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B Becq-Giraudon

Publications and source records attributed to B Becq-Giraudon.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

[Primary and secondary prevention for erysipelas].

Erysipelas is a bacterial infection of the deepest skin layer. Predisposing factors are systemic and/or local. Main systemic factors are alcoholism, diabetes and immunodeficiency. The main local factors are an Athlete's foot (tineapedis), venous or lymphatic stasis, prosthetic surgery of the knee, and a past history of saphenous phlebectomy, lymphadenectomy, or irradiation. Such predisposing factors account for the predominance of erysipelas in the lower limbs and for the frequency of recurrence. The prevention of recurrence is stressed by all authors, and would associate correct treatment of the disease, treatment of venous and lymphatic stasis and/or wounds. A preventive antibiotic treatment should be proposed to patients with multiple predisposing factors and frequent recurrence, by using prolonged therapy with Macrolides or Penicillin. Primary prevention could concern local and/or systemic predisposing factors; however its efficacy and necessity has yet to be demonstrated. The usefulness of nosopharyngeal streptococcal carriage eradication and/or vaccination has not demonstrated either.

Erysipelas↗
PubMed2000

[Details of meningitis in the elderly].

PURPOSE: Elderly patients being more at risk for infections than younger people, this study was aimed at defining the epidemiological and clinical features of meningitis in this population, with the objective of improving diagnosis and management. METHODS: Over a period of 10 years, all cases admitted to an infectious diseases unit for acute meningitis were reviewed. Patients infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), fungi meningitis, and who were younger than 15 years of age were excluded from the study. According to age, two groups were constituted (group A: < 65 years and group B: > or = 65 years) and compared. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-two patients were included in the study: 110 (72.4%) in group A (29 with bacterial and 81 with viral meningitis) and 42 (26.7%) in group B (32 with bacterial and ten with viral meningitis); the mean age was, respectively, 32.7 +/- 12.9 years (range: 15-61 years) and 75.9 +/- 7.6 years (range: 65-94 years). Diagnosis was less frequently evoked in the elderly (n = 11; 26%) than in younger patients (n = 78; 71%) (P < 0.001). Streptococcus pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes, and herpes simplex virus were the three most common causal agents in group B. Confusion was the most common symptom among the elderly (88 vs. 17%; P < 0.001). The mortality rate was more important in group B than in group A (11.9 vs. 2.7%; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of acute meningitis is difficult and must be evoked in the presence of any new neurologic sign. Cranial computerized tomography should not delay lumbar puncture, except in the presence of focal neurologic symptoms. Antimicrobial therapy takes into account the bacterial epidemiology.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Premature cerebral vascular accidents after initiation of steroid therapy in Horton disease].

INTRODUCTION: Steroid therapy remains the standard treatment for giant cell arteritis but is sometimes incriminated in the occurrence of ischemic events, particularly in the early phase of the disease. EXEGESIS: We report four cases of ischemic events observed early after initiation of steroid therapy in giant cell arteritis. We also reviewed the literature. CONCLUSION: Though the close temporal relationship between the initiation of steroids and the occurrence of ischemic events suggests a causative link, other factors such as arteritis itself or arteriosclerosis would also play a role. Systematic prescription of an anticoagulant should be discussed at the initial phase of treatment of giant cell arteritis.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2000

[Effect of age on the prognosis of infectious endocarditis].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of age on the prognosis of infectious endocarditis. A retrospective study from 1987 to 1997 of 136 patients with infectious endocarditis on native, prosthetic valves or cardiac pacing catheter was performed. The outcome was analysed with the help of general practitioners. Two groups of patients were compared: 87 patients of 65 years of age or more (Group 1) and 49 patients under 65 years of age (Group 2). With a follow-up period of 5 years, the global mortality was 35%, but greater in Group 1 (p = 0.06). Cardiac failure was the main cause of death. The mortality was significantly higher in patients who were not operated (p < 0.002). The authors conclude that age of over 65 does not significantly worsen the prognosis of infectious endocarditis. The absence of surgery seems to be an indirect factor of a poor prognosis. Long-term follow-up of patients is necessary to diagnose and treat cardiac failure at an early stage and to consider referral for surgery.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1998

[Pneumococcal infections in the adult population observed at the Poitiers University Hospital. Epidemiologic and clinical study].

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of penicillin-nonsusceptible pneumococcus (PNSP) infections and their clinical and microbiological features among an adult population hospitalized at the Poitiers University Hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted between November 1994 and October 1995 and included all pneumococcus infections. RESULTS: Fifty-three adults with one pneumococcal strain were included. The overall rate of PNSP strains was 28%. Infections with PNSP strains were more resistant than penicillin-susceptible pneumococcus to other antibiotics. The most frequent infection was pneumonia (36 infections, 28% PNSP). DISCUSSION: The rate of PNSP in pneumococcal infections was the same in the Poitiers University Hospital as in national surveys in France. The high percentage of multiresistant strains (86.5%) limit the use of antibiotics other than beta-lactams. Surveys of pneumococcal resistance to antibiotics are needed to adapt antibiotic strategies to the local epidemiological situation.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Genital recurrent infection occurring 6 months after meningitis due to the same herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) strain evidence by restriction endonuclease analysis.

