ABSTRACT
Resumen Introducción: Streptococcus grupo viridans (SGV) ha adquirido relevancia como microorganismo causante de neutropenia febril, asociándose a morbilidad significativa. Objetivo: Caracterizar episodios de bacteriemia causados por SGV en niños con cáncer que desarrollaron neutropenia febril de alto riesgo (NFAR) desde abril de 2004 a junio de 2018 en seis hospitales pediátricos de Santiago, Chile. Pacientes y Métodos: Análisis retrospectivo de bases de datos de cuatro proyectos FONDECYT sucesivos, prospectivos y multicéntricos, registrando características clínicas y de laboratorio de los pacientes, además de patrón de resistencia antimicrobiana de las cepas aisladas. Resultados: Se registraron 95 episodios de bacteriemia asociada a SGV en 91 niños con NFAR. Destacan: leucemia mieloide aguda como enfermedad de base, neutropenia profunda, hospitalización prolongada (15 días), uso extendido de antimicrobianos (14 días), uso de citarabina en esquemas de quimioterapia (86% episodios). Las manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes fueron respiratoria y gastrointestinal, asociándose en 26% a síndrome de shock por Streptococcus grupo viridans. Hubo elevada resistencia a β lactámicos, sin cepas no susceptibles a vancomicina. Discusión: SGV es un patógeno relevante en niños con cáncer, fiebre y neutropenia en nuestro medio, asociado a casos de sepsis. La resistencia a β lactámicos es un aspecto que requiere vigilancia epidemiológica estricta en esta población.
Abstract Background: Viridans group streptococci (VGS) has acquired relevance as a microorganism causing febrile neutropenia, associated with significant morbidity. Aim: To characterize episodes of bacteremia caused by VGS in children with cancer who developed high-risk febrile neutropenia (HRFN) during the period from April 2004 to June 2018 in six pediatric hospitals of Santiago, Chile. Method: Database analysis of 4 successive, prospective and multicentric studies recording clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients, as well as antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of isolated strains. Results: 95 episodes of VGS bacteremia in 91 children with HRFN were analyzed. It emphasizes acute myeloid leukemia as cancer type, deep neutropenia, prolonged hospitalization (15 days), with extended use of antimicrobials (14 days) and use of cytarabine in chemotherapy schemes (86% episodes). The most frequent clinical manifestations were respiratory and gastrointestinal, associating up to 26% viridans group shock syndrome. There was high resistance to β lactams. As expected, there were not non-susceptible strains to vancomycin. Discussion: VGS is a relevant microorganism in children with cancer, fever and neutropenia, with a high percentage of sepsis. Resistance to β lactams is an issue that requires strict epidemiological surveillance in this population.
Subject(s)
Humans , Child , Streptococcal Infections/drug therapy , Bacteremia/drug therapy , Febrile Neutropenia/drug therapy , Neoplasms/complications , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Chile/epidemiology , Prospective Studies , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Background: Occult bacteremia (OB) is one of the possible diagnoses of children younger than 3 years with fever without source in the emergency room. Objective: describe OB in the era after introduction of pneumococcal vaccine in Chile. Patients and Methods: Prospective descriptive review of data of children with possible OB diagnosis, referred from the emergency department between 2010-2013. Results: Possible OB was diagnosed on 391 patients. 233 had focus, mainly respiratory virus and urinary tract infection. On 158 patients, probable BO was diagnosed, 20 had proven OB from which 15 had positive blood culture for Streptococcus pneumoniae. From these, 7 were fully or partially vaccinated. The serotype was identified on 14 cases: 6 were PCV10 vaccine serotypes (none of them vaccinated), 2 were serotype related (both partially vaccinated) and 6 were non vaccine serotypes (partially or totally vaccinated). Discussion: It is necessary to improve diagnostic methods for respiratory viruses and urinary tract infections and try to expand coverage of pneumococcal conjugated vaccines in the pediatric population in order to reduce the risk of invasive pneumococcal disease in Chile.
