Risk factors for Cutibacterium acnes spinal implant-associated infection: a case-case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to determine the characteristics of patients who developed Cutibacterium acnes spinal implant-associated infection (SIAI) and the associated risk factors. METHODS: We conducted two parallel case-control studies comparing 59 patients with SIAI caused by C. acnes (cases 1) and 93 patients with SIAI caused by other microorganisms (cases 2) diagnosed during 2010-2015 with 302 controls who underwent spinal instrumentation without subsequent infection. RESULTS: Late-onset infections (median time to diagnosis, 843 days versus 23 days; p < 0.001) were more common in cases 1 than in cases 2. However, 20/59 (34%) of cases 1 occurred within the first 3 months after the index surgery. In addition, cases 1 were less likely to have fever (27%, 16/59 versus 58%, 54/93; p 0.001) or wound inflammation (39%, 23/59 versus 72%, 67/93; p < 0.001). Moreover, 24/59 (40%) of cases 1 presented with polymicrobial infections, and staphylococcal pathogens accounted for 22/24 (92%) of the co-infections. By comparing and contrasting the two multivariate risk models (cases 1 versus controls and cases 2 versus controls), the following factors associated with C. acnes SIAI development were identified: age <54 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09-5.58, p 0.03), a body mass index <22 kg/m2 (aOR 2.47, 95% CI 1.17-5.29, p 0.02), and thoracic instrumentation (aOR 16.1, 95% CI 7.57-37.0, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Future therapeutic and prophylactic studies on C. acnes SIAI should focus on young, thin patients who undergo spinal instrumentation procedures involving the thoracic spine.

Acceptance of pregnant women's vaccination against pertussis among French women and health professionals: PREVACOQ-1 and -2 studies.

OBJECTIVES: Protection of French young infants against pertussis only relies on their relatives' vaccination. The alternative is vaccination of pregnant women against pertussis (cocooning strategy), but this strategy is not yet recommended in France. We assessed the acceptance of this strategy among French postpartum women and health professionals. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a multicenter survey in 2016 among postpartum women and health professionals (family physicians, obstetricians-gynecologists, midwives, and medical students) to determine the acceptance of anti-pertussis vaccination. We evaluated knowledge, perception, and attitude towards vaccination to identify factors associated with acceptance. RESULTS: Questionnaires were completed by 52% (1208/2337) of women and 40% (694/1754) of health professionals. Seventy-seven per cent of women (95% CI: 74-79) and 93% of health professionals (95% CI: 91-95) were favorable to anti-pertussis vaccination of pregnant women. Thirty-three per cent (227/687) of health professionals believed that pertussis induced life-long immunity and 20% (136/687) of them were not aware of the cocooning strategy. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with acceptance among women were younger age, higher knowledge, having received advice during pregnancy, being vaccinated against influenza, and having never refused any vaccine; among health professionals, factors associated with acceptance were belief that inactivated vaccines are obstetrically safe, regular practice of influenza vaccination in pregnant women, pertussis cocooning strategy, and never prescribing preventive homeopathy for influenza. CONCLUSION: Vaccination of pregnant women against pertussis should be well-accepted by informed mothers and health professionals. If this strategy were to be implemented in France, efforts should be made towards adequate information.

Gram-negative prosthetic joint infections managed according to a multidisciplinary standardized approach: risk factors for failure and outcome with and without fluoroquinolones.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the outcome and risk factors for treatment failure of 76 Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) managed with a curative intent according to a standardized protocol derived from published guidelines. METHODS: We analysed data from all the cases of GNB-PJI treated surgically over an 8 year period. Treatment failure was defined as persistence or recurrence of PJI signs during follow-up, resulting in additional surgery and/or antibiotic administration or death. RESULTS: Treatment failure within the follow-up period (median = 2.6 years) was observed in 16 of 76 (21.1%) patients. The failure rate was similar whether the patients were treated with fluoroquinolones in the whole cohort (22.4% versus 16.7%, P = 0.75) and after stratification according to the surgical procedure. The low failure rate observed in patients not receiving fluoroquinolones might be explained by the standardized attitude of maintaining intravenous ß-lactams throughout treatment duration (median = 90 days). In multivariate analysis, C-reactive protein level ≥175 mg/L was significantly associated with treatment failure (adjusted HR = 7.75, 95% CI = 2.66-22.59, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Management according to standardized procedures may improve the prognosis of GNB-PJI. Intravenous ß-lactams, continued for 3 months, should be considered an effective alternative to fluoroquinolones.

[Syphilis in Nantes tertiary care hospital between 2000 and 2010: a case series of 36 hospitalized patients]. / La syphilis au CHU de Nantes entre 2000 et 2010 : à propos de 36 patients hospitalisés.

