Bacterial Infections In Pediatric Patients Research Articles

Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Infections in Pediatric Patients Hospitalized at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Western Saudi Arabia.

Multidrug-resistant bacterial infections (MDRIs) constitute a major global threat due to increased patient morbidity/mortality and hospital stay/healthcare costs. A few studies from KSA, including our locality, addressed antimicrobial resistance in pediatric patients. This study was performed to recognize the incidence and clinical/microbiologic features of MDRIs in hospitalized pediatric patients. A retrospective cross-sectional study included pediatric patients < 18 years, admitted to King Abdulaziz University Hospital, between October 2021 and November 2022, with confirmed positive cultures of bacteria isolated from blood/body fluids. Patients' medical files provided the required data. MDR organisms (MDROs) were identified in 12.8% of the total cultures. The incidence of MDRIs was relatively high, as it was detected in 42% of patients and in 54.3% of positive bacterial cultures especially among critically ill patients admitted to the NICU and PICU. Pneumonia/ventilator-associated pneumonia was the main type of infection in 37.8% of patients with MDROs. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common significantly isolated MDRO in 39.5% of MDR cultures. Interestingly, a low weight for (no need for their as terminology weight for age is standard and well-known) was the only significant risk factor associated with MDROs (p = 0.02). Mortality was significantly higher (p = 0.001) in patients with MDROs (32.4%) than in patients without MDROs (3.9%). Patients who died including 85.7% of patients with MDROs had significantly longer durations of admission, more cultures, and utilized a larger number of antibiotics than the surviving patients (p = 0.02, p = 0.01, p = 0.04, respectively). This study provided a comprehensive update on the seriously alarming problem of MDROs, and its impacts on pediatric patients. The detected findings are crucial and are a helpful guide to decid for implementing effective strategies to mitigate MDROs.

Risk of serious bacterial infections in pediatric patients with hyperpyrexia.

Hyperpyrexia has been associated with a greater prevalence of bacterial infections in the pediatric population, which prior to routine childhood vaccinations, has led to invasive testing and empiric antibiotic use for urinary tract infections, bacterial pneumonia, bacteremia, and bacterial meningitis. Since the implementation of routine childhood vaccinations, the prevalence of serious bacterial infections (SBIs) has declined. This study aims to determine if there is an association between hyperpyrexia and serious bacterial infections in well-appearing febrile pediatric patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). This is a cross-sectional study conducted between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2019, at a single urban tertiary care pediatric ED. Patients were included if they were between 61 days and ≤18 years old presenting with a chief complaint of fever. Patients were excluded if they received antibiotics within 3 days of presentation, underwent surgical procedures within 2weeks of presentation, had an ED visit for febrile illness within 2weeks of study visit, were transferred from another institution, or were ill appearing. Prevalence of SBI was described and compared by presence of hyperpyrexia, age group, chronic medical condition, gender, and vaccination status. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between SBIs and hyperpyrexia. Of the 3862 charts reviewed, 2565 patients were included. The prevalence of SBI was 5.6%. A total of 413 patients presented with hyperpyrexia. Of the patients with hyperpyrexia, 31 (7.5%) had a serious bacterial infection. Hyperpyrexia was not significantly associated with SBIs in our logistic regression models (adjusted Odds Ratio 1.40, 95% confidence interval 0.92-2.12). Serious bacterial infections were uncommon in our population. There is no statistically significant association between hyperpyrexia and SBIs in well-appearing pediatric patients presenting to the ED with fever. The lack of a statistically significant association between hyperpyrexia and SBIs argues that clinicians should be cautious using hyperpyrexia as an independent risk factor for SBIs. More research is needed to identify independent and grouped SBI risk factors in well-appearing pediatric patients presenting to the ED.

1675. Community Acquired Serious Bacterial Infections in Pediatric Patients Before and After COVID: Could Masks Save Lives?

