Universal and Expanded Screening Strategy for Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: Is Pool Testing by a Rapid Molecular Test in Saliva a New Choice in Developing Countries?

BACKGROUND: Several screening strategies for identifying congenital CMV (cCMV) have been proposed; however, the optimal solution has yet to be determined. We aimed to determine the prevalence of cCMV by universal screening with saliva pool testing and to identify the clinical variables associated with a higher risk of cCMV to optimize an expanded screening strategy. METHODS: We carried out a prospective universal cCMV screening (September/2022 to August/2023) of 2186 newborns, analyzing saliva samples in pools of five (Alethia-LAMP-CMV®) and then performed confirmatory urine CMV RT-PCR. Infants with risk factors (small for gestational age, failed hearing screening, HIV-exposed, born to immunosuppressed mothers, or <1000 g birth weight) underwent expanded screening. Multivariate analyses were used to assess the association with maternal/neonatal variables. RESULTS: We identified 10 infants with cCMV (prevalence: 0.46%, 95% CI 0.22-0.84), with significantly higher rates (2.1%, 95% CI 0.58-5.3) in the high-risk group (p = 0.04). False positives occurred in 0.09% of cases. No significant differences in maternal/neonatal characteristics were observed, except for a higher prevalence among infants born to non-Chilean mothers (p = 0.034), notably those born to Haitian mothers (1.5%, 95% CI 0.31-4.34), who had higher odds of cCMV (OR 6.82, 95% CI 1.23-37.9, p = 0.04). Incorporating maternal nationality improved predictive accuracy (AUC: 0.65 to 0.83). CONCLUSIONS: For low-prevalence diseases such as cCMV, universal screening with pool testing in saliva represents an optimal and cost-effective approach to enhance diagnosis in asymptomatic patients. An expanded screening strategy considering maternal nationality could be beneficial in resource-limited settings.

Optimizing congenital cytomegalovirus detection by pool testing in saliva by a rapid molecular test.

Universal congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) screening in saliva is increasingly recommended. The aim of our study was to correlate the performance of a point-of-care rapid molecular test with CMV real time PCR (CMV RT-PCR) detection, using saliva pool-testing in newborns under a universal screening strategy. Saliva swabs were prospectively collected from newborns < 21 days old and tested by Alethia-LAMP-CMV assay in pools of 5 samples. In positive pools, subjects were tested individually and by saliva and urine CMV RT-PCR. A subset of negative pools were studied with both techniques and viral loads in whole blood were determined in positive patients. From 1,642 newborns included in 328 pools, 8 were confirmed by urine CMV RT-PCR, (cCMV prevalence 0,49%). The PPA and NNA of the pooled saliva Alethia-LAMP-CMV testing were 87,5% and 99,8% with a negative and positive predictive value of 99,9% and 77,7%, respectively. Two false positives were detected (0,12%). A subset of 17 negative pools (85 samples), studied by saliva CMV RT-PCR, showed 100% concordance.  Conclusion: CMV pool-testing using a rapid molecular test in saliva proved feasible when compared to PCR gold standards. This strategy could improve cost-effectiveness for cCMV universal neonatal screening, based on the low prevalence of the infection and could be a more affordable approach in less developed regions with reduced detection capacity. What is Known: • cCMV is the most frequent congenital infection and a leading nongenetic cause of sensorineural hearing loss and brain disease. • Universal screening could allow early detection of congenitally infected infants, improving clinical outcome. • Saliva PCR is the preferred and non-invasive test for newborn cCMV screening. What is New: • The feasibility of a universal cCMV screening by pool-testing in saliva using a rapid test in pools of 5 samples. • PPA and NPA were 87,5 and 99,8% compared to CMV PCR in urine. • This strategy could be relevant specially in LMIC where detection capacity is reduced and could improve cost-effectiveness. • cCMV prevalence in our center was 0,49%.

Factors influencing outcomes of older children with medulloblastoma over 15 years in Peru, a resource-limited setting.

