Rate of Urinary Tract Infections, Bacteremia, and Meningitis in Preterm and Term Infants.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There are very limited data on the rate of urinary tract infections (UTI), bacteremia, and meningitis in preterm infants with fever. Many of the studies on the incidence of these infections excluded preterm infants. This study compared the rate of these infections in preterm infants born at 32-36 weeks to term infants born at 37-42 weeks. METHODS: A multicenter observational cohort study was conducted to evaluate rates of UTI, bacteremia, and meningitis in term and preterm infants 8-60 days of age with a diagnosis of fever from 2016 through 2022 using encounter data from children's hospitals in the Pediatric Health Information System. RESULTS: There were 19 507 total febrile infants identified, of which 2162 were preterm and 17 345 were term. Preterm infants had a lower rate of UTI than term infants (1.8% confidence interval [CI] [1.3-2.5] vs 3.0% CI [2.7-3.2], P = .001). Preterm and term infants did not have statistically different rates of bacteremia (1.5% CI [1.3-1.7] vs 1.2% CI [0.8-1.8], P = .44) or meningitis (0.16% CI [0.1-0.2] vs 0.05% CI [0-0.2], P = .36). CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the rate of bacteremia or meningitis between term and preterm infants in a large multicenter cohort of febrile infants. Preterm infants had a lower rate of UTI than term infants. This is the first multicenter study to compare UTI, bacteremia, and meningitis between term and preterm febrile infants.

Risk of encephalitis and meningitis after COVID-19 vaccination in South Korea: a self-controlled case series analysis.

BACKGROUND: Several neurological manifestations shortly after a receipt of coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine have been described in the recent case reports. Among those, we sought to evaluate the risk of encephalitis and meningitis after COVID-19 vaccination in the entire South Korean population. METHODS: We conducted self-controlled case series (SCCS) analysis using the COVID-19 immunization record data from the Korea Disease Control Agency between February 2021 and March 2022, linked with the National Health Insurance Database between January 2021 and October 2022. We retrieved all medical claims of adults aged 18 years or older who received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccines (BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, ChAdOx1-S, or Ad26.COV2.S), and included only those who had a diagnosis record for encephalitis or meningitis within the 240-day post-vaccination period. With day 0 defined as the date of vaccination, risk window was defined as days 1-28 and the control window as the remainder period excluding the risk windows within the 240-day period. We used conditional Poisson regression to estimate the incidence rate ratios (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), stratified by dose and vaccine type. RESULTS: From 129,956,027 COVID-19 vaccine doses administered to 44,564,345 individuals, there were 251 and 398 cases of encephalitis and meningitis during the risk window, corresponding to 1.9 and 3.1 cases per 1 million doses, respectively. Overall, there was an increased risk of encephalitis in the first 28 days of COVID-19 vaccination (IRR 1.26; 95% CI 1.08-1.47), which was only significant after a receipt of ChAdOx1-S (1.49; 1.03-2.15). For meningitis, no increased risk was observed after any dose of COVID-19 vaccine (IRR 1.03; 95% CI 0.91-1.16). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest an overall increased risk of encephalitis after COVID-19 vaccination. However, the absolute risk was small and should not impede COVID-19 vaccine confidence. No significant association was found between the risk of meningitis and COVID-19 vaccination.

Diversity of enteroviruses in cerebrospinal fluid specimens collected from hospitalised patients in the private and public sector in South Africa.

Enteroviruses cause a wide range of neurological illnesses such as encephalitis, meningitis, and acute flaccid paralysis. Two types of enteroviruses, echovirus E4 and E9, have recently been detected in South Africa and are known to be associated with meningitis and encephalitis. The objective of this study was to characterize enterovirus strains detected in cerebrospinal fluid specimens of hospitalized patients in the private and public sector to identify genotypes associated with meningitis and encephalitis. From January 2019 to June 2021 enterovirus positive nucleic acid samples were obtained from a private (n = 116) and a public sector (n = 101) laboratory. These enteroviruses were typed using a nested set of primers targeting the VP1 region of the enterovirus genome, followed by Sanger sequencing and BLASTn analysis. Forty-two percent (91/217) of the strains could be genotyped. Enterovirus B species was the major species detected in 95% (86/91) of the specimens, followed by species C in 3% (3/91) and species A in 2% (2/91) of the specimens. Echovirus E4 and E9 were the two major types identified in this study and were detected in 70% (64/91) and in 10% (9/91) of specimens, respectively. Echovirus E11 has previously been identified in sewage samples from South Africa, but this study is the first to report Echovirus E11 in cerebrospinal fluid specimens from South African patients. The genotypes identified during this study are known to be associated with encephalitis and meningitis. The predominant detection of echovirus E4 followed by E9 corresponds with other studies conducted in South Africa.

