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D Raoult

Publications and source records attributed to D Raoult.

588 records · Page 33Linked to original sources

[New evidence for the detection of ehrlichia and anaplasma in ixodes ticks in Russia and Kazakhstan].

Polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis were used to screen Ehrlichia and Anaplasma DNA in 900 specimens of Ixodes ticks of four genera (Dermacetor, Haemaphysalis, Ixodes, and Hyalomma) collected on 14 administrative territories of Russia and Kazakhstan. Anaplasma phagocytophilia DNA was detected and identified in Ixodes persulcatus ticks gathered in the Altai and Primorye Territories. Ehrlichia muris DNA was genotyped in the I. persulcatus ticks collected in the Tyumen, Omsk, and Novosibirsk Regions and the Altai Territory. Examining the Haemaphysalis concinna collected in the Primorye Territory revealed A. bovis DNA. The I. persulcatus ticks gathered in the Omsk Region were found to have "Ehrlichia-like "Schotti variant" DNA, Studying the ticks of the genera Dermatocentor and Hyalomma gathered in Russia and Kazakhstan failed to detect the representatives of the genera Anaplasma and Ehrlichia. The detection of A. phagocytophilia DNA in the I. persulcatus ticks in the Altai and Primorye territories and the serological verification of cases of human granulocytic anaplasmosis among patients with tick-borne infections in these territories lead to the conclusion that there are natural loci of this disease in West Siberia and the Far East of Russia.

Anaplasma↗

[Genetic identification of rickettsiae of the tick-borne spotted fever group, isolated in the foci of tick-borne rickettsiosis].

A total of 25 rickettsial cultures of the tick-borne spotted fever (TBSF) group from the collection of the Research Institute of Infections in Omsk, isolated from different sources in the territory of the Russian Federation (from the Urals to the Far East) during the period of 1954-2001) were studied by the methods of genetic analysis. The fragments of the gene coding the outer-membrane protein of 190 kD (ompA) and synthetase citrate (gltA) of the rickettsiae under the study were sequenced. 23 isolates were identified as R. sibirica, among them 3 isolates obtained from patients, 16 isolates obtained from Dermacentor ticks, 2 isolates from Haemaphysalis concinna and 2--from Ixodes persulcatus. The strain Primorye 32/84, isolated from D. silvarum ticks in the Far East and earlier identified as S. sibirica by the results of the PCR-RFLP analysis proved to be a genovariant Rickettsia spBJ-90, i.e. close to this species. Strain Karpunino 19/69, isolated in the Kurgan region, was identified as R. slovaca. The results obtained extended our notions of the spectrum of rickettsiae group TBSF in Russia as well as their vectors.

Animals↗

[Detection of a new species of Rickettsiae in the ticks of Ixodes persulcatus in Russia].

Genetic analyses (polymerase chain reaction and nucleotide sequence test) have been used to describe a new species of Rickettsiae in the ticks Ipersukarus in Russia. This species is named as Rzckettsia tarasevichiae after Academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Irma Vladimirovna Tarasevich, Head of the Laboratory of Rickettsial Ecology, N.F.Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. A total of 317 Ipersukatus imagoes were collected in the regions of the Urals, Western Siberia, Eastern Siberia, and Far East in the spring of 2001 and 2002. The authors detected R. tarasevichiae in 25.5 +/- 2.4% (87/317) of the examined I. persulcarus ticks, from 3.8% in the Novosibirsk Region (Western Siberia) to 56.8% in the Primorye Territory (the Far East). This is the first detection of the Rickettsiae in the ticks of the genus Ixodes in Russia. Conceivably, the spread of this Rickettsia species coincides with the area of I. persulcatus that inhabits the biotopes of southern taiga and mixed forests in Eurasia from the western frontier of Russia to the Far East. The nucleotide sequences of the fragments of gene 165 of pRNA and citrate synthctase of this species of Rickettsiae have been declared at the GenBank under numbers AF503168 and AF503167, respectively. Its most phylogenetically close species of Rickettsiae R. canadenss (69% homology in terms of the gene of citrate synthetase and 98% homology in terms of gene 165 of pRNA) which is responsible for cases of acute cerebral vasculitis in Northern America. This requires further studies of a possible role of R. tarasevichiae in the pattern of tick-borne infections recorded in the area of I. persulcatus.

Animals↗

[Mediterranean boutonneuse fever (apropos of 40 recent cases in Marseilles].

The Marseilles area continues to be an endemic region of mediterranean tick bite fever. During the period 1975-1978 40 cases were observed in two medical departments in Marseilles. Maximum occurrence was in August. The real incidence of the disease was difficult to appreciate as declaration is not always made eventhough obligatory. Clinical manifestations remained typical.

Adult↗

[A left pseudo-pleurisy syndrome manifesting as a liver abscess complicating malignant localized amebic colitis].

