[Leptospirosis, the diagnostic challenge of an indigenous case]. / Leptospirose, le défi diagnostique d'un cas autochtone.

Leptospirosis is a global widespread zoonosis caused by a Gram-negative bacterium of the genus Leptospira, belonging to the Spirochaetes phylum, favored by unhealthy living conditions and some professional and recreational aquatic activities. Its diagnosis could be very difficult due to the presence of non-specific clinical presentation and biological anomalies common to other infectious diseases. To detect it, the choice of the right diagnostic method is fundamental. We hereby introduce the case of a patient with no classic risk factors for leptospirosis, showing febrile headaches and rapid deterioration of her general conditions with evolution towards septicemia.

La leptospirose est une zoonose causée par une bactérie Gram négatif du genre Leptospira, appartenant au phylum des Spirochaetes. Elle est répandue dans le monde entier, favorisée par des conditions de vie insalubres et certaines activités professionnelles et récréatives en milieu aquatique. Son diagnostic peut s'avérer difficile en raison de sa présentation clinique et de ses anomalies biologiques peu spécifiques et communes à d'autres maladies. Évoquer ce diagnostic et effectuer le test diagnostique approprié demeure, donc, fondamental. Nous présentons l'histoire d'une patiente sans facteurs de risque classiques de leptospirose, présentant des céphalées fébriles et une détérioration rapide de son état avec une évolution vers une septicémie.

[Practical management of post-COVID-19 condition. Update and illustration by clinical situations]. / Prise en charge pratique de l'affection post-Covid-19. Mise à jour et illustration par des situations cliniques.

Persistent manifestations of COVID-19, known as «long COVID¼ or post-COVID-19 condition (RA02, CIM-11), affect many infected individuals, with a 24-month prevalence depending on the studies context (18 % in a recent Swiss study). The diversity of clinical presentation, the sometimes complex diagnostic methods, and the multidisciplinary management highlight the importance of a holistic approach, with practical advice for assessing work capacity in the outpatient setting. This article offers an update and synthesis of current knowledge concerning post-COVID-19 condition with practical recommendations for primary care medicine, illustrated by real clinical situations.

Les manifestations persistantes du Covid-19, connues sous le nom de « Covid long ¼ ou affection post-Covid-19 (RA02, CIM-11), concernent un nombre significatif de personnes infectées, avec une prévalence à 24 mois de l'infection variant en fonction des études et du contexte (18 % dans une étude suisse récente). La diversité de présentation clinique, les méthodes diagnostiques, parfois complexes, et les approches multidisciplinaires pour la prise en charge soulignent l'importance d'une approche holistique. Cet article propose une mise à jour et une synthèse des connaissances actuelles concernant l'affection post-Covid-19, avec des recommandations pratiques de prise en charge en médecine de premiers recours, illustrées par des situations cliniques réelles et des conseils pratiques pour l'appréciation de la capacité de travail.

[Travel vaccines: what is in the pipeline?] / Vaccins de voyage : quel horizon ?

While no vaccine is on the horizon to prevent traveler's diarrhea, progress has been made in the field of malaria and dengue fever. In both cases, the objective is not primarily the prevention among travelers but rather the reduction of morbidity and mortality in populations living in endemic areas. The immune mechanisms protecting against parasitosis are not well understood, which further complicates vaccine development. The fact that veterinary vaccines against the parasites causing cysticercosis and echinococcosis are available for animals, justifies a certain optimism that vaccines against parasitosis will also be available for humans in the future. We report on recent developments in dengue, malaria, schistosomiasis, and hookworm vaccines.