Evaluation of 17 years of MERIN (Meningitis and Encephalitis register in Lower Saxony, Germany) surveillance system: participants acceptability survey, completeness and timeliness of data.

BACKGROUND: A Meningitis and Encephalitis Surveillance (MERIN) was implemented in 2003 in Lower Saxony, Germany as an alternative to acute flaccid paralyses surveillance, as the latter did not reach WHO sensitivity criteria. The system provides information on circulating enterovirus (EV) serotypes by focussing on patients with suspected aseptic meningitis, encephalitis or acute flaccid paralysis and contributes to the national surveillance in documenting polio free status. MERIN is based on voluntary participation of hospitals. Therefore, our evaluation focusses on acceptability of the system's objectives and performance, and identifying areas for improvement. METHODS: To assess acceptability, 32 contributing hospitals were invited to an online-based survey (11/2021 to 01/2022) to rate the MERIN objectives, laboratory's performance, their workload, modes of processes and communication. Ideas for improvement were collected in open fields. In addition, data completeness and timeliness of laboratory diagnostics were assessed. RESULTS: Of 32 hospitals, 21 responded (66% response rate), sending 30 questionnaires, 25 from pediatric and 5 from neurological departments. High levels of satisfaction with the communication (≥ 96%), timeliness (≥ 81%), and distribution of the results (≥ 85%) were reported, 97% of participants judged the required workload as adequate. The median proportion of eligible patients included in MERIN was 75%. Participants gave rapid and reliable diagnostic testing the highest priority (96%), while monitoring of Germany's polio-free status was rated the lowest (61%). Providing medical reports digitally as well as regular updates about circulating EV serotypes were identified as areas for improvement. Data completeness of selected variables ranged from 78.3 to 99.9%. Median time between sample collection and arrival at laboratory was 2 days [IQR 1-3], EV diagnostics via PCR took one day [IQR 0-6] and EV isolation on cell culture 11 days [IQR 10-13]. CONCLUSION: MERIN is a highly accepted surveillance system. Its quality was enhanced further by addressing the suggested improvements such as regular reports on circulating EV serotypes and facilitating digital access to laboratory results. Our results emphasise the importance of recognizing and considering participants' motivations and expectations, and addressing their priorities, even if this is not the surveillance system's main focus. This approach can be applied to surveillance systems of other non-mandatory notifiable diseases.

Clinical features, etiologies, and outcomes of central nervous system infections in intensive care: A multicentric retrospective study in a large Brazilian metropolitan area.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to investigate severe central nervous system infections (CNSI) in adults admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). We analyzed the clinical presentation, causes, and outcomes of these infections, while also identifying factors linked to higher in-hospital mortality rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective multicenter study in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 2012 to 2019. Using a prediction tool, we selected ICU patients suspected of having CNSI and reviewed their medical records. Multivariate analyses identified variables associated with in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: In a cohort of 451 CNSI patients, 69 (15.3%) died after a median 11-day hospitalization (5-25 IQR). The distribution of cases was as follows: 29 (6.4%) had brain abscess, 161 (35.7%) had encephalitis, and 261 (57.8%) had meningitis. Characteristics: median age 41 years (27-53 IQR), 260 (58%) male, and 77 (17%) HIV positive. The independent mortality predictors for encephalitis were AIDS (OR = 4.3, p = 0.01), ECOG functional capacity limitation (OR = 4.0, p < 0.01), ICU admission from ward (OR = 4.0, p < 0.01), mechanical ventilation ≥10 days (OR = 6.1, p = 0.04), SAPS 3 ≥ 55 points (OR = 3.2, p = 0.02). Meningitis: Age > 60 years (OR = 234.2, p = 0.04), delay >3 days for treatment (OR = 2.9, p = 0.04), mechanical ventilation ≥10 days (OR = 254.3, p = 0.04), SOFA >3 points (OR = 2.7, p = 0.03). Brain abscess: No associated factors found in multivariate regression. CONCLUSIONS: Patients' overall health, prompt treatment, infection severity, and prolonged respiratory support in the ICU all significantly affect in-hospital mortality rates. Additionally, the implementation of CNSI surveillance with the used prediction tool could enhance public health policies.

