Clinical-Demographic and Laboratory Profile of the Mother-Child Binomial With Syphilis in a Tertiary-Level Hospital in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Congenital syphilis (CS) remains a major public health problem, and its incidence is increasing worldwide. METHODS: Retrospective, observational, and descriptive study of cases with CS and their mothers at a tertiary-level hospital in Mexico from 2017 to 2022. Medical records of patients with CS and a structured collection of epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory data were analyzed and classified in the Centers for Disease Control scenarios as confirmed, probable, less probable, or unlikely. RESULTS: One hundred eighty cases were diagnosed with a compatible definition of congenital syphilis, and we identified 43 (21.21%) confirmed proven. Among those proven cases, 15.6% had hematological, 13.3% skin, 12.2% liver, 6.7% pulmonary, 6.6% neurological, 5.8% eye, 5.6% bone, and 0.6% hearing involvements. According to the clinical stages of maternal syphilis, 119 (66.1%) were in the late latent phase, 49 (27.2%) in the early latent phase, 7 (3.9%) in the secondary stage, and 5 (2.8%) in the primary stage. Mothers with tertiary syphilis were not detected. CONCLUSION: Regardless of negative antenatal screening, health care workers should consider the diagnosis of congenital syphilis. Infants are still undiagnosed at birth, and only a tiny percentage exhibits symptoms. The wide range of clinical manifestations of this preventable infection can be misdiagnosed for various other diseases, causing diagnostic delays that can have serious consequences.

Facklamia hominis pyelonephritis in a pediatric patient: first case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Pyelonephritis is one of the most serious bacterial illnesses during childhood. Gram-negative organisms account for up to 90% of the cases. Gram-positive bacteria are uncommon causes of urinary tract infections, and only a few cases caused by Facklamia hominis have been reported in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A five-year-old girl with tracheostomy and gastrostomy and past medical history of congenital lymphangioma presented with a two-week history of with intermittent fever, frequent urination, and vesical tenesmus. Diagnosis of pyelonephritis was made. Urine culture reported colonies with alpha-hemolysis in blood agar at 48-h of incubation and Facklamia hominis was identified by MALDI-TOF. The patient was successfully treated with gentamicin. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first reported case of pyelonephritis by Facklamia hominis in a child, and the second involving infection in a pediatric patient. Although this pathogen is uncommon, current treatment of F. hominis is a challenge for physicians. This case illustrates the requirement to standardize identification and treatment of care to avoid treatment failure and antimicrobial resistance.

Outcomes of neonates born to women with Covid-19.

Not available.

Prevalence and Incidence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Other Respiratory Viral Infections in Children Aged 6 Months to 10 Years With Influenza-like Illness Enrolled in a Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: The high burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-associated morbidity and mortality makes vaccine development a priority. METHODS: As part of an efficacy trial of pandemic influenza vaccines (NCT01051661), RSV epidemiology in healthy children aged 6 months to <10 years at first vaccination with influenza-like illness (ILI) was evaluated in Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand between February 2010 and August 2011. Active surveillance for ILI was conducted for approximately 1 year, with nasal and throat swabs analyzed by polymerase chain reaction. The prevalence and incidence of RSV among ILI episodes were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 6266 children were included, of whom 2421 experienced 3717 ILI episodes with a respiratory sample available. RSV was detected for 359 ILI episodes, a prevalence of 9.7% (95% confidence interval: 8.7-10.7). The highest prevalence was in children aged 12-23 or 24-35 months in all countries except the Philippines, where it was in children aged 6-11 months. The incidence of RSV-associated ILI was 7.0 (6.3-7.7) per 100 person-years (PY). Eighty-eight ILI episodes resulted in hospitalization, of which 8 were associated with RSV (prevalence 9.1% [4.0-17.1]; incidence 0.2 [0.1-0.3] per 100 PY). The incidence of RSV-associated ILI resulting in medical attendance was 6.0 (5.4-6.7) per 100 PY. RSV B subtypes were observed more frequently than A subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: Active surveillance demonstrated the considerable burden of RSV-associated illness that would not be identified through hospital-based surveillance, with a substantial part of the burden occurring in older infants and children.

Molecular epidemiology of carbapenemase encoding genes in A. baumannii-calcoaceticus complex infections in children: a systematic review.

