Acute viral respiratory infections among children in MERS-endemic Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2012-2013.

The emergence of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in Saudi Arabia has intensified focus on Acute Respiratory Infections [ARIs]. This study sought to identify respiratory viruses (RVs) associated with ARIs in children presenting at a tertiary hospital. Children (aged ≤13) presenting with ARI between January 2012 and December 2013 tested for 15 RVs using the SeeplexR RV15 kit were retrospectively included. Epidemiological data was retrieved from patient records. Of the 2235 children tested, 61.5% were ≤1 year with a male: female ratio of 3:2. Viruses were detected in 1364 (61.02%) children, 233 (10.4%) having dual infections: these viruses include respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (24%), human rhinovirus (hRV) (19.7%), adenovirus (5.7%), influenza virus (5.3%), and parainfluenzavirus-3 (4.6%). Children, aged 9-11 months, were most infected (60.9%). Lower respiratory tract infections (55.4%) were significantly more than upper respiratory tract infection (45.3%) (P < 0.001). Seasonal variation of RV was directly and inversely proportional to relative humidity and temperature, respectively, for non MERS coronaviruses (NL63, 229E, and OC43). The study confirms community-acquired RV associated with ARI in children and suggests modulating roles for abiotic factors in RV epidemiology. However, community-based studies are needed to elucidate how these factors locally influence RV epidemiology. J. Med. Virol. 89:195-201, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Invasive Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infection in Children: A Report of Five Cases and Literature Review.

Staphylococcus aureus developed resistance against most antibiotics; the most known resistant form is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which can be acquired either from healthcare facilities or the community. The prevalence of hospital-acquired MRSA is higher than community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA). CA-MRSA has become an emerging infection and has been increasingly reported recently. Usually, CA-MRSA presents with skin and soft tissue infection but can cause severe invasive infection with significant morbidity. Invasive CA-MRSA needs rapid and aggressive treatment to prevent complications. For MRSA bacteremia that is persistent despite appropriate treatment, the possibility of metastatic invasive infection should be thought of. In this case series, we describe five pediatric cases of different age groups that had different presentations for invasive CA-MRSA infection. This report aims to highlight that physicians should be aware of the growing role of CA-MRSA in pediatrics; they should be meticulous in treating patients with CA-MRSA, and be aware of the complications of this disease and the appropriate empiric and target antibiotics regimen for such infections.

Clinical Characteristics, Laboratory Findings, Management, and Outcome of Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Children at a Tertiary Care Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Numerous studies worldwide have reported COVID-19 in children; however, the clinical symptoms and consequences of COVID-19 in children have only been reported in a few studies in Saudi and gulf region. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the clinical features and outcomes of COVID-19 infection in children and the therapeutic interventions used. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 96 patients with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection aged ≤14 years who were admitted to a tertiary governmental care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between March 2020 and November 2020. Data on children with COVID-19, including demographics, comorbidities, symptoms, imaging and laboratory results, therapies, and clinical outcomes, were analyzed. Results: Of 96 children admitted with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, 63.8% were aged ≤ 3 years, 52.1% were male, 56.2% had an unknown source of infection, and 51% had no comorbidities. Most cases had severe infection (71.88%) as they required oxygen, 10.42% of whom were critical. The most common symptoms were respiratory-related (98%), and the common physical sign was fever (49%). High D-dimer (90.7%) and C-reactive protein (72.09%) levels were found in most cases. Oxygen (71.88%) was the most commonly used treatment. Most patients were discharged home and fully recovered (97.92%). We reported two deaths (2.08%). Conclusions: Our findings showed that the majority of the admitted children with COVID-19 were ≤3 years of age (52.1%) and infected with an unknown source (56.2%). Moreover, the majority of the cases had severe COVID-19 infection as they required oxygen (71.88%), although they had favorable outcomes. However, some cases were critical and resulted in death. Future studies will be crucial to better understand the disease spectrum and potential therapeutic options for COVID-19 in children.

Severity of Salmonella infection among sickle cell diseases pediatric patients: Description of the infection pattern.

