Neumonía bacteriana en niños en Ecuador: una mirada al impacto de las vacunas / Bacterial pneumonia in children in Ecuador: a look at the impact of vaccines

INTRODUCCIÓN: La neumonía adquirida en la comunidad es una de las enfermedades con mayor prevalencia en la comunidad pediátrica en nuestro país. De las diferentes etiologías que pueden causarlas, la neumonía ocasionada por Streptococcus pneumoniae puede ser prevenida con el uso de inmunización. Actualmente se disponen de tres tipos de vacunas antineumocócicas conjugadas autorizadas de uso pediátrico de forma sistemática. OBJETIVO: Identificar la prevalencia de neumonía bacteriana en niños bajo 5 años de edad, que requirieron hospitalización comparando la vacuna neumocócica recibida: 10 valente (PCV10) versus 13 valente (PCV13). PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de descriptivo, retrospectivo. Se incluyeron pacientes hospitalizados bajo 5 años de edad, con diagnóstico de neumonía bacteriana mediante codificación CIE10 en un hospital de tercer nivel de la ciudad de Quito-Ecuador, durante el año 2019. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 175 pacientes de los cuales 74 cumplieron con criterios clínicos de neumonía, de estos 46 recibieron PCV10 y 28 recibieron vacuna PCV13. DISCUSIÓN Y CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de neumonía bacteriana fue mayor en los pacientes inmunizados con PCV10 lo que sugiere una relación de menor probabilidad de neumonía con el uso de la vacuna PCV13.

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia is one of the most prevalent diseases in the pediatric community in our country, of the different etiologies that can cause them, pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae can be prevented with the use of immunization. Currently there are three types of authorized pneumococcal conjugate vaccines for pediatric use in a systematic way. AIM: To identify the prevalence of bacterial pneumonia in children under 5 years of age who required hospitalization by comparing the pneumococcal vaccine received: 10 valent (PCV10) versus 13 valent (PCV13). METHODS: Descriptive, retrospective study. Hospitalized patients under 5 years of age with a diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia by ICD10 coding in a third level hospital in the city of Quito - Ecuador during 2019 were included. Results: 175 patients were studied, of which 74 patients met clinical criteria for pneumonia, of these 46 received PCV10 and 28 received PCV13 vaccine. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of bacterial pneumonia was higher in patients immunized with PCV10, suggesting a relationship of lower probability of pneumonia with the use of the PCV13 vaccine.

Aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos y microbiológicos en pacientes menores de 5 años con neumonía bacteriana / Epidemiological, clinical and microbiologic aspects in patients under 5 years with bacterial pneumonia

Introducción: Las infecciones respiratorias agudas abarcan entre 20 y 40 % del total de todas las hospitalizaciones y 20 - 34 % de las muertes en menores de 5 años de edad, fundamentalmente a expensas de neumonía. Objetivo: Describir aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos y microbiológicos en pacientes menores de 5 años con neumonía bacteriana. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal de 39 pacientes con neumonía y aislamientos bacterianos en hemocultivos, líquido pleural y/o exudados nasofaringeos, ingresados en el Hospital Infantil Docente Sur Antonio María Béguez Cesar de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero de 2018 hasta diciembre de 2019. Se analizaron variables de interés, tales como edad, sexo, factores de riesgo, sintomatología y cultivos microbiológicos. Se utilizaron la frecuencia absoluta y el porcentaje como medidas de resumen. Resultados: Prevalecieron los pacientes entre 1 - 4 años de edad, el sexo femenino y los hemocultivos con estafilococos coagulasa negativo, así como neumococos, estos últimos también aislados en exudados nasofaríngeos. Los factores de riesgo más frecuentes fueron infección respiratoria aguda previa, uso anticipado de antibióticos, asistencia a círculo infantil, supresión precoz de lactancia materna, fiebre, tos, tiraje y alteraciones del murmullo vesicular. Predominaron la insuficiencia respiratoria aguda y el derrame pleural como complicaciones. Se notificó más gravedad en los lactantes y ocurrieron 2 decesos, para una letalidad de 1,47 %. Conclusiones: La conjunción de factores de riesgo detectados, la baja positividad de los cultivos, la identificación de bacterias prevalentes en hemocultivos y el descenso de la letalidad resultaron de interés en el estudio.