Si aucun vaccin ne pointe à l'horizon pour prévenir la diarrhée des voyageurs, des progrès ont été faits dans le domaine de la malaria et de la dengue. Dans les deux cas, l'objectif n'est pas prioritairement la prévention chez les voyageurs mais plutôt la diminution de la morbidité et mortalité dans les populations vivant en zone d'endémie. Les mécanismes immunitaires protégeant contre les parasitoses ne sont pas bien connus, ce qui complique encore le développement vaccinal. Le fait que des vaccins vétérinaires contre les parasites causant la cysticercose et l'échinococcose soient disponibles pour les animaux justifie un certain optimisme de voir à l'avenir aussi chez l'humain des vaccins contre des parasitoses. Nous faisons le point sur les développements récents des vaccins contre la dengue, la malaria, la schistosomiase et l'ankylostomiase.

[COVID-19, how to treat the disease during Fall 2022?] / Covid-19 : quelle prise en charge pour l'automne 2022 ?

Since the arrival of COVID-19, we have witnessed a series of new variants and new therapies, and it is therefore becoming difficult to stay up to date on the best management of an outpatient infected with SARS-CoV-2. In a patient at risk of an unfavorable evolution in the first 5 days of illness, the antiviral Paxlovid is recommended. Evusheld, administered in the hospitals, is recommended in patients with a documented negative serology, for treatment in early disease or as a pre-exposure prophylaxis. The activity of monoclonal antibodies seems to be reduced with the new variants. Dexamethasone is reserved for the hospital management of an oxygen-dependent patient. There is no place for antibiotic therapy apart from additional bacterial infection.

Depuis l'arrivée du Covid-19, nous avons assisté à l'apparition simultanée de nouveaux variants et de nouvelles thérapies, de ce fait, il devient difficile de rester à jour sur la prise en charge d'un patient infecté par le SARS-CoV-2. En ambulatoire, chez un patient à risque d'évolution défavorable dans les 5 premiers jours de maladie, l'antiviral Paxlovid est proposé. L'Evusheld est administré dans les centres spécialisés et conseillé chez des patients avec sérologie négative après vaccination, en traitement précoce ou en prophylaxie préexposition. L'activité des anticorps monoclonaux semble néanmoins réduite avec les nouveaux variants. La dexaméthasone est réservée à la prise en charge hospitalière d'un patient oxygénodépendant et une antibiothérapie n'a pas sa place en dehors d'une surinfection bactérienne.

[Management of human papillomavirus at the doctor's office : what to do for men ?] / Prise en charge du papillomavirus humain au cabinet médical : que faire pour les hommes ?

In primary care medicine, doctors may be facing with human papillomavirus (HPV)-related questions regarding prevention, screening or treatment, more so with women than with men. Through three clinical vignettes, this article aims to offer some clinical management recommendations in a primary care setting when HPV-related questions are raised by the male population.

En médecine de premier recours, le médecin peut être confronté à des questions de prévention, de dépistage ou de traitement en lien avec le papillomavirus (HPV), situations généralement ­rencontrées chez la femme mais parfois aussi chez l'homme. Au travers de trois vignettes cliniques, cet article vise à proposer quelques recommandations de prise en charge au cabinet dans le but de répondre aux questions liées au HPV susceptibles d'être soulevées par la population masculine.

[Clinical presentation and short-term treatment of pulmonary actinomycosis]. / Manifestations cliniques et traitement de courte durée de l'actinomycose pulmonaire.

Actinomycosis is an uncommon disease caused by Actinomyces, a commensal of the oropharyngeal, digestive, and genital tract. Commonly, it manifests as cervicofacial infection and is often related to poor oral health, smoking, chronic alcoholism or immune deficiency. Pulmonary actinomycosis is a rare disease, characterized by unspecific clinical, biological, and radiological manifestations that may be confused with other diseases. It should always be considered in patients suspected of having tuberculosis, lung abscess or pulmonary neoplasia. We describe a case of pulmonary actinomycosis treated successfully with short-term antibiotic therapy of three months, with a short review of the literature.

