Invasive group A streptococcal disease: Management and chemoprophylaxis.

Reporting of severe invasive group A streptococcal disease (IGAS) has increased in Canada over the past decade, highlighting the importance of optimal chemoprophylaxis and management strategies. Canadian guidelines have had variable uptake across Canada. This practice point updates relevant aspects of these guidelines, with a focus on chemoprophylaxis of contacts of IGAS cases and clinical management of IGAS. The importance of penicillin in treating group A streptococcal disease is reaffirmed, and the role of clindamycin is discussed. In situations in which chemoprophylaxis may be considered, preferred agents are summarized.

Clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of children with Lyme arthritis in Nova Scotia.

BACKGROUND: Lyme disease is an emerging problem in Nova Scotia. Lyme arthritis is a late manifestation of Lyme disease. OBJECTIVE: To describe the demographic characteristics, referral patterns and clinical course of children diagnosed with Lyme arthritis in a tertiary care pediatric rheumatology clinic in Nova Scotia. METHODS: In the present retrospective chart review, subjects diagnosed with Lyme arthritis between 2006 and 2013 were identified through the clinic database. Demographic variables, referral patterns, clinical presentation and information regarding treatment course and outcome were collected. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were identified; 76% presented in 2012 and 2013. In 37.5% of cases, the referring physician suspected Lyme disease. Most patients presented with one or more painful and/or swollen joints; 94% had knee involvement. Only three of 17 patients had a history of erythema migrans and four of 17 recalled a tick bite. Five patients had a history of neurological manifestations consistent with Lyme disease, although, none had a diagnosis made at the time. Arthritis usually resolved after treatment with standard antibiotics; however, at last follow-up, two patients had antibiotic refractory Lyme arthritis, with one having joint damage despite aggressive arthritis treatment. CONCLUSION: A significant increase in cases of Lyme arthritis has recently been recognized in a pediatric rheumatology clinic in Nova Scotia. A history of a tick bite or erythema migrans were not sensitive markers of Lyme arthritis, and this diagnosis was often not considered by the referring physician. Educational initiatives should be undertaken to increase local awareness of this treatable cause of arthritis in children.

HISTORIQUE: La maladie de Lyme est un problème émergent en Nouvelle-Écosse. L'arthrite de Lyme en est une manifestation tardive. OBJECTIF: Décrire les caractéristiques démographiques, les profils d'aiguillage et l'évolution clinique des enfants recevant un diagnostic d'arthrite de Lyme dans une clinique de soins tertiaires en rhumatologie pédiatrique de la Nouvelle-Écosse. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Dans la présente étude rétrospective des dossiers, les chercheurs ont extrait de la base de données cliniques les sujets qui ont reçu un diagnostic d'arthrite de Lyme entre 2006 et 2013. Ils ont colligé les variables démographiques, les profils d'aiguillage, la présentation clinique et l'information sur l'évolution et les résultats cliniques du traitement. RÉSULTATS: Les chercheurs ont dépisté 17 patients, dont 76 % ont consulté en 2012 et 2013. Dans 37,5 % des cas, le médecin traitant présumait une maladie de Lyme. La plupart des patients avaient au moins une articulation douloureuse ou enflée et 94 %, une atteinte du genou. Seulement trois des 17 patients avaient des antécédents d'érythème migrateur et quatre se rappelaient s'être fait piquer par une tique. Cinq patients avaient des antécédents de manifestations neurologiques évocateurs de la maladie de Lyme, mais aucun n'avait alors reçu de diagnostic. En général, l'arthrite disparaissait après un traitement aux antibiotiques standards, mais au dernier suivi, deux patients souffraient d'une arthrite de Lyme réfractaire aux antibiotiques, dont l'un présentait une atteinte articulaire malgré un traitement vigoureux contre l'arthrite. CONCLUSION: On a récemment constaté une augmentation significative des cas d'arthrite de Lyme dans une clinique de rhumatologie pédiatrique de la Nouvelle-Écosse. Des antécédents de piqûre de tique ou d'érythème migrateur n'étaient pas des marqueurs sensibles de l'arthrite de Lyme, et il n'est pas rare que le médecin traitant ne l'envisage pas. Il fau-drait lancer des initiatives de formation locales pour mieux faire connaître cette cause traitable de l'arthrite chez les enfants.

Gentamicin in neonates at risk for sepsis - peak serum concentrations are not necessary.

BACKGROUND: Serum gentamicin concentrations (GSCs) are frequently obtained before and after gentamicin administration to newborns with, or at high risk for, sepsis. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether performing a peak GSC assay when the trough GSC is within the guidelines for care would add clinically relevant information for health care workers. METHODS: A retrospective review of the IWK Health Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia) laboratory database for peak and trough GSC for infants <28 days after birth was performed. RESULTS: Of 5253 paired samples of trough and peak GSCs, 3001 (57%) had trough GSCs ≤2 µg/mL. Of these, only nine (0.3%) had a peak GSC >10 µg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Performing a peak GSC measurement does not provide further clinically important data and increases patient morbidity and hospital costs.

