Outcomes of a Comprehensive Youth Program for HIV-infected Adolescents in Thailand.

We developed an intervention program for HIV-infected Thai adolescents with two group sessions and two individual sessions, focusing on four strategies: health knowledge, coping skills, sexual risk reduction, and life goals. An audio computer-assisted self-interview (ACASI) was administered to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding antiretroviral therapy management, reproductive health, and HIV-associated risk behavior. The program was implemented in two HIV clinics; 165 (84%) adolescents (intervention group) participated in the program; 32 (16%) completed the ACASI without participating in the group or individual sessions (nonintervention group). The median age was 14 years, and 56% were female. Baseline KAP scores of the intervention and nonintervention groups were similar. Two months after the intervention, knowledge and attitude scores increased (p < .01) in the intervention group, and the increase was sustained at 6 months. KAP scores did not change from baseline in the nonintervention group at 6 or 12 months after enrollment.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antiretroviral management, reproductive health, sexually transmitted infections, and sexual risk behavior among perinatally HIV-infected youth in Thailand.

More than 30% of perinatally HIV-infected children in Thailand are 12 years and older. As these youth become sexually active, there is a risk that they will transmit HIV to their partners. Data on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of HIV-infected youth in Thailand are limited. Therefore, we assessed the KAP of perinatally HIV-infected youth and youth reporting sexual risk behaviors receiving care at two tertiary care hospitals in Bangkok, Thailand and living in an orphanage in Lopburi, Thailand. From October 2010 to July 2011, 197 HIV-infected youth completed an audio computer-assisted self-interview to assess their KAP regarding antiretroviral (ARV) management, reproductive health, sexual risk behaviors, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A majority of youth in this study correctly answered questions about HIV transmission and prevention and the importance of taking ARVs regularly. More than half of the youth in this study demonstrated a lack of family planning, reproductive health, and STI knowledge. Girls had more appropriate attitudes toward safe sex and risk behaviors than boys. Although only 5% of the youth reported that they had engaged in sexual intercourse, about a third reported sexual risk behaviors (e.g., having or kissing boy/girlfriend or consuming an alcoholic beverage). We found low condom use and other family planning practices, increasing the risk of HIV and/or STI transmission to sexual partners. Additional resources are needed to improve reproductive health knowledge and reduce risk behavior among HIV-infected youth in Thailand.

Clinical characteristics and hospital charges among Thai children hospitalized with influenza.

Infants and young children are at high risk for influenza-associated morbidity, mortality, and the need for hospitalization. Only limited information is available regarding the clinical findings, outcomes, and financial burden incurred by Thai children hospitalized with severe influenza, therefore, we examined these areas in this retrospective study. The children were diagnosed with having influenza by either a real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction or rapid testing. Two hundred eighty-nine influenza cases hospitalized at the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, Bangkok, Thailand were reviewed. Influenza A, B, and mixed A/B infections were identified in 204 (70.6%), 79 (27.3%), and 6 cases (2.1%), respectively. Children aged younger than 5 years comprised the greatest proportion of cases (60.9%). Fever was the most common symptom (100%), followed by cough (90.3%) and rhinorrhea (70.6%). Diarrhea and thrombocytopenia were found in 22% and 10.4%, respectively. Most cases recovered uneventfully but 2 patients died (fatality rate =0.7%). The median (IQR) duration of hospitalization were 3 (3) days. The median hospital charge was USD169.4 (177.6). Being younger than 2 years old, having predisposing comorbidities, and/or receiving oseltamivir treatment were significantly associated with longer hospitalization; the latter two were associated with higher hospital charges. On logistic regression analyses, being younger than 2 years old was an independent risk factor for disease severity. Most children hospitalized with pediatric influenza had an uncomplicated clinical course. Young children and those with predisposing co-morbidities are at increased risk for extended hospitalization and higher treatment costs.

Cost-utility analysis of 10- and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines: protection at what price in the Thai context?