INTRODUCTION: Sickle cell disease (SCD) affects millions worldwide. It has a spectrum of clinical manifestations. However, SCD is more prone to have invasive infection compared with normal individual, and one of the main pathogen of concern is salmonella, where the individual with SCD is more susceptible to salmonella infection. Furthermore, several distinct clinical syndromes can develop in children infected with salmonella, depending on both host factors and the specific serotype involved. OBJECTIVES: We aim to describe the infection patterns and whole range of potential complications in children with SCD exposed to invasive salmonella infection. METHOD: This is a retrospective observational cohort study which was conducted at King Fahad Medical City (KFMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between 2012 and 2018. All sickle cell patients who are exposed to invasive salmonella infections and treated in our hospital over the last 6 years were included in our study. RESULTS: Six patients were enrolled in the study, five males and one female with ratio of (M: F) 5:1, age range from 20 months-14 years, and the diagnosis at admission were as follows: (three as vasooclusive crisis, three as infection) with different kind of infections (three sepsis, three septic arthritis, four osteomyelitis, one meningitis, one myositis, one periorbital cellulitis, one diskitis), where three (50%) suffered multiple sites of infections and the other three (50%) with one site of infection, two (50%) of osteomyelitis patients suffered multifocal infection. Species identification is as follows: (three group D, one group C, and two were not specified), only two occasions where resistant to ciprofloxacin while all others were pan sensitive. Fever was prolonged (take more than seven days to subside even with appropriate therapy and intervention) in five out of six. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple site of infection, sever osteomylitis, and delay in fever response consolidated the fact of high virulence of salmonella in SCD patients. We did not encounter significant resistant rate to both quinolone and cephalosporin.

A matched case-control study to assess the carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae infections among hospitalized children at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To identify risk factors associated with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections among hospitalized children at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A retrospective matched case-control study was conducted in pediatric patients with CRE infection at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between January 2016-2017. RESULTS: During the study period, 19 CRE cases and 37 controls were identified for analysis. Children  ≤17 years (mean age±SD for cases was 43.9±46 months and controls was 29.2±52.2 months) were included in the study. Several factors associated with CRE infections were identified, which included, central venous catheter (CVC) line placement (p=0.023; confidence interval [CI]: 0.97-85.77), recent surgical procedures (p=0.006; CI: 1.30-9.28), invasive procedures (p greater than 0.001; CI: 1.98-21.18), use of prior antibiotics (p=0.008; CI: 1.38-24.62), and carbapenem exposure in the past 3 months (p=0.004; CI: 1.09-12.20). Among the cases, Klebsiella pneumonia was the most commonly identified (47%) followed by Escherichia coli (31%). Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae was associated with increased comorbidities and prolonged hospitalization however, no mortalities were reported. CONCLUSION: This study identified prior antibiotic exposure, recent surgery and the use of invasive procedures as significant risk factors for colonization or infection with CRE. Also, the need for public awareness, continuing education for healthcare professionals, optimum use of invasive devices, enhanced surveillance, and antimicrobial stewardship are highlighted here which can limit CRE transmission in healthcare facilities.

Trends in antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To describe and interpret local antibiograms from a single tertiary care center to monitor the trends of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns and establish baseline data for further surveillance. Methods: We performed a retrospective descriptive review of antibiograms data between January 2010 and December 2015 from King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Results: A total of 51,491 isolates were identified, and most were gram-negative (76.2%). Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated organism (36.8%), followed by Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (28.4%) and Staphylococcus aureus (27.5%). The detection of antibiotic-resistant organisms, especially extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (31%-41%), increased over time. The sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae to penicillin improved from 66% to 100% (p less than 0.001). Gram-negative isolates had excellent overall susceptibility to amikacin, variable susceptibility to piperacillin-tazobactam and carbapenems, and declining susceptibility to ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, and cefepime. Conclusion: Streptococcus pneumoniae susceptibility to penicillin significantly improved over time, which might be because of the introduction of the pneumococcal vaccine. Conversely, the upward trend in resistant gram-negative organisms is worrisome and warrants the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs.

