[The Pneumococcus Observatory of the Central Region, from June 1, 1997 to May 31, 1998].

714 pneumococcus were listed from 14 laboratories between the 1 June 1997 and the 31 May 1998. Data capture was done on Epi info software and concerned age, file number, consultation/hospitalization, sample type, susceptibility to oxacilline (5 micrograms), the results of the E-test for penicillin G, amoxicillin, cefotaxime and the results of the routine disk diffusion susceptibility method. Strains with reduced susceptibility to penicillin G (PRSP) were collected by the coordinating center to perform MICs by the reference method of agar dilution and serotyping.

[Detection of beta-lactamase in samples obtained after tonsillectomy in children].

Production of beta-lactamase was detected using a microbiological assay (Guts test) in samples of tonsils, and by in Haemophilus growing from the same samples of both tonsils obtained from 30 children aged 2 to 13 years (18 aged < 6 years and 12 aged > or = 6 years). Two pieces from each tonsil, core and superficial, were studied. The procedure included direct microscopic examination of smears, and culture to identify Haemophilus, beta-haemolytic streptococci and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Value of examination of the gastric aspirate for the diagnosis of neonatal infection.

To evaluate the interest of examination of the gastric aspirate (GA) as a contribution to decision making of initial antimicrobial therapy, all 3,989 neonates delivered in Orléans Maternity Hospital in 1990 have been studied. Microscopic examination: polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were, respectively, absent/present/abundant in 180/130/25 treated (T) and in 2,567/1,032/90 untreated (NT) newborns. PMN were demonstrated in 2/5 documented, 4/6 obvious, 2/2 suspected and 34/58 possible infections.

[Urinary tract infection in gynecology-obstetrics: resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and previous antibiotic therapy].

From June 1988 to October 1989, 190 women from the department of Obstetrics-Gynecology with bacteriuria due to Gram-negative rods were studied. One hundred and three were investigated as ambulatory patients. Fifty three had received treatment with a bêta-lactam antibiotic during the past three months and 11 between three and six-months before sampling.