Toxocariasis in migrant children: A 6 years' experience in a reference pediatric unit in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Toxocariasis is a worldwide distributed zoonosis that affects characteristically children. Clinical presentation is highly variable, often asymptomatic, and treatment duration is controversial. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study (January 2014-December 2019) was performed in a referral Unit for Pediatric Tropical Diseases. Patients younger than 18 years of age diagnosed with toxocariasis were included. RESULTS: Out of 931 children screened for toxocariasis, 49 (5.3%) were seropositive. The median age was 11.0 years, 55.1% male and 30.6% referred contact with puppies. Overall, 34.7% were Latin-American, 24.5% Asiatic, 20.4% European, and 20.4% African. Only 34.7% presented symptoms, gastrointestinal the most common (52.9%). The 57.1% of children presented eosinophilia and 50% elevated total IgE. Most cases (95.9%) corresponded to covert toxocariasis. All children were treated with albendazole for 5, 14 or 21 days, and 4 children required a second course. Follow-up data were available in 32 children (65.3%) for a median of 7 months, showing a progressive decline in eosinophils, IgE-titers and ELISA optical density. CONCLUSION: Toxocariasis is mostly asymptomatic in children and eosinophilia is not always present. Serological tests should be included in migrant health screening and in the diagnostic assessment of eosinophilia. Eosinophil count, IgE-titers and ELISA optical-density could be useful during follow-up.

Opportunistic infections and organ-specific diseases in HIV-1-infected children: a cohort study (1990-2006).

OBJECTIVES: Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has dramatically changed the natural history of HIV infection in children, but there are few studies in the literature about the incidence of clinical manifestations after HAART in this population, compared with adults. The aim of this study was to describe the influence of the widespread use of HAART on the development of opportunistic infections and organ-specific diseases in HIV-infected children. METHODS: An observational study of a cohort of 366 vertically HIV-infected children followed from 1990 to 2006 was carried out. According to the main antiretroviral protocol used, three calendar periods (CPs) were defined and compared: CP1 (1990-1996: no patients on HAART), CP2 (1997-1999: <60% on HAART) and CP3 (2000-2006: >60% on HAART). RESULTS: Children experienced a progressive increase in CD4 T cell count (P<0.05) and a decrease in HIV viral load from 1996 onwards (P<0.05). Similarly, rates of death, AIDS, opportunistic infections (bacteraemia, candidosis, cryptosporidiosis and bacterial pneumonia) and organ-specific diseases (wasting syndrome, thrombocytopenia, cardiomyopathy, lymphoid interstitial pneumonia and HIV-associated encephalopathy) were lower in CP2 and CP3 than in CP1. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence of improved clinical outcomes in HIV-infected children over time and shows that mortality, AIDS, opportunistic infections and organ-specific diseases declined as HAART was progressively instituted in this population.

Recommendations from SPNS/GEAM/SENBA/SENPE/AEDN/SEDCA/GESIDA on nutrition in the HIV-infected patient.

OBJECTIVE: to make recommendations on the approach to nutritional problems (malnutrition, cachexia, micronutrient deficiency, obesity, lipodystrophy) affecting HIV-infected patients. METHODS: these recommendations have been agreed upon by a group of expertes in the nutrition and care of HIV-infected patients, on behalf of the different groups involved in drafting them. Therefore, the latest advances in pathophysiology, epidemiology, and clinical care presented in studies published in medical journals or at scientific meetings were evaluated. RESULTS: there is no single method of evaluating nutrition, and diferent techniques--CT, MRI, and DXA--must be combined. The energy requirements of symptomatic patients increase by 20-30%. There is no evidence to support the increase in protein or fat intake. Micronutrient supplementation in only necessary in special circumstances (vitamin A in children and pregnant woman). Aerobic and resistance excercise is beneficial both for cardiovascular health and for improving lean mass and muscular strength. It is important to follow the rules of food safety at every stage in the chain. Therapeutic intervention in anorexia and cachexia must be tailored, by combining nutritional and pharmacological support (appetite stimulants, anabolic steroids, and, in some cases, testosterone). Artificial nutrition (oral supplementation, enteral or parenteral nutrition) is safe and efficacious, and improves nutritional status and response to therapy. In children, nutritional recommendations must be made early, and are a necessary component of therapy. CONCLUSION: appropriate nutritional evaluation and relevant therapeutic action are an essential part of the care of HIV-infected patients.

Viral phenotype, antiretroviral resistance and clinical evolution in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children.

