Low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among patients presenting at a Parisian psychiatry University Hospital Group.

We examine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections among patients admitted to a Parisian psychiatric University Hospital Group (GHU). A total of 548 patients were admitted to the GHU...s full-time psychiatric wards between April 6 and May 3 2020. More than 80% were tested. A total of 7 patients tested positive for the SARS-Cov-2 (1.3%), with 5 patients (in 92, 5.4%) testing positive in the first week. GHU patients presented a low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2, even if all patients live in the hardest hit region in France. Social isolation and loneliness, as well as self-isolation of patients with symptoms could explain our results.

Arthroscopic resection of talocalcaneal coalitions--a bicentre case series of a new technique.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic tarsal coalitions failing conservative treatment are traditionally managed by open resection. We describe an arthroscopic technique for excising talocalcaneal coalitions and present a retrospective two-surgeon case series of the first eight patients (nine feet). METHODS: Outcome measures include restoration of subtalar movements, return to work and sports, visual analogue pain scales and Sports Athlete Foot and Ankle Scores (SAFAS). Follow-up ranges from 1 to 5.5 years. RESULTS: Pain and SAFAS improved in 7 patients. Subtalar movements were improved in all feet. All patients achieved early good function but one relapsed requiring subsequent fusions. One posterior tibial nerve was damaged. CONCLUSIONS: Minimal destruction of bone and soft tissues allows early mobilization and minimizes pain. Patient selection and preoperative planning are crucial to avoid relapse and complication. This series from two independent surgeons supports the feasibility and effectiveness of this technique.

Low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among patients presenting at a Parisian psychiatry University Hospital Group

Abstract: We examine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections among patients admitted to a Parisian psychiatric University Hospital Group (GHU).A total of 548 patients were admitted to the GHU...s full-time psychiatric wards between April 6 and May 3 2020. More than 80% were tested. A total of 7 patients tested positive for the SARS-Cov-2 (1.3%), with 5 patients (in 92, 5.4%) testing positive in the first week.GHU patients presented a low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2, even if all patients live in the hardest hit region in France. Social isolation and loneliness, as well as self-isolation of patients with symptoms could explain our results. (AU)

Enzyme electrophoresis combined with serogrouping for improved differentiation of Clostridium difficile strains.

We used enzyme electrophoresis to study a set of epidemiologically related and unrelated isolates of Clostridium difficile. The 53 strains belonged to the most frequent serogroups (A1, C, G, H and K). Nine electrophoretic profiles were defined on the basis of five enzymes, and two were characteristic of a single strain. Each serogroup was resolved into two or three different enzyme patterns. By combining the two methods we were able to resolve the strains into 12 types. There was an excellent correlation between enzyme electrophoresis and serogrouping data. This method may be of use in investigating nosocomial transmission.

Headspace gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of light hydrocarbons and volatile organosulphur compounds in reduced-pressure cultures of Clostridium.

A static headspace gas chromatographic method for the simultaneous separation of trace light hydrocarbons and volatile organosulphur compounds in gases of nineteen Clostridium cultures at reduced pressure is described. The separation was achieved on n-octane-Porasil C after sampling of the gaseous compounds in a PTFE loop without any pretreatment. Most peaks were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The presence of methane and ethylene sulphide among Clostridium volatiles is confirmed and 3-methyl-1-butene, 2-methyl-2-butene, dimethyl trisulphide and S-methyl thioacetate are reported for the first time in the Clostridium group.

l-Methionine, a Precursor of Trace Methane in Some Proteolytic Clostridia.

The in vivo formation of methane and of several S-methyl volatile compounds from the terminal S-methyl group of l-methionine is reported for growing cultures of four Clostridium strains (C. hastiforme, C. histolyticum, C. subterminale, and Clostridium sp. strain DSM 1786). After growth in 5 ml of unamended medium, C. hastiforme formed the highest amount of methane (408 nmol per tube in the headspace). When the culture medium was amended with 100 mM l-[S-methyl-H(3)]methionine, the four strains formed [H(3)]methane (proportion in the methane peak, >85%) as well as methanethiol, dimethyl disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide, and S-methyl thioacetate labeled on the methyl moiety. Methanethiol is also a precursor of methane for Clostridium sp. strain DSM 1786. The trace methane formation observed for these four proteolytic, nonglucidolytic Clostridium strains can be of ecological interest, particularly in aquatic sediments and in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals. It can explain in part the trace methane formation which cannot be ascribed to methanogens sensu stricto.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus subtyping: interest of combined antibiotyping and esterase electrophoretic typing.

Ninety-four methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates (MRSA) were characterized by means of two typing methods, antibiotyping and esterase electrophoretic typing. Antibiotyping, recorded on the basis of susceptibility testing of 13 antimicrobial agents, allowed the description of 18 antibiotypes, four of which comprised 30, 14, 14 and 12 strains respectively. Esterase electrophoretic typing, based on esterase activity against seven synthetic substrates after polyacrylamide-agarose gel electrophoresis, led to the description of 12 electrophoretic types, two of which were predominant with 60 and 20 strains respectively. The combined use of both typing methods yielded 32 combinations, three of which were predominant with 21, 12 and 11 strains respectively. A good differentiation of strains was achieved, particularly when the antibiotype was correlated to the electrophoretic type. Thus, the combination of antibiotyping with esterase electrophoretic typing may be proposed as a well-suited method for the characterization of MRSA strains.

