Factors Associated With Hospitalization or Intensive Care Admission in Children With COVID-19 in Latin America.

Background: Limited data is available from low-middle and upper-middle income countries of the factors associated with hospitalization or admission to pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) for children with COVID-19. Objective: To describe the factors associated with hospitalization or PICU admission of children with COVID-19 in Latin America. Method: Multicenter, analytical, retrospective study of children reported from 10 different Latin American countries to the Latin-American Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (SLIPE-COVID) research network from June 1, 2020, and February 28, 2021. Outpatient or hospitalized children <18 years of age with COVID-19 confirmed by polymerase chain reaction or antigen detection from the nasopharynx were included. Children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) were excluded. Associations were assessed using univariate and multivariable logistic regression models. Results: A total of 1063 children with COVID-19 were included; 500 (47%) hospitalized, with 419 (84%) to the pediatric wards and 81 (16%) to the ICU. In multivariable analyses, age <1 year (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.78; 95% CI 1.08-2.94), native race (OR 5.40; 95% CI 2.13-13.69) and having a co-morbid condition (OR 5.3; 95% CI 3.10-9.15), were associated with hospitalization. Children with metabolic or endocrine disorders (OR 4.22; 95% CI 1.76-10.11), immune deficiency (1.91; 95% CI 1.05-3.49), preterm birth (OR 2.52; 95% CI 1.41-4.49), anemia at presentation (OR 2.34; 95% CI 1.28-4.27), radiological peribronchial wall thickening (OR 2.59; 95% CI 1.15-5.84) and hypoxia, altered mental status, seizures, or shock were more likely to require PICU admission. The presence of pharyngitis (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.25-0.48); myalgia (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.28-0.79) or diarrhea (OR 0.38; 95% CI 0.21-0.67) were inversely associated with hospital admission. Conclusions: In this data analysis reported to the SLIPE research network in Latin America, infants, social inequalities, comorbidities, anemia, bronchial wall thickening and specific clinical findings on presentation were associated with higher rates of hospitalization or PICU admission. This evidence provides data for prioritization prevention and treatment strategies for children suffering from COVID-19.

Esporotricosis: presentación de un caso inusual / An unusual presentation of sporotrichosis: a case report

La esporotricosis es una micosis subcutánea de evolución crónica que puede afectar a humanos y animales, causada por el complejo Sporothrix schenckii, se considera un padecimiento ocupacional y su vía de entrada es a través de traumatismos, es frecuente en niños y adolescentes. Se comunica el caso de una adolescente de 12 años, con historia clínica de un año de evolución de causas no bien identificadas de dermatosis facial localizada en región pre-auricular izquierda, constituida por una placa eritematosa, escamosa, indurada, de bordes definidos. Se confirmó el diagnóstico de esporotricosis cutánea fija por el aislamiento en el cultivo y biopsia de lesión. La paciente fue dada de alta con tratamiento de yoduro de potasio durante dos meses.

Sporotrichosis is a chronic subcutaneous mycosis that can affect humans and animals caused by Sporothrix schenckii complex, it is considered an occupational disease and its route of entry is through injuries, it is common in children and adolescents. A 12-year-old female patient with a lesion of one year of evolution, not well identified causes of facial dermatosis localized in left preauricular region, consisting of an erythematous, scaly, indurated and defined edges. The diagnosis of fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis by isolation in culture and wound biopsy was confirmed. The patient was discharged with potassium iodide treatment for two months.

Factores de riesgo asociados a infecciones intrahospitalarias en el paciente crítico / Risk factors associated with intrahospital infections in critical patients

Objetivo: Determinar los factores de riesgo de infección intrahospitalaria en pacientes críticos atendidos en el Hospital del Niño "Ovidio Aliaga Uría", de diciembre 2017 a diciembre 2018. Material y Métodos: Estudio de casos y controles, los casos fueron los que desarrollaron infección intrahospitalaria durante su estadia, los controles los que no desarrollaron infección. Se excluyó a pacientes que presentron infección desde su ingreso y los atendidos fuera del tiempo establecido de estudio.

