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1.
Epidemiol Infect ; 145(16): 3455-3467, 2017 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29168445

ABSTRACT

Introduction An unprecedented outbreak of Ebola virus diseases (EVD) occurred in West Africa from March 2014 to January 2016. The French Institute for Public Health implemented strengthened surveillance to early identify any imported case and avoid secondary cases. METHODS: Febrile travellers returning from an affected country had to report to the national emergency healthcare hotline. Patients reporting at-risk exposures and fever during the 21st following day from the last at-risk exposure were defined as possible cases, hospitalised in isolation and tested by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Asymptomatic travellers reporting at-risk exposures were considered as contact and included in a follow-up protocol until the 21st day after the last at-risk exposure. RESULTS: From March 2014 to January 2016, 1087 patients were notified: 1053 were immediately excluded because they did not match the notification criteria or did not have at-risk exposures; 34 possible cases were tested and excluded following a reliable negative result. Two confirmed cases diagnosed in West Africa were evacuated to France under stringent isolation conditions. Patients returning from Guinea (n = 531; 49%) and Mali (n = 113; 10%) accounted for the highest number of notifications. CONCLUSION: No imported case of EVD was detected in France. We are confident that our surveillance system was able to classify patients properly during the outbreak period.


Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola , Public Health Surveillance , Travel , Adolescent , Adult , Africa, Western/ethnology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control , Disease Outbreaks/statistics & numerical data , Ebolavirus , Female , France/epidemiology , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/epidemiology , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/ethnology , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/prevention & control , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult
2.
BMC Health Serv Res ; 16(a): 365, 2016 08 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27507292

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections. Despite this burden, there are few studies of the costs of UTIs. The objective of this study was to determine the costs of UTIs in women over 18 years of age who visit general practitioners in France. METHODS: The direct and indirect costs of clinical UTIs were estimated from societal, French National Health Insurance and patient perspectives. The study population was derived from a national cross-sectional survey entitled the Drug-Resistant Urinary Tract Infection (Druti). The Druti included every woman over 18 years of age who presented with symptoms of UTI and was conducted in France in 2012 and 2013 to estimate the annual incidence of UTIs due to antibiotic-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in women visiting general practitioners (GPs) for suspected UTIs. RESULTS: Of the 538 women included in Druti, 460 were followed over 8 weeks and included in the cost analysis. The mean age of the women was 46 years old. The median cost of care for one episode of a suspected UTI was €38, and the mean cost was €70. The annual societal cost was €58 million, and €29 million of this was reimbursed by the French National Health Insurance system. In 25 % of the cases, the suspected UTIs were associated with negative urine cultures. The societal cost of these suspected UTIs with negative urine cultures was €13.5 million. No significant difference was found between the costs of the UTIs due to antibiotic-resistant E. coli and those due to wild E. coli (p = 0.63). CONCLUSION: In the current context in which the care costs are continually increasing, the results of this study suggests that it is possible to decrease the cost of UTIs by reducing the costs of suspected UTIs and unnecessary treatments, as well as limiting the use of non-recommended tests.


Subject(s)
General Practice/economics , General Practitioners/economics , Urinary Tract Infections/economics , Urinary Tract Infections/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Anti-Bacterial Agents/economics , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Cost of Illness , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Financing, Personal/economics , France/epidemiology , Humans , Incidence , Middle Aged , Surveys and Questionnaires , Urinary Tract Infections/drug therapy
3.
Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis ; 34(8): 1615-20, 2015 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25957988