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the costs and outcomes of offering the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in Thailand compared to the current situation of no PCV vaccination. METHODS: Two vaccination schedules were considered: two-dose primary series plus a booster dose (2+1) and three-dose primary series plus a booster dose (3+1). A cost-utility analysis was conducted using a societal perspective. A Markov simulation model was used to estimate the relevant costs and health outcomes for a lifetime horizon. Costs were collected and values were calculated for the year 2010. The results were reported as incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) in Thai Baht (THB) per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained, with future costs and outcomes being discounted at 3% per annum. One-way sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis using a Monte Carlo simulation were performed to assess parameter uncertainty. RESULTS: Under the base case-scenario of 2+1 dose schedule and a five-year protection, without indirect vaccine effects, the ICER for PCV10 and PCV13 were THB 1,368,072 and THB 1,490,305 per QALY gained, respectively. With indirect vaccine effects, the ICER of PCV10 was THB 519,399, and for PCV13 was THB 527,378. The model was sensitive to discount rate, the change in duration of vaccine protection and the incidence of pneumonia for all age groups. CONCLUSIONS: At current prices, PCV10 and PCV13 are not cost-effective in Thailand. Inclusion of indirect vaccine effects substantially reduced the ICERs for both vaccines, but did not result in cost effectiveness.

Risk factors for carbapenem non-susceptibility and mortality in Acinetobacter baumannii bacteremia in children.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the risk factors of carbapenem non-susceptibility and mortality among children with Acinetobacter baumannii bacteremia. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of 180 cases with A. baumannii bacteremia. RESULTS: The 30-day mortality risk of A. baumannii bacteremia was 26.1%. Carbapenem-non-susceptible A. baumannii was identified in 51.7% of cases. Logistic regression analysis indicated that prematurity, use of mechanical ventilation, and prior exposure to carbapenem antibiotics were independently associated with carbapenem-non-susceptible A. baumannii bacteremia, with adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of 3.36 (1.17-9.65), 5.59 (2.24-13.97), and 2.97 (1.01-8.77), respectively. Further, carbapenem non-susceptibility, cancer-related neutropenia, organ dysfunction, admission to the intensive care unit, catheter-related bacteremia, and treatment with sulbactam-containing regimens were associated with mortality with aORs and 95% CIs of 4.76 (1.58-14.32), 4.54 (1.09-18.79), 25.95 (5.13-131.33), 3.53 (1.29-9.71), 0.25 (0.084-0.72), and 0.14 (0.046-0.45), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of A. baumannii bacteremia was caused by carbapenem-non-susceptible strains with a high mortality rate. Carbapenem non-susceptibility, cancer-related neutropenia, the presence of organ dysfunction, and admission to an intensive care unit were associated with an increased mortality risk, whereas catheter-related bacteremia and treatment with a sulbactam-containing regimen were associated with decreased mortality among children with A. baumannii bacteremia.

Therapeutic effectiveness of the generic preparation of meropenem (Mapenem) in the treatment of moderate to severe infection in children.

OBJECTIVE: To compare treatment effectiveness and tolerability between generic meropenem (Mapenem, Siam Pharmaceutical) and the original formulation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective review using historical control of children hospitalized at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health was conducted. The demographics, clinical, and treatment outcomes of 180 children receiving generic meropenem were compared with that of 180 children receiving original meropenem. RESULTS: Baseline demographics, clinical characteristics were comparable between both groups. The treatment outcomes on day 3, 7, and 14 of treatment were comparable between the two groups with overall improvement rates of 73.9% and 71.7% for generic and original meropenem, respectively (absolute difference: 2.2%, 95% CI: -6.9%, 11.4%). Both drugs were well tolerated, with only 1.6% of patients in each group who experienced adverse reactions. CONCLUSION: Mapenem exhibited comparable therapeutic effectiveness and tolerability with that of the brand-name formulation in the treatment of moderate to severe infections in a pediatric population.

Pasteurella (Mannheimia) haemolytica septicemia in an infant: a case report.

