Outbreak report of investigation and control of an outbreak of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin-positive methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (PVL-MSSA) infection in neonates and mothers.

BACKGROUND: In January 2011, there was an outbreak of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin-positive methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (PVL-MSSA) infection in a neonatal unit (NNU). We describe the investigation and control of an outbreak of PVL-MSSA infection in neonates. SETTING: Neonatal unit in West London. METHODS: We performed descriptive and analytical (case-control study) epidemiological investigations. Microbiological investigations including screening of MSSA isolates by PCR for the presence of the luk-PV, mecA and mecC genes and comparison of isolate with Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Control measures were also introduced. RESULTS: Sixteen babies were infected/colonised with the outbreak strain. Of these, one baby developed blood stream infection, 12 developed skin pustules and four babies were colonised. Four mothers developed breast abscesses. Eighty-seven babies in the unit were screened and 16 were found to have same PVL-MSSA strain (spa type t005, belonging to MLST clonal complex 22). Multivariate analysis showed gestational age was significantly lower in cases compared to controls (mean gestational age: 31.7 weeks v 35.6 weeks; P = 0.006). Length of stay was significantly greater for cases, with a median of 25 days, compared to only 6 days for controls (P = 0.01). Most (88%) cases were born through caesarean section, compared to less than half of controls. (P = 0.002). No healthcare worker carriers and environmental source was identified. The outbreak was controlled by stopping new admissions to unit and reinforcing infection control precautions. The outbreak lasted for seven weeks. No further cases were reported in the following year. CONCLUSIONS: Infection control teams have to be vigilant for rising prevalence of particular S. aureus clones in their local community as they may cause outbreaks in vulnerable populations in healthcare settings such as NNUs.

Active Surveillance Cultures and Targeted Decolonization Are Associated with Reduced Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Infections in VLBW Infants.

BACKGROUND: Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) is a major contributor to infectious episodes of very low birth weight infants (VLBWI), resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy and safety of surveillance cultures and the decolonization of MSSA-colonized VLBWI. METHODS: VLBWI admitted to our neonatal wards in 2011-2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Rates of MSSA-attributable infections were compared before and after the implementation of active surveillance cultures and the decolonization of MSSA-colonized patients. The mupirocin susceptibility of isolated MSSA strains was routinely tested. RESULTS: A total of 1,056 VLBWI were included in the study, 552 in the pre-intervention period and 504 in the post-intervention period. The implementation of surveillance cultures and decolonization of colonized patients resulted in a 50% reduction of incidence rates per 1,000 patient-days of MSSA-attributable infections (1.63 [95% CI 1.12-2.31] vs. 0.83 [95% CI 0.47-1.35], p = 0.024). No adverse effects were observed from application of the decolonization protocol with mupirocin and octenidin. No mupirocin-resistant MSSA strains were detected during the study period. CONCLUSION: Implementation of an active surveillance and decolonization protocol resulted in a reduction of MSSA-attributable infections in VLBWI.

Non-surgical Management of a Mycotic Internal Iliac Artery Aneurysm in a Neonate: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

We report a unique case of neonatal mycotic internal iliac artery aneurysm managed non-operatively. The child had multifocal osteomyelitis and no history of umbilical artery catheterisation. The aneurysm was regularly scanned and monitored until its obliteration by thrombus 17 days after initial detection. Contingency plans for either interventional radiological coiling or open surgical repair were in place had the aneurysm grown or the child deteriorated.

Diagnostic value of anti-microbial peptide, cathelicidin in congenital pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of anti-microbial peptide (cathelicidin), LL-37, in congenital pneumonia and its relation to 25 hydroxycholecalciferol [(25 OH)D] status. METHODS: The study included 30 neonates with congenital pneumonia and culture proven sepsis admitted to neonatal intensive care unit of Ain Shams University and 30 healthy neonates as control group. All neonates were subjected to history taking, clinical examination and measurement of serum 25(OH)D and cathelicidin. RESULTS: Neonates with congenital pneumonia had significantly higher serum cathelicidin and lower serum 25(OH)D compared to controls. Serum cathelicidin was negatively correlated with Apgar score at 1 and 5 min and positively correlated with length of stay among patient group. CONCLUSION: Cut-off value of cathelicidin to diagnose congenital pneumonia was 17 pg/mmol with 93% sensitivity and 86% specificity. Neonates with congenital pneumonia had significantly high cathelicidin and low 25(OH)D suggesting a possible role of fetal 25(OH)D deficiency as predisposing factor for congenital pneumonia.

