Extra-european studies reported high rates of multi-drug resistant bacteria colonization of healthcare workers' mobile phones in intensive care unit. The purpose was to assess the prevalence of bacterial colonization of healthcare workers' mobile phones in a French intensive care unit and the efficacy of a sanitization product.We designed a prospective monocentric study in a 15-bed intensive care unit in a 300-bed private hospital. Bacterial colonization was assessed in 56 healthcare workers' mobile phones immediately before and after 5 min of sanitization with bactericidal wipes. Control were 42 administrative staff' mobile phones.All mobile phones were colonized in both groups; at least with coagulase negative Staphylococcus. The number of different bacterial species per phone was higher in healthcare workers' (2.45 ± 1.34 vs. 1.81 ± 0.74, p=0.02). Colonization with pathogens did not differ significantly across healthcare workers' phones and controls' (39.3% vs. 28.6%, p=0.37).Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen in both groups (19.6% and 11.9%, p=0.41). Only 1 healthcare workers' mobile phone was colonized by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and no other multi-drug resistant bacteria was detected. No covariate was associated with pathogens colonization. After sanitization, only 8.9% of mobile phones were sterilized yet colonization with pathogen bacteria decreased (21.4% vs. 39.3%, p=0.002) as well as the number of CFUs/mL (367 ± 404 vs. 733 ± 356, p<0.001)In conclusion, colonization of intensive care unit healthcare workers' and administrative staff's mobile phones is similar. Colonization is rare with multi-drug resistant bacteria but frequent with pathogens. Sanitization with bactericidal wipes is incompletely effective. Specific sanitization protocol and recommendations regarding healthcare workers' mobile phones management in intensive care unit should be developed and good hand hygiene after touching mobile phones should be kept in mind to prevent cross-infections.

ICF (immunodeficiency, centromeric region instability, facial anomalies) syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterised by severe immunodeficiency, craniofacial anomalies and chromosome instability. Chromosome analyses from blood samples show a high frequency of decondensation of pericentromeric heterochromatin (PH) and rearrangements involving chromosomes 1 and 16. It is the first and, as far as we know, the only disease associated with a mutation in a DNA methyltransferase gene, DNMT3B, with significant hypomethylation of the classical satellite DNA, the major component of the juxtacentromeric heterochromatin. To better understand the complex links between the hypomethylation of the satellite DNA, the cytogenetic anomalies and the clinical features of ICF syndrome, we performed three-dimensional (3D) FISH on preserved cells from a patient with a suspected ICF phenotype. Analysis of DNMT3B did not reveal any mutation in our patient, making this case an ICF type 2. The results of 3D-FISH showed a statistically significant change in the intranuclear position of PH of chromosome 1 in cells of the patient as compared to normal cells. It is difficult to understand how a defect in the methylation pathway can be responsible for the various symptoms of this condition. From our observations we suggest a mechanistic link between the reorganisation of the nuclear architecture and the altered gene expression.

BackgroundRoberts syndrome (RBS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder mainly characterized by growth retardation, limb defects and craniofacial anomalies. Characteristic cytogenetic findings are “railroad track” appearance of chromatids and premature centromere separation in metaphase spreads. Mutations in the ESCO2 (establishment of cohesion 1 homolog 2) gene located in 8p21.1 have been found in several families. ESCO2, a member of the cohesion establishing complex, has a role in the effective cohesion between sister chromatids. In order to analyze sister chromatids topography during interphase, we performed 3D-FISH using pericentromeric heterochromatin probes of chromosomes 1, 4, 9 and 16, on preserved nuclei from a fetus with RBS carrying compound heterozygous null mutations in the ESCO2 gene.ResultsAlong with the first observation of an abnormal separation between sister chromatids in heterochromatic regions, we observed a statistically significant change in the intranuclear localization of pericentromeric heterochromatin of chromosome 1 in cells of the fetus compared to normal cells, demonstrating for the first time a modification in the spatial arrangement of chromosome domains during interphase.ConclusionWe hypothesize that the disorganization of nuclear architecture may result in multiple gene deregulations, either through disruption of DNA cis interaction –such as modification of chromatin loop formation and gene insulation - mediated by cohesin complex, or by relocation of chromosome territories. These changes may modify interactions between the chromatin and the proteins associated with the inner nuclear membrane or the pore complexes. This model offers a link between the molecular defect in cohesion and the complex phenotypic anomalies observed in RBS.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13039-014-0059-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Invasive therapies (surgery or radiological embolization) are used to control severe post-partum hemorrhage. The intra-uterine tamponade balloon is a potential alternative, well documented after vaginal delivery. However, available data on its use after cesarean delivery remain scarce. This study assessed the efficacy of the intra-uterine tamponade balloon during post-partum hemorrhage in a cesarean delivery setting. Using a retrospective impact design, post-partum hemorrhage-related outcomes before (“pre-balloon” period) versus after implementation of intra-uterine tamponade balloon (“post-balloon” period) were compared. All women with post-partum hemorrhage requiring potent uterotonic treatment with prostaglandins after cesarean delivery over a 9-year period were eligible. The primary outcome was the rate of invasive procedure (conservative surgery, radiological embolization and/or hysterectomy). p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 279 patients were included (140 vs. 139). Most baseline characteristics were comparable between the two studied periods. The success rate of the intra-uterine tamponade balloon was 82%, and no related complications occurred. Rates of invasive procedures and transfusion were significantly reduced (28.6% vs. 11.5%, p < 0.001 and 44.3% vs. 28.1%, p = 0.006 respectively) during the “post-balloon” period, and length of hospital stay was shorter (p < 0.001). Implementation of intra-uterine tamponade balloon during post-partum hemorrhage after cesarean delivery appears to be safe and effective, with a decrease in both invasive procedures and transfusion rates.