Infective endocarditis in pediatric patients: a decade of insights from a leading Spanish heart surgery reference center.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare disease in children and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In recent years, significant changes have occurred in pediatric care that could have influenced the microbiology and presentation of IE. The aim of this work was to study epidemiological, microbiological, and clinical features of IE treated at a Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Reference Center located in Madrid (Spain) in a 10-years' period. A descriptive observational retrospective study was performed, including pediatric patients < 16 years old with definite or possible IE admitted to a reference center between January 2012 and December 2021. Thirty-two IE episodes were identified. Twenty-eight (87.5%) had congenital heart disease (CHD), 8 (25.0%) were preterm infants, 1 (3.1%) was immunocompromised and 6 (18.8%) had other chronic conditions; in 11 (34.4%) episodes more than one underlying condition was associated. In 20 (62.5%) episodes there was an indwelling central venous catheter (CVC); children with other comorbidities (preterm, immunocompromised, other chronic conditions) were more likely to have a CVC at diagnosis compared with patients with isolated CHD (p < 0.001). Thirty-six microbiological isolates were obtained in the 32 episodes; 4 (12.5%) episodes had 2 isolated microorganisms. Microbiological isolates were 20 (55.6%) Gram-positive bacteria (GPB), 10 (27.8%) non-HACEK Gram-negative bacteria (GNB), 1 (2.8%) HACEK-group bacterium, 4 (11.1%) fungi and 1 (2.8%) Coxiella burnetii. In 10 (31.3%) episodes, patients were colonized by multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) and the etiology of IE in 3 (30.0%) of those episodes was the colonizing MDRB. MDRB colonization was associated with MDRB IE (p = 0.007). The most common complication was septic embolism: 11 (34.4%) episodes (9 pulmonary and 2 cerebral). In-hospital mortality was 6.3% (n = 2), all of them due to underlying conditions and not to IE or its complications. Clinical features and complications of IE episodes caused by non-HACEK GNB and those caused by GPB were compared, finding no statistically significant differences.    Conclusion: Risk factors for developing IE, the proportion of embolic complications, and mortality rate were consistent with previously published findings. Proportion of IE cases attributed to non-HACEK GNB was higher than previously reported, suggesting an evolving epidemiology of IE. One-third of children colonized with MDRB subsequently developed IE caused by the same MDRB strains, so empirical coverage of MDRB organisms must be considered when IE is suspected in MDRB colonized patients. No significant differences in clinical features and complications were observed when comparing IE episodes caused by non-HACEK GNB and those caused by GPB, however larger cohort studies are needed. What is Known: • Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare disease in children, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. • The main risk factor for developing IE in children is an underlying congenital heart disease. What is New: • With current changing epidemiology in pediatric IE, a higher proportion of IE caused by non-HACEK Gram-negative bacteria should be expected. • A significant percentage of children colonized by multidrug-resistant bacteria can develop an IE due to those bacteria.

Acrocianosis como primera manifestación de síndrome de taquicardia postural ortostática en dos adolescentes / Acrocyanosis as the first manifestation of orthostatic postural tachycardia syndrome in two adolescents

La acrocianosis desencadenada por la bipedestación como signo principal de la taquicardia postural ortostática (POTS, por su sigla en inglés) es poco conocida, aunque bien descrita en la bibliografía especializada. Se describen dos casos clínicos de adolescentes que consultaron en el Servicio de Urgencias por acrocianosis e intolerancia al ortostatismo. El primer paciente, de 13 años, presentó un aumento de la frecuencia cardíaca de 40 latidos por minuto (lpm) al pasar del decúbito a la bipedestación. El segundo, de 14 años, presentó un aumento de la frecuencia cardíaca hasta 125 lpm al incorporarse. En ambos, la tensión arterial y los estudios complementarios fueron normales. El POTS se define en la edad pediátrica como una intolerancia al ortostatismo que se acompaña de aumento de la frecuencia cardíaca excesiva sin hipotensión arterial. Conocer la acrocianosis como primer signo de presentación es de utilidad para el diagnóstico de esta enfermedad y para evitar estudios complementarios innecesarios.

