Aims The EURO-ENDO registry aimed to study the management and outcomes of patients with infective endocarditis (IE). Methods and results Prospective cohort of 3116 adult patients (2470 from Europe, 646 from non-ESC countries), admitted to 156 hospitals in 40 countries between January 2016 and March 2018 with a diagnosis of IE based on ESC 2015 diagnostic criteria. Clinical, biological, microbiological, and imaging [echocardiography, computed tomography (CT) scan, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT)] data were collected. Infective endocarditis was native (NVE) in 1764 (56.6%) patients, prosthetic (PVIE) in 939 (30.1%), and device-related (CDRIE) in 308 (9.9%). Infective endocarditis was community-acquired in 2046 (65.66%) patients. Microorganisms involved were staphylococci in 1085 (44.1%) patients, oral streptococci in 304 (12.3%), enterococci in 390 (15.8%), and Streptococcus gallolyticus in 162 (6.6%). 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography was performed in 518 (16.6%) patients and presented with cardiac uptake (major criterion) in 222 (42.9%) patients, with a better sensitivity in PVIE (66.8%) than in NVE (28.0%) and CDRIE (16.3%). Embolic events occurred in 20.6% of patients, and were significantly associated with tricuspid or pulmonary IE, presence of a vegetation and Staphylococcus aureus IE. According to ESC guidelines, cardiac surgery was indicated in 2160 (69.3%) patients, but finally performed in only 1596 (73.9%) of them. In-hospital death occurred in 532 (17.1%) patients and was more frequent in PVIE. Independent predictors of mortality were Charlson index, creatinine > 2 mg/dL, congestive heart failure, vegetation length > 10 mm, cerebral complications, abscess, and failure to undertake surgery when indicated. Conclusion Infective endocarditis is still a life-threatening disease with frequent lethal outcome despite profound changes in its clinical, microbiological, imaging, and therapeutic profiles.

Most cases of hepatitis E viral (HEV) infection in developed countries are autochthonous. Nevertheless, the reported seroprevalence of HEV varies greatly depending on the geographical area and the performance of the immunoassay used. We used validated assays to determine the prevalence of anti-HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM among 10,569 French blood donors living in mainland France and three overseas areas. Epidemiological information was collected using a specific questionnaire. We found an overall IgG seroprevalence of 22.4% (8%-86.4%) depending on the geographical area (P < 0.001). The presence of anti-HEV IgG was associated with increasing age (P < 0.001) and eating pork meat (P 5 0.03), pork liver sausages (P < 0.001), game meat (P < 0.01), offal (P < 0.001), and oysters (P 5 0.02). Conversely, drinking bottled water was associated with a lower rate of anti-HEV IgG (P 5 0.02). Overall IgM seroprevalence was 1% (0%-4.6%). The frequency of anti-HEV IgM was higher in donors living in a high anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence area (1.9% versus 0.7%, P < 0.001) and in those eating pork liver sausage (1.4% versus 0.7%, P < 0.01), pât e (1% versus 0.4, P 5 0.04), and wild boar (1.3% versus 0.7%, P < 0.01). Conclusion: HEV is endemic in France and hyperendemic in some areas; eating habits alone cannot totally explain the exposure to HEV, and contaminated water could contribute to the epidemiology of HEV infection in France. (HEPATOLOGY 2016;63:1145-1154 H epatitis E virus (HEV) is a single-stranded, positive sense RNA virus that is a member of the Hepeviridae family.(1) Four major genotypes of human HEV are recognized. HEV genotypes 1 and 2 have been found only in humans and are prevalent in developing countries. They are responsible for both sporadic cases and large outbreaks linked to drinking contaminated water. HEV genotypes 3 and 4 are anthropozoonotic and prevalent in developed countries. These HEV genotypes have been detected in a wide range of domestic and wild animals, which are believed to play a major role in the human epidemiology of the virus. (2) HEV genotypes 1 and 2 mainly affect young adults, mostly men, aged 15-30. Almost half of all cases become jaundiced, and pregnant women during the third trimester and patients with underlying chronic liver disease are most at risk of a severe form of hepatitis E.(3) HEV genotypes 3 and 4 mainly affect older men. Most infections are asymptomatic, but patients suffering from chronic liver disease are at risk of developing acute liver failure.(3) Immunosuppressed individuals infected with genotype 3 or 4 may develop a chronic infection that can rapidly progress to cirrhosis. (4) Autochthonous infections are frequently reported in developed countries, particularly in western Europe. (5) The virus can be transmitted by contaminated food, (3) mainly undercooked pig meat, (6) although other modes of contamination have been described. They are often occupational, such as direct exposure to animals or to slaughterhouse meat. The risk of HEV transmission through blood pro...

Drinking 500mL of water or isotonic drink close to phlebotomy is useful in preventing presyncopal or syncopal reactions in blood donors. Isotonic drinks have the advantage of preventing delayed reactions and tiredness after whole blood donation.

ABO discrepancies can result from errors made not only by the medical staff during phlebotomy but also to by the clerical staff during registration and identification. These findings emphasize the need to standardize data transmission between health care personnel.

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