Respiratory viruses in children admitted to hospital intensive care units: evaluating the CLART® Pneumovir DNA array.

Viruses play a significant part in children's respiratory infections, sometimes leading to hospitalization in cases of severe respiratory distress. The aim of this study was to investigate respiratory infections in children treated in a hospital intensive care unit (ICU). Assays were performed using the CLART® Pneumovir DNA array assay (Genomica, Coslada, Madrid, Spain), which makes it possible to detect 11 genus of respiratory viruses simultaneously. During the winter of 2008-2009, 73 respiratory specimens collected from 53 children under 2 years of age and admitted to an ICU were tested. At least one virus was detected in 78% (57/73) of the samples. The virological diagnosis was based on single infections in 65% (37/57) and on multiple infections in 35% (20/57) of cases. The array assay revealed respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in 73.6% (42/57) of the samples and rhinovirus in 24.6% (14/57), either on their own or in co-infections. All viruses identified in single and multiple infections were tested, taking into account clinical features, risk factors, and severity criteria. Children with no risk factors presented more multiple infections, up to 42% of cases, than children with at least one risk factor. RSV seemed to induce severe symptoms by itself as no difference in intubation needs was observed when RSV was detected on its own or in co-infection. The CLART® Pneumovir DNA array was useful for examining severe viral respiratory infections, when other viruses than those detected by conventional methods could be involved, particularly in an ICU.

RNA-acting antibiotics: in-vitro selection of RNA aptamers for the design of new bioactive molecules less susceptible to bacterial resistance.

During the last few years, antibiotic multiresistance has been increasing, not only in hospitals, but also, more worryingly, in general medicine. Different ways are being explored to bypass this problem. RNA-acting antibiotics such as aminosides (aminoglycosides) bind to bacterial RNA causing premature termination of proteins and mistranslation in bacteria. It is now possible to study the interactions of such antibiotics with their target by in-vitro selection of RNA molecules that recognize these antibiotics (RNA aptamers, SELEX method). The knowledge of the antibiotic-RNA interactions represents a promising way for the rational design of new bioactive compounds less susceptible to bacterial resistance.

International indoor and outdoor evaluation of Bacillus sphaericus products: complexity of standardizing outdoor protocols.

Only one Bacillus sphaericus strain, strain 2362, is currently used commercially to control Culex larval populations. A reliable methodology, easily used, was developed to identify new strains for field application. Larvicidal activities of 3 highly mosquitocidal strains, strains C3-41, Mal, and LB24, previously selected in the laboratory, were compared with that of strain 2362 in tropical and European countries. The following steps were performed: production and titration of acetonic powders from these 4 strains on local Culex species, survey of initial and residual activity under standardized indoor and outdoor conditions, and evaluation of the efficacy of liquid formulations of the 4 strains in natural breeding sites of Culex. In indoor conditions, strain C3-41 showed the highest activity on both Culex pipiens and Culex quinquefasciatus; strain Mal was the least active. The residual activity causing 80% mortality differed from 20 to 90 days according to the strains and the country. Outdoor experiments with powders (0.02-1.6 mg/liter) were performed and the initial toxicities were similar in all cases. Residual activities were very different, from 6 to 95 days posttreatment. Liquid formulations were applied to larval habitats (from 0.1 to 10 g/m2). In tropical countries, larval recolonization in cesspits or ponds occurred after 10-35 days. In Europe, higher doses were needed in polluted water than in clear water (from 3 to 10 liter/ha) for the same control, and the time before 80% residual activity was reached was less than 9-12 days. However, in cesspits, residual activity could be observed for 12 days to 5 mo. A strain 3-5 times more active than the others in bioassays is not significantly detectable from those strains in field trials.

[Microsporum langeronii dermatophytosis in a newborn infant contaminated in France]. / Dermatophytie à Microsporum langeronii chez un nouveau-né contaminé en France.

Dermatophytosis due to Microsporum langeronii was observed in a 21-day neonate born in Bordeaux, France to a mother of West African origin. A typical misleading manifestations were: non alopecic squamation of the scalp with seborrhoea associated with circineous vesiculo-squamous lesions of the forehead. The source of the contamination was undoubtedly the mother who presented squamation without alopecia of the scalp. M. langeronii were observed in the scales and the hair. Epidemiological search for tinea should be carried out in the family as well as in schools attended by the brothers and sisters. Familial contamination is more frequent.

