Molecular Characterization of Glycopeptide-Resistant Enterococci from Hospitals of the Picardy Region (France)

We studied 138 glycopeptide-resistant enterococci (GRE) strains, consisting of 131 glycopeptide-resistant Enterococcus faecium (GREfm) and 7 glycopeptide-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (GREfs). The GREfm strains were resistant to penicillin, ampicillin, vancomycin, and teicoplanin, while the GREfs strains were only resistant to vancomycin and teicoplanin. The van A gene was the only glycopeptide determinant present in all GRE isolates investigated. Genes coding for Hyl and Hyl+ Esp were detected in 39 (29.8%) and 92 (70.2%) of the 131 GREfm isolates, respectively. Three of the 7 GREfs were positive for gelE+asa 1 genes, 3 for gel E gene, and 1 for asa 1 gene. The genetic relationship between the 138 GRE was analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). GREfm isolates were clustered in a single genogroup (pulsotype A), and GREfs were clustered in six genogroups (pulsotypes B-G). Among the isolates investigated by MLST, only 18 PCR products were sequenced (12 E. faecium and 6 E. faecalis), and 9 sequence types (STs) were identified

Waddlia chondrophila, a Potential Agent of Human Fetal Death

We investigated the zoonotic potential of Waddlia chondrophila, a new Chlamydia-like abortigenic agent in ruminants. Anti-Waddlia antibody reactivity was tested by immunofluorescence and Western blot. Waddlia seroprevalence was higher in women who had had sporadic and recurrent miscarriages than in control women (p<0.001). Waddlia spp. may represent a cause of human fetal loss

Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

A case-control, epidemiologic, and molecular study of nosocomial MDR A. baumannii showed the existence of multiple clones and a complex epidemiologic pattern

L’encadrement juridique de la participation de la société civile à la procédure décisionnelle européenne

Cette étude est une recherche juridique sur le cadre élaboré par les institutions de l'Union européenne pour régir la participation de la société civile au processus décisionnel. La première partie montre comment s'est progressivement formée une "exigence" de collaboration des institutions avec la société civile. Il en va tout autant de la légitimité de l'Union et de l'efficacité et de la qualité des normes qu'elle adopte. La deuxième partie décrit la formalisation progressive de la collaboration. Des pratiques de participation et consultation sont organisées qui permettent aux interlocuteurs habilités de pouvoir influencer les institutions de l'Union européenne. Mais cette formalisation est lacunaire et inachevée. Le cadre règlementaire mis en place souffre de limites formelles et matérielles. La multiplication des normes de soft law, la faible consécration de droits et obligations des membres de la société civile, créent une insécurité juridique problématique. Enfin, le cadre élaboré ne parvient pas à se saisir d’une réalité sociale et politique complexe : la société civile est composée d'entités hétérogènes et inégales dont la capacité d'influence n'est pas toujours correctement maîtrisée..

Limits of the microimmunofluorescence test and advantages of immunoblotting in the diagnosis of chlamydiosis

The Western blot (immunoblot) patterns of 56 serum specimens, all examined previously by the microimmunofluorescence (MIF) test for species-specific Chlamydia antibodies, were analyzed. Predominant specific-antibody activity was directed to the 170-, 155-, 145-, 120-, 115-, 100-, 57-, and 38-kDa proteins of Chlamydia trachomatis and to the 175-, 130-, 110-, 98-, and 30-kDa proteins of Chlamydia pneumoniae. All of these antigens appeared to be species specific. The reactivity with 90-, 80-, 75-, 62- or 60-, and 55-kDa proteins and the major outer membrane protein appeared to be genus specific. Fourteen serum samples which had identical titers of immunoglobulin G as determined by the MIF test were investigated by Western blotting. We found that nine serum samples had anti-C. trachomatis protein profiles and two had anti-C. pneumoniae protein profiles. The double seropositivity observed by MIF corresponded with cross-reactivity to genus-specific antibodies. As for the three remaining serum specimens, we observed identical protein profiles for C. trachomatis and C. pneumoniae, confirming the double seropositivity experienced with the MIF test. Western blotting can differentiate between specific reactions and interfering noise from other, partly cross-reacting chlamydial species.</jats:p