Introducción: La bacteriemia oculta (BO) es uno de los diagnósticos que se plantean en los niños bajo 3 años de edad que se presentan con fiebre sin foco en el servicio de urgencia. Objetivo: Describir el diagnóstico de BO luego de la introducción de la vacunación universal para Streptococcus pneumoniae en Chile. Materiales y Métodos: Revisión descriptiva de seguimiento prospectivo de datos de niños con diagnóstico de BO posible derivados del SU entre 2010 y 2013. Resultados: Se diagnosticó BO posible en 391 pacientes. En 233 pacientes se encontró foco, siendo infecciones respiratorias virales e infección urinaria las más frecuentes. En 158 pacientes se diagnosticó BO probable, en 20 BO probada y 15 tuvieron hemocultivos positivos para S. pneumoniae. De estos últimos 7 estaban total o parcialmente vacunados. Se identificó serotipo en 14 casos: 6 serotipos vaccinales incluidos en PCV10 (ninguno vacunado), 2 serotipos relacionados (ambos parcialmente protegido) y 6 serotipos no vaccinales (parcial o totalmente vacunados). Discusión: Es necesario mejorar las técnicas diagnósticas de infecciones respiratorias virales e infección urinaria e intentar ampliar la cobertura de las vacunas neumocóccicas conjugadas en la población pediátrica, para reducir el riesgo de enfermedades neumocóccicas invasoras en Chile.
Subject(s)
Humans , Infant , Child, Preschool , Pneumococcal Infections/microbiology , Respiratory Tract Infections/microbiology , Urinary Tract Infections/microbiology , Bacteremia/microbiology , Heptavalent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine/administration & dosage , Pneumococcal Infections/prevention & control , Chile , Prospective Studies , Bacteremia/prevention & controlABSTRACT
Introduction: Prolonged febrile syndrome (PFS) is defined as fever 7-10 days, with initial study does not allow etiologic diagnosis. Objective: To describe the main causes of the PFS and its temporal behavior in Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit Outpatient Care of Complejo Asistencial Dr. Sótero del Río (CASR). Patients and Methods: A descriptive, prospective study between january 2007-december 2012, about 153 patients from 6 weeks to 14 years 11 months old, diagnosed with PFS, tab completing clinical and laboratory monitoring. Results: etiology was obtained in 67.9%, the causes were infection (88.4%), neoplasms (4.8%), rheumatological (4.8%) and Kawasaki disease (2.8%). The most important infectious causes were enteric fevers (typhoid and paratyphoid) (18.4%), urinary tract infection (11.9%), Bartonella henselae infections and adenovirus (8.7%) each one and Epstein Barr virus (7.6%). Ninety eight percent of patients had complete resolution, 60.7% did not require hospitalization and mortality was 0%. Discussion: As in previous pediatric clinical series the infections were the most frequent causes. Enteric fever persists as principal cause, however, the epidemiological evidence is oscillating in time endorsing the local statistics can count over the years to improve the diagnostic and therapeutic approach.