The authors report on a case of localised bipolar malignant colic amebiasis in a 34 year old man, as a complication of undiagnosed benin colic amebiasis; the initial signs consisted of left basi-thoracic symptoms for which a sub phrenic abcess secondary to rupture of two abcesses of the left lobe of the liver was responsible. The surgical intervention consisted of a right hemicolectomy without anastomosis with a double derivation by ileostomy colostomy and drainage of the abcesses. The evolution was rapidly fatal by an irreversible state of shock.

Adult↗

[Typhoid fever in black Africa (apropos of 213 cases)].

The authors report on 213 cases of typhoid fever observed in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) from February 1976 to February 1980. The disease, the diagnosis of which is often delayed owing to the local conditions, develops as an endemic disease. Very often, the diagnosis is based on serodiagnosis; for treatment, chloramphenicol is generally used, and total lethality due to the disease rates at 4%.

Ampicillin↗

[Epidemiological aspects and diagnosis of 60 cases of leptospiroses in French Polynesia].

60 cases of leptospiroses were diagnosed in Polynesia by blood culture and immunological test. Fever and pains are prevailing signs. Among 3 patients, presence of leptospires is revealed on the 43th, 54th and 90th days. The following serogroups are found: Icterohaemorrhagiae 69.7%, Canicola 13%, Pomona 4%, Australis 2%. 85% of the patients come from Tahiti and 15% from "Sousle-Vent" Islands and Tuamotou. Walking bare foot on wet ground in areas where numerous rodents are found is a source of contamination. The procedure of blood cultures plays a prominent part.

Adult↗

[Hepatic tumoral form of bacterial infections. Diagnostic and therapeutic considerations apropos of 3 cases].

When the clinical picture and complementary tests reveal a tumoural formation in the liver suggesting cancer, it is often difficult to diagnose such formations resulting from bacterial infection without surgical exploration. The diagnosis is particularly difficult since exclusive hepatic formations are extremely rare, the latency period is often long and specific markers are often lacking. We observed 3 such cases with local hepatic tumour-like formations due to tuberculosis, brucellosis and actinomycosis. Pathology examination of a liver biopsy can contribute to the diagnosis and avoid unnecessary exploratory laparotomy allowing successful medical treatment.

Actinomycosis↗

Serosurvey for Cowdria ruminantium, Coxiella burnetii, and Spotted fever group rickettsiae in ostriches (Struthio camelus) from Zimbabwe.

Sera from 216 ostriches on nine farms around Zimbabwe were examined by indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) testing for the presence of antibodies reactive with Cowdria ruminantium, Coxiella burnetii, and Rickettsia africae, a spotted fever group rickettsia. Although no reactive antibodies could be detected to C. ruminantium or C. burnetii, 51/216 (35%) sera reacted with R. africae. The seroprevalence in ostriches from the south of Zimbabwe was significantly higher than in birds from the north (P < 0.01). Immunoblots of four sera positive by IFA (> 1/160) showed antibodies reactive with antigens of R. africae that also were recognized by pooled sera from mice inoculated with the organism. No reactive antibodies could be detected in six sera negative by IFA.

Animals↗

[The epidemiology of trench fever: a pilot study in homeless people in Marseilles].

Trench fever, cause by Bartonella quintana, disappeared decades ago. Between 1992 and 1994 about 20 cases were reported in industrialized countries [6, 7]. Some of these cases were associated with HIV infection [5], but most affected the homeless. The epidemiology of B. quintana is unknown in Europe, but infection and transmission are favoured by poor housing and hygiene. This paper describes the results of a seroprevalence survey among the homeless living in Marseille. The eight major non-profit organizations caring for the homeless in the city participated for the four winter months. Four of these organizations also provide health care. Each subject who came to be housed for more than one day were asked to complete a questionnaire and give a small blood sample by micropuncture. They were clearly informed about the aims of the research and were allowed to refuse participation freely. All blood samples were tested by the WHO collaborative center for ricketssiae using a previously tested and validated immunofluorescence technique. The subjects were scored positive if the IgG titer was above 1/100. Two hundred and twenty one subjects agreed to participate in the study. Most were of French origin (51.4%) and 40% under 40 years old. The seroprevalence was 1.8% (IC 95%: 0.05-3.55). None of the four positive subjects presented symptoms and clinical examination was normal. All four were over 40 years old; two were of French origin, 1 from Algeria and 1 from the Comoro Islands. One had an IgG titer above 1/3, 200, possibly reflecting recent contamination and/or severe infection. Statistical analysis revealed no significant association between seropositivity and housing or hygiene conditions. No socio-demographic data are available about the homeless in Marseille and indeed, there is no list of such individuals. It is therefore not possible to estimate the representativity of our sample. Nevertheless, we show that the homeless include infected individuals. Physicians who care for such subjects should prescribe B. quintana serological investigations, and organizations that take in these people should implement preventive action and health education programs. Any such policy must be designed so as to be acceptable to homeless people. This work should also encourage public health professionals to investigate more extensively infectious diseases among the homeless.

Adolescent↗