Increases in group A streptococcal infections in the pediatric population in Houston, TX, 2022.

Beginning in October 2022, we observed a substantial increase in the total number of cases of invasive GAS disease (iGAS) in the pediatric population in Houston, TX. Emm12 GAS strains were disproportionately represented but the overall proportion of iGAS infections observed during the current spike was similar to pre-pandemic years.

Going Back in Time: Increasing Penicillin Susceptibility among Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Osteoarticular Infections in Children.

In the late 1940s to 1950s, Staphylococcus aureus isolates first-gained resistance to penicillin. Recently, some centers have described an increase in the proportion of methicillin susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) which are also susceptible to penicillin (PSSA). There are little data on the frequency of PSSA infections in children. We investigated the prevalence of penicillin susceptibility among pediatric MSSA acute hematogenous osteoarticular infection (OAI) isolates. MSSA OAI isolates were obtained through surveillance studies at Texas Children's and St. Louis Children's Hospitals from January 2011 to December 2019. All isolates underwent PCR for blaZ ß-lactamase, PVL genes and agr group. All blaZ negative isolates then underwent penicillin MIC determination. blaZ negative isolates with penicillin MIC ≤ 0.125 µg/mL were considered PSSA. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was conducted on a subset of isolates. A total of 329 unique isolates were included in the study. The median patient age was 9.2 years (IQR:5.1 to 12.2). Overall, 6.7% of isolates were penicillin susceptible. No PSSA were detected prior to 2015 but increased yearly thereafter. By the final study year, 20.4% of isolates were PSSA (P = 0.001). PSSA were similar to penicillin-resistant MSSA (PR-MSSA) isolates in terms agr group and PVL carriage as well as clinical presentation and outcomes. PSSA were of distinct sequence types compared to PR-MSSA. PSSA appears to be increasing among OAI in U.S. children. Overall, PSSA isolates are associated with a similar clinical presentation as penicillin-resistant isolates. The potential for use of penicillin treatment in PSSA OAI warrants further study.

Reduced Ceftaroline Susceptibility among Invasive MRSA Infections in Children: a Clinical and Genomic Investigation.

Ceftaroline represents an attractive therapy option for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Little data is available, however, regarding the frequency of reduced susceptibility (RS) to ceftaroline among pediatric MRSA infections. We screened invasive MRSA isolates at a tertiary children's hospital for ceftaroline RS. Ceftaroline RS occurred in 2.9% of isolates and only among health care associated infections. Ceftaroline RS isolates were more often clindamycin-resistant. Sequencing data indicated the predominance of the CC5 lineage among ceftaroline RS isolates.

Microbiology and Treatment Outcomes of Community-Acquired Hematogenous Osteoarticular Infections in Infants ≤12 Months of Age.

We investigated the microbiology, management, and orthopedic outcomes of osteoarticular infections in infants age ≤1 year at our institution. Among 87 patients, Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen (44.8%), followed by group B Streptococcus. Twenty-nine patients (33%), with a median age of 9.2 months, were transitioned to oral antibiotic therapy after ≤14 days of parenteral therapy; orthopedic outcomes were similar to those with prolonged parenteral therapy.

Staphylococcus aureus Colonization in Healthy Children during the First Year of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Pandemic.

The early severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic was temporally associated with a reduction in many childhood infections, although the impact on bacterial colonization is unknown. We longitudinally assessed Staphylococcusaureus colonization prior to and through the first year of the pandemic. We observed a decline in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization associated with SARS-CoV-2 prevention mandates.

Eosinophilic Meningitis: Eleven-Year Experience at Texas Children's Hospital.

Eosinophilic meningitis can be caused by various etiologies and is reported mostly in tropical climates. The diagnosis is rare in the continental US, presenting challenges for management. Following a case of pediatric eosinophilic meningitis, we reviewed our 11-year experience with this diagnosis at a large US children's hospital.

Cefazolin Inoculum Effect and Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Osteoarticular Infections in Children.

