"Extrafine single inhaler triple therapy effect on health status, lung function and adherence in COPD patients: A Panhellenic prospective non-interventional study - The TRIBUNE study".

The extrafine single inhaler triple therapy (efSITT) containing beclometasone dipropionate/formoterol fumarate/glycopyrronium 87/5/9 µg has proved to be efficacious in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in randomized control trials. TRIBUNE study aimed to assess the efSITT effectiveness on health status, lung function, adherence and rescue medication use in COPD patients in Greece in a real-world setting. This was a 24-week prospective, multicenter, observational study in 1,195 patients with moderate/severe COPD and history of at least one exacerbation during the previous year despite dual therapy. Health status (COPD Assessment Test/CAT), lung function parameters and rescue medication use were recorded at baseline, 3 (Visit 2/V2) and 6 months (Visit 3/V3) after treatment. Adherence (Test of Adherence to Inhalers/TAI) and self-reported overall impression of health condition change (Visual Analogue Scale/VAS) were recorded at V2 and V3. Mean CAT score decreased from 20.9 points at V1, to 15.1 at V2 and 13 at V3 (p < 0.001, all pair comparisons). 85.9% of patients achieved a CAT decrease of minimal clinically important difference (MCID) or more (≥2) at V3, compared to V1. Mean FEV1 increased from 1.4 ± 0.5 L on V1, to 1.6 ± 0.5 L on V3 (p < 0.001, N = 275). The percentage of patients with "good adherence" increased from 58.4% (V2) to 64.0% (V3). Rescue medication use and VAS also significantly improved. The efSITT achieves improved outcomes on health status, lung function and rescue medication use as well as satisfactory adherence and patient-reported improvement of health condition, in moderate/severe COPD patients previously treated with a dual combination in a Greek real-world setting.

Extrafine Beclometasone Dipropionate/Formoterol NEXThaler on Device Usability, Adherence, Asthma Control and Quality of Life. A Panhellenic Prospective, Non-Interventional Observational Study in Patients with Asthma-The NEXT-Step Study.

BACKGROUND: The fixed combination of extrafine beclometasone dipropionate 100 µg/formoterol 6 µg (extrafine BDP/F) delivered by NEXThaler has proved to be effective in patients with moderate-to-severe asthma in terms of lung function, symptoms and asthma control. The aim of this study was to investigate the usability/satisfaction of NEXThaler and adherence to treatment in asthma patients not well controlled by low-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). METHODS: This was a 6-month prospective, multicenter, open-label, observational study in 661 patients with asthma not well controlled by low-dose ICS according to the physician's clinical assessment, which have received regular treatment with extrafine BDP/F NEXThaler. Feeling of Satisfaction with Inhaler (FSI), treatment adherence with self-reported Morisky scale, asthma control, lung function and QoL were recorded at baseline, 3 and 6 months after treatment with extrafine BDP/F. RESULTS: The percentage of patients at least "fairly" satisfied with NEXThaler usability (FSI-10 score 40 to 50) was 96.3%. The mean FSI-10 total score was 46.8 ± 4.4 on Visit 2 and increased to 48.1 ± 3.3 on Visit 3 (p < 0.001). Approximately 67% of the patients reported "high adherence" on Visit 2, and 70% of them reported "high adherence" on Visit 3. The percentage of patients with ACQ-6-uncontrolled asthma decreased from 79.1% on Visit 1 to 22.3% on Visit 2 and further decreased to 6.7% on Visit 3. Significant improvements were also observed in the total AQLQ score, predicted FEV1% and reduction in rescue medication use. CONCLUSIONS: The NEXThaler device, delivering a combination of BDP/F, achieves satisfaction and high adherence in patients with asthma not well controlled with low-dose ICS. Asthma control, QoL, lung function and rescue medication use were improved in a Greek real-world setting.

Effectiveness of quadrivalent influenza vaccine in pregnant women and infants, 2018-2019.