Introduction: Acute respiratory infections take in between 20 and 40 % of all the hospitalizations and 20 - 34% of deaths in children under 5 years, fundamentally at the expense of pneumonia. Objective: To describe epidemiologic, clinical and microbiologic aspects in patients under 5 years with bacterial pneumonia. Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study of 39 patients with pneumonia and bacterial isolations in hemocultures, pleural fluid and/or nasopharyngeal swabs was carried out. They were admitted to Antonio María Béguez Cesar Southern Teaching Children Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, from January, 2018 to December, 2019. Variables of interest were analyzed, such as age, sex, risk factors, symptomatology and microbiologic cultures. The absolute frequency and the percentage as summary measures were used. Results: There was a prevalence of patients among 1 - 4 years, female sex and the hemocultures with negative coagulase staphylococcu, as well as pneumococus, these last ones also isolated in nasopharingeal swabs. The most frequent risk factors were previous acute respiratory infection, premature use of antibiotics, attendance to day care center, early suppression of breastfeeding, fever, cough, tirage and changes of the vesicular breath sound. The acute respiratory failure and pleural effusion as complications prevailed. More seriousness was notified in infants and there were 2 deaths, for a letality of 1.47 %. Conclusions: The combination of detected risk factors, low positivity of the cultures, identification of bacterias prevalents in hemocultures and the decrease of letality was of interest in the study.

Sentinel surveillance for bacterial pneumonia and meningitis in children under the age of 5 in a tertiary pediatric hospital in Colombia - 2016. / Vigilancia centinela de neumonías y meningitis bacterianas en menores de 5 años en un hospital pediátrico de tercer nivel en Colombia - 2016

INTRODUCTION: Bacterial pneumonia and meningitis are vaccine-preventable diseases. Sentinel surveillance provides relevant information about their behavior. OBJECTIVE: To present the data from sentinel surveillance carried out at the Fundación HOMI, Fundación Hospital Pediátrico La Misericordia in 2016. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a descriptive study from January 1 to December 31, 2016, on the daily surveillance of patients under 5 years of age diagnosed with pneumonia or bacterial meningitis according to PAHO's definitions. We identified the microorganisms using the automated VITEKTM 2 system. Bacterial isolates were sent to the Microbiology Group at the Colombian Instituto Nacional de Salud for confirmation, serotyping, phenotypic, and genotypic characterization. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles were established. RESULTS: From 1,343 suspected cases of bacterial pneumonia, 654 (48.7%) were probable, 84% had complete Hib vaccination schedules, and 87% had complete pneumococcal vaccination schedules for age. Blood culture was taken in 619 (94.6%) and 41 (6.6%) were positive while S. pneumoniae was isolated in 17 (41%) of them. The most frequent serotype was 19A in five cases (29.4%), and four 19A serotypes were associated with the reference isolate ST320. The incidence rate of probable bacterial pneumonia was 7.3 cases/100 hospitalized patients, and lethality was 2.1%. As for bacterial meningitis, 22 suspected cases were reported, 12 (54%) were probable, four (33%) were confirmed: two by Escherichia coli and two by group C N. meningitidis. The incidence of probable bacterial meningitis was 0.14 cases/100 hospitalized patients. CONCLUSION: Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 19A and 3 were the most frequent cause of pneumonia. Spn19A is related to the multi-resistant clone ST320. Strengthening and continuing this strategy will allow understanding the impact of vaccination.

Introducción. La neumonía y la meningitis bacterianas son enfermedades inmunoprevenibles; la vigilancia centinela aporta información relevante acerca de su comportamiento. Objetivo. Presentar los resultados de la vigilancia centinela de neumonía y meningitis llevada a cabo en la HOMI, Fundación Hospital Pediátrico La Misericordia. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio descriptivo entre el 1 de enero y el 31 diciembre del 2016, de la vigilancia diaria de pacientes menores de 5 años con diagnóstico de neumonía o meningitis bacteriana, según las definiciones de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS). Los microorganismos fueron identificados usando el sistema automatizado VITEK TM2. Los aislamientos se enviaron al grupo de microbiología del Instituto Nacional de Salud para confirmación, serotipificación, y caracterización genotípica y fenotípica. Asimismo, se establecieron los perfiles de sensibilidad antimicrobiana. Resultados. De 1.343 casos sospechosos de neumonía bacteriana, 654 (48,7 %) fueron probables, el 84 % tenía el esquema de vacunación completo para la edad contra Haemophilus influenzae de tipo b, y el 87 %, contra neumococo. En 619 (94,6 %) pacientes se hizo hemocultivo y 41 (6,6 %) fueron positivos. S. pneumoniae se aisló en 17 (41 %) casos. El serotipo más frecuente fue el 19A, en cinco pacientes (29,4 %), en tanto que cuatro aislamientos de spn19A fueron relacionados con el clon ST320. La tasa de incidencia de neumonía bacteriana probable fue de 7,3 casos/100 pacientes hospitalizados. La letalidad fue de 2,1 %. Hubo 22 casos sospechosos de meningitis bacteriana, 12 (54 %) probables, y cuatro (33 %) confirmados: dos por Escherichia coli y dos por Neisseria meningitidis del grupo C. La incidencia de meningitis bacteriana probable fue de 0,14/100 pacientes hospitalizados. Conclusión. Los serotipos 19A y 3 de S. pneumoniae fueron la causa más frecuente de neumonía. El Spn19A se relacionó con el clon ST320 mulitirresistente. El fortalecimiento continuo de la vigilancia centinela permitirá entender el impacto de la vacunación.