ABSTRACT

We performed a multicenter survey in May-June 2012 to assess strategies in preventing the spread of emerging extensively drug-resistant organisms (eXDRO), including glycopeptide-resistant enterococci and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, in a convenient sample of French healthcare facilities (HCFs). The collected data included organization and measures to: (1) identify patients at risk for carrying eXDRO, (2) investigate and control sporadic cases or outbreaks, and (3) describe prior 2010-2012 episodes with one or more colonized patients. Of the 286 participating HCFs, 163 (57 %) and 134 (47 %) reported having a specific procedure to detect repatriates or patients hospitalized in foreign countries within the last year, respectively. Among the 97 HCFs with prior at-risk patient management experience, contact precautions, hospitalization in a single room, and screening for eXDRO carriage were quasi-systematically performed (n = 92/97, 95 %). The alleged time between admission and alert ranged from 24 to 48 h after the patient's admission; 203 (71 %) HCFs recommended obtaining three successive negative screening samples to declare a patient free of eXDRO colonization. During the last two years, 64 HCFs (23 %) had to manage at least one eXDRO case, with a total of 20 outbreaks with more than one secondary case. This first national survey shows that French HCFs were not totally ready to control eXDRO spread in 2012. Their previous experiences and capacities in controlling eXDRO outbreaks are quite heterogeneous from one hospital to another. Further researches are needed in order to understand the constraints in applying national guidance.


Subject(s)
Bacterial Infections/diagnosis , Bacterial Infections/drug therapy , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/diagnosis , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/drug therapy , Cross Infection/prevention & control , Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial , Infection Control/methods , Bacterial Infections/microbiology , Bacterial Infections/prevention & control , Carrier State/diagnosis , Carrier State/drug therapy , Carrier State/microbiology , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/microbiology , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/prevention & control , Disease Transmission, Infectious/prevention & control , France , Health Facilities , Humans
4.
Euro Surveill ; 20(8)2015 Feb 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25742434

ABSTRACT

We present a pilot validation study performed on 10 European Union (EU) Member States, of a point prevalence survey (PPS) of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial use in Europe in 2011 involving 29 EU/European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Croatia. A total of 20 acute hospitals and 1,950 patient records were included in the pilot study, which consisted of validation and inter-rater reliability (IRR) testing using an in-hospital observation approach. In the validation, a sensitivity of 83% (95% confidence interval (CI): 79­87%) and a specificity of 98% (95% CI: 98­99%) were found for HAIs. The level of agreement between the primary PPS and validation results were very good for HAIs overall (Cohen's κappa (κ):0.81) and across all the types of HAIs (range: 0.83 for bloodstream infections to 1.00 for lower respiratory tract infections). Antimicrobial use had a sensitivity of 94% (95% CI: 93­95%) and specificity of 97% (95% CI: 96­98%) with a very good level of agreement (κ:0.91). Agreement on other demographic items ranged from moderate to very good (κ: 0.57­0.95): age (κ:0.95), sex (κ: 0.93), specialty of physician (κ: 0.87) and McCabe score (κ: 0.57). IRR showed a very good level of agreement (κ: 0.92) for both the presence of HAIs and antimicrobial use. This pilot study suggested valid and reliable reporting of HAIs and antimicrobial use in the PPS dataset. The lower level of sensitivity with respect to reporting of HAIs reinforces the importance of training data collectors and including validation studies as part of a PPS in order for the burden of HAIs to be better estimated.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage , Bacterial Infections/epidemiology , Bacterial Infections/etiology , Cross Infection/drug therapy , Cross Infection/epidemiology , Drug Prescriptions/statistics & numerical data , Drug Utilization Review/statistics & numerical data , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Bacterial Infections/drug therapy , Croatia/epidemiology , Cross Infection/etiology , Cross Infection/microbiology , Drug Resistance, Microbial , Drug Utilization Review/methods , Europe/epidemiology , European Union , Female , Health Surveys , Hospitals/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Prevalence , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and Specificity
5.
Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis ; 33(10): 1757-62, 2014 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24816900

