Precocious thymic involution manifest by epithelial injury in the acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Thymuses from six heterosexual Haitian patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) were studied by light microscopy and the findings were compared with those from three control groups. The control groups included 1) five age-matched Haitian hospital patients; 2) ten age- and sex-matched Montreal patients who had died suddenly or had had brief illnesses; and 3) 20 middle-elderly Montreal patients who had experienced chronic, wasting illnesses or prolonged hospitalization. Thymuses from patients with AIDS demonstrated pronounced involution, effacement of the cortex and medulla, marked thymocyte depletion, variable degrees of plasma cell infiltration and fibrosis, and, above all, absence of Hassall's corpuscles. Thymuses from Haitian and Montreal control subjects who had died suddenly or had brief illnesses demonstrated minimal involution and abundant Hassall's corpuscles. Although thymuses from 12 of the chronically ill control subjects demonstrated marked involution, architectural effacement, and absence of Hassall's corpuscles, partial architectural preservation and variable numbers of Hassall's corpuscles were observed in eight of these subjects. Thus, the extent of thymic involution observed in patients with AIDS antedates that incurred with aging and supersedes that induced by sustained stress and inanition. The loss of Hassall's corpuscles in patients with AIDS suggests that the thymic epithelium either incurs a form of injury or undergoes precocious involution during the illness. Whether this lesion is central to the pathogenesis of AIDS or merely a reflection of intense, sustained stress coupled with accelerated physiologic involution is unknown. It is possible that the disappearance of Hassall's corpuscles may indicate important, although as yet cryptic events within the thymic microenvironment in this syndrome.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome: specific aspects of the disease in Haiti.

PIP: This paper presents clinical data on 41 patients (29 male and 12 female) from Haiti who presented with acquired immunedeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Their mean age was 32 years (range 17-61 years). 4 of thes cases were homosexual or bisexual; none was an illicit drug user or a hemophiliac. In addition, 3 of the female patients had sexual contact with a male partner with AIDS. 4 patients had received blood transfusions before their illness. The most prominent clinical symptom in this series was chronic diarrhea of 2-33 months' duration, which occurrred in 39 patients (95%). Also reporte were marked weight loss (95%), fatigue (95%), prolonger fever (90%), and nodular or maculopapular skin lesions (54%). Opportunistic infections in this series included oroesophageal candidiasis (88%) and intestinal cryptosporidiosis (31%). Tuberculosis developed in 22% of patients. Immunologic evaluation revealed profoundly depressed T-helper cells and an inverted T-helper/T-suppressor cell ratio. Biologic markers included elevated alpha-1 thymosin and beta-2 microglobulin levels, elevated immune complexes, and the presence of acid-labile interferon. Of interest were differences in the clinical expression of AIDS between this series and cases in the US. The Haitian data suggest a higher incidencs of female cases,a predominance of gastrointestinal symptoms rather than respiratory symptoms and lymphadenopathy, a frequent association with tuberculosis, and a relatively low incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma or P. carinii pneumonia compared to the situation in the US. As in the US, where most AIDS cases are concentrated in New York and California, most AIDS cases in Haiti are found in residents of Port-au-Prince and Carrefour, which are centers for male and female prostitution.^ieng

Clinical biological features of Ballantyne syndrome and the role of placental hydrops.

Ballantyne syndrome was first described in association with severe hydrops fetalis caused by rhesus isoimmunization, and lately, in association with diverse etiologies of nonimmunological severe fetal hydrops. This report is a case of typical Ballantyne syndrome in association with lethal hydrops fetalis caused by Ebstein's anomaly. It is likely that any severe fetal hydrops with massive placental hydrops may produce Ballantyne syndrome. Hemodilution could be the main biological feature, differentiating Ballantyne syndrome from usual preeclamptic syndromes. Pathophysiological hypotheses are discussed.

Polymicrobial meningitis revealing an anterior sacral meningocele in a 23-year-old woman.

Polymicrobial meningitis has become increasingly rare during recent decades. Historically, it has mainly been reported as being associated with disorders of the ENT-sphere. The treatment of these infections being optimized, polymicrobial meningitis nowadays is essentially a complication of gastrointestinal or gynaecological disorders and trauma. We present a case of polymicrobial meningitis following puncture of a unrecognized pre-sacral meningocele in a patient with Currarino syndrome and review of the relevant literature.

Streptococcus B meningitis in post-partum.

We report a case of post-partum meningitis due to group B-streptococcus developing 24 h after vaginal delivery. Diagnosis was established by latex agglutination of streptococcus B-antigenes and confirmed by cerebrospinal fluid-culture later on. Clinical and haematological signs of meningitis disappeared after treatment with ampicillin. In a review of the literature we found eight other cases of streptococcal post-partum meningitis. In all of these cases, delivery was vaginal and no antibioprophylaxis was given.