Bacteroides fragilis meningitis in a Saudi infant: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Anaerobic meningitis is mainly caused by Bacteroides fragilis and it is rarely detected in children. Few cases have been reported and there is usually an underlying cause. The timing of early recognition is crucial because any delay in the diagnosis and initiation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy has a devastating outcome. Only 14 cases have been reported in 50 years. To the best of our knowledge, the present case is the first to be reported in Saudi Arabia with no underlying etiology. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a 35-day-old male infant with culture-negative pyogenic meningitis who did not show satisfactory response to the empirical antibiotics, consequently, he developed severe subdural/epidural empyema and ventriculitis. When the drained empyema was cultured anaerobically, B. fragilis was detected and the patient improved after treatment with metronidazole combined with adjuvant surgical drainage of the empyema, and he finally had hydrocephalus. No underlying etiology was found to explain his infection. CONCLUSION: B. fragilis is an uncommon cause of meningitis that requires a high index of clinical suspicion. Any pyogenic cerebrospinal fluid with negative culture should draw the attention of physicians to an unusual organisms such as anaerobes because early identification and initiation of appropriate antimicrobials can prevent long-term morbidity and mortality.

Invasive community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infection in children: case series and literature review.

The majority of CA-MRSA infections present as skin and soft tissue infections such as abscesses or cellulitis. However, CA-MRSA can cause invasive infections such as joint infections, necrotizing pneumonia or septicemia. Here we describe five cases with CA-MRSA bacteremia complicated with osteoarticular infection, necrotizing pneumonia, and infective endocarditis. We report these case series to outline the spectrum of invasive CA-MRSA diseases and to demonstrate clinical outcome. Early proper intervention with regular revisiting the empirical treatment based on local susceptibility data is crucial. More data on the risk factors for acquiring and spread of CA-MRSA in children are required.

Group A Streptococcal bacteraemia. Experience at King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To identify clinical presentation, predisposing factors, and the outcome in patients with Group A Streptococcal bacteremia. Methods: This is a retrospective study of 33 pediatric and adult patients with Streptococcus pyogenes bacteremia, admitted at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 2007 to 2015. Results: Thirty-three patient records, documenting bacteremia with group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus, were reviewed. Approximately 51.5% were pediatric and 48.5% were adult patients, with a male to female ratio of 2:1. The most frequently reported complications were renal impairment (45.5%) and acute respiratory distress (21.2%), followed by localized infection (15.2%), pleural effusion (6.1%), abscess (9.1%), necrotizing fasciitis (9.1%), septic arthritis, and osteomyelitis (3%). There were 10 episodes of shock: 6 were in pediatric and 4 were in adult patients. At the end of the study period, 12.1% patients died from the illness, 81.1% recovered from illness with no sequelae, while 6.1% recovered with sequelae. Mortality was observed in 4 patients; of them, 3 were pediatric patients and one was an adult with co-morbidities. Conclusions: We have noted a minimal change in the disease pattern over the 28 years in Saudi Arabia. The management of invasive GAS infection depends on an accurate and timely diagnosis with an appropriate use of antimicrobial therapy. The highest risks appear to be related to chronic illness. Invasive Group A Streptococcal infection is known to have a high mortality rate.

Invasive Candidiasis in pediatric patients at King Fahad Medical City in Central Saudi Arabia. A 5-year retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To identify predisposing factors, species distribution, antifungal susceptibility, and outcome. Methods: This study is a retrospective chart review that was conducted at a children's hospital at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. One hundred twenty-nine children with invasive candidiasis who were admitted between January 2010 and January 2015. Results: The statistical analysis results have revealed a group of risk factors; prematurity in 37 (28.7%) of patients, low birth weight in 42 (32.6%), central venous catheter in 59 (45.7%), malignancy in 21 (16.3%), immunotherapy in 20 (15.5%), and ventilator support  in 60 (46.5%). More than 2-fold mortality rate in patients who had heart vegetation (odds ratio [OR]: 2.9) and patients who had Candida isolated from their blood were more than twice as likely to die as patients with Candida isolated from other sites (OR: 2.2). A total of 48.3% of patients on ventilator died versus 26.1% who were not on ventilator (p=0.009); and 43.8% of patients in the ICU died versus only 24.5% of patients who were not in the ICU (p=0.03). Candida parapsilosis exhibited the highest mortality rate (56.2%).  Conclusion: Candida albicans is the most common isolate among all Candida species. Gender, low birth weight, prolonged ICU stay, presence of vegetation, positive blood culture, and mechanical ventilation as a strong predictive risk factors for death in children with invasive candidiasis, a finding that could be applied as prophylactic indicator in critically ill children especially neonates.

