Missed opportunities in the prevention and diagnosis of pediatric tuberculosis: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: Identify potential barriers, delays, and missed opportunities in the prevention and diagnosis of childhood TB. METHODS: Scoping review according to the PRISMA extension. The definitions considered for the selection followed the acronym PCC where the population (P) is children under 18 years of age with TB disease, the concept (C) refers to missed opportunities for prevention and diagnosis, and context (C) is defined as a diagnosis of TB disease. The authors searched systematically in the databases; VHL/Lilacs, Medline via PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science, without date or language limitation. RESULTS: Seven studies were included. In developed countries, with low disease burden, the main shortcoming is the delay in diagnosing bacilliferous adults in contact with young children. This problem is concentrated in the portion of the population with socioeconomic vulnerability. In underdeveloped countries, with a high burden of disease, the biggest challenge is tracking children who come into contact with bacilliferous patients. CONCLUSIONS: There are still many missed opportunities in the prevention and diagnosis of childhood TB. The positive legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic should be taken advantage of and the encouragement of scientific development in the management of infectious diseases should be taken.

Haemophilus influenzae Serotype a as a Cause of Meningitis in Children in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccines, invasive disease due to Haemophilus influenzae serotype a (Hia) has been reported with increasing frequency. METHODS: This study is based on hospital-based surveillance for Hia meningitis over a 5-year period. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients with H. influenzae meningitis were hospitalized and 12 were serotype a. Hia was detected in blood and cerebrospinal fluid by culture or reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Patients' median age was 10 months, 7 (58%) boys and 5 (41%) girls. Ten (83%) children had received at least 1 vaccine dose against Haemophilus influenzae type b. All patients were treated with ceftriaxone for a median period of 11 days. The main complications described were empyema in 5 (41%) and seizures in 3 (25%) patients. Two (16.6%) patients died due to cerebral damage and shock. CONCLUSIONS: Invasive disease due to Hia affecting young children accounts for considerable morbidity and mortality.