Neonatal orbital abscess.

Orbital abscess is life-threatening and rare in children. Reported herein is a term male neonate who had methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus orbital abscess, and a literature review of this disease. A total of 16 neonates diagnosed with neonatal orbital abscess are reported in the literature. There is a mild male predilection and two neonates were delivered prematurely. Leukocytosis, fever, ethmoiditis and associated upper respiratory tract infection were found in approximately half of them. Eight neonates had sepsis and 14 patients underwent surgical intervention. One patient died. Staphylococcus aureus was identified in 14 out of 17 patients. Neonatal orbital abscess is rarely encountered but may be fatal. Although streptococci are prevalent in childhood orbital infection, S. aureus was predominant in neonatal orbital abscess in the present series. Appropriate antimicrobial therapy against S. aureus is essential in treating neonatal orbital abs ess. This case suggests that a higher initial dose of vancomycin may be an effective and safe strategy for severe S. aureus infection in neonates.

CA-MRSA puerperal mastitis and breast abscess: a potential problem emerging in Europe with many unanswered questions.

Puerperal mastitis and breast abscess caused by community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is a condition rarely described in Europe to date. We report and comment on a case of CA-MRSA puerperal breast abscess in a 22-year-old primiparous mother. This aetiology was suspected before the antibiotic susceptibility profile of the strain isolated from the abscess was known on account of a history of previous skin colonisation detected in her baby. Additionally, the most striking epidemiological and therapeutic aspects, potential consequences of cross-infection between mother and child, and infection control management of this entity are briefly reviewed and discussed.

Congenital corneal staphyloma as a complication of Kabuki syndrome.

Kabuki syndrome has long been clinically defined based mainly on its characteristic eye features. The recent discovery of MLL2 as a causative gene of Kabuki syndrome has enabled the extreme end of the phenotype to be explored. We herein report on two patients with striking visible congenital staphyloma at birth. A diagnosis of Kabuki syndrome was subsequently made in both patients based on a constellation of characteristic eye features, cardiac abnormalities and severe developmental delay, and finally by the confirmation of MLL2 mutations. In conclusion, congenital corneal staphyloma is a complication of Kabuki syndrome with MLL2 mutations.

[What remains today of neonatal conjunctivitis in prefecture of Kozah in Togo?]. / Que reste-t-il aujourd'hui des conjonctivites néonatales dans la préfecture de la Kozah au Togo ?

AIM: The purpose of this study is to screen the neonatal conjunctivitis in order to evaluate its incidence and especially to seek for the causative germs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have realized cross-sectional study in three health centers of the prefecture of Kozah from March 24 to May 12, 2009. All the newborns followed in these centers are examined in the search of signs of conjunctivitis. A biological diagnosis of conjunctival secretions was carried out at the suspect newborns. RESULTS: During the study period, 348 newborns were examined including 185 boys and 163 girls corresponding to a sex-ratio (M/F) of 1.1. The middle age was 3.7 days. Twenty-eight newborns presented conjunctivitis, that is to say a rate of incidence of 8%. The cases of conjunctivitis were observed the first four days of life in 39.3% of cases. Eighteen of the newborns presenting conjunctivitis were vaginal deliveries (64.3%) against ten (35.7%) by caesarian. All the mothers of the ill newborns had a syndrome of sexually transmissible infection (STI) during the third quarters of pregnancy. After biological diagnosis, Staphylococcus aureus was found in 25% of the cases. CONCLUSION: Despite the common herd of neonatal conjunctivitis prophylaxis by Crede's method, its remains in the prefecture of Kozah. In hope for neonatal conjunctivitis eradication, treatment of STI on pregnant women associated to education and communication on the prevention of the infection in neonatal health care centers and at home by hygiene rule application are necessary.

