The Pediatric infectious disease journal
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Nov 2014
Observational StudyC-reactive protein, procalcitonin and the lab-score for detecting serious bacterial infections in febrile children at the emergency department: a prospective observational study.
C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) are useful diagnostic tools to estimate the risk of serious bacterial infection (SBI) in febrile children at the emergency department (ED). The Lab-score combines these 2 biomarkers with urinalysis in an easy to use validated model. Kinetics of inflammatory markers suggests a differentiating role of duration of disease. ⋯ CRP and PCT were both strong predictors of SBI. The original and updated Lab-score performed well, but thresholds values lacked diagnostic value for ruling out SBI. Depending on clinical risk thresholds, diagnostic testing can be limited to CRP or PCT, rather than both, in many febrile children.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Nov 2014
Antibody persistence after primary and booster doses of a quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine in adolescents.
The aim of this study was to evaluate antibody persistence 5 years after primary vaccination with the quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines MenACWY-CRM or MenACWY-D and 2 years after a booster dose of MenACWY-CRM, in the context of a phase 3 study. ⋯ Booster vaccination with MenACWY-CRM elicited a robust immune response during the 2-year follow-up period, irrespective of previous vaccination.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Nov 2014
Case ReportsAcute transverse myelitis complicating breakthrough varicella infection.
We report a 10-year-old girl who presented with acute transverse myelitis after breakthrough varicella infection. The diagnosis was based on the development of motor weakness, paraparesis and bladder dysfunction, spinal magnetic resonance imaging findings and detection of anti-varicella zoster virus IgG antibody in the cerebrospinal fluid. This case report highlights that breakthrough varicella can result in serious complications such as acute transverse myelitis.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Oct 2014
The burden of single virus and viral coinfections on severe lower respiratory tract infections among preterm infants: a prospective birth cohort study in Brazil.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is associated with severe lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), especially in preterm infants. Other viruses, co-detected with RSV, may play a role in the severity of respiratory outcomes. ⋯ This study confirms the association of RSV alone or as a coinfection with severe LRTI and reinforces the importance of providing adequate prophylaxis for susceptible infants.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Sep 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyA prospective multicenter study of microbiologically defined infections in pediatric cancer patients with fever and neutropenia: Swiss Pediatric Oncology Group 2003 fever and neutropenia study.
Fever and neutropenia (FN) often complicate anticancer treatment and can be caused by potentially fatal infections. Knowledge of pathogen distribution is paramount for optimal patient management. ⋯ MDI were identified in a minority of FN episodes but they significantly affected management and the clinical course of pediatric cancer patients. Compliance with published guidelines was associated with effectiveness of empiric antibiotic therapy in FN episodes with bacteremia.