Re-emergence of Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Background: Diphtheria is re-emerging in Europe. A total of 36 cases were reported in Europe in 2015 versus 53 cases between 2000 and 2009.

Patients: We report two cases of Corynebacterium diphtheriae infection in a French hospital in 2016: a cutaneous infection with negative toxin testing in a French traveller, and a respiratory diphtheria carriage with positive toxin testing in an Afghan refugee diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Immune-suppression by OsHV-1 viral infection causes fatal bacteraemia in Pacific oysters.

Infectious diseases are mostly explored using reductionist approaches despite repeated evidence showing them to be strongly influenced by numerous interacting host and environmental factors. Many diseases with a complex aetiology therefore remain misunderstood. By developing a holistic approach to tackle the complexity of interactions, we decipher the complex intra-host interactions underlying Pacific oyster mortality syndrome affecting juveniles of Crassostrea gigas, the main oyster species exploited worldwide.

Dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus infections imported to Paris between 2009 and 2016: Characteristics and correlation with outbreaks in the French overseas territories of Guadeloupe and Martinique.

Background: Dengue virus (DENV), chikungunya virus (CHIKV), and Zika virus (ZIKV) infections are rapidly expanding across countries and are being diagnosed in returned travellers who represent epidemiological sentinels. The French Territories of America (FTA) such as Guadeloupe and Martinique see high levels of tourism and have experienced three consecutive outbreaks by these viruses in the last decade.

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate how ill returned travellers could have represented epidemiological sentinels for these three expanding arboviral diseases over eight consecutive years.

Skin and soft tissue infections in intercontinental travellers and the import of multi-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to Europe.

Staphylococcus aureus is emerging globally. Treatment of infections is complicated by increasing antibiotic resistance. We collected clinical data and swabs of returnees with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) at 13 travel-clinics in Europe (www.

Two clusters of ciguatera fish poisoning in Paris, France, related to tropical fish imported from the French Caribbean by travelers.

Background: Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is a food-borne illness due to the consumption of reef fish containing pathogenic toxins. CFP is endemic to tropical areas and may be described in travelers in non-endemic areas.

Methods: We describe two clusters of autochthonous cases of CFP in Paris, France.

Aetiologies of creeping eruption: 78 cases.

Background: Creeping eruption is a migratory linear cutaneous trail. In addition to hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans (HrCLM), other diseases can also be revealed by this sign.

Objectives: To report the different aetiologies of creeping eruption.

[Marine envenomation by box-jellyfish in a tourist in Cambodia].

We report a case of box-jellyfish related envenomation in a 40 year old tourist that occurred in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, in the Gulf of Thailand. Symptoms that appeared within a few minutes associated intense pain, hand edema and large edematous and erythematous flagellations in the stung skin areas. Antibiotics and corticosteroids were delivered.

Travel-related leptospirosis: a series of 15 imported cases.

Background: Leptospirosis belongs to the spectrum of travel-related infections.

Methods: We retrospectively studied all the consecutive cases of travel-related leptospirosis seen in our department between January 2008 and September 2011. Patients were included with a clinical picture compatible with the disease within 21 days after return, the presence of a thermoresistant antigen or IgM antibodies, Elisa ≥ 1 /400, and a positive microagglutination test (MAT) ≥ 1/100.

Travelers with cutaneous leishmaniasis cured without systemic therapy.

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a disfiguring but not life-threatening disease. Because antileishmanial drugs are potentially toxic, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends simple wound care or local therapy as first-line treatment, followed or replaced by systemic therapy if local therapy fails or cannot be performed.

Methods: To determine the feasibility and impact of the recommended approach, we analyzed the results of a centralized referral treatment program in 135 patients with parasitologically proven CL.

The efficacy of single dose ivermectin in the treatment of hookworm related cutaneous larva migrans varies depending on the clinical presentation.

Background: Treatment of hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans (HrCLM) with a single dose of oral ivermectin has not been adequately evaluated to date. Response rates reported in three large studies varied from 77% to more than 95%.

Objectives: We evaluated the efficacy of ivermectin in the treatment of HrCLM.

Rapid molecular diagnosis of measles virus infection in an epidemic setting.

During the 2011 measles outbreak in Paris (France), patients with clinical suspicion of measles were tested for virological confirmation of measles virus (MV) infection. To assess the practical value of molecular diagnosis in an epidemic setting, 171 oral fluid samples and 235 serum samples collected from 270 patients were tested prospectively for MV-RNA using a novel one-step real-time RT-PCR assay including an internal control. Serum samples were also tested for MV-specific IgG and IgM antibodies.

Longitudinal study assessing the return of chloroquine susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum in isolates from travellers returning from West and Central Africa, 2000-2011.

Background: Chloroquine (CQ) was the main malaria therapy worldwide from the 1940s until the 1990s. Following the emergence of CQ-resistant Plasmodium falciparum, most African countries discontinued the use of CQ, and now promote artemisinin-based combination therapy as the first-line treatment. This change was generally initiated during the last decade in West and Central Africa.

[Sciatica after return from Mali: case report of schistosomal myelopathy].

Introduction: In spite of the high prevalence of schistosomiasis in Mali, few cases involving neurological complications have been described. The purpose of this report is to present a case associated medullary complications.

Case Report: A 29-year-old man was hospitalized for low back pain and difficulty in walking linked to dysesthesia.

[Management of blood eosinophilia in an outpatient clinic for tropical diseases].

Objective: We assessed the frequency of parasitic diseases and the efficacy of presumptive treatment when no cause was found.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study took place in the Tropical Disease department of Bicêtre Hospital over a two-year period and included patients with eosinophil counts exceeding 500/mm(3).

Results: The study included 117 patients with blood eosinophilia.

[Epidemiology of tinea capitis. Five-year retrospective study in three hospitals in the Val de Marne].

Objective: Describe the epidemiology of Tinea capitis in three hospitals in the Val de Marne (suburban district southeast of Paris) and evaluate the usefulness of screening the families of index cases.

Methods: The study included 3 hospitals: Henri Mondor Hospital, Creteil Intermunicipal Hospital Center and Bicêtre Hospital. Index patients had a positive culture for dermatophytes during visits to the mycology-dermatology or pediatric clinics from January 1998 through December 2002.