Patrones imagenológicos en pacientes menores de 5 años con diagnóstico de neumonía bacteriana / Imaging patterns in patients under 5 years with diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia

Introducción: La radiografía de tórax constituye el mejor método de diagnóstico para la confirmación clínica de la neumonía, aunque existen discrepancias en relación con su causalidad. Objetivo: Describir los patrones imagenológicos según variables clínicas, epidemiológicas y microbiológicas en pacientes menores de 5 años ingresados por neumonía bacteriana. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, prospectivo y transversal de 84 pacientes con diagnóstico de neumonía y aislamiento bacteriano en hemocultivos y/o líquido pleural. Como variables analizadas figuraron: edad, sexo, factores de riesgo, manifestaciones clínicas, así como resultados de los estudios imagenológicos de tórax y de los cultivos microbiológicos. Como medidas de resumen se utilizaron la frecuencia absoluta y el porcentaje. Resultados: En la serie predominaron la consolidación alveolar (57,1 %), el grupo de 1-4 años y el sexo masculino, así como también el uso de tratamiento antimicrobiano previo al ingreso, la supresión precoz de lactancia materna y la presencia de fumadores en casa como principales factores de riesgo. La fiebre, la tos, la taquipnea, el tiraje, la rinorrea y los estertores húmedos resultaron ser las manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes y prevaleció el neumococo en pacientes con patrón de condensación alveolar (64,6 %). Conclusiones: El patrón de consolidación alveolar estuvo relacionado con causa predominantemente neumocócica, con múltiples factores de riesgo y con síntomas típicos de neumonía bacteriana.

Introduction: Chest radiography is the best diagnostic method for clinical confirmation of pneumonia, although there are discrepancies in its relation to causation. Objective: To describe imaging patterns according to clinical, epidemiological, and microbiological variables, in patients under five years of age admitted for bacterial pneumonia. Methods: descriptive, prospective, and cross-sectional study of 84 patients diagnosed with pneumonia and bacterial isolation in blood cultures and / or pleural fluid. Variables of interest were operationalized, with frequency, and percentage calculations being performed. Results: alveolar consolidation (57.1 %) prevailed in preschoolers, male sex, with previous antimicrobial treatment, early suppression of breastfeeding, and smoking at home. Fever, cough, tachypnea, retraction, rhinorrhea, and wet rales were the most frequent symptoms. Pneumococcus prevailed (64.6 %) in patients with alveolar condensation pattern. Conclusions: the pattern of alveolar consolidation was consistent with pneumococcal causality predominantly; with multiple risk factors and typical clinical presentation of bacterial pneumonia.

Household Costs Associated with Hospitalization of Children with Severe Pneumonia in Quito, Ecuador.

Pneumonia remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in young children. The total cost of pneumonia-related hospitalization, including household-level cost, is poorly understood. To better understand this burden in an urban setting in South America, we incorporated a cost study into a trial assessing zinc supplements in treatment of severe pneumonia among children aged 2-59 months at a public hospital in Quito, Ecuador, which provides such treatment at no charge. Data were collected from children's caregivers at hospitalization and discharge on out-of-pocket payments for medical and nonmedical items, and on employment and lost work time. Analyses encompassed three categories: direct medical costs, direct nonmedical costs, and indirect costs, which covered foregone wages (from caregivers' self-reported lost earnings) and opportunity cost of caregivers' lost time (based on the unskilled labor wage in Ecuador). Caregivers of 153 children completed all questionnaires. Overall, 57% of children were aged less than 12 months, and 46% were female. Just over 50% of mothers and fathers had completed middle school. Most reported direct costs, which averaged $33. Most also reported indirect costs, the mean of which was $74. Fifty-seven reported lost earnings (mean = $79); 29 reported lost time (estimated mean cost = $37). Stratified analyses revealed similar costs for children < 12 months and ≥ 12 months, with variations for specific items. Costs for hospital-based treatment of severe pneumonia in young children represent a major burden for households in low- to middle-income settings, even when such treatment is intended to be provided at no cost.

