Brucella suis biovar 2 infection in humans in France: emerging infection or better recognition?

Brucellosis is usually acquired by humans through contact with infected animals or the consumption of raw milk from infected ruminants. Brucella suis biovar 2 (BSB2) is mainly encountered in hares and wild boars (Sus scrofa), and is known to have very low pathogenicity to humans with only two case reports published in the literature. Human cases of brucellosis caused by BSB2 were identified through the national mandatory notification of brucellosis.

Disseminated histoplasmosis partially mimicking a dermatomyositis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.

Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus endemic to America and subtropical regions. Several cases of this opportunist mycosis have been reported in immunocompromised patients.

Acute toxoplasmoses in immunocompetent patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit in French Guiana.

Atypical Toxoplasma gondii strains, unrelated to archetypal clonal lineages (I, II, III), have been reported more frequently over the last decade in areas other than Europe and North America. A newly described form of toxoplasmosis, 'Amazonian toxoplasmosis' (AT), has been reported since 2002 in French Guiana. It is characterized by severe cases and atypical strains linked to a neotropical forest-based cycle.

Risk factors for follow-up interruption of HIV patients in French Guiana.

French Guiana is the region of France where the HIV epidemic is most prevalent. To determine the risk factors for being lost for follow-up, we followed a cohort of 1,213 patients between 1992 and 2002 and determined which variables were related to two definitions of being lost to follow-up: permanently disappearing from HIV clinics and coming back after more than 1 year of missed appointments. The incidence rate for permanent follow-up interruption was 17.