Prolonged suppressive antibiotic therapy for prosthetic joint infection in the elderly: a national multicentre cohort study.

During prosthetic joint infection (PJI), optimal surgical management with exchange of the device is sometimes impossible, especially in the elderly population. Thus, prolonged suppressive antibiotic therapy (PSAT) is the only option to prevent acute sepsis, but little is known about this strategy. We aimed to describe the characteristics, outcome and tolerance of PSAT in elderly patients with PJI. We performed a national cross-sectional cohort study of patients >75 years old and treated with PSAT for PJI. We evaluated the occurrence of events, which were defined as: (i) local or systemic progression of the infection (failure), (ii) death and (iii) discontinuation or switch of PSAT. A total of 136 patients were included, with a median age of 83 years [interquartile range (IQR) 81-88]. The predominant pathogen involved was Staphylococcus (62.1%) (Staphylococcus aureus in 41.7%). A single antimicrobial drug was prescribed in 96 cases (70.6%). There were 46 (33.8%) patients with an event: 25 (18%) with an adverse drug reaction leading to definitive discontinuation or switch of PSAT, 8 (5.9%) with progression of sepsis and 13 died (9.6%). Among patients under follow-up, the survival rate without an event at 2 years was 61% [95% confidence interval (CI): 51;74]. In the multivariate Cox analysis, patients with higher World Health Organization (WHO) score had an increased risk of an event [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.5, p = 0.014], whereas patients treated with beta-lactams are associated with less risk of events occurring (HR = 0.5, p = 0.048). In our cohort, PSAT could be an effective and safe option for PJI in the elderly.

Fusobacterium nucleatum infections: clinical spectrum and bacteriological features of 78 cases.

PURPOSE: Few series describe the clinical spectrum of Fusobacterium spp. infections. Among them, fewer discuss F. nucleatum, even though there are many clinical cases. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study over 8 years (from 2007 to 2014) in Limoges University Hospital, France, to assess clinical and bacteriological aspects of infections due to F. nucleatum. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients with F. nucleatum positive cultures were included in this study, irrespective of sample origin. Abscesses (n = 43), bacteraemia (n = 18) and bone infections (n = 8) were the most common types of infections, Abscesses were found in various organs (mostly skin, brain, pleura, liver). Co-morbidities were found in 38 patients (47 %) with neoplasia, diabetes, and alcoholism and history of smoking. There were more neoplasms in patients with bacteraemia than in patients with abscesses (p = 0.007). In 51 cases (65.4 %), infection was polymicrobial, either during bacteraemia or abscesses. Main associations were with Streptococcus spp., Peptostreptococcus spp. and/or Prevotella spp. The sources of infection, when found, were either dental or gastrointestinal. All isolates were susceptible to penicillin, clindamycin and metronidazole. CONCLUSIONS: Infections involving F. nucleatum are uncommon and potentially severe, with many abscesses requiring surgery. Bacteraemia was mainly associated with co-morbidities such as cancer. Polymicrobial infections were very common and there is probably interaction and/or synergy between F. nucleatum and some other commensal bacteria to cause infections and abscesses.

Antibiotic prescription by general practitioners for urinary tract infections in outpatients.

In July 2008, in France, guidelines for antibiotic prescriptions for urinary tract infections (UTIs) were amended. As general practitioners (GPs) treat numerous UTIs, we wanted to evaluate whether they followed these guidelines. In order to do this, we performed a prospective study. The point of call was urinalyses. Using this selection method together with criteria diagnostic for urinalysis, we confirmed that patients presented a UTI. Each GP was contacted. Prescriptions were analysed and compared to the 2008 French guidelines for UTIs. Our study included 185 urinalyses. UTIs diagnosed by GPs were as follows: acute cystitis: 72.4 %, prostatitis: 13.5 %, nephritis: 8.7 % and asymptomatic bacteriuria: 5.4 %. The principal antibiotics used were: quinolone (59.5 %), furan (17.8 %) and cotrimoxazole (6.5 %). Only 20 % of the prescriptions were compliant with the guidelines. The correct antibiotic but not the dose or the duration of prescription was selected in 8.1 % of the prescriptions. For cystitis, inappropriate prescription was associated with an extra cost of 694 , namely, 7.4 per treatment. GP prescriptions for UTIs do not follow the guidelines. Even if GPs assert that they are aware of the emergence of resistant strains, it seems that they do not take into account the objective of quinolone restriction, which was one of the backbones of these guidelines.