Select methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) strains may produce ß-lactamases with affinity for first-generation cephalosporins (1GCs). In the setting of a high inoculum, these ß-lactamases may promote the cleavage of 1GCs, a phenomenon known as the cefazolin inoculum effect (CzIE). We evaluated the prevalence and impact of CzIE on clinical outcomes among MSSA acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO) cases. MSSA AHO isolates obtained from two children's hospitals between January 2011 and December 2018 were procured through ongoing surveillance studies. Isolates were tested for CzIE via a broth macrodilution assay using an inoculum of 107 CFU/ml; CzIE was defined as a cefazolin MIC of ≥16 µg/ml. Isolates were characterized by accessory gene regulator group (agr). The progression from acute to chronic osteomyelitis was considered an important outcome. A total of 250 cases with viable isolates were included. Notably, 14.4% of isolates exhibited CzIE with no observed temporal trend; and 4% and 76% of patients received a 1GC as an empirical and definitive therapy, respectively. CzIE isolates were more often resistant to clindamycin, belonged to agrIII, and associated with the development of chronic osteomyelitis. In multivariable analyses, agrIII, multiple surgical debridements, delayed source control, and CzIE were independently associated with progression to chronic osteomyelitis. A higher rate of chronic osteomyelitis was observed with CzIE isolates regardless of definitive antibiotic choice. CzIE is exhibited by 14.4% of MSSA AHO isolates in children. CzIE is independently associated with progression to chronic osteomyelitis in cases of AHO irrespective of final antibiotic choice. These data suggest that negative outcomes reported with CzIE may more accurately reflect strain-dependent virulence factors rather than true antibiotic failure.

Clinical and Microbiologic Variables Predictive of Orthopedic Complications Following Staphylococcus aureus Acute Hematogenous Osteoarticular Infections in Children.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of acute hematogenous osteoarticular infections (AHOAIs) in children. The risk factors for the development of orthopedic complications (OC) after AHOAI are poorly understood. We sought to describe clinical and microbiologic variables present on the index admission that may predict OC in S. aureus AHOAI. METHODS: Staphylococcus aureus AHOAI cases were identified from 2011-2017 at Texas Children's Hospital and reviewed for the development of OC. OC included chronic osteomyelitis, growth arrest, avascular necrosis, chronic dislocation, and pathologic fracture. All S. aureus isolates were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and agr group. RESULTS: A total of 286 cases were examined of which 27 patients (9.4%) developed OC. Patients who developed OC more often had infection with an agr group III organism (P = .04), bacteremia (P = .04), delayed source control (P < .001), ≥2 surgical procedures (P < .001), intensive care unit admission (P = .09), and fever >4 days after admission (P = .008). There was no association with OC and patient age, methicillin resistance, or choice/route of antibiotics. In multivariable analyses of OC, infection with agr group III S. aureus, prolonged fever, and delayed source control remained statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: OC develop following S. aureus AHOAI in 9.4% of cases. Although the development of OC is likely multifactorial, agr group III organisms, prolonged fever, and delayed source control are independently associated with OC. Moreover, early aggressive surgical source control may be beneficial in children with S. aureus AHOAI.

Association of Vancomycin MIC and Molecular Characteristics with Clinical Outcomes in Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Acute Hematogenous Osteoarticular Infections in Children.

Strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), particularly those belonging to the USA300 pulsotype, have been well described to cause severe osteoarticular infections (OAIs). A vancomycin MIC of ≥1.5 µg/ml has been demonstrated to contribute to disease severity in adults with MRSA and even methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) bacteremia. Little data exist describing the outcomes of MSSA OAIs in terms of molecular characteristics and vancomycin MIC. All patients/isolates were chosen from a surveillance study at Texas Children's Hospital (TCH). S. aureus OAI isolates were identified from 2011 to 2016 and subjected to vancomycin Etests, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and PCR to determine Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) production and agr group. Two hundred fifty-two cases of S. aureus OAI were identified; 183 cases were MSSA (72.6%). During the study period, a decrease in the proportion of cases secondary to MRSA was observed, declining from 37.8% to 15.9% (P = 0.02). Of the MSSA isolates, 26.2% and 23.5% were USA300 and PVL positive, respectively. An increase in the proportion of MSSA isolates with a vancomycin MIC of ≥1.5 µg/ml occurred in the study period (P = 0.004). In MSSA, an elevated vancomycin MIC was associated with multiple surgical procedures and venous thromboses, even when adjusting for empirical ß-lactam use. An increase in vancomycin MIC was noted among isolates belonging to agr group 4 during the study period. Methicillin resistance is declining among S. aureus OAI isolates at TCH. Simultaneously, vancomycin Etest MICs are increasing among MSSA isolates. Vancomycin MICs of ≥2 µg/ml are associated with adverse clinical outcomes in MSSA irrespective of antibiotic choice, suggesting that this may be a surrogate for organism virulence.

