Acute blastocystis-associated appendicular peritonitis in a child, Casablanca, Morocco.

Despite increasing reports that Blastocystis infection is associated with digestive symptoms, its pathogenicity remains controversial. We report appendicular peritonitis in a 9-year-old girl returning to France from Morocco. Only Blastocystis parasites were detected in stools, appendix, peritoneal liquid, and recto-uterine pouch. Simultaneous gastroenteritis in 26 members of the child's family suggested an outbreak.

Evaluation of four commercial rapid immunochromatographic assays for detection of Cryptosporidium antigens in stool samples: a blind multicenter trial.

In a multicenter study, potassium dichromate-preserved stools from patients infected with Cryptosporidium parvum (n = 20), C. hominis (n = 20), and other Cryptosporidium species (n = 10) and 60 controls were examined using four immunochromatographic assays. Assay sensitivity ranged between 50.1% and 86.7% for C. parvum and C. hominis but was <35% for other species.

A national retrospective survey of anisakidosis in France (2010-2014): decreasing incidence, female predominance, and emerging allergic potential.

A retrospective survey was carried out over the years 2010-2014 among all Parasitology laboratories of University hospitals in France (ANOFEL network). The objective was to estimate the incidence of anisakidosis in France as new culinary habits such as the consumption of raw fish (sushi) or undercooked fish are increasing. A total of 37 cases of anisakidosis were notified by all French laboratories: 7 proven cases with evidence of a worm, 12 possible cases with abdominal pain after consumption of raw fish with detection of anti-Anisakis precipitins, and 18 allergic cases defined as acute manifestations after consumption of fish, associated with specific IgE for Anisakis. The median age of affected individuals was 42 years (11-69) and there was a significant predominance of women (67%). Compared with previous surveys in France, this study indicates a decrease in clinical cases of anisakidosis and illustrates the emerging allergic potential of anisakids.

TITLE: Étude nationale rétrospective de l'anisakidose en France (2010-2014) : diminution de l'incidence, prédominance féminine et augmentation des allergies. ABSTRACT: Une enquête rétrospective a été réalisée au cours des années 2010-2014 auprès des laboratoires de parasitologie des hôpitaux universitaires de France (réseau ANOFEL). L'objectif était d'estimer l'incidence de l'anisakidose en France depuis l'émergence de nouvelles habitudes culinaires comme la consommation de poissons crus (sushi) ou insuffisamment cuits. Les laboratoires français de Parasitologie ont ainsi notifié 37 cas d'anisakidose: 7 cas certains avec présence du ver, 12 cas possibles se caractérisant par des douleurs abdominales après consommation de poisson cru et la présence de précipitines anti-Anisakis et 18 cas allergiques définis comme des manifestations aiguës après consommation de poisson associées à des IgE spécifiques anti-Anisakis. L'âge médian des cas était de 42 ans (11-69) et il y avait une prédominance féminine significative (67 %). Par rapport aux enquêtes précédentes en France, cette étude indique une diminution des cas cliniques d'anisakidose mais illustre le potentiel allergique émergent des anisakidés.

Case Report: Ocular Microsporidiosis: Case in a Patient Returning from India and Review of the Literature.

Microsporidia are protists close to the kingdom of fungi that may cause eye infections. Most cases are reported in Asia and affect both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Here, we report a rare case of microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in an immunocompetent French patient 3 weeks after returning from India. In our patient, Weber trichrome staining of conjunctival scrapings revealed rounded elements approximately 1-3 µm in size. Conventional polymerase chain reaction analysis by ribosomal RNA subunit sequencing showed 100% identity with Vittaforma corneae. Treatment by corneal debridement combined with fluoroquinolone eye drops allowed complete resolution of the lesions. Although rare, ocular microsporidiosis should be investigated in a patient who is native to Asia or has returned from an endemic area and presents with keratoconjunctivitis of undetermined etiology.

Case Report: Hemianopia: From Suspected Glioblastoma to the Diagnosis of Ectopic Schistosomiasis Haematobium Infection in a Traveler Returning from the Republic of the Congo.

Schistosomiasis due to Schistosoma haematobium is a widespread disease usually affecting the urinary tract associated with hematuria and kidney disorders. Neurological damage is rarely reported and symptoms are nonspecific and may suggest brain tumors such as glioma. We describe the first double ectopic haematobium schistosomiasis case involving the brain and intestine.

Sushi, ceviche and gnathostomiasis - A case report and review of imported infections.

We describe a case of imported cutaneous gnathostomiasis in a Thai patient living in France. Gnathostomiasis is a zoonosis of food origin. The disease is endemic in Southeast Asia and Latin America. However, over the past 30 years, an increasing number of imported cases has been described in Europe and America. The disease is rare in Western Europe and the majority of cases described had a cutaneous clinical presentation. The disease may sometimes be confused with allergy, leading to a delay in diagnosis. Visceral symptoms are rare but may follow severe attacks. A definitive diagnosis can be obtained by the isolation of larvae from skin biopsies, but these are rarely performed. The diagnosis is usually presumptive, based on a combination of anamnestic, clinical, and biological factors. Several courses of the anti-helminths, albendazole or ivermectin, are often necessary. Although rare, the diagnosis should be evoked systematically in a migrant or traveller returning from an endemic area with cutaneous lesions.

Diagnosis, imaging, and treatment of an unusual cardiac hydatid cyst.

Echinococcosis is endemic in sheep- and cattle-raising areas in Europe, especially in Southern and Central Europe. In France, most cases originated from immigrants from countries where echinococcosis is endemic. Extremely rare native cases have been reported during the last few years in France, especially those concerning isolated cardiac hydatid cyst. In this case report, we propose a complete imaging description of the features of a typical cardiac hydatid cyst from cardiac MRI, complete with surgery, parasitology, and anatomopathology images.

Atovaquone-proguanil versus chloroquine-proguanil for malaria prophylaxis in nonimmune pediatric travelers: results of an international, randomized, open-label study.

Atovaquone-proguanil has been shown to be effective and well tolerated for malaria prophylaxis in residents of countries of endemicity and in nonimmune adult travelers, but data about traveling children are limited. In a randomized, open-label, multicenter prophylaxis trial, 221 nonimmune pediatric travelers (age, 2-17 years) received either atovaquone-proguanil or chloroquine-proguanil. Safety and clinical outcome were evaluated 7, 28, and 60 days after travel. By posttravel day 7, a total of 39 (35%) of 110 atovaquone-proguanil and 41 (37%) of 111 chloroquine-proguanil recipients reported > or =1 adverse event. The data indicate that, over the course of treatment, fewer atovaquone-proguanil recipients had treatment-related adverse events (8% vs. 14%), including gastrointestinal complaints (5% vs. 10%). Two subjects discontinued prophylaxis because of drug-related adverse events; both had received chloroquine-proguanil. Observed compliance with prophylaxis was similar before and during travel, but it was higher for atovaquone-proguanil in the posttravel period. No study participant developed malaria. Atovaquone-proguanil was well tolerated and is an important addition to the limited arsenal of prophylactic agents available to children.