In the department of Puy-de-Dôme, France, 17 cases of invasive meningococcal disease C were notified between March 2001 and the first week of 2002. Among the 15 confirmed cases, 11 (73%) were serogroup C, 2 (13%) serogroup B, and 2 could not be identified. The rapid increase in the number of cases in a period of low endemicity for the rest of the country and the severity of the disease (case fatality ratio 27%, purpura fulminans 64%) led the health authorities to initiate a vaccination campaign targeting children and young adults from 2 months up to 20 years living in a limited area of the department. Around 80 000 people were immunised between 16/01/02 and 09/02/02. More than half of the 1390 immediate side effects were headache and dizziness. As of mid-March, no further case of meningococcal disease has been notified since 6 January.

Prevalencia de enfermedad celíaca: estudio multicéntrico en población pediátrica de cinco distritos urbanos de la ArgentinaPrevalence of celiac disease: multicentric trial among pediatric population from five urban districts in Argentina RESUMEN Introducción. Hasta la fecha del estudio no se hallaron estudios poblacionales publicados sobre prevalencia de enfermedad celíaca en la población pediátrica argentina. Objetivo. Estimar la prevalencia de la enfermedad celíaca en población pediátrica a partir de una muestra de base hospitalaria de cinco distritos urbanos. Método. Diseño descriptivo de corte transversal. Bajo consentimiento informado, participaron 2219 niños, de 3 a 16 años, que realizaban estudios de laboratorio para exámenes prequirúrgi-cos o certificados de aptitud física deportiva del Conurbano bonaerense, y ciudades de Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, Córdoba y Salta. Se incluyeron niños con diagnóstico previo y certero de enfermedad celíaca dentro de esa población. Se determinaron anticuerpos antitransglutaminasa y, en las muestras positivas, anticuerpo antiendomisio. Se propuso biopsia de intestino delgado a quienes presentaron ambas serologías positivas. Resultados: 29 serologías fueron positivas. Se realizaron 22 biopsias de duodeno, 21 fueron compatibles con enfermedad celíaca y 7 presentaron diagnóstico previo. La prevalencia fue de 1,26% (1:79) IC 95% 0,84-1,81, con predominio del sexo femenino (p <0,039). El 90% de los niños celíacos hallados fueron mayores de 6 años. Las formas clínicas silentes predominaron, pero hubo un 33% de casos sintomáticos. Conclusión. Los resultados en la población estudiada muestran una prevalencia mayor que la esperada. El hallazgo de formas sintomáticas (33%) sugiere emprender acciones de difusión del conocimiento de la enfermedad y ampliar la indicación de serología para obtener diagnóstico precoz. Palabras clave: enfermedad celíaca, prevalencia, Argentina, antitransglutaminasa tisular.

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Brucellosis is a relatively common disease in the Mediterranean area and may present with prolonged fever without focus, however it remains an important diagnostic challenge to most pediatricians. We report the case of a 10-year-old male patient who presented with fever without a focus of 10-day duration, hepatomegaly, ascites, a small elevation in transaminases and acute-phase reactants indicating cholestasis, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Imaging tests showed many small, rounded, hypodense focal lesions in the liver and spleen. After eliminating a wide range of diseases, positive results for the Rose Bengal test and indirect immunofluorescence assay for Brucella melitensis made it possible to establish a diagnosis of hepatosplenic brucellosis. A review of the family history revealed direct contact with farm animals. The patient made good progress on treatment with doxycycline and streptomycin, with complete resolution of both clinical symptoms and imaging signs. The prevalence of brucellosis is gradually increasing, mainly due to migratory movements. It should always be eliminated as a source of unknown fever in endemic areas and should also be taken into account in other geographical areas where it is not common whenever a patient presents with prolonged fever and unspecific symptoms. Standard therapy is highly effective, even in relapse cases, and early diagnosis leads to a rapid recovery and favorable outcome. The unusual presentation in the case reported here reminds us that it is possible to encounter a Brucella infection in a case of fever without a focus, irrespective of the existence of a clear epidemiological history, which is very often omitted by the family. All differential diagnostic protocols for fever without a focus should include a diagnostic test for Brucella in order to achieve early detection of the disease and initiate therapy promptly.

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