RENEB accident simulation exercise

Purpose: The RENEB accident exercise was carried out in order to train the RENEB participants in coordinating and managing potentially large data sets that would be generated in case of a major radiological event. Materials and methods: Each participant was offered the possibility to activate the network by sending an alerting email about a simulated radiation emergency. The same participant had to collect, compile and report capacity, triage categorization and exposure scenario results obtained from all other participants. The exercise was performed over 27 weeks and involved the network consisting of 28 institutes: 21 RENEB members, four candidates and three non-RENEB partners. Results: The duration of a single exercise never exceeded 10 days, while the response from the assisting laboratories never came later than within half a day. During each week of the exercise, around 4500 samples were reported by all service laboratories (SL) to be examined and 54 scenarios were coherently estimated by all laboratories (the standard deviation from the mean of all SL answers for a given scenario category and a set of data was not larger than 3 patient codes). Conclusions: Each participant received training in both the role of a reference laboratory (activating the network) and of a service laboratory (responding to an activation request). The procedures in the case of radiological event were successfully established and tested

Integration of new biological and physical retrospective dosimetry methods into EU emergency response plans : joint RENEB and EURADOS inter-laboratory comparisons

Purpose: RENEB, 'Realising the European Network of Biodosimetry and Physical Retrospective Dosimetry,' is a network for research and emergency response mutual assistance in biodosimetry within the EU. Within this extremely active network, a number of new dosimetry methods have recently been proposed or developed. There is a requirement to test and/or validate these candidate techniques and inter-comparison exercises are a well-established method for such validation. Materials and methods: The authors present details of inter-comparisons of four such new methods: dicentric chromosome analysis including telomere and centromere staining; the gene expression assay carried out in whole blood; Raman spectroscopy on blood lymphocytes, and detection of radiation induced thermoluminescent signals in glass screens taken from mobile phones. Results: In general the results show good agreement between the laboratories and methods within the expected levels of uncertainty, and thus demonstrate that there is a lot of potential for each of the candidate techniques. Conclusions: Further work is required before the new methods can be included within the suite of reliable dosimetry methods for use by RENEB partners and others in routine and emergency response scenarios

Determinants of Refusal of A/H1N1 Pandemic Vaccination in a High Risk Population: A Qualitative Approach

International audienceBackground: Our study analyses the main determinants of refusal or acceptance of the 2009 A/H1N1 vaccine in patients with cystic fibrosis, a high-risk population for severe flu infection, usually very compliant for seasonal flu vaccine.Methodology/Principal Findings: We conducted a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews in 3 cystic fibrosis referral centres in Paris, France. The study included 42 patients with cystic fibrosis: 24 who refused the vaccine and 18 who were vaccinated. The two groups differed quite substantially in their perceptions of vaccine- and disease-related risks. Those who refused the vaccine were motivated mainly by the fears it aroused and did not explicitly consider the 2009 A/H1N1 flu a potentially severe disease. People who were vaccinated explained their choice, first and foremost, as intended to prevent the flu’s potential consequences on respiratory cystic fibrosis disease. Moreover, they considered vaccination to be an indirect collective prevention tool. Patients who refused the vaccine mentioned multiple, contradictory information sources and did not appear to consider the recommendation of their local health care provider as predominant. On the contrary, those who were vaccinated stated that they had based their decision solely on the clear and unequivocal advice of their health care provider.Conclusions/Significance: These results of our survey led us to formulate three main recommendations for improving adhesion to new pandemic vaccines. (1) it appears necessary to reinforce patient education about the disease and its specific risks, but also general population information about community immunity. (2) it is essential to disseminate a clear and effective message about the safety of novel vaccines. (3) this message should be conveyed by local health care providers, who should be involved in implementing immunization

Bordetella pertussis et épithélium respiratoire (aspects biologiques et cliniques)