Abstract Background Association of serious bacterial infections (SBI) and preceding respiratory viral illness (RVI) has been described. Social distancing, (masking and lockdowns), in response to pandemic resulted in &amp;gt; 95% decrease in RVI, specifically influenza (Flu). Invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae (iSpneumo) and Streptococcus pyogenes (iGABHS) have substantial morbidity and mortality. Decrease in culture (Cx) proven iSpneumo during COVID has been reported. We used PCR in empyema fluid for enhanced SBI microbiologic diagnosis. Here, we evaluate Cx/PCR diagnosed community acquired SBI (CA-SBI) in children and relationship with Flu burden and social distancing. Methods Data from surveillance of bacteremia and CA-empyema (Cx and PCR) at our institution was used to identify CA-SBI cases in children 3 months – &amp;lt; 18 years. Spinal fluid Cxs were reviewed to identify meningitis cases. We used data from the Orange County Health Care Agency for detection of countywide Flu trends. We normalized yearly CA-SBI cases per 10,000 discharges, grouped them into before COVID (BC) (7/1/2017 – 12/31/19) and after covid (AC) (1/1/2020 – 6/30/2022), and compared to countywide Flu cases 7/1/2017 – 6/30/2022. Results We identified 361 CA-SBIs. S aureus (95; 26.3%) and E coli (65, 18%) were most common overall (Fig 1) and per cohort (BC 45; 25.7% and 25; 14.3% / AC 50; 26.9% and 40; 21.5%) respectively (Fig 2); 35.7% and 12.9% of iSpneumo and iGABHS respectively were identified by PCR only. Both decreased during COVID (iSpneumo BC 40; 22.9% to AC 16; 8.6% and iGABHS BC 24; 13.7% to AC 7; 3.8%). iSpneumo and iGABHS mortality was 3.6% and 12.9% respectively. There were no iSpneumo (5/2020 – 10/2021) or iGABHS 12/2020 – 11/2021) cases or deaths when Flu was not circulating. Conclusion iSpneumo and iGABHS cases decreased during social distancing, which included mandatory masking. No cases or deaths occurred when Flu was not circulating supporting association with Flu. Decrease in iSpneumo by routine pediatric vaccination has limitations due to differential protection by serotype and serotype replacement. Seasonal masking should be evaluated to decrease CA-SBI associated pediatric morbidity and mortality due to iSpneumo and iGABHS, further Flu vaccine development is needed. Disclosures Antonio C. Arrieta, MD, FIDSA, FPIDS, Astellas Pharma Global Development, Inc.: Advisor/Consultant|Astellas Pharma Global Development, Inc.: Grant/Research Support|Astellas Pharma Global Development, Inc.: Honoraria|Cumberland Pharmaceutical: Grant/Research Support|IDbyDNA: Advisor/Consultant|IDbyDNA: Grant/Research Support|Melinta: Grant/Research Support|Merck: Advisor/Consultant|Merck: Grant/Research Support|Nabriva: Grant/Research Support|Paratek Pharmaceuticals: Grant/Research Support|Pfizer, Inc: Advisor/Consultant|Pfizer, Inc: Grant/Research Support|Roche/Genentech: Grant/Research Support|The Medicine Company: Grant/Research Support Delma Nieves, MD, Merck: Grant/Research Support|Summit Therapeutics: Grant/Research Support Negar Ashouri, MD, Merck: Grant/Research Support

Host biomarkers and combinatorial scores for the detection of serious and invasive bacterial infection in pediatric patients with fever without source.

Improved tools are required to detect bacterial infection in children with fever without source (FWS), especially when younger than 3 years old. The aim of the present study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of a host signature combining for the first time two viral-induced biomarkers, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and interferon γ-induced protein-10 (IP-10), with a bacterial-induced one, C-reactive protein (CRP), to reliably predict bacterial infection in children with fever without source (FWS) and to compare its performance to routine individual biomarkers (CRP, procalcitonin (PCT), white blood cell and absolute neutrophil counts, TRAIL, and IP-10) and to the Labscore. This was a prospective diagnostic accuracy study conducted in a single tertiary center in children aged less than 3 years old presenting with FWS. Reference standard etiology (bacterial or viral) was assigned by a panel of three independent experts. Diagnostic accuracy (AUC, sensitivity, specificity) of host individual biomarkers and combinatorial scores was evaluated in comparison to reference standard outcomes (expert panel adjudication and microbiological diagnosis). 241 patients were included. 68 of them (28%) were diagnosed with a bacterial infection and 5 (2%) with invasive bacterial infection (IBI). Labscore, ImmunoXpert, and CRP attained the highest AUC values for the detection of bacterial infection, respectively 0.854 (0.804-0.905), 0.827 (0.764-0.890), and 0.807 (0.744-0.869). Labscore and ImmunoXpert outperformed the other single biomarkers with higher sensitivity and/or specificity and showed comparable performance to one another although slightly reduced sensitivity in children < 90 days of age. Labscore and ImmunoXpert demonstrate high diagnostic accuracy for safely discriminating bacterial infection in children with FWS aged under and over 90 days, supporting their adoption in the assessment of febrile patients.

