Risk Factors Associated with Intensive Care Admission in Children with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2-Related Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) in Latin America: A Multicenter Observational Study of the REKAMLATINA Network.

Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with coronavirus disease 2019 varies widely in its presentation and severity, with low mortality in high-income countries. In this study in 16 Latin American countries, we sought to characterize patients with MIS-C in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) compared with those hospitalized on the general wards and analyze the factors associated with severity, outcomes, and treatment received. Study Design: An observational ambispective cohort study was conducted including children 1 month to 18 years old in 84 hospitals from the REKAMLATINA network from January 2020 to June 2022. Results: A total of 1239 children with MIS-C were included. The median age was 6.5 years (IQR 2.5-10.1). Eighty-four percent (1043/1239) were previously healthy. Forty-eight percent (590/1239) were admitted to the PICU. These patients had more myocardial dysfunction (20% vs 4%; P < 0.01) with no difference in the frequency of coronary abnormalities (P = 0.77) when compared to general ward subjects. Of the children in the PICU, 83.4% (494/589) required vasoactive drugs, and 43.4% (256/589) invasive mechanical ventilation, due to respiratory failure and pneumonia (57% vs 32%; P = 0.01). On multivariate analysis, the factors associated with the need for PICU transfer were age over 6 years (aOR 1.76 95% CI 1.25-2.49), shock (aOR 7.06 95% CI 5.14-9.80), seizures (aOR 2.44 95% CI 1.14-5.36), thrombocytopenia (aOR 2.43 95% CI 1.77-3.34), elevated C-reactive protein (aOR 1.89 95% CI 1.29-2.79), and chest x-ray abnormalities (aOR 2.29 95% CI 1.67-3.13). The overall mortality was 4.8%. Conclusions: Children with MIS-C who have the highest risk of being admitted to a PICU in Latin American countries are those over age six, with shock, seizures, a more robust inflammatory response, and chest x-ray abnormalities. The mortality rate is five times greater when compared with high-income countries, despite a high proportion of patients receiving adequate treatment.

Patterns of antibiotic use, pathogens, and prediction of mortality in hospitalized neonates and young infants with sepsis: A global neonatal sepsis observational cohort study (NeoOBS).

