[Importance of a regional observatory of malarial chemoresistance, an emerging public health problem in the Guyanas region]. / Intérêt d'un observatoire régional de la chimiorésistance du paludisme, problème émergent de santé publique dans la région des Guyanes.

A regular implementation of prophylactic and therapeutic decision trees was organized on a consensus basis in Cayenne, French Guiana in 1990, 1995 and 2002. The updated recommendations were based on the knowledge of the in vitro chemosensitivity profiles of the local isolates, mainly coming from big rivers (Maroni and Oyapock, frontiers with Suriname and Brazil, respectively; and more recently Approuague). Most of the patients infected by Plasmodium falciparum were followed by the medical staff of the main hospitals (Cayenne and Saint-Laurent) and of the peripheral health centers in remote areas. Consequently the epidemiological situation and evolution of chemoresistance have been widely observed on a long-term (since 1994) basis in the Maroni region. Yet, we have only partial information coming from the Oyapock valley, even though an important (most of the time) illegal immigration has been developing since the 90s' leading to a notable modification of the epidemiological status of malaria in this eastern region, including a regular increase of P. vivax infections. Presently very little P. vivax chloroquine (and mefloquine) resistance has been identified but this result could lead to a real public health problem in a near future. As such, the National Reference Center on Plasmodium Chemoresistance in the French West Indies and Guiana (CNRCP-AG in French) is a unique observatory of malaria chemoresistance in the Guyanese shield which works with research laboratories of the Institut Pasteur, Paris. This network strategy offers a very attractive perspective for applications of modern tools, including the validation of chemoresistance molecular markers, for malaria control at both medical and public health levels. Some examples related to chloroquine and artemether resistance are given.

[Real time epidemiological surveillance within the armed forces: concepts, realities and prospects in France]. / Surveillance épidémiologique en temps réel dans les armées; concepts, réalités et perspectives en France.

BACKGROUND: In 2002, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization took five initiatives in order to enhance the defence capacities against the massive destruction weapons, one of them concerned the development of an interoperable surveillance system, giving in real time some informations permitting early warning to the commanders. Thoughts in France to improve the military surveillance system, methodological constraints and first results are shown. METHODS: Medical, technological, human and organisational aspects had to be taken into account to develop real time surveillance within the armed forces, and also specific military constraints. In order to evaluate the validity of its methodology, the "Institut de médecine tropicale du service de santé des armées" developed a prototype, set up in French Guyana and which took part in a second time at a multinational exercise. RESULTS: The "surveillance spatiale des épidémies au sein des forces armées de Guyane" has been set up in 2004, formed by both a recording and an analysis networks. This system permits to provide in real time some dashboards directly operational for the commanders. The exhaustiveness rate has been evaluated at 104%, compared to the traditional surveillance. It permitted three times to detect outbreaks several weeks before the other systems. Some limits have been identified, as the use of personal digitalized assistants. The involvement in a multinational exercise showed the system's efficacy, by detecting two simulated outbreaks, but also its interoperability. In 2006, it has been decided to extend the concept by deploying its second generation within the French armed forces in Djibouti. The "alerte et surveillance en temps réel" disposal permitted to take into account multiple geographical localizations. CONCLUSION: A real time surveillance system is an essential alarm disposal, however it is only an information tool within the complex activity of piloting the sanitary situation. It must be integrated within the whole situation expertise supports, represented also by medical intelligence, epidemiological investigations and prediction of the epidemiological phenomenon evolution.

[Management of American cutaneous leishmaniasis. Outcome apropos of 326 cases treated with high-dose pentamidine isethionate]. / Thérapeutique des leishmanioses tégumentaires du Nouveau Monde. Expérience à propos de 326 cas traités par iséthionate de pentamidine à fortes doses.

The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the outcome of pentamidine isethionate treatment (4 mg/kg of Pentamidine by the intramuscular route on Days 1 and 3) of cutaneous leishmaniasis in 326 cases that occurred during an outbreak among French military personnel in French Guyana from 1998 to 1999. A great difference was found between the 205 patients treated in French Guyana (series G) and 32 patients treated at the Laveran Military Hospital in Marseille, France (series L). Failure rate, i.e. 25% in series L versus 5% in series G, was significantly correlated with the delay to treatment which was much longer in series L. Extensive rhabdomyolysis was observed in all cases tested: this side-effect has not been reported. Based on these findings and a review of the literature on pentamidine isethionate, the authors recommend prompt treatment using lower doses. Other treatment alternatives for American cutaneous leishmaniasis are also presented including two of the latest developments in the field, i.e., oral treatment using miltefosine and topical treatment using agents such as paromomycine.

[Epidemiologic surveillance of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Guiana. Summary of military data collected over 10 years]. / Surveillance épidémiologique des leishmanioses tégumentaires en Guyane. Synthése de données militaires sur 10 ans.

This report describes the results of epidemiological surveillance of cutaneous leishmaniasis in French military personnel in French Guiana. Data was collected regarding microscopic diagnosis, clinical manifestations, and lesion location as well as compliance with vector control measures. Year-to-year variations in the incidence in the general population have been attributed to changes in climatic conditions. Monitoring incidence and density curves, correlation of findings with local epidemiological data, and analysis of the most recent epidemic in 1998/99 (326 cases, attack rate 3.2% men years) highlight the importance of behavioral factors. The proportion of total cases involving military personnel varied widely from 20 to 85%. Investigation consistently showed that failure to apply elementary protective measures against sandfly bites was the most determinant factor in this proportion. Strict compliance with these measures appears to reduce the risk of infection considerably.

[Epidemiologic surveillance of dengue fever in the French army from 1996 to 1999]. / Surveillance epidemiologique de la dengue dans les armées françaises de 1996 à 1999.

Dengue fever is a widespread disease that can occur outside tropical areas. Several thousand French military personnel are exposed to this infectious risk each year and exposure is expected to rise with the creation of a professional army and the increasing number of foreign missions. As a result, dengue fever has become a major priority for the Armed Services Health Corps (ASHC). A system of epidemiological surveillance based on the active participation of all military physicians has been designed by the ASHC to collect and analyze all data relevant to cases of dengue fever involving French military personnel stationed overseas or at home. The purpose of this study is to present data compiled for the period from 1996 to 1999. Analysis of these data demonstrated that the incidence of dengue fever peaked in 1997 due to epidemic outbreaks occurring in French Polynesia and Martinique. In response to these outbreaks control measures were adapted especially in regard to vector control. This study shows that the system of surveillance implemented by the ASHC is an effective but still perfectible tool.