Prevalence and factors associated with active cybersexuality among teenagers between 15 and 17 years old: a cross sectional study in Normandy, France.

OBJECTIVE: Teenagers use the Internet to obtain and exchange information in multiple fields, including about taboo subjects such as sexuality. Our objectives were to determine the prevalence and vulnerability factors related to active cybersexuality among teenagers aged between 15 and 17 years in western Normandy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was an observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study integrated into sexual education classes for teenagers between 15 and 17 years old. An anonymous questionnaire, designed for the study, was given at the beginning of each session. RESULTS: The study had a 4-month duration and involved 1,208 teenagers. The results revealed that 66% of them engaged in cybersex, with sexting being the most widespread practice: 21% sent such sexts, 60% received such sexts, and 12% of boys shared such texts with others. Other practices, such as dedipix, dating websites, and skin parties, were more marginal, but 12% of teenagers had met someone in real life after meeting them first online. A history of experiencing violence, a lack of parental control, female gender, poor self-esteem, and consuming toxic drugs were associated with a higher risk of cybersexuality with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.63, 1.95, 2.07, 2.27, and 2.66, respectively. Number of friends on social networks >300 and daily viewing of pornography were also strongly associated with cybersexuality with an OR of 2.83 and 6.18, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that cybersex is practiced by two thirds of teens. Vulnerability factors most strongly associated with cybersexuality were female gender, poor self-esteem, consuming toxic drugs, number of friends on social networks >300, and daily viewing of pornography. Cybersexuality involves risks (social exclusion, bullying, dropout, poor self-esteem, breakdown) that are possible to prevent by highlighting this theme during sexual education classes.

Characteristics of respiratory viruses' circulation through a six-year period (2016-2022) in a pediatric population in Normandy, France, and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

IMPORTANCE: The report highlights an epidemiological change in the circulation of respiratory viruses in pediatric populations due to strategies adopted against COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 has resulted in a significant increase in requests for multiplex respiratory research to identify the virus responsible for the symptoms. The diagnostic needs have increased, and the number of samples analyzed in 2021-2022 is equal to the samples analyzed over the four epidemic periods preceding the pandemic. The report suggests the importance of active surveillance of respiratory viruses' circulation and new recommendations for respiratory virus detection in pediatric patients.

[Infantile bullous pemphigoid]. / Pemphigoïde bulleuse du nourrisson.

BACKGROUND: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a form of autoimmune bullous disease commonly seen in adults but rare amongst children. Only a few cases have been described in children after vaccination. This article reports a new case of BP that occurred in an infant after a first vaccination. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 3-month-old girl presented a bullous eruption 2 weeks after a first injection of Infanrix Quinta(®) and Prevenar(®). The eruption began on her palms and soles. It was associated with urticaria-like lesions on her thighs, chest and abdomen. A histological skin examination and direct immunofluorescence showed dermal-epidermal cleavage and IgG and C3 deposits in the epidermal basement membrane zone, which are typical features of BP. No antibodies against basement membrane were seen. Clinical remission was observed after 5 weeks of treatment with dermal-corticosteroids. Resumption of the vaccination schedule did not induce any recurrence of the disease. DISCUSSION: The clinical presentation of BP amongst children differs from that seen in adults, notably in terms of the predominance of palmoplantar lesions in children aged less than 1 year. In addition, lesions on mucous membrane are more frequently reported amongst older children. Histological findings are similar in all age groups. The outbreak of BP due to a vaccinal antigen appears hypothetical. However, continuation of the vaccination schedule did not induce any recurrence. Moreover, it is a rare disease amongst children despite the frequency of vaccinations in this population. CONCLUSION: Childhood BP is a diagnosis that should be considered in any case of bullous eruption, in particular if the palms and soles are affected. It is a benign disease that resolves in less than a year under treatment. The current data do not incriminate vaccines in the outbreak of childhood BP and suggest that continuation of vaccination is not contraindicated.

[Seasonal flu]. / La grippe saisonnière.