Ultrasonographic assessment of topographic anatomy in volunteers suggests a modification of the infraclavicular vertical brachial plexus block.

BACKGROUND: The infraclavicular vertical brachial plexus block, first described by Kilka and coworkers, offers a more proximal spread of anaesthesia for the upper extremity than the classic axillary approach. In this technique, the puncture site is defined as lying at the exact centre of an infraclavicular line (k) between the jugular fossa and the ventral process of the acromion. Our study was designed to determine whether the point so defined (P) corresponds with the optimal puncture site determined sonographically (S) and to develop an improved prediction model. METHOD: High-resolution ultrasonography was carried out in 59 volunteers to visualize the plexus. Sonography-derived distances and morphometric measurements were used to test accuracy and calculate multiple regressions. RESULTS: We found a clear trend towards a more lateral puncture site. In women, S was significantly (P<0.001) lateral (8 mm) to P. The overall accuracy of the infraclavicular vertical brachial plexus block technique was not sufficient to predict the optimal puncture site reliably. Our resulting improved prediction model is valid for both sexes and is based not just on the centre point but on the absolute length of k (22-22.5 cm). We found that for every 1 cm decrease in k the optimal puncture site moved 2 mm laterally from the exact centre of k, and for every 1 cm increase in k it moved 2 mm medially. CONCLUSIONS: The suggested modification should help to increase the success rate of the infraclavicular vertical brachial plexus block while decreasing the rate of potentially severe complications, although individual ultrasonographic guidance is to be recommended whenever possible.

Esterase electrophoretic polymorphism of human and animal strains of Clostridium perfringens.

Esterase electrophoretic polymorphism in human and animal strains of Clostridium perfringens was studied by using polyacrylamide-agarose gel electrophoresis. Five types of esterases, designated E-I to E-V and defined by their hydrolytic specificities toward five synthetic substrates, were found in protein extracts of bacteria grown without glucose (glucose-containing media allowed only the expression of esterase E-I). Mobility variants of esterase E-I, which hydrolyzes alpha- and beta-naphthyl acetates and butyrates, were used as a basis for the distribution of strains into 11 zymogroups. When all five types of esterases and their electrophoretic variants were considered, 77 electrophoretic types (ETs) could be described for the 89 strains tested. Animal strains did not constitute a distinctive subpopulation, as revealed by their distribution in the zymogroups and by clustering analysis. Statistical analysis also emphasized the importance of esterase E-IV (which hydrolyzes only naphthyl acetates) and esterase E-V (which hydrolyzes only alpha-naphthyl acetate) in clustering by the relatedness of the ETs. ETs allowed the epidemiological characterization of stool isolates recovered from elderly inpatient residents and from adolescent chronic-care psychiatric patients. These results indicate that esterase electrophoretic typing may be a marker for epidemiological and ecological analyses.

A 5-year epidemiological study of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in a medium- and long-stay neurological unit.

Thirty-eight different strains of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL Kp), isolated from urine and pus samples of 38 patients hospitalized in a medium- and long-stay neurology department between 1 January 1992 and 31 December 1996, were analysed by antibiotic resistance phenotyping, DNA macrorestriction by pulsed-field electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing of beta-lactamases. An epidemiological survey was conducted to identify risk factors for infection by ESBL Kp in this setting. The 38 isolates were distributed into 13 antibiotypes, three of which predominated (13, six and six isolates). The DNA macrorestriction pattern identified 15 genotypes, four of which predominated (11, six, four and four isolates). A combination of the two typing methods revealed several epidemic clones that emerged consecutively. Two main types of ESBL (SHV-2 and CTX-1) were identified by isoelectric focusing, the former predominating. The case-control study showed that the length of hospital stay, degree of malnutrition and dependency, and urinary sphincter status were the main factors significantly associated with ESBL Kp isolation.

[Outbreak of infections of Klebsiella pneumoniae with extended spectrum beta-lactamase in a hospital unit with a long and medium stay]. / Epidémie d'infections à Klebsiella pneumoniae à beta-lactamase à spectre étendu dans un service de long et moyen séjour.

Fourteen extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ES beta la) Klebsiella pneumoniae strains were isolated from 14 inpatients between February 1993 and February 1994, in a medium- and long-stay neurological unit. For this reason an epidemiological study was begun, based on strain typing and examination of patient files. Strain typing was carried out by two methods (i) the analysis of antibiotic resistance, showing 7 different antibiotypes among the 14 strains studied, (ii) the analysis of esterase and dehydrogenase electrophoretic polymorphism in polyacrylamide-agarose gel. The method was checked by analysing 11 Klebsiella pneumoniae strains with wild phenotype for beta-lactam antibiotics, which were isolated during the same period in the same unit. Simultaneously 6 other strains isolated during the same period in some other units of the hospital were analysed. Nine electrophoretic types were found among the 31 strains (wild and ES beta las). The analysis of the results showed that 8 isolates of the group of 14 ES beta las had the same antibiotype and electrophoretic type. This demonstrates that one epidemic strain was responsible for two outbreaks, the first one in April and the second one in August-September. A case control investigation was carried out to define the risk factors of infection. Files were examined for the 14 infected inpatients and for 20 control inpatients from the same unit during the same period. Statistical analysis was performed with Epi Info software 5 (CDC Atlanta). Length of stay, dependence and malnutrition levels, and urinary sphincter disfunction were the most significant risk factors.