BACKGROUND: There is limited data on antibiotic treatment in hospitalized neonates in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to describe patterns of antibiotic use, pathogens, and clinical outcomes, and to develop a severity score predicting mortality in neonatal sepsis to inform future clinical trial design. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Hospitalized infants <60 days with clinical sepsis were enrolled during 2018 to 2020 by 19 sites in 11 countries (mainly Asia and Africa). Prospective daily observational data was collected on clinical signs, supportive care, antibiotic treatment, microbiology, and 28-day mortality. Two prediction models were developed for (1) 28-day mortality from baseline variables (baseline NeoSep Severity Score); and (2) daily risk of death on IV antibiotics from daily updated assessments (NeoSep Recovery Score). Multivariable Cox regression models included a randomly selected 85% of infants, with 15% for validation. A total of 3,204 infants were enrolled, with median birth weight of 2,500 g (IQR 1,400 to 3,000) and postnatal age of 5 days (IQR 1 to 15). 206 different empiric antibiotic combinations were started in 3,141 infants, which were structured into 5 groups based on the World Health Organization (WHO) AWaRe classification. Approximately 25.9% (n = 814) of infants started WHO first line regimens (Group 1-Access) and 13.8% (n = 432) started WHO second-line cephalosporins (cefotaxime/ceftriaxone) (Group 2-"Low" Watch). The largest group (34.0%, n = 1,068) started a regimen providing partial extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)/pseudomonal coverage (piperacillin-tazobactam, ceftazidime, or fluoroquinolone-based) (Group 3-"Medium" Watch), 18.0% (n = 566) started a carbapenem (Group 4-"High" Watch), and 1.8% (n = 57) a Reserve antibiotic (Group 5, largely colistin-based), and 728/2,880 (25.3%) of initial regimens in Groups 1 to 4 were escalated, mainly to carbapenems, usually for clinical deterioration (n = 480; 65.9%). A total of 564/3,195 infants (17.7%) were blood culture pathogen positive, of whom 62.9% (n = 355) had a gram-negative organism, predominantly Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 132) or Acinetobacter spp. (n = 72). Both were commonly resistant to WHO-recommended regimens and to carbapenems in 43 (32.6%) and 50 (71.4%) of cases, respectively. MRSA accounted for 33 (61.1%) of 54 Staphylococcus aureus isolates. Overall, 350/3,204 infants died (11.3%; 95% CI 10.2% to 12.5%), 17.7% if blood cultures were positive for pathogens (95% CI 14.7% to 21.1%, n = 99/564). A baseline NeoSep Severity Score had a C-index of 0.76 (0.69 to 0.82) in the validation sample, with mortality of 1.6% (3/189; 95% CI: 0.5% to 4.6%), 11.0% (27/245; 7.7% to 15.6%), and 27.3% (12/44; 16.3% to 41.8%) in low (score 0 to 4), medium (5 to 8), and high (9 to 16) risk groups, respectively, with similar performance across subgroups. A related NeoSep Recovery Score had an area under the receiver operating curve for predicting death the next day between 0.8 and 0.9 over the first week. There was significant variation in outcomes between sites and external validation would strengthen score applicability. CONCLUSION: Antibiotic regimens used in neonatal sepsis commonly diverge from WHO guidelines, and trials of novel empiric regimens are urgently needed in the context of increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The baseline NeoSep Severity Score identifies high mortality risk criteria for trial entry, while the NeoSep Recovery Score can help guide decisions on regimen change. NeoOBS data informed the NeoSep1 antibiotic trial (ISRCTN48721236), which aims to identify novel first- and second-line empiric antibiotic regimens for neonatal sepsis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, (NCT03721302).

Neonatal invasive candidiasis in low- and middle-income countries: Data from the NeoOBS study.

Neonatal invasive candidiasis (NIC) has significant morbidity and mortality. Reports have shown a different profile of those neonates affected with NIC and of fluconazole-resistant Candida spp. isolates in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared to high-income countries (HICs). We describe the epidemiology, Candida spp. distribution, treatment, and outcomes of neonates with NIC from LMICs enrolled in a global, prospective, longitudinal, observational cohort study (NeoOBS) of hospitalized infants <60 days postnatal age with sepsis (August 2018-February 2021). A total of 127 neonates from 14 hospitals in 8 countries with Candida spp. isolated from blood culture were included. Median gestational age of affected neonates was 30 weeks (IQR: 28-34), and median birth weight was 1270 gr (interquartile range [IQR]: 990-1692). Only a minority had high-risk criteria, such as being born <28 weeks, 19% (24/127), or birth weight <1000 gr, 27% (34/127). The most common Candida species were C. albicans (n = 45, 35%), C. parapsilosis (n = 38, 30%), and Candida auris (n = 18, 14%). The majority of C. albicans isolates were fluconazole susceptible, whereas 59% of C. parapsilosis isolates were fluconazole-resistant. Amphotericin B was the most common antifungal used [74% (78/105)], followed by fluconazole [22% (23/105)]. Death by day 28 post-enrollment was 22% (28/127). To our knowledge, this is the largest multi-country cohort of NIC in LMICs. Most of the neonates would not have been considered at high risk for NIC in HICs. A substantial proportion of isolates was resistant to first choice fluconazole. Understanding the burden of NIC in LMIC is essential to guide future research and treatment guidelines.

Our study describes neonates from low- and middle-income countries with neonatal invasive candidiasis (NIC). Most of them were outside the groups considered at high risk for NIC described in high-income countries. Candida spp. epidemiology was also different. The mortality was high (22%). Further research in these settings is required.

Molecular diagnostic of complicated pneumonia in the post-vaccine era.