Influenza is associated with an increased risk for serious illness, hospitalization and/or death in pregnant women and young infants. We prospectively studied the effectiveness of a quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (QIV) in pregnant women and their infants during the 2018-2019 influenza season. A QIV was offered to pregnant women cared in a maternity hospital in Athens. Women were contacted weekly by telephone during the influenza season and PCR test was offered to women or infants who developed influenza-like illness (ILI). We studied 423 pregnant women and 446 infants. Unvaccinated pregnant women had a 7.5% probability to develop laboratory-confirmed influenza compared to 2.1% among vaccinated women (Odds ratio: 3.6; confidence intervals: 1.14-11.34, p-value = 0.029). Infants whose mothers were not vaccinated had a 7.9% probability to develop laboratory-confirmed influenza compared to 2.8% among infants of vaccinated mothers (Odds ratio = 2.849, confidence intervals: 0.892-9.102, p-value = 0.053). Cox regression analyses showed that QIV vaccination was significantly associated with a decreased probability for laboratory-confirmed influenza, ILI, healthcare seeking and hospitalization among pregnant women and a decreased probability for laboratory-confirmed influenza, healthcare seeking and prescription of antibiotics among infants. The effectiveness of QIV against laboratory-confirmed influenza was 72% among pregnant women and 64.5% among infants during the 2018-2019 influenza season. Vaccination of pregnant women with the QIV was associated with a lower risk for laboratory-confirmed influenza for them and their infants during the influenza season. Our findings strongly support the World Health Organization recommendations for vaccinating pregnant women against influenza.

Vaccination coverage and immunity levels against vaccine-preventable diseases in male Air Force recruits in Greece.

AIM: Data about susceptibility rates in young adults are scarce. We estimated the complete vaccination rates, timeliness of vaccinations and susceptibility rates among male military recruits in Greece. METHODS: A standardized form was used to collect data. Immunity against measles, rubella, varicella, hepatitis A and hepatitis B was serologically estimated. RESULTS: We studied 385 recruits with a mean age of 23.5 years (range: 18.3-29.9 years). Complete vaccination rates were 94.3% for measles, 100% for rubella, 15% for varicella, 73.9% for hepatitis A and 96.5% for hepatitis B. Only 10.8% of participants were fully vaccinated against all five diseases. Timely vaccination was 47.2% for measles, 89.3% for rubella and 48.1% for hepatitis B. Recruits >23 years had a 1.5-fold increased probability for incomplete vaccinations compared to younger recruits. Laboratory-confirmed immunity rates were 80% against measles, 85.7% against rubella, 85.2% against varicella, 69.4% against hepatitis A and 77.1% against hepatitis B. It is estimated that approximately 388,696 persons aged 18-30 years are susceptible to measles, 277,640 persons to rubella, 287,736 persons to varicella, 595,664 persons to hepatitis A and 444,224 persons to hepatitis B in Greece. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that young adults have significant immunity gaps against measles, rubella, varicella, hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Complete vaccination rates were suboptimal against hepatitis A and varicella. Strategies to access young adults and increase immunity rates through catch-up vaccination services should be investigated. A third dose of MMR vaccine should be considered for young adolescents in Greece.

Seasonal influenza vaccination in healthcare personnel in Greece: 3-year report.

Influenza vaccination rates of healthcare personnel (HCP) have been largely unsatisfactory in Greece. In September 2016, the Ministry of Health established a Steering Committee in order to raise influenza vaccine uptake by HCP. Hereby, we present the results of the actions undertaken by the Steering Committee during the first 2 years of operation. From the 2015-2016 through the 2017-2018 influenza season, influenza vaccination rates among HCP rose from 10.9 to 24.9% in hospitals, and from 24.3 to 40.2% in primary healthcare centers (increases of 128 and 65%, respectively). Rewards were consistently associated with higher vaccine uptake rates among HCP. The following strategies were also significantly associated with increased vaccination rates: vaccination on-site, vaccination of the heads of the departments and promotion of a culture of safety and ethical duty in the workplace.

Knowledge about influenza and adherence to the recommendations for influenza vaccination of pregnant women after an educational intervention in Greece.