Septicemia due to Pasteurella (Mannheimia) haemolytica is a rare occurrence. We report a fatal case of M. haemolytica septicemia in a seven-month-old infant who presented with prolonged fever, sepsis, and pneumonitis without discernable preceding history of animal bites or contact. Rare cases of systemic Mannheimia infections are reviewed and summarized.

A review on the clinical spectrum and natural history of human influenza.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review is to provide updated information on the clinical spectrum and natural history of human influenza, including risk factors for severe disease, and to identify the knowledge gap in this area. METHODS: We searched the MEDLINE database of the recent literature for the period January 2009 to August 17, 2011 with regard to the abovementioned aspects of human influenza, focusing on A(H1N1)pdm09 and seasonal influenza. RESULTS: The clinical spectrum and outcomes of cases of A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza have been mild and rather indistinguishable from those of seasonal influenza. Sporadic cases covering a wide range of neurological complications have been reported. Underlying predisposing conditions considered to be high-risk for A(H1N1)pdm09 infections are generally similar to those of seasonal influenza, but with two additional risk groups: pregnant women and the morbidly obese. Co-infections with bacteria and D222/N variants or 225G substitution of the viral genome have also been reported to be significant factors associated with the severity of disease. The current knowledge gap includes: (1) a lack of clarification regarding the relatively greater severity of the Mexican A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza outbreak in the early phase of the pandemic; (2) insufficient data on the clinical impact, risk factors, and outcomes of human infections caused by resistant strains of influenza; and (3) insufficient data from less developed countries that would enable them to prioritize strategies for influenza prevention and control. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical features and risk factors of A(H1N1)pdm09 are comparable to those of seasonal influenza. Emerging risk factors for severe disease with A(H1N1)pdm09 include morbid obesity, pregnancy, bacterial co-infections, and D222/N variants or 225G substitution of the viral genome.

Invasive salmonellosis in urban Thai children: a ten-year review.

BACKGROUND: Invasive, extraintestinal salmonellosis carries a significant burden of childhood morbidity especially among infants and young children in developing countries. OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical manifestations, outcomes, laboratory findings and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in patients with invasive salmonellosis. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted among children 0-18 years of age diagnosed with invasive salmonellosis receiving care at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, Bangkok, Thailand, from 2001 to 2010. RESULTS: We analyzed the records of 229 patients with culture-proven invasive salmonellosis. Sixty-three percent of cases had no documented underlying disease. Fever, diarrhea and respiratory symptoms were reported in 92%, 40% and 29% of cases, respectively. The spectrum of disease included isolated bacteremia (90%), clinical pneumonia (24.8%), bacteremia with meningitis (7.8%), septic arthritis (1.3%) and empyema thoracis (0.4%). Forty-seven of 57 cases presenting with clinical pneumonia had abnormal infiltrations on chest radiograph (20.5% of all cases). Despite the invasive nature of the illness, 53.1% of patients had a normal white blood cell count. Antimicrobial resistance was found among ampicillin (68.3%), chloramphenical (15.2%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (33.9%), ceftriaxone (17.4%) and ciprofloxacin (3%). The case fatality rate was 4.8%, 91% of whom had an underlying disease. Multivariate analysis indicated that age, underlying liver disease and presence of pneumonia were significant predictors of fatality. CONCLUSIONS: Fever, diarrhea and respiratory symptoms were among the most common presenting symptoms of invasive nontyphoidal salmonellosis. Older age, hepatobiliary disease and presence of pneumonia were associated with increased risk of fatality. Resistance to third-generation cephalosporins poses a major concern for its use as empiric antimicrobial therapy for this condition.

Antibiotic and systemic therapies for pneumonia in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and HIV-exposed children.

