Nirsevimab immunization's real-world effectiveness in preventing severe bronchiolitis: A test-negative case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Several clinical trials have shown that nirsevimab, an antibody targeting the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), reduces RSV bronchiolitis requiring admission. In 2023-2024, Catalonia and Andorra adopted immunization strategies for children <6 months and those born during the epidemic season. This study evaluates the effectiveness of nirsevimab in preventing hospitalizations from RSV bronchiolitis. METHODS: In the epidemic season of 2023-2024, a test-negative case-control study was conducted in three hospitals from Catalonia and Andorra. Patients <12 months old admitted with bronchiolitis and tested for RSV using molecular microbiology tests were included. The effectiveness in preventing RSV bronchiolitis hospitalization and severe disease was estimated using multivariate models. Comparisons between immunized, non-immunized, and non-eligible patients were made in prospectively collected epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological variables. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-four patients were included. RSV was detected in 141/234 (60.2%), being less common in the immunized group (37% vs 75%, p < .001). The rate of immunized patients among those eligible was 59.7%. The estimated effectiveness for RSV-associated lower respiratory tract infection was 81.0% (95% confidence interval: 60.9-90.7), and for preventing severe disease (the need for NIV/CMV), 85.6% (41.7-96.4%). No significant differences by immunization status were observed in patients with RSV concerning viral coinfections, the need for NIV/CMV or length of hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides real-world evidence of the effectiveness of nirsevimab in preventing RSV-lower respiratory tract infection hospitalization and severe disease in infants during their first RSV season following a systematic immunization program. Immunized patients did not exhibit a higher rate of viral coinfections nor differences in clinical severity once admitted.

Hybrid capture shotgun sequencing detected unexpected viruses in the cerebrospinal fluid of children with acute meningitis and encephalitis.

PURPOSE: Investigation of undiagnosed cases of infectious neurological diseases, especially in the paediatric population, remains a challenge. This study aimed to enhance understanding of viruses in CSF from children with clinically diagnosed meningitis and/or encephalitis (M/ME) of unknown aetiology using shotgun sequencing enhanced by hybrid capture (HCSS). METHODS: A single-centre prospective study was conducted at Sant Joan de Déu University Hospital, Barcelona, involving 40 M/ME episodes of unknown aetiology, recruited from May 2021 to July 2022. All participants had previously tested negative with the FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel. HCSS was used to detect viral nucleic acid in the patients' CSF. Sequencing was performed on Illumina NovaSeq platform. Raw sequence data were analysed using CZ ID metagenomics and PikaVirus bioinformatics pipelines. RESULTS: Forty episodes of M/ME of unknown aetiology in 39 children were analysed by HCSS. A significant viral detection in 30 CSF samples was obtained, including six parechovirus A, three enterovirus ACD, four polyomavirus 5, three HHV-7, two BKV, one HSV-1, one VZV, two CMV, one EBV, one influenza A virus, one rhinovirus, and 13 HERV-K113 detections. Of these, one sample with BKV, three with HHV-7, one with EBV, and all HERV-K113 were confirmed by specific PCR. The requirement for Intensive Care Unit admission was associated with HCSS detections. CONCLUSION: This study highlights HCSS as a powerful tool for the investigation of undiagnosed cases of M/ME. Data generated must be carefully analysed and reasonable precautions must be taken before establishing association of clinical features with unexpected or novel virus findings.

Impact of universal immunization program with monoclonal antibody nirsevimab on reducing the burden of serious bronchiolitis that need pediatric intensive care.