A state-of-the-art analysis of pharmacological delivery and artificial intelligence techniques for inner ear disease treatment

Over the last several decades, both the academic and therapeutic fields have seen significant progress in the delivery of drugs to the inner ear due to recent delivery methods established for the systemic administration of drugs in inner ear treatment. Novel technologies such as nanoparticles and hydrogels are being investigated, in addition to the traditional treatment methods. Intracochlear devices, which utilize current developments in microsystems technology, are on the horizon of inner ear drug delivery methods and are designed to provide medicine directly into the inner ear. These devices are used for stem cell treatment, RNA interference, and the delivery of neurotrophic factors and steroids during cochlear implantation. An in-depth analysis of artificial neural networks (ANNs) in pharmaceutical research may be found in ANNs for Drug Delivery, Design, and Disposition. This prediction tool has a great deal of promise to assist researchers in more successfully designing, developing, and delivering successful medications because of its capacity to learn and self-correct in a very complicated environment. ANN achieved a high level of accuracy exceeding 0.90, along with a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 100%, in accurately distinguishing illness. Additionally, the ANN model provided nearly perfect measures of 0.99%. Nanoparticles exhibit potential as a viable therapeutic approach for bacterial infections that are challenging to manage, such as otitis media. The utilization of ANNs has the potential to enhance the effectiveness of nanoparticle therapy, particularly in the realm of automated identification of otitis media. Polymeric nanoparticles have demonstrated effectiveness in the treatment of prevalent bacterial infections in pediatric patients, suggesting significant potential for forthcoming therapeutic interventions. Finally, this study is based on a research of how inner ear diseases have been treated in the last ten years (2012–2022) using machine learning.

Prospective Study of the Detection of Bacterial Pathogens in Pediatric Clinical Specimens Using the Melting Temperature Mapping Method.

ABSTRACTThe melting temperature (Tm) mapping method is a novel technique that uses seven primer sets without sequencing to detect dominant bacteria. This method can identify pathogenic bacteria in adults within 3 h of blood collection without using conventional culture methods. However, no studies have examined whether pathogenic bacteria can be detected in clinical specimens from pediatric patients with bacterial infections. Here, we designed a new primer set for commercial use, constructed a database with more bacterial species, and examined the agreement rate of bacterial species in vitro. Moreover, we investigated whether our system could detect pathogenic bacteria from pediatric patients using the Tm mapping method and compared the detection rates of the Tm mapping and culture methods. A total of 256 pediatric clinical specimens from 156 patients (94 males and 62 females; median age, 2 years [<18 years of age]) were used. The observed concordance rates between the Tm mapping method and the culture method for both positive and negative samples were 76.4% (126/165) in blood samples and 79.1% (72/91) in other clinical specimens. The Tm mapping detection rate was higher than that of culture using both blood and other clinical specimens. In addition, using the Tm mapping method, we identified causative bacteria in pediatric clinical specimens quicker than when using blood cultures. Hence, the Tm mapping method could be a useful adjunct for diagnosing bacterial infections in pediatric patients and may be valuable in antimicrobial stewardship for patients with bacterial infections, especially in culture-negative cases.IMPORTANCE This study provides novel insights regarding the use of the melting temperature (Tm) mapping method to identify the dominant bacteria in samples collected from pediatric patients. We designed a new set of primers for commercial use and developed a database of different bacteria that can be identified using these primers. We show that the Tm mapping method could identify bacteria from blood samples and other clinical specimens. Moreover, we provide evidence that the Tm mapping method has a higher detection rate than that of the culture-based methods and can achieve a relatively high agreement rate. We believe that our study makes a significant contribution to this field because rapid identification of the source of bacterial infections can drastically improve patient outcomes and impede the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

