Centre Hospitalier Général St. Quentin

Treatment of Mycobacterium xenopi (MX) lung disease is not-well- tolerated and concerned a growing number of patients, especially with chronic pulmonary diseases or immunosuppression. The outcome of these patients is poor, and treatment is very long. Indeed, this duration is based on the date of sputum conversion. Treatment should be continued until 12 months after sputum conversion. In the vast majority patients have converted after 6 months of treatment, so a 18 months duration in total. Unfortunately, few data are available for MX, as it is rare in USA, but it is the second NTM isolated in France and concerns an increasing number of patients. As it is uncommon in USA, no clinical studies conducted by the pharmaceutical laboratory will be planned. In a murine model of MX infection, the only drug which decreased the number colony formant units in mice lungs, was amikacin. Until now, amikacin was only available intravenously and used only for patients with very severe disease, because of renal and auditory toxicity. Amikacin liposome inhalation suspension (ARIKAYCE®) is amikacin sulfate encapsulated in liposomes for inhalational delivery. ARIKAYCE® increases amikacin uptake into alveolar macrophages, a refuge for NTM organisms; allows biofilm penetration; and limits systemic amikacin exposure ARIKAYCE® has already be tested in a randomized study on M. avium complex (MAC) refractory pulmonary infections. In this study, the culture conversion rate in the ARIKAYCE® group was higher than standard regimen group.

Anxiety, nausea and vomiting are common side effects in paediatric patients receiving chemotherapy. chemotherapy. New evidence supports the efficacy of immersive virtual reality in improving symptoms of anxiety and distress, including nausea and vomiting, in this vulnerable group. This research will evaluate the efficacy of virtual reality in managing anxiety, nausea and vomiting in cancer patients receiving their first line of chemotherapy and will also measure the quality of life of these patients and evaluate patient and nursing staff satisfaction

There is no cure for Parkinson's disease, resulting in an interest for research in this domain. Non pharmacological measures remain essential, specifically physical activity. Hippotherapy is a nonconventional method which uses the horse in addition to standard care. The goal being to improve or maintain the gains of the person through cognitive, sensorial and motor stimulation, with the aim of improving quality of life and maintaining independence. With this in mind, the researchers propose to evaluate quality of life as the main criterion, using the PDQ8 scale validated for this disease. The researchers hope results will lead to the coverage of the costs of non-conventional therapies such as hippotherapy by social security services.