RSV bronchiolitis remains the leading cause of hospitalization in children under 1 year of age. It is estimated that 2-6% of cases will be hospitalized on pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). In October 2023, a universal immunization program with the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab was implemented in Catalonia. The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of the nirsevimab immunization on the burden of bronchiolitis admitted to a PICU and resulting changes in epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological characteristics comparing the pre-nirsevimab (pre-N) with the post-nirsevimab (post-N) period. This was a prospective, descriptive, and observational study. Patients with severe bronchiolitis admitted to reference children's hospital PICU, between September 2010 and February 2024 were included. Demographic and clinical data were collected and viral laboratory etiological diagnosis was carried out. 1531 patients were recruited, 1458 in the pre-N seasons and 73 after its introduction (58% males, median age 52 days), of which 67% were immunized with nirsevimab. The total number of PICU bronchiolitis admissions, the ratio, and the RSV etiology were significantly lower in the post-N period (p = 0.03, p < 0.001, and p = 0.039, respectively). Significant higher age at admission (p < 0.001) and lower hospital length of stay (p < 0.001) was observed comparing pre-N vs. post-N period. CONCLUSION: Nirsevimab appears to have an important impact on reducing the number and length of stay of PICU admissions due to RSV bronchiolitis. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Bronchiolitis is the most common viral infection of the lower respiratory tract in infants. • It represents 13% of the total pediatric intensive care admissions, typically during winter. This is one of the causes that produces a collapse in the health care systems all around the world. WHAT IS NEW: • In October 2023, universal immunization with monoclonal antibody nirsevimab of all children under 6 months of age was started in the majority of autonomous communities in Spain. • Recent publications from the nirsevimab clinical trials have evidenced a high RSV protective effect, but data on its effect on real life patients who require pediatric intensive care unit admission are missing.

Non-Pharmacological Interventions During SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: Effects on Pediatric Viral Respiratory Infections.

INTRODUCTION: Viral lower respiratory tract infections frequently cause morbidity and mortality in children. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic led to isolation and hygiene measures, resulting in decreased respiratory virus transmission and pediatric admissions. This study aimed to assess the impact of these measures and their uplifting on respiratory virus circulation in children before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (January 2017-December 2022). METHODS: We conducted a weekly time series analysis of multiple virus molecular assays in children. This included those admitted to a university reference hospital's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and those with risk pathologies exhibiting fever and/or respiratory symptoms. We included patients aged 0-18 years residing in Catalonia and adjusted the positive results to account for diagnostic effort. RESULTS: We performed a total of 2991 respiratory virus tests during the period. Confinement significantly decreased the detection of all viruses, especially Rhinovirus (RV). After the deconfinement of children, the viral detection trend remained stable for all viruses, with no short-term impact on virus transmission. The mandatory implementation of facemasks in those aged ≥6 years led to decreased viral circulation, but we observed an influenza virus rebound after facemask removal. At that time, we also noticed an interrupted drop in the detection rates of RV and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The reopening of schools led to a progressive increase in viral detections, especially of Rhinovirus. CONCLUSION: Non-pharmacological interventions significantly impact the circulation of respiratory viruses among children. We observed these effects even when some measures did not specifically target preschool-aged children.

Nirsevimab para la prevención de la enfermedad por virus respiratorio sincitial en niños. Posicionamiento de la Sociedad Española de Infectología Pediátrica / Nirsevimab for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus disease in children: Statement of the Spanish Society of Paediatric Infectious Disease (SEIP)

