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1.
J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr ; 77(3): 426-432, 2023 09 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37184493

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is little data on gut microbiome and various factors that lead to dysbiosis in pediatric intestinal failure (PIF). This study aimed to characterize gut microbiome in PIF and determine factors that may affect microbial composition in these patients. METHODS: This is a single-center, prospective cohort study of children with PIF followed at our intestinal rehabilitation program. Stool samples were collected longitudinally at regular intervals over a 1-year period. Medical records were reviewed, and demographic and clinical data were collected. Medication history including the use of acid blockers, scheduled prophylactic antibiotics, and bile acid sequestrants was obtained. Gut microbial diversity among patients was assessed and compared according to various host characteristics of interest. RESULTS: The final analysis included 74 specimens from 12 subjects. Scheduled prophylactic antibiotics, presence of central line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) at the time of specimen collection, use of acid blockers, and ≥50% calories delivered via parenteral nutrition (PN) was associated with reduced alpha diversity, whereas increasing age was associated with improved alpha diversity at various microbial levels ( P value <0.05). Beta diversity differed with age, presence of CLABSI, use of scheduled antibiotics, acid blockers, percent calories via PN, and presence of oral feeds at various microbial levels ( P value <0.05). Single taxon analysis identified several taxa at several microbial levels, which were significantly associated with various host characteristics. CONCLUSION: Gut microbial diversity in PIF subjects is influenced by various factors involved in the rehabilitation process including medications, percent calories received parenterally, CLABSI events, the degree of oral feeding, and age. Additional investigation performed across multiple centers is needed to further understand the impact of these findings on important clinical outcomes in PIF.


Subject(s)
Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Intestinal Failure , Humans , Child , Prospective Studies , Energy Intake , Parenteral Nutrition
2.
BMC Infect Dis ; 21(1): 291, 2021 Mar 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33752625

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Information on the etiology and age-specific burden of respiratory viral infections among school-aged children remains limited. Though school aged children are often recognized as driving the transmission of influenza as well as other respiratory viruses, little detailed information is available on the distribution of respiratory infections among children of different ages within this group. Factors other than age including gender and time spent in school may also be important in determining risk of infection but have been little studied in this age group. METHODS: We conducted a cohort study to determine the etiology of influenza like illness (ILI) among 2519 K-12 students during the 2012-13 influenza season. We obtained nasal swabs from students with ILI-related absences. Generalized linear mixed-effect regressions determined associations of outcomes, including ILI and laboratory-confirmed respiratory virus infection, with school grade and other covariates. RESULTS: Overall, 459 swabs were obtained from 552 ILI-related absences. Respiratory viruses were found in 292 (63.6%) samples. Influenza was found in 189 (41.2%) samples. With influenza B found in 134 (70.9%). Rates of influenza B were significantly higher in grades 1 (10.1, 95% CI 6.8-14.4%), 2 (9.7, 6.6-13.6%), 3 (9.3, 6.3-13.2%), and 4 (9.9, 6.8-13.8%) than in kindergarteners (3.2, 1.5-6.0%). After accounting for grade, sex and self-reported vaccination status, influenza B infection risk was lower among kindergarteners in half-day programs compared to kindergarteners in full-day programs (OR = 0.19; 95% CI 0.08-0.45). CONCLUSIONS: ILI and influenza infection is concentrated in younger schoolchildren. Reduced infection by respiratory viruses is associated with a truncated school day for kindergarteners but this finding requires further investigation in other grades and populations.


Subject(s)
Influenza, Human/diagnosis , Respiratory Tract Infections/diagnosis , Absenteeism , Adolescent , Age Factors , Child , Child, Preschool , Cohort Studies , Female , Humans , Influenza B virus/isolation & purification , Influenza, Human/epidemiology , Influenza, Human/virology , Male , Odds Ratio , Pennsylvania/epidemiology , Regression Analysis , Respiratory Tract Infections/epidemiology , Respiratory Tract Infections/virology , Schools
3.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 112(11): 3511-6, 2015 Mar 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25737552