INTRODUCTION: Pneumonia is the leading cause of mortality in both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and HIV-exposed children. Administration of appropriate empirical antimicrobial and/or adjunctive systemic therapies may improve clinical outcomes. METHODOLOGY: To identify effective antimicrobial and/or adjunctive systemic therapy for pneumonia in HIV-infected and HIV-exposed, uninfected children, we searched for published and unpublished studies from 11 databases including MedLine, Global Health Database, Biological Abstracts (BIOSIS), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the World Health Organization Library Information System, AIDSLine, and the System for Information on Grey Literature in Europe, along with additional four regional databases including African Index Medicus, Latin America and Caribbean, Eastern Mediterranean, and South-East Asian databases. Data from full articles of selected studies were independently extracted by two reviewers. RESULTS: No a priori planned randomized controlled trials (RCT) were identified, only subgroup analyses of an RCT comparing oral amoxicillin versus parenteral penicillin for severe pneumonia in children. HIV-infected children had significantly higher treatment failure rates compared to their uninfected counterparts. An RCT study investigating adjunctive corticosteroid therapy for Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) failed to identify a statistically significant reduction in mortality in the treatment group with a relative risk of 0.57 (95% CI 0.30-1.07). A before-after observational study showed substantial beneficial effect of corticosteroid treatment in reducing mortality among HIV-infected children with PCP. CONCLUSIONS: Insufficient evidence exists to identify effective antimicrobial treatment regimens for HIV-associated pneumonia in paediatric populations or confirm the beneficial effect of corticosteroid treatment for HIV-infected children with PCP.

Streptococcus gallolyticus subspecies pasteurianus meningitis in an infant: a case report and literature review.

A case of 6-week-old male infant with meningitis and concurrent bacteremia caused by Streptococcus gallolyticus subspecies pasteurianus (Streptococcus bovis biotype 11.2) is presented. The isolates were susceptible to all beta-lactam antibiotics. Nevertheless, delayed defervescence and lack of satisfactory clinical improvement after treatment with multiple beta-lactam antibiotics prompted the combination therapy of vancomycin and penicillin G. The patient completed a 2-week course of antibiotics and recovered uneventfully.

In vitro activities of colistin and ampicillin/sulbactam against Acinetobacter baumannii.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to examine the in vitro antimicrobial activity of colistin, and ampicillin/sulbactam against A. baumannii isolated from pediatric patients and to compare the susceptibility testing using disc diffusion with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) E-test method. MATERIAL AND METHOD: One hundred strains of A. baumannii from various clinical isolates were included in the present study. Antimicrobial susceptibilities of A. baumannii to colistin, ampicillin/sulbactam were determined by disc diffusion and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) using E-test method. The analysis was stratified by carbapenem resistance status. Sensitivity and specificity of the disc diffusion test compared to the MIC E-test were estimated. RESULTS: Ninety-seven strains of all isolates (97%) were sensitive to colistin using both disc diffusion and E-test methods. In contrast, 41% and 34% of the isolates were sensitive to ampicillin/sulbactam by disc diffusion and MICE-test, respectively. The colistin MIC50 and MIC90 for A. baumannii were 0.38 and 1 microg/mL, respectively. The ampicillin/sulbactam MIC50 and MIC90 were 16 and 89.6 microg/mL, respectively. Based on the results of MIC E-test, ninety-eight (n = 49) and six (n = 3) percent of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (n = 50) were susceptible to colistin and ampicillin/sulbactam, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of disc diffusion test compared to MIC E-test were 99% and 66.7% for colistin and 80.5% and 98.3% for ampicillin/sulbactam, respectively. CONCLUSION: The antimicrobial activities of colistin against A. baumannii isolates remained high for both cabapenem-susceptible and -resistant strains. However, the in vitro activity of ampicillin/sulbactam against A. baumannii was low. Thus, a combination, rather than monotherapy, of ampicillin/sulbactam with other antibiotics is strongly recommended when dealing with A. baumannii infection. In addition, disc diffusion test appeared to be a useful screening method for susceptibility testing for colistin and ampicillin/sulbactam against A. baumanii.

Invasive Vibrio cholerae non-O1 non-0139 infection in a thalassemic child.