Factores de riesgo asociados a infecciones intrahospitalarias en el paciente crítico / Risk factors associated with intrahospital infections in critical patients

OBJETIVO. Determinar los factores de riesgo de infección intrahospitalaria en pacientes críticos atendidos en el Hospital del Niño "Ovidio Aliaga Uría", de diciembre 2017 a diciembre 2018. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS. Estudio de casos y controles, los casos fueron los que desarrollaron infección intrahospitalaria durante su estadía, los controles los que no desarrollaron infección. Se excluyó a pacientes que presentaron infección desde su ingreso y los atendidos fuera del tiempo establecido de estudio. RESULTADOS. Se obtuvo la información de 49 casos y 50 controles. Los casos tuvieron más desnutrición (63.27%) que los controles (40%). Tener por lo menos una comorbilidad fue mayor en casos (75.5% y 52%), así como el uso previo de antibióticos (57.14% y 26%) y la estancia hospitalaria mayor a 7días (91.8% y 58.9%). Son factores de riesgo para infección: desnutrición (OR 2.5 IC95%1.06-6.3), tener una comorbilidad (OR 2.8 IC95%1.11-7.37), uso previo de antibióticos (OR 3.79 IC95%1.5-9.7), estancia hospitalaria mayor a 7 días (OR 7.8 IC95%2.13-35), uso de catéter venoso central (OR 2.8 IC95%1.04-7.6), acceso venoso periférico (OR 7.4 IC95%1.48-70.9), sondas (OR 14 IC95%3.6-78), tiempo de uso de sondas mayor a 10 días (OR 9 IC95%3.2-26.8) e intervención quirúrgica (OR 8.3 IC95%2.1-46.9). El germen aislado con mayor frecuencia en casos fue Gram Negativo (51%). CONCLUSIONES. Es necesario fortalecer estrategias preventivas como programas de capacitación y supervisión del personal de salud sobre la correcta instalación y cuidado de dispositivos médicos.

OBJECTIVE. To determine risk factors for intrahospital infection in critical patients treated at Ovidio Aliaga Uría Children Hospital from December 2017 to December 2018. MATERIAL AND METHODS. A case-control study was conducted. Cases were those patients who developed intrahospital infection at their staying, and controls were those who did not develop infection. Patients admitted to hospital for infection and those treated outside the study time were excluded. RESULTS. Data collection reflected 49 cases and 50 controls. Cases displayed higher malnutrition (63.27 %) than controls (40 %). At least one comorbidity was observed in most of the cases (75.5 % and 52 %) as well as a prior use of antibiotics (57.14 % and 26 %), and hospital stay was longer than 7 days (91.8% and 58.9%). Infection risk factors were malnutrition (OR 2.5 IC95 % 1.06-6.3), comorbidity (OR 2.8 IC95 % 1.11-7.37), antibiotics prior use (OR 3.79 IC95 % 1.5-9.7), hospital stay longer than 7 days (OR 7.8 IC95 % 2.13-35), use of central venous catheter (OR 2.8 IC95 % 1.04-7.6), peripheral venous access (OR 7.4 IC95 % 1.48-70.9), probes (OR 14 IC95% 3.6-78), probes use longer than 10 days (OR 9 CI95 % 3.2-26.8), and surgical intervention (OR 8.3 CI95 % 2.1-46.9). The most frequently isolated germ in cases was Gram Negative (51%) CONCLUSIONS. Preventive strategies such as training programs and supervision of health personnel on the correct installation and care of medical devices need to be strengthened.