New tissue bulking agent (polyacrylate polyalcohol) for treating vesicoureteral reflux: preliminary results in children.

PURPOSE: We report the preliminary results of endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux in children using polyacrylate polyalcohol copolymer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a prospective multicenter review of pediatric patients treated with subureteral injection of a new nonabsorbable substance. Only patients with 1 year of followup were included. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients underwent injection of polyacrylate polyalcohol copolymer at our institutions between 2005 and 2006. Among this group 18 males and 43 females with a median age of 58 months (range 9 months to 18 years) completed 1 year of followup. Reflux was bilateral in 27 patients (44.3%) and unilateral in 34 (55.7%). Number of injected ureters was 88. Reflux grade was V in 3 ureters (3.4%), IV in 12 (13.6%), III in 41 (46.6%) and II in 32 (36.4%). Mean +/- SD injected volume per unit was 0.76 +/- 0.43 ml. Median followup was 20 months (range 16 to 24). Complications after injection included dysuria in 6 patients (9.8%), fever in 3 (4.9%) and lumbar pain in 4 (6.6%). Reflux was eliminated in 78 renal units (88.6%), decreased to grade I in 6 (6.8%) and persisted in 4 (4.5%). Ureteral obstruction developed in 1 patient and was treated operatively. Overall success rate was 83.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Polyacrylate polyalcohol copolymer can be used to treat vesicoureteral reflux with comparable efficacy to other substances currently used, with a low rate of complications.

Incidence, characteristics, and mortality of infective endocarditis in France in 2011.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the determinants of mortality in infective endocarditis (IE), using the national hospital discharge databases (HDD) in 2011. METHODS: IE stays were extracted from the national HDD, with a definition based on IE-related diagnosis codes. This definition has been assessed according to Duke criteria by checking a sample of medical charts of IE giving a predictive positive value of 86.1% (95% confidence interval (CI): 82.7% - 89.5%). The impact of heart valve surgery on survival has been studied if performed during the initial stay, and over the year of follow-up. Risk factors of in-hospital mortality were identified using logistic regression model for the initial stay and Cox Time-dependent model for the 1-year mortality. RESULTS: The analysis included 6,235 patients. The annual incidence of definite IEs was 63 cases/million residents. Staphylococci and Streptococci were the most common bacteria (44% and 45%, respectively). A valvular surgery was performed in 20% of cases, but substantial variations existed between hospitals. The in-hospital mortality was 21% (ranging 12% to 27% according to the region of patients), associated with age>70, chronic liver disease, renal failure, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa or candida infection and strokes whereas valvular surgery, a native valve IE or intraveinous drug use (right heart IE) were significantly protective for an initial death. The same factors were associated with the one-year mortality, except for valvular surgery which was associated with a 1.4-fold higher risk of death during the year post IE. CONCLUSION: We reported a high IE incidence rate. Valvular surgery was considerably less frequent in this study than in the previous published data (near 50%) whereas mortality was similar. Surgery was associated with higher survival if undergone within the initial stay. There were significant regional differences in frequency of surgery but it did not impact mortality.

Infectious sacroiliitis: Retrospective analysis of 18 case patients.