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is more often sexually transmitted and associated with genital recurrent infection. However, HSV-2 neurological manifestations such as meningitis were already reported. We describe a case of meningitis due to HSV-2, preceded by signs suggesting a common cystitis, in a woman with no history of primary or recurrent genital infection. Six months later genital herpetic lesions occurred. One HSV-2 strain was obtained from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and another from genital lesions. The molecular comparative analysis using restriction endonuclease digestion patterns showed the similarity of the two strains. Our report illustrates that HSV-2 infections are underdiagnosed and that molecular techniques can be of value in clarifying the physiopathology of HSV diseases.

Cerebrospinal Fluid↗
PubMed1998

[Down the claws!].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Bartonella henselae↗
PubMed1998

[RS3PE: a clinical diagnosis, a prognosis more simple than its name].

INTRODUCTION: RS3PE syndrome (remittive symmetrical seronegative synovitis with pitting edema) was first described by MacCarthy in 1985. It is a rare type of seronegative polyarthritis occurring in the elderly. METHODS: Retrospective report of 13 cases (including eight male and five female patients; mean age 76.7 +/- 3.7 years) and search for previously reported cases, using the Medline database. RESULTS: Pitting edema was present at onset of disease in nine cases. Joint arthritis was bilateral, occurring in the wrist (13 cases), shoulder (six cases), elbow (six cases), knee (six cases), ankle (four cases), metacarpophalangeal (four cases) and hip (one case). Radiographies were normal. Mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 62 +/- 19 mm at the first hour and mean C-reactive protein level was 73 +/- 35 mg/L. Mild cholestasis was present in four of the seven patients for whom data were available. HLA B7 was present in five out of 12 cases (42%). Improvement was favorable, occurring over 7 months. Mean follow-up was 22.2 months. Fifty-nine other cases have been described in the literature. This syndrome, which affects the elderly, appears to be rare. Its clinical presentation is quite constant, with sudden onset, symmetrical polyarthritis and pitting edema. Its evolution, often long, is favorable. Rheumatoid arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica are the main differential diagnoses. CONCLUSION: Due to its favorable outcome and the usefulness of a mild corticotherapy, this syndrome, though rare, should be diagnosed where necessary in elderly patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

[Distinctive features of tuberculosis in the aged].

INTRODUCTION: Current recrudescence of human tuberculosis is ascribed to HIV. Nevertheless, other at-risk individuals, particularly the elderly, have been reported. METHODS: A retrospective study aimed at defining distinctive features of tuberculosis in the elderly was conducted. Eighty-two records of patients aged 18 to 64 years were compared to those of 58 patients of 65 years of age and over. RESULTS: In the French area considered in this study, the elderly represent the most at-risk group. Institutionalization is a significant risk factor for tuberculosis (RR = 4). Despite a past history of tuberculosis and public awareness campaigns, first-intent diagnosis was evoked in only 22% of the older patients. The mean number of infectious localizations was higher in the elderly (1.3/patient) than in younger patients (1.1/patient). Results of tuberculin skin tests are unreliable. Prognosis is poor in the elderly. In the present study, 14 of the 18 encountered deaths occurred in the elderly, of which eight were due to tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: To decrease the current incidence of tuberculosis, evaluations of preventive measures in the elderly should be validated and implemented, especially in institutionalized patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Are the anatomopathological classifications of primary Gougerot-Sjögren syndrome correlated with each-other and with clinical symptoms?].

Seventy-two cases of primary Sjögren's syndrome, according to the European classification criteria, were studied looking for a correlation between anatomic criteria and clinico-biological signs in this disease. Labial salivary gland biopsy was performed in all patients and anatomic criteria were evaluated according to both Chisholm and Chomette scales. Work-up included recording of functional and clinical signs. Our study shows no clinico-histological correlation in Sjögren's syndrome. Moreover, we did not find any correlation between the two histological scales. We think, therefore, that labial salivary gland biopsy appears to be an important step in Sjögren's syndrome diagnosis according to European criteria. However, it does not present any benefit in patient treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

The usefulness of skin culture in the diagnosis of chronic meningococcaemia.

We deal with the second reported case of chronic meningococcaemia in which the culture of skin biopsy led to the diagnosis. A 46-year-old man presented a history of recurrent fever and rash. Laboratory studies revealed an inflammatory syndrome. Serologic tests as well as blood culture tests were negative. The histological examination of skin lesions revealed a perivascular infiltrate in the dermis without any picture of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. A culture of skin specimen tested positive for Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis). After a week of antibiotic treatment, the patient recovered with no recurrence of either fever or rash over a two year period.

Bacteremia↗