Prospective evaluation of rapid point-of-care tests for the diagnosis of acute leptospirosis in dogs.

The early diagnosis of acute leptospirosis is still a major challenge in dogs. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the suitability of two in-clinic tests detecting anti-leptospiral IgM and IgG antibodies in diagnosing canine leptospirosis. The performances of the two rapid tests were compared to the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) carried out on acute sera and to diagnostic criteria adopted in this study to confirm leptospirosis infection (MAT upon admission, convalescent MAT and quantitative real-time PCR on blood and/or urine). The dogs were enrolled on the basis of reported exposure to known risk factors and clinical presentation (acute kidney injury and/or systemic inflammatory response syndrome with multi-organ damage). Eighty-nine dogs included in the study were sub-grouped on the basis of the results of the diagnostic criteria adopted: (1) confirmed leptospirosis cases (42/89 dogs); (2) negative leptospirosis cases (36/89 dogs); and (3) unconfirmed leptospirosis cases (11/89 dogs). The results supported the usefulness of the two rapid diagnostic tests as a first in-clinic screening tool for suspected leptospirosis; positive results in the in-clinic tests in dogs with suggestive clinical and laboratory signs strongly indicated acute leptospirosis, while negative results required additional diagnostic investigation to exclude the infection. Confirmatory tests recommended for canine leptospirosis are still necessary in addition to the use of rapid in-clinic tests.

Retroperitoneal primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET): case report and review of literature.

Primitive Neuroectodermal tumor belongs to the family of Ewing's tumor and is characterized by at (11;22) (q24;ql2) or at (21;22) (q22;ql2) translocation. Retroperitoneal primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) are rare, usually affect young adults, and are often diagnosed late. There is no specific characteristics for imaging. The diagnosis is made on histological examination of the surgical spec- imen or biopsies. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy complete the treatment. The authors report the case of a 26-year-old patient who only had pelvic discomfort. Diagnostic laparoscopy showed a retroperitoneal and retrovesical mass of five centimeters. The patient benefited from adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She is free of disease 30 months after treatment.

[Sleep and breast cancer: is there a link?]. / Sommeil et cancer du sein : existe-t-il un lien ?

The aim of this review is to evaluate the impact of sleep on breast cancer risk. Given the supposed protective role played by melatonin in breast cancer, it is interesting to study the effect of sleep, which is the moment of melatonin synthesis. Articles were extracted from the PUBMED database between 2000 and 2012 with the following keywords "sleep duration", "sleep quality", "breast cancer risk" and "melatonin". In total, 10 articles were selected. Most prospective cohort studies found a decrease in the risk of breast cancer varying from 38 to 72% for "long sleepers". Furthermore, a meta-analysis of the studies assessing the link between breast cancer risk and urinary concentration of 6-sulfatoxy-melatonin (6MT), which is melatonin's main metabolite, found a 34% decrease for patients with the highest 6MT concentration. Even though other studies are necessary to confirm these results, it seems already adequate to detect sleep disorders and to try to treat them.

[Prenatal diethylstilbestrol exposure and breast cancer]. / Exposition anténatale au diéthylstilbestrol et cancer du sein.

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a synthetic estrogen prescribed to prevent miscarriages until 1977. Its role in the development of vaginal adenocarcinoma and cervical dysplasia is known and screening codified. Recent cohort studies show that exposure to DES in utero increases breast cancer risk especially after 40 years. This article reports the observation of a breast cancer of exceptional gravity in a patient exposed to DES in utero. It details the risk of breast cancer for "DES daughters" and support possible screening modalities.

Dermatitis actínica crónica / Chronic actinic dermatitis

Se presenta un paciente con una dermatitis actínica crónica (DAC) que consulta a nuestro Servicio con un cuadro tipo eritrodérmico, que se agrava a la exposición solar. Sus estudios histopatológicos mostraron distintos patrones: infiltrados inflamatorios inespecíficos, espongiosis, etc, pero no se hallaron células atípicas. El cuadro mejora con la administración de beta-carotenos y corticoides locales