Effects of a randomized controlled trial of a brief, student-nurse led, parent-based sexual health intervention on parental protective factors and HPV vaccination uptake.

BACKGROUND: Parents play a pivotal role in adolescent sexual health and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Nurses are on the frontlines of healthcare and play a critical role in promoting HPV vaccination and parent-child sexual health communication. We enhanced the Families Talking Together (FTT) parent-based sexual health curriculum to include adolescent vaccinations herein, FTT + HPV, and trained student nurses to provide a strong HPV vaccination and parent-child sexual health communication endorsement. METHODS: Using a randomized attention-controlled trial design, we examined the efficacy of FTT + HPV among 519 parents and their 11-14 year old youth recruited from medically underserved communities between 2015 and 2018. Participants were recruited from 22 after-school programs (e.g., Boys and Girls Clubs) and 19 charter schools. For parents, we examined protective factors including parent-child sexual health communication and parental involvement. For youth, we examined sexual health knowledge, parent-child sexual health communication, and parent-child connectedness. To assess HPV vaccination initiation and completion, we searched IMMTRAC immunization registry records for 85% of youth and used parental report for youth without registry records. Group differences were calculated using the estimated mean difference at one- and six months post-intervention with significance set at the p < 0.05 level. RESULTS: Baseline rates of HPV vaccination were low at 55.7%. No significant difference between the groups was seen in vaccination initiation or completion rates by one-month post-intervention. However, by six-months post intervention, there was a significant difference between the groups with 70.3% of the intervention group initiating the HPV vaccination series vs. 60.6% for the control group (p = 0.02). No difference between the groups was found for HPV series completion at six-months. There were significant differences in condom knowledge (p = 0.04), parent-child connectedness (p = 0.04), and communication frequency (p = 0.001) with greater improvement in the intervention vs. the control group. Rates of sexual activity remained low in both groups throughout the six-month follow-up period. CONCLUSION: A brief parent-based adolescent sexual health and HPV vaccination intervention delivered by student nurses can improve sexual health outcomes including protective parental factors, adolescent sexual health knowledge, and HPV vaccination initiation rates. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02600884 . Prospectively registered September 1, 2015.

Intracardiac thrombi in pediatric patients: presentation profiles and clinical outcomes.

We document the presentation profiles, treatment strategies, and clinical outcomes in a relatively large cohort of pediatric patients with intracardiac thrombi (ICT). We performed a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with ICT by echocardiography at a tertiary pediatric hospital during a 10-year period. These patients received medical therapy or thrombectomy. We provided echocardiographic descriptions of the ICT-size, chamber location, and mobility/morphology. The outcome measures were ICT (persistence, resolution, or embolization), effectiveness of therapy, and patient morbidity and mortality. There were 40 ICT diagnosed in 31 patients (22 males and 9 females). Mean age at diagnosis was 8.8 years (range, 15 days to 18 years). Overall mortality was 12/31 patients (39%); only one death was attributed to ICT embolization. Embolic events occurred in 4/31 patients (13%). The most common initial therapies included heparin infusion (n = 15), warfarin (n = 7), and aspirin (n = 7). The ICT resolved with medical therapy alone in 19/30 patients (63%). One patient required surgical thrombectomy. The cohort was divided into group 1 (dilated cardiomyopathy), group 2 (status post Fontan operation), and group 3 (other diagnoses). In group 1 (n = 11), there were 8 deaths. Embolization occurred in 2/5 large ICT, resulting in cerebral infarction and death (n = 1) and renal infarction (n = 1). The most common ICT location was the left ventricle (n = 10). Severe ventricular systolic dysfunction was present in 10/11 patients (91%). In group 2 (n = 9), there was 1 death. Embolization occurred in 1/7 large ICT, resulting in seizures and temporary paresis. All ICT were located in the Fontan pathway. Severe ventricular systolic dysfunction was present in 2/9 patients (22%). In group 3 (n = 11), there were 3 deaths. Embolization occurred in 1/9 small ICT, resulting in coronary emboli. ICT are most commonly diagnosed in pediatric patients with dilated cardiomyopathy or patients status post Fontan operation. The majority of ICT resolve with medical therapy. Larger ICT tend to embolize more frequently, and the morbidity secondary to embolization is significant. Rarely is mortality due to ICT embolization. The prognosis is poor for patients with left ventricular ICT or ICT in the presence of ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Production of interferons and beta-chemokines by placental trophoblasts of HIV-1-infected women.