BACKGROUND: The syncytium-inducing (SI) viral phenotype and the emergence of viral strains resistant to zidovudine have been described in persons infected with HIV, and in some cases they have been associated with poor prognosis. METHODS: HIV isolates obtained from 37 HIV-infected children were analyzed to determine whether the SI viral phenotype and the mutation on the 215 position of the reverse transcriptase (M215) could be used as markers of disease progression. We performed peripheral blood coculture mononuclear cells, and we analyzed the induction of syncytia using the MT-2 cell line. The emergence of mutations on the 215 position was determined by PCR. RESULTS: We found a statistically significant association (P < 0.05) between SI viral phenotype and (1) recurrent serious bacterial infections, (2) absolute CD4+ cell counts <2 SD, (3) progression to AIDS and (4) death. Sixty percent of the children treated with zidovudine developed 215 mutant viral strains without statistically significant association with clinical or immunologic findings. The SI viral phenotype was statistically associated with the presence of the 215 mutation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: SI viral phenotype is a marker associated with a poor clinical and immunologic progression of the disease and it may facilitate the emergence of mutant strains in children treated with zidovudine.

Sepsis in children with human immunodeficiency virus infection. The Madrid HIV Pediatric Infection Collaborative Study Group.

The aims of this retrospective study were to review the frequency and patterns of bacterial sepsis in children infected with human immunodeficiency virus. The charts of 233 human immunodeficiency virus-infected children cared for during a 10-year period in 4 tertiary hospitals in Madrid were reviewed. There were 43 episodes of sepsis in 31 (13%) children. Twenty of them had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, 10 were class PA2 and 1 was class P1B. The most common organisms recovered were: nontyphoidal Salmonella, 10 cases (23%); Streptococcus pneumoniae, 9 cases (21%); Staphylococcus epidermidis, 6 cases (14%); Escherichia coli, 5 cases (12%); Enterococcus faecalis, 4 cases (9%); Campylobacter jejuni, 2 cases (5%). In 28 episodes of bacteremia there were other sites of associated infection: pneumonia, 6 cases; urinary tract infection (UTI), 5 cases; gastrointestinal disease, 4 cases; catheter-related bacteremia, 12 cases. Eight patients had more than 1 episode of bacteremia. The rate of complications was high: 6 children had septic shock; and 2 of them developed disseminated intravascular coagulation. There was 1 death directly related to sepsis.

[Prevention of serogroup B meningococcal disease using a four-component vaccine]. / Prevención de la enfermedad meningocócica por el serogrupo B mediante una vacuna de 4 componentes.

INTRODUCTION: Meningococcal disease is an infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis, and those of serogroup B are currently the most predominant. It has been difficult to create effective vaccines for this serogroup in order to modify or reduce its morbidity. The aim of this study was to review existing data on the new vaccine 4CMenB and its potential contribution to the prevention of this infection. METHODS: A panel of 12 experts (from Pediatrics, Public Health and Vaccinology) conducted a literature search and prioritized 74 publications. A review of the vaccine was then prepared, which was discussed in a meeting and subsequently validated by e-mail. RESULTS: 4CMenB vaccine, based on four components (NadA, fHbp, NHBA and OMVnz), was designed by reverse vaccinology. The Meningococcal Antigen Typing System (MATS) shows a potential of 70-80% coverage of the strains in Europe. Clinical trials show that the vaccine is safe and immunogenic in infants, children, adolescents, and adults, and induces an anamnestic response. The incidence of fever is similar to systemic vaccines administered alone, but higher when co-administered with them, although the fever pattern is predictable and self-limited. It is compatible with the Spanish routine vaccines, and can be administered simultaneously with the currently available hexavalent and pentavalent vaccines, as well as the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: The 4CMenB vaccine is the only strategy currently available to prevent meningococcal disease caused by serogroup B.

Internationally adopted children: what vaccines should they receive?

It is of paramount importance to know the vaccination status in internationally adopted children, so that they can be correctly immunized. This study ascertains the seroprotection rate for vaccine-preventable diseases and the validity of the immunization cards in 637 adopted children. The absence of the immunization card (13% of children) correlated with a poor global vaccine protection. Children with immunization records (87%) had a better global seroprotection but the information obtained from the card did not accurately predict seroprotection for each particular antigen. The best variable to predict the status of seroprotection was the country of origin. The highest rate of protection was found in children from Eastern Europe and, in descending order, India, Latin America, China and Africa. General recommendations for immunization of internationally adopted children are difficult to establish. Actions for vaccination have to be mainly implemented on the basis of the existence of the immunization card and of the country of origin.

[Hepatic lesions caused by alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency in childhood. Review of 14 cases]. / Lesión hepática por déficit de alpha-1-antitripsina en la infancia. Revisión de 14 casos.

