Selective digestive decontamination in multiple trauma patients: cost and efficacy.

A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy and the cost of selective digestive decontamination (SDD) to prevent nosocomial pneumonia in multiple-trauma patients. Nosocomial infections, particularly pneumonia, were more frequent in the placebo group. The most common infectious agent was Staphylococcus: Staphylococcus aureus in the placebo group and Staphylococcus epidermidis in the SDD group. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis was detected more often in the SDD group. No methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was observed in this study. Fewer patients in the SDD group required antibiotherapy. SDD resulted in a saving of about 41% in drug expenditure.

[Spatial and temporal variations of the quantities of pollen from Cupressaceae-Taxaceae collected in Marseilles]. / Variations spatiales et temporelles des quantités de pollen de Cupressacées-Taxacées recueillies à Marseille.

Marseille has two sites (Centre and North) where airborne pollens are collected and counted. The most numerous pollens are from Cupressaceae Taxaceae. We compared the quantities collected with both pollen traps during February, March and April 1988 and 1989. Most of pollinization takes place in March. In Marseille's Centre, there were three times more trapped pollen during 1989 than in 1988. In 1989, there was 40% more pollen on northern site as compared with the other one. As indicated in 1989 with both sites, it suggests a circadian periodicity of Cupressaceae Taxaceae pollen: their highest count is usually between 9 and 11 hours a.m.