Severe adverse events during medical and surgical treatment of hip and knee prosthetic joint infections.

INTRODUCTION: The management of prosthetic joint infection requires a complex treatment procedure and can be associated with complications. However, the occurrence of severe adverse events during this intervention has been poorly evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 5-year multicentric retrospective study including patients from 3 hospitals in the South-Western France referral center for complex bone and joint infections (Crioac GSO) and treated for hip or knee prosthetic joint infection with 1 or 2-stage implant exchanges. The objective was to describe grade≥3 adverse events, according to the CTCAE classification, occurring within 6 weeks after surgery and to identify their associated factors. RESULTS: One hundred and eighteen patients were identified. We observed 71 severe events in 50 patients (42.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI95%]: 33.8-51.4%). Sixteen severe events were an evolution of the infection. The remaining 55 others (47 grade 3 and 8 grade 4) occurred in 41 patients (34.7%; CI95%: 26.8-43.7%). They were distributed as follows: 27 (49.1%) medical complications, 21 (38.2%) surgical complications and 7 (12.7%) antibiotic-related complications. The main identified risk factor was a two-stage prosthetic exchange with OR=3.6 (CI95% [1.11-11.94], P=0.032). Obesity was limit of significance with OR=3.3 (CI95% [0.9-12.51], P=0.071). Infection with coagulase negative Staphylococcus was a protective factor with OR=0.3 (CI95% [0.12-0.99], P=0.047). CONCLUSION: Severe adverse events are frequent following prosthetic exchange for PJI (34.7%) and are related to the high frequency of comorbidities in this population and to the complex surgical procedures required. The risk factor significantly associated with these events was a two-stage exchange.

Spectrum of advice and curbside consultations of infectious diseases specialists.

OBJECTIVES: Curbside consultation (CC) of infectious diseases specialists for advice is very frequent but the corresponding workload has rarely been assessed. This activity is mostly oral (phone or direct contact) and poorly quantifiable because it is not charged. We had for aim to evaluate this activity in a French teaching hospital. METHODS: We recorded all CCs given during a 2.5-year period, from mid-2011 to the end of 2013. RESULTS: During the study period, 6789 CCs were recorded (2715 per year), or slightly more than 10 per day. These CCs were divided in 676 travel recommendations and 6113 for other reasons. They were mostly given by phone (77.4%). Most demands came from our hospital (61.4%), followed by community family physicians and specialist (27.1%), other local hospitals (6.5%) and clinics (4.3%). All the departments in our hospital consulted us for advice at least once and answers were mainly given by phone (70.1%) and at bedside (30.5%). The answers were principally advice (50.8%), modification of antibiotic prescription (22.9%), initiation of antibiotic course (14.8%), maintaining the same treatment (6.2%), and stopping antibiotics (4.3%). CCs accounted for 20% of clinical work for 1 physician. If the CCs in our hospital had been paid, our department would have received an additional 77,000€ in revenue. CONCLUSION: This curbside activity is very important and time-consuming for infectious diseases specialists, but it is currently not acknowledged or rewarded.

Campylobacter fetus infections.

BACKGROUND: Campylobacter fetus infections usually occur in immunodepressed patients or patients presenting with diabetes mellitus or cancer. They rarely cause diarrhea but frequently cause bacteremia or vascular diseases. The therapeutic management is not well codified and fluoroquinolone resistance is continuously increasing. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of C. fetus infections from January 2007 to August 2013 at the Limoges teaching hospital. The infections were defined by at least 1 bacteriological sample positive for C. fetus. RESULTS: Twenty patients were included (15 men), with an average age of 73 years (43-91). Sixteen presented with cancer, 12 with solid cancer including 9 of the urinary tract, and 9 patients with hematologic diseases. Five patients presented with diabetes mellitus, 9 with isolated bacteremia, 3 with cellulitis, and 3 with septic arthritis. The diagnosis was made by blood cultures for 17 patients. Twenty percent of the isolates were resistant to amoxicillin and 30% to fluoroquinolones. The therapeutic regimens and the treatment duration were quite different. The outcome was unfavorable for 3 patients whose implanted port had not been removed and 1 with subdural hematoma infection. 1 patient died. CONCLUSIONS: C. fetus infection occurs in case of underlying diseases, most frequently promoting urinary tract cancer. Fluoroquinolones must not be used without susceptibility testing and catheters should be removed.