Relationship between maternal and neonatal Staphylococcus aureus colonization.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess whether maternal colonization with Staphylococcus aureus during pregnancy or at delivery was associated with infant staphylococcal colonization. METHODS: For this prospective cohort study, women were enrolled at 34 to 37 weeks of gestation between 2007 and 2009. Nasal and vaginal swabs for culture were obtained at enrollment; nasal swabs were obtained from women and their infants at delivery and 2- and 4-month postbirth visits. Logistic regression was used to determine whether maternal colonization affected infant colonization. RESULTS: Overall, 476 and 471 mother-infant dyads had complete data for analysis at enrollment and delivery, respectively. Maternal methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) colonization occurred in 10% to 17% of mothers, with the highest prevalence at enrollment. Infant MRSA colonization peaked at 2 months of age, with 20.9% of infants colonized. Maternal staphylococcal colonization at enrollment increased the odds of infant staphylococcal colonization at birth (odds ratio; 95% confidence interval: 4.8; 2.4-9.5), hospital discharge (2.6; 1.3-5.0), at 2 months of life (2.7; 1.6-4.3), and at 4 months of life (2.0; 1.1-3.5). Similar results were observed for maternal staphylococcal colonization at delivery. Fifty maternal-infant dyads had concurrent MRSA colonization: 76% shared isolates of the same pulsed-field type, and 30% shared USA300 isolates. Only 2 infants developed staphylococcal disease. CONCLUSIONS: S aureus colonization (including MRSA) was extremely common in this cohort of maternal-infant pairs. Infants born to mothers with staphylococcal colonization were more likely to be colonized, and early postnatal acquisition appeared to be the primary mechanism.

[Neonatal osteomyelitis of the proximal femur: a case with ten-year follow-up and review of the literature]. / Ostéomyélite néonatale du col du fémur avec contamination articulaire.

Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis most frequently occurs in children, generally around 6 to 9 years of age. If it occurs in early infancy, the infection usually involves both the bone and the joint, nearly simultaneously. Neonatal osteomyelitis is another presentation, with an osteomyelitic focus in the metaphysis. We report a case of septic arthritis following osteomyelitis of the hip joint in a neonate caused by a virulent pathogenic organism. Despite late diagnosis and treatment, outcome was very satisfactory with few sequelae for the joint and epiphysis. It should be emphasized that early diagnosis, with prompt and adequate treatment is essential to achieve good outcome. We discuss this case and present a review of the literature.

[Neonatal conjunctivitis in a hospital at Gran Buenos Aires. Last 5 years up-date]. / Conjuntivitis neonatal en un hospital del Gran Buenos Aires. Situación de los últimos 5 años.

Neonatal conjunctivitis is one of the most important consultation reasons in the first days of life. Causes may be chemical or infectious. Neonatal conjunctivitis study for common microorganisms and Chlamydia trachomatis is being performed at Posadas Hospital since 1995, in a progressive form. The objective of this study was to know the epidemiological situation in the last five years (1999-2003), and to describe the variations detected between two periods, 1995-1998, and 1999-2003. It was observed no change about C. trachomatis prevalence (8%), during all the time in the population studied. With regard to common microorganisms it was showed a decrease in the second period (36.6%) with respect to the first (52.4%). Likely, the causes may be due to changes about sample collection conditions, or to epidemiological variations. The most frequent microorganisms found were: Staphylococcus aureus 69 (27.6%), Streptococcus pneumoniae 68 (27.2%), and Haemophilus influenzae 64 (25.6%). We consider important to evaluate the kind of ocular secretions at the first consultation, which can lead to a symptomatic treatment that will be corroborated or not, according to microbiological results.

[Neonatale mastitis in a 4-week-old infant]. / Abszedierende Mastitis bei einem 4 Wochen alten Kind.

This is a case report of a four week old newborn, presenting with a red and swollen right breast gland. Clinical examination and ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis of a suppurative mastitis. The abcess was incised and drained and systemic antibiotic therapy started. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the culture. The important aspects of aetiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy of suppurative mastitis in the newborn are discussed in a short literature review.

[Septic arthritis in neonates and infants]. / Septicni artritis novorodenceta i odojceta.

