[Two cases of severe community-acquired pleural pneumonia due to Streptococcus pyogenes].

Introduction: The microorganisms incriminated in severe community-acquired pneumonia hospitalized in intensive care unit are the following: Streptococcus pneumoniae, enterobacteria isolated in aspiration-related pneumonia and less frequently intracellular bacteria in so-called atypical pneumonia (Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila).

Case Reports: We report two cases of severe community-acquired pneumonia admitted in intensive care unit and due to Lancefield Group A beta hemolytic streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes). Despite the increased incidence of invasive streptococcal infections, this microorganism still has a rare causative role in the pathogenesis of community-acquired pneumonia.

Seven cases of fungemia with Saccharomyces boulardii in critically ill patients.

Saccharomyces boulardii (Sb) is a particular strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc). This viable yeast is used in intensive care adult patients, delivered in packets of 500 mg, for preventing diarrhea associated with antibiotics or enteral feeding at a regimen of 1-2 g/day. Between June 1996 and October 1998, seven cases of fungemia with Sb occurred in a 12-bed intensive care unit (ICU).

Survey of out-of-hospital emergency intubations in the French prehospital medical system: a multicenter study.

Study Objective: To determine the clinical characteristics of endotracheal intubation in the French emergency prehospital medical system and compare these data with those of other systems.

Methods: This study was performed in lle de France (Paris Region) in mobile ICUs staffed by physicians. This prospective, descriptive study involved completion of a questionnaire by the operator just after endotracheal intubation was performed.