Pregnant women and young infants are at increased risk for influenza-associated severe disease, complications and hospitalizations. In Greece influenza vaccination during pregnancy remains extremely low. We studied the knowledge about influenza and the adherence to the recommendations for influenza vaccination of pregnant women following an educational intervention in a large maternity hospital. A standardized questionnaire was used. A knowledge score was calculated for each woman. A total of 304 pregnant women were studied [mean age: 31.5 years (standard deviation (SD): 5.4 years), mean gestational age: 27.8 weeks (SD: 9.6 weeks)]. Their mean knowledge score was 87%. Sixty pregnant women (19.5%) were vaccinated against influenza at a mean gestational age of 24.6 weeks (SD: 7.5 weeks). Multiple regression analysis revealed that previous influenza vaccination and information about the need to get vaccinated were the only significant factors associated with an increased probability for influenza vaccination during pregnancy (47% versus 17% in women with and without a history of influenza vaccination in the past, respectively; odds ratio = 3.6; p-value = 0.016, and 32% versus 4% in women informed compared to those uninformed about the need for vaccination during pregnancy, respectively; odds ratio = 17.8; p-value<0.001). Seventy women provided a reason for refusing influenza vaccination. "Fear of adverse events" (for them or the fetus) was the prevalent reason for refusing influenza vaccination (19 women; 27%), followed by the statements "influenza vaccination is not necessary" (13; 18.5%) and "not at risk to get influenza" (9; 13%). In conclusion, an educational intervention was associated with an influenza vaccination rate of 19.5% among pregnant women compared to <2% the past years. In order to improve vaccine uptake by pregnant women and protect them and their babies, more intensified interventions should be explored.

Vaccinations and Malaria Chemoprophylaxis of Adolescents Traveling From Greece to International Destinations: A Nine-Year Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: There are few publications focusing on vaccination and malaria chemoprophylaxis in adolescent travelers. We assessed pretravel vaccinations and malaria chemoprophylaxis of adolescents 12-18 years old traveling from Greece to international destinations. METHODS: We prospectively studied 239 adolescents 12-18 years old during 2008-2016. A standard questionnaire was used to collect data. RESULTS: Adolescents sought pretravel services at a mean of 24.1 days before departure. Their main destinations were sub-Saharan Africa (79 adolescents; 33.1%), Latin America (56; 23.5%) and North America (26; 10.9%). Almost half (46.1%) of them planned to stay abroad for at least 3 months. Sixteen (7.4%) adolescents planned to visit friends and relatives. The yellow fever vaccine and the typhoid vaccine were the most frequently administered vaccines (74.1% and 20.5%, respectively), while the hepatitis A vaccine and the tetanus-diphtheria vaccine accounted for most routine vaccinations (18% and 14.2%, respectively). The rabies and the typhoid fever vaccines were administered inadequately to adolescents traveling to endemic areas. Malaria chemoprophylaxis should have been prescribed in many cases traveling to sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian subcontinent. CONCLUSIONS: Only a small number of adolescents from Greece traveling abroad seek pretravel counseling. We found significant gaps in typhoid fever and rabies vaccinations of adolescents traveling to endemic areas. We also found gaps in prescription of malaria chemoprophylaxis for those traveling to high-risk areas. There is a need to develop communication strategies to access adolescent travelers and improve appropriate vaccination and use of malaria chemoprophylaxis.

Preparedness of adolescents departing from Athens International Airport to Africa or Asia: A five-year airport-based prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The number of adolescents who travel has increased. We estimated the preparedness of adolescents (12-18 years) departing from Athens to Africa and Asia. METHODS: An airport-based survey was conducted from 2011 to 2015. RESULTS: Sixty-eight adolescents participated; 27/68 (40%) had the Greek nationality. Their main destinations were the Indian subcontinent (37%) and South-East Asia (32%). Most adolescents planned to stay for <1 month (69%) or for 1-3 months (22%). Their main purpose for travel was to visit friends and relatives (VFRs) (60%). Compared to non-VFR adolescents, VFRs more frequently travelled to sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, stayed in local residences and for longer periods. Twenty-one (31%) adolescents sought pre-travel counseling (in 57% of cases 8-14 days before departure). Having the Greek nationality was the only significant factor associated with an increased probability for seeking pre-travel counseling. Vaccination against rabies, typhoid fever, Japanese encephalitis and meningococcus was highly inadequate for adolescents travelling to endemic areas. Significant gaps in malaria chemoprophylaxis were found in those travelling to the Indian subcontinent. CONCLUSIONS: Less than one third of adolescents travelling to Africa and Asia seek counseling. There is a need to access adolescent travellers in Greece and improve pre-travel vaccinations and malaria chemoprophylaxis.

