Prevalence and signification of antinuclear and anticardiolipin antibodies in patients with epilepsy.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of autoantibodies in patients with epilepsy and to find a possible relationship between antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and/or anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies and epilepsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred sixty-three consecutive, unselected patients followed at the Centre Saint-Paul, a French medical center specialized in epilepsy, were included in the study. IgG and IgM class aCL antibodies were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IgG class ANA was detected by an indirect immunofluorescence technique with Hep2 cells as the substrate. Sera from 100 healthy blood donors, matched for age and sex, were used as controls. RESULTS: In 31 sera, IgG class a aCL antibodies were detected at a value higher than 17 GPL unit (19%, P = 0.0003); 10 of them had a value higher than 35 GPL unit. IgM class aCL antibodies were not detected at a significant value. For 6 of the 31 sera, there was a beta 2-glycoprotein I dependence. None of the patients with aCL antibodies in the serum had a past history of deep venous or arterial thrombosis. ANA were detected in the sera from 41 patients (25%, P < 0.005). The presence of autoantibodies in the serum was not statistically dependent on the type of epilepsy, the kind of antiepileptic drug, or the age or sex of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that there is a relationship between epilepsy and aCL antibodies, even in the patients without systemic lupus erythematosus. Large prospective studies are needed to define the role of the aCL antibodies and ANA in pathophysiology of epilepsy.

Clinical screening for narcolepsy/cataplexy in patients with fibromyalgia.

We report two cases of fibromyalgia occurring during the course of a long-standing narcolepsy/cataplexy. This association is probably not fortuitous and we propose an easy clinical procedure to search for narcolepsy/cataplexy in these patients. Narcolepsy/cataplexy is a treatable condition requiring drugs that in turn may improve in the long-term symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Concurrent acute megaloblastic anaemia and pneumonitis: a severe side-effect of low-dose methotrexate therapy during rheumatoid arthritis.

In a patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, we report the first simultaneous occurrence of two side effects of low-dose methotrexate: an acute megaloblastic anaemia and a pneumonitis. A combination of methotrexate suspension, folinic acid and corticosteroids led to recovery. The correlation between the haematologic and pneumologic toxicity is discussed.

Acute transverse myelitis and primary urticarial vasculitis.

We report the case of a 56-year-old man with severe normocomplementaemic primary urticarial vasculitis for 16 years. Nine and 11 years after the onset of the symptoms, he developed two severe neurological complications, seizure and transverse myelitis, that must be attributed to the vasculitis. Transverse myelitis has been reported in other systemic diseases, particularly lupus erythematosus, but this is the first case of transverse myelitis complicating urticarial vasculitis.

[Meningoradiculitis and bilharziasis]. / Méningoradiculite et bilharziose.

A 55-year-old French man was admitted with acute retention of urine. Three days before admission he developed back pain, lower limb pain and weakness. He had last been in Nigeria 2 years previously. Schistosoma mansoni ova were identified on rectal mucosal biopsy. Our patient showed spontaneous clinical improvement. He was treated with Praziquantel and corticosteroids. The clinical manifestations of spinal schistosomiasis can be diverse, and there should be a high index of suspicion for all patients from endemic areas. Currently, praziquantel and corticosteroids are the drug of choice for Schistosoma mansoni infection.

[Imported malaria in Moselle: 75 cases in three years]. / Paludisme d'importation en Moselle: à propos de 75 cas en trois ans.

PURPOSE: Imported malaria frequency is increasing in France. Moselle, a north-east French county, with high concentration of servicemen going in endemic areas, follows the same trend. METHODS: Clinical, epidemiological aspects and treatment of all malaria attacks diagnosed over 3 years (from 1st january 1996 to 31st january 1999) were studied. Data pertaining to antimalaria prophylaxis and the reasons for prophylaxis failure were analyzed. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients developed a paroxysmal episode of malaria. No severe malaria and no death were noted. Ninety-six percent of the patients came from Africa (96%), 64% of them coming from western Africa (Ivory coast, Senegal, and Togo). Plasmodium falciparum was responsible for 90% of the cases. Giemsa staining, quantitative buffy coat diagnosis system and parasight rapid dipstick antigen capture assay help guide diagnosis. Halofantrine (64%) and quinine (28.6%) were used as curative treatment. Investigation about prophylactic means showed than 37.9% of interviewed patients did not comply with the preventive treatment. The primary prophylaxis (avoiding bites) was in existent or badly done. CONCLUSION: Although the best choice for chemoprophylaxis is still debated, travelers going to endemic areas should be aware of the risks for malaria and persuaded to take a preventive treatment, even though its efficacy may not be complete. They also should wear insecticide-treated clothes in order to decrease the number of potentially infective mosquito bites.

[Pulmonary actinomycosis: caused by Actinomyces odontolyticus?]. / Actinomycose pulmonaire: responsabilité d'Actinomyces odontolyticus?

Primary pulmonary actinomycosis is a purulent bronchopulmonary disease mimicking tuberculosis. The histological lesions contain characteristic yellow granules. The organism most frequently responsible for the disease is Actinomyces israeli. We report the first case to our knowledge where Actinomyces odontolyticus seems to be involved.

[Diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis and follow-up of 24 consecutive patients]. / Diagnosis de localisations cardiaques et suivi longitudinal de 24 sarcoïdoses.

