Investigation of a COVID-19 outbreak on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, March to April 2020: a retrospective cohort study.

BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 emergence was a threat for armed forces. A COVID-19 outbreak occurred on the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle from mid-March to mid-April 2020.AimTo understand how the virus was introduced, circulated then stopped circulation, risk factors for infection and severity, and effectiveness of preventive measures.MethodsWe considered the entire crew as a cohort and collected personal, clinical, biological, and epidemiological data. We performed viral genome sequencing and searched for SARS-CoV-2 in the environment.ResultsThe attack rate was 65% (1,148/1,767); 1,568 (89%) were included. The male:female ratio was 6.9, and median age was 29 years (IQR: 24-36). We examined four clinical profiles: asymptomatic (13.0%), non-specific symptomatic (8.1%), specific symptomatic (76.3%), and severe (i.e. requiring oxygen therapy, 2.6%). Active smoking was not associated with severe COVID-19; age and obesity were risk factors. The instantaneous reproduction rate (Rt) and viral sequencing suggested several introductions of the virus with 4 of 5 introduced strains from within France, with an acceleration of Rt when lifting preventive measures. Physical distancing prevented infection (adjusted OR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.40-0.76). Transmission may have stopped when the proportion of infected personnel was large enough to prevent circulation (65%; 95% CI: 62-68).ConclusionNon-specific clinical pictures of COVID-19 delayed detection of the outbreak. The lack of an isolation ward made it difficult to manage transmission; the outbreak spread until a protective threshold was reached. Physical distancing was effective when applied. Early surveillance with adapted prevention measures should prevent such an outbreak.

COVID-19 outbreak among French firefighters, Marseille, France, 2020.

We investigated a COVID-19 outbreak at a fire station in Marseille, France. Confirmed cases were defined as individuals with positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and/or neutralising antibodies. All 85 firefighters at work during the outbreak period were included after questioning and sampled for RT-PCR and viral neutralisation assay. Twenty-three firefighters were confirmed positive, 19 of them were symptomatic, and four asymptomatic cases were confirmed by virus neutralisation. A total of 22 firefighters had specific neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Neutralising antibodies were found in four asymptomatic and 18 symptomatic cases. Eleven symptomatic cases had high titres (≥ 1:80). The earliest detection of neutralising antibodies was 7 days after symptom onset, and 80% had neutralising antibodies 15 days after onset. One viral culture was positive 13 days after onset. The attack rate was 27%. We identified two introductions of the virus in this outbreak, through a presymptomatic and a paucisymptomatic case. Asymptomatic cases were not the source of a third generation of cases, although they worked without wearing a mask, indicating that asymptomatic cases did not play a significant role in this outbreak. Management and strategy based on early research of clinical signs associated with self-quarantine was effective.

Lessons learned from the investigation of a COVID-19 cluster in Creil, France: effectiveness of targeting symptomatic cases and conducting contact tracing around them.

BACKGROUND: This study presents the methods and results of the investigation into a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in a professional community. Due to the limited testing capacity available in France at the time, we elaborated a testing strategy according to pre-test probability. METHODS: The investigation design combined active case finding and contact tracing around each confirmed case with testing of at-risk contact persons who had any evocative symptoms (n = 88). One month later, we performed serology testing to test and screen symptomatic and asymptomatic cases again (n = 79). RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were confirmed (14 with RT-PCR and 10 with serology). The attack rate was 29% (24/83). Median age was 40 (24 to 59), and the sex ratio was 15/12. Only three cases were asymptomatic (= no symptoms at all, 13%, 95% CI, 3-32). Nineteen symptomatic cases (79%, 95% CI, 63-95) presented a respiratory infection, two of which were severe. All the RT-PCR confirmed cases acquired protective antibodies. Median incubation was 4 days (from 1 to 13 days), and the median serial interval was 3 days (0 to 15). We identified pre-symptomatic transmission in 40% of this cluster, but no transmission from asymptomatic to symptomatic cases. CONCLUSION: We report the effective use of targeted testing according to pre-test probability, specifically prioritizing symptomatic COVID-19 diagnosis and contact tracing. The asymptomatic rate raises questions about the real role of asymptomatic infected people in transmission. Conversely, pre-symptomatic contamination occurred frequently in this cluster, highlighting the need to identify, test, and quarantine asymptomatic at-risk contact persons (= contact tracing). The local lockdown imposed helped reduce transmission during the investigation period.

Nutrition and mortality in the elderly over 10 years of follow-up: the Three-City study.