Consumption of antibiotics by children in Greece: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Greece is among the European countries with the highest consumption of antibiotics. OBJECTIVES: To study the rates and characteristics of consumption of antibiotics in the community by children in Greece. METHODS: Questionnaire-based study of parents of hospitalized children. RESULTS: A total of 549 children were studied; 247 (45%) received at least one course of antibiotics the previous year (mean number of antibiotic courses the past year: 1.9), including 427 (91.8%) following examination by a pediatrician, 6 (1.3%) following phone consultation, 2 (0.4%) following suggestion by a pharmacist and 2 (0.4%) as self-medication. Prevalent reasons for antibiotic consumption were acute otitis media (AOM) (27.3%), pharyngotonsillitiss (25.4%), and bronchitis (17.8%). Amoxicillin-clavulanate was the prevalent antibiotic for pharyngotonsillitis, urinary tract infection (UTI) and skin infection (30.5%, 35.7% and 36.4% of cases, respectively), amoxicillin for AOM and pneumonia (32.3% and 36.4% of cases, respectively), and clarithromycin for bronchitis (27.7%). We found 84.3%, 81.9%, 64.3%, 63.7%, and 50% of parents reporting treatment consisted with the national guidelines for AOM, pneumonia, UTI, skin infection, and pharyngotonsillitis, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, an age of 1-5 years and asthma were significantly associated with a higher probability for antibiotic consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic consumption of children in Greece is mainly driven by pediatricians. Continuing medical education is expected to further improve antibiotic prescription practices by pediatricians.

Study of Greek children and youths with cystic fibrosis identifies immunisation gaps and delays.

AIM: Data about immunisation rates in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are scarce. We estimated the rates and timeliness of immunisations in CF patients aged 0.55-22 years. METHODS: We studied 122 subjects at a hospital in Greece in 2014. A standard questionnaire was used to collect data and parents' opinions about immunisations. RESULTS: The complete immunisation rates were 92.6% for diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis-inactivated poliomyelitis-Haemophilus influenzae (DTaP-IPV-Hib), 96.7% for hepatitis A, 97.4% for hepatitis B, 97.4% for measles-mumps-rubella, 85.1% for the varicella zoster virus, 85.1% for the meningococcus C conjugate, 84.3% for the pneumococcus conjugate and 58.9% for the bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine. Immunisation rates in youths were 64.4% for DTaP-IPV, 26.8% for the tetravalent meningococcus conjugate vaccine and 54.1% for the human papilloma virus vaccine. In addition, 30.1% received the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine and 45.6% received annual influenza vaccines. Complete, up-to-date immunisation rates fell from 61.4% at 12 months of age to 14.5% at six and 12 years. All vaccines experienced delays. Most parents believed vaccines were necessary to protect their child's health. CONCLUSION: Our study of children with CF found immunisation gaps with no catch-up immunisations and these need to be administered at follow-up visits.

Consumption of antibiotics for community-acquired infections by adults in Greece: A cross-sectional study.

We studied the rates and characteristics of antibiotics consumption for community-acquired infections in 309 adult patients. Of them, 293 (94.8%) had received at least 1 course of antibiotics during the past year. In total, 419 courses of antibiotics were consumed during the past year, including 285 (68%) following medical examination, 72 (17.2%) following telephone consultation, 30 (7.2%) following suggestion by a pharmacist, and in 16 (3.8%) the antibiotic was available at home. Older age and asthma were significantly associated with a higher risk for antibiotics consumption.

Vaccination coverage and susceptibility against vaccine-preventable diseases of healthcare students in Athens, Greece.