ABSTRACT

The incidence of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections is increasing globally and the need to understand the underlying mechanisms is paramount to discover new therapeutics. The efflux pumps of Gram-negative bacteria have a broad substrate range and transport antibiotics out of the bacterium, conferring intrinsic multidrug resistance (MDR). The genomes of pre- and posttherapy MDR clinical isolates of Salmonella Typhimurium from a patient that failed antibacterial therapy and died were sequenced. In the posttherapy isolate we identified a novel G288D substitution in AcrB, the resistance-nodulation division transporter in the AcrAB-TolC tripartite MDR efflux pump system. Computational structural analysis suggested that G288D in AcrB heavily affects the structure, dynamics, and hydration properties of the distal binding pocket altering specificity for antibacterial drugs. Consistent with this hypothesis, recreation of the mutation in standard Escherichia coli and Salmonella strains showed that G288D AcrB altered substrate specificity, conferring decreased susceptibility to the fluoroquinolone antibiotic ciprofloxacin by increased efflux. At the same time, the substitution increased susceptibility to other drugs by decreased efflux. Information about drug transport is vital for the discovery of new antibacterials; the finding that one amino acid change can cause resistance to some drugs, while conferring increased susceptibility to others, could provide a basis for new drug development and treatment strategies.


Subject(s)
Amino Acid Substitution , Bacterial Proteins/genetics , Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial , Escherichia coli Proteins/genetics , Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics , Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins/genetics , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Bacterial Proteins/metabolism , Binding Sites , Ciprofloxacin/pharmacology , Doxorubicin/chemistry , Doxorubicin/metabolism , Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial/drug effects , Escherichia coli/drug effects , Escherichia coli/genetics , Escherichia coli/isolation & purification , Escherichia coli Proteins/metabolism , Genetic Fitness , Genome, Bacterial , Humans , Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Minocycline/pharmacology , Models, Molecular , Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins/metabolism , Mutation/genetics , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics , Salmonella enterica/drug effects , Salmonella enterica/genetics , Salmonella enterica/isolation & purification , Substrate Specificity/drug effects , Water/chemistry
4.
Clin Infect Dis ; 62(11): 1329-1335, 2016 06 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27001804

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: No licensed cholera vaccine is presently available in the United States. Cholera vaccines available in other countries require 2 spaced doses. A single-dose cholera vaccine that can rapidly protect short-notice travelers to high-risk areas and help control explosive outbreaks where logistics render 2-dose immunization regimens impractical would be a major advance.PXVX0200, based on live attenuated Vibrio cholerae O1 classical Inaba vaccine strain CVD 103-HgR, elicits seroconversion of vibriocidal antibodies (a correlate of protection) within 10 days of a single oral dose. We investigated the protection conferred by this vaccine in a human cholera challenge model. METHODS: Consenting healthy adult volunteers, 18-45 years old, were randomly allocated 1:1 to receive 1 oral dose of vaccine (approximately 5 × 10(8) colony-forming units [CFU]) or placebo in double-blind fashion. Volunteers ingested approximately 1 × 10(5) CFU of wild-type V. cholerae O1 El Tor Inaba strain N16961 10 days or 3 months after vaccination and were observed on an inpatient research ward for stool output measurement and management of hydration. RESULTS: The vaccine was well tolerated, with no difference in adverse event frequency among 95 vaccinees vs 102 placebo recipients. The primary endpoint, moderate (≥3.0 L) to severe (≥5.0 L) diarrheal purge, occurred in 39 of 66 (59.1%) placebo controls but only 2 of 35 (5.7%) vaccinees at 10 days (vaccine efficacy, 90.3%; P < .0001) and 4 of 33 (12.1%) vaccinees at 3 months (vaccine efficacy, 79.5%; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The significant vaccine efficacy documented 10 days and 3 months after 1 oral dose of PXVX0200 supports further development as a single-dose cholera vaccine. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT01895855.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Bacterial/blood , Cholera Vaccines/administration & dosage , Cholera Vaccines/immunology , Cholera/prevention & control , Vibrio cholerae O1/immunology , Adolescent , Adult , Antibodies, Bacterial/immunology , Cholera/immunology , Cholera Vaccines/adverse effects , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult
6.
Pediatr Transplant ; 19(7): 722-9, 2015 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26332092

