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J Beytout

Publications and source records attributed to J Beytout.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Outbreak of colonization and infection with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in a French university hospital.

An outbreak of infection with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium occurred at Hotel-Dieu Hospital (Clermont-Ferrand, France). A case-control study was performed in the infectious diseases and hematology units of the hospital. Urinary catheter use (odds ratio [OR], 12 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.5-90]; P<.02), prior exposure to a third-generation cephalosporin (OR, 22 [95% CI, 3-152]; P=.002), and prior exposure to antianaerobials (OR, 11 [95% CI, 1.5-88]; P<.02) were independently predictive of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium carriage.

Disease Outbreaks↗

[Non Hodgkin's and Hodgkin's lymphomas and HIV: frequency, outcome and immune response under HAART; Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, 1991-2003].

OBJECTIVES: The authors had for aim to identify cases of non Hodgkin's (NHL) and Hodgkin's (HL) lymphomas in HIV1-infected patients to assess 1) their incidence, before and after 1996, 2) the clinical features and outcome under treatment together with the survival rate of the patients, 3) the immune reconstitution of lymphoma-free patients under HAART. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was made of HIV1-infected patients managed at the Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital from 1991 to 2003 for the diagnosis and treatment of HIV1-related lymphomas. RESULTS: Forty-one patients were included: 35 NHL and 6 HL giving a cumulative incidence rate estimate from 2.4% between 1991 and 1996 to 3.4% between 1997 and 2003 while other opportunistic diseases were decreasing. A high proportion of aggressive and disseminated disease was observed among NHL cases. Complete remission was achieved in 17 (49%) and 5 (83%) NHL and HL cases respectively. The mean survival was 109+/-54 months and was correlated with CD4 cell count at lymphoma diagnosis (univariate analysis). Among responding patients, 5 died: 3 from opportunistic infections, 1 commited suicide, and 1 from hepatic carcinoma. For responding patients, the mean increase of CD4 cell count under HAART was 58/mm3 over a 2 year-period and 192/mm3 over a 5 year-period of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of lymphomas in HIV-infected patients has not decreased since the introduction of HAART. The immune status assessed by CD4 cell count on diagnosis is correlated with survival. Immune restoration in lymphoma-free patients under HAART is poor.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

[Cryptococcal meningitis disclosed by visual loss in HIV negative patient with ventriculo-atrial shunting].

INTRODUCTION: HIV infection is the main cause of cryptococcal neuromeningitis but other diseases may be associated with this infection. CASE REPORT: We report a case of cryptococcal neuromeningitis in a patient with sarcoidosis and ventriculoatrial shunting. The patient was successfully treated by effective therapy without device withdrawal. CONCLUSION: The relationship between cryptococcosis and sarcoïdosis has been already described and may be not fortuitous. However it remains a very rare complication of sarcoidosis. Because of its potential severity (mortality rate of 40%), the diagnosis of cryptococcosis should be evoked as a differential diagnosis of neuro-sarcoidosis.

Amphotericin B↗

A new European perspective of influenza pandemic planning with a particular focus on the role of mammalian cell culture vaccines.

Sixteen EU scientists and doctors were interviewed about pandemic planning using psychometric methods applied to a scientific problem for the first time. Criticism was aimed at countries which have no plan whatsoever, the majority of nations. Many such countries have not invested in scientific infrastructure and public health. Amongst the 15 or so published pandemic plans a lack of detail was identified. Of particular need was investment into avian virus vaccine stocks (H1-15), prepared licenses of vaccine and pre purchase and agreed distribution, investment into stocks of antivirals, antibiotics and masks. Most but not all members of the group predicted a global outbreak within 5 years, most probably starting in SE Asia. However it was recognised that a pandemic could start anywhere in the world which had juxtaposition of young people, chickens, ducks and pigs. Mammalian cell culture production using wild type virus with the production factory at category III levels of security was exemplified. Antivirals would be essential to ameliorate the first wave of infection although significant quantities of cell grown vaccine could be produced if, as in 1918, 1957 and 1968 there is a long period between the first virus isolation and person to person spread. The wider scientific community is more energised than previously for very serious preparations to be in place way before the outbreak begins as this is a major public health problem, completely dwarfing concerns about bioterrorism.