High frequency of Chlamydia pneumoniae and risk factors in children with acute respiratory infection.

This study was performed as a contribution for a better understanding of Chlamydia pneumoniae frequency in children with respiratory infections. A total of 416 children were recruited from two clinical centers in Sao Luis, Brazil. Of these patients, 165 children had upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), 150 had community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), and 101 were asymptomatic volunteer children. Clinical and epidemiological data from the participants were recorded. Nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected to extract DNA. C. pneumoniae DNA positivity and copy numbers were obtained by an absolute quantitative real-time PCR method. RESULTS: Positivity for C. pneumoniae DNA was higher in samples from URTI children (38.2%) and from CAP children (18.0%) than in those from the control group (7.9%; p < 0.001). Moreover, C. pneumoniae DNA was denser in children with URTI than in asymptomatic children. Considering the cutoff, the highest value of C. pneumoniae DNA found in asymptomatic children of the 3.98 log10 copies/mL, 8.5% (14/165) of the children with URTI, and 3.3% (5/150) with CAP presented high copy numbers of C. pneumoniae DNA. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results revealed a high frequency of C. pneumoniae in both children with URTI and CAP.

Infection in cirrhosis: A prospective study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections in cirrhosis are associated with poor outcomes. We attempted a prospective study on infections in patients with cirrhosis evaluating microbiology of these infections and how outcomes depended on factors like bacterial resistance, appropriate antibiotics, stage of liver disease and whether outcomes were significantly different from patients who did not have infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective evaluation involving one hundred and fifty nine patients with cirrhosis who were admitted at Peerless Hospitex Hospital and Research Center, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, during a 24 month period. One hundred and nineteen of these patients either had an infection at the time of admission or developed infection during hospitalization. Forty patients did not have an infection at admission and did not acquire infection while admitted. Data was collected about demographics, etiology of cirrhosis, liver and renal function and microbiology. RESULTS: Infections were community acquired in 27.7% of patients, healthcare associated in 52.9% and nosocomial in 19.3%. Gram negative bacilli (Escherichia coli 47.4% Klebsiella pneumoniae 23%) were common. 84.9% of enterobacteriaceae produced ESBL, AmpC or Carbapenemases. Spontaneous bacteria peritonitis (SBP) and urinary tract infection (UTI) were the most common sites of infection. In hospital mortality was 21.9%. Non-survivors had higher MELD (26 vs 19, p<0.001) and CTP scores (11.7 vs 10.3, p<0.001). The control group had lower MELD (16.65 vs. 20.8, p<0.001) and CTP scores (9.25 vs 10.59, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: MDR infections are common in patients with cirrhosis and have serious implications for treatment and outcomes.

[Primary Health Care-Sensitive Hospitalizations in children under one year of age, from 2008 to 2014, in the State of São Paulo, Brazil]. / Internações por Condições Sensíveis à Atenção Primária de Menores de um ano, de 2008 a 2014, no estado de São Paulo, Brasil.

The scope of this article is to describe the trends of primary health care-sensitive (PHC) hospitalizations in children under one year of age between 2008 and 2014 in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. It is an ecological study with descriptive and analytical characteristics, based on secondary data from the national health information system. Hospitalizations were classified according to the Brazilian list of PHC hospitalizations considering the Early Neonatal, Late Neonatal and Post-Neonatal age groups. Linear regression models were adjusted for trend analysis of the 851,713 hospitalizations of children under one year of age analyzed, of which 22.6% were PHC-related. The main groups with decreases were: Bacterial pneumonia (-7.10%) and Nutritional disorders (-7.70%) in the Early neonatal phase. The main increases were: Disease related to prenatal/childbirth (+10.14%) and Immunosuppressive diseases and avoidable conditions in Post-neonatal (+14.13%) infants, among which pertussis and congenital syphilis were the main causes of hospitalization. The results showed a deficiency in the primary health care system for infants in the State of Sao Paulo. The estimated trends should be used for planning cost-effective strategies to prevent and control causes of hospitalization in children under one year of age.