[Neurologic toxicity of methotrexate in a patient with cerebral arteritis. Report of a case]. / Toxicité neurologique du méthotrexate avec artérite cérébrale. Un cas.

We report the case of an 18 year-old woman treated for femoral osteogenic sarcoma who presented generalized seizures requiring sedation, tracheal intubation and artificial ventilation. CT brain scan showed diffuse hypodensities. Doppler studies showed an increased cerebral arterial resistance. Regional cerebral blood flow was decreased. A right carotid angiogram showed abnormalities consistent with diffuse cerebral arteritis. The patient slowly recovered and 6 weeks later, magnetic resonance imaging showed disseminated areas of hyposignal on T1 and hypersignal on T2 weighted images. We reviewed the different published cases of acute high dose methotrexate neurotoxicity and the different underlying mechanisms.

[Thrombosis of the basilar trunk in a young woman previously treated by radiotherapy for malignant lymphoma]. / Thrombose du tronc basilaire chez une jeune femme précédemment traitée par radiothérapie pour lymphome malin.

We report the case of a 23-year-old-woman, who had received mediastinal radiotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Five years later, she presented a basal artery thrombosis. Arteriography showed an ectopic origin of the left vertebral artery on the aortic arch located within the irradiation field. This artery was irregular and narrowed up to 15 cm from its origin. All other cerebral arteries were normal. We reviewed the literature of other observations describing radiation-induced cervical arteritis.

[Encephalitis and hepatitis after varicella. Relations with Reye's syndrome]. / Encéphalite et hépatite au décours d'une varicelle. Rapports avec le syndrome de Reye.

We report the case of a 32 year old man who present two weeks after a typical varicella an alteration of consciousness with pleocytosis in the cerebrospinal fluid and abnormalities of EEG and CT Scan. An hepatic dysfunction with cytolysis and a high level of transaminases and ammonia was noted. About this case the author precise the encephalitic complication of varicella, and the different liver abnormalities, such as Reye's syndrome, hepatitis with parcellar necrosis, or hepatitis with hyperammonemia but without cytolysis or necrosis, as in our own.

[Cutaneous diphtheria]. / La dipthérie cutanée.

Cutaneous diphtheria, frequently seen in tropical areas, is uncommon in developed countries. As seen in the recent epidemics in western countries, where it turned out to be an important factor of dissemination, there is a persisting risk of diphtheria. A perfect knowledge of the clinical manifestations and factors of risk and consequent vaccination is necessary to eradicate diphtheria.

[Gas gangrene disclosing colonic cancer. Role of synergistic gangrene]. / Gangrène gazeuse révélant un cancer colique. Place de la gangrène synergistique.

After reporting a case of synergistic gas gangrene of the retroperitoneum spreading to the thigh, revealing a carcinoma of the descending colon, the authors review the symptomatology and management of synergistic gas gangrene defined as a gas gangrene due to anaerobic non clostridial bacilli, and aerobic flora and emphasize the exceptional nature of its association with a carcinoma of the colon.

[Optimizing antibiotic therapy in a hospital setting]. / Optimisation de l'antibiothérapie curative à l'hôpital.

Optimal use of antibiotics in hospitalized patients raises several problems. i) Does the patient really have an infection treatable with antibiotics? Currently, there are no clinical or biological data which can resolve this question with sufficient sensitivity and specificity. ii) Are microbial samples warranted before starting treatment? All bacteria isolated from cerebrospinal, ascitis, pleural or articular fluids are pathogens whereas a quantitative assessment is required for bacteria isolated from the upper or lower respiratory tract. iii) If an antibiotic is needed should a single drug or a multiple drug regimen be prescribed? Twenty years ago two-drug regimens were necessary. Synergism and better spectrum were the keystones of two-drug therapy. Today, single-drug regimens are sufficient except in case of Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas or some Enterobacteriacae infections. iv) Which administration route is best? In hospitalized patients, the parenteral route is generally used with a rapid switch to oral administration, usually within 48 hours. v) How long should the antibiotics be given? Treatment duration depends on the bacteria, the patient and the organ involved. vi) How can resistance be avoided? Rotating between antibiotics has been proposed to reduce the emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria, although this concept remains to be validated by controlled studies.

[Secondary lung diseases in patients with nasotracheal intubation. Role of nosocomial sinusitis]. / Pneumopathies secondaires du sujet intubé par voie nasotrachéale. Rôle des sinusites nosocomiales.

