Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

P Brouqui

Publications and source records attributed to P Brouqui.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

[Tropical animal and human rickettsial infections].

Advances in molecular biology have provided tools that have greatly clarified our knowledge of rickettsial diseases. Most rickettsias have been reclassified in the alpha subgroup of proteobacteria. Four groups of rickettsias have been identified: the spotted fever group, the typhus group, Ehrlichia, and Bartonella. Although still considered as a rickettsia, Coxiella burnetti, the agent causing Q fever, has been reclassified separately in the gamma subdivision of proteobacteria. Recognition of rickettsial disease is still based mainly on clinical manifestations (rash, eschar, and scratching sores). Little progress has been made in serologic testing. Indirect immunofluorescence is the most common technique. Diagnostic techniques based on molecular biology are currently available in only a small number of laboratories. Treatment with tetracyclines is indicated but prophylaxis through proper hygiene is the most effective approach.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Survey of the seroprevalence of Bartonella quintana in homeless people.

Trench fever is caused by Bartonella (Rochalimaea) quintana, a small gram-negative rod that is transmitted by body lice. Recently, B. quintana infections in homeless patients have been reported in the United States and Europe. From October 1993 to October 1994, the seroprevalence of antibodies to B. quintana was assessed by indirect immunofluorescence in a prospective study of 221 nonhospitalized homeless people, 43 hospitalized homeless patients (cases), 250 blood donors, and 57 hospitalized matched controls. Four (1.8%) of 221 nonhospitalized homeless people tested had titers of > 1:100. Of the 43 cases, seven (16%) had serological titers of > or = 1:100. None of the 250 serum samples from blood donors contained antibodies to B. quintana. The presence of antibodies to B. quintana in cases was significantly associated with the presence of body lice, exposure to cats, headaches, eastern European origin, and pain in the legs. This study demonstrates the presence of antibodies to B. quintana in the homeless population and should alert physicians that B. quintana might be an etiologic agent of fever in homeless patients.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Eucaryotic cells protect Borrelia burgdorferi from the action of penicillin and ceftriaxone but not from the action of doxycycline and erythromycin.

Despite appropriate antibiotic treatment, Lyme disease patients may have relapses or may develop chronic manifestations. The intracellular location of Borrelia burgdorferi suggests that antibiotics that penetrate cells will have greater efficiency. Doxycycline or erythromycin was more effective than penicillin or ceftriaxone in killing B. burgdorferi when the organism was grown in the presence of eucaryotic cells.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1996

Evaluation of serological response to Bartonella henselae, Bartonella quintana and Afipia felis antigens in 64 patients with suspected cat-scratch disease.

The serological response to Bartonella henselae, B. quintana, and Afipia felis was assessed by an indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) in 64 patients with suspected cat-scratch disease (CSD) recruited from the Bordeaux area in France. Blood samples were collected from 57 patients with chronic lymphadenopathy who underwent lymph-node biopsy with suggestive histopathologic features of CSD, and from an additional 7 patients with suspected CSD who underwent surgical incision and drainage because of lymph-node tenderness. Of the patients, 31 were male and 33 female, with a median age of 27 years (range 2-89). 69.8% reported cat and/or dog contact. Of the 26/64 (40.6%) patients, serum samples were positive at a titer of 1:100 or more for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies (17 only to B. henselae, 1 only to B. quintana, 3 only to Afipia felis, and 5 to both B. henselae and B. quintana). IgM or IgA antibodies were also detected in 10 patients with IgG antibodies to B. henselae. 11 (17.2%) of the 64 patient serum samples were positive at a low titer of 1:50. These data suggested that serological response assessed by standard IFAT is not enough to confirm a CSD diagnosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Photo quiz.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Bartonella (Rochalimaea) quintana endocarditis in three homeless men.

BACKGROUND: Bartonella (Rochalimaea) quintana is the agent of trench fever and is transmitted by the body louse. We searched for this organism in three alcoholic homeless men with endocarditis. METHODS: Blood samples were cultured on a human endothelial cell line and on blood agar. Bacteria were identified by sequencing the amplified 16S ribosomal RNA gene. The presence of bartonella in tissue was assessed by Gram's staining, immunostaining, and polymerase-chain-reaction amplification. Serologic studies for antibodies to bartonella species were performed by indirect immunofluorescence and Western immunoblotting. RESULTS: B. quintana was isolated from one patient in the blood-agar culture and from the other two patients in the endothelial-cell culture. The organism was also identified by both immunostaining and molecular techniques in the valvular vegetations from the three patients and in a cervical lymph node from one patient. The 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences of the three isolates were almost identical to that of the prototype strain of B. quintana. High titers of antibodies to B. quintana were detected in all three patients, but so were cross-reacting antibodies to chlamydia species. In all three patients studies were repeatedly negative for antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus. CONCLUSIONS: B. quintana is a cause of endocarditis in homeless patients and may be serologically misdiagnosed as a chlamydial infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Prevalence of antibodies to Coxiella burnetti, Rickettsia conorii, and Rickettsia typhi in seven African countries.