Invasive, extra-intestinal infection with Vibrio cholerae non-O1, non-O139 is rare especially among children. Herein the authors report a 12-year-old girl with underlying beta-thalassemia status post-splenectomy presenting with V. cholerae non-O1, non-O139 gastroenteritis with concomitant septicemia. The pathogen was identified from stool and blood culture and the patient recovered uneventfully after antimicrobial and supportive therapy. A review and comparison of clinical manifestations and outcomes with the previous four cases of invasive V. cholerae non-O1, non-O139 in postsplenectomy thalassemic pediatric patients is reported.

Systematic review on the etiology and antibiotic treatment of pneumonia in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children.

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: A systematic review of studies that were published between January 1990 and February 2009 on the etiology and antimicrobial or adjunctive systemic management of CAP in HIV-infected children. RESULTS: Pneumocystis jirovecii had the strongest association with HIV infection, with a summary odds ratio of 10.1 (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.7-62.1) and 9.1 (95% CI, 2.5-33.1) in antemortem and postmortem studies, respectively. Cytomegalovirus was strongly associated with HIV positivity among fatal cases of pneumonia (summary odds ratio = 14.4 [95% CI, 6.7-30.8]). There was a trend toward a greater prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus (odds ratio, 2.5; 95% CI, 0.95-6.4) in HIV-infected children. Major limitations identified included substantial methodological heterogeneity across studies, limited sensitivity of assays for diagnosing bacterial pneumonia, and studies primarily being undertaken in the absence of antiretroviral treatment or cotrimoxazole prophylaxis. No a priori-planned randomized controlled trials on antimicrobial management of CAP in HIV-infected children were identified. CONCLUSIONS: A World Health Organization panel used this review as well as analysis of risks and benefits to revise recommendations for antimicrobial treatment of CAP. Ampicillin plus gentamicin or ceftriaxone is now recommended as first-line empiric regimens for treating severe and very severe CAP in HIV-infected children. In addition, treatment with cloxacillin or vancomycin is recommended in settings with a high incidence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus, and particularly if clinical or microbiological evidence of S. aureus pneumonia exist. Further studies in HIV-infected children on CAP etiology and antibiotic treatment are required in the era of antiretroviral treatment.

Development of a culturally appropriate health-related quality of life measure for human immunodeficiency virus-infected children in Thailand.

AIM: Develop a reliable and valid self-report health-related quality of life (HRQOL) instrument for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children in Thailand. METHODS: The Thai Quality of Life for HIV-infected Children instrument, the ThQLHC (an HRQOL measure that uses the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory as a generic core and a 17-item HIV-targeted scale), was developed and administered cross-sectionally to 292 HIV-infected children in Thailand. The disease-targeted scale included HIV-related symptoms, ability to adhere with their treatment regimens and self-image. The internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α) and construct validity of the ThQLHC scales were then evaluated. RESULTS: Internal consistency reliability coefficients ranged from 0.57 to 0.82, with four of five scales reaching the minimal acceptable level (>0.70). Significant associations were found between poor HRQOL and poor self-rated disease severity, care giver's rated overall quality of life, cluster of differentiation (CD) 4 percent and plasma HIV ribonucleic acid level. CONCLUSION: Reliable and valid disease-targeted HRQOL measures for HIV-infected children are essential in the assessment of therapeutic effectiveness. The findings of this cross-sectional survey provide support for the reliability and validity of the ThQLHC as an HRQOL outcome measure for HIV-infected Thai children.

