Successful management of chronic disseminated candidiasis in hematologic patients treated with high-dose liposomal amphotericin B: a retrospective study of the SEIFEM registry.

PURPOSE: Chronic disseminated candidiasis (CDC) is a complication of Candida infection in immunocompromised patients, involving the liver and spleen, and rarely other organs. The aim of the study is to identify the best antifungal drug for hematologic immunocompromised patients with CDC. METHODS: In this multicentric retrospective study, the charts of 20 patients with CDC following cytotoxic agent protocols for hematological malignancies, diagnosed from 2003 to 2013, were analyzed. The response to systemic antifungal therapy within 90 days from CDC diagnosis and the possible delay in chemotherapy plan, due to the infection, were evaluated. RESULTS: Six patients were treated with high-dose (HD; 5 mg/kg/daily) liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB), whereas three received standard-dose (SD) L-AmB (3 mg/kg/daily). Azoles were given to six patients; the remaining five were treated with echinocandins. All patients treated with HD L-AmB (6/6-100 %) achieved complete resolution of CDC; one of them had to interrupt the chemotherapy program for the infection. In the SD L-AmB group, treatment failed in the 100 % of cases and one patient had to delay chemotherapy for the infection. Of the six patients who received azoles, two achieved complete resolution of the infection, four experienced treatment failure, and only three performed chemotherapy as planned. Echinocandins treatment resulted in complete resolution of the infection in 2/5 cases, partial response in 2/5 cases, and failure in one case. In this group, 3/5 patients completed chemotherapy as planned. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that HD L-AmB was particularly effective against CDC in hematologic patients, allowing most patients to continue cytotoxic agent program.

Normative data of hemoglobin concentration and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin in a private pediatric practice: a 1990 update.

Free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) and hemoglobin (Hgb) concentrations were tested in 790 children in a private pediatric office; results were compared to those obtained in 1984. Only 16 children (2%) had abnormal FEPs in 1990 compared to 76 children (9.6%) in the earlier study. The mean FEP in the normal group also decreased significantly in each age group studied. The hemoglobin concentrations were not significantly different in most of the age groups studied. Screening for iron deficiency in our pediatric practice by determining hemoglobin and FEP concentrations had a much lower yield in 1990 than in 1984.

Normative data of hemoglobin concentration and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin in a private pediatric practice.

Free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) and hemoglobin concentrations in 788 children were investigated during routine check-ups in a private pediatric practice. FEPs greater than 3.0 ZPP/gm hemoglobin were found in 29.8 percent of 9-month-olds and in 9.6 percent of the total group tested. Correlations between FEP levels and hemoglobin concentrations are presented.

Virginia's athletic exam form: results and revisions.

In followup of the expanded preparticipation physical exam form introduced by the Virginia High School League in 1989, the author finds substantial evidence of beneficial effects: 1) Perception by school administrators, parents, and students of distinctly improved physical evaluations. 2) Demonstration of previously unrecognized historical and physical findings of significance. 3) Newfound interest in the relationship of health, fitness, and sports among students, coaches, and physicians. 4) Recognition of Virginia's leadership in promoting safety among high school athletes. Suggestions from the medical community generated revisions in the form, which creates a more effective form and gives the physician more flexibility.

Health and weight control management among wrestlers. A proposed program for high school athletes.

Weight loss is a part of any competitive sport which matches participants of equal weight or sports where participating at lower weights or with a thinner body habitus is considered an advantage. For some wrestlers, weight loss is excessive and often accomplished by methods that lead to loss of lean body mass and total body water. There is convincing evidence that this excessive weight loss is unhealthy for all individuals who follow these practices. Even greater harm is experienced by high school wrestlers who have not yet completed their growth and development. These health consequences include growth retardation, decreased academic performance, altered endocrine or hormonal function and damage to many vital organs. "cycling" of weight results in decrease in strength, power and endurance which would effect adversely a wrestler's likelihood of success. The VHSL has begun an educational program to inform coaches, wrestlers and parents about the hazards inherent in these weight loss practices. History suggests that education alone will not alter the present practices of weight loss. Therefore a weight management program similar to ones initiated in other states is being pursued by the VHSL. The pilot program this year is scheduled to be followed next year by a more wide-spread voluntary program across the Commonwealth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The emergence of Haemophilus influenzae types e and f as significant pathogens.

