PCR-ribotyping, a typing method based on polymorphism in the 16S-23S intergenic spacer region, has been recently used to investigate outbreaks due to Clostridium difficile. However, this method generates bands of high and close molecular masses which are difficult to separate on agarose gel electrophoresis. To improve reading of banding patterns of PCR-ribotyping applied to C. difficile, a partial sequencing of the rRNA genes (16S and 23S) and intergenic spacer region has been performed, then a new set of primers located closer to the intergenic spacer region has been defined. The new PCR gave reproducible patterns of bands easy to separate on agarose gel electrophoresis. Each of the 10 serogroups and 11 subgroups of serogroup A produced a different pattern. This typing method has evidenced major qualities such as easiness, rapidity and reproducibility. However, its discriminatory power has to be evaluated to validate its importance as a typing tool for C. difficile. z

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Pleural and pulmonary malignancies are usually associated with well‐known carcinogen exposure. Recently, the presence of simian virus 40 (SV40)‐like DNA sequences has been detected in brain and bone‐related human cancers and in pleural mesothelioma. In order to determine whether SV40‐like DNA sequences are also present in bronchopulmonary carcinoma and non‐malignant lung samples, 125 frozen pleural and pulmonary samples (including 21 mesotheliomas, 63 bronchopulmonary carcinomas, 8 other tumours, and 33 non‐malignant samples) and 38 additional samples distant from tumours were studied for the occurrence of SV40‐like DNA sequences by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification followed by hybridization with specific probes. Sequences related to SV40 large T antigen (Tag) were present in 28·6 per cent of bronchopulmonary carcinomas, 47·6 per cent of mesotheliomas, and 16·0 per cent of cases with non‐neoplastic pleural and pulmonary disease. No statistically significant difference in the occurrence of these DNA sequences was found between malignant mesothelioma and bronchopulmonary carcinoma, but a significantly higher number of mesothelioma cases exhibited SV40‐like DNA sequences in comparison with cases of non‐malignant pleural or pulmonary disease (P<0·04). Among cases positive for SV40‐like DNA sequences, a history of asbestos exposure was found in 3 out of 12 bronchopulmonary carcinomas and 8 out of 10 mesotheliomas. Immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies directed against Tag did not demonstrate nuclear staining. The DNA sequences were not related to BK virus sequences, but three samples were positive with probes hybridizing with JC virus DNA sequences. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the presence of SV40‐like DNA sequences in pulmonary neoplasms and in non‐malignant lung tissues. It appears that the presence of SV40‐like DNA is not unique to cancer. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Kingella kingae arthritis in children is now mainly diagnosed by PCR, which has surpassed conventional culture of joint fluid. As oropharynx colonization is the first step of Kingella kingae invasion, we prospectively investigated the possibility of cultivating it from throat swabs, in children hospitalized for K. kingae arthritis.Throat culture was 5.6-fold more sensitive than joint fluid cultures in isolating K. kingae (66.7% vs. 11.9% respectively, p <0.001) and may be used to perform antibiotic susceptibility testing.

In a 15-year pediatric time-series analysis, we showed a rise of invasive Group A streptococcal (iGAS) infections since October 2022, mainly involving pleural empyema, simultaneously to a respiratory virus outbreak. Physicians should be aware of this increased risk of pediatric iGAS infections, especially in settings with intense respiratory viruses’ circulation.

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