Incidence and risk factors for Dengue virus (DENV) infection in the first 2 years of life in a Brazilian prospective birth cohort.

This study assessed the incidence and risk factors for dengue virus (DENV) infection among children in a prospective birth cohort conducted in the city of Recife, a hyperendemic dengue area in Northeast Brazil. Healthy pregnant women (n = 415) residing in Recife who agreed to have their children followed were enrolled. Children were followed during their first 24 months of age (May/2011-June/2014), before the 2015 Zika virus outbreak. DENV infection was detected by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and/or serology (anti-DENV IgM/IgG). The incidence rates per 1000 person-years (py) and its association with risk factors by age bands (0-12, >12-30 months) were estimated through Poisson regression models. Forty-nine dengue infections were detected; none progressed to severe forms. The incidence rates were 107·6/1000py (95% CI 76·8-150·6) and 93·3/1000py (95% CI 56·1-154·4) in the first and second years of age, respectively. Male children (risk ratios (RR) = 2·33; 95% CI 1·09-4·98) and those born to DENV-naïve mothers (RR = 2·42; 95% CI 1·01-5·80) were at greater risk of infection in the first year of age. In the second year, children born to Caucasian/Asian descent skin colour mothers had a threefold higher risk of infection (RR = 3·34; 95% CI: 1·08-10·33). These data show the high exposure of children to DENV infection in our setting and highlight the role of biological factors in this population's susceptibility to infection.

Colonisation by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella spp. in a paediatric intensive care unit.

A prospective cohort study was performed in order to study the incidence and risk factors for bacterial colonisation with extended-spectrum producing beta-lactamase (ESBL) Klebsiella spp. in children. The study took place in a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in Recife, Brazil over a five-month period in 2008. Rectal swabs were collected during the first 24h of admission and on the 2nd, 5th, 7th and 14th days of PICU stay. ESBL-producing strains of Klebsiella spp. were detected by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion and confirmed by double disc synergy testing. A total of 186 children were enrolled with a median age of three years. The overall colonisation rate with ESBL-producing Klebsiella spp. was 14%, but 13 (7%) children were already colonised upon admission. The incidence density of colonisation during PICU admission was 14.2 per 1000 patient-days. On multivariable analysis, the use of third generation cephalosporins (P=0.008) was a risk factor for colonisation. Survival analysis revealed an increase in the accumulated risk of colonisation with an increase in length of stay in the PICU. The present study provides baseline information to guide improved practices in similar settings and direct future studies in relation to the magnitude of cross-infection and effectiveness of infection control interventions.