Efficacy of 10-valent pneumococcal non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine against acute otitis media and nasopharyngeal carriage in Panamanian children - A randomized controlled trial.

We previously reported 10-valent pneumococcal non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) protein D conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV) efficacy in a double-blind randomized trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00466947) against various diseases, including acute otitis media (AOM). Here, we provide further analyses. In the Panamanian subset, 7,359 children were randomized (1:1) to receive PHiD-CV or control vaccine at age 2/4/6 and 15-18 months. Of these, 2,000 had nasopharyngeal swabs collected. AOM cases were captured when parents sought medical attention for children with AOM symptoms; surveillance was enhanced approximately 2 y into the study through regular telephone calls or home visits by study personnel, who advised parents to visit the clinic if their child had AOM symptoms. Mean follow-up was 31.4 months. Clinical AOM (C-AOM) cases were assessed by physicians and confirmed by otorhinolaryngologists. Middle ear fluid samples, taken from children with C-AOM after specific informed consent, and nasopharyngeal samples were cultured for pathogen identification. For 7,359 children, 2,574 suspected AOM cases were assessed by a primary healthcare physician; 649 cases were C-AOM cases as per protocol definition. From the 503 MEF samples collected, 158 resulted in a positive culture. In the intent-to-treat cohort (7,214 children), PHiD-CV showed VE against first C-AOM (24.0% [95% CI: 8.7, 36.7]) and bacterial (B-AOM) episodes (48.0% [20.3, 66.1]) in children <24 months, which declined thereafter with age. Pre-booster VE against C-AOM was 30.7% [12.9, 44.9]; post-booster, -6.7% [-36.4, 16.6]. PHiD-CV VE was 17.7% [-6.1, 36.2] against moderate and 32.7% [-20.5, 62.4] against severe C-AOM. VE against vaccine-serotype pneumococcal NPC was 31.2% [5.3, 50.3] 3 months post-booster, and 25.6% [12.7, 36.7] across all visits. NTHi colonization rates were low and no significant reduction was observed. PHiD-CV showed efficacy against C-AOM and B-AOM in children younger than 24 months, and reduced vaccine-serotype NPC.

Meningitis recurrente por Streptococcus pneumoniae en paciente con malformación congénita de oído derecho

La meningitis recurrente es una entidad rara que sugiere la presencia de una comunicación adquirida o congénita entre el liquido cefalorraquídeo y las áreas mucocutáneas adyacentes. Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 11 meses con historia de meningitis recurrente (4 episodios) asociadas a hipoacusia neurosensorial y otorrea intermitente en la que se diagnóstico fístula del LCR en oído interno así como una malformación secular cócleo-vestibular compatible con displasia de Mondini. Ante cuadros recurrentes de meningitis bacteriana en la edad pediátrica y más aún, si padece hipoacusia neurosensorial como en nuestro caso, es necesario agotar todas las posibilidades diagnósticas de forma precoz y oportuna en busca de malformaciones. En especial las fístulas congénitas que frecuentemente se les asocian y que con una temprana intervención quirúrgica puede evitar futuros episodios.

Recurrent meningitis is a rare but severe entity which suggests the presence of an acquired or congenital communication between of cerebrospinal fluid and adjacent mucocutaneous sites. We present the case of an 11 month patient with history of recurrent meningitis ( 4 episodes), associated to neurosensorial hipoacusia and intermittent otorrhea in which a diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid fistula in the middle ear as well as a secular cochlea-vestibular malformation, compatible with Mondini dysplasia was made. In the presence of recurrent bacterial meningitis in the pediatric age, moreover if the patient suffers hearing impairment as in our case, it is necessary to exhaust all diagnostic possibilities early and timely in search of malformations, especially congenital fistulas, as they are associated and prompt surgical intervention may prevent futher episodes.

