The Pediatric infectious disease journal
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Feb 2013
Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphism increases susceptibility to septic shock in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist polymorphism (ILRN) 2 (ILRN*2) has been associated with a poor outcome in septic patients because of an elevated production of anti-inflammatory cytokines. In >70% of patients, morbidity and mortality in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia is caused by infections. The aim of this study was to determine the association between this polymorphism and the frequency of septic shock from the time of diagnosis until completion of treatment. ⋯ This information would allow us to identify more predictive factors in this group of acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients in whom this information is lacking to establish an earlier and more aggressive approach.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Feb 2013
Case ReportsFatal wild-type varicella-zoster virus encephalitis without a rash in a vaccinated child.
Encephalitis associated with varicella-zoster virus, rare among children in the varicella vaccine era, has generally been associated with a rash. We report fatal wild-type varicella-zoster virus encephalitis without a rash in a child who had received 1 dose of varicella vaccine. Varicella-zoster virus encephalitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for children presenting with acute neurologic symptoms, even vaccine recipients.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Feb 2013
Tuberculosis in children exposed at home to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
The tuberculosis burden in children exposed at home to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is unquantified. With limited access to MDR-TB treatment, likely millions of children share the experience of chronic exposure to an infectious patient. ⋯ Children were at high risk for TB disease when the index case started MDR-TB treatment and during the following year. These results highlight the need for implementing contact investigations and establishing systems for prompt referral and treatment of pediatric household contacts of MDR-TB patients, regardless of the age of the child.