[Historic malignant tumour: 27 observations]. / Tumeur maligne historique: 27 cas.

BACKGROUND: When used in the French medical literature to describe a pathological state, the word "historic" normally refers to tumours of startling appearance because of their size. It is difficult to understand how a patient can allow such tumours to continue to grow. We attempt to define this concept. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two dermatologists carried out a retrospective, independent and comparative selection of photographs taken between 1978 and 2008 of malignant cutaneous tumours of unusual size given the histological diagnosis. Socio-professional, demographic, clinical, histological psychological data, and details of treatment history and progress were collected. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients (11 M, 16 F) of mean age 74 years (34-99 years) presented a "historic" tumour. Twelve patients lived in rural regions. Five patients were company executives. The average duration of development of the "historic" tumours was 4.5 years (6-420 months). The tumours were classed histologically as epidermoid carcinomas (nine) and melanomas (seven). The mean size was 13 cm (6-30 cm). Psychiatric problems, membership of sects or dementia were noted for 13 patients. Treatment consisted of chemotherapy, radiotherapy or, less frequently, surgery. Eighteen patients died on average 13 months after diagnosis. DISCUSSION: "Historic" malignant tumour (also described in the literature as "giant" tumour) is a real-life fact. No studies have been made of a series of such patients. Despite histological diagnosis, the size was associated with slow tumoral progress and/or late treatment, chiefly accounted for by psychiatric disorders. Socio-professional data indicate that "historic" tumours are equally common in urban and rural areas.

[Photodynamic therapy for the treatment of extramammary Paget's disease]. / Traitement de la maladie de Paget extramammaire par photothérapie dynamique topique.

BACKGROUND: The usual treatment for extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is surgery, but this approach may have grave functional and physical consequences, as well as high recurrence rates. Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers an optional approach for EMPD; it has a high complete response rate and there is no dose restriction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PDT in the treatment of EMPD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This series of patients was seen at a single centre between 1 December 2005 and 31 December 2010. All patients with histologically confirmed EMPD were included. Patients received two courses of PDT 21 days apart: 3 hours after topical application of methyl aminolevulinic acid emulsion, they underwent illumination with red light (570-670 nm) at a dose of 37 J/cm(2) for 10 minutes. In the event of relapse, a further cycle was given at week 6. RESULTS: Eight patients (seven female, one male) of a mean age of 69 years were included. After two series of two illuminations, seven patients were in complete clinical remission at 3 months and one patient was in partial remission. Five patients were still in complete clinical remission at 6 months. All patients had relapsed after a mean 8.4 months (4-14 months). The limiting factor appears to be pain occurring during illumination. Patients reported satisfaction with the disappearance of symptoms and a notable improvement in quality of life. DISCUSSION: The complete clinical response rate to PDT at month 6, after two series of two illuminations, was equivalent to that for surgery. Although the recurrence rate was high, this treatment may be repeated without functional or physical consequences. PDT resulted in disappearance of pain and improved quality of life.

[Dermohypodermitis on the face revealing TIBOLA]. / Dermohypodermite de la face révélatrice d'un syndrome TIBOLA.

Tick-borne lymphadenopathy (TIBOLA) is an emerging rickettsiosis in Europe, transmitted by the Dermacentor tick. This syndrome is defined as the association of an inoculation eschar on the scalp that may be surrounded by an erythema scalp, fever, and painful cervical lymphadenopathy in colder months. Children and women are at higher risk for TIBOLA. We report the case of a 9 year-old French child with an acute hemifacial edema and erythema revealing TIBOLA. Early empirical antibiotic therapy should be prescribed in any suspected TIBOLA, before confirmation of the diagnosis. The recommended treatment is doxycycline or macrolide.