BACKGROUND: The etiological diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is still a challenge. We compared the conventional culture method and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae in severe pediatric CAP. METHODS: A retrospective hospital-based study was conducted. From 2012 to 2018, we have selected patients who had peripheral blood and/or pleural fluid collected for etiological investigation by RT-PCR. RESULTS: We included 113 children (median age: 3 years; interquartile range 1-6 years). RT-PCR increased the detection rate of S. pneumoniae by 6.5 times using blood samples and eight times using pleural fluid samples. Patients subjected to RT-PCR showed more prolonged hospitalization (p = 0.006), fewer comorbidities (p = 0.03), presence of pleural effusion (p = 0.001), presence of young forms of leukocytes (p = 0.001) and radiograph with characteristics of pneumonia (p = 0.002). The presence of pleural effusion [odds ratio (OR) = 14.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-133.9; p = 0.01] and young forms of leukocytes (OR = 8.9, 95% CI 0.9-84.4; p = 0.05) were risk factors for positive RT-PCR pneumococcal when multivariate analysis was performed. CONCLUSIONS: RT-PCR is a reliable method for diagnosing severe CAP using sterile materials and a potentially applicable method in patients with clinical, radiological and non-specific laboratory characteristics of lower respiratory tract infection, especially in complicated cases with pleural effusion.

Vaccination in Pediatric Patients with Sickle-Cell Disease: Uptake Report and Mini-Review.

BACKGROUND: Brazil has one of the highest numbers of births with sickle-cell disease (SCD) in the Americas. Despite the risk of severe illnesses and death due to both vaccine-preventable infections, vaccination uptake in pediatric patients with SCD is unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Children under 18 years with SCD presenting to routine medical consultations had their vaccination status evaluated according to the national recommendations. Data obtained were classified as 'Adequate', 'Delayed' or 'Missing' vaccination and compared among age groups. RESULTS: From 117 children screened, 100 had their vaccination card available. Vaccination coverage of routine vaccines was above 95% for all primary series and both age groups, with varied rates of delays and low missing doses. Among SCD extended vaccination, the most frequently delayed and missed vaccines were those specifically recommended to individuals with SCD as per national guidelines-and particularly those against encapsulated bacteria. Significant and varied rates of missing doses occurred in primary series and booster doses for PPSV23, Hib, menC, hepatitis A and varicella. The average influenza vaccination rate was 69.5%, with higher rates among younger children. CONCLUSIONS: Children with SCD have alarming under-vaccination rates. Basic prevention strategies in Brazil should be reassessed in this specific population.

Impact of PCV10 on pediatric pneumococcal disease burden in Brazil: time for new recommendations?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the impact of the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on the pediatric burden of pneumococcal infections, carriage, serotype replacement, and antimicrobial resistance in Brazil since its introduction in 2010. DATA SOURCE: A narrative review of English, Spanish, and Portuguese articles published in online databases and in Brazilian epidemiological surveillance databases was performed. The following keywords were used: Streptococcus pneumoniae, pneumococcal disease, conjugate vaccine, PCV10, antimicrobial resistance, and meningitis. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: Declines in hospitalization rates of all-cause pneumonia occurred in the target age groups and some age groups not targeted by vaccination early after the use of PCV10. Large descriptive studies of laboratory-confirmed pneumococcal meningitis and hospital-based historical series of hospitalized children with IPD have evidenced a significant impact on disease burden, in-hospital fatality rates, and admission to the intensive care unit before and after the inclusion of the vaccine. Impact data on otitis media is limited and inconsistent; the main benefit remains the prevention of complicated diseases. During the late post-vaccine years, a significant and progressive increase in high-level penicillin non-susceptibility pneumococci has been described. Since 2014 serotype 19A has been the leading serotype in all ages and was responsible for 28.2%-44.6% of all IPD in children under 5 yrs. CONCLUSIONS: PCV10 has performed a significant impact on IPD in Brazil since 2010, however, progress has been continuously hampered by replacement. Broader spectrum PCVs could provide expanded direct and indirect protection against ST19A and other additional serotypes of increasing importance if administered to children in the Brazilian National Immunization Program.