PURPOSE: Syphilis infection increase has been observed since the early 2000s. The medical records of patients hospitalized for syphilis at the tertiary care hospital of Nantes between 2000 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. METHODS: Cases were selected on the basis of serological database of the laboratory of bacteriology and extraction from the PMIS. Syphilis cases were defined by both positive TPHA and VDRL tests. RESULTS: The number of positive serology testing was increased eightfold within ten years. Among the 36 patients with syphilis hospitalized cases, 97% were male, aged 17 to 75 years. Eighteen were HIV-infected patients. Among them, 94% were homosexuals and 67% had a history of sexually transmitted infections. The mean time between symptoms and diagnosis was significantly higher in non HIV-infected patients. Clinical forms of syphilis were cutaneomucous secondary syphilis with frequent systemic symptoms for 33%, neurosyphilis, including frequent uveitis for 50%, and gummatous tertiary syphilis involving bones for one patient. Secondary syphilis cases were treated with one to three doses of benzathine penicillin G. Late syphilis and cases of neurosyphilis were treated with penicillin G or ceftriaxone. Neurosensory sequelae accounted for 39% neurosyphilis cases. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the incidence increase of syphilis cases in France, frequent poor prognosis of neurosyphilis cases, and diagnosis difficulties, particularly in non HIV-infected patients. This emphasizes the broader use of syphilis serology for compatible medical situations.

[Glucocorticoids and... infections, doping, surgery, sexuality]. / Corticoïdes et infections, dopage, chirurgie et sexualité

The risk of infection is increased in patients treated with glucocorticoids, especially in those taking long-term and high dosage treatment. However, there is little valid practice for the prevention of infections in this patient population. The risk of reactivation or worsening of a latent infection (e.g., hepatitis B, tuberculosis, strongyloidiasis) is proved and individual reflection should be conducted in at-risk patients. Preventions of Pneumocystis jiroveci or upper urinary tract infections are considered differently according to practitioners' habits and their specialties. Adequate prevention should be prescribed in glucocorticoid-treated patients who have been in contact with varicella zoster or measles virus. Many vaccines could be prescribed in those people but live vaccines should be avoided. A consultation of travel medicine should be systematically proposed before a travel in intertropical zone. Anti-inflammatory and stimulant properties of glucocorticoids are frequently misused in order to improve sport performances. All glucocorticoids are considered as performance-enhancing drugs. Their prescription should therefore be adapted to the laws in force in the sport. By reducing vomiting and pain, glucocorticoids may be beneficial in patients undergoing surgery. However, in people prescribed long-term glucocorticoid therapy, the risk of postoperative adrenal insufficiency has to be considered, even though very few data are available on this topic. Oral contraceptives or intra-uterine devices are effective contraceptives methods in patients treated with systemic glucocorticoids.

Tungiasis: a poorly documented tropical dermatosis.

Tungiasis is the parasitic skin disease caused by the sand flea Tunga penetrans, also called the jigger flea, found in most intertropical countries. The contamination occurs when walking barefoot in the sand: adult females actively burrow the foot epidermis leading to self-limited lesions responsible for itching or pain. The diagnosis is made on clinical observation and history of travelling to an endemic country. The simple treatment is surgical extraction of the flea.

[Contribution of molecular biology and Aspergillus galactomannan antigen assay for the diagnosis of histoplasmosis]. / Contribution de la biologie moléculaire et de l'antigénémie galactomannane aspergillaire au diagnostic de l'histoplasmose.

We report a case of a pulmonary histoplasmosis in an HIV-positive patient usually living in Cambodia, with a positive Aspergillus galactomannan antigenemia resulting from a cross-reaction, that decreased after antifungal therapy. We discuss the potential interest of the detection of fungal DNA by PCR and Aspergillus galactomannan antigenemia for the diagnosis of histoplasmosis, especially in countries where Histoplasma capsulatum antigen testing is not available.

[Strongyloides stercoralis infection simulating polyarteritis nodosa]. / Anguillulose autochtone simulant une périartérite noueuse.

INTRODUCTION: Parasitic infection can present with many different clinical manifestations. EXEGESIS: A 77 year-old Russian woman, who's been living in France since 50 years was admitted for polyarthritis, myalgia, fever, abdominal pain, and eosinophilia simulating polyarterisis nodosa. Before admission, she was treated by steroids for polymyalgia rheumatica. The diagnosis of Strongyloides stercoralis was performed by parasitologic analysis of feces and colic biopsies. The outcome was favourable under treatment by ivermectine and steroid withdrawal. CONCLUSION: S. stercoralis can be associated with reactive arthritis. Case reports of S. stercoralis infection mimicking systemic vasculitis are exceptionnal.