BACKGROUND: Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. While survival has improved in high-income countries (HIC), the outcomes for patients in low-to-middle-income countries (LMIC) are unclear. Therefore, we sought to determine the survival of children with medulloblastoma at the Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas (INEN) between 1997 and 2013 in Peru. METHODS: Between 1997 and 2013, data from 103 children older than 3 years with medulloblastoma were analyzed. Fourteen patients were excluded. The patients were split into two distinct cohorts, 1997-2008 and 2009-2013, corresponding with chemotherapy regimen changes. Event-free (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, whereas prognostic factors were determined by univariate analysis (log-rank test). RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients were included; median age was 8.1 years (range: 3-13.9 years). The 5-year OS was 62% (95% CI: 53%-74%), while EFS was 57% (95% CI: 48%-69%). The variables adversely affecting survival were anaplastic histology (compared to desmoplastic; OS: HR = 3.4, p = .03), metastasis (OS: HR = 3.5, p = .01; EFS: HR = 4.3, p = .004), delay in radiation therapy of 31-60 days (compared to ≤30 days; EFS: HR = 2.1, p = .04), and treatment 2009-2013 cohort (OS: HR = 2.2, p = .02; EFS: HR = 2.0, p = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes for medulloblastoma at INEN were low compared with HIC. Anaplastic subtype, metastasis at diagnosis, delay in radiation therapy, and treatment in the period 2009-2013 negatively affected the outcomes in our study. Multidisciplinary teamwork, timely delivery of treatment, and partnerships with loco-regional groups and colleagues in HIC is likely beneficial.

Primary central nervous system sarcoma with DICER1 mutation-treatment results of a novel molecular entity in pediatric Peruvian patients.

BACKGROUND: A high frequency of primary central nervous system (CNS) sarcomas was observed in Peru. This article describes the clinical characteristics, biological characteristics, and outcome of 70 pediatric patients. METHODS: Data from 70 pediatric patients with primary CNS sarcomas diagnosed between January 2005 and June 2018 were analyzed. DNA methylation profiling from 28 tumors and gene panel sequencing from 27 tumors were available. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 6 years (range, 2-17.5 years), and 66 of 70 patients had supratentorial tumors. DNA methylation profiling classified 28 of 28 tumors as primary CNS sarcoma, DICER1 mutant. DICER1 mutations were found in 26 of 27 cases, TP53 mutations were found in 22 of 27 cases, and RAS-pathway gene mutations (NF1, KRAS, and NRAS) were found in 19 of 27 tumors, all of which were somatic (germline control available in 19 cases). The estimated incidence in Peru was 0.19 cases per 100,000 children (<18 years old) per year, which is significantly higher than the estimated incidence in Germany (0.007 cases per 100,000 children [<18 years] per year; P < .001). Patients with nonmetastatic disease (n = 46) that were treated with a combination therapy had a 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate of 58% (95% CI, 44%-76%) and a 2-year overall survival rate of 71% (95% CI, 57%-87%). PFS was the highest in patients treated with chemotherapy with ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide (ICE) after upfront surgery followed by radiotherapy and ICE (2-year PFS, 79% [59%-100%], n = 18). CONCLUSIONS: Primary CNS sarcoma with DICER1 mutation has an aggressive clinical course. A combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy seems beneficial. An underlying cancer predisposition syndrome explaining the increased incidence in Peruvian patients has not been identified so far. LAY SUMMARY: A high incidence of primary pediatric central nervous system sarcomas in the Peruvian population is described. Using sequencing technologies and DNA methylation profiling, it is confirmed that these tumors molecularly belong to the recently proposed entity "primary central nervous system sarcomas, DICER1 mutant." Unexpectedly, DICER1 mutations as well as all other defining tumor mutations (TP53 mutations and RAS-pathway mutations) were not inherited in all 19 patients where analyzation was possible. These tumors have an aggressive clinical course. Multimodal combination therapy based on surgery, ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide chemotherapy, and local radiotherapy leads to superior outcomes.

Non-academic factors influencing the development of empathy in undergraduate nursing students: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Empathy is described as a core competence of nursing. There is abundant research evidence supporting that empathy varies according to personal characteristics and targeted training. The aim of this study was to characterize non-academic factors (personal and environmental) influencing the development of empathy in undergraduate nursing studies who are not receiving a targeted training in empathetic abilities in their nursing schools. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in the three nursing schools located in Cusco city, Peru (two private and one public). The Jefferson Scales of Empathy, Attitudes toward Physician-Nurse Collaboration, and Lifelong Learning, the Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults, and the Scale of Life Satisfaction, were applied as the main measures. Also, information regarding gender, nursing school, and age, were collected. After psychometric properties were assessed, all measures were used in the development of a multivariate regression model to characterize factors of influence in empathy. RESULTS: In a sample composed by 700 undergraduate nursing students (72 males and 628 females), a multivariate linear regression model was created. This model explained the 53% of variance of empathy and fitted all conditions necessary for inference estimations. Teamwork abilities, loneliness, age, sex, subjective well-being, and nursing school, appeared as factors influencing the development of empathy in patients' care. CONCLUSIONS: Findings have indicated that, in absence of a targeted training, individual characteristics and characteristics associated with social and family environments play an important role of influence in the development of empathy in nursing students. These findings are also in consonance with others previously reported in different cultural settings including high-, middle- and low-income countries.

