Candidemia due to uncommon Candida species in children: new threat and impacts on outcomes.

Many uncommon Candida spp. (species other than C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, and C. krusei) have been shown to emerge in tertiary care facilities. We aimed to investigate these uncommon candidemia in children. Forty-six cases of candidemia caused by uncommon Candida spp. were identified during 2003-2015 from a medical center in Taiwan. The most common specie was C. guilliermondii (31.2%), followed by C. lusitaniae (18.8%) and C. metapsilosis (18.8%). These cases were analyzed and compared with 148 episodes of C. albicans candidemia. The incidence density of uncommon Candida spp. candidemia and the proportion to all candidemia episodes increased substantively during the study period. Prior exposure to azoles was uncommon in the 30 days prior to infection, but fluconazole resistant strains were significantly more common (n = 19, 41.3%). The increased incidence density of uncommon Candida spp. candidemia was associated with increasing use of antifungal agents. No differences in demographics, underlying comorbidities, risk factors, clinical features, dissemination, and 30-day mortality were found between uncommon Candida spp. and C. albicans candidemia. Patients with uncommon Candida spp. candidemia were more likely to require modifications in antifungal treatment and receive echinocandin drugs (43.5% vs 21.6%, p = 0.007). Candidemia caused by uncommon Candida spp. had poorer response to antifungal treatment, led to longer duration of candidemia (median 4.0 versus 2.5 days, p = 0.008), and had a higher treatment failure rate (56.5% vs 38.5%, p = 0.040).

Prevalence and morbidity of late preterm infants: current status in a medical center of Northern Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: "Late preterm" defines infants born at 34(0/7) through 36(6/7) weeks' gestation, which comprise a majority of preterm births. These infants were treated clinically as "near-term" in the past, but recent studies have implied increased morbidities that differentiate late preterm and term infants. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and clinical complications that could be associated with late preterm birth, as compared to term. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study that reviewed infants born in a medical center in Northern Taiwan during a 2-year period between 2008 and 2009. Maternal obstetrical factors, neonatal demographic distributions, and neonatal complications were compared between full-term and late preterm deliveries. RESULTS: During the study period, there were 7998 live births in the institute, including 6507 term and 1491 preterm infants. Of the latter, there were 914 (61.3%) born after 34 weeks' gestation. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) (including a special care nursery) admission rate was higher in late preterm infants when compared to term (36% vs. 2%), and was 74%, 43%, and 21% in infants born at 34, 35, and 36 weeks' gestation, respectively. Compared with term infants, late-preterm infants had longer hospital stay if admitted to NICU (including special care nursery) (17 days vs. 10 days), and they were associated with increased risk of neonatal morbidities, including respiratory distress syndrome (2.6% vs. 0.02%), respiratory distress of other etiologies (16% vs. 2%), culture-proven sepsis (0.7% vs. 0.2%), hypoglycemia (3% vs. 0.4%), temperature instability (0.4% vs. 0.05%), feeding difficulty (2% vs. 0.4%), and hyperbilirubinemia needing phototherapy (14% vs. 3%). Late-preterm infants also had higher hospital readmission rate (4.4% vs. 2.3%, p<0.001) and neonatal mortality rate (0.3% vs. 0.08%, p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Late-preterm infants have increased risk of neonatal morbidities associated with organ immaturity. The results of this study emphasize the importance of judicious obstetrical decision-making when considering late preterm delivery, and the need to set up anticipatory clinical guidelines for the care of late preterm infants.

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor downregulates expression of activator protein-1 transcription factor after intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

The pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is unknown. Ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury have been considered to be major contributing factors. More recent reports have noted that apoptosis is a significant and perhaps the principal contributor to cell death after I/R injury. Recent studies have revealed that activator protein 1 (AP-1) family proteins including c-Fos and c-Jun potentially induce either the proliferation or apoptosis of the cells in the brain, heart, kidney, and liver. c-Fos and c-Jun expression has also been reported to be upregulated in postischemic intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a potent cytoprotective factor in various pathologic conditions and plays a pivotal role in mediating the earliest cellular responses to injury. This study aims to examine whether HB-EGF, a proven intestinal cytoprotective molecule, exerts its protective effects through modulation of AP-1 transcription factor after intestinal I/R injury. Thirty rats were randomly divided into the following 5 groups: (1) normal control group; (2) ischemia group; (3) I/R group; (4) ischemia group with HB-EGF (400 µg/kg), and (5) I/R group with HG-EGF (400 µg/kg). c-Fos and c-Jun messenger RNAs and protein levels were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western analyses, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA with Dunn's test. The messenger RNA levels of the c-Fos and c-Jun increased after intestinal ischemia or the intestinal reperfusion phase. HB-EGF pretreatment significantly decreased c-Fos and c-Jun messenger RNAs. The expression of protein levels of c-Fos and c-Jun were correlation with the expression of messenger RNA level. HB-EGF intestinal cytoprotection is mediated, in part, by downregulation of the expression of AP-1 transcription factor after intestinal I/R injury.

Individualized management of upper rectal atresia.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Congenital colonic atresia (CA) or stenosis is an infrequent cause of low intestinal obstruction in the neonate. Atresias can occur at any level, and the management of CA is determined by the atretic site and by the presence or absence of associated anomalies. We report our experience dealing with upper rectal atresia during a 5-year period. METHODS: Between January 2004 and December 2008, 3 female newborns with upper rectal atresia with or without associated anomalies were treated. Modes of clinical presentation, methods of diagnosis, associated anomalies, alternative management techniques, and clinical outcome were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: All 3 patients had progressive abdominal distension, bilious vomiting, and failure to pass meconium. Contrast enema showed an atresia at the upper rectum in 2 patients. At laparotomy, case 1 was found to have type III atresia of the upper rectum. Resection of the dilated portion of the proximal colon with end sigmoid colostomy was accomplished in the neonatal period followed by a transanal mucosectomy with takedown of the colostomy and a pull-through procedure at age 3 months. Case 3 had multiple jejunoileal atresias and an upper rectal atresia. The initial management was multiple resections of atretic bowel and anastomoses and an end sigmoid colostomy. The secondary procedure was a takedown of the colostomy and transanal mucosectomy with a pull-through procedure. Case 2 had type I upper rectal atresia in association with imperforate anus complicated by colon perforation during performance of a distal colostogram leading to a complicated and protracted clinical course. All the patients are currently well with voluntary bowel movements, and one has occasional soiling with follow-up of 9 months to 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: Colon atresia, especially at the level of the upper rectum, is uncommon. Whether to proceed with an ostomy or to individualize the operative procedure according to the location of the atresia is still controversial. Transanal mucosectomy was a useful technique at the time of the definitive pull-through for the treatment of upper rectal atresia. In cases of upper CA associated with imperforate anus, delay in diagnosis and potential complications may result if the diagnosis of upper rectal atresia is missed.

Congenital short bowel syndrome with malrotation.

Congenital short bowel syndrome (SBS) associated with malrotation and malabsorption is a very rare condition. We report on an infant girl with congenital SBS associated with malrotation and malabsorption. No polyhydraminos was noted during the regular prenatal examination. Protracted postnatal postprandial vomiting with progressive failure to thrive was noted. A laparotomy showed the small bowel was only about 20 cm in length. She eventually survived with short-term parenteral nutrition and use of oral L-glutamine supplementation. To our knowledge, this might be the shortest length of bowel loop ever reported. Currently, she is 15 months of age with a body weight of about 7 kg and good development.