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Biomedical subjects

J C Lucet

Publications and source records attributed to J C Lucet.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Notification of tuberculosis in a university hospital.

The aim of this study was to evaluate completeness of tuberculosis notification in Bichat Claude-Bernard University Hospital and to evaluate whether misclassification of atypical mycobacterial infection could have contributed to the inaccuracy of tuberculosis notification. Data from Microbiology Laboratory of the hospital and statutory notifications were compared. From 1 January 1994 to 31 December 1995, 299 tuberculosis cases were diagnosed in the Microbiology Laboratory and 316 cases were notified as tuberculosis. Notification rate for laboratory-documented tuberculosis was 57.5%, was significantly higher in cases with positive acid fast bacilli smear (75%) than without this feature (45%) and was similar in HIV-positive (59.4%) and HIV-negative (63.5%) patients. Among notified cases, diagnosis was established by laboratory proofs in only 54.4% and by clinical signs in 45.6%. Three cases with positive smear and culture growing atypical mycobacteria were wrongly notified. Notification of laboratory-documented tuberculosis was higher than that observed in a previous study in the same hospital, suggesting that the rise of tuberculosis incidence reported in our country could be partially artificial. Nevertheless, extent of notification remains insufficient and needs to be improved by combining microbiological data with current system of notification.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Clinical and bacteriologic epidemiology of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae in a medical intensive care unit.

The epidemiology of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae was studied over a 16-month period in a medical intensive care unit (ICU). A control program involving enhanced isolation procedures, surveillance cultures at admission and then at 1-week intervals, and selective digestive decontamination (SDD) was instituted. Phenotypic and genotypic markers (plasmid content and DNA macrorestriction polymorphism determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis) were used to compare 138 strains of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae. The incidence of colonization and/or infection with ESBL producers was 11.9%. ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae strains were isolated from 64 of 65 patients. Fifty-five cases were considered acquired in the ICU, while nine cases were imported. Forty-five infections occurred in 32 patients; 20 infections involved the urinary tract. SDD failed to reduce the incidence of acquisition of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae. Combined use of markers was necessary to achieve accurate differentiation of strains. A single epidemic clone (SHV-4 beta-lactamase-producing K. pneumoniae) was the cause of 85% of the ICU-acquired cases. Sporadic occurrence of SHV-5, TEM-3, SHV-2, and SHV-3 producers accounted only for a few cases.

Cross Infection↗

[Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in AIDS].

Risk factor for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in HIV-negative patients include neutropenia, corticosteroid therapy, and chemotherapy. Corresponding risk factors in HIV-positive patients have not yet been reported. A case-control study was conducted at the Bichat-Claude Bernard Teaching Hospital, Paris, France, between 1991 and 1996. Eight cases were identified. In three cases, the diagnosis was documented histologically. Of the remaining five patients, four had a de novo lung cavity with a positive bronchoscopy sample, and one had a pulmonary infiltrate with a positive bronchoscopy sample in the absence of any other potential pathogen. Each case was matched with three controls who were admitted during the same period and had CD4 counts lower than 50/mm3. Median age was 38.1 years in the cases and 38.4 years in the controls. Median CD4 counts were 12.5 +/- 19.2 in the cases versus 19.3 +/- 16.3 in the controls (P = 0.14). No case-control differences were found for AIDS duration, neutrophil counts at diagnosis or during the previous six months, history of corticosteroid therapy or chemotherapy, or number of previous opportunistic infections. Cases were more likely than controls to have a preexisting lung cavity (3/8 versus 0/24; P = 0.01) and had spent more time in the hospital during the previous year (7 +/- 4.5 versus 2.8 +/- 3.2 weeks; P = 0.02). These data do not support a role for neutropenia or immunosuppressive treatments as risk factors for invasive aspergillosis in AIDS. They suggest that AIDS patients with a lung cavity or frequent hospital stays are at increased risk for invasive aspergillosis.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

[Enterobacteria producing extended spectrum beta-lactamases].