Este estudo teve o objetivo de descrever as causas e as tendências de Internações por Condições Sensíveis à Atenção Primária (ICSAP) em menores de um ano, entre 2008 e 2014, no estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Trata-se de um delineamento ecológico, baseado em dados secundários do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares. Classificaram-se as internações segundo o diagnóstico principal e a Lista Brasileira de ICSAP, considerando as seguintes faixas etárias: Neonatais precoce, Neonatal tardia e Pós-neonatal. Para a análise de tendência das internações foram ajustados modelos de regressão linear. Ocorreram 851.713 internações de Menores de um ano, sendo 22,6% por ICSAP. As principais reduções das frequências de internação foram: Pneumonias bacterianas (-7,10%) e Desvios nutricionais (-7,70) em Neonatal precoce. As elevações foram: Doenças relacionadas ao pré-natal e parto (+10,14%) e Doenças imunizáveis e condições evitáveis em Pós-neonatal (+14,13%), com destaque para coqueluche e sífilis congênita. Os resultados mostram uma deficiência no cuidado à saúde infantil na atenção primária no estado de São Paulo, enquanto que as tendências de internações estimadas podem auxiliar no planejamento de estratégias para diminuir os agravos e os gastos no setor terciário de atenção em saúde.

Internações por Condições Sensíveis à Atenção Primária de Menores de um ano, de 2008 a 2014, no estado de São Paulo, Brasil / Primary Health Care-Sensitive Hospitalizations in children under one year of age, from 2008 to 2014, in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Resumo Este estudo teve o objetivo de descrever as causas e as tendências de Internações por Condições Sensíveis à Atenção Primária (ICSAP) em menores de um ano, entre 2008 e 2014, no estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Trata-se de um delineamento ecológico, baseado em dados secundários do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares. Classificaram-se as internações segundo o diagnóstico principal e a Lista Brasileira de ICSAP, considerando as seguintes faixas etárias: Neonatais precoce, Neonatal tardia e Pós-neonatal. Para a análise de tendência das internações foram ajustados modelos de regressão linear. Ocorreram 851.713 internações de Menores de um ano, sendo 22,6% por ICSAP. As principais reduções das frequências de internação foram: Pneumonias bacterianas (-7,10%) e Desvios nutricionais (-7,70) em Neonatal precoce. As elevações foram: Doenças relacionadas ao pré-natal e parto (+10,14%) e Doenças imunizáveis e condições evitáveis em Pós-neonatal (+14,13%), com destaque para coqueluche e sífilis congênita. Os resultados mostram uma deficiência no cuidado à saúde infantil na atenção primária no estado de São Paulo, enquanto que as tendências de internações estimadas podem auxiliar no planejamento de estratégias para diminuir os agravos e os gastos no setor terciário de atenção em saúde.

Abstract The scope of this article is to describe the trends of primary health care-sensitive (PHC) hospitalizations in children under one year of age between 2008 and 2014 in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. It is an ecological study with descriptive and analytical characteristics, based on secondary data from the national health information system. Hospitalizations were classified according to the Brazilian list of PHC hospitalizations considering the Early Neonatal, Late Neonatal and Post-Neonatal age groups. Linear regression models were adjusted for trend analysis of the 851,713 hospitalizations of children under one year of age analyzed, of which 22.6% were PHC-related. The main groups with decreases were: Bacterial pneumonia (-7.10%) and Nutritional disorders (-7.70%) in the Early neonatal phase. The main increases were: Disease related to prenatal/childbirth (+10.14%) and Immunosuppressive diseases and avoidable conditions in Post-neonatal (+14.13%) infants, among which pertussis and congenital syphilis were the main causes of hospitalization. The results showed a deficiency in the primary health care system for infants in the State of Sao Paulo. The estimated trends should be used for planning cost-effective strategies to prevent and control causes of hospitalization in children under one year of age.

