[Double-blind controlled study of the efficacy of nifuroxazide versus placebo in the treatment of acute diarrhea in adults]. / Etude contrôlée en double aveugle de l'efficacité du nifuroxazide versus placebo dans le traitement de la diarrhée aiguë de l'adulte.

In a double-blind, controlled randomized trial, 88 adult patients with acute diarrhea (more than three watery stools per day) received either 400 mg of nifuroxazide twice daily or placebo for 5 days. The mean duration of diarrhea in the nifuroxazide group was 2.09 days versus 3.26 days in the placebo group (p less than 0.004). The number of bowel movements per day diminished and mucus disappeared more quickly in patients treated by nifuroxazide than in patients of the placebo group. Nifuroxazide was well tolerated and no side effects were observed. Nifuroxazide is an effective therapy for acute diarrhea and can be prescribed from the onset of diarrhea without waiting for stool culture results which can be late or negative.

[Longitudinal study of the relation between environmental conditions and the health of patients in a long-stay hospital]. / Etude longitudinale sur les relations entre les conditions d'environnement et la santé des pensionnaires d'un hôpital de long séjour.

A longitudinal survey has been conducted for a 30-month period in the long-term care hospital of Ivry, in Paris urban area. 1500 people were medically monitored daily by the doctors who were in charge of each unit of the hospital; each individual pathological event was exactly recorded, with complete development. This follow-up permitted to report 6300 acute illnesses. Environmental physical parameters (NOx, SO2, particulates, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure) were recorded indoors and outdoors during the whole period. The relation of environmental conditions to health has been studied with the cross-correlations method, applied to respiratory disease incidence rates and physical parameters series. It appeared that only NOx was significantly related to an increase of respiratory disease incidence rates.

[Will Naegleria fowleri become a public health problem?]. / Les Naegleria Fowleri poseront-elles un probleme de santé publique?

Primary amebic meningoencephalitis due Naegleria Fowleri is a rare disease. Less than 100 cases have been published and non have been described in France. Historical, clinical, taxonomical and epidemiological aspects of this infection are reviewed. The recent publication of a case which resolved under treatment and the discovery of Naegleria Fowleri in French warm waters incite to carry on pathogenetic and immunological research and field investigations for this parasite in order to understand its ecology.

[Influence of atmospheric pollution by sulfur products and dusts on public health. I. - Method problems (author's transl)]. / Influence sur la santé publique de la pollution atmospherique par les dérivés soufrés et les poussières.

Since the great atmospheric pollution accidents from sulfur oxides and suspended particulate matters, the concentrations of these pollutants have notably reduced. The experimental concentrations which are necessary to obtain results are even more important than these "historical" concentrations. Among the aggregate of epidemiologic surveys regarding these problems, some find a relationship between strong concentrations of pollution and morbidity and mortality. Such results are explained by references to experimental and metrologic knowledge. As far as epidemiological problems are concerned infectious and meteorological factors have to be eliminated to determine which is the place of atmospheric pollution. But such a place in all respects being so small, has to be defined in a more precise way. One cannot be certain whether the improvement of epidemiological and metrological methods may give more conclusive results, taking into account the foreseeable reduction of the pollution in the years to come.

[Convulsive seizures and polyneuritis in a patient with lupus treated with metronidazole (author's transl)]. / Crises convulsives et polynévrite chez un lupique traité par le Métronidazole.

A 20-year-old patient with biologically-confirmed lupus developed a perirenal abscess following puncture biopsy of the kidney. Postoperative treatment included metronidazole at a mean dose of 2.5 g daily for 68 days (total dose : 165 g). Generalised convulsive seizures occurred on four occasions, associated with paresthesia of the four limbs, but without loss of motor or reflex activity, though some distal hypoesthesia was detected. An acute lupus attack was eliminated, the convulsive seizures not recurring after discontinuation of treatment, and the paresthesias diminishing progressively over a period of three months. Electrical investigations showed lack of motor anomalies but a marked reduction in sensory conduction. This is the 13th reported case of polyneuritis due to metronidazole, the 4th case of convulsive seizures, and the first case in which both manifestations occurred. The plasma concentration curve after oral administration of 1 g of the product to this patient demonstrated that the product was not being metabolised in a pathological manner.

[Effect of a buzepide metiodide-haloperidol combination in treating functional intestinal disorders. Randomized double-blind controlled versus placebo study]. / Effet de l'association métiodure de buzépide-halopéridol dans le traitement des troubles fonctionnels intestinaux. Etude randomisée en double-aveugle contrôlée contre placebo.

The efficacy and safety of a combination of buzepide metiodide and haloperidol was assessed in a placebo-controlled double-blind trial during 2 months in 224 patients (154 women, 79 men) with the irritable bowel syndrome. The 2 groups were comparable at inclusion. The efficacy was assessed at days 15, 30 and 60. Inclusion and assessment criteria were clinical, abdominal pain being considered as the main assessment criterion. The combination proved statistically better than placebo on the frequency of symptoms at all visits and on the intensity of the most frequent symptoms (abdominal pain and distension) at the final visit. A previously defined global assessment score was found significantly better in favor of the treated group at day 15 and day 30. At the final visit, the score of a visual scale assessing the patient's global impression was also found significantly better on the combination, There was no serious side-effect. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the efficacy and safety of a combination of buzepide metiodide and haloperidol in patients with the irritable bowel syndrome.