OBJECTIVE: The mechanism whereby the placental cells of a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-infected mother protect the fetus from HIV-1 infection is unclear. Interferons (IFNs) inhibit the replication of viruses by acting at various stages of the life cycle and may play a role in protecting against vertical transmission of HIV-1. In addition the beta-chemokines RANTES (regulated on activation T cell expressed and secreted), macrophage inflammatory protein-1-alpha (MIP-1alpha), and MIP-1beta can block HIV-1 entry into cells by preventing the binding of the macrophage-trophic HIV-1 strains to the coreceptor CCR5. In this study the production of IFNs and beta-chemokines by placental trophoblasts of HIV-1-infected women who were HIV-1 non-transmitters was examined. METHODS: Placental trophoblastic cells were isolated from 29 HIV-1-infected and 10 control subjects. Supernatants of trophoblast cultures were tested for the production of IFNs and beta-chemokines by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, HIV-1-gag and IFN-beta transcripts were determined by a semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. RESULTS: All placental trophoblasts of HIV-1-infected women contained HIV-1-gag transcripts. There were no statistical differences in the median constitutive levels of IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma produced by trophoblasts of HIV-1 infected and control subjects. In contrast, trophoblasts of HIV-1-infected women constitutively produced significantly higher levels of IFN-beta protein than trophoblasts of control subjects. Furthermore, the median levels of beta-chemokines produced by trophoblasts of HIV-infected and control women were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Since there was no correlation between the placental HIV load and the production of interferons or beta-chemokines, the role of trophoblast-derived IFNs and beta-chemokines in protecting the fetus from infection with HIV-1 is not clear.

HLA-restricted CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte, interferon-gamma, and interleukin-4 responses to respiratory syncytial virus infection in infants and children.

CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity, interferon (IFN)-gamma, and interleukin (IL)-4 production were evaluated in a blinded manner among respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-infected newborns and their mothers for 3 epidemic seasons. Most mothers (80%) exhibited RSV-specific CD8+ CTL activity. Twenty (80%) of the 26 infants exhibited significant RSV-specific CTL activity during or after their first RSV season. CTL frequency increased with RSV infection rate, reaching 75% by the end of the third season. Most infants who shed virus (75%) had a medically attended lower respiratory tract disease (LRD). In the first year, RSV-infected infants (virus culture and antibody increase) were more likely to develop CTL activity (10 of 13) than were uninfected infants (1 of 5; P=.02). Infants with CTL activity in the first year were less likely to have an LRD in the second year. CD8+ CTL levels correlated positively with IFN-gamma (P<.001) and inversely with IL-4 (P=.03). Contribution of CD8+ CTL and IFN-gamma in the control of RSV disease in infants and children is implicated.

Comparison of blood-culture contamination rates in a pediatric emergency room: newly inserted intravenous catheters versus venipuncture.

We compared contamination rates of blood cultures obtained either from newly inserted intravenous catheters or via venipuncture. Of 2,431 blood cultures, the overall contamination rate was 2.7% (intravenous catheter, 3.4%; venipuncture, 2.0%; P=.043). The site of lowest contamination was the antecubital fossa, making this the optimal choice for blood-culture sampling.

