The Pediatric infectious disease journal
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Diagnosis of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt pathology remains a dilemma in patients with nonspecific constitutional signs and symptoms. Eosinophilia has been described in association with shunt infection and malfunction. Our purpose was to further define the relationship of eosinophilia and shunt pathology and to determine other predictors of VP shunt infection and malfunction. ⋯ In patients suspected of having a VP shunt malfunction, the presence of > or =5% eosinophils in the ventricular fluid indicates shunt pathology. The combination of fever and ventricular fluid neutrophils > 10% is predictive of shunt infection.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · May 2001
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialLinezolid for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in hospitalized children. Linezolid Pediatric Pneumonia Study Group.
To determine the safety, tolerance, pharmacokinetics and efficacy of linezolid, a new oxazolidinone antibiotic in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in hospitalized children. ⋯ Linezolid was well-tolerated and could be considered an alternative to vancomycin for treating serious infections caused by antibiotic-resistant Gram-positive cocci in children pending results of additional studies.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Apr 2001
Review Case ReportsGroup C streptococcal meningitis: case report and review of the literature.
Group C streptococci are a common cause of epidemic bacterial infection in animals. These organisms are a rare but frequently fatal cause of meningitis in humans. We report the case of a 13-year-old girl with meningitis caused by a group C Streptococcus (Streptococcus zooepidemicus) successfully treated with vancomycin and third generation cephalosporins. We also review cases of group C streptococcal meningitis reported previously.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Mar 2001
Review Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialComparative study of cefepime versus ceftazidime in the empiric treatment of pediatric cancer patients with fever and neutropenia.
In view of the recent trend toward monotherapy in the treatment of bacterial infection, we evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of cefepime vs. ceftazidime for the empiric treatment of febrile episodes in neutropenic pediatric cancer patients. ⋯ Cefepime appears to be safe and effective compared with ceftazidime for initial empiric therapy of febrile episodes in neutropenic pediatric cancer patients.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Feb 2001
Comparative StudyComparison of the urine-based ligase chain reaction test to culture for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in pediatric sexual abuse victims.
The urine-based ligase chain reaction (LCR) assay for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an attractive alternative to culture because of the relative ease with which specimens may be collected, transported and processed. In addition LCR offers superior sensitivity while maintaining high specificity when compared with culture in various studies of adolescents and adults. A study comparing LCR to culture has not been published concerning children. ⋯ The low prevalence of disease in the study population precluded statistical analysis. LCR may prove to be as specific and more sensitive than culture for the detection of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae in children. Further studies are needed.