Impact of Health Care Exposure on Genotypic Antiseptic Tolerance in Staphylococcus aureus Infections in a Pediatric Population.

Staphylococcus aureus possessing either the smr gene or the qacA/B genes is associated with decreased susceptibility to chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) and other antiseptics. Previous studies of antiseptic-tolerant staphylococci have focused largely on high-risk populations, and the exact role of health care exposure in the acquisition of these organisms is unclear. We sought to describe the risk factors and features of infection caused by antiseptic-tolerant S. aureus in a general pediatric population. Isolates were selected from an ongoing S. aureus surveillance study. Every third sequential isolate in the year 2014 was selected for inclusion. All isolates underwent PCR for the genes qacA/B and smr Medical records were reviewed. Five hundred six isolates were included in the study, with 377 (74.3%) being community acquired. One hundred (19.8%) isolates were smr positive and 79 (15.6%) qacA/B positive. In univariable analyses, the presence of either gene was associated with underlying medical conditions, nosocomial acquisition, recent hospitalization, central venous lines, and CHG exposure. In multivariable analyses, only differences between patients with chronic medical conditions (odds ratio [OR] = 1.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22 to 2.64) and nosocomial acquisition (OR = 2.48; 95% CI, 1.16 to 8.17) remained statistically significant. Among patients without risk factors, 27.9% had infection with an antiseptic-tolerant isolate. smr- or qacA/B-positive S. aureus isolates are common in children and are independently associated with nosocomial acquisition and underlying medical conditions. These findings imply a role for the health care environment in acquisition of these organisms. However, genotypic antiseptic tolerance was seen in >25% of healthy children with an S. aureus infection, indicating that these organism are prevalent in the community as well.

Clinical and Molecular Features of Decreased Chlorhexidine Susceptibility among Nosocomial Staphylococcus aureus Isolates at Texas Children's Hospital.

One of the strategies utilized to decrease infections in the hospital setting relies on topical antimicrobials and antiseptics. While their use is beneficial, concerns arise over the potential to develop resistance or tolerance to these agents. We examined nosocomial Staphylococcus aureus isolates from 2007 to 2013 for the presence of genes associated with tolerance to chlorhexidine. Isolates and patients were identified from an S. aureus surveillance study at Texas Children's Hospital. Nosocomial S. aureus isolates (those causing infection at ≥72 h of hospitalization) were identified and underwent PCR for the qacA or qacB (qacA/B) and smr genes associated with elevated minimum bactericidal concentrations of chlorhexidine. Molecular typing with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and agr typing and a review of the medical record were performed. Two hundred forty-seven nosocomial S. aureus infections were identified. Overall, 111 isolates carried one or both genes (44.9%); 33.1% were positive for smr, 22.7% were positive for qacA/B, and 10.9% of the isolates possessed both genes. The smr-positive isolates were more often resistant to methicillin, ciprofloxacin, and/or clindamycin. The isolates positive for qacA/B were more often associated with indwelling central venous catheters and a vancomycin MIC of ≥2 µg/ml. Isolates carrying either smr or qacA/B were associated with a diagnosis of bacteremia. The smr-positive isolates more often belonged to sequence type 8 (ST8) than the isolates that were positive for qacA/B. Mupirocin resistance was detected in 2.8% of the isolates. Antiseptic-tolerant S. aureus strains are common in our children's hospital and are associated with decreased susceptibility to other systemic antimicrobials and with bloodstream infections. Further work is needed to understand the implications that these organisms have on the hospital environment and antiseptic use in the future.

Decreased susceptibilities to Retapamulin, Mupirocin, and Chlorhexidine among Staphylococcus aureus isolates causing skin and soft tissue infections in otherwise healthy children.

