Multicenter prospective surveillance study of viral agents causing meningoencephalitis.

The frequency of bacterial factors causing central nervous system infections has decreased as a result of the development of our national immunization program. In this study, it is aimed to obtain the data of our local surveillance by defining the viral etiology in cases diagnosed with meningoencephalitis for 1 year. Previously healhty 186 children, who applied with findings suggesting viral meningoencephalitis to 8 different tertiary health centers between August 2018 and August 2019, in Istanbul, were included. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction. The M:F ratio was 1.24 in the patient group, whose age ranged from 1 to 216 months (mean 40.2 ± 48.7). Viral factor was detected in 26.8%. Enterovirus was the most common agent (24%) and followed by Adenovirus (22%) and HHV type 6 (22%). In the rest of the samples revealed HHV type 7 (10%), EBV (6%), CMV (6%), HSV type 1 (6%), Parvovirus (4%) and VZV (2%). The most common symptoms were fever (79%) and convulsions (45.7%). Antibiotherapy and antiviral therapy was started 48.6% and 4% respectively. Mortality and sequela rate resulted 0.53% and 3.7%, respectively. This highlights the importance of monitoring trends in encephalitis in Turkey with aview to improving pathogen diagnosis for encephalitis and rapidly identifying novel emerging encephalitis-causing pathogens that demand public health action especially in national immunisation programme.

Successful treatment of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis with posaconazole in a child with cystic fibrosis: Case report and review of the literature.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is recognized as a rare, progressive, allergic disorder in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and asthma. Treatment of ABPA mainly includes systemic corticosteroids (CSs) and antifungal agents. Here, we report posaconazole treatment in a 9-year-old male child with ABPA and also review the literature on antifungal management of ABPA. The child with CF was admitted to the emergency room with complaints of fever, productive cough, and acute dyspnea. Auscultation of the lungs revealed obvious bilateral fine crackles and bilateral rhonchus. He was started with intravenous meropenem and amikacin for acute exacerbation. The patient was diagnosed with ABPA because of his failure to respond to antibiotherapy, elevated serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E, specific IgE, to Aspergillus fumigatus levels and sputum growth of A. fumigatus. He was successfully treated with posaconazole with marked clinical and laboratory improvement and no adverse effects. CSs and antifungal agents are the mainstay of therapy in patients with ABPA based on observational studies in children. Posaconazole is a useful treatment option for patients with ABPA.

Prevalence of Nasopharyngeal Carriage, Serotype Distribution, and Antimicrobial Resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae among Children with Chronic Diseases.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of nasopharyngeal (NP) carriage and the serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae in children with chronic diseases, which predisposes them to invasive pneumococcal disease in comparison with that in healthy children. A cross-sectional prevalence study was performed between February 2015 and February 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey. We enrolled 1,024 children with chronic diseases and 394 healthy children aged 0-18 years. The overall prevalence of S. pneumoniae NP (SPNP) carriage was 9.8%, with 8.4% in healthy children and 10.3% in children with chronic diseases. The prevalence rates of SPNP carriage were 17.5%, 13.5%, 10.5%, 9.3%, 8.6%, 8.6%, 8%, 6.7%, and 4%, respectively, in each of the following risk groups: primary immunodeficiency, asthma, chronic renal failure, congenital heart disease, chronic lung disease, leukemia, nephrotic syndrome, solid organ tumors, and type 1 diabetes mellitus. In the multivariate analysis, a history of otitis media within the last year, a history of pneumonia within the last year, and more than one sibling under 8 years of age were found to be independent risk factors for SPNP carriage.

Invasive aspergillosis in a patient with end stage renal disease.

Invasive aspergillosis caused by A. Fumigatus, almost occurs in immunocompromised hosts and has a poor prognosis. We report a case of invasive Aspergillosis in a 15-year-old boy with ESRD. He was initially diagnosed as lobar pneumonia and peritonitis. When he complained for lower extremity weakness and had convulsions, a solid mass originated from right lung compresses the spinal cord and intracranial hemorrhagic abscesses were found on MRI. The biopsy specimen showed hypae of aspergillus-spp and he died on 12th day.

IL12Rß1 defect presenting with massive intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy due to Mycobacterium intracellulare infection.

