Investigation of fluoroquinolone-induced myalgia using (31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy and in vitro contracture tests.

Objective: To investigate muscle function in patients with severe myalgia resulting from fluoroquinolone (FQ) treatment. We used histology, in vitro contracture tests (IVCTs), and (31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((31)P MRS) to explore muscle contraction and metabolism.

Methods: We studied 3 patients with myalgia, hyperalgia tendinopathy, and arthralgia following FQ treatment and 3 normal subjects after taking FQs.

[Lead poisoning in adults. Experience of the Poison Control Center of Marseille from 1993 to 2000].

Objective: Report the experience of the Marseille's anti-poison center with lead poisoning adults.

Patients And Methods: Between 1993 and 2000, 45 adults patients consulted the poison Centre of Marseille for a history of lead exposure (9 women, 36 men, average age 44 YO, between 22 an 76 YO). The lead sources were mostly occupational (welding, heavy metal industries.

Malignant hyperthermia susceptibility revealed by myalgia and rhabdomyolysis during fluoroquinolone treatment.

Fluoroquinolones cause myalgia, but this complication is not clearly documented. We describe a patient who developed myalgia and rhabdomyolysis during fluoroquinolone treatment. The patient was a 33-year-old man treated with norfloxacin for common cystitis.

Cannabis arteritis revisited--ten new case reports.

The purpose of this paper was to revisit the old concept of cannabis arteritis first described in the 1960s and report 10 new cases. Ten male patients, with a median age of 23.7 years developed subacute distal ischemia of lower or upper limbs, leading to necrosis in the toes and/or fingers and sometimes to distal limb gangrene.

[Severe potassium dichromate poisoning after accidental nasal introduction].

Background: Nasal foreign body (NFB) is a common situation in pediatrics. Poisoning is a rare complication of NFB insertion. We report a case of acute potassium dichromate poisoning secondary to NFB insertion.

[Methamidophos intoxication: immediate and late neurological toxicity; two case reports].

Méthamidophos is an organophosphorus insecticide which delayed neurotoxicity is more frequent than with other organophosphates. Authors present a case report concerning a collective poisoning after cutaneous contact: two farm labourers presented moderate cholinergic signs quickly followed by proximal neurological signs (retrobulbar ocular neuritis for one patient, thight paresthesias for the second one). These signs decreased meanwhile new neurological symptoms appeared: sensory and motor peripheral neuropathy in both patients, with a clinical aspect of OrganoPhosphorus Induced Delayed Neuropathy (OPIDN).

[Impact of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and its metabolites on the immune system].

Many studies obvious impact of cannabinoids on the immune system. These studies follow the rapid advanced researches led in the immunology field. D9 Tetrahydrocannabinol and their metabolites decrease production of tumoral necrosis factor alpha.

[Cannabis-induced arteritis vs. Léo Buerger disease. Nosologic discussion apropos of two new cases].

Background: We observed two cases of juvenile endarteritis which might suggest a possible link between Winiwarter-Buerger disease and cannabis-induced endarteritis.

Case Reports: Our two patients were young men aged 18 and 20 years. Both developed acute distal ischemia of the lower or upper limbs with arteriographic evidence suggestive of Winiwarter-Buerger disease.

[Study of narcotics and buprenorphine prescriptions in the Provence-Alps-Côte d'Azur region].

Following the setting up by the Government of their project for the management of drug addicts, and under the guidance of the CEIP (Centre d'Evaluation et d'Information sur les Pharmacodépendances [Centre for Evaluation and Information on Drug Addiction]) in Marseille, a survey of prescriptions written on controlled-drug prescription pads was performed. The aims were threefold: to study the medicines prescribed, to follow up the legislation and to inform doctors and pharmacists. Copies of the prescriptions, dated between 1 January 1996 and 30 June 1996, which were sent by 81 per cent of the 216 pharmacies contacted in 15 towns in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region were studied.

[Snake bite by European vipers. A multicenter study of tolerance to Viperfav, a new intravenous antivenom].

Objectives: To evaluate the tolerance and the effectiveness of i.v. Viperfav, a new antivenom containing F(ab')2 fragments of equine antibodies, for the treatment of European viper envenomed patients.

[Acute renal insufficiency caused by Amanita proxima poisoning: experience of the Poison Center of Marseille].

In southern France, some Amanita species are usually eaten like Amanita ovoidea (Quélet, 1872) which is a common white mushroom. In same areas, a similar and less common fungus can be encountered: Amanita proxima (Dumee, 1916). The first published cases of Amanita proxima poisonings with acute renal failure have been reported in 1994 by a medical team from Montpellier.

[Occlusion of the central retinal vein after vaccination against viral hepatitis B with recombinant vaccines. 4 cases].

Objectives: Hepatitis B vaccination has been proven to be effective and well-tolerated. Certain neurological, ocular or systemic complications have, however, been reported to be induced by the vaccine. Clinicians should be aware of exceptional ocular complications.

[Reactive airway dysfunction syndrome and bronchiolitis obliterans after exposure to acid vapors].

A 37-year-old male non-smoker developed rapidly severe respiratory disease after a 3-hour exposure to hydrobromic acid fumes. An upper airway syndrome ensued with anosmia and aphonia as well as non-specific bronchial hyperreactivity, obstructive bronchiolitis (which led to a persistent respiratory volume of about 20% of the normal level with exercise-induced dyspnea) and obstructive bronchiolitis. Lung transplantation is currently being considered.

[Mass ciguatera poisoning after eating barracuda in Mexico: prognostic and therapeutic implications].

Thirty patients were admitted to the Anti-Poison Center of Marseille, France, on the fifth day of ciguatera fish poisoning due to ingestion of the same barracuda in Mexico. The purpose of this prospective study conducted during management of this group was to identify prognostic factors and evaluate the efficacy of treatment using mannitol. Upon admission severity was individually scored based on clinical findings.

Central and peripheral neurotoxic effects of chronic methyl bromide intoxication.

Objective: To examine all methyl bromide poisonings reported to the Marseille Poison Centre and to describe more precisely the infrequent cases of chronic, nonacute exposure.

Design: Retrospective observational cohort.

Method: Data retrieval from the French Poison Centres National Data Bank (ARIT) which contains all the cases of poisonings collected by the Marseille Poison Centre (Hot Line observations, Toxicovigilance, Toxicological intensive care unit).

Research into individual predisposition to develop acute rhabdomyolysis attributed to fenoverine.

A xenobiotic, well tolerated by the majority of treated patients, can cause serious complications in patients with individual susceptibility. Based on the hypothesis that such a phenomenon may occur in rare cases of rhabdomyolysis attributed to fenoverine (DCI), we designed a protocol to look for a genetic predisposition. Six patients were included who had previously had an episode of rhabdomyolysis after taking fenoverine.

[Observation of illicit or misused psychotropic drugs (O.P.P.I.D.U.M.): five years of surveillance of products consumed by drug addicts at Marseille].

The aim of O.P.P.