[Development of the prevalence rate of four intestinal parasites in children]. / Evolution du taux de prévalence de quatre parasites intestinaux chez l'enfant.

During the last 2 decades, the same coprological techniques for the detection of parasites have been applied by the same team in the parasitology laboratories of the Children's Hospital of Bordeaux. A marked decrease in the prevalence of the most frequently occurring parasites (Giardia and Entamoeba coli cysts, Ascaris and Trichocephale eggs) has been observed. Similar results have also been found in other French parasitology laboratories. This reduction in the parasite infection rate is concomitant with a sustained improvement in public hygiene and the living standards of families. It is also likely that an evolution in childhood behaviour at school, outdoors, and at home, accounts for a decrease in intestinal parasites.

[Course of the dermatophytic spectrum in tinea capitis. Apropos of 124 cases seen in Bordeaux]. / Evolution du spectre dermatophytique des teignes du cuir chevelu. A propos de 124 cas observés à Bordeaux.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of tinea capitis in the Bordeaux area (Dermatology Unit of the Hôpital des Enfants, Bordeaux) during a 6-year period (January, 1979 to December, 1984). Dermatophytic infection of the hair was proven by culture in 124 patients, 21 of whom had a negative potassium hydroxide direct examination. Age and sex distribution are shown in figure 1. One case was observed in a 15 days old infant, and 4 cases in adult females (3 young black mothers of affected children, 1 elderly white woman). Table I indicates the geographical origin of the patients and the isolates identified. The incidence of anthropophilic dermatophytes has increased from 13 p. 100 to 50 p. 100 since our previous survey (1975-1978). M. langeronii (29 cases), T. soudanense (19 cases) and T. violaceum (10 cases) were isolated mostly among African immigrants from Western tropical Africa and the Maghreb. However, 4 children of French origin without any history of previous sojourn in endemic areas developed tinea capitis due to M. langeronii; the source of contamination could not be determined. Zoophilic dermatophyte infection was mainly caused by M. canis (50 cases), with cats being the most frequent source of contamination. Family cases were frequent: 64 corresponding to 28 families. This may be due to either interhuman contamination or the presence of a contact pet animal in the family. The discussion is focused on: the shift in dermatophytic isolates from tinea capitis toward anthropophilic species, notably M. langeronii, mainly caused by an increased immigration from West Africa; the relevant clinical and mycological correlations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Evaluation of the larvicidal activity of Bacillus thuringiensis serotype H14 on mosquitoes in natural breeding places]. / Evaluation en gites naturels de l'activité larvicide du sérotype H14 de Bacillus thuringiensis sur les culicidés.

The experiments conducted with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis, serotype H14, in nature, show that this Bacillus has a specific and extremely high larvicidal power against the larval population of Culicidae. It operates very quickly but its action seems relatively short-time lasting. Considering the increasing resistance of larvae to organophosphorus compounds, this new serotype presents a particular interest for the control of mosquitoes.

[Tinea capitis: 73 cases observed in Bordeaux (author's transl)]. / Teignes du cuir chevelu. 73 cas observés à Bordeaux.

73 cases of tinea capitis were observed in the "Hôpital des Enfants" in Bordeaux during these last five year. 71 children under 14 years of age and only 2 adults have seen. The dermatophytic spectrum transformation noticed in other parts of Western Europe is also encountered in Bordeaux. 83 p. 100 are affected by zoo-antropophilic dermatophytes, M. canis chiefly in town, T. mentagrophytes, T. verrucosum in rural aeras. The cases are often familial, from an infected animal, but without any interhuman transmission. Only 8 out of 73 cases are due to strict antropophilic dermatophytes and are found in newly arrived immigrants from North Africa (T. violaceum, T. schönleini) of from West Africa (M. langeroni, T. ferrugineum, T. soudanense). Not a single case of scholar transmission could be observed. Cure by micronised griseofulvine per os (15 mg/kg/day) associated with local care was effective in all cases.