Infections due to non-tuberculous mycobacteria species are problematic for immunodeficient individuals. Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial diseases (MSMD) defines a group of genetic defects affecting cellular interactions and the interferon (IFN)-γ pathway. Patients with MSMD may present with a disseminated infection resulting from the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine, Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, environmental nontuberculous mycobacteria or Salmonella species. Atypical mycobacterial infections and deficient granuloma or giant cell formation are important indicators for MSMD, especially in patients with a family history of parental consanguineous marriage. Herein we report the case of a boy with an IL-12Rß1 defect who presented with massive intraabdominal lymphadenopathy due to Mycobacterium intracellulare infection. The patient was born to consanguineous parents, both heterozygous for the IL-12Rß1 defect mutation. Debulking surgery was planned in order to decrease the abdominal mass, but could not be performed due to a high risk of fatal outcomes. He has been receiving linezolid, levofloxacin, azithromycin, rifabutin and IFN-γ therapy for the past 14 months. At follow-up, the patient showed significant clinical improvement and weight gain.

Intravenous Colistin Use for Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Infections in Pediatric Patients.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of infections due to multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (MDR-GNB) has led to the resurrection of colistin use. The data on colistin use and drug-related adverse effects in children are scarce. AIMS: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of colistin use in critically ill pediatric patients. STUDY DESIGN: This study has a retrospective study design. METHODS: Sixty-one critically ill children were identified through the department's patient files archive during the period from January 2011 to November 2014. RESULTS: Twenty-nine females and thirty-two males with a mean±standard deviation (SD) age of 61±9 months (range 0-216, median 12 months) received IV colistin due to MDR-GNB infections. Bacteremia (n=23, 37.7%) was the leading diagnosis, followed by pneumonia (n=19, 31%), clinical sepsis (n=7, 11.4%), wound infection (n=6, 9.8%), urinary tract infection (n=5, 8.1%) and meningitis (n=1, 1.6%). All of the isolates were resistant to carbapenems; however, all were susceptible to colistin. The isolated microorganisms in decreasing order of frequency were: Acinetobacter baumanni (n=27, 44.2%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=17, 27.8%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=6, 9.8%), K. pneumoniae and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (n=1, 1.6%), K. pneumoniae and A. baumanni (n=1, 1.6%), K. oxytoca (n=1, 1.6%) and Enterobacter cloacae (n=1, 1.6%). In seven patients, no microorganisms were detected; however, five of these patients were colonized by carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae. The mean duration of colistin therapy was 12 days (range 3-45). Colistin was administered concomitantly with one of the following antibiotics: carbapenem (n=50, %82), ampicillin-sulbactam (n=5, 8%), quinolones (n=5, 8%), rifampicin (n=1, 1.6%). Carbapenem was the most frequently used antibiotic. Nephrotoxicity was observed in only 1 patient, and we did not observe neurotoxicity in this study. All the patients received intravenous colistin (colisthimethate) at a dosage of 5 mg/kg daily by dividing it in three equal doses. Seven (11.4%) patients died during the study period. CONCLUSION: Colistin appears to be a safe and efficacious drug for treating MDR-GNB infections in children.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by Chryseobacterium indologenes: a rare infant case and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Chryseobacterium indologenes is an uncommon organism that has been documented to cause a variety of invasive infections mostly in hospitalized patients with severe underlying diseases. CASE PRESENTATION: A three-month-old female infant born at term by caesarean section with meningomyelocele and congenital diaphragmatic hernia had two surgeries for the repair of meningomyelocele and diaphragmatic hernia on her 3rd and 14th day, respectively. On the 3rd month of her life, she deteriorated clinically with fever, leukocytosis and increase of acute-phase reactants. Gas exchange condition became worse than it was before. Respiratory secretions, oxygen requirements and ventilator demand increased. Chest X-ray showed bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. Bacteriological blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid culture test results were negative. C. indologenes was isolated from tracheobronchial secretion sample obtained by endotracheal aspiration. Although susceptible to ciprofloxacin (MIC:0.5 gr/L), levofloxacin and piperacillin-tazobactam, the isolate was resistant to meropenem, imipenem and colistin. She was treated with ciprofloxacin successfully. Her fever resolved and gas exchange condition improved after 72 h of the treatment. The antibiotic treatment was given for a course of 14 days. CONCLUSION: Chryseobacterium indologenes may emerge as a potential pathogen in infants with the factors such as invasive equipment, having underlying diseases and prolonged hospitalization.