High incidence of rhinovirus infection in children with community-acquired pneumonia from a city in the Brazilian pre-Amazon region.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the leading cause of child death worldwide. Viruses are the most common pathogens associated with CAP in children, but their incidence varies greatly. This study investigated the presence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, human rhinovirus (HRV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), human coronavirus (HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-NL63), and influenza A virus (FluA) in children with CAP and the contributing risk factors. Here, children with acute respiratory infections were screened by pediatrics; and a total of 150 radiographically-confirmed CAP patients (aged 3 months to 10 years) from two clinical centers in Sao Luis, Brazil were recruited. Patient's clinical and epidemiological data were recorded. Nasopharyngeal swab and tracheal aspirate samples were collected to extract viral nucleic acid. RSV, adenovirus, rhinovirus, FluA, HMPV, HCoV-OC43, and HCoV-NL63 were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The severe CAP was associated with ages between 3 and 12 months. Viruses were detected in 43% of CAP patients. Rhinovirus infections were the most frequently identified (68%). RSV, adenovirus, FluA, and coinfections were identified in 14%, 14%, 5%, and 15% of children with viral infection, respectively. Rhinovirus was associated with nonsevere CAP (P = .014); RSV, FluA, and coinfections were associated with severe CAP (P < .05). New strategies for prevention and treatment of viral respiratory infections, mainly rhinovirus and RSV infections, are necessary.

PATHOLOGY OF LEATHERBACK SEA TURTLE (DERMOCHELYS CORIACEA) EMBRYOS AND HATCHLINGS FROM NESTS IN ST. KITTS, WEST INDIES (2015-16).

Sustained hatchling production is a priority for leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) conservation. Yet the species is challenged by notoriously low hatch success, much lower than other species of sea turtles, and the result of a high rate of embryo mortality for which the causes are not understood. The aim of our study was to describe the pathology of embryos and dead-in-nest hatchlings, to help understand the basis for low hatch success in St. Kitts, West Indies. We surveyed two leatherback nesting beaches, Keys and North Friars, in 2015-16. Pathology was present in 38% (32 of 84) of individuals, including renal mineralization (24%, 20 of 83), bacterial pneumonia (12%, 10 of 82), and skeletal muscle necrosis (7%, 6 of 84). Renal mineralization was seen in all stages of development that we examined and was associated with cardiac mineralization in two cases. Bacterial pneumonia affected dead-in-nest hatchlings and late-stage embryos and involved 40% (6 of 15) of nests evaluated, all laid by different mothers. Hematopoiesis was consistently observed in the liver, lung, kidneys, and heart. Gonad was histologically classified as female in 100% (68 of 68) of individuals examined. Rathke's gland was identified in the axillary musculature of 51 individuals, which has not previously been described in leatherbacks. Bacterial pneumonia and renal mineralization were presumed to be significant causes of death in leatherback embryos and hatchlings in St. Kitts. Overrepresentation of females in our study suggested high incubation temperatures in the nests.

Retrospective pathological survey of pulmonary disease in free-ranging Amazon river dolphin Inia geoffrensis and tucuxi Sotalia fluviatilis.

The Amazon river dolphin Inia geoffrensis and tucuxi Sotalia fluviatilis are classified as Data Deficient species. Despite very limited knowledge on health and disease aspects of these species, the main threats to their conservation include incidental mortality in fishing gear, population fragmentation, habitat loss and environmental pollution. It is also suggested that underlying diseases may contribute to their mortality rates. Herein, we retrospectively describe gross and microscopic pulmonary lesions in free-ranging I. geoffrensis (n = 24) and S. fluviatilis (n = 28) found dead. Nearly 85% of the examined animals presented some kind of primary lung disease, wherein the main etiological diagnoses were verminous pneumonia by Halocercus brasiliensis (25%), bacterial pneumonia (25%) and a single case of meconium aspiration syndrome (1.9%). An etiology was not determined in 36.5% (19/52) of animals. These results indicate a high incidence of pulmonary pathology in these species, raising concerns about population impacts and potential zoonotic implications in some instances. These data may provide a scientific basis for future medical and conservation efforts focused on Amazonian dolphins.

Hospitalization for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions in children under five years old in Santa Catarina State, Brazil, 2012: a descriptive study. / Hospitalização por Condições Sensíveis à Atenção Primária em menores de cinco anos de idade em Santa Catarina, 2012: estudo descritivo.

OBJECTIVE: to describe proportions and rates of hospitalization for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSC) among children under 5 years old, in Santa Catarina State, Brazil, 2012. METHODS: this is a descriptive study using Brazilian National Health Service Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS) data, classified according to the Brazilian ACSC List. RESULTS: a total of 32,445 children aged <5 years old were hospitalized, 25,7% of whom were ACSC cases, representing a rate of 20.1/1,000 inhabitants in the same age group; the main causes were infectious gastroenteritis and complications (26.7%), bacterial pneumonia (22.2%) and pulmonary diseases (16.9%); there was a higher hospitalization rate due to ACSC in males (21.1/1,000), and in children <1 year old (43.8/1,000). CONCLUSION: The results showed that the State of Santa Catarina had lower rates and proportions than those found in other Brazilian studies, even though ACSC were the cause of one quarter of hospitalizations in children aged <5 years.