L'actinomycose est une infection peu fréquente causée par l'espèce Actinomyces, un commensal du tractus oropharyngé, digestif et génital. Elle se manifeste généralement par une infection cervico-faciale, souvent liée à un mauvais état bucco-dentaire, un tabagisme, un éthylisme chronique, ou un déficit immunitaire. L'actinomycose pulmonaire est une affection peu commune, caractérisée par des manifestations cliniques, biologiques et radiologiques peu spécifiques qui peuvent être confondues avec d'autres maladies. Elle doit être évoquée en cas de suspicion de tuberculose, d'abcès et de néoplasie pulmonaire. Nous décrivons un cas d'actinomycose pulmonaire traitée avec succès par une antibiothérapie de courte durée de 3 mois, avec une revue simplifiée de la littérature.

[Practical management of long Covid disease in outpatients: illustration by clinical cases]. / Prise en charge des patients avec Covid long : illustration par des cas cliniques.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused an unprecedented global public health crisis. The term long Covid is used to describe diverse and heterogeneous symptoms that persist more than 4 weeks after infection with an estimated incidence of 10-40%, which varies between studies. The principal characteristics of long Covid are fluctuating symptoms of prolonged duration affecting multiple organs, such as fatigue, dyspnea, cough, anosmia, dysgeusia, chest pain, palpitations, headache, myalgia, cognitive and gastrointestinal disorders. Contributing factors, possible pathophysiological explanations and international recommendations can help in the management of the disease in the outpatient setting. Biopsychosocial and multidisciplinary management in primary care medicine is essential.

La pandémie due au virus SARS-CoV-2 a provoqué une crise de santé publique sans précédent. Le terme Covid long est utilisé pour décrire les divers symptômes hétérogènes et persistant plus de 4 semaines après l'infection, avec une incidence de 10 à 40 %, qui varie selon les études. Les caractéristiques principales du Covid long sont une atteinte multisystémique et des symptômes fluctuants et prolongés comme la fatigue, la dyspnée, la toux, l'anosmie, la dysgueusie, les douleurs thoraciques, les palpitations, des céphalées, des myalgies, des troubles cognitifs et des troubles gastro-intestinaux. Les facteurs favorisants, les explications physiopathologiques possibles et les recommandations internationales rendent indispensable une prise en charge biopsychosociale et pluridisciplinaire en médecine de premiers recours.

[What does a general practitioner need to know about whooping cough?] / Que doit savoir un médecin généraliste sur la coqueluche ?

Pertussis (whooping cough) is a vaccine-preventable bacterial infectious disease. Nevertheless, serious cases continue to be reported every year in the paediatric population. Pertussis poses a danger mainly to unimmunized or partially immunized infants under six months of age. It is still considered as a diagnostic challenge. The aim of this article is to present, through a clinical situation, the strategies for the prevention of pertussis and the correct management in case of suspicion of this disease. Through answers to questions we review the basics which every general practitioner should know.

La coqueluche fait partie des maladies infectieuses bactériennes évitables par la vaccination. Néanmoins, des cas graves continuent d'être signalés chaque année dans la population pédiatrique. La coqueluche présente un danger principalement pour les nourrissons de moins de 6 mois non ou partiellement immunisés. Elle est aujourd'hui encore considérée comme un défi diagnostique. Le but de cet article est de présenter, au travers d'une situation clinique, les stratégies de prévention de la coqueluche, ainsi que sa prise en charge en cas de suspicion. Au travers des réponses à huit questions, nous rappelons les principes de bases à connaître par chaque généraliste.

[A story of neuroborreliosis†: case report]. / Histoire de neuroborréliose†: étude d'un cas.

Neuroborreliosis affects approximately 15 % of people infected with Borrelia burgdorferi. The symptoms are very varied, which can sometimes delay the diagnosis. We can diagnose a neuroborreliosis in front of a compatible clinic and laboratory examinations, in particular a lumbar puncture showing a pleocytosis, an intrathecal synthesis of antibodies against B. burgdorferi, and an increased level of chemokine CKCL13. We present the case of a patient in whom the diagnosis was delayed in connection with non-specific symptoms and we review the latest recommendations in terms of treatment of neuroborreliosis.

