[Preparation and seric form of rabbit C reactive protein]. / Préparation et forme sérique de la protéine réactive C de lapin.

The preparation of rabbit C-reactive protein (CRP) involves a single step affinity chromatography. This preparation takes advantage of the calcium-dependent affinity of CRP for an agarose gel bearing 2-aminoethanol dihydrogen-phosphate as a ligand. A prior chromatography on agarose gel without the ligand allows the uptake of the serum amyloid P-component (SAP). The CRP prepared according to this method is able to form precipitating complexes in agarose with rabbit lipoproteins. The specificity of these interactions is studied. It is demonstrated that CRP-High Density Lipoproteins (HLD) association produces a second precipitation arc when the pure CRP is revealed by a specific antiserum in agarose. Moreover, CRP in the serum is shown to be in the bound form only, and the binding involves Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) exclusively.

Redistribution of apolipoproteins C removed from human very low density lipoprotein during in vitro lipolysis by lipoprotein lipase.

In order to localize the labelled apolipoproteins C removed from Very Low Density Lipoproteins (VLDL) during lipolysis by lipoprotein lipase, we used human VLDL labelled with 125I-labelled apolipoproteins C and employed density gradient ultracentrifugation to analyze lipolytic products. Triacylglycerol hydrolysis occurs when albumin is present even in the absence of serum or High Density Lipoproteins (HDL). In this case, apolipoproteins C were found to be located in several fractions, in different density regions. When either HDL or serum were present in the incubation medium, the removed apolipoproteins C were recovered in only one main fraction in the high density region (1.10 g/ml). Incubations in the presence of either HDL2 or HDL3 gave quite similar results.

[Sensitivity to an amoxicillin-clavulanic acid combination, of deep tonsillar flora isolated in chronic tonsillitis]. / Sensibilité à l'association amoxicilline-acide clavulanique de la flore amygdalienne profonde isolée au cours d'amygdalities chroniques.

Deep tonsillar flora were identified in tonsils removed from 48 patients, children and adults, with chronic tonsillitis and recurrent sore throats or obstructive hypertrophy. Most specimens (38/48) cultured multiple germs (2 to 5 different species) with aerobic and anaerobic Gram+ and Gram-forms, some being beta-lactamase producers. Of the total of 135 strains isolated, 104 were aerobic and 31 anaerobic. The species of aerobic germs most frequently isolated were: Apart from alpha-hemolytic streptococci of undertermined group (38 strains), Haemophilus sp. : 14 (including 3 beta-lactamase + strains), Staphylococcus aureus: 15 (including 11 beta-lactamase + strains), Streptococcus A : 10, Enterobacteriaceae : 6, Neisseria sp. : 8 (including 1 beta-lactamase + strain). And among the anaerobic germs: Peptococcus : 3, Veillonella alc : 10, Fusobacterium nucleatum : 9, Bacteroides melaninogenicus : 6, Other Bacteroides : 2. Of the 127 strains tested, 102 were sensitive to amoxicillin and 121 to amoxicillin and clavulanic acid combination. The presence of a beta-lactamase producing bacterium in 1 of 3 specimens suggests the risk of failure of treatment with penicillin, prescribed classically for this type of affection.

[Dog bites and infection from bacterial inoculation. Necessity for appropriate therapeutic measures]. / Morsures de chien et infections bactériennes d'inoculation. Nécessité de mesures thérapeutiques appropriées.

The most recent statistics in France underline a doubly increasing preoccupation: the alarming rise in the frequency of bites by dogs (watchdogs or lapdogs), and the great number of pathogenic bacteria isolated from the bite wounds. During the last three years (1985, 1986, 1987), the Bacteriological Laboratory of Nancy received 390 samples, and 56% of them contained one or more bacteria. These bacteria basically were Pasteurella (61%), but other different species were isolated and identified recently: for example, the bacterial groups EF4, M5, IIj and especially DF2. The clinical feature is usually a wound which, neglected, is suppurating. But the bacteria of the DF2 group lead to general complications, very serious: more than 50 cases of septicemia have been published. In such cases, the notion of underlying pathology is important: alcoholism, cancer, splenectomy. Therefore, this new threat calls for great vigilance: curative treatment with antibiotic therapy adjusted to the isolated and tested bacterium; but, after all bites by a dog, real prophylaxis is systematically essential, with classical actions and antibiotic therapy (betalactamine or cycline) if the organism of the patient is deficient.