Nosocomial pneumonia is a frequent infectious complication in ICU patients. All the patients with prolonged nasotracheal intubation presenting with nosocomial pneumonia according to Salata's criteria were examined for sinusitis in the prospective study. Diagnosis was confirmed via CT-scan views and transnasal sinus puncture. In eleven nasally intubated patients, CT-scan views showed air fluid levels and multiple sinus involvement. Bacteriological studies isolated the same gram negative bacilli in both sinus and bronchial aspirates. In four cases, a polymicrobial sinusitis was found with a single organism predominant. This predominant germ was always found in bronchial aspirate. Recovery from pneumonia was obtained only after sinus drainage. Treatment included removing the nasal tubes, or performing tracheostomy and systemic antibiotics. One patient required surgical maxillary sinus drainage after failure of medical management. The occurrence of nosocomial pneumonia in nasotracheally intubated patients should lead physicians to explore the paranasal sinuses. Sinus CT-scan views should be routinely obtained in the assessment of pulmonary sepsis in patients with prolonged nasotracheal intubation. Persistent or ignored nosocomial sinusitis in such circumstances could be a major source of treatment failure.

[Can respiratory tolerance to beta-blockers be predicted?]. / Peut-on prévoir la tolérance respiratoire d'un bêta-bloqueur?

Adverse effects on respiratory function is one of the main problems associated with the use of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists. Studies on this subject in healthy volunteers or patients with obstructive airway disease have been performed by measuring air flow at rest and after exercise, but no attention has been paid to the repercussions on pulmonary circulation. The lack of standardized protocol, the inhomogeneity of groups and the absence of long-term studies preclude objective comparisons between the different beta-adrenoceptor antagonists. On the whole, cardioselective beta-blockers are better tolerated than the others, but any classification based on the respiratory effects to cardiovascular effectiveness ratio is, for the moment, impossible to establish.

[Acute suppurative myositis. 4 cases]. / Myosites aiguës suppurées. Quatre cas.

Four cases of acute pyomyositis are reported. They were diagnosed at an advanced stage, and the different complementary examinations were of uneven value. The responsible pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus in 3 cases and a strain of Streptococcus in 2 cases (one patient had both germs). Cure was obtained in 3 patients, including one who required amputation; the 4th patient died. In this disease only the finding of purulent fluid at surgery or by needle aspiration has a diagnostic value. Management consists of antibiotic therapy associated with surgical drainage.

[Lactic acidosis and multi-organ failure secondary to anti-retroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients]. / Acidose lactique et défaillance multiviscérale secondaire aux thérapeutiques antirétrovirales chez les patients infectés par le VIH.

A SERIOUS COMPLICATION: Antiretroviral therapy may induce severe lactic acidosis with multiorgan failure in HIV-infected patients. CLINICAL DESCRIPTION: Patients are admitted for onset of dyspnea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, with weight loss and general fatigue over the past few days. Physical findings are usually not contributive except for constant presence of hepatomegaly. Laboratory examinations reveal severe metabolic acidosis with increased anion gap and serum lactate elevation. Perturbations of hepatic and pancreatic enzyme values may exist. Echotomography and CT scan demonstrate fatty liver, confirmed by histological examination of the biopsy. Outcome in the intensive care unit is generally multiorgan failure and death. Symptomatic treatments, mechanical ventilation, bicarbonate infusion or hemodialysis appear to be ineffective in most severe cases. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: Antiretroviral nuceloside analogs are inhibitors of mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma. This explains the dysfunction of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, leading to inhibition of lactate metabolism in the liver and enhancement of serum lactate and acetone body levels. Elevation of lactate/pyruvate and beta-hydroxybutyrate/acetoacetate ratios suggest mitochondrial dysfunction. Many other co-factors may be associated. THERAPEUTIC APPROACH: Several therapeutic strategies (thiamine, coenzyme Q, carnitine and riboflavin) have been tried. They rely on the pathophysiological hypothesis that sustained cellular dysfunctions cause this clinical syndrome.

[Acute respiratory distress syndrome and pancytopenia during miliary tuberculosis in a HIV positive patient]. / SDRA et pancytopénie au cours d'une miliaire tuberculeuse chez un patient VIH positif.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a rare but severe complication of miliary tuberculosis, which may occur even under antituberculous therapy. Even with adequate treatment, its mortality is close to 70%, and if associated with pancytopenia, it may reach 100%. Underlying diseases, delayed diagnosis and additional complications are factors of poor prognosis. We report a case of a patient infected with the human immunodeficiency virus who experienced pancytopenia and ARDS associated with miliary tuberculosis. The patient recovered under antituberculous chemotherapy.

[Cerebrovascular reactivity to CO2 during general anesthesia maintained with either isoflurane-N2O or propofol-N2O. A comparative study by transcranial Doppler velocimetry]. / Réactivité vasculaire cérébrale au CO2 sous anesthésie générale entretenue par isoflurane-N2O ou propofol-N2O. Etude comparative par vélocimétrie Doppler transcrânienne.