Seasonal flu is caused by influenza viruses A and B. These enveloped viruses have a genome made up of seven or eight RNA fragments. The different subtypes are determined by the nature of the two surface glycoproteins HA and NA. Seasonal flu is an epidemic wintertime illness occurring in temperate climate zones. Its epidemiology is linked to the great variability of the virus in time, necessitating an alert system that detects dominating circulating variants each year and that determines the vaccination composition. Clinical flu symptoms are not sufficiently specific to allow for diagnosis with virological tests. This is especially true during non-epidemic periods as well as in subjects older than 65 and younger than five. Children are especially vulnerable to influenza virus infections. Hospitalization occurs more frequently, the younger the child. In children younger than two years, the infection can be pauci-symptomatic and is sometimes detected from non-respiratory symptoms such as lethargy, convulsions, and dizziness. In all cases of respiratory syndrome compatible with influenza virus infection in hospitalized subjects, virological flu diagnosis is of utmost interest. Several tools are available to allow for direct viral detection in respiratory specimens: cell culture isolation, antigenic detection, RNA molecular detection. Choice of method is based on the characteristics of the test: sensibility, specificity, speed and ease of realization, and cost.

Evaluation of a new training program to reassure primary school teachers about glucagon injection in children with type 1 diabetes during the 2017-2018 school year.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in children is increasing. Adequate knowledge and skills of primary school staff are required to deal with children affected by T1D. We aimed to evaluate a video training program (VTP) to improve the level of confidence of teachers in administering intramuscular glucagon injection during severe hypoglycemia. The secondary goal was to improve the teachers' theoretical knowledge. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this interventional study, we submitted a VTP to all primary school teachers in the French region of Normandy who received a child with T1D during the 2017-2018 school year. The VTP began with a questionnaire focused on their confidence in performing T1D-related actions and on their theoretical knowledge. Next, we offered a 10-min video covering the main issues of T1D, which could be watched freely for a fortnight. The questionnaire was subsequently resubmitted. The level of confidence was assessed on a scale of 1 to 4. Knowledge was assessed as a score out of 20. Before-after comparisons were made using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Determinants of a good level of confidence and knowledge before VTP were assessed in the first questionnaires using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of 221 eligible teachers, 157 (71%) answered the first questionnaire and 77 (34.8%) answered both. The VTP significantly improved the teachers' confidence to administer a glucagon injection (+0.36 points, P<0.001). Their theoretical knowledge was also significantly improved (+1.5 points, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We propose an original practical VTP that could be useful to improve teachers' T1D-related self-confidence in their skills and knowledge.

Genetic counseling for cystic fibrosis: A basic model with new challenges.

While the goals of genetic counseling for cystic fibrosis - delivering relevant information on the risk of recurrence and nondirectional support of couples at risk in their reproductive choices - have not changed fundamentally, the practice has evolved considerably in the last decade, growing more complex to face new challenges but also proving more effective. Many factors have contributed to this evolution: technical progress in the exploration of the genome (new generation sequencing) and in reproductive medicine, but also societal developments promoting access to genetic information and the professionalization of genetic counselors in France. The prospect of expanded pre-conception screening of at-risk couples makes genetic counselors major actors not only in medical care centers, but also in modern society by contributing to genetic education among citizens. © 2020 French Society of Pediatrics. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Study of influenza C virus infection in France.

From November 2004 to April 2007, specimens were obtained from 2,281 patients with acute respiratory tract illness in Normandy, France. Eighteen strains of influenza C virus were detected in these samples using a combined tissue culture/RT-PCR diagnostic method. Most patients with influenza C virus infection (13/18) were infants or young children (<2 years of age). The most frequent symptoms were fever and cough, and the clinical presentation of influenza C virus infection was similar to that of other respiratory viruses. Thirteen of the 18 infected patients were hospitalized; 3 presented with a severe lower respiratory infection. The hemagglutinin-esterase (HE) gene of 10 isolates was sequenced to determine the lineages of the circulating influenza C viruses. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that most of the isolated strains had an HE gene belonging to the C/Yamagata/26/81-related lineage. These results show that influenza C virus regularly circulates in Normandy and generally causes a mild upper respiratory infection. Because the differential clinical diagnosis of influenza C virus infection is not always easy, it is important to identify viral strains for both patient management and epidemiological purposes.