[Respiratory pasteurellosis. Apropos of 32 cases]. / Les pasteurelloses respiratoires. A propos de 32 observations.

The authors present the main characteristics of respiratory pasteurellosis on the basis of 32 personal cases. The predominant background is chronic obstructive lung disease consecutive, in most cases, to chronic bronchitis. In patients without chronic lung disease the infection occurs when the terrain is deficient. The most common clinical form is bronchitis; pneumonia, pleurisy and lung abscess are rare. The existence of asymptomatic carriers has been recognized. Clinical manifestations are devoid of pathognomonic signs and symptoms. Diagnosis rests on isolation of the micro-organism and can be completed by serodiagnosis and intradermal reaction to pasteurelline. The severity of respiratory pasteurellosis depends on the clinical form and the background. The curative treatment is simple and effective as a rule, but prevention is possible and recommended since pasteurellosis is a potentially severe infection.

Capnocytophaga canimorsus infections in human: review of the literature and cases report.

Capnocytophaga canimorsus, formerly designated Dysgonic fermenter 2 (DF-2) was first described in 1976; it is a commensal bacterium of dogs and cats saliva, which can be transmitted to man by bite (54% of cases), scratch (8.5%), or mere exposure to animals (27%). We present a review of the clinical and microbiological characteristics of the Capnocytophaga canimorsus infections and 12 cases of infection in France. Over 100 cases of human infections have been reported, mainly septicemia in patients with diminished defences, due to splenectomy (33%), alcohol abuse (24%), immunosuppression (5%). However 40% of septicemia occur in patients with no predisposing conditions. Other infections are less frequent: meningitis, endocarditis, arthritis, pleural and localized eye infections. These infections range from mild to fulminating disease, with shock, respiratory distress, disseminated intravascular coagulation. Dermatological lesions (macular or maculopapular rash, purpura) or gangrene are common. This fastidious Gram-negative bacterium grows slowly on chocolate agar or on heart infusion agar with 5% rabbit blood incubated in 5% CO2. In spite of a great susceptibility of bacteria to antibiotics, the mortality is of 30%. Because of the severity of these infections, taking into account this organism in the management of bites is necessary, especially in patients with predisposing factors.

[Computerized data storage of antibiograms obtained by various methods (automatic reading by 2 different systems or manual processing by the disk method) and retrieval of antibiograms and cytobacteriological data using microcomputers]. / Saisie informatisée d'antibiogrammes obtenus de diverses façons (lecture automatique par deux systèmes différents ou réalisation manuelle par la méthode des disques) et exploitation commune sur micro-ordinateur des antibiogrammes (et de données cytobactériologiques).

This software is composed of different programmes. It works on Apple IIe computers. It enables to capture all the data information concerning bacteriological tests to store them and to edit either personnel reports or global lists made out according to different criteria and to study them under both the statistical or the epidemiological aspects. The results of the antibiotic sensitivity test are notified either by an automatic reader (ABAC or API system) when carried out in a liquid environment or by an original computerized device (compass or enlarger) when manually carried out by the disc method. The informations are directly transmitted to the computer. It's possible to make up a common data file that can be exploited as a whole.

[Computerized instrumentation in bacteriology. Application to the reading of antibiograms performed by the disk method]. / Instrumentation informatisée en bactériologie. Application à la lecture des antibiogrammes réalisés par la méthode des disques.

Antibiotic sensitivity tests are often carried out by the disk method. We are presenting independent computerized system built around a microcomputer allowing a semi automatic input of the inhibitory diameters, thanks either to a mechanical calliper or, when an enlarger is used, with the help of a setting stick connected to the computer. The software allows the processing results.

