Central nervous system infections in a tropical area: Influence of emerging and rare infections

International audienceBackground and purpose: The frequency of infectious encephalitis and the distribution of causative pathogens in the tropical areas are poorly known and may be influenced by emerging and rare infections. The aim was to characterize a large series of acute infectious encephalitis and myelitis in immunocompetent patients from the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe identifying clinical, biological and radiological features according to pathogens.Methods: Using a hospital database, we retrospectively collected detailed information on a comprehensive series of immunocompetent patients with acute infectious myelitis and encephalitis over the 2012-2018 period.Results: From 259 suspected cases with acute central nervous system (CNS) infection, we included 171 cases for analysis, comprising 141 encephalitis, 22 myelitis, and eight encephalomyelitis. The annual incidence peaked at 15.0/100 000 during the Zika 2016 outbreak. Children accounted for 22.2% of cases. Eight adults died during hospital stay, all encephalitis. Seventeen infectious agents, two of which had never been described in Guadeloupe so far, were identified in 101 cases (59.1%), including 35 confirmed cases (34.7%), 48 probable cases (47.5%), 15 possible cases (14.9%) and three clinical cases (3.0%). The most frequent etiologic agents were zika virus in 23 cases (13.5%), herpes simplex in 12 (7.0%), varicella-zoster virus in 11 (6.4%), dengue virus in 11 (6.4%) and leptospirosis in 11 (6.4%).Conclusions: Zika outbreak had a major influence on the annual incidence of acute CNS infection. Acute neuroleptospirosis is over-represented in our series. Further efforts are mandatory to develop new diagnostic tools for pathogen profiling

Prevalence of cancer in the Afro-Caribbean population presenting dermatomyositis and anti-synthetase syndrome: a preliminary study conducted at Pointe-à-Pitre University Hospital, 2000-2012

International audienceBackground. An association with cancer is described in 17–32% of cases of dermatomyositis (DM) and in 5–16% of cases of anti-synthetase syndrome (ASS). The literature contains very few studies involving Afro-Caribbean patients with DM or ASS. The aim of our retrospective study was to determine the prevalence of cancer in a series of patients with DM or ASS at the University Hospital of Pointe-à-Pitre between 1st January 2000 and 31st December 2012. The secondary objective was to review the clinical and laboratory features as well as the course of DM/ASS in these patients.Patients and methods. The inclusion criteria were as follows: Afro-Caribbean origin; age >15 years; patient living in Guadeloupe; screening for malignancy.Results. Twenty-two patients were included (15 DM, 7 ASS). Only one case of cancer was diagnosed in the entire study population at a mean follow-up of 6±4 years (prevalence: 6.7%, CI95% [1.7–31.9]). Of the 15 patients presenting DM (sex ratio F/M: 4, mean age: 45±14 years), 6 (40%) had associated connective tissue disease.Conclusion. Our study suggests a weak association between DM and cancer in Afro-Caribbean patients. These results may be explained by the features of the disease seen in these patients (female gender, young age at onset, associated connective tissue disease) and the low prevalence in the Caribbean region of cancers typically associated with DM.Introduction. Dix-sept à 32 % des cas de dermatomyosite (DM) et 5 à 16 % des cas de syndrome des anti-synthétases (SAS) sont associés à un cancer. Les séries de patients afro-caribéens atteints de DM ou de SAS sont exceptionnellement rapportées dans la littérature. Le but de notre étude rétrospective était d’estimer la prévalence des cancers dans une série de patients guadeloupéens atteints de DM ou de SAS. L’objectif secondaire était de préciser les caractéristiques cliniques, biologiques et évolutives de la maladie chez ces patients.Patients et méthode. Les critères d’inclusion étaient les suivants : patient afro-caribéen ; âge >15ans ; patient vivant en Guadeloupe ; réalisation d’un bilan d’extension à la recherche d’une néoplasie.Résultats. Vingt-deux patients ont été inclus (15 atteints de DM, 7 de SAS). Un seul cancer a été diagnostiqué, avec une durée moyenne de suivi de 6±4ans sur l’ensemble de la série (prévalence de 6,7 % ; IC 95 % [1,7 ; 31,9]). Parmi les 15 patients atteints de DM (sex-ratio H/F=1/4 ; âge moyen : 45±14ans), 6 (40 %) avaient une connectivite associée.Conclusion. Notre étude suggère une faible association entre DM et cancer chez les patients afro-caribéens. Ces résultats s’expliquent principalement par les caractéristiques de la maladie chez ces patients (sexe féminin, jeune âge, connectivite associée) et la faible prévalence, aux Antilles, des cancers classiquement associés aux DM

Nou tout an dlo-la: a swimming-based physical activity promotion program

International audienceN/

Frequency and Risk Factors for Associated Lymphomas in Patients With Lymphomatoid Papulosis

International audienceLymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) is classified as an indolent cutaneous lymphoma, but outcome dramatically worsens if LyP is associated with lymphoma. The frequency of this association remains unclear in the literature. Here, we assess the frequency and risk factors of association between LyP and another lymphoma in an 11-year retrospective study conducted in 8 dermatology departments belonging to the French Study Group on Cutaneous Lymphoma (FSGCL)