[The interactions between microorganisms and the small airways. A paediatric focus]. / Interactions micro-organismes et voies aériennes distales : spécificités pédiatriques.

The spectrum of respiratory viruses is expanding and emerging diseases have been described regularly over the last fifteen years. The origin of these emerging respiratory viruses may be zoonotic (by crossing species barrier, after changes to RNA viruses such as avian influenza virus type A or coronaviruses), or related to the use of new identification techniques (metapneumovirus, bocavirus). The relationship between bronchiolitis and asthma is now better understood thanks to prospective follow up of birth cohorts. The role of rhinovirus has become predominant with respect to respiratory syncytial virus. The identification of predisposing factors immunological, functional, atopic and genetic, for the onset of asthma after rhinovirus infection suggests that viral infection reveals a predisposition rather than itself being a cause of asthma. The role of bacteria in the natural history of asthma is also beginning to be better understood. The results of the COPSAC Danish cohort have shown the frequency of bacterial identification during wheezy episodes before 3 years, and the impact of bacterial colonization at the age of one month on the onset of asthma by age 5 years. The role of bacterial infections in severe asthma in young children is also discussed.

[Rhinovirus: Underestimated pathogens in patients during the neonatal period]. / Rhinovirus : des pathogènes sous-estimés chez les patients en période néonatale.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, developments in virological tools have led to the easy detection of rhinoviruses and enteroviruses (E/RV). Their detection is very frequent in cases of airway involvement in children and their demonstrated causality. But the morbidity of E/RV in the neonatal period is unknown due to lack of epidemiological data. The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence and clinical characteristics of these infections in hospitalized neonates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the virology specimens of all neonates hospitalized at the Caen University Hospital between 2006 and 2011. Clinical characteristics were obtained from the charts. RESULTS: During the study period, 4544 infants aged less than 28 days were hospitalized: 4159 in the neonatal ward and 385 in the pediatric ward. Among these, 711 virology specimens were available, 31 % of which identified at least one virus. An E/RV was identified in 87 patients (1.9 % of the neonates admitted during the study period): 52 in the pediatric ward (13.5 % of 385), and 35 in the neonatal ward (0.8 % of 4159). The mean gestational age was 39 weeks in the pediatric cohort and 35 weeks in the neonatal cohort. The main indication for virological analysis was persistent drowsiness (28 %), temperature above 38°C (25 %), an apparently life-threatening event (23 %), bradycardia (20.5 %), and pallor (20.5 %). Respiratory symptoms associated with E/RV infection were coryza (74 %), cough (35 %), hypoxemia (32 %), accessory muscle use, and recession (31 %). Digestive symptoms were poor feeding (59 %), regurgitation (38 %), abdominal distension (24 %), and projectile vomiting (17 %). Twenty-three percent of the patients required admission to the neonatal ICU or pediatric ICU. Respiratory treatments included oxygen (24 % of 87 patients), continuous positive airway pressure (11 %), and ventilation (5 %). Antibiotics were prescribed in 41 % of the patients (46), but only 10 % (9) had an identified concomitant bacterial infection. In the neonatal department, nosocomial acquisition was suspected in 50 % of E/RV infections. CONCLUSION: E/RV infections have a significant morbidity in neonates, and nosocomial transmission of the virus is underestimated. We recommend that respiratory viruses, including E/RV, be tested for in any unexplained signs in a neonate. Better identification of viruses might shorten the duration of unnecessary antibiotics.

[Profile of bacterial resistance in pediatric urinary tract infections in 2014]. / Étude du profil des résistances bactériennes dans les pyélonéphrites de l'enfant en 2014.