Family Loneliness: Its Effects in the Development of Empathy, Teamwork and Lifelong Learning Abilities in Medical Students.

CONTEXT: Family offers an important source of social support where individuals acquire social abilities that are necessary to create positive human relationships. This influence has been discussed by different sociological and psychological theories along the life span of individuals. In medicine, empathy, teamwork, and lifelong learning have been described as specific elements of professionalism that have special importance in the interaction with patients and in physicians' well-being at the workplace. This study was performed with the aim of demonstrating the following hypothesis: In the absence of specific training in empathy and teamwork and lifelong learning abilities, their development in medical students is associated with the students' perception of loneliness from their family environment. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in the only two medical schools of Cusco (Peru), one private and the other public. Jefferson Scales of Empathy, Teamwork, and Lifelong Learning were used as the main measures. Mother-son and father-son relationships and family loneliness were measured to characterize the family environment. In addition, information related to sex, medical school, academic achievements, and place of origin were collected to control possible biases. Comparative, correlation, and multiple regression analyses were performed among the variables studied. RESULTS: In a sample of 818 medical students, differences by school appeared in empathy, teamwork, lifelong learning, and family loneliness. In addition, family loneliness showed an inverse correlation with empathy, teamwork, and learning measures. While having a positive relationship with the mother was associated with a greater development of empathy and learning abilities in the entire sample, a similar effect was observed in father-son relationships, but only in the private medical school group. Finally, in the public medical group, a multiple regression model explained 43% of the variability of empathy based on a lineal relationship with teamwork (p < 0.001), lifelong learning (p < 0.001), and family loneliness (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These findings confirm how family loneliness is detrimental to the development of medical professionalism. Also, they support the important role that the family, and especially parents, plays in the development of empathy, teamwork, and abilities in medical students. Finally, these findings highlighted important differences among students enrolled in public and private medical schools.

Factors Related to the Differential Development of Inter-Professional Collaboration Abilities in Medicine and Nursing Students.

Introduction: For physicians and nurses, teamwork involves a set of communication and social skills, and specific training in interdisciplinary work in order to be able to work together cooperatively, sharing responsibilities, solving problems, and making decisions to carry out actions centered on patients' care. Recent studies demonstrate that in the absence of targeted interdisciplinary educational programs, the development of teamwork abilities is sensitive to the influence of the dominant work environment. The purpose of this study was to characterize the role that environmental and individual factors play in the development of teamwork in environments with a dominant hierarchical work model. Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to 1,880 undergraduate students (980 medicine students and 900 nursing students) from three universities of Cusco city (Peru). The Jefferson Scale of Attitudes toward Physician-Nurse Collaboration was used as the main variable. The Jefferson Scales of Empathy and Lifelong Learning, the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults, the Scale of Life Satisfaction, sex, discipline, age, and academic semester were used as explanatory variables. After calculating internal reliability and normality of the main measures, descriptive, comparative, and correlation analyses were performed to determine variables influencing the teamwork score. Results: A total of 1,518 (81%) surveys were returned fully completed. Adequate reliability was confirmed in all instruments. In the sample, nursing students showed greater inter-professional collaborative abilities than medicine students (p < 0.001). This attitudinal gap was higher in advanced semesters. A three-way ANOVA indicated differences in teamwork were associated with discipline (p < 0.001), sex (p < 0.01), and university (p < 0.001). However, main effects were associated only with discipline (η p2 = 0.14). Teamwork showed an inverse correlation with loneliness (ρ = -0.28; p < 0.001) and a positive correlation with empathy (ρ = + 0.49; p < 0.001) and lifelong learning (ρ = + 0.48; p < 0.001). Teamwork positively correlated with life satisfaction only in the medicine student group (ρ = + 0.15; p < 0.001). Conclusion: These findings bring new evidence to support the main effect that social environments, in the absence of targeted interdisciplinary educational programs, play in the development of teamwork.