Introducción: El síndrome febril prolongado (SFP) se define como fiebre entre 7-10 días, con estudio inicial que no permite un diagnóstico etiológico. Objetivo: Describir las principales etiologías del SFP y su comportamiento temporal en la unidad de infectología pediátrica ambulatoria del Complejo Asistencial Dr. Sótero del Río (CASR). Pacientes y Método: Estudio descriptivo, prospectivo, entre enero de 2007-diciembre de 2012. Análisis de 153 pacientes entre 6 semanas y 14 años 11 meses de edad, con diagnóstico de SFP, que completaron ficha de seguimiento clínico-laboratorial. Resultados: Se obtuvo diagnóstico etiológico en 67,9%, las causas fueron: infecciones (88,4%), neoplasias (4,8%), reumatológicas (4,8%) y enfermedad de Kawasaki (2,8%). Las causas infecciosas más importantes fueron: fiebres entéricas (tifoidea y paratifoidea) (18,4%), infección del tracto urinario (11,9%), enfermedades por Bartonella henselae y adenovirus (8,7%) cada uno y virus de Epstein Barr (7,6%). El 98% de los pacientes tuvo resolución completa, 60,7% no requirió hospitalización y no se registraron decesos. Discusión: Como en las series clínicas antes publicadas, las infecciones fueron la causa más frecuente de SFP. La fiebre entérica persiste como causa principal; sin embargo, se evidencia una situación epidemiológica oscilante en el tiempo justificando la necesidad de contar con estadísticas locales a lo largo de los años para mejorar el enfoque diagnóstico y terapéutico.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Fever of Unknown Origin/etiology , Outpatient Clinics, Hospital/statistics & numerical data , Prospective Studies , Typhoid Fever/diagnosisABSTRACT
Background: Nosocomial infections (NIs) represent an important public health issue, being associated with high morbidity, mortality and costs. Objectives: To identify risk factors of NIs in a cohort of hospitalized pediatric patients, with emphasis in children with special health care needs (CSHCN). Patients and Methods: We studied patients hospitalized in Sótero del Río Pediatric Hospital at Santiago-Chile, between September and December, 2009. Relative Risk (RR) was calculated between CSHCN-3 (children attended by three or more health care professionals) versus non CSHCN-3, and between children with medical complexity (CMC) versus non CMC, using log-binomial models. Results: 920 patients were included. Prevalence of NIs was 12.7%. The most frequent diagnoses were gastrointestinal and respiratory viral infections. Both crude and adjusted by confounders (age and sex), CSHCN-3 and CMC presented significantly higher risk of NIs compared to patients without these conditions (RR 2.91 and RR 2.16, respectively). Conclusion: CSHCN-3 and CMC represent independent conditions associated to a 2-3 fold risk of NIs.
Introducción: Las infecciones asociadas a atención en salud (IAAS) representan un problema frecuente, el cual se asocia a una mayor morbimortalidad y costos. Objetivos: Evaluar factores de riesgo de IAAS en una cohorte de niños hospitalizados, con énfasis en el grupo de niños y adolescentes con necesidades especiales de atención en salud (NANEAS). Materiales y Métodos: Estudio realizado en el Hospital Sótero del Río, Santiago-Chile, entre septiembre y diciembre de 2009. Se calculó riesgo relativo (RR) de IAAS entre pacientes NANEAS-3 (niños controlados por tres o más profesionales de la salud) versus no NANEAS-3, y entre niños con complejidad médica (NCM) versus no NCM, a través de modelos log-binomial. Resultados: Se obtuvo información de 920 pacientes. Un 12,7% presentó IAAS; las más frecuentes fueron infecciones virales gastrointestinales y respiratorias. Tanto en forma cruda como ajustada por variables confundentes (edad y sexo), los pacientes NANEAS-3 y NCM presentaron significativamente mayor riesgo de IAAS versus aquellos que no cumplían estas definiciones (RR 2,91 y RR 2,16, respectivamente). Conclusiones: Los pacientes NANEAS-3 y NCM representan condiciones independientes asociadas a un riesgo dos a tres veces mayor de IAAS.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Child, Hospitalized/statistics & numerical data , Cross Infection/epidemiology , Chronic Disease , Chile/epidemiology , Prevalence , Risk AssessmentABSTRACT
Introduction: Leukemia is the most common cancer in Chilean children. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is more prevalent and longer survival compared to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Aims: To describe episodes of febrile neutropenia (FN) in children with AML, determining frequency of infections as agent, focus and evolution, comparing children with ALL episodes. Method: A prospective multicenter study. Children presenting with FN at six hospitals in Santiago, Chile, were invited to participate in two consecutive FONDECYT projects, from April 2004 to June 2011. All patients were uniformly evaluated, recording epidemiological, clinical and laboratory variables. Information regarding FN episodes of children with LMA and LLA was used to this study. Results: We evaluated 506 episodes of FN in children with leukemia: 173 children with AML and 333 in children with ALL. NF episodes in children with ALML showed significantly greater depth and duration of neutropenia, febrile remained a > period of time and had a worse clinical outcome, as evidenced by > hemodynamic instability, > sepsis, CRP > 90 mg/L for a longer time, more days of hospitalization, > frequency of hospitalization in ICU, > bacteremia, mainly by Streptococcus viridans group, > change of antimicrobial treatment, > use of antifungal therapy. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that FN episodes in children with ALML further evolve unfavorably, compared with episodes of FN in children with ALL. FN episodes in children with ALML require a more aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic approach, related to its severity.