[Estimation with bacteriology of the evolution of nosocomial infections between 1989 and 1991 in an university hospital]. / Estimation à partir de la bactériologie de l'évolution des infections nosocomiales entre 1989 et 1991 dans un hôpital universitaire.

The bacteriological laboratory data base was studied with an original software (Bacterio) and an appropriate method ("doubles" and early samples are not taken in account) to estimate the nosocomial infections. The incidence rates for 100 hospitalizations at the University hospital of Nancy are 9.2, 8.2 et 8.2 for respectively 1989, 90 et 91. These values are corrected while taking into account a method's sensibility of 65%. The 1000 days of hospitalization's rates allow a better comparison between the medical departments. For the whole hospital, the results are respectively of 7.9, 7.2 and 7.5%. Even if the many bias described cannot always been checked, the method gives some evolutivity indicators which are very useful for the hygienists.

Immunological evidence for common antigenic sites in high-density lipoproteins from rainbow trout and man.

The plasma high-density lipoproteins (HDL, rho 1.085-1.21 g/ml) of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) have been shown to contain large amounts of apolipoprotein (apo) AI (Mr 28,000) and several other apolipoproteins of Mr less than 14,000 (apo C-like) and of Mr 37,000-38,000, 44,000-45,000 and 53,000-54,000. Comparison of apo AI from trout and human HDL shows them to be similar in Mr and to have some cross-immunoreactivity, whereas apo AII differs in Mr but also possesses common antigenic sites. It is suggested that the major apolipoproteins of fish and human HDL may fulfil similar roles in lipid transport.

[Antibiotic sensitivity of Pasteurella multocida and related bacteria (bacterial groups M5 and EF4). Studies of minimal inhibitory concentrations by agar dilution]. / Sensibilité aux antibiotiques de Pasteurella multocida et de germes voisins (groupes bactériens M5 et EF4). Etudes des concentrations minimales inhibitrices par dilution en gélose.

We have been isolating Pasteurella multocida and similar germs increasingly during the last few years: due to the rabies coming back in Eastern France, more consultations have been held following animal bites; samples are then taken for a bacteriologic research. We have studied their sensitivity towards 30 antibiotics. The determination of the MIC was achieved through the agar dilution method on 34 Pasteurella multocida of human origin issued after bites and expectorations, 4 EF4 and 4 M5. The Pasteurella are very sensitive to: beta-lactam antibiotics (the lowest MIC were observed for ureido-penicillins, amino-benzylpenicillins and third generation cephalosporins), chloramphenicol, cyclines and quinolones. Fosfomycin colistin and aminoglycosides are also active but with higher MIC. The macrolides have got a slow or no activity at all. The M5 are susceptible to the same antibiotics as Pasteurella but with slightly higher concentrations. Regarding EF4, minor sensitivity or resistance to penicillin G, cephalothin and cefamandole can be pointed out.

[Bacterio-expert: an integrated system for assisting in the validation of antibiotic sensitivity tests. Retrospective application in 4053 Staphylococcus]. / Bactério-expert: un système intégré d'aide à la validation des antibiogrammes. Application rétrospective sur 4,053 staphylocoques.

Bacterio-expert is a simple expert system for assisting in the validation of antibiotic sensitivity testing. This system is incorporated in a data acquisition and editing program for bacteriologic test (Bacterio program written in Turbo-Pascal for personal computer users by the same authors). The principles of this system are explained and results with 4,053 antibiotic sensitivity tests on Staphylococcus aureus isolates are reported. Approximately 10% of tests required corrections.

Listeria monocytogenes endophthalmitis in a renal-transplant patient receiving ciclosporin.

Endophthalmitis due to Listeria monocytogenes developed suddenly in a 52-year-old man receiving immunosuppressive therapy for a renal transplantation carried out 2 months previously. The treatment combined low doses of ciclosporin and prednisone. The initial clinical picture was of acute hypertensive uveitis with hypopyon. Despite prompt paracentesis and appropriate antibiotic therapy, the long-term course was unfavorable, and enucleation became necessary. The occurrence of listeriosis is classic in renal-transplant recipients, but no ocular form has been reported hitherto.