La neuroborréliose touche entre 10 et 15 % des personnes infectées par Borrelia burgdorferi. Les symptômes sont très variés, ce qui peut parfois retarder le diagnostic. Celui-ci est posé en présence d'une clinique compatible et des examens de laboratoire, notamment une ponction lombaire montrant une pléocytose, une synthèse intrathécale d'anticorps contre B. burgdorferi et une augmentation de la chimiokine CXCL13. Nous présentons le cas d'un patient chez qui le diagnostic a mis du temps à être posé en lien avec des symptômes peu spécifiques et revoyons les dernières recommandations en termes de traitement de la neuroborréliose.

[Ticks-borne diseases in 2019†: between false beliefs and good practices]. / Maladies transmises par les tiques en 2019†: entre fausses croyances et bonnes pratiques.

In recent years, the media and internet have been the stage of a campaign of scientific disinformation led by patient advocacy groups, supported by some «â€…experts ¼ in the field, demanding recognition of health problems attributed to Lyme disease. The controversy has led several professional societies and leading scientific journals in Europe and the United States to reaffirm their position and update their recommendations. Tick bites are common in our area, and medical practitioners must know their potential complications, respond to questions from worried patients, and confront their own doubts and uncertainties. This article aims to give an update on current knowledge of tick-borne diseases based on a number of common assumptions.

Ces dernières années nous avons assisté à une campagne de désinformation scientifique menée par des associations de défense des malades, soutenue par certains «â€…experts ¼ du domaine, qui réclament une reconnaissance de leurs problèmes de santé attribués à la maladie de Lyme. Cette polémique a conduit plusieurs sociétés savantes et revues scientifiques de référence en Europe et aux Etats-Unis à réaffirmer leur position et mettre à jour leurs recommandations. Les morsures de tiques étant fréquentes dans nos régions, le médecin doit envisager leurs potentielles conséquences, répondre aux inquiétudes des patients et se confronter à ses propres doutes et incertitudes. Cet article a pour objectif de faire un point de situation sur les connaissances actuelles des maladies transmises par les tiques en partant d'un certain nombre d'idées reçues.

[Consensus for the management of infectious diseases among asylum seekers and detainees in the canton of Vaud]. / Consensus vaudois de prise en charge de maladies infectieuses auprès des requérants d'asile et détenus.

Our work develops procedures and useful tools for the screening, assessment and management of prevalent infectious or parasitic diseases (tuberculosis, measles, chickenpox, scabies, bed bugs) among asylum seekers and detainees in the canton of Vaud, populations living in similar closed settings. Its aim is to support health professionals in their work, to maintain the health of the target population and to protect the health of the community. Through a literature review and a focus group with experts, it is proposed to harmonize the existing procedures in asylum seekers centres end prisons of the canton of Vaud. The proposed decision algorithms are coherent with the recommendations of the literature and relevant in terms of public health and ethics, as well as feasible logistically and acceptable by the field health professionals.

Ce travail développe des procédures dans le cadre du dépistage et de la prise en charge de maladies infectieuses ou parasitaires prévalentes (tuberculose, rougeole, varicelle, gale, punaises de lit) chez les requérants d'asile et détenus du canton de Vaud, populations vivant dans des environnements similaires, afin de soutenir le personnel soignant dans son travail de terrain, veiller à la santé des personnes concernées et protéger la population locale. Il s'agit donc d'harmoniser, grâce à une revue de littérature et un focus group d'experts, les procédures existant dans les centres de requérants et de détenus vaudois en s'assurant que celles-ci correspondent aux recommandations de la littérature et soient pertinentes en termes de santé publique et d'éthique, ainsi que réalisables d'un point de vue logistique et acceptables par les équipes de terrain.