Comparison of prophylactic antibiotics for endonasal transsphenoidal surgery using a national inpatient database in Japan.

BACKGROUND: The choice of prophylactic antibiotics for use in endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (ETSS) lacks universal standards. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cefazolin, ampicillin and third-generation cephalosporins for preventing postoperative meningitis and secondary outcomes (in-hospital death and the combination of pneumonia and urinary tract infection) in patients who have undergone ETSS. METHODS: The study used data from the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database in Japan. Data from 10 688 patients who underwent ETSS between April 2016 and March 2021 were included. Matching weight analysis based on propensity scores was conducted to compare the outcomes of patients receiving cefazolin, ampicillin or third-generation cephalosporins as prophylactic antibiotics. RESULTS: Of the 10 688 patients, 9013, 102 and 1573 received cefazolin, ampicillin and third-generation cephalosporins, respectively. The incidence of postoperative meningitis did not significantly differ between the cefazolin group and the ampicillin group (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.14-7.43) or third-generation cephalosporins group (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.10-6.44). Similarly, in-hospital death and the composite incidence of pneumonia and urinary tract infection did not differ between the cefazolin group and the ampicillin or third-generation cephalosporins group. CONCLUSIONS: Cefazolin, ampicillin and third-generation cephalosporins as perioperative prophylactic antibiotics for ETSS do not differ significantly in terms of preventing meningitis.

Magnitude of neonatal meningitis and associated factors among newborns with neonatal sepsis admitted to the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, North Gondar, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal meningitis continues to be a devastating infection with high mortality and morbidity worldwide. The prevalence of neonatal meningitis varies across countries. However, there is a paucity of studies on neonatal meningitis in most low-resource settings. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the magnitude, clinical presentations, and associated risk factors of meningitis among newborns with neonatal sepsis. METHOD: An institution-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among newborns with neonatal sepsis from May 1, 2021, to Oct 30, 2021. Neonates with neonatal sepsis admitted to the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (UOGCSH) during the study period were included in the study. Single population proportion formula was used to calculate the sample size and a systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Two trained pediatric residents collected the data by using a pretested, structured questionnaire. The data was entered into Epi-info version 7.0 and exported to SPSS version 24.0 for analysis. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the associated factors. P-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULT: A total of 171 participants were enrolled in this study. The mean postnatal age was 10.74±8.0 days. The male to female ratio was l.3:1. The prevalence of neonatal meningitis among suspected sepsis was 19.3%; 95% CI [13.5%-25.1%]. The prevalence of meningitis was 22.8% in Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis and 16.8% in Late-onset Neonatal Sepsis. Neurologic symptoms (seizure & altered mentation) were seen in 25% of the patients with meningitis. Two risk factors, Prolonged labor (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 4.98; 95% CI: 1.99-12.48) and Prolonged Rupture of Membrane (AOR: 5:38; 95% CI: 1.92-14.42) were significantly associated with neonatal meningitis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of neonatal meningitis was higher in early-onset neonatal sepsis than in late-onset neonatal sepsis. Obstetric factors were associated with neonatal meningitis. We recommend that routine CSF analysis should be practiced in all neonates with neonatal sepsis regardless of their postnatal age and clinical features. Early detection and treatment of obstetric factors may have the potential to reduce neonatal meningitis.

Complications of cochlear implants: a MAUDE database study.

OBJECTIVE: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted of the US Food and Drug Administration's MAUDE (Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience) database, to evaluate the complication profile of cochlear implantation according to manufacturer. METHODS: A review of the MAUDE database was conducted from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2020. Complications, including infection, extrusion, facial nerve stimulation, meningitis and cerebrospinal fluid leak, were identified using key word searches. The categorised data were analysed using a chi-square test to determine a difference in global complication incidence between three major cochlear implant manufacturers: manufacturer A (Cochlear Limited), manufacturer B (Med-El) and manufacturer C (Advanced Bionics). RESULTS: A total of 31 857 adverse events were analysed. Implants of manufacturer C were associated with a statistically higher rate of infection (0.97 per cent), cerebrospinal fluid leak (0.07 per cent), extrusion (0.44 per cent) and facial nerve stimulation (0.11 per cent). Implants of manufacturer B were associated with a statistically higher rate of meningitis (0.07 per cent). CONCLUSION: Consideration of patient risk factors along with cochlear implant manufacturers can heighten awareness of cochlear implant complications pre-operatively, intra-operatively and post-operatively.

