Serosurvey of canine leishmaniasis in five departments near an identified human clinical case in Marseille (France).

Leishmania infantum is a protozoan parasite of the family Trypanosomatidae, transmitted by the bite of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae). It is responsible for human and canine leishmaniasis in countries bordering the Mediterranean basin. Here we describe a clinical case of human cutaneous leishmaniasis in a 76-year-old female patient living in Marseille. Upon interrogation, the patient had no history of recent travel or contact with animals. The study involved clinical, serological, and molecular investigation of the occurrence of Leishmania infection in 718 dogs from five departments within a 130 km radius perimeter around Marseille. Five dogs showed signs of moderate leishmaniasis. Additionally, the serological survey of dogs revealed a global seroprevalence of 5.1%, with a significantly different prevalence in the Vaucluse department. Molecular analysis and phylogenetic studies highlighted the close relatedness of Leishmania strains between human and canine hosts with 99.6% of identity, indicating local transmission. The findings underscore the importance of serological surveillance in dogs and human. In a One Health approach, it is necessary to continue investigating Leishmania infection in all potential reservoirs, especially for zoonotic L. infantum in wildlife (red foxes, leporids, rodents, etc.) but also in dogs, cats, and equids.

Survey of bed bug infestations in homeless shelters in southern France.

Bed bug has become a major public health pest worldwide. Infestation may result in numerous negative health effects. Homeless shelters are one of the most habitats that can be infested with bed bugs, a few studies have focused on bed bug infestations in these settings. We conducted a survey of infestations of bed bugs in a homeless shelter in southern France, using an innovative seven-level scale (0-6) to assess the degree of infestation, MALDI TOF-MS to identify bed bugs, and a biomolecular tool to detect bacteria. Bed bug infestations were documented in 13% (9/68) of investigated rooms. A total of 184 bed bugs were collected and morphologically identified as Cimex lectularius. MALDI TOF-MS analysis allowed us to obtain high-quality MS spectra for all 184 specimens, to correctly identify all specimens, and included 178/184 (97%) Log Score Values higher than 1.8. Among the bacteria tested, Wolbachia sp. DNA was found in 149/184 (81%) of the bed bugs, and one sample was positive for Coxiella burnetii, the agent of Q fever. Our study is the first of its kind that offers new perspectives for increasing public awareness of the conditions in homeless shelters.

Groundbreaking outpatient activity in medical entomology in France: An eight-year experience in a french university hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Arthropods are known to impair human health in various manners, acting as infectious disease vectors, or as simple nuisances. Even though considerable research is being produced in medical entomology, no reports on patient management in clinical entomology units are available in the literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively surveyed all the records from patients having consulted in our outpatient clinical entomology unit in Nice University Hospital from 2012 to 2020. For each patient, physical examination findings and treatment data were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 518 patients were analyzed in this study. Most were diagnosed with arthropod infestation (55.8%), the most common being Sarcoptes scabiei (35%), bedbugs (23%), Pyemotes dermatitis (17.6%) and flea infestation (15.9%). Along with symptomatic treatments, targeted environmental measures could be proposed for infested patients. For many of our patients, on the other hand, active infestation was ruled out. CONCLUSION: Given today's lack of expertise in medical entomology, we advocate for the creation of medical entomology units in university hospitals, not only allowing fair and proportionate multidisciplinary management of patients in whom arthropod infestation is suspected, but also generating cost savings.

COVID-19 Is a Confounder of Increased Candida Airway Colonisation.

An increased incidence of invasive fungal infection was reported in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients hospitalised in the intensive care unit. However, the impact of COVID-19 on Candida airway colonisation has not yet been assessed. This study aimed to test the impact of several factors on Candida airway colonisation, including SARS-CoV-2 infection. We conducted a two-pronged monocentric retrospective study. First, we analysed the prevalence of positive yeast culture in respiratory samples obtained from 23 departments of the University Hospital of Marseille between 1 January 2018 and 31 March 2022. We then conducted a case-control study, comparing patients with documented Candida airway colonisation to two control groups. We observed an increase in the prevalence of yeast isolation over the study period. The case-control study included 300 patients. In the multivariate logistic regression, diabetes, mechanical ventilation, length of stay in the hospital, invasive fungal disease, and the use of antibacterials were independently associated with Candida airway colonisation. The association of SARS-CoV-2 infection with an increased risk of Candida airway colonisation is likely to be a consequence of confounding factors. Nevertheless, we found the length of stay in the hospital, mechanical ventilation, diabetes, and the use of antibacterials to be statistically significant independent risk factors of Candida airway colonisation.