Efficacy and safety of continuous infusions with elastomeric pumps for outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT): an observational study.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of continuous antimicrobial infusion using elastomeric pumps in an outpatient setting, while simultaneously documenting circulating antibiotic concentration exposure achieved with this mode of administration. Methods: Clinical outcomes, adverse events and antibiotic plasma concentrations were recorded for all patients treated by continuous infusion with elastomeric pumps at the outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) unit of the University Hospital of Lausanne between December 2013 and January 2017. The study was registered under ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03221140. Results: One hundred and fifty outpatients were treated by continuous intravenous infusions using flucloxacillin (70 patients), cefepime (36), vancomycin (32) and piperacillin/tazobactam (12). The calculated free fractions of each antibiotic were above the epidemiological cut-off values for resistance (ECOFF) of the treated microorganisms in 92% of measurements. Cure was achieved in 143 patients (95%) 3 months after the end of treatment. Four patients needed unexpected readmission and three had a relapse. In none of the patients with unsuccessful treatment was the ratio of free antibiotic plasma concentration/ECOFF <1. Sixteen patients (11%) had an adverse event, none of them being of severity grade 4 or 5. Conclusions: Continuous infusions of flucloxacillin, cefepime, vancomycin and piperacillin/tazobactam using elastomeric pumps seem to be an effective and safe approach to treat outpatients. The number of treatment successes was very high and adverse events occurred at a similar rate as reported by other OPAT centres. The measured antibiotic plasma concentrations confirmed adequate drug concentration exposure for the vast majority of patients.

Adequate plasma drug concentrations suggest that amoxicillin can be administered by continuous infusion using elastomeric pumps.

Background: Elastomeric pumps can be useful for the administration of antibiotics in the outpatient setting. Objectives: To determine amoxicillin degradation in elastomeric pumps, as well as the effectiveness of amoxicillin treatment administered by elastomeric pumps. Methods: Antibiotic degradation was measured in elastomeric pumps filled with 6 g of amoxicillin in 240 mL of NaCl 0.9% by drawing samples at 12 h intervals when stored in the fridge for 48 h and when worn around the waist for 24 h. Subsequently nine patients were treated with continuous infusions of 8 or 12 g of amoxicillin per day. Plasma amoxicillin concentrations were measured on each visit to the outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy unit. Clinical outcome was verified 3 months after the end of treatment. Results: Amoxicillin degradation in elastomeric pumps reached 10% after 48 h in the fridge and an additional 30% when worn around the waist for 24 h. Mean plasma drug concentrations achieved with 12 g of amoxicillin per day were 18.5 mg/L (95% CI 13.5-23.5), which is largely above the MIC of amoxicillin-susceptible bacteria. Nine patients treated for various complicated infections were cured and had no unexpected adverse effects. Conclusions: Adequate plasma drug concentrations and favourable clinical outcomes suggest that amoxicillin can be administered by continuous infusion using elastomeric pumps. This treatment modality does not fulfil formal requirements regarding pharmaceutical stability, but the resulting safety impact in patients is probably limited. Therapeutic drug monitoring and a close clinical follow-up are recommended if this route of administration is chosen.

Antibiotic stability related to temperature variations in elastomeric pumps used for outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT).

Background: Elastomeric pumps can be used for the continuous administration of antimicrobials in the outpatient setting. A potentially limiting factor in their use is the stability of antimicrobials. Objectives: To investigate under real-life conditions the temperature variations of antibiotic solutions contained in elastomeric pumps, and to examine under such conditions the stability of five antibiotics. Methods: Healthy volunteers carried the elastomeric pumps in carry pouches during their daily activities. A thermologger measured the temperatures every 15 min over 24 h. Antibiotic concentrations were measured by HPLC coupled to tandem MS. Results: During daytime, the temperature of solutions in the pumps increased steadily, warming to >30°C. During the night, when the pumps were kept attached to the waist, the temperatures reached up to 33°C. The use of white carry pouches avoided excessive temperature increases. Over seven experiments, cefazolin, cefepime, piperacillin and tazobactam were found to be stable over 24 h. Flucloxacillin showed a mean decrease in concentration of 11% ( P = 0.001). Conclusions: Real-life situations can cause significant temperature rises in elastomeric pumps, thereby potentially increasing the risk of antibiotic degradation. Patients should be instructed to avoid situations causing excessive temperature increases. Despite these temperature variations, cefazolin, cefepime, piperacillin and tazobactam were found to be stable over 24 h. A moderate degradation was noticed for flucloxacillin, albeit most probably not to an extent that might impair anti-infective efficacy.