Acrocyanosis triggered by standing position as the main sign of postural orthostatic tachycardia (POTS) is little known but well described in scientific literature. In pediatric age, POTS is defined as orthostatic intolerance that is accompanied by an excessive increase in heart rate without arterial hypotension. We present two clinical reports of teenagers who were admitted in the Emergency Department with acrocyanosis and orthostatic intolerance. The first patient was 13-year-old and had an increase in heart rate of 40 bpm when moving from a reclining to a standing position. The second patient was 14-year-old and showed an increasing in heart rate up to 125 bpm after upright position. In both patients' blood pressure was normal and all investigations were negative. They were finally diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia. Recognizing acrocyanosis as first sign of this disease is useful for diagnosis and can help to avoid unnecessary testing.

[Acrocyanosis as the first manifestation of orthostatic postural tachycardia syndrome in two adolescents]. / Acrocianosis como primera manifestación de síndrome de taquicardia postural ortostática en dos adolescentes.

Acrocyanosis triggered by standing position as the main sign of postural orthostatic tachycardia (POTS) is little known but well described in scientific literature. In pediatric age, POTS is defined as orthostatic intolerance that is accompanied by an excessive increase in heart rate without arterial hypotension. We present two clinical reports of teenagers who were admitted in the Emergency Department with acrocyanosis and orthostatic intolerance. The first patient was 13-year-old and had an increase in heart rate of 40 bpm when moving from a reclining to a standing position. The second patient was 14-year-old and showed an increasing in heart rate up to 125 bpm after upright position. In both patients' blood pressure was normal and all investigations were negative. They were finally diagnosed with Acrocianosis como primera manifestación de síndrome de taquicardia postural ortostática en dos adolescentes Acrocyanosis as the first manifestation of orthostatic postural tachycardia syndrome in two adolescents postural orthostatic tachycardia. Recognizing acrocyanosis as first sign of this disease is useful for diagnosis and can help to avoid unnecessary testing.

La acrocianosis desencadenada por la bipedestación como signo principal de la taquicardia postural ortostática (POTS, por su sigla en inglés) es poco conocida, aunque bien descrita en la bibliografía especializada. Se describen dos casos clínicos de adolescentes que consultaron en el Servicio de Urgencias por acrocianosis e intolerancia al ortostatismo. El primer paciente, de 13 años, presentó un aumento de la frecuencia cardíaca de 40 latidos por minuto (lpm) al pasar del decúbito a la bipedestación. El segundo, de 14 años, presentó un aumento de la frecuencia cardíaca hasta 125 lpm al incorporarse. En ambos, la tensión arterial y los estudios complementarios fueron normales. El POTS se define en la edad pediátrica como una intolerancia al ortostatismo que se acompaña de aumento de la frecuencia cardíaca excesiva sin hipotensión arterial. Conocer la acrocianosis como primer signo de presentación es de utilidad para el diagnóstico de esta enfermedad y para evitar estudios complementarios innecesarios.

Efectividad y seguridad de inhibidores de integrasa en la gestante con infección VIH en la Cohorte de embarazadas de la Comunidad de Madrid / Effectiveness and safety of integrase inhibitors in HIV-infected pregnant women followed up in the Madrid Cohort

INTRODUCCIÓN: El riesgo de transmisión vertical (TV) del VIH depende fundamentalmente de la edad gestacional de inicio del tratamiento antirretroviral y la carga viral materna al parto. Son crecientes las pautas con inhibidores de integrasa (INI) en embarazadas con situaciones de riesgo. Nuestro objetivo fue revisar la experiencia con INI en la Cohorte de Madrid de madres-niños. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo, multicéntrico, observacional, de gestantes con infección por VIH-1 expuestas a INI de 9 hospitales públicos durante 2000-2017. RESULTADOS: Hubo 67 gestantes (cohorte: 1.423) y 68 neonatos (el 17,6% prematuros, el 34,3% con profilaxis combinada). No hubo casos de TV. Veinte mujeres se diagnosticaron en la gestación actual. De 43 con tratamiento antirretroviral previo a gestación, el 65% recibía INI preconcepcional. El más empleado fue raltegravir (80,5%). Aumentó significativamente (p = 0,02) la proporción de madres con carga viral indetectable al parto. La tolerancia a INI fue adecuada. Hubo anomalías congénitas menores en el 11,7% de los niños. CONCLUSIONES: Los INI parecen seguros y eficaces como prevención de TV. Nuestros hallazgos refuerzan su utilidad como intensificación en gestantes que llegan al tercer trimestre con pauta no supresora