ABSTRACT

The first French outbreak of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) USA300 clone was investigated. After outbreak investigation, hygiene measures were implemented in all family households and childminders' homes. Several decontamination procedures were performed, which used a combination of topical mupirocin, total body application of chlorhexidine, chlorhexidine gargle (if >6 years old) and a course of antibiotic therapy in cases of infection or decontamination failure. Patients were followed up for MRSA skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) and carriage. Strains were characterised by antimicrobial drug resistance profile, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and DNA microarrays. Between June 2011 and June 2012, six children and six adults among the ten corresponding relatives developed 28 SSTIs. None of the family members, including the index case, had any contact with foreigners or individuals known to have SSTIs. After infection control measures and prolonged decontamination have been implemented with a high adherence, six patients remained sustained CA-MRSA USA300 carriers, including one who developed mupirocin resistance and six who experienced minor CA-MRSA-related SSTIs. A baby was identified as an MRSA carrier 2 months after delivery. CA-MRSA decontamination using mupirocin and chlorhexidine in the community setting may also be a questionable strategy, associated with failure and resistance to both agents. Close monitoring of CA-MRSA SSTIs is required in France and in other European countries where MRSA USA300 has recently emerged. We showed that a closed management based on hygiene measures reinforcement, decolonisation and extended screening may fail to suppress CA-MRSA carriage and subsequent infections.


Subject(s)
Carrier State/epidemiology , Community-Acquired Infections/epidemiology , Disease Outbreaks , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification , Staphylococcal Skin Infections/epidemiology , Administration, Topical , Adult , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Carrier State/drug therapy , Carrier State/microbiology , Child, Preschool , Chlorhexidine/administration & dosage , Community-Acquired Infections/drug therapy , Community-Acquired Infections/microbiology , Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field , Female , Follow-Up Studies , France/epidemiology , Genotype , Humans , Infant , Male , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/classification , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/genetics , Microarray Analysis , Middle Aged , Molecular Typing , Mupirocin/administration & dosage , Retrospective Studies , Staphylococcal Skin Infections/drug therapy , Staphylococcal Skin Infections/microbiology , Young Adult
6.
Euro Surveill ; 19(14)2014 Apr 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24739981

ABSTRACT

Healthy travellers to countries where carbapenemases-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) are endemic might be at risk for their acquisition, even without contact with the local healthcare system. Here, we report the acquisition of CPE (two OXA-181, one New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1 (NDM-1)) in three healthy travellers returning from India. The duration of CPE intestinal carriage was less than one month. The results indicate that healthy travellers recently returning from India might be considered as at risk for CPE carriage.


Subject(s)
Bacterial Proteins/metabolism , Enterobacteriaceae Infections/diagnosis , Enterobacteriaceae/isolation & purification , Travel , beta-Lactamases/metabolism , Adult , Enterobacteriaceae/drug effects , Enterobacteriaceae/enzymology , Enterobacteriaceae/genetics , Enterobacteriaceae Infections/microbiology , Feces/microbiology , Female , France , Humans , India , Middle Aged , Risk Factors
7.
Euro Surveill ; 19(28): 20856, 2014 Jul 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25060572

ABSTRACT

During the summer of 2014, all the pre-requisites for autochthonous transmission of chikungunya virus are present in southern France: a competent vector, Aedes albopictus, and a large number of travellers returning from the French Caribbean islands where an outbreak is occurring. We describe the system implemented for the surveillance of chikungunya and dengue in mainland France. From 2 May to 4 July 2014, there were 126 laboratory-confirmed imported chikungunya cases in mainland France.