Pyoderma gangrenosum with splenic involvement.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a non-infectious disease characterized by necrotizing, ulcerative, and painful skin. The incidence of PG is approximately 3-10 cases per million people per year. Pyoderma gangrenosum is rarely observed in children, which accounts for less than 4%, but it primarily affects adults between the ages of 25 and 54 years old without gender preference. Here, we present a case report of a 16-month-old toddler diagnosed with pyoderma gangrenous with splenic involvement. The young age of the patient and extracutaneous manifestation are of high interest.

Pott's puffy tumor due to Aspergillus fumigatus: A case report and review.

Pott's puffy tumor (PPT) is a very rare, nearly forgotten condition. We describe a 9-year-old girl with PPT due to trauma and surgical cultures that revealed Aspergillus fumigatus.

BCG related complications: A single center, prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although the BCG vaccine is usually a safe vaccine, a number of complications can occur, such as adverse local reactions, regional lymphadenitis, osteomyelitis and disseminated infection in immunocompromised children, with lymphadenitis being the most common complication. Our objective to describe the associated clinical characteristics and outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective observational study conducted over two year's period. RESULTS: 100 patients were enrolled with (62%) males and (38%) females. 93 cases (93%) have nodes involvement with a total of 103 nodes was reported as follow: Axillary, supraclavicle, cervical with number of 75(72.8%), 23(22.3%), 5(4.9%) respectively. (55.3%) resulted in suppuration, and (44.7%) with non-suppuration. Only 3 cases (3%) had severe disease with dissemination, (88.3%) had small size nodes (< 3 cm), and (11.7%) with large size nodes (>3 cm). (88%) had self-limited disease, and node disappears between (8-168 weeks). CONCLUSION: In the Majority of BCG related lymphadenitis is a benign condition with spontaneous healing. Also there is Increase incidence of association between BCG vaccine and serious disseminated infections in immunodeficiency cases.

Inherited IL-12p40 deficiency: genetic, immunologic, and clinical features of 49 patients from 30 kindreds.

Autosomal recessive interleukin (IL)-12 p40 (IL-12p40) deficiency is a rare genetic etiology of mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease (MSMD). We report the genetic, immunologic, and clinical features of 49 patients from 30 kindreds originating from 5 countries (India, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia). There are only 9 different mutant alleles of the IL12B gene: 2 small insertions, 3 small deletions, 2 splice site mutations, and 1 large deletion, each causing a frameshift and leading to a premature stop codon, and 1 nonsense mutation. Four of these 9 variants are recurrent, affecting 25 of the 30 reported kindreds, due to founder effects in specific countries. All patients are homozygous and display complete IL-12p40 deficiency. As a result, the patients lack detectable IL-12p70 and IL-12p40 and have low levels of interferon gamma (IFN-γ). The clinical features are characterized by childhood onset of bacille Calmette-Guérin (attenuated Mycobacterium bovis strain) (BCG) and Salmonella infections, with recurrences of salmonellosis (36.4%) more common than recurrences of mycobacterial disease (25%). BCG vaccination led to BCG disease in 40 of the 41 patients vaccinated (97.5%). Multiple mycobacterial infections were rare, observed in only 3 patients, whereas the association of salmonellosis and mycobacteriosis was observed in 9 patients. A few other infections were diagnosed, including chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (n = 3), nocardiosis (n = 2), and klebsiellosis (n = 1). IL-12p40 deficiency has a high but incomplete clinical penetrance, with 33.3% of genetically affected relatives of index cases showing no symptoms. However, the prognosis is poor, with mortality rates of up to 28.6%. Overall, the clinical phenotype of IL-12p40 deficiency closely resembles that of interleukin 12 receptor ß1 (IL-12Rß1) deficiency. In conclusion, IL-12p40 deficiency is more common than initially thought and should be considered worldwide in patients with MSMD and other intramacrophagic infectious diseases, salmonellosis in particular.