Health-related Quality of Life of Thai children with HIV infection: a comparison of the Thai Quality of Life in Children (ThQLC) with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ version 4.0 (PedsQL™ 4.0) Generic Core Scales.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Thai Quality of Life in Children (ThQLC) and compare it with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™ 4.0) in a sample of children receiving long-term HIV care in Thailand. METHODS: The ThQLC and the PedsQL™ 4.0 were administered to 292 children with HIV infection aged 8-16 years. Clinical parameters such as the current viral load, CD4 percent, and clinical staging were obtained by medical record review. RESULTS: Three out of five ThQLC scales and three out of four PedsQL™ 4.0 scales had acceptable internal consistency reliability (i.e., Cronbach's alpha >0.70). Cronbach's alpha values of each scale ranged from 0.52 to 0.75 and 0.57 to 0.75 for the ThQLC and the PedsQL™ 4.0, respectively. Corresponding scales (physical functioning, emotional well-being, social functioning, and school functioning) of the ThQLC and the PedsQL™ 4.0 correlated substantially with one another (r = 0.47, 0.67, 0.59 and 0.56, respectively). Both ThQLC and PedsQL™ 4.0 overall scores significantly correlated with the child's self-rated severity of the illness (r = -0.23 for the ThQLC and -0.28 for the PedsQL™ 4.0) and the caregiver's rated overall quality of life (r = 0.07 for the ThQLC and 0.13 for the PedsQL™ 4.0). The overall score of the ThQLC correlated with clinical and immunologic categories of the United State-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US-CDC) classification system (r = -0.12), while the overall score of the PedsQL™ 4.0 significantly correlated with the number of disability days (r = -0.12) and CD4 percent (r = -0.15). However, the overall score from both instruments were not significantly different by clinical stages of HIV disease. A multitrait-multimethod analysis results demonstrated that the average convergent validity and off-diagonal correlations were 0.58 and 0.45, respectively. Discriminant validity was partially supported with 62% of validity diagonal correlations exceeding correlations between different domains (discriminant validity successes). The Hays-Hayashi MTMM quality index was 0.61. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the ThQLC physical functioning scale provided unique information in predicting child self-rated severity of the illness and overall quality of life beyond that explained by the PedsQL™ 4.0 in Thai children with HIV infection. CONCLUSIONS: We found evidence in support of the reliability and validity of the ThQLC and the PedsQL™ 4.0 for measuring the health-related quality of life of Thai children with HIV infection.

Invasive pneumococcal infection in urban Thai children: a 10-year review.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the disease frequency, demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and drug susceptibility patterns of childhood invasive pneumococcal infections in a hospital setting in Thailand. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective review was conducted of invasive pneumococcal infections among children aged < 18 years from January 1, 1998 - December 31, 2007 at the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health (QSNICH). Medical records of case-patients were reviewed to collect information on demographics, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and drug susceptibility patterns of infecting isolates. RESULTS: Among the 745,983 children receiving care at QSNICH during the study period, culture-proven invasive pneumococcal infections were identified in 126 patients for an estimated incidence of 17 cases per 100,000 patients. Patient diagnoses included bacteremia (59.4%), meningitis (29.3%), and pneumonia (11.3%). Of the 31 pneumococcal meningitis cases, 54.8% were caused by penicillin-nonsusceptible S. pneumoniae (PNSSP), while 25.3% of 75 non-meningitis cases were PNSSP (records not available for the remaining 20 cases). Of 126 PNSSP, 8.2% were resistant to cefotaxime and 12.3% were resistant to ceftriaxone. All of the isolates were susceptible to vancomycin. The case fatality rate was 12.3%; 23.1% offatal cases were associated with HIV infection. Outcomes did not differ significantly between patients infected with penicillin-susceptible and non-susceptible pneumococcal strains. CONCLUSION: The results of this hospital-based study indicate that the incidence of invasive pneumococcal infection in QSNICH remains relatively low, but the case fatality rate is high, especially among those with HIV infection.