Subject(s)
Alphavirus Infections/epidemiology , Dengue/epidemiology , Sentinel Surveillance , Travel , Aedes/virology , Alphavirus Infections/transmission , Animals , Chikungunya Fever , Chikungunya virus , Dengue/transmission , Disease Outbreaks , France/epidemiology , Humans , Insect Vectors , Mandatory Reporting
8.
Int J Qual Health Care ; 25(5): 555-63, 2013 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23929913

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To propose an original method of benchmarking regions based on their prevalence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and to identify regions with unusual results. DESIGN: To study between-region variability with a three-level hierarchical logistic regression model and a Bayesian non-parametric method. SETTING: French 2006 national HAIs point prevalence survey. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 336 858 patients from 2289 healthcare facilities in 27 regions. Patients with an imported HAI (1% of the data, 20.7% of infected patients), facilities with <5 patients and patients who had at least one missing value for the variables taken into account were excluded (5.0% of patients). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Binary outcome variable indicates whether a given patient was infected. RESULTS: Two clusters of regions were identified: one cluster of five regions had a lower adjusted prevalence than the other one of 22 regions, while no region with unusually high prevalence could be identified. Nevertheless, the degree of heterogeneity of odds ratios between facilities for facility-specific effects of use of invasive devices was more important in some regions than in others. CONCLUSIONS: The adjusted regional prevalence of HAIs can serve as an adequate benchmark to identify regions with concerning results. Although no outlier regions were identified, the proposed approach could be applied to the data of the 2012 national survey to benchmark regional healthcare policies. The estimation of facility-specific effects of use of invasive devices may orient future regional action plans.


Subject(s)
Benchmarking/methods , Cross Infection/epidemiology , Quality of Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Aged , Benchmarking/statistics & numerical data , Female , France/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Quality Indicators, Health Care/statistics & numerical data
9.
Euro Surveill ; 18(24)2013 Jun 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23787161

ABSTRACT

In May 2013, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection was diagnosed in an adult male in France with severe respiratory illness, who had travelled to the United Arab Emirates before symptom onset. Contact tracing identified a secondary case in a patient hospitalised in the same hospital room. No other cases of MERS-CoV infection were identified among the index case's 123 contacts, nor among 39 contacts of the secondary case, during the 10-day follow-up period.


Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Respiratory Tract Infections/epidemiology , Travel , Contact Tracing , Coronavirus/isolation & purification , Coronavirus Infections/prevention & control , Coronavirus Infections/transmission , Disease Transmission, Infectious/prevention & control , Fatal Outcome , France , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Respiratory Tract Infections/prevention & control , Respiratory Tract Infections/transmission , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , United Arab Emirates
10.
Euro Surveill ; 17(46)2012 Nov 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23171822

ABSTRACT

A standardised methodology for a combined point prevalence survey (PPS) on healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial use in European acute care hospitals developed by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control was piloted across Europe. Variables were collected at national, hospital and patient level in 66 hospitals from 23 countries. A patient-based and a unit-based protocol were available. Feasibility was assessed via national and hospital questionnaires. Of 19,888 surveyed patients, 7.1% had an HAI and 34.6% were receiving at least one antimicrobial agent. Prevalence results were highest in intensive care units, with 28.1% patients with HAI, and 61.4% patients with antimicrobial use. Pneumonia and other lower respiratory tract infections (2.0% of patients; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.8­2.2%) represented the most common type (25.7%) of HAI. Surgical prophylaxis was the indication for 17.3% of used antimicrobials and exceeded one day in 60.7% of cases. Risk factors in the patient-based protocol were provided for 98% or more of the included patients and all were independently associated with both presence of HAI and receiving an antimicrobial agent. The patient-based protocol required more work than the unit-based protocol, but allowed collecting detailed data and analysis of risk factors for HAI and antimicrobial use.


Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use , Cross Infection/drug therapy , Cross Infection/epidemiology , Drug Utilization Review/statistics & numerical data , Infection Control/statistics & numerical data , Population Surveillance/methods , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Child, Preschool , Cross Infection/microbiology , Drug Utilization Review/methods , Europe/epidemiology , Feasibility Studies , Female , Government Agencies , Health Surveys , Hospitals/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Infection Control/methods , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Sex Distribution , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young Adult
11.
Ann Dermatol Venereol ; 139(6-7): 428-34, 2012 Jun.
Article in French | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22721474