HISTORIQUE: On vérifie souvent les concentrations de gentamicine sérique avant et après l'administration de gentamicine aux nouveau-nés présentant une septicémie ou qui y sont très vulnérables. OBJECTIF: Déterminer si l'obtention de la valeur de pointe de la concentration de gentamicine sérique (CGS) lorsque la valeur seuil respecte les lignes directrices de soins ajoute de l'information pertinente sur le plan clinique pour les travailleurs de la santé. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Analyse rétrospective de la base de données du laboratoire de l'IWK Health Centre à l'égard des valeurs de pointe et des valeurs seuils du CGS obtenues chez des bébés de moins de 28 jours de vie. RÉSULTATS: Des 5 253 échantillons appariés, 3 001 (57 %) avaient une valeur seuil de la CGS égale ou inférieure à 2 µg/mL. De ce nombre, seulement neuf (0,3 %) avaient une valeur de pointe de la CGS supérieure à 10 µg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: L'obtention de la valeur de pointe de la CGS ne fournit pas de nouvelles données importantes sur le plan clinique, sans compter qu'elle accroît la morbidité des patients et les coûts pour l'hôpital.

Foscarnet salvage therapy for acyclovir-resistant varicella zoster: report of a novel thymidine kinase mutation and review of the literature.

The authors describe an acyclovir-resistant varicella zoster virus infection in a pediatric patient after hematopoietic stem cell transplant, the use of foscarnet as salvage therapy, and review the literature to clarify the pediatric experience with foscarnet in this setting. A novel thymidine kinase mutation is described, along with a new phenotypic assay for characterizing acyclovir resistance in varicella zoster virus.

Recurrent invasive group A streptococcal infection with four-limb amputation in an immunocompetent child.

We report a previously well paediatric patient with two distinct presentations of invasive group A streptococcus (GAS) infection resulting in significant morbidity. The first episode, following GAS pharyngitis, involved multiorgan dysfunction syndrome. This included cardiorespiratory and acute hepatorenal failure and purpura fulminans that eventually necessitated four-limb amputation. The second episode occurred 12 months later, from undetermined aetiology, and resulted in septic shock. Molecular analysis of the emm gene and PCR for Serum Opacity Factor revealed that the initial isolate was M Type 4 and sof gene positive while the second isolate was M Type 1 and sof gene negative. Immunological investigations, including CH50, quantitative IgA, IgM and IgG, and flow cytometry measuring lymphocyte subsets, and vaccine response to measles, mumps, rubella and pneumococcus were normal. This is the first report of recurrent bacteraemia from different strains of Streptococcus pyogenes infection in an apparently immunocompetent child.

Does sporadic Listeria gastroenteritis exist? A 2-year population-based survey in Nova Scotia, Canada.

BACKGROUND: Febrile gastroenteritis due to Listeria monocytogenes (LM) has been primarily described in foodborne outbreaks. We decided to determine the incidence of sporadic, febrile gastroenteritis due to LM in a large, well-defined North American population over a 2-year period and to compare these cases to sporadic cases of Campylobacter and Salmonella infections occurring concurrently in the community. METHODS: From 1 September 2002 through 31 August 2004, all stool specimens submitted for evaluation of diarrheal illness to a public health laboratory and to a children's hospital serving a population of approximately 350,000 were examined for the presence of Listeria species. Patients identified as having LM in their stool samples were matched with 2 temporally-matched patients with cultures positive for Campylobacter and Salmonella species. Patients with LM and control patients were contacted by telephone, and they answered a questionnaire that examined clinical features and risk factors for diarrheal illness. RESULTS: A total of 7775 stool specimens were submitted during the period 1 September 2002-31 August 2004. Thirty-nine Listeria species were recovered. Seventeen of the species were LM, 13 were Listeria innocua, 3 were Listeria welshimeri, 1 was Listeria grayi, and 4 were other species. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis results demonstrated no temporal or other clusters, and no seasonality was noted for isolates of LM. Preexisting gastrointestinal problems were much more common in patients with LM (P=.001) than in patients with Campylobacter or Salmonella infections. CONCLUSIONS: Sporadic gastroenteritis due to LM appears to be an uncommon illness, and routine screening of stool samples for LM remains unwarranted. Preexisting gastrointestinal disease may be a risk factor for infection of the gastrointestinal tract with LM.

Francisella philomiragia adenitis and pulmonary nodules in a child with chronic granulomatous disease.

Francisella philomiragia is a rare and opportunistic pathogen capable of producing invasive infection in patients with compromised neutrophil function and in patients that have survived a near-drowning. A case of F philomiragia adenitis and lung nodules, refractory to cephalosporin therapy, is reported in a 10-year-old boy with chronic granulomatous disease following a facial abrasion from a saltwater crab. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first Canadian clinical isolate to be reported. Genus and species identification was confirmed via 16S ribosomal RNA sequence analysis. A literature review revealed three groups at risk of F philomiragia infection: young patients with chronic granulomatous disease; adults with hematogenous malignancy; and near-drowning patients. Pneumonia, fever without an apparent source and sepsis are the main clinical presentations. Invasive procedures may be required to isolate this organism and ensure appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Limited awareness of F philomiragia has led to delayed identification, patient death and misidentification as Francisella tularensis - a biosafety level three pathogen and potential bioterrorism agent.

Pneumococcal endocarditis in infants and children.

We report a case of pediatric pneumococcal endocarditis (PPE) and review the English language literature on this disease. Thirty-two cases of PPE were identified since 1900. One-fourth of these were reported since 1990. Clinical features differed from adult cases, with mitral valve involvement being more frequent and Osler's triad rarely present in children. Congenital heart disease was the only identifiable risk factor. Medical therapy alone resulted in a high mortality rate that was improved in the group of patients receiving combined medical and surgical interventions. PPE is a rare infection that has been reported more frequently in the era of increasing antibiotic resistance. Unlike typical "subacute" endocarditis caused by viridans streptococci, PPE is an aggressive disease with a high mortality rate. Early surgical intervention might improve survival.