Identification of a novel hepatitis E virus in Nigeria.

Sporadic cases of acute hepatitis E among ten native Nigerian adults were reported in Port-Harcourt (Nigeria). Hepatitis E virus (HEV) was detected in serum and/or faecal samples of seven patients by RT-PCR of the open reading frame (ORF)-1 polymerase region and the 3'-end of ORF2. Restriction analysis widely used to distinguish genotypes I and III showed that all Nigerian strains have a pattern similar to the Mexican strain (NotI, nt 286; SmaI, nt 397; no KpnI restriction site) but displayed a BsmI restriction site at nt 213 as do most African HEV strains sequenced so far.

[Primary acute osteomyelitis of the sternum associated with anterior mediastinitis].

In a 14-year-old adolescent, primary acute osteomyelitis in a rare localization, the sternum, was associated with anterior mediastinitis. Antibiotic therapy and partial sternectomy together with emptying the mediastinal abscess was successful. Therapeutic management of such cases is presented in a review of the literature.

[Vitamin D and pubertal maturation. Value and tolerance of vitamin D supplementation during the winter season].

Background: In France, several cases of vitamin D-deficiency rickets among adolescents have been reported, but no prophylaxis measure has been systematically recommended at this age. The aim of this study was to measure 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-(OH)D) levels and to search for biological signs of vitamin D deficiency during adolescence. Moreover, the effects of a unique oral dose of 100,000 IU of vitamin D3, given during the winter, were analysed.