1119. Assessment of Vancomycin Pharmacokinetic Parameters in Pediatric Patients After Liver Transplantation

BackgroundVancomycin is largely prescribed to treat gram-positive bacterial infections in pediatric patients after liver transplantation with the same empirical doses prescribed in other critical conditions due to the absence of pharmacokinetic studies in this population. The objective of this investigation was to describe the vancomycin pharmacokinetic parameters and to assess the vancomycin percentage of target attainment with empirical regimen.MethodsProspective and longitudinal study with pediatric post-liver transplantation patients who received at least 48 hours of vancomycin between January 2020 and May 2021. Patients with acute or chronic renal failure or receiving renal replacement therapy were excluded. Vancomycin therapy started with 40-60mg/kg daily, one-hour infusion. The pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by one-compartment model with first-order kinetics using near steady-state postdistributional peak and trough within the same dosing interval. Therapeutic target was defined as vancomycin 24-hour area under the curve/minimum inhibitory concentration (AUCss0-24/MIC) ≥ 400 and < 600. The study protocol was approved by the local ethics committee.ResultsWe included 18 sets of peak/trough serum concentrations obtained from 12 patients. The patients had median age of 11 (interquartile range [IQ] 8-16) months. The found vancomycin clearance, volume of distribution and half-life values were, respectively, 2.1 (IQ 1.4-2.8) mL/kg/min, 0.6 (IQ 0.5-0.7) L/kg and 3.2 (IQ 2.3-4.0) hours. After the initial dose regimen, 5 (42%) patients reached the therapeutic target.ConclusionUsing the one-compartment model, we evaluate the pharmacokinetic parameters of vancomycin in pediatric patients after liver transplantation. Most of patients did not reach the therapeutic target with empirical regimen, so it is prudent to monitor the exposure to vancomycin directly by AUC/MIC ratio to maximize antimicrobial efficacy.Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Levofloxacin for Antibacterial Prophylaxis in Pediatric Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia or Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

This study aimed to evaluate the use of levofloxacin for the prevention of bacterial infections in pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia or those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This study was a single-center, retrospective review designed to assess the frequency of bacteremia with levofloxacin prophylaxis compared with historical controls that used other, clinician-directed antibacterial prophylaxis. The primary outcome of the study was microbiologically documented bacteremia. Secondary outcomes included febrile neutropenia, clinically documented infection, duration of neutropenia, treatment antibiotic exposure days, Clostridioides difficile infection, and infection-related mortality. Of the 60 patients included, 24 patients with 32 hospital admissions received levofloxacin and 36 patients with 48 hospital admissions received clinician-directed prophylaxis. There was no difference found in the frequency of bacteremia between levofloxacin and clinician-directed prophylaxis (15.6% vs 10.4%, p = 0.49). There was no difference in the incidence of febrile neutropenia, clinically documented infection, treatment antibiotic exposure days, or 30-day infection-related mortality between the 2 groups. The levofloxacin group had a longer mean duration of neutropenia compared with clinician-directed prophylaxis (26.8 days vs 16.4 days, p = 0.01). There was no difference in bacteremia between levofloxacin prophylaxis and clinician-directed prophylaxis in pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia or those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Levofloxacin prophylaxis is an appropriate alternative for the prevention of serious bacterial infections in this patient population, although further studies are needed to confirm these results.