The prevalences of antibodies reactive with Coxiella burnetti, Rickettsia conorii, and Rickettsia typhi were determined by indirect fluorescent antibody testing of sera from seven African countries. The seroprevalences of antibodies reactive with C. burnetti and R. conorii in countries from North Africa were similar to those reported from southern Europe. In countries of sub-Saharan Africa, the seroprevalence of antibodies reactive with C. burnetti varied greatly; the generally higher figures for West Africa, where stock breeding is prominent, suggested that domestic animals might be the main reservoirs of infection. The prevalence of antibodies to the recently described species Rickettsia africae was higher than that reported for spotted fever-group rickettsiae from elsewhere in the world and paralleled the distribution of Amblyomma species. Western blot results suggested that the antibodies detected were more likely to be reactive with R. africae than with R. conorii, the main vector of which (Rhipicephalus species) rarely feeds on humans. The seroprevalences of antibodies reactive with R. typhi were higher in coastal regions, where Rattus norvegicus--the natural host of the vector Xenopsylla--is more prevalent, than in inland areas.

Africa↗
PubMed1995

Treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected orthopedic prostheses with ceftazidime-ciprofloxacin antibiotic combination.

Indwelling device infections are associated with considerable morbidity and extremely high cost. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most frequent gram-negative etiologic agent associated with infections of indwelling catheters and foreign body implants. It is generally agreed that eradication of infection in the presence of a foreign body requires removal of the foreign body. Using a combination of ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin, we cured nine of nine patients with P. aeruginosa-infected osteosynthetic material and four of five patients with hip and knee prostheses without removing the foreign material. Follow-up was for a mean of 21 months (range, 6 to 60 months). Some patients experienced minor side effects (arthralgia in one patient and rash in another patient). We conclude that this combination is effective and safe and should be useful in the treatment of P. aeruginosa-infected orthopedic implants.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Apropos of 2 cases of severe malaria contracted in the port of Marseille].

Acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria occurred during summer 1993 in two inhabitants living close to Marseille harbour. History of blood transfusion and travel outside France were excluded as was also discarded airport malaria. Entomological investigations confirmed the absence of Anopheles breeding sites in the port area. An hypothesis is a vectorial transmission following introduction of one or several anopheles arrived on a ship coming from tropical Africa. During this season, the weather conditions were favourable to the survival of anopheles and the completion of P. falciparum sporogonic cycle. Physicians were advised to take into consideration malaria in the differential diagnosis of fever from unknown origin in any patient working or living inside or around the harbour area regardless history of previous travel in malaria endemic region.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[New bacterial infections in the course of AIDS].

The authors reviewed the recent data on unusual or newly described bacterial infection in AIDS. Mycoplasma species are frequently associated with AIDS and hypothesized to play as a cofactor in AIDS evolution (Mycoplasma fermentans and Mycoplasma penetrans). Rochalimea henselea and Rochalimea quintana are the agents of peliosis and bacillary angiomatosis. Some Mycobacterium and Campylobacter species, not previously considered as human pathogens, have been recently involved in severe infection in patients with AIDS.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1994

Reactivity of sera collected from dogs in Mutare, Zimbabwe, to antigens of Ehrlichia canis and Cowdria ruminantium.

Six of 20 sera from apparently healthy dogs in Mutare, Zimbabwe, contained antibodies which were reactive with Cowdria ruminantium and Ehrlichia canis in indirect fluorescent antibody tests at similar titres. In Western blots these sera recognised the immunodominant antigen bands of the two organisms. Sera with high titres (> 1/80) recognised additional antigen bands of each organism. It was not possible to determine whether these dogs had been exposed to C ruminantium, E canis or other Ehrlichia species. In areas where these organisms coexist serological tests for canine ehrlichiosis should be interpreted with caution.

Animals↗