Introducción: Recientemente se ha aprobado en Europa y en España el uso de nirsevimab, un anticuerpo monoclonal (AcM) para la prevención de la enfermedad por virus respiratorio sincitial (VRS). Objetivos: Facilitar unas recomendaciones para la administración de nirsevimab para la prevención de la enfermedad por VRS. Métodos: Para la elaboración de estas recomendaciones, se decidió realizar una revisión crítica de la literatura, utilizando la metodología Delphi y la metodología GRADE. Se definió un grupo de expertos. Se realizaron tres rondas para definir las preguntas, manifestarse a favor o en contra, graduar la recomendación, y definir el acuerdo o el desacuerdo con las conclusiones. Resultados: En la población general de recién nacidos, se recomienda administrar rutinariamente nirsevimab para reducir la enfermedad y la hospitalización por bronquiolitis y enfermedad de vías bajas por VRS. Se recomienda administrar nirsevimab a todos los lactantes que nazcan en la estación de alta incidencia de VRS y aquellos que cuando esta comience, tengan menos de seis meses de edad. En los pacientes prematuros de 29 a 35 semanas de edad gestacional, en los lactantes con cardiopatía hemodinámicamente significativa y lactantes con enfermedad pulmonar crónica se recomienda rutinariamente administrar nirsevimab para reducir la enfermedad y la hospitalización por bronquiolitis y enfermedad de vías bajas por VRS. En los pacientes con indicación actual de palivizumab, se recomienda sustituir palivizumab por nirsevimab para reducir la carga de enfermedad de bronquiolitis. Conclusiones: Se recomienda administrar rutinariamente nirsevimab a todos los recién nacidos menores de seis meses nacidos en la estación de VRS o que tengan menos de seis meses cuando entran en la estación invernal, para reducir la carga de enfermedad y la hospitalización por bronquiolitis. (AU)

Introduction: Nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody for the prevention of disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), has recently been approved for use in Europe and Spain. Objectives: To provide recommendations for the administration of nirsevimab for prevention of RSV disease. Methods: The approach chosen to develop these recommendations involved a critical review of the literature and the use of the Delphi and GRADE methods. An expert group was formed. The group engaged in three rounds to define the questions, express support or opposition, grade recommendations and establish the agreement or disagreement with the conclusions. Results: In the general neonatal population, routine administration of nirsevimab is recommended to reduce the frequency of illness and hospitalisation for bronchiolitis and RSV lower respiratory tract infection. Nirsevimab is recommended for all infants born in high-incidence RSV season and infants aged less than 6 months at the season onset. In infants born preterm between 29 and 35 weeks of gestation, with haemodynamically significant heart disease or with chronic lung disease, routine administration of nirsevimab is recommended to reduce the incidence of disease and hospitalisation due to bronchiolitis and RSV lower respiratory tract infection. In patients in whom palivizumab is currently indicated, its substitution by nirsevimab is recommended to reduce the burden of bronchiolitis. Conclusions: Routine administration of nirsevimab to all infants aged less than 6 months born during the RSV season or aged less than 6 months at the start of the winter season is recommended to reduce the burden of disease and the frequency of hospitalization due to bronchiolitis. (AU)

Clinical impact of rapid viral respiratory panel testing on pediatric critical care of patients with acute lower respiratory infection / Impacto clínico de una prueba rápida de detección múltiple de virus respiratorios en pacientes pediátricos críticos con infección respiratoria aguda de vías bajas

BackgroundWe aimed to determine the impact of utilizing a rapid panel test of respiratory viral and atypical bacteria (FilmArray® Respiratory Panel, FA RP) on etiological diagnosis of acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) and antimicrobial stewardship in critical care pediatric patients.MethodsProspective cohort study of patients aged<18 years with clinical diagnosis of ALRI that were admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Hospital Sant Joan de Deu (Barcelona, Spain) during December 2015–February 2017. Patients were diagnosed by FA RP and by a bundle of routine microbiological assays.ResultsALRI viral and bacterial etiology was confirmed by a composite reference standard of routine microbiological assays in 72 (55.4%) and 15 (11.5%) respiratory samples, respectively, that were collected from 130 children (median age, 3.5 months, IQR 1.1–14.8 months; 54.6% male). Comparatively, FA RP use increased etiological confirmation of ALRI in up to 123 (94.6%) samples (p<0.001) but only determined a bacterial origin in 2 (1.5%). Availability of diagnostic results before patient discharge from the PICU rose from 65.4 to 38.5% (p<0.001). Use of the new panel test directly influenced antimicrobial stewardship in 11 (8.4%) episodes, leading to discontinuation of antiviral drugs (n=5), administration of targeted antibiotics (n=3), antiviral therapy start (n=2) and both targeted antibiotic administration and discontinuation of antiviral drugs (n=1).ConclusionFA RP contributed to improve etiological diagnosis of ALRI in a timely manner while enhancing a more rational use of antimicrobial drugs in critical care pediatric patients.

