Nanoparticles: Production, Characterization and Applications

The production of metallic nanoparticles using pulsed laser ablation in water is presented. The physical characterization of the produced nanoparticles is reported in terms of electronic microscopy, optical and mechanical properties, SPR, EDX, XPS and XRD spectroscopies. The applications of the prepared nanoparticles involve different scientific fields. In particular will be discussed their use to modify some properties of polymers, liquids and alloys. Special attention is devoted to the use of nanoparticles for polymeric laser welding, to the use as an image contrast medium in the biological environment and to the use of Au-NPs targeting for radiotherapy of cancer tissues

M. ulcerans infection diagnosis by fine needle aspiration

Date du colloque&nbsp;: 04/2009</p

Report of the laboratory confirmation of cases from the CDTUB Pobé, Benin

In 2009, 420 diagnostic samples (corresponding to 301 patients suspected of M. ulcerans infection) from the Centre de Dépistage et de Traitement de l’Ulcère de Buruli of Benin were subjected to IS2404 PCR at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire of Angers. 180 samples (corresponding to 141 patients) were confirmed positive to M. ulcerans infection by PCR

Discordance in the minimal inhibitory concentrations of ertapenem for Enterobacter cloacae: Vitek 2 system versus Etest and agar dilution methods

Our objective was to compare the ertapenem minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for Enterobacter cloacae isolates categorized intermediate or resistant to ertapenem when measured with the Vitek 2 system, with the MICs for these isolates when measured by two methods performed in agar medium: the Etest and agar plate dilution method (APDM). Overall, 50 E. cloacae isolates were included in the study. The mean MIC of ertapenem was 2.92±1.77μg/ml according to the Vitek 2 system, 0.94±0.84μg/ml according to the Etest strips, and 0.93±0.62μg/ml according to the APDM. Furthermore, the MICs determined by the Vitek 2 system were higher than the MICs determined by the two other methods for 96% of strains. Lastly, according to the Etest strips and APDM, 42% of E. cloacae were susceptible to ertapenem. No carbapenemase was identified by the screening method used. Using the Vitek 2 system to determine ertapenem MICs for E. cloacae can have potential consequences in terms of additional carbapenemase-detecting tests and antimicrobial therapy. It would be interesting to determine if the Vitek 2 system is more effective for the detection of carbapenemase producers with low-level carbapenem resistance than the two methods performed in agar medium

Aromatic and Terpenic Compounds Loaded in Lipidic Nanocapsules: Activity against Multi-drug Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Assessed in vitro and in a Murine Model of Sepsis.

Given the spread of multidrug resistance and the number of antibiotics in development, finding new antibacterial strategies becomes necessary. One of these strategies is to use extracts of essential oils that are a potential reservoir of effective antibacterial molecules. The objective of the study was to evaluate the possibility of administering to animal, mixtures of carvacrol and eugenol (phenols), cinnamaldehyde (aldehyde) and/or β-caryophyllene (alkene) encapsulated in lipid nanocapsules to provide an optimal bio distribution and antimicrobial efficacy. These suspensions were tested in vitro and the results showed an important antibacterial activity against A. baumannii, a multidrugresistant microorganism responsible for outbreaks in intensive care units, similar to the activity of non-encapsulated mixtures. Subsequently, the suspensions activities were assessed with a murine model of sepsis using the same A.Baumannii strain. These preliminary results showed a mice survival varying from 45% to 55%. It is the first time that antimicrobial essential oils can be administered intraperitonneally via nanomedicine. These results are encouraging and further studies are needed to pursue the development of this strategy

Fine needle aspiration for the diagnosis of M. ulcerans infection and for mycolactone detection

Over recent years, management of Buruli ulcer patients has considerably changed with advances in antibiotherapy. Antibiotherapy is particularly effective on nonulcerative forms. However, the bacteriological diagnosis in the early forms is difficult because simple and non-invasive methods are not available. In this study, the diagnostic effectiveness of the Fine Needle aspiration was evaluated on early lesions. Our results showed that PCR from FNA samples, unlike Ziehl-Neelsen staining, is very sensitive on nonulcerative forms like other standard sampling methods (biopsy and punch biopsy). Furthermore, mycolactone was detected in aspirated liquid from lesions in mouse experimentally infected by M. ulcerans and in FNA from Buruli ulcer patients. This is a crucial observation to encourage the development of diagnosis test based on mycolactone detection. Moreover, mycolactone was never detected in aspirated liquid from a patient treated by antibiotherapy. To conclude, fine needle aspiration is a simple, fast, painless, accurate and inexpensive method of sampling and could be used for diagnosis of M. ulcerans infection

Laboratory Confirmation of Buruli Ulcer Disease in Togo, 2007–2010

Buruli ulcer disease (BUD) is an emerging disease particularly affecting children under the age of 15 years. Due to scarring and contractures BUD may lead to severe functional disability. Introduction of antimycobacterial treatment necessitated the laboratory confirmation of BUD, and WHO recommends confirmation of at least 50% of patients with suspected BUD by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In Togo, cases have been reported since the early 1990s. However, less than five percent were laboratory confirmed. Since 2007, the German Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Organization (DAHW) has supported the Togolese National Buruli Ulcer Control Program in the area of training, treatment and laboratory confirmation of BUD. In close collaboration of DAHW and the Department for Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Munich (DITM), diagnostic samples from Togolese patients with suspected BUD were subjected to PCR. Out of 202 suspected BUD cases 109 BUD patients (54%) were PCR confirmed over a period of three years. Whereas the PCR case confirmation rate initially was below 50%, intensified training measures for health staff in the field of clinical diagnosis and collection of diagnostic samples ultimately resulted in 69% PCR confirmed cases. Our findings confirm the prevalence of BUD in Maritime Region