INTRODUCTION: Few infectious sacroiliitis reports are available in the literature. There is no standard clinical presentation, and diagnosis and treatments are therefore usually delayed. We aimed to describe this infection. METHODS: We performed a single-center retrospective study of patients hospitalized in the infectious diseases unit of the Limoges University Hospital from January 1, 2006 to January 31, 2016. We included all patients presenting with infectious monoarthritis of native sacroiliac joint. Clinical, biological, bacteriological, radiological, and therapeutic characteristics were collected. RESULTS: A total of 18 patients were enrolled. The sex ratio was 1.25. Mean age was 39.6years (17-69years). The average progression time at diagnosis was 17.9days (1-110days). The mean hospital stay was 16.2days (3-35days). Temperature at admission was 38.8°C (37-40°C). Identified bacteria were methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus in 83.3% of cases (n=15), Proteus mirabilis (n=1), and Streptococcus dysgalactiae (n=1). Thirty-two (88.9%) of the 36 imaging examinations were consistent with the diagnosis. The survival rate was 100% at the end of the six-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Infectious sacroiliitis is a complex pathology requiring precise clinical examination for a rapid diagnosis. The outcome is usually favorable.

First case of sternum replacement with a bioceramic prosthesis after radio-induced sarcoma.

Objectives: To date, no "gold standard" technique has been developed for sternum replacement in cases of radioinduced sarcoma, which is a rare and aggressive disease. Current techniques rely on metallic prostheses, meshes, or bone grafts-procedures that that are associated with several complications. We therefore tried a new solution that might simplify and optimize this surgery. Methods: We used a porous alumina ceramic prosthesis (Ceramil: i.ceram, Limoges, France) that has several interesting characteristics, such as osseointegration, biocompatibility, radiolucency, and high mechanical strength. Results: We report the first case of sternal replacement surgery involving the implantation of a ceramic prosthesis after radio-induced sternal sarcoma. In 2005, a 54-year-old woman was diagnosed with local breast cancer for which she underwent all appropriate treatment. Ten years later, she developed radio-induced sarcoma of the sternum. A complete sternal replacement was performed on 24 April 2015, with no postoperative complications. Imaging by 18F-flurodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography-computed tomography performed 26 months after the surgery showed no local recurrence. The patient seems to have fully recovered and has resumed normal activity. Conclusions: This new technique is promising. For the first time, we highlight the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of sternal replacement using a porous alumina ceramic prosthesis.

[One episode of meningoencephalitis, three diagnoses]. / Méningo-encéphalite herpétique, aciclovir et maladie VIH, une histoire en 3 actes.

Meningo-encephalitis is a set of threatening diseases. The treatment needs to be started quickly for pathogens such as herpes simplex virus type 1 or Listeria monocytogenes. Apart from these classical etiologies, many other diseases may induce meningo-encephalitis. We report the case of a patient, infected with HIV, who presented a history of meningo-encephalitis due to herpes simplex type 1. Three weeks later, he presented an encephalopathy due to aciclovir and then we discovered a chronic meningitis in relation with his HIV infection.

[Disseminated aspergillosis after intra-articular corticosteroid infiltrations]. / Aspergillose disséminée à point de départ articulaire après infiltrations.

Bone and joint infections due to Aspergillus are rare and occur more commonly in immunosuppressed patients. We report the case of an 84-year-old woman who developed septic arthritis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus after corticosteroid infiltration. This patient had presented with arthritis of the left knee for several months but no microorganism had been found despite numerous arthrocenteses. This arthritis was resistant to treatment by numerous corticosteroid infiltrations. During an arthroscopy, analysis of the synovial fluid yielded A. fumigatus. Thereafter, other explorations showed disseminated aspergillosis with osteo-articular destruction, blood and urinary dissemination. A systemic treatment by voriconazole associated to intra-articular injections and surgical debridement was initiated but the patient died. Septic arthritis caused by A. fumigatus is very rare but must be considered as a differential diagnosis of septic arthritis after corticosteroid infiltration. Their complications can be very important and destructive.