Meningitis Risk in Patients with Inner Ear Malformations after Cochlear Implants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine the rate of postoperative meningitis after cochlear implantation in those with inner ear malformations (IEMs) via meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. METHODS: This study was reported following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) checklist. Proportion meta-analysis was conducted through an inverse variance random-effect model based on arcsin transformation and presented as forest plots. Quality assessment of the included studies was performed through the National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tool. RESULTS: Overall, 38 of 2966 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. There were 10 cases of meningitis after cochlear implantation in 1300 malformed ears. The overall rate of meningitis after cochlear implantation in IEMs was 0.12% (95% confidence interval, 0.006-0.380%; I2 = 0%). Cases occurred in incomplete partition (n = 5), Mondini deformity (n = 2), common cavity (n = 2), and enlarged internal auditory canal (n = 1). Six of 10 cases of postoperative meningitis occurred with an intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak. CONCLUSION: In those with IEMs, the risk of meningitis after cochlear implantation is very low.

Antibiotic Duration Following Abdominal Gunshot Injuries With Associated Pelvis or Spine Involvement: A 20-Year Single-Center Experience.

INTRODUCTION: Optimal antimicrobial prophylaxis duration following gunshot wounds (GSW) to the abdomen with an associated orthopedic fracture is unknown. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of short versus long courses of prophylactic antibiotics following penetrating hollow viscus injury with communicating orthopedic fracture. METHODS: This retrospective study included adult patients admitted to the trauma service over a 20-y period who sustained an abdominal GSW with hollow viscus injury and communicating spine or pelvic fractures. Patients were stratified into cohorts based on prophylactic antibiotic duration: short course (SC, ≤48 h) and long course (>48 h). The primary outcome was the incidence of osteomyelitis and meningitis up to 1-y postinjury. Secondary outcomes included hospital length of stay and the incidence of multidrug-resistant organisms and Clostridioides difficile infections. Risk factors for osteomyelitis and meningitis were determined. RESULTS: A total of 125 patients were included with 45 (36%) in the SC group. Median prophylactic antibiotic durations were SC, 1 (interquartile range [IQR], 1-2) versus long course, 7 (IQR, 5-7) d (P < 0.001). There was no difference in osteomyelitis and meningitis incidence (2 [4.4%] versus 4 [5%], P = 0.77). Median hospital length of stay (7 [IQR, 6-11] versus 9 [IQR, 6-15] d, P = 0.072) and incidence of multidrug-resistant organisms (6 [13.3%] versus 13 [16.3%], P = 0.86) and Clostridioides difficile infections (0 [0%] versus 1 [1.3%], P = 0.77) were similar between groups. There were no independent risk factors identified for osteomyelitis or meningitis. CONCLUSIONS: A shorter course of antibiotic prophylaxis ≤48 h may be adequate following abdominal GSW that traverses a hollow viscus and results in pelvic fracture or spinal column injury.

Meningococcal ACWYX Conjugate Vaccine in 2-to-29-Year-Olds in Mali and Gambia.

BACKGROUND: An effective, affordable, multivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine is needed to prevent epidemic meningitis in the African meningitis belt. Data on the safety and immunogenicity of NmCV-5, a pentavalent vaccine targeting the A, C, W, Y, and X serogroups, have been limited. METHODS: We conducted a phase 3, noninferiority trial involving healthy 2-to-29-year-olds in Mali and Gambia. Participants were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive a single intramuscular dose of NmCV-5 or the quadrivalent vaccine MenACWY-D. Immunogenicity was assessed at day 28. The noninferiority of NmCV-5 to MenACWY-D was assessed on the basis of the difference in the percentage of participants with a seroresponse (defined as prespecified changes in titer; margin, lower limit of the 96% confidence interval [CI] above -10 percentage points) or geometric mean titer (GMT) ratios (margin, lower limit of the 98.98% CI >0.5). Serogroup X responses in the NmCV-5 group were compared with the lowest response among the MenACWY-D serogroups. Safety was also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 1800 participants received NmCV-5 or MenACWY-D. In the NmCV-5 group, the percentage of participants with a seroresponse ranged from 70.5% (95% CI, 67.8 to 73.2) for serogroup A to 98.5% (95% CI, 97.6 to 99.2) for serogroup W; the percentage with a serogroup X response was 97.2% (95% CI, 96.0 to 98.1). The overall difference between the two vaccines in seroresponse for the four shared serogroups ranged from 1.2 percentage points (96% CI, -0.3 to 3.1) for serogroup W to 20.5 percentage points (96% CI, 15.4 to 25.6) for serogroup A. The overall GMT ratios for the four shared serogroups ranged from 1.7 (98.98% CI, 1.5 to 1.9) for serogroup A to 2.8 (98.98% CI, 2.3 to 3.5) for serogroup C. The serogroup X component of the NmCV-5 vaccine generated seroresponses and GMTs that met the prespecified noninferiority criteria. The incidence of systemic adverse events was similar in the two groups (11.1% in the NmCV-5 group and 9.2% in the MenACWY-D group). CONCLUSIONS: For all four serotypes in common with the MenACWY-D vaccine, the NmCV-5 vaccine elicited immune responses that were noninferior to those elicited by the MenACWY-D vaccine. NmCV-5 also elicited immune responses to serogroup X. No safety concerns were evident. (Funded by the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03964012.).