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) were first observed in 1983. Since then, the number and variety of ESBLs have increased rapidly, particularly in France, and their distribution is now worldwide. The number of ESBLs has now reached more than 30, some of them spreading largely in several countries, such as SHV-4 in France. Intensive care units were first involved. Patients from nursing homes may recirculate ESBLs into acute care units. ESBL clinical epidemiology does not differ from other enterobacteriaceae. Digestive tract is the main reservoir, hands are the route of transmission. Infection develops in about 50% of colonized patients, more than one-half being urinary tract infections. Risk factors for colonization or infection are length of exposure to an epidemic strain and frequency of health-care-worker contact. Strategies for containing spreading of ESBL-producing strains include use of barrier precautions for carriers. Judicious use of antimicrobial agents is also important, by decreasing antibiotic selective pressure.

Cross Infection↗

[Mediastinitis after sternotomy. Mortality and hospital length of stay. Groupe parisien détude des sternotomies].

The morbidity of deep sternal wound infections after sternotomy was assessed by a case-controlled study. The 41 cases were identified by a prospective enquiry over 4 months in 10 centres of cardiac surgery in the Paris region. The cases were compared with 41 non-infected controls, paired by centre, age, gender, ASA anaesthetic risk, stage of cardiac failure and type of surgery. The criteria of pairing were respected in 96% of cases. The mortality was 12% in the study population and 5% in the controls. Thirty-two of the 41 cases required reoperation for the sternal wound infection, usually to insert Redon drains after debridement of the wound. The total duration of the hospital stay was 53 days in the study cases and 30 days in controls, a median prolongation of the hospital stay of 23 days. The authors conclude that deep wound infection after sternotomy is responsible for almost doubling the duration of hospital stay. The economic consequences alone justify active research into the prevention of this complication.

Aged↗

Outbreak of multiply resistant enterobacteriaceae in an intensive care unit: epidemiology and risk factors for acquisition.

A prospective study was initiated in an intensive care unit (ICU) where extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing enterobacteriaceae (ESBLPE) were endemic. From July 1990 to July 1991, patients hospitalized for > or = 5 days were screened for ESBLPE acquisition by means of weekly rectal sampling and clinical cultures. Baseline characteristics and various ICU procedures in 62 cases of ESBLPE were compared with those for 205 patients without ESBLPE, with use of Cox's model. Risk for acquiring ESBLPE (Klebsiella pneumoniae in most cases) increased during the ICU stay, from 4.2% in the first week to 24% in the fourth week. Baseline characteristics were not different between the two groups. Urinary catheterization (P = .04) and arterial catheterization (P = .03) were independent risk factors for acquiring ESBLPE and probably reflected frequency of health care manipulations. The first site of ESBLPE acquisition was the digestive tract in 58 of the 62 patients; 28 infections developed in 22 patients, and these followed or occurred simultaneously with rectal colonization in 18 of those 22. DNA macrorestriction analysis suggested that the same strain was responsible for most cases. In conclusion, ESBLPE acquisition depends on length of stay in the ICU and the use of invasive procedures. Colonization is a prerequisite for infection.

Adult↗

Pulmonary toxoplasmosis in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus: a French National Survey.

We reviewed all cases of pulmonary toxoplasmosis (PT) that were documented by detection of Toxoplasma gondii in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid specimens during a French nationwide review of extracerebral toxoplasmosis in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Only 64 cases of proven PT were recorded during the 33-month survey. The patients were similar to other patients with AIDS in terms of age, sex, and risk factors for HIV infection. PT occurred mainly in patients with advanced immunodeficiency (mean [+/- SD] CD4+ lymphocyte count, 40 +/- 75/mm3). Clinical features of PT usually include fever, cough and dyspnea; the associated radiological findings were mainly diffuse interstitial infiltrates. Serological data were uninformative. The treatment for PT was the same as that for cerebral toxoplasmosis. A clinical response was observed for 47% of patients, 23% of whom relapsed. Twenty-four patients (37%) died of toxoplasmosis, and 17 (27%) died of other causes. The median survival time was 150 days. We conclude that PT is an infrequent but severe infection in HIV-patients in France.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Early predictors of outcome for HIV patients with neurological failure.