Safety and immunogenicity of V114, a 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, in children with SCD: a V114-023 (PNEU-SICKLE) study.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited red blood cell disease that results in a multitude of medical complications, including an increased risk of invasive disease caused by encapsulated bacteria, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae. Pneumococcal vaccines have contributed to a significant reduction in pneumococcal disease (PD) in children and adults, including those with SCD. This phase 3 study evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of V114, a 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), in children with SCD. A total of 103 children aged 5 to 17 years with SCD were randomized and received a single dose of V114 or Prevnar 13 (PCV13). Safety was evaluated as the proportion of participants with adverse events (AEs). Serotype-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels and opsonophagocytic activity (OPA) were measured immediately before vaccination and 30 days after vaccination. Overall, the rates of injection-site and systemic AEs reported after vaccination were similar between the vaccination groups. Up to 6 months after vaccination, serious AEs were those expected for patients with SCD, and none were assessed to be vaccine related. IgG geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) and OPA geometric mean titers (GMTs) for the 13 shared serotypes were generally comparable between recipients of V114 and PCV13. Additionally, V114 induced immune responses to serotypes 22F and 33F, which are not included in PCV13. The safety and tolerability profiles of V114 were consistent with those reported for PCV13. Immune responses following vaccination with V114 were generally comparable to PCV13 for the shared serotypes and higher for unique serotypes 22F and 33F. These results support the use of V114 in children with SCD. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03731182.

Characteristics and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in children: a hospital-based surveillance study in Latin America's hardest-hit city.

Background: In 2020, Brazil became the epicentre of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Latin America, resulting in an unparalleled health catastrophe. Nevertheless, comprehensive clinical reports in Brazilian children are not available. Methods: This retrospective, hospital-based, active surveillance study was performed to identify paediatric patients with COVID-19 who presented at a private academic medical centre in a large urban area between March 2020 and March 2021. Clinical and demographic information was analysed for those requiring hospitalization, those with severe illness and those with clinical syndromes. Results: In total, 964 symptomatic cases were evaluated; of these, 17.7% required hospitalization, and 27.5% of hospitalized cases were classified as severe/critical. Acute bronchiolitis and pneumonia were the most common causes of hospitalization among the severe cases. Twenty-seven hospitalized children fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for multi-system inflammatory syndrome (median age 29 months; 85.2% cases were non-severe). A significant co-existing condition was present in 29% of hospitalized children. The risk of hospitalization was higher in children with at least one comorbidity, children aged <2 years and obese children. Increased risk of severe disease was described among those with leukopenia, leukocytosis or any significant comorbidity. No deaths occurred among the study population. Conclusion: Although most children with COVID-19 experienced mild disease, and no deaths occurred among the study population, a significant proportion of cases required hospitalization and developed severe illness. Obesity, young age, underlying comorbidity, leukopenia and leukocytosis were risk factors for hospitalization or severe disease.

