Outcome of patients with streptococcal prosthetic joint infections with special reference to rifampicin combinations.

BACKGROUND: Outcome of patients with streptococcal prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) is not well known. METHODS: We performed a retrospective multicenter cohort study that involved patients with total hip/knee prosthetic joint (THP/TKP) infections due to Streptococcus spp. from 2001 through 2009. RESULTS: Ninety-five streptococcal PJI episodes (50 THP and 45 TKP) in 87 patients of mean age 69.1 ± 13.7 years met the inclusion criteria. In all, 55 out of 95 cases (57.9 %) were treated with debridement and retention of the infected implants with antibiotic therapy (DAIR). Rifampicin-combinations, including with levofloxacin, were used in 52 (54.7 %) and 28 (29.5 %) cases, respectively. After a mean follow-up period of 895 days (IQR: 395-1649), the remission rate was 70.5 % (67/95). Patients with PJIs due to S. agalactiae failed in the same proportion as in the other patients (10/37 (27.1 %) versus 19/58 (32.7 %); p = .55). In the univariate analysis, antibiotic monotherapy, DAIR, antibiotic treatments other than rifampicin-combinations, and TKP were all associated with a worse outcome. The only independent variable significantly associated with the patients' outcomes was the location of the prosthesis (i.e., hip versus knee) (OR = 0.19; 95 % CI 0.04-0.93; p value 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of streptococcal PJIs may not be as good as previously reported, especially for patients with an infected total knee arthroplasty. Rifampicin combinations, especially with levofloxacin, appear to be suitable antibiotic regimens for these patients.

[Usefulness of assessing hydration status in elderly patients over 70 years with suspected deep vein thrombosis]. / Intérêt de l'évaluation de l'état d'hydratation chez les patients âgés de plus de 70 ans présentant une suspicion de thrombose veineuse profonde.

INTRODUCTION: Venous thromboembolism and dehydration are frequent conditions in elderly. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of dehydration in patients aged over 70 years suspected of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). METHODS: This is a prospective observational study that included patients aged over 70 years and suspected of deep vein thrombosis. Clinical and biological dehydration was diagnosed on the presence of a skin fold, a weight loss≥5%, a thirst, a plasmatic osmolality>295 mOsm/L or blood urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio>20. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-four patients (mean age 81.8±5.8 years) were included. A diagnosis of DVT was retained in 97 patients. Clinical dehydration was not more frequent in the DVT+ group (37.2% vs 35.1%). At baseline, 69.1% of DVT+ patients and 53.2% of DVT- patients had a plasma osmolality greater than 295 mosm/L (NS). BUN/creatinine ratio greater than 20 was found in 58.8% of DVT+ patients and 72.3% of DVT- patients (NS). Clinical and biological dehydration was present in 28.6% of DVT+ patients and in 33.3% of DVT- patients (NS). The positive predictive value of the Wells score≥3 was 86.5%, and negative predictive value of a Wells score≤0 was 85%. CONCLUSION: The presence of dehydration does not appear predictive of the occurrence of DVT and does not influence the statistical performance of the Wells score in elderly patients.

[Hypothyroidism as the result of drug interaction between ferrous sulfate and levothyroxine]. / Hypothyroïdie secondaire à une interaction médicamenteuse entre lévothyroxine et sels de fer.

We report a case of drug-drug interaction between ferrous sulfate and l-thyroxin. A 95-year-old woman treated successfully with l-thyroxin for many years received ferrous sulfate for anemia. This association led rapidly to recurrence of hypothyroidism with elevated serum than TSH level which completely resolved after withdrawal of iron therapy. Interaction was confirmed after both drugs were daily administrated separately without recurrence of hypothyroidism.