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaeticus complex is the leader pathogen for the World Health Organization's list due to the escalating prevalence of multidrug-resistant strains. Insights into the molecular characterization of carbapenemase genes in A. baumannii-calcoaceticus complex infections among children are scarce. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic review to describe the molecular epidemiology of the carbapenemase genes in A. baumannii-calcoaceticus complex infections in the pediatric population. Methods: Adhering to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines for reporting systematic reviews, we conducted a review of in chore bibliographic databases published in English and Spanish, between January 2020 and December 2022. All studies conducted in patients ≤6 years with molecular characterization of carbapenemase-encoding genes in A. baumannii-calcoaceticus infections were included. Results: In total, 1129 cases were reviewed, with an overall carbapenem-resistance rate of 60.3%. A. baumannii-calcoaceticus was isolated from blood cultures in 66.6% of cases. Regionally, the Eastern Mediterranean exhibited the highest prevalence of carbapenem resistance (88.3%). Regarding the carbapenemase genes, blaKPC displayed an overall prevalence of 1.2%, while class B blaNDM had a prevalence of 10.9%. Class D blaOXA-23-like reported a prevalence of 64%, blaOXA-48 and blaOXA-40 had a prevalence of 33% and 18.1%, respectively. Notably, the Americas region showed a prevalence of blaOXA-23-like at 91.6%. Conclusion: Our work highlights the high prevalence of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii-calcoaceticus and class D carbapenemase genes in children. Of note the distribution of different carbapenemase genes reveals considerable variations across WHO regions. To enhance epidemiological understanding, further extensive studies in children are imperative.

The genomic evolutionary dynamics and global circulation patterns of respiratory syncytial virus.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection in young children and the second leading cause of infant death worldwide. While global circulation has been extensively studied for respiratory viruses such as seasonal influenza, and more recently also in great detail for SARS-CoV-2, a lack of global multi-annual sampling of complete RSV genomes limits our understanding of RSV molecular epidemiology. Here, we capitalise on the genomic surveillance by the INFORM-RSV study and apply phylodynamic approaches to uncover how selection and neutral epidemiological processes shape RSV diversity. Using complete viral genome sequences, we show similar patterns of site-specific diversifying selection among RSVA and RSVB and recover the imprint of non-neutral epidemic processes on their genealogies. Using a phylogeographic approach, we provide evidence for air travel governing the global patterns of RSVA and RSVB spread, which results in a considerable degree of phylogenetic mixing across countries. Our findings highlight the potential of systematic global RSV genomic surveillance for transforming our understanding of global RSV spread.

Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Infection in Children From a Third-Level Hospital in Mexico: Clinical Characteristics and Molecular Epidemiology.

BACKGROUND: Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a threat to public health due to the high prevalence of multidrug-resistant isolates. Information regarding the clinical and molecular characterization of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) infections in children is scarce. Our study aimed to describe the clinical and molecular characteristics of CRAB infections in children from a third-level center in Mexico. METHODS: Consecutive cases of CRAB infections were documented during 2017-2022. Clinical and demographic data were collected from clinical records. Mass spectrometry was used for the identification of the isolates. The identification of A. baumannii strains was confirmed by conducting a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the gyrB sequence. In addition, the carbapenemase-encoding resistance genes were detected by PCR. RESULTS: Twenty-one cases of CRAB infections were documented: 76% female and 62% were neonates. The median hospital length of stay at the time of positive culture was 37 days (interquartile range, 13-54). Sixty-four percent of the isolates were recovered from bronchial secretions. A co-resistance rate greater than 60% was observed for most groups of antibiotics. All carbapenem-resistant isolates carried blaOXA-24 genes. BlaIMP genes were detected in half of the cases, with all strains co-harboring blaOXA-24 genes. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated a high proportion of CRAB infections in the neonatal population, a high prevalence of co-resistance to antibiotics, and a high rate of isolates carrying blaOXA-24 and blaIMP genes. CRAB is a significant concern due to the mortality rate and the lack of therapeutic alternatives; implementing infection prevention and control programs is urgent to stop the spread of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii.

Case Report: Molecular Characterization of Bloodstream Infections due to Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: A Pediatric Case Series.