High Fatality Rates in Pediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome: A Multicenter Experience From the Epicenter of Brazil's Coronavirus Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Brazil´s case fatality rate (CFR) of pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children and adolescents (MIS-C) is among the highest worldwide. Despite these concerns, limited hospital-based and comprehensive pediatric data have been published on MIS-C in Brazilian children. METHODS: We performed a descriptive analysis of the MIS-C scores in 16 public and private hospitals providing secondary and tertiary care in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, Brazil. Clinical and demographic information were systematically extracted from the electronic medical records of each patient. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the combined effects of MIS-C phenotype, disease severity and comorbidity as dependent variables. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients met the MIS-C criteria and were evaluated. The median age was 67 months, 60% were male, 28.7% were black or afrodescendant and 62.3% were admitted to public hospitals. Underlying medical conditions were observed in 16.8% of patients and were associated with a longer duration of hospitalization. A Kawasaki disease-like phenotype was observed in 43.5% of patients, and they demonstrated a trend of lower median age. Children with severe MIS-C were older (median age 91 months vs. 36 months) and had a nonspecific phenotype, more cardiovascular and respiratory involvement and kidney injury; 73.3% required intensive care, 20.8% required mechanical ventilation and 35.6% required inotropic support. Four deaths occurred (CFR = 3.9%), three of which were in healthy participants. CONCLUSION: We identified a lower median age, particularly among children with Kawasaki disease-like phenotypes, those with a significant need for intensive care, and a high CFR in MIS-C. Our findings confirmed the increased severity of the disease in the selected Brazilian population.

International Pediatric COVID-19 Severity Over the Course of the Pandemic.

Importance: Multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged over the COVID-19 pandemic. The implications for COVID-19 severity in children worldwide are unclear. Objective: To determine whether the dominant circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) were associated with differences in COVID-19 severity among hospitalized children. Design, Setting, and Participants: Clinical data from hospitalized children and adolescents (younger than 18 years) who were SARS-CoV-2 positive were obtained from 9 countries (Australia, Brazil, Italy, Portugal, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, UK, and the US) during 3 different time frames. Time frames 1 (T1), 2 (T2), and 3 (T3) were defined to represent periods of dominance by the ancestral virus, pre-Omicron VOCs, and Omicron, respectively. Age groups for analysis were younger than 6 months, 6 months to younger than 5 years, and 5 to younger than 18 years. Children with an incidental positive test result for SARS-CoV-2 were excluded. Exposures: SARS-CoV-2 hospitalization during the stipulated time frame. Main Outcomes and Measures: The severity of disease was assessed by admission to intensive care unit (ICU), the need for ventilatory support, or oxygen therapy. Results: Among 31 785 hospitalized children and adolescents, the median age was 4 (IQR 1-12) years and 16 639 were male (52.3%). In children younger than 5 years, across successive SARS-CoV-2 waves, there was a reduction in ICU admission (T3 vs T1: risk ratio [RR], 0.56; 95% CI, 0.42-0.75 [younger than 6 months]; RR, 0.61, 95% CI; 0.47-0.79 [6 months to younger than 5 years]), but not ventilatory support or oxygen therapy. In contrast, ICU admission (T3 vs T1: RR, 0.39, 95% CI, 0.32-0.48), ventilatory support (T3 vs T1: RR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.27-0.51), and oxygen therapy (T3 vs T1: RR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.32-0.70) decreased across SARS-CoV-2 waves in children 5 years to younger than 18 years old. The results were consistent when data were restricted to unvaccinated children. Conclusions and Relevance: This study provides valuable insights into the impact of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs on the severity of COVID-19 in hospitalized children across different age groups and countries, suggesting that while ICU admissions decreased across the pandemic in all age groups, ventilatory and oxygen support generally did not decrease over time in children aged younger than 5 years. These findings highlight the importance of considering different pediatric age groups when assessing disease severity in COVID-19.

Diagnosis of Community-acquired Pneumonia in Hospitalized Children: A Multicenter Experience in Bolivia.

