Plasmodium vivax Malaria among military personnel, French Guiana, 1998-2008.

We obtained health surveillance epidemiologic data on malaria among French military personnel deployed to French Guiana during 1998-2008. Incidence of Plasmodium vivax malaria increased and that of P. falciparum remained stable.

[Normal values of the peak early diastolic Ea using myocardial tissue Doppler in 100 elite athletes].

Introduction: Intense physical training can induce morphological and functional changes in the heart, leading to 'Athlete's heart'. This can be responsible for adaptive left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), which is sometimes difficult to differentiate from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with its inherent threat to life. Echocardiography usually allows the diagnosis to be clarified, but in borderline cases it can be insufficient.

[Utility of 18 FDG positon emission tomography in detection of sarcomatous transformation in neurofibromatosis type 1].

Background: The appearance of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNST) marks a critical stage in the course of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Since the diagnostic criteria are fairly non-specific, histological examination alone can confirm malignancy. We assessed the value of 18 FDG positron emission tomoscintigraphy (PET scan) in screening for such malignant tumours.

[Reverse prosthesis and os acromiale or acromion stress fracture].

Purpose Of The Study: We reviewed cases of acromion stress fracture or os acromiale among a consecutive series of 240 reverse prostheses implanted between 1995 and 2003.

Material And Patients: Ten patients presented os acromiale, ten fracture-fragmentation of the acromion, and one nonunion of the scapular spine. The reverse prosthesis was implanted via a deltopectoral approach with no specific procedure on the acromion.

Screening for multidrug-resistant bacteria as a predictive test for subsequent onset of nosocomial infection.

Objective: To investigate whether carriage of multidrug-resistant bacteria is a risk factor for nosocomial infection and whether detection of carriage is predictive of subsequent onset of nosocomial infection.

Methods: In this observational cohort (study period, June 1998 through October 2002), nasal and rectal swab specimens from 412 consecutive patients admitted to the intensive care unit were tested for carriage of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Concomitantly, the bacteria responsible for any subsequent nosocomial infection, the date of infection, and some of the known clinical risk factors for nosocomial infection were noted.

Cost-benefit analysis of vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis among French troops.

Background: French troops are exposed to tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) during their tours of duty in the Balkans. This disease, potentially serious because of its lethality and morbidity, has an effective vaccination. The epidemiological characteristics of TBE in the Balkans are not well known.

[Surgical emergencies at Libreville hospital center].

Objective: To estimate the waiting times of surgical emergencies and identify causes of delay. Study design. - Prospective study over 36 months.

[What are incidence and prevalence].

Morbidity indicators are basic tools of epidemiology. In this short technical presentation, examples from tropical medicine are used to illustrate and explain the concepts of incidence, incidence rate, cumulative incidence or attack rate, incidence density rate, prevalence, prevalence rate and the link between disease prevalence and incidence.

[Disease vector control strategy in the French army].

Disease vector control is a major priority for the Medical Health Corps of the French Armed Forces which maintains around 23,000 troops in tropical areas and is involved in numerous military and humanitarian missions throughout the world. Control strategy includes both general and personal control measures. Personal control measures include wearing permetherin-impregnated combat uniforms, application of repellents to the skin, and use of deltamethrin-impregnated bednets.