OBJECTIVES: To compare, using transcranial doppler velocimetry (TDV), the cerebral blood flow velocity and CO2 reactivity during general anaesthesia maintained with either isoflurane-N2O-O2(IF) or propofol-N2O-O2 (PF) in adults with a normal brain. STUDY DESIGN: Nonrandomized controlled trial. PATIENTS: Forty ASA I patients (mean age 41 +/- 13 yrs, 15 F/35 M) undergoing surgery of the lumbar spine in prone position. The first 20 were allocated into the IF group and the subsequent 20 into the PF group. METHODS: General anaesthesia was induced with midazolam (0.05 mg.kg-1), phenoperidine (0.03 mg.kg-1), thiopentone (5 mg.kg-1), vecuronium (0.1 mg.kg-1) and maintained with N2O (50 vol %) and O2 (50 vol %) and either isoflurane (0.8 < Fet < 1 vol %) in IF group or propofol (6 mg.kg-1.h-1) in PF group. The vascular reactivity was assessed with velocimetry measurements (Angiodine DMS, with a probe transmitting a 2-MHz pulsed wave) of flow in the middle cerebral artery at a given PetCO2 (obtained by adjustments of VT) during systole (SV) and diastole (DV). Three measurements were made: at T1 (PetCO2 = 30 +/- 2 mmHg), at T2 (PetCO2 = 40 +/- 2) and at T3 (PetCO2 = 30 +/- 2 mmHg). RESULTS: In the IF group, VS increased by +32% at T2 (P = 0.006) with an increase of + 3.4 %/1 mmHg of PetCO2. Similarly, in the PF group VS increased by + 31 % at T2 (P < 0.0001) with an increase of 2.9 %/1 mmHg of PetCO2. In both groups the VS returned to baseline values at T3. In the IF group, VD increased by + 66% at T2 (P < 0.0001), with an increase of + 7%/1 mmHg of PetCO2. Similarly in the PF group, VD increased by + 61% (P < 0.0001) with an increase of + 5.7%/1 mmHg of PetCO2. In both groups the VD returned to baseline values at T3. CONCLUSIONS: During anaesthesia maintained with either isoflurane-N2O-O2 or propofol-N2O-O2, a change in PetCO2 results in similar changes in VS and VD. These anaesthetic agents preserve the cerebrovascular reactivity of the normal brain. The results of this study are in accordance with those obtained with other reference techniques in healthy volunteers. Transcranial doppler velocimetry can be a useful noninvasive tool of clinical research in neuroanaesthesia.

[Nosocomial sinusitis in an intensive care unit. Role of nasotracheal intubation]. / Sinusites nosocomiales en unité de soins intensifs. Rôle de l'intubation nasotrachéale.

Hospital infectious sinusitis resulting from nasotracheal intubation is common. A prospective study was undertaken between October 1986 and January 1988 of 46 patients who had undergone nasotracheal intubation. CT scan revealed sinusitis in 43 cases with sinus puncture proving the existence of bacterial sinusitis in 36 cases. Gram negative bacilli predominated. In 21 cases the existence of a complication (chest infection and/or septicemia) raised the possibility of the role played by sinusitis in their etiology. The prevalence of gram negative bacilli sinusitis in patients with a nasotracheal tube is felt to require the following from the 8th day onwards: a CT scan to detect the existence of sinusitis, sinus puncture for bacteriological identification of the organism.

[Brain toxoplasmosis: from a case disclosing AIDS. Recall of diagnostic, developmental and therapeutic elements]. / Toxoplasmose cérébrale: à partir d'un cas révélateur d'un SIDA. Rappel des éléments diagnostiques, évolutifs et thérapeutiques.

The authors are studying from a personal case revealing an AIDS, and from bibliographical cases, the treated evolution of toxoplasmic encephalitis in immuno-depressed patients and the elements of the diagnosis. They are insisting on the interest of the brain biopsy, and on the importance of the inflammatory brain oedema. The therapy consists on sulfamides and anti-oedematous drugs. They are thinking that the corticosteroids must be avoided. The evolution of cerebral lesions, seen on the repeated computed tomographies is often good but the prognosis remains bad according to the immuno-deficiency.

[Asthma during pregnancy]. / L'asthme au cours de la grossesse.

The fact that 1% of pregnant women are asthmatic raises the question of possible interactions between asthma and pregnancy. The effects of pregnancy on respiratory physiology are studied in a first chapter, while the second chapter is devoted to the effects of pregnancy on asthma. In round figures, 1/3 of the patients get worse, 1/3 are improved and 1/3 remain stable. The patients who deteriorate are those with very severe asthma and high IgE On the other hand, well-treated asthmas have no influence on pregnancy or foetal growth. All drugs classically used in asthma (theophyllines, beta-adrenergic stimulants [at a distance of delivery], atropine-like compounds and cortico-steroids) may be used by pregnant asthmatic women and should be prescribed in effective doses.