Asociación entre inicio de relaciones sexuales y proyecto de vida en adolescentes de la Institución Educativa Privada Oscar Miró Quesada, 2013 / Association between first sexual intercourse and life project in adolescents of Private Educational Institution Oscar Miro Quesada, 2013

OBJETIVO: Determinar la asociación entre inicio de relaciones sexuales y proyecto de vida en adolescentes de la Institución Educativa Privada Oscar Miró Quesada 2013. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Estudio descriptivo-transversal; compuesto por 96 adolescentes del nivel secundario de la Institución Educativa Privada Oscar Miró Quesada 2013, durante el periodo Junio-Julio 2013, Valdiviezo, Ate. El método empleado fue la encuesta y la técnica el cuestionario estructurado. Siguiendo los criterios de inclusión y exclusión se procedió a la recolección de datos, posteriormente fueron tabuladas en tablas y gráficos. Para las características del inicio de las relaciones sexuales se aplicará estadísticas descriptivas, medidas de tendencia central, medidas de dispersión y para el proyecto de vida se emplearán distribución de frecuencias y porcentajes, así mismo las variables se analizarán en función de las variables intervinientes para mejor análisis. Para la comprobación de la asociación entre el Inicio de relaciones sexuales y proyecto de vida se aplicó la prueba Chi Cuadrado de Pearson con un nivel de significación estadístico p<0,05. RESULTADOS: La edad que predominó en los adolescentes fue la de 14 años (39 por ciento), siendo la edad promedio de 14,9; el 56 por ciento fueron del sexo masculino mientras que el 44 por ciento del sexo femenino. En cuanto al inicio de relaciones sexuales el 16 por ciento de adolescentes inicio relaciones sexuales siendo todos del sexo masculino mientras que el 84 por ciento no inició relaciones sexuales; el 50 por ciento de los adolescentes que iniciaron relaciones sexuales afirmaron vivir con sus padres y/o hermanos, mientras que los que no iniciaron un 78 por ciento, el 29 por ciento de los adolescentes que iniciaron sus relaciones sexuales refirieron que sus padres son casados mientras que los que no iniciaron un 42 por ciento. Referente a donde acudirían para recibir consejos sobre sexualidad los que iniciaron sus relaciones sexuales lo...

Dolor agudo neonatal con estímulos dolorosos repetitivos, estudio randomizado comparando tres métodos analgésicos no farmacológicos / Neonatal acute pain with repetitive painful stimuli, randomized trial comparing three analgesic non pharmacological methods

Introducción: La analgesia no farmacología es raramente utilizada en las unidades de neonatología. Los estímulos dolorosos repetitivos tienen efectos negativos a largo plazo. Objetivos: Verificar que los métodos analgésicos no farmacológicos son afectivos en estímulos dolorosos repetitivos; determinar cuál método es más efectivo. Material y método; Se realice un ensayo clínica, randomizado, con tres grupos formados de manera aleatoria, con recién nacidos sanos a termino por grupo. Fueron sometidos a tres estímulos dolorosos durante los tres primero días de vida (vacuna contra hepatitis B, BCG y muestra para grupo sanguíneo). El primer grupo (A) recibió lactancia materna y contacto piel como método analgésico no farmacológico durante el estímulo doloroso, el grupo (B) recibió dextrosa al 10 por ciento y el grupo (C) una tetina sin nada. Se utilizó la escala para el Dolor Agudo Neonatal (DAN, Carbajal y col.) y la Escala ABC (Bellieni y col.) para la cuantificación del dolor. Fueron comparados los 3 grupos en cada uno de los tres estímulos repetitivos. Resultados: Para ambas escalas el grupo B expresó menor dolor en los tres estímulos, con 97,5 por ciento de NO DOLOR vs 87,5 por ciento (A) y 85 por ciento (C) (p<0.036) en la escala ABC, y 95 por ciento vs 85 por ciento (A) y 70 por ciento (C) para la categoría NO DOLOR con a categoría DAN (p<0.022). Esta diferencia se mantuvo en las otras categorías de dolor. Se observó que el efecto analgésico es mayor con el estimulo repetitivos. Siendo la categoría NO DOLOR en el grupo B para el primer estimulo 70 por ciento, 85 por ciento en el segundo y 95 por ciento en el tercero (p<0.020). Este efecto se observó también en los grupos A y C. Conclusiones: la dextrosa al 10 por ciento tuvo mayor efecto analgésico comparada con los otros grupos. Los métodos analgésicos no farmacológicos estudiados aumentan su efectividad con estimulo dolorosos repetitivos.