Infección congénita por el Virus Zika en Bolivia una realidad subdiagnosticada / CONGENITAL INFECTION BY ZIKA VIRUS IN BOLIVIA: AN UNDERDIAGNOSED REALITY

El virus del Zika ha surgido como una nueva amenaza para la salud pública transmito por artrópodis, también puede ser vertical que resulta en una infeccion congénita; transmisión intraparto de una madre virémica a su reción nacidox sexual por transfusiones y por trasplante de organos. La infección puede cursar de forma asintomática; sin embargo; las mujeres embarazadas, son particularmente susceptibles al virus, que a menudo se propaga a los tejidos vitales del feto en desarrollo produciendo alteraciones neurológicas, lo más característico es la microcefalia, deterioro neurologo, contracturas congénitas, anomalias cerebrales y oculares. Presentamos el caso de una niña de cuatro meses de edad procedente y residente de Caranavicon microcefalia retraso global del desarrollo, conjuntivitis, displasia de cadera, con serologia (IgM) para virus ZIKA positivo, tomografia computarizada ventriculomegalia. Paciente presenta profundo retraso en desarrollo psicomotor y se encuentra en seguimiento por infectologia, Neurologia,Traumatología, Fisioterapia y rehabilitación

[Overview of Listeria monocytogenes infection]. / Panorama de la infección por Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeriosis is an uncommon but potentially serious infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes. The main route of transmission is through the consumption of contaminated food. It generally affects elderly people, pregnant women and immunosuppressed hosts, although cases are also seen in immunocompetent adults and children. Listeria monocytogenes is a short, anaerobic, non-spore-forming gram-positive bacillus that causes a narrow zone of hemolysis in blood agar. It is a facultative intracellular pathogen, and therefore it shows a complex pathogenesis. This bacterium has the ability to cross the intestinal barrier, the placenta and the blood-brain barrier producing gastroenteritis, maternal-fetal infections and meningoencephalitis. It is most commonly diagnosed from a positive culture of a sterile site. The treatment of choice includes the use of intravenous ampicillin alone or in combination with gentamicin.

Panorama de la infección por Listeria monocytogenes / Overview of Listeria monocytogenes infection

Resumen La listeriosis es una infección infrecuente pero potencialmente grave, causada por Listeria monocytogenes. La principal vía de transmisión es por el consumo de alimentos contaminados, afecta generalmente a personas mayores, mujeres embarazadas y hospederos inmunosuprimidos, aunque también se ven casos en adultos y niños inmunocompetentes. Listeria monocytogenes es un bacilo grampositivo corto, anaerobio facultativo, no formador de esporas, móvil, que provoca una zona angosta de hemólisis en agar sangre. Es un patógeno intracelular facultativo, por lo que presenta una compleja patogenia. Esta bacteria tiene la habilidad de atravesar la barrera intestinal, la placenta y la barrera hemato-encefálica produciendo cuadros de gastroenteritis, infecciones materno-fetales y meningoencefalitis. Se diagnostica, generalmente, a partir de un cultivo positivo de un sitio estéril. El tratamiento de elección incluye el uso de ampicilina intravenosa sola o en combinación con gentamicina.

Listeriosis is an uncommon but potentially serious infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes. The main route of transmission is through the consumption of contaminated food. It generally affects elderly people, pregnant women and immunosuppressed hosts, although cases are also seen in immunocompetent adults and children. Listeria monocytogenes is a short, anaerobic, non-spore-forming gram-positive bacillus that causes a narrow zone of hemolysis in blood agar. It is a facultative intracellular pathogen, and therefore it shows a complex pathogenesis. This bacterium has the ability to cross the intestinal barrier, the placenta and the blood-brain barrier producing gastroenteritis, maternal-fetal infections and meningoencephalitis. It is most commonly diagnosed from a positive culture of a sterile site. The treatment of choice includes the use of intravenous ampicillin alone or in combination with gentamicin.

Use of Dried Plasma Spots for HIV-1 Viral Load Determination and Drug Resistance Genotyping in Mexican Patients.