AntecedentesNuestro objetivo fue determinar el impacto de la utilización de una prueba rápida de detección múltiple de virus y bacterias atípicas respiratorias (FilmArray® Respiratory Panel [FA RP]) en el diagnóstico etiológico de la infección respiratoria aguda de vías bajas (IRAVB) y en la administración de antimicrobianos en pacientes críticos pediátricos.MétodosEstudio de una cohorte prospectiva de pacientes <18 años con diagnóstico clínico de IRAVB que ingresaron en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos (UCIP) del Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, España, durante diciembre de 2015-febrero de 2017. Los pacientes fueron diagnosticados por FA RP y por un grupo de pruebas microbiológicas de rutina.ResultadosLas pruebas microbiológicas de rutina confirmaron la etiología viral y bacteriana de la IRAVB en 72 (55,4%) y 15 (11,5%) muestras respiratorias, respectivamente, obtenidas de 130 niños (edad mediana: 3,5 meses; rango intercuartil: 1,1-14,8 meses; 54,6% varones). Comparativamente, el uso de FA RP aumentó la confirmación etiológica de la IRAVB en hasta 123 (94,6%) muestras (p<0,001), pero solo determinó un origen bacteriano en 2 (1,5%). La disponibilidad de resultados diagnósticos antes del alta del paciente de la UCIP aumentó del 38,5 al 65,4% (p<0,001). El uso de la nueva prueba de detección múltiple influyó directamente en la administración de antimicrobianos en 11 (8,4%) episodios, orientando la interrupción de tratamientos antivirales (n=5), la administración de antibióticos dirigidos (n=3), el inicio de terapias antivirales (n=2) y la administración dirigida de antibióticos e interrupción simultánea de tratamiento antiviral (n=1).

Oseltamivir para el tratamiento de la gripe en niños y adolescentes / Oseltamivir for the treatment of influenza in children and adolescents

Introducción: La gripe es una enfermedad generalmente benigna, pero en ocasiones puede ocasionar complicaciones graves. Existe controversia sobre los beneficios del tratamiento con antivirales. Objetivos: Proporcionar unas recomendaciones sobre el tratamiento con oseltamivir en pacientes pediátricos con gripe, basadas en los mejores datos disponibles y válidas en nuestro medio. Métodos: El Grupo de Infecciones Respiratorias de la Sociedad Española de Infectología Pediátrica llevó a cabo una revisión de la bibliografía. Los hallazgos se analizaron mediante la metodología GRADE, y se elaboraron unas recomendaciones. Resultados: No se recomienda el uso sistemático de pruebas diagnósticas para la gripe en el ámbito ambulatorio y en urgencias hospitalarias en pacientes inmunocompetentes con un cuadro clínico compatible. No se recomienda el uso de antivirales a la gran mayoría de los pacientes sanos y asmáticos con gripe o sospecha de gripe estacional, si el objetivo es prevenir eventos graves. No se recomienda el uso de oseltamivir de forma sistemática en pacientes hospitalizados con gripe. Se recomienda tratar con oseltamivir a los pacientes con gripe y neumonía o enfermedad grave o a los pacientes críticos, especialmente durante las primeras 48 h de enfermedad. Se recomienda el tratamiento de los pacientes con factores de riesgo, teniendo en cuenta su enfermedad de base. La vacunación antigripal, junto a las medidas básicas de evitación, continúan siendo la principal herramienta en la prevención de la gripe. Conclusión: En algunas situaciones hay datos suficientes para emitir recomendaciones claras. En otras situaciones los datos son incompletos y solo permiten hacer recomendaciones débiles