Introduction: Non pharmacological methods are rarely used in neonatal units. repeated painful stimuli have long noxious effects. Objective: To verify the effectiveness of non pharmacological methods in repeated painful procedures; to determine which method is more effective. Material and methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial. Newborns were randomly assigned into 3 groups (n=40 per group). All of them underwent painful procedures during the first 3 days of life (hepatitis B, BCG and blood sample for determine group and factor). Group A received breast feeding and skin to skin contact as non pharmacological method during the painful stimuli, group B receive dextrose 10 por ciento and group C only suction. Douleur Aigue Nouveauûne scores (DAN, Carvajal et al.) and ABC scale (Bellieni et al.) were used to assess neonatal pain. The 3 groups were compared in each stimulus to determine the most effective method, and the effectiveness in repeated painful stimuli. Results: Group B showed the most analgesic effect in the stimuli, with 97, 5 percent for NO PAIN vs. 87, 5 percent (A) and 85 percent (C) (p<0,036) with ABC scale, and 95 percent vs. 85 (A) and 70 percent (C) for NO PAIN with DAN scale (p<0,022). This difference was constant with all categories of pain. We observed that analgesic effect is greater in repeated painful stimuli. NO PAIN category was 70 percent in group B in the first stimuli, 85 percent in the second and 95 percent in third (9<0,020). This effect was also observed in groups A and C. Conclusions: Dextrose 10 percent seems to offer the best analgesic effect compared with breast feeding and suction. Non pharmacological methods studied increase their effectiveness in repeated painful stimuli.

Comparación de tres géneros musicales como método analgésico no farmacológico: estudio randomizado ciego simple / Comparison of three musical genders as a non pharmacological method: randomized simple blind trial

Objetivo: Comparación de tres géneros musicales como método analgésico no farmacológico para la determinación del género musical que posee mayor efecto analgésico entre niños de 2 a 11 años de edad. Material y Métodos: 150 niños participantes en una campaña de despistaje de anemia realizada en el Hospital Nacinal Arzobispo Laoyza, fueron agrupados aleatoriamente en 4 grupos con 3 distintos géneros musicales y un grupo control (A=Mozart; B=Daddy Yankee; C=Marc Anthony; D= sin estímulo musical). Los niños fueron expuestos a 2 minutos de música o silencio, realizándose el estímulo doloroso (punción para la toma de muestra) a los 60 segundos. Se evaluó la intensidad del dolor según dos escalas: CHEOPS y Autoinforme (según el grupo etario: 2-6 años y 7-11 años, respectivamente); además, se midió la frecuencia cardíaca y saturación de oxígeno, un minuto antes, durante y un minuto después del estímulo doloroso. Se utilizó para el análisis, la pureba de Kruskal-Wallis (prueba no paramétrica). Resultados: El grupo C (Marc Anthony) mostró mayor efecto analgésico al ser comparado con los grupos A y D, al utilizar la escala de Autoinforme (p:0,03); no hubo diferencia significativa con el grupo B. Al comparar los géneros musicales en el grupo etáreo menor (2-6 años, CHEOPS), se encontró un mayor efecto analgésico en el grupo A (Mozart), aunque sin significancia estadística (p: 0,859). Se encontró también mayores niveles de dolor en los grupos B y C. No se hallo diferencia significativa al comparar las curvas de saturación de oxígeno ni frecuencia cardiaca entre los grupos. Conclusiones: La salsa parece otorgar un mayor efecto analgésico en los niños entre 7 y 11 años al ser evaluados con la escala de Autoinforme, comparándolos con los otros géneros musicales y el control; mientras que en los niños entre 2 y 6 años, al ser evaluados con la escala de CHEOPS, ...

Objetive: To compare three music genders as a non pharmacological analgesic method to determine which one has the most analgesic effect in children between 2 and 11 years old. Material and Methods: our study population was a hundred and fifty children who participated on an anemia screening campaign held at the Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza. They were grouped randomly in 4 groups with 3 different musical genders and 1 control group (A=Mozart; B=Daddy Yankee; C=Marc Anthony; D=no musical stimuli). The pain level was assessed by 2 scales: The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (CHEOPS) and Self assessment Scale (the younger age group from 2 to 6 years old, the older age group from 7 to 11 years old respectably), it was also measured heart rate and oxygen saturation 60 seconds before painful stimuli, during stimuli and 30 and 60 seconds post-stimuli. The Kruskal-Wallis Test (non parametric test) was used to analyze the results we obtained. Results: When Self-assessment scale was used, Group C (Marck Anthony) showed the most analgesic effect, compared to groups A and D (p: 0,03); on the other side there was nor significant effect with Group B. When the 3 musical genders where compared in the younger age group (from 2 to 6 years old, CEHOPS), it was found that Group A (Mozart) had the best analgesic effect, even though it did not have any statistic significance (p:0,859). It was also found higher pain levels in Group B and C. No statistical significant difference was found when Oxygen Saturation curves where compared between the four groups, neither heart rate curves. Conclusions: Salsa seems to offer the best analgesic effects in children from 7 to 11 years old, when self-assessment scale was used. Children from 2 to 6 years old were evaluated by CHEOPS scale. We found out that without any statistical significance classical music seems to have the best analgesic effect during painful stimuli.