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Biomedical subjects

François Bricaire

Publications and source records attributed to François Bricaire.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy mimicking cerebral vasculitis in systemic granulomatosis.

We describe the case of a 69-year-old man with systemic granulomatosis who presented with left-sided hemiplegia. Initial diagnosis concerning the neurological troubles was cerebral vasculitis. Corticosteroids associated with antituberculosis therapy showed a rapid but transient amelioration followed by neurological aggravation. Two weeks later, JC virus was detected in cerebrospinal fluid by PCR and the diagnosis of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) was made. Treatment with cytarabine and cidofovir was initiated but the patient died three months after the first neurological signs. In the presence of central neurological symptoms occurring during systemic granulomatosis before specific therapy, PML should be evoked.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2006

Brain and optic nerve ischemia in malaria with immune disorders.

We report an unusual case of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in a European returning from tropical regions associating an anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and an asymptomatic centropontine myelinolysis. The transient antiphospholipid antibodies detected in the patient may have played a role in the ischemic process at the origin of this unusual clinical association.

Antibodies, Antiphospholipid↗
PubMed2006

Pott's disease occurring after percutaneous vertebroplasty: an unusual illustration of the principle of locus minoris resistentiae.

We report an unusual case of a multifocal tuberculous spondylitis that has been diagnosed after several percutaneous vertebroplasty. This event supports the theory that surgical or radiological intervention such as a percutaneous vertebroplasty should be considered as an intentional traumatism that can lead to the initiation of a locus minoris resistentiae, probably by reactivating an inactive tuberculous lesion.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

[Paradoxical reactions in tuberculosis].

Paradoxical reactions during tuberculosis are defined by exacerbation of clinical symptoms or laboratory or radiologic abnormalities during antituberculosis treatment or when an antiretroviral treatment is added to it. This phenomenon does not involve relapse of the opportunistic infection but rather a reconstitution of an abnormal immune response. The phenomenon is relatively frequent after antiretroviral treatment begins in HIV-infected patients with tuberculosis. Diagnosis, based on a group of heterogeneous clinical and/or radiologic criteria, is often difficult. Although outcome is most often spontaneously favorable, complications are possible. Treatment relies on the maintenance of specific treatment of the pathogen responsible for the opportunistic infection, the antiretroviral treatment, and possibly the addition of corticosteroid therapy.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed2006

Efficacy of praziquantel during the incubation and invasive phase of Schistosoma haematobium schistosomiasis in 18 travelers.

The efficacy of praziquantel started during the incubation period of schistosomiasis has not been studied. Eighteen tourists were infected by Schistosoma haematobium during summer 2003 after bathing once in the same cascade in Mali. We observed the efficacy of praziquantel given at different phases. They received praziquantel at the first consultation, from Days 10 to 15 after exposure in eight asymptomatic patients (Group 1), from Days 28 to 40 in 4 asymptomatic patients (Group 2), and from Days 20 to 39 in 6 patients with acute schistosomiasis (Group 3). All Group 1 patients developed acute schistosomiasis, compared with none of the Group 2 patients (P < 0.004). Among the 10 patients treated during the acute phase, clinical status deteriorated in four cases. Seventeen of the 18 patients developed chronic schistosomiasis. Early praziquantel treatment was thus less effective than later treatment in preventing acute schistosomiasis, while neither treatment effectively prevented chronic schistosomiasis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[Emerging viral diseases].

Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases have again entered the public arena in recent years. This is due to factors such as evolving lifestyles, ecological and socio-political upheavals, and recent diagnostic advances. Numerous pathogens, including viruses like West Nile, Chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis on the one hand, and hemorrhagic fever viruses like Ebola and Maburg, are particular concerns. Recently, the Corona virus responsible for SARS, which caused an epidemic sufficiently worrisome to challenge crisis management concepts, was successfully isolated. It is in this context that so-called "bird flu'", may be on the verge of causing a human pandemic. Pox and Monkeypox are "virtually emerging" viruses that have potential for use in bioterrorism. The management and treatment of these emerging infectious diseases calls for new approaches, organizations and infrastructures.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