Acinetobacter baumannii poses a significant threat to public health due to the high rate of multidrug-resistant strains. However, information on the molecular characterization of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) bloodstream infections in children is scarce. This study aimed to describe the molecular characterization of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii infections in children from a hospital in Mexico. A retrospective study was conducted during the period 2017-2022. Clinical and demographic data were collected from the clinical records. Mass spectrometry was used for the identification of the strains. To confirm A. baumannii strains, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was applied using a gyrB sequence. The carbapenemase-encoding resistance genes were detected by PCR. Six cases of CRAB were documented, including five in neonates. The median intensive care unit stay was 20 days, and all cases had an invasive medical device. Half of the patients had at least one medical condition. A high prevalence of coresistance was observed in most of the antibiotic groups. Three of the six strains coharbored carbapenemase genes: blaOXA-51, blaOXA-24, and blaIMP. Mortality was reported in two neonate patients. The present study shows a high rate of coharboring blaOXA-51, blaOXA-24, and blaIMP-1, which has a direct impact on therapeutic decisions. Implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs is urgent to stop the spread of this microorganism.

Disseminated Coccidioidomycosis as the First Presentation of a C-Terminal NFKB2 Pathogenic Variant: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

INTRODUCTION: Although most cases of coccidioidomycosis are subclinical or self-limited respiratory disease, 1% lead to extrathoracic dissemination and become fatal, especially in patients with an associated immunodeficiency. Up to 30%-50% of patients with defects in cell-mediated immunity, those with AIDS and recipients of solid-organ transplants, may develop disseminated coccidioidomycosis (DC). Within the primary immunodeficiencies, an uncommon group is caused by C-terminal NFKB2 pathogenic variants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a literature search of core databases. Written informed consent for the study and for publication was obtained. CASE PRESENTATION: A 7-year-old Mexican girl, eldest of 3 sisters, no relevant family history, and a history of recurrent upper respiratory infections and alopecia totalis was admitted with DC involving pulmonary, soft tissue, skin, bone and joint compromise. The immunodeficiency assessment showed low IgM and NK cells. We found an NFKB2 de novo heterozygous nonsense mutation of c.2611C>T (p.Gln871*). She was treated with liposomal amphotericin B and itraconazole with surgical debridement. The clinical phenotype of this primary immunodeficiency is characterized by antibody deficiency and associated broncho-pulmonary predisposition to infection, but moreover also opportunistic infections and autoimmunity, most recognizable alopecia and adrenocorticotropic hormone-deficiency. After 1 year of her discharge, she continues under surveillance with antifungal therapy with itraconazole and replacement intravenous immunoglobulin until today. CONCLUSION: This is the first case report of DC in a patient with an NFKB2 pathogenic variant and it illustrates the importance of screening for primary immunodeficiencies in patients with disseminated fungal infections.

[Consensus on the clinical and microbiologic diagnosis of Bordetella pertussis, and infection prevention. Expert Group on Pertussis Vaccination]. / Consenso para el diagnóstico clínico y microbiológico y la prevención de la infección por Bordetella pertussis. Grupo de expertos en vacunación contra tos ferina.

Pertussis continues to be responsible for a significant disease burden worldwide. Although immunization practices have reduced the occurrence of the disease among children, waning vaccine- and infection-induced immunity still allows the disease to affect adolescents and adults who, in turn, can transmit the disease to non-immunized or partially immunized infants. This document is the result of a meeting in Mexico City of international experts who analyzed recent medical information in order to establish the current status of the epidemiology, diagnosis and surveillance of pertussis and, especially, the value of the dTpa booster dose in adolescents and adults as a pertussis prevention strategy in Mexico.

Bacteremia due to Weeksella virosa in a pediatric patient with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma.

Background: Weeksella virosa is one of the two species of the genus Weeksella. Clinical disease due to this bacterium in humans is rare, for which only nine cases have been reported in the literature. Case report: A 4-year-old male patient was diagnosed with a left orbit rhabdomyosarcoma Stage III and was admitted to a northeast third level referral center in Mexico. Aerobic, non-pigmented, Gram-negative rod was isolated from a blood culture. W. virosa was identified by Sensititre™ ARIS. This organism has been described in cases of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, sepsis, pneumonia, ventriculitis, and urinary tract infection. Conclusions: Clinicians should consider the diagnosis of W. virosa bacteremia in cases involving immunocompromised patients with oral lesions, although it is infrequent. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first clinical report of W. virosa bacteremia described in an immunocompromised pediatric patient.