In the last 20 years, many prospective cohort studies have assessed the relationships between food consumption and mortality. Result interpretation is mainly hindered by the limited adjustment for confounders and, to a lesser extent, the small sample sizes. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between dietary habits and all-cause mortality in a multicentre prospective cohort that included non-institutionalised, community-based elderly individuals (Three-City Study). A brief FFQ was administered at baseline. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % CI for all-cause mortality were estimated relative to the consumption frequency of several food groups, using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for sex, centre, socio-demographic characteristics and health status indicators. Among the 8937 participants (mean age: 74·2 years, 60·7 % women), 2016 deaths were recorded during an average follow-up of 9 years. The risk of death was significantly lower among subjects with the highest fruit and vegetable consumption (HR 0·90; 95 % CI 0·82, 0·99, P=0·03) and with regular fish consumption (HR 0·89; 95 % CI 0·81, 0·97, P=0·01). The benefit of olive oil use was found only in women (moderate olive oil use: HR 0·80; 95 % CI 0·68, 0·94, P=0·007; intensive use: HR 0·72; 95 % CI 0·60, 0·85, P=0·0002). Conversely, daily meat consumption increased the mortality risk (HR 1·12; 95 % CI, 1·01, 1·24, P=0·03). No association was found between risk of death and diet diversity and use of various fats. These findings suggest that fruits/vegetables, olive oil and regular fish consumptions have a beneficial effect on the risk of death, independently of the socio-demographic features and the number of medical conditions.

A Nursing Survey on Nutritional Care Practices in French-Speaking Pediatric Intensive Care Units: NutriRéa-Ped 2014.

OBJECTIVES: Malnutrition in critically ill children contributes to morbidity and mortality. The French-speaking pediatric intensive care nutrition group (NutriSIP) aims to promote optimal nutrition through education and research. METHODS: The NutriSIP-designed NutriRéa-Ped study included a cross-sectional survey. This 62-item survey was sent to the nursing teams of all of the French-speaking pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) to evaluate nurses' nutrition knowledge and practices. One nurse per PICU was asked to answer and describe the practices of their team. RESULTS: Of 44 PICUs, 40 responded in Algeria, Belgium, Canada, France, Lebanon, Luxemburg, and Switzerland. The majority considered nutrition as a priority care but only 12 of the 40 (30%) had a nutrition support team, 26 of the 40 (65%) had written nutrition protocols, and 19 of 39 (49%) nursing teams felt confident with the nutrition goals. Nursing staff generally did not know how to determine nutritional requirements or to interpret malnutrition indices. They were also unaware of reduced preoperative fasting times and fast-track concepts. In 17 of 35 (49%) PICUs, the target start time for enteral feeding was within the first 24 hours; however, frequent interruptions occurred because of neuromuscular blockade, fasting for extubation or surgery, and high gastric residual volumes. Combined pediatric neonatal intensive care units were less likely to perform systematic nutritional assessment and to start enteral nutrition rapidly. CONCLUSIONS: We found a large variation in nursing practices around nutrition, exacerbated by the lack of nutritional guidelines but also because of the inadequate nursing knowledge around nutritional factors. These findings encourage the NutriSIP to improve nutrition through focused education programs and research.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Perforator-Pedicled Propeller Flaps in Lower Extremity Defects: Identification of Risk Factors for Complications.

BACKGROUND: Currently, increased interest in the perforator-pedicled propeller flap should not obscure the fact that it is, in reality, a complex procedure requiring experience and monitoring similar to free flaps. Through a meta-analysis, the authors aimed to identify the risk factors of perforator-pedicled propeller flap failure in lower extremity defects. METHODS: The MEDLINE, PubMed Central, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched from 1991 to May of 2014 for articles describing perforator-pedicled propeller flaps in the lower extremity. The study selection met the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Fixed-effects models were used. RESULTS: Forty articles complied with the inclusion criteria, representing 428 perforator-pedicled propeller flaps. The most common cause was posttraumatic (55.2 percent). Most of the defects were at the distal third of the lower leg (45.6 percent). The arc of rotation was 180 degrees for 34.3 percent. Complications were found in 25.2 percent, including partial necrosis (10.2 percent) and complete necrosis (3.5 percent). Complete flap survival was found in 84.3 percent. The authors identified three significant risk factors: age older than 60 years (relative risk, 1.61; p = 0.03), diabetes (relative risk, 2.00; p = 0.02), and arteriopathy (relative risk, 3.12; p = 0.01). No significant results were found regarding smoking status other than a tendency (p = 0.06), acute cause (p = 0.59), posttraumatic cause (p = 0.97), distal third of the lower leg (p = 0.66), fascia inclusion (p = 0.70), and pedicle rotation greater than 120 degrees (p = 0.41). CONCLUSION: Age older than 60 years, diabetes, and arteriopathy are significant risk factors of perforator-pedicled propeller flap complications in the lower extremity. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, IV.