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Scabies is a contagious parasitic infestation that is benign in most cases; however, delay in diagnosis and treatment can cause numerous problems for patients and people in their vicinity, as well as a risk of secondary spread. Following numerous reports suggesting increased incidence of scabies in France, we analysed various available indicators. METHODS: We analysed spontaneous and mandatory reports submitted to public health bodies as well as sales figures for scabies treatments in France over the period between 1999 and 2010. RESULTS: Reports submitted to public health structures suggest an increase in the number of cases of scabies both within the community and in healthcare establishments. An increase was seen in regional and national sales of scabies treatments. At the national level, between 2005 and 2009, sales rose from 283 to 402 bottles per 100,000 persons per year (+10% per year) for benzyl benzoate and from 216 to 495 treatments per 100,000 persons per year (+22%) for ivermectin. Based on these data, the minimum estimated annual incidence of scabies in France is 328 cases per 100,000 persons. DISCUSSION: There is some discussion surrounding the interpretation of these data, particularly the bias associated with reporting practice and with the protocols used to treat affected subjects and those in their vicinity. However, all of the information gathered indicates a real increase in the incidence of scabies in France, as a result of which we recommend increased information for the general public, clinical practitioners and public health partners in order to ensure early diagnosis and treatment.


Subject(s)
Public Health/statistics & numerical data , Public Health/trends , Scabies/epidemiology , Antiparasitic Agents/therapeutic use , Benzoates/therapeutic use , Bias , Cross Infection/diagnosis , Cross Infection/drug therapy , Cross Infection/epidemiology , Cross Infection/prevention & control , Cross-Sectional Studies , Drug Utilization/trends , Forecasting , France , Health Surveys , Humans , Incidence , Insecticides , Ivermectin/therapeutic use , Recurrence , Scabies/diagnosis , Scabies/drug therapy , Scabies/prevention & control
12.
Infect Dis Now ; 52(3): 160-164, 2022 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35167979

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the first Omicron cases detected in France in order to assess case characteristics and provide supporting information on the possible impact of this variant on the healthcare system. METHODS: A standardized questionnaire was used to collect information from confirmed and probable Omicron cases. RESULTS: Median age of 468 investigated cases was 35 years, 376 were symptomatic (89%); 64% were vaccinated with two doses and 7% had received three doses. Loss of smell and taste were reported by 8.3% and 9% of cases, respectively. Seven cases were hospitalized, three of those were unvaccinated (including two with reported precondition). No admissions to intensive care and no deaths were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm a mild clinical presentation among the first Omicron cases detected in France and highlight the importance for the national COVID-19 surveillance system to quickly detect and adapt to the emergence of a new variant.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Adult , COVID-19/epidemiology , France/epidemiology , Hospitalization , Humans , Vaccination
13.
Euro Surveill ; 15(25)2010 Jun 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20587362

ABSTRACT

In 2006 and 2007, a large outbreak of Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs) with PCR-ribotype 027 was identified in northern France. Overall, 38 healthcare facilities notified 529 CDIs over a 22-month period, including 281 laboratory-confirmed CDI 027 and 248 non-confirmed CDI 027 cases (incidence rate per 10,000 elective bed days: 1.63, range: 0.07 to 7.94). The cases occurred mainly in long-term care hospital facilities and nursing homes, near the border between France and Belgium. An active surveillance and prevention campaign was launched at the first epidemic peak including hygiene precautions for healthcare professionals, which supported healthcare facilities to improve care organisation. The outbreak was controlled at the end of 2007, but sporadic cases were identified until the end of 2009. A bundle of appropriate control measures may halt the spread of such outbreaks, provided that substantial human resources and financial support are available.