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) represents a major cause of hospitalization, especially among young children. In the third world countries, information about CAP etiology is scarce. Therefore, rapid and highly sensitive diagnostic methods are crucial to determine etiologic agents. METHODS: Between March 2016 and March 2017, we have prospectively studied the clinical, radiologic, laboratory, and molecular aspects of patients with CAP at 2 tertiary-level hospitals in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, using a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: A total of 274 children were evaluated, with a median age of 13 months. An etiologic agent was identified in 187 patients (68.2%): 54% (n = 148) were viruses and 14.2% (n = 39) were bacteria. CAP prevalence was highest among children under 2 years (71%; 195/274); respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was the most frequent cause in 22% (60/274), especially among infants, followed by influenza (14.5%; 40/274). Streptococcus pneumoniae accounted for 7% of the total (19/274), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (3%;8/274) and Haemophilus influenzae (1.4%;4/274). Together, these cases accounted for 79.5% (31/39) of all bacterial CAP. Pleural effusion (PE) complicated CAP in 13.8% (38/274), of which 29 were of bacterial etiology. RT-PCR increased the detection rate of pneumococcus by 47%. Coinfection occurred in 28 patients (10%); 26 (9.5%) required intensive care and 9 patients (3%) died. CONCLUSIONS: RT-PCR provided additional diagnostic value to conventional, clinical, and laboratory methods. The higher prevalence of RSV, influenza, and Streptococcus pneumoniae reveals the need for preventive measures with better vaccine uptake and future research for RSV vaccines.

Invasive pneumococcal disease among hospitalized children in Brazil before and after the introduction of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

BACKGROUND: Most of the available data on invasive pneumococcal disease in Latin America are derived from laboratory-based surveillance systems. There is a lack of epidemiological data on the disease severity and mortality from hospitalized patients with pneumococcal infection. METHODS: In this hospital-based retrospective historical series of hospitalized children with laboratory-confirmed IPD, we evaluated changes in disease episodes, in-hospital fatality rates, and need for intensive care unit admission after the inclusion of PCV10 in the Brazilian vaccination schedule. Invasive pneumococcal strains isolated by culture were serotyped. Changes over time were assessed, and pre-vaccination (2005-2009) to post-vaccination (2011-2015) disease rates and serotypes were compared. RESULTS: 260 patients with IPD and positive pneumococcal isolates were identified (198 during the pre-PCV10 period). When comparing both periods, hospitalizations were reduced from 20 cases to 5 cases per 10,000 pediatric admissions (p < 0.0001). Likewise, fatalities reduced from 6.6 to 2.0 cases per 10,000 pediatric admissions (p < 0.0001). Pneumonia was the most frequent clinical diagnosis (58%) - of which 49.6% had pleural effusion - followed by meningitis (22%) and bacteremia (15.9%). Overall 30% of cases were sent to ICU, with no percentual changes after PCV10. Additional PCV13 serotypes increased from 7% before vaccine introduction to 21% after PCV10 use. Similarly, serotypes not included in PCV13 increased from 11% to 29%. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant reduction in the hospitalizations rates, ICU admissions, and fatalities due to IPD after PCV10 introduction in Brazil. Cases due to PCV10 serotypes were reduced, while infections rates caused by non-PCV10 serotypes increased.

Imported hepatopulmonary echinococcosis: first report of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (G1) in Bolivia.

Hepatopulmonary hydatidosis in young children is a rare and atypical presentation of Echinococcus granulosus infection. We report the first case of cystic echinococcosis caused by a microvariant of E. granulosus sensu stricto. Chemotherapy and systemic corticoids were administered before curative surgery was performed. Recurrence was not observed for more than 24 months of follow-up.

First report of two consecutive respiratory syncytial virus outbreaks by the novel genotypes ON-1 and NA-2 in a neonatal intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: Respiratory syncytial virus is a pathogen frequently involved in nosocomial outbreaks. Although several studies have reported nosocomial outbreaks in neonatal intensive care units, molecular epidemiology data are scarce. Here, the authors describe two consecutive respiratory syncytial virus outbreaks caused by genotypes ON-1 and NA-2 in a neonatal intensive care unit in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A prospective search for respiratory syncytial virus was performed after diagnosing the index case and four other symptomatic newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit. Nasopharyngeal aspirate samples of all patients in the neonatal intensive care unit were tested for 17 respiratory viruses using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Genotyping was performed using nucleotide sequencing. RESULTS: From May to August 2013, two different outbreaks were detected in the neonatal intensive care unit. A total of 20 infants were infected with respiratory syncytial virus-A (ten and 14 with ON-1 and NA-2 genotypes, respectively). The mean age of the infants was 10 days, mean birth weight was 1,961g, and the mean gestational age was 33 weeks. Risk factors (heart disease, lung disease, and prematurity) were present in 80% and 85.7% of infants in the ON-1 and NA-2 groups, respectively. In total, 45.8% of infants were asymptomatic and 20.8% required mechanical ventilation. Coinfections were not detected during the outbreaks. CONCLUSIONS: Infants in a neonatal intensive care unit who develop abrupt respiratory symptoms should be tested for respiratory viruses, especially respiratory syncytial virus. Even in the absence of severe symptoms, respiratory syncytial virus detection can prevent nosocomial transmission through infection control measures. A better understanding of respiratory syncytial virus molecular epidemiology is essential for developing new vaccines and antiviral drugs against respiratory syncytial virus.