Introduction: Influenza is a generally a benign disease, but occasionally it can cause serious complications. There is controversy about the benefits of antiviral treatment. Objectives: To provide some recommendations on the treatment with oseltamivir in paediatric patients with influenza, based on the best data available and valid in our environment. Methods: The Respiratory Infections Group of the Spanish Society of Paediatric Infectious Diseases carried out a review of the literature. The findings were analysed using the GRADE methodology, and recommendations were made. Results: The systematic use of diagnostic tests for influenza in the outpatient setting, or in the emergency room, in immunocompetent patients with a compatible clinical picture is not recommended. If the aim is to prevent serious events, the use of antivirals is not recommended for the vast majority of healthy and asthmatic patients with influenza or suspected seasonal flu. The systematic use of oseltamivir in patients admitted to hospital with influenza is not recommended. Oseltamivir treatment is recommended in any patients with influenza and pneumonia or severe illness, and critically ill patients, especially during the first 48 hours of illness. The treatment of patients with risk factors is recommended, considering their underlying disease. Influenza vaccination, together with basic isolation measures, continue to be the main tool in the prevention of influenza. Conclusion: In some situations, there are sufficient data to issue clear recommendations. In other situations, the data are incomplete, and only allows weak recommendations

Lactant amb febre i impotència funcional de l'extremitat superior / No disponible

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Hemicerebel·litis / No disponible

Introducció. L’hemicerebel·litis és una entitat que espot presentar de manera heterogènia, per la qual cosa laressonància magnètica en fase precoç pot ajudar a establir-ne el diagnòstic.Observació clínica. Nena de nou anys amb afectació del’estat general, vòmits, febre, vertigen amb tendència a lalateralització del cap a l’esquerra i afectació fluctuant delnivell de consciència. S’orienta com a hemicerebel·litis mitjançantla ressonància magnètica nuclear. S’inicia tractamentamb metilprednisolona, que origina millora clínica iradiològica.Comentaris. L’hemicerebel·litis és una entitat infreqüent.La ressonància magnètica nuclear en seqüències T2i amb gadolini permet establir-ne el diagnòstic. L’ús de corticoidesestà justificat en casos amb afectació neurològicaimportant o afectació de l’estat general. S’han descrit altresopcions terapèutiques i altres mètodes de neuroimatge (AU)

Introduction. Hemicerebellitis is an entity that can manifestwith a wide spectrum of signs and symptoms and forwhich magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help establishthe diagnosis at an early phase.Case Report. A 9 year-old girl presented with vomiting,fever, dizziness, tilting of the head to the left, and fluctuantlevel of consciousness. MRI showed signs consistentwith the diagnosis of hemicerebellitis. Treatment withmethyl-prednisolone was administered, with good clinicaland radiological response.Comments. Hemicerebellitis is an infrequent entity.The typical MRI findings in the T2 sequences and aftergadolinium administration are key elements to diagnosis.The use of steroids is justified in severe cases and in thepresence of neurological deficits. Other therapeutic optionsand other neuroimaging methods have also been described (AU)

Dispositiu portàtil per a la detecció d’apnees / No disponible

La síndrome d’apnea obstructiva del son és una entitatdescrita també en l’infant i l’adolescent com a causant de trastorns cognitius i conductuals, així com orgànics, que poden arribar a ser greus, d’aquí la importància d’uninterrogatori dirigit en els successius controls del nen sa en l’àmbit de l’atenció primària.Es calcula que té una prevalença del voltant del 2%,mentre que la del ronc primari, entitat també amb repercussions neuropsicològiques, és de fins al 30%. Es relaciona principalment amb la hipertròfia adenoamigdalar, associada o no a altres factors de risc. La polisomnografia és l’estàndard d’or per al diagnòstic; requereix personal entrenat específicament i un utillatge complex i, per tant, és poc accessible. La gravetat de la síndrome es quantifica segons un índex que posa en relació la xifra d’apnees i hipopnees amb el temps total de son.Presentem un dispositiu portàtil i senzill que permetobtenir resultats instantanis després de cinc hores d’ús,amb resultats contradictoris en diferents estudis per al cribratge d’aquesta entitat, utilitzat solament en adults

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