Epidemiologic and microbiologic evaluation of nosocomial infections associated with Candida spp in children: A multicenter study from Istanbul, Turkey.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to establish species distribution of Candida isolates from pediatric patients in Istanbul, Turkey, and to determine risk factors associated with nosocomial Candida infections. METHODS: This study was conducted between June 2013 and June 2014 by participation of 7 medical centers in Istanbul. Candida spp strains isolated from the clinical specimens of pediatric patients were included. Clinical features were recorded on a standardized data collection sheet. RESULTS: A total of 134 systemic Candida infections were identified in 134 patients. The patients were admitted in pediatric and neonatal intensive care units (41.8% and 9.7%, respectively) and in pediatric wards (48.5%). Candida albicans was the most prevalent species (47%), followed by Candida parapsilosis (13.4%), Candida tropicalis (8.2%), Candida glabrata (4.5%), Candida lusitaniae (3.7%), Candida kefyr (2.2%), Candida guilliermondii (1.5%), Candida dubliniensis (0.7%), and Candida krusei (0.7%). Types of Candida infections were candidemia (50.7%), urinary tract infection (33.6%), surgical site infection (4.5%), central nervous system infection (3.7%), catheter infection (3.7%), and intra-abdominal infection (3.7%). In multivariate analysis, younger age (1-24 months) and detection of non-albicans Candida spp was found to be risk factors associated with candidemia (P = 0.040; odds ratio [OR], 4.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-15.86; and P = 0.02; OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.10-5.53, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides an update for the epidemiology of nosocomial Candida infections in Istanbul, which is important for the management of patients and implementation of appropriate infection control measures.

Epstein-Barr Virus Encephalitis in an Immunocompetent Child: A Case Report and Management of Epstein-Barr Virus Encephalitis.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) usually causes mild, asymptomatic, and self-limited infections in children and adults; however, it may occasionally lead to severe conditions such as neurological diseases, malignant diseases, hepatic failure, and myocarditis. Epstein-Barr virus-related neurological disorders include meningitis, encephalitis, and cranial or peripheral neuritis, which are mostly seen in immunocompromised patients. The therapeutic modalities for EBV-related severe organ damage including central nervous system manifestations are still uncertain. Herein, we describe a seven-year-old boy with EBV encephalitis who presented with prolonged fever, exudative pharyngitis, reduced consciousness, and neck stiffness. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed contrast enhancement in the bilateral insular cortex and the right hypothalamus. The diagnosis was made by EBV-DNA amplification in both the blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples. He was discharged with acyclovir therapy without any sequelae.

Cytomegalovirus Retinitis in Three Pediatric Cases with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Case Series and Review of the Literature.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is typically diagnosed in patient with AIDS and those who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant. However, it may develop in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who have not undergone hematopoietic cell transplantation. To increase awareness of CMV retinitis in this group, we describe 3 patients ages 3, 9, and 12, with ALL who developed CMV retinitis. The diagnosis of CMV retinitis was made on the basis of ophthalmological findings suggesting typical retinal lesions. In 2 cases, CMV DNAemia was present, while in 1 patient CMV DNA was detected only in vitreous fluid using the PCR technique. All cases were treated with intravenous ganciclovir for 2 or 3 weeks as induction therapy, followed by oral valganciclovir prophylaxis. Initially, active retinitis lesions resolved in all cases; however, in 1 patient CMV retinitis relapsed 3 times during follow-up. In this case, by using foscarnet therapy, satisfactory responses were achieved and the progression of CMV retinitis lesions stopped and eventually regressed.

Recurrent Candida albicans Ventriculitis Treated with Intraventricular Liposomal Amphotericin B.

Central nervous system (CNS) infection with Candida is rare but significant because of its high morbidity and mortality. When present, it is commonly seen among immunocompromised and hospitalized patients. Herein, we describe a case of a four-year-old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who experienced recurrent Candida albicans meningitis. The patient was treated successfully with intravenous liposomal amphotericin B at first attack, but 25 days after discharge he was readmitted to hospital with symptoms of meningitis. Candida albicans was grown in CFS culture again and cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed ventriculitis. We administered liposomal amphotericin B both intravenously and intraventricularly and favorable result was achieved without any adverse effects. Intraventricular amphotericin B may be considered for the treatment of recurrent CNS Candida infections in addition to intravenous administration.

The Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Ertapenem for the Treatment of Complicated Urinary Tract Infections Caused by ESBL-Producing Bacteria in Children.

Background. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common and important clinical problem in childhood, and extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase- (ESBL-) producing organisms are the leading cause of healthcare-related UTIs. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of ertapenem therapy in children with complicated UTIs caused by ESBL-producing organisms. Methods. Seventy-seven children with complicated UTIs caused by ESBL-producing organisms were included in this retrospective study, and all had been treated with ertapenem between January 2013 and June 2014. Results. Sixty-one (79%) females and sixteen (21%) males with a mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of 76.6 ± 52 months (range 3-204, median 72 months) were enrolled in this study. Escherichia coli (E. coli) (n = 67; 87%) was the most common bacterial cause of the UTIs followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) (n = 9; 11.7%) and Enterobacter cloacae (E. cloacae) (n = 1; 1.3%). The mean duration of the ertapenem therapy was 8.9 ± 1.6 days (range 4-11). No serious drug-related clinical or laboratory adverse effects were observed, and the ertapenem therapy was found to be safe and well tolerated in the children in our study. Conclusion. Ertapenem is a newer carbapenem with the advantage of once-daily dosing and is highly effective for treating UTIs caused by ESBL-producing microorganisms.