Introducción: En Chile, la leucemia es el cáncer más frecuente en niños, siendo las dos principales leucemia linfoblástica aguda (LLA) y leucemia mieloide aguda (LMA). Objetivo: Describir los episodios de neutropenia febril (NF) observados en niños con LMA, determinando la frecuencia de infecciones según agente, foco y evolución, comparándolos con episodios de niños con LLA. Método: Estudio prospectivo, multicéntrico. Pacientes < de 18 años con NF que consultaron en uno de los seis hospitales del grupo PINDA de Santiago, Chile (abril de 2004-junio de 2011), enrolados en dos sucesivos proyectos FONDECYT. Se recogió de manera sistemática la información epidemiológica, clínica y de laboratorio relativa a cada episodio de NF; posteriormente se extrajo de la base de datos la información correspondiente a los pacientes con LMA y LLA. Resultados: Se evaluaron 506 episodios de NF en niños con leucemia: 173 en niños con LMA y 333 en niños con LLA. Los episodios de NF en niños con LMA presentaron significativamente mayor duración e intensidad de la neutropenia, se mantuvieron febriles por un mayor período de tiempo y presentaron una peor evolución clínica, evidenciada por mayor inestabilidad hemodinámica, mayor frecuencia de sepsis, PCR > 90 mg/L por un período más prolongado, más días de hospitalización, mayor frecuencia de hospitalización en UCI, mayor presencia de bacteriemia, principalmente por Streptococcus grupo viridans, mayor número de cambio de esquemas antimicrobianos y mayor uso de antifúngicos, particularmente de tipo empírico. Conclusiones: Este estudio demuestra que los episodios de NF en niños con LMA evolucionan en mayor medida en forma desfavorable, comparado con episodios de NF en niños con LLA. Los episodios de NF en niños con LMA requieren un enfoque diagnóstico y terapéutico más agresivo, relacionado a su gravedad.
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Febrile Neutropenia/etiology , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/complications , Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/complications , Febrile Neutropenia/drug therapy , Prospective Studies , Severity of Illness IndexABSTRACT
Introduction: Lung infections are a serious complication in children with cancer. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) has been demonstrated to be an effective procedure for achieving etiologic diagnosis. Method: We did a retrospective analysis of BAL data performed between November 2005 and October 2008 in children with cancer, severe neutropenia and lung infiltrates for assessing its performance, clinical utility and safety. Thirty-seven BAL were evaluated in 35 patients. Results: Focal infiltrates were demonstrated in imaging studies associated with 19/37 BAL; in 8 an infectious agent was found. Interstitial pattern was observed in 15/37, in which there were 4 positive studies, proving a higher microbiological performance in BAL associated with focal lesions. BAL yielded significant microbiological findings in 32.4% (12/37). Sixteen microorganisms were identified in the study: bacteria in 8 cases, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (n: 2), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n: 2), Acinetobacter baumannii (n: 1), A. Iwoffii (n: 1), group viridans Streptococcus (n: 1), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (n: 1); viruses in 3 cases, metapneumovirus (n: 2) cytomegalovirus (n: 1) and fungal infection in 5 cases, Pneumocystis jiroveci (n: 2) Aspergillus fumigatus (n: 1), Aspergillus niger (n: 1), Candida albicans (n: 1). Therapeutic adjustments were done in 6/37 episodes (16.2%). Conclusion: BAL has a significant role in the evaluation of pulmonary infiltrates in pediatric oncological patients, requiring a prompt and safe diagnosis, which is crucial for the survival with minimal morbidity. Our results suggest that BAL by fiberbronchoscopy should be considered as an initial diagnostic tool in these patients.