The Risk of Meningitis After Cochlear Implantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to estimate the rate of postoperative meningitis (both immediate and long-term) in patients following cochlear implants (CIs). It aims to do so through a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies tracking complications after CIs. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library. REVIEW METHODS: This review was performed in line with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies tracking complications following CIs in patients were included. Exclusion criteria included non-English language studies and case series reporting <10 patients. Bias risk was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Meta-analysis was performed through DerSimonian and Laird random-effects models. RESULTS: A total of 116/1931 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, there were 112 cases of meningitis in 58,940 patients after CIs. Meta-analysis estimated an overall rate of postoperative meningitis of 0.07% (95% confidence interval [CIs], 0.03%-0.1%; I2 = 55%). Subgroup meta-analysis showed this rate had 95% CIs crossing 0% in implanted patients who received the pneumococcal vaccine, antibiotic prophylaxis, those with postoperative acute otitis media (AOM), and those implanted less than 5 years. CONCLUSION: Meningitis is a rare complication following CIs. Our estimated rates of meningitis after CIs appear lower than prior estimates based on epidemiological studies in the early 2000s. However, the rate still appears higher than the baseline rate in the general population. The risk was very low in implanted patients who received the pneumococcal vaccine, antibiotic prophylaxis, received unilateral or bilateral implantations, developed AOM, those implanted with a round window or cochleostomy techniques, and those under 5 years.

Leukocyte-Rich and Platelet-Rich Fibrin for Skull Base Reconstruction After Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is one of the most common complications after endoscopic endonasal approach to the skull base. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of leukocyte-rich and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) as part of a standardized endonasal skull base repair protocol on postoperative infection and CSF leak rate. METHODS: One hundred three patients who underwent an endoscopic endonasal approach and were reconstructed using a standard technique (Group A) were compared with 139 patients using the same protocol with the addition of L-PRF (Group B). Postoperative intracranial infection and CSF leak at 6 months were analyzed. RESULTS: In patients with intraoperative CSF leak, postoperative leak occurred in 10.8% in Group A and 2.6% in Group B ( P .024), and in patients with intraoperative high-flow leaks, the incidences were 11.7% and 3.1%, respectively ( P .048). L-PRF reduced postoperative CSF leak by 76% in cases with intraoperative CSF leak (relative risk 0.24, 95% CI 0.06-0.87) and by 73% of patients with high-flow leak (relative risk 0.27, 95% CI 0.07-0.99). In patients undergoing surgery for diagnoses other than adenomas, there were no cases of postoperative leak in Group B, whereas in Group A occurred in 13.4% of those with intraoperative leaks ( P .047) and 15.8% with high-flow intraoperative leaks ( P .033). No significant differences were found in patients with pituitary adenoma. Meningitis occurred in 0.97% in Group A vs 2.16% in Group B ( P .639), without differences between subgroups. CONCLUSION: L-PRF reduced the rate of postoperative CSF leaks in patients with intraoperative leaks, without differences on postoperative meningitis.

Impact of an external ventricular shunt (EVD) handling protocol on secondary meningitis rates: a historical cohort study with propensity score matching.