High prevalence and risk factors of thromboembolism in stage IV melanoma.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cancer are at a high risk of thromboembolism (TE), which contributes to morbidity and mortality. Several case reports of thromboembolic events have been reported in patients with melanoma in the literature. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in stage IV melanoma and determine risk factors, outcomes associated with the development of VTE and the number of haemorrhagic complications in patients under anti-coagulant treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we included all consecutive patients with stage IV melanoma among 290 patients followed-up in the department of Dermatology each year between January 2005 and 31 December 2007. The diagnosis of VTE was confirmed by venous ultrasound, pulmonary perfusion-ventilation technetium scan and angiography. The primary outcome was to evaluate the number of TE diagnosed in stage IV melanoma patients. The secondary outcomes were to study the influence of TE on survival, its prevalence according to metastatic sites and to evaluate the number of haemorrhagic complications. RESULTS: Twenty-four VTE events were found [25.2% (CI: 16.5-34)]. Eighteen VTE were deep venous thrombosis in lower limbs associated with pulmonary embolism (PE) in 50% of cases. Twenty-five percent were asymptomatic and were revealed in the pulmonary scan performed for follow-up. Eight percent of VTE events revealed stage IV melanoma. Seventeen patients developed thrombosis at home after stopping heparin prophylaxis. Seven thrombotic events occurred during oral anti-coagulant therapy. CONCLUSION: We found as high a prevalence of VTE in stage IV melanoma as in lung and gastrointestinal cancers. All patients suffered thrombotic events when they were treated with chemotherapy and at home when they stopped heparin prophylaxis. Therefore, heparin prophylaxis should be maintained at home.

[Community-acquired meningitis due to methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus]. / Méningites communautaires à Staphylococcus aureus méticilline sensible.

UNLABELLED: Meningitis due to Staphylococcus aureus is infrequent. MRSA is mainly found after neurosurgery, but MSSA may be involved in community-acquired meningitis. However, this kind of infection is not widely reported, despite its severity. METHODS: We describe the characteristics of five patients hospitalized in our ward over a period of 18 months who presented with community-acquired meningitis due to MSSA. RESULTS: The patients were three men and two women with a mean age of 62 years. One patient was immunosuppressed. Neurological signs were present at the onset for only two patients. In all cases, there were extraneurological localizations of the infection, mainly in bones (spondylodiscitis, epidural abscess, arthritis) but also lung infection. Three patients with meningeal inflammation also presented with confusion. CSF analysis revealed less than 950 white blood cells, hyper-CSF-proteins, and hypo-CSF-glucose. Bacteraemia was present in all patients. The source of infection was never determined. The evolution was good for all patients with a prolonged antibiotic course. The analysis of genetic determinants for three strains revealed the presence of TSST-1 which could account for the severity of the disease. CONCLUSION: Community-acquired MSSA meningitis is a serious infection, occurring in patients without risk factors. Hematogenous dissemination leads to multiple tissue infection. A long course of antibiotics, with high doses, is needed to treat meningitis but also extraneurological localizations. The role of TSST-1 needs to be confirmed in other patients.

[One year follow-up of patients with bullous pemphigoid]. / Profil évolutif des patients atteints de pemphigoïde bulleuse au cours de la première année de traitement.

BACKGROUND: Since high doses of superpotent topical corticosteroids (CS) have been shown to improve the survival of bullous pemphigoid (BP) patients and to be more effective than oral CS, few studies have described the long-term course of the disease of these patients. We report the course of BP in the Limoges region of France based on patients diagnosed successively between 2002 and 2004. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-centre study of 54 BP patients diagnosed with BP, conducted by the Department of Dermatology of the Limoges University Hospital over a 3-year period. We investigated epidemiological data, initial symptoms, type of treatment received and outcome at six and 12 months. The two primary end-points were disease control at month 12 and the combined outcome of deaths and relapse over the one-year follow-up period. We calculated the number of deaths, patients lost to follow-up, relapses, and remission at months 6 and 12. RESULTS: Between January 2002 and December 2004, 54 new BP patients were diagnosed in the Limoges Department of Dermatology: 18 male and 36 female, median age 84 years. Forty patients were treated with superpotent topical CS, 14 required adjuvant immunosuppressant treatment (oral CS, methotrexate, dapsone, mycophenolate mofetil, leflunomide). Over the first 6 months, 28 patients could not be further investigated due to death (n = 20) or loss to follow-up (n = 8). In the 26 patients evaluable for treatment efficacy at month 6, control of the disease was achieved in 17 patients, and nine relapses were seen. The one-year Kaplan-Meier survival rate was 56%. Among the 23 patients evaluable at month 12, control of disease was achieved in 13 patients (complete remission without treatment, n = 2; remission with immunosuppressant treatment, n = 8). Therapeutic failure was concluded for 16 patients, eight of whom presented two relapses during the first year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Despite recent therapeutic recommendations for BP, the prognosis of this disease remains severe. The risk of relapse and mortality rates observed in this study should prompt the development of new therapeutic strategies to supplant superpotent topical CS and reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with the disease.