In pediatric units, bacteria-producing extended-spectrum-betalactamase (ESBL) have an increasing prevalence among bacteria causing febrile urinary tract infections (UTIs). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of bacteria resistance patterns observed in UTIs, in order to assess the current antibiotic treatment protocols. This study is based upon a single-center retrospective chart review of the cytobacteriological urine cultures performed in UTIs between 1 January and 31 December 2014, in the medical pediatric unit of the Caen University Hospital. Out of the total of 219 cases of UTI, 26.9% were recurrences of UTI, 18.3% were infections in infants less than 3 months old, 21% of the patients suffered from underlying uropathy, and 16.4% of the patients had recently been exposed to antibiotics. In 80.3% of the cases, Escherichia coli was found, while Enterococcus faecalis was found in 5.6%. The antibiograms proved that 33.5% of the bacteria were sensitive. Half of E. coli were resistant to ampicillin, 4.9% to cefixime, 4.9% to ceftriaxone, 1.1% to gentamicin, and 27.8% to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Nine E. coli and one Enterobacter cloacae produced ESBL, accounting for 4.6% of the UTIs. We did not find any bacteria-producing high-level cephalosporinase. Cefixime resistance was statistically linked to ongoing antibiotic treatment (OR=5.98; 95% CI [1.44; 24.91], P=0.014) and underlying uropathy (OR=6.24; 95% CI [1.47; 26.42], P=0.013). Ceftriaxone resistance was statistically related to ongoing antibiotic treatment (OR=6.93; 95% CI [1.45; 33.13], P=0.015). These results argue in favor of maintaining intravenous ceftriaxone for probabilistic ambulatory treatment. However, in case of hospitalization, cefotaxime can replace ceftriaxone, due to its lower ecological impact. Moreover, it is necessary to continue monitoring bacterial resistance and regularly review our treatment protocols.

Implementation and assessment of a training course for residents in neonatology and pediatric emergency medicine.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Residents must balance patient care and the ongoing acquisition of medical knowledge. With increasing clinical responsibilities and patient overload, medical training is often left aside. In 2010, we designed and implemented a training course in neonatology and pediatric emergency medicine for residents in pediatrics, in order to improve their medical education. The course was made of didactic sessions and several simulation-based seminars for each year of residency. We conducted this study to assess the impact of our program on residents' satisfaction and self-assessed clinical skills. METHODS: A survey was conducted at the end of each seminar. The students were asked to complete a form on a five-point rating scale to evaluate the courses and their impact on their satisfaction and self-assessed clinical skills, following the French National Health Institute's adapted Kirkpatrick model. RESULTS: Sixty-four (84%) of the 76 residents who attended the courses completed the form. The mean satisfaction score for the entire course was 4.78±0.42. Over 80% of the students felt that their clinical skills had improved. CONCLUSION: Medical education is an important part of residency training. Our training course responded to the perceived needs of the students with consistently satisfactory evaluations. Before the evaluation of the impact of the course on patient care, further studies are needed to assess the acquisition of knowledge and skills through objective evaluations.

[Management of infants whose diagnosis is inconclusive at neonatal screening for cystic fibrosis]. / Recommandations pour la prise en charge et le suivi des nourrissons pour lesquels un diagnostic de mucoviscidose n'a pu être conclu après dépistage néonatal.

Neonatal screening for cystic fibrosis (CF) may detect infants with elevated immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT) levels but with inconclusive sweat tests and/or DNA results. This includes cases associating (1) either the presence of at most one CF-causing mutation and sweat chloride values between 30 and 59mmol/L or (2) two CFTR mutations with at least one of unknown pathogenicity and a sweat chloride below 60mmol/L. This encompasses different clinical situations whose progression cannot be predicted. These cases require redoing the sweat test at 12 months and if possible at 6 and 24 months of life. This must be associated with extended genotyping. CFTR functional explorations can also help by investigating CFTR dysfunction. These infants must be initially evaluated in dedicated CF centers including bacteriological sputum analysis, chest radiology and fecal elastase dosage. A home practitioner must be informed of the specificity of follow-up. These infants will be reviewed in the CF center at 3, 6 and 12 months and every year. Any CF-related symptom requires reevaluation of the diagnosis. These guidelines were established by the "neonatal screening and difficult diagnoses" working group of the French CF Society. They aim to standardize management of infants with unclear diagnosis in French CF centers.