Bacterial Agents Detected in 418 Ticks Removed from Humans during 2014-2021, France.

Monitoring of tickborne diseases is critical for prevention and management. We analyzed 418 ticks removed from 359 patients during 2014-2021 in Marseille, France, for identification and bacteria detection. Using morphology, molecular methods, or matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, we identified 197 (47%) Ixodes, 136 (33%) Dermacentor, 67 (16%) Rhipicephalus, 8 (2%) Hyalomma, 6 (1%) Amblyomma, 2 (0.5%) Argas, and 2 (0.5%) Haemaphysalis tick species. We also detected bacterial DNA in 241 (58%) ticks. The most frequent bacterial pathogens were Rickettsia raoultii (17%) and R. slovaca (13%) in Dermacentor ticks, Borrelia spp. (9%) in Ixodes ticks, and R. massiliae (16%) in Rhipicephalus ticks. Among patients who were bitten, 107 had symptoms, and tickborne diseases were diagnosed in 26, including scalp eschar and neck lymphadenopathy after tick bite and Lyme borrelioses. Rapid tick and bacteria identification using a combination of methods can substantially contribute to clinical diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance of tickborne diseases.

Detection of Arthropod-Borne Bacteria and Assessment of MALDI-TOF MS for the Identification of Field-Collected Immature Bed Bugs from Mauritania.

Human infestations by bed bugs have upsurged globally in recent decades, including in African countries, where recent reports pointed out an increase in infestation. Sympatric dwelling has been described for two species of bed bug parasitizing humans: Cimex hemipterus (the tropical bed bug) and C. lectularius. Identification of these two species is based on morphological characteristics, and gene sequencing, and may also rely on Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The present work aimed to assess whether MALDI-TOF MS was applicable for species level identification of immature stages of Cimex. Arthropods were collected in domestic settings in Nouakchott, Mauritania. Identification used morphological keys and MALDI-TOF MS identification was assessed for immature stages. Quantitative PCR and sequencing assays were used to detect arthropod-associated bacteria in each specimen. A total of 92 arthropods were collected, all morphologically identified as C. hemipterus (32 males, 14 females and 45 immature stages). A total of 35/45 specimens produced good quality MALDI-TOF MS spectra. Analysis allowed species level identification of all immature C. hemipterus after their spectra were entered into our in-house MALDI-TOF MS arthropod spectra database. Molecular screening allowed detection of Wolbachia DNA in each specimen. These results suggested that MALDI-TOF MS is a reliable tool for species level identification of Cimex specimens, including immature specimens. Future studies should assess this approach on larger panels of immature specimens for different Cimex species and focus on the precise staging of their different immature developmental stages.

Emergence of Lyme Disease on the French Riviera, a Retrospective Survey.

Background: The French Riviera has been declared free of Lyme Borreliosis (LB) for years. Many patients are referred for presumed LB, sometimes with atypical clinical signs and/or doubtful serology, calling the diagnosis into question. Methods: Patients were assessed for LB diagnosis, depending on clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and further examination by other medical professionals. Results: Among 255 patients, 45 (18%) were classified as confirmed LB cases [including 28 ongoing LB (10%) and 17 past LB (8%)], and for 210 (82%) a Lyme borreliosis diagnosis was ruled out. Among ongoing LB, 56% had been exposed to or bitten by ticks, exclusively in rural locations of the Alpes-Maritimes. As a result of the diagnostic procedure, 132 (52%) patients had been treated. An alternative diagnosis was established for 134 (52%) patients, covering a wide range of conditions, including mainly psychological (28%) and neurological conditions (25%) or inflammatory and systemic diseases (22%). Conclusions: Our results strongly suggest the endemicity of LB in the Alpes-Maritimes region. Confirmed LB accounted for 18% of patients while 52% were diagnosed with other conditions.

Mediterranean spotted fever and peripheral facial nerve palsy: a rare neurological complication.

Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) caused by the bacterium Rickettsia conorii is one of the oldest known tick-borne diseases. It is transmitted by the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus and occurs mainly in the Mediterranean area. MSF usually presents with a skin rash, high fever, and characteristic eschar at the site of the tick bite. The course of this disease may be benign or life-threatening. Focal neurological manifestations are unusual. We report the case of a patient who presented with an isolated peripheral facial nerve palsy complicating R conorii conorii infection.

Detection of emerging tick-borne disease agents in the Alpes-Maritimes region, southeastern France.