BACKGROUND: External ventricular drainage (EVD) is frequently used in neurosurgical procedures for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage. It is, however, associated with high infection rates, namely secondary meningitis and ventriculitis. Based on a previous high prevalence of these infections among patients with EVDs, we have proposed and implemented a protocol in an effort to decrease the infection rate. The aim of this study was to measure the effect of hospital-wide implementation of the EVD handling protocol on secondary EVD infections. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included 409 consecutive patients who received a new EVD for other indications than infectious pathologies from January 2000 until June 2012. Patients above 18 years of age were divided into pre- (n = 228) and post-protocol (n = 181) groups. Patient and disease demographics, as well as EVD data together with confounders for secondary meningitis were recorded in a database. Propensity score matching was then performed to create groups matched for sex, age, reason for drainage, type of shunt, time in situ and duration of surgery to place the EVD. Binomial logistic regression for confounder adjustment and regression discontinuity analyses were then performed on the matched cohort. RESULTS: Infections occurred more frequently in the pre-protocol group (23% vs 9%, p <  0.001). The incidence of infection was 33/1000 drain-days pre-protocol and 9/1000 drain-days post-protocol. Regression analysis in a propensity score-matched cohort (n = 103 in the pre- and n = 178 in the post-protocol groups) showed that the pre-protocol period was independently associated with more infections (OR 2.69; 95%-CI 1.22-5.95, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of secondary EVD infections can be reduced significantly by the implementation of a strict hospital-wide EVD handling protocol.

Association between temperature variability and global meningitis incidence.

BACKGROUND: Meningitis can cause devastating epidemics and is susceptible to climate change. It is unclear how temperature variability, an indicator of climate change, is associated with meningitis incidence. METHODS: We used global meningitis incidence data along with meteorological and demographic data over 1990-2019 to identify the association between temperature variability and meningitis. We also employed future (2020-2100) climate data to predict meningitis incidence under different emission levels (SSPs: Shared Socioeconomic Pathways). RESULTS: We found that the mean temperature variability increased by almost 3 folds in the past 30 years. The largest changes occurred in Australasia, Tropical Latin America, and Central Sub-Saharan Africa. With a logarithmic unit increase in temperature variability, the overall global meningitis risk increases by 4.8 %. Australasia, Central Sub-Saharan Africa, and High-income North America are the most at-risk regions. Higher statistical differences were identified in males, children, and the elderly population. Compared to high-emission (SSP585) scenario, we predicted a median reduction of 85.8 % in meningitis incidence globally under the low-emission (SSP126) climate change scenario by 2100. CONCLUSION: Our study provides evidence for temperature variability being in association with meningitis incidence, which suggests that global actions are urgently needed to address climate change and to prevent meningitis occurrence.

Risk Factors in a Pediatric Population for Postoperative Intracranial Infection Following Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery and the Role of Antibiotic Prophylaxis.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery (EESBS) is performed through a non-sterile corridor. Intracranial infection rates in a pediatric population have not been extensively studied and the exact effect of antibiotic prophylaxis on rates of infection after EESBS in pediatric patients remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study is to investigate risk factors for postoperative intracranial infection during EESBS in a pediatric population and help elucidate the role of antibiotic prophylaxis. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 99 consecutive patients under the age of 18 who underwent EESBS at our institution from 2013 to 2021. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Healthcare Safety Network criteria for diagnosis of meningitis were used to identify postoperative intracranial infections. RESULTS: The average age was 12.3 years (range 1.6-18) with 66 male patients and 33 female patients. 49 patients had an intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, of which 4 had a postoperative CSF leak. We identified 3 postoperative intracranial infections (3%), which were all meningitis cases. The infection rate was 6% (3/49) among those with intraoperative CSF leaks. All patients with meningitis had a postoperative CSF leak. All infections were transclival approaches (2 chordoma and 1 neurenteric cyst). CONCLUSION: This investigation represents one of the largest pediatric endoscopic skull base surgery cohorts. EESBS is safe to perform in pediatric populations, but transclival approaches and postoperative CSF leaks are risk factors for postoperative meningitis.

Vigilância epidemiológica hospitalar de Goiás: 1ª coletânea de boletins dos núcleos hospitalares de epidemiologia / Hospital epidemiological surveillance in Goiás: 1st collection of bulletins from hospital epidemiology centers

Coletânea de 13 boletins publicados no site da Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de Goiás, que se destacaram por descrever o perfil de morbimortalidade da unidade e apresentar temas relevantes para a população do Estado de Goiás. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, realizado com dados do período de janeiro a março de 2023, com informações provenientes das declarações de óbitos e prontuário eletrônico do paciente

Collection of 13 bulletins published on the Goiás State Department of Health website, which stood out for describing the unit's morbidity and mortality profile and presenting relevant themes for the population of the State of Goiás. This is a descriptive study, carried out with data from January to March 2023, with information from death certificates and the patient's electronic medical record