Spontaneous pneumococcal peritonitis diagnosed by qPCR.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is an uncommon manifestation of invasive pneumococcal disease and frequently occurs when an underlying hepatic disease is present. Bacterial identification through culture can be particularly challenging in patients with prior or concurrent antimicrobial use. DNA amplification detects very few copies of target DNA under ideal conditions in CSF or pleural effusion and, therefore, can be useful in selected infections. A culture-negative spontaneous pneumococcal peritonitis without preexisting peritoneal disease diagnosed by qPCR is herein described.

Impact of PCV10 on pediatric pneumococcal disease burden in Brazil: time for new recommendations?

Abstract Objective: To describe the impact of the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on the pediatric burden of pneumococcal infections, carriage, serotype replacement, and antimicrobial resistance in Brazil since its introduction in 2010. Data source: A narrative review of English, Spanish, and Portuguese articles published in online databases and in Brazilian epidemiological surveillance databases was performed. The following keywords were used: Streptococcus pneumoniae, pneumococcal disease, conjugate vaccine, PCV10, antimicrobial resistance, and meningitis. Summary of the findings: Declines in hospitalization rates of all-cause pneumonia occurred in the target age groups and some age groups not targeted by vaccination early after the use of PCV10. Large descriptive studies of laboratory-confirmed pneumococcal meningitis and hospital-based historical series of hospitalized children with IPD have evidenced a significant impact on disease burden, in-hospital fatality rates, and admission to the intensive care unit before and after the inclusion of the vaccine. Impact data on otitis media is limited and inconsistent; the main benefit remains the prevention of complicated diseases. During the late post-vaccine years, a significant and progressive increase in high-level penicillin non-susceptibility pneumococci has been described. Since 2014 serotype 19A has been the leading serotype in all ages and was responsible for 28.2%-44.6% of all IPD in children under 5 yrs. Conclusions: PCV10 has performed a significant impact on IPD in Brazil since 2010, however, progress has been continuously hampered by replacement. Broader spectrum PCVs could provide expanded direct and indirect protection against ST19A and other additional serotypes of increasing importance if administered to children in the Brazilian National Immunization Program.

Early-onset Neonatal Pneumococcal Sepsis: A Fatal Case Report and Brief Literature Review.

Sepsis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is rare in neonates although associated with high morbidity and mortality. We report a fatal case of invasive pneumococcal disease in a term neonate whose mother was healthy and did not receive any pneumococcal vaccine. Investigation of the infection source yielded negative results. Acquisition of infection through the birth canal was considered unlikely.

Imported hepatopulmonary echinococcosis: first report of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (G1) in Bolivia

Abstract Hepatopulmonary hydatidosis in young children is a rare and atypical presentation of Echinococcus granulosus infection. We report the first case of cystic echinococcosis caused by a microvariant of E. granulosus sensu stricto. Chemotherapy and systemic corticoids were administered before curative surgery was performed. Recurrence was not observed for more than 24 months of follow-up.