La coqueluche, infection des voies aériennes inférieures par Boedetella pertussis (Bp), est en recrudescence chez les adultes qui contaminent les nouveaux-nés exposés aux formes sévères de la maladie. Nous rapportons une épidémie de coqueluche parmi les membres du personnel soigant (MPS) d'un hôpital avec contamination de 2 patients adultes. Ces données font discuter une vaccination des MPS. Les interactions de l'hépithélium respiratoire humain avec Bp ont été étudiées dans le but initial de rechercher un réservoir bactérien chez l'adulte. Nous avons montré que Bp pénètre dans des cellules épithéliales bronchiques humaines en lignée HTE. L'invasion est inhibée par une toxine, l'adényl cyclase-hémolysine (AC-Hly). Les cellules HTE en contact avec Bp sont capables de sécréter des cytokines inflammatoires dont l'IL-6. L'AC-Hly est responsable de cette sécrétion d'IL-6 confirmant le rôle de cette toxine dans l'induction de la réponse inflammatoire.Whooping cough is a respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis (Bp). Because of waning immunity after vaccination, adult are thought to have been acting as a reservoir for infections in infants, for whom the disease can be serious. We report a pertussis out break among health care workers (HCW) in an hospital with the contamination of 2 adults immunosuppressed patients. Such observations could support the vaccination of HCW. We also studied interactions between human respiratory epithelium and Bp as these cells could constitute a bacterial reservoir in adults. We showed that Bp invades human HTE tracheal apithelial cells line. The invasive capacity of the bacterium is inhibited by the expression of a toxin, the adenylate cyclase-hemolysin (AC-Hly). Interaction of Bp with HTE cells induces the secretion of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 by the cells. AC-Hly is responsible of this secretion confirming that this toxin plays an important role in the inflammatory response induced by Bp.PARIS12-CRETEIL BU Multidisc. (940282102) / SudocSudocFranceF

Bordetella pertussis Adenylate Cyclase-Hemolysin Induces Interleukin-6 Secretion by Human Tracheal Epithelial Cells

After interaction with tracheal epithelial cells, Bordetella pertussis induces the secretion of interleukin-6. This secretion is dependent on the expression of adenylate cyclase-hemolysin by the bacterium but not on the expression of other characterized bacterial toxins or adhesins. This finding confirms the important role of adenylate cyclase-hemolysin in the pathogenicity of the bacterium

Etiological Work-Up for Adults with Bronchiectasis: A Predictive Diagnostic Score for Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia and Cystic Fibrosis

Background: etiological investigations are not done for all adult patients with bronchiectasis because of the availability and interpretation of tests. The aim of the study was to elaborate a score to identify patients at high risk of having cystic fibrosis or primary ciliary dyskinesia (CF/PCD), which require appropriate management. Methods: diagnostic work-ups were carried out on a French monocenter cohort, and results were subjected to logistic-regression analyses to identify the independent factors associated with CF/PCD diagnosis and, thereby, elaborate a score to validate in a second cohort. Results: among 188 patients, 158 had no obvious diagnosis and were enrolled in the algorithm-construction group. In multivariate analyses, age at symptom onset (8.69 (2.10–35.99); p = 0.003), chronic ENT symptoms or diagnosed sinusitis (10.53 (1.26–87.57); p = 0.03), digestive symptoms or situs inversus (5.10 (1.23–21.14); p = 0.025), and Pseudomonas. aeruginosa and/or Staphylococcus aureus isolated from sputum (11.13 (1.34–92.21); p = 0.02) are associated with CF or PCD. Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis, using a validation group of 167 patients with bronchiectasis, confirmed the score’s performance with AUC 0.92 (95% CI: 0.84–0.98). Conclusions: a clinical score may help identify adult patients with bronchiectasis at higher risk of having CF or PCD

Critical Evaluation of Sinonasal Disease in 64 Adults with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia

