[Care pathway diversity of patients with multiple sclerosis between French regions]. / Diversité des prises en charge des patients atteints de sclérose en plaques entre régions françaises.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to analyze and to compare data from 2015, focusing on hospital care for patients with multiple sclerosis from three French regions with different characteristics in terms of prevalence, size and number of multiple sclerosis competencies and resource centers. METHODS: All hospital admissions from the PMSI MCO 2015 database, with a principal or related diagnosis (PD-RD) of G35* ("multiple sclerosis") were extracted. We also extracted chemotherapy treatments administered in hospital, during admissions with a significant associated diagnosis (SAD) of G35*, if the PD or RD was coded Z512 ("non-tumor chemotherapy"). The analyzed regions corresponded to those of 2015, some of which have since merged. RESULTS: There were 95,359 hospital admissions for multiple sclerosis in France in 2015 among a total cohort of 21,102 patients, resulting in a total cost of € 54.1m. Patients with MS were managed mainly in the ambulatory setting, which accounted for 88.5 % of all admissions. The Rhône-Alpes region represented 7.6 % of national admissions for MS, 9.6 % of patients, and 14 % of inpatient days, contributing 10.4 % of the national cost of MS care. 58.4 % of stays were managed by the two main multiple sclerosis centers. The Nord-Pas-de-Calais region represented 9.8 % of national admissions, 10 % of patients, 6.6 % of inpatient days, and 9.1 % of the national cost. 29.8 % of stays were managed by the main multiple sclerosis center. The Centre region represented 2.7 % of stays, 2.8 % of patients, 3.1 % of inpatient days, and 2.8 % of the national cost. 28.4 % of stays were managed by the main multiple sclerosis center. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the diversity of multiple sclerosis hospital management and care between these three regions.

Almond oil implicated in a Staphylococcus capitis outbreak in a neonatal intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an effective outbreak-control strategy by identifying the source and modes of transmission of Staphylococcus capitis in a 60-bed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a study among neonates hospitalized during the outbreak (June 2000 through November 2003). All cases of S. capitis colonization or infection detected by clinical samples during the outbreak were included. The molecular analysis of the isolated was assessed by pulsed-field electrophoresis. We reported the description of the outbreak and the measures taken during this investigation. RESULT: Thirty-three patients were colonized or infected by S. capitis. Mean gestational age was 28.5+/-4.4 weeks of gestation, mean birth weight was 1068+/-637.3 g and the mean length of hospital stay was 77.9+/-35.9 days. We observed that positive S. capitis cultures were over-represented in six beds of the NICU. Because S. capitis is known to thrive in lipid media, we cultured samples from the almond oil bottles assigned to these beds. S. capitis strain recovered from one of the almond oil sample was genetically identical to the strain recovered from the cases. CONCLUSION: Almond oil is an unusual reservoir infection. Control policy allowed prompt institution of measures that were successful in ending the outbreak.

[Clinical aspects and management of patients with tuberculous meningitis. Retrospective analysis from 1994 to 2005]. / Aspects cliniques et prise en charge thérapeutique des méningites tuberculeuses. Analyse rétrospective de 15 cas observés de 1994 à 2005.

Tuberculous meningitis remains a devastating disease with poor prognosis in terms of mortality or invalidating after-effects. Eighteen cases of tuberculous meningitis, occurred between 1994 and 2005, were re-examined retrospectively. Among the 18 patients, 13 were aged from 14 to 64 years, and 5 were older than 64. There was no gender dominance. Factors of risk were identified in 7 patients. British Medical Research Council staging was III in 9 patients, II in 2 patients and I in 7 patients. Protein and glucose levels in the cerebrospinal fluid sample were very variable ranging from 0.4 to 10.7 g/L and 0.4 to 3.7 mmol/L respectively. The cellular reaction was also very variable ranging from 0 to 250 elements, mostly lymphocytes. Antituberculous treatment was given to 15 patients, associated with corticosteroid therapy for 9 patients. Among the 18 patients, 11 died within 1 year, 4 were treated for a recurrence occurring up to 6 years after the diagnosis, 1 presented important neuropsychic after-effects and 2 patients survived without after-effects with a time ranging between 6 months and 1 year. The deceased patients were significantly older than the others. The risk of mortality was 4.5-fold greater among stage III patients than among stage I and II patients. The use of corticosteroids significantly reduced the risk of death.

