Barriers of influenza vaccination in health care personnel in France.

To identify barriers against influenza vaccination of health care personnel in Northern France, a cross-sectional study was conducted in health care facilities. A total of 3,213 questionnaires from 67 health care facilities were completed. In multivariate analysis using a logistic model, influenza vaccine coverage in health care personnel was significantly associated with level of knowledge about influenza disease and vaccine.

Awareness of standard precautions for 4439 healthcare professionals in 34 institutions in France.

Objective: The study objective was to assess the awareness of standard precautions (SP) among healthcare professionals, 1 year after the latest national guidelines were issued.

Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted in 34 volunteer institutions in 2010. Data was collected using an anonymous and self-administered questionnaire.

Pre-operative skin preparation practices: results of the 2007 French national assessment.

Background: Pre-operative skin preparation, aimed at reducing the endogenous microbial flora, is one of the main preventive measures employed to decrease the likelihood of surgical site infection. National recommendations on pre-operative management of infection risks were issued in France in 2004.

Aim: To assess compliance with the French national guidelines for pre-operative skin preparation in 2007.

Investigation of a large outbreak of Clostridium difficile PCR-ribotype 027 infections in northern France, 2006-2007 and associated clusters in 2008-2009.

In 2006 and 2007, a large outbreak of Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs) with PCR-ribotype 027 was identified in northern France. Overall, 38 healthcare facilities notified 529 CDIs over a 22-month period, including 281 laboratory-confirmed CDI 027 and 248 non-confirmed CDI 027 cases (incidence rate per 10,000 elective bed days: 1.63, range: 0.

Retrospective investigation of patients exposed to possible transmission of hepatitis C virus by a capillary blood glucose meter.

A 75-year-old female with no known risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was hospitalized and a diagnosis of HCV seroconversion was established (HCV immunoblot and a positive quantitative viral load). An epidemiological investigation revealed that, during a previous hospitalization resulting in a diagnosis of diabetes, she had shared a Glucotrend capillary blood glucose meter (CBGM; Roche Diagnostics, France) with a known HCV-positive diabetic patient. Poor hygiene practices were observed when using this device.

Chlamydial genital infection in Algiers: a sero-epidemiological survey.

Using a microimmunofluorescence test, the prevalence of antichlamydial immunoglobulin (Ig) G in 720 people in Algiers was studied. 34 (36%) of women with low genital infection, 28 (30%) of 91 patients attending a cancer screening clinic, and 44 (100%) of prostitutes had antichlamydial IgG at a titre greater than or equal to 1:16. Among 180 women seeking a rubeola test, 48 (26.

[Epidemiologic aspects of acute respiratory infections in children less than 6 months of age through a retrospective study in Algiers--Algeria].

Personal medical files of 874 children from 0 to 4 years old monitored in a Maternal and Child Health Center were reviewed. Acute respiratory infections (ARI) represent about 37% of the total of these outpatients. Annual frequent occurrence of ARI has been estimated at 2.

[Acute respiratory infections of viral origin in the children of Algiers, Algeria based on a seroepidemiological study].

401 double serum samples from 0 to 14 year old children with acute respiratory diseases (ARD) were analysed in view to establish the viral etiology. 198 (49.4%) out of the 401 were positive.

[Genital Chlamydia infections. A seroepidemiologic study in Algiers].

The prevalence of anti-Chlamydia antibodies was studied among 329 patients divided into 5 groups, 34 (36%) of the women with a low genital infection have antibodies at a titre greater than 16 versus 12 (17%) of the patients attending the women's clinic for routine pelvic examination. 44 (100%) of 44 prostitutes had antibodies greater than 16 meanwhile only 2 (7%) of 30 women attending an obstetric clinic had antibodies greater than 16. Titres suggesting active chlamydial infection were found in prostitutes (95%), women with low genital infection (17%) and patients attending a cancer screening clinic (11%).

Polio outbreak in Algeria: epidemiological, virological and vaccinational aspects.

During a poliomyelitis outbreak (October 1983) in El Oued territory (Algeria) 28 cases were diagnosed. All the patients were under 4 years old. The ratio of females to males was 0.

Herpetic and chlamydial genital infections in Algiers, Algeria: value of the Papanicolaou staining.

The prevalence of herpetic and chlamydial genital infections was studied in 309 women attending an outpatient gynecology clinic (Algiers, Algeria). Cell culture, IF on smears and Papanicolaou staining were the methods used for HSV diagnosis, serology by the MIF method and Papanicolaou staining were used for Chlamydia trachomatis diagnosis. The prevalence of herpetic genital infection was estimated at 7.

Rapid diagnosis of respiratory syncytial virus infection by antigen immunofluorescence detection with monoclonal antibodies and immunoglobulin M immunofluorescence test.

During a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection outbreak in a pediatric hospital, diagnosis was made by immunofluorescence on smears by using an anti-RSV monoclonal antibody (IFm). Immunoglobulins M and G were titrated by indirect immunofluorescence on HEp-2 cells infected with an RSV strain. The IFm was sensitive (89%) and specific (75%) when compared with the cell culture method.