Lactococcus lactis Catherter-Related Bloodstream Infection in an Infant: Case Report.

Lactococcus lactis is a gram-positive coccus that is nonpathogenic in humans. Herein, we present the case of a 1-year-old boy with Down syndrome and Hirschprung's disease (HD) who developed a catheter-related bloodstream infection with L. lactis after gastrointestinal surgery. The patient had been hospitalized in the pediatric surgery unit from birth because of HD, and had undergone the Duhamel-Martin procedure which caused recurrent diarrhea episodes and feeding intolerance. On the infant's 430th day of life, he had an episode of gastroenteritis and feeding intolerance. Because of clinical suspiction of sepsis, blood cultures were taken both from the central venous catheter and peripheral vein, and evidence of a growing microorganism was detected in 2 different central venous catheter blood cultures taken 2 days apart. The colonies were then identified by both the Vitek 2 and Vitek MS systems (bioMérieux, Marseille, France) as L. lactis spp. lactis. The central venous catheter could not be removed because of the absence of a peripheral venous line, and the patient was subsequently successfully treated with vancomycin. Therefore, although Lactococcus species is generally thought to be nonpathogenic, it should still be kept in mind as a potential pathogen in infants.

Brain abscess due to Streptococcus intermedius secondary to mastoiditis in a child.

BACKGROUND: Brain abscess is a rare but serious, life-threatening infection in children. It may arise from parameningeal infections such as otitis media, sinusitis and mastoiditis. CASE DESCRIPTION: A ten-year-old boy with the diagnosis of glycogen-storage disease and obesity was admitted to the emergency room with complaints of vomiting, decreased level of consciousness, imbalance on walking. On neurological examination, the patient was ataxic. His cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination showed mastoiditis on the right side and 39 × 34 mm abscess formation with surrounding edema on the right cerebellar hemisphere. The patient underwent surgery to drain the abscess, microbiological samples were obtained and empirical antibiotic treatment with vancomycin and piperacillin-tazobactam were started. Postoperative cranial MRI examination showed that the lesion regressed 10 × 10 mm with a reduction in the edema. On the second week of the treatment, the antibiotics were switched to vancomycin and meropenem because of the relapsing fever. The therapy was continued for 6 weeks. A final MRI (after completing antibiotherapy) showed resolution of the cerebellar abscess. The child's clinical condition improved and he was discharged without any sequelae. DISCUSSION AND EVALUATION: Children with congenital heart disease and an immonocompromised state are particularly at risk. Streptococcus intermedius is usually a commensal microorganism in the normal flora of the mouth which can cause brain abscess rarely in children. Brain abscess induced mortality rates are still relatively high, even with the advancement of imaging technologies, the combination of surgical drainage and antimicrobial therapy. CONCLUSION: This case is one of the few reported cases of cerebellar abscess caused by S. intermedius in an immunocompetent child, due to its low virulence, a rare occurence and timely management resulting in fully healed.

Atypical presentation of cat-scratch disease in an immunocompetent child with serological and pathological evidence.

Typical cat-scratch disease (CSD) is characterized by local lymphadenopathy following the scratch or bite from a cat or kitten. An atypical presentation which includes liver and/or spleen lesions is rarely reported in an immunocompetent child. Systemic CSD may mimic more serious disorders like malignancy or tuberculosis. Although a diagnosis is difficult to establish in systemic CSD, an early diagnosis and an appropriate treatment are important to prevent complications. Bartonella henselae is difficult to culture, and culture is not routinely recommended. Clinical, serological, radiological, and pathological findings are used for the diagnosis of CSD. Herein we present a case of systemic CSD presenting with hepatic mass in an immunocompetent child. The differential diagnosis is made by serological and pathological evidence. He was successfully treated with gentamicin (7.5 mg/kg) and rifampin (15 mg/kg) for six weeks.

Intraventricular ciprofloxacin usage in treatment of multidrug-resistant central nervous system infections: report of four cases.

In recent years, multidrug-resistant microorganisms appear as important nosocomial pathogens which treatment is quite difficult. As sufficient drug levels could not be achieved in cerebrospinal fluid during intravenous antibiotic therapy for central nervous system infections and due to multidrug-resistance treatment alternatives are limited. In this study, four cases of central nervous system infections due to multidrug-resistant microorganisms who were successfully treated with removal of the devices and intraventricular ciprofloxacin are presented. In conclusion, intraventricular ciprofloxacin can be used for treatment of central nervous system infections if the causative microorganism is sensitive to the drug and no other alternative therapy is available.