Dental caries in HIV-infected children: a longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this descriptive longitudinal clinical study was to determine primary and permanent dentition caries status in HIV-infected children, and to compare caries status with the CD4 percentage (CD4%) and immune suppression category. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 73 children up to 9 years of age with vertical HIV transmission were evaluated for caries in the primary dentition at baseline and at 6 month intervals over a 30 month period; while 19 HIV-infected children between 5 and 11 years of age had their permanent dentition evaluated for caries at baseline and at 6 month intervals over a 24 month period. Caries status was also compared with CDC CD4 percentage (> 25%, 15-24%, < 15%), and CDC immune suppression categories (immune suppression: none, moderate, severe). With primary dentition caries, comparisons were made among all children (2-9 yr-olds, N = 73), < 2 yr-olds (N = 28), 2 to 4 yr-olds (N = 20), and 5 to 9 yr-olds (N = 25), and compared with NHANES III data. Caries-free status was also determined. RESULTS: During the 30-month period, there was an almost two-fold increase in primary tooth surface caries for the 2 to 9 year-olds. Caries-free status in the primary dentition declined from 60% at baseline to 37% at the 30-month period. With 5 to 11 years-olds, DMFS and DMFT remained relatively stable, while the proportion of caries-free individuals declined from 72% at baseline to 50% at 18 months. Caries in the primary dentition was increased substantially for those in the low CDC CD4 percentage categories and CDC moderate to severe immune suppression categories. CONCLUSION: Primary dentition caries status in HIV-infected children is considerably greater than that for the US pediatric population, and increases with decreasing CD4 percentage and moderate to severe immune suppression. HIV-infected children with caries-free primary dentitions are less frequent than in the US pediatric population, and caries-free status decreases with age, lower CD4 percentage and moderate to severe immune suppression.

Oral manifestations of pediatric vertical HIV infection.

To assess the prevalence and prognostic significance of the history of oral manifestations in children with human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV), a cohort study of 73 children with vertical HIV infection was conducted. The study subjects were examined every 6 months for oral manifestations. The period prevalence of oral manifestations ranged from a low of 1% for submandibular enlargement and 3% for hairy leukoplakia to a high of 36% for xerostomia and 51% for cervical lymphadenopathy. The occurrence of oral manifestations did not change significantly over time from 1995 to 1998. Finally, the odds of occurrence of cervical lymphadenopathy, xerostomia, and oral candidiasis were greater among children in whom these manifestations had been diagnosed in the preceding 6-18 months than in children without prior diagnosis. Oral manifestations are significant clinical outcomes in pediatric vertical HIV infection, particularly for children diagnosed previously with an oral manifestation.

Saliva collection technique for cytologic, microbiologic and viral evaluation in pediatric HIV infection.

Acquisition of saliva for biologic, immunologic and chemical analyses has been extremely difficult in infants and young children due to lack of cooperation and motor skills necessary for expectorating adequately. The purpose of this study was to investigate a technique for obtaining satisfactory quantities of whole, unstimulated saliva in the typical dental operatory setting for cytologic, microbiologic and viral evaluation, while requiring minimal cooperation and motor skills from pediatric patients. A low vacuum-assisted aspiration device was utilized to obtain samples from infants and children who were at risk for vertically acquired HIV-infection (age-range 6 mos to 8 yrs). Adequate saliva samples were collected in 175 of 196 (89 percent) attempts in 88 of 89 (99 percent) children (2.3 samples/child). Saliva was not obtained in twenty-one attempts primarily due to xerostomia (62.5 percent). Saliva sample volume obtained was variable, ranging from 1.2 to 3.6 mls with a collection time of approximately three to five minutes. Cell block preparations were made from the saliva, which allowed for cytologic evaluation of sloughed superficial squamous cells, evaluation of oral flora, and detection of yeast and hyphal fungal forms. Adequate volumes of supernate were also available for microbiologic and viral cultures, immunologic studies and PCR study for various viral agents shed in the saliva. Use of a vacuum-assisted collection device for whole unstimulated saliva in infants and young children in the dental operatory setting provides adequate saliva for multiple analyses, which may provide information regarding HIV disease status and early diagnosis of opportunistic infections.

Combination drug therapy for cryptosporidiosis in AIDS.

