[Role of Musca domestica in the transmission of multiresistant bacteria in the centres of intensive care setting in sub-Saharan Africa]. / Rôle de Musca domestica dans la transmission des bactéries multirésistantes dans un service de réanimation en Afrique subsaharienne.

OBJECTIVE: The houseflies (Musca domestica -MD) are involved in the transmission of the diseases of the faecal danger in subsaharan Africa. What is their role in the transmission of multiresistant bacteria in an intensive care setting in Dakar? TYPE OF STUDY: Descriptive, forward-looking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted from May 1 to September 30, 2003. During this period a flytrap was put above every patient carrier of BMR (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus, extended spectrum beta-lactamases-enterobacteria, ticarcillin resistant Pseudomonas). Caught MD were carried to the microbiology laboratory and incubated in heart-brain broth at 37 degrees C for 18 hours. Then selective gelose platers were used for identification of bacteria. Comparison of antibiotic sensitivities of bacteria isolated from MD and from the patients was made. RESULTS: Out of 441 hospitalized patients, 26 were colonised or infected by BMR. Human pathogenic microorganisms were obtained from 99 out of 120 flies. Seventeen of those flies were carried of BMR. Six among these 17 flies had BMR with sensitivity profile and phenotype of resistance identical to those of the patients under the trap with birdlime. More 3 MD carried BMR BLSE not found on our patients. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the MD can carry BMR. Their participation in the crossed transmission, between patients, of multiresistant bacteria in intensive care setting, must be discussed. The eradication of the MD in our Africa subsaharan services must be looked for.

Biphasic-flow induced ventilation allows simultaneous ventilation in several animals, using a single multiple output ventilator--a preliminary report.

Biphasic-flow induced ventilation (BiFIV) is a variable time-cycled tracheal gas insufflation mode, using a specific multiluminal endotracheal tube. Some recent studies have reported efficiency of this new ventilatory mode in experimental in vitro and in vivo settings. We hypothesized that this ventilatory mode could be able to deliver simultaneous efficient ventilation for several animals, using a single ventilator prototype. The study was performed in three groups of three domestic pigs with a normal lung compliance. Each pig was initially anaesthetized, intubated with the specific endotracheal tube, and ventilated with a conventional ventilatory device. The animals were then simultaneously ventilated under BiFIV, using a single ventilator prototype, for each group of three animals. Physiological parameters and arterial blood gases were recorded at each study phase. All animals but one survived the experiment. We did not observe any significant differences in arterial gas exchange, under both ventilatory modes. Oxygenation was as efficient for each three animals ventilated under BiFIV, using a single ventilator device, as under conventional ventilation, using three separate ventilators (PaO2 = 112+/-17 mmHg under conventional ventilation versus 115+/-16 mmHg under BiFIV). In conclusion, variable time-cycled tracheal gas insufflation may allow an efficient multiple ventilation on several animals, using a single multiple output ventilatory device, in a normal lung animal model. If validated on subsequent pathological models, it could thus be interesting in laboratory and/or mass casualty situations.

[Effect of biflow-induced ventilation (BIFIV) on cerebral cortical blood flow in anesthesized rabbits with intracranial hypertension]. / Effet de la ventilation biphasique (BIFIV) sur le débit sanguin cérébral cortical du lapin anesthésié soumis à une hypertension intracrânienne.

This study compared the effect of biflow-induced ventilation (BIFIV) and conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) on cerebral cortical blood flow (CBF) of six anaesthetized rabbits with an intracranial pressure (ICP) at 45 mmHg. BIFIV did not improve CBF during increased ICP when compared to CMV.

[Continuous infusion of vancomycin in post-neurosurgical staphylococcal meningitis in adults]. / Vancomycine en perfusion continue dans les méningites à staphylocoques post-neurochirurgicales de l'adulte.

Eight adult patients with post-surgery meningitis caused by methicillin-resistant staphylococci were treated with continuous intravenous infusion of vancomycin in mean doses of 50 mg/kg/day. This treatment, which lasted 3 to 6 weeks, was well tolerated by the kidneys and resulted in cure in all cases; its effect on the ear was not evaluated. Stable concentrations of 4 to 7 mg/l in cerebrospinal fluid were obtained after the 48th hour of treatment.