RT-PCR identification and typing of astroviruses and Norwalk-like viruses in hospitalized patients with gastroenteritis: evidence of nosocomial infections.

BACKGROUND: Astroviruses (HAstVs) and 'Norwalk-like viruses' (NLV) are frequent causes of gastroenteritis worldwide, though no data on the strains in circulation or their prevalence is available for France. OBJECTIVES: We applied molecular methods to detect HAstVs and NLVs by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in fecal samples collected during a 2-year period from children and adults hospitalized with gastroenteritis. STUDY DESIGN: All samples negative for rotavirus and adenovirus by latex agglutination which contained small (25-40 nm) viral particles observed by electron microscopy (EM) were examined by RT-PCR. RT-PCR products were sequenced to characterize the HAstV and NLV strains present. RESULTS: A total of 75 samples were analyzed by RT-PCR, of which 15 were positive for HAstV and 24 for NLV. Several distinct strains of serotype 1 HAstV, the predominant serotype, circulated during the period. Nineteen of the 24 NLVs were of the G2 genogroup including Mexico-like (n=10), Bristol-like (n=8), and Hawaii-like viruses (n=1); two were genogroup 1. Overall, seven (47%) of the 15 HAstV infections and nine (37.5%) of the 24 NLV infections appeared to be nosocomially acquired based on the date of admission in hospital and the date of illness. CONCLUSION: This study provides additional evidence of the importance of nosocomial infections caused by NLV and HAstV.

[Community-acquired bacterial meningitis in the Loire-Atlantic region: evolution of pneumococcal and meningococcal sensitivity to penicillin]. / Les méningites bactériennes communautaires en Loire-Atlantique: évolution de la sensibilité à la pénicilline des pneumocoques et méningocoques.

OBJECTIVES: An epidemiological study of community-acquired bacterial meningitis was conducted in Loire-Atlantique in subjects aged over 1 month. Risk factors and changes in pneumococcal and meningococcal susceptibility to betalactams were analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All cases of proven or presumed bacterial meningitis registered by Loire-Atlantic bacteriology laboratories between May 1995 and April 1998 were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred two cases were registered (annual incidence: 3.12 cases per 100,000 inhabitants). In children (33 cases) the main germs were meningococci (51%), pneumococci (24%) and Haemophilus influenzae (6%). In adults (69 cases), pneumococci (49%), meningococci (14%) and Listeria (4%) predominated. An underlying disease was noted 44% of the cases. Mortality was 17.6%. Sequellae were observed in 9.5%. Some degree of penicillin resistance was observed in 45% of the pneumococcal strains and in 50% of the meningococcal strains. Half of the pneumococcal strains were also resistant to third generation cephalosporins (C3G). No risk factor was significantly related to resistant strains. Susceptibility to antibiotics was not correlated with mortality for either pneumococcal or meningococcal strains, but sequellae were more frequent after meningitis caused by resistant pneumococci. CONCLUSION: For cases of community-acquired meningococcal meningitis diagnosed in 1999, it would be advisable to prescribe a combination C3G-vancomycin regimen as the first line empirical treatment while waiting for results of susceptibility tests. Certain guidelines proposed by the February 1996 consensus conference on community-acquired purulent meningitis would thus need to be amended.

Two epidemiologically related cases of Rahnella aquatilis bacteremia.

