and 1797 male, from 22 days to 6 years old) without diarrhoea. Specific quantitative real-time PCR was performed to detect the presence of T. whipplei and of two enteric pathogens Clostridium difficile and Giardia duodenalis. Tropheryma whipplei was significantly more common in children with diarrhoea (22/555, 4%) than without (56/3241, 1.7%; p 0.001). Neither C. difficile nor G. duodenalis showed this association. For C. difficile, 39 of 531 (7.3%) children with diarrhoea were positive versus 184 of 3119 (5.9%) of children without diarrhoea (p 0.25). For G. duodenalis, 2 of 529 (0.37%) children with diarrhoea were positive versus 5 of 3119 (0.16%) children without diarrhoea (p 0.26). Tropheryma whipplei was found more commonly in autumn. Tropheryma whipplei is significantly associated with diarrhoea in children, suggesting that the bacterium may be a cause of acute diarrhoea.

Echocardiographic characteristics and outcome of straddling mitral valve.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to characterize the echocardiographic features of straddling mitral valve (SMV) and to determine its surgical implications and midterm outcome in a large clinical cohort. BACKGROUND: Despite a relatively large body of literature on the postmortem anatomy of SMV, there is a paucity of information regarding its echocardiographic features, surgical implications and preoperative predictors of outcome. METHODS: A retrospective review identified 46 patients with SMV between 1982 and 1999 who underwent echocardiography and surgery and had follow-up data. A detailed review of the echocardiograms, surgical reports and all pertinent records was undertaken. RESULTS: Review of the echocardiograms revealed a widely varying anatomy among the study patients. However, four distinct groups with relatively uniform morphologic features could be distinguished on the basis of segmental analysis. Cardiac malposition associated with right ventricular hypoplasia, superior-inferior ventricles and criss-cross atrioventricular relations were common among patients with [S,D,L] (S = visceroatrial situs solitus, D = D-ventricular loop, L = L-malposition of the great arteries) (n = 6) and [S,L,D] (n = 5) segmental combinations but were rare among patients with [S,D,D] (n = 26) and [S,L,L] (n = 9) combinations. Surgical management consisted of a functional single-ventricle palliation in 38 patients (83%) and biventricular repair in 8 patients (17%). Overall mortality was 22%, but none of the seven patients who were operated on during the cohort's last five years (1994 to 1999) has died. By multivariate analysis, noncommitted ventricular septal defect was the strongest independent predictor of death (relative risk = 10.2), followed by multiple ventricular septal defects (relative risk = 4.7). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that echocardiography provides detailed noninvasive imaging of the complex anatomic features of SMV and its associated anomalies. Anatomic classification based on segmental analysis allows the distinction of four groups with more uniform morphologic features. Although a biventricular approach is feasible in selected patients, a functional univentricular palliation is indicated in those with major straddling and markedly hypoplastic ventricles.

[How pediatric residents involve children during medical decision-making?]. / Quelle place pour l'enfant dans la prise de décision en pédiatrie?

OBJECTIVE: To describe how pediatric residents involve children during medical decision-making and evaluate the relationship between practice patterns and residents characteristics. POPULATION AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective multicenter anonymous written survey. Self-reported involvement of children by 45 French pediatric residents in practice pattern was collected and analysed. RESULTS: Most residents reported they informed patients in more than 50% of the cases (82%). Only a minority of the residents asked for consent, respected children refusal or presented other choices to the treatment. The main reasons that explain the lack of partnership are children incompetence and the medical situation. No statistically significant relationship between practice patterns and residents characteristics was found. CONCLUSIONS: Partnership with children varies across residents and according to the level of involvement considered. No statistical differences were obtained to explain variations between residents' attitude toward involvement of children. Nevertheless medical education in ethics or decision-making could increase partnership with children.

[Study of reports to the departmental home of disabled children placed in social assistance to children in the Bouches-du-Rhône]. / Étude des notifications à la Maison départementale des personnes handicapées chez les enfants placés à l'Aide sociale à l'enfance dans les Bouches-du-Rhône.

INTRODUCTION: By the end of 2011, 275,000 children in France were included in the Aide sociale à l'enfance (ASE, Child Welfare System). Half of these children were entrusted to public care. There is limited data on these children. The MDPH (Maison départementale des personnes handicapées) is an administrative body assisting in the care of disabled children, through material, financial, and human means. Analyzing MDPH medical records can provide medical information about these children. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of children left to the ASE with a record at MDPH in Bouches-du-Rhône. METHODS: We extracted administrative data from two registers, the ASE register and the MDPH register. The MDPH medical files of each patient were analyzed and their medical information was coded: gestational age, deficiencies, and pathologies. RESULTS: In Bouches-du-Rhône, 2965 children were entrusted, 506 (17%) of whom were known by the MDPH: 30.6% of the entrusted children known by MDPH were taken into foster care and 48% were in residential group homes. Half of the MDPH notifications concerned a referral to a school or medico-social institution. By analyzing the medical data, we observed an average of 2.1 deficiencies per child. The types of deficiencies were distributed as follows: 35.9% were psychological deficiencies, 26.4% were speech deficiencies, and 21.6% were intellectual cognitive deficiencies. The most common pathology was mental and behavioral disorder (71% of diagnoses). DISCUSSION: The MDPH notification rate in children entrusted to public care was seven times higher than in the general population. Overall, explaining the relation between child abuse and neglect and disability is difficult. The psychopathology of these children is complex. These results show the importance of specific medical monitoring for these children.

Mass gathering and globalization of respiratory pathogens during the 2013 Hajj.

Every year, more than 10 million pilgrims arrive in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the Hajj or Umrah. Crowding conditions lead to high rates of respiratory infections among the pilgrims, representing a significant cause of morbidity and a major cause of hospitalization. Pre- and post-Hajj nasal specimens were prospectively obtained from a paired cohort (692 pilgrims) and from nonpaired cohorts (514 arriving and 470 departing pilgrims) from 13 countries. The countries of residence included Africa (44.2%), Asia (40.2%), the United States (8.4%) and Europe (7.2%). Nasal specimens were tested for 34 respiratory pathogens using RT-PCR. A total of 80 512 PCRs were performed. The prevalence of viruses and bacteria increased, from 7.4% and 15.4% before the Hajj to 45.4% and 31.0% after the Hajj, respectively, due to the acquisition of rhinovirus, coronaviruses (229E, HKU1, OC43), influenza A H1N1, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Staphylococcus aureus. We did not identify Middle East respiratory coronavirus carriage. At arrival, the prevalence of several viruses was clearly dependent on the pilgrim's country of origin. After Hajj participation, these viruses were isolated among pilgrims from all countries, with few exceptions. No significant differences were observed between paired and nonpaired cohort results. Our results strongly suggest that, given the particularly crowded conditions during the rituals, an international mass gathering such as the Hajj may contribute to the globalization of respiratory pathogens after the cross-contamination of pilgrims harbouring pathogens that easily spread among participants. Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination, face mask use and hand hygiene should be considered in the context of the Hajj.