Direct identification of bacteria from BacT/ALERT anaerobic positive blood cultures by MALDI-TOF MS: MALDI Sepsityper kit versus an in-house saponin method for bacterial extraction.

in Journal of Medical Microbiology (2012), 61

In cases of bacteraemia, a rapid species identification of the causal agent directly from positive blood culture broths could assist clinicians in the timely targeting of empirical antimicrobial therapy ... [more ▼]

In cases of bacteraemia, a rapid species identification of the causal agent directly from positive blood culture broths could assist clinicians in the timely targeting of empirical antimicrobial therapy. For this purpose, we evaluated the direct identification of micro-organisms from BacT/ALERT (bioMérieux) anaerobic positive blood cultures without charcoal using the Microflex matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time of flight MS (Bruker), after bacterial extraction by using two different methods: the MALDI Sepsityper kit (Bruker) and an in-house saponin lysis method. Bruker's recommended criteria for identification were expanded in this study, with acceptance of the species identification when the first three results with the best matches with the MALDI Biotyper database were identical, whatever the scores were. In total, 107 monobacterial cultures and six polymicrobial cultures from 77 different patients were included in this study. Among monomicrobial cultures, we identified up to the species level 67 and 66 % of bacteria with the MALDI Sepsityper kit and the saponin method, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two extraction methods. The direct species identification was particularly inconclusive for Gram-positive bacteria, as only 58 and 52 % of them were identified to the species level with the MALDI Sepsityper kit and the saponin method, respectively. Results for Gram-negative bacilli were better, with 82.5 and 90 % of correct identification to the species level with the MALDI Sepsityper kit and the saponin method, respectively. No misidentifications were given by the direct procedures when compared with identifications provided by the conventional method. Concerning the six polymicrobial blood cultures, whatever the extraction method used, a correct direct identification was only provided for one of the isolated bacteria on solid medium in all cases. The analysis of the time-to-result demonstrated a reduction in the turnaround time for identification ranging from 1 h 06 min to 24 h 44 min, when performing the blood culture direct identification in comparison with the conventional method, whatever the extraction method. [less ▲]

Acute cholecystitis with Listeria monocytogenes

in Acta Clinica Belgica (2012), 67(4), 295-297

Listeriosis, an opportunistic food-borne disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes, is infrequent and occurs preferentially in patients at the extremes of age, during pregnancy or in immunocompromised ... [more ▼]

Listeriosis, an opportunistic food-borne disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes, is infrequent and occurs preferentially in patients at the extremes of age, during pregnancy or in immunocompromised hosts. Most common manifestations are maternofoetal and neonatal infections, severe invasive presentations such as bacteraemia with or without central nervous system symptoms occuring preferentially in immunosuppressed patients and self-limited gastro-enteritis affecting healthy individuals. Exceptionally, focal infections such as cholecystitis are described. We report here a case of acute cholecystitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes in an 82-year-old woman. Thanks to a successful treatment: cholecystectomy and antimicrobial therapy (amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid), the patient soon recovered. This case-report provides an opportunity to review the current literature concerning the association of Listeria monocytogenes and cholecystitis. [less ▲]

Typage des souches de Norovirus circulant dans les populations symptomatiques et asymptomatiques au Burkina Faso

Poster (2012)

Appartenant à la famille des Caliciviridae, genre Norovirus, les norovirus (NoV) sont des virus non enveloppés dont le génome est composé d’un ARN monocaténaire de polarité positive ... [more ▼]