Topical antimicrobial and antiseptic agents are commonly used in the management of minor skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). Resistance to mupirocin has been documented in Staphylococcus aureus isolates causing SSTIs. Data are limited, however, on the prevalence of retapamulin resistance or tolerance to antiseptics. We sought to determine the prevalence of decreased susceptibility to retapamulin and mupirocin as well as the potential for decreased chlorhexidine susceptibility of S. aureus isolates from SSTIs in children. Two hundred isolates from patients with a single SSTI and 200 isolates from patients with ≥3 previous episodes from the years 2010 to 2012 were selected from an S. aureus surveillance study. Screening for retapamulin resistance was performed by the broth macrodilution method; mupirocin MICs were determined by Etest. PCR was performed for the presence of the smr gene associated with elevated MICs/minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) to chlorhexidine. Among the isolates screened, 38 isolates (9.5%) exhibited retapamulin resistance, of which 22 (57.9%) were methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Two isolates (0.5%) displayed cross-resistance to retapamulin and linezolid. Thirty-nine isolates (9.8%) were found to have mupirocin resistance. smr-positive S. aureus accounted for 14% of isolates. The proportion of smr-positive organisms increased during the study (P = 0.005). The prevalence of in vitro resistance to topical antimicrobials among S. aureus isolates causing SSTI in healthy children in our community is almost 10%. Retapamulin resistance was associated with cross-resistance to linezolid in 0.5% of isolates. In addition, there was an increase in the proportion of smr-positive isolates. Further research including clinical correlations with these findings is warranted.

Invasive Group A Streptococcus in Infants Less Than 1-year of Age From 2012 to 2022: A Single-Center Experience.

The incidence of invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS) has varied throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We reviewed iGAS infections in infants ≤1 year from 2012 to 2022. Twenty-five percent of cases occurred in the last quarter of 2022. Pneumonia (21.8%) was the most common presentation. Twenty-one patients (65.6%) were successfully transitioned to oral antibiotics.

Acute Hematogenous Osteomyelitis of the Pelvis in Children.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic involvement has been reported in 3%-14% of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO) cases in children. One guideline suggests need for a longer antibiotic course in pelvic AHO, however, recent data are lacking. We describe the clinical course of children with pelvic AHO and compare it to nonpelvic AHO. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with a diagnosis of AHO admitted to Texas Children's Hospital from January 2012 to December 2020 was conducted. Patients 6 months-<19 years old and with ≤14 days of symptoms at admission were eligible. Patients with sickle cell disease or immunocompromised were excluded. Wilcoxon rank-sum test assessed for differences between continuous variables and Fisher exact for categorical variables using STATA 17. RESULTS: We compared 104 cases of pelvic AHO to 314 cases of nonpelvic AHO. Patients had similar microbiology, length of stay and length of antibiotic therapy. Patients with pelvic AHO had pyomyositis identified by magnetic resonance imaging more often (28.8 vs. 9.4%, P < 0.001) and bone abscess less often (22.1 vs. 46.5%, P < 0.001). Rates of chronic complications were comparable between patients with pelvic AHO and nonpelvic AHO (8.4% vs. 15.1%, P = 0.1). Nineteen patients (18.3%) with pelvic AHO received ≤30 antibiotic days without complications, but they had less need for intensive care or bone abscesses than patients treated longer. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic AHO in children may be more frequent than previously reported but is not associated with more complications. Four weeks of therapy may be sufficient in selected patients. Prospective studies to compare outcomes with different lengths of therapy are needed.

Penicillin susceptibility among Staphylococcus aureus skin and soft tissue infections at a children's hospital.

Shortly after its introduction into clinical practice, Staphylococcus aureus isolates gained resistance to penicillin via the acquisition of ß-lactamases. A number of centers have recently described an increase in the proportion of invasive methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), which are also susceptible to penicillin (PSSA). Little data are available regarding the prevalence or impact of PSSA in skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). Community-acquired MSSA SSTI isolates were obtained through a surveillance study at Texas Children's Hospital from January 2017 to December 2021. A total of 200 random isolates underwent PCR for blaZ ß-lactamase; blaZ-negative isolates then underwent penicillin susceptibility testing using macrobroth dilution. Isolates which were blaZ negative and had a penicillin MIC ≤0.125 µg/mL were regarded as PSSA with the remainder regarded as penicillin-resistant MSSA (PR-MSSA). All PSSA underwent multilocus sequence typing. Medical records were reviewed. The median age of subjects was 4.2 years (IQR: 1.6-10.5). PSSA accounted for 9% of isolates during the study period. PSSA and PR-MSSA cases were similar with respect to age, demographics, and rates of prior antibiotic exposure. PSSA isolates less often had vancomycin MIC ≥1.5 µg/mL. Furthermore, 39% of PSSA were variants of sequence type 1. In multivariable analyses, penicillin susceptibility was independently associated with both hospital admission and surgical intervention. PSSA account for a small but significant proportion of MSSA SSTI in children. Clinically distinguishing patients with PSSA and PR-MSSA SSTI is challenging. However, PSSA SSTI were independently associated with higher rates of hospital admission as well as the need for surgical intervention suggesting a significant clinical impact.IMPORTANCEThe vast majority of Staphylococcus aureus in the US are penicillin resistant with most clinical labs no longer reporting penicillin susceptibility for this organism. A number of centers, however, have reported increasing penicillin susceptibility among invasive S. aureus infections. Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) are far more common than invasive infections, yet the frequency and impact of penicillin-susceptible S. aureus (PSSA) in this population are uncertain. Through active surveillance at a children's hospital, we found that 9% of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus SSTI isolates were PSSA. PSSA were independently associated with hospital admission for the management of SSTI as well as the need for debridement in the operating room. Given that most SSTI are managed in the outpatient setting, these findings suggest a clinical impact of this phenotype and the need for a reassessment of the value in susceptibility testing and potentially even treatment with penicillin.