Cost-effectiveness of levofloxacin prophylaxis against bacterial infection in pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Infections are the leading cause of therapy-related mortality in pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although effectiveness of levofloxacin antibacterial prophylaxis in oncology patients is recognized, its cost-effectiveness is unknown. This study evaluated epidemiologic data regarding levofloxacin use and the cost-effectiveness of this strategy as the cost per bacteremia episode, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and death avoided in children with AML. A retrospective cohort study using the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database compared demographic and clinical characteristics and receipt of levofloxacin prophylaxis in children with AML admitted for chemotherapy from January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2018. We then developed a decision analysis model in this population that compared costs associated with bacteremia, ICU admission, or death secondary to bacteremia to levofloxacin prophylaxis cost from a healthcare perspective. Time horizon is one chemotherapy cycle. Probabilistic and one-way sensitivity analyses evaluated model uncertainty. Prophylaxis cost $8491 per bacteremia episode prevented compared with an average added hospital cost of $119478. Prophylaxis cost $81609 per ICU admission avoided, compared with an average added hospital cost of $94181. Prophylaxis cost $220457 per death avoided. In sensitivity analysis, at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100000 per bacteremia episode avoided, prophylaxis remained cost-effective in 94.6% of simulations. Prophylaxis use was more common in recent years in patients with relapsed disease and with chemotherapy regimens considered more intensive. Prophylaxis is cost-effective in preventing bacterial infections in patients with AML. Findings support increased use in patients considered at high risk of bacterial infection secondary to myelosuppression.

Prevalence, Epidemiology, Etiology, and Sensitivity of Invasive Bacterial Infections in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Oncological Treatment: A Multicenter Nationwide Study.

Background: Infectious complications (IC) caused by bacterial strains often impede anticancer therapy. The study aimed to retrospectively analyze bacterial IC that could help predict the risk and optimize the empirical treatment for bacterial infections in pediatric cancer patients. Patients and Methods: Over a 72-month period, all-in 5,599 children with cancer: 2,441 patients with hematological malignancy (HM including acute leukemias, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas [NHLs], and Langerhans cell histiocytosis) and 3,158 with solid tumors (STs including central nervous system tumors, neuroblastoma, Wilms' tumor, soft tissue sarcoma, germ cell tumors, Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, hepatoblastoma, and others) were enrolled into the study. Episodes of bacterial infectious complications (EBICs) confirmed by microbiological findings were reported by each hospital and analyzed centrally. Results: At least 1 EBIC was diagnosed in 2,155 (36.8%) children (1,281 [59.4%] with HM and 874 [40.6%] with ST; p < 0.001). All-in 4,860 EBICs were diagnosed including 62.2% episodes in children with HM and 37.8% in children with ST (p < 0.001). Having analyzed the source of infections, blood stream infections predominated, apart from NHL patients in whom the most common type was gut infections. The profile of bacteria strains was different in HM and ST groups (p < 0.001). However, in both groups the most common Gram-negative pathogen was Enterobacteriaceae, with the rate being higher in the HM group. Among Gram-negative strains low susceptibility to ceftazidime, whereas among Enterococcus spp. low susceptibility to vancomycin was noticed. The rate of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens was high, especially for Gram negatives (47.7% vs. 23.9%; p < 0.001). The survival after infections was comparable for HM and ST patients (p = 0.215). Conclusions: The risk of bacterial IC in HM patients was higher than in the ST group. The high rate of MDR strains was detected in pediatric cancer patients, especially in those with HM.

Common bacterial infections and their treatment in hospitalized pediatric patients.

Common bacterial infections in pediatric patients that the hospital pharmacist may encounter are reviewed, and guidance on the safe and effective use of antibiotics to treat those infections is provided. Pharmacists play a key role in evaluating and creating antibiotic treatment plans for patients with infections. Bacterial infections are a common reason for hospital admission in pediatric patients, and pharmacists working in hospitals may be consulted to provide treatment and monitoring recommendations. It is important for pharmacists to be aware of similarities and differences in adult and pediatric populations with regard to presenting signs and symptoms of bacterial infections, common causative pathogens, and antibiotic selection, dosing, and monitoring. This article reviews current approaches to treatment of common bacterial infections in pediatric patients and also provides general suggestions for antibiotic use. Pharmacists have an opportunity to positively impact the care of pediatric patients with bacterial infections. Especially at facilities where pediatric patients are not regularly treated, pharmacists can potentially improve care through provision of recommendations for optimal antibiotic selection, dosing, and monitoring.

