High Burden of Non-Influenza Viruses in Influenza-Like Illness in the Early Weeks of H1N1v Epidemic in France

BACKGROUND: Influenza-like illness (ILI) may be caused by a variety of pathogens. Clinical observations are of little help to recognise myxovirus infection and implement appropriate prevention measures. The limited use of molecular tools underestimates the role of other common pathogens. OBJECTIVES: During the early weeks of the 2009-2010 flu pandemic, a clinical and virological survey was conducted in adult and paediatric patients with ILI referred to two French University hospitals in Paris and Tours. Aims were to investigate the different pathogens involved in ILI and describe the associated symptoms. METHODS: H1N1v pandemic influenza diagnosis was performed with real time RT-PCR assay. Other viral aetiologies were investigated by the molecular multiplex assay RespiFinder19®. Clinical data were collected prospectively by physicians using a standard questionnaire. RESULTS: From week 35 to 44, endonasal swabs were collected in 413 patients. Overall, 68 samples (16.5%) were positive for H1N1v. In 13 of them, other respiratory pathogens were also detected. Among H1N1v negative samples, 213 (61.9%) were positive for various respiratory agents, 190 in single infections and 23 in mixed infections. The most prevalent viruses in H1N1v negative single infections were rhinovirus (62.6%), followed by parainfluenza viruses (24.2%) and adenovirus (5.3%). 70.6% of H1N1v cases were identified in patients under 40 years and none after 65 years. There was no difference between clinical symptoms observed in patients infected with H1N1v or with other pathogens. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the high frequency of non-influenza viruses involved in ILI during the pre-epidemic period of a flu alert and the lack of specific clinical signs associated with influenza infections. Rapid diagnostic screening of a large panel of respiratory pathogens may be critical to define and survey the epidemic situation and to provide critical information for patient management

Near-infrared reflectance imaging of neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Contains fulltext : 81007.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)PURPOSE: To evaluate various types of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by near-infrared fundus reflectance (NIR) as compared to fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and to test NIR for assessment of leakage due to choroidal neovascularization (CNV). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients with neovascular AMD (cases) and 20 age-matched patients with non-exudative AMD and healthy subjects (controls) were examined with a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (Heidelberg Retina Angiograph 2). NIR images of neovascular AMD were qualitatively compared to the corresponding FFA and to age-matched controls. CNV membranes and exudation areas were manually segmented on FFA and NIR and analyzed quantitatively. Results : Of all cases included, five eyes had classic CNV, six had minimal classic lesions, 15 occult CNV's and seven eyes had retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). A dark halo on NIR was found in all cases and showed high correspondence to leakage on FFA (r (2) = 0.93; p < 0,0005). In classic CNV and minimal classic CNV, the classic part of the lesion on FFA revealed strong correlation to a dark core surrounded by a bright reflecting ring on NIR (r (2) = 0.88; p < 0.0005). Occult parts on FFA of minimal classic CNV and occult CNV lesions appeared as poorly demarcated, jagged areas of increased NIR. RAP was characterized by speckled NIR located at the intraretinal neovascular complex. CONCLUSIONS: NIR imaging in neovascular AMD revealed characteristic alterations depending on the type of CNV. These changes may reflect histological differences of the lesions. Leakage caused local darkening of NIR, presumably originating from increased light-scattering and absorbance by fluid accumulation and sub-cellular structure alterations

Prise en charge individualisée des patients atteints de DMLA exsudative, le protocole IOI : injection–observation–individualisation

International audienceWet macular degeneration remains a major cause of visual impairment in people over 55years. Through a group of experts belonging to the Federation France Macula, we review the treatment of wet AMD and provide recommendation with a 3 phases protocol called IO

Consensus d’experts français sur les critères de choix d’un traitement de 1(re) intention dans la DMLA néovasculaire et importance du ratio bénéfice/risque à long terme

Le choix d’un traitement de 1re intention pour optimiser les résultats à long terme est un enjeu majeur de la prise en charge des patients atteints de DMLA néovasculaire. Dans un contexte actuel de molécules en développement est apparue la nécessité d’identifier les critères indispensables à prendre en compte lors de la mise en place d’un traitement chez un patient naïf atteint de DMLA néovasculaire afin de garantir un rapport bénéfice/risque optimal à long terme. Cet article propose un consensus établi selon la méthodologie de type Delphi (en intégrant une gradation dans les consensus en fonction de l’analyse du taux de convergence des réponses) qui pourrait constituer une aide pour les ophtalmologistes pour l’initiation et le suivi du traitement des patients atteints de DMLA néovasculaire. Quatorze questions ont été soumises à un panel de 93 experts rétinologues français. Treize questions (93 %) ont obtenu un consensus (≥ 50 % de réponses consensuelles). Les experts recommandent ainsi de prendre en compte en priorité l’efficacité et la rapidité d’action respectives des molécules, leur sécurité d’utilisation ainsi que leur capacité d’espacement des injections. Le critère d’efficacité attendu en priorité d’une molécule est la combinaison de l’amélioration de l’acuité visuelle et de l’assèchement des fluides. En matière de sécurité d’utilisation, les experts recommandent une surveillance supplémentaire pour les molécules actuellement en développement, et ce à toutes les visites programmées, visant à détecter précocement d’éventuels effets indésirables tels que l’inflammation intraoculaire et accordent une place importante au conditionnement de la molécule. La capacité d’espacement des injections est importante à prendre en compte et il est recommandé d’atteindre un intervalle maximal compris entre 12 et 16 semaines. La stabilité de l’intervalle maximal atteinte par les patients est également un critère de choix important.Choosing a first-line treatment to optimize long-term outcomes is a major challenge for treating patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The development of several new molecules makes it critical to identify the relevant factors to consider so as to provide an optimal risk-benefit ratio when initiating a treatment in naïve patients with neovascular AMD. This paper proposes a consensus established with the Delphi method (which includes a gradation in a consensus based on an analysis of the convergence rate of answers) to provide criteria that guide the ophthalmologist's decision for treatment initiation and follow-up in neovascular AMD patients. Fourteen questions were submitted to 93 French retina experts. Thirteen (93%) of the questions reached a consensus (≥50% of answers consensual). The criteria recommended to take into account were both efficacy and onset of action of the molecules, their safety, and the ability to decrease injection frequency. The primary criterion of expected efficacy of a molecule is a combination of the gain in visual acuity and resorption of retinal fluid. With regard to safety, experts recommend tighter follow-up for molecules currently in development, and at every scheduled visit, patients should be screened to identify early any potential adverse effects such as intraocular inflammation, retinal vasculitis or vascular occlusion. Experts also emphasize the importance of the packaging of the biological, with a preference toward prefilled syringes. Injection frequency is a key factor, and the authors recommended aiming for a maximal injection interval of 12 to 16 weeks. The stability of that maximum interval is also an important factor to consider in treatment selection