The Utilization Of Echocardiography In Children With Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia.

The need for echocardiography in pediatric Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) remains uncertain. We reviewed 331 pediatric SAB cases. Nine subjects, all with comorbidities, met echocardiogram criteria for infective endocarditis (IE). IE was associated with congenital heart disease and prolonged bacteremia, suggesting that echocardiography is unnecessary in most children with SAB.

Increasing Incidence of Streptococcus anginosus Group Intracranial Infections Associated With Sinusitis, Otitis Media, and Mastoiditis in Children.

BACKGROUND: The Streptococcus anginosus group (SAG) pathogens have the potential to cause head and neck space infections, including intracranial abscesses. Several centers noted an increase in intracranial abscesses in children during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, prompting a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention health alert in May 2022. We examined the epidemiology of pediatric intracranial abscesses at a tertiary care center with a focus on SAG pre- and post-pandemic. METHODS: Cases of intracranial abscesses of any microbiologic etiology admitted from January 2011 to December 2022 were identified using International Classification of Diseases 10 codes. Subjects were cross-referenced with culture results from the microbiology laboratory at Texas Children's Hospital. Cases included were those associated with either otitis media, mastoiditis or sinusitis and medical records were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 157 cases were identified and 59.9% (n = 94) were caused by SAG. The incidence of all sinogenic/otogenic intracranial infections ( P = 0.002), and SAG-specific infections ( P = 0.004), increased from 2011 to 2022. SAG infection was more often associated with multiple surgeries, and these subjects were more likely to require craniotomy or craniectomy. Among sinogenic abscesses, S. intermedius was the most common pathogen, while among otogenic cases, S. pyogenes predominated. From March 2020 to Dec 2022, 9/49 cases tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (18.4%); characteristics of infection were not significantly different among cases with and without SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSIONS: Over the last decade, intracranial complications of sinusitis/otitis have been increasing, specifically those caused by SAG; this trend, however, predated the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. SAG was associated with a greater need for surgical intervention, specifically neurosurgery. Further work is necessary to determine the cause for these rising infections.

Association of qacA/B and smr Carriage with Staphylococcus aureus Survival following Exposure to Antiseptics in an Ex Vivo Venous Catheter Disinfection Model.