ABSTRACT

Pediatric patients undergoing small bowel transplantation are susceptible to postoperative CLABSI. SDD directed against enteric microbes is a strategy for reducing CLABSI. We hypothesized that SDD reduces the frequency of CLABSI, infections outside the bloodstream, and allograft rejection during the first 30 days following transplant. A retrospective chart review of 38 pediatric small bowel transplant recipients at CCHMC from 2003 to 2011 was conducted. SDD antimicrobials were oral colistin, tobramycin, and amphotericin B. The incidence of CLABSI, infections outside the bloodstream, and rejection episodes were compared between study periods. The incidence of CLABSI did not differ between study periods (6.9 CLABSI vs. 4.6 CLABSI per 1000 catheter days; p = 0.727), but gram positives and Candida predominated in the first 30 days. Incidence of bacterial infections outside the bloodstream did not differ (p = 0.227). Rejection occurred more frequently during the first month following transplant (p = 0.302). SDD does not alter the incidence of CLABSI, bacterial infections outside the bloodstream, or allograft rejection in the immediate 30 days post-transplantation. However, SDD does influence CLABSI organism types (favoring gram positives and Candida) and Candidal infections outside the bloodstream.


Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use , Bacteremia/prevention & control , Candidemia/prevention & control , Catheter-Related Infections/prevention & control , Cross Infection/prevention & control , Intestine, Small/transplantation , Postoperative Complications/prevention & control , Adolescent , Bacteremia/epidemiology , Bacteremia/etiology , Candidemia/epidemiology , Candidemia/etiology , Catheter-Related Infections/epidemiology , Catheter-Related Infections/etiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Cross Infection/epidemiology , Cross Infection/etiology , Drug Therapy, Combination , Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/epidemiology , Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/etiology , Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/prevention & control , Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/epidemiology , Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/etiology , Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections/prevention & control , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Intestine, Small/microbiology , Postoperative Care/methods , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome
7.
BMC Public Health ; 15: 947, 2015 Sep 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26400564

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In New Haven County, CT (NHC), influenza hospitalization rates have been shown to increase with census tract poverty in multiple influenza seasons. Though multiple factors have been hypothesized to cause these inequalities, including population structure, differential vaccine uptake, and differential access to healthcare, the impact of each in generating observed inequalities remains unknown. We can design interventions targeting factors with the greatest explanatory power if we quantify the proportion of observed inequalities that hypothesized factors are able to generate. Here, we ask if population structure is sufficient to generate the observed area-level inequalities in NHC. To our knowledge, this is the first use of simulation models to examine the causes of differential poverty-related influenza rates. METHODS: Using agent-based models with a census-informed, realistic representation of household size, age-structure, population density in NHC census tracts, and contact rates in workplaces, schools, households, and neighborhoods, we measured poverty-related differential influenza attack rates over the course of an epidemic with a 23 % overall clinical attack rate. We examined the role of asthma prevalence rates as well as individual contact rates and infection susceptibility in generating observed area-level influenza inequalities. RESULTS: Simulated attack rates (AR) among adults increased with census tract poverty level (F = 30.5; P < 0.001) in an epidemic caused by a virus similar to A (H1N1) pdm09. We detected a steeper, earlier influenza rate increase in high-poverty census tracts-a finding that we corroborate with a temporal analysis of NHC surveillance data during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. The ratio of the simulated adult AR in the highest- to lowest-poverty tracts was 33 % of the ratio observed in surveillance data. Increasing individual contact rates in the neighborhood did not increase simulated area-level inequalities. When we modified individual susceptibility such that it was inversely proportional to household income, inequalities in AR between high- and low-poverty census tracts were comparable to those observed in reality. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study to use simulations to probe the causes of observed inequalities in influenza disease patterns. Knowledge of the causes and their relative explanatory power will allow us to design interventions that have the greatest impact on reducing inequalities. CONCLUSION: Differential exposure due to population structure in our realistic simulation model explains a third of the observed inequality. Differential susceptibility to disease due to prevailing chronic conditions, vaccine uptake, and smoking should be considered in future models in order to quantify the role of additional factors in generating influenza inequalities.