OBJECTIVE: To carry out a descriptive study of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with neurological failure and to identify parameters that are predictive of death within 3 months. DESIGN: Case series study. POPULATION AND SETTING: A total of 84 consecutive HIV-infected patients admitted to an infectious disease ICU in a university hospital for neurological failure. A thorough clinical, laboratory, and brain computed tomography (CT) scan workup was done within 48 hours of admission. MAIN RESULTS: The mean (+/- SD) CD4+ lymphocyte count was 0.067 (+/- 0.086) x 10(9)/L. Mechanical ventilation was necessary within 48 hours of admission in 67 cases (80%). The brain CT scan revealed abscesses in 51 patients (61%). The abscesses were attributed to probable toxoplasmosis in 47 patients. A total of 57 patients died, yielding a 3-month survival rate of 32%. By the log-rank test, the following factors were predictive of death within 3 months of admission to the ICU: Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 7 (P = .01), signs of brain stem involvement (P = .001), and need for mechanical ventilation in the 48 hours after admission (P = .02). In a Cox model, only Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 7 (P = .006) and clinical signs of brain stem involvement (P = .02) were predictive of death within 3 months of admission to the ICU. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a thorough examination, no initial HIV-specific parameters were identified as predictive of death. The prognostic factors found simply reflected the severity of neurological involvement in the various etiologies.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

Fulminant hepatitis with severe lactate acidosis in HIV-infected patients on didanosine therapy.

We report two cases of fulminant hepatic failure in HIV-1-infected patients treated with didanosine (ddI). Clinical manifestations including vomiting, diarrhoea and dyspnoea were identical in both cases. Biological data mainly revealed hepatic failure and lactic acidosis. Histological examination of liver biopsies showed diffuse microvesicular steatosis. The outcome was fatal in both patients. The only comparable case previously reported (Lai et al., 1991) showed close similarities in the clinical, biological and histological manifestations with microvesicular steatosis. This prompted us to suspect that ddI might be responsible for fulminant hepatitis in all three AIDS patients. This toxic effect may be added to the list of potential adverse events occurring during ddI therapy.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Cardiac abscess following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

We report the first case of myocardial abscess directly related to percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTCA). Infectious complications of PTCA are very rare and limited to a few cases of groin infection and septic endarteritis most often after repeated procedures. In our patient, a problematic and repeated procedure probably led to a direct colonization and subsequent infection of an intimal dissection of the right coronary artery. Standard aseptic techniques can be inadequate in the case of early repuncture or if there is an indwelling line. Prophylactic antibiotic treatment should be considered in this case, although its usefulness has not been yet formally demonstrated.

Abscess↗

Septic shock due to toxoplasmosis in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.

PURPOSE: To describe the presentation and clinical course of septic shock due to Toxoplasma gondii in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From April 1988 to February 1992, nine HIV-infected patients were admitted because of predominant septic shock (7 patients) or developed septic shock in the ICU (2 patients). The recent CD4+ cell count ranged from 2 to 84 x 10(6)/L. RESULTS: The main clinical features were (1) a history of fever for longer than 15 days, with a recent increase to more than 39.5 degrees C; (2) a recent history of dyspnea (< 15 days, 8 cases; < 7 days, 3 cases); and (3) recent onset of thrombocytopenia (6 of 9 cases). All patients were in shock (hyperkinetic profile in 6 of 7; hypokinetic in 1 of 7), and 8 of 9 were in respiratory distress (ratio of PaO2 over fractional concentration of oxygen in the inspired gas of 117 +/- 23; range, 88 to 155). Chest roentgenograms revealed diffuse alveolar infiltrates in six of nine cases. The serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was 6,510 +/- 5,080 IU/L (range, 1,010 to 15,450 IU/L). Serologic tests for T gondii were negative in two cases. Toxoplasma gondii was isolated from lung (9/9), bone marrow (5/7), or blood (2/2). One, 3, and 2 patients had brain, ocular, and myocardial involvement, respectively. No other microbial pathogens were isolated. Seven patients died, 5 less than 3 days after admission. CONCLUSION: Disseminated toxoplasmosis can cause septic shock in HIV-infected patients. In two cases, the disease was probably a primary infection. The association of high fever, acute dyspnea, recent onset of thrombocytopenia, and a very high level of LDH activity is suggestive of disseminated toxoplasmosis.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

[Severe respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia following bone marrow autograft. 3 cases].

