[Diagnosis of imported malaria in France]. / Diagnostic du paludisme d'importation en France.

The need for diagnosis of imported malaria is frequent in France. Diagnosis biological tools are different, according methods, sensitivity, interpretation and costs. Strategies for their use could be stratified according locally available methods, and experience of the practician.

[Chiroptera and zoonosis: an emerging problem on all five continents]. / Chiroptères et zoonoses, une émergence sur les cinq continents.

Zoonosis is the cause of the vast majority of emerging diseases. Bats that occupy the second place in the mammal class play an important role. Whether they belong to the microchiroptera suborder or to the megachiroptera suborder, bats on all five continents have been implicated in transmission of numerous pathogens including not only viruses such as Lyssavirus (e.g. rabies), Hepanivirus (e.g. Hendra and Nipah virus) and recently coronavirus (e.g. SARS-like coronavirus and Ebola virus) but also fungus such as histoplasmosis. By modifying environmental conditions and encroaching on their biotope, human intervention has probably contributed to the introduction of chiropteras into an epidemiologic chain in which they previously had no place, thus promoting the emergence of new pathogens.

[Cutaneous tuberculosis overview]. / Panorama de la tuberculose cutanée.

Cutaneous tuberculosis is now uncommon in industrial countries despite the rising incidence of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in areas with high prevalence of HIV infection. Nevertheless it is still important to know the multiple clinical manifestations of cutaneous tuberculosis and to be aware of new laboratory diagnostic methods such as polymerization chain reaction gene amplification.

[Overview of endemic treponematoses]. / Panorama des tréponématoses endémiques.

Endemic treponematoses including yaws, bejel, pinta are distinguished from venereal syphilis on the basis of epidemiological characteristics and clinical manifestations. They cannot be differentiated by morphological and serological methods. A few minor genetic differences have been identified among the subspecies (Treponema pallidum sp. pallidum, pertenue, endemicum, carateum). Although penicillin therapy is effective, these infectious diseases have yet to be eliminated.

[Rapid immunochromatographic tests for detection of malaria: principles and strategies for use]. / Tests immunochromatographiques rapides de détection du paludisme, principes et stratégies d'utilisation.

Malaria is a parasitological emergency requiring safe quick accurate diagnosis so that appropriate therapy can be implemented. A number of rapid diagnostic tests based on detection of HRP2 Ag, enzymes, LDH or aldolase are now available. However the use of these tests is restricted to trained, experienced staff in special situations. The purpose of this report is to describe the different tests on the market and clarify the limitations for their use.

[Achievement quality evaluation of pretransfusion bedside test]. / Evaluation de la qualité de réalisation des tests de concordance ultime au lit du patient.

As far as transfusions accidents are concerned, immunological causes are frequent. Pretransfusion Bedside Compatibility Tests (PBCT) are the last chance to avoid them. However low data are disponible on the quality their realisation is achieved. The aim of the study is to evaluate the quality level of achievement of these tests, in HIA Laveran Hospital (Marseille Armees, France). During 13 months, from november 2001 to december 2002, we systematically analysed PBCT after use (analysis rate 91%). Three kinds of errors have been noticed: Technical errors, understanding errors and both. Overall mistake rate was 10.4% (1632 tests analysed). In the same time, a complementary formation was dispensed to users responsible of misfits. This formation was successful, decreasing the overall mistake rate from 22.8% (november 2001) to 10.7% (december 2002). This study is an evidence of the importance to evaluate achievement quality of PBCT and shows how efficient can be simple correction methods.

[A cholera epidemic in Dijibouti (May 2000-January 2001)]. / Une épidémie de choléra à Djibouti (mai 2000-janvier 2001).

The purpose of this report is to describe a cholera outbreak that occurred in the Republic of Djibouti from May 2000 to January 2001. Because the Somalian index cases involved were identified, this outbreak can be used as a model for imported epidemics. Development of the disease in the Djibouti City is promoted by a combination of poor living conditions and inadequate water supply. Unlike in previous epidemics in Djibouti, bacteriological study demonstrated the emergence of Vibrio cholerae strains presenting antibiotic resistance similar to that observed in Somalia. At the only facility available for cholera treatment in the country, 1920 patients were admitted and 36(1.9%) died. An epidemiological study of these patients demonstrated that females accounted for most cases in the 15-to-44-year age group (p < 0.0001) whereas males accounted for most cases in the age groups ranging from 0 to 1 year (p = 0.003) and 5 to 14 years (p = 0.002). These findings suggest that the mode of contamination and access to care vary according to sex and age.

[Clinical overview of New World tegumentary leishmaniasis]. / Panorama clinique des leishmanioses tégumentaires du Nouveau Monde.

This richly illustrated article (80 color photographs) based on the authors' experience in French Guyana documents the clinical diversity of American tegumentary leishmaniasis. Main highlights include the often outstanding aspect of lesions, the high frequency of forms not associated with ulceration or scab formation that must be recognized to achieve diagnosis in travellers returning from endemic zones, and the special prognosis of clinical forms associated with intradermic, lymphatic or hematogenous spread. The article also reviews an original diagnostic method based on culture of cutaneous biopsy specimens on specific nutrient mediums that provides isolates in a high percentage of cases (80%) and thus allows identification of offending parasite.

[Management of American cutaneous leishmaniasis. Outcome apropos of 326 cases treated with high-dose pentamidine isethionate]. / Thérapeutique des leishmanioses tégumentaires du Nouveau Monde. Expérience à propos de 326 cas traités par iséthionate de pentamidine à fortes doses.