Subject(s)
Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype , Influenza, Human/epidemiology , Models, Theoretical , Socioeconomic Factors , Adult , Connecticut/epidemiology , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Incidence , Influenza, Human/prevention & control , Population Surveillance , Poverty , Seasons
8.
Am J Public Health ; 103(8): 1406-11, 2013 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23763426

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: We examined the impact of access to paid sick days (PSDs) and stay-at-home behavior on the influenza attack rate in workplaces. METHODS: We used an agent-based model of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, with PSD data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, standard influenza epidemic parameters, and the probability of staying home when ill. We compared the influenza attack rate among employees resulting from workplace transmission, focusing on the effects of presenteeism (going to work when ill). RESULTS: In a simulated influenza epidemic (R0 = 1.4), the attack rate among employees owing to workplace transmission was 11.54%. A large proportion (72.00%) of this attack rate resulted from exposure to employees engaging in presenteeism. Universal PSDs reduced workplace infections by 5.86%. Providing 1 or 2 "flu days"-allowing employees with influenza to stay home-reduced workplace infections by 25.33% and 39.22%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PSDs reduce influenza transmission owing to presenteeism and, hence, the burden of influenza illness in workplaces.


Subject(s)
Influenza, Human/prevention & control , Models, Organizational , Organizational Policy , Workplace , Humans , Influenza, Human/epidemiology , Influenza, Human/transmission , Occupational Health , Pennsylvania/epidemiology , Sick Leave/statistics & numerical data
9.
BMC Public Health ; 13: 940, 2013 Oct 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24103508

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mathematical and computational models provide valuable tools that help public health planners to evaluate competing health interventions, especially for novel circumstances that cannot be examined through observational or controlled studies, such as pandemic influenza. The spread of diseases like influenza depends on the mixing patterns within the population, and these mixing patterns depend in part on local factors including the spatial distribution and age structure of the population, the distribution of size and composition of households, employment status and commuting patterns of adults, and the size and age structure of schools. Finally, public health planners must take into account the health behavior patterns of the population, patterns that often vary according to socioeconomic factors such as race, household income, and education levels. RESULTS: FRED (a Framework for Reconstructing Epidemic Dynamics) is a freely available open-source agent-based modeling system based closely on models used in previously published studies of pandemic influenza. This version of FRED uses open-access census-based synthetic populations that capture the demographic and geographic heterogeneities of the population, including realistic household, school, and workplace social networks. FRED epidemic models are currently available for every state and county in the United States, and for selected international locations. CONCLUSIONS: State and county public health planners can use FRED to explore the effects of possible influenza epidemics in specific geographic regions of interest and to help evaluate the effect of interventions such as vaccination programs and school closure policies. FRED is available under a free open source license in order to contribute to the development of better modeling tools and to encourage open discussion of modeling tools being used to evaluate public health policies. We also welcome participation by other researchers in the further development of FRED.


Subject(s)
Communicable Disease Control/methods , Computer Simulation , Influenza, Human/epidemiology , Influenza, Human/transmission , Models, Theoretical , Software , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Censuses , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , United States , Young Adult
10.
JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr ; 46(2): 319-323, 2022 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33914379

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Ethanol lock use has been associated with significantly lower rates of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) in children with intestinal failure. Concerns have been raised among intestinal rehabilitation program providers regarding the impact of recent changes in cost and availability of ethanol locks in the US. METHODS: We conducted a survey among the members of the North American Society For Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition Intestinal Rehabilitation Special Interest Group (NASPGHAN IR-SIG) regarding practice changes among providers to tackle this issue and the anticipated effect on CLABSI rates. RESULTS: The results show that the vast majority of US participants use ethanol locks in their population with intestinal failure, with most anticipating or already experiencing reduction in access to ethanol locks. Most worrisome is that more than half of participating programs expect an increase in CLABSI rates in this vulnerable patient population as a consequence of limited access to ethanol locks. CONCLUSION: Further multicenter prospective studies to assess the efficacy of alternative locking agents, besides ethanol, are needed in order to have readily available and affordable options for CLABSI prevention in the future.


Subject(s)
Bacteremia , Catheter-Related Infections , Catheterization, Central Venous , Central Venous Catheters , Bacteremia/prevention & control , Catheter-Related Infections/epidemiology , Catheter-Related Infections/prevention & control , Catheterization, Central Venous/methods , Child , Ethanol , Humans , Intestines , Prospective Studies , United States
11.
JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr ; 46(8): 1914-1922, 2022 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35274342