Safyre. Un nuevo concepto de cabestrillo ajustable mínimamente invasivo para la incontinencia urinaria por estrés femenina / Safyre. A new concept for adjustable minimally invasive sling for female urinary stress incontinence

INTRODUCCIÓN: SAFYRE es un nuevo cabestrillo (dispositivo de suspensión) reajustable y mínimamente invasivo para el tratamiento de la incontinencia urinaria por estrés (IUE). En los últimos años se ha intentado restaurar el lecho suburetral normal utilizando una técnica anatómica. Los autores comunican su experiencia con este dispositivo, que además de poseer la eficacia de los cabestrillos tiene capacidad de reajustación. MATERIALES y MÉTODOS: Un total de 100 pacientes consecutivas con diagnóstico de IUE desde el punto de vista clínico y urodinámico se sometieron al procedimiento de implantación del cabestrillo SAFYRE. Su rango de edad era de 40 a 71 años, con una edad media de 63 años. Previamente, 75 pacientes (75%) se habían sometido a procedimientos para la incontinencia que habían fracasado. Antes de la cirugía se realizaron una exploración física clínica, una prueba de estrés, un estudio urodinámico y un estudio sobre el uso de almohadillas. Todas las pacientes presentaban síntomas de IUE y el 30% también tenían tenesmo leve. RESULTADOS: El periodo de seguimiento medio fue de 14 meses (12 – 30 meses). El tiempo medio de la operación fue de 25 minutos. Durante el mismo procedimiento se reparó la distopia cuando se consideró necesario. La estancia hospitalaria media fue de 24 horas. En el 3% de los implantes se produjo perforación de la vejiga. Durante el periodo posoperatorio 26 pacientes presentaron síntomas de tenesmo. Durante ese periodo de seguimiento, el 92% presentaron continencia urinaria, el 3% mejoraron y el 5% no estuvieron satisfechas con el procedimiento. CONCLUSIÓN: SAFYRE es un procedimiento seguro y rápido que permite el reajuste posoperatorio. Esta técnica puede ser una alternativa atractiva si se demuestra que los buenos resultados obtenidos hasta ahora son de larga duración

INTRODUCTION: SAFYRE is a new readjustable and minimally invasive sling for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Attempts to restore the normal suburethral hammock using an anatomical approach have been made in recent years. The authors report their experience with this device, which associates the efficacy of slings with readjustability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive patients with clinical and urodynamic diagnosis of SUI underwent SAFYRE sling procedure. The age range was from 40 to 71, mean age 63 years. Seventy-five patients (75%) presented previous failed anti-incontinence procedures. Physical clinical examination, stress test, pad use and a urodynamic study were performed before the surgery. All the patients presented symptoms of SUI and 30 % also reported mild urgency. RESULTS: The average follow up period was 14 months (12 – 30 months). The mean operative time was of 25 minutes. Dystopia repair was performed whenever necessary, during the same procedure. The average hospital stay was 24 hours. In 3% of the implants, bladder perforation occurred. During the postoperative period, 26 patients developed urgency symptoms. During that follow up period, 92% were found to be continent, 3% reported an improvement and 5% were dissatisfied. CONCLUSION: SAFYRE is a safe and quick procedure that allows for postoperative readjustment. This technique may be an attractive alternative if the good result obtained so far proves to be long lasting

[SAFYRE. A new concept for adjustable minimally invasive sling for female urinary stress incontinence]. / SAFYRE. Un nuevo concepto de cabestrillo ajustable mínimamente invasivo para la incontinencia urinaria por estrés femenina.

INTRODUCTION: SAFYRE is a new readjustable and minimally invasive sling for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Attempts to restore the normal suburethral hammock using an anatomical approach have been made in recent years. The authors report their experience with this device, which associates the efficacy of slings with readjustability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive patients with clinical and urodynamic diagnosis of SUI underwent SAFYRE sling procedure. The age range was from 40 to 71, mean age 63 years. Seventy-five patients (75%) presented previous failed anti-incontinence procedures. Physical clinical examination, stress test, pad use and a urodynamic study were performed before the surgery. All the patients presented symptoms of SUI and 30% also reported mild urgency. RESULTS: The average follow up period was 14 months (12-30 months). The mean operative time was of 25 minutes. Dystopia repair was performed whenever necessary, during the same procedure. The average hospital stay was 24 hours. In 3% of the implants, bladder perforation occurred. During the postoperative period, 26 patients developed urgency symptoms. During that follow up period, 92% were found to be continent, 3% reported an improvement and 5% were dissatisfied. CONCLUSION: SAFYRE is a safe and quick procedure that allows for postoperative readjustment. This technique may be an attractive alternative if the good result obtained so far proves to be long lasting.

[Complete remission with imatinib mesylate (Glivec) of an idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome associated with a cutaneous mastocytosis after failure of interferon-alpha]. / Rémission complète sous imatinib mésylate (Glivec) d'un syndrome hyperéosinophilique myéloprolifératif associé à une mastocytose cutanée résistant à l'interféron alpha.

INTRODUCTION: The idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome is a rare haematologic disorder difficult to treat. We report the efficacy of imatinib mesylate in this pathology. EXEGESIS: An idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome associated with a cutaneous mastocytosis was diagnosed in a 32-year-old man presenting with pulmonary, neurological and haematological manifestations. After failure of interferon alpha and hydroxy-urea therapy, a durable and complete clinical and biological remission was induced by imatinib mesylate within 3 weeks. CONCLUSION: Imatinib mesylate, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinases appears to be a very safe and effective treatment for this type of hypereosinophilia. The mechanism of response to this molecule, well known in Philadelphia positive chronic myeloid leukemia, is not yet clarified in the idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (other oncogenes than c-kit or PDGF could be concerned). The association with cutaneous mastocytosis has not been reported yet.