Monitoring antiretroviral therapy using measurements of viral load (VL) and the genotyping of resistance mutations is not routinely performed in low- to middle-income countries because of the high costs of the commercial assays that are used. The analysis of dried plasma spot (DPS) samples on filter paper may represent an alternative for resource-limited settings. Therefore, we evaluated the usefulness of analyzing DPS samples to determine VL and identify drug resistance mutations (DRM) in a group of HIV-1 patients. The VL was measured from 22 paired plasma and DPS samples. In these samples, the average VL was 4.7 log10 copies/mL in liquid plasma and 4.1 log10 copies/mL in DPS, with a correlation coefficient of R = 0.83. A 1.1 kb fragment of HIV pol could be amplified in 14/22 (63.6%) of the DPS samples and the same value was amplified in plasma samples. A collection of ten paired DPS and liquid plasma samples was evaluated for the presence of DRM; an excellent correlation was found in the identification of DRM between the paired samples. All HIV-1 pol sequences that were obtained corresponded to HIV subtype B. The analysis of DPS samples offers an attractive alternative for monitoring ARV therapy in resource-limited settings.

Glucogénesis: caracterización clínica - patológica del primer caso descrito en Bolivia en un paciente pediátrico / Glycogen storage disease: first clinicopathologic pediatric case described in Bolivia

Las glucogenosis son enfermedades hereditarias del metabolismo del glucógeno. Se reconocen más de 12 tipos y afectan principalmente al hígado y al músculo, mismas que se clasifican según la enzima defectuosa y el órgano afectado. Presentamos el caso de un niño de 4 años y 6 meses con hepatomegalia importante, retardo del crecimiento pondoestatural, extremidades delgadas, facies con mejillas redondas. Sus exámenes laboratoriales revelaron: hipoglicemia, hiperlipidemia, hiperuricemia y sus estudios imagenológicos evidenciaron hepatomegalia difusa severa. El estudio histopatológico concluyó con glucogenosis, no pudiendo definirse el tipo, por la imposibilidad de realizar pruebas específicas de histoquímica en Bolivia. El paciente es seguido por consulta externa, bajo indicaciones dietéticas para prevenir complicaciones.

Glycogen storage diseases are inherited metabolic disorders of glycogen metabolism. There are over 12 types, they may affect primarily the liver and muscle. They are classified and the affected tissue. The case of a 4 y 6m old-male infant is presented, with growth retardation, thin limbs, rounded cheeks. Laboratory testing showed hypoglycemia, hyperlipidermia, hyperuricemia. Imagenoly testing showed severe diffuse hepatomegaly. Histopathology concluded in glycogen storage disease, the enzyme deficiency could not be established because of the unavailability of these test in Bolivia. The patient is followed by consult, diet therapy to prevent complications.

Infección por Bordetella pertusis en pediatría. ¿Una enfermedad persistente o reemergente? / Bondetella pertusis infection in pediatrics. Apersistent or reemerging disease?

Presentamos dos casos clínicos confirmados de infección por Bordetella pertusis en menores de 3 meses de edad que fueron internados en nuestra institución y que presentaron dos espectros diferentes de la enfermedad, ambos tuvieron buena evolución y respuesta al tratamiento.

We describe two confirmed cases of infection with Bordetella pertussis in children under 3 months of age who were interned in our institution and that they presented two different disease spectrums, both had good progress and response to treatment.

The epidemiology and clinical characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus infection in children at a public pediatric referral hospital in Mexico.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of children with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) treated at a public referral children's hospital in Mexico. METHODS: We reviewed RSV infection in patients aged 0-18 years who were treated at Hospital Infantil from January 2004 to December 2008. RESULTS: During the 5 years, 2797 samples were tested for respiratory viruses; 356 samples were positive for any virus, including 266 (74.7%) positive for RSV. Complete clinical information was available for 205 RSV patients. The mean age was 22 months, and 33.7% of the infections were nosocomially acquired. Hospitalization occurred in 187 children. Of 14 deaths, nine were directly attributed to RSV infection. During the study, RSV infections were seen throughout the year, predominating in the colder months. Of the 205 patients, 79.0% (162/205) had an underlying disease. Congenital heart disease was found in 30.2% (49/162), including three children (33.3%) who died of RSV. Thirty-three patients (16.1%) with RSV required mechanical ventilation. None of the children with RSV received palivizumab or ribavirin. CONCLUSIONS: RSV caused high hospitalization rates and admission to intensive care units, especially among those with underlying illnesses and young infants. The data presented here will be useful for strategies to improve outcomes in children at risk of complications.