A Case of COVID-19-Associated Pediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Shock Managed by Cytokine Filtration.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) after COVID-19 has been recognized as a complication arising due to cytokine storm. Several management strategies including intravenous immunoglobulin and immunomodulators have been reported. This case report highlights the use of a cytokine filter (oXiris®) in the management of MIS-C. Cytokine filters eliminate cytokines and reduce the demand for vasopressors in patients with other inflammatory conditions. A 7-year-old child with prolonged fever, vomiting, hypotension, elevated inflammatory mediators, and dilatation of coronary arteries on echocardiography was found to have positive SARS-CoV-2 IgG and PCR. He was diagnosed as MIS-C and was managed in the pediatric intensive care unit. He required ventilatory support, vasopressors, and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) with a cytokine filter. He showed marked improvement within 24 hours of initiating CRRT. Cytokine filters may have a potential role in the management of severely ill children due to MIS-C. To our knowledge, this is the first report of successful use of the oXiris® membrane in MIS-C. However, further case series and controlled trials are needed to establish its use in this condition.

P1 gene of Mycoplasma pneumoniae isolated from 2016 to 2019 and relationship between genotyping and macrolide resistance in Hokkaido, Japan.

We characterized 515 Mycoplasma pneumoniae specimens in Hokkaido. In 2013 and 2014, the p1 gene type 1 strain, mostly macrolide-resistant, was dominant and the prevalence of macrolide resistance was over 50 %. After 2017, the p1 gene type 2 lineage, mostly macrolide-sensitive, increased and the prevalence of macrolide resistance became 31.0 % in 2017, 5.3 % in 2018 and 16.3 % in 2019.

Therapeutic efficacy of azithromycin, clarithromycin, minocycline and tosufloxacin against macrolide-resistant and macrolide-sensitive Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in pediatric patients.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify therapeutic effects of azithromycin, clarithromycin, minocycline and tosufloxacin against macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MRMP) pneumonia and against macrolide-sensitive Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MSMP) pneumonia in pediatric patients. METHODS: A prospective, multicenter observational study was conducted from July 2013 to August 2015. The therapeutic effects of azithromycin, clarithromycin, minocycline and tosufloxacin were evaluated in 59 patients with pneumonia caused by MRMP and in 50 patients with pneumonia caused by MSMP. In vitro activities of antimicrobial agents against isolates of Mycoplasma pneumoniae were also measured. RESULTS: Mean durations of fever following commencement of treatment in patients infected with MRMP and MSMP were 5.2 and 1.9 days, respectively (log-rank test, P < 0.0001). Among patients infected with MRMP, mean durations of fever were 4.6, 5.5, 1.0 and 7.5 days for patients treated with azithromycin, clarithromycin, minocycline and tosufloxacin, respectively (log-rank test, P < 0.0001). Among patients infected with MSMP, mean durations of fever were 2.5, 1.7, 0.9 and 4.3 days for patients treated with azithromycin, clarithromycin, minocycline and tosufloxacin, respectively (log-rank test, P = 0.0162). The MIC90s of azithromycin and clarithromycin among the 27 isolates of MRMP were 64 and 256 µg/ml, respectively, and those among the 23 isolates of MSMP were <0.000125 and 0.001 µg/ml, respectively. The MIC90s of minocycline and tosufloxacin among the 27 isolates of MRMP were 1.0 and 0.25 µg/ml, respectively, and those among the 23 isolates of MSMP were 1.0 and 0.5 µg/ml, respectively. CONCLUSION: Both minocycline and tosufloxacin showed good in vitro activities against MRMP. Minocycline, but not tosufloxacin, shortened the duration of fever in pediatric patients infected with MRMP compared to the duration of fever in patients treated with macrolides.

Optimal step-down approach for pediatric asthma controlled by salmeterol/fluticasone: A randomized, controlled trial (OSCAR study).

BACKGROUND: Several guidelines, including the Japanese Pediatric Guideline for the Treatment and Management of Asthma (JPGL), recommend salmeterol/fluticasone combination therapy (SFC) as step 3 to 4 treatment for moderate to severe asthma. However, the optimal step-down approach to SFC remains unclear. In the current study, we examined step-down approaches in asthmatic children whose symptoms had been stabilized by SFC 100/200 µg/day. METHODS: This randomized, multicenter, open-label, parallel-group study was conducted over 12 weeks. For step-down therapy, subjects aged 5-15 years were randomly assigned to an SFC group (25/50 µg b.i.d.) or an FP group (100 µg b.i.d.), and treated for 12 weeks. Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) scores, lung function, and exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels were monitored. RESULTS: Of 131 enrolled subjects, 128 completed the study and were included in the analysis. Decreases in % peak expiratory flow rate and % forced expiratory flow at 50% of vital capacity (V50) were observed in the FP group at each time point. There was a significant difference between the two groups for the change in %V50 from its previous value at each time point. There were no significant changes in FeNO levels (range 15-20 ppb) or C-ACT scores (∼26 points) within or between groups. CONCLUSIONS: A high level of asthma control was maintained with both approaches. The use of SFC step-down resulted in somewhat better respiratory function, with no worsening of airway inflammation. However, halving the dose of SFC and switching to FP alone are both optimal step-down approaches.

[Successful application of cholangioscope as an intravascular endoscope in hybrid operation for a child].

We performed hybrid operation on a 3-year-old boy with thrombosis in the pulmonary arterial conduit which had been implanted concomitantly at the time of Fontan operation. We used a cholangioscope as a substitute of intravascular endoscope. It visualized the organized thrombus and the suture line in the conduit. Hybrid operation was successfully performed based on the detailed findings gained by cholangioscopy.

Two Japanese patients with gitelman syndrome.

Gitelman syndrome (GS) is a renal tubular disorder characterized by hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, metabolic alkalosis and hypocalciuria due to defective tubular reabsorption of magnesium and potassium. This disease is caused by mutations of the thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter (NCCT) gene, SLC12A3. Manifestations of GS are heterogeneous, from asymptomatic to mild symptoms of cramps and easy fatigue, to tetany and paralysis. Polydipsia, polyuria, and nocturia are also frequent in GS patients. Here we describe two Japanese patients with GS followed as nocturnal enuresis. In the first patient, occasional muscle cramps, easy fatigue and headache led to the diagnosis of GS. The parents of this patient reported that he had been affected by polydipsia and polyuria, especially nocturnal enuresis from early childhood. The second patient was referred to our clinic because of muscular weakness and cramps. He had a past history of transient muscle weakness and muscle cramps. He had also suffered from nocturnal enuresis since 3 yr of age. Laboratory findings of these patients were consistent with those of GS. Sequencing analysis of the SLC12A3 gene from two patients showed four mutations, which were previously reported. In our two patients, their manifestations had been underestimated and the correct diagnosis was delayed. GS is generally likely to be benign, however signs of GS are found in early childhood. Especially, we must recognize that nocturnal enuresis is frequent in symptoms of GS.