No benefit of a structured treatment interruption based on genotypic resistance in heavily pretreated HIV-infected patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential benefits of a tailored antiretroviral treatment interruption with duration based on the observed reversion of resistance mutations. METHODS: In this open single-arm pilot study, 23 patients with multiple treatment failure interrupted therapy and underwent longitudinal genotypic resistance testing. Salvage gigatherapy was started when resistance mutations to at least two antiretroviral drug classes reverted. The primary endpoint was a fall in viral load by > 1 log10 copies/ml after 12 weeks of salvage therapy. RESULTS: Baseline median viral load was 5.14 log copies/ml and CD4 cell count 43 x 10 cells/l. Genotypic resistance testing showed a median of six, two and nine resistance mutations to nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors, respectively; viral strains were susceptible to no more than one drug in 17/23 patients. The median duration of treatment interruption was 24 weeks (range, 12-37), leading to median changes from baseline of + 0.54 log10 copies/ml and -30 x 10(6) cells/l. At the end of treatment interruption, plasma HIV was susceptible to at least three drugs in 16/23 patients. After 12 weeks of salvage multitherapy, only one patient had a decrease in viral load > 1 log copies/ml. All baseline resistance mutations recurred after treatment resumption. AIDS-defining events occurred in two-thirds of patients during the study period. CONCLUSION: In HIV-infected patients with multiple failures and no therapeutic options at baseline, significant reversion of resistance mutations after prolonged treatment interruption failed to restore antiviral efficacy of a salvage regimen and was clinically deleterious.

Anti-HIV Agents↗
PubMed2005

[Emerging or re-emerging infections that can be used for bioterrorism].

USED FOR WARFARE: Bioterrorism is a perfectly foreseeable eventuality. It is defined by the international use, or menace of use, of living organisms whatever their nature, or of substances derived from these organisms, aimed at provoking a disease or the death of human beings, animals or plants. UPDATED COUNTERACTING STRATEGIES: More than 180 infectious agents could be used for terrorist ends. The recent events in the dawn of this twenty-first century have reactivated and notably updated the strategies to counteract such an event. Clinical and therapeutic guidelines have been circulated in many countries. INFECTIONS THAT REQUIRE RECOGNITION: The role of practitioners in the rapid recognition of bioterrorism-related infections is crucial. Hence, updated knowledge on these potentially emerging or reemerging infections is required.

Anthrax↗
PubMed2005

[Viral encephalitis virus, a new bioterrorist menace].

Often responsible for little known infections, today viral encephalitis viruses appear as a new bioterrorist menace, because of their easy production and their great pathogenic potential. Spraying is the best way to permit the rapid diffusion of certain encephalitis viruses. Diagnosis of viral encephalitis, predominating in tropical surroundings, is difficult. In the majority of cases, symptoms differ little from those of common flu. With supplementary examinations, the biological abnormalities are usually non-specific. There are no characteristic images on scans or MRI. Identification of the virus in the nasopharynx, blood or cerebrospinal fluid, in serology, PCR or RT-PCR permits confirmation of the virus. Treatment is essentially symptomatic and relies on appropriate reanimation measures. Ribavirin can be indicated in some cases such as the Rift Valley fever, but is formally contraindicated in West Nile encephalitis. The aim of terrorist groups who would use this type of weapon is more to provoke panic and disorganisation than to kill as many people as possible.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed2005

[Haemorrhagic fever viruses, possible bioterrorist use].

The majority of haemorrhagic fever viruses are responsible for various clinical manifestations, the mutual characteristics of which are fever and haemorrhage in 5 to 70% of cases. All degrees of severity can be observed, ranging from isolated fever to multi-organ failure and death. These viruses belong to one of the following families: filoviridae, arenaviridae, bunyaviridae, and flaviviridae. They must be considered as dangerous biological weapons that could potentially be used. Most of the viruses responsible for haemorrhagic fever can be transmitted to humans through the air in spray form, except the dengue virus and the agents of haemorrhagic fever from the Congo Crimea and the haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome that are difficult to handle in cell culture. In the event of a bioterrorist act, the management of persons infected or suspected of being so will be made by the referent departments of infectious diseases, defined by the French Biotox plan. Management includes isolation, confirmation or invalidation of the diagnosis and rapid initiation of treatment with ribavirin. Ribavirin is recommended for the treatment and prophylaxis of arenavirus and bunyavirus infections; it is not effective for the other families of virus. Except for yellow fever, there is no vaccination for the other forms of viral haemorrhagic fever.

Antiviral Agents↗