Characterization and circulation of seasonal influenza viruses in Madrid, 2010-2016.

Influenza virus infection is a major health care burden and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The 2009 influenza pandemic highlighted the importance of influenza surveillance. The objective of this study was to assess the epidemiology and activity of influenza A and B viruses in adults and children in the post-pandemic period with a special focus on the pediatric population. We performed a retrospective descriptive study involving adults and children with influenza-like illness at the Clinico San Carlos Hospital (Madrid, Spain) over six influenza seasons, between August 2010 and April 2016. Respiratory specimens were collected from 3131 patients and routinely processed for influenza diagnosis. Epidemiological analysis was performed in terms of gender, age, and seasonal distribution. Globally, Influenza A and B viruses were detected in the respiratory specimens of 696 (22.2%) of the 3131 studied population. Among all influenza positive specimens, 142 (20.4%) were influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, 61 (8.8%) were influenza A(H3N2), 321 (46.1%) were untypeable influenza A viruses and 166 (23.9%) were influenza B. Co-infection by both influenza A and B viruses was detected in six patients (0.9%). Meanwhile, co-infection with other non-influenza respiratory viruses was identified in 5 children and 20 adults. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus activity has been significantly high since the 2009 pandemic and has gradually replaced the previously circulating seasonal influenza A(H1N1) virus. Moreover, influenza A(H3N2) virus activity remained at low levels during the last winter season while influenza B virus isolates increased significantly over the past 2 years.

Analysis of the impact of diagnostic virology tests on the use of antibiotics in paediatric inpatients with community-acquired pneumonia. / Análisis del impacto de los test de diagnóstico virológico en el consumo de antibióticos en pacientes pediátricos ingresados por neumonía adquirida en la comunidad.

INTRODUCTION: Viruses are one of the most common causes of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children. Early identification of respiratory viruses could result in a decrease in the use of antibiotics. METHODS: Observational, retrospective study from January 2014 to June 2018, that included paediatric patients admitted with a diagnosis of CAP in a tertiary hospital, in which antigenic tests and/or viral PCR on a respiratory sample was performed. RESULTS: A total of 105 CAP episodes were included, with identification of a respiratory virus in 93 (88.6%) cases. Patients with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) detection had a lower onset of empirical antibiotic therapy (35.1% vs. 55.9%, P-value=.042). In addition, cases with RSV or influenza identification required shorter duration of antibiotic therapy (receiving 45.6% ≥2 days vs. 68.8% of those not identified, P=.017). CONCLUSION: The use of respiratory virus diagnostic techniques in our setting can optimise antibiotic use in children admitted with CAP.

Infección fúngica invasora en niños: diferencias y homologías con el adulto / Invasive fungal infections in children: similarities and differences with adults

La infección fúngica invasora (IFI) se produce en niños con profunda inmunosupresión o ingresados en cuidados intensivos, acompañándose de una elevada morbimortalidad. El objetivo de esta revision es actualizar la información existente sobre las características epidemiológicas, clínicas y terapéuticas de las IFI en niños, comparándolas con las de los adultos. Aunque existen diferencias con respecto a los adultos, la epidemiología, clínica y factores de riesgo de IFI en niños son comparables. Los grupos de riesgo de IFI en pediatría incluyen a los pacientes hemato-oncológicos, de características similares a los adultos con predominio de infecciones por Candida spp. y Aspergillus spp.; a las inmunodeficiencias primarias, entre las que destaca la enfermedad granulomatosa crónica que tiene una elevada susceptibilidad para Aspergillus spp., y a los grandes prematuros en quienes predominan infecciones diseminadas por C. albicans y C. parapsilosis. En ellos existe un elevado riesgo de diseminación, incluyendo a sistema nervioso central. Existen peculiaridades radiológicas y en biomarcadores en IFI en niños. En la aspergilosis pulmonar habitualmente están ausentes los signos radiológicos clásicos en el CT. Existe escasa información sobre PCR y beta-D-glucano, y más limitada sobe galactomanano, cuya rentabilidad diagnóstica es similar a la de los adultos. Existe un retraso en el desarrollo de antifúngicos en pediatría, lo que limita su uso a diferentes edades. Con la mayoría de azoles es necesario monitorización de niveles terapéuticos para optimizar eficacia y seguridad. Las recomendaciones de profilaxis y tratamiento antifúngico son extrapoladas en su mayoría de estudios de adultos. No hay evidencias del beneficio del tratamiento anticipado en niños. La elevada mortalidad de las IFI, obliga a profilaxis antifúngica a pacientes de alto riesgo, y tratamiento empírico precoz, por lo que es necesario fomentar la realización de más estudios específicos de farmacocinética, seguridad y eficacia de antifúngicos a las diferentes edades pediátricas (AU)

Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised adults and children. The purpose of this review was to update the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic options in children, and to compare them with the adult population. Although there are important differences, the epidemiology, clinical features and risk factors for IFI have many similarities. Patient at risk include neutropenic hematology children, in whom Candida spp. y Aspergillus spp. predominate; primary immunodeficiencies, particularly chronic granulomatous disease with high susceptibility for Aspergillus spp.; and extremely premature infants, in whom C. albicans y C. parapsilosis are more prevalent. Premature babies are prone to dissemination, including the central nervous system. There are peculiarities in radiology and diagnostic biomarkers in children. In pulmonary aspergillosis, clasical signs in CT are usually absent. There is scant information on PCR and beta-D-glucan in children, and more limited on the performance of galactomannan enzyme immunoassay, that does not appear to be much different in neutropenic patients. There is a delay in the development of antifungals, limiting their use in children. Most azoles require therapeutic drug monitoring in children to optimize its safety and effectiveness. Pediatric treatment recommendations are mainly extrapolated from results of clinical trials performed in adults. There is no evidence for the benefit of preemptive therapy in children. It is necessary to foster specific pediatric studies with current and new antifungals to evaluate their pharmacokinetics, safety, and effectiveness at different ages in the pediatric population (AU)

Análisis del impacto de los test de diagnóstico virológico en el consumo de antibióticos en pacientes pediátricos ingresados por neumonía adquirida en la comunidad / Analysis of the impact of diagnostic virology tests on the use of antibiotics in paediatric inpatients with community-acquired pneumonia

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los virus son una de las causas más frecuentes de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad (NAC) en niños. La identificación precoz de virus respiratorios podría suponer una disminución en el consumo de antibióticos. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional, retrospectivo, desde enero del 2014 hasta junio del 2018, que incluyó a los pacientes pediátricos ingresados en un hospital terciario con diagnóstico de NAC, a los que se realizó test antigénico o PCR viral en muestra respiratoria. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 105 episodios de NAC, identificándose algún virus respiratorio en 93 (88,6%) casos. Los pacientes con detección de virus respiratorio sincitial (VRS) presentaron menor inicio de antibioterapia empírica (35,1% vs. 55,9%, p valor: 0,042). Además, los casos con identificación de VRS o influenza precisaron menor duración de antibioterapia (recibiendo el 45,6% ≥ 2 días frente al 68,8% de los que no se identificó, p = 0,017). CONCLUSIÓN: El uso de técnicas diagnósticas de virus respiratorios en nuestro medio puede optimizar el consumo de antibióticos en niños ingresados con NAC

INTRODUCTION: Viruses are one of the most common causes of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children. Early identification of respiratory viruses could result in a decrease in the use of antibiotics. METHODS: Observational, retrospective study from January 2014 to June 2018, that included paediatric patients admitted with a diagnosis of CAP in a tertiary hospital, in which antigenic tests and/or viral PCR on a respiratory sample was performed. RESULTS: A total of 105 CAP episodes were included, with identification of a respiratory virus in 93 (88.6%) cases. Patients with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) detection had a lower onset of empirical antibiotic therapy (35.1% vs. 55.9%, P-value = .042). In addition, cases with RSV or influenza identification required shorter duration of antibiotic therapy (receiving 45.6% ≥ 2 days vs. 68.8% of those not identified, P = .017). CONCLUSIÓN: The use of respiratory virus diagnostic techniques in our setting can optimise antibiotic use in children admitted with CAP