[Calciphylaxis treated by cinacalcet: a medical alternative to parathyroidectomy]. / Le traitement de la calciphylaxie par cinacalcet: une alternative médicale à la parathyroïdectomie.

Calciphylaxis is a rare necrotizing calcifying arteriolopathy, with a poor prognosis, for which there is currently no effective treatment. One of the major challenges of the therapy is normalizing the calcium-phosphate balance. Therefore, cinacalcet, which inhibit the production of parathormone by negative feedback, was considered a treatment option to control the evolution of calciphylaxis in a dialysed patient suffering from cholangiocarcinoma.

[Ulcerated nodular lesions on extremities of patient undergoing treatment for glioblastoma on French Caribbean island of Martinique]. / Lésions nodulaires et ulcérées des membres chez un Martiniquais traité pour un glioblastome. Phaéohyphomycose à Exophiala spinifera.

Phaeohyphomycosis comprises a disparate group of cutaneous and systemic mycotic infections caused by dematiaceous fungi. The Exophiala genus includes more than 20 species. The purpose of this report is to describe a case of phaeohyphomycosis due to Exophiala spinifera in a patient under treatment for cerebral glioblastoma on the French Caribbean island of Martinique. A 73-year-old man who was undergoing treatment for a cerebral glioblastoma using radiotherapy, chemotherapy and systemic corticosteroids presented with ulcerated nodular lesions on all four extremities for several months. Histological and mycological examinations led to diagnosis of cutaneous phaeohyphomycoseis due to Exophiala spinifera. Treatment using itraconazole was initiated but the patient died from complications of glioblastoma. Phaeohyphomycosis is a rare and cosmopolitan mycosis. Infection due to Exophiala spinifera is uncommon in humans. It usually but not always occurs in immunocompromised hosts. Although cutaneous involvement is usually localized and has a favorable prognosis, disseminated forms may occur and can be life-threatening. Histological and mycological examinations are useful to confirm the diagnosis. Systematic antifungals with or without surgical resection are often effective. To our knowledge, only 15 reported cases of phaeohyphomycosis due to Exophiala spinifera have been reported up to now.

[The value of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of Bowen's disease]. / Intérêt de la photothérapie dynamique topique dans la prise en charge de la maladie de Bowen.

BACKGROUND: While the standard treatments for Bowen's disease (BD) (surgery, cryotherapy and antimitotic agents) are efficient, they are associated with extensive scarring. In this paper we confirm that photodynamic therapy using topical aminolevulinic acid provides effective treatment for this disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients with a total of 38 cases of BD were included in this retrospective single-centre study between 2001 and 2006. They were treated with photodynamic therapy using topical aminolevulinic acid (Metvix. The study criteria consisted of patient age and gender, site and area of lesions, number of patients with multiple patches of BD and/or large lesions, tolerance of the treatment, clinical response and quality of wound healing at 3, 6 and 12 months. Annual follow-up was conducted for five years. The probability of remission up to 60 months after treatment was determined by means of survival analysis based on the variable-interval actuarial method. RESULTS: Seven men and 15 women of median age: 76 years (interquartile range: [69-82]) with 38 cases of Bowen's diseases were treated with photodynamic therapy. In terms of frequency, lesions were seen predominantly on the lower limbs (N=24) and face (N=10). Other lesions were seen on the trunk or back (N=4). The mean surface area of lesions was 8.62 cm2 (1-96 cm2). Eight patients were presenting multiple patches of BD (> or = three lesions), and large lesions were noted in 11 cases. The most common adverse effect was an immediate burning sensation, described by 32% of patients (n=7). Treatment was effective, with remission being achieved in all patients at 3 months of follow-up. Wound healing was optimal and without atrophy or cosmetic sequelae. The remission rate was 100% at 6 months, 95% at 12 months and 85% at 24 months. DISCUSSION: This open retrospective study confirmed the good efficacy of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of BD in terms of both clinical remission and cosmetic results. It enables easier treatment of large and/or multiple lesions than surgery. It is more suitable for elderly patients than either topical anticancer drugs, which require prolonged compliance, or surgery and cryotherapy, both of which result in slow-healing postoperative wounds. CONCLUSION: Since photodynamic therapy is a very costly therapeutic method, we feel that dynamic phototherapy should be used only for large and/or multifocal lesions or for lesions of the lower limbs in patients with chronic venous insufficiency.

