Novel influenza A(H1N1) outbreak among French armed forces in 2009: results of Military Influenza Surveillance System.

OBJECTIVES: An outbreak of novel A(H1N1) virus influenza, detected in Mexico in April 2009, spread worldwide in 9 weeks. The aim of this paper is to present the monitoring results of this influenza outbreak among French armed forces. STUDY DESIGN: The period of monitoring by the Military Influenza Surveillance System (MISS) was 9 months, from May 2009 to April 2010. METHODS: The main monitored events were acute respiratory infection (ARI), defined by oral temperature ≥38.5 °C and cough, and laboratory-confirmed influenza. Weekly incidence rates were calculated by relating cases to the number of servicepersons monitored. RESULTS: In continental France, the incidence of ARI increased from September 2009, with a weekly maxima of 401 cases per 100,000 in early December 2009 according to MISS. Estimations of the incidence of consultations which could be related to novel A(H1N1) influenza ranged from 48 to 57 cases per 100,000. CONCLUSIONS: The trends observed by MISS are compatible with French national estimations. The incidence of consultations which could be related to A(H1N1) influenza at the peak of the epidemic (194 cases per 100,000) was much lower than the national estimate (1321 cases per 100,000). This may be due to servicepersons who consulted in civilian facilities and were not monitored. Other explanations are the healthy worker effect and the younger age of the military population.

Ebola virus disease: Biological and diagnostic evolution from 2014 to 2017.

The Ebola virus disease outbreak observed in West Africa from March 2014 to June 2016 has led to many fundamental and applied research works. Knowledge of this virus has substantially increased. Treatment of many patients in epidemic countries and a few imported cases in developed countries led to developing new diagnostic methods and to adapt laboratory organization and biosafety precautions to perform conventional biological analyses. Clinical and biological monitoring of patients infected with Ebola virus disease helped to determine severity criteria and bad prognosis markers. It also contributed to showing the possibility of viral sanctuaries in patients and the risk of transmission after recovery. After a summary of recent knowledge of environmental and clinical viral persistence, we aimed to present new diagnostic methods and other biological tests that led to highlighting the pathophysiological consequences of Ebola virus disease and its prognostic markers. We also aimed to describe our lab experience in the care of Ebola virus-infected patients, especially technical and logistical changes between 2014 and 2017.

Microbiology of French military casualties repatriated from overseas for an open traumatic injury.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to describe the microbiological epidemiology of repatriated French soldiers with an open traumatic injury, and to measure the proportion of multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB). METHODS: Retrospective study including all French soldiers repatriated in 2011 and 2012 in Parisian military hospitals for open traumatic injury. Results of clinical samples and MDRB screening were collected. The antibiotic susceptibility was assessed using the agar disk diffusion method. Characterization of resistance mechanisms was performed using PCR. Genotyping of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) isolates was performed using rep-PCR. RESULTS: A total of 139 patients were included; 70% of them were repatriated from Afghanistan. At admission, 24/88 were positive for MDRB (28%), mainly ESBL-E but no carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium were identified. Forty-five patients had lesion sample collection, and 28/45 had a positive culture. The most frequently isolated pathogens were Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. For eight patients, a MDRB was isolated from the wound, mainly ESBL-E (7/8) but also one methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and one imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Among ESBL-E, the PCR evidenced the high prevalence of CTX-M15 enzymes. Rep-PCR performed on the 23 ESBL-producing E. coli isolates highlighted numerous profiles. CONCLUSIONS: Controlling the spread of ESBL-E is currently challenging for French Armed Forces. Despite any evidence of an epidemic clone, a high-level compliance with hygiene precautions is required throughout the chain of care to avoid cross contamination.

[Ethylene glycol intoxication: a case report]. / Intoxication par l'éthylène glycol : réflexion à propos d'un cas.

Ethylene glycol intoxication is one of the most serious acute poisonings due to the high toxicity that can result in death if not treated rapidly. We report the case of a patient who presented to the intensive care unit with a hypertensive crisis associated to a renal insufficiency. Laboratories investigations which revealed metabolic acidosis and elevated anion gap, highlighted an unexpected ethylene glycol intoxication. Clinical and psychiatric feature lead to suspect a chronic ingestion. Spontaneous recovery occured without specific treatment.

[Inappropriate ADH secretion-induced hyponatremia and associated with paroxetine use]. / Hyponatrémie par sécrétion inappropriée d'ADH associée à la prise de paroxétine.