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Small bowel bacterial overgrowth (SBBO) is a common, but difficult to diagnose and treat, problem in pediatric short bowel syndrome (SBS). Lack of clinical consensus criteria and unknown sensitivity and specificity of bedside diagnosis makes research on this potential SBS disease modifier challenging. The objective of this research was to describe clinical care of SBBO among international intestinal rehabilitation and nutrition support (IR&NS) providers treating patients with SBS. METHODS: A secure, confidential, international, electronic survey of IR&NS practitioners was conducted between March 2021 and May 2021. All analyses were conducted in the R statistical computing framework, version 4.0. RESULTS: Sixty percent of respondents agreed and 0% strongly disagreed that abdominal pain, distension, emesis, diarrhea, and malodorous stool, were attributable to SBBO. No more than 20% of respondents strongly agreed and no more than 40% agreed that any sign or symptom was specific for SBBO. For a first-time diagnosis, 31 practitioners agreed with use of a 7-day course of a single antibiotic, with a majority citing grade 5 evidence to inform their decisions (case series, uncontrolled studies, or expert opinion). The most common first antibiotic used to treat a new onset SBBO was metronidazole, and rifaximin was the second most commonly used. One hundred percent of respondents reported they would consider a consensus algorithm for SBBO, even if the algorithm may be divergent from their current practice. CONCLUSION: SBBO practice varies widely among experienced IR&NS providers. Development of a clinical consensus algorithm may help standardize care to improve research and care of this complex problem and to identify risks and benefits of chronic antibiotic use in SBS.


Subject(s)
Bacterial Infections , Short Bowel Syndrome , Humans , Child , Intestine, Small/microbiology , Practice Patterns, Physicians' , Short Bowel Syndrome/microbiology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Surveys and Questionnaires
12.
Am J Prev Med ; 62(4): 503-510, 2022 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35305778

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Interventions to curb the spread of COVID-19 during the 2020-2021 influenza season essentially eliminated influenza during that season. Given waning antibody titers over time, future residual population immunity against influenza will be reduced. The implication for the subsequent 2021-2022 influenza season is unknown. METHODS: An agent-based model of influenza implemented in the Framework for Reconstructing Epidemiological Dynamics simulation platform was used to estimate cases and hospitalizations over 2 successive influenza seasons. The impact of reduced residual immunity owing to protective measures in the first season was estimated over varying levels of similarity (cross-immunity) between influenza strains over the seasons. RESULTS: When cross-immunity between first- and second-season strains was low, a decreased first season had limited impact on second-season cases. High levels of cross-immunity resulted in a greater impact on the second season. This impact was modified by the transmissibility of strains in the 2 seasons. The model estimated a possible increase of 13.52%-46.95% in cases relative to that in a normal season when strains have the same transmissibility and 40%-50% cross-immunity in a season after a very low one. CONCLUSIONS: Given the light 2020-2021 influenza season, cases may increase by as much as 50% in 2021-2022, although the increase could be much less, depending on cross-immunity from past infection and transmissibility of strains. Enhanced vaccine coverage or continued interventions to reduce transmission could reduce this high season. Young children may have a higher risk in 2021-2022 owing to limited exposure to infection in the previous year.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Influenza Vaccines , Influenza, Human , Child , Child, Preschool , Hospitalization , Humans , Influenza, Human/epidemiology , Influenza, Human/prevention & control , Seasons
13.
JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr ; 46(1): 42-59, 2022 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34287974

ABSTRACT

Pediatric intestinal failure (PIF) is a relatively rare disease entity that requires focused interdisciplinary care and specialized nutrition management. There has long been a lack of consensus in the definition of key terms related to PIF because of its rarity and a plethora of small studies rather than large trials. As such, the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) PIF Section, composed of clinicians from a variety of disciplines caring for children with intestinal failure, is uniquely poised to provide insight into this definition void. This document is the product of an effort by the Section to create evidence-based consensus definitions, with the goal of allowing for appropriate comparisons between clinical studies and measurement of long-term patient outcomes. This paper has been approved by the ASPEN Board of Directors.