Lyme borreliosis is a zoonotic tick-borne infection representing the most frequent vector-borne disease in the northern hemisphere. The Mediterranean rim is generally described as unsuitable for the European vector, Ixodes ricinus. We conducted an epidemiological study to assess whether I. ricinus was present and study its infection status for tick-borne bacteria. Ticks originating from southeastern France were obtained from flagging sampling and removed from animals and tick-bitten patients. Species level identification used morphological keys and MALDI-TOF MS. Quantitative PCR and sequencing assays were used to detect and identify tick-associated bacteria (Borrelia, Rickettsia, Anaplasmataceae, Bartonella, Coxiella burnetii) in each specimen. A total of 1232 ticks were collected in several localities. Among these, 863 were identified as I. ricinus (70%). Bacterial screening allowed identification of Lyme group Borrelia among I. ricinus ticks originating from various regional areas. Other emerging tick-borne pathogens like Borrelia miyamotoi and Rickettsia species were also detected. The Alpes-Maritimes region, part of the French Riviera, harbours I. ricinus ticks infected with Lyme group Borrelia and several other tick-borne bacterial agents. Clinicians and outdoor activity participants should be aware of the local Lyme borreliosis transmission risk.

Post-mortem diagnosis of imported malaria in France: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Malaria is a potentially lethal parasitic disease due to infection by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted by Anopheles mosquito vectors. Various preventative measures may be recommended for travellers who visit endemic areas. The diagnosis is generally evoked in the context of a febrile patient returning from an endemic zone. Nevertheless, symptoms and clinical signs may be difficult to interpret, and fatal cases may only be diagnosed retrospectively with laboratory techniques, specific pathological features and patient history. The present work reports a case of fatal cerebral malaria diagnosed post-mortem, along with the techniques that allowed identification of the causative agent. CASE PRESENTATION: A 29 year-old male was found dead in his rental home during a vacation in Southern France. In the absence of explainable cause, an autopsy was performed, which did not retrieve major lesions. In the context of frequent business-related travels in tropical Africa, several samples were adressed for parasitological examination. Microscopy techniques, along with immunochromatographic and molecular biology assays, led to post-mortem diagnosis of fatal cerebral malaria. It was discovered in retrospect that the patient had not used preventative measures against malaria when travelling in endemic zones, and had not been provided with proper travel medicine counseling prior to his travel. CONCLUSION: A vast proportion of imported malaria cases reported in France concerns patients who did not use preventive measures, such as bed nets, repellents or chemoprophylaxis. Given the wide availability of prevention tools in developed countries, and the important number of declared imported malaria cases, there is no doubt traveller awareness still needs to be raised. Moreover, healthcare professionals should always question travel history in febrile patients. The authors advocate for recurrent information campaigns for travellers, and physician training for a better prevention and diagnosis of malaria cases.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry: an emerging tool for studying the vectors of human infectious diseases.

Arthropod vectors have historically been identified morphologically, and more recently using molecular biology methods. However, both of these methods are time-consuming and require specific expertise and equipment. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, which has revolutionized the routine identification of microorganisms in clinical microbiology laboratories, was recently successfully applied to the identification of arthropod vectors. Since then, the robustness of this identification technique has been confirmed, extended to a large panel of arthropod vectors, and assessed for detecting blood feeding behavior and identifying the infection status in regard to certain pathogenic agents. In this study, we summarize the state-of-the-art of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry applied to the identification of arthropod vectors (ticks, mosquitoes, phlebotomine sand-flies, fleas, triatomines, lice and Culicoides), their trophic preferences and their ability to discriminate between infection statuses.

Clinical and microbiological effect of a combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin in 80 COVID-19 patients with at least a six-day follow up: A pilot observational study.

BACKGROUND: We need an effective treatment to cure COVID-19 patients and to decrease virus carriage duration. METHODS: We conducted an uncontrolled, non-comparative, observational study in a cohort of 80 relatively mildly infected inpatients treated with a combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin over a period of at least three days, with three main measurements: clinical outcome, contagiousness as assessed by PCR and culture, and length of stay in infectious disease unit (IDU). RESULTS: All patients improved clinically except one 86 year-old patient who died, and one 74 year-old patient still in intensive care. A rapid fall of nasopharyngeal viral load was noted, with 83% negative at Day7, and 93% at Day8. Virus cultures from patient respiratory samples were negative in 97.5% of patients at Day5. Consequently patients were able to be rapidly discharged from IDU with a mean length of stay of five days. CONCLUSION: We believe there is urgency to evaluate the effectiveness of this potentially-life saving therapeutic strategy at a larger scale, both to treat and cure patients at an early stage before irreversible severe respiratory complications take hold and to decrease duration of carriage and avoid the spread of the disease. Furthermore, the cost of treatment is negligible.