Introducción: Weeksella virosa es una de las dos especies del género Weeksella. En los humanos, los reportes de infección por este microorganismo son raros. Solo se han reportado nueve casos en la literatura. Caso clínico: Paciente masculino de 4 años con diagnóstico de rabdomiosarcoma embrionario de órbita izquierda en estadio III, que fue atendido en un hospital de tercer nivel en el noreste de México. Se realizó un hemocultivo, a partir del cual se aisló un bacilo gramnegativo aerobio, no pigmentado. Se identificó W. virosa mediante Sensititre™ ARIS. Este microorganismo ha sido descrito en casos de peritonitis bacteriana espontánea, sepsis, neumonía, ventriculitis e infección del tracto urinario. Conclusiones: Aunque los casos de bacteriemia por W. virosa son raros, los clínicos deben considerar este agente en pacientes inmunocomprometidos con lesiones orales. Hasta donde se conoce, este es el primer caso que se describe de bacteriemia por W. virosa en un paciente pediátrico inmunocomprometido.

Respiratory viruses and influenza-like illness: Epidemiology and outcomes in children aged 6 months to 10 years in a multi-country population sample.

BACKGROUND: Better population data on respiratory viruses in children in tropical and southern hemisphere countries is needed. METHODS: The epidemiology of respiratory viruses among healthy children (6 months to <10 years) with influenza-like illness (ILI) was determined in a population sample derived from an influenza vaccine trial (NCT01051661) in 17 centers in eight countries (Australia, South East Asia and Latin America). Active surveillance for ILI was conducted for approximately 1 year (between February 2010 and August 2011), with PCR analysis of nasal and throat swabs. RESULTS: 6266 children were included, of whom 2421 experienced 3717 ILI episodes. Rhinovirus/enterovirus had the highest prevalence (41.5%), followed by influenza (15.8%), adenovirus (9.8%), parainfluenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (both 9.7%), coronavirus (5.6%), human metapneumovirus (5.5%) and human bocavirus (HBov) (2.0%). Corresponding incidence per 100 person-years was 29.78, 11.34, 7.03, 6.96, 6.94, 4.00, 3.98 and 1.41. Except for influenza, respiratory virus prevalence declined with age. The incidence of medically-attended ILI associated with viral infection ranged from 1.03 (HBov) to 23.69 (rhinovirus/enterovirus). The percentage of children missing school or daycare ranged from 21.4% (HBov) to 52.1% (influenza). CONCLUSIONS: Active surveillance of healthy children provided evidence of respiratory illness burden associated with several viruses, with a substantial burden in older children.

Consenso para el diagnóstico clínico y microbiológico y la prevención de la infección por Bordetella pertussis / Consensus on the clinical and microbiologic diagnosis of Bordetella pertussis, and infection prevention

La tos ferina sigue siendo responsable de una carga de enfermedad importante en el mundo. Aunque la implementación del uso de la vacuna contra esta enfermedad ha disminuido en gran medida el número de casos en la población pediátrica, se ha observado que la inmunidad inducida por la vacuna y por la infeccion natural disminuye con el tiempo lo que hace nuevamente susceptibles a adolescentes y adultos jóvenes que pueden transmitir la enfermedad a lactantes no inmunizados o con esquema de vacunación incompleto. Este documento, resultado de la reunión de un grupo internacional de expertos en la Ciudad de México, ha analizado la información médica reciente para establecer el estado actual de la epidemiología, diagnóstico, vigilancia y, especialmente, el valor de la dosis de refuerzo con dTpa en adolescentes y adultos como estrategia de prevención de tos ferina en México.

Pertussis continues to be responsible for a significant disease burden worldwide. Although immunization practices have reduced the occurrence of the disease among children, waning vaccine- and infection-induced immunity still allows the disease to affect adolescents and adults who, in turn, can transmit the disease to non-immunized or partially immunized infants. This document is the result of a meeting in Mexico City of international experts who analyzed recent medical information in order to establish the current status of the epidemiology, diagnosis and surveillance of pertussis and, especially, the value of the dTpa booster dose in adolescents and adults as a pertussis prevention strategy in Mexico.

Meningitis tuberculosa familiar / Tuberculous meningitis familiar

Se revisa el caso de una paciente femenina de 2 años 5 meses, con meningitis tuberculosa diagnosticada en el Servicio de Infectología del Instituto Nacional de Pediatría. Se resalta el valor epidemiológico de esta patología, al encontrar, en una misma familia, dos primos hermanos de la paciente fallecidos por meningoencefalitis tuberculosa, otro primo de 12 años portador de secuelas de meningoencefalitis tuberculosa y cuatro (4) tías con tuberculosis pulmonar.