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The year 2023 saw the publication of several studies in various areas of infectious diseases. The administration of corticosteroids decreased mortality in severe community-acquired pneumonia. Administration of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis reduced the risk of bacterial sexually transmitted infections at the risk of resistance selection. An herbal preparation decreased mortality in sepsis. A meta-analysis concludes that oseltamivir does not significantly reduce the risk of hospitalisation for influenza. Discontinuation of antibiotic prophylaxis during dental procedures in Sweden did not increase the incidence of viridans group Streptococcus endocarditis. Several studies have led to the introduction of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination. 2023 also saw the resurgence of invasive Group A Streptococcal infections, of which clinicians must be wary., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

Antibiotic therapy is not recommended for the majority of adult outpatients with a respiratory tract infection. When antibiotic therapy is mandatory, its duration should be as short as possible in order to avoid side effects and reduce costs. This literature review summarises the recommendations for new, shorter courses of antibiotics. The recommended duration of antibiotic treatment for community-acquired pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation and acute otitis media is now 5 days, 6 days for pharyngitis and between 5 and 7 days for sinusitis. These recommendations do not apply to severe or complicated infections, infections with resistant agents or in immunosuppressed patients., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

Since the introduction of antibiotics, successive waves of Staphylococcus aureus clones occurred, each one having characteristic susceptibility pattern to antibiotics and virulence factors. We report here the results of a molecular epidemiological surveillance of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in French-speaking Switzerland between 2006 and 2020 showing the emergence and disappearance of clones known for their international dissemination, and the sporadic appearance of other international clones. Since 2012, a marked decrease in the incidence of cases attributable to the biology of the clones and to the control measures taken in the hospitals has been observed. These results highlight the importance of continuous surveillance in order to better assess the burden of this multi-resistant pathogen in our region., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

We describe the case of a 62-year-old woman who presented with insidious onset and slowly progressive neurological complaints. This case illustrates the diagnostic challenges clinicians face because the lack of specific symptomatology and numerous complementary exams. The broad differential diagnosis of this disease requires a diagnostic strategy to be developed. Clinical reasoning is based on clinical, biological and radiological information and highlights the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to patient care., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

Listeria monocytogenes, a gram-positive bacterium, is the cause of Listeriosis. Its mortality is currently the highest for food borne diseases. Affected are mainly elderly or immunocompromised patients, as well as pregnant women. Despite food hygiene measures and surveillance, outbreaks are possible in developed countries. In the canton of Valais, six hospitalized cases including one death occurred between end of March and the beginning of May 2020. The typing of these strains of L. monocytogenes showed a link to a larger Swiss outbreak associated with contaminated soft cheese (Brie). The outbreak ended once the producer recalled the incriminated cheese. This article describes the outbreak with a review of other outbreaks' sources and a reminder of preventive measures., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

Immunotherapy, with « checkpoint » inhibitors (CPIs), has become an essential therapeutic weapon against cancer. Autoimmune disorders related to overactivation of the immune system are well known side effects. The risk of reactivation of the hepatitis B and C viruses and exacerbation of the hepatitis, known from the introduction of immunosuppressive drugs such as chemotherapy, is poorly documented under immunotherapy. In this article, we discuss the issue of immunotherapy in patients presented with hepatitis using two approaches: the risks of immunotherapy in these situations and the management by disruption of liver tests under immunotherapy., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.

Leishmaniasis is an infection of the tropical to temperate zone, occasionally imported in our regions by travellers and migrants. Leishmania parasites are transmitted by the sting of a sand fly, Phlebotomus or Lutzomyia, and causes two clinical syndromes with either cutaneous, also mucosal, or disseminated involvement. Clinical suspicion needs a confirmation by the detection of the parasite. The treatment is adapted to the patient, the clinical presentation, the region, the species and the availability. Cutaneous leishmaniasis can be observed only or treated by topical or systemic regimens. Visceral leishmaniasis is a progressive illness, in most cases mortal, particularly in the immunocompromised patient. It requires systemic treatment., Competing Interests: A M. Jean-Pierre Grenon pour sa relecture et correction du français.

The emergency room is a stressful environment with poor privacy. Even so, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) need to be handled in such a setting. Some STIs can hide behind common clinical pictures. Signs and symptoms of acute retroviral syndrome, other STIs as well as the initiation of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) need to be known and managed by an emergency physician and are discussed in this article., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.