New atypical epidemiological profile of parvovirus B19 revealed by molecular screening of blood donations, France, winter 2023/24.

In France, blood donations are tested in pools of 96 samples for parvovirus B19 (B19V) DNA to discard plasma for fractionation when it contains high viral loads. Between January 2015 and March 2024, B19V-positive donations decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a strong rebound in 2023 and unusually high circulation during winter 2023/24 (ca 10 times higher December 2023-March 2024 vs the pre-pandemic period). Variations over time are probably related to measures implemented to limit SARS-CoV-2 spread.

Evaluating the performance of a rapid antigen test for the detection of influenza virus in clinical specimens from children in Cameroon.

The performance of SD Bioline rapid antigen test (RAT) was evaluated using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) as gold standard. A total of 718 nasal swabs, including 102 rRT-PCR positive and 616 rRT-PCR negative swabs, were tested. RAT demonstrates a sensitivity of 29·4% with a specificity of 100%.

Horizontal transmission of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the surgical ward: a rare source of nosocomial wound infection.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is rarely isolated from nosocomial infections. We report an outbreak of 4 nosocomial-acquired surgical site infections due to S pneumoniae after retropubic simple prostatectomy. The likely source was detected in the rhinopharynx of the surgeon.

Bacteriologic epidemiology and empirical treatment of pediatric complicated appendicitis.

Preoperative samples in the context of complicated appendicitis (CA) are rarely collected, and there is no consensus regarding the optimal antibiotic therapy in children. To help optimize empirical preoperative treatment, we studied clinical and bacteriologic data from a prospective cohort of 93 children with CA in a French hospital. All the bacteria isolated from peritoneal fluids were identified, using phenotypic and/or molecular techniques.