Hospitalizations due to primary care-sensitive conditions among children under five years of age: cross-sectional study.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE:: Hospitalizations due to primary care-sensitive conditions constitute an important indicator for monitoring the quality of primary healthcare. This study aimed to describe hospitalizations due to primary care-sensitive conditions found among children under five years of age (according to their age and sex), in two cities in Paraíba, Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING:: Cross-sectional study carried out in the municipalities of Cabedelo and Bayeux, in Paraíba, Brazil. METHODS:: Data were collected from four public pediatric hospitals in Paraíba that receive children from these municipalities. Hospital admission authorizations were consulted to gather information on the children's profile and the characteristics of their hospitalizations. Differences in the causes of admissions and the respective lengths of hospital stay length were analyzed according to age group and sex. RESULTS:: The proportion of hospital admissions due to primary care-sensitive conditions was 82.4%. The most frequent causes were: bacterial pneumonia (59.38%), infectious gastroenteritis and its complications (23.59%) and kidney and urinary tract infection (9.67%). Boys had higher frequency of hospitalizations due to primary care-sensitive conditions than girls. The median hospitalization due to primary care-sensitive conditions was found to be four days. The duration of hospital stays due to primary care-sensitive conditions was significantly longer than those due to conditions that were not sensitive to primary care. CONCLUSIONS:: High rates of hospital admissions due to primary care-sensitive conditions were highlighted, especially among children of male sex, with long periods of hospitalization.

Microorganisms Associated With Pneumonia in Children <5 Years of Age in Developing and Emerging Countries: The GABRIEL Pneumonia Multicenter, Prospective, Case-Control Study.

Background: Pneumonia, the leading infectious cause of child mortality globally, mainly afflicts developing countries. This prospective observational study aimed to assess the microorganisms associated with pneumonia in children aged <5 years in developing and emerging countries. Methods: A multicenter, case-control study by the GABRIEL (Global Approach to Biological Research, Infectious diseases and Epidemics in Low-income countries) network was conducted between 2010 and 2014 in Cambodia, China, Haiti, India (2 sites), Madagascar, Mali, Mongolia, and Paraguay. Cases were hospitalized children with radiologically confirmed pneumonia; controls were children from the same setting without any features suggestive of pneumonia. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from all subjects; 19 viruses and 5 bacteria were identified by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Associations between microorganisms and pneumonia were quantified by calculating the adjusted population attributable fraction (aPAF) after multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for sex, age, time period, other pathogens, and site. Results: Overall, 888 cases and 870 controls were analyzed; ≥1 microorganism was detected in respiratory samples in 93.0% of cases and 74.4% of controls (P < .001). Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, human metapneumovirus, rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus 1, 3, and 4, and influenza virus A and B were independently associated with pneumonia; aPAF was 42.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 35.5%-48.2%) for S. pneumoniae, 18.2% (95% CI, 17.4%-19.0%) for RSV, and 11.2% (95% CI, 7.5%-14.7%) for rhinovirus. Conclusions: Streptococcus pneumoniae, RSV, and rhinovirus may be the major microorganisms associated with pneumonia infections in children <5 years of age from developing and emerging countries. Increasing S. pneumoniae vaccination coverage may substantially reduce the burden of pneumonia among children in developing countries.

Hospitalizations due to primary care-sensitive conditions among children under five years of age: cross-sectional study / Internações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária em crianças menores de cinco anos: estudo transversal

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Hospitalizations due to primary care-sensitive conditions constitute an important indicator for monitoring the quality of primary healthcare. This study aimed to describe hospitalizations due to primary care-sensitive conditions found among children under five years of age (according to their age and sex), in two cities in Paraíba, Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study carried out in the municipalities of Cabedelo and Bayeux, in Paraíba, Brazil. METHODS: Data were collected from four public pediatric hospitals in Paraíba that receive children from these municipalities. Hospital admission authorizations were consulted to gather information on the children's profile and the characteristics of their hospitalizations. Differences in the causes of admissions and the respective lengths of hospital stay length were analyzed according to age group and sex. RESULTS: The proportion of hospital admissions due to primary care-sensitive conditions was 82.4%. The most frequent causes were: bacterial pneumonia (59.38%), infectious gastroenteritis and its complications (23.59%) and kidney and urinary tract infection (9.67%). Boys had higher frequency of hospitalizations due to primary care-sensitive conditions than girls. The median hospitalization due to primary care-sensitive conditions was found to be four days. The duration of hospital stays due to primary care-sensitive conditions was significantly longer than those due to conditions that were not sensitive to primary care. CONCLUSIONS: High rates of hospital admissions due to primary care-sensitive conditions were highlighted, especially among children of male sex, with long periods of hospitalization.