Subject(s)
Clostridioides difficile/genetics , Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous/epidemiology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Clostridioides difficile/isolation & purification , Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control , Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous/prevention & control , Female , France/epidemiology , Health Facilities , Humans , Male , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Ribotyping
14.
Euro Surveill ; 15(48)2010 Dec 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21144448

ABSTRACT

An outbreak of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae type 2 was detected in September 2009 in two hospitals in a suburb south of Paris, France. In total, 13 KPC-producing K. pneumoniae type 2 cases (four with infections and nine with digestive-tract colonisations) were identified, including a source case transferred from a Greek hospital. Of the 13 cases, seven were secondary cases associated with use of a contaminated duodenoscope used to examine the source case (attack rate: 41%) and five were secondary cases associated with patient-to-patient transmission in hospital. All isolated strains from the 13 patients: (i) exhibited resistance to all antibiotics except gentamicin and colistin, (ii) were more resistant to ertapenem (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) always greater than 4 mg/L) than to imipenem (MIC: 1­8 mg/L, depending on the isolate), (iii) carried the blaKPC-2 and blaSHV12 genes and (iv) had an indistinguishable pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern. These cases occurred in three hospitals: some were transferred to four other hospitals. Extended infection control measures implemented in the seven hospitals included: (i) limiting transfer of cases and contact patients to other wards, (ii) cohorting separately cases and contact patients, (iii) reinforcing hand hygiene and contact precautions and (iv) systematic screening of contact patients. Overall, 341 contact patients were screened. A year after the outbreak, no additional case has been identified in these seven hospitals. This outbreak emphasises the importance of rapid identification and notification of emerging highly resistant K. pneumoniae strains in order to implement reinforced control measures.


Subject(s)
Cross Infection/prevention & control , Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control , Infection Control/methods , Klebsiella Infections/prevention & control , Klebsiella pneumoniae/isolation & purification , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Contact Tracing , Cross Infection/microbiology , Disease Notification , Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial , Duodenoscopes/microbiology , Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field , France/epidemiology , Greece , Hand Disinfection , Hospitals , Humans , Klebsiella Infections/epidemiology , Klebsiella Infections/microbiology , Klebsiella Infections/transmission , Klebsiella pneumoniae/classification , Klebsiella pneumoniae/drug effects , Klebsiella pneumoniae/enzymology , Klebsiella pneumoniae/genetics , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Retrospective Studies , Sequence Analysis, DNA
15.
Med Mal Infect ; 39(5): 311-8, 2009 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19395210

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains in the French community and the proportion of Panton-Valentine (PVL)-MRSA. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was made during a 3-month period in 2003 through a network of private-sector, community-based medical laboratories selected throughout France: the Labville network. Each MRSA isolate was included and characterized by French National Reference Center for Staphylococci. The total number of S. aureus isolates was also collected. RESULTS: Among the 283 patients infected or colonized by MRSA, 166 (59%) were considered as healthcare-associated, 14 (5%) as nursing-associated and 39 (14%) as community-acquired. The proportion of methicillin resistance among S. aureus was 14%. Taking into account the sampling design, the incidence of MRSA cases in French outpatients was estimated to be 0.50 [CI95%: 0.41-0.60] per 10,000 inhabitants. The molecular analysis confirmed that 80.6% belong to the Lyon clone, the most prevalent hospital MRSA clone spreading in France and 10.6% to a closely related clone. An emerging MRSA clone containing the tst1 gene was detected in six patients and the PVL-positive ST80 clone only in one, 22-year-old, patient. CONCLUSION: Most of MRSA cases diagnosed in the community in France, in 2003, were elderly with specific risk factors and harbored hospital strains. The prevalence of PVL-MRSA remained low.