[Cutaneous drug reactions induced by glycopeptides]. / Toxidermies induites par les glycopeptides.

Glycopeptides are a class of antibiotics used with a rising frequency because of the increasing number of infections due to Methicillin-resistant staphylococci. The dermatological adverse effect of vancomycin are well-known: "red man syndrome", maculopapular exanthema, etc., with some distinctive features such as Ig A linear dermatosis. Drug eruptions are less common but not insignificant when using teicoplanin, a more recent molecule. A given glycopeptide cannot be considered as an alternative for every patient "allergic" to another, because of cases of cross-reaction and the morbi-mortality of some cutaneous drug reactions. This emphasizes the importance to recognize early clinical signs. In this article, we review the various dermatological adverse drug reactions induced by glycopeptides, and suggest a possible management to clinicians who could be confronted with this problem.

[Nocardiosis: A retrospective case series of 19 patients]. / Nocardiose : analyse rétrospective d'une série de 19 cas.

INTRODUCTION: Nocardiosis are uncommon. The diagnosis may be difficult, with significant morbidity and mortality, often occurring on frail patients. Few data are available in France. METHODS: A retrospective single center study was conducted from 2002 to 2014 and included all patients with at least one positive microbiological sample for Nocardia with a follow-up in our hospital. RESULTS: Nineteen patients, including 15 men, were included with a mean age of 58 years (25-85). Seventeen had a risk factor (lung diseases [13], corticosteroids [12], solid neoplasia [2], HIV infection [2], diabetes mellitus [3], kidney transplant [2], lymphopenia [1]). Infections' locations were: pulmonary (12), brain (3), skin (2), lymph node (1) and corneal (1). The slow growth leads to a median of 35 days for a positive result (3-95). Nine species were identified. Fifteen patients (79%) received one or more lines of antibiotics including: cotrimoxazole (9), amoxicillin (7) cefotaxime/ceftriaxone (7) imipenem (3), or amikacin (3). The average duration of antibiotic therapy was 207 days. Four patients did not receive antibiotics due to a late result or a bacterial co-infection masking nocardiosis. Five patients died (26%) including 2 with cerebral nocardiosis. Six patients were cured, 4 suffered a relapse, 4 had an unknown evolution, and 1 was still treated. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that nocardiosis is a disease difficult to treat. A better understanding of this type of infection is necessary.

[Post-menopausal endometrial tuberculosis]. / Tuberculose utérine post-ménopausique.

A 69-year-old menopaused woman, presented a 2-month history of metrorrhagia. We suspected a malignant disease, but, the histopathologic examination of biopsies, found an endometrial inflammation without malignant cells. Culture for mycobacteria showed a Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A course of four-drug antituberculous therapy was started and the patient recovered. Tuberculosis remains a common disease, but genital infection is infrequent. Usually, it concerns young infertile women from non-industrial countries. More attention should be paid to this disease. Women, irrespective of their age, should be investigated for silent or subclinical genital symptoms, with mycobacterial examination.

[Antibiotherapy for acute CAP in adults]. / Quel antibiotique pour une pneumonie aiguë communautaire de l'adulte?

Community acquired pneumonia is one of the most frequent infections. With time, bacterial epidemiology and bacterial resistance evolve and new antibiotics become available. So an up-date on adequate antibiotic use is necessary. We reviewed the epidemiology of pneumonia and the evolution of bacterial resistance. We also collected data on new antibiotics which can be used for this infection such as levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, telithromycin, and pristinamycin. All these drugs are effective on bacteria involved in pneumonia. At this time, only few Streptococcus pneumoniae strains have developed resistance to these drugs. However, resistance to fluoroquinolones is not easily detected with common laboratory techniques. There is no effectiveness difference between the 2 new fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin, moxifloxacin) in clinical studies. However, in bacteriological and pharmacological studies, moxifloxacin seems to be more effective than levofloxacin (500 mg/day). For the treatment of pneumonia due to Legionella pneumophila, fluoroquinolones are now widely recommended. For Streptococcus pneumonia, amoxicillin remain the drug of choice, even for bacteria with a decreased susceptibility to penicillin. The importance of treating atypical pathogens remains to be documented.