Guidelines for the clinical management and follow-up of infants with inconclusive cystic fibrosis diagnosis through newborn screening.

Neonatal screening for cystic fibrosis (CF) can detect infants with elevated immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT) levels and inconclusive sweat tests and/or CFTR DNA results. These cases of uncertain diagnosis are defined by (1) either the presence of at most one CF-associated cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutation with sweat chloride values between 30 and 59mmol/L or (2) two CFTR mutations with at least one of unknown pathogenic potential and a sweat chloride concentration below 60mmol/L. This encompasses various clinical situations whose progression cannot be predicted. In these cases, a sweat chloride test has to be repeated at 12 months, and if possible at 6 and 24 months of life along with extended CFTR sequencing to detect rare mutations. When the diagnosis is not definite, CFTR functional explorations may provide a better understanding of CFTR dysfunction. The initial evaluation of these infants must be conducted in dedicated CF reference centers and should include bacteriological sputum analysis, chest radiology, and fecal elastase assay. The primary care physicians in charge of these patients should be familiar with the current management of CF and should work in collaboration with CF centers. A follow-up should be performed in a CF reference center at 3, 6, and 12 months of life and every year thereafter. Any symptom indicative of CF requires immediate reevaluation of the diagnosis. These guidelines were established by the "neonatal screening and difficult diagnoses" working group of the French CF society. Their objective is to standardize the management of infants with unclear diagnosis.

[Modifier genes and cystic fibrosis]. / Les gènes modificateurs dans la mucoviscidose.

Cystic fibrosis is the most common lethal autosomal recessive disease among the Caucasian population. It is caused by defects in the CFTR gene (Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator). Although over 1600 disease-causing mutations in the CFTR gene have been described, the highly variable disease phenotype in cystic fibrosis cannot be explained on the basis of this gene alone. Both the environment and other non-CFTR genes are likely to be important. The increased understanding of pathophysiological processes in the cystic fibrosis lung has led to several studies on genes in these pathways. One of the major aims of such studies is to produce targets for novel drug developments.

[Pseudomonas aeruginosa and cystic fibrosis: first colonization to chronic infection]. / Pseudomonas aeruginosa et mucoviscidose: "de la primocolonisation a l'infection chronique".

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) is the most common virulent respiratory pathogen in cystic fibrosis and is characterized by an important capacity of adaptation, adherence and communication. The factors of virulence of Pa play a major part in adherence with the respiratory epithelial cells and in occurrence of infectious episodes. The factors responsible for the transition of first Pa acquisition to the chronic infection are not elucidated yet. The system of secretion of type III and the quorum sensing (QS) play an important role. The QS would intervene in the maturation of the biofilm of Pa, responsible for the "mucoid" phenotype of Pa, associated to a degradation of the respiratory function. We made a retrospective study on the period 1984-2005 within the Center of Cystic fibrosis of Caen allow to determine the percentage of firstly-colonized and chronic infected patients with Pa according to age. At 6 months of life, 11% of the infants were colonized with Pa reaching 48% to 7 years and 85% at the 18 years age. The percentage of chronic children carrying Pa was 0% at 1 year, 11% at 4 years, 44% at 12 years and 74% at 18 years according to the method of Kaplan-Meier. Comparing the period 1984-1994 with that of 1995-2005, the firstly-colonization and the chronic carrying of Pa occurred earlier and significantly during the second period. The current objective, beside the respiratory care, comprises the maintenance of an optimal nutritional statute and, waiting for an effective vaccine, the development of new therapeutic targets in order to attenuate the virulence of the stocks of Pa and as much as possible to delay the age of firstly-colonization and the age of chronic colonization with mucoid Pa.

