Rotavirus gastroenteritis hospitalizations in provinces with different vaccination coverage rates in Spain, 2013-2018.

BACKGROUND: Rotavirus (RV) vaccines are available in Spain since 2006 but are not included in the National Immunization Program. RV vaccination has reached an intermediate vaccination coverage rate (VCR) but with substantial differences between provinces. The aim of this study was to assess the ratio of RV gastroenteritis (RVGE) admissions to all-cause hospitalizations in children under 5 years of age in areas with different VCR. METHODS: Observational, multicenter, cross-sectional, medical record-based study. All children admitted to the study hospitals with a RVGE confirmed diagnosis during a 5-year period were selected. The annual ratio of RVGE to the total number of all-cause hospitalizations in children < 5 years of age were calculated. The proportion of RVGE hospitalizations were compared in areas with low (< 30%), intermediate (31-59%) and high (> 60%) VCR. RESULTS: From June 2013 to May 2018, data from 1731 RVGE hospitalizations (16.47% of which were nosocomial) were collected from the 12 study hospitals. RVGE hospital admissions accounted for 2.82% (95 CI 2.72-3.00) and 43.84% (95% CI 40.53-47.21) of all-cause and Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) hospitalizations in children under 5 years of age, respectively. The likelihood of hospitalization due to RVGE was 56% (IC95%, 51-61%) and 27% (IC95%, 18-35%) lower in areas with high and intermediate VCR, respectively, compared to the low VCR areas. CONCLUSIONS: RVGE hospitalization ratios are highly dependent on the RV VCR. Increasing VCR in areas with intermediate and low coverage rates would significantly reduce the severe burden of RVGE that requires hospital management in Spain. Clinical trial registration Not applicable.

[Unusually high frequency of complications in acute otitis media]. / Frecuencia inusualmente elevada de complicaciones secundarias a otitis media aguda.

INTRODUCTION: Intracranial complications (ICC) secondary to otitis media are unusual but potentially life-threatening. We report an unusually high frequency of these events, and describe their clinical and epidemiological features. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective study of all pediatric patients with ICC admitted to our tertiary hospital from April 2004 to November 2007. RESULTS: Eight patients had ICC: Sigmoid sinus thrombosis (4), lateral sinus thrombosis (1), meningitis (2), epidural abscess (1), otitic hydrocephalus (1). Four of the patients had acute mastoiditis. Pre-admission oral antibiotics were administered in 87.5% of the patients. Fever, otalgia, headache and VI and VII cranial nerves paralysis were the most frequent symptoms associated. The microorganism could be isolated in 3 patients: S pyogenes (2) and P mirabilis (1); the remaining patients had negative cultures. All of the patients received broad-spectrum parenteral antibiotics and 2 of them underwent a radical mastoidectomy. CONCLUSIONS: We report an unusually high incidence of cranial complications secondary to acute otitis media. Multicenter studies are needed in order to assess whether there is an increase in the incidence of these events.

[Tick-borne relapsing fever in a rural area of southern Spain]. / Fiebre recurrente transmitida por garrapatas en área rural del sur de España.

INTRODUCTION: Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) is a zoonotic disease caused by spirochetes of the genus Borrelia. This disease is underdiagnosed in our area due to a low index of suspicion among clinicians, as well as its difficult diagnosis. This study aims to present our experience in the diagnosis and therapeutic management of TBRF and a literature review. METHODS: A retrospective medical chart review was carried out on children diagnosed of TBRF from 2002 to 2012 in our hospital, and included clinical, epidemiological, microbiological, treatment, and outcome data. RESULTS: Nine children with TBRF were identified. Median age was 11 years. All cases occurred during warm months. The most frequent presenting clinical findings were fever, chills, headache, vomiting, myalgia and abdominal pain. Meningeal involvement was identified in 2 cases. In the case of 2 patients, Borrelia infection was identified in several relatives at the time of diagnosis. Mean C-protein reactive was 187 mg/L, and low platelet counts were observed in 56% of the cases. Borreliaspp. was visualized in peripheral blood smears in 67% of cases. All of the patients received antibiotic treatment. Doxycycline was used in children older than 8 years and erythromycin and penicillin in the younger ones. Jarisch-Herxheiner reaction occurred in one patient. All cases resolved without sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: We emphasize the importance of maintaining a high level of suspicion in endemic regions of TBRF. Early diagnosis and a correct therapy can prevent the appearance of subsequent fever recurrences and potential complications.