The efficacy and safety of ceftaroline in the treatment of acute bacterial infection in pediatric patients - a systemic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: This meta-analysis aims to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of ceftaroline in treating acute bacterial infections – community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and skin and skin structure infection (SSSI) in pediatric patients.Methods: The Pubmed, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov. and the Cochrane databases were searched up to December 31, 2018. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating ceftaroline and other comparators in the treatment of acute bacterial infection in pediatric patients were included. The primary outcome was the clinical cure rate and the secondary outcome was the risk of adverse event.Results: Three RCTs were included. Overall, ceftaroline had a clinical cure rate at end of therapy (EOT) and test of cure (TOC) similar to comparators in the treatment of acute bacterial infection (at EOT, OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 0.88–4.25, I2=0%, and at TOC, OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 0.64–2.91, I2=14%). In addition, ceftaroline had a clinical failure rate at EOT and TOC similar to comparators in the treatment of acute bacterial infection (at EOT, OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.22–1.76, I2=0%, and at TOC, OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.24–1.91, I2=0%). No significant differences were found for the risk of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAE) in all and different degrees between ceftaroline and comparators (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.37–1.78, I2=56%). The risks of TEAE and severe adverse events related to study drug were similar between ceftaroline and comparators (TEAE related to study drug, OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.52–1.82, I2=0%, severe adverse event related to study drug, OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.22–5.44, I2=22%).Conclusions: The clinical efficacy of ceftaroline is as good as comparator therapy in the treatment of acute bacterial infections – CAP and SSSI, and this antibiotic is well tolerated as the comparators.

Écologie microbienne et sensibilité aux antibiotiques des bactéries isolées d’infections urinaires chez l’enfant au Maroc

Urinary tract infection is one of the most common bacterial infections in pediatric patients. A targeted empirical antibiotic therapy requires an updating of local bacteriological data.Objective : To propose updated microbial ecology data of urinary tract infection in children and evolution of the antibiotic sensitivity profile of uropathogenic germs.Methods : A descriptive study was made over a period of 5 years (from January 2013 to December 2017). It includes all cyto-bacteriological examinations of urine performed in child-ren hospitalized in various departments of the Pediatric center of Mohammed VI University Hospital in Marrakech.Results : 23% of the 4 769 tested samples presented characteristics of a Urinary tract infection. Mean patient age was 45 months. Sex ratio M/F was 1,04. Escherichia. Coli was the dominant pathogen (39%) followed by Klebsiella. pneumoniae (21 %). Escherichia. Coli was resistant to amoxicillin in 80% of cases, to the association amoxicillin + clavulanic acid in 59 %, to third gene-ration cephalosporins in 33%, to fluoroquinolones in 15%, and to the cotrimoxazole in 55 % of cases; 39 % of Enterobacteria produced an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase and the overall prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria was 32.9%, especially Klebsiella pneumoniae (47 %).Conclusion : These results confirm the evolutionary and worrying character of the antibiotic resistance of uropathogenic bacteria, which requires a continuous monitoring of its resistance, a rational prescription of antibiotics and respect for hygiene.

Bacterial infections in pediatric patients during early post liver transplant period: A prospective study in Iran.

Bacterial infection in early period after liver transplant (LT) is the main cause of morbidity and mortality; however, data on children is limited. To investigate the frequency, characteristics, and the associated factors of bacterial infection during hospitalization after LT, we prospectively enrolled all consecutive children with LT for a one-year, case-control study at the unique referral center of pediatric LT in Iran. Eighty-five events of bacterial infection were detected among 51 out of 94 LT recipients (54.3%) (infection group). Forty-three patients without bacterial infection constituted the control group. The frequency of bacterial infection based on the 51 microbiologically documented events was 31.9% (30 out of 94 patients). Major site of bacterial isolation were abdomen (43.6%). The following variables were associated with bacterial infection in univariate analysis: younger age (5.6 vs 8.9years old), longer duration of JP Drain (13.4 vs 6.3days), central venous catheter (14.6 vs 7.6days), and Foley catheter insertion (7.3 vs 4.5days), reoperation (57% vs 12% of patients), mean frequency of reoperation (1.1 vs 0.1 times), and intensive care unit stay (12.1 vs 6.5days). In multivariate analysis, only longer hospital stay after transplant (23.6 vs 10.9days) was independently associated with bacterial infection. All ten deaths occurred within the infection group and half of which directly caused by infection. These infections were associated with longer hospital stay and higher mortality rate. Conducting further studies with larger sample size and investigating more effective prophylactic measures should be considered in future studies.