Animals↗

[Infections associated to severe thrombotic events and antiphospholipid antibodies].

The authors present 2 cases of infections in which the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (APL), anticardiolipin and anti-beta2-GP1, was associated to the occurrence of significant thrombotic events: 1) a 55-year-old male patient whose serology (indirect immunofluorescence) revealed Coxiella burnetii infection (phase 2 antigens) with IgG at 1,600 and IgM at 50 (significant titer: IgG>or=200 and IgM>or=50); 2) and a 20-year-old male patient with a CMV infection confirmed by serology (IgG: 44 U/ml, significant threshold 6, IgM: 2.1 U/ml, significant threshold 0.9).

Adult↗

[Prevention and infection in adults patients with hyposplenism].

People with asplenia are at risk for infections due to many causative agents, mainly Streptococcus pneumoniae. Among adults, splenectomy is the most frequent etiology of hyposplenism followed with chronic hematological and connective diseases. Physiopathology of the immunologic impairment due to hyposplenia is multifactorial. Physicians and even patients must be aware of overwhelming sepsis occurring on these conditions. The prognosis of these life-threatening infections is related to the precocity of the treatment onset. These infections, mainly due to S. pneumoniae (50-90% of cases) could be prevented with appropriate precautions. Patients presenting with asplenia must be largely vaccinated against these infectious agents: S. pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae b, and possibly Neisseiria meningitidis. Oral phenoxymethylpenicillin seems to be the simplest chemoprophylaxis (despite the global increase of pneumococcal strains with reduced susceptibility). Duration of treatment following splenectomy is discussed: The French medicine agency (AFSSAPS) recommends a 2-year treatment after surgery and for patients having functional hyposplenism (persistency of Howell-Jolly bodies) and/or associated immunodeficiency. Despite these prevention policies, the patient must be informed of the risk of very severe infection.

Adult↗

[Regional variations of adult population vaccinal status].

OBJECTIVE: The authors had for aim to study the regional variations of vaccination coverage in adult population. METHODS: Cross-sectional epidemiological study, including a representative sample of 2122 general practitioners and analyzed according to eight French regions. RESULTS: Six thousand two hundred sixty-nine patients, 44 +/- 15 old, were included in the study. 90.5% of the patients were vaccinated against diphtheria, 94.4% against tetanus, and 92.6% against poliomyelitis. No difference between regions was noted but the rate of patients with up to date vaccination strongly differed, ranging from 54.8% (Paris/Ile de France) to 64.3% (South West) for diphtheria, from 60.4% (Paris/Ile de France) to 73% (South West) for tetanus, and from 58.8% (Paris/Ile de France) to 69.8% (South West) for poliomyelitis. Vaccination coverage against measles, parotiditis, hepatitis A and B, typhoid fever, yellow fever also significantly differed between regions and the only ones evenly distributed were vaccination against tuberculosis, meningococcus, and pneumococcus. CONCLUSION: These results show insufficient vaccination coverage against diphtheria, tetanus, and poliomyelitis in all regions and show other important variations in vaccination coverage between regions, especially for hepatitis A and B.

Adult↗

[Asplenia and hyposplenism].

FROM ASPLENIA TO SEVERE INFECTION: The most serious consequence of asplenia due to absence of the spleen, its resection or its functional failure is the risk of severe infection. RAPIDLY PROGRESSIVE SEPTICEMIA: It is estimated that the risk of death due to septicemia is 200 times higher in splectomized patients than in patients with a spleen. Death occurs within several days or even hours in most of the patients due to overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI). The bacteria causing OPSI are predominantly pneumococci (50-80% of identified infections) as well as meningococci, Haemophilus sp, and other capsulated bacteria. IMPORTANCE OF AGE: The risk of infection is even greater if asplenia began early in life, either because of rapidly progressive congenital hemotological disease or splenectomy during infancy or early childhood. According to Holdsworth, infectious morbidity in subjects splenectomized before the age of 16 years is 4.4%, mortality reaches 2.2%. In adults, morbidity is 0.9% and mortality 0.8%. PREVENTION OF RECURRENCE: Furthermore, in an asplenic subject or in a patient with a chronic disease threatening the spleen, the development of infectious episodes is an expression of evolving immunodepression, calling for preventive measures against recurrence. Anti-pneumococcal vaccination and antibiotic prophylaxis using penicillin V considerably reduces the incidence of pneumococcal infection in splenectomized subjects.

