Emergence of Q Fever Arthritis in France

Osteoarticular infection is an uncommon presentation of Q fever. Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning is a valuable tool for the diagnosis of Coxiella burnetii graft prosthesis infection and endocarditis. Our objective was to test a series of culture-negative osteoarticular samples using molecular assays for Coxiella burnetii. We tested for C. burnetii by molecular assays targeting the IS1111 and the IS30A spacer regions, using culture-negative osteoarticular samples obtained in our laboratory between January 2011and December 2012. We examine a total of 1,410 osteoarticular samples, and we observed two cases of arthritis and subacromial bursitis caused by C. burnetii. The infections were localized using PET scanning, and the diagnosis was confirmed through serology. For one, a C. burnetii strain with a multispacer sequence type 8 genotype was isolated from synovial fluid culture. Q fever articular infections could be undiagnosed because of the long evolution of articular attack, and patients with high antibody titers against C. burnetii should be tested using PET scanning to localize the site of infection.     

Bilateral symmetric polyarthralgia revealing Fanconi's syndrome

We report the case of a 45-year-old woman who presented with a six-year history of diffuse polyarthralgia responsible for major disability. She reported bilateral symmetric arthralgia in nearly every joint, as well as back pain. Muscle wasting predominating in the roots of the limbs was found. Laboratory tests showed hypocalcemia, severe hypophosphatemia, hypokalemia, alkaline phosphatase elevation, aminoaciduria, and hyperphosphaturia, with no glycosuria. Radiographs disclosed osteolysis of the pubic symphysis, multiple pelvic fractures, vertebral compression fractures, and diffuse demineralization. A bone scan visualized symmetric foci of hyperactivity in nearly all joints and fracture sites. Dramatic improvements in clinical and radiographic abnormalities were noted after six months of treatment with phosphate and calcitriol. This is a case of incomplete Fanconi syndrome, with no glycosuria. The clinical presentation of Fanconi syndrome can be misleading. Fanconi syndrome should be borne in mind as a possible cause of polyarthralgia to avoid diagnostic delay, which in our patient led to a picture of pseudomyopathy with multiple fractures.     

Successful extracorporeal resuscitation of a probable perioperative anaphylactic shock due to atracurium

We report the case of a 55-year-old woman ASA 2 scheduled for a cholecystectomy, who presented 25 minutes after the induction, a circulatory arrest probably due to a cardiac anaphylaxis attributed to atracurium. After 60 minutes of futile resuscitation without any spontaneous cardiac rhythm a percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was initiated. Twenty minutes later and after three external electric shocks electric cardiac activity returned normal. The weaning was possible 120 minutes later with catecholamine support. She left the intensive care unit on postoperative day seven after a laparotomy secondary to splenic injury due to intensive cardiopulmonary resuscitation. She was discharged home without any neurologic or cardiac sequellae. Biological assessment done during the circulatory arrest and cutaneous tests performed ten weeks later confirmed an isolated allergy to atracurium. CPB is the most efficient support in case of reversible cardiac arrest but unfortunately the less accessible outside from cardiac surgery unit.     

Recovery of plasma volume after 1 week of exposure at 4,350 m

Plasma volume (PV) decreases at high altitude, but is rapidly restored upon return to sea-level (RSL). The aim of this study was (1) to describe PV recovery upon RSL with concomitant changes in major fluid regulating hormones, and (2) to test the hypothesis that PV recovery is promoted by the administration of a plasma expander. Ten male subjects were evaluated at rest and during submaximal exercise at sea-level (SL), after 7 days at 4,350 m (H7), and on RSL, on day 1 (RSL1, rest only) and day 2 (RSL2). PV (measured by carbon monoxide rebreathing), plasma renin (Ren), aldosterone (Aldo), atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) were measured at rest and during exercise. The subjects were divided into two groups 1 h before RSL, one group receiving PV expansion (475+/-219 ml) to ensure normovolemia (PVX, n=6), the others serving as controls (Control, n=4). PV decreased by 13.6% in H7 ( n=10), but was restored in RSL2, regardless of PVX. Ren, Aldo and AVP, which were similar in both groups, were reduced in H7, but were higher in RSL2 (rest or exercise). ANF was modified neither by hypoxia nor by PVX. Total water intake was reduced in H7, but remained normal in RSL in both groups, whereas water output dropped in RSL. PVX increased urine flow rate in RSL1 compared with subjects not given PVX. The present results suggest that PV recovery during early RSL is mainly due to a decreased diuresis, promoted at least in part by changes in fluid regulating hormones. However, neither PV recovery, nor hormonal responses were altered with PVX-induced normovolemia upon RSL.     

Biological characterization of experimental carbon samples

The use of carbon is widespread in fields as wide as aeronautics, cars, electricity or electronics. The biomedical applications of carbon are also numerous. The purpose of our work is to test four experimental carbon fibers (A, B, C and D; B being the negative control) to determine the best clinical application. Four tests of cytocompatibility are carried out (cell viability, inflammatory test, cell proliferation and cell morphology). Two different cell lines are used: the L132 cell line (epithelial embryonic pulmonary human cell) and the HaCaT line (human normal spontaneously immortalized skin keratinocytes). The results of the biological tests are compared with those of a carbon fiber sample already marketed as a bandage in the treatment of infected wounds: Actisorb "Plus (J2). The various tests show us that only two experimental samples are slightly cytotoxic (A, D). On the other hand, no sample supports cell adherence. A, B, C and D do not have an inflammatory effect. J2 appears at the same time cytotoxic and inflammatory. Consequently, being given the physical presentation and the biological properties of experimental samples (A, C and D), we intend them for an application in the field of wound healing, as a bandage. Also further experimentation is needed.     

Choc anaphylactique au cours de la grossesse à terme. À propos de deux cas et revue de la littérature

Anaphylaxis is a relative uncommon event in pregnancy that can have serious implications for both mother and foetus. Two cases of grade 3 anaphylactic shock occurring at the end of the third trimester of pregnancy are reported; the causal agents were respectively amoxicilline and suxamethonium. Maternal and foetal outcome was good after adequate resuscitation and caesarean section performed in both cases because of severe bradycardia. A review of the literature confirms the good maternel outcome; neurologic damage in the newborn is frequent. On the basis of physiologic findings degranulation of placental mast cell is evoked in the genesis of birth asphyxia.