Sampling survey on brucellosis among farmers and their families in Ille-et-Vilaine (Brittany).

A three-stage sampling survey among farmers and their families living on farms in the department of Ille-et-Vilaine gave the following results: Among 490 persons examined 313 (64 per cent) showed a positive skin test and 105 (21 per cent) a positive serological reaction; 88 of the 105 patients ignored their health status, although 45 of these presented clinical symptoms (nine per cent). This survey is continuing in order to study the non-respondents and to better analyse the epidemiological situation at a farm level.

[Seroepidemiology of hepatitis B markers in dentists in Ille-et-Vilaine]. / Etude séro-épidémiologique des marqueurs de l'hépatite B chez des chirurgiens-dentistes d'Ille-et-Vilaine.

In June, 1982 a questionnaire concerning a serological and epidemiological study of hepatitis B markers was mailed to the 421 private dentists in the Ille-et-Vilaine department, France. One hundred and eighty-nine dentists (49%) filled the questionnaire, and 163 (38.2%) were investigated for HBs antigen and anti-HBs and/or anti-HBc antibodies. No subject with HBs antigen was found, but 17/163 dentists (10.43%) had virus B markers. Among dentists with positive serology, 3 reported hepatitis developed during their practice. These results are compared with data from the literature concerning dentists, dental health personnel and a population unexposed to the risk associated with dental surgery. Non-specific prevention can reduce the risk of contamination, but only immunization against hepatitis B can provide effective and long-lasting protection.

[Role of a hygiene department in the control of respirator disinfection]. / Rôle d'un service d'hygiène dans le contrôle de désinfection des respirateurs.

Different methods of disinfection of ventilators are used in hospitals. They are chosen according to the type of apparatus, the configuration of its internal circuit, the system of disinfection available and the degree of contamination. There are three types of disinfection: a) partial disinfection, b) partial internal disinfection by connection to an apparatus of disinfection with liquid formaldehyde, c) total automatic internal and external disinfection with formaldehyde powder. The hospital public health team controls the different disinfection procedures. Samples were taken from 13 places on four ventilators (Engström, Bennett, Servo 900, RPR). They were taken on polyvalent and on three selective culture media (gram positive, gram negative and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Three criteria were defined: absence of contamination, limited contamination and widespread contamination. After disinfection, satisfactory results were always observed. However, these results were observed only immediately after disinfection and before stocking and transport. The results of these controls, communicated within 48 h to the doctors, allow us to check the reliability of the method used.

[Vaccination of dental surgeons against viral hepatitis B]. / Vaccination de chirurgiens-dentistes contre l'hépatite virale B.

One hundred dental surgeons practising in western France were immunized against hepatitis B virus, using the same batch of HEVAC B vaccine from the Pasteur Institute. The vaccine was very well tolerated. Seroconversion at 10 m IU/ml was 94% after 3 injections and 98% after the booster dose. From a kinetic study of anti-HBs antibodies we were able to determine different levels of post-immunization serological response and to classify responders as very good, good and fairly good. The effectiveness of the booster dose was manifest after 10 days. In view of the efficacy and safety of this vaccine, confirmed by other studies in sanitary personnel, we do not hesitate to recommend it to dental surgeons exposed to the disease.

[Alcoholism in young people (author's transl)]. / Les jeunes et l'alcool.

Epidemiology should be used for studying teenagers' attitudes and behaviours concerning alcoholic beverages in order to develop health education programs designed to induce temperance in adolescence and, subsequently, in adulthood. We report on five studies carried out in France, including 5,481 subjects, both male and female, aged 13 to 26, belonging to various communities, and living in different conditions. Answers to questionnaires showed that both the first ingestion of alcohol (usually with the family) and the first inebriation (usually with friends) occur very early (at ages 10 to 12 and 15 to 16 respectively). Alcohol intake increases with age, parents' permissiveness, money allowance, and pub attendance. Health education should be undertaken very early, in kindergarten, and subsequently included in school programs each year. Cooperation among school teachers and with the school's medical staff and the childrens' parents is essential.

[Centers and consultation in the field of nutritional hygiene: medicosocial structures in the control of alcoholism in France]. / Les centres et les consultations d'hygiéne alimentaire: structures médico-sociales de lutte contre l'alcoolisme en France.

In France, an original approach to the prevention of alcoholism has been developed and implemented. It is based on a network of medico-social centres, called "Centres of Nutritional Hygiéne". These centres are the basic elements of the medico-social health services dealing with alcoholism. They are designed to receive, listen to and provide emergency support to any person faced with alcohol problems, as well as to detect and treat heavy drinkers. They are animated by a multidisciplinary team which consists of a doctor, a nurse, a psychologist, a dieteticien, a social worker and a medical secretary. The doctor, who is a specialist in alcohology, usually, though not always, plays the most important role in the team work. The main purpose of the centre of nutritional hygiene is the secondary prevention of alcoholism, implying early case finding and early treatment of heavy drinkers before they become alcohol-dependent. This approach to the prevention of alcoholism was conceived in France by Dr Le Go in 1950. The first centres of nutritional hygiene were created in 1970-1975. The results obtained so far are encouraging. More than half the patients seen in these centres have reduced their alcohol intake. There are good reasons to believe that these results could be improved by developing a better coordination with general practitioners and follow-up support. Better detection of heavy drinkers could be achieved by diversifying the sources of recruitment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[About five cases of congenital german measle (author's transl)]. / Réflexions à propos de cinq cas de rubéole congénitale.

The authors are reporting five cases of congenital german measles confirmed by serological and virological tests. They recall the circumstances in which the serological diagnosis of maternal german measles was arrived at during pregnancy: misinterpretation of the results had in four cases given the doctor a mistaken sense of security. Lastly, they are stressing the interest of prevention by systematic vaccination of girls aged 11 to 13 and women known to be seronegative.