Aseptic meningitis in children--the Singapore experience.

OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence, aetiology, clinical characteristics and management of paediatric aseptic meningitis in a paediatric hospital in Singapore. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis, a negative Gram stain and bacterial culture were reviewed retrospectively from 1 January to 31 December 2000. Eighty-seven patients who fulfilled the criteria for aseptic meningitis and without neurological deficits were studied. In addition, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using pan enterovirus primers was subsequently performed on 73 of these CSF specimens which were available for storage. RESULTS: The incidence of aseptic meningitis was approximately 37 cases per 10,000 admissions. Non-polio enteroviruses were isolated from 29 of 64 (45.3%) CSF and 38 of 52 (73.1%) stool samples. RT-PCR was positive in 43 (58.9%) of the archived CSF specimens. The aetiologies of the remaining cases were mostly unidentified. Their ages ranged from 5 days to 12 years (median, 2 months). All patients except 1 had fever. Vomiting or poor feeding occurred in 44.7%, cough or running nose in 35.3%, irritability was observed in 35.3%, seizures in 7.1%, a rash in 10.6% and diarrhoea in 5.9%. All patients recovered without sequelae. The median CSF white cell count was 212 cells/mm3 (range, 7 to 12,000). The median glucose concentration was 2.7 mmol/L (range, 1.6 to 4.4). The median CSF/blood glucose ratio was 0.52 (range, 0.23 to 0.73). Median length of stay was 7 days (range, 4 to 17). Eighty-four patients (96.6%) received antibiotics for a median of 5.5 days (range, 2 to 14). CONCLUSION: Enteroviruses were the most common aetiologic agent identified. A method of early diagnosis using RT-PCR for enteroviruses is necessary to reduce the current duration of antibiotic usage and to decrease the length of hospital stay.

Varicella screening and vaccination for healthcare workers at KK Women's and Children's Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Varicella is a highly contagious disease with significant morbidity and mortality, especially in adults. It can lead to nosocomial transmission with dire consequences, especially in a healthcare facility where children and pregnant women form the majority of patients. At KK Women's and Children's Hospital, we embarked on a programme in 2 phases, between 1997 and 1999, to screen healthcare workers (HCWs) for varicella immunity and to offer varicella vaccination to those who tested negative for antibody. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HCWs were initially screened via a questionnaire; those with no previous history of chickenpox underwent a blood test for varicella zoster antibody. Varicella vaccine was offered to those who tested negative for antibody and they were monitored for adverse reactions. RESULTS: Of the HCWs surveyed, 14.7% and 26.9% in phases 1 and 2, respectively, had no previous history of chickenpox. Of these, 55.3% in phase 1 and 26.1% in phase 2 tested negative for antibodies. Thus, the overall seronegativity of all HCWs surveyed was between 6.5% and 7.6%. Among those who tested negative for antibodies, 42.9% in phase 1 and 74% in phase 2 were vaccinated. Hence, the overall vaccination rate in HCWs was 3.2% and 4.8% in phases 1 and 2, respectively. Adverse reactions were observed in 2 (22.2%) HCWs in phase 1 and in 9 (9.3%) in phase 2, consisting mostly of maculopapular rashes or vesicles around the injection site. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that 26% to 55% of HCWs with no history of chickenpox and who tested negative for antibody against varicella required vaccination. Hence, in healthcare facilities, varicella screening and vaccination should be offered to all HCWs.

Chronic monoarthritis of the knee in systemic lupus erythematosus.

We describe a middle-aged lady with systemic lupus erythematosus who presented with chronic left knee monoarthritis without constitutional symptoms. The histology of synovial tissue taken at arthroscopy showed acute inflammation and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, identified with some difficulty, was isolated from the enrichment broth only. Blood cultures were negative. Her history revealed significant exposure to pond fish. She responded well to intravenous penicillin and remains well 12 months later.