Association of procalcitonin values and bacterial infections in pediatric patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

There is increasing data in pediatrics demonstrating procalcitonin (PCT) is more sensitive and specific than other biomarkers in the setting of bacterial infections. However, the use of PCT in neonatal and pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is not well described. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe the clinical utility of PCT in determining the absence or presence of bacterial infections in neonatal and pediatric patients on ECMO. This was a retrospective electronic medical record (EMR) review of data between January 1, 2010 to June 30, 2016 at a single, free-standing, children 's hospital. All patients on ECMO with ≥1 PCT level obtained while receiving ECMO support were eligible for inclusion. The EMR was searched for chest radiographs (CXR) and bacterial culture results (urine, blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and respiratory cultures). All bacterial and viral cultures obtained within 5 days of PCT levels being obtained were analyzed. PCT levels of 0.5, 0.9, 1.0, 1.4 and 2.0 were used as the initial cut-off values for the analysis. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive values (NPV) and likelihood ratios were calculated for each of the PCT levels. Twenty-seven patients met the inclusion criteria and contributed 193 PCT values for the analysis. The median age was 8 months (range 0 days to 18 years). Linear regression analysis demonstrated that a PCT cut-off of 0.5, 0.9 and 1.4 predicted the presence of a bacterial infection. The PCT value with the most utility was 0.5, with a sensitivity of 92%, a specificity of 43%, a positive predictive value of 60% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 86%. This is the largest data set evaluating PCT in neonatal and pediatric patients on ECMO. A PCT value of 0.5 ng/mL had the most utility for determining the absence or presence of a bacterial infection in the setting of ECMO with a high sensitivity and NPV.

Procalcitonin as a biomarker of bacterial infection in pediatric patients after congenital heart surgery.

Background:Bacterial infection (BI) after congenital heart surgery (CHS) is associated with increased morbidity and is difficult to differentiate from systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Procalcitonin (PCT) has emerged as a reliable biomarker of BI in various populations.Aim:To determine the optimal PCT threshold to identify BI among children suspected of having infection following CPB.Setting and Design:Single-center retrospective observational study.Materials and Methods:Medical records of all the patients admitted between January 2013 and April 2015 were reviewed. Patients in the age range of 0-21 years of age who underwent CHS requiring CPB in whom PCT was drawn between postoperative days 0-8 due to suspicion of infection were included.Statistical Analysis:The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for nonparametric variables. The diagnostic performance of PCT was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:Ninety-eight patients were included. The median age was 2 months (25th and 75th interquartile of 0.1-7.5 months). Eleven patients were included in the BI group. The median PCT for the BI group (3.42 ng/mL, 25th and 75th interquartile of 2.34-5.67) was significantly higher than the median PCT for the noninfected group (0.8 ng/mL, 25th and 75th interquartile 0.38-3.39), P = 0.028. The PCT level that yielded the best compromise between the sensitivity (81.8%) and specificity (66.7%) was 2 ng/mL with an area under the ROC curve of 0.742.Conclusion:A PCT less than 2 ng/mL makes BI unlikely in children suspected of infection after CHS.