Non-type b encapsulated Haemophilus influenzae meningitis (two cases due to H. influenzae type e, two due to H. influenzae type f) was diagnosed in four children in a 6-month period at the University of Virginia. H. influenzae type b was the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the United States before the introduction of an effective vaccine, whereas the other five encapsulated serotypes of H. influenzae rarely caused invasive disease. The clinical features of non-type b H. influenzae meningitis and the therapy for this infection are the same as those for type b H. influenzae disease. We report these four cases to document an increase in infection due to non-type b serotypes of H. influenzae, and we postulate that this change may result from the well-documented decrease in H. influenzae type b oropharyngeal carriage and disease that has occurred because of universal vaccination for H. influenzae type b.

Otitis media: a review.

We have presented recommendations for diagnosis and management of otitis media in children based on a comprehensive review of the pertinent medical literature. For an entity that is so common, there still remain amazingly large numbers of areas of controversy. We have also attempted to stress the importance of appropriate therapy and adequate followup as being very important in the management of otitis media. Newer concepts, particularly the use of the impedance bridge tympanogram, have been mentioned. With all the above background information in mind and with considerations for what is practical for the patient and the medical community, we would recommend the following as the acceptable minimal care for patients with otitis media. When the diagnosis of the acute otitis media is made on the basis of physical findings of myringitis, and/or middle ear fluid, and/or rupture of the tympanic membrane, the following treatment course is advisable: Neonates Culture of middle ear fluid if possible. Ampicillin 200 mg/kg/day intramuscularly. Gentamicin 3/5mg/kg/day intramuscularly. Hospitalize and treat until well and for minimum of seven days. Observe closely for meningitis and other infections and drug toxicity. These should be handled only by physicians experienced in dealing with patients in this age range. Appropriate work-up for septicemia should precede treatment. Switch to specific antibiotic when cultures and sensitivity available. Children. From 2 months to 6 years of age: Ampicillin 50mg/kg/day. Decongestant (if desired). Administer for ten days. Every patient with otorrhea, severe otitis and those not clinically well should be seen for followup ten to 14 days later. They should have a minimum of otologic evaluation including drum mobility. In persistent cases, audiometry and otologic referral are necessary. If patient is allergic to penicillin, erythromycin at 20mg/lb/day may be used. Trimethoprim sulfa may hold promise in the future. Tetracycline is never indicated in this age range because of side effects and high relapse rate secondary to resistant organisms. Patients above 6 years of age: Penicillin pheyoxymethyl 250 mg every six hours for ten days. Decongestant (if desired). Followup and penicillin allergy as above.

Etiology of acute conjunctivitis in children.

To determine the etiology of acute conjunctivitis in children seen in pediatric practice, 99 patients with conjunctivitis and 102 age-and season-matched controls were cultured for aerobic bacteria including Haemophilus influenzae, and for viruses, Chlamydia trachomatis, and mycoplasmas. Agents statistically associated with conjunctivitis included H. influenzae (42% vs 0%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (12% vs 3%), and adenoviruses (20% vs 0%). One of these three etiologic agents was isolated from 71 (72%) of the patients. Simultaneous infection with two pathogens was uncommon. Staphylococcus aureus was equally prevalent in diseased and control eyes; one strain of C. trachomatis was isolated from a control eye. Although there were variations in the clinical features of viral and bacterial conjunctivitis, differentiation in an individual patient was difficult. An adenovirus was isolated from 11 (65%) of 17 patients who had pharyngitis in addition to conjunctivitis. H. influenzae was isolated from 14 (74%) of 19 children who had both otitis and conjunctivitis. Adenovirus conjunctivitis was common in the fall and H. influenzae in winter.

New medical standards for Virginia's high school athletes.

Virginia physicians administering preparticipation physicals to high school athletes this fall are using the new, expanded examination form that appears in this issue. Representing multidisciplinary input and incorporating current sports medicine information, the form is designed to identify the student at high risk for injury and to evaluate for a specific sport. After a two-year pilot program conducted by the authors the new form was officially adopted by the Virginia High School League.

Three-day therapy of lower urinary tract infections with nitrofurantoin macrocrystals: a randomized clinical trial.

Forty-nine girls between the ages of 2 and 18 years with a symptomatic urinary tract infection documented by two clean-catch urine cultures completed a double-blind study comparing the effectiveness of three days versus ten days of nitrofurantoin macrocrystal therapy. Localization of the infection to the lower urinary tract was presumed on the basis of clinical presentation. All patients had sterile urine on day two or three of therapy. In the ten-day group, two of 23 patients (8.7%) experienced a single relapse, and seven patients (30%) had 12 episodes of reinfection during a six-month follow-up. In the three-day group, two of 26 patients (7.7%) had a single relapse, and six patients (23%) had 12 episodes of reinfection. The rates of relapse and reinfection in the compared groups were not statistically significantly different (P greater than 0.05). Three days of treatment with nitrofurantoin macrocrystals is an effective regimen for symptomatic girls presumed to have uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections.