Efficient Diagnosis of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis by Use of a New Rapid Immunochromatography Test▿

The clinical symptoms of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) are nonspecific, and misdiagnosis is common, leading to a delay in the initiation of antifungal treatment. We evaluated a new immunochromatography test (ICT), the CandiVagi assay (SR2B, Avrille, France), for the rapid diagnosis of VVC. This test, which employs an immunoglobulin M antibody directed against the β-1,2-mannopyranosyl epitopes found in the yeast cell wall, was compared with direct microscopic examination and culture of vaginal swabs. Two-hundred five women were investigated, including 130 women with symptomatic vaginitis and 75 asymptomatic controls. Two vaginal swabs were obtained from each woman: one was used to prepare a wet mount and Gram-stained preparations for direct microscopic examination and was also cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar for the isolation of Candida spp., and the second swab was used for ICT. The sensitivities of microscopic examination, culture, and ICT for the diagnosis of VVC were 61%, 100%, and 96.6%, respectively, while the specificities of the three methods were 100%, 82%, and 98.6%, respectively. ICT had a negative predictive value of 98.6%, a positive predictive value of 96.6%, and an efficiency of 98%. ICT provided a rapid result and a better compromise between sensitivity and specificity than conventional microscopy and culture for the diagnosis of VVC. This easy-to-perform diagnostic test will be useful to practitioners treating women with symptoms of vaginitis

Diagnosis of dermatophytosis: an evaluation of direct examination using MycetColor® and MycetFluo®

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Protocol for a prospective quasi-experimental study on SARS-CoV-2 transmission during outdoor sports events in France: the COVID-ESO project

International audienceIntroduction The spread of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in the community remains a major concern despite the application of control measures including the banning of mass sporting events. The circulation of SARS-CoV-2 within the general population, and potentially within the population practicing outdoor sports activities, suggests contexts conducive to the transmission of the virus. We hypothesise that outdoor sports events (OSEs) do not present a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 contamination. The objective of the COVID-ESO project is to measure if individuals participating in OSE present a similar risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission compared with individuals not participating in OSE, in France. Methods and analysis The COVID-ESO project is a prospective, quasi-experimental study to be conducted in volunteer individuals likely to participate in OSE. Six events are targeted across France to be included. Three sport trials will be eligible for the study: running, cycling and triathlon. Each individual participating in the OSE will choose one of his or her usual training partner to be eligible for the unexposed control group. Individuals will be matched (1:1) on age, sex and the district of residence. Individuals assigned to the exposed group will participate in the OSE, whereas individuals assigned to the unexposed group will not participate in the OSE. All individuals will be asked to perform saliva tests on the day of the event and 7 days after the event. A questionnaire including sociodemographic, clinical and exposure data to SARS-CoV-2 will be sent by email for both groups on the day before the event and 7 days after the event. Differences in SARS-CoV-2 infection rates between the exposed versus the unexposed group will be analysed by fitting a conditional logistic regression model, adjusted for potential confounders. As the sport events unfold, data will be analyzed by performing sequential meta-analyses. Ethics and dissemination This protocol has been approved by the ethical committee. Ethical approval has been obtained for the Clinical research and committee of South West of France, 10 June 2021. COMITE DE PROTECTION DES PERSONNES DU SUD-OUEST ET OUTRE-MER 4 under the reference number 21.03.23.71737/CPP2021-04-045 a COVID/2021-A00845-36. Findings generated from this study will be shared to national health and sport authorities

The Scedosporium apiospermum species complex: seroprevalence in patients with cystic fibrosis and clinical relevance

International audienceSpecies of the Scedosporium apiospermum complex are emerging fungal pathogens widely recognized now as causing chronic colonization of the airways in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Some recent studies performed in Canada 1 and France 2 suggested that the chronic colonization of the airways by another fungal pathogen, Aspergillus fumigatus, may contribute to the progressive deterioration of the lung function observed in some patients. We studied retrospectively the seroprevalence of the S. apiospermum species complex, as a marker of close contact between patient and the fungi, in a large monocentric cohort of CF patients attended in the reference centre in Lyon, France, and evaluated the clinical parameters associated with seropositivity.RESULTS:Serum samples from 373 CF patients were analysed. Serum antibodies against the S. apiospermum species complex were detected in 35 patients (9.4% of studied population). In multivariate analysis, seropositivity to the S. apiospermum species complex was associated only with seropositivity to A. fumigatus.CONCLUSIONS:This study does not suggest an association between sensitization against the S. apiospermum species complex and poorer lung function in patients with CF. Nevertheless, prospective studies are needed to evaluate more precisely the impact of both seropositivity to this species complex and its impact on the airway colonization by these fungi and on evolution of the lung function in patients with CF and the course of the disease.</p