RESUMO CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: As internações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária constituem importante indicador para o monitoramento da qualidade da atenção primária à saúde. O presente estudo objetivou descrever as internações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária em crianças menores de cinco anos (por idade e sexo) em duas cidades da Paraíba. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal realizado nos municípios de Cabedelo e Bayeux, ­Paraíba, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Coletaram-se os dados nos quatro hospitais públicos pediátricos da Paraíba que internam crianças residentes nos municípios estudados. A partir das autorizações de internação hospitalar, colheram-se informações relativas ao perfil da criança e características das internações. Analisaram-se as diferenças nas causas de internações e respectivos tempos de hospitalização segundo faixa etária e sexo. RESULTADOS: A proporção de internação por condição sensível à atenção primária foi de 82,4%. As causas mais frequentes foram: pneumonias bacterianas (59,38%), gastroenterites infecciosas e suas complicações (23,59%) e infecção do rim e trato urinário (9,67%). Meninos apresentaram maior frequência de internações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária do que meninas. Verificou-se mediana de quatro dias de hospitalização para as condições sensíveis à atenção primária. O tempo de hospitalização por condição sensível à atenção primária foi significantemente maior do que o tempo da condição não sensível à atenção primária. CONCLUSÕES: Ressaltam-se altas taxas de internações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária, principalmente em crianças do sexo masculino, com longos períodos de hospitalização.

Effect of quality of colostrum on health, growth and immunoglobulin G concentration in Holstein calves in a hot environment.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ingestion of pasteurized and subsequently frozen-thawed pooled colostrum (≥50 mg Ig/mL) with different bacterial counts and immunoglobulin concentration (IgC) on the occurrence of diarrhea and pneumonia in 306 neonatal Holstein calves in a hot environment. Calves were assigned to be fed colostrum with total bacterial counts (TBC) lower or greater than 100 000 colony-forming units (cfu)/mL, total coliform counts (TCC) greater or lower than 10 000 cfu/mL, and IgC lower or higher than 85 mg Ig/mL. Calves fed colostrum with TBC ≥100 000 cfu/mL were more likely (risk ratio 1.34, confidence interval 1.05-1.71; P < 0.05) to present pneumonia than calves receiving colostrum with lower TBC (incidence 53.2 vs. 39.8%). Calves fed colostrum with high TCC had increased chances of suffering pneumonia (51.4 vs. 42.1%; P < 0.05) than calves fed colostrum with lower TCC. Calves fed colostrum with ≥85 mg Ig/mL tended to present higher daily weight gain (505 ± 113 vs. 484 ± 126 g; P = 0.09). TBC and TCC in colostrum did not influence the incidence rate of diarrhea. It was concluded that under the conditions of the present study, heavy contamination of on-farm pasteurized frozen-thawed colostrum is seemingly unavoidable and this contamination poses a threat for pneumonia, but not for diarrhea.

Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Latin America.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region. Poverty, socioeconomic factors, and malnutrition influence the incidence and outcome of CAP in LAC. In LAC, Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most frequent microorganism responsible for CAP, (incidence: 24-78%); the incidence of atypical microorganisms is similar to other regions of the world. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a growing problem in the LAC region, with the Caribbean being the second most affected area worldwide after Sub-Saharan Africa. Pneumococcal pneumonia remains the most common cause of CAP in HIV-infected patients, but Pneumocystis jirovecii and tuberculosis (TB) are also common in this population. The heterogeneity of the health care systems and social inequity between different countries in LAC, and even between different settings inside the same country, is a difficult issue. TB, including multidrug-resistant TB, is several times more common in South American and Central American countries compared with North America. Furthermore, hantaviruses circulating in the Americas (new world hantaviruses) generate a severe respiratory disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, with an associated mortality as high as 50%. More than 30 hantaviruses have been reported in the Western Hemisphere, with more frequent cases registered in the southern cone (Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Brazil). Respiratory viruses (particularly influenza) remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in the elderly. Low rates of vaccination (against influenza as well as pneumococcus) may heighten the risk of these infections in low- and middle-income countries.