Multidrug-resistant bacteria and travel. / Bactéries multirésistantes et voyage.

Antimicrobial resistance is a global problem which affects also tropical countries. Travelers to these regions expose themselves to the risk of being colonised and infected with multidrug-resistant bacteria. The region visited, the occurrence of diarrhoea and the use of antibiotics are the principal risk factors leading to colonisation with multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, which can affect up to 80% of travellers. Colonisation with meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin resistant enterococci are often due to contacts with the health care system of the visited country. For the practitioner evaluating a patient returning from abroad it is important to consider the risk of infection with multidrug-resistant bacteriae. Screening for these bacteriae in the stool or by mucocutaneous swabs can be discussed in certain situations.

La résistance aux antibiotiques est un problème global qui touche aussi les pays tropicaux. Les voyageurs dans ces régions s'exposent donc au risque d'être colonisés et infectés avec des germes multirésistants. La région visitée, la survenue de diarrhées et la prise d'antibiotiques sont les facteurs de risque principaux pour une colonisation digestive avec des entérobactéries multirésistantes qui peut aller jusqu'à 80 %. Les colonisations par les staphylocoques dorés résistant à la méticilline et les entérocoques résistant à la vancomycine sont souvent dues à un contact avec les services médicaux dans les pays visités. Pour le praticien, il est important de tenir compte du risque d'infections avec des bactéries multirésistantes chez les patients au retour d'un voyage. Un dépistage de ces germes dans les selles ou par des frottis mucocutanés peut être discuté dans certaines situations.

Multiplex PCR gastro-intestinal panels for the management of traveller's diarrhea : are they accurate and useful? / Panels gastro-intestinaux par PCR multiplex pour la prise en chargedes diarrhées du voyageur : performants et utiles ?

Until recently, the search for enteropathogens causing travellers' diarrhea was based on stool culture (Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp.), direct microscopy with (Cryptosporidium spp.) or without specific staining (Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica) or specific antigen detection (Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica). Molecular analyses are progressively replacing traditional diagnostic methods but their clinical usefulness remains to be better defined. This article attempts to describe the advantages and disadvantages of these new molecular methods and to illustrate situations where they could be useful using clinical cases frequently encountered in the practice of travel medicine.

Jusqu'à présent, la recherche d'entéropathogènes à l'origine de diarrhées au retour de voyage se basait essentiellement sur la culture bactérienne de selles (Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp. et Shigella spp.), la microscopie directe sans(Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica) ou avec coloration spéciale (Cryptosporidium spp.) et la recherche d'antigènes spécifiques (Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica). Désormais, les analyses moléculaires tendent à supplanter les techniques traditionnelles mais l'utilité clinique de la PCR par rapport aux examens conventionnels doit être mieux définie. Cet article cherche à décrire les avantages et les limitations de ces nouvelles méthodes moléculaires et à illustrer des situations dans lesquelles leur utilisation pourrait être indiquée à la lumière de cas cliniques fréquemment rencontrés dans la pratique de la médecine des voyages.

[Outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT): the Lausanne experience supporting new perspectives]. / Antibiothérapie parentérale ambulatoire: l'expérience lausannoise au service de nouvelles perspectives.