[Intratracheal intubation without muscle relaxant with the use of remifentanil-propofol]. / Intubation trachéale sans myorelaxant avec l'association rémifentanil-propofol.

OBJECTIVES: To assess tracheal intubation conditions after induction of anaesthesia with remifentanil and propofol, using itemized scoring criteria. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical, prospective, open, non comparative trial. PATIENTS: One hundred consecutive patients undergoing surgery not requiring muscle relaxation, during the study period extended over 12 months. METHODS: After premedication with lorazepam (2 mg) the day before and hydroxyzine (100 mg) one hour before surgery, anaesthesia was induced with remifentanil administered continuously with a syringe pump at a rate of 1.20 +/- 0.06 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 and propofol (3 mg.kg-1 IV bolus). The trachea was intubated two minutes later and mouth opening, glottis exposure, glottis opening, movements, additional anaesthetic agents and chest rigidity were recorded. RESULTS: Intubation conditions were excellent in 87% of patients, and the tube was inserted rapidly, within two minutes. However in 38% of patients the cuff inflation caused cough. In 13%, glottis opening was delayed and intubation required three minutes. A major decrease of arterial pressure and heart rate was recorded in 9 and 6% of patients respectively. CONCLUSION: Induction of anaesthesia using remifentanil and propofol allows satisfactory tracheal intubation without a muscle relaxant. However this technique is contraindicated: a) in patients with a full stomach, as intubation is not always successful at the first attempt; b) in patients scheduled to undergo neurosurgery or ophthalmic surgery, as tracheal intubation may elicit cough, increasing intra-cranial and intra-ocular pressure; c) in patients in poor circulatory status, as it decreases significantly arterial pressure and heart rate.

[Abstract envenomation by the African puff adder (Bitis arietans): value of intracompartmental pressure measurement]. / Morsure par vipère Bitis arietans au Sénégal, intérêt de la mesure de pression intracompartimentale.

The purpose of this report is to describe a case of severe snake bite with envenomation by an African puff adder (Bitis arietans). Presenting symptoms warranted administration of antivenon upon admission. The patient's general condition improved. However bite-related trauma caused extensive phlyctenuar edema of the lower extremity with a high risk of compartimental syndrome due to hardening and compression. Due to the high risk for postoperative infection at our facility, aponevrotomy to relief pressure was not undertaken immediately. Instead management consisted in close surveillance with repeated measurement of peripheral pulses by Doppler ultrasound and of intracompartimental pressure. The outcome was favorable without need for aponevrotomy. This case demonstrates the value of intracompartimental pressure measurement in cases involving this type of envenomation in function of available technical facilities.

[Markers of viral hepatitis B and D and levels of alanine aminotransferase in military blood donors: a profile of 30,000 blood donations in 1989]. / Marqueurs des hépatites virales B et D et taux des alanine aminotransférases chez les donneurs de sang en milieu militaire: bilan sur 30,000 dons de sang en 1989.

Serologic data for B and D viral hepatitis are studied on 30,000 military blood donors. Because of legal norms of blood products for transfusion 761 donations (2.53% have been destroyed). Exclusion criteria for viral B hepatitis and ALT are independent. In this study the prevalency of HBV infections is significantly lower than for other blood centers: probably in account of the young age of military blood donors.

Morsure par vipere bitis arietans au Senegal; interet de la mesure de pression intracompartimentale

The purpose of this report is to describe a case of seve re snake bite with enve n o m ation by an A f rican puff adder(Bitis arietans). Presenting symptoms warranted administration of antivenon upon admission. The patient's ge n e ral condition improved. However bite-related trauma caused extensive phlyctenuar edema of the lower extremity with a high risk of compartimental syndrome due to hardening and compression. Due to the high risk for postoperative infection at our facility; apon ev ro t o my to relief pressure was not undert a ken immediately. Instead management consisted in close surveillance with rep e ated measurement of peripheral pulses by Doppler ultrasound and of intracompartimental pressure. The outcome was favo rabl e without need for aponevro t o my. This case demonstrates the value of intra c o m p a rtimental pressure measurement in cases invo lving this type of envenomation in function of available technical facilities