International audienceTo date, no study precisely described ear, nose and throat (ENT) disease in adults with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and its relationship with ciliary function/ultrastructure. A retrospective study of standardized ENT data (exam, audiogram, sinus Computed tomography (CT), and bacteriology) was conducted in 64 adults with confirmed PCD who were followed in two ENT reference centers. Rhinorrhoea and hearing loss were the main symptoms. Symptom scores were higher in older patients. Nasal endoscopy was abnormal in all patients except one, showing nasal polyps in one-third of the patients and stagnant nasal mucus secretions in 87.5% of the patients. Sinus CT opacities were mainly incomplete and showed one-third of the patients with sinus hypoplasia and/or agenesis. Middle meatus mainly grew Haemophilus influenzae, Streptoccocus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Otitis media with effusion (OME), which is constant in childhood, was diagnosed in less than one-quarter of the patients. In two-thirds of the patients, audiogram showed hearing loss that was sensorineural in half of the patients. ENT disease severity was not correlated with ciliary function and ultrastructure, but the presence of OME was significantly associated with a forced expiratory volume (FEV1) < 70%. Rhinosinusitis is the most common clinical feature of PCD in adults, while OME is less frequent. The presence of active OME in adults with PCD could be a severity marker of lung function and lead to closer monitoring

Clinical characteristics, functional respiratory decline and follow-up in adult patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia

International audienceIntroduction: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetic disease characterised by abnormalities in ciliary function, responsible for chronic pulmonary and sinonasal diseases. Adult clinical features and outcome are poorly described.Objectives: To assess the clinical characteristics and disease progression in adults with PCD.Methods: Bicentric retrospective study, focusing on adults (≥18 years) with an asserted diagnosis of PCD based on the presence of bronchiectasis with typical ultrastructural defect of cilia and/or situs inversus (SI). Clinical symptoms, respiratory function, extent of bronchiectasis, microbiology and molecular analysis were assessed. Results are expressed as median (25th; 75th centile).Results: 78 patients were included with a median follow-up of 8.1 years. 91% of patients had respiratory symptoms and 95% had chronic rhinosinusitis. Half of ultrastructural defects concerned dynein arms. Respiratory function was significantly lower in women (FEV1=60% predicted (50; 76), vs 77% (62; 95), p=0.009) and in patients with chronic airway Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA, n=21) infection (FEV1=60% (48; 71) vs 75% (55; 89), p=0.04). FEV1 was associated with gender (regression coefficient for men =13.8, p=0.009), chest CT score (r=-0.42, p<0.001) but not with age at diagnosis, SI or body mass index. FEV1 decline was -13.4 mL/year (-42.8; +11.9) and was greater in women (-29.3 mL/year, (-59.7; -11.9), vs -2.0 mL/year (-26.9; +25.4), p=0.002). Three patients had severe respiratory failure.Conclusions: Alteration of respiratory function in adults with PCD is heterogeneous and usually moderate but appears more severe in women and in patients with chronic PA infection. Only 4% of patients develop chronic respiratory failure

Automated computed tomographic scoring of lung disease in adults with primary ciliary dyskinesia

Abstract Background The present study aimed to develop an automated computed tomography (CT) score based on the CT quantification of high-attenuating lung structures, in order to provide a quantitative assessment of lung structural abnormalities in patients with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD). Methods Adult (≥18 years) PCD patients who underwent both chest CT and spirometry within a 6-month period were retrospectively included. Commercially available lung segmentation software was used to isolate the lungs from the mediastinum and chest wall and obtain histograms of lung density. CT-density scores were calculated using fixed and adapted thresholds based on various combinations of histogram characteristics, such as mean lung density (MLD), skewness, and standard deviation (SD). Additionally, visual scoring using the Bhalla score was performed by 2 independent radiologists. Correlations between CT scores, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were evaluated. Results Sixty-two adult patients with PCD were included. Of all histogram characteristics, those showing good positive or negative correlations to both FEV1 and FVC were SD (R = − 0.63 and − 0.67; p < 0.001) and Skewness (R = 0.67 and 0.67; p < 0.001). Among all evaluated thresholds, the CT-density score based on MLD + 1SD provided the best negative correlation with both FEV1 (R = − 0.68; p < 0.001) and FVC (R = − 0.71; p < 0.001), close to the correlations of the visual score (R = − 0.60; p < 0.001 for FEV1 and R = − 0.62; p < 0.001, for FVC). Conclusions Automated CT scoring of lung structural abnormalities lung in primary ciliary dyskinesia is feasible and may prove useful for evaluation of disease severity in the clinic and in clinical trials