With the increase of infections without option for an oral treatment, the systematic use of hospitalization overloads the healthcare system and causes growing political concern. For carefully selected patients, outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy is an interesting alternative, with more than 40 years of experience in several countries. In this perspective, an outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) unit was established in Lausanne two years ago. This article aims to describe its activity. Its practice, involving especially self-administration, seems to be safe, efficacious and cost-effective, as long as international good practice recommendations are applied.

[New approaches of malaria prevention for travelers]. / Nouvelles approches pour la prévention de la malaria chez le voyageur.

Malaria is declining in many tropical countries. This reduction challenges our usual preventive strategies. In moderate to low risk areas, the Swiss guidelines recommend a stand-by emergency treatment. Controversies between experts are numerous though. Professionals at the Travel Clinic in Lausanne has explored shared-decision making through three clinical studies. The first showed that travelers visiting moderate to low risk malaria areas prefer a standby emergency treatment rather than chemoprophylaxis. The second study investigates the use of rapid diagnostic tests by travelers. The third focuses on the prospects of tropical telemedicine. Involving the traveler into the debate is a priority, until a vaccine becomes available.

[Emerging arboviruses]. / Arboviroses émergentes: quelle démarche diagnostique chez les voyageurs?

Many arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) underwent a dramatic geographic expansion over the last few years, following the spread of their vectors. It is the case for dengue, currently endemic in most tropical regions, for chikungunya and Zika viruses, which propagated rapidly over a considerable territory. West Nile is one of the most broadly distributed arboviruses in the world. The clinical presentation of these viral infections is non-specific (fever, arthralgia, headache, rash). For travelers presenting with fever within 15 days after returning from an endemic area, laboratory tests can distinguish them. The management is essentially supportive but a specific diagnosis might be important in anticipating possible complications and in decreasing the number of laboratory tests often offered in the case of fever of unknown origin.

Observational study on the consumption of recreational drugs and alcohol by Swiss travelers.

BACKGROUND: Studies carried out on specific travelers' groups such as students describe an increase in the consumption of alcohol and drugs during travel and vacation time. The present study investigates the risk behaviors (alcohol and drugs) in a general adult population in Switzerland travelling abroad who visited a travel clinic before departure. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in a travel clinic between January 2006 and December 2008. 14,496 patients came to the clinic for a pre-travel consultation. 3,537 of them answered a questionnaire about their life habits in Switzerland and during their last trip. The only exclusion criterion was an age inferior to 18 years old.The consumption habits of drugs and at-risk alcohol intake (8 standard drinks (SD) per week for women and 15 SD for men) was analyzed according to gender, sex, destination and profession. Predictors of adopting a risky behavior between habits in Switzerland and during their previous trip were also analyzed. RESULTS: 7% (229/3477) of participants declared having at-risk alcohol consumption in Switzerland and 14% (473/3275 [95% CI 13-16]) during their trip. 9% (332/3527) of the participants used drugs in Switzerland and 5% (178/3481) during their trip. Risk factors for at-risk alcohol consumption during a trip were: at-risk alcohol consumption in Switzerland (OR 31[95% CI 21-45]), smoking (1.7 [95% CI 1-2]), use of drugs in Switzerland (OR 2.2 [95% CI 2-3]), leisure travel (OR 1.6 [95% CI 1-2]) and managerial professions (OR 1.8 [95% CI 1-3]). Risk factors for the use of drugs during a trip were: alcohol consumption in Switzerland (OR 2.1 [95% CI 1-4]), smoking (OR 1.9 [95% CI 1-3]), and use of drugs in Switzerland (OR 29.7 [95% CI 19-45]). CONCLUSIONS: At-risk alcohol consumption and, to a lesser extent, use of drugs, affect a large number of travelers which expose them to health problems during a trip. Exploring the alcohol and drugs consumption patterns of people visiting a travel clinic should be part of the pre-travel routine consultation and would allow to identifying people who would benefit most from a specific prevention.