Three patients developed severe respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia after bone marrow autograft for acute leukaemia. Clinically, the disease presents as interstitial or bilateral alveolo-interstitial pneumonia with hypoxaemia. Signs of ENT infection (otitis media, sinusitis) are present in 30 percent of the cases. In all 3 patients, the syncytial virus was isolated by direct immunofluorescence in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In 2 patients the infection began soon after the autograft, in deeply aplastic subjects, and required intubation and assisted ventilation. These 2 patients died despite inhalation of aerosolized ribavirin combined, in one of them, with ribavirin injections. In the third patient the infection began some time after the autograft and responded well to ribavirin in aerosols. In these three cases the viral infection occurred in an epidemic and nosocomial context. The respiratory syncytial virus is usually transmitted by the hands. Owing to the severity of this infection with lung involvement in immunodepressed patients, specific prophylactic measures should be taken side by side with the conventional measures.

Administration, Inhalation↗

A beta-lactamase-overproducing strain of Alcaligenes denitrificans subsp. xylosoxydans isolated from a case of meningitis.

A resistant (R) clinical isolate of Alcaligenes denitrificans subsp. xylosoxydans was recovered from CSF during treatment including piperacillin. This variant selected in vivo, and a second variant obtained in vitro from the initially susceptible (S) strain, both exhibited resistance to penicillins (ticarcillin, piperacillin) and cephalosporins, but remained susceptible to latamoxef and imipenem. Clavulanate (2 mg/L) restored the susceptibility of the two R-variants to penicillins. A beta-lactamase of pI 9.5 was detected in both S and R strains, but overproduction was observed only in the in-vivo and in-vitro R-variants. This inducible beta-lactamase hydrolysed benzylpenicillin, cephalothin and cephaloridine efficiently, but amoxycillin, ticarcillin and cefoperazone were only moderate substrates. The enzyme was inhibited by clavulanate, cloxacillin and imipenem (IC50 between 3 and 9 mM), but not by aztreonam and chloride ions (1 mM). Resistance to beta-lactams was not transferable by conjugation to Escherichia coli or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis indicated that no plasmid was present in the isolates. Restriction patterns of chromosomal DNA isolated from the S and R isolates were similar after digestion by NotI and HindIII.

Adult↗

Serum carcinoembryonic antigen: a prognostic marker in HIV-related Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

Serum concentrations of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were measured in 43 consecutive patients with HIV-related Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). The subjects were divided into 2 groups according to the severity of the PCP:PaO2 in ambient air (AA) less than or equal to 50 mmHg on admission (n = 22, group 1) and PaO2 greater than 50 mmHg (n = 21, group 2). In addition, 57 HIV patients with either non-PCP pulmonary diseases (n = 34, group 3) or extrapulmonary disease (n = 23, group 4) were studied. Mean CEA levels (ng/ml) were 13 +/- 10 in group 1 and 4.9 +/- 5.5 in group 2 (p less than 0.001). The corresponding values in groups 3 and 4 were much lower (2.7 +/- 1.8 and 2.4 +/- 1.8, respectively). In group 1, mean initial CEA levels were higher (p less than 0.001) in the patients who died (n = 6; 23.5 +/- 11) than in the survivors (n = 16; 8.9 +/- 7), although the initial mean PaO2 were identical (39 +/- 7 and 39 +/- 8 mmHg, respectively) and the initial mean LDH levels were not significantly different (1544 +/- 530 and 1200 +/- 457 IU/l). CEA levels fell during specific anti-PCP therapy associated with corticosteroids but returned to normal only in the survivors. We conclude that CEA levels are increased in patients with PCP and acute respiratory distress. Among the patients with PaO2 levels of less than or equal to 50 mmHg before treatment, only high levels of CEA (greater than 20 ng/ml) were associated with a fatal outcome, regardless of anti-PCP therapy associated with corticosteroids.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Severe respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia after autologous bone marrow transplantation: a report of three cases and review.

Three patients with acute leukemia who underwent autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in complete remission, developed a severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) pneumonia, which was fatal in two. Identification of RSV was made on the products of bronchoalveolar lavage by direct immunofluorescence. As already described by others, the initial course of RSV infection varies, depending on whether it occurs sooner or later after BMT with a better prognosis in the latter situation. Treatment consists of aerosolized ribavirin. Infection by RSV is caused by manual contact with infected persons and contaminated surfaces. The severity of lung RSV infection in the course of BMT suggests the need for prophylactic measures in addition to standard isolation precautions.

Acute Disease↗