Subject(s)
Community-Acquired Infections/epidemiology , Laboratories/standards , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcal Infections/epidemiology , Blood/microbiology , Community-Acquired Infections/transmission , Feces/microbiology , Female , France/epidemiology , Humans , Incidence , Male , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification , Outpatients , Sex Ratio , Staphylococcal Infections/transmission
16.
Euro Surveill ; 13(31)2008 Jul 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18761903

ABSTRACT

Outbreaks of Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) with increased severity, high relapse rate and significant mortality have been related to the emergence of a new, hypervirulent C. difficile strain in North America and Europe. This emerging strain is referred to as PCR ribotype 027 (Type 027). Since 2005, individual countries have developed surveillance studies about the spread of type 027.C. difficile Type 027 has been reported in 16 European countries. It has been responsible for outbreaks in Belgium, Germany, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland). It has also been detected in Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Hungary, Poland and Spain. Three countries experienced imported patients with CDI due to Type 027 who acquired the infection abroad.The antimicrobial resistance pattern is changing, and outbreaks due to clindamycin-resistant ermB positive Type 027 strains have occurred in three European countries. Ongoing epidemiological surveillance of cases of CDI, with periodic characterisation of the strains involved, is required to detect clustering of cases in time and space and to monitor the emergence of new, highly virulent clones.


Subject(s)
Clostridioides difficile/genetics , Clostridioides difficile/pathogenicity , Disease Outbreaks , Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous/epidemiology , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Ribotyping , Europe/epidemiology , European Union , Humans , Population Surveillance
17.
Rev Med Interne ; 29(3): 209-14, 2008 Mar.
Article in French | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18023937

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic gram positive, spore-forming bacterium which is responsible for 15-25% of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and for more than 95% of pseudomembranous colitis (PMC). This paper will review the main knowledge on C. difficile-associated infections and their recent evolution. CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS: Since 2003, outbreaks of severe C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) have been increasingly reported in Canada and the United States. This trend is assumed to be associated with the rapid emergence and spread of a specific clone of C. difficile belonging to PCR-ribotype 027 or North American Pulsotype 1, pulsotype (NAP1). This clone is characterized by the overproduction of toxins A and B and is positive for a third toxin named binary toxin. This clone has spread in UK, in Belgium, in the Netherlands, and, more recently, in France where it has been responsible for large outbreaks mainly in northern France. FUTURE PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS: A systematic reporting of C. difficile incidence by health facilities should enable a better assessment of this pathology in France.


Subject(s)
Clostridioides difficile , Diarrhea/epidemiology , Disease Outbreaks , Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous/epidemiology , Age Factors , Aged , Canada/epidemiology , Clostridioides difficile/genetics , Diarrhea/microbiology , Diarrhea/mortality , Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous/microbiology , Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous/mortality , Fluid Therapy , Forecasting , France/epidemiology , Humans , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Prospective Studies , Ribotyping , Risk Factors , United States/epidemiology
18.
Med Mal Infect ; 38(5): 249-55, 2008 May.
Article in French | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18455340

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In France, antimicrobial resistance monitoring is based on the contribution of many microbiological partners and networks, especially hospital laboratories. In order to complete this surveillance, the InVS implemented a network based on private-sector laboratories (PSL): the Labville network. METHOD: Stratified by French region, 69 PSL were randomly selected. The microbiological analysis results, including anonymized individual patient data, are translated into an appropriate data format within an automated reading process. This data is then sent to InVS through a secure Internet connection. RESULTS: The specifications of the automated system were defined according to a feasibility study conducted in 2003. The first stage of the project consisted in defining a global strategy for the reading of printed microbiological results. Then, the parameters were adapted for each PSL using a set of specific analysis over two to three weeks. After validation by InVS, the reading strategy was applied on to routinely printed results. The strategy was definitely validated after four month of a daily data transmission. The general approach needs to be adapted to each PSL and undergoes several adjustments. This long step of the project still requires microbiological expertise. CONCLUSION: The automated data extraction process used for Labville project is innovating. It is not affected by the compatibility and diversity of computing systems and reduces the biologist's workload. The Labville network is a challenging project motivating future development of other electronic surveillance networks.