Las infecciones pulmonares en niños con cáncer son una complicación grave. El lavado broncoalveolar (LBA) es un procedimiento efectivo para llegar a un diagnóstico etiológico. Se analizaron los resultados de LBA realizados entre noviembre de 2005 y octubre de 2008, en niños con cáncer y neutropenia grave e infiltrados pulmonares para conocer su rendimiento, utilidad clínica y seguridad. Se evaluaron 37 LBA en 35 pacientes. En 19/37 casos los infiltrados radiológicos fueron focales, en 8 se encontró etiología por LBA. En 15/37 casos las imágenes fueron intersticiales encontrándose etiología en 4, resultando un rendimiento microbiológico superior en las lesiones focales. Las muestras del LBA fueron positivas en 32,4% de los episodios (12/37). Se detectaron 16 microorganismos: 8 bacterias, a saber Mycobacterium tuberculosis (n: 2), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n: 2), Acinetobacter baumannii (n: 1), A. Iwoffii (n: 1), Streptococcus grupo viridans (n: 1) y Mycoplasma pneumoniae (n: 1); 3 virus: metapneumovirus (n: 2) y citomegalovirus (n: 1); 5 hongos: Pneumocystis jiroveci (n: 2), Aspergillus fumigatus (n: 1), Aspergillus niger (n: 1) y Candida albicans (n: 1). Se reportaron cambios en la conducta terapéutica en 6 de 37 pacientes (16,2%) con inicio de nuevas terapias o suspensión de tratamientos empíricos. El LBA tuvo un adecuado rendimiento, sin complicaciones importantes por lo que debe ser considerado precozmente y realizado con un estudio protocolizado.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects , Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/microbiology , Chemotherapy-Induced Febrile Neutropenia/microbiology , Lung/microbiology , Lung , Bronchoalveolar Lavage , Bronchoscopy , Lung Diseases/microbiology , Lung Diseases , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
Introduction: To determine the etiology of invasive bacterial infection in high risk febrile neutropenia (HRFN) episodes in children with cancer is essential because of the favorable impact on mortality of the early empiric antibiotic treatment. Objective: To determine the etiology of bacteremia in pediatric patients with cancer and HRFN in the National Child Program of Antineoplastic Drugs during the 2004-2009 period, and compare these agents and their antimicrobial susceptibility with the period 1994-1998 described in a previous study. Methods: The causative agents of bacteremia were prospectively recorded in patients less than 18 years of age receiving chemotherapy for cancer with HRFN and positive blood cultures admitted to one of the six hospitals from the Child Program of Antineoplastic Drugs network during the period 2004-2009. Results: 839 episodes of HRFN were identified; 181 blood cultures were positive in the following proportion: gram positive cocci (56%), gram negative bacilli (42%) and yeast (2%).The most common etiologic agents were Staphylococcus coagulase negative (25%), Escherichia. coli (20%), group viridans Streptococcus (14%), Staphylococcus aureus (13%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9%). Comparing the two periods, the relative frequency of Streptococcus spp increased from 4 to 17%, coagulase negative Staphylococcus decreased from 44 to 25%, showing an increase in their resistance to oxacillin from 55% to 77%. Conclusions: We describe the main etiological agents from HRFN episodes in children with cancer in a 5 years period. This information could help for a better approach in the empirical antimicrobial therapy in this population.