Fourteen cases of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency are presented. All of them had a PIZZ phenotype except two in which a PIMZ phenotype was found. It must be pointed out that histological findings show a great variability among the different patients most of which did not have intracellular PAS-positive amylase inclusions in liver biopsy specimens. Clinical course did not correlate with either the age of onset of the disease or the phenotype found, thus indicating that other additional factors are involved in determining prognosis. We insist on the importance of a careful study of all neonatal hepatitis syndromes in order to rule out a alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.

[Anderson's disease. Apropos of a new case]. / Enfermedad de Anderson. A propósito de una nueva observación.

A new case of Anderson's disease in a 3-month-old black female infant is presented. This diagnosis should be considered in infants with chronic diarrhoea, fatty stools, failure to gain weight which may be present from birth, low serum cholesterol concentration (less than 70 mg/ml), low plasma triglyceride levels, and hypobetalipoproteinaemia. However, suspicion of diagnosis clinically can be certainly verified by intestinal biopsy showing characteristic epithelial cell pattern. Steatorrhoea may be effectively treated by substituting medium for long-chain triglycerides in the diet. This disorder needs to be distinguished from familial hypobetalipoproteinaemia as well as abetalipoproteinaemia, and it prognosis is good, because of absence of acanthocytosis, neurological involvement and ocular lesions.

[Pediatric-social aspects of the acute and chronic viral types of hepatitis in childhood]. / Aspectos pediátrico-sociales de las hepatitis virales agudas y crónicas en la infancia.

This study analyzes the sanitary, sociofamiliar, cultural and economic aspects of children who have been diagnosed of acute and chronic viral hepatitis. Retrospective data was collected of 249 children. A questionnaire was given to the parents and the information collected was processed in a computer. The results showed that most children had been sent to the hospital without a diagnosis and in chronic hepatitis the diagnosis was delayed for more than a year. The social status did not influence the type of hepatitis. Children with chronic hepatitis active had a worse performance in school. The disease was transmitted to other family members in 30% of cases and hospital expenses were high.

A reliability study of the Spanish version of the social behaviour schedule (SBS) in a population of adults with learning disabilities.

The reliability of the Spanish version of the Social Behaviour Schedule (SBS) was tested in a vocational setting on a sample of 64 subjects with learning disabilities. Test-retest assessment showed a good percentage of agreement (80%) and adequate kappa values for most SBS items. The overall percentage of agreement of inter-rater reliability was 85% and kappa values were moderate to nearly perfect for 52% of items. Inter-informant analyses produced poorer results, with an average agreement of 43% and inadequate kappa values on 42% of items. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.64 for test-retest, 0.76 for inter-rater assessment and 0.94 for inter-informant assessment. The Spearman correlation coefficient was adequate on the test-retest and inter-rater analyses, but not on inter-informant analysis. This low inter-informant agreement could be attributed to environmental factors which alter the reliability of reports from different informants in community settings with high levels of normalization. In such environments, an interview with a key informant may not suffice, and both a careful review of the clinical record and a direct interview with subjects may enhance the reliability of the information attained.

Microsporidiosis in HIV-positive children in Madrid (Spain).

A prospective study was carried out to determine the prevalence rates of microsporidiosis and other enteroparasites in HIV-positive children in the Madrid area. HIV-positive pediatric patients from three hospitals were enrolled in the study. A total of 293 samples (158 stool and 127 urine) were collected from 83 children whose mean age was 6.3 years and had a mean CD4 count of 504.7/mm3 (range 1-2,220/mm3), 48 of whom suffered diarrhea at the time of the study. Microsporidia identification was investigated in stool and urine samples using Weber's chromotrope-based stain, IIF and PCR species-specific tests. Enteric parasites were identified in 32.5% of the children. Cryptosporidium sp. was the most common parasite encountered (14.4%), followed by Blastocytis sp. (9.6%) and Giardia duodenalis (8.4%). Microsporidia was only found in the stools of one child (1.2% of total and 2% of those with diarrhea) and Enterocytozoon bieneusi was demonstrated by PCR. The patient was 10 years old, presented non-chronic diarrhea and his CD4 count was 298/mm3. These data differ from those previously reported by us in HIV-positive adults (13.9%) in the same area, although this group showed more severely depressed CD4 lymphocyte counts than children. New epidemiological studies should be carried out to elucidate whether additional risk factors exist between these groups.