Adolescent↗

[Antibiotic prophylaxis in splenectomized adults].

SIGNIFICANT INCIDENCE OF SPLENECTOMY: Asplenism concerns a significant number of subjects: in France 6,000 to 9,000 patients undergo splenectomy annually. More than half of these patients are adults. NECESSARY PREVENTION: An asplenic adult is exposed to serious infections, predominantly caused by pneumococci but also by other encapsulated bacteria. Antibiotic prophylaxis is necessary and must be included in the overall management scheme in patients undergoing planned splenectomy. IN CLINICAL PRACTICE: In France the official recommendation for antibiotic prophylaxis in the asplenic patient is Oracilline (Penicilline V) administered continuously for at least 2 years following splenectomy in adults and for at least 5 years following splenectomy in children. This prophylactic measure must be included in an overall program designed to prevent infections in asplenic patients.

Adult↗

[Alveolar echinococcosis of the liver. Mass ultrasound screening in the Haut Cantal area].

OBJECTIVE: Mass systematic screening for alveolar echinococcosis (AE) of the liver in the Haut Cantal endemic area. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Targeted population was composed of the members of the Mutualité Sociale Agricole of the area, from 16 to 65 years old. 2077 notifications were sent, corresponding to 20% of the population of this area, defined by a triangle between Egliseneuve d'Entraigues, Riom ès Montagne and Saint Flour. Two screening tests were performed: Elisa serology test and liver ultrasound examination. RESULTS: Participation levels were relatively low-ultrasound: 18.92%, serology: 17%. Among 350 liver examinations, 2 suspicions of AE were found: CT and serology confirmed the diagnosis in the first symptomatic patient; CT and biopsy confirmed the diagnosis in the other asymptomatic patient in whom serology was normal. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound screening showed at least a 0.57% prevalence of AE, i.e., 2 cases out of 350. This low rate however confirms that Haut Cantal is an endemic area, but with a lower incidence rate than in other endemic areas.

Adolescent↗

Cat scratch disease with lymphadenitis, vertebral osteomyelitis, and spleen abscesses.

In this report we describe a 30-year old male patient with vertebral osteomyelitis and spleen abscesses with cat scratch disease. The diagnosis was made on the basis of molecular detection of Bartonella henselae either on lymph node biopsies or on bone biopsy, histology of the lymph node, serology using either our in-house microimmunofluorescence assay or a commercial kit (Focus Technologies). Immunofluorescent detection was also performed directly on slide appositions using a monoclonal antibody. Treatment consisted of administration of antibiotics with rapid clinical improvement and a stabilization of skeletal lesions on the magnetic resonance imaging performed three months later. Twenty two other cases of this unusual manifestation associated with cat scratch disease have been reported in the literature and are reviewed here. Our case represents the second case of osteomyelitis associated with cat scratch disease in which B. henselae has been specifically identified as the etiological agent using several direct and indirect methods.

Abscess↗

Vaccination campaign following an increase in incidence of serogroup C meningococcal diseases in the department of Puy-de-Dôme (France).

In the department of Puy-de-Dôme, France, 17 cases of invasive meningococcal disease C were notified between March 2001 and the first week of 2002. Among the 15 confirmed cases, 11 (73%) were serogroup C, 2 (13%) serogroup B, and 2 could not be identified. The rapid increase in the number of cases in a period of low endemicity for the rest of the country and the severity of the disease (case fatality ratio 27%, purpura fulminans 64%) led the health authorities to initiate a vaccination campaign targeting children and young adults from 2 months up to 20 years living in a limited area of the department. Around 80,000 people were immunised between 16/01/02 and 09/02/02. More than half of the 1390 immediate side effects were headache and dizziness. As of mid-March, no further case of meningococcal disease has been notified since 6 January.

Adolescent↗

[A collective malarial infestation during a humanitarian mission in west Africa].

