A new spray-based method for the in-vitro development of dry-surface biofilms.

The inanimate environment immediately surrounding the patient in healthcare facilities is a reservoir of microorganisms embedded in dry-surface biofilms (DSB). These biofilms, first highlighted in 2012, are increasingly studied, but currently available in-vitro models only allow for the growth of semi-hydrated biofilms. We developed a new in-vitro method under actual dehydration conditions based on the hypothesis that surface contamination is mainly due to splashes of respiratory secretions.

COVID-19 and Pulmonary Coinfection: A Case Series.

Objectives: In COVID-19 patients, bacterial and fungal pulmonary coinfections, such as , , , or have been reported, but to our knowledge, no case has been reported due to .

Patients And Methods: We describe three cases of coinfections occurring during the 4th wave of COVID-19 in Martinique (French West Indies).

Results: All three cases were fatal; thus, has to be considered as a potentially severe coinfection agent.

Case Report: Pulmonary Leptospirosis Misdiagnosed as COVID-19.

We report the case of an 83-year-old woman with acute, febrile respiratory failure resulting from interstitial pneumonia that required high-flow oxygen therapy. This clinical picture, associated with the ongoing epidemiological situation, initially guided us toward a diagnosis of COVID-19. Based on SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction negativity and the absence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, a search for a differential diagnosis was conducted that led us to conclude a diagnosis of severe pulmonary leptospirosis This case highlights the need to engage in early discussions about differential diagnoses, including neglected tropical and subtropical diseases, during the COVID-19 era.

Staphylococcus capitis isolated from bloodstream infections: a nationwide 3-month survey in 38 neonatal intensive care units.

To increase the knowledge about S. capitis in the neonatal setting, we conducted a nationwide 3-month survey in 38 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) covering 56.6% of French NICU beds.

Achromobacter xylosoxidans in hospital environments: still waters run deep!

Background: Hospital reservoirs of Achromobacter xylosoxidans, responsible for nosocomial infections, are poorly known.

Methods: We examined the growth, survival and biofilm formation of five A. xylosoxidans strains for up to 2 y in distilled, dialysis or microfiltered water.

Risk Factors for Nontyphi Bacteremia Over 10 Years in Fort-de-France, Martinique, West Indies.

Nontyphoidal infections can result in bacteremia. This study was undertaken to determine the predictive factors for bacteremia in children aged less than 16 years. Medical data were collected for every child with positive nontyphoidal cultures in blood or stools at the University hospital of Martinique, French West Indies, between January 2005 and December 2015.

Infectious Complications Following Snakebite by in Martinique: A Case Series.

Infections secondary to snakebite occur in a number of patients and are potentially life-threatening. bites in Martinique average 30 cases per year and may result in severe thrombotic and infectious complications. We aimed to investigate the infectious complications related to bite.

Achromobacter spp. healthcare associated infections in the French West Indies: a longitudinal study from 2006 to 2016.

Background: Bacteria of the Achromobacter genus, more particularly xylosoxidans species, are responsible for various healthcare associated infections (HAI) which are increasingly described since the last decade. Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are considered as potential reservoirs in hospitals. We performed a retrospective study to estimate the frequencies of Achromobacter spp.

Achromobacter xylosoxidans resistance to antiseptics and disinfectants is far from obvious.

Background: Achromobacter xylosoxidans is described as being resistant to antiseptics and disinfectants. We studied in vitro the ability of five strains to survive and grow in such solutions, with and without starvation.

Methods: Bacterial suspensions in rich media and in distilled water were inoculated into eight antiseptics or disinfectants under conditions of use.

Evaluation of different serological assays for early diagnosis of leptospirosis in Martinique (French West Indies).

Background: Leptospirosis is a potentially life-threatening but curable zoonosis whose prognosis depends on accurate and timely diagnosis. Because of its non-specific clinical presentation, laboratory testing is essential to confirm the diagnosis. Here, we aimed to assess the performance of two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) (ELISA Serion and ELISA-Hb Pasteur) and one immunodot (GenBio) using quantitative PCR (qPCR) as gold standard, instead of the traditional microscopic agglutination test, for the diagnosis of acute leptospirosis in an endemic area.

Factors Associated with Severe Leptospirosis, Martinique, 2010-2013.

To identify factors associated with disease severity, we examined 102 patients with quantitative PCR-confirmed leptospirosis in Martinique during 2010-2013. Associated factors were hypotension, chest auscultation abnormalities, icterus, oligo/anuria, thrombocytopenia, prothrombin time <68%, high levels of leptospiremia, and infection with L. interrogans serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae/Copenhageni.

Human infection with Shewanella putrefaciens and S. algae: report of 16 cases in Martinique and review of the literature.

Shewanella spp. are saprophytic bacteria that are part of the marine microflora in warm climates and are rarely pathogenic. However, Shewanella spp.

Serovar diversity of pathogenic Leptospira circulating in the French West Indies.

Background: Leptospirosis is one of the most important neglected tropical bacterial diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean. However, very little is known about the circulating etiological agents of leptospirosis in this region. In this study, we describe the serological and molecular features of leptospires isolated from 104 leptospirosis patients in Guadeloupe (n = 85) and Martinique (n = 19) and six rats captured in Guadeloupe, between 2004 and 2012.

Bacteremia caused by Aeromonas species [corrected] complex in the Caribbean Islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe.

Aeromonas species are Gram-negative bacilli of the water environment whose survival appears facilitated by warm climates. There have been no reports on Aeromonas species in the [corrected] Caribbean to date. Our aim was to describe clinical and bacteriological features in patients presenting with such bacteremia in Martinique and Guadeloupe.