Subject(s)
Intestinal Failure , Short Bowel Syndrome , Child , Consensus , Enteral Nutrition , Humans , Parenteral Nutrition , Short Bowel Syndrome/therapy
14.
BMC Infect Dis ; 11: 21, 2011 Jan 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21251266

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In 2000, Ringertz et al described the first case of systemic anthrax caused by injecting heroin contaminated with anthrax. In 2008, there were 574 drug related deaths in Scotland, of which 336 were associated with heroin and or morphine. We report a rare case of septicaemic anthrax caused by injecting heroin contaminated with anthrax in Scotland. CASE PRESENTATION: A 32 year old intravenous drug user (IVDU), presented with a 12 hour history of increasing purulent discharge from a chronic sinus in his left groin. He had a tachycardia, pyrexia, leukocytosis and an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). He was treated with Vancomycin, Clindamycin, Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin and Metronidazole. Blood cultures grew Bacillus anthracis within 24 hours of presentation. He had a computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) of his abdomen, pelvis and thighs performed. These showed inflammatory change relating to the iliopsoas and an area of necrosis in the adductor magnus.He underwent an exploration of his left thigh. This revealed chronically indurated subcutaneous tissues with no evidence of a collection or necrotic muscle. Treatment with Vancomycin, Ciprofloxacin and Clindamycin continued for 14 days. Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) device was applied utilising the Venturi™ wound sealing kit. Following 4 weeks of treatment, the wound dimensions had reduced by 77%. CONCLUSIONS: Although systemic anthrax infection is rare, it should be considered when faced with severe cutaneous infection in IVDU patients. This case shows that patients with significant bacteraemia may present with no signs of haemodynamic compromise. Prompt recognition and treatment with high dose IV antimicrobial therapy increases the likelihood of survival. The use of simple wound therapy adjuncts such as NPWT can give excellent wound healing results.


Subject(s)
Anthrax/etiology , Bacteremia/etiology , Drug Contamination , Heroin/adverse effects , Substance Abuse, Intravenous/complications , Adult , Anthrax/microbiology , Bacillus anthracis/isolation & purification , Bacillus anthracis/physiology , Bacteremia/microbiology , Drug Users , Heroin/administration & dosage , Humans , Male
15.
JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr ; 45(1): 50-56, 2021 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32941671

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has influenced how healthcare is being provided, particularly in patients whose diagnoses require multidisciplinary care, such as pediatric intestinal failure (IF). We sought to ascertain the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare delivery for pediatric patients with IF. METHODS: A 20-question survey was administered to members of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Intestinal Rehabilitation (IR) Special Interest Group. Input values were "yes" and "no," along with a free-text response. Following a 10-day open survey period, data were divided into cohorts based on patient population size and disease burden by state. Analysis was then performed using the χ2 test application. RESULTS: Responses from 29 centers were included in analysis. Centers that followed >50 patients on parenteral nutrition (PN) were more likely to have social workers present in telemedicine visits and observed more central line difficulties among families. Centers located in states with <40,000 reported cases of COVID-19 saw patients less frequently and were more likely to withhold changes to PN prescriptions. Additionally, the survey revealed a significant degree of financial hardship and food insecurity among families. CONCLUSION: Many aspects of pediatric IF healthcare delivery have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, both for care providers and caregivers. Despite the availability of telemedicine, IR centers should remain attentive to the global needs of the pediatric IF patient, as well as their families.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/prevention & control , Delivery of Health Care , Gastroenterology/standards , Health Personnel/psychology , Telemedicine/methods , Child , Humans , Pandemics , Pediatrics , SARS-CoV-2
16.
Am J Surg ; 222(4): 867-873, 2021 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34053644

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Central line associated bloodstream infections are a common cause of bacteremia and sepsis in pediatric patients with intestinal failure, secondary to long-term CVC use. METHODS: An IRB approved retrospective chart review was conducted on TPN-dependent patients with IF who had an identified CLABSI and presented to Children's of Alabama's emergency department (ED) and were admitted to the hospital. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were included in the study, 28 in the first 18-month period and 26 in the second, with 10 in both populations. After implementation, mean time from ED presentation to antibiotic ordered and ED admission to antibiotic administered were lower. Mean time between antibiotic administration and admission to the floor was greater, and number of infectious disease consultations was greater. Floor-ICU transfers were lower, readmissions within 30 days was similar, and mean length of stay was similar. CONCLUSION: A collaborative, multidiscipline-supported protocol for the care of patients with IF presenting to the ED enhances efficiency of antibiotic ordering/administration, as well as reduces the number of unplanned floor-ICU transfers.