[Comparison of palliative care representations between pediatrician residents and oncologist residents: A qualitative study]. / Comparaison des représentations des soins palliatifs des internes de pédiatrie à celles des internes d'onco-hématologie - étude qualitative.

BACKGROUND: Pediatrics residents treat patients who are particularly vulnerable and they care for many patients in palliative situations. The purpose of this study was to build a typology detailing the representations of pediatrics and oncology residents on palliative care and how these transfer to their practice, and to determine their knowledge of euthanasia and end-of-life legislation. METHODS: To draw up this typology, we used a semidirective interview method. The topics treated were their definition of palliative care, end of life, the emotions involved in these situations, and their daily practice. Then we asked them to speak about their opinions and knowledge of euthanasia and end-of-life legislation. RESULTS: Thirteen residents were interviewed: eight pediatrics residents, two oncologists, and three hemato-oncologists. Interviews lasted around 45min. Pediatrics and oncology residents had common representations based on "care giving." Nevertheless, pediatrics residents remained within the technical aspects to protect themselves from their negative emotions and stayed away from their patients. Oncology residents set their emotions aside to be able to carry on taking care of their patients. CONCLUSION: It seems necessary to disseminate a palliative culture, particularly in pediatrics, to improve management of children in palliative situations and to improve resident's feelings.

[A prospective study on suicide attempts by self-poisoning in adolescents: Symptoms and complications]. / Intoxications médicamenteuses volontaires chez 58 adolescents : étude prospective sur l'impact somatique et les complications biologiques.

AIM: Biological complications in adolescents' self-poisoning are not currently evaluated. The aim of this study was to describe the toxicological characteristics of suicide attempts, the ingested substances, and their complications to better prevent the risks associated with deliberate self-poisoning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a descriptive, prospective, single-center study. It took place in the pediatric emergency, hospitalization, and intensive care unit of the Caen University Hospital. All children aged 10-18years who had presented to the pediatric emergency department between 1 June 2012 and 1 June 2013 for deliberate self-poisoning were included. Somatic evaluation was conducted for the protocol on arrival at the emergency room, and repeated during hospitalization, and biological evaluation was performed on arrival at the pediatric emergency unit and on the 5th day after the drug intoxication. A questionnaire was completed at this time to identify the substances ingested and the risk factors for suicide attempt. RESULTS: Acetaminophen was the most frequently chosen substance compared to other drugs in acute drug overdose (P=0.01). Abdominal pain on arrival at the emergency room were significantly associated with acetaminophen (P=0.02). In 10% of the cases, a transfer to the pediatric intensive care unit was required. In total, 3.4% had acute renal failure and 3.4% acute liver failure in connection with acetaminophen ingestion. Biological complications and symptoms disappeared prior to hospital discharge. The average hospital stay was 7.1 days. DISCUSSION: This study focused on biological complications in pediatric emergencies, but also later on deliberate self-poisoning to detect other complications. It seems important to detect the presence of liver or kidney failure, and more importantly whether there is acetaminophen ingestion. The prevention of suicide attempt recurrences also remains a priority, given the increased risk of mortality from repeating a suicide attempt. Systematization of biological assessments made in emergency situations but particularly in the hospital could improve the care of these adolescents.

[Cocooning strategy: Effectiveness of a pertussis vaccination program for parents in the maternity unit of a university hospital]. / Stratégie du cocooning : efficacité d'une politique de promotion de la vaccination anticoquelucheuse des parents à la maternité d'un CHU.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact on vaccination coverage of a protocol in which promotion and administration of pertussis vaccine in the maternity ward were proposed upon discharge from a French university hospital. Pertussis is a potentially fatal bacterial respiratory infection, especially in young infants. Since 2004 the High Council of Public Health has recommended vaccinating adults who may become parents. This recommendation is not widely applied in France. The study, organized as a professional practice evaluation (EPP) was conducted by a multidisciplinary team at Caen University Hospital. Thirty couples were included for each period. The primary endpoint was the rate of vaccination coverage for both parents at hospital discharge. Before the information campaign (first period, January 2012), immunization coverage of mothers and fathers was 20% and 13%, respectively. No couple had received a prescription for vaccines. During the second period (June 2013), vaccination coverage was 77% at hospital discharge for mothers and 57% for fathers. Parental immunization coverage against pertussis was multiplied by four to five during the study, which is very encouraging, and it is important to continue this campaign at the region and national levels.