PURPOSE: Cardiac sarcoidosis is responsible for 50% of deaths which mainly occur by ventricular arrhythmia or conduction disorders. The aim of this study is to determine the value of cardiac explorations for an early diagnosis of these localizations, which are often underestimated and can cause sudden death. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively studied 24 consecutive patients, aged 33 +/-10 years, presenting with a sarcoidosis. Nine (38%) were asymptomatic and had no treatment. Fifteen (62%) were symptomatic: two (8%) had only pulmonary lesions and 13 (54%) had a polyvisceral disease. Seven (30%) were treated. Thirteen (54%) had an elevation of the disease activity markers. The patients had a 12-lead ECG, an echocardiography (TTE), a Holter ECG and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at inclusion. RESULTS: Realization rate was: 100% ECG (24), 83% TTE (20), 75% Holter ECG (18) and 62% MRI (15). Only two patients (8%) had a cardiac involvement. The first one had a polyvisceral sarcoidosis presenting with a hypokinetic cardiomyopathy and a complete AV block and the second one presented with a complete AV block which revealed sarcoidosis. Both patients had a MRI septal hypersignal and disease activity markers. They were treated with cardiac stimulation and corticotherapy: the first patient died suddenly, the second one remains asymptomatic after a 14 months follow-up. The 22 patients (92%) with normal explorations did not present any cardiac involvement during the follow-up (3.7 +/-1.6 years). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the rarity of cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis. An exhaustive cardiac check-up does not seem very productive even for patients presenting with polyvisceral disease or an elevation of disease markers. A systematic 12-lead ECG seems to be the most useful and simple tool for the early diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis. The other explorations will be realized according to clinical data. The absence of abnormal findings seems to have a good negative predictive value allowing to rule out a cardiac problem.

[Antiphospholipid syndrome and psychosis]. / Syndrome des antiphospholipides et psychose.

The authors studies literature on both psychiatrics manifestations in several auto-immune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus and the antiphospholipid syndrome, and the impairment of immune functions in psychiatrics diseases. They try to expose the relevance of collaboration between Medical practitioners and psychiatrists to study the immunogenetic hypothesis of psychotic diseases.

[Cerebral and renal toxicity of acyclovir in a patient treated for meningoencephalitis]. / Toxicité cérébrale et rénale de l'aciclovir chez un patient traité pour méningo-encéphalite.

We report the case of a 65-year-old man treated with intravenous acyclovir and amoxicilline for meningoencephalitis. Six days later, he suddenly developed acute renal failure, associated with central nervous system symptoms. The high acyclovir concentration in plasma and spinal fluid confirmed the hypothesis of acyclovir toxicity. Continuous haemofiltration resulted in a rapid amendment of neurologic and renal symptoms. Despite the high therapeutic index of acyclovir, manifestations of neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity are not a rare event. The risk is increased in the elderly and in patients with renal insufficiency. Rapid intravenous injections are contraindicated. Continuous haemofiltration is rapidly efficient. The value of acyclovir concentration determination in plasma and spinal fluid are stressed.

[Medical treatment of lymphatic filariasis]. / Le traitement medical des filarioses lymphatiques.

Lymphatic filariasis remains in 1991 a major health problem. Ivermectine revolutionizes their treatment and, by suppressing microfilaremia, provides a new method of helping to control the vector-borne transmission of lymphatic filariasis.

[American pulmonary histoplasmosis. Prospective study with 232 soldiers after a 2-year assignment in Guiana]. / Histoplasmose pulmonaire americaine. Etude prospective chez 232 militaires ayant effectue un sejour de 2 ans en Guyane.

The purpose of this report is to describe the results of a prospective study on pulmonary histoplasmosis in French Guiana. Chest radiographs were performed in 232 French legionnaires returning from a two-year assignment in French Guiana. Further examinations were performed in a total of 8 subjects in whom chest radiographs demonstrated the presence of nodules in the lungs. No evidence of cancer or tuberculosis was found. Findings confirmed histoplasmomas in two cases and demonstrated probable histoplasmosis nodules in 6 cases including three involving calcified lesions. Five of these eight patients had been in high-risk rain forest environments. Pulmonary histoplasmosis should be considered as a possible diagnosis in subjects returning from endemic zones. Confirmation depends on a spectrum of findings. Calcified nodules require only radiographic surveillance with follow-up at six months. Non-calcified nodules require further investigation including CT-scan, bronchoscopy, and serological tests. Surgical biopsy may be necessary to achieve exact histological and mycological identification of the lesion and is recommended in smokers.

[Unilateral agenesis of the pulmonary artery. Diagnosis and therapeutic management]. / Agénésie unilatérale de l'artère pulmonaire. Diagnostic et prise en charge thérapeutique.

A case of agenesia of the right pulmonary artery was observed. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of this congenital anomaly as well as treatment were reviewed: Surveillance or surgery?

[Alveolar proteinosis: diagnosis and therapeutic management. Apropos of 2 cases]. / La protéinose alvéolaire: diagnostic et prise en charge thérapeutique. A propos de deux observations.

Two cases of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis are reported. Emphasis is placed on imaging techniques for diagnosis with bronchofibroscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage. Treatment of symptomatic forms is based on classical alveolar lavage with a rigid bronchoscope or currently with the fibroscope.

[Ganglioneuroma of the mediastinum. Apropos of a case]. / Ganglioneurome du médiastin. A propos d'une observation.

The authors report a case of a large ganglioneurinoma located in the mediastinum. The clinical course of this rare benign neurogenic tumour of the posterior mediastinum includes a low risk of medullary compression. The treatment is surgical resection.