Aside from effective antiretroviral therapy, there is no consistently effective antiparasitic therapy for cryptosporidiosis in AIDS. The purpose of this study was to assess safety, efficacy, and durability of combination therapy with paromomycin and azithromycin for chronic cryptosporidiosis. Patients with AIDS, chronic cryptosporidiosis, and < 100 CD4 cells/microL were treated with open-label paromomycin (1.0 g twice a day) plus azithromycin (600 mg once a day) for 4 weeks, followed by paromomycin alone for 8 weeks. In 11 patients, median stool frequency decreased from 6.5/day (baseline) to 4.9/day (week 4) and 3.0/day (week 12). Median reductions in 24-h oocyst excretion were 84%, 95%, and >99% at 2, 4, and 12 weeks, respectively. None of the responses were attributable to antiretrovirals. Of 5 survivors at 12-30 months of follow-up, 3 remain asymptomatic off medications, and 2 have chronic, mild diarrhea. Treatment of cryptosporidiosis with azithromycin and paromomycin was associated with significant reduction in oocyst excretion and some clinical improvement.

Detection of fungal organisms in saliva from HIV-infected children: a preliminary cytologic analysis.

PURPOSE: Fungal infections in HIV-infected individuals are associated with advancement of disease. In pediatric HIV infection, symptomatic children have a significantly higher incidence of clinical candidiasis and persistent drug-resistant candidiasis than do asymptomatic HIV-infected children. The purpose of this preliminary cytologic study was to determine the prevalence of fungal organisms in whole unstimulated saliva from children with vertically acquired HIV infection. METHODS: The subjects included 27 HIV-infected and 11 HIV-exposed, but uninfected, children. Whole unstimulated saliva was obtained for cytologic evaluation (hematoxylin and eosin, silver stains) with selected samples evaluated by electron microscopy. RESULTS: Yeast and hyphae were identified cytologically in 19% of HIV-infected (22% symptomatic HIV-infected, 11% asymptomatic HIV-infected) and 9% of HIV-exposed, but uninfected, children. Fungal organisms were found more frequently in HIV-infected with moderate (18%) and severe (27%) suppression. Fungi were more frequent with antiretroviral therapy (22%) vs no antiretroviral therapy (0%) and no antifungal therapy (20%) vs. antifungal therapy (7%). Yeast and hyphal fungal forms are more prevalent in symptomatic HIV-infection with moderate and severe suppression, and those receiving antiretroviral agents, but no antifungal medications. CONCLUSION: Fungal organisms in the saliva may reflect oral carriage or mucosal colonization, which may influence the development of clinically significant candidiasis in these immunocompromised children.

Isolation of Lautropia mirabilis from oral cavities of human immunodeficiency virus-infected children.

Lautropia mirabilis, a pleomorphic, motile, gram-negative coccus, has been isolated from the oral cavities of 32 of 60 (53.3%) children infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and 3 of 25 (12.0%) HIV-uninfected controls; the association of L. mirabilis isolation with HIV infection is significant (P < 0.001). All children in the study, both HIV-infected children and controls, were born to HIV-infected mothers. The presence of this bacterium was not associated with clinical disease in these children. The HIV-infected children with L. mirabilis did not differ from the HIV-infected children without L. mirabilis in immunological status, clinical status, or systemic medications. The role of HIV infection itself or concomitant factors in the establishment of L. mirabilis in the oral cavity remains to be elucidated.

Cryptosporidiosis in Houston, Texas. A report of 95 cases.

Cryptosporidiosis is an important cause of diarrhea. We identified 95 patients with cryptosporidiosis over a 6-year period in our county hospital system, including 9 children and 86 adults infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Risk factors included male-to-male sexual practices and Hispanic race. Diarrhea, weight loss, and gastrointestinal complaints were the most common symptoms at presentation. Among the HIV-infected adults, 20 (23%) developed biliary tract disease. Biliary involvement was associated with low CD4 counts. Treatment with paromomycin and antimotility agents was effective in reducing diarrheal symptoms in 54 of 70 (77%) patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), although there was a high rate of relapse. Paromomycin did not prevent the development of biliary disease. Biliary disease responded to cholecystectomy or sphincterotomy with stent placement. Though often a cause of morbidity, cryptosporidiosis was only rarely the cause of death, even among patients with HIV. Cryptosporidiosis continues to be an important medical problem even in developed-countries. Current methods of prevention and treatment are suboptimal.