[Do HIV patients know their treatment?]. / Les patients infectés par le VIH connaissent-ils leurs traitements?

UNLABELLED: Optimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV disease is one of the key factors for its efficacy. OBJECTIVE: The authors had for aim to assess HIV infected patients' knowing of their ART and the correlation with a controlled HIV viral load. DESIGN: We conducted a transversal study. Outpatients were asked at the beginning of a consultation to give the name, the dosage, and the color of their medication. RESULTS: 93 patients were included with a mean age of 45.6 years. 25.8% were AIDS patients and 82.8% had an HIV viral load under 50 copies/ml. The mean duration of treatment was 6.23 years and the latest treatment had been given for 2.26 years. They took an average of 2.6 different drugs and 5.4 pills per day. 22.6% used a pillbox. 90.3% of the patients bought their treatment by themselves and 86% prepared it. The name of all the drugs was known in 68.8%, doses in 90.3%, and colors in 83.9%. In univariate as in multivariate analysis, the use of a pillbox improves the knowledge of the dose (P = 0.01). AIDS patients know the names better (P = 0.02). In univariate and multivariate analysis, knowledge of dosage was correlated to a controlled viral load (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: HIV patients know their treatment well and the knowledge of the dose could be a marker of adherence to ART as it is associated with a controlled viral load.

[Reactive arthritis due to Clostridium difficile]. / Arthrite réactionnelle a Clostridium difficile.

Extracolonic manifestations of Clostridium difficile infections have rarely been reported as a cause of reactive arthritis. We report the case of a monoarticular arthritis following pseudomembranous colitis. A 45 year-old man was admitted for fever and monoarthritis of the left knee, 8 days after the onset of a C. difficile enterocolitis associated with urethritis. Samples obtained from the knee, urine, and blood cultures remained sterile. Bone scintigraphy revealed a left knee and forefoot hyperfixations. The association of arthritis and urethritis led us to the diagnosis of Fiessinger-Leroy-Reiter syndrome. Antibiotics for arthritis were ineffective and stopped, but they were continued for colitis. NSAIDs were prescribed and clinical manifestations disappeared within 24 hours, the patient resumed walking after 48 hours. Four months later there was no relapse and no sequela.

[Salmonella of Indian origin: pseudo-susceptibility to fluoroquinolones]. / Salmonelle d'origine indienne: attention à la fausse sensibilité aux fluoroquinolones.

We report the case of a patient presenting with typhoid fever after returning from a stay in India. This infection was not cured with a course of ciprofloxacin, due to a reduced susceptibility of the bacteria to the drug. This decreased susceptibility to fluoroquinolones was not detected by the antibiogram, but the MIC for nalidixic acid was greater than 32 mg/l. This case suggests using a third generation cephalosporin instead of a quinolone, for people coming from a high-risk zone. It also suggests that the MIC for nalidixic acid and for norfloxacin can be used as the first clue for a reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones.

First case of osteomyelitis due to Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae: pubic osteomyelitis in a gored farmer.

We report the first proven case of osteomyelitis due to Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. This infection occurred almost 20 years after traumatic inoculation of the bacterium, when the patient was gored by one of his cows. Diagnosis was made by bone biopsies, and treatment included rifampicin and levofloxacin for 3 months.

[Isolated neurosarcoidosis without systemic signs]. / Neurosarcoïdose isolée sans signes systémiques.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic disease which involves the nervous system in 5 to 15 p.cent. Neurosarcoidosis without signs of systemic disease is rare and may be difficult to diagnose. We report a case of a 61 year-old patient with a pseudotumoral neurosarcoidosis and along evolution of 25 years without systemic signs. In such cases, histological analysis is rewarding.