INTRODUCTION: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are the most common antidepressants prescribed for elderly people. Although they are generally better tolerated than other antidepressant treatment classes, they can be responsible for potentially life-threatening hyponatremia, related to syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). OBSERVATION: A 64 years-old woman was hospitalized for cognitive function alteration and vomiting after introduction of paroxetine for depressive symptoms. Serum investigations revealed hyponatremia (121 mmol/l) with low plasma osmolarity and normal natriuria consistent with diagnosis of SIADH. Hyponatremia was reversible after paroxetine withdrawal. DISCUSSION: Hyponatremia induced by SIADH is a serious but underestimated complication of SSRI treatment. This complication occurs in the elderly people within the first month of treatment. Monitoring of the serum sodium concentration during the first month of treatment is recommended for older patients.

Severe infectious mononucleosis in immunocompetent adults.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the risk factors for severe infectious mononucleosis (IM) occurrence in immunocompetent adults. METHODS: We performed a multicenter, retrospective case series including immunocompetent adults presenting with confirmed IM between 2001 and 2011. Severe presentations were compared with uncomplicated presentations using Stata® 9 software. The significance level was set at 5%. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, age over 30 years (n=13 or 41.9% vs. n=5 or 12.8%; P=0.006), prior use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (n=7 or 87.5% vs. n=1 or 12.5%; P=0.009), and smoking (n=13 or 68.4% vs. n=6 or 31.6%; P=0.013) were associated with severe IM onset. In multivariate analysis, only age over 30 years (OR=3.55; P=0.05) and prior use of NSAIDs (OR=15; P=0.05) remained associated with severe IM onset, without reaching significance level (P=0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed that age over 30 years is a risk factor for severe IM onset. Prior use of NSAIDs also seems to be correlated with severe presentations. This new data needs to be confirmed in a prospective study.

Outbreak of CTX-M-15-producing Enterobacter cloacae associated with therapeutic beds and syphons in an intensive care unit.

An outbreak of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacter cloacae (ESBL-ECL) occurred in our intensive care unit (ICU) and involved 18 patients (8 infected and 10 colonized). The mean age of patients was 69 years, and all infected patients had underlying medical conditions. Within hours' recognition of the spread of ESBL-ECL, the infection control team requested for staff education, reinforcement of infection control measures, and environmental screening. New transmissions were observed in the institution after weeks of enhanced infection control measures. Microbial swabbing revealed bacterial contamination of some mattresses and syphons with epidemiologic links between environmental, screening, and clinical isolates. This outbreak resulted in the temporary closure of the ICU for complete biocleaning.

[A case of acquired angioedema]. / Un cas d'oedème angioneurotique acquis.

We report the case of a 46 year-old woman presenting an acquired angioedema. Angioedema is an C1 inhibitor deficiency. Patients present recurrent non inflammatory swelling of the head and extremities and recurrent attacks of severe abdominal pain. This clinical presentation is non specific : investigation of complement is useful for diagnosis. Laboratory testing show low serum levels of C4 with normal levels of C3. Low C1 esterase inhibitor confirm the diagnosis. If acquired angioedema, a cause must be searched.

[Prolonged succinylcholine-induced apnoea associated with cholinesterase silent plasma variant]. / Curarisation prolongée à la succinylcholine liée à un variant silencieux de la cholinestérase plasmatique.

Mivacurium and succinylcholine are short-acting neuromuscular blocking drugs. The duration of their action depends on their rapid hydrolysis by plasma cholinesterase or butyrylcholinesterase. More than thirty genetic variants of this enzyme have been described but the atypical variant is the most frequently involved in prolonged apnoea following the administration of these two myorelaxants. We present one case of patient who presented a five hours long apnoea associated with null cholinesterase activity and detection of a butyrylcholinesterase silent variant (Sil-1, 1 for 100,000 persons in population) after sequencing.

[A French soldier returns from the Central Africa Republic with hepatitis A: Vaccination failure is possible!]. / Hépatite A au retour de Centrafrique chez un militaire français : les échecs vaccinaux sont possibles !

In stays in tropical countries, the French military, and travelers in general, are exposed to diseases transmitted by the fecal-oral route, some of which are vaccine-preventable. Here we report a 42-yer-old soldier with hepatitis A, which first appeared on his return from a military operation in the Central African Republic. Despite its excellent immunogenicity and a duration of seroprotection extending beyond 20 years in the vast majority of cases, the hepatitis A vaccine can fail. This reminds us of the importance of combining vaccine and non-vaccine prevention in tropical countries, especially in precarious living conditions.