The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the outcome of pentamidine isethionate treatment (4 mg/kg of Pentamidine by the intramuscular route on Days 1 and 3) of cutaneous leishmaniasis in 326 cases that occurred during an outbreak among French military personnel in French Guyana from 1998 to 1999. A great difference was found between the 205 patients treated in French Guyana (series G) and 32 patients treated at the Laveran Military Hospital in Marseille, France (series L). Failure rate, i.e. 25% in series L versus 5% in series G, was significantly correlated with the delay to treatment which was much longer in series L. Extensive rhabdomyolysis was observed in all cases tested: this side-effect has not been reported. Based on these findings and a review of the literature on pentamidine isethionate, the authors recommend prompt treatment using lower doses. Other treatment alternatives for American cutaneous leishmaniasis are also presented including two of the latest developments in the field, i.e., oral treatment using miltefosine and topical treatment using agents such as paromomycine.

[Epidemiologic surveillance of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Guiana. Summary of military data collected over 10 years]. / Surveillance épidémiologique des leishmanioses tégumentaires en Guyane. Synthése de données militaires sur 10 ans.

This report describes the results of epidemiological surveillance of cutaneous leishmaniasis in French military personnel in French Guiana. Data was collected regarding microscopic diagnosis, clinical manifestations, and lesion location as well as compliance with vector control measures. Year-to-year variations in the incidence in the general population have been attributed to changes in climatic conditions. Monitoring incidence and density curves, correlation of findings with local epidemiological data, and analysis of the most recent epidemic in 1998/99 (326 cases, attack rate 3.2% men years) highlight the importance of behavioral factors. The proportion of total cases involving military personnel varied widely from 20 to 85%. Investigation consistently showed that failure to apply elementary protective measures against sandfly bites was the most determinant factor in this proportion. Strict compliance with these measures appears to reduce the risk of infection considerably.

[Acute pericarditis of unusual etiology]. / Une péricardite aiguë d'étiologie inhabituelle.

Extrapulmonary manifestations of Legionella pneumophilia infection are infrequent. Cardiac involvement can occur. We observed an unusual case which led to acute pericarditis and reviewed the literature on cardiac involvement, particularly pericarditis, in patients which legionellosis.

[Blood transfusion practices: about transfusions at night]. / Pratiques transfusionnelles à risque : à propos des transfusions de nuit.

Blood transfusion safety covers all stages from prescription of immuno-haematological examinations until the completion of the transfusion. According to the 05/11/2006 Afssaps' decision on good transfusion practices, transfusions should not be given at night unless the patient is actively bleeding or has some other urgent clinical need. A retrospective study was used to assess the proportion of transfusions at night. Through this professional practice evaluation, we analyze the reasons leading to perform transfusions at late hours, in order to reduce errors and improve safety for patients.

[Role of surgery in the management of pulmonary parasitosis]. / Place de la chirurgie dans les parasitoses pulmonaires.

Pulmonary parasitosis is scarcely encountered in France, and its diagnosis is quite difficult. If numerous parasites can be responsible for respiratory symptoms, only few of them can develop in the lung parenchyma and lead to complications necessitating a surgical treatment. The most common example is the hydatic disease of the lung. The authors review the biological cycles, clinical forms, diagnostic and treatment principles of those main lung parasites, which deserve surgical consideration.

[Sporotrichoid topographic distribution and Mycobacterium marinum grown on a subdermal contraceptive implant]. / Dissémination lymphangitique et greffe sur implant contraceptif de Mycobacterium marinum.

We report a 37-year-old woman who presented a cutaneous papulonodular skin eruption with sporotrichoid topographic distribution. The diagnosis of Mycobacterium marinum infection was obtained with the bacteriological examination of a cutaneous biopsy and related to cleaning her aquarium at home. Mycobacteriological grown on a subdermal contraceptive implant had not been published before.

Clinical characteristics of the smooth tubercle bacilli 'Mycobacterium canettii' infection suggest the existence of an environmental reservoir.

Over a 3-year follow-up, 30 out of the 318 unique Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates recovered in the Republic of Djibouti had a smooth-type morphology and were Niacine-negative, the characteristics of 'Mycobacterium canettii' strains. Unlike M. tuberculosis, 'M. canettii' grew on nutrient-poor media at 30°C, and possessed characteristic lipids. They were isolated from respiratory and extra-respiratory sites from patients with typical forms of tuberculosis. Most cases resolved with antibiotic therapy but in two human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients 'M. canettii' infection led to septicaemia and death. No cases of human-to-human transmission were observed. The proportion of tuberculosis cases caused by 'M. canettii' was higher among French patients than among Djiboutian patients. Patients with 'M. canettii' were significantly younger than those with tuberculosis caused by other M. tuberculosis complex strains. Smooth tubercle bacilli could be misidentified as non-tuberculous mycobacteria and appear to be limited to the Horn of Africa. Their characteristics are consistent with the existence of non-human sources of infection.

Highly structured genetic diversity of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis population in Djibouti.

Djibouti is an East African country with a high tuberculosis incidence. This study was conducted over a 2-month period in Djibouti, during which 62 consecutive patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) were included. Genetic characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, using mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit variable-number tandem-repeat typing and spoligotyping, was performed. The genetic and phylogenetic analysis revealed only three major families (Central Asian, East African Indian and T). The high diversity and linkage disequilibrium within each family suggest a long period of clonal evolution. A Bayesian approach shows that the phylogenetic structure observed in our sample of 62 isolates is very likely to be representative of the phylogenetic structure of the M. tuberculosis population in the total number of TB cases.