Subject(s)
Bacteremia/prevention & control , Catheter-Related Infections/prevention & control , Central Venous Catheters/adverse effects , Clinical Protocols , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Emergency Service, Hospital , Female , Fever , Humans , Infant , Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data , Male , Parenteral Nutrition , Retrospective Studies
17.
Influenza Other Respir Viruses ; 15(6): 757-766, 2021 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34477304

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Children are important in community-level influenza transmission. School-based monitoring may inform influenza surveillance. METHODS: We used reported weekly confirmed influenza in Allegheny County during the 2007 and 2010-2015 influenza seasons using Pennsylvania's Allegheny County Health Department all-age influenza cases from health facilities, and all-cause and influenza-like illness (ILI)-specific absences from nine county school districts. Negative binomial regression predicted influenza cases using all-cause and illness-specific absence rates, calendar week, average weekly temperature, and relative humidity, using four cross-validations. RESULTS: School districts reported 2 184 220 all-cause absences (2010-2015). Three one-season studies reported 19 577 all-cause and 3012 ILI-related absences (2007, 2012, 2015). Over seven seasons, 11 946 confirmed influenza cases were reported. Absences improved seasonal model fits and predictions. Multivariate models using elementary school absences outperformed middle and high school models (relative mean absolute error (relMAE) = 0.94, 0.98, 0.99). K-5 grade-specific absence models had lowest mean absolute errors (MAE) in cross-validations. ILI-specific absences performed marginally better than all-cause absences in two years, adjusting for other covariates, but markedly worse one year. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest seasonal models including K-5th grade absences predict all-age-confirmed influenza and may serve as a useful surveillance tool.


Subject(s)
Influenza, Human , Child , Humans , Influenza, Human/diagnosis , Influenza, Human/epidemiology , Pennsylvania/epidemiology , Schools , Seasons , Temperature
18.
Nutr Clin Pract ; 36(6): 1230-1239, 2021 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33078427

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aim to determine the effect of scheduled antibiotics on gut microbiome in pediatric intestinal failure (IF) and to evaluate the effect of the gut microbiome on nutrition outcomes in IF. METHODS: Fecal samples were collected at regular intervals from pediatric patients with IF for gut microbiome comparison between 2 cohorts: (group 1) those on scheduled prophylactic antibiotics and (group 2) those who were not on scheduled antibiotics. Gut microbiome composition and diversity were compared among the 2 cohorts. The association among gut microbiome composition, diversity, and nutrition outcomes (mainly ability to decrease parenteral nutrition [PN] energy requirement and ability to attain positive growth) was also determined. RESULTS: The microbiome of patients with IF on scheduled antibiotics differed significantly from those not on scheduled antibiotics. Abundance of certain Gram-negative and pathogenic bacteria (Pseudomonas, Prevotella, and Sutterella) was higher in the scheduled cohort. Patients with decreased Enterobacteriaceae demonstrated a greater ability to demonstrate a reduction in PN requirement, as well as attain positive growth. CONCLUSION: Scheduled antibiotics may alter the gut microbiome in children IF, which in turn may have an influence on important nutrition outcomes in pediatric IF. Further larger, multicenter studies are needed to determine the effect of scheduled antibiotics on the gut microbiome in this patient population and their overall effect on nutrition outcomes.


Subject(s)
Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Intestinal Failure , Microbiota , Anti-Bacterial Agents , Bacteria , Child , Humans
19.
Sci Rep ; 11(1): 2319, 2021 01 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33504823

ABSTRACT

Comparisons of the utility and accuracy of methods for measuring social interactions relevant to disease transmission are rare. To increase the evidence base supporting specific methods to measure social interaction, we compared data from self-reported contact surveys and wearable proximity sensors from a cohort of schoolchildren in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Although the number and type of contacts recorded by each participant differed between the two methods, we found good correspondence between the two methods in aggregate measures of age-specific interactions. Fewer, but longer, contacts were reported in surveys, relative to the generally short proximal interactions captured by wearable sensors. When adjusted for expectations of proportionate mixing, though, the two methods produced highly similar, assortative age-mixing matrices. These aggregate mixing matrices, when used in simulation, resulted in similar estimates of risk of infection by age. While proximity sensors and survey methods may not be interchangeable for capturing individual contacts, they can generate highly correlated data on age-specific mixing patterns relevant to the dynamics of respiratory virus transmission.


Subject(s)
Virus Diseases/epidemiology , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Contact Tracing/statistics & numerical data , Ecology , Female , Humans , Male , Surveys and Questionnaires
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