Presse Med
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Whipple's disease is a diffuse disease with a wide variety of clinical manifestations. Differential diagnoses include chronic enteritis, chronic joint disease, chronic meningoencephalitis and prolonged fever with weight loss, chronic uveitis and endocarditis with negative blood culture. MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS: Histologically the characteristic lesions contain PAS-positive inclusions. ⋯ AN EMERGING PATHOGEN: Tropheryma whippelii is a recently identified pathogen highly difficult to culture. Since its discovery, it has been a model of emerging pathogens. Clinical observation, microscope studies, molecular and cellular biology, and bacteriology have all contributed to its recent isolation which should lead to the development of indirect diagnostic techniques [abstract corrected]
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STILL A SERIOUS DISEASE: Despite advances in antibiotic therapy, and despite the emergence of beta-lactam-resistant strains, mortality of pneumococcal pneumonia has remained relatively unchanged. The pathogenicity of a pneumococcal strain results from an interaction between a specific host with its own capacity to "resist or yield" to the multiple virulence factors intrinsic to each S. pneumoniae strain.
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A RARE DISEASE: Paraneoplastic pemphigus is an rare autoimmune bullous skin disease recently recognized. About 50 cases have been reported since its first description in 1990.
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RISK AWARENESS: Use of psychostimulants is spreading in France, particularly at "techno" dances. The generic term "ecstasy" covers a wide variety of molecules with variable formulations. The situation is a true public health problem, generally concerning very young subjects who must be informed of the risks involved. Knowledge of the chemical makeup of the products currently used is needed to provide valid information and reduce risks.
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SYMPTOMATIC TREATMENT: Treatment of idiopathic dystonia depends on the age of onset and the extent of the disease. Symptomatic treatment has made many advances over the last 20 years.