A new genus of spider beetle (Coleoptera, Ptinidae) from western Peru.

A new genus of flightless spider beetle from Peru with two new species is described. It is characterized by unique heart-shaped fused elytra and a broad pronotum with five basal depressions. The characters of this new genus and species are illustrated and discussed and the possible phylogenetic placement of this taxon is also included.

A new species of Polynoncus Burmeister, 1876 from Brazil (Coleoptera: Trogidae).

Polynoncus vazdemelloi Huchet Costa-Silva new species (Coleoptera: Trogidae) from Brazil is described and illustrated with data about the natural history and geographic distribution. Comparative data between P. vazdemelloi, P.

The enigma of the dog mummy from ancient Egypt and the origin of 'Rhipicephalus sanguineus'.

Background: Ticks belonging to the Rhipicephalus sanguineus group are amongst the most important vectors of pathogenic microorganisms to dogs and humans. However, the taxonomy of this species group is still the subject of debate, especially because there is no type specimen or reliable morphological description for Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu stricto. Recently, a comprehensive morphological and genetic study on representative tick specimens from Europe, Africa, Americas, and Oceania, revealed the existence of at least four morphologically and genetically distinct species under the name 'R.

The dog mummy, the ticks and the louse fly: Archaeological report of severe ectoparasitosis in Ancient Egypt.

The authors report the first archaeological case of dog ectoparasitosis in Ancient Egypt. The study of a mummified young dog dated to the Roman period suggests a significant infestation by two blood sucking ectoparasites, respectively the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus Latreille, 1806 (Acari: Ixodidae), the louse fly Hippobosca longipennis Fabricius, 1805 (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) as well as puparia of sarcosaprophagous flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae and Calliphoridae), a potential source of myiasis. All of these species are known to be potential vectors of different pathogens which may be responsible for the premature death of the dog.

[Value of RHD fetal genotyping in the prevention of anti-D immunization].

Anti-D prophylaxis is currently applied in France after birth of an RhD positive infant, after interruption of pregnancy and after some antenatal immunizing events (amniocentesis...

Bacteriological validation of a new apparatus for disinfection of hospital waste at the point of disposal.

Objectives: To evaluate the ability of a new apparatus (Dipsys 25, Société SGN, Bagnols sur Cèze, France) to disinfect biomedical waste, including both potentially infectious agents and the normal saprophytic flora of the waste.

Methods: Disinfection was assessed using standard methods (reference strains were fixed on reference carriers according to the French AFNOR methods) and nonstandard assays. Assays in conditions of hospital use, evaluations of bacterial survival during storage, sporicidal effect, and spore survival during storage were performed in parallel.

Comparison of costs linked to the preparation and administration of fluorouracil as a continuous infusion based on three techniques.

The approach in treatment in medical oncology and particularly in the management of solid tumours has to integrate--at least--two targets: the enhancement of therapeutic efficacy, and the respect of global budget assigned to health. Different teams are implicated in such an approach and especially physicians and pharmacists. We decided to conduct a comparative study of three techniques of administering drugs as a continuous infusion.

Centralized preparation of hazardous drugs. A choice between isolator and laminar airflow.

In 1987, the manager of the Saint-Joseph Hospital (Paris, France) requested a reorganization of cytotoxic drug preparation. Protection for staff who handle hazardous drugs was the main concern. The conclusions drawn from a first analysis emphasize the advantages of a centralized reconstitution unit against a decentralized system.

[The perinatal transmission of the hepatitis B virus in the Paris area].

HBsAg was detected in 152 pregnant women among 6,605 (2.3%) screened in the prenatal clinics of four hospitals representative of the Paris metropolitan area. In 98% of cases, HBsAg positivity indicated chronic HBV carrier status.

Immunogenicity and safety in newborns of a new recombinant hepatitis B vaccine containing the S and pre-S2 antigens.

A study to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a recombinant hepatitis B vaccine containing the S and pre-S2 antigens (GenHevac B Pasteur) was conducted in healthy newborn infants. All infants received 20 micrograms of vaccine within 24 h of birth and at 1 and 2 months with a booster injection at month 12. The vaccine was administered alone in 19 infants born to low risk mothers, i.

[Prevention of perinatal hepatitis B virus transmission. Epidemiology and cost/efficacy ratio in the Paris region].

The HBs antigen (AgHBs) was detected in 152 out of 6605 (2.3 percent) pregnant women who attended four representative maternity clinics in the Paris region. In 98 percent of the cases this finding reflected chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

[Perinatal transmission of the hepatitis B virus in Paris region].