BACKGROUND: Vaccination of healthcare students is important to protect them from acquiring and transmitting vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) to high-risk patients and other healthcare workers (HCWs). The aim of the current study was to estimate the vaccination coverage, the susceptibility against VPDs, the knowledge and attitudes toward vaccinations of healthcare students studying at the Athens Technological Educational Institute. METHODS: The study was conducted during the academic year 2012-2013 using a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean knowledge score (correct answers) of healthcare students about the vaccines that are recommended by the Greek Ministry of Health for HCWs was 41%. Completed vaccination rates range from 19.6% for varicella to 80.2% for tetanus-diphtheria. A history of measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, or pertussis was reported by 8.2%, 4%, 5.4%, 70.4%, 1.5%, 0%, and 3% of students, respectively. Susceptibility rates were 20.5% against measles, 26.4% against mumps, 13.9% against rubella, 15.7% against varicella, 47.8% against hepatitis A, 17.3% against hepatitis B, and 19.8% against tetanus-diphtheria. Mandatory vaccination of HCWs was supported by 145 (96.7%) students. CONCLUSIONS: There are significant immunity gaps against all VPDs among healthcare students in Athens. A system to easily identify non-immune students should be established in association with efficient reminder systems. Education of healthcare students about VPDs and vaccines will improve their attitudes toward vaccinations and their vaccination coverage. Mandatory vaccinations should be considered for HCWs in order to promote safety within healthcare facilities.

Prescription of antibiotics and knowledge about antibiotic costs among physicians working in tertiary-care hospitals.

The objective of this study is to investigate antibiotic prescription practices among hospital-based physicians in Greece, using the 2007 national guidelines as the golden standard. A total of 168 physicians participated. Compliance rate with the first-line antibiotic treatment recommended by the national guidelines was 65·5% for acute bacterial sinusitis; 24% for acute uncomplicated cystitis; 36·4% for an acute febrile diarrheic syndrome; 38% for an afebrile adult with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and non-productive cough of 7 days duration; 23·2% for streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis; 55·1% for a surgically sutured, dirty wound; and 48·2% for community-acquired pneumonia. The total mean rate of compliance with the first recommended antibiotic was 41·2%.

Prescription of antibiotics and awareness of antibiotic costs by paediatricians in two hospitals in Greece.

Our aim was to study the antibiotic prescription practices and the knowledge about antibiotic costs, brand and generic drugs of paediatricians working in two hospitals in Greece. The 2007 national guidelines were used as the gold standard for antibiotic prescription. A total of 126 paediatricians participated in the study (50.4% response rate). The mean compliance rate with the guidelines was 50.1% (range per infection: 10.6-84.7%). The mean scores of knowledge about antibiotic costs and about brand name and generic drugs were 35.6 and 60.3%, respectively. Linear regression analysis found a significant association between the mean compliance rate with the national guidelines and the paediatricians' age (mean compliance rates were 49.1, 53.0, and 43.0% in the ≤ 30, 31-40, and > 40 years age-groups, respectively; P  =  0.003). In conclusion, five years after the first national guidelines were issued in Greece only half of the paediatricians working in hospitals comply fully with them.

Impact of postpartum influenza vaccination of mothers and household contacts in preventing febrile episodes, influenza-like illness, healthcare seeking, and administration of antibiotics in young infants during the 2012-2013 influenza season.

BACKGROUND: Influenza is associated with an increased risk for serious illness, hospitalization, and mortality in infants aged <6 months. However, influenza vaccines are not licensed for administration in this age group. The study evaluated the effectiveness of postpartum influenza vaccination of mothers and household members in infants. METHODS: The influenza vaccine was offered to mothers and household members of neonates born or hospitalized in 3 hospitals prior to the 2012-2013 season. Mothers were contacted every 2 weeks during the influenza season, and data regarding the onset of fever and/or respiratory symptoms in infants, healthcare seeking, hospitalization, and administration of antibiotics were collected. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 553 mothers who delivered 573 neonates. The influenza vaccine was administered to 841 of 1844 (45.6%) household contacts. Vaccination coverage rates ranged between 41.9% for neonates siblings and 49% for mothers. Five hundred thirty infants were analyzed for vaccine effectiveness. For outcomes in the infant, postpartum maternal vaccination had 37.7% effectiveness against acute respiratory illness (ARI), 50.3% against a febrile episode, 53.5% against influenza-like illness (ILI), 41.8% against related healthcare seeking, and 45.4% against administration of antibiotics. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that maternal influenza vaccination was significantly associated with a decreased probability for febrile episodes, ARIs, and/or ILIs in infants, related healthcare seeking, and/or administration of antibiotics during the influenza season. Vaccination of other household contacts had no impact. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal postpartum vaccination against influenza was associated with a significant reduction of influenza-related morbidity, healthcare seeking, and antibiotic prescription in infants during the influenza season.