[Winter viral ecology in a pediatric intensive care unit: a prospective study]. / Étude prospective de l'écologie virale hivernale dans un service de réanimation pédiatrique.

INTRODUCTION: Viral respiratory infections are common in children, most of which are due to a virus. They can lead to serious infections, and these children may require treatment in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). This prospective study evaluated the epidemiology of respiratory viruses and associated illnesses among children hospitalized in a PICU during the three winter months of 2012-2013. METHODS: All the children admitted to the PICU, University Hospital of Caen, France, were included. Nasal swabs were collected and specimens were tested using a single real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction). RESULTS: Of the 105 patients admitted to the PICU during the study period, 84 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The "respiratory group" included 37 patients with respiratory symptoms at admission while the "nonrespiratory group" included 47 patients with no respiratory symptoms. The 84 nasal swabs collected included 54 that were considered positive (64.3%) and 70 viruses were detected. The most commonly detected virus was RSV (n=28; 40.0% positive samples), followed by HRV (n=24; 34.3%). Viruses were more frequently detected in the respiratory (86.5%) than in the nonrespiratory (42.6%) group (P<0.001). Statistical analysis by subgroups revealed that RSV infections were significantly more frequent in the respiratory group (54.1%) than in the nonrespiratory group (6.4%) (P<0.001). There was no difference for HRV (32.4% and 27.7%) or for the other viruses. No difference in duration of hospitalization or duration of mechanical ventilation was demonstrated depending on the virus detected. DISCUSSION: The use of the very sensitive multiplex PCR technique increased virus detection rates in both symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects. CONCLUSION: We have confirmed the frequency of RSV infections in a PICU and found that many patients without respiratory symptoms have respiratory infections caused by viruses. The impact of these infections on patient outcome should now be analyzed in order to demonstrate the role played by respiratory viruses.

Detection of viral, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in exacerbations of asthma in children.

BACKGROUND: A high frequency of virus infections has been recently pointed out in the exacerbations of asthma in children. OBJECTIVES: To confirm this, using conventional and molecular detection methods, and expanding the study to younger children. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred and thirty-two nasal aspirates from 75 children hospitalized for a severe attack of asthma were studied (32 infants, mean age 9.1 months; and 43 children, mean age 5.6 years). According to the virus, a viral isolation technique, immunofluorescence assays (IFA) or both were used for the detection of rhinovirus, enterovirus, respiratory syncytial (RS) virus, adenovirus, coronavirus 229E, influenza and parainfluenza virus. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were used for the detection of rhinovirus, enterovirus, RS virus, adenovirus, coronavirus 229E and OC43, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. RESULTS: Using IFA and viral isolation techniques, viruses were detected in 33.3% of cases, and by PCR techniques, nucleic acid sequences of virus, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae were obtained in 71.9% of cases. The combination of conventional and molecular techniques detects 81.8% of positive samples. Two organisms were identified in the same nasal sample in 20.4% of the cases. The percentage of detections was higher (85.9%) in the younger group than in the other (77%). The most frequently detected agents were rhinovirus (46.9%) and RS virus (21.2%). Using PCR rather than conventional techniques, the detection rates were increased 5.8- and 1.6-fold in rhinovirus and RS virus infections, respectively. The detection levels of the other organisms are as follows: 9.8, 5.1, 4.5, 4.5, 4.5, 3.7, and 2.2% for enterovirus, influenza virus, Chlamydia pneumoniae, adenovirus, coronavirus, parainfluenza virus, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results confirm the previously reported high frequency of rhinovirus detection in asthmatic exacerbations in children. They also point out the frequency of RS virus detection, and emphasize the fact that PCR assays may be necessary to diagnose respiratory infections in asthma.