[Pulmonary actinomycosis: caused by Actinomyces odontolyticus?].

Primary pulmonary actinomycosis is a purulent bronchopulmonary disease mimicking tuberculosis. The histological lesions contain characteristic yellow granules. The organism most frequently responsible for the disease is Actinomyces israeli.

Two cases of Actinomyces pyogenes infection in humans.

Few confirmed human cases of Actinomyces pyogenes infection have been reported partly because of inadequate identification of this bacterium. In this study, two new cases are reported with emphasis on the characteristics which are relevant for identification of the isolates. A review of previously reported cases is presented.

Balneatrix alpica gen. nov., sp. nov., a bacterium associated with pneumonia and meningitis in a spa therapy center.

In 1987, an outbreak of pneumonia and meningitis caused by an unknown bacterium occurred in a spa therapy centre. Nine isolates of this pathogen constituted a tight DNA hybridization group. rRNA-DNA hybridization and 16S rRNA sequencing showed that the studied bacteria represented a new branch in superfamily II (= gamma subclass) of the Proteobacteria, close to the genus Oceanospirillum.

Rhodococcus equi infection in patients with AIDS.

Rhodococcus equi is an emerging opportunistic pathogen of HIV-I infected patients. It is an aerobic, Gram-positive coryneform bacterium which acts as a facultative intracellular micro-organism, multiplying in the phagosome of macrophages. Eighteen cases of R.

An outbreak of pneumonia and meningitis caused by a previously undescribed gram-negative bacterium in a hot spring spa.

An outbreak of infection caused by a previously undescribed Gram-negative bacterium affected people attending a hot (37 degrees C) spring spa in France in 1987. Thirty-five case of pneumonia and two cases of meningitis occurred. None of these patients died.

Pneumonia and meningitis caused by a new nonfermentative unknown gram-negative bacterium.

Seven isolates of an unclassified bacterium resembling Flavobacterium spp. were characterized by growth requirements, microscopic examination, biochemical characteristics, antimicrobial susceptibility tests, protein profile analysis, and serologic data. The unclassified isolates were differentiated from Flavobacterium meningosepticum, Flavobacterium odoratum, Flavobacterium balustinum, Flavobacterium strain IIb, Chromobacterium violaceum, Aquaspirillum serpens, and Pseudomonas spp.

[Micromethods and gas chromatography analysis of carboxylic acids produced from the fermentation of glucose in the identification of Corynebacteria].

The identification of fermentative Corynebacteria currently isolated from human specimens is not very easy, even with the use of the useful guide edited by Hollis and Weaver. The purpose of this investigation is to present a classification based on the study of a large number of biochemical characters, including the use of micromethods, and the characterization of carboxylic acids produced from dextrose fermentation by gas-liquid chromatography. The results show that it is possible to classify fermenting Corynebacteria into two groups based on the production of propionic acid or the lack of it.

Meningitis due to Micrococcus luteus.

We are presenting a new case of meningitis due to the Micrococcus luteus species. This germ was isolated twice in eight days from the CSF of a 57-year old woman. The patient had a ventriculoperitoneal shunt implanted for hydrocephalus following a meningeal haemorrhage.

[Opportunistic bacteria].

The definition of opportunistic bacteria is based on two parameters: the receptive subject and the bacteria. When the receptive subject is normal, theoretically, no saprophytic or normal commensal organisms are able to invade the subject. This subject can only be infected by certain "undesirable" commensal organisms such as Vargues' Specific Pathogenic Bacteria.

[Campylobacter fetus fetus bacteremia. Review of the literature apropos of 2 cases].

The authors report two cases of bacteremia due to Campylobacter fetus fetus (also called C. fetus intestinalis). One was a 22-year-old female, under treatment for active systemic lupus erythematosus, who died.

[Pathogenic role of Actinomyces apart from actinomycosis. Apropos of 2 cases of acute suppurations with Actinomyces odontolyticus].

The authors report two cases of acute suppurative lesions due to Actinomyces odontolyticus. They point out the fairly high incidence of this pathogen in such conditions, either isolated or more often as part of a mixed flora. Conversely, Actinomyces odontolyticus is only exceptionally recovered in true actinomycosis.

[Atrophic rhinitis and Klebsiella ozaenae. Reflections apropos of a case].

The authors report a case of atrophic rhinitis associated with Klebsiella ozaenae. The literature is reviewed. This pathogen could be involved in both respiratory tract infections and systemic diseases.

[Septicemia due to Leptotrichia buccalis in an immuno-suppressed patient].

The authors report a case of septicemia due to Leptotrichia buccalis in a patient with underlying lymphatic leukemia. It is the second case reported in the literature. This observation shows, once again, that bacteria known as "non virulent" can exhibit pathogenicity in immunosuppressed patients.

[Fusobacterium necrophorum associated with Actinomyces odontolyticus septicemia ].

The authors have observed a case of Fusobacterium necrophorum associate with Actinomyces odontolyticus septicemia, which appears to be the first case reported. In a 19 year old man, 15 blood cultures allowed to isolate both germs. Clinical manifestations were: acute-like abdomen, encephalitis, myocarditis and pleural effusion.

[Bacteriological aspects of traumatisms caused by animals (author's transl)].

Bacterial complications of traumatisms caused by animals are very frequent if no proper therapy is applied. Germs detected in the wounds caused by cold-blood animals or by invertebrates are mostly represented by bacterias of telluric origin (responsible of gas gangrene, tetanus..

[Septicemia due to Leptotrichia buccalis in an immuno-suppressed patent (author's transl)].

The authors report a case of septicemia due to Leptotrichia buccalis in a patient with underlying lymphatic leukemia. It is the second case reported in the literature. This observation shows, once again, that bacteria known as "non virulent" can exhibit pathogenicity in immunosuppressed patients.