Introducción: Conocer la etiología de los episodios de neutropenia febril de alto riesgo (NFAR) en pacientes con cáncer tiene importancia para implementar tratamientos antimicrobianos ajustados a la epidemiología local, lo que tiene impacto en la morbilidad y mortalidad. Objetivo: Describir la etiología de las bacteriemias en niños con cáncer y NFAR en el período 2004-2009, en la red PINDA de Santiago (Región Metropolitana), Chile, y comparar estos agentes y su susceptibilidad antimicrobiana con un estudio previo realizado en el período 1994-1998. Material y Métodos: Se registraron prospectivamente los agentes causantes de bacteriemia y su susceptibilidad a antimicrobianos de los pacientes bajo 18 años de edad en tratamiento quimioterápico por cáncer, ingresados con diagnóstico de NFAR a los seis hospitales de la red, durante el período 2004-2009. Resultados: De 839 episodios de NFAR, 181 tuvieron hemocultivos positivos, correspondientes a cocáceas grampositivas (56%), bacilos gramnegativos (42%) y levaduras (2%). Los agentes más frecuentemente aislados fueron: Staphylococcus coagula-sa negativa (25%), Escherichia coli (20%), Streptococcus grupo viridans (14%), Staphylococcus aureus (13%) y Pseudomonas spp (9%). Al comparar los dos períodos de tiempo, destacan los siguientes cambios significativos: disminución en frecuencia relativa de Staphylococcus coagulasa negativa (desde 44 a 25%), aumento de Streptococcus spp (desde 4 a 17%), y aumento de la resistencia de Staphylococcus coagulasa negativa a oxacilina (desde 55 a 77%). Conclusiones: Se dan a conocer los principales agentes etiológicos de los episodios de NFAR y la susceptibilidad a antimicrobianos en un período de cinco años. Esto permite racionalizar el manejo antimicrobiano empírico de los episodios de NFAR en esta población.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Bacteremia/microbiology , Fever/microbiology , Gram-Negative Bacteria/classification , Gram-Positive Bacteria/classification , Neoplasms/microbiology , Neutropenia/microbiology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Chile , Gram-Negative Bacteria/drug effects , Gram-Negative Bacteria/isolation & purification , Gram-Positive Bacteria/drug effects , Gram-Positive Bacteria/isolation & purification , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
Infections with varicella-zoster virus (VVZ) in immunocompromised children imply a high mortality. There is no data about VVZ seroprevalence in children with cancer in our country. Aim: To determine the prevalence of VVZ antibodies in children with cancer who have undergone chemotherapy or have undergone a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Methodology: collaborative, multicenter study. Serum samples were collected from 281 children with cancer and episodes of febrile neutropenia from 6 hospitals belonging to the public health network in the Metropolitan Region between June 2004 and August 2006. These samples were stored at -70 ° C, and 200 of them were randomly chosen and analyzed to determine VVZ IgG (ELISA). Results: 179 samples from 179 children, 65% male. Ninety eigth/179 (55%) were positive, 72/179 (40%) negative and 9/179 (5%) indeterminate. Stratified by age, seropositive percentage was: 1 to 4 years 32%, 5-9 years 42%, 10-14 years 78%, over 15 years 88%. Conclusion: Forty percent of children treated for cancer are seronegative to VVZ infection, a frequency that decreases with age. These results support the adoption of preventive measures to avoid infection in this population of children at risk of developing a serious and possibly fatal illness.
