Spawning behaviour of Allis shad Alosa alosa: new insights based on imaging sonar data.

Spawning behaviour of Alosa alosa was observed by high resolution imaging sonar. Detected clouds of sexual products and micro bubbles served as a potential indicator of spawning activity. Peak spawning time was between 0130 and 0200 hours at night.

Streptococcus milleri group infection associated with digestive fistula in patients with vascular graft: report of seven cases and review.

We described seven patients with Streptococcus milleri group aortic (six patients) or vena cava (one patient) graft infection secondary to a vasculo-digestive fistula. Time between vascular graft setting and first clinical signs varied from eight months to more than thirteen years. Six patients had fever.

[Bartonella endocarditis on native valves. Apropos of 2 cases].

The authors report two cases of Bartonella endocarditis in native valves. The first case was a 15 year old North African Girl who lived in poor social conditions and was admitted to hospital with pyrexia and congestive heart failure. Investigations revealed massive mitral regurgitation due to ruptured chordae tendinae, vegetations on the pulmonary valve with severe pulmonary hypertension due to persistent ductus arteriosus.

[Nocardia respiratory infection in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease].

Pulmonary nocardiosis is a respiratory infection which is usually described in the immunocompromised. We report three cases in patients suffering from chronic airflow obstruction. In two cases there was a parenchymal disorder and in one case bronchial suppuration without involvement of the alveolar region.

[In vitro activity of twenty antibiotics against Rhodococcus equi].

The in vitro susceptibility of nine Rhodococcus equi strains (seven isolates from immunocompromised patients mainly HIV positive and two reference strains) to twenty various antibiotics were assessed for bacteriostatic effects by an agar dilution method. Imipenem and ceftriaxone were the most effective of the beta-lactams studied. The lowest MIC were noted with vancomycin, teicoplanin, erythromycin, clarithromycin, rifampicin, gentamicin and doxycycline.

Adherence and hemagglutination of Corynebacterium group D2.

Sixty-one strains of Corynebacterium group D2 were examined for their ability to adhere to human uroepithelial cells and to agglutinate human and guinea-pig erythrocytes. Strains were isolated from samples of two origins: urine of bacteriuric patients and healthy skin of patients without urinary infection. In addition, the isolates were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

[Bactericidal effect of cefotaxime-sulbactam and imipenem combined with gentamicin and/or ciprofloxacin against CTX-1 producing Klebsiella pneumoniae].

Bactericidal activity of gentamicin, imipenem, ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime associated with sulbactam are studied on 36 beta lactamase CTX-1 (TEM-3) producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated of sputum samples and urines, among patients of intensive care units, in Rangueil hospital (Toulouse). Gentamicin, imipenem, cefotaxime associated with sulbactam have a bactericidal activity at serum levels, obtained with usual therapeutic doses. Ciprofloxacin has a bactericidal activity at concentrations obtained in urine and into lung tissue.

[Corynebacterium group D2. Clinical study, biochemical identification and antibiotic sensitivity].

The comparative study of 44 isolates of Corynebacterium group D2, from urine, most frequently, shows the pathogenic role of these bacteria in urinary tract infection, with or without urinary stones. These microorganisms have an opportunistic behaviour in other non-urinary sites, and become pathogen in immunosuppressed conditions. The rapid tests as urease, glucose acidification, nitrate reductase, associated with multiple resistance to antibiotics (beta-lactams and aminosides) identify easily Corynebacterium group D2, from 48 h cultures under CO2 conditions.