[Hospital admissions due to varicella in a tertiary hospital]. / Hospitalizaciones por varicela en un hospital de tercer nivel.

INTRODUCTION: Varicella (chickenpox) can cause serious complications and admission to hospital. Several countries included the varicella vaccine in their immunization schedules. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive and retrospective study of hospitalizations due to varicella and its complications was conducted in a referral center from 2005 to 2011. RESULTS: A total of 1192 children with varicella were seen in the emergency room, of which 99 (8.5%) required admission. The annual incidence of admissions due to varicella and varicella complications was, 19.4 and 15.3 cases per 100,000 children under 14 years, respectively. Complications were more common in children under 5 years (79.5%), and with no underlying disease (78.2%). Infection of skin and soft tissue was the most common complication (62%). The mean hospital stay was 4.5 days (SD 4). CONCLUSIONS: Varicella causes high morbidity, and is more frequent in absolute terms in healthy children under 5 years of age. Therefore, routine vaccination recommended by the Immunization Advisory Committee should be mandatory.

[Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess: experience in a tertiary-care center in Seville during the last decade]. / Abscesos retrofaríngeo y parafaríngeo: experiencia en hospital terciario de Sevilla durante la última década.

INTRODUCTION: Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscesses are rare but associated with significant morbidity and potential mortality. This study reviews our experience in the diagnosis and management of retro- and parapharyngeal abscesses and compares children treated conservatively with those undergoing surgical intervention. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of children diagnosed with retro- and parapharyngeal abscess from 2000 to 2009 in our tertiary-care centre. RESULTS: Thirty-one children were identified. There were 17 retropharyngeal abscesses and 11 parapharyngeal abscesses; 3 children suffered from both conditions. The mean annual frequency increased significantly from 1.4 cases/year during 2000-2004 to 4.8 cases/year during 2005-2009 (P=.006). Median age was 3 years (range 1-10). A total of 18 (58%) children had received pre-admission oral antibiotics (beta-lactams in 84%). Clinical findings at presentation were: fever (93%), cervical lymphadenopathy (93%), neck pain (90%), torticollis (74%), odynophagia (64%), trismus (32%), drooling (22%) and stridor (6%). Thirteen (42%) children underwent surgical intervention, of those, microbiological culture was positive in 8 children; S. pyogenes being the most commonly isolated organism (n=4). All the patients received parenteral antibiotic therapy. There were no significant differences in the length of hospital stay, complication or recurrence rates between children treated conservatively compared to those undergoing surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Retro- and parapharyngeal abscesses were increasingly observed during the 2(nd) part of the study period. The majority of children (58%) were treated conservatively with excellent clinical response. Indication for surgical intervention should be made based on the clinical presentation and response to antibiotic therapy.

[Acute mastoiditis: experience in a tertiary-care center in the South of Spain during 1999-2008 period]. / Mastoiditis aguda: experiencia en los últimos 10 años en hospital terciario del sur de España.

INTRODUCTION: An increase in both the incidence and severity of acute mastoiditis (AM) has been recently recorded in many different geographical areas. Causes remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate our clinical and epidemiological data in paediatric patients with AM and to compare them with recent reports. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 145 patients diagnosed of AM from 1999 to 2008 in our tertiary-care centre, including clinical, epidemiological, microbiological, treatment and outcome data. RESULTS: The annual incidence showed a changeable trend throughout the study period. The average number of cases was 14.5 cases per year, with a median age of 3 years, and 57.9% males. A total of 53.8% received pre-admission oral antibiotics, mainly beta-lactamics. Most frequent presenting clinical findings were fever (77.9%), ear displacement (73.8%), otalgia (71.7%), and postauricular swelling (70.3%). Microbiological cultures were performed in 53 cases; S. pneumoniae was the most isolated microorganism. CT scans were performed in 56.6% cases. All patients received parenteral antibiotic treatment with a median duration of treatment of 5 days. Surgery was performed on 32.6%. Complications were seen in 20% of patients: 13.1% had extracranial complications, and 8.2% had intracranial complications. A significant increase in intracranial complications was detected in the second half of the study period. CONCLUSIONS: A changeable trend in the annual incidence of AM throughout the time of study was observed. A higher proportion of intracranial complications was detected in the last five years of the study period.