First report of two consecutive respiratory syncytial virus outbreaks by the novel genotypes ON-1 and NA-2 in a neonatal intensive care unit / Primeiro relato de dois surtos consecutivos de vírus sincicial respiratório pelos novos genótipos ON-1 e NA-2 em uma unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal

Abstract Objective: Respiratory syncytial virus is a pathogen frequently involved in nosocomial outbreaks. Although several studies have reported nosocomial outbreaks in neonatal intensive care units, molecular epidemiology data are scarce. Here, the authors describe two consecutive respiratory syncytial virus outbreaks caused by genotypes ON-1 and NA-2 in a neonatal intensive care unit in São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: A prospective search for respiratory syncytial virus was performed after diagnosing the index case and four other symptomatic newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit. Nasopharyngeal aspirate samples of all patients in the neonatal intensive care unit were tested for 17 respiratory viruses using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Genotyping was performed using nucleotide sequencing. Results: From May to August 2013, two different outbreaks were detected in the neonatal intensive care unit. A total of 20 infants were infected with respiratory syncytial virus-A (ten and 14 with ON-1 and NA-2 genotypes, respectively). The mean age of the infants was 10 days, mean birth weight was 1,961 g, and the mean gestational age was 33 weeks. Risk factors (heart disease, lung disease, and prematurity) were present in 80% and 85.7% of infants in the ON-1 and NA-2 groups, respectively. In total, 45.8% of infants were asymptomatic and 20.8% required mechanical ventilation. Coinfections were not detected during the outbreaks. Conclusions: Infants in a neonatal intensive care unit who develop abrupt respiratory symptoms should be tested for respiratory viruses, especially respiratory syncytial virus. Even in the absence of severe symptoms, respiratory syncytial virus detection can prevent nosocomial transmission through infection control measures. A better understanding of respiratory syncytial virus molecular epidemiology is essential for developing new vaccines and antiviral drugs against respiratory syncytial virus.

Resumo Objetivo O vírus sincicial respiratório é um patógeno frequentemente envolvido em surtos nosocomiais. Embora vários estudos tenham relatado tais surtos em unidades de terapia intensiva neonatal, os dados epidemiológicos moleculares são escassos. Neste artigo, descrevemos dois surtos consecutivos de vírus sincicial respiratório causados pelos genótipos ON-1 e NA-2 em uma unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal em São Paulo, Brasil. Métodos Uma busca prospectiva por vírus sincicial respiratório foi realizada após o diagnóstico do caso índice e outros quatro recém-nascidos sintomáticos na unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal. Amostras de aspirado nasofaríngeo de todos os pacientes da unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal foram testadas para 17 vírus respiratórios com reação em cadeia da polimerase via transcriptase reversa em tempo real. A genotipagem realizada utilizando sequenciamento de nucleotídeos. Resultados De maio a agosto de 2013, foram detectados dois surtos diferentes na unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal. Vinte e quatro crianças foram infectadas com vírus sincicial respiratório-A (10 e 14 com os genótipos ON-1 e NA-2, respectivamente). A média da idade dos lactentes era de 10 dias, o peso médio ao nascer foi de 1961 g e a idade gestacional média de 33 semanas. Fatores de risco (doença cardíaca, doença pulmonar e prematuridade) estavam presentes em 80% e 85,7% dos bebês nos grupos ON-1 e NA-2, respectivamente. No total, 45,8% dos lactentes eram assintomáticos e 20,8% necessitaram de ventilação mecânica. Não foram detectadas coinfecções durante os surtos. Conclusões Bebês em unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal que desenvolvem sintomas respiratórios abruptos devem ser testados para vírus respiratórios, especialmente o vírus sincicial respiratório. Mesmo na ausência de sintomas graves, a detecção de vírus sincicial respiratório pode prevenir a transmissão nosocomial através de medidas de controle de infecção. Um melhor entendimento da epidemiologia molecular do vírus sincicial respiratório é essencial para o desenvolvimento de novas vacinas e drogas antivirais contra o vírus sincicial respiratório.