[Mycoplasma pneumoniae encephalitis successfully treated by levofloxacin]. / Méningo-encéphalite aiguë à Mycoplasma pneumoniae de l'adulte traitée avec succès par lévofloxacine.

INTRODUCTION: Mycoplasma pneumonia (MP) infection may be associated with several neurological complications. Encephalitis, which affects children and rarely young adults, is the most frequent. CASE REPORT: A 23-year-old man was admitted for pneumonia with encephalitis. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection was documented by serology, and polymerase chain reaction in the cerebrospinal fluid. Despite serious initial presentation, outcome was favourable with levofloxacin treatment. CONCLUSION: MP infection should be considered as a potential aetiology in acute encephalitis in young people and in individuals with respiratory symptoms. Antibiotic therapy (fluoroquinolones or macrolides) should be used if MP is strongly suspected or in case of severe acute meningo-encephalitis.

[Plasmodium knowlesi: an emerging species in humans?]. / Plasmodium knowlesi: une espèce émergente chez l'homme ?

Plasmodium knowlesi is typically found in macaques and has recently been recognized as the fifth Plasmodium species to cause malaria in humans. Several cases of P. knowlesi malaria have been reported in people in Southeast Asia. Most cases are simple but approximately one in 10 patients develops complications. The morphology of P. knowlesi parasites in human infections closely resembles that of Plasmodium malariae or Plasmodium falciparum, so a molecular method is the optimum diagnostic procedure. The treatment of choice for uncomplicated P. knowlesi malaria is oral chloroquine, whereas severe infection should be treated with intravenous quinine.

[Hepatitis E: an emerging disease?]. / Hépatite E : maladie émergente ?

Although hepatitis E is one of the most important cause of acute clinical hepatitis in young adults throughout the developing world, hepatitis E is rare in western countries (25 to 60 annually by country). In these countries, clinical hepatitis is more common in older people (over 50 years). The possible transmission zoonotically (principally) from swine reservoir opens unexpected insights as an emerging disease. Direct foodborne and occupational exposure to pigs have been identified as routes of transmission. Other routes of transmission should be defined. Human sequences of hepatitis E virus are closely related to swine hepatitis E virus. Anti-HEV seropositivity rates ranges from 2-3% in blood donors to 20% in people exposed to animal reservoir.

[Obligate running and anorexia]. / Addiction au sport et anorexie.

The relationship between athletic participation and eating disorders is complex. We describe the case of a sportive man and examine the overall relationship between athletic participation and eating problems.

[Pasteurella dagmatis: an unusual cause of vertebral osteomyelitis]. / Pasteurella dagmatis: une cause inhabituelle de spondylodiscite.

Vertebral osteomyelitis is a quite rare but severe cause of back pain in adults. Various causative organisms have been reported. Pasteurella species have rarely been isolated. We report here a case of vertebral osteomyelitis and consecutive cauda equina syndrome due to Pasteurella dagmatis in a 60-year-old diabetic man.

[Staphylococcus aureus infections carrying Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes in hospitals: which statute should be given to these strains?]. / Infections à Staphylococcus aureus porteurs du gène codant la leucocidine de Panton-Valentine à l'hôpital: quel statut donner à ces souches?

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence Staphylococcus aureus infections carrying Panton-Valentine leukocidin (LPV) genes in our hospital by screening patients that are hospitalised or admitted for consultation, as well as to study the characteristics of these strains and the respectively infected patients. METHODS: A descriptive and retrospective study over the course of a 14 month period was conducted. The isolates of S. aureus were tested for antimicrobial resistance, in which detection of the virulence gene was performed by way of PCR, such as is the case for gene luk-PV which encoding the LPV. The genetic diversity of the strains carrying gene, luk-PV, was determined by way of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and by the MLVA (Multiple Loci VNTR Analysis; VNTR, Variable Number of Tandem Repeats) method. RESULTS: 7.14% of the S. aureus isolates carried genes for LPV, which are primarily sourced from surgery, emergency, and outpatient consultation services. The nature of the reported infections is often surface, immediately collected, and more rarely deep. Genotyping revealed three principal clones that were gathering 55% of the strains, which in turn highlighted transmission to the nursing staff. COMMENTS: These strains of S. aureus LPV+ have the capacity for diffusion and pathogenicity, which leads to the need to take some specific measures at hospitals: the tracking of the LPV during repeat or deep infections with S. aureus, possibly the search for conveyance and individual measures for the eradication of the strain. Lastly, it is necessary to increase the nursing staff's awareness of the appropriate hygiene measures when they come into contact with these patients.