Understanding the psychosocial needs of HIV-infected children and families: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to engage children living with HIV/AIDS and their caregivers in a qualitative assessment to address psychosocial needs pertaining to this population. The purpose is to identify unique situations and concerns they experienced in dealing with the disease and ongoing treatment process. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Individual in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide were employed. RESULTS: Thirty-four children (12 boys and 22 girls) aged 8-16 and thirty-five primary caretakers (6 males and 29 females) aged 21-66 participated in this study. Results identified some of the common concerns and challenges shared among this population, including impact of the illness on loved ones, disclosure, adherence, behavioural problems, discrimination, treatment affordability, and financial constraints. Certain issues that emerged as important themes specific to this population include unwarranted concerns about certain aspects of the illness, misinterpretation of the nonverbal clues within families, future child guardianship and placement planning, treatment availability during transitional period, and the challenge of maintaining the confidentiality of the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The needs and suggestions of the target groups provided the framework for improving the current services such as the provision of private sessions with children separated from their caregivers (especially for older children and adolescents), disclosure intervention, behavioral screening, life skills building, and empowerment mobilization. Thus, the information gained can be used to facilitate the holistic and humanized health care provision for children living with HIV/AIDS.

In vitro susceptibility pattern of cephalosporin-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the in vitro activity of various antimicrobial agents including ertapenem, imipenem, meropenem, fosfomycin, netilmicin, colistin, and piperacillin/tazobactam against clinical isolates of cephalosporin-resistant gram-negative bacteria. MATERIAL AND METHOD: All clinical isolates of gram-negative bacteria obtained from patients receiving care at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health (QSNICH), Bangkok, Thailand, from 2006-2007 were evaluated for antimicrobial susceptibility. Those resistant to all cephalosporins were further assessed for additional disc susceptibility and MIC test using E-tests. RESULTS: Each of the fifty-five strains of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing K. pneumoniae and E. coli were tested. The results showed excellent in vitro activity of the studied drugs against ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae with percent susceptibility of 100, 100, 100, 89.8, and 92.7 for ertapenem, imipenem, meropenem, fosfomycin, and colistin, respectively. MIC90 of ertapenem, imipenem, meropenem, fosfomycin, and colistin against K. pneumoniae were 0.23, 0.09, 0.38, 59.2, and 0.75 microg/ml, respectively. Piperacillin/tazobactam inhibited 68.2% of the tested isolates of K. pneumoniae. All studied drugs, except netilmicin, exhibited good activity against ESBL-producing Escherichia coli with 100% sensitivity for carbapenem, fosfomycin, colistin and 95.8% for piperacillin/tazobactam. MIC90 of ertapenem, imipenem, meropenem, fosfomycin, and colistin against Escherichia coli were 0.177, 0.25, 0.064, 2.85, and 0.58 microg/ml, respectively. Six strains of cephalosporin-resistant P. aeruginosa were isolated and tested for MIC. The results showed percent susceptibility of 66.7 and 33.3 for piperacillin/tazobactam and colistin, respectively. MIC90 of piperacillin/tazobactam and colistin against P. aeruginosa were 256 and 8 microg/ml, respectively. Twenty-four strains of cephalosporin-resistant Acinetobacter spp. were isolated with percent susceptibility of 17.6 and 95.5 for piperacillin/tazobactam and colistin, respectively. MIC90 of piperacillin/tazobactam and colistin against Acinetobacter spp. were 256 and 1.4 microg/ml, respectively. CONCLUSION: Carbapenems, fosfomycin, and colistin exhibited excellent in vitro activity against both ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae and E. coli. Piperacillin/tazobactam exhibited good in vitro susceptibility against ESBL- producing E. coli, but not K. pneumoniae. Colistin was the most potent in vitro activity of antibiotics against cephalosporins-resistant Acinetobacter spp. However, cephalosporin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa remained problematic, we recommend performing in vitro susceptibility test to determine appropriate antibiotic uses. E-test methods have been shown to be more accurate than disc diffusion test for evaluating colistin susceptibility.

Hospital-based epidemiologic survey of malignancies in children infected with human immunodeficiency virus in Thailand.

To determine the incidence and spectrum of malignancies in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children, we surveyed 48 hospitals in Thailand between 1996 and 2000. There were 23 children (14 boys and 9 girls; average age at diagnosis of malignancy, 4.2 years), and the incidence rate was 0.6 per 1000 person-years. The most common malignancy was lymphoma (87.0%). The prognosis was poor.