Pseudomonas aeruginosa necrotizing bronchopneumonia

Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants are at particularly high risk for infection due to an immature immune system, invasive procedures such as endotracheal intubation, intravascular catheterization, and other factors. Neonatal infections in this population are associated with a high mortality, poor growth, and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) infection is an uncommon but potentially devastating cause of pneumonia and sepsis in the ELBW population. P. aeruginosa is an important cause of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) or nosocomial infections. P. aeruginosa can perceive unfavorable environmental changes and orchestrate adaptations by developing plasmid-mediated and adaptive resistance to antibiotics. We describe an ELBW infant born at 26 weeks' gestation who succumbed at 13 days of life to P. aeruginosa infection. Some of the factors related to the pathogenesis and multidrug resistance are described.

Fatal Disseminated Herpes Simplex in a very premature neonate

Herpes Simplex Virus infections (HSV) are ubiquitous. The neonatal HSV infection (NHSV) is rare. The incidence is estimated globally at only 10.3 per 100,000 births, but it can cause devastating disease in premature infants. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be the etiologic agents in this type of vertically transmittted NHSV infection. Here we describe the pathological findings from a complete autopsy of a very low birth weight infant who succumbed to the infection despite early institution of antiviral treatment. We urge more awareness of this disease with continued surveillance; every effort should be taken to make an early diagnosis and thus prevent this devastating disease.