Bacteriologic surveillance of patients with infectious endocarditis. Value and limitations of the determination of minimal inhibitory concentration and serum bactericidal activity

This is a retrospective study of the records of 17 patients who suffered from infectious endocarditis with positive blood cultures, and concerns the possibilities of predicting immediate infectious signs in patients:--by testing each of the antibiotics used for the minimal inhibitory concentration;--by determining the peak of the serum bactericidal activity of patients. All the patients were under observation, as outpatients, for more than a year and proved completely cured of their infectious endocarditis. A satisfactory minimal inhibitory concentration does not necessarily prevent an infectious evolution in the immediate future. The determination of the peak serum bactericidal activity does not reflect faithfully and instantaneously the anti-infectious action of the treatment; this is shown by the excellent and rapid evolution 13 times out 20 although serum bactericidal activity was considered insufficient (less than 1/8). This level of 1/8 is not a guarantee of therapeutic efficiency. Finally the antiinfectious treatment has been, in the majority of cases, determined by clinical signs and in very few cases by serum bactericidal activity results.     

Anthropometric and biological evaluation of 44 patients with protein-calorie malnutrition

In industrial countries protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) is a frequent cause of hospital morbidity and mortality. In this study, 88 hospital patients were evaluated: 44 (25 men and 19 women) aged from 20 to 80 years) with PCM, and 44 without malnutrition; the two groups were matched with regard to sex, age and height. The following parameters were determined: arm muscle surface, whole-body muscle mass, proportion of body fat, serum albumin (Alb), prealbumin (PA), retinol-binding protein (RBP), transferrin, thyroxine-binding protein, thyroxine, triiodothyronine, reverse triiodothyronine and total complement. Anthropometric measurements were validated by planimetry of a computerized tomographic section of the arm in 60 patients. There were significant differences between the two sexes in anthropometric values. Alb, PA and RBP values were different in men and RBP only in women; all other biochemical parameters were the same in both sexes. Thus, the group with PCM could be distinguished from the control group by anthropometric values and RBP values. Anthropometric parameters have been reported as being more specific of PCM than biochemical parameters, but since the latter are considered more sensitive, both complement each other and must be taken into account.     

Conciliation médicamenteuse d’entrée en service de médecine interne : retour d’expérience après un an de pratique

Since April 2015, medication reconciliation is performed in our Department. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of this activity on patients’ care after one year of practice.

Predictors of no-reflow phenomenon following percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

ObjectivesNo reflow during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a complex issue with serious outcomes. Multiple studies have studied predictors of no-reflow during primary PCI, but data on patients with the late presentation is sparse, which constitutes the majority of patients in peripheral centers. This study aimed to determine predictors of no-reflow during PCI in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in 7 days.MethodsIt was a single-center prospective case-control study performed at a tertiary care center and included 958 patients with STEMI who underwent PCI within 7 days of symptom onset. Baseline and angiographic data of patients undergoing PCI were recorded and patients divided into reflow and no-reflow group.ResultsOf 958 who underwent PCI, 182 (18.9%) showed no-reflow by myocardial blush grade (MBG) < 2. No-reflow group had a higher mean age (66.46 ± 10.71 vs. 61.36 ± 9.94 years), lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) on admission (100.61 ± 26.66 vs. 112.23 ± 24.35, P < 0.0001), a higher level of peak Troponin I level (9.37 ± 2.81 vs. 7.66 ± 3.11 ng/dL, P < 0.0001), low left ventricular ejection fraction (36.71 ± 3.89 vs. 39.58 ± 4.28% respectively P < 0.0001). Among angiographic data and procedural features, multivariable logistic regression analysis identified that advanced age, reperfusion time > 6 hours, SBP < 100 mmHg on admission, functional status of Killip class for heart failure ≥ 3, lower EF (≤ 35%), low initial myocardial blush grade (≤ 1) before PCI, long target lesion length, larger reference diameter of vessel (> 3.5 mm) and high thrombus burden on angiography were found to be independent predictors of no-reflow (P < 0.05).ConclusionNo-reflow phenomenon after PCI for STEMI is complex and multifactorial and can be identified by simple clinical, angiographic, and procedural features. Preprocedural characters of the lesion and early perfusion decides the fate of the outcome.     

Actualités sur les infections à Legionella

Legionella-related disease is caused by an intracellular bacteria mainly living in water. Contamination results from inhalation of Legionella sp containing aerosolized water. Main risk factors are tobacco, immunodeficiency, and advanced age. Antigenuria is the cornerstone of the diagnosis. Immunocompromised patients, more commonly infected with non pneumophila Legionella, present negative antigenuria, and culture and PCR are essential for the diagnosis. Legionnaires’ disease may be severe, especially in elderly and/or immunocompromised patients. Mortality rate varies from 10 % in the general population to 50 % in intensive care. Treatment is based on macrolides or fluoroquinolones. Antibiotic resistance is very rare.     

Relative contribution of muscle and liver insulin resistance to dysglycemia in postmenopausal overweight and obese women: A MONET group study

ObjectivesThe relative contribution of muscle and liver insulin resistance (IR) in the development of dysglycemia and metabolic abnormalities is difficult to establish. The present study aimed to investigate the relative contribution of muscle IR vs. liver IR to dysglycemia in non-diabetic overweight or obese postmenopausal women and to determine differences in body composition and cardiometabolic indicators associated with hepatic or muscle IR.Material and methodsSecondary analysis of 156 non-diabetic overweight or obese postmenopausal women. Glucose tolerance was measured using an oral glucose tolerance test. Whole-body insulin sensitivity (IS) was determined as glucose disposal rate during a euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp. Muscle and liver IR have been calculated using Abdul-Ghani et al. OGTT-derived formulas. Participant's body compositions as well as cardiometabolic risk indicators were also determined.ResultsOverall, 57 (36.5%) of patients had dysglycemia, among them 25 (16.0%); 21 (13.5%); 11 (7.1%) had impaired fasting glycemia, impaired glucose tolerance and combined glucose intolerance respectively. Fifty-three (34.0%) participants were classified as combined IS while on the opposite 51 participants (32.7%) were classified as combined IR and 26 (16.7%) participants had either muscle IR or liver IR. For similar body mass index and total fat mass, participants with liver IR were more likely to have lower whole-body IS, dysglycemia and higher visceral fat, liver fat index, triglycerides and alanine aminotransferase than participants with muscle IR.ConclusionIn the present study, the presence of liver IR is associated with a higher prevalence of dysglycemia, ectopic fat accumulation and metabolic abnormalities than muscle IR.