Prevalence and dynamics of Lactobacillus sp. in the lower respiratory tract of patients with cystic fibrosis.

No prevalence or dynamics analysis of Lactobacilli in the lung of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients has yet been conducted. In order to use them as probiotics in the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, we describe their lung epidemiology. Over a period of 8 months, we analyzed 279 sputum samples from 124 CF patients classified according to their P. aeruginosa Leeds status of colonization. A total of 137 strains belonging to 11 species were isolated. The prevalence of carriage was 61%. No difference in species diversity or frequency was observed according to Leeds criteria. The next step will be to focus on the strain level.

[Pseudohypobicarbonatemia in a patient with a kappa IgA monoclonal gammapathy]. / Pseudohypobicarbonatémie chez une patiente atteinte d'une gammapathie monoclonale à IgA kappa.

Paraprotein interferences assays are known but rather unusual in clinical chemistry.we here report a paraprotein interference with a bicarbonate assay in a IgA kappa-type myeloma patient. Serum bicarbonate level was assessed by the enzymatic method of a multiparametric chemistry analyzer (Advia 1800, Siemens) as well as a specific electrode assay on a blood gas analyzer (GEM 4000, IL). Paraprotein interference with the enzymatic assay was evidenced by an abnomally low bicarbonate level measured by the enzymatic method in contrast with usual levels obtained by using the gas analyzer and with the clinical status of the patient. Therefore, gammapathy has to be taken into consideration when interpreting biological data.