Elevated serum ApoE levels are associated with bacterial infections in pediatric patients

We aimed to determine the variations in serum apolipoprotein E (ApoE) levels in pediatric patients with a variety of infectious diseases, and to investigate the potential mechanism of elevated ApoE serum levels during infection. A total of 279 pediatric patients with a variety of infections and 58 normal controls were enrolled in this study. Serum ApoE levels were detected using an immunoturbidimetric assay. A mouse sepsis model was established to evaluate the expression of ApoE and its receptors by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. Serum ApoE was markedly increased in cases with bacterial infections including sepsis, bacterial meningitis, and bacterial pneumonia, compared to healthy controls. No significantly elevated serum ApoE levels were observed in aseptic meningitis patients or mycoplasma pneumonia patients. The mice sepsis models showed a similar pattern of increased serum ApoE levels in the early stage of infections. We found reduced expression of ApoE and its receptors in the liver tissues in these mice models. Serum ApoE may represent a novel indicator for diagnosis of bacterial infections, especially sepsis, in pediatric patients. The decreased expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), LDL receptor-related protein (LRP), and heparin sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) syndecan-1 (SDC1) may contribute to reduced ApoE clearance and accumulation in the blood.

The diagnostic value of apolipoprotein E in pediatric patients with invasive bacterial infections

To evaluate the potential diagnostic value of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) measurements in pediatric patients with invasive bacterial infections. A total of 185 pediatric patients were enrolled in this study, including 94 patients with confirmable infections and 91 patients without confirmable infections. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ApoE levels were measured by immunoturbidimetry. The diagnostic values of ApoE were evaluated by the receiver operating curve (ROC) method. ApoE levels in CSF were significantly increased in patients with bacterial meningitis, and serum ApoE was markedly elevated in patients with sepsis or with bacterial meningitis compared with patients with other infections and uninfected children. The optimal ApoE cutoff value for CSF was >1.7 mg/L with 85% sensitivity and 100% specificity and was >42 mg/L in serum with 80% sensitivity and 93% specificity. ApoE detection provided a novel diagnostic marker for invasive bacterial infections in pediatric patients.

Clinical Approaches for Understanding the Expression Levels of Pattern Recognition Receptors in Otitis Media with Effusion

ObjectivesBacterial infections in the normally sterile environment of the middle ear cavity usually trigger host immune response, whereby the innate immune system plays a dominant role as the host's first line of defense. We evaluated the expression levels of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) -2, -4, -5, -9, and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing proteins (NODs) -1 and -2, all of which are related to bacterial infection in pediatric patients with otitis media with effusion (OME).MethodsThe study sample consisted of 46 pediatric patients with OME, all of whom had ventilation tubes inserted. The expression levels of TLR-2, -4, -5, -9, NOD-1 and -2 mRNA in middle ear effusion were assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Difference of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) expression level by presence of bacteria, ventilation tube insertion rate, and effusion fluid character was assessed.ResultsAll effusion fluid samples collected from patients with OME showed expression of TLR-2, -4, -5, -9, NOD-1, and -2 mRNA by PCR. However, we found no differences among expression levels of PRRs in relation to characteristics of exudates, presence of bacteria, or frequencies of ventilation tube insertion (P>0.05).ConclusionOur findings suggest that exudates of OME patients show PRR expressions that are related to the innate immune response regardless of the characteristics of effusion fluid, presence of bacteria in exudates, or frequency of ventilation tube insertion.

Nosocomial Gram‐positive bacterial infections in children: Results of a 7 year study

The aim of the present paper was to determine the rate of culture-proven nosocomial infections and evaluate the episodes of nosocomial Gram-positive (GP) bacterial infections in pediatric patients. The data of children with positive culture, who were diagnosed as having nosocomial infection on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, were examined and only the patients with nosocomial GP bacterial infections were included in the study. Between January 1997 and January 2004 a total of 836 episodes of nosocomial GP bacterial infections were observed. The most frequently seen nosocomial GP bacterial infections were primary bloodstream infections (BSI; 43%), ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections (18%), and nosocomial pneumonias (11%). Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CONS; 46%) were the most common nosocomial GP bacteria isolated, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (33%). Methicillin resistance rates for CONS and S. aureus were 85% and 25.2%; respectively. The mortality rate was 4% of all children with nosocomial GP bacterial infections in the present study. In the present patients primary BSI were the most common nosocomial GP bacterial infections and CONS were the most frequent GP pathogen isolated. Antimicrobial resistance in GP isolates is an increasing problem.