Nutrient deficiencies in patients with obesity considering bariatric surgery: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional deficiencies are common after bariatric surgery, but few studies have examined them preoperatively. The objective of this study was to evaluate several vitamins, nutrients, and nutritional markers and their determinants in patients with obesity considering bariatric surgery. METHODS: Preoperative values of fasting plasma glucose, insulin, lipid profile, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), parathyroid hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, calcium, phosphate, albumin, magnesium, total proteins, liver function tests, iron, ferritin, folate, vitamin A, vitamin B12, selenium, and zinc were evaluated in 267 Caucasian outpatients (74.2% women, aged 40.5±12.6 years) who were considering bariatric surgery. The determinants of nutrient variability were analyzed by linear regression for nutrients with a prevalence of deficiency>10%, i.e., serum 25(OH)D, iron, phosphate, magnesium, and vitamin A. RESULTS: Prevalence of inadequate concentrations was high for 25(OH)D (67.9% with values ≤ 20 ng/mL), magnesium (35.4%), phosphate (21.6%), iron (18.8%), and vitamin A (16.9%). Multiple deficiencies were common; 28.5%, 12.1%, and 6.3% of patients had 2, 3, and 4 deficiencies, respectively. In multivariate analyses, metabolic characteristics had an important impact on deficiencies, with lower values of 25(OH)D and vitamin A with increasing body mass index, lower values of 25(OH)D and magnesium with increasing fasting plasma glucose, and a positive correlation between vitamin A and triglycerides. Elevated TSH was associated with low iron concentrations. CONCLUSION: At all ages, micronutrient deficiencies were common, with high prevalence of concentration inadequacies for 25(OH)D, magnesium, phosphate, iron, and vitamin A. High body mass index and high fasting plasma glucose increased the risk of deficiencies, particularly for 25(OH)D. Preoperative screening and correction of deficiencies should be advised.

Polycystic ovary-like syndrome in adolescent competitive swimmers.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential effects of intensive swimming on clinical and hormonal pubertal development in adolescent girls and to determine whether hyperandrogenism contributes to menstrual disorders. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Endocrinology and gynecology pediatric units of academic hospitals. PATIENT(S): Eighteen competitive swimmers and 18 age-matched control subjects with breast stages IV or V. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical, biologic, and ultrasonographic investigations. RESULT(S): A high number of cases of hyperandrogenism was seen in swimmers compared with control subjects (n = 11 vs. n = 5 with T level >0.5 ng/mL), as well as a higher LH/FSH ratio (1.5 vs. 0.9) and SHBG level (58.4 vs. 39.5 nmol/L) and more oligomenorrhea (n = 9 vs. n = 4). Half of the swimmers with hyperandrogenism presented pauci- or multifollicular ovaries determined by pelvic ultrasound. Free T was not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION(S): Hyperandrogenism and oligomenorrhea may be part of the spectrum of polycystic ovary syndrome in elite swimmers. Our findings suggest that hyperandrogenism may have preceded the intensive training of these swimmers and may have predisposed the choice of sport for these girls. Intensive swimming may in turn have attenuated the clinical expression of their hyperandrogenism. Follow-up after the cessation of intensive activity would be helpful to evaluate the endocrine and metabolic profiles of these swimmers.

Recurrent pleomorphic adenoma: results of surgical treatment.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent parotid pleomorphic adenoma surgery increases the risk of facial nerve injury, and there is also a risk of ulterior recurrence. METHODS: Postoperative results from 62 consecutive patients operated for recurrent pleomorphic adenoma were analyzed. It was the first recurrence for 49 patients (79%), the second or more for 13 patients (21%). RESULTS: Total parotidectomy was performed in 69.4% of cases. Skin resection was performed in 47 patients (75.8%). Resection of a facial nerve branch was performed in seven patients (11.3%). Pathologic examination findings revealed carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma in 10/62 cases (16.1%) and microscopic multinodular disease in 39 patients (62.9%). Nine patients had preoperative facial palsy, 95% had postoperative facial paralysis ≥ grade II (House-Brackmann scale), and 11.3% still had ≥ grade III facial palsy after 1 year. Six patients developed another recurrence after our intervention (9.68%). Moreover, carcinoma was discovered after a new intervention in 40% of these patients. Initial partial parotid surgery [hazard ratio (HR) = 8.477, P = 0.008], microscopic multinodular recurrent disease (HR = 11.717, P = 0.005), and ≥ 1 recurrence number (HR = 10.608, P = 0.01) were associated with increased risk of ulterior recurrence. CONCLUSION: Surgery is recommended in pleomorphic adenoma recurrence because of the high rate of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (16.1%). Nevertheless, a definitive facial paralysis ≥ grade III rate of 11.3% is reported after multiple nerve dissection. New recurrence after surgery is less frequent if the initial treatment for pleomorphic adenoma is total parotidectomy.