Native aortic endocarditis due to an unusual pathogen: Actinotignum schaalii.

We report a case of aortic native valve endocarditis due to Actinotignum schaalii in an 89-year-old man with prostatism history but no signs of urinary infection. Actinotignum schaalii was isolated not only from positive blood culture but also from cardiac valve culture using mass spectrometry and 16S rDNA sequencing. Actinotignum schaalii is recognized as commensal of genitourinary tract, but it was underdiagnosed.

[Salmonella meningitis in an infant due to a pet turtle].

In humans, Salmonella most often causes self-limiting gastroenteritis, but more severe symptoms such as sepsis and meningitis can also occur and can sometimes have a fatal outcome. Even if the meningitis is not fatal, sequelae such as epilepsy, cranial nerve palsies, and hydrocephalus can occur. In the United States, it has been estimated that approximately 6% of the human cases of salmonellosis can be attributed to contact with reptiles or amphibians.

[Distribution of antimicrobial guidelines: useful but not enough for an antibiotic stewardship].

Purpose: Evaluate the impact of distribution of antimicrobial guidelines (AG) on anti-infectious prescriptions (AIP) in patients presenting a bacteraemia. Cost evaluation of AIP with and without intervention of an infectious disease specialist.

Methods: The first evaluation of AIP was performed from January to May 2008 in Douai hospital, France, at day 4 after the initial blood sample using French guidelines (FG).

Evaluation of glycopeptide use in nine French hospitals.

Background: Adequate glycopeptide use is necessary to optimize efficacy and minimize adverse events and selection of drug resistant microorganisms.

Methods: We performed a multicenter prospective observational study of glycopeptides indications based on modified HICPAC criteria, and quality of prescription based on French consensus recommendations. We assessed the adequacy of indications, loading dose, maintenance dose, administration frequency, serum monitoring and its consequences.

[A case report of Cardiobacterium hominis endocarditis].

We here report a case of endocarditis due to Cardiobacterium hominis in a 53-year-old patient, who presented with large vegetations on the mitral valve. Good cooperation between clinicians and microbiologists and an efficient automated blood culture system were the decisive factors in establishing the diagnosis. Early and appropriate treatment prevented the septic embolisms often observed in this pathology.

[Pulmonary embolism disclosing activated protein C resistance].

Resistance to the activation of protein C is a recently discovered constitutional anomaly of coagulation which is responsible for thromboembolic events in young subjects. We report a case in a 26 year old man who presented with pulmonary embolus. Laboratory data was characterised by an absence of any lengthening of the activated cephaline time after adding purified activated exogenous Protein C.