Herpes simplex type 2 encephalitis and methotrexate medication: a fortuitous or causative association in a patient with spondyloarthritis?

It is unclear whether immunosuppression is a risk factor for herpes encephalitis. Herein, we describe a rare case of herpes simplex virus type 2 encephalitis in a patient treated with low-dose methotrexate for HLA-B27-associated spondyloarthritis. The patient was successfully treated with acyclovir but presented sequelae of encephalitis.

Guillain-Barré syndrome and cytomegalovirus infection during pregnancy.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an immune-mediated disorder which can be triggered by cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. GBS following CMV primary infection is a rare event during pregnancy, which raises the question of maternal and fetal management. We describe an unusual case of GBS after CMV primary infection in a pregnant woman.

Mumps outbreak and laboratory diagnosis.

Background: Several mumps outbreaks have been reported in Europe and in the United States among highly vaccinated populations. Biological diagnosis is classically based on the detection of mumps-specific IgM, but the ability of serological tests to confirm mumps infection seems to be limited among vaccinated patients.

Objectives: We aim to report a mumps outbreak in an engineering school in Grenoble, France, from February to June 2013 and results of the biological testing.

Long-term central and effector SHIV-specific memory T cell responses elicited after a single immunization with a novel lentivector DNA vaccine.

Prevention of HIV acquisition and replication requires long lasting and effective immunity. Given the state of HIV vaccine development, innovative vectors and immunization strategies are urgently needed to generate safe and efficacious HIV vaccines. Here, we developed a novel lentivirus-based DNA vector that does not integrate in the host genome and undergoes a single-cycle of replication.

Occupational risk for cytomegalovirus, but not for parvovirus B19 in child-care personnel in France.

Background: Studies assessing the risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV), parvovirus B19 (B19V), rubella and varicella infections in female child-care personnel may help define appropriate preventive strategies during pregnancy.

Methods: Serologic testing for all four viruses and a self-administered questionnaire to identify risk factors were conducted on child-care staff aged 20-50 years old and on a reference group of women.

Results: In 395 exposed and 382 reference women, CMV, B19V, rubella and varicella seroprevalence were 69.