Análisis ecológico y perfil materno de la transmisión vertical del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana en la Comunidad de Madrid desde 1980 hasta 2008 / An ecological analysis and the maternal profile of vertical HIV transmission in the Community of Madrid from 1980 until 2008

La pandemia del sida sigue siendo uno de los principales problemas que afectan al desarrollo y la seguridad en todo el mundo. En España, y más específicamente en la Comunidad de Madrid (CM), los primeros afectados fueron hombres homosexual eso bisexuales, seguidos de adictos a drogas por vía parenteral (ADVP) y la vía heterosexual; esta última afectaba principalmente a las mujeres, y la transmisión vertical (TV). La TV es la prioritaria en los niños (95,3%). A 31 de diciembre de 2008, la cohorte de niños infectados por TV de la CM estaba constituida por 261 pacientes, de los que 48 se habían quedado huérfanos de madre; estos niños vivieron el deterioro de la madre a causa de la enfermedad, con las graves repercusiones en la calidad de vida que este hecho implica, y afectando de manera significativa a su desarrollo. Además, se observó un cambio en la vía de transmisión de las madres a partir de 2002 (la principal vía era la heterosexual frente a ADVP), debido al aumento de la población inmigrante y a una modificación en el paradigma socioambiental, ya que estas madres no pertenecían a grupos con prácticas de riesgo, aunque sí mantuvieron contactos de riesgo. En cuanto a la TV, existe una asociación significativa entre el descenso de infecciones por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) tipo 1 y los tratamientos antirretrovirales recibidos como profilaxis en el embarazo y el parto. Sin embargo, no puede decirse que la TV esté erradicada, por lo que sigue siendo un problema de salud pública relevante (AU)

The AIDS pandemic continues to be one of the main problems affecting development and safety throughout the world, in Spain and more specifically in the Community of Madrid(CM). The first to be affected were homosexual/bisexual men, followed by intravenous drug users and infection through heterosexual transmission, a route which affected women, and vertical transmission (VT). VT dominates in children (95.3%). At 31 December 2008, the cohort of children infected via VT in the CM was made up of 261 children. Of those children, 48 had lost their mothers after witnessing their deterioration due to the disease, which had serious repercussions on the children’s quality of life and substantially affected their development. Moreover, a change was seen in the route of transmission in mothers as of 2002, with the main route being heterosexual contact versus intravenous drug use. That change was brought about by the increase in the immigrant population and by a change in the socio-environmental paradigm since these mothers did not belong to groups with risk practices, but their sexual practices did involve contact that put them at risk. With regard to VT, there is a significant association between the decrease in HIV-1 infections and the taking of antiretroviral treatments like prophylaxis during pregnancy and birth. Nevertheless, VT has not yet been eradicated, which means it continues to be a relevant public health problem (AU)

Análisis socioeconómico y demográfico de la prevalencia en niños infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana por transmisión vertical en la Comunidad de Madrid / A socio-economic and demographic analysis of the prevalence of paediatric HIV due to vertical transmission in the Community of Madrid

España sigue siendo uno de los países con tasas más altas deincidencia del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH)/sidaen Europa occidental. La Comunidad de Madrid es la zona másafectada por la infección, con un total de 17.667 casos de sidahasta diciembre de 2008, lo que representa el 23,9% de loscasos registrados en toda España. En dicha comunidad se identificaroncomo áreas básicas de transmisión los distritos delsur y del norte-este, especialmente Usera, Puente de Vallecas,San Blas y Hortaleza, con una mayor prevalencia en el númerode casos de transmisión vertical. También se observó un cambiorespecto al flujo migratorio en los diferentes distritos de laciudad, coincidiendo los distritos con mayor censo de inmigrantescon un registro superior de las tasas de prevalencia de lainfección por el VIH por transmisión vertical. La prevalencia decasos de VIH por transmisión vertical se correlacionó significativamentecon el porcentaje de los inmigrantes (p= –0,544; p=0,011), personas sin estudios (p= 0,487; p= 0,025), mujeres desempleadas(p= 0,477; p= 0,029) y población con una renta percápita baja (p= –0,508; p= 0,019). Por otra parte, cabe pensarque estas zonas sur y norte-este, a su vez, pueden ser franjasimportantes para la propagación de otras enfermedades infecciosas,por lo que la presente memoria podría contribuir aldesarrollo de estrategias efectivas para la educación sobre elVIH, en cuanto a la prevención de situaciones de riesgo(AU)