HBsAg was detected in 152 pregnant women among 6,605 (2.3%) screened in the prenatal clinics of four hospitals representative of the Paris metropolitan area. In 98% of cases, HBsAg positivity indicated chronic HBV carrier status.

[Prospective evaluation of modalities of ceftazidime prescription].

Between November 1987 and October 1988, we have prospectively studied 101 hospital prescriptions of ceftazidime, a third generation cephalosporine, including all the health care departements of St Joseph hospital. A standard questionnaire was used to collect the date: dosage, length, and conditions of prescriptions. We observed that this antibiotic is correctly prescribed concerning dosage, length of prescription, and is adapted to bacteriological findings.

Collection of placental blood with a view to hemopoietic reconstitution.

Collection of placental blood in a sterile and closed system is a simple, safe and efficient procedure. One hundred and fifty eight units of fetal blood were collected by applying the same requirements of quality and safety as those defined for blood products in blood banks. No adverse effects were seen in mothers or their newborns.

[Prompt antibiotic prophylaxis in resection of the prostate and removal of the bladder catheter].

Several regimens of antibiotic prophylaxis have been used in transurethral prostatic resection. In this study 50 patients received 1 g of cefotaxime during resection and thereafter were divided at random into two groups: one group received another 1 g dose of cefotaxime when the bladder catheter was removed, while the other group was left untreated at that stage. The administration of cefotaxime during both prostatic resection and catheter removal resulted in a highly significant reduction of infection risk, duration of hospitalisation and cost of antibacterial treatment.

Two hundred intrauterine exchange transfusions in severe blood incompatibilities.

Two hundred intrauterine exchange transfusions were performed under local anesthesia in 107 cases of blood incompatibilities (60 fetuses with severe anemia and 47 with hydrops). Under sonographic guidance, depending on fetal and placental position, an optimal puncturing site was selected along the umbilical vein: placental insertion, fetal insertion, or fetal intraabdominal segment. Tests were immediately performed to confirm fetal origin of blood obtained and estimate hemoglobin level.

[Prevalence of anti-HIV antibodies in immunoglobulins recipients].

Seven hundred and forty subjects who, between 1980 and 1985, had received intravenous or intramuscular injections of immunoglobulins (Ig) prepared by Cohn fractionation of plasma pools from more than 2000 donors were investigated for anti-HIV antibodies. Anti-HIV antibodies were detected in only one subject, a female drug addict and therefore belonging to a group at high risk of AIDS. In contrast with the huge amounts of Ig received by the remaining 739 subjects (976 litres intravenously, 128 litres intramuscularly), this young woman had only received 10 ml of anti-HBs Ig intramuscularly.

[Ante-partum administration of preventive treatment of Rh-D immunization in rhesus-negative women. Parallel evaluation of transplacental passage of fetal blood cells. Results of a multicenter study carried out in the Paris region].

1,969 non immunized rhesus negative primiparous women were followed up in 23 maternity units in the geographical region of Paris. 1,882 could be retained to study antepartum protection and 1,884 to study transplacental passage of fetal blood cells. Two groups were defined according to whether they were born in even or uneven years, so that: 955 were the "control" group who delivered 590 rhesus D positive infants, and 927 were the "treated" group who delivered 599 rhesus D positive infants.

[Immunologic abortion and its treatment by immunotherapy].

Recurrent spontaneous abortions in most cases, can be explained by classical abnormalities; but for some cases without etiology and consequently without appropriate therapy until a few years ago, there is hope a successful treatment, thanks to recent advances. Contrary to what was suspected in the past, during pregnancy, the mother is immunologically competent against the paternal antigens of the fetus; this competence is necessary for her to respond to the trophoblast paternal antigen stimulations and develop her immune tolerance. If, because of insufficient stimulation, the woman does not succeed in producing this tolerance, it is now possible to help her by vaccination with paternal lymphocytes, before she becomes pregnant.

[Detection during pregnancy of massive fetomaternal transfusion. A life saved by adherence to a protocol].

A case of massive feto-maternal haemorrhage which was discovered by chance in the 34th week of pregnancy is described in detail. This case is characterised by: total absence of clinical, electrical and echographic abnormalities, a part from the fetus being very anaemic; the saving of the very anaemic newborn baby because of the performance of caesarean section; although the pregnant woman was Rh negative, giving her large doses of IgG and anti-D prophylactically seems to have protected her from Rh immunisation. The authors conclude with the special value that they have found using the Kleihauer test.

[Collection of anti-D immune plasma after labor. Apropos of 4370 plasmaphereses].

4 370 plasmaphereses have been realized on women in the post delivery period for collection of immune anti-D plasma. 1.550 liters of such plasma have been collected and submitted to Cohn fractionation, leading to the preparation of about 100 000 vials of 100 micrograms.