[Verrucous carcinoma of the lower limbs]. / Carcinomes verruqueux des membres inférieurs.

BACKGROUND: Verrucous carcinoma is a rare, low-grade, slow-growing, well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma affecting the skin (particularly on the foot) and mucosa. The diagnosis is often delayed. We report a study of twelve cases of verrucous carcinoma of the lower limbs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied a series of 12 patients (8 women, 4 men) who developed verrucous carcinoma of the lower limbs between 1978 and 2005 and we analyzed their follow-up data. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 78 years (66-97 years). Eleven patients exhibited verrucous carcinoma in a previous lesion comprising varicose ulcer (5 cases), mixed ulcer (3 cases), burn (2 cases) or traumatic lesion (1 case). The mean time from onset of lesions to diagnosis was 28 years. Nine patients showed locoregional extension (8 bone involvement, 3 lymph node involvement). No visceral metastasis was detected. Three patients received medical treatment that proved ineffective. Two received secondary surgical treatment. Nine patients underwent surgery (6 amputations, 3 local excisions). Four patients were lost to follow-up, 4 died, 3 showed no recurrence and 1 had a chronic unhealed wound after surgery. DISCUSSION: Verrucous carcinoma of the lower limbs is a disease of the elderly, affecting both men and women, and occurring mainly on chronic venous ulcerations. The clinical presentation is evocative although histopathological diagnosis is difficult, particularly in the event of superinfection. Repeated and deep biopsies are needed to avoid delay in diagnosis. Extension is chiefly locoregional and visceral involvement is rare. Medical treatment is ineffective and may even be harmful, with surgery the best option. Regular monitoring is necessary because of the risk of relapse, although verrucous carcinoma does not seem to directly affect patient survival.

[One episode of meningoencephalitis, three diagnoses]. / Méningo-encéphalite herpétique, aciclovir et maladie VIH, une histoire en 3 actes.

Meningo-encephalitis is a set of threatening diseases. The treatment needs to be started quickly for pathogens such as herpes simplex virus type 1 or Listeria monocytogenes. Apart from these classical etiologies, many other diseases may induce meningo-encephalitis. We report the case of a patient, infected with HIV, who presented a history of meningo-encephalitis due to herpes simplex type 1. Three weeks later, he presented an encephalopathy due to aciclovir and then we discovered a chronic meningitis in relation with his HIV infection.

[Disseminated aspergillosis after intra-articular corticosteroid infiltrations]. / Aspergillose disséminée à point de départ articulaire après infiltrations.

Bone and joint infections due to Aspergillus are rare and occur more commonly in immunosuppressed patients. We report the case of an 84-year-old woman who developed septic arthritis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus after corticosteroid infiltration. This patient had presented with arthritis of the left knee for several months but no microorganism had been found despite numerous arthrocenteses. This arthritis was resistant to treatment by numerous corticosteroid infiltrations. During an arthroscopy, analysis of the synovial fluid yielded A. fumigatus. Thereafter, other explorations showed disseminated aspergillosis with osteo-articular destruction, blood and urinary dissemination. A systemic treatment by voriconazole associated to intra-articular injections and surgical debridement was initiated but the patient died. Septic arthritis caused by A. fumigatus is very rare but must be considered as a differential diagnosis of septic arthritis after corticosteroid infiltration. Their complications can be very important and destructive.