Subject(s)
Bacteria/drug effects , Community Networks , Drug Resistance, Bacterial , Community Health Services , France , Humans , Laboratories/organization & administration , Preventive Health Services , Program Development , Reproducibility of Results , Risk Management
19.
Med Mal Infect ; 38(9): 483-8, 2008 Sep.
Article in French | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18706778

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: An outbreak of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) carrying the gene coding for Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) skin infections in a primary school was investigated and monitored in the Val-d'Oise region (Greater Paris) in 2006. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Skin infections reported after the beginning of the school year in primary-school teachers, students and their relatives were diagnosed and treated at the local hospital and screening for nasal colonization was implemented. A patient presenting with folliculitis, an abscess or furuncle with a positive-skin test or nasal swab for SA-PV was considered to be a case of infection. Colonization was defined as identification of SA-PVL in a nasal swab in the absence of skin lesions. In addition to recommended control measures, treatment by topical intranasal mupirocin was prescribed to all colonized patients and relatives of infected patients. RESULTS: Over five months, 22 cases of PVL-positive SA skin infections, including a case of simple folliculitis, were confirmed in 15 primary-school students (attack rate=18.5%) and seven relatives. The occurrence of nasal colonization in relatives not attending the same school ranged from 0 to 30% according to the number of cases of skin infection in the family (p<0,01). Two-thirds of patients treated with mupirocin were decolonized. CONCLUSION: Transmission of this SA strain in school and family environments confirms the epidemic potential of PVL-positive isolates; however, screening for nasal colonization should be restricted to cases of skin infection and people in their immediate environment.


Subject(s)
Bacterial Toxins/genetics , Exotoxins/genetics , Leukocidins/genetics , Staphylococcal Infections/epidemiology , Staphylococcal Infections/genetics , Staphylococcus aureus/genetics , Adult , Child , Disease Outbreaks , Faculty , Family , France , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Schools , Staphylococcal Infections/prevention & control , Students , Telephone
20.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol ; 28(10): 1196-201, 2007 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17828699

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence rate of reported occupational blood and body fluid exposures among French healthcare workers (HCWs). DESIGN: Prospective national follow-up of HCWs from January 1 to December 31, 2004. SETTING: University hospitals, hospitals, clinics, local medical centers, and specialized psychiatric centers were included in the study on a voluntary basis. PARTICIPANTS: At participating medical centers, every reported blood and body fluid exposure was documented by the occupational practitioner in charge of the exposed HCW by use of an anonymous, standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 375 medical centers (15% of French medical centers, accounting for 29% of hospital beds) reported 13,041 blood and body fluid exposures; of these, 9,396 (72.0%) were needlestick injuries. Blood and body fluid exposures were avoidable in 39.1% of cases (5,091 of 13,020), and 52.2% of percutaneous injuries (4,986 of 9,552) were avoidable (5.9% due to needle recapping). Of 10,656 percutaneous injuries, 22.6% occurred during an injection, 17.9% during blood sampling, and 16.6% during surgery. Of 2,065 splashes, 22.6% occurred during nursing activities, 19.1% during surgery, 14.1% during placement or removal of an intravenous line, and 12.0% during manipulation of a tracheotomy tube. The incidence rates of exposures were 8.9 per 100 hospital beds (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.7-9.0 exposures), 2.2 per 100 full-time-equivalent physicians (95% CI, 2.4-2.6 exposures), and 7.0 per 100 full-time-equivalent nurses (95% CI, 6.8-7.2 exposures). Human immunodeficiency virus serological status was unknown for 2,789 (21.4%) of 13,041 patients who were the source of the blood and body fluid exposures. CONCLUSION: National surveillance networks for blood and body fluid exposures help to better document their characteristics and risk factors and can enhance prevention at participating medical centers.


Subject(s)
Blood , Needlestick Injuries/epidemiology , Occupational Exposure/statistics & numerical data , Personnel, Hospital , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , France/epidemiology , Humans , Incidence , Middle Aged , Sentinel Surveillance
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