Appartenant à la famille des Caliciviridae, genre Norovirus, les norovirus (NoV) sont des virus non enveloppés dont le génome est composé d’un ARN monocaténaire de polarité positive d’approximativement 7,5 kb. Les NoV infectent l’homme chez qui ils représentent au niveaumondial un agent majeur de gastroentérites épidémiques, d’origine souvent alimentaire mais aussi sporadique, et ce, toutes classes d'âges confondues. Les souches humaines sont classées génétiquement dans différents génotypes au sein de trois des cinq génogroupes, nommés (G) I, II et IV, composant le genre Norovirus. La voie de transmission des NoV est féco-orale. Les NoV sont très résistants dans l’environnement et la dose infectieuse est faible. Dans la population humaine, une grande diversité de souches appartenant principalement aux G I et II co-circulent. Parmi ces souches, le génotype Lordsdale (GII-4) est prédominant dans les épidémies actuelles, notamment lorsqu'une transmission de personne à personne est incriminée, alors que les souches du G I semblent plus fréquemment rapportées au cours des épidémies d’origine environnementale, comme celles liées à la consommation de fruits de mer. Si de nombreuses études d'épidémiologie moléculaire concernant ces virus ont été réalisées dans les pays industrialisés, les données sont par contre manquantes ou ténues pour bien des pays non industrialisés, et en particulier africains. Au cours d'une étude épidémiologique réalisée à Bobo Dioulasso au Burkina Faso et portant sur la prévalence des NoV dans les échantillons de selles de patients présentant ou non des symptômes de gastro-entérite, les souches détectées ont été quantifiées, leur génogroupe a été déterminé et pour certaines d'entre elles le génotype a été précisé. Quatre cent cinquante trois patients ont été prélevés, dont 319 présentant des symptômes diarrhéiques et 134 sujets témoins ne présentant pas de symptomatologie digestive. La détection des NoV et la quantification des charges virales excrétées ont été effectuées sur tous les échantillons par RT-PCR en temps réel permettant de discriminer les souches appartenant aux G I ou II. Une RT-PCR conventionnelle visant les régions de la polymérase (ORF1 du virus) ou de la capside (ORF2) a ensuite été réalisée sur une partie des échantillons détectés positifs en vue du séquençage de ces régions. Les relations phylogénétiques des souches circulant dans la population du Burkina Faso aux souches de référence ont aussi été inférées. Les résultats de RT-PCR en temps réel ont permis de mettre en évidence que les prévalences apparentes de l'infection par les NoV sont similaires dans les populations symptomatique et asymptomatique : une détection moléculaire de NoV chez 67 patients présentant de la diarrhée (21,0 %) et chez 31 des sujets témoins (23,1 %) a pu être observée. Les génotypes circulant détectés sont très variés dans les deux génogroupes, avec une proportion assez surprenante de NoV appartenant au G I. Université polytechnique de Bobo-Dioulasso, Institut supérieur des Sciences de la Santé (INSSA), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. Cette étude a permis de préciser l'épidémiologie moléculaire des souches de NoV circulant dans un pays représentatif de l'Afrique de l'Ouest. Elle a également montré que des individus asymptomatiques pourraient jouer un rôle assez important de réservoir du virus. Elle souligne enfin que, malgré le fait que les souches GII, et en particulier celles de génotype GII.4, soient à l'heure actuelle rapportées majoritairement au niveau mondial, les souches G I doivent être excrétées en égale proportion dans l'environnement. L'origine épidémiologique de la différence entre les prévalences apparentes des infections par les souches de GI et de GII, bien que partiellement expliquée par les différences de sensibilité génétique et d'immunité de population, reste donc à élucider. Remerciements: à la fondation A. Seghers, au Centre de Coopération au Développement de l'Université de Liège, à R. Boreux (assistance technique), aux membres du laboratoire du CMA de Dô et aux agents de santé de Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina-Faso). [less ▲]

Les Norovirus : grands coupables méconnus de gastro-entérites

in Revue de la Médecine Générale [=RMG] (2011), (285), 316-321

Recently, noroviruses emer- ged worldwide as a main and frequent cause of sporadic and epidemic gastroenteritis. The symptomatology they cause is usually benign. Their real impact lies on Public Health ... [more ▼]

Recently, noroviruses emer- ged worldwide as a main and frequent cause of sporadic and epidemic gastroenteritis. The symptomatology they cause is usually benign. Their real impact lies on Public Health and Food Safety levels. [less ▲]

Filamentous fungi recovered from the water distribution system of a Belgian university hospital

in Medical Mycology (2010), 48(7), 969-974

A study was carried out over a 4-month winter period in order to assess the presence of filamentous fungi in the water distribution system of the University Hospital of Liège. A total of 197 hot and cold ... [more ▼]

A study was carried out over a 4-month winter period in order to assess the presence of filamentous fungi in the water distribution system of the University Hospital of Liège. A total of 197 hot and cold water samples were collected from the main water supply lines and from the taps at three different hospital sites. Overall, filamentous fungi were recovered from 55% and 50% of the main water distribution system and tap water samples, respectively, with a mean of 3.5 ± 1.5 colony forming units per 500 ml water. Nine different genera were identified, all belonging to the Hyphomycetes class. Aspergillus spp. were recovered from 6% of the samples of the water distribution system and A. fumigatus was the most frequently recovered species (66.6%). However, this species was not isolated from water taps. Fusarium spp. was predominant at one site, where it was found in 28% of tap water samples. No Aspergillus spp. but some Fusarium spp. isolates were identified in samples collected from high-risk units. Filters were introduced at the point-of-use in the haematology unit after completion of the study. The findings of the present study confirm the need for further documented studies to evaluate the safety of the hospital water system and to define new preventive measures. [less ▲]

Automédication par les antibiotiques provenant des pharmacies privées de la ville d’Abidjan en Côte d’Ivoire

in Médecine et Maladies Infectieuses (2010), 40(6), 333-340

Abstract Self-medication with antibiotics is all the more disturbing in developing countries where this type of medication is easily available, and often without any prescription. Objectives. – The ... [more ▼]