Spain continues to be one of the countries with the highest HIV/AIDS incidence rates in Western Europe. The Community of Madrid is the area most affected by the infection, with a total of 17,667 cases of AIDS until December 2008, accounting for 23.9% of the cases recorded on a nation level. The south and north-eastern districts of the aforementioned Community, and especially Usera, Puente de Vallecas, San Blas and Hortaleza, were identified as basic transmission areas with a higher prevalence of cases of vertical transmission. A change was also observed with regard to the migration flow in the different districts of the city, with the districts with the highest numbers of immigrants coinciding with those with the highest recorded prevalence rates of cases of vertically transmitted HIV. The prevalence of cases of vertically transmitted HIV was significantly correlated with the percentage of migrants (p= –0.544; p=0.011), people without degrees (p= 0.487; p= 0.025), un employed women (p= 0.477; p= 0.029) and populations with a low per capitain come (p= –0.508; p= 0.019). Moreover, this leads to the thought that these south and north-eastern districts may also be important areas for the spread of other infectious diseases and, therefore, this report may contribute to the development of effective strategies for HIV education as regards the prevention of risk situations (AU)

Prevalencia de resistencia a fármacos antirretrovirales en España / Prevalence of resistance to antiretroviral drugs in Spain

Introducción La aparición de resistencias a los antirretrovirales (ARV) compromete la eficacia del tratamiento antirretroviral (TAR) en los niños infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH). Métodos Se realizó un estudio transversal en 86 niños divididos en 4 grupos según su historia de TAR previo: 1. inhibidores de la retrotranscriptasa análogos de nucleósido (NRTI); 2. NRTI e inhibidores de la retrotranscriptasa no análogos de nucleósido (NNRTI); 3. NRTI e inhibidores de la proteasa (IP); 4. NRTI, NNRTI e IP. Resultados En el grupo 1 (11 niños) la mediana de TAR fue de 35 meses (26-108). En 10 pacientes se detectaron mutaciones asociadas a los análogos de timidina (NAM) y en 2 pacientes se halló el complejo de multirresistencia Q151M. Los 3 niños del grupo 2, recibieron 9, 32 y 42 meses respectivamente de TAR con NNRTI. En un paciente de este grupo se aislaron 3 NAM y en otro el complejo Q151M. 2 pacientes tenían la mutación K103N. En el grupo 3 (36 niños) la media de duración de tratamiento con NRTI e IP era de 48,0 ± 27,6 y 23,0 ± 14,6 meses, respectivamente. El 94 % de los pacientes de este grupo, tenían NAM y un paciente tenía el complejo Q151M. En el grupo 4 (36 niños) el tiempo previo de TAR era de 70,0 ± 36,1 meses (NNRTI: 13,0 ± 12,1 meses; IP: 39,0 ± 14,3 meses). Todos los pacientes tenían NAM y 3 pacientes tenían el complejo Q151M. Las mutaciones K103N y Y181C se hallaron en 24 (67 %) y 10 (28 %) de los pacientes, respectivamente. Un total de 32 pacientes (90 %) tenían alguna mutación primaria a IP. Conclusiones La aparición de resistencias a los ARV es frecuente en niños, siendo de rápida aparición con los NNRTI

Introduction The development of resistance to antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces the effectiveness of these drugs in HIV-infected children. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study in 86 vertically HIV-infected children, divided into four groups according to prior treatment: group 1: nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), group 2: NRTI and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), group 3: NRTI and protease inhibitor (PI), group 4: NRTI, NNRTI and PI. Results In group 1 (11 children), the median treatment duration was 35 months (26 to 108). Nucleoside-associated mutations (NAMs) were found in 10 of these patients and the Q151M multiresistance mutation was found in two. The three children in group 2 were treated for 9, 32 and 42 months with NRTI and NNRTI. One child showed three NAMs and another showed Q151M. Two children had the K103N mutation. Group 3 (36 children) received treatment with NRTI and PI for 48.0 ± 27.6 and 23.0 ± 14.6 months, respectively. NAMs were observed in 94 % of the patients in this group, and one child showed the Q151M mutation. In group 4 (36 children) total treatment duration was 70.0 ± 36.1 months (13.0 ± 12.1 months with NNRTI, and 39.0 ± 14.3 months with PI). NAMs were observed in all patients in this group, and Q151M was found in three children. K103N and Y181C were detected in 24 (67 %) and 10 (28 %) of the children respectively, while 32 (90 %) showed primary mutations to PI. Conclusions A high prevalence of resistance mutations to NRTI and early appearance of resistance to NNRTI were observed in treated children

Enfermedad trofoblástica gestacional en mujer de 52 años sin amenorrea previa / Trophoblastic gestational disease in a 52 year old woman with no previous amenorrhoea

Se presenta el caso de una mola completa de aparición en una mujer de 52 años que se inicia con cuadro de metrorragia y masa pélvica; el diagnóstico se sospecha gracias al uso de la ecografía (AU)