INTRODUCTION: The risk of HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is associated mainly with gestational age at which antiretroviral therapy begins and the HIV-1 RNA plasma viral load at delivery. Regimens with integrase inhibitors (INI) are increasing in high-risk pregnant women. The objective was to review the experience with INI in a Madrid Cohort of mother-infant pairs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective, multicentric, observational study, of HIV-infected pregnant women exposed to INI. Patients of 9 hospitals were included (2000-2017). RESULTS: Sixty-seven pregnant women exposed to INI (cohort: 1,423) and 68 children (17.6% premature babies, 34.3% with combined postexposure prophylaxis). There were no cases of MTCT. Of 24 women with no previous antiretroviral therapy, 20 were diagnosed in current pregnancy. Of 43 women with antiretroviral therapy before pregnancy, 65% received INI before conception. Raltegravir was the most used (80.5%). There was a statistically significant increase (p = 0,02) of mothers with undetectable viral load at delivery. INI were well tolerated. In 11.7% of exposed children minor congenital anomalies were detected. CONCLUSIONS: INI seem safe and effective in the prevention of MTCT. Our findings support their use as intensification regimens in pregnant women with high risk of MTCT

Effectiveness and safety of integrase inhibitors in HIV-infected pregnant women followed up in the Madrid Cohort. / Efectividad y seguridad de inhibidores de integrasa en la gestante con infección VIH en la Cohorte de embarazadas de la Comunidad de Madrid.

INTRODUCTION: The risk of HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is associated mainly with gestational age at which antiretroviral therapy begins and the HIV-1 RNA plasma viral load at delivery. Regimens with integrase inhibitors (INI) are increasing in high-risk pregnant women. The objective was to review the experience with INI in a Madrid Cohort of mother-infant pairs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective, multicentric, observational study, of HIV-infected pregnant women exposed to INI. Patients of 9 hospitals were included (2000-2017). RESULTS: Sixty-seven pregnant women exposed to INI (cohort: 1,423) and 68 children (17.6% premature babies, 34.3% with combined postexposure prophylaxis). There were no cases of MTCT. Of 24 women with no previous antiretroviral therapy, 20 were diagnosed in current pregnancy. Of 43 women with antiretroviral therapy before pregnancy, 65% received INI before conception. Raltegravir was the most used (80.5%). There was a statistically significant increase (p = 0,02) of mothers with undetectable viral load at delivery. INI were well tolerated. In 11.7% of exposed children minor congenital anomalies were detected. CONCLUSIONS: INI seem safe and effective in the prevention of MTCT. Our findings support their use as intensification regimens in pregnant women with high risk of MTCT.

"Induced sputum versus gastric lavage for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in children".

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is difficult in infants and young children. For microbiological confirmation of PTB children, sequential gastric lavage (GL) is recommended. Induced sputum (IS) may be an alternative or complementary tool, but the information is limited in children in developed countries. The aim of this study is to assess the safety and diagnostic yield from IS combined with GL for PTB diagnosis in non-HIV infected children. METHODS: The study involved 22 children with suspected PTB admitted to the Getafe Hospital from January 2007 to May 2011. IS and GL were performed on three consecutive days, according to a standardized protocol. In all samples, BK staining, culture and PCR were carried out, including Genotype MTBDR plus for resistance to INH-RIF (Isoniazid-Rifampin) since 2008. A preliminary analysis of an ongoing prospective study is presented. RESULTS: Median age was 72 months (range 1 month to 14 years of age). Seven (33%) were ≤ 5 years of age. Seventeen were clinically diagnosed of PTB based on positive PPD and radiological criteria. Microbiological confirmation was achieved in 10 (58.8%) by either GL or IS. M. tuberculosis was identified by GL in 8 children (47.1%) and by IS in 7 (41.2%). One infant (2 IS samples) had transient oxygen desaturation recovered spontaneously. CONCLUSIONS: IS appears to be safe and well tolerated by children for diagnosis of PTB and is more convenient. Increasing the diagnostic yield of PTB in children with PTB may be a complementary technique. Largest studies are necessary to define the role of IS in paediatric PTB.