[Cerebral toxoplasmosis in HIV infected patients intolerant of cotrimoxazole].

Using results of a multicentric randomized prospective trial of primary prophylaxis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in HIV-infected patients which compared sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim and pentamidine isethionate, the risk to develop cerebral toxoplasmosis was analyzed in the two assigned groups and in the groups of patients who stopped sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim prophylaxis. The risk to develop cerebral toxoplasmosis appeared significantly higher in the group of patients who stopped sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim consecutively to cutaneous hypersensitivity.

[Evaluation of prescription of antibiotics in an intensive care unit].

Objectives: In order to optimize prescriptions, we conducted a qualitative evaluation of antibiotic prescription in an intensive care unit.

Methods: A prospective observational study was performed on 100 consecutive prescriptions from 11/95 to 4/96.

Results: Among 14 documented cases, initial antibiotic therapy was in accordance with antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in all but one case.

Comparison of combination therapy regimens for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with disseminated bacteremia due to Mycobacterium avium. ANRS Trial 033 Curavium Group. Agence Nationale de Recherche sur le Sida.

We conducted a randomized, open-label trial in 42 French hospitals to compare the clinical and bacteriologic efficacy of combination therapy with clarithromycin/clofazimine (Clm/Clof) with that of combination therapy with clarithromycin/rifabutin/ethambutol (Clm/Rib/Eth) as treatment for Mycobacterium avium bacteremia. One hundred forty-four human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive patients older than 18 years of age who had CD4 lymphocyte counts of <100/mm3 and a blood culture positive for M. avium were enrolled in the study.

Incidence and prognosis of embolic events and metastatic infections in infective endocarditis.

Aims: In infective endocarditis, the true incidence of embolic events and metastatic infections remains unknown probably because a large number of events are asymptomatic. The consequences of the prognosis of such events have never been evaluated by a prospective follow-up. This study aimed to assess the incidence of symptomatic or asymptomatic embolic events and metastatic infections in definite infective endocarditis and to determine whether these events carry a risk of mortality.