Rahnella aquatilis was isolated from the blood cultures of two patients who were in different units of the same hospital. Both isolates were susceptible to aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, cotrimoxazole, piperacillin, third generation cephalosporins and amoxicillin-clavulanate, but resistant to amoxicillin, ticarcillin, and first generation cephalosporins. The synergistic activity of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid suggested the presence of a beta-lactamase, confirmed by a positive nitrocefin test and by analytical isoelectric focusing. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and ribotyping with the pKK3535 probe showed that the isolates shared the same banding pattern. The results of an epidemiological study suggested that an in-house total parenteral nutrition solution might be the source of this unusual gram-negative rod.

[Bacteriological study in acute otitis media]. / Etude bactériologique au cours de I'otite moyenne aiguë.

AIM: A prospective study on bacteriological epidemiology in acute otitis media was conducted in a pediatric hospital emergency service from January 1993 to October 1995. PATIENTS: One hundred and fifty-eight children, aged 6 months to 6 years, with an acute otitis media were included. Culturing and cleansing of the ear canal and tympanocentesis for aspiration and culture of the secretions were performed in 118 children (46 of whom had received antibiotics before for 48 hours). MAIN RESULTS: Middle ear aspirates were sterile in 35% of the children who had not received antibiotics and in 64% of those already treated. Bacteria in middle ear were predominantly Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Fifty-nine percent of S pneumoniae strains were penicillin-resistant; however, they were responsible for clinical failure in only 8% of cases. No Staphylococcus strains, commensal of the ear canal, could be considered as pathogenic for the middle ear. CONCLUSION: The preciseness with which secretions of middle ear are aspirated reduces the risk of contamination and comparison of ear canal and middle ear cultures allows to identify them. The high ratio of sterile middle ear aspirates after antibiotic treatment raises the question if other factors are responsible for persistent symptoms. The existence of penicillin-resistant S pneumoniae must be known to adjust treatment.

[Clinical and bacteriological aspects of nocardiasis. 9 cases]. / Aspects cliniques et bactériologiques des nocardiosis. 9 observations.

OBJECTIVES: Nocardial infection is usually localized in the immunocompetent patient and occurs as an opportunistic disseminated infection in about half of the cases in immunoincompetents patients. METHODS: We report a retrospective assessment of 9 cases of nocardial infection diagnosed between January 1991 and February 1994. RESULTS: Six of the patients were immunodepressed: 3 had a disseminated infection with pulmonary (n = 2), brain (n = 2), skin (n = 3) and/or ocular (n = 1) localizations. There were 3 immunocompetent patients with an isolated local infection: skin and bone mycetoma, knee joint and lung. Diagnosis was made on samples obtained invasively in 7 patients. Nocardia asteroides was isolated in 5 patients, N. farcinica in 3 and N. caviae in 1. These organisms showed in vitro sensitivity to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid 5/9, cefotaxime 5/9 (0/3 for N. farcinica), imipeneme 7/9, amikacin 8/8, minocyclin 5/8, pefloxacin 0/8 and trimethoprime-sulfamethoxazol (TMP-SMX) 3/9. Clinical outcome was favourable in all cases and was not always correlated with laboratory sensitivity. CONCLUSION: TMP-SMX remains the reference antibiotic. For one patient, only TMP-SMX (resistant in vitro) was effective; with all the other antibiotic tried (sensitive in vivo) treatment failed.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa outbreak in a burn unit: role of antimicrobials in the emergence of multiply resistant strains.

An environmental survey and a cohort study were done to analyze an outbreak of infections in a burn unit caused by a serotype O:11 and a multidrug-resistant serotype O:12 Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The P. aeruginosa O:11 outbreak was controlled by eradicating an environmental source, contaminated hydrotherapy equipment. To assess risk factors for infections caused by P. aeruginosa O:12, 15 infected burn patients were compared with 32 noninfected burn patients hospitalized during the outbreak. Patients had similar extent, severity, location, and care of burn injuries, exposure to invasive procedures, and past history of P. aeruginosa infection. Prior treatment with ceftazidime (3 g/day) was the only independent risk factor for P. aeruginosa O:12 infection. The outbreak was controlled by increasing the daily administration of ceftazidime from 3 to 6 g and by a reinforcement of isolation precautions.