Papilomatosis respiratoria recurrente: Un resumen de los casos pediátricos de Panamá 2003-2013

Introducción: La papilomatosis respiratoria recurrente es una enfermedad rara y benigna, pero con una alta morbilidad por el compromiso de la vía aérea y su potencial de malignización. Material y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio en el Hospital del Niño de Panamá y en el Hospital de Especialidades Pediátricas Omar Torrijos Herrera para describir los casos de los pacientes pediátricos con diagnóstico de papilomatosis respiratoria recurrente en el período de 2003 a 2013. Resultados: Se incluyó un total de 23 expedientes en la revisión, cuyos pacientes correspondían a 56.5% de sexo femenino y 65.2% de procedencia de la capital del país. La mayoría nacieron por parto vaginal y hubo 30.4% casos con antecedente materno de papilomatosis genital. Todos los pacientes presentaron afección laríngea y 8.7% de los niños desarrollaron además afección extra-laríngea. El rango de cirugías totales osciló entre 1 y 36, y un 65.2% requirió tratamiento adyuvante con interferón, cidofovir, o ambos. En el periodo estudiado hubo 13 casos nuevos en 10 años, lo que corresponde aproximadamente a 1.3 casos nuevos cada año. Hubo un fallecimiento durante el periodo de tiempo estudiado por extensión de la enfermedad a los pulmones. Conclusiones: En comparación con dos otras publicaciones anteriores de esta población, las características clínicas coinciden con los casos previos pero hubo una tendencia marcada del aumento de uso de tratamiento adyuvante, especialmente el cidofovir.

Introduction: Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP) is a rare disease characterized by benign lesions in the respiratory tract. RRP presents a significant morbidity among pediatric patients due to its tendency to cause airway obstruction and potential for malignant transformation. Material & Methods: A clinical chart review at 2 urban pediatric centers (Hospital del Niño and Hospital de Especialidades Pediátricas Omar Torrijos Herrera) to describe the cases treated at these institutions between 2003 and 2013. Results: A total of 23 charts were included in this review, with 56.5% of cases occurring among female patients and 65.2% residing in the capital city (Panama City, Panama). The majority of cases were born vaginally and 30.4% had maternal history of genital HPV lesions. All patients had laryngeal lesions, and 8.7% had extra-laryngeal involvement. The range of total surgeries completed was 1 to 36, and 65.2% of patients required adjuvant therapy with interferon, cidofovir, or both. In the study period there were 13 new cases over a 10-year period, which corresponds to approximately 1.3 new cases per year. There was one death in the series due to a case with extensive spread to the lungs. Conclusions: In comparison with two previous publications describing RRP in this population, clinical characteristics coincide with previous years, except for a marked increase in the use of adjuvant treatment, especially cidofovir.

Educational impact of peer-intervention on the knowledge and attitudes about HIV/AIDS in adolescents in Panama.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices about HIV/AIDS of high school students in Panama City, Panama and the impact of a peer-to-peer intervention project. METHODS: There were 659 participants in two public and two private schools, one of each got the intervention and the other serving as control. A questionnaire was used as a pretest and post-test to measure the effects of the intervention. The intervention consisted of 12 weekly sessions led by professionally trained peers using four different modalities: theater, group dynamics, videos, and discussions. RESULTS: The difference in the knowledge scores of the questionnaire resulted in an improvement in both the private (ES=0.63) and the public (ES=0.52) schools with the intervention. Another important finding was that the idea of abstinence as disease prevention for high school students rose from 7% to 60% (public school) and from 27% to 62% (private school) in response to an open-ended question. CONCLUSIONS: There were other significant positive findings that demonstrate the efficacy of this peer-to-peer model educating high school students about lowering the risks of contracting HIV/AIDS. This model could also be used to prevent or mitigate other risky behaviors.

Papilomatosis laríngea / Laryngeal papillomatosis

Se analizan los casos de papilomatosis laríngea atendidos en el Hospital del Niño de 1978 a 1992. Se enfatiza la sospecha clínica como clave del diagnóstico y se revisa la terapéutica actual