Abstract Self-medication with antibiotics is all the more disturbing in developing countries where this type of medication is easily available, and often without any prescription. Objectives. – The authors wanted to assess and describe self-medication with antibiotics and identify the factors and public perception associated with this type of self-medication. Patients and methods. – Eighteen private pharmacies were randomly selected in Abidjan. Data was collected through structured questionnaires and reports. Group meetings were organized for private pharmacy clients and the pharmacy staff.Results. – Two hundred and forty-two out of 1,123 purchases of antibiotics were for self-medication (21.5 %). Out of the 1,765 people interviewed, 1,054 (59.7 %) had bought antibiotics for self-medication in the 12 months prior to our study. Pharmacy staff very rarely provided any information to purchasers concerning dose, when to take the medicine, or treatment duration. A logistic regression analysis showed that the probability of self-medication with antibiotics increased with several factors: age, education level, and the possibility of purchasing antibiotics on the marketplace. However, this risk decreased when patients were covered by medical insurance, when the public perceived the risks of self-medication, and when bacterial resistance was clearly defined. Conclusions. – This study was the first in the Ivory Coast to analyze the factors involved in antibiotic self-medication. It stressed the need to establish sustainable interventions to control the antibiotic use. [less ▲]

Evaluation of 13 selected medicinal plants from Burkina Faso for their antiplasmodial properties.

in Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2010), 130

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiplasmodial properties of 13 plants used against malaria in traditional medicine in Burkina Faso. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro ... [more ▼]

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiplasmodial properties of 13 plants used against malaria in traditional medicine in Burkina Faso. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro antiplasmodial activity of dichloromethane, methanol and aqueous crude extracts obtained from vegetal samples collected in Burkina Faso was first evaluated on the Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 chloroquine-sensitive strain using a colorimetric method. RESULTS: Thirteen extracts obtained from 8 different species were found to exhibit antiplasmodial activity (IC(50)<50mug/ml). Five species demonstrated a moderate activity (15mug/ml<IC(50)<50mug/ml): Boswellia dalzielii (leaves), Waltheria indica (roots and aerial parts), Bergia suffruticosa (whole plant), Vitellaria paradoxa (bark) and Jatropha gossypiifolia (leaves). The best results were obtained with extracts from the Dicoma tomentosa whole plant, from Psorospermum senegalense leaves and from Gardenia sokotensis leaves. These extracts found to display promising antiplasmodial activity, with IC(50) values ranging from 7.0 to 14.0mug/ml. The most active plant extracts were then tested for in vitro activity on the Plasmodium falciparum W2 chloroquine-resistant strain and also for in vitro cytotoxicity on normal human fibroblasts (WI-38) in order to determine the selectivity index. CONCLUSIONS: Dicoma tomentosa (Asteraceae) and Psorospermum senegalense (Clusiaceae) appeared to be the best candidates for further investigation of their antiplasmodial properties, reported for the first time by this study. [less ▲]

Evaluation des potentialités antiplasmodiales de plantes utilisées en médecine traditionnelle au Burkina Faso

Conference (2009, October 07)

In vitro antiplasmodial activity of plants used in Benin in traditional medicine to treat malaria

in Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2009), 122

Aim of the study: The aim of the studywas to evaluate the in vitro antiplasmodial activity of crude extracts of 12 plant species traditionally used in Benin for the treatment of malaria in order to ... [more ▼]

Aim of the study: The aim of the studywas to evaluate the in vitro antiplasmodial activity of crude extracts of 12 plant species traditionally used in Benin for the treatment of malaria in order to validate their use. Materials and methods: For each species, dichloromethane, methanol and total aqueous extracts were tested. The antiplasmodial activity of extracts was evaluated using the measurement of the plasmodial lactate dehydrogenase activity on chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) and resistant (W2) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. The selectivity of the different extractswas evaluated using the MTT test on J774 macrophagelike murine cells and WI38 human normal fibroblasts. Results: The best growth inhibition of both strains of Plasmodium falciparum was observed with the dichloromethane extracts of Acanthospermum hispidum DC. (Asteraceae) (IC50 =7.5 g/ml on 3D7 and 4.8 g/ml on W2), Keetia leucantha (K. Krause) Bridson (syn. Plectronia leucantha Krause) (Rubiaceae) leaves and twigs (IC50 = 13.8 and 11.3 g/ml on 3D7 and IC50 = 26.5 and 15.8 g/ml on W2, respectively), Carpolobia lutea G.Don. (Polygalaceae) (IC50 = 19.4 g/ml on 3D7 and 8.1 g/ml on W2) and Strychnos spinosa Lam. (Loganiaceae) leaves (IC50 = 15.6 g/ml on 3D7 and 8.9 g/ml on W2). All these extracts had a low cytotoxicity. Conclusion: Our study gives some justifications for the traditional uses of some investigated plants. [less ▲]

Comparison of three serological tests for the diagnosis of canine sino-nasal aspergillosis.

in Proceedings of the 18th ECVIM-CA Congress (2008, September)