Outbreak of pan-susceptible Klebsiella pneumoniae in a neonatal intensive care unit.

We describe the outbreak of a pan-susceptible Klebsiella pneumoniae strain in a neonatal intensive care unit. A total of 7 neonates developed bacteraemia (37% attack rate), of whom 3 died (43% case fatality rate). A birth weight < 1500 g was the only statistically significant risk factor. Despite an extensive environmental investigation, the source was not identified.

Antibiotic prescription and knowledge about antibiotic costs of physicians in primary health care centers in Greece.

The aim of this questionnaire-based study is to investigate antibiotic prescription practices among primary health care physicians in Greece using the 2007 Hellenic Center for Diseases Control and Prevention guidelines as the gold standard. Seven case scenarios were used. A total of 527 physicians participated. The mean compliance rate with the first recommended antibiotic by the guidelines was 51%, ranging from 22.9% to 71.5% by scenario. Younger physicians and female physicians had higher scores of compliance.

Attitudes toward mandatory occupational vaccinations and vaccination coverage against vaccine-preventable diseases of health care workers in primary health care centers.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the attitudes regarding mandatory occupational vaccinations and the vaccination coverage against vaccine-preventable diseases among health care workers (HCWs) working in primary health care centers in Greece. METHODS: A standardized questionnaire was distributed to HCWs working in all primary health care centers in Greece (n = 185). RESULTS: A total of 2,055 of 5,639 HCWs (36.4% response rate) from 152 primary health care centers participated. The self-reported completed vaccination rates were 23.3% against measles, 23.3% against mumps, 29.8% against rubella, 3% against varicella, 5.8% against hepatitis A, 55.7% against hepatitis B, and 47.3% against tetanus-diphtheria; corresponding susceptibility rates were 17%, 25%, 18.6%, 16.7%, 87.5%, 35%, and 52.6%. Mandatory vaccinations were supported by 65.1% of 1,807 respondents, with wide differences by disease. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed higher rates of acceptance of mandatory vaccination in physicians compared with other HCW categories. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that two-thirds of HCWs working in primary health care centers in Greece support mandatory vaccination for HCWs, completed vaccination rates against vaccine-preventable diseases are suboptimal.

Infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative pathogens in hospitalized children.

BACKGROUND: Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative pathogens (CRPs) are emerging as major causes of nosocomial infections that increase morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. Little is known about CRP infections in children. METHODS: All newly detected infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella spp, Pseudomonas spp or Acinetabocater spp in hospitalized patients are prospectively reported to the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention. All children <15 years old with a CRP infection reported from November 1, 2010, through March 30, 2012, were included in this study. RESULTS: Between November 2010 and March 2012, 71 CRP infections in 65 children (median age: 1 year) were reported. Underlying conditions existed in 50 (76.9%) children. Cases included pneumonia (25 [35.2%], including 20 ventilator-associated pneumonias), bacteremia (32.4%), urinary tract infection (19.7%) and surgical site infection (12.7%). Isolates were Pseudomonas spp (41.1%), Acinetobacter spp (39.7%) and Klebsiella spp (19.2%). The first positive culture occurred a median of 20 days (range: 0-313 days) after admission. Twenty-four (33.8%) infections occurred in patients with a history of hospitalization the previous 6 months; 42 (59.2%) and 36 (50.7%) infections occurred among patients who had received broad-spectrum antibiotics including carbapenems the previous 6 months, respectively. The crude mortality at 28 days after the first positive CRP culture was 21.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Infections caused by CRPs among children are associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

Extremely low risk for acquisition of a respiratory viral infection in the emergency room of a large pediatric hospital during the winter season.

The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of transmission of respiratory viral infections to children visiting the emergency room of a large pediatric hospital during winter. A total of 615 children were prospectively studied. Twenty-two (3·6%) children developed at least one symptom compatible with a respiratory viral infection within 1-7 days after the visit, including cough (12 children), fever (8), rhinorrhea (7), and/or respiratory distress (1). Three children (0·49%) developed an influenza-like illness. These findings indicate that transmission of respiratory viral infections to children visiting an emergency room during the winter season is extremely low.