Many health care centers have reported an association between Staphylococcus aureus isolates bearing efflux pump genes and an elevated MIC/minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) to chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) and other antiseptics. The significance of these organisms is uncertain, given that their MIC/MBC is typically far lower than the CHG concentration in most commercial preparations. We sought to evaluate the relationship between carriage of the efflux pump genes qacA/B and smr in S. aureus and the efficacy of CHG-based antisepsis in a venous catheter disinfection model. S. aureus isolates with and without smr and/or qacA/B were utilized. The CHG MICs were determined. Venous catheter hubs were inoculated and exposed to CHG, isopropanol, and CHG-isopropanol combinations. The microbiocidal effect was calculated as the percent reduction in CFU following exposure to the antiseptic relative to the control. The qacA/B- and smr-positive isolates had modest elevations in the CHG MIC90 compared to the qacA/B- and smr-negative isolates (0.125 mcg/ml vs. 0.06 mcg/ml, respectively). However, the CHG microbiocidal effect was significantly lower for qacA/B- and/or smr-positive strains than for susceptible isolates, even when the isolates were exposed to CHG concentrations up to 400 µg/mL (0.04%); this finding was most notable for isolates bearing both qacA/B and smr (89.3% versus 99.9% for the qacA/B- and smr-negative isolates; P = 0.04). Reductions in the median microbiocidal effect were also observed when these qacA/B- and smr-positive isolates were exposed to a solution of 400 µg/mL (0.04%) CHG and 70% isopropanol (89.5% versus 100% for the qacA/B- and smr-negative isolates; P = 0.002). qacA/B- and smr-positive S. aureus isolates have a survival advantage in the presence of CHG concentrations exceeding the MIC. These data suggest that traditional MIC/MBC testing may underestimate the ability of these organisms to resist the effects of CHG. IMPORTANCE Antiseptic agents, including chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG), are commonly utilized in the health care environment to reduce rates of health care-associated infections. A number of efflux pump genes, including smr and qacA/B, have been reported in Staphylococcus aureus isolates that are associated with higher MICs and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) to CHG. Several health care centers have reported an increase in the prevalence of these S. aureus strains following an escalation of CHG use in the hospital environment. The clinical significance of these organisms, however, is uncertain, given that the CHG MIC/MBC is far below the concentration in commercial preparations. We present the results of a novel surface disinfection assay utilizing venous catheter hubs. We found that qacA/B-positive and smr-positive S. aureus isolates resist killing by CHG at concentrations far exceeding the MIC/MBC in our model. These findings highlight that traditional MIC/MBC testing is insufficient to evaluate susceptibility to antimicrobials acting on medical devices.

Assessing Risk for Complications in Acute Hematogenous Osteomyelitis in Children: Validation of 2 Predictive Scores.

BACKGROUND: Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO) can be associated with severe complications which can be difficult to predict in the clinical setting. The previously published predictive acute complication score ("A-SCORE") and chronic complication score ("C-SCORE") show promise, however, further external validation is needed. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 418 children with AHO and analyzed the performance of A-SCORE (variables included bone abscess, fever after 48 h of starting antibiotics, suppurative arthritis, disseminated disease, and delayed source control) to predict risk for acute complicated course (treatment failure, prolonged admission, and/or need for ≥2 bone debridements) and C-SCORE (includes disseminated disease, bone debridement, and CRP ≥10 mg/dL at 2-4 days after starting antibiotics) to predict chronic complications (growth restriction, pathologic fracture, chronic osteomyelitis, avascular necrosis, joint deformity, and/or frozen joint). RESULTS: An acute complicated course occurred in 106/418 (25.4%); 51/380 (13.5%) with complete follow-up data had a chronic complication. The A-SCORE performed with similar specificity (78%) and negative predictive value (NPV) (92%), and higher sensitivity (81%) and increased area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) (0.87) in our population. The C-SCORE performed with similar sensitivity (64%) and NPV (94%) but had lower specificity (86%) and AUC (0.71) than originally reported. Other variables associated with development of complications such as tibia involvement and bacteremia ≥2 days were identified but did not result in significantly improved predictive scores. CONCLUSIONS: Predictive A-SCORE and C-SCORE for AHO complications in children may help guide acute management and long-term follow-up decisions. Prospective studies are needed to determine their applicability.

Invasive Community-Onset Gram-Positive Infections From July 2018 Through December 2022 at 2 Children's Hospitals.

Background: Invasive infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (invasive group A streptococcus [iGAS]) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (invasive pneumococcal disease [IPD]) decreased substantially at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study sought to evaluate the extent of this decrease and the trends of these infections since reversion of societal adjustments incident to the pandemic. We also wanted to compare the frequency of these infections with invasive community-onset Staphylococcus aureus (I-CO-SA) infections and common respiratory viral infections in this period. Methods: Cases of iGAS, IPD, and I-CO-SA infections were identified prospectively and retrospectively at 2 large US children's hospitals by positive cultures from July 2018 through December 2022. Admission data were used to estimate frequency. For comparison, rates of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, and SARS-CoV-2 were estimated by the number of positive viral test results at each institution. Results: I-CO-SA infections showed little variation in the study period. Rates of iGAS infection and IPD decreased by 46% and 44%, respectively, from 2019 to 2020, coinciding with a substantial decrease in RSV and influenza. In 2022, RSV and influenza infection rates increased to prepandemic winter season rates, coinciding with a return to prepandemic rates of IPD (225% increase from 2021 to 2022) and a surge above prepandemic rates of iGAS infections (543% increase from 2021 to 2022). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic had an unexpected influence on IPD and iGAS infections that was temporally related to changes in rates of viral infections.