Four truck drivers involved in a humanitarian mission across the Sahara towards Mali fell ill 15 days after their return. Plasmodium falciparum malaria (thankfully, non pernicious) was diagnosed with 3 to 4 days delay. The four drivers had been treated with chloroquine and proguanil but the dosage may have been insufficient with regard to their body weight (average weight = 110 kg). These 4 travelers had all slept outside (in Tintane, near Kiffa in Mauritania), without any anti-vectorial protection, whereas their other 8 companions (none of whom caught malaria) had slept in their vehicles. The evolution of the 4 cases was favourable despite the difficulties involved in urgently obtaining sufficient amounts of quinine for treatment. How can these cases be explained in relation to prophylactic treatment of associated chloroquine and proguanil? One explanation might be resistance of the P. falciparum strain. We were unable to study this possibility. The high incidence and similitude of cases points towards a hypothesis of resistance both to proguanil and chloroquine. Resistance to chloroquine, as has been formally ascertained in Mauritania, reinforces such a conviction. And yet prophylaxis does not prevent pernicious malaria. This clinical form of the disease, with P. falciparum primo-invasion occurring under rigorous chemoprophylaxis is characteristic of a partially resistant strain. The most reasonable explanation besides "chance" is that we are dealing here with a partially resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum which is thus also partially sensitive to--in this case highly effective--therapeutic treatment. Indeed, chloroquino-resistant strains are more sensitive to mefloquine and halofantrine. Another explanation might be under-dosage of Savarine with relation to the body weight of these 4 patients. We should be aware of adapting more rigorously the posology of prescribed prophylaxis. But above all, this outbreak should remind us that we should recommend to travelers and drivers planning a trip to Sub-Saharan Africa to take with them anti-vectorial protective gear. Finally, the observation of these cases indicates once more the difficulty in France of establishing a proper diagnosis in face of malaria. Health personnel must systematically call to mind malaria in face of thrombopenia or fever following a sojourn in an endemic area even when chemoprophylaxis has been correctly followed.

Adult↗

Clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with invasive pneumococcal disease, Puy-de-Dôme, France, 1994-1998.

A surveillance program for invasive pneumococcal disease was undertaken in Puyde-Dĵme, an administrative district of the region Auvergne in France, from 1 January 1994 to 31 December 1998. A total of 214 cases were identified. The annual incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease increased (P=0.04) from 5.5 in 1994 to 9.3 cases per 10(5) person-years in 1998. The highest incidences were for children <2 years of age (59.2 cases per 10(5) person-years) and for adults > or = 65 years (18 cases per 10(5) person-years). Clinical diagnoses, available in 200 patients, included acute pneumonia (62%), meningitis (10%), sepsis without focus (20%), and others (8%). The most frequent chronic medical conditions of the patients included smoking, alcoholism, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, and malignancies. Thirty-one percent of the isolates were nonsusceptible to penicillin. Penicillin resistance (MIC > or = 0.1 mg/l) was more frequent (P=0.02) in cancer patients. The overall case-fatality rate was 21.5%. Risk factors for death were age, sex, and underlying diseases of the patients, along with the severity of illness. These population-based findings should convince clinicians to offer pneumococcal vaccine to patients at high risk for invasive pneumococcal disease, thereby increasing vaccination coverage levels in France.

Adolescent↗

Hospitalization decision for ambulatory patients with community-acquired pneumonia: a prospective study with general practitioners in France.

BACKGROUND: We designed a prospective study in the Puy-de-Dĵme region of France to identify factors associated with a hospitalization decision by general practitioners (GPs) for patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 95 voluntary GPs were recruited to report over the period (February 1993 to March 1994) patients diagnosed with CAP defined as acute onset of fever associated with focal pulmonary crackles and/or radiological changes consistent with a pulmonary infection in patients over 3 years of age, living in the community. RESULTS: 37 of the 175 CAP patients (21.4%) were hospitalized. Univariate analysis showed that the hospitalization decision was related to age > 65 years, retirement, history of cardiovascular disease, other extrapulmonary chronic disease, chest auscultation findings, tachypnea at rest and altered mental status. Multivariate analysis identified four variables associated with hospitalization: living alone at home (OR = 3.75), history of cardiovascular disease (OR = 2.54), other chronic medical conditions excluding pulmonary diseases (OR = 4.28) and tachypnea at rest (OR = 3.33). The hospitalization decision by GPs for patients with CAP takes into account social conditions, co-morbid conditions of the patients and the seventy of CAP.

Adolescent↗