Evaluation of pulmonary tuberculosis diagnostic tests in children and adolescents at a pediatric reference center.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluates the performance of individual and combinations tests used for pediatric tuberculosis diagnosis at a reference center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diagnostic test outcomes from children with presumed pulmonary tuberculosis evaluated from January 2005 - July 2010 were compared to a standard diagnosis made by an expert panel of physicians. RESULTS: Presence of at least one sign/symptom, history of contact, or abnormal chest X-ray (aCXR) individually showed the highest sensitivity (85.7%). While the combination of history of contact, at least one sign/symptom, positive tuberculin skin test, and aCXR had low sensitivity of 20%, but the specificity and a positive predictive value were 100%, respectively. The combination of tests used in the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease and the Brazilian Ministry of Health systems showed sensitivity of 28.6% and 71.4% and specificity of 95.8% and 97.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of a gold standard, the combination of clinical history, tuberculin skin test, and aCXR, as well as the Brazilian scoring system serve as simple, low-cost approach that can be used for pediatric TB diagnosis by first-contact care providers.

Pneumococcal meningitis: epidemiological profile pre- and post-introduction of the pneumococcal 10-valent conjugate vaccine / Meningite pneumocócica: perfil epidemiológico pré e pós a introdução da vacina pneumocócica conjugada 10valente

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the possible effects of the introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate 10-valent vaccine schedule in the state of Parana on pneumococcal meningitis cases and to assess the distribution of serotypes among cases. METHOD: Cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection of cases of pneumococcal meningitis in the state of Paraná reported to Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN), from 1998 to 2011. A total of 1,339 cases of pneumococcal meningitis were analyzed; 1,205 cases from the pre-vaccine period (1998-2009) were compared to 134 cases from the post-vaccine period (2010-2011). Descriptive and comparative statistical analyses (chi-squared test and prevalence ratio) were performed using JMP 5.1.2 statistical software (JMP Statistical Discovery, North Carolina, USA) and EPI INFO 6 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Georgia, EUA). RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in the mean rates of incidence and mortality in the general population. The analysis of cases in the pre- and post-vaccination periods in the age groups covered by vaccination (younger than 2 years) showed significant reductions in incidence rates (6.01 cases/100,000 to 2.49 cases/100,000 individuals) and mortality (1.85 cases/100,000 population to 0.47 cases/100,000 population), while the mean lethality rate did not change significantly. There was a significant reduction in cases whose serotypes are included in the vaccine (80.7% to 53.3%). CONCLUSION: Even after a short time of use, the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has already had a significant impact in reducing the incidence and mortality of meningitis cases among infants, as well as the reduction of cases whose serotypes are included in the vaccine. .

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar os possíveis efeitos da introdução da vacina pneumocócica conjugada 10 valente no calendário vacinal no Paraná sobre os casos de meningite pneumocócica; avaliar a distribuição dos sorotipos dentre os casos. MÉTODO: Estudo observacional, transversal, com coleta de dados retrospectiva dos casos de meningite pneumocócica no Estado do Paraná, notificados ao SINAN, no período de 1998 a 2011. Foram analisados 1339 casos de meningite pneumocócica e comparados os 1205 casos do período pré-vacina (1998 a 2009) com os 134 do período pós-vacina (2010 a 2011). A análise estatística descritiva e comparativa (teste qui-quadrado e razão de prevalência) foi realizada no software de estatística JMP 5.1.2 (JMP Statistical Discovery, Carolina do Norte, EUA) e no Programa EPI INFO 6. RESULTADOS: Observou-se redução significativa das taxas médias de incidência e mortalidade na população geral. A análise dos casos nos períodos pré e pós-vacina nas faixas etárias contempladas pela vacinação (menores de 2 anos) mostrou reduções significativas das taxas de incidência (6,01 casos/100.000 para 2,49 casos/100.000 habitantes), mortalidade (1,85 casos/100.000 habitantes para 0,47 casos/100.000 habitantes), enquanto que a letalidade média não apresentou variação significativa. Houve redução significativa dos casos cujos sorotipos estão incluídos na vacina (80,7% para 53,3%). CONCLUSÃO: Mesmo com um tempo reduzido de uso, a vacina pneumocócica conjugada 10 valente já apresentou um impacto relevante na diminuição dos coeficientes de incidência e mortalidade dos casos de meningite entre os lactentes, além de redução de casos cujos sorotipos estão incluídos na vacina. .

Pneumococcal meningitis: epidemiological profile pre- and post-introduction of the pneumococcal 10-valent conjugate vaccine.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the possible effects of the introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate 10-valent vaccine schedule in the state of Parana on pneumococcal meningitis cases and to assess the distribution of serotypes among cases. METHOD: Cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection of cases of pneumococcal meningitis in the state of Paraná reported to Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN), from 1998 to 2011. A total of 1,339 cases of pneumococcal meningitis were analyzed; 1,205 cases from the pre-vaccine period (1998-2009) were compared to 134 cases from the post-vaccine period (2010-2011). Descriptive and comparative statistical analyses (chi-squared test and prevalence ratio) were performed using JMP 5.1.2 statistical software (JMP Statistical Discovery, North Carolina, USA) and EPI INFO 6 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Georgia, EUA). RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in the mean rates of incidence and mortality in the general population. The analysis of cases in the pre- and post-vaccination periods in the age groups covered by vaccination (younger than 2 years) showed significant reductions in incidence rates (6.01 cases/100,000 to 2.49 cases/100,000 individuals) and mortality (1.85 cases/100,000 population to 0.47 cases/100,000 population), while the mean lethality rate did not change significantly. There was a significant reduction in cases whose serotypes are included in the vaccine (80.7% to 53.3%). CONCLUSION: Even after a short time of use, the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has already had a significant impact in reducing the incidence and mortality of meningitis cases among infants, as well as the reduction of cases whose serotypes are included in the vaccine.

Onychomycosis by Fusarium oxysporum probably acquired in utero.

Fusarium oxysporum has been described as a pathogen causing onychomycosis, its incidence has been increasing in immunocompetent and disseminated infection can occur in immunosuppressed individuals. We describe the first case of congenital onychomycosis in a child caused by Fusarium oxysporum. The infection being acquired in utero was proven by molecular methods with the identification of the fungus both in the nail and placenta, most probably as an ascending contamination/infection in a HIV-positive, immunosuppressed mother.

Critérios de pontuação para diagnóstico de tuberculose em crianças / Diagnosis scoring system for tuberculosis in children

Muitos casos de tuberculose na infância são subnotificados pela dificuldade do diagnóstico na criança. O diagnóstico da tuberculose nessa faixa etária se baseia na presença de contato com adulto bacilífero, associado à prova tuberculínica reatora, sintomas sugestivos de tuberculose e alterações radiológicas. Os escores diagnósticos são estabelecidos através da combinação desses achados. Este artigo é uma breve revisão de diversos escores propostos na literatura para o diagnóstico de tuberculose pulmonar em crianças. Existem vários escores propostos mundialmente, com concordância entre eles de moderada a fraca. Segundo a última revisão sistemática sobre os diversos escores disponíveis no mundo, o sistema que tem mais estudos de validação, com consistentes sensibilidades e especificidades, é o do Ministério da Saúde do Brasil. É imperativa a existência de técnicas ou sistemas diagnósticos mais eficazes, rápidos e de baixo custo para o diagnóstico de tuberculose na infância e com validação no local de sua aplicação. Porém, até lá, sugerimos que os escores diagnósticos sejam utilizados de acordo com as normativas locais, como triagem diagnóstica para uma avaliação criteriosa com o especialista, evitando-se diagnósticos tardios ou equivocados. Em locais onde há escassez de especialistas, profissionais bem treinados poderão utilizar os escores disponíveis para diagnosticar adequadamente a maioria dos pacientes.

Childhood tuberculosis is underreported, because of the difficulty in diagnosing tuberculosis in children, in whom the diagnosis is based on a history of contact with active tuberculosis in an adult, positive tuberculin skin test results, symptoms suggestive of tuberculosis, and radiological alterations. Diagnostic scores are established by evaluating those findings inconjunction. In this review, we discuss a number of such scores that have been proposed.Various scores for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in children have been proposed, with only moderate to weak concordance among them. The most recent systematic review of the scores available worldwide showed that the Brazilian National Ministry of Health has sponsored more validation studies, with consistent sensitivity and specificity, than has anyother such system. Techniques or diagnostic systems for childhood tuberculosis that are more efficient, rapid and affordable should be developed and validated for use at the target locale. In the interim, we suggest that diagnostic scores be employed in accordance with local regulations, such as screening through careful evaluation by a specialist, avoiding delayed or inconclusive diagnoses. Where there is a shortage of such specialists, well-trained professionals, using the available scores, will be able to diagnose tuberculosis adequately in the majority of patients.