INTRODUCTION: Septic arthritis represents an intra-articular infection caused by pyogenic bacteria. During the earliest childhood it is considered to be a systemic septic condition and demands early diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of patients with septic arthritis treated at the Department of Orthopedics of the Pediatric Surgery Clinic in Novi Sad, over a 10-year period. We are also presenting a case of a 12-day-old newborn baby, with clear radiological signs of osteoarthritis of the right knee. RESULTS: A retrospective study included the period 1991-2000, and showed that 15 patients, aged 10 days--12 months were treated for osteoarthritis. The most common localization was the hip, in 60% of cases. In 11 patients the causative agent was Staphylococcus aureus, while in the 4 remaining patients the bacteriologic finding was negative. One patient died of generalized sepsis. DISCUSSION: In neonates and infants septic arthritis is characterized by atypical clinical picture, often causing delayed diagnosis. In the initial phases of the disease ultrasonographic findings were of greater use compared to radiological imaging, due to relatively late appearance of radiological signs of disease. CONCLUSIONS: Due to possible development of serious and irreversible damage, even lethal outcome, septic arthritis requires early diagnosis, prompt administration of antibiotics and early surgical treatment. It is a quite unique area in Pediatric Orthopedics where missed or delayed diagnosis may have serious consequences.

Neonatal septicaemia in the neonatal care unit, Al-Anbar governorate, Iraq.

Neonatal septicaemia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. We studied 118 neonates admitted to the main referral hospital in Al-Anbar with positive blood cultures. The incidence of neonatal septicaemia for babies born at this hospital was 9.2 per 1000 live births, and mortality was 28%. Staphylococcus aureus (39%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (30%) and Escherichia coli (21%) constituted 90% of all isolates. The isolates showed in vitro susceptibility to cefotaxime, chloramphenicol and gentamicin, but resistance to more commonly used antibiotics such as ampicillin and cloxacillin. We recommend initial gentamicin/cefotaxime combined therapy while awaiting culture and sensitivity test results. Our study highlights the importance of understanding the local epidemiology of neonatal septicaemia in formulating a rational antibiotics policy.

[Neonatal bacterial infections: a public health problem at the maternity hospital of Befelatanana (1997-1998)]. / Les infections bactériennes néonatales précoces: un problème de santé publique à la maternité de Befelatanana (1997-1998).

Neonatal infections represented the second cause of morbidity at the neonatalogy service of the Maternity Hospital of Befelatanana, and they were the first cause of the perinatal mortality (81%). This prospective study was carried out from May 1997 and December 1998 and had concerned neonatal infections suspicions among newborns. Its purpose was to identify problems with regard to the management of those newborns and to assess the impact of the prevention. Over 14,009 births, 1,877 neonates had infections recorded during the first week of life. Were noticed as main pathogen germs isolated: Escherichia coli, groups B, A, G, D Streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus. The authors conclude that screening and early treatment of materno-fetal infections constitute with asepsis, prevention basis of neonatal infections.

Neonatal hepatic abscess.

Neonatal liver abscess is a rare entity. There are no published reports of neonatal liver abscess in the radiology literature in the past 15 years. We recently encountered a premature infant in whom a hepatic abscess was diagnosed solely based on abnormal radiographic studies. We report this case to illustrate the unusual clinical and radiographic abnormalities seen with neonatal solitary hepatic abscess.

Bone and joint infection in neonates.

A retrospective study was done to review the clinical experience of septic arthritis and osteomyelitis in the newborns in our centre. Case records of all the neonates born from January 1989 to August 1994 and those admitted to outborn nursery from 1985 to 1993 were reviewed. Diagnosis of septic arthritis/osteomyelitis was made in the presence of relevant clinical signs and supported by positive culture from blood or joint fluid and abnormal X-ray or ultrasound findings. The incidence of septic arthritis and osteomyelitis among inborn babies was 1 in 1500. There were 25 neonates with mean gestational age 34.5 (range 27-40) weeks and mean birth weight 2269 (range 990-4750) gms. Limitation of movement (64%) and local swelling (60%) were commonest presentations. A total of 33 joints were involved in 25 babies. Eight babies (32%) had multiple joint involvement. Hip and knee were the most commonly involved joints (48% each). In 19 babies (76%) joint involvement occurred in association with a generalized septicemic illness while 6 babies (24%) had localised signs and symptoms. Joint aspirate was positive for gram stain or culture in 12 (48%) and 10 babies (40%) had positive blood culture. Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus were commonest isolates. Radiological changes were seen in 13 (52%) babies. All were treated with appropriate antibiotics and open surgical drainage was done in 5 (20%) cases. Bone and joint infections are important complications in sick septicemic neonates and need early diagnosis, appropriate management with antibiotics, surgical drainage in selected cases to prevent long term morbidity.