The Pediatric infectious disease journal
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Feb 2008
Meta AnalysisThe utility of serum C-reactive protein in differentiating bacterial from nonbacterial pneumonia in children: a meta-analysis of 1230 children.
Differentiating bacterial from nonbacterial community-acquired pneumonia in children is difficult. Although several studies have evaluated serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) as a predictor of bacterial pneumonia in this patient population, the utility of this test remains unclear. ⋯ In children with pneumonia, serum CRP concentrations exceeding 40-60 mg/L weakly predict a bacterial etiology.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Feb 2008
Case ReportsStaphylococcal pericarditis, and liver and paratracheal abscesses as presentations in two new cases of interleukin-1 receptor associated kinase 4 deficiency.
A deficiency in the interleukin-1 receptor activated kinase 4 (IRAK-4) has recently been associated with severe recurrent, predominantly Gram-positive bacterial infections. ⋯ Our results indicate that PGN-induced IL-6 production is via IRAK-4 dependent mechanisms, whereas IL-8 response to PGN is via IRAK-4 independent mechanisms. Patients with relatively silent but invasive bacterial infection should raise suspicion of IRAK-4 immunodeficiency.