Las infecciones por virus varicela-zoster (VVZ) en niños inmunocomprometidos presentan una alta morbi-mortalidad. Se desconoce la seroprevalencia de VVZ en niños con cáncer en nuestro medio. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de anticuerpos anti VVZ en niños sometidos a tratamiento por cáncer (quimioterapia o trasplante de precursores hematopoyéticos). Método: Estudio colaborativo, multicéntrico. Se recolectaron muestras de suero de 281 niños con cáncer y episodios de neutropenia febril (NF) en seis hospitales de Santiago, entre junio 2004 y agosto 2006 y almacenadas a -70° Cº. Doscientas muestras fueron seleccionadas al azar para determinación de IgG anti VVZ. Resultados: De las 200 muestras de suero obtenidas se excluyeron 21: 12 por ser muestras de un mismo paciente en diferentes episodios de NF y 9 por falta de información. Se analizaron las muestras de 179 niños, 65% de sexo masculino. Noventa y ocho resultaron positivos (55%), 72 negativos (40%) y 9 indeterminados (5%). Estratificado por edad: 1-4 años (32%), 5-9 años (42%), 10-14 años (78%) y mayores de 15 años (88%). Conclusión: 40% de los niños en tratamiento por cáncer son seronegativos para VVZ, condición que disminuye en pacientes con mayor edad. Estos resultados apoyan la adopción de medidas que eviten la infección en esta población de niños con riesgo de desarrollar una enfermedad grave y eventualmente fatal.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Chickenpox/epidemiology , /immunology , Immunocompromised Host/immunology , Neoplasms/immunology , Antibodies, Viral/blood , Chickenpox/diagnosis , Chickenpox/immunology , Chile/epidemiology , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Prevalence , Seroepidemiologic StudiesABSTRACT
Background: Despite pertussis vaccination, very young infants have the highest rates of morbidity and mortality caused by the microorganism. Aim: To determine the source of Pertussis infection in infants aged six months or less in Chile. Material and Methods: Twenty six household contacts of 10 young infants hospitalized with confirmed Pertussis were studied for the presence of Bordetella Pertussis by polyme-rase chain reaction (PCR). Clinical and demographic data were analyzed. Results: Respiratory symptoms were present in 20 (77 percent) contacts, being cough the most common. Pertussis cases were identifed in every household and in 18 (72 percent) of the household members. four members with B.pertussis were asymptomatic. Source of infection was identifed in 80 percent (8/10) of the infant cases with ages ranging from 6 to 62 years. Half of primary cases had positive PCR and their cough duration was significantly shorter compared to primary cases with negative PCR. Conclusions: B. pertussis transmission to young infants occurred mainly within the household where adults are generally the source of the infection. Risk factors for infant infection are the same as in developed countries. Therefore, the same strategies, such as routine vaccination in adolescents and adults or cocoon strategy, will help to prevent this disease in infants.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Bordetella pertussis/isolation & purification , Contact Tracing , Family Characteristics , Whooping Cough/transmission , Bordetella pertussis/genetics , Chile , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Risk Factors , Vaccination , Whooping Cough/diagnosisABSTRACT
Background: Children under oncological therapy are at risk of infection by hepatitis B virus (HBV). Aim: To determine the prevalence of infection of HBV in children with cancer who have undergone chemotherapy or have had a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Material and methods: Collaborative, multi-centric study. Serum samples were collected from 281 children with cancer and episodes of febrile neutropenia, from 6 hospitals belonging to the public health network in the Metropolitan Region, between June 2004 and August 2006. These samples were stored at -70-'C. In September 2006, 200 samples were randomly chosen and 170 analyzed to determine hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and anticore total antibodies (anti HBc) by fluorescent ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay). In five cases in which a low volume of sample was available, only one marker was studied (HBsAg in two and anti HBc in three). Results: Samples carne from children aged 4 months to 18 years, 104 males (61 percent). They had received an average of 38 transfusions (range 3-107) from 65 donors (range 3-345). Twelve children were found positive for some marker of HBV: HBsAg in three (1.8 percent) and anti HBc in ten (7 percent). In 5 patients that had negative HBsAg and positive anti HBc, anti surface antigen antibodies (anti HBs) were determined